From the Vampirates blog
"Lead news this week is that I now know three out of the four US cities I’ll be visiting in September this year on my second US tour. These are (drum roll please)… Seattle (September 21st), Denver (September 22nd) and Chicago (September 27th/28th)"

Justin has published a new blog entry. He has "started writing the sixth VAMPIRATES book. The working title is IMMORTAL WAR. What do you reckon? If you’ve read EMPIRE OF NIGHT, I think you’ll understand why the next book has the word WAR in its title."

I think with the direction Sidorio is going, the word war would appear eventually. The human race does have a history of going to war to be in control of an important area or important commodity.

Justin has published a new blog entry.
Sorry just spotted it, this is when the message should have been written.

Justin has managed to get into a national newspaper while the election is on.
WELL DONE JUSTIN.
See http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2942120/Why-I-love-my-Vampirates.html

On the Vampirates blog the Captain wrote he was visiting several schools to tell more school kids more about Vampirates. He is proof in one of the local papers.

"Popular author pays fans visit
A best-selling children's author paid a visit to Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Justin Somper met pupils at the event, which was held to coincide with the launch of his latest book, Empire of Night, the fifth instalment in the popular Vampirates series."

See http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Story-shorts--260310.6183140.jp

"Justin Somper will be promoting the new novel at book events next Tuesday (23 March) at All Saint’s Primary and Hillside High when pupils there are invited to learn more about writing and find out about the latest adventures in the sequence."

“This will be my first time in Bootle and I’m really looking forward to it. One of my favourite things to do is to actually go out and meet the fans, especially after being locked in a room for months writing the next book. I’m hoping to get the chance to have a look around.”

Please see http://icseftonandwestlancs.icnetwork.co.uk/icbootle/news/tm_headline=bestselling-author-justin-somper-in-bootle-to-promote-new-vampirates-book%26method=full%26objectid=26053712%26siteid=60252-name_page.html#story_continue

Do you remember the tankard Justin received at the Edinburgh Festival? (http://www.vampirates.co.uk/vip-page/blog/edinburghandbignews/Default.aspx)

Comment by Jenny (Wondrous Reads) — March 5, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
Hello Justin!
I have a random question: during your school/book shop events, do you take any Vampirates props or anything with you? I imagine your events would be really fun, with people dressing as Vampirates etc… it could be a new Halloween costume

Comment by Justin Somper — March 5, 2010 @ 6:42 pm
@ Jenny (Wondrous Reads) - Good to see you here! Thanks again for the lovely review of EON. You picked up on so many subtleties.
In terms of Vampirate props, I had some fun at the Cheltenham Book Festival last year, drinking “blood” from a glass tankard. It looked very realistic and I think it made some of the crowd a little nauseous. It was a Vampires vs Werewolves event so I had to come out fighting for the fangs!
After Halloween last year, I had loads of blog posts from Nocturnals who had dressed as my characters for the festivities. I think Lorcan and Lola were the most popular characters. Quite often when I visit schools, the students and staff dress up, which is fun.

Comment by Freya Tarttelin — March 6, 2010 @ 6:34 am
“In terms of Vampirate props, I had some fun at the Cheltenham Book Festival last year, drinking “blood” from a glass tankard. It looked very realistic and I think it made some of the crowd a little nauseous. It was a Vampires vs Werewolves event so I had to come out fighting for the fangs!” - Is this the one given to you by the fan sites for your birthday a year and a half ago?

Comment by Justin Somper — March 6, 2010 @ 11:03 am
@ Freya - YES it was that tankard! You see - I’m getting plenty of use out of it

So as you can see us fans are appreciated. I think I would have loved to see it.

Comment by Justin Somper — March 6, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
@ Freya - You’re very welcome! I certainly will squeeze Bailey for you. Have you seen these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52O0-PvwWMc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp7zrTsYl4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dndlO9Gado
Bring on the night! Justin

Comment by Freya Tarttelin — March 6, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Thank you Captain for the links. I had just found them but I guess not published that part of the website. Thank you for being thorough, I really do appreciate it. They are now on their own page http://www.tempesttwins.co.uk/justin/youtube/youtube.html. I hope you like the new blood red borders. Hugs Ship’s Mouse

The live chat has now ended.
If you want to read all the posts, please look under Justin Somper on this website, that is where I keep my copies of old blogs etc.

Ah ha me hearties! Justin Somper invites us aboard for a Q and A session!
Please see http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/getinvolved/bookclub/

Not available outside the United Kingdom - Sorry guys the BBC a couple of months back clamped down on what was viewable abroad.
My daughter in particular is in meltdown regularly about cbeebies.

The live chat is on at the moment.
Please see http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=20635 NOW

Updated
For a my copy of the chat, please press here.

There are now two more pieces on You Tube where the Captain talks. The first produced is on Empire of Night, by answering the questions placed on the Vampirates.co.uk blog.

When discussing the questions from the Vampirates.co.uk blog questions there is a question from Tiia the finn. "Where do you usually write your books?" I think the second you tube piece shows more of Justin Somper's office as well as showing how a story is turned into a book.

Press here to see them.
Updated - Sorry three, they are all up now.

