Trailers available: Tamara Drewe

September 2010

Jonathan Cape are offering libraries the trailer of the forthcoming film Tamara Drewe, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Posy Simmonds. It's released on September 10th and stars Gemma Arterton, Roger Allam, Dominic Cooper, Luke Evans and Tamsin Greig.

Email Vicki Watson (vwatson@randomhouse.co.uk) stating whether you'd prefer to receive the file via ftp or DVD.

Continue reading Trailers available: Tamara Drewe

Proofs available: A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake

August and September 2010

Macmillan are offering reading groups proofs of A Dark Anatomy, the first book in new historical crime series set in eighteenth century England: a time before proper policing, when law was local and forensic science is just beginning...

Book synopsis
The local squire's wife is found lying beneath an ancient oak tree in her riding clothes, with a gash across her neck. It's up to local coroner Cragg and local doctor Fidelis to work out whodunit!

To request proofs please email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk

Continue reading Proofs available: A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake

Kate Morton Book Trailer Available

September 2010

Macmillan are offering libraries a book trailer of The Distant Hours, the new novel from No 1 bestselling author Kate Morton, author of The House at Riverton.

Email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk stating whether you'd prefer to receive the file via email or USB stick.

Continue reading Kate Morton Book Trailer Available

C J Sansom Book Trailer Available

September 2010

Macmillan are offering libraries a book trailer for Heartstone, the new Shardlake novel from No 1 Bestselling author C. J. Sansom.

Book synopsis
It's 1545, England is preparing for war but Shardlake is facing a more personal mission when a mission from Queen Catherine Parr takes him into a world of secrets. . .

Please email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk stating whether you'd prefer to be sent the trailer via email or on a USB stick.

Continue reading C J Sansom Book Trailer Available

Free reading group copies: Henry VIII: Wolfman

September 2010

You've already sunk your teeth into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter now prepare yourselves for a macabre, terrifying and hilarious journey through Tudor England as you've never seen it before as Henry VIII is transformed into a rampaging wolfman . . .

A.E. Moorat works as a freelance journalist and lives in Leicestershire with his wife and two children

To request copies email Jaime Frost jaime.frost@hodder.co.uk

Continue reading Free reading group copies: Henry VIII: Wolfman

Free reading group copies: Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

September 2010

Hodder are offering reading groups free copies of Blood Oath, the new thriller from Christopher Farnsworth.

Synopsis
Sharp and ambitious, Zach Barrows is on his way up. But when he gets a call from the White House, it's not quite the promotion he expected. Zach is to be the new political liaison officer to America's best kept secret: Nathaniel Cade. The President's vampire. And Cade is the world's only hope against a horrifying new terrorist threat advancing from the Middle East. The fight is deadlier than ever, and time is running out . . .

About the author
Born and raised in Idaho, Christopher Farnsworth worked as an investigative and business reporter before selling his first screenplay. Since then, he has been coming up with new and better ways to kill monsters, bad guys and aliens. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jean Roosevelt Farnsworth, and their daughter, Caroline.

To request proofs please email Jaime Frost jaime.frost@hodder.co.uk

Continue reading Free reading group copies: Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

Proofs available: Victory by Julian Stockwin

August and September 2010

Hodder are offering reading groups proofs of a debut historical fiction novel by a former Royal Navy Commander.

Book synopsis
Commander Thomas Kydd is eager to play his part in thwarting Bonaparte's plans for the invasion of England. Joining Admiral Nelson's command, Kydd and his ship soon find themselves at the heart of the action that leads up to the famous clash of the mighty British and French fleets at Trafalgar. Kydd's journey takes him from false sightings of the enemy and dramatic chases across the Atlantic, to the bloody annihilation of the enemy during the actual battle, and the heroic aftermath.

