News
The wonderful Bookwitch has sent us this review of Eoin’s reading and signing event in Manchester yesterday. Some great photos too and an appearance from interview maestro Charlie.
Read all of “He’s Too Short and Too Prompt” courtesy of the Bookwitch
Eoin will be touring the US beginning on the 19th of October in Philadelphia. Full details are available in the Events section. Click here to read more.
The first televisual advertisement to hit your primitive earth screens.
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:
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.
Penguin Press Release: Full Release Follows
On 12th October 2009, the 30th anniversary of the first publication of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by the late, great Douglas Adams, Penguin Books publish the sixth book in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, And Another Thing . . . by bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer.
To celebrate publication Ireland’s multi-platinum selling band The Blizzards have recorded a single inspired by Eoin’s book to be released in October ‘09.
Author Eoin Colfer says, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has always had a musical element, from Joby Talbot’s iconic score for the Hitchhiker’s film to the many bands who have been inspired by the books – Radiohead and Coldplay to name a few. Douglas Adams even jammed with Pink Floyd. I wanted to keep this musical affiliation going so Penguin put out feelers to see if any contemporary acts were Hitchhiker’s fans. Quite a few were apparently, but when the list came back I read no further than the first name which was The Blizzards, one of Ireland’s biggest bands who share a sound engineer with my brother and whose album has five stars on my iphone. Within nano-seconds it seemed Niall Breslin, The Blizzard’s singer/songwriter, and I were around a table being all esoteric about lyrics and stuff. Niall played me the demo for And Another Thing… which was brilliant and now I get to say in a half bored voice – “Oh yah, Niall Breslin, from like The Blizzards just laid down his new Hitchhiker track for me which is named after my book”. The song And Another Thing… is going to be amazing and I am delighted to be associated with it.’
Niall Breslin, lead vocalist for The Blizzards, says, ‘To be involved with the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy phenomenon is such an honour for us as a band. We have been massive fans for years and are delighted the Hitchhikers tradition is being continued by such an amazingly creative writer like Eoin Colfer. The quirkiness and oddities so prevalent in Hitchhikers and Eoin’s style, have a symmetry with The Blizzards’ sound. When I finally hunted Eoin down to get the lowdown on what actually happens in the book, our parallel universes connected on an artistic level and we even drafted him in to play percussion on a spaceage china tea set.’
About the Blizzards:
Landing on our shores with a platinum selling album, two Meteor Awards for Best Live Act and an ‘Irelands Sexiest Male’ nod to Bresy (lead vocalist) under their belts, The Blizzards are ready to take the UK by storm. Their album ‘Domino Effect’ is irresistibly catchy, guitar ridden pop music at its best; produced in LA by the remarkable Michael Beinhorn, who is renowned for his work with Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Courtney Love, to name a few. His influence on tracks such as ‘Fantasy’, a frantic, riff heavy explosion of a track and ‘Trouble’, a pounding, rhythmic anthem in the making, is obvious. The band also show their softer side with the heart-wrenching ‘Postcards’, a moving ode to lost love. With Weezer, Fountains of Wayne and The Cars all cited as influences, The Blizzards are becoming ones to watch in the UK. With just one single released so far, the “Irish Weezer” have already attracted attention from MTV, Spotify and Dermot O’Leary to name a few. Their recent performance on the main stage at Oxegen Festival to 60,000 people has garnered much acclaim along with their supports slots with AC/DC and Oasis. The Blizzards release their new single, ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor’ through Island Records on the 28th September 2009. It precedes the release of their debut UK album ‘Domino Effect’ which will feature the single ‘And Another Thing…’ on 12th October. www.myspace.com/theblizzards
About Eoin Colfer:
Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer has introduced a new generation of readers to the absurdities of life, the universe and everything through his bestselling Artemis Fowl series, in which a teen criminal mastermind wreaks havoc in this world, the next and any others that might happen to be nearby. Total UK sales of Artemis Fowl titles now exceed a staggering 4.5 million copies in the UK and Ireland and over 18 million worldwide. His work is published in 44 countries. The Sunday Times has said, ‘Colfer has the ability to make you laugh twice over; first in sheer subversive joy at the inventiveness of the writing, and again at the energy of the humour.’ Eoin has been a fan of Hitchhiker since his schooldays and said, ‘Being given the chance to write this book is like suddenly being offered the superpower of your choice. For years I have been finishing this incredible story in my head and now I have the opportunity to do it in the real world. It is a gift from the gods. So, thank you Thor and Odin.’ Eoin lives with his wife and two children in Wexford, Ireland.
