A box of these arrived from Faber today

Morse INSISTED on modelling a copy

When the rest of us are befuddled and have arthritis in our fingers it will be down to you lot.

Go here.

The new edition of Luke and Jon is due on August the 4th, but I think it may be available to buy before then. I will post here when I find out because I’m sure everyone is dying to know.

Just back from a great couple of days in Scotland where the lovely Keren David won the Angus Book Award. Each of the authors on the shortlist visited two schools during the day and this was followed by the big prize ceremony in the evening. The students from the different schools had made two films for each book and these were shown to a packed hall. All the films were of a high standard but the Luke and Jon films were particularly brilliant, and I’m not just being biased, they were so good they won the competition (Forfar Academy) and came runner up (Arbroath Academy). Thanks to all the students who put so much effort and creativity into their work and thanks to everyone who organised the award. The Angus Book Award is one of the oldest regional awards out there, it has a great reputation and when you get to play a part it’s easy to see why.

Over here for an interview and a link to an interview with Auke Leistra, who translated Luke and Jon into Dutch. There are also some thoughts on the book from Rhea, a member of the youth panel. If I sound stupid, blame google translate, I’m pretty sure I didn’t ‘wish everyone happiness.’ I did play Born To Run though.

The Dutch link is here.

there will be a new edition of Luke und Jon out in September. Here is the cover. If anyone can tell me what it says above the two boys it would be nice to know.

In the days before I tried to write  books I tried to write music under the name The Library Trust. Even further back in time I was in a band called Jobe. A terrible name, I know, but it was an improvement on our previous attempt – Sector 7G anyone? I don’t have any Jobe/Library Trust music on my mp3 player because that would be weird, but my girlfriend has plenty on hers, and the other day as we drove along the coast, through the sunshine, this song came on.

It’s a song called June we recorded as Jobe, live in a studio in Cheetham Hill, probably around 2002. It sounded pretty good driving along by the sea, and as Chris the drummer has just moved to Norway, and the massively anticipated reunion can never happen now, I thought I would post it as a goodbye to him.

And Luke and Jon is on it! Great news and a quick thanks to Auke Leistra who translated the book into Dutch and obviously did a good job. I have done a google translate for the link, so please forgive any clumsy wording. Or blame google.

And in defence of the photo used: It’s about 6 years old and is a press shot dating back to my ‘music’ days. Faber needed a picture quickly for an invite they were sending out and that was the only one I had to hand*. It has, of course, been used every time anyone has asked for a photo since. I want to punch myself in the face when I see it so god knows how other people feel. I should mention that I am in no way criticising the quality of the photograph, which was taken by the wonderful Ray Chan. Just my face.

*My mum insists that I should have used the photo taken at an airport, which she has in a frame in her kitchen. I pointed out that I am wearing a sun hat, and it looks like a plane is flying out from my cheek, but she considers these minor flaws.

So, no Palme d’Or Award but Luke and Jon has been shortlisted for the Waverton Good Read award. To celebrate (and because I’m off to see them at Jodrell Bank), let’s enjoy this from The Flaming Lips. And before anyone even thinks that Wayne Coyne can’t sing live, they say that Mariah Carey, Celine Dione and Mick Hucknall are where it’s at. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? Or perhaps  you prefer this piece of soul-smashing, star-grabbing symphonic pop genius: