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Are you brave enough? The Spook’s Nightmare
To celebrate the publication of The Spook’s Nightmare by Joseph Delaney, Random House Children’s Books are giving the public the opportunity to read book one in the series, The Spook’s Apprentice, online for free. The first instalment is online now on www.Spooksbooks.com and you can also read it on Fantasy Book Review using the handy widget below.
We are also running a fantastic competition to mark the publication of the latest addition to The Wardstone Chronicles where you can win the entire collection so far, all seven books in this wonderful series. Go here to enter the competition now!
The serialization is being advertised in a specially made trailer on Disney XD Channel for two weeks and on the Disney XD website. The publication of The Spook’s Nightmare, the seventh book in the series, is being supported by a nationwide competition to find the seven biggest Spook’s fans to become Spook’s Apprentices.
Marketing Director Barry O’Donovan says of the activity:
“This campaign is less about announcing the publication of the seventh book, and more about hooking-in a new generation of readers to the series. We have challenged the core fan base to spread the word, and we are advertising the series on TV and online with a powerful, immediate, kid-friendly call-to-action, “Read the first book online for free”, confident their ‘free taste’ will leave them hungry for more. It’s all come together brilliantly, and I am certain that this will make a real difference to long-term sales of the Spook’s books”
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. He has three children and seven grandchildren. Most of the places in the Spook’s books are based on real places in Lancashire and the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends. The Spook’s Nightmare, published by The Bodley Head on 27th May 2010.
Posted: July 2nd, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Win the entire collection of Joseph Delaney’s Spook’s books!
*** COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***
Congratulations to Danielle Woodman of Cornwall who will receive all the books in the Spook’s series so far
It has to be one of the best prizes Fantasy Book Review has ever been lucky enough to give away. We are delighted to be able to offer, thanks to the very generous book-lovers at Random House, one lucky winner the entire collection of books that make up Joseph Delaney’s The Wardstone Chronicles, perhaps better known as the Spook’s series.
We here at Fantasy Book Review fell instantly in love with Delaney’s tales about a young boy training to be an exorcist and cannot recommend the series highly enough.
To win this great prize, simply email spookscomp@fantasybookreview.co.uk with the answer to the following question, including your name and full UK mailing address (the competition is open to UK residents only). Please enter “I want to win the Spook’s series!” as the email subject. The winner will be chosen at random on the 12th of July and notified by email.
Question: Which UK county provides the inspiration for most of the locations and place names within the Spook’s books?
- Cumbria
- Yorkshire
- Derbyshire
- Lancashire
A little bit about the series and the author
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church.
Most of the places in the Spook’s books are based on real places in Lancashire. And the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends. The Spook’s Apprentice, The Spook’s Curse and The Spook’s Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children’s Book for the Year Award. The Spook’s Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
The Spook’s Apprentice spent 7 weeks in the Best-seller charts and sold over 35,000 copies in the first few months. The Spooks series is published in 24 countries: UK, USA, France, Germany. Hungary, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, The Netherlands, Greece, Israel, Thailand, Turkey and Indonesia. Life Sales World Wide across all titles are over 1 million copies!
Posted: July 2nd, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Competitions, Joseph Delaney
Read The Spook’s Apprentice online for free!
Random House Children’s Books has made the first book in Joseph Delaney’s Spook’s series, The Spook’s Apprentice, available for free online to mark the launch of the seventh book in the series, The Spook’s Nightmare.
You can read the first instalment online now at www.spooksbooks.com and will be available until July 18, 2010. The second instalment is due on June 25, 2010.
If you are you a huge fan of the Spook’s books and would you like to meet Joseph Delaney then you may want to enter the 2010 Spook’s Apprentice Competition. For more information, visit http://www.spooksbooks.com/authorblog/?m=201005
About The Spook’s Apprentice
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before him. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the Country, the horror begins…
About the author
Joseph Delaney lives in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker.
Posted: June 18th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Spook’s author Joseph Delaney to host Waterstones Lancaster book signing
Joseph Delaney, author of the best-selling children’s fantasy series The Wardstone Chronicles, will be at Waterstones Lancaster on Monday, June 14 at 3.30pm to meet fans and sign copies of The Spook’s Nightmare, the seventh Spook’s book.
In The Spook’s Nightmare, published on the 27th of May, the Spook, Tom and Alice return from Greece to find the County under siege and the Spook’s home burned to the ground. They seek refuge on the nearby island of Mona but find little respite from hostility or denizens of the dark and, as Alice dodges the ever-tightening net of the island’s witch hunters, a more deadly enemy emerges… Bony Lizzie, freshly-escaped from the Spook’s bonds.
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has its very own called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church. Most of the places in the Spook’s books are based on real places in Lancashire. And the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends.
Also appearing at Waterstones Lancaster this Saturday (June 12) at 1.30pm, is Rachel Caine, best-selling author of the Morganville series of Vampire stories. The latest book in the series, Kiss of Death, will be available in store along with copies of her other best-selling titles.