About the author
After leaving the Navy Julian practised as an educational psychologist. He lived for some time in Hong Kong, where he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. He was awarded the MBE and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He now lives in Devon with his wife Kathy. For more information click here

To request proofs email Jaime Frost Jaime.Frost@hodder.co.uk

Continue reading Proofs available: Victory by Julian Stockwin

Proofs available: The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen

August and September 2010

Macmillan are delighted to offer reading groups proofs of the Summer of the Bear, the new book from Bella Pollen, author of the bestselling Richard & Judy Bookclub novel Hunting Unicorns.

The Summer of the Bear follows the story of a family dealing with the loss of a father and husband in a remote Scottish island. For more information about the book, click here

To request proofs please email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk

Continue reading Proofs available: The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen

New library opening in North Yorkshire - authors, illustrators etc wanted

From January 2011 onwards

North Yorkshire County Council is opening a new library in the small community of Starbeck in partnership with day services to adults with learning disabilities. We will be celebrating the new library from January 2011 onwards and are looking for authors, illustrators or publishers who will support us with events, goody bags, or anything else! For more information about the development, please visit our website (www.northyorks.gov.uk/starbeck), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/starbeckhub), or contact Karen Thornton (karen.thornton@northyorks.gov.uk)

Continue reading New library opening in North Yorkshire - authors, illustrators etc wanted

Word Weeks (Havering) - authors wanted

4th-16th October

We are finalising our Word Weeks programme (4-16th October) and are looking for additional authors and events. Something unusual, fun and wacky would be great! We are also seeking more traditional events. We can put authors into schools, reading groups or large events linked with our shopping centres in Romford. We have had sellout events with Jo Brand, Ann Widdecombe and Chris Ryan - and we have Edwina Currie and Martin Bell confirmed for this year's Word Weeks.

Would love to hear from you!

Continue reading Word Weeks (Havering) - authors wanted

Lesley Pearse at Norton Canes Library

30th September 2010

Bestselling author, Lesley Pearse, will be at Norton Canes Library speaking about her life and writing on Thursday 30th September at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £3 for library members or £4 for non-library members. For tickets please contact Norton Canes Library Tel 01543 279592

Continue reading Lesley Pearse at Norton Canes Library

Interactive web chat with acclaimed author Tarquin Hall

25th August at 7pm

We will be holding an interactive web chat with acclaimed author Tarquin Hall on 25th August at 7pm.

Tarquin's most recent book, The Case of the Missing Servant, the first fiction from author of the acclaimed Salaam Brick Lane and To the Elephant Graveyard, is many things. An intriguing detective story. A comic romp full of eccentric and joyfully drawn characters. A vivid portrait of modern India with all its manifold contradictions and complexities.

If you would be interested in asking Tarquin about his inspirations, how he got a publishing deal or anything else, AND would like to receive a FREE COPY of The Case of the Missing Servant please email lgibbs@randomhouse.co.uk! Remember you have to be available to chat on-line on 25th August at 7pm!

Continue reading Interactive web chat with acclaimed author Tarquin Hall

Aggie MacKenzie at Rainham Library

25th November 2010

Well known television personality and presenter of 'How Clean is Your House', Aggie MacKenzie will be visiting Rainham Library, to talk about her life and her career.

Aggie MacKenzie is best known for her work as presenter on popular TV program 'How Clean is Your House', but she is also a successful columnist for the Saturday Times and Good Housekeeping.

Aggie has also produced 3 books with her long running co-presenter Kim Woodburn, 'How Clean is Your House?', 'Too Posh To Wash' and 'The Cleaning Bible'. She has also written a book taken from her popular monthly food page in Good Housekeeping, called 'Ask Aggie'.

Tickets £5.00
Time 7.30pm
Location Rainham Library

Contact david.dennison@havering.gov.uk

Continue reading Aggie MacKenzie at Rainham Library

Authors wanted for Birmingham Book Festival

October 2010

Birmingham Libraries are one of the sponsors of Birmingham Book Festival which takes place each October. During the Festival, we organise a 'Fringe Festival'- which complements the main Festival programme. The main aim of the Fringe is to broaden people's reading experiences and highlight what libraries have to offer. Events are based in the Central Library (either in the Library Theatre or in the Library Foyer) and audiences have ranged between 30 - 100.

