So, although Ashley Hames and I visited Cambridge at the end of last year and had a monumental night out that lasted until 5am and woke up with total ‘beer guilt’, it seems we didn’t upset as many people as we imagined.

Ashley will return to Cambridge Union Society next month to take part in a Sex Debate titled ‘THIS HOUSE IS OVERWORKED AND UNDERSEXED’ (yes, really)

Joining Ashley in the line up will be tabloid sensation Jodie Marsh and north east agony aunt, Denise Robertson (Tonto Link Trivia: Denise provided a testimonial for Pete Tanton’s novel, Johnny Lonely)

The event:
JODIE MARSH, first evictee from the 2006 edition of “Celebrity Big Brother”
ASHLEY HAMES, author of “Adventures of a Sex Reporter”
DENISE ROBERTSON M.B.E., agony aunt for “This Morning”

Venue: Chamber

Date: Thu 12th February, 2009 at 7:30pm.

I had a sneak preview of Ashley’s script yesterday and I think Cambridge is in for a treat. My main concern is the night out after the debate as I’m not so sure Hames and Marsh will be able to keep up with a Sunderland lass. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome.

Stu

9987 by Nik Jones and Make It Back by Sarah Shaw are officially released today.

For those that have been following these titles throughout their journey to publication, it now means that you can come along to the launch party on Thursday 29 January, Opera Bar, The Gate, Newcastle, to congratulate both writers on their achievement.

Since winning Tonto’s New Novelists competition last year, Nik and Sarah were mentored by Caroline Smailes and Wendy Robertson respectively. It has been a joy to work with all writers on this project, not forgetting Rosalind Wyllie and Stephen Sheiber who were published in 2008 as part of the project.

“I’ve always been writing. Always. First thing I remember getting in trouble at school for was for not putting my ‘writing book’ away. Getting published is all I’ve ever wanted. I’m thrilled,” said Nik Jones.

The project shows how rich the north east is in writing talent. We had hundreds of entries into the New Novelists competition and the writers I see constantly breaking into the lit scene backs this up. The north east now has four new editions to that scene… four new writers with a track record in publishing, sales, events, signings, reviews and media features.

All I need to do now is give my big Radio 1-style shout outs: Roz, Stephen, Nik and Sarah the writers, mentors Caroline, Wendy and Laura Hird, Arts Council England, Tonto Paul and Editor Jill for all direct input.

Both of these new titles can be purchased from the Tonto site or on Amazon.co.uk, as can Roz and Stephen’s works.

Stu

Ahhh, 2009!
I hope everyone has had a great holiday and peaceful New Year. As you’ll have read on Paul’s last blog, there’s been a few changes going on at Tonto Towers in recent weeks. Never fear… it is business as usual. Tonto continues and will still be publishing, will still be looking for authors, will still be promoting existing authors. Paul and I will no doubt still be working together from time to time on various projects.
So really, it isn’t quite like when The Jam split in 1982, or as shocking as when Whitey left the Paul Weller line up last year.

And just to keep spirits up – there’s going to be a party! Not just one in fact, but two in one! On Thursday January 29, 7pm, we’ll be having a double launch party for Nik Jones and Sarah Shaw with ’9987′ and ‘Make It Back’ respectively. Regular blog readers will know that Nik and Sarah were the winners of our New Novelists competition last year. Nik was mentored by Caroline Smailes and Sarah by Wendy Robertson.
The books are officially released on 19 January.

The launch will be held at the Opera Bar in The Gate, Newcastle. There will be an opportunity to meet the authors and get books signed on the night (and importantly, everyone will be able to buy Paul that farewell drink they promised).

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Stu