Posted: June 10th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Sergei Bodrov Sr to direct film adaptation of The Spook’s Apprentice?
There has long been talk regarding a possible film adaptation of Joseph Delaney’s wonderful young-adult fantasy book The Spook’s Apprentice. Tim Burton and Kevin Lima have been mentioned as potential directors but all that is concrete is that the film, should it every appear, will be produced by Warner Bros. and Legendary.
The latest news is that two-time Academy Award-nominated Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov Sr (Nomad, Mongol, The Great Khan) is the latest director to be assigned to the project. Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road) and Lionel Wigram will be producing, Alysia Cotter will be executive producing. Chuck Leavitt (Blood Diamond) has been approached to rewrite the adaptation, originally written by Matt Greenberg.
In The Spook’s Apprentice Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the Spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before Thomas. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the County, the horror begins …
Sergei Vladimirovich Bodrov was born in Khabarovsk, Russia. His grandmother was ethnic Buryat which influenced his decision to film the movie Mongol. Bodrov currently has an apartment in Los Angeles and a ranch in Arizona. He is married to American film consultant Carolyn Cavallaro.
Sergei Bodrov Sr, selected filmography:
- White King, Red Queen (1992)
- Prisoner of the Mountains (1996)
- The Quickie (2001)
- Bear’s Kiss (2002)
- Shiza (2004)
- Nomad (2006)
- Mongol (2007)
- The Great Khan (2010)
Posted: May 21st, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Joseph Delaney meets the young Spooks in Priestown
Last Friday, fantasy author Joseph Delaney, could be found signing copies of his latest Spook’s book, The Spook’s Stories: Witches at The Corner Bookshop, Garstang, near Preston (or Priestown as it is known in his Wardstone Chronicles).
Preston-born Delaney met fans who were dressed up as their favourite Spooks character for the launch of the book, which comes out next month. The Spook’s witch stories are set in the dark hag-ridden heart of the County (Lancashire). The fictional Witch Dell, which is close to the brooding mass of Pendle Hill, features in three of the stories, and other locations familiar to readers of the series are used: Chipenden (Chipping); Caster (Lancaster); Staumin (Stalmine) and the bleak Anglezarke Moor.
The Spook’s Stories: Witches synopsis
For years, the local Spook has been keeping the County safe from ghosts and boggarts, but more especially from witches. The Spook’s Stories: Witches features stories from the Spook’s own collection; the stories include child-eating witches, witch assassins, Celtic witches, dead witches and witches so beautiful they can break a man’s heart… these are certainly not to be read after dark!
About the author
Joseph Delaney lives in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker.
- The Spook’s Apprentice book review
- The Spook’s Curse book review
- The Spook’s Secret book review
- The Spook’s Battle book review
- The Spook’s Mistake book review
- The Spook’s Sacrifice book review
We, here at Fantasy Book Review, have received a review copy of The Spook’s Stories: Witches. Read it, loved it, full review to follow shortly… If you are a fan of the Wardstone Chronicles got out and buy it, you will not be dissapointed!
Posted: October 3rd, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
North West youngster’s given chance to shine
The search is on to find youngsters with star quality to compete in Wyre’s Got Talent.
It will include circus skills, free family sports, discounted swimming at the neighbouring Fleetwood Leisure Centre, Lord of the Rings stage fighting and a book signing by Spook’s Apprentice writer Joseph Delaney.
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church. The Spook’s Apprentice spent 7 weeks in the Best-seller charts and sold over 35,000 copies in the first few months. The Spooks series is published in 24 countries: UK, USA, France, Germany. Hungary, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, The Netherlands, Greece, Israel, Thailand, Turkey and Indonesia. Life Sales World Wide across all titles are over 1 million copies!
From singing to telling jokes, children aged 16 and under are being invited to show off their talents in a bid to win a £50 cash prize and six months free scholarship to the Paul Nicholas School of Acting in Thornton.
Auditions will take place between 10am and 5pm at the Marine Hall on Friday July 24. Youngsters under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Illusionist Richard DeVere, Simon Green (aka Betty Legs Diamond from Funny Girls), top Mystique show dancer and choreographer Marc Lawlor and Karen Roberts from the Paul Nicholas School of Acting will be on the panel of judges.
Five winners from these auditions will go through to the grand final which will be held during the Summer Play Day family event at the Marine Hall on Saturday August 1 between 11am and 2pm.
The talent show and fun day are being organised by Sure Start Fleetwood in partnership with Wyre Council, the Paul Nicholas School of Acting and the YMCA.
The free Summer Fun Day is part of a National Play Days event, with this year’s theme being "making time with children".
All entries for Wyre’s Got Talent must be received by Friday July 17. Application forms are due to be sent round to schools in Wyre but entrants can also phone the Paul Nicholas School of Acting on (01253) 851144.
Source: The Gazette
Posted: July 1st, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Audio-book review: The Spook’s Apprentice read by Daniel Weyman
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the Spook is distant, and many apprentices have failed before Thomas. Somehow, Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county, the horror begins.