If publishers have an author they would like to put forward, please contact Nikki Bi nikki.bi@birmingham.gov.uk

Continue reading Authors wanted for Birmingham Book Festival

Edwina Currie at Rainham Library

7th October 2010

Former politician, author and TV personality Edwina Currie, will be visiting Rainham Library to talk about her life, career and her books.

Edwina served in Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government in the late 1980's and for John Major in the 90's.

As well as being a well known politician, she is also a successful author of 10 books. Probably her most famous of those books, being 'Her Diaries 1987-1992'.

In recent years she has also done a lot of television work, including 'Hell's Kitchen', 'Celebrity Mastermind' and 'Celebrity Wife Swap'.

Please come and join us for what promises a really interesting and entertaining evening.

Tickets £5.00
Time 7.30pm
Location Rainham Library

Continue reading Edwina Currie at Rainham Library

Tess Gerritsen at Rainham Library

19th August 2010

Rainham Library is proud to present bestselling crime author Tess Gerritsen. She we will be talking about her life and career as one of the world's most successful crime writers, as well as reading from and signing copies of her new book.

One of only 8 locations that Tess Gerritsen will be visiting on her UK tour.

Tickets £5.00
Time 7.30pm
Location Rainham Library

Contact david.dennison@havering.gov.uk

Continue reading Tess Gerritsen at Rainham Library

Andy Goram - author talk

11 September 2010

11am on Saturday 11 September, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch

Andy Goram will talk about his book "The Goalie" and his career in footballing.

The event is free, but ticketed. Please contact David Kenvyn david.kenvyn@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Continue reading Andy Goram - author talk

Author Event at Exeter Central Library

24 November 2010

Margaret James, Linda Mitchelmore and Sophie King will be talking about romantic fiction and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Romantic Novelists Association. We hope to inspire and encourage all readers and writers of women's interest fiction.

Continue reading Author Event at Exeter Central Library

Free Crime Sampler

July 2010

Free Crime samplers are available to libraries featuring extracts from Pan's biggest and brightest crime authors - from No 1 bestseller Peter James to rising star M.R. Hall, US sensation Linda Castillo and classic British crime author L C Tyler.

Contact Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk for more details.

Continue reading Free Crime Sampler

Short story competition prize giving

November 2010

Sheffield libraries are hoping to organise activities during National Short Story Week and would like a short story writer to attend a prize giving for competition winners in Sheffield.

For more details please contact Ros Witten ros.witten@sheffield.gov.uk

Continue reading Short story competition prize giving

Laurie R. King event in Portsmouth

18 July 2010

This summer, Allison & Busby release not one, not two, but three books in the hugely acclaimed Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series. Laurie R. King's Holmes homages regularly hit the New York Times bestseller list and have sold more than three million copies worldwide. The books, narrated by Mary Russell, start in 1915 after the Conan Doyle stories leave off.

Author Laurie R King will be embarking on a UK book tour in July and will be visiting Portsmouth on Sunday 18th July, speaking at the City Museum (in the Marquee) at 2pm. This event is free to attend but will be ticketed due to limited places. Tickets are available to collect from the Museum or to reserve by phone on 023 9282 7261.

Continue reading Laurie R. King event in Portsmouth

Older Author Wanted for "Full of Life" Event in Dudley

1 - 8 October 2010

To celebrate the contribution older people have made to society we would like to invite an author to Dudley who projects a positive image of older people and their achievements. The event will be extensively promoted through our partner AgeUK.

