Last week we were very proud to publish Diana Wynne Jones’ Reflections: On the Magic of Writing.  The book is a collection of essays, talks and insights from the great fantasy writer,  as well as interview material and notes on Diana by some of those closest to her.  It is a fascinating read for any fan of Diana’s stories, but also for any writer or reader of fiction.  Diana was a very charismatic person and her liveliness comes across in Reflections. 

‘Diana would talk about her “travel jinx”, and I thought she was exaggerating until we had to fly to America on the same plane. The plane we were meant to fly on was taken out of commission after the door fell off, and it took many hours to get another plane. Diana accepted this as a normal part of the usual business of travel. Doors fell off planes. Sunken islands rose up beneath you if you were in boats. Cars simply and inexplicably ceased to function. Trains with Diana on them went to places they had never been before and technically could not have gone.’ (From Neil Gaiman’s foreword to Reflections)

Diana always maintained that she was cursed with a travel jinx.  For the next round of Storyblogs, we’re asking our DFB authors about their own curses, jinxes and superstitions..  Do they have any, or have they had encounters with other people’s?  And if not, we’d like to hear our DFB storytellers INVENT some truly brilliant jinxes.. So keep your eyes on the Storyblog.

 @dfb_storyhouse  

Why not take a look around this gallery of celebrity portraits.. which have all been produced by the celebrities themselves!  You can even join in by bidding to win one.  Money raised is for The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts.   Can you spot which DFB author has submitted their own self-portrait??

Happy Bank Holiday weekend!

That’s right, our next round of storyblogs is taking a different format -  posing questions to DFB writers and artists.  So, it’s your chance to get involved!   If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to create stories and characters - or simply what these creators eat for breakfast! – let us know your questions, and we’ll use them as part of our ‘lucky dip’.  Post questions below as comments, or send them to us on Twitter(@DFB_Storyhouse).

Our first Storyblog interviewee will be Melanie Welsh – author of Mistress of the Storm and Heart of Stone – this Thursday..

See you then!

Ahoy there, and a Happy New Year to ye!

Over the next 2 months, the storyblog is going to be awash(ho ho) with nautical tales - of sea, sand, salty air, and sailing!   Last week, we published A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton and Heart of Stone by Melanie Welsh, and next month we’ll be releasing The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan.  Although very different, all three titles share some common ground: a journey over water, a harbour town with magical history and Selkie legend.  That’s right, all three stories take place in, on and besides the sea!   So, the DFB Storybloggers – authors and ilustrators all – will be sharing their thoughts, memories and ideas based on the seaside – these might be photos, jokes, artwork, prose…  We’ll have to wait and see.   Watch out for the first post from Linda Newbery this Thursday!

In the short pause between last-minute online shopping and the scoffing of mince pies, you might well find yourself – at this time of year -  reflecting on 2011 and anticipating much to come in the new year.  Over the next few weeks, our DFB writers and illustrators will take it in turns to share some of their favourite stories with us from this year – books, films, news stories and all - as well as tipping us off on treats to come in 2012..

(You may even find tips for some of those last minute Christmas pressies..)

Enjoy the holidays – and click below for a  little treat from all of us at DFB..

David, Bella, Simon, Hannah, Kirsten and Tilda.

There were  lovely reviews of 3 very different DFB titles in the papers this weekend - with Magic Beans and This Dark Endeavour featured in The Times’ best children’s books of 2011!  See more here.

‘One of the best value books for 6 plus is Magic Beans an entrancing collection of classic fairytales retold by leading storytellers such as Philip Pullman, Adele Geras and Malorie Blackman. Elegant line drawings by Ian Beck, Debi Gliori, Peter Bailey and others add to the magic.’

‘It’s a beautifully balanced novel with the darkness of the central crime never forgotten or over-sweetened by the love story….. readers wanting to discover if the relationship overcomes all the odds are sure to find themselves provoked, moved and rewarded in equal measure.’  Click here to read the full Guardian review of You Against Me by Jenny Downham. 

‘Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavour a captivating Gothic novel for 13 plus about the future Dr Frankenstein and his competitive love for his twin brother. Books this good are for life, not just Christmas.’

Hooray!!

Sarah McIntyre’s lovable duo, Vern & Lettuce, have won the hearts of teenagers in Leeds - who voted for the DFC Library book to win the Leeds Graphic Novel Award 2011!  Last year we were thrilled  when Dave Shelton’s Good Dog, Bad Dog won the  award,  and we’re over the moon that Sarah’s charming work has been recognised this year.  The award was created in 2010, so we DFBers are pleased as punch that two DFC Library titles have won so far. The prize is for titles suitable for 11-14 year olds, with the winner chosen by pupils at selected schools around Leeds. You can read more about the award  here, but keep an eye on Sarah’s blog and twitter(@jabberworks) for more news of Thoughtbubble festival..

Congratulations Sarah!

You can find out more about Magic Beans here,  and go to Jacqueline’s site here!

That’s right,  we’ve a new storyblog topic!  It was fascinating to think about literary classics and hear our authors and illustrators share opinions on retelling and adaptations that they love – as well as see some exclusive illustrations of literary classics.(Sarah McIntyre’s here and Richard Collingridge’s here). Thank you everyone for joining in!  It was especially interesting in light of our recent book, Magic Beans. 

Our next topic is one for delving into our writers’ and illustrators’ own stories, or rather, behind the scenes of them.  We’re asking our story bloggers to tell us about something that they’ve experienced in order to write about or draw it.    I for one can’t wait to hear these stories, direct from our DFB storybloggers. .

All 9 of our beautiful DFC Library books will be on sale at Comica Comiket this Saturday.  What’s more,  4 of our brilliant creators will be signing copies of their books, as below:  

 1.30-2pm:   Sarah McIntyre (creator of Vern & Lettuce)  

2.30-3pm:   Adam Brockbank (illustrator of MeZolith)  

3.30-4pm:   Neill Cameron (creator of Mo-Bot High)

4.30-5pm:   James Turner (creator of Super Animal Adventure Squad)

See you at the DFC Library stall!

See you there…