The next few months are starting to look very busy...

Of course the big news is my BOOK LAUNCH on 27th July (I've mentioned that already? Are you sure?), but there are a number of other places I'll be visiting in June, July and August, specifically with the writing...  So far we have:

• Doncaster - Steampunk Doncaster, June 16th
  
  
• Reading  - Author reading event, Oxfam bookshop, June 19th
  
  
• Markfield Steampunk Convivial, July 14th
  
  
• Stamford Steampunk, August 10th.
  
  

Having been to some other launches and events for other people recently, it's got me thinking about what people who go along to a book event actually want to get out of going.  It's a chance to meet the author, certainly, learn a bit more about what went on in the creative process, maybe, pick up a copy of yourself.... But what would make the event really stand out for you (please note, the author wrestling a bear, or even wrestling bare, is not an option)?

I've seen readings recently, done by very good readers; and of course the author knows exactly what inflection to put onto anything that he or she reads himself (or herself). But how long should a reading be? How much backstory should it include, how many teasers of the plot (spoilers!). Or should it be a reading at all?

I have plans for the launch event itself to be a little bit different.  I'm working on it now... but I'd be interested in your feedback.   What would really make you sit up and pay attention; what would make you drag your mates along (excluding bears/ bareness). I've got some ideas... but I'd be very interested to hear yours... and you never know, if I like it I might use it. Then you'll have no excuse not to come along...

Leave a comment here, or comment via my twitter, google+ or facebook accounts... 

Launch date for the second volume of ‘The Automata Wars’, The Front Line is now confirmed as Saturday 27th July; and we are all systems go for a launch party at the lovely ORT Cafe in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.  ORT is contained within an old print works (cunningly now known as the Old Print Works), which makes it an ideally atmospheric setting for automata and strange, clanking machinery...  ORT also does rather lovely food, and has a nice selection of steampunk appropriate beverages...

The main party will be in the back room, and we will have entertainment from friends the most excellent steampunk band Gladstone, popping over from Northamptonshire.  If you’ve not caught their brand of steam-party-rock yet, this is a fantastic opportunity... also playing we have the Black Country’s finest steampunk band, Birthrite, ar, and also the fabled Crimson Clocks, who may have been mentioned elsewhere in these blog pages (ahem), will be making an appearance, along with Trevor the Crimson (ok, white), Cat.  If that wasn’t enough, there will be a comedic turn from Dr Agamemnon When for your delectation...

And then we have the launch.  The Front Line picks up the story of 'The Automata Wars' where The Home Front left off.  This time the action moves to where the soldiers are fighting, following the story of a new recruit; and of a young nurse recently appointed following a change of career.  But the deadly machines are not the only danger; and even in the heart of the fighting the influence of the mysterious Madame Jewel can be felt...

Tickets for the launch will be available very soon – in the meantime, keep an eye on www.LMCooke.com for details; or join the facebook event for more info.

The Front Line will be available from The Last Line publishing house and other outlets.  

And there’s more – there will be a small number of preview events before the launch, at Steampunk Doncaster in June, and at Markfield Steampunk Convivial in July, with more to be confirmed.  Expect sneak previews of The Front Line...

Spring is officially here, but it’s being a bit slow to take off its coat this year.  It hovers at the door like a nervous visitor, not quite sure whether to come in properly or go before anyone notices it.  While it makes up its mind, the nights stay bright but chill, and thick, white frosts cover the ground each morning.  The local stray cat huddles in various doorways and under deckings for warmth, its coat muddied and bedraggled.  My toes curl when removed from the bedcovers, wincing at the chill air without.

Sometimes I dream of summer, hot and dry;  long golden evenings and short moonlit nights; of skin exposed to air rather than covered up under multiple layers of fabrics; of all-pervading, penetrating warmth.  Reality often fails to deliver.  There is rain and cold, a midsummer spent shivering rather than sunbathing.  Perhaps this year will be different.  Perhaps the heat will return, and the occasional showers be warm and comfortable rather than icy and distressing.

Perhaps.

No blogs posts for the last few weeks as I have been on holiday.  No, not gallivanting around the cosmos in a space-submarine drawn by starslug (that’s so passé these days); mainly I have been working on an essay for my history course.  I now know lots about honour in 16th and 17th Century England.  And I have a rapier, so don’t challenge me to a duel... (mostly because I’ll probably just take you to court).

But it’s not been essays solidly for two weeks; oh no.  I have done lots of other exciting things as well.  Naturally, in keeping with my demure persona, not all are fit to print (particularly the bit that caused feet to still be bleeding 5 days later...).  But of those that are, you might like to be aware that plans for a book launch for Volume 2 of The Automata Wars are now well underway. 

In fact, if you’re from Birmingham (UK) or the near vicinity, you might just want to hold the evening of Saturday 27th July free in your no-doubt packed social calendars for some suitable automaton related entertainment.  If you’re not from Birmingham, why not visit on that day anyway?  The streets are paved with brass*, the air smells of chocolate** and almost no one*** ever disappears in the Balti Triangle.****

More details coming soon – until then, stay vigilant!  They are amongst us...

*restricted to areas where someone has had an accident with loose change
** restricted to areas round the Cadbury factory
***  legend tells that those who disappear in the Balti Triangle have travelled to a strange uni-reverse, where time travels backwards until they become unborn and are wiped from existence.  This means that effectively no one ever disappears.
**** Similar to the Bermuda Triangle, with less water and more curry.  And not in Bermuda.