Contact hilary.riley@dudley.gov.uk

Continue reading Older Author Wanted for "Full of Life" Event in Dudley

Author available: Dr Chris Smith, "The Naked Scientist"

October and November 2010

Dr Chris Smith is a medical doctor and scientist, employed as a specialist registrar and clinical lecturer in virology at Cambridge University. He is also the founder and driving force behind The Naked Scientist, live weekly radio talkback show aired by the BBC.

Contact: zoe.hood@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Dr Chris Smith, "The Naked Scientist"

Author talk: Rodge Glass

Saturday 11 September 2010

Doors Open Day

2.30pm, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch

Talk by Rodge Glass, author of the recently published "The Year of Open Doors"

Contact david.kenvyn@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Continue reading Author talk: Rodge Glass

Author event: Angela Huth

6 September 2010

A talk by Angela Huth, the author of "Land Girls".

2.30pm

Milngavie Library
Allander Road
Milngavie
G63 8PN

Contact david.kenvyn@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Continue reading Author event: Angela Huth

Authors' Day, Milngavie Library

4 September 2010

Denise Mina, Jason Donald, Allan Guthrie and Sara Sheridan will be taking part in a special Authors' Day at Milngavie Library.

Saturday 4 September 2010, 10.30-4.30

Milngavie Library
Allander Road
Milngavie G62 8PN

Contact: david.kenvyn@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Continue reading Authors' Day, Milngavie Library

Author talk: Des Dillon, Westerton Library

28 August 2010

An author talk for Westerton Gala Day by Des Dillon, author of "My Epileptic Lurcher", "Glasgow Dragon" and "Six Black Candles"

2.30pm

Westerton Library, 82 Maxwell Avenue, Bearsden G61 1NZ (near Westerton Station)

Contact: david.kenvyn@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Continue reading Author talk: Des Dillon, Westerton Library

Author available: Juliet Barker, The Brontës (revised and updated ed)

November and December 2010

Juliet Barker's landmark book was the first definitive history of the Brontës. It demolishes myths, yet provides startling new information that is just as compelling - but true. Based on first-hand research among all the Brontë manuscripts, many so tiny they can only be read by magnifying glass, and among contemporary historical documents never before used by Brontës biographers, this book is both scholarly and compulsively readable. The Brontës is a revolutionary picture of the world's favourite literary family.

Juliet Barker is a distinguished biographer and a medievalist and scholar. She is both a bestselling historian and a critically acclaimed expert on the Brontës.

Also available to talk on Conquest: The thirty years of English rule in France that followed the battle of Agincourt, now available in paperback.

Contact susan.desoissons@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Juliet Barker, The Brontës (revised and updated ed)

Author available: Philip Palmer, "Version 43"

October and November 2010

Philip Palmer is a film and television writer and producer who also writes for radio and theatre. He teaches screenwriting at Leeds Metropolitan University and runs a television drama series course in Brighton for Lighthouse. His last book Red Claw was classic pulp sci-fi and garnered incredible reviews. Version 43 is a wide-screen adventure of death and robots on a violent frontier world.

Contact rose.tremlett@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Philip Palmer, "Version 43"

Author available: Maggie Smith-Bendall

Late September, October and November

Born on a Somerset pea-field in 1941, the second of eight children in a Romani family, Maggie Smith-Bendell has lived through the years of greatest change in the travelling community's long history. As a child, Maggie rode and slept in a horse-drawn wagon, picked hops and flowers, and sat beside her father's campfire on ancient verges, poor but free to roam. As the twentieth century progressed, common land was fenced off and the traditional ways disappeared. Eventually Maggie married a house-dweller and tried to settle for bricks and mortar, but she never lost the restless spirit, the deep love of the land and the gift for storytelling that were her Romani inheritance. This is her memoir.

Contact sophie.mcivor@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Maggie Smith-Bendall

Author available: Rosamund Lupton, "Sister"

September and October 2010

Rosamund Lupton got an honours degree in English literature from Cambridge University. She reviewed books for the Literary Review and after being a winner of Carlton Television's play competition was invited to join the Royal Court Theatre's writers' group. She subsequently worked as a full-time script writer for television and film. She lives with her husband and two sons in London. This is her first novel and Piatkus' biggest fiction launch of 2010.

