Diary - July 2009:

Hi,

So, we were back on the road this week to promote publication of Barnaby Grimes: Phantom of Blood Alley.

The week's events kicked off at Angley School in Kent, on the hottest day of the year where we met hundreds of senior kids in the morning and lots more primary kids in the afternoon. We had a great time talking about all our books with all of them, even though everyone was melting in the heat!

At the weekend we went up to the Lion and Unicorn in Richmond on another beautiful summer's day. This time for a signing in the shop and met lots of hardcore fans. Thanks to Jenny Morris and all the staff for running such a great event - it really is one of the best bookshops in London.



Monday saw us in Eastbourne, we were kindly driven by our local sales rep, Brian Carter, to Bumper Bookshop shop, a wonderful family-run children's bookshop in central Eastbourne, with a great cafe attached (fantastic smoke salmon bagels!). We had some fascinating questions from children at Ratton school about storytelling and the use of illustrations. Back to the shop for a signing session to meet the many loyal customers of Bumper Bookshop.



On to Bristol for our rescheduled visit to Bristol Grammar School - snow prevented us from getting there in February, but the drizzle didn't stop us this week! We met the whole of year 7 and signed loads of books - Lucy Shepherd put on a brilliant event as ever.

Quick signing in Blackwell's in Bristol before a train back to Brighton. Back to work on our new project, chapter 38 awaits!

Keep reading!