About The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy started life as a radio series in 1978 and subsequently became five best-selling novels written by the late Douglas Adams, the first being published in paperback by Pan Books on 12th October 1979. It was an instant hit, reaching number one in the bestseller charts two weeks after publication and went on to be translated into over 35 languages. Bigger than Dr Who, Star Trek, Battle Star Galactica and Monty Python, by 2000 it had sold over 14 million copies worldwide. It was also remade as a Bafta-winning TV series, dramatized for the West End stage and made in to a film starring Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, John Malkowich and many more. It combines science fiction with comedy and inspired a whole new genre of Science Fiction humour, Red Dwarf being just one example. Hitchhiker’s has become a part of the cultural Zeitgeist with phrases such as ‘life, don’t talk to me about life’ and ‘life, the universe and everything’ a part of our common vernacular. Actor and writer, Sanjeev Baskhar, recently noted on Desert Island Discs that he was a huge fan of Hitchhiker’s hence the reason for giving his hit TV chat show the name The Kumars at No. 42. The No.42 being, according to Adams, the answer to all the questions of the universe. Douglas was always unhappy with the bleak ending of the fifth book, Mostly Harmless, and always intended to write a sixth book before his untimely death in 2001.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Part 6 of 3 And Another Thing . . .
by Eoin Colfer is published by Michael Joseph (an imprint of Penguin Books) 12th October 09 in hardback priced £18.99
The single And Another Thing… by The Blizzards is released through Island Records in October 2009, preceded by their album ‘Domino Effect’ released on 12th Oct 2009.
For further information contact:
Adele Minchin, Penguin Books
Tel: 020 7010 3072
email adele.minchin@uk.penguingroup.com
Katya Shipster
Tel: 020 7010 3273
email Katya.shipster@uk.penguingroup.com
Sarah Pearson
Wasted Youth PR
Tel: 020 7493 5873
email sarah@wastedyouthpr.com
DON’T PANIC! at www.6of3.com
Wexworlds Festival
Get a chance to meet Eoin at the inaugural Wexworlds Sci-Fi and Fantasy Festival in November.
Full press release follows:
Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl), Darren Shan (The Saga of Darren Shan) and Oisin McGann (The Goblin of Tara and The Evil Eye) are amongst the many creators attending the first WexWorlds Festival.
WexWorlds is the first Sci Fi and Fantasy Fiction Festival in Wexford supported by Failte Ireland.
Over the course of the weekend a variety of activities will be taking place including, talks and readings, science experiments, comic art workshops, an exhibition on the process of writing for a comic, activities for younger children, discussions about fantastic literature, a selection of competitions and performance events at varied venues in Wexford town to include Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford Library, Bookstores, related businesses and hotels.
As well as books and comics, the weekend is a celebration of all fantastic fiction, and there will be workshops on costuming, to light hearted fun sessions with kids and foam weaponry, movie showing, and it will coincide with an exhibition by Vera Klute.
Situated in the southeast coast of Ireland, Wexford’s history is steeped in myth and legend and makes this a perfect location for an Alternate Worlds festival. A story tells of its origin in the mists of time, when Garman Garbh was drowned on the mudflats by waters released by an Enchantress. The vast expanse of harbour thus created was named “The lake of Garman” or Loch Garman, the Gaelic name for Wexford.
For more information please visit:
http://www.wexworlds.net