As always the first place for news is the Nocturn News. For the Empire Of Night Synopsis they have both versions that have been released.
Please see http://www.freewebs.com/thenocturn/news.htm

The Nocturn is the original Vampirates Fansite and occasionally sends out emails then there is interesting news.
"Hey Everyone! 2 reasons for this email!

1) As well as reaching TheNocturn via www.freewebs.com/thenocturn,
you can now also access us via www.thenocturn.webs.com!

2) The synopsis for EMPIRE OF NIGHT has been revealed! Head on over
to TheNocturn to check it out! You won't regret it!

That's all for now folks. Happy sailing."

I always love reading positive reviews. Here is another glowing review
http://www.examiner.com/x-5645-Parenting-Humor-Examiner~y2009m7d18-Parenting-101-what-are-Vampirates

On thursday 3rd July hundreds of school children and authors visited Woodford Green's Sir James Hawkey Hall for the Redbridge Children's Book Awards. Justin Somper, Sally Nicholls, Jean Ure, Anthony McGowan, Celia Rees and Joe Layburn attended the day, where they also took questions from students and signed copies of their books.

Please see http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/4478393.REDBRIDGE__Talented_teen_wordsmiths_awarded/ for more details.