Thomas Trew and the Hidden World

Thomas Trew and the Island of Ghosts shortlisted!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:28:00 +0000

The sixth and final book in the series, Thomas Trew and the Island of Ghosts, has just been shortlisted for the 2008 Aurealis Awards, in the Children's Long Fiction category.

The Aurealis Awards are Australia's premier fantasy, science fiction, and horror awards, and I'm delighted and honoured that my book was shortlisted!

You can have a look at the full list on http://www.aurealisawards.com/

Thomas Trew in book parades!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:27:00 +0000

We had Pinch and Patch appearing in a parade for World Book Day in the UK(see earlier post)--and across the world, in Australia, here's Thomas Trew making his debut in a school book parade for Children's Book Week, complete with stripy jumper!

Thank you to Oliver, and his mum, for letting me put up this lovely photo on the blog. And to Ben Venue school too for inviting me to come in and talk about the Thomas Trew books this week--great to meet so many dedicated readers of the series!

Madman of Venice trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:54:00 +0000

On my You Tube channel, I've just put up a trailer for my forthcoming novel for older readers, The Madman of Venice, which comes out in the UK and Australia in April 2009, published by Hodder Children's Books. In news just to hand, it will also be published in the USA, by Random House!

Go and have a look at www.youtube.com/sophievmasson

You can also read a bit about it at my Googlepages site, http://sophievmasson.googlepages.com/ , click on 'Shakespearean series vol 4.'

More BBC Audio..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:06:00 +0000

Just heard that the BBC are buying audio rights for Thomas Trew and the Horns of Pan, which is fantastic! They'll be turning it into an audiobook, on CD. They did such a wonderful job with Thomas Trew and the Hidden People, so I'm delighted they're taking the second one in the series! It'll be released next year--more details as they come to hand.

Pinch and Patch on World Book Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 06:13:00 +0000

Book character parades are one of the most fun ways of showing just how much you've enjoyed a book. It's also very thrilling for an author if one of their book characters is chosen. I'm very pleased and proud to say that on World Book Day this year, Cerian and Sarah of Gomer Junior School in Hampshire chose to come as Pinch and Patch! And don't they look just fantastic!

Back from a trip..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:01:00 +0000

I'm just back from a trip to Europe. Part of that time was spent in London, where I went to see my wonderful editor, Beverley Birch, and got some very good news from her--Thomas Trew and the Klint-King's Gold(no.3) has just reprinted, and has a brand-new cover to go with it, and as well, Thomas Trew and the Selkie's Curse(no.4) and Thomas Trew and the Flying Huntsman(no.5) have also reprinted. So it's all looking good!

Bits and pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:56:00 +0000

Yesterday I did a signing of the last three Thomas Trew books, which have just come out in Australia, in one of our local bookshops. I spoke to a few readers who came by to say hello and buy books. It's always good to do that. Look out for the books now too in your own local bookshops!

And out soon too will be the book Demigods and Monsters, which is a collection of pieces by various authors for young people--including yours truly--about Rick Riordan's marvellous Percy Jackson series, which is based on Greek myth, updated to modern times. Like Through the Wardrobe, it's published by Ben Bella Books and is a Borders exclusive. It features lots of interesting pieces about all sorts of aspects of the series--and guess what, it's edited by Rick Riordan himself!

Interview on Writer Unboxed

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:29:00 +0000

There's a short interview with me, about the Thomas Trew series, at the Writer Unboxed blog: www.writerunboxed.com

Interview on Matilda

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:31:00 +0000

Perry Middlemiss of the great Australian books blog, Matilda, has just uploaded an interview he did with me, for the Australian Crime Fiction Snapshots series. It's about my forthcoming mystery novel, The Case of the Diamond Shadow, which Thomas Trew readers may also well enjoy:
www.middlemiss.org/weblog/matilda
(You have to scroll down for the relevant post, which is the Australian Crime Fiction Snapshot for March 6).