Contact: paola.ehrlich@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Rosamund Lupton, "Sister"

Author available: Jane Gardam, "The Man in the Wooden Hat"

September and October 2010

Jane Gardam, OBE is without doubt one of our greatest writers; a doyenne of literary novels and short stories. A new book from Jane is a highlight in the publishing calendar.

Filth (Failed In London, Try Hong Kong) is a successful lawyer when he marries Elisabeth in Hong Kong soon after the War. Reserved, immaculate and courteous, Filth finds it hard to demonstrate his emotions. But Elisabeth is different - a free spirit. How Elisabeth turns into Betty and whether she remains loyal to stolid Filth or swept up by caddish Veneering, make for a page-turning plot, in a perfect novel which is full of surprises and revelations, as well as the humour and eccentricities for which Jane Gardam's writing is famous. The Man in the Wooden Hat is a companion novel to the Orange Prize shortlisted novel, OLD FILTH.

Contact: susan.desoissons@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Jane Gardam, "The Man in the Wooden Hat"

Author available: Charlie Connelly, "Our Man in Hibernia"

September and October 2010

In the summer of 2008 Charlie emigrated to Ireland. Our Man In Hibernia follows his attempts to assimilate in Ireland, matching the image of the nation he'd gleaned through a couple of dozen London St Patrick's Days, countless theme pubs and a low-wattage career as a musician on the UK Irish music circuit with the reality of living here. As well as chugging himself around the country getting into scrapes, he also sets about tracing his hitherto unexplored Irish roots. What he found was an essentially Irish story and one that surprised him. It was a story that gave him an idea as to why despite being born and raised in London, he's always felt drawn to the western side of the Irish Sea and why he is glad that Ireland is his home.

Contact: sophie.mcivor@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Charlie Connelly, "Our Man in Hibernia"

Author available: Danny Danziger, "We Are Soldiers"

September and October 2010

Danny Danziger is a celebrated interviewer and the author of 11 non-fiction titles. His previous Little, Brown book, The Year 1000, sold almost 130,000 copies. His long-running Sunday Times column 'Best of Times, Worst of Times' is the recipient of many award and accolades. When writing We Are Soldiers Danziger interviewed hundreds of soldiers in the British Army of all ranks, divisions and seniority, to uncover the reasons why men and women choose to be soldiers in the 21st century, giving a unique insight into the reality of modern warfare and what it means to fight for your country.

Contact: kirsteen.astor@littlebrown.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Danny Danziger, "We Are Soldiers"

Authors wanted: Darlington Library 125th anniversary event

10th - 23rd October 2010

Authors are wanted for Darlington Library's 125th anniversary celebration.

Please contact Jeannie Bishop jeannie.bishop@darlington.gov.uk for more details.

Continue reading Authors wanted: Darlington Library 125th anniversary event

Authors wanted: Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Readers' Day

27 November 2010

Nottingham City Council is looking for authors to take part in the 7th annual Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Readers' Day. The day will take place on Saturday 27th November and is a unique joint venture between the Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.

Last year's Readers' Day added Hardeep Singh-Kohli and Helen Dunmore to the list of literary luminaries who have taken part in this high-profile event. In previous years speakers have included Wendy Cope, Sadie Jones and Jon McGregor.

Each year, the Readers' Day attracts a sunstantial audience (averaging 150) from the diverse and dynamic areas of Nottingham City and its surrounding county. This time, the event will be held in Nottingham City's Council House. It's a great opportunity for authors to meet their readers and publicise their latest book releases to a significant number of interested individuals. There will also be the opportunity for books to be sold at the event.

