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.

Trainer

Testimonials

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AuthorProfile. Their FAST TRACK GUIDE FOR AUTHORS was an unqualified success and all the authors who attended found it extremely useful and interesting. From a publisher’s point of view I found the AuthorProfile course was a very useful way to support new authors and good value for money. Their trainers were knowledgeable and approachable, giving the authors good advice and guidance, and the course provided a comprehensive framework for our new authors to work with.”<br /> SALLY OLIPHANT, USBORNE PUBLISHING</p> <p>“Perfectly pitched and extremely well delivered. Outstanding. Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable day.”<br /> CHRIS HUNTER, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was a really interesting day and left me with a lot to think about.”<br /> SEAN FRENCH, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I have more of a sense of who my key networks are and for pitching angles for my novels in the press.”<br /> NAOMI ALDERMAN, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was comfortably paced, but actually gave me a lot to think about. I now understand that I can use my brand to focus presentation and discussion of my forthcoming title and future ideas.”<br /> HUGH ALDERSEY-WILLIAMS, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was very useful, thought provoking and gave me lots to work on and develop.”<br /> PAULA RAWSTHORNE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“What I liked best about the training element - which was excellently presented and good fun - was that it encouraged us to question what we stood for. No one really likes to feel their life’s work can be boiled down to three or four emblematic words, and I think as authors we can sometimes feel a little squeamish at the idea of actively embracing commercial tendencies. I felt that Justin and Phillip’s intelligent approach to branding showed that it’s a useful tool for enhancing the integrity of what we do and helping our books - and ourselves - to stand out. Or at least to stand sure!”<br /> STEVE COLE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I really enjoyed this course - thank you.”<br /> ELIF SHAFAK, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Thank you so much for an event which absolutely exemplified the agent-author relationships that make LAW such a great agency.”<br /> DAVID THOMAS (TOM CAIN), AUTHOR</p> <p>“You have definitely made me feel more confident in my brand. The course was great. Give me more!”<br /> CARINA AXELSSON, AUTHOR</p> <p>“A really enjoyable, relaxed and useful course.”<br /> CHLOË INKPEN, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The training exceeded my expectations on every count and I really do feel better prepared for my new life as an author. I have come home absolutely buzzing with new ideas - thank you.”<br /> ANDREW BEASLEY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“A great course. Thank you for a well thought-out and executed training session. I feel more confident with reading thanks to your input on projecting and defining what I’m reading.”<br /> DAVID MASSEY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I had a great day and found it really useful and helpful. I have learnt that I can use online resources in my own way that is relevant to my work.”<br /> REBECCA COBB, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Excellent course - really valuable.”<br /> H.L. DENNIS, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I felt hugely encouraged about this (events). The advice given in the events session and information provided in the booklet gave me a clear understanding of ways in which I could structure an event. Attention to detail was really helpful - it allowed me to think through a possible event in three-dimensions. Such an encouraging day (online). I do feel like a complete technophobe sometimes – but the course has done much to convince me that there’s a way forward. It all seems less terrifying now! Very well-informed course leaders. A really enjoyable, positive and inspiring day.”<br /> CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM HILL, AUTHOR</p> <p>“A highly successful (and enjoyable) event that left all our authors energised and ready to move forward.”<br /> LUCAS ALEXANDER WHITLEY LTD (LAW)</p> <p>“I feel I can continue my online presence with more confidence. I feel I have more focus now.”<br /> DAVID MELLING, AUTHOR</p> <p>“A fantastic diving board into the choppy and exciting online ocean!”<br /> JEFF NORTON, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Very useful - and great for getting me to think about things in a different way.”<br /> ANNE-MARIE CONWAY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I don’t think I’d ever have got to grips with social media If I hadn’t been guided every step of the way by someone logicl and reassuring. Huge thanks to author profile for making it all make sense.”<br /> GILL PAUL, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was very useful.”<br /> SIMON TOYNE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was empowering and demystifying. I feel excited to enter a hitherto scary world.”<br /> ELIZABETH NOBLE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The trainers were authors who had been through it all themselves. The workbook will be useful in the future.”<br /> KATHRYN JAMES, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course really made me focus and gave me confidence to be in control of my online presence.”<br /> VERONICA HENRY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Thank you so much. I really enjoyed the course. The branding part of the course was focused on the individual, and helpful.”<br /> JENNIFER MCVEIGH, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Thanks very much - some very useful ideas.”<br /> HILARY MCKAY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was really good. I’m looking forward to the next one.”<br /> HOLLY BOURNE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I do feel much more confident about going into schools and at least starting on the journey of becoming a more relaxed and interesting 'event provider'! I do think it was so helpful for me to sit down and go through the event structure systematically and the way you broke everything down made it seem far less threatening (and potentially embarrassing).”<br /> CATHRYN CONSTABLE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The course was excellent - very helpful.”<br /> ELIZABETH FREMANTLE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I learned and grew in confidence.”<br /> KATHARINE MCMAHON, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Thank you so much for a great day. I put it all in to practise last night at Waterstones in Hampstead and I am told by all attending it was a great evening.”<br /> WILLIAM OSBORNE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Excellent! I feel much more confident and less overwhelmed.”<br /> CLAIRE O’BRIEN, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was great - many thanks.”<br /> HELEN NATHAN, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was really useful to think about what we do, what we can do, how things are changing, and to share our views and experiences.”<br /> LINDA CHAPMAN, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I really enjoyed the course. It was nice to hear about other people’s experiences in the publishing business.”<br /> SUSANNE WINNACKER, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was excellent!”<br /> FIONA ROBERTON, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I was very impressed by this extremely useful and encouraging course.”<br /> FRANCES HARDINGE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Thanks for the training. It’s been so useful and I will definately use the handbook you provided. I will be more effective at communicating my brand online.”<br /> JANE LAWES, AUTHOR</p> <p>“A brilliant and useful day.”<br /> TERI TERRY, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Very interesting. The course covered some ground I was familiar with, but a lot I wasn’t. Some great ideas to take away!”<br /> TIM WEAVER, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was a very useful day.”<br /> ELIZABETH WILHIDE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Very informative. I feel more confident about building my website and joining Twitter.”<br /> JO LODGE, AUTHOR</p> <p>“Excellent. Very useful!”<br /> SALLEY VICKERS, AUTHOR</p> <p>“I was genuinely impressed by how much the training unlocked some creative excitement in me and it was nice to engage with other authors and the trainers.”<br /> S.D. CROCKETT, AUTHOR</p> <p>“The training was very informative and very useful.”<br /> REBECCA PATTERSON, AUTHOR</p> <p>“It was a really positive course and good for building confidence.”<br /> HAYLEY LONG, AUTHOR</p> <p>Home †</p> <p>