Be Afraid, VERY (David Gatward is coming to play)

We have made a monster...ScareFEST was a simple idea of Tommy Donbavand's and added to by me 2 years ago, all was good
(sweets in eyeballs aside).
 Then we went a bit bigger and better with some stage props and drop banners
 and all sorts of raffled goodies...

NOW..it is BACK!

Saturday 6th October and it goes
 Beyond the Book (literally)

We start with an exclusive Writers Workshop with two super cool dudes

10.30am at Crosby Civic Hall, Crosby Road North L22 OLQ

Jon Mayhew who has won several awards inc our regional one Sefton Super Reads

 He will be joined by awesome and indeed extraordinaire wordsmith
 with ooze and apparently a penchant for badgers now! David Gatward. They will indulge your curiosity and grab your inner imaginings and help you shape it

 (or maybe subtly plant seeds of their own to grow and fester away til Halloween) 

This is a bargain at just £3 book via info@formbybooks.co.uk or ring 01704 830130
You almost certainly can just turn up and bring a pencil and paper (saves me forgetting)

We have tried to get hings arranged to allow younger readers something to enjoy
 without being TOO frightened, although no promises...

Tommy Donbavand will unleash his zombie roadshow that is 'Scream Street: The Game Show'
volunteers will be sacrificed (errmm needed onstage)
and a huge welcome to first lady of scream Ruth Symes
she will have her witches coven gather onstage and will aroma-read from Bella Donna

This Junior Experience  is 1-3.30 and is £5.50/£3.50 or £15 for a set of four

Ahem an exclusive and mega massive news
Joseph Delaney has been busy writing a special play of Spook's Apprentice with his son Stephen
we have some super keen teens putting a workshop production together
It will be published and no doubt tour next year, maybe this is an audition!
His film 'Seventh Son' has finished filming and we hope news beckons when he hits the stage
He will have his latest episode of the ever tenser and scary
 Spook's Tales 'Slither' with him (evening show).

David Gatward can then be unleashed to cause Doom and Destruction and Mayhem and Mirth, he really makes things seem larger than life and is a whirlwind of activity and so funny..watch out for his baggage of devices and props..we are insured though!
all this runs 4-5.30 and is again £5.50/£3.50 and a set of four for £15

then we have smoke,lasers,lights,electric chair,a guillotine maybe...
Music to chill the soul and wake the dead which will hit the stage and assist..

Seven Authors on One Stage

We have an extract of Spook's Play-Blood Cakes included
Scream Street and Teacher Ate My Brains with Tommy D
My Mayhew's Pandemonium of Gothical Creative Nastiness with Jonny
Philip Movie Maniacs Caveney and his Devlin in Dire Perils
Joseph Delaney's Slithering Spooks Tales and film news
David Doom Rider Dude Gatward again if alive still
Barry Hutchison with train lag and haggis in tow and his seriously Scary Imaginary Fiends

Lastly as he literally lands from a visit to a festival in Warwick..
The Bling Man himself, he with a crayon and a Were-d sense of thrills
Curtis 'Bob/Frankenstein/RaaRaa' Jobling
he will doodle and make us shiver as Bob goes rogue and becomes a Wraithy Were-creature

whew..all for only £7.50/£5.50 or only £20 for a foursome of fun

we hope that a special production of short stories will be floating around for fans to sample
Books will be available to be signed and you can preorder anything by getting in touch via info@formbybooks.co.uk

Stuff and Nonsense

Dear Blog Followers,

Can you start signing up more followers, I am ever thirsty for new eyes and minds to encourage to read more and see the joyous things we do connected with Culture and Books in and around Formby.

www.formbybooks.co.uk is ONE Today!

We are near the Iron Men of Crosby and plan a reading of a 'Dark Place to Die' by ed Chatterton there in December when he is over from Oz!

We have a 25 Years of 'THE Culture' on Friday 12th October
 with Iain M Banks, he will sign backlist and Hydrogen Sonata.
We have booked Liverpool Town Hall and will have use of the red leathered Council Chambers and the Lord Mayor in attendance, she is a lovely lady and it will add a regal touch to proceedings.
Tickets are only £5 and we have them on the website just type the words in and download. Or pop by and grab one of us mere real peeps.

