A Happy Scifi New Year
Last year saw a re-invasion of the Triffids on Audible with a brand new reading of the Wyndham classic. 2022 promises further excitement our Year of John Wyndham. Additional Audible recordings include THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS by everyone’s favourite story-teller, Stephen Fry; THE TROUBLE WITH LICHEN (Vanessa Kirby) and THE CHRYSALIDS (Noah Reid).
Something to look forward to later in the year is Sky’s dramatisation of THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS starring Keeley Hawes and Matt Beesley, currently in production. Check here for updates.
As well as a star-studded outlook for 2022, the publishing world has its own news, with ten major Wyndham classics set for re-issue in the USA with fresh contemporary covers.
Keep checking our News blog for further developments of all things Wyndham!
Beware: the Triffids are attacking 2022!
2022 is a special year for the world John Wyndham. Exciting events are planned to bring his work to new audiences and remind the rest of us why we continue to enjoy his seminal brand of science fiction. All will be revealed on this blog, so keep checking!
First up, all thirteen Wyndham novels are coming to Audible. Subscribers are now able listen to the first of these which is a brand new narration of THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS.
If you’re an Audible member you won’t have to use up your precious credits when you download this audio book. The reader is Kingsley Ben-Adir who you will have seen in one of his many tv roles including Vera, Death in Paradise and Diana and I. He breathes fresh life into the famous carnivorous plants, appealing to a new generation of readers as well as Wyndham’s seasoned fans.
Well done Cordelia!
This book should not have been written.
Cordelia Feldman has overcome overwhelming odds to outlive her anticipated life expectancy by several years – and even write two books!
With the dual diagnosis of secondary breast cancer and bipolar disorder, life has not been kind to Cordelia yet her new memoir, WELL DONE ME (published this week) shows how creativity can be inspired by even the saddest experiences. She begins by describing her diagnosis of cancer, then takes us on a journey through her life as she lives it as fully as she possibly can.
Her witty observations and detailed frankness are upbeat and relatable. This memoir describes Cordelia’s exceptional achievements in the face of a death sentence, not least publishing her first novel IN BLOOM last year.
Nostalgic escape to sunny Kent
The sun was shining on the village green, and oast houses rose in soft focus above thatched cottages. Last Sunday gave us an hour of escapism in the company of those bucolic eccentrics, the Larkins. Forget Bradley Walsh and Sabrina Bartlett, the real star of the show was the table creaking under the weight of homemade food: Ma’s towering egg-glossed pies deserve a show of their own!
If you enjoyed the original novels, or the first TV adaptation with David Jason, tune into ITV on Sundays at 8pm for this refreshing new take on the hilarious HE Bates classic.
Find out more about the cast and characters
A reason to stay in on Sunday nights!
Make sure you’re in for the opener of brand new TV series, “The Larkins” this Sunday. It’s based on the famous novel, THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY by HE Bates, a hilarious and idyllic take on country life in 1950s Kent.
We’re thrilled his novel is coming to tv screens in the popular feel-good slot of Sunday evenings at at 8pm.
A big draw is the star appearance of Bradley Walsh, host of “Chasers” and “Blankety Blank”, as Pop Larkin,
The first episode of the six-part series airs on October 10th at 8pm on ITV.
New Lady Chatterley film begins shooting!
Emma Corrin has begun filming her new role of Lady Chatterley for Netflix.
We at PaperLion are excited that production has begun on the hotly awaited Netflix film, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, due out towards the end of next year.
Set in the 1920s, the film follows the life of a young woman stuck in a loveless marriage to a wealthy aristocrat. Bored with her situation, she begins a torrid affair with her husband’s attractive gardener who is well below her class.
Netflix promises a “female-focused” interpretation of DH Lawrence’s classic over sixty years since it was first published in England. It will star Emma Corrin (The Crown), Jack O’Connell (‘71, Unbroken, Godless) and Matthew Duckett.
Discovery of forgotten novel
A forgotten book by a famous twentieth century author has re-surfaced thanks to painstaking research by staff working for PaperLion.
Last week, Katy Loffman went to the British Library to read the only known remaining copy of the novel. As she descended the steps outside the famous London landmark, she held up an electronic copy of the precious work. “It’s so exciting to have unearthed such a rare book.” she said. “I’m so grateful we have a resource like the British Library that preserves forgotten books. It’s been a long wait through Lockdown to be able to collect it, but finally we have something to show prospective publishers.”
Expect more news about the literary find soon…
Red gloves will be reaching for your throat!
Young readers of THE CLOCKWORK CROW trilogy will be excited to know Catherine Fisher has a new book out on 16th September. Fans of fantasy fiction have a treat in store as THE RED GLOVES AND OTHER STORIES weaves together nine scary tales of magic and myth.
Pre-order direct from Firefly press
https://fireflypress.co.uk/books/the-red-gloves-and-other-stories/
Numberblocks BAFTA for Max Allen
We are delighted that Max Allen‘s Numberblocks episode THE WRONG NUMBER has won a BAFTA. The episode is part of Blue Zoo’s series about numbers and maths for very young children. THE WRONG NUMBER won the prize for the Best Pre-School Animation. Congratulations to Max, and to all at Blue Zoo!
Here they are receiving their award in December 2019.
Congratulations to Catherine Fisher!
We congratulate Catherine Fisher on the publication of THE VELVET FOX by Firefly Press on 3rd October 2019. This is the breath-taking sequel to her award winning novel THE CLOCKWORK CROW which has just been nominated again. We’re so proud of her.
Nominated for Lancashire Fantastic Book Awards 2019-20
Winner of the Tir na n-Og Award 2019
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019
Shortlisted for the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award 2019
Longlisted for the Grampian Children’s Book Award 2020
Shortlisted for the YBB Book Awards 2020
Shortlisted for the 2020 Ealing Junior Book Award
Catherine Fisher receiving the Tir na n-Og award
To find out more about Catherine Fisher’s award-winning THE CLOCKWORK CROW, see the book’s page on our website, or read this review from the Welsh Arts Review: “The Clockwork Crow is a wholly satisfying read, a winter armchair book whose storytelling pleasures are multiplied by an awareness of the cold and darkness beyond the window, and the way the fabulous black-and-gold cover gleams in the firelight.” – Thomas Tyrrell in his review of The Clockwork Crow – Read the full review here.