Tie-in Tuesday: Public Lending Right loans - 2014/2015

It's rather appropriate that this particular blog post about my PLR earnings for the last year should appear on a Tie-in Tuesday, since the books that boost my income the most, thanks to PLR, are tie-in titles.

It turns out this is my ninth year of doing this, so here's the list of my top ten most library-loaned books for July 2014 - June 2015 (with last year's placings in brackets):

1. (2) Monstrous Missions (Feb 12)

2. (5) The Great Moshling Egg (Dec 13)

3. (3) Zack Binspin (Mar 13)

4. (1) The Night Before Twistmas (Sep 12)

5. (4) The Horror of Howling Hill (Mar 08)

6. (6) Moshi Music Stars (Jan 13)

7. (7) Crisis on Coruscant (Jan 10)

8. (8) Stormslayer (Sep 09)

9. (12) What is Myrrh Anyway? (Oct 08)

10. (9) Moshi Monsters: Moshipedia (Nov 13)

5 Moshi Monsters titles, 2 Doctor Who titles, 1 Star Wars title, 1 Fighting Fantasy gamebook, and 1 non-fiction book.

My most borrowed Fighting Fantasy gamebook was clearly Stormslayer, and my most borrowed Pax Britannia novel (or rather omnibus) was The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus Vol.1.

World of Warriors!

My 53rd book is published today. :-)

World of Warriors is the latest game world concept from Mind Candy, the people behind Moshi Monsters, and I've written a couple of titles for the launch of the book line.

First up is the Warrior Quest Sticker Activity Book, with the Official Sticker Book to come later in the year.

Does what it says on the tin, as it were.

Some sample pages.

Tie-in Tuesday: Public Lending Right loans - 2013/2014

I'm now in my eighth year of doing this, so here's the list of my top ten most library-loaned books for July 2013 - June 2014 (with last year's placings in brackets):

1. (3) The Night Before Twistmas (Sep 12)
2. (1) Monstrous Missions (Feb 12)
3. (7) Zack Binspin (Mar 13)
4. (2) The Horror of Howling Hill (Mar 08)
5. (-) The Great Moshling Egg (Dec 13)
6. (5) Moshi Music Stars (Jan 13)
7. (4) Crisis on Coruscant (Jan 10)
8. (6) Stormslayer (Sep 09)
9. (-) Moshi Monsters: Moshipedia (Nov 13)
10. (9) Night of the Necromancer (Apr 10)

This last year has been my most successful year Public Lending Rights-wise. Thank the Lord for tie-in titles, that's what I say. (Only one of my tie-in books didn't appear in my top ten this year, and that was the 2010 Official Doctor Who Annual which I ended up writing most of.)

My Fighting Fantasy titles continue to prove popular, even though some of them were written years ago. Once again, Stormslayer is my most borrowed FF gamebook. (There are nine titles on the following list, because several of the books appear in more than one edition.)

1. (1) Stormslayer (Sep 09)
2. (2) Night of the Necromancer (Apr 10)
3. (6) Bloodbones (Sep 06)
4. (4) Curse of the Mummy (Oct 95)
5. (3) Howl of the Werewolf (Sep 07)
6. (5) Spellbreaker (Jun 93)
7. (6) Bloodbones (Sep 06)
8. (4) Curse of the Mummy (Oct 95)
9. (3) Howl of the Werewolf (Sep 07)

My Pax Britannia books are also good loaners, with the newest title Time's Arrow moving into pole position this year.

1. (2) Time's Arrow (Nov 12)
2. (1) Human Nature (Dec 08)
3. (7) Blood Royal (Jun 10)
4. (4) Leviathan Rising (Mar 08)
5. (8) Unnatural History (Feb 07)
6. (5) Anno Frankenstein (May 11)
7. (3) Evolution Expects (May 09)
8. (9) The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus (Nov 10)
9. (6) Dark Side (Oct 10)

What does the future hold?

As another year comes to an end, I find myself wondering what the new year will bring. For me, 2013 was definitely the Year of Moshi Monsters, while 2014 was the Year of YOU ARE THE HERO. But what will 2015 be known as in years to come?

Will it be the Year of Sharkpunk? The Year of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain? Or the Year of Steampunks vs Zombies? Only time will tell...