We also have a new initiative which is in conjunction with Formby Pool and their lovely 'Cafe in the Park'
it is called 'Dips into Culture' and is a random collection of lectures or interactive talks.

Thursday 13th September we have 'Bonesetters' to Bionic Men' a look at the development of Liverpool's wonderful hospitals and the pioneering work of the Charnley Trust who celebrate 50 years as we type.
Paul Hughes has amassed a huge collection of bizarre medical implements and will display them and even ask us to try them...and will entertain us with his 'Horrible Medical Histories'
Tickets are only £3 and the cafe is open or you can bring a bottle of wine and relax, doors at 7.30pm

Thursday 20th September sees 200 years since a key battle in the Duke of Wellington's Peninsular Campaign as Professor Charles Esdaile tells us all about 'The Battle of Burgos'. Charles is a world expert on the Napoleonic Period and this is akin to a Christmas Lecture. At Only £5 (£3 under 16s) it is unmissable.
Again a cafe open and a bottle brought is allowed.
 Doors 7.30 for an interactive show.

We have more to come...Poetry, Crime and a stunning Dickensian Christmas special with Professor Ken Pye.

Our key note authors are Lesley Pearse 9th November, Andy McNab 5th November and Dorothy Koomson 15th October..get in touch and book to come and meet them.

For Football fans..we have Everton and Wales Legend Neville Southall on Saturday 29th September doing a meet and greet and signing his memoirs at Cafe D'Art 6.30pm. Great bar and we will have some nice nibbles too.

Please circulate this on as we don't always get media exposure in the press, it is in my opinion shameful but they seem to plead the lack of room to fit this in..I personally think more of us need to express our concerns about it and point out that we live and work in Formby and want to make anything happening here seen and easily accessed by the public.

If you want some great reads for all ages drop by and ask for advice, we can post most things for free so use the website and add any delivery details required.

Review of The Outcasts by John Flanagan

We have done superbly well with a series of YA fantasy aimed at younger readers from approx 9 upwards, but in reality read by adults too. John Flanagan is a NZ based fantasy author who started writing to amuse his grandkids and well, it went global. The 'Ranger's apprentice' series of twelve books are a mix between Tolkien and Robin Hood and we sold literally 500 when we opened. Now he as continued the series on for older readers and has a new continuation with Brotherband and the Outcasts, we had loads of kids read the books but one has been brave enough to do a review!

Tomas Porter has penned the following...read it and then read the series

The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles) – by John Flanagan

A Review by Thomas Porter

I found ‘The Outcasts’ to be a thrilling read, and has similar qualities to John Flanagan’s ‘Rangers Apprentice’. Although it took me a few chapters to really get stuck into ‘The Outcasts’, the action and tension heightened and I was soon immersed in the story.

The story features Hal, a half Araluen-half Skandian boy and is subsequently considered as an outsider. In Hal’s village, it is customary for a boy to go through brother-band training, once he reaches the age of sixteen.

Brother-band training is intense. The boys are split into teams in which they acquire the skills that will see them become team mates, sailors and warriors.

Hal’s father is killed in a fierce battle which has a profound effect on Hal, compounded when his father’s friend Thorn loses his hand in an accident. These tragedies motivate Hal to become the leader of the Brother-band.

I would strongly recommend this book to all my friends as an exciting and emotional read. I found that I was quickly transfixed by the events and I would promote it as an excellent read.

You can see more at www.rangersapprentice.co.uk

If you would like to to order copies of any of John's Books goto www.formbybooks.co.uk
It is quite easy..you just type Flanagan and John in and a list appears!

Darth Vader went to see the Cool Coast

Just a few weeks back I heard of an event that sounded and looked amazing, a bookshop had all sorts of characters dressed up and the actual legendary actor and now author Dave Prowse attend and had hundreds of 'Star Wars' fans come along. This was right up my street, after all I am the exact age of the biggest 'Star Wars' fan ever, as we went to see it when it first came out and still love it. This is really the point, after 35 odd years it is still the most amazing experience we have ever had at the cinema and beyond. There are conventions and re-showings and as we found out fans in the hundreds of all ages.

I emailed 'Darth/Dave' and he actually rang me the next day!

We seemed to persuade him that Formby (we did drop Liverpool as we are near, into the pitch) was a worthwhile location and that we would have fans and make a special effort to make his trip worth doing.