If you know of an author who may be interested please get in touch with Kate Wilkinson kate.wilkinson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Continue reading Authors wanted: Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Readers' Day

Author available: Lindsay Clarke, The Water Theatre

September and October 2010

Lindsay Clarke is available to talk about his new book, The Water Theatre, "a powerful story of loyalty and loss, of betrayal and reconciliation." This is his first literary novel after the Chymical Wedding, winner of the Whitbread Award for Fiction in 1989.

Continue reading Author available: Lindsay Clarke, The Water Theatre

Author Available: Anthony Clavane, Promised Land

August and September 2010

Anthony Clavane is available to talk about his new book, Promised Land.

A fascinating journey into the dark heart of the ill-fated Leeds United football club in the tradition of 'The Damned United'.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author Available: Anthony Clavane, Promised Land

Author available: Stephen Moss, The Bumper Book of Nature

15th May - 15th October

Stephen Moss is available to talk about his Bumper Book of Nature.

'This book deserves to be a bestseller' - BBC Wildlife

'Terrific, beautifully designed, inventive, creative and various. Bravo.' - Michael Morpurgo

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Stephen Moss, The Bumper Book of Nature

Author available: Tom McCarthy, "C"

August to December 2010

Tom McCarthy is available to talk about his new book, "C".

The author of 'one of the great English novels of the past ten years' moves to the next level, with a novel of thrilling action, imagination and ambition, perfect for fans of Bolano and Pynchon.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Tom McCarthy, "C"

Author available: Annelise Freisenbruch, The First Lady Of Rome

August to December 2010

Annelise Freisenbruch is available to talk about her new book, The First Lady of Rome.

The first group biography in English of the imperial women of Rome - from an exciting young historian.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Annelise Freisenbruch, The First Lady Of Rome

Author available: Jeremy Lewis, Shades of Greene

15th May - 15th October

Jeremy Lewis is available to talk about his new book, Shades of Greene.

A remarkable group portrait of one English family - the famed, intriguing and pioneering Greenes.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Jeremy Lewis, Shades of Greene

Author available: Julian Hanshaw, The Art of Pho

15th July - 15th October

Julian Hanshaw is available to talk about The Art of Pho.

Inspired by the food of Vietnam, The Art of Pho is a remarkable debut by the winner of the 2008 Cape/Observer graphic novel competition.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Julian Hanshaw, The Art of Pho

Author available: Joseph Smith, Taurus

Summer and Autumn 2010

Joseph Smith is available to talk about his new book, Taurus.

The breathtaking, brilliantly imagined new novel from the author of the acclaimed The Wolf, this time about a bull.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Joseph Smith, Taurus

Author available: Jiang Jiehong, Red

15th May - 15th October

Jiang Jiehong is available to talk about Red.

A breathtaking, thrilling and beautifully produced collection which uncovers the art and graphics of The Cultural Revolution.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Jiang Jiehong, Red

Author available: Allan Massie, The Royal Stuarts

May - October 2010

Allan Massie is available to talk about his new book, The Royal Stuarts.

Ever since the descendants of the House of Stuart arrived in England they have been intimately linked with the history of Britain. Allan Massie, in this new Biography, traces their arrival, rise to the throne of England and Scotland, and scandals in their long and influential affair with British history.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Allan Massie, The Royal Stuarts

Author available: Stuart Neville, Collusion

June - December 2010

Stuart Neville is available to talk about his new book, Collusion.

The brilliant follow-up to the debut thriller of 2009, The Twelve.

'This is some guy to watch out for in a dark alley.' - James Ellroy

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Stuart Neville, Collusion

Author available: Adam O'Riordan, 'In The Flesh' (London)

20/05/10 - 31/12/10

Poet Adam O'Riordan is available to talk about his new collection (London only).

Confident, seductive and assured, this collection is an enthralling introduction to one of our most exciting new poets.

