"Our students were inspired to write their own stories and thoroughly enjoyed the visit by M S Stanley and Bearskin. The Ringwood Tree has flown off the library shelves and more copies have been ordered."

Jane Benham, Head of Resource Centre, Harrogate High School

New book review of The Ringwood Tree over at the Book Club Forum,

http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8960

World Book Day - The Week in Review

Several schools invited me to their World Book Day celebrations during the first week in March. I went along with my wife, Sharon, who was a terrific help. Here are some photos, in no particular order, of the talks I gave at,

Broad Green Primary School, Liverpool
St Bridget's School, Merseyside
Western School, Harrogate
Harrogate High, Harrogate

Thanks to everyone involved and to all the pupils for asking such wonderful questions.

Radio Ga Ga ?!

Last Monday, I appeared on Harrogate Hospital Radio with Cathie and Ellie who are,

"The Girls Who Shouldn't Be Allowed!"

Sharon came along too and we all had a fun time. My first radio interview wasn't as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be, and the girls asked some really interesting questions. Even Bearskin's head made an appearance...

My New Best Friend

This is me (right!) in Broad Green Primary School's library in Liverpool. The children were sitting on the floor so Bearskin (left) must have looked huge. I was wondering why they were screaming..

Hold the Press!

Thanks to everyone at The Harrogate Advertiser for putting my ugly mug on the front page last week! It was a great article and really got the book noticed. See Bearskin's head on the table next to me?!

Waterstone's!

Great news! Waterstone's in Harrogate are now stocking, The Ringwood Tree. It's a weird feeling seeing your work in such esteemed surroundings. Sales have been brisk - 10 copies sold in one week - and a book-signing session is being discussed. What fun.

World Book Day & School Visits

Had a great World Book Day week visiting schools on Merseyside and Yorkshire (photos to follow). The children seemed to enjoy my talk on creative writing and idea-generating methods, and they really enjoyed seeing Bearskin and the disc.

The Disc is Complete

Finally finished making the disc (see below).
I bought two torch bulbs, wire, batteries, battery case and switch, and after drilling and soldering (thank you Dr Howson), I hid all the electrics under black velvet using contact adhesive. At the flick of a switch, the eyes of the mask light up whenever a nervous hand is placed inside the open mouth of the mask. A very satisfying project.

Ughnnn

No post today (er, apart from this one) due to illness. Moped around with a cold so I didn't get much done. In compensation, here's a couple of pictures I drew as chapter headings for the book.

In the story, Tom is walking up the driveway to his grandfather's house and is being guided by a mysterious stranger. Now read on...

"As they drew nearer, Tom suddenly noticed that the porch light was illuminating a rather curious object hanging at the centre of the front door. It was round and flat and appeared to be made out of metal, and it was large, much larger than a dinner plate, and Tom was certain that it hadn’t been there during his last visit. He wondered if the object was an old shield from his grandfather’s collection, but quickly decided that it looked too delicate for battle. Then he wondered if it was some kind of strange doorknocker.

Suddenly, and with no recollection of either approaching the steps or stepping into the light, Tom found himself standing in front of the curious object.

“Do not stare at it so!” shouted the little man, fumbling awkwardly for the keys. But Tom was transfixed by a pair of eyes that stared out at him from the centre of the disc.

The eyes belonged to a face that had been carved into the metal, a face whose features resembled hundreds of overlapping leaves. The eye-sockets were dark and empty and sat above a wide and horribly grinning mouth, and the face itself was filled with a sinister watchfulness."

Excerpt from The Ringwood Tree, Chapter 3

So today was the day I decided to build the sinister disc; the unexpected archaeological object described above. I'd already made a "Green Man" face out of polymer clay (see pictures) and I decided to attach it to a ceiling rose. I bought the ceiling rose off eBay and it's really light as it's made from some kind of plastic foam. Anyway, after much drilling and gluing, the right bits stuck to all the other right bits and I could stand the disc upright without everything falling off. Next task will be a really good paint job, once I've discoverd how to paint faux-metal finishes. Something coppery and old and grungy.
Watch this space!

Bearskin The Costume

Here's the costume of Bearskin I made as a promotional tool. Bearskin is a character in the Ringwood who has wandered the forest for an age. He has a troubled past and used to be a...well I won't spoil the surprise. Needless to say, it DOES get hot inside that outfit!

Bearskin Walks

Another snowy day and another day filled with more marketing matters for selling, "The Ringwood Tree". The ringwoodtree website - www.ringwoodtree.co.uk - is now finished. I wore Bearskin today, my seven foot tall costume of a man/bear that I made as a promotional tool. I scrambled into the suit and went outside and wandered over to the local hardware shop. Peter, the owner, was keen to see the finished costume as I had bought all the glue and the other bits from him. Pete enjoyed seeing Bearskin but warned me to avoid the police. I caught a few nervous waves from a couple of curious kiddies and went home. Hee, hee!

Welcome

First of the month. First ever blog. First time for everything, so they say.

Not sure what's expected of a "blogger", but for those of you interested in learning more about my soon-to-be released children's book, The Ringwood Tree, this is the place where I reveal all my secrets (!)

Busy week ahead. Got to put the finishing touches to my new website, www.ringwoodtree.co.uk
It's been designed by the splendidly talented folks at LoyaltyMatters in Harrogate. Recommended!

Then I've got to build a sinister disc as a prop for the book tour (pictures to follow!) And then I've got to arrange as many visits to as many schools as is humanly possible in preparation for World Book Day.

Busy times indeed. Hope you'll join me for the ride.

Outside, the snowflakes are full and fat and are rushing through the light of the lamposts like bees. Glad to be under the duvet this harsh Sunday night.

Sleep well everyone.