Gollancz signings this weekend, and a competition!

There’s lots of exciting signings going on this weekend, so we thought this would be a good chance to let you know about some of our author’s movements.

Ben Aaronovitch has been all around the country over the last few days, but this Saturday he’s right at the centre of the bookselling world as part of the Love Charing Cross Festival, which Foyles and Blackwell’s are running together, and which I talked about here. Ben will be interviewed by the brilliant Paul Cornell, who has a book coming out later this year with a lovely quote from Ben already adorning the cover. Go and see these two authors talk about Whispers Under Ground, their other novels, writing, Doctor Who and probably much much more on Saturday at 2pm, Blackwell’s 100 Charing Cross Road.

Also on Saturday as part of the festival, Gareth Rees – who wrote the stunning piece of prose that we featured on the blog on Monday this week – will be appearing as part of the ‘Aquired for Development By…’ panel. A collection of writing inspired by Hackney, this will be a fascinating series of readings.

Outside of the festival, we also have two debut Gollancz authors doing events.

Michael J. Ward will be appearing at Waterstone’s Nottingham at 11am on Saturday, signing copies of The Legion of Shadow, the first book in his marvellous DestinyQuest series. Go along, let Michael talk you though the game, roll a few dice and pick up some of his limited edition bookmarks – only available direct from him at signings, and highly collectable! If you’ve ever played a Fighting Fantasy book, a little Dungeons and Dragons or just love good storytelling, this is the book for you.

Finally, AJ Dalton, author of Empire of the Saviours, will be appearing at Waterstone’s Wakefield, also at 11am on Saturday. Adam is a veteran of the instore signing, and has a wealth of stories and encounters to discuss. He’s also very very good at selling books – and I have a guest blog from him coming up in the next week explaining how he does it. Empire of the Saviours is a fantasy with a twist, and the first part in a planned trilogy. I’m reading book two now, and you’re in for a treat.

Phew! A lot going on this weekend, and you can’t get to them all (unless you have a Tardis), but if you can make one of them then please do head out there and support your local bookshop, your favourite authors and the joy of books.

Speaking of the joy of books, Ben visited our offices this morning, so here’s your chance to win one of 5 signed copies of Whispers Under Ground. To enter to win a copy read the first chapter here and send the answer to this question: What is being written on the wall of the tunnel? to competitions@orionbooks.co.uk with the subject line: WHISPERS by the 15th July 2012. Good luck!