Wednesday 6 May 2015

Happy Book Birthday! (7th May Edition)


Hi all, and welcome to the third Happy Book Birthday feature! Lots of brilliant books coming out tomorrow - I was delighted to talk to Paula Harrison, Jason Rohan, Esme Kerr, Nigel Quinlan and Phil Earle. Thanks all for taking part!

If your main character was going to a party to celebrate their book birthday, what would they wear?

Paula: Sophy would wear her dark blue dress. It's quite plain and it's been mended quite a few times, but it's the only clothes she owns other than the maid uniform she wears at the castle.

Phil: George would wear his finest, ironed leotard. That way he could eat more and would not have to loosen his belt...

Nigel: Neil would wear shorts and shabby t-shirt and a beany hat, the exact same thing he wears to everything ever. Liz would dress up special, with fresh feathers in her hair and extra-bright face-paint. Owen would refuse to go unless Neetch the bog-beast was allowed to go, too, and would grudgingly agree to wear clothes if he was.


What party game would they be most confident in winning at?

Paula: Sophy would be brilliant at Sleeping Lions where you have to keep absolutely still for as long as possible. She's used to sneaking around to avoid the battle axe of a Royal Housekeeper, Mrs Ricker. When she needs to, Sophy will stand up for what she believes in, but the rest of the time she knows how to make sure she's not noticed.

Jason: Pin The Tail On The Donkey! OK, admittedly, Kenny isn't a fully-trained ninja or has anywhere near the proficiency of his partner Kiyomi at throwing shuriken while blindfolded but, with his own special talents, all he has to do it picture that donkey, focus his will, and that tail will appear anywhere he wants it. Or is that cheating?

Nigel: Neil would win trivial pursuit. Liz would win at archery, and if you didn’t have a game of archery planned for your party, she’d get one going shortly after arriving. Owen and Neetch would win at stealing all the food and hiding under the table to eat it.


What three things would they most want to find in their party bag?

Phil: If the Demolition Man, George Biggs, received a party bag, the only thing he'd want in it...is PIZZA!! 8 of them, 15 inch, NO PINEAPPLE!! Pineapple on pizza is a crime.

Esme: In her party bag Edie Wilson would like a fat book in which to lose herself, a torch to help her find her way back and a penknife in case of the adventures which she doesn’t seek but seem to happen to her anyway.


What was the most memorable birthday party you had, or went to, when you were a child?

Esme: The most memorable party I went to as a child was one given for my younger brother. He sat white faced as we all wondered when the guests were going to arrive. They never did. Only later did we discover that he had been too shy to hand out the invitations…


If money was no object, what kind of party would you throw to celebrate publication?

Jason: Seriously? Well, first I should admit that I looked at hiring part of the Science Museum for the launch, given the nature of the book, but it was something like nine grand! Yikes. But, if I had a blank cheque to work with, I'd fly everyone off to Japan and have the launch at the Tanegashima Space Centre, complete with actors in full make up as oni, tengu and other weird and wonderful monsters. I miss Japan so much!


Paula Harrison is the author of the Red Moon Rising series, The Storm Dragon and The Rescue Princesses. She wanted to be a writer from a young age but spent many happy years being a primary school teacher first. She loves sandy beaches and eating popcorn. She lives with her husband and children in Buckinghamshire, which is nowhere near the sea. Whenever possible, she packs her family into the car and journeys far and wide to find a sandy beach where she can paddle in the waves. Check out her website. http://paulaharrison.jimdo.com/

Esme Kerr is the author of Mischief at Midnight, sequel to The Glass Bird Girl. She went to ten schools and studied History at Oxford and Cambridge. She has three children, two dogs, three cats and four fish. She lives between Oxford and London, but only comes alive when writing.

Jason Rohan is the author of The Shield of Kuromori, sequel to The Sword of Kuromori. He has worked as a staff writer for Marvel Comics in New York and as an English teacher in Japan, where he lived for five years. He returned to the UK and now lives in West London with his wife and five children.

Phil Earle is the author of Demolition Dad. Find out more about him at his website

Nigel Quinlan is the author of The Maloneys' Magical Weatherbox. Follow him on Tumblr

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