Waterstone’s and Random House Children’s Book launched Terry Pratchett’s latest Discworld Novel with the author at midnight last night.

I Shall Wear Midnight was unveiled at Waterstone’s flagship store in Piccadilly at midnight on 2nd September. The launch event was commenced at 11pm on Wednesday 1st September with an exciting talk between Sir Terry Pratchett and his close friend, actor Tony Robinson, followed by Sir Terry’s only bookshop book signing for I Shall Wear Midnight.

I Shall Wear Midnight is the last book in the Tiffany Aching series for younger readers.

Sir Terry Pratchett said: “This is an unusual book because the Tiffany Aching books began as children’s books then metamorphosed into young adult books and I Shall Wear Midnight really is the last book in which Tiffany Aching could still be considered a children’s character. These days there appears to be very little difference between young adult literature and adult literature. I consider I Shall Wear Midnight to be young adult literature with the added bonus that this book doesn’t have any more bloody vampires in it.”

“We were indredibly thrilled that Sir Terry joined us here to launch I Shall Wear Midnight at, well, midnight. Over 300 of Terry’s most dedicated fans enjoyed Terry and Tony’s talk, and met Terry to get their copy of his latest book signed and stamped to mark the occasion,” said Waterstone’s Children’s Buyer, Sarah Clarke.

Read an interview with Terry in today’s G2 and watch him tonight on BBC News 24 at 7.40pm in a special piece that will include an interview with Nick Higham and footage from the signing. Click here to read the Bookwitch’s blog of the night’s event.

It is known that Frederick Forsyth’s thrillers are avidly read by the senior hierarchs of the KGB in Moscow (now the SVR) , and also by the gentlemen of the CIA outside Washington and the British SIS in London.

But what is not known is that he is also a linguist, a bull fighter and a pilot… read on to find out 5 extraordinary things you didn’t know about bestselling author Frederick Forsyth.

5 things you didn’t know about author Frederick Forsyth:

1. At 17 years old, Freddie qualified for a pilot’s licence and gained his wings at only 19 years old thus becoming the youngest pilot in the Airforce.

2. Freddie can speak French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian. He has also visited around 70 countries on 5 continents.

3. In all, his ten published novels, together with the Shepherd and his two short story collections, have sold over 70 million copies in over thirty languages across the world.

4. At school, Freddie would disappear from organised sports to ride a forbidden motorcycle to Rochester Flying Club for lessons

5. Freddie has a passion for bull fighting and when living in Southern Spain in his youth, he spent months frequenting the bullrings and practicing capework in the arena of Malaga with other aspirants.

THE COBRA is the stunning new thriller from the grandmaster of international intrigue. It is now available to buy in hardback.  To read an excerpt from The Cobra, click here.

Today, Freddie lives with his second wife Sandy at his farm in Hertfordshire, diving his time between seeing his two some from his first marriage, writing and raising prize-winning lambs. After trying riding and parachuting, he has settle for swimming, scuba diving, game-fishing, travelling and reading. Frederick Forsyth was awarded a CBE in 1997.

A revealing and intimate portrait of the world of one of the UK’s most iconic stars

Transworld Publishers reveal a first glimpse of the keenly anticipated Through My Eyes,

the first official book from Cheryl Cole.

* * * * * *

In the book, which will be published on 30 September 2010, Cheryl allows us an intimate glimpse behind the scenes of her busy and fascinating life. Packed full of previously unseen photographs from Cheryl’s own personal collection of favourites, together with dozens of stunning and exclusive new images, this lavishly illustrated account of her remarkable year will be a must-have for her millions of devoted fans.

In the past year, Cheryl Cole has had a number one single, number one album and was a UK Ambassador for L’Oreal and a judge on the UK’s most successful television programme, as well as continuing to be an integral member of the most successful girl band the UK has ever seen. She is releasing her second solo album this year.

She is one of the most photographed women in the world.