He did point out that he has just had an op on his knee and couldn't drive so I offered to collect and ferry him and he was ok with this, so we progressed...He also said why do one day when it was a bit of a trip so we decided to do a weekender!

Plan now....go get..hit the hotspot of 'Sith' and 'Force' followers that is Formby, Dave dropped in that he has 'helpers', the awesome warriors/bodyguards that are the 'Stomtroopers' and they have a Garrison near us!

So now things were hotting up along with the weather at last.

I persuaded Vicky (deputy manager extraordinaire) and Holly (dark haired ( you will see) Saturday super server) to enter into the spirit and glam up for the occasion.

There was a minor issue of what to do on the Sunday as we don't usually open...errmmm
Then Patrick from our media helpline www.southportreporter.com said...why not go to the 'Southport Flower Show', they have loads of customers and plenty of space to send the 'Stormtroopers' out to rally the fans, so that was sorted.
 Then he also said, well why not do a little evening event in a real 'Underground bar/restaurant'. He is pals with Eric Clarke the self titled 'Extreme Chef' as he does cook the most unusual and delicious treats to eat for all and includes many Hollywood stars in his previous exploits when over the pond.

So, all set...now we hit the hyperspace mode..contact the press, send emails, design and print posters (Holly/Vicky), use Facebook and Twitter and do my little spot on BBC Radio Merseyside.
We started to feel like this was a great idea and would be a fun filled weekend.

I drove down to get Dave and sat as he did a superb live interview with Sean Styles and we drove slowly up to Southport. Booked in and went for a nice steak and mussels dinner and chatted about his incredible life and met some lovely staff at Roberto's on the Ocean Plaza.

Saturday we were met by Trooper Ken and went to the Conference room at 'Formby Pool' to meet loads of fans of all ages and Dave was kept busy for three hours!
We popped and grabbed a lovely bite with Cathy in the 'Tea Rooms in Derbyshires' and then after Vicky had adorned the shop, loaded up videos to show and set the 'Star Wars' music rolling we were met by about 100 fans and had a real good time.

Dave and I had a nice Chinese and arranged to meet for the Flower Show on the Sunday, we now had Colin and Grant from the 'Stormtroopers' and Holly back as 'Leia' and joined Julie from Broadhursts at the Book Tent, bar torrential rain we had a superb time and again Dave had hours of fans of all ages meeting him and getting decidedly incredible photos of 'Star Wars' scenes and his autobiography 'Straight From the Force's Mouth' signed, we went to see the 'Iron Men' of Antony Gormley grabbed a quick drink and butty and then got ready for 'The Cellar'.

 We had real fans travel from as far as Rotherham to come and listen to Dave tell all for nearly two hours and enjoyed the most awesome food. Patrick took loads of images and videoed the event which will be up on Friday 24th August on www.southportreporter.com

I would wholeheartedly recommend any bookshop to book Dave for an event, he is a real star and a legend and can draw a crowd. His Stormtroopers are superb professionals and if you get a few staff dressed up you get a real 'wow' for the pictures. If you can sort an evening out I hear Dave has a real eyeopening 'Darth Does' show with unseen images and stories to really shed light on the 'Dark Lord of the Sith'.

I also was treated to a superb homemade meal by his wonderful wife Norma when we hit London and cannot wait to have another visit from the huge star that is Dave Prowse. Ok now we have images a plenty! 

Bodies galore for the Cadaver Games in Formby

Kate Ellis is a very good and very under rated author, she has written 16 superb books featuring the enigmatic and clever 'tec with taste Wesley Peterson. He is also as far as I am aware the first black detective in British Crime Fiction and yet no TV despite taught plots and a nice line in genuinely interesting history/archaeology that makes the plot race along with plenty of twists and turns. 

She also has started being a bit more gritty as time has gone by, her earlier works were great and deserve a major repackaging to bring her look into line with her latest offerings. 'Jackal Man' and 'Flesh Tailor' are particularly good recent works but her latest Wesley Peterson mystery 'The Cadaver Game' really shows how good she is and we hope may soon make her a bigger name and even win her a 'Dagger' maybe.