Tie-in Tuesday: A Multitude of Moshi Monsters

Well, three books anyway.

All of the above are now available to order here.

A couple of years ago now, I posted about the proud moment when my son started reading one of my books to himself for the first time. Well I had another proud moment this weekend when my daughter did the same thing. The book in question? The novelisation of the Moshi Monsters Movie. :-)

Engrossed.

Tie-in Tuesday: Moshi Monsters, The Movie Sticker Book

Last year, the Moshi Monsters Movie was released on an unsuspecting public and I wrote the novelisation of the screenplay. I also wrote the Moshipedia which came out in time for the Christmas push.

Well now my latest Moshi Monsters book has been released, and this time it's a sticker activity book linked to the movie. The puzzles follow the plot of the film and the book is a must for the Moshi fan in your life. ;-)

Public Lending Right loans - 2012/2013

This is the seventh year I've done this, so let's get started...

Here's the list of my top ten most library loaned books for July 2012 - June 2013 (with last year's placing in brackets):

1. (2) Monstrous Missions (Feb 12)

2. (1) The Horror of Howling Hill (Mar 08)

3. (-) The Night Before Twistmas (Sep 12)
4. (3) Crisis on Coruscant (Jan 10)
5. (-) Moshi Music Stars (Jan 13)
6. (4) Stormslayer (Sep 09)
7. (-) Zack Binspin (Mar 13)
8. (-) Resurrection Engines (Sep 12)
9. (6) Night of the Necromancer (Apr 10)
10. (5) Howl of the Werewolf (Sep 07)

Interestingly - from my point of view anyway - my most borrowed book this year wasn't my most lucrative, because I share the proceeds from loans for Monstrous Missions with Gary Russell who wrote the other story that appears in the book. That means that The Horror of Howling Hill is my highest earning loaner for the fifth year running.

The new big earners for me this last year were my Moshi Monster books, and with more registered since July 2013, I'm hoping this is a trend that will continue next year.

Despite not having had a new Fighting Fantasy gamebook published since 2010 (four years ago this April!) they still prove popular with library borrowers. For some reason Stormslayer is still my most borrowed FF gamebook, even though I feel that both Howl of the Werewolf and Night of the Necromancer are better. But here's now all seven compare with each other.

1. Stormslayer (Sep 09)
2. Night of the Necromancer (Apr 10)
3. Howl of the Werewolf (Sep 07)
4. Curse of the Mummy (Oct 95)
5. Spellbreaker (Jun 93)
6. Bloodbones (Sep 06)
7. Knights of Doom (Jun 94)

My Pax Britannia books appear to be just as popular with library goers as they are with Steampunk convention attendees (even though they've been bumped out of the Top Ten by my Moshi Monster books) although it's interesting to see Human Nature jump to the Number One slot, at least as far as Ulysses Quicksilver's adventures are concerned.

1. Human Nature (Dec 08)
2. Time's Arrow (Nov 12)
3. Evolution Expects (May 09)
4. Leviathan Rising (Mar 08)
5. Anno Frankenstein (May 11)
6. Dark Side (Oct 10)
7. Blood Royal (Jun 10)
8. Unnatural History (Feb 07)
9. The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus (Nov 10)

So, which will be the best loaners this time next year? And which new titles will have joined the list? ;-)

2013 - The Year in Review

As a number of people have remarked on various social networking sites over the last few days, many will be glad to see the back of 2013. It's not been the easiest year for Family Green either but it's also been a year of firsts for Jonathan Green, Author, including writing my first movie novelisation, attending my first movie premiere and running my first Kickstarter project. So following the example set by several of my writing colleagues, here's my writing year in review.

In 2013 I wrote a couple of pieces for SFX Magazine, five short stories and a novella - The Serpent's Egg - which were all published this year. I also wrote three Moshi Monsters books, one of which was the novelisation of the new Moshi Monsters Movie.

2013 also saw the publication of my first Warhammer Path to Victory Gamebook Shadows Over Sylvania, and my Tin Man Games app Temple of the Spider God ported to Android devices. Spider God also came out in French, as did my most recently published Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Night of the Necromancer and Stormslayer, while my first Steampunk Pax Britannia novel Unnatural History appeared in German.