Cheryl Cole says:

‘Sometimes I find things happen so quickly, it’s possible to forget all those personal moments that make up the amazing experiences I’ve had over the last year. This book is filled with pictures that capture those moments, my memories and the people I’m closest to. I’m thrilled to see it all together for the first time.’

From the recording studio in Los Angeles to backstage in Dublin on the opening night of her tour with the Black Eyed Peas, Cheryl shares with us some of her stand-out moments as a solo artist. We also accompany her behind the scenes at The X Factor, into the mysterious world of the fashion shoot, on to the red carpets of the music industry’s top awards ceremonies, and into the windswept desert in California for a spectacular shoot, where we see her relaxing during rare moments of anonymity.

Through the pictures that mean the most to her and the personal stories which accompany them, told in her own words, Through My Eyes provides a revealing and intimate portrait of the world of our favourite superstar.

THROUGH MY EYES BY CHERYL COLE - AVAILABLE IN HARDBACK ON 30/09/2010

The dazzling adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s bestselling Discworld novel Going Postal  is released on DVD and Blu-Ray  today, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The third Discworld novel to be brought to the small screen stars Richard Coyle as Moistvon Lipwig, David Suchet as Reacher Gilt and Claire Foy as Adore Belle Dearheart.

To celebrate, we are offering you the chance to win one of ten Special Edition Going Postal DVDs. To enter, simply email us at competition@transworld-publishers.co.uk with GOING POSTAL in the subject line. The competition closes at midnight onFriday 27th August.

Bookstores and libraries are the usual venues for author events, but Tess Gerritsen isn’t your usual author. Not content with staging an event in a hospital on this UK tour to promote her latest bestseller The Killing Place, last evening she appeared in a double bill with acclaimed Dublin crime journalist and debut novelist Niamh O’Connor at the Movie House Cinema in Belfast.

In an inspired event arranged by Belfast bookseller No Alibis, Tess and Niamh shared with a packed screening room their separate experiences of novel writing, and talked about some of the grisly real life cases which informed their plotlines.

Her medical background equips Tess with an emotional detachment to her writing which enables her to tackle often scary and dark scenarios, she says. Niamh’s own experience of covering some of the most notorious crime stories for the Sunday World made her want to write fiction to offset her growing emotional attachment to these real cases, so both writers felt their original career has a huge impact on their books.

In a neat role reversal on stage, Tess posed several probing questions to Niamh, who is most accustomed to asking the questions herself.

Discussing wide-ranging issues such as criminal justice, women’s roles in the police, women in jeopardy, serial killers and TV adaptations, Tess and Niamh kept the audience so gripped they abandoned their popcorn.

Tess and Niamh signing books at the Movie House Cinema after their event, 18th August

Check out Tess and Niamh’s latest books:
The Killing Place - Tess Gerritsen available here
If I Never See You Again - Niamh O’Connor available here

Calling all Tess Gerritsen fans!

If you aren’t able to make it to any of Tess’s events while she is over in the UK, all is not lost!

Tess has offered to take some time out of her busy schedule to sign and personally dedicate a copy of The Killing Place for 5 lucky people living in the UK.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these exclusive books you just have to comment on this story with your favourite Tess Gerritsen thriller and who you would like the book dedicated to.

Winners will be selected randomly and announced at the end of Tess’s stay in the UK on Monday 23rd August!

For more information visit www.tessgerritsen.co.uk

The finalists have been announced this week for the 2010 Crime Writers Association Daggers, and I’m thrilled to report that Transworld has two authors on the Gold Dagger list!

CWA GOLD DAGGER FINALISTS 2010:

Blacklands                   Belinda Bauer                       Corgi/Transworld
Blood Harvest             S J Bolton                              Bantam Press/Transworld
Shadowplay                Karen Campbell                    Hodder & Stoughton
The Way Home          George Pelecanos                 Orion

The 2010 Awards - the third annual event filmed by Cactus TV for ITV3, and the second annual event sponsored by Specsavers and in conjunction with the Crime Writers’ Association - will take place on the evening of Friday 8th October and the Awards will be screened on ITV3 the following week. We’ll be watching with bated breath to see if one of our Queens of crime will scoop the gold!