NEW! Trailer for mystery novel

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:55:00 +0000

I've just uploaded a trailer for my mystery novel set in the 1930's, The Case of the Diamond Shadow, which comes out in July. It features several photos taken by my grandfather, who was a film cameraman in France in the early 1930's, and some 1930's music as well. Enjoy!
www.youtube.com/sophievmasson

March release of last 3 Thomas Trew books!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:58:00 +0000

For all readers in Australia, some exciting news: March will see the simultaneous release of the last three Thomas Trew books--the Selkie's Curse, Flying Huntsman, and Island of Ghosts! Keep an eye out for them at your local bookshop.
There will also be an interview/article about the whole series in Disney Adventures magazine for March, so watch out for it!

Narnia anthology!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:10:00 +0000

I'm really excited by the fact I have an essay in a fabulous upcoming American anthology for children and young adults about The Chronicles of Narnia, by CS Lewis. The book, which is coming out in a few weeks, is called Through the Wardrobe, it's edited by Herbie Brennan, the author of the Faerie Wars series(amongst many other books), and it's published by Ben Bella Books in the US, and available exclusively through Borders stores. There's lots of great essays in there, by many different writers, and on lots of interesting topics.. My essay's called Going to Narnia, and it's about how, as a child, I felt very much that it was a real place--but that the same couldn't be said for Aslan's country, which the children go to at the very end.

Ben Bella Books have also kindly offered to donate a couple of copies for competitions, so if you'd like to be in the running, answer this simple question: what is the name of the ruined, spellbound great city that Digory and Polly first fetch up in, in the first Chronicle of Narnia, The Magicians's Nephew? The first three correct answers will win a copy of the book.

UPDATE: This competition is now closed. Congratulations to the winners!

A new website..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Using the new and fabulous Googlepage website creator, I've just created a website for my recent four-book fantasy series for older readers, The Chronicles of El Jisal. Have a look at it! It's at http://sophievmasson.googlepages.com

New video on You Tube channel

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:05:00 +0000

I've just made and uploaded a short(4 min) talk about writing my graphic novel, The Secret Army: Operation Loki. It's an exciting adventure set in the 1930's, and was published in Australia by ABC Books in 2006. It was highly praised by none other than Anthony Horowitz!

Go and have a peek at how it all came together, with me, the artist Anthony Davis, the designer and the publisher:

www.youtube.com/sophievmasson

Writer Unboxed

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:08:00 +0000

I've been asked to be a contributor at the great genre writing blog, Writer Unboxed, http://writerunboxed.com and my introductory interview is up there right now. My first post will be up there on Wednesday. Go and have a look!

The Island of Ghosts..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:36:00 +0000

Just got my advance copy of the sixth and final Thomas Trew book--Thomas Trew and the Island of Ghosts. It's one of the scariest of the Thomas adventures--he even meets Mr D, the lord of death..
The book looks great, and there's a great endorsement on the cover by a reader: she gives it six shiny stars out of five! You can't ask better than that, can you!
The book will be out in the UK on January 17. In Australia, the last three books--Selkie's Curse, Flying Huntsman and Island of Ghosts--are all coming out together, in March. Watch for them at your local bookshop!

Case of the Diamond Shadow blog

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:43:00 +0000

I've just started another blog, this time set around a novel of mine, for teenagers, that's coming out half-way through next year. It's a mystery novel, set in the 1930's, called The Case of the Diamond Shadow. I'll be posting all kinds of bits and pieces on there. Go over and have a look! It's at http://www.caseofthediamondshadow.blogspot.com/

An exciting surprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:57:00 +0000

I got a lovely surprise in the mail yesterday--my advance copies of the BBC Audiobook version of Thomas Trew and the Hidden People. On two CDs, completely unabridged and with a playing time of 2 hours 13 minutes all together, the novel is gorgeously read, in many wonderfully diverse voices, by the exceptionally talented Andrew Sachs. Best known for his star turn as the hapless waiter Manuel in the hilarious classic comedy series Fawlty Towers, Andrew Sachs is a seasoned actor, performer and scriptwriter whose voice is also often heard as a narrator of many audiobooks and documentaries.
He's certainly wonderful to listen to. He has all the different voices down so well, he really makes the story sparkle along. And it's lovely to hear your own story read aloud by such a great performer--and lovely too that it does transfer to being read aloud very well indeed. Exciting!
I'm not sure exactly when the audio book will be out in the shops, but it should be very soon. I'll keep you posted!