She takes a twist of Napoleonic man hunting the 'Bloody Hunt' and updates it to an on line gaming experience and soon the bodies pile up...can  DI Wesley and Neil Watson his archaeologist co-cracker of crimes sort the skeletons from the warm ones and solve the case.

Kate also writes about 'Ebory' a reworked York with her darker and more atmospheric series featuring DI Joe Plantagenet (she does like her historical references eh!). She has just issued the 4th in hardback (sorry we sold out )

Why not pop over to www.kateellis.co.uk for all the news

and catch up with Kate on twitter @kateellisauthor 

We still have a few signed copies of Kate's new book and literally one or two backlist signed by her but they do go quickly..so get in touch.
We happily post books to UK addresses for free when a paperback so you only pay for the book and we do offer discount online at www.formbybooks.co.uk

We had a great turnout for Kate despite the very hot weather and the Olympics, one of her fans on twitter another crime author @maryearnshaw popped by and shared African tales with Kate and the blogger @puzzledoctor was with us too!



 and @bryonypearce
also appeared with her two little ones
 on the way to the beach, whilst we were selling...

                                  Vicky was printing masks for

Star Wars Fans before the Darth Vader signing next week..she is now Darth Vicky but next week will do her hair and be Princess Leia!

Star Wars comes to Formby

Dave Prowse the legendary actor who immortalised Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films is with us Sat 18th August so come to Formby and meet him and his Storm Troopers and Darth Vicky and Princess Leia and others

He will be at Formby Pool Cafe, Elbow Lane
10am 'til 1pm
Then in store with us at Formby Books, Chapel Lane
2-4pm

Sunday he storms the Southport Flower Show 11-2pm
Lastly a real exclusive treat
An 'Evening with..'
Dave will be at The Cellar, Lord St Boulevards, Southport
The underground bar right by the Tourist Information Office
This is a ticketed adults only event 
Only £8 inc food c/o Eric the extreme chef
www.merseyreporter.com/shop
Or ring us 01704 830130 to book

If you would like to book a copy of his autobiography to be signed then please get in touch or click to be taken to the link on our trade website
It is a superb hardback packed with stories and images at just £20
\order YOUR Copy

FAB things in Formby

As we seem to succumb to a TV enhanced Olympic Frenzy..it is also about time to plan what we do afterwards...SO.......why not make a special trip to Formby, it is a lovely place a RED Squirrel sanctuary and lovely dunes with seals in the bay and cooling pine woods. And obviously a book haven too.

Saturday 11th August we have one of the countries finest exponents of historical detection when Kate Ellis visits, she will talk to fans and sign copies of 'Cadaver Game' the 17th Wesley Peterson crime novel. He is a superb  character and the first black detective in British Crime Fiction. Kate let's the tension rise and grips the reader like a tourniquet.
So pop to Formby Books 12-1pm and join us having a criminally good time and then go and relax and read!
she also has the 4th installment in her Yorkshire based DI Joe Plantagenet series just out too. If you miss the event get in touch and check if we have any signed copies left.

Saturday 18th August we have a real legend visiting Formby.


Dave Prowse the 6ft 7inch actor who immortalised 'Darth Vader' in the original 'Star Wars' Trilogy. He will have 'Stormtroopers' in attendance and will be signing copies of 'Straight from the Force's Mouth', so bring your 'light sabre' and camera and meet him 10-1 at Formby Pool and then 2-5 in my shop (we are within Derbyshires opposite Costa and next to Iceland)

Then we have a Canadian lady who 'went to bed with a Beatle (and his wife)'
Gail Renard is over to go to the 50th Anniversary Beatles event in Liverpool and is popping to Formby books on Friday 24th august 4-5pm to meet fans and sign her superb account of the infamous 'Bed in for Peace'

May 1969. As a sixteen-year-old, Gail Renard joined John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their week-long bed-in for peace in a hotel in Montreal, Canada. She looked after Yoko’s five-year-old daughter, helped to find tambourines and joined in the first recording of "Give Peace a Chance" with Timothy Leary, the Smothers Brothers and various other celebs. John looked after her – sending her home every night to her mother who had spoken to him on the phone and insisted that there were to be no drugs or sex while her daughter was around. It was John’s faith in Gail's ability which directly lead to her later success as a writer, and he helped her to secure her first paid submission – an interview with him for the Beatles' magazine.