Here’s a quick note from author Jo Rees about the release of her sizzling holiday read Forbidden Pleasures today.

“I’m thrilled that Forbidden Pleasures has finally hits the shelves today. I’ll be busy going round he airports signing copies, which always makes me feel so excited. Nothing ever beats the excitement of seeing your own book on the shelves for the first time and this one has such a summery feel. I wrote it to be exactly the kind of book I wanted to take on holiday myself, so I really hope that the readers have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. It’s a real roller-coaster of a glamorous read and is pure and simple escapism. I hope people agree that it does what it says on the tin!”

Order your copy now from rbooks!
To read more from Jo visit her excellent blog mumwritesbooks

Having trouble choosing what to read this summer? We, here in the publicity department, thought whether you’re stuck inside or out in the sunshine this summer, would share some of our suggestions of non-Transworld books that we’ve been reading lately.

Polly suggests: One Day by David Nicholls
‘The events of two people’s lives are told through the microscope of one day, 15 July, over twenty years. How they meet and then how they weave in and out of each others’ lives is written with sensitivity, nostalgia and dry wit. You’ll cry without knowing whether it’s out of sadness or laughter. I’ve recommended this book to everyone I know.’

Madeline recommends The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
‘Set after the end of the Second World War and the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, this book is simply wonderful. It tells the story of a young writer, Juliet, who is searching for inspiration for her new book. Many coincidences lead her to meet the eclectic members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, formed in desperation to outwit the German soldiers. Correspondence ensues and soon Juliet is completely entwined in their lives and stories and sets of to Guernsey to meet them. The author has taken a time of war and hardship and woven stories of love, friendship and inevitably heartbreak into it. The result is utterly charming.’

Ben chooses Summertime by J. M.Coetzee
‘I was a huge fan of Disgrace, and I am intrigued by the autobiographical element.’

Alison thinks that The Other Hand by Chris Cleave was:
‘Searingly thought-provoking and harrowing novel about life-changing decisions and their repercussions. A book which lives with you long after you’ve turned the final page.’

Elizabeth recently read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
‘I read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo mainly due to the hype that has surrounded the Millennium trilogy. I wanted to see if all of the praise and attention lavished upon them was really worth it. 200 pages into The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo I would have said no, absolutely not. I found it quite slow paced to begin with, the bad language grated on me and some of the more explicit scenes seemed overly gratuitous. That being said, I read on and I’m really glad I decided to do so as it a gripping read. I was impressed by the smooth translation, which didn’t detract from the storytelling at all and towards the close of the novel it really does gain pace and becomes quite the page turner. Is it worth all the hype? No, probably not but it is still worth picking up a copy.’

Lynsey urges you to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett
‘The characters leap straight from the page in this 1960’s emotive drama. The dialect transports you straight to Mississippi and the wonderfully real female leads made me want to laugh and cry. I couldn’t put it down.’

Aislinn will be reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
‘The book I’m excited about reading on my hols is Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann – one I’ve been meaning to get round to for ages. I loved the documentary Man on Wire and am curious to see how McCann works Philippe Petit’s Twin Towers tightrope walk into his fiction.’

Kate’s (me!) favourite summer read so far has to be Hitch 22 by Christopher Hitchens.      For somebody who has read no Hitchens, this is a great place to start and to those who have read his other books and essays, this doesn’t disappoint! A moving and superbly written autobiography from one of the worlds most influential and controversial public intellectuals.

In its first full week on sale, the Corgi paperback of The Lost Symbol sold 141,156 copies, handsomely outselling not only everything else this week, but also every other paperback’s weekly sale – ever! Until today, Dan himself held the record with The Da Vinci Code selling 125, 157 in Christmas week 2004.