For those familiar with Vampirates websites, you will know the principle fan site is The Nocturn. So therefore if you want the latest interview from the fans perspective it is always going to be there.

The Captain has just given a new one to The Nocturn
Please see http://thenocturn.webs.com/interview.htm

Please see http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=20427

RSVP For: 3/5 Interview, Chat and Contest With UK Author Justin Somper. Event starts at 12:00 pm Central and runs all day and into the night. Contest runs until 11:59 pm Central on 3/6/10. For those visiting from outside of the US, here’s the time conversion. We are in the Chicago time zone: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Description: Join us with author Justin Sompert for an Interview, Chat and Contest  at http://bittenbybooks.com/. He will also be talking about his new release Empire of Night. CONTEST:
Prize 1: One signed set of the Vampirates series with a bundle of vamps goodies (poster, tattoos, postcards, bookmarks, badges).
Prize 2: 10 unsigned sets of the complete Vampirates series

These are UK titles so they will have the UK covers, AND book 5 is not even available in the US until August so you get to read it EARLY if you win! Open to readers worldwide!

RSVP below and get 25 entries to the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, you won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out his website here and get your questions ready for his event. http://www.vampirates.co.uk/

Be SURE to give your friends this link: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=20427 so they can RSVP too!

From Twitter
  Just heard that Monks Walk school in Welwyn have voted BLACK HEART their book of the year 2009. It beat some tough competition. Great news!

My first ever review in The Sun today!!! EMPIRE OF NIGHT is "imaginative and fast-paced, a first-rate read." Wowser.
  
Nice review in today's Jewish Chronicle too - "a stirring blend of gore and humour".

For a review of Surrey County Council's first ever book festival including a quick interviw with Justin Somper at Magna Carta school.
Please see http://www.surreyherald.co.uk/

From Twitter
Eason's has chosen EMPIRE OF NIGHT as its Book of the Month for March and it looks like we're adding Dublin into the tour. Hooray!

I'm going to be on www.bittenbybooks.com on March 5th to celebrate publication of EMPIRE OF NIGHT. Looking forward to it

From Justin Somper's Blog
"Busy day! Spent the morning at Hornsey Library with a posse of local authors include my good mate Graham Marks... ... being filmed for the library's cool new self-issue machine. Whenever anyone takes out one of my books, I'll start talking to them!

Justin Somper will be visiting Prichards in Formby on Tuesday, March 23 to sign copies of his latest book, which is a follow-up to novel Black Heart.
Please see http://www.formbytimes.co.uk/formby-entertainment/news-reviews/2010/02/10/formby-visit-for-bestselling-author-justin-somper-66401-25799508/

Did you attend a Vampirate event last year? Vampirate Central now has a list of them all.
Check out www.vampirates.co.uk/events/2009AuthorAppearances

For forthcoming events please see www.vampirates.co.uk/events/EventDates

Justin Somper will be at Silverdell Bookshop, Poulton Street, Kirkham, on Wednesday, March 24. The event is being held for the launch of Justin's latest book, Empire Of Night.
Please see http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Story-shorts--080210.6051296.jp

For anyone in West Midlands area of England, you may be interested in an event in Wolverhampton. Justin Somper is appearing at the Colton Hills Community School Theatre on Thursday, 25 February 2010 from 19:00 - 21:00.

Admission is free. Tickets are available from Waterstones bookshop and Central Children's Library Wolverhampton.

Please see www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=310280411207&ref=nf for more information.

Jewish Book Week on Sunday 7th March 2010 at 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Join award-winning writers Inbali Iserles and Justin Somper who will be talking about their worlds of adventure beyond the familiar time and spaces. Board Somper’s ship of Vampirates (Vampires and pirates in one) and be the first to hear about his new book, Empire of the Night, or  be drawn into Iserles’ modern day myths which bring exotic worlds to North London and even reveal the secret passages which can lead you  there. Recommended Age 8-12. Royal National Hotel, London, WC1 0DG - £5 in advance.
See www.jewishbookweek.com/2010/the-stuff-of-legend.php for more details.

For all you fans of the The Dirty Dolphin Jukebox at the Calle del Marinero there is a treat in store at the ViP section (www.vampirates.co.uk) in the way of a new competition.

They want you to tell them "what song you think best sums up Sidorio, and why"

This competition will run from 29th January 2010 until midnight (GMT) on 12th February 2010 and is open to international entries. (Yipee anyone can enter again - off to check out my CDs behind me)

Vampirates.co.uk is enjoying the new year start and have been updating all round the website. From a new blog entry to the updated countdown widget to extra characters and places added to the website.

Justin can be found on Twitter and just wrote:
"Just been tipped off that VAMPIRATES: BLOOD CAPTAIN is on the SLA's new Everyone's Reading booklist. Great to be there!" and "Ooh, apparently I've also been recommend by School Library Journal (US) as a "tween" alternative to TWILIGHT. I'm having a good day today!"

In case anyone doubted the address I gave for the Captain is correct. I just received a note back from him.
Yipee a letter that is not a bill or another form to fill it. It really made my day. Thank you Justin.

On the Vampirate Blog (www.vampirates.co.uk) the Captain has announced who is the person on the left hand side of the skull.
Which makes me wonder even more what is going to happen in the next book.