Last Few Days...

Three days left for the Ameriminion competition, and ten for the Friend Gets Friend. Tension around Skulduggery Towers (yes, that is what I'm calling my house) is HIGH.

To spur you on, I now present to you a picture of a cute puppy.

All hail the cute puppy!

Friend Get Friend

First of all, my Ameriminions seem to be having a great time coming up with their opening lines, and I have to say the standard has been superb. There's still ages left to go, of course- the deadline is October 23rd- so keep submitting them in the comment section to the last post. It's all been very impressive so far- some real writers out there, and every few hours I have a new favourite... SO KEEP SUBMITTING!

Of course, I did promise a SECOND competition, now didn't I? Basically, your Golden God needs your Miniony help to spread the Skulduggery word around the world during this, the most fun of all months. This is what we're calling our "Friend Get Friend" competition, and it's all to do with social media. I honestly understand only about half of what I'm about to say, so please bear with me. The winners will receive a set of the Skulduggery books- UK editions- all signed by moi, and you'll each get a signed poster with your favourite quote scrawled across it. I'm not sure yet WHICH of the amazing Skulduggery poster you'll be getting, because it all depends on which ones I can find in my house (yes, that does mean these posters are from my own personal collection.)

Here are the things you need to do to be in with a chance of winning:

If you have a Facebook page, you could change your profile pic to the new Tom Percival US cover, then post a link on your Facebook wall to the eBook here http://bit.ly/qNJYCP. 

If you're on Twitter, you could tweet (I'm sorry, I'll never be able to take this word seriously) a message out using the following hashtag- #FREESkulduggeryebookUS . It can be about anything connected to the free eBook offer but it must contain a link to the page http://bit.ly/qNJYCP and a request to re-tweet your tweet. Good God. Tweeting, retweeting, hashtags... Does ANYONE understand what the hell I'm talking about?

If you have a different online profile- like MSN, YouTube, Blog, Tumblr, etc- then you could post a status update which includes the cover and the link http://bit.ly/qNJYCP ...

Now, if you do ANY of those things, you MUST tell me in the Comments section to THIS post. Tell me EXACTLY what you've done and you'll be automatically entered into the competition. The closing date is October 31st, the competition is open to EVERYONE in EVERY country (yep, that includes you Ameriminions), and 10 winners will be selected at random by me. 

Ready? Set? GO.

Calling All Ameriminions!

What's this, you ask? A brand new Tom Percival cover for Book One? But why? Whatever could be going on?

Well, my loyal and grinning Minions, it's because of the response we've been getting from our American readers that we've decided to have another go in the States. You've all been spreading the word to such an astonishing degree that we figured we'd help you along by re-releasing the first trilogy in eBook format, all with brand new covers. In fact, to FURTHER aid you in your recruiting endeavours, the first book is FREE to download for the entire month of October. 

Because you're awesome. And so am I. 

To see what's happening, just go to www.skulduggerypleasant.com/promo/index.html.

But hark! The news doesn't end there. We're also about to run a first-of-its-kind competition for my American Minions (Ameriminions?), and my American Minions ONLY. Let's face it, the poor dears have to go through an awful lot to keep up with Skulduggery, so they deserve a bit of special treatment every now and then...!

What does the winner get, you ask? Oh, nothin' much... just the brain-melting honour of a special Halloween short story being set in their home state, starring (and I know you've been missing her) Tanith Low, to be released free in time for October 31st.

And what KIND of competition is it, you're asking now? Why, it's the kind of competition in which you write the first line of the story, and I continue on from there. Simples! So it's up to you, my Ameriminions. It can be as spooky, as crazy, as scary, as funny, as weird or as atmospheric as you like. I've read all your posts, and so I like to think that I know each of you just a little bit, and I know for a fact that you're all, y'know, just a tad... UNUSUAL. Ahem. Oh, and naturally I'll need your permission to actually USE your first line, so at the start of every entry could you all write "I hereby give my Golden God, Derek Landy, full permission to take this line and incorporate it into his wonderful, wonderful story." 

And you had BETTER put that at the start of your entry, because if I find the PERFECT opening line that lends itself so much to a weird and spooky story, and then I realise that you didn't give me your permission to use it...? Why, I'd just have to hunt you down and kill you with a spoon. 

