- I'm being interviewed about And Another Thing live online on 9th Oct – send me your Hitchhiker's questions at http://tinyurl.com/mk4mjw #
- A few thoughts on H2G2 http://bit.ly/lmWZo #
Archive for September, 2009
Independent Bookshop Customers vote for their Favourite Book of the Year
Part of Independent Booksellers’ Week 2009
Adult category winner: Sebastian Barry, The Secret Scripture (Faber & Faber)
Children’s category winner: Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl and The Time Paradox (Puffin)
The Booksellers Association of the UK and Ireland tonight announced The Secret Scripture (Faber) by Sebastian Barry and Artemis Fowl and The Time Paradox (Puffin) by Eoin Colfer as winners of the nationwide Independent Booksellers’ Book Prize 2009, as voted for by independent bookshop customers, in support of Independent Booksellers’ Week which ran from 15th to 22nd June 2009.
The Independent Booksellers’ Book Prize – which is organised by The Booksellers Association, the national trade association for booksellers, and is now in its third year of existence – was supported by hundreds of independent bookshops throughout the country. The prizes were presented this evening at The Bookseller Retail Awards at The Natural History Museum, London.
Independent bookshop customers were invited to vote for their favourite book of the year from a shortlist of ten adult and ten children’s books – which were voted for by Booksellers Association members from a long list derived from sales data that specifically relates to independent bookshops. Votes to choose the winners were cast in independent bookshops, by post or by email between mid June and the end of August 2009.
Meryl Halls, Head of Membership Service at The Booksellers Association, comments: “Independent Booksellers Week celebrates quality, talent, creativity and passion for books and reading, and we are delighted that it sparked such energy and enthusiasm from local book shops and readers in picking their Favourite Book of the Year. We would like to congratulate both Sebastian and Eoin and thank everyone who voted.”
On discovering that The Secret Scripture had won the adult category, Sebastian Barry said: “This is very wonderful news indeed because the independent booksellers are the Buzz Aldrins, the Daniel Boones of the trade. They really are they heart of the matter. They keep things where they should be and I’m deeply moved that readers in Great Britain voted for my book.”
On winning the children’s category, Eoin Colfer commented: “I am delighted to have won this award for Artemis, especially when it comes from the independent booksellers who know what they’re talking about. This award will take pride of place on the mantelpiece where I used to keep my youngest son.”
Last year, Notes from an Exhibition (HarperPerennial) by Patrick Gale won the adult prize and the children’s award went to Robert Muchamore for his book The Sleepwalker (CHERUB).
Are you the greatest Hitchhiker fan ever?
Can you prove it? You’ve got 42 seconds…
Penguin are searching for the biggest Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fan in this or any nearby parallel universe to mark the publication of ‘And Another Thing’ by bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series Eoin Colfer . ‘And Another Thing’ is the 6th novel in the ever-more increasingly inaccurately named ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ trilogy . We’re not just talking about someone who can stick their thumb out and get a ride to Basingstoke. We’re talking about someone who can cadge a lift off a passing flying saucer …
Ever faced a death ray in your dressing gown?
Or done six impossible things before breakfast?
Or proved the non-existence of God with a fish in your ear?
Then here’s your chance to show that you are the hoopiest frood on this side of the galaxy.
All you have to do is to prove that you are the greatest Hitchhiker fan on video in no more than 42 seconds, post it on YouTube and tag the video with the words ‘sixofthree’ and ‘AAT comp’ and then drop us an email at partsix@uk.penguingroup.com. The video that is deemed by Penguin to demonstrate in the funniest or cleverest way how much of a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fan the creator is will be chosen as the winner.
The winner will get two tickets to Hitchcon 09 on Sunday 11th October 2009 (for further details about Hitchcon ’09, see below), two nights’ bed and breakfast at the Marriott County Hall hotel for the weekend of the event, an evening meal at Skylon restaurant a personalised dressing gown and towel, as well as being crowned as the official no. 1 Hitchhiker fan at Hitchcon.
‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Part 6 of 3 And Another Thing . . .’ by internationally bestselling author Eoin Colfer. Published by Michael Joseph in hardback, 12th October 2009 £18.99
Remember you need to post your 42 second video, on YouTube and tag the it with the words ‘sixofthree’ and ‘AAT comp’ and then drop an email to partsix@uk.penguingroup.com
Closing date 30th September, 2009 http://www.6of3.com/competition/
HITCHCON ’09 – A DAY OF EVENTS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER – ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL – A DAY OF CELEBRATION, SPECTACLE AND DELIGHT VOYAGING DEEP INTO THE HITCHHIKER’S UNIVERSE.
