On the UK TV show, Eastenders, on February 24th, Dot Cotton was spotted reading “Vampire Mountain”!!!! For those who don’t watch the show, Dot is one of its most famous characters, a national institution by this stage, so lots of fans of my books were VERY excited to find out that she was a closet Shanster!!! It just proves what I’ve always said—you’re never too old to be a fan of Darren Shan!!!! If you live in the UK, you can maybe still catch the clip on BBC iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00yz5k4/EastEnders_24_02_2011/ It appears at the 15mins 55seconds mark. And I’m attaching a photo of it below, just in case anyone is in doubt!!

I’ve added the UK and USA covers for Ocean of Blood, the second Mr Cerepsley book, to my site, along with earlier versions of them that chart their development. I’ve also added the Australian cover for Birth Of A Killer — that comes out in Australia on April 1st, to coincide with my visit Down Under! All of the covers are incredibly cool, in very different ways — check them out to see which is your favourite!!! You can find them all, along with the covers of all my other books from every country where they are officially available, by clicking here: http://www.darrenshan.com/covers/

Birth of a Killer has been shortlisted for the Berkshire Book Award in the UK. This is its first nomination for any reward, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed! The winner will be announced on March 25th. To see the full shortlist, click here: http://www.berkshirebookaward.org.uk/

SURREY REPORT

I had a hugely enjoyable first event of the year in Surrey late in February. It was held in a great location (Bourne Hall) and we had a full house. I read out a world-exlusive extract from book 2, along with a couple of other favourite readings of mine... answered lots of questions... and signed LOADS of books for two and a half hours -- sweet!!! It was the perfect start to my touring year, and has set the standard for 2011!!!!

I will be touring in Ireland and the UK in May to promote the release of Ocean of Blood, the second of the Mr Crepsley books. The tour will take place in two sections, the first coming at the start of the month, with a few extra dates added at the end of May. Here are all the details that we currently have to hand. More info will be added where appropriate over the coming couple of months. A public signing is open to anyone who wants to come. A schools event is for invited schools only. A public event is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but tickets normally need to be reserved in advance -- you should always contact the organiser in advance to make sure that you will be able to get a ticket. More details are available in the individual listings on the EVENTS part of my site. I am always happy to sign as many of my books as fans wish to bring along or buy on the day.

30th April, Saturday

10.00am -- public signing, O'Mahony's Tralee, Castle Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

3.00pm -- public signing, The Crescent Bookshop, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick.

1st May, Sunday

12.30pm -- public signing, Waterstones Cork, 69 Patrick Street, Cork.

2nd May, Monday

11.00am -- public signing, Easons Newbridge, County Kildare. This is a bank holiday Monday.

3.00pm -- public signing, Easons Dundrum, Dublin. This is a bank holiday Monday.

3rd May, Tuesday

11.00am -- multi-schools event, Black Box Theatre, Belfast.

4.00pm -- public signing, Waterstones Belfast, 44-46 Fountain Street, Belfast BT1 5EE.

4th May, Wednesday

11.50am -- multi-schools events, Stratford High School,  Stratford-Upon-Avon. Part of the Stratford-Upon-Avon Literary Festival.

4.30pm -- public signing, WH Smith Welwyn Garden City, 30 Howards centre, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HA.

5th May, Thursday

10.30am -- multi-schools event, Catton Grove Junior School, Norwich.

6.00pm -- public event in Jarrolds Department Store, Norwich.

6th May, Friday

10.00am -- multi-schools event, Copleston High School, Ipswich.

3.00pm -- public signing, Waterstones Ipswich, 15-19 Buttermarket, Iswich IP1 1BQ.

6.00pm -- public event, Shire Hall, High Street, Chelmsford, arranged by Just Imagine book shop, New London Road, Chelmsford.

7th May, Saturday

10.30am -- public event, Attlee Room, Haileybury College, Hertford Heath, Hetrford SG13 7NU, arranged by Books @ Hoddesdon, 79 High Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 8TL - phone 01992 442290 for tickets.

8th May, Sunday

11.00am -- public signing at Waterstones Bromley, 100 The Glades Shopping Centre, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DJ.

29th May, Sunday

6.00pm -- public event in Cardiff -- details TBC.

30th May, Monday

11.00am -- public signing, Waterstones Swansea, The Old Carlton Cinema, 17 Oxford Street, Swansea SA1 3AG.

4.00pm -- public event with Charlie Higson, Hay-On-Wye Literary Festival.

31st May, Tuesday

10.30am -- multi-schools event, Liberty Hall, Dublin. Part of the Dublin Writers Festival.