Zom-b in Beswick

Darren Shan's UK tour, MCBF Trailblazer, Friday 4th May, The East Manchester Academy

Words by Claudia Conerney, photographs by The East Manchester Academy pupils

This afternoon The East Manchester Academy in Beswick became the host for internationally acclaimed horror writer Darren Shan, who is currently conducting a UK tour to promote the release of the two latest additions to his highly popular Larten Crepsley series, Brothers to the Death and Palace of the Damned.

Darren lives in Limerick in Ireland with his girlfriend Bas, and has been writing horror fiction since he was a teenager. To date he has written nearly three dozen horror titles, which have been translated into over 30 languages, from Hebrew to Japanese. In 2009, the first 3 books in the Saga of Darren Shan, were made into a Hollywood film by Universal Studios called, Cirque du Freak: the Vampire’s Assistant, starring John C Reilly as Larten Crepsley and Chris Massoglia as Darren Shan.

This afternoon, however, Beswick beckons. As Darren enters the Academy with his publicist, Rosie Crawley from Harper Collins, he is greeted by a warm welcome from Principal Guy Hutchence and year 8 pupils, Jerome Hickey and Kaia Spurrett-Hogan, who escort them into the hall where 150 horror fans from Asbury Meadow, All Saints, The Heys and St Bridgid’s primary schools are literally screaming his name in excitement. 

Director of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival, Kaye Tew, kick starts the event with a game of Heads and Tails, which is won by Hajira Ali of the Heys Primary School who receives a free signed copy of Brothers to the Death, much to her delight.

As if the opportunity of hearing their favourite horror writer read from two of his latest novels isn’t enough, Darren also treats the children to an extract from his forthcoming book, Zom-B, the first in a series of 12 to be launched in the early autumn. The children eagerly soak up every last detail of blood, guts and gore, while the adults in the audience struggle to keep their stomachs from churning.

This spine tingling teaser is followed by an informative Q & A session, led by highly intelligent questions from the primary pupils, keen to know what advice Darren has for them to become successful writers.

Darren tells the pupils that he started writing books at a very young age, “I wrote quite a few books that weren’t published. I was 21 when I wrote the first draft of what would eventually become my first book, Cirque du Freak, and I was 26 when it was first published. I always say to young writers to begin by writing short stories and not to worry about making mistakes as this is how you learn to improve. Many writers start out over ambitiously, trying to write an entire novel and then get to the third or fourth chapter before abandoning the project entirely because they become overwhelmed. Being a successful writer is about learning to structure your ideas and once you’ve learnt to do that, you have the tools to see a project through to the end.”

Asked where he draws his inspiration and ideas from for his books, Darren responds: “From comics, films, the people I meet - everywhere really. I think everyone is full of ideas. All you have to do is look around you and you can see a dozen stories going on all the time. It’s just a case of choosing the ideas that you want to write about. I always say to young writers, write the short stories you’d love to read. Even if I wasn’t paid to be a writer, I would probably do it in my spare time because I love writing. I’ve always loved horror from being a very young child. My all time favourite horror writer has to be Stephen King. I read my first Stephen King book about thirty years ago and I’ve been reading them ever since; I love his books.”  

Of all the books he has written, Darren’s favourite is The Thin Executioner, a fantasy novel about a boy who wants to be an executioner when he grows up, so he can chop off heads. Darren doesn’t actually read his own books, but goes through them seven or eight times before they get published. “I think you’d have to be very vain to read your own books for pleasure. I can’t sit down and see them the way that you guys do. It’s one of those disadvantages of being a writer, you hope to be able to write very good stories, but you never get to enjoy them or experience the emotional roller coaster in the way that your audiences do.”

Finally, with the Q & A session at a close, the children clamber to the front of the hall to purchase their eagerly anticipated signed copies of Darren’s new titles, and to steal a photo opportunity with this horror legend.

It’s been a fantastic afternoon here at The East Manchester Academy. Pastoral Administrator, Kaylee Barclay, agrees; “The children have been looking forward to this all week and we are very proud to welcome Darren Shan to our school. We look forward to reading the children’s entries for the All Write competition, which I have no doubt will be inspired by his work.” 

