Fresh from opening the Durham Literature Festival, Pete Tanton will be back in Durham tomorrow (Saturday 13th) to sign copies of Johnny Lonely at the city’s Waterstones from 12.30pm (69 Saddler St, Durham, 0191 383 1488). The next day, Pete and fellow Tonto scribe Roz Wyllie will be visiting HMP Low Newton as part of the Lit Fest Inside programme of literature workshops within the prison.

Paul

The Frankfurt Book Fair officially got underway yesterday but, although we do have a couple of spies in the midst, we aren’t there. This was a source of much debate for us, as we were keen to be there and do some ‘networking’, but ultimately we couldn’t justify the cost of going over. This is a view echoed by an anonymous publisher (not us!) in the Bookseller’s Frankfurt Preview. Other publishers, obviously, state that the Fair is invaluable to them. The article, Strength in Numbers on pages 10-11, reports on how independent publishers are banding together to reduce costs, via organisations like the IPG. The Bookseller is publishing daily during the Fair, and the issues are available electronically via its website. We will get to Frankfurt eventually, this year’s event probably just came around a little too early for us. In the meantime, anyone wishing to discuss rights for such fantastic internationally-appealing titles as Jonny Kennedy and The Rocketbelt Caper is most welcome to get in touch! Our 2007 Rights Guide can be viewed here.

Paul

The Tonto website has undergone a slight redesign over the last few days. The homepage has more news stories and a new feed from this blog, and there are now dedicated pages for writers, trade and press. Check it out here and let us know what you think.

To celebrate the website’s redesign we’ve added a couple of special offers – you can now get £2 off More Tonto Short Stories and £3 off Wor Al.

Speaking of offers, we’ve also extended our free Burglar’s Dog badges offer until 22 October.

Paul

Following on from our launch for the Jonny Kennedy book, there is now a short from the day.
You can view it by clicking here. Soundbites come from Nell McAndrew, Edna Kennedy and the author, Roger Stutter. If you look closely you can see Paul and I trying to avoid being caught on camera.

Stu

Another good piece on the Jonny Kennedy book in the new edition of the Weekly News. Click on the image to view a readable version.

If you haven’t already got your copy of the book it’s available from all good bookshops around the country, including Asda, Borders and Waterstones, and from Amazon stores worldwide.

Paul

There was a nice piece on the Jonny Kennedy book in the Hexham Courant on Friday. Jonny lived much of his life in nearby Rochester. Click on the image to read a bigger version:

And on Saturday the Shields Gazette reported on Nell McAndrew attending the book launch (Nell’s model behaviour at Johnny book launch).

Paul

Tonto Press writers Pete Tanton, Katie-Ellen Hazeldine, Stephen Shieber and Roz Wyllie headlined the opening event at the 17th Durham Literature Festival on Saturday. Pete read from his novel Johnny Lonely, and Katie-Ellen, Stephen and Roz read stories from their acclaimed More Tonto Short Stories collection. All did a great job, engaging and captivating those present. The writers then signed copies of the books for audience members.

Thanks to all four writers, and to everyone who came along, some of whom had travelled long distances to be there.

Paul