Sorry folks I have been through the Windsor Festival (14 to 28 September) brochure and there is no sign of fictional books like Vampirates.

For those close to Edinburgh, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is back in August with Justin Somper visiting. See www.edbookfest.co.uk
Curse of the Vampirates with Justin Somper
AGE 8 – 12, Saturday 23 August at 3.00pm, RBS Corner Theatre, £3.50
Ahoy Vampirates! Batten down the hatches and prepare for a hurricane of fun in this swashbuckling adventure at sea. Learn the hidden secrets of your favourite nightwalking pirates with Justin Somper, who gives you a top secret sneak preview of Black Heart – not out until 2009!

Others of interest

Eoin Colfer
AGE 10 – 14, Saturday 9th August at 11.30am, RBS Main Theatre, £3.50
The teenage criminal mastermind is back. The latest book in the Artemis Fowl series (described as ‘Die Hard with fairies’ by its creator) sees our hero come face to face with his worst opponent yet – his younger, more evil self! Join the outstanding, energetic Eoin Colfer for this thrilling, time-travelling event.

Terry Pratchett
Families & 8+, Saturday 16th August at 1.30pm, RBS Main Theatre, £9.00 £7.00
The inimitable Terry Pratchett takes us on an enlightening tour of his most famous creation, Discworld, in the year of its 25th anniversary. For fans from eight to eighty, this is a pleasure not to be missed at any cost.

Terry Pratchett
Adults , Saturday 16th August 1.30pm, RBS Main Theatre, £9.00 £7.00
The inimitable Terry Pratchett takes us on an enlightening tour of his most famous creation, Discworld, in the year of its 25th anniversary. For fans from eight to eighty, this is a pleasure not to be missed at any cost.

The Beano’s Barrie Appleby - seeing as it is based in Scotland and my son is a fan.
FAMILIES & 6+, Monday 25th August at 6.30pm, RBS Corner Theatre, £3.50
Barrie Appleby’s comic illustrations have been enjoyed by generations of children. For young fans and nostalgic readers, this is a treat not to be missed as The Beano celebrates its 70th birthday. Meet the artist behind Dennis the Menace and Roger the Dodger and watch as your favourite characters come to life right before your eyes!

I have just spotted the official website as it has just been updated. Check it out, it looks good.

First we had a comment on a letter sent to Sailor Quarxphonix in March,
"By the way, vampirates.co.uk is being relaunched next month so do keep your eyes peeled. There's going to be lots more going on on the site, from in-depth character profiles to a regular blog."
Then we has a comment on a letter sent to The Nocturn,
"we shall be announcing that officially via the website on the 26th May – this is also the date the new look website will launch. Do let us know what you think of it. We’ve completely redesigned it so that we can update the content much more easily and Justin will be launching his new blog on the site at the same time."

I don't know how many hits the www.vampirates.co.uk website received, but I am sure some crew members checked half a dozen times on Monday and no one has spotted any massage change to the website yet. For your comment try the Nocturn Forum nocturn1.proboards56.com

Part of the letter to The Nocturn, a full copy can be found on http://www.freewebs.com/thenocturn/news.htm.

"He is doing an event in Norwich on 10th June –there will be a public stock signing at the Waterstones Castle Street c. 4.30pm but will confirm that exact timing via the Vampirates & Waterstones websites shortly..
 
The new book is going to be called Black Heart and will be out early 2009– we shall be announcing that officially via the website on the 26th May – this is also the date the new look website will launch. Do let us know what you think of it. We’ve completely redesigned it so that we can update the content much more easily and Justin will be launching his new blog on the site at the same time."

From The Nocturn

"Justin will be in Waterstones on Castle Street in Norwich (Norfolk, UK) on Tuesday 10th June from 4.30pm for a signing session. If you live near by pop along."

The Richmond Lending Library Talk
I made it only 15 minutes late owing to my family were willing to give me a lift. I walked in and Justin Somper made a comment about picking just the right moment to walk in!
At the end he very kindly answered the questions I printed out, so here they are:
From Sailor Quarxphonix
Q: Does he ever go on the forums?
A: Yes, sometimes!
Q: Lorcan + Grace = Love?
A: What do you think? look out for Book 4
From Sailor Anna Valerious
Q: When is justin gunna come over here?! (US)
A: 2009 hopefully.
Boatswain Duck's Foot Darcy
Q: Would you tell him that im doing my best to get vampirates nominated for the southern schools book award 2009 please ^_^
A: Go for it
Q: Can you ask what his favourite books were when he was a kid?

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• The Secret Garden (see Blood Captain)
• The boy next door by Enid Blyton

From The Captain
Q: Have you seen http://www.vampirateship.com/? it is the american publishers website?

"Hi Freya,

Thanks for your e-mail and for coming to the event in Richmond on Tuesday night. It was nice to see you again.

In terms of publishing a list of my events, yes that is fine. Once vampirates.co.uk is relaunched, we'll have a much stronger NEWS section in which to mention such events in advance. Bear in mind that the Richmond Library one was primarily intended for their invitees plus a sprinkling of other locals, but I do take your general point about this.

Any queries about foreign publication dates are best referred to me at the e-mail (see vampirates.co.uk) as I can check these out with the relevant rights people. This is not a service you need to offer!

Re: DEMONS, what makes you think that Jamie is a vampire?! We'll be revisiting the kitchen setting in the new book, BLACK HEART.

Re: DARCY, there's a fan online using her identity in a role-playing game, illustrated with a picture of silent-movie actress Clara Bow. I think that she would look like Clara Bow, or Louise Brooks or Zelda Fitzgerald, very much out of that flapper era.

Re: LADY LOCKWOOD, yes in part she is inspired by "The Wicked Lady". Indeed the fact that she is called Lockwood is in part a tribute to Margaret Lockwood who plays the part of the highwaywoman in the movie.

Best wishes,
Justin Somper

The notice board at my son's (Powder Monkey Black William Flint) school had a notice on it that I think you may be interested in.

"Richmond Upon Thames Libraries and The Lion & Unicorn Bookshop invite you to launch the National Year of Reading with Justin Somper author of the vampirate series.

Kick off the National Year of Reading in style with Justin Somper, celebrated author of the Vampirates series. There will be a talk, followed by Q&A and book signing. Tuesday 29th April, 7pm. Richmond Lending Library, Little Green (next to Richmond Theatre), Richmond, TW9 1QL. Tel 020 8940 0981

This free event is open to all - no booking required." Please see http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/libraries/ypls_home/news_events.htm for more information.

From Sailor Quarxphonix who has received a letter for the Captain. For the full letter please go to the Nocturn and join their forum.

"Book Four is called BLACK HEART. Current plan is to publish in January 2009. A bit of a wait, I know, but the good news is that there will be an extra book in 2009. This will be a collection of the Crossing Stories, compiled by Grace through her many meetings and talks with the Vampirates.
....
By the way, vampirates.co.uk is being relaunched next month so do keep your eyes peeled. There's going to be lots more going on on the site, from in-depth character profiles to a regular blog.

Trust the tide!
Justin Somper"

This is an experiment. I am trying to link the Podcast of the Simon Mayo Show to these blogs.

I love the attitude of the Canadian version of Amazon. We are waiting for word on book 4 and they list:
"Vampirates 6 by Justin Somper (Paperback - April 1 2012)". I am think the date is wonderful.