For more information on the All Write competition and other MCBF projects and competitions, take a look in the sidebar to your right. There's something for everyone (children that is). 

Remembering the Fun!

With only weeks before the launch of MCBF2012, here's a reminder of what went on at the last MCBF. This year's festival will have more days, more authors and most certainly more fun (if that's possible), be sure you attend at least... well, all if you can!

- flash slideshow maker

Visit our webpage here for further information about the festival and here for the programme.

Dining With The Stars

MCBFestival Gala Dinner with Carol Ann Duffy and Tony Warren, Friday 6th July, 7:30pm, The Midland Hotel. 

What a night this is going to be: Midland Hotel, tongue-slobbering food, poetry, dancing, quasi-royalty, cheers, jeers and decent English handshakes. Take the night the way that suits you best, but with the theme 'Strictly Come Dining' there's not doubt you'll be cha cha cha-ing your way into the reception area where drinks will be waiting to get you quickstepping into an evening with a difference.

Among the variety of exquisite guests--who have already begun to book their tickets--Poet Laureate Professor Carol Ann Duffy CBE OBE will be joining together with her special guest Tony Warren, creator behind the world's longest running and much loved continuing drama Coronation Street. Together they will provide nutritious words for that literary hunger you all crave. It doesn't end here. Featuring a big band and ballroom dancers entertaining as you dine, once your plates begin to squeak, your feet can start to jive while your rumpa rumbas on the dance floor until chucking out time.

Come with your partner or a lively group of friends or make that impression and fill up a table with your contacts and clients. Whatever you choose you'll have the choice to sit back and relax or enjoy the lively networking opportunities on the night. 

The dinner is a charity fund-raiser with profits from ticket sales, raffles and auctions of special prizes going towards future creative projects with underprivileged Manchester schools and community groups - many of whose arts-funding has recently been cut. Carol Ann passionately advocates that we do what we can to maintain creative opportunities in the classroom and I for one can say that this outreaching work is more than inspiring and extremely rewarding.

Book your tickets online here or by calling our box office: 0843 208 0500.

This is a gala dinner with a difference, so be sure to be present and end the school year with a well desereved bang.

Interactive CPD Opportunities

Poets & Workshops, Sunday, 13th May, People's History Museum

Photo: www.babiesinthecity.co.uk

Here are two fantastic CPD opportunities for teachers, writers and art practitioners in the next couple of months. 

The first event, The Cultural Exchange, is free, open to all and suitable for people of all ages. The performance poets of the day will include Terry Caffrey, Mandy Coe, Kate Fox, Anjum Malik and Tony Walsh. You will find them performing around the museum throughout the day, with opportunities to find out more about how they can work with schools to develop pupils' writings and enjoyment of literature. Other practitioners and organisations will also be on hand to give details about their projects, competitions, venues, workshops and events.  As well as workshops and activities that include book-making, living history sessions and giant knitting with most of the city’s museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, festivals, writers and arts practitioners will be showcasing their offers for families and schools. 

Come and find out what’s on offer to schools in June/July 2012, including a taster of Manchester Children’s Book Festival events, and pick up some great ideas and contacts to help in your planning for the 2012/13 school year.  As well as the schools' offers, this event is suitable for the whole family and open to all with fun activities to occupy and stimulate all ages. Remember, free entry and all welcome – no need to book. 

Survive and Subvert Conference, 28th & 29th June, MMU's Geoffrey Manton Building 

The second is the Survive and Subvert CPD Conference launching the 2012 Manchester Children's Book Festival. In a comprehensive programme co-ordinated by Mandy Coe, guest speakers include Michael Rosen, Mick Waters and Levi Tafari.  A suite of practical, critical and creative workshops and debates will focus on maintaining passion and creativity in teaching in the face of cuts to Arts and Education funding.  All participants will leave armed with a ‘Survival Kit’ containing resources and ideas that will ensure impact and legacy long beyond the conference.   

Suitable for anyone involved with or interested in teaching children and young people of all ages. Further details can be found on www.mcbf.org.uk. The full programme will be available shortly and will be distributed to senior staff in schools, posted on the MCBF website and emailed to everyone on our mailing list.  Flag up the dates now and book your places to ensure you don’t miss out.