And this is all thanks to the reactions we've been getting from the Ameriminions, so thank you Kallista, Skyril and Mar Chu, and Skulgirl13 (A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous), and Saoirse Equus, and of course Thor, and Thalia, and Ann Marie, and Vivianna Spark, and not forgetting Alana Core, Jugglingpaynes, Laura, Valkyrie V., Tori, Skulduggery Skellington, or even Gwaila, Pandora Wakeshima, Ophelia, nights.raven, Arabella Valkyrie PleasantSparrow, Nicole, annaslanski, Naomi Wiflath, MooGirl XD, Bella Votolato/Valkyrie Cain, mmodrall, Artemis Shakora, Ven Curor, Minnie, Lois Lane, Another Individual, Deila, Thornton, legolas3, Anya, Captain Zombie, Lauren Longbottom, Idlewind, Hanna, Gwyneth Noire, Funk Tuba, Docktor,  Dantea William, Cat, Bekka, and last but not least- Andrew. 

Did I miss anyone? I bet I did. Dammit.

RULES:

You MUST give me your permission at the start of your entry! 

There is no limit on word count- it can be as long as you like, or as short, cutting and snappy as you like. But it must ONLY be one line! 

Competition closes on October 23rd. The winner will be announced soon after on this Blog. 

With your entry, please include your home State, not your town. Your State is all I need.

Each person is limited to FIVE entries each.

The short story, once it's finished, will be available to everyone, all around the world. Yippee! (Ahem.)

Anyway! That is the first of our Americaland competitions, and the second will be unveiled next week, with all sorts of goodies up for grabs. But for right now, for THIS competition, all I have to say to my Ameriminions is good luck, and don't be afraid to be different. Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed. 

Another Tour Over

Well... THAT was a tour...!

I've been back home for a few days, trying to get used to sleeping in my own bed and struggling to figure out how I managed to exist without someone from Publicity leading me to and from destinations, ordering me food, arranging hotel rooms and cars... It's not easy, adjusting back into normality, especially after meeting thousands of readers, many of whom go strangely quiet when they finally get their book signed... Not all of them go quiet, however, but we'll get to that...

I flew to London on September 2nd, a Friday, and had dinner with my VERY lovely agent Michelle, where we talked about all manner of cool things- INCLUDING the kitchen that I'm planning on refitting. (See? Seriously cool things like that my kitchen. I live such an exciting life.)

Saturday morning, Publicity Girl Extraordinaire Tiffany picked me up from my hotel and we started a day of public signings in Brent Cross and Bromley. Oh dear GOD. People had been waiting for hours- the queue went on forever- and a certain number of Skulduggery fans were actually screaming. Then they descended on me with their mad, crazy babble. I sat there, stunned, as they babbled and yattered and chattered and gibbered. I was given an inflatable unicorn called Clarabelle, and I'm pretty sure I was proposed to.

That evening I flew to Edinburgh, and the next morning Publicity Girl Extraordinaire Mary picked me up and I did events in Perth and Stirling, both of which were amusingly manic.

On Monday, we were in Glasgow, and I did TWO 400 person events one after another... This is when my voice started to go, and by the time I turned up at Waterstones that evening, I was definitely starting to worry. My voice has never been a problem before, but then, every tour the queues get longer, and I chat and laugh with more people, so it was only a matter of time before I was talking constantly for 8 hours a day... My poor voice just wasn't prepared for it.

We finished up in Scotland on Tuesday and drove to Newcastle, and from there it all started to blur together. We were in Bolton next, then Sheffield and Boston, then Cambridge and St Albans, and I met so many Skulduggery readers who each had their own theories as to what's going to happen next, and their own opinions on what just happened in Death Bringer, and each and every one of them were unique oddballs who made me grin and chat more and lose my voice AGAIN...

And then suddenly it was Saturday, and I was in Muswell's Children's Bookshop, talking to my old English teacher who'd come along, and I was given a WONDERFUL cake by a couple of readers who'd made it themselves. And then- Bluewater. The legendary Bluewater, where the queues are longer than anywhere else. If there is one thing this tour has taught me is how to speed up while signing, and I was definitely signing faster here in order to make it to the airport for my flight... But I did it, and I hopped on the plane, came home, and the next day I was at the Mountains to the Sea Festival in Dun Laoghaire, meeting the coolest people and getting lots of hugs.