Adam O'Riordan was born in Manchester in 1982, and educated at Oxford and London University, where he was awarded the inaugural Peters, Fraser and Dunlop poetry prize. In 2008 he was awarded an Eric Gregory Award and was Poet-in-Residence at the Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere. He lives in London.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Adam O'Riordan, 'In The Flesh' (London)

Author available: Allison Pearson, I Think I Love You

1st June - 31st December

Allison Pearson is available to talk about her new book, I Think I Love You.

From the No. 1 bestselling author of I Don't Know How She Does It: a hilarious and poignant story about a young girl who falls hopelessly in love with her teenage pin-up and some twenty years later, with her life in pieces around her, finally gets to meet him.

Contact fmurphy@randomhouse.co.uk

Continue reading Author available: Allison Pearson, I Think I Love You

M J Hyland available for events in Manchester

April onwards

This Is How was selected for the 2010 Orange longlist, and MJ Hyland was Booker-shortlisted in 2006 for Carry Me Down. This Is How takes you inside the claustrophobic mind of accidental murderer Patrick Oxtoby. As with all Hyland's books, the writing is sharp and incredibly tight, and the book will throw up a lot of questions.

'When you've been reading Hyland, other writers seem to lack integrity; they seem wedded to weak confabulations, whereas she aims straight for the truth and the heart.' - Hilary Mantel

Continue reading M J Hyland available for events in Manchester

Author available: The Twisted Heart by Rebecca Gowers

March 2010 onwards

Rebecca Gowers is availble to talk about her new book.

The Twisted Heart made the longlist for this year's Orange Prize. It was not Rebecca's first time there: she was Orange-longlisted in 2007 for her debut novel, When to Walk, and was also shortlisted for the 2004 CWA non-fiction Golden Dagger Award for The Swamp of Death. The Twisted Heart hit the press on publication last year for revelations contained in the plot about the real-life links between Charles Dickens and the death of a London prostitute. However, the book also received praise in the broadsheets for its deft and realistic handling of a very modern love affair between the two Oxford academics at the heart of the novel. She lives in Oxford.

'A literary jeu d'esprit in the style of Scarlett Thomas's The End of Mr Y...skittish, stream-of-consciousness prose, ultra-realistic dialogue and a genuinely puzzling historical murder mystery. Fresh and clever and very funny.' - Guardian

Continue reading Author available: The Twisted Heart by Rebecca Gowers

Author availble: Mari Strachan, The Earth Hums in B Flat

May 2010 onwards

Mari Strachan is available to talk about her new book.

The Earth Hums in B Flat caused a media storm when it was released last year. Narrated by 12 year old Gwenni, living in a small Welsh village in the 1950s, it is a story of family secrets best left buried and the power of the imagination. Mari was the top Waterstone's New Voice, an Amazon Rising Star and one of the Independent's Rising Stars. The book was picked as a R4 Book at Bedtime, as one of Amazon's Top 10 Fiction titles of 2009, and shortlisted for both the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award and the USA's Indies Choice Book Awards 2010 Adult Debut Book of the Year (results for both next month). She has been immersed in books all her life, working as a librarian in academic, school, public, private and prison libraries. She has also been a book reviewer, researcher, translator, copy writer and web editor.

'The Earth Hums in B Flat is a richly evocative, warm but unsentimental tale of a child detective struggling to piece together clues about the lives around her. These lives, and the characters who live them, are so vividly drawn and Mari Strachan's careful unraveling of the secrets they hide is extremely compelling. I loved this novel.' - CATHERINE O'FLYNN

Continue reading Author availble: Mari Strachan, The Earth Hums in B Flat

Author available: Penny Rudge, Foolish Lessons in Life and Love

All 2010

Penny Rudge is available for small and medium-sized readings.

A synopsis of Foolish Lessons in life and Love

23 year-old Taras Krohe is wedged between the two women in his life: his Russian girlfriend, Katya, who is struggling to fund her way through college; and his overbearing Bukovinian mother. He is devoted to both women in different ways but then Katya leaves him for a ponytailed aesthete - and his mother, he realises, he will never be able to escape.

