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

If you do end up with a United Kingdom copy of the new book, please read the Author's Note at the end of the book AFTER reading the book. I did particularly like the comments about the vampirates.co.uk website, like "huge thank you to all the Nocturnals" and "an author couldn't wish for a more dedicated readership."

Thank you Captain for making us feel appreciated and that you don't mind all the comments we put on your blog.

To win a t-shirt of the Vampirate Captain, simply match the ship list with whichever list of captain’s names that you think is in the correct order. This competition will run from 26th March 2010 until midnight on 9th April 2010 and is open to international entries.

Please see http://www.vampirates.co.uk/vip-page/competitions to see the latest competitions.

If you are looking for something for Easter you may be interested in looking in the book departments. Even Amazon is advertising the Vampirates set of books from 25% to 50% off. There is even the latest Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, book 4 Dark Days will be out over Easter in the United Kingdom.

"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.

Ice book clubs featured book this month is the first vampirates book
Take a look at http://www.rte.ie/tv/theden/ice//icebookclub.html

Sorry these titles are getting worse.

This is a really good review of the vampirates series of books, by looking at the readership instead of just the story.
Please see http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/daily-feature/They39re-biting-back.6120388.jp

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.

If you still not got a copy of Empire of Night or have read it, you might like to read Justin’s exclusive VAMPIRATES story, NIGHT HARVEST which is now online just for you lot.

"NIGHT HARVEST isn’t a chapter from EON. It was published as a short story in a magazine last year and introduced some new characters who play a key role in EON. Hope you enjoy it. NIGHT HARVEST is only a short story so it won’t be published in book form."

Please see http://vampirates.co.uk/the-books/nightharvest/

For those who read this blog you may have twigged I do love the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. (I did get a copy of Crocodile Tears in the end, but it was the American version and I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the United Kingdom version when my mother in law comes out at Christmas).

Well getting to the point of this entry. The Alex Rider books started ten years ago. Here is part of an email I have recieved.
"To celebrate ten explosive years of teen superspy Alex Rider, all eight missions have a cool new-look and feature bonus content from Anthony Horowitz, packed with insider secrets! Check them out at www.alexrider.com - the first seven missions are available to buy now, with Crocodile Tears coming in June 2010."
There is a competition for those of you based in the UK.

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.

For those observant ones around, yes there are loads of errors here. I am not keeping up with the updates and Vampirate things going on. So you don't miss anything out, I am publishing this site for a while with notes instead of blogs, so at least you get some idea what is going on as I discover about it.

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".

The folks in the united kingdom can now enjoy Empire of the Night.
No word from my sister if my copy has appeared, so she can send it on.

There is a chance to win a different t-shirt. This time it is about Captain Cheng Li's Ship the Tiger. "The problem is, these guys don't even have a ship's motto that celebrates who they are and what they do!Let us know the motto you think best suits the crew of The Tiger, and why."

Please see http://www.vampirates.co.uk/stop-press/chenglitshirt/