Story starter at Write Away

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:16:00 +0000

A little while back, I was asked by the lovely people at that wonderful children's literature website, Write Away, http://www.writeaway.org.uk/ , to write a Story Starter for them, on the subject of dreams and how they can inspire stories. That was of course because of how the Thomas Trew series started, in a particularly intriguing dream I had, which I wrote about in one of my first entries on this blog. The 'story starters' are excellent features of the Write Away site, and are used by individuals and groups as inspirational and fun exercises to help kickstart stories. They've been written by all kinds of terrific writers. I'm honoured to be in such company!

Now my story starter on dreams and how to use them to inspire your own stories is up at the Write Away site. You can read and download it for free! Go to the Write Away site, click on the Story Starters button in the main menu on the left, and then on to 'Dream On,' my story starter. Have fun!

Thomas Trew five out in UK!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:41:00 +0000

Number five in the series, Thomas Trew and the Flying Huntsman, is just about to come out in the UK. Look for it at your local bookstore! It's coming out in Australia in March 2008. Like no 4 in the series, Thomas Trew and the Selkie's Curse, it features some terrific reviews by young readers, from schools in Britain and Australia.
The Flying Huntsman was one of my favourites to write. It's a very tense and rather creepy story, set in the strange sky-world of the Ariels. And Thomas is in even more danger than he's ever been before!

On Facebook..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:52:00 +0000

I'm joined up to Facebook recently. If you're interested, go and have a look at my page, and take some of the quizzes I've taken! Find me by just putting me in my name. See you there!

Blogging at Inside a Dog..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:32:00 +0000

Last week, I started a blogging stint as Writer In Residence at the Inside A Dog website, the website of the State Library of Victoria's Youth Literature Centre. I'll be blogging there for a month, till November 9, on all kinds of things to do with books, writing, life and everything--including Thomas Trew, spooks, and murderous magpies! Come over and join me on www.insideadog.com.au/residence

New look for Thomas Trew!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:05:00 +0000

There's a whole new look to Thomas Trew, starting with the 4th book in the series, Thomas Trew and the Selkie's Curse, which comes out in Britain on September 21, and in October in Australia. Here's a sneak look at the great new jacket, complete with reviews by young readers!

And why the change? Because it was felt the original covers(as you see them to the right of this) weren't quite eye-catching enough, and that it would be good to have reviews from actual readers. Which is an excellent idea, I reckon. What do you think?

The next two in the series, Thomas Trew and the Flying Huntsman, and Thomas Trew and the Island of Ghosts, will similarly have bright new revamped covers and readers'reviews. Watch out for them!

Melbourne Writers' Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:53:00 +0000

Next week, I'm off to Melbourne for the Writers' Festival, where I have a few gigs talking about my books, and reading from them. The Thomas Trew series will be prominent in them!
Here's a list of events, for my Melbourne and Victorian readers:
Saturday August 25, Children's Literary Afternoon Tea. This will feature Garth Nix and myself, at Sofi's, the Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne, 2.30--4.30. This is a paying event, and you need to book.
Sunday August 26: The Big Family Read, with me, Garth Nix and Michael Gerard Bauer, at the Malthouse, Southbank, 10.30--11.30 am. Free event(but get there early!)
Tuesday, August 28, I'll be on a panel on using historical sources to write fantasy, with Kate Forsyth and Anna Ciddor. This is part of the schools programme, and you need to book. Malthouse, 10.15 am--11 am, aimed at students in years 7 and 8.
Wednesday August 29, I have a session by myself on creating the fantasy worlds in both the Thomas Trew series and my older-readers El Jisal series. this is at the Malthouse, 11.30--12.15, and is also part of the Schools programme, and aimed at students in Years 5 and 6.
The Melbourne Writers'Centre website is at www.mwf.com.au You can book online.
After each session, I'll be in the book tent, signing books. Do come and say hi, if you're there!

Seeking reviews..

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Masson) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:25:00 +0000

To all young readers of Thomas Trew: Want to see your name in one of the Thomas Trew books? My publishers will be printing one-line reviews of the books in the next three books. If you or your friend or classmate has read one or more of the books and want to write a very short review(don't just say you like it, say why), leave it in comments on this blog or else send it to me in an email at sophievmasson@gmail.com If your review is selected, it will appear in one of the last three books. Only your first name and age will be printed.