As part of an audience with writer Eric Saward, there will be a reading of Chapter One of the Target Book that never was – an adaptation of the Fifth Doctor story Resurrection of the Daleks – at Manchester’s Fab Cafe… Read More ›
Books
Paul Kidby’s Terry Pratchett Memorial Statue for Salisbury one step nearer to realisation
Back in 2015, a campaign was launched for the creation of a Terry Pratchett Memorial Statue, which we reported here on downthetubes. Artist Paul Kidby, who worked with Sir Terry, was put forward as the sculptor of choice to create… Read More ›
In Review: Comic Book Fever – A Celebration of Comics: 1976-1986
By George Khoury Publisher: TwoMorrows Out: Now The Book: This book is an examination of the pivotal US comics era of 1976–1986. Contained herein are the people, comics, and artifacts that made our childhood feel larger than life, and shaped the… Read More ›
Alan Lee to illustrate new edition of JRR Tolkien’s love story, “Beren and Lúthien”
HarperCollins will publish a new JRR Tolkien title, Beren and Lúthien, in May 2017, a love story that has inspired many creators to illustrate scenes from their story. This edition will feature art by Alan Lee, an award-winning artist long associated with… Read More ›
Enjoy a taste of the macabre with celebrated Lancaster author AS Chambers this Hallowe’en
A.S.Chambers, Lancaster’s master of the macabre (and one of Lancaster Comics Day’s most fervent supporters), will be making a special appearance at Lancaster Library this Hallowe’en weekend. On the 29th October he will be holding a one off event, where he will… Read More ›
Comics and Short Stories Digital Hub Tapas Launches Writer Appeal
Tapas, a publishing platform home to serialised, snackable stories for mobile audiences that includes the Tapastic comics hub which features the work of some 17,000 creators, is looking for amazing original stories. Tapas recently began to serialise the work of… Read More ›
“Martian” author Andy Weir short stories published exclusively on the books and comics app, Tapas
Before Andy Weir’s brilliant SF novel The Martian became a bestseller and a box-office hit, it was posted in short, free instalments to his website. His approach mirrors the serialised stories of 19th century periodicals, which popularized authors like Charles Dickens and… Read More ›
In Review: The Mighty One My Life Inside The Nerve Centre
The Book: Steve MacManus, the editor of 2000AD during the 1980s, lifts the lid on how the UK’s most important comic came into existence and his extraordinary role in shaping it into a industry revolutionising icon. In 1973, a twenty-year-old MacManus… Read More ›
Bloomsbury to publish classic Dorothy M. Wheeler-illustrated Nursery Rhymes collection
British publisher Bloomsbury currently has a number of beautifully-illustrated works in the works, including a stunning re-release of English Nursery Rhymes, as Classic Nursery Rhymes, a book first published when World War One was at its height. The new edition… Read More ›
Sparkle World’s “Goblin Princess” strip Brought To Book
A few years ago Jenny O’Connor, Editorial Director at Redan Publishing (whose titles include the best-selling Peppa Pig) started writing a strip story for the company’s popular Sparkle World called The Goblin Princess – and now the strip has become… Read More ›
Authors Rally for Tommy Donbavand with Obverse Books project
As we’ve previously reported on downthetubes, Scream Street creator, Beano writer, Doctor Who author and all round lovely guy, Tommy Donbavand, has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently recovering from a series of painful and unpleasant treatments as he… Read More ›
Print Still Matters for Kids, says publisher Egmont
Studies commissioned by Egmont Publishing suggest that reading printed titles creates a greater bond between parents and kids – and printed titles still carry more weight than eBooks and digital reading. The findings – the result of a commissioned study carried out by… Read More ›
New puzzles celebrate 50 years of Star Trek, art book also on way from Titan Books
Jumbo Games, Britain’s leading manufacturer of adult puzzles, is producing a range of Star Trek jigsaw puzzles set to launch in in September, in time for the 50th Anniversary of the franchise. The puzzle range will include a 1,000- and… Read More ›
Andrew Cartmel’s Vinyl Detective Released
Just released by Titan Books is former Doctor Who script editor and Rivers of London comic co-writer Andrew Cartmel’s new novel The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax. Titan have clearly got a lot of faith in this new title… Read More ›
Telos Publishing Re-Releases Doctor Who “The Target Book”
Chronicling the range of Doctor Who novelisations published by a variety of publishers, but always under the ‘Target’ brand, The Target Book by David J Howe, first published in 2007, was one of the most popular titles ever published by Telos Publishing,… Read More ›
Comic Industry Secrets Revealed in new autobiographies from Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett
Miwk Publishing have announced the forthcoming publication of Argh!, the autobiography of comics writer and editor Tim Quinn in May, alongside Drawing Breath, the autobiography of cartoonist Dicky Howett, who worked with Tim on various strips for over 20 years. Tim’s work will be known to comic readers everywhere, especially… Read More ›
Knockabout Reveals Alan Moore’s “Jerusalem” Novel Cover
Knockabout Comics has just released the cover for Alan Moore’s long-awaited Jerusalem, drawn by Alan himself. Begun in 2008 and running to over to over 600,000 words (putting it in the Top 10 largest novels in the English language) Jerusalem… Read More ›
Paul Cornell on Tour for Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? novel launch
Top comics writer and author Paul Cornell – now also writing the TV show Elementary – will be on tour next month around the UK to mark the launch of his latest novel, Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? Tuesday 19th May sees… Read More ›
The Famous Five At 75: New Merchandise in the Works
Bulldog Licensing, which represents the estate of children’s author Enid Blyton, has announced a range of nostalgia products will launch next year to celebrate 75 years of her much-loved The Famous Five. The Famous Five are among Enid Blyton’s best-loved creations and… Read More ›
Revealed: A New Official “Watership Down” Poster
Vice Press will release two stunning-looking a poster celebrating Richard Adams’ classic novel Watership Down produced under license from Nepenthe Productions – the work of celebrated illustrator Raid71 (aka Chris Thornley). This beautiful art print which will be released at 5.00pm… Read More ›