Starting at 11.30am, join us for a PanGalactic Gargleblaster, come attired in dressing gown to take part in a record-breaking Arthur Dent photocall, be the first in the world to hear excerpts from and purchase Eoin Colfer’s ‘And Another Thing…’ see free screenings of the Hitchhikers TV Series in the Clore Ballroom, head to the Royal Festival Hall to listen to friends and experts discuss the life and work of Douglas Adams or thrill to watch Simon Jones as Arthur Dent alongside the original Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Marvin the Paranoid Android and Trillian re-create classic moments from the saga live on stage – radio-style (directed and produced by Dirk Maggs).
Whatever your choice on the day, for any self-respecting Hitchhiker’s/Adams fan, one thing is assured, Southbank Centre is THE only place to be on Sunday 11th October.
Get yourself a ticket for the biggest party the unfashionable end of the galaxy has ever seen and join best-selling author Eoin Colfer – creator of criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl – and actor Simon Jones, the original Arthur Dent, in a celebration of 30 years of the late, great Douglas Adams’ classic British comedy. This’ll be your first chance to see, hear and buy the sixth instalment, And Another Thing… by Eoin Colfer published by Penguin Books, 12th October ’09.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk / 0871 663 2500
An interview at Comic-Con with Eoin Colfer, bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, about And Another Thing… the forthcoming sixth book in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. Video by Hyperion Books.
The promotional site for the forthcoming “And Another Thing” is now online. Entitled 6 of 3, the site provides everything that experienced Hitchhikers fans need to know about the new book as well as a complete timeline for new fans. The site features interviews, video clips, games, news and contributions from some of the best Hitchhikers fan sites including ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha.
Check out the site now:
- Just finished signing 2500 book plates for special edition Hitchhikers. Signed a few Frank Sinatra for a giggle. #
David Johnson, Southbank Centre and Penguin Books present:
Hitchcon ’09
“In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”
The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
On the 30th Anniversary of the first publication of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by the late great Douglas Adams and the eve of the release of a brand new addition to Adams’ legacy, Southbank Centre and Penguin Books have joined forces to bring you Hitchcon 09: a day of celebration, spectacle and delight voyaging deep into the Hitchhiker’s Universe.
Douglas Adams gave us magic, wonder, and lest we forget, the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. Now Eoin Colfer, author of the worldwide bestselling series Artemis Fowl, has bravely stepped into the great man’s shoes to add a further chapter to the Hitchhiker’s canon and allow us to delight once more in all things weird and wonderful and, let’s face it, utterly bonkers. Be the first to hear excerpts from ‘And Another Thing…’ and listen to how and why he accepted such a monumental and exciting challenge.
“In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were REAL men, women were REAL women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were REAL small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri.”
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
Join us for a PanGalactic Gargleblaster, come attired in dressing gown with towel to take part in a record-breaking Arthur Dent photocall, be the first in the world to hear excerpts from and purchase Eoin Colfer’s ‘And Another Thing..’ see free screenings of the Hitchhikers TV Series in the Clore Ballroom, head to the Royal Festival Hall to listen to friends and experts discuss the life and work of Douglas Adams or thrill to watch Simon Jones as Arthur Dent alongside the original Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Marvin the Paranoid Android and Trillian re-create classic moments from the saga live on stage – radio-style (directed and produced by Dirk Maggs).
“There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.”
The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
Whatever your choice on the day, for any self-respecting Hitchhiker’s/Adams fan, one thing is assured, Southbank Centre is THE only place to be on Sunday 11th October.
For further information: Sarah Harries at sarahharries@live.co.uk / 07887 632463
For further information and booking visit the South Bank Centre Website
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/festivals-series/hitchcon-09
Details on other signings and events across the UK are on our events page
Eoin’s full tour schedule for October 2009 is now available in the events section. Eoin will be signing at several locations across the UK beginning with Hitchcon 09, the big event for the launch of “And Another Thing…” at the Southbank Centre in London on the 11th of October marking the 30th Anniversary of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
In all cases please contact the event organiser or venue before traveling to avoid disappointment.