Then I had a few days off, and Publicity Girl Extraordinaire Sam came over, fresh from her wedding, to spend time with the TRUE love of her life- me. Over the next three days we did events and signings in Tallaght and Kildare, Liberty Hall and Swords, and finished with epic signings in Dundrum and Blanchardstown.

And now? Now I'm finished.

I must, at this moment, thank my Publicity Girls. Thank you very much Catrina, it was so good to meet you! Thank you Mary- a few years ago I changed your life when I introduced you to the glories of the Gilmore Girls, and now I think I have done it again by introducing you and your family to the classic Batman: The Animated Series. Sam, after a few days with me, I hope life with your new husband won't appear too drab by comparison. And last but not least, Tiffany. Tiffany has been around for a few years, but this is the first time she's ever come on one of my tours, and unfortunately it's also going to be the last, as she heads back home to America in a few weeks. Tiffany was a wonderful companion, completely overawed at my wit, which is understandable. I knew we were going to get on when I heard the Imperial March coming from her phone.

I just want to thank all of you who came to an event or a signing- it really gives me a thrill when someone says "Hi, I'm Sue, but you probably know me best as Raven Darkclaw from the blog/facebook/forums." So many of you guys identified yourselves to me and it was like meeting an old friend for the first time. The lovely thing about these tours is when the Publicity Girls say how much they love the people who come to get books signed. For some reason, they seem to think you guys are fantastic, and fun, and sweet, and smart, and hilarious and goodnatured. I try to explain that ALL of my Minions are this way, and you are. From the people who froze when they met me (which is ALWAYS amusing) to the people who just wouldn't stop talking, to the girls who were practically hyperventilating, you were all magnificent. I don't particularly like going away to stay at bad hotels for a week, but every single one of you make it all worthwhile.

And I know I missed huge chunks of Ireland and the UK, but hopefully we'll visit your area next time. Next year there'll be more tours to add on, and whatever else pops up. Whenever I get a request, I do take note of it, because I know there are passionate readers all over the world who just want a chance to meet their Golden God. All you folks in Singapore, and Australia and New Zealand, and all the requests I get from Sweden and Germany and Canada and Estonia, not to mention you Americans...!

I really hope that one of these days I'll be able to tour America, but I just want to say right here and now that I truly appreciate all your support. It's not easy for you guys- not least because only the first three books are officially available over there- so your support really does go above and beyond the call of duty. I hope to be able to do something nice for you sometime soon, in thanks. In fact, how many of you are actually out there? I know Kallista is American, and Skulgirl, and I think Mar Chu, but how many others?

American readers, let yourselves be known!

One more thing, before I head off. It's thanks to you guys that Death Bringer sold so well, so thank you for officially making Skulduggery Pleasant a NUMBER ONE Bestselling Series!

Now I have to go. I need to finish The End of the World in the next few days. I love my job.

Death Bringer Unleashed!

Finally!

You don't know what it's like, you really don't. I finished the book, was very happy with it, and then took a few days of doing nothing before starting The End Of The World and some other stuff. And all the while I'd be reading your comments, and the comments on the Forums and Facebook, and smiling because everyone seemed to be looking forward to it so much.

But that was MONTHS ago!

To have to sit here and watch all of you count down the days made me feel so incredibly guilty for putting you through that. But now, finally, the wait is over. It is September 1st. It is Death Bringer day.

The Launch last night in Dublin was manic...! It turned into a marathon signing session, and it had Storm Troopers! STORM TROOPERS! I didn't get a chance to chat to any of the people I know and usually see at launches, because I was staring at the Storm Troopers and then signing books and staring at Boba Fett and signing books...

'Twas a good way to launch Death Bringer, so thank you Eason's bookshop!

And what will I be doing today, you ask? The day of the release? Will I be doing interviews and attending champagne parties? Er... no. I will be cleaning my house. I'm off on tour tomorrow, and as usual Laura will be staying here while I'm gone, so I have to get the place ready for her or she'll glare at me. And you've never been glared at by Laura. It's SCARY.