Ten years after an ominous scholarship took him to a top-ranking public school, the big-boned and loveable Taras and his mother now live in a small South London flat. Taras's father died, shortly before he was born, and Mrs. Krohe went on to inherit a curious benefactress in the form of Mrs. Bartlett.

But then Mrs. Bartlett passed away and her unnerving relatives arrived at the door. With eviction looming, the terminally easy-going Taras is forced to show his mother that he is a man, and uncover the secret behind his family's descent into disaster. But she has other ideas for her little pourchi: she is determined to wrestle him away from the dangerous influences his search reveals. And it is by no means certain who will come out on top . . .

Continue reading Author available: Penny Rudge, Foolish Lessons in Life and Love

Author Available: Karen Campbell

All 2010

Karen Campbell is a police officer turned crime writer and is available for library events, reading group sessions and readers' days. She is happy to give solo talks, or take part in a panel event.

Karen lives in Glasgow and joined the Strathclyde Police in 1987, but after a career break to have her family, she applied to Glasgow University's Creative Writing programme. In 2003, Karen was awarded a Scottish Arts Council New Writer's Bursary. Her debut novel, The Twilight Time, was published in 2008 to great acclaim and was followed last year by After the Fire. Her third novel, Shadowplay, will be published in May 2010.

Visit Karen's website www.karencampbell.co.uk

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D.J. Taylor on At the Chime of a City Clock

March - December 2010

D.J. Taylor is available for library events and to speak to reading groups.

Set against a backdrop of the 1931 financial crisis and acted out in shabby bed-sitters and Lyons tea shops, At the Chime of a City Clock is a brilliantly evoked slice of Thirties' noir.

D.J. Taylor is married to the novelist Rachel Hore and lives in Norwich. He is the author of two acclaimed biographies, Thackerary, and Orwell: The Life, which won the Whitbread Biography Prize in 2003. He has written six novels, the most recent being Kept: A Victorian Mystery. He is also well known as a critic and reviewer, and his other books include A Vain Conceit: British Fiction in the 1980s and After the War: the Novel and England since 1945.

For more information click here

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Author Available: Cath Staincliffe, The Kindest Thing

July - December 2010

Cath Staincliffe is available for library events and to speak to reading groups.

A fictional account looking at the fiercely contested topic of assisted suicide, The Kindest Thing is a love story, a modern nightmare and an honest and incisive portrayal of a woman who honours her husband's wish to die and finds herself in the dock for murder.

A finely written page-turner that charts the life of a marriage and all the joys and stresses of bringing up a family and contrasts this with the terrifying experience of being imprisoned and at the mercy of the full weight of the criminal justice system. The Kindest Thing tackles a controversial topic with skill and sensitivity. A book that begs the question: what would you do?

Cath Staincliffe is part of Murder Squad, a collective of seven crime writers from the North of England. She is the author of the acclaimed Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the creator of ITV's hit police series, Blue Murder, which recently returned to TV with three new episodes featuring DCI Janine Lewis, played by Caroline Quentin. Cath's first novel, Looking for Trouble, shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association's best first novel award, was serialized on Woman's Hour.

For more information click here

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Celebrity Shopper by Carmen Reid

March 2010 onwards

Carmen Reid is a wonderful author of the Personal Shopper series starring the incorrigible Annie Valentine. The fifth book in the series - Celebrity Shopper - is published on 4th March.

In 2009 we undertook some fantastic events with Carmen in various libraries across Scotland and the North. These events were incredibly popular with mothers and daughters as Carmen is also the author of a young adult series of books about a boarding school called St Jude's.

More of the same event style would be fantastic but it would also be fabulous to get Carmen doing some solo events or joint events with other adult authors, possibly with input from local businesses such as boutiques and salons to make it a true Girls Night In.

For further information about Carmen please visit her website - www.carmenreid.com

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