Stop what you’re doing right now! (Except you, yes you in the red shirt, you can carry on) – check out this supremely awesome animated short – PIGEON IMPOSSIBLE!

PIGEON IMPOSSIBLE! On YouTube

Continue reading

JETHRO’S ACE OF HEARTS

a thirteen-part story, EXCLUSIVE to Trapped By Monsters

story (c) Sam Enthoven / illustrations (c) David Melling, 2009. All rights reserved.

(Click here for previous slices: First ; Second ; Third)

Fourth Slice

Mr Theophilus’ horse-drawn carriage was waiting some two hundred yards past the next corner, within sight of the all-night chemists. Perhaps Jethro just didn’t believe it was really there until the door was opened for him, but as he climbed into the soft red of the interior, and sank back into the velvet seats, one can assume he was quite impressed. Mr Theophilus touched the switch set into the wall below where I was sitting, and Jethro heard a hiss of compressed air.

‘Home, Sam,’ said Mr Theophilus into the speaking-trumpet, ‘and don’t spare the horses.’ Then he sank into the seat opposite our guest, smiling broadly.

Jethro seemed unable to hold his host’s gaze for long, so he looked out of the window. Past the heavy tassels on the curtains, which twitched lazily over each bump in the road, Jethro watched the passers-by for a reaction to the carriage.

Naturally, none came. Jethro must have noticed that no one ever seemed to be looking in the right direction: he clearly felt disappointed by this, for he raised a chubby hand and was on the point of waving to a passing group of girls, to see if this would elicit the proper appreciation for his mode of transport, when he heard a soft cough. Mr Theophilus was looking at him with eyebrows raised. Jethro let his hand drop back into his lap, and began to fidget. Presently, the carriage swung hard to the left, and the orange of the streetlamp-lit evening outside was abruptly swallowed.

‘Ah!’ said Mr Theophilus. ‘I believe we’ve arrived.’

-Click here for Slice Five-

Continue reading

I’m delighted to reveal the cover for Scream Street 8: Attack of the Trolls – to be published in April 2010.

I think this is one of the best covers of the series so far – and the book itself is packed with action, plot twists and rather smelly troll droppings…

Tommy

Continue reading

Well, I’m back from Scotland where I was honoured to take part in this year’s Scotia Travelling Book Festival, arranged by the wonderful people at Scotia Books.

I couldn’t have had a better time, with three action-packed school events and getting to spend time in the Scotia Books warehouse, from where some of the best books available are dispatched worldwide with, frankly, frightening efficiency!  Plus, these guys really know how to look after an author (fellow children’s writers – you will NOT regret getting in touch with these people!)

Schools I’ve already visited will know that I use Scotia Books to deliver copies of Scream Street to my events for pupils to buy and have signed – but I recommend them to anyone who needs anything from a single book to an entire Accelerated Reader library, and prefers to use an experienced, friendly independent supplier over a faceless chain of superstores.

You can contact Scotia Books on 01236 826041 or by emailing info@scotiaandchameleon.com Chances are, you’ll probably find me back up there having a cup of tea or planning another curry!

Tommy

Continue reading

Well, I left it a few days to see if Ali was going to mention it herself – but she hasn’t, so I will…

The utterly brilliant Frozen in Time by TBM’s own Ali Sparkes has been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards!  Nominated in the category of Book I Couldn’t Put Down, Frozen in Time will be competing against Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce and The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 by Harriet Goodwin.

Here at Trapped By Monsters, we’ve all got our fingers (and tentacles) crossed that Ali’s exciting tale of culture clash will be the winner!

Continue reading

Click here for a video extract from Witchfinder – Dawn of the Demontide, by William Hussey. And get ready to shiver.

The book’s not out ’til March 2010. I’m already a fan of William’s writing for adults, so I was intrigued when I heard about his upcoming YA trilogy. Now, having seen this video, I can hardly wait!

Continue reading

Someone who wishes to remain anonymous contacted me via my own website today, enclosing a photograph they thought I might find interesting. The photograph is of the Queen’s London residence – Buckingham Palace – and it shows… Well, why not look for yourself? Click the image to make it larger.

Continue reading

I’ve got a hundred things I really should be doing today, but rather than tackle anything constructive I’ve put together an Invisible Fiends wallpaper for your computer desktop.

There are two sizes available at the moment. To put Mr Mumbles’ charming face on your desktop, simply click one of the images below. Then, when it has loaded in a new window, right click on the image and choose “set as desktop background”, “set as wallpaper” or something along those lines (depending on which browser you’re using). That should be all you need to do.

Desktop 1: 1280 x 1024

1280 x 1024

Desktop 2: 1024 x 768

1024 x 768

Continue reading

JETHRO’S ACE OF HEARTS

a thirteen-part story, EXCLUSIVE to Trapped By Monsters

story (c) Sam Enthoven / illustrations (c) David Melling, 2009. All rights reserved.

(Click here for previous slices: First ; Second)

-Third Slice-

‘Sorry?‘ asked Jethro.

Mr Theophilus leaned forward. His cape fell open as he did so, revealing his fine three-piece suit of dark brown velvet and the pale flower he was wearing in his buttonhole. The flower looked like a rose, but one still in bud, its colour not yet formed. Though his head continued to nod, Jethro’s eyes fixed on the flower, which glowed pale green from Mr Theophilus’ shapely lapel. He may have noticed the tiny blue and red veins in the delicate petals. He may have smelt the strange, sweet smell.

‘I too have an interest in serial killers,’ said Mr Theophilus, still nodding hypnotically, ‘and I possess certain techniques, certain proofs, that may answer all your questions about “Saucy Jack” and his brethren once and for all.’ He paused. ‘I live just a short distance from here. Would you like me to show you?’

Abruptly Jethro appeared to realise he’d been nodding too.

‘I guess,’ he said. He gave another wobbling shrug. ‘Sure. Yeah: OK.’

‘Splendid! That’s settled, then. Step this way! Oh, and do allow me to introduce myself: I’m Mr Theophilus.’ His eyebrows lifted, ‘I didn’t quite catch…?’

‘Jethro,’ said Jethro.

‘Ah yes, quite so.’ Mr. Theophilus’ tongue flicked around his teeth. ‘Well then, Jethro,’ he said, as if tasting the name, ‘follow me!’

-Click here for Slice Four-

Continue reading