ABOUT THE CAPTAIN.

Justin Somper is the bestselling author with the Vampirates sequence.

The first title, Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean debuted in 2005 and has sold over 100,000 copies to date in the UK. Justin was dubbed “The Next Big Thing” by Sunday Times Magazine while, in Waterstone’s “Harry Potter Report”, the chain’s buyers selected Demons of the Ocean as their top recommendation for fans of Harry Potter. The Sunday Times said Vampirates “promises to be an addictive series”. The Evening Standard welcomed “a vivid and bloodthirsty debut”, whilst The Times acclaimed “a clever combination of two genres that could make it as popular as Pirates of the Caribbean”.

With Demons of the Ocean, Justin won the Birmingham KS3 “Explores” Book Award and the Solihull Children’s Book Award. He was runner-up in the North East Children’s Book Award and short-listed for the prestigious Red House Children’s Book Award. Justin’s work has also won praise from fellow children’s book authors including Darren Shan who calls it, “An intriguing mix of piracy and vampirism. Justin Somper has brought new terrors to the blood-drenched seas – bravo!!!”

WHO’S A BUSY BEAVER THEN?

There are now six titles in the Vampirates sequence (not including Dead Deep):
Book 1: Demons of the Ocean (2005)
Book 2: Tide of Terror (2006)
Book 3: Blood Captain (2007)
Book 4: Black Heart (2009)
Book 5: Empire of Night (2010)
Book 6: Immortal War (2011)

As if writing each book in the sequence isn’t enough, Justin also finds time to reply to the comments and queries left by his readers on vampirates.co.uk and Facebook. To celebrate a launch of VAMPIRATES: EMPIRE OF NIGHT, Justin participated in a live event with bittenbybooks, where he chatted live on-line with fans globally.

Traveling to festivals, schools and libraries is a highlight of Justin’s year, when he gets the opportunity to meet avid readers and aspiring young writers. Since the publication of Vampirates internationally, Justin has completed events throughout the UK, in France, Australia, Sweden, and the USA – where it’s not out of the question for fans to drive across state lines for the chance to meet Captain Somper!

FEATURES.

On the lookout for more stuff? Why not sign up to the VAMPIRATES CREW – you’ll get Justin’s newsletter, have access to exclusive competitions and hot news before anyone else!

INTERVIEWS

See what Justin has to say for himself when faced with tough questions on writing Vampirates, sword-fighting, and the things he couldn’t possibly live without.

VIDEO

Justin talks about the world of the Vampirates and shows us around his writer’s den – where the magic really happens!

JUSTIN SOMPER WEBSITE

The brand-spanking, chock full of good stuff, JUSTIN SOMPER WEBSITE will launch in JULY 2012. Be sure to check back in a few short weeks for some EXCLUSIVE news about Justin’s LATEST WRITING PROJECT!

Who are you?

Please, tell me.

JUSTIN BUCKLES HIS SWASH IN MANCHESTER

Justin was in Manchester this week to take part in the Manchester Children’s Book Festival (www.mcbf.org.uk). He had a great time – and was on decidedly swashbuckling form – talking to school students in the suitably gothic setting of the John Rylands Library. Between events, Justin enjoyed a tour of the library and its amazing collection of historic and important books. These include the oldest known fragment in existence from the New Testament. Justin wasn’t allowed to photograph this but you can SEE IT ONLINE. For a thorough debrief on Justin’s MCBF event, go to AYE-AYE-CAPTAIN where you can read (and see) the inside scoop from official festival blogger Charmain Leung.

Were you in the audience at this event? If so, tell us what YOU thought about it.

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