I also attended a number of events up and down the country, including The Sci-Fi Weekender, Steampunk Doncaster, the first ever Geekfest, Weekend at the Asylum, the MCM London ComicCon, World FantasyCon, and Dragonmeet.

However, my writing year was mainly filled with writing YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks (the aforementioned Kickstarter project) and prepping a number of other projects for the New Year. So what does 2014 have in store?

Well, all being well, as well as the publication of YOU ARE THE HERO, there's a new novel in the works, a new gamebook and a short story anthology, but more on that another time.

So all that remains to be said is to wish you all a Happy New Year and very best wishes for 2014. May it be better than 2013.

Tie-in Tuesday: 'Twas the Night Before Twistmas

‘Twas the night before Twistmas, and throughout Monstro City

Not a Moshling was stirring, not a Birdie or Beastie...

Christmas 2013 really seems to be the season of Twistmas. The Night Before Twistmas is still proving very popular, as is my novelisation of the Moshi Monsters Movie, The Great Moshling Egg, and the Moshipedia (which was ranked at #320 in Books on Amazon at the weekend).

And next Christmas looks like it might be the season of Twistmas too, as I have another Twistmas-themed book already scheduled for release. ;-)

Tie-in Tuesday: The Great Moshling Egg

The Moshi Monsters Movie hits cinemas on 20 December 2013, but the book of the film (by Yours Truly) is already available here.

Meanwhile, my Moshipedia is garnering a slew of 5 star reviews from devoted Moshi Monsters fans.

Tie-in Tuesday: The Moshi Monsters Movie Premiere

So last Tuesday saw the world premiere of the Moshi Monsters Movie take place at London's Leciester Square, and Yours Truly was there with the Family Green in tow*.

The kids loved the whole experience - everything from the Moshi Monster goodie bags and the movie, of course, to meeting Mr Moshi himself - while my good lady wife enjoyed the buzz of the whole experience and the novelty of drinking champagne in a movie theatre.

One of the things that pleased me the most was seeing the various books I've written for Moshi Monsters being promoted left, right and centre. And even better for those of you patiently awaiting the completion of YOU ARE THE HERO, Mr Moshi is a Fighting Fantasy fan...

 Family Green meet Buster Bumblechops, Moshlingologist extraordinaire!

 Family Green meet Mr Moshi himself (a.k.a. Michael Acton Smith), creator of 

Moshi Monsters.

 Family Green meet Mr Steve Cleverley, co-writer of the movie and the songs that feature on the soundtrack, and deliver their verdict on the film.

My novelisation of the Moshi Monsters Movie is released on Thursday!


* Thanks to editor Annie Gibson!

Tie-in Tuesday: Moshi Monsters Moshipedia

The Moshi Monsters Moshipedia is out now!

In other news, the countdown has begun for the release of a certain movie tie-in cinemas up and down the country on 5 December 2013...

Tie-in Tuesday: The Great Moshling Egg

Tie-in Tuesday: First Moshi Monsters Movie Announced

Mind Candy has announced the first ever Moshi Monsters movie, set for theatrical release in UK and Ireland on 20th December.

Universal Pictures International Entertainment will be the global distribution partner for the animation including Theatrical, Home Entertainment, Digital and TV distribution.

The animated feature Moshi Monsters The Movie is currently in production by Mind Candy in conjunction from Cornwall-based animation studio Spider Eye and will take viewers all over the Moshi world from Main St to the peak of Sillimanjaro.

Michael Acton Smith, CEO and creator of Moshi Monsters, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Universal Pictures International Entertainment on distribution of the first ever Moshi Monsters movie. This is our first foray into movies and Universal brings the expertise needed to ensure the best possible success. We can’t wait for Moshi to hit the big screen.”

Darran Garnham, chief business development officer for Mind Candy, added: “This strategic global relationship with Universal Pictures International Entertainment will open up the Moshi Monsters brand, characters and rich world to new fans and markets around the world. We are all incredibly excited.”

Eddie Cunningham, president of Universal Pictures International Entertainment, commented: “As distribution partners, we are very excited about working with Mind Candy to bring the global phenomenon that is Moshi Monsters to the big screen through Universal