Appearances and Book Signings

Thursday 5th January 2012:
United Kingdom Paperback Publication
One of our Thursdays is missing

Published by those frightfully pleasant Hodder people

Links for preorder: Amazon or Amazon Kindle edition or Foyles or Waterstone's

February 24-25-26th 2012:
Exeter Univercity Microcon

Yearly since 1982, Microcon was the first conference I was ever invited to attend, so holds a special place for me. A relaxed and informal affair, it is generaly quite small, but still pulls in some very interesting speakers. Cryptozoologist Richard Freeman is a noted regular, and never fails to entertain and illuminate.

Microcon 2012

The South West's longest Science Fiction and Fantasy convention is back!

Speakers include:
Anneke Wills, actor and former Doctor Who companion (Saturday only)
Jasper Fforde, author of the award winning Thursday Next novels (event on Saturday at 4PM)
Richard Freeman, cryptozoologist and hunter of legendary creatures from the Mongolian Death Worm to gigantic anacondas.
Phillip Reeve, award wining author of the steam punk young adult novels 'Mortal Engines'
SF journalist Steve Green, who will also be screening some of the latest short films entered for the fantasy Delta Film Award.
Nick Walters, Doctor Who author

February 25-26th, opening at 10am Saturday. Entry £12 public, £10 students, £8 members

Location: JCR, Devonshire House (saturday), Pippa Langston Suite, Cornwall House (sunday), University of Exeter, Streatham Campus.

Website
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March 7th and 8th, 2012:
Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, near Nuremburg, Germany

Two lectures - talks, actually (okay, ramblings)

More details to follow

March 28th to April 1st, 2012:
Part of an event run by the British Council in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Early days. Initial talks suggest events more of a workshop/teaching nature. Note to self: Buy a tie...

More details to follow

Sunday 22nd April 2012:
Undertaken by those frightfully pleasant Chipping Norton Festival of Literature johnnies.

2:00 PM at the Chequers Inn. Seats 50. Chipping Norton Festival

Friday 11th May 2012:
Canadian Publication Song of the Quarkbeast

Published by those frightfully pleasant Harpercollins Canada people

URLs of online booksellers to follow, but will be Chapters or Amazon, I imagine.

Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd of June 2012:
The Ffifth Fforde Ffiesta

Organised by those frightfully pleasant Fforganiser types. A weekend of absurdity loosely based around the books of Jasper Fforde, and themed for 1952, as befits the close proximity to the Diamond Jubilee, and we can thus save a packet on bunting, flags, and hats.

The Ffiestas have always been very informal and we have a core of regulars who make it really very chummy, and I always maintain a high profile. There is a reading from an unpublished book, an exclusive short story in the programme, and other goodies. There is some dressing up, too, the Legion of the Danvers and other nonsense.

Full details are available from the Fforganiser's own website: ffordeffiesta.co.uk

29th June to 1st July 2012:
Inaugural Dinefwr Literature Festival

Now this is exciting. To be held at the stunning Dinefwr Park and Castle in Carmarthenshire.

"...This new bilingual festival (English/Welsh) will bring high-profile national and international writers together with the best writing talents from Wales, showcasing the best of contemporary writing in English and Welsh. The festival aims to be the Welsh equivalent of Port Eliot.

Literature will be at the heart, but the programme will also feature an eclectic mix of music, art, comedy, cinema, cabaret and children's activities, resulting in a family-friendly atmosphere throughout the weekend.

The Dinefwr Literature Festival is a collaboration between Literature Wales, the National Trust, and the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (as lead partner in the Coracle programme) with generous support from The Arts Council of Wales..."

What's not to like?

I have been asked to attend - probably to do a workshop. More details in the fullness of time.

Literature Wales

July 2012:
US and UK Publication of TN7: Dark Reading Matter

Dates may change, depending on US and UK publishing schedules.

November 2012:
UK Publication of DS-3: The Return of Shandar

Likely publication date.