So all of you who have just bought the book, I hope you like it. The previous blog entry is still the ONLY place you can post spoilers, so don't do that here. And even in the previous entry, try to HINT at the spoilers instead of blurting them out. Because there are SOME people, who will remain nameless, who felt the need to SKIM the spoilers and were dismayed when certain things were spoiled for them... which I actually find hilarious. If you don't want anything spoiled, DO NOT READ THE SPOILER SECTION! Sigh.

Okay, I have a house to clean. And you? You have a book to read.

Spoilers Ahead!

The time has come...

Death Bringer is trickling into some shops ahead of schedule... I was in my local bookstore today and there it was- out two days before it should be. I glared at the book, and the book blushed, for such is the power of my glare.

The official launch is today- Wednesday- in Dublin. And then Thursday it is finally, and officially, unleashed.

So the comments section for THIS blog entry are reserved for MILD SPOILERS. There is to be NO casual conversation here- that's what the previous entry is for. THIS entry is for discussions about the book. Even so, try to exercise SOME caution, because you just KNOW that someone is going to stumble onto it by accident, or they're going to pop in before they've FINISHED and then they're going to be horrified that the ending is now ruined for them...

So. If you haven't read Death Bringer, continue using the previous comments section. But once you have read it... discuss it here.

And now I'm going to bed.

Short Stories

Hello, my Minions.

Can you feel it? Can you? The 1^st of September is approaching. According to that wonderful Countdown Clock on the Skulduggery website, there is- at the time of posting- FIVE days, TEN hours, and FOUR minutes. Of course, by the time you read this, the time to wait will be even shorter- and growing shorter every moment.

(Unless you’re re-reading this at some stage AFTER the 1^st, in which case, yayyy it’s already out! Woot!)

Ahem.

All of you folks who came to the Edinburgh event have been fantastic, I have to say. I wasn’t OVERLY worried that someone would release spoilers, but the chance for someone to say the wrong thing or give the wrong hint (coughSwindlercough) was always there, lurking around the edges of every Blog and Facebook comment. So, my thanks to you, my Minions, for remaining loyal and true, and allowing your fellow readers the same chance you had to experience Death Bringer without ANY spoilers.

I have seven days until my tour begins, so I’m trying to cram as many things into this coming week as possible. I enjoy every tour when I’m out there, and it’s a great chance for me to meet the people from this Blog and the Facebook page and the Forums, so that always makes me smile. The downside of touring is the travelling, the hotels, the airports, the car rides, and the fact that you have to put your life on hold for a few weeks.

It’s like a holiday, without the relaxation or the parties.

But hey, it’s fun nonetheless.

This coming Wednesday is the official Skulduggery launch, in Eason’s Bookshop in Dublin. I have no idea what to expect. Most book launches are relatively quiet affairs, attended by friends and family, with a few other writers turning up to wish you well. When I was told that Dave from Eason was planning a launch, however, I got a chill. Because Dave... Dave doesn’t DO quiet.

The only thing I know about it is that there will be readers there, whom I BELIEVE have already entered a competition (I sincerely don’t know anything about it).  Apparently, he’s also planned a “surprise”. Oh dear God. I’ll keep you informed as best I can.

Now then, when we brought out the new paperback editions, I didn’t want you guys to buy a SECOND copy of a book you already owned just because they had (admittedly awesome) new covers. I knew there were some lunatics out there who would buy the new editions just for Tom’s artwork, so I wrote a few short stories just to give them something extra. Of course, THEN the problem became how to make those stories available to the people who DIDN’T feel the need to have multiple copies of the same book. You know- relatively SANE people.

So now, at last, two of the short stories that have previously appeared in the new paperbacks are now available on the website at skulduggerypleasant.co.uk, as well as being available on iBooks and Kindle, for the very reasonable price of NOTHING AT ALL. I love when things are free, because it means EVERYONE can afford it, and you don’t have to worry about loose change in your pocket. The Lost Art of World Domination takes place after Skulduggery Pleasant, and Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon takes place after Playing With Fire. The other short stories will be released over the next few months.

And I’m going to go now, because I have things to do. Things! To do!

Ahem.