The next Black Heart book review is in:
See www.thejc.com/articles/review-black-heart

From the Nocturn - Got A Question For Captain Somper?
"This is your oppertunity to have Mr. Somper answer your questions and to have them and their answers appear on the site! That's right. I want you to send in your questions and when I have enough, I will pass them along to Justin when he has some free time and they will then appear on the Interview page! The Contact & Feedback page has been amended so there is now a "QUESTION FOR JUSTIN" section!" See www.freewebs.com/thenocturn

From the Vampirates latest blog.
"(By the way, while I think of it, I've started tweeting on twitter.com. My username is JustinSomper. I'll be tweeting throughout the tours so that even if it's not practical to update the blog at that point, I can let you know where I am and what I'm up to!)"

The first Black Heart book review is in
See www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/stoppressfirstreviewofblackheart
www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php/Black_Heart_%28Vampirates%29_by_Justin_Somper

From Midshipman Apple
Hi! I was wondering if mabey you could host a short story or poetry contest? That would be soooooooo much fun! and as the prize, you could, like, post the poem and E-mail the person a lil digi-trophy! pleez? thanks, Middshipman Apple
I am happy to post short stories and poems, but the crew would have to pick the winner not me, (panic), I can draw things out of a tankard but pick a winner. Please could I have volunteers from the crew.

The Nocturn
If you have not checked out the The Nocturn recently, you really have to as it has had a facelift.

http://www.freewebs.com/thenocturn/index.htm

From the blog about the new Black Heart book... "This looked similar to the first but contained a special edition of BLACK HEART which will only be available in WHSmith stores in the UK. What's cool about this is, although it is the same price as the regular edition, it contains the full text of DEAD DEEP - the VAMPIRATES mini-adventure which I wrote for World Book Day 2007. So all those of you who have been trying to track down a copy of DD unsuccessfully, you can now pick it up in one handy (and rather striking) package."
See www.vampirates.co.uk/vip-page/blog/blogjustingetsblackheart and www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/stopresswhsexclusive

To celebrate the publication of Black Heart vampirates.co.uk are offering all Vampirates VIPs the chance to win an exclusive print of this fantastic artwork by Kev Walker from the new book. Follow the link to enter the competition now.

From Sailor Bubblemoon66
"I just wanted you to know that there are lists of stories by fans here: www.fanfiction.net/book/Vampirates_series and here: www.fanfiction.net/community/Vampirates/53425"

"I was speaking with a representative from Eason's yesterday who said "the more the merrier" for the Friday event on O'Connell street. So probably best to direct people towards that one..."

Justin Somper will be joining Derek Landy (Skulduggery Pleasant) and Sarah Rees Brennan (The Demon’s Lexicon) on the Friday 13th March at 12pm. Eason's main outlet on O'Connell Street, Dublin, is launching their Darkside promotion which is more of a conventional bookstore signing. Probably best to call the store to check on details: 00353 1 858 3800.

Justin Somper will be attending events in Dublin. "So... The brilliant Justin Somper is touring to Dublin next month to celebrate the launch of the new Vampirates title, 'Black Heart'. As part of his visit he'll be doing a big schools event organised by ourselves in the Liberty Hall Theatre in Thursday 12th. This event is now pretty much sold out, ... I warn you though, it's going to be a bit crazy - 360 screaming 10-11 year olds might not be your cup of tea?!"

"The second event on the Friday is more of a conventional bookstore signing in Eason's main outlet on O'Connell Street. Other authors set to appear include Derek Landy and Sarah Rees Brennan. Probably best to call the store to check on details: 00353 1 858 3800"

On Monday 9th March in the evening Justin Somper will be in Reading School, Reading at a public event. "The event is in the school hall. Doors will open at 6.30 so that we can have a prompt start at 7. Justin will speak and then do a Q&A. There will be books for sale and he will be signing any you buy or bring along. The event is aimed at families - the books appeal from confident readers in Yr5/6 through to KS3 (and beyond if they started with Book 1 and have kept reading!)"

"You can just come along on the night but we'd really appreciate it if people booked in advance - that way we can make sure we have enough supplies." Please see www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/March_tour_info for more details.

If you are disparate to read the first chapter, Intruders in the Fortress, of Black Heart it is available to read on the internet.
Please see www.vampirates.co.uk/the-books/Black_Heart

Justin Somper will be attending events in Dublin. On Thursday 12th March at a Children’s Books Ireland event for schools at Liberty Hall and Friday 13th March at 12pm in Eason’s O'Connell Street launching their Darkside promotion.

For more information and other places visited please see www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/March_tour_info

All the booksellers listed below will have signed books following their events with Justin, contact them direct to order your copies.
For more information and other places visited please see www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/March_tour_info

3rd March - Waterstones in Guildford
4th March - Waterstones in Portsmouth
5th March - Waterstones in Milton Keynes
6th March - Newham Bookshop in Ilford

ummm...hi...again. i was just wondering how to join the crew??? i would like to join but dont know how. thanks! bye:}

That one is easy to answer, midshipman apple, on your last email you gave me a name I could call you by. So you have joined our crew, now I just need to get my unhappy computer to allow me to re-load a graphics program and you will have a picture too. Now if you wish to add any tall tale about the sea, you can or tell us all how you feel about the Vampirates series of books.

When is black heart REALLY coming out??????????? ive heard april, and ive hear feb. 28th. i would be reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyy grateful. thanks again!!!!

Below are the dates I know about. There is also a desktop widget which will countdown to the UK release of the new Black Heart book.
Please see www.vampirates.co.uk/vip-page/vip-booty/Default.aspx

Australia - 2nd March 2009 in paperback. "We have no release date for book four as yet, but we do have the same release dates as the UK." (Galaxy Book Shop)
Canada - 1st April 2009 in hardback (Amazon.ca)
Canada - 1st April 2010 in paperback (Amazon.ca)
France - 2nd March 2009 in English (Broché (Amazon.fr)
Germany - 2nd March 2009 in paperback (Amazon.de)
Japan - 2nd March 2009 in paperback (Amazon.co.jp)
United Kingdom - 2nd March 2009 in paperback (Amazon.co.uk).
Spain - "BLACK HEART is scheduled for Spanish publication in June 2009." (Vampirates.co.uk)
United States - 1st April 2009 in Hardcover (Amazon.com)

On Monday 9th March in the evening Justin Somper will be in Reading School, Reading at a public event. Any more details I will add them as another blog.
For more information and other places visited please see www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/March_tour_info

i really wish some one would put where Black Heart (yay!) will be sold OTHER then the internet.
Could you find out and post it? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!!!!!!???????
thank you!(

Black Heart should be available at most major book stores in the UK and USA. More book stores don't mind you going in and checking. (In the past I have asked Borders in Kingston loads of questions about books) although they will probably not know any details until two weeks before delivery. So I would wait a week and then ask your local bookshop.

Apologies for the silence for the last month, but I have had computer problems. Hopefully this update will work and the website will be back up. Any errors you have seen please email me via the Squeak page.