This abridged reading of the first book in Joseph Delaney’s delightfully dark Wardstone Chronicles is professionally told by Daniel Weyman. He gives all the characters life; in particular The Spook himself that Weyman gives the gruff and no-nonsense demeanour that fans will recognise from the book. And Thomas Ward, the young lad whose tale this is, is given the innocence, naivety and wide-eyed wonder that perfectly matches his character in the book.
There are moments in the book that were brilliantly creepy and fraught with tension and the narrator has managed to retain these emotions in his tellling. This is a brilliant book, well told, and definitely recommended.
Running Time: 2 hours and 56 minutes. First published in July 2007 by Random House AudioBooks.
Daniel Weyman has appeared in Sam West’s Sheffield Crucible production of As You Like It and the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of David Edgar’s The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. He has also narrated Avenger, Meltdown and Payback, all titles by Andy McNab.
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church. The Spook’s Apprentice spent 7 weeks in the Best-seller charts and sold over 35,000 copies in the first few months.
Posted: April 20th, 2009
Author: Floresiensis
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Borders UK celebrate World Book Day
Over the years World Book Day has become firmly established as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books, and this year is no exception with every Borders store hosting a range of in-store promotions and activities.
JP Hunting, Children’s Buyer at Borders UK, summed up the enthusiasm building for Thursday by saying: ""We’re really excited about this year’s World Book Day. Each Borders store will feature a front of store WBD display unit, and we have many events planned for this week. We will be promoting the back-lists of the biggest featured authors in our ’3 for 2′. There has been HUGE demand from our stores who have arranged some really great events and school parties for the 5th. Borders always gives its full support to literacy events like this, and we’re sure that this year’s WBD will be the most successful yet. If I had to pick my favourite from this year’s selection, it would have to be the Mr Gum / Beast Quest title; it’s an exciting combination of two of my favourite series, and I’ll be picking up my copy on Thursday!"
One of the event highlights is the exclusive London appearance of Marian Keyes at Borders Oxford Street at 1pm on Thursday lunchtime. The undisputed ‘Queen of international women’s fiction’ will be at the store with the fastest rising and hottest ‘must hear retro diva’ VV Brown. Elsewhere, at Borders Islington, there will be stories and activities based around a selection of special new World Book Day stories, visits from schools and by World Book Day authors Cathy Hopkins and Jenny Valentine. And at Borders Preston, bestselling local children’s author Joseph Delaney [link to biography] will be in store talking about the ‘Spook’ series (Wardstone Chronicles) and the latest title written especially for World Book Day, ‘The Spook’s Tale’.
Information about all Borders World Book Day events can be found at www.borders.co.uk/local
Posted: March 7th, 2009
Author: Floresiensis
Categories: Joseph Delaney
Lucky Lancashire reader wins iPod and Wardstone Chronicles
One Lancashire reader scooped top prize at a special ceremony on the 16th of January as part of Lancashire Reads and the National Year of Reading 2008 celebrations.
Tina Jones from Barton was picked from over 200 correct entries for the ‘How well do you know Lancashire?’ quiz which invited people to answer a series of questions about the people, places and buildings of our historic county.
The quiz was organised by Lancashire County Council’s Library and Information Service together with Lancashire Museums and the Lancashire Record Office to celebrate Lancashire Reads, a county-wide initiative to get people in Lancashire reading and talking about the same book as part of the National Year of Reading 2008.
The county council selected the popular children’s horror fantasy novel, ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, a story of witchcraft, myth and magic set in historic Lancashire and part of a series of books, The Wardstone Chronicles, by local author Joseph Delaney.
A number of themed events and activities were held throughout the county as part of Lancashire Reads exploring topics such as what makes our sense of place, our spooky heritage and celebrating all things Lancashire.
As the winner, Tina won an iPod along with signed copies of The Wardstone Chronicles. She was presented with her prizes by Councillor Anne Brown at a special presentation held at Lancashire Record Office and also received a personal guided tour of the county’s archive building by senior archivist, Vicci McCann.
Councillor Anne Brown, cabinet member for Adult and Community Services at Lancashire County Council said:
“I’d like to congratulate Tina on winning first prize in the quiz. I’m delighted with the success of Lancashire Reads which encouraged reading in all age groups across the county and during which nearly 300 events were held with over 6000 people attending. I’m also pleased that our Libraries, Museums and Archives are able to work together on projects such as this and promote our excellent services to all our citizens.”
Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher living in Lancashire. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church.
Most of the places in the Spook’s books are based on real places in Lancashire. And the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends. The Spook’s Apprentice, The Spook’s Curse and The Spook’s Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children’s Book for the Year Award. The Spook’s Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
The Spook’s Apprentice spent 7 weeks in the Best-seller charts and sold over 35,000 copies in the first few months. The Spooks series is published in 24 countries: UK, USA, France, Germany. Hungary, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, The Netherlands, Greece, Israel, Thailand, Turkey and Indonesia. Life Sales World Wide across all titles are over 1 million copies!
Posted: January 25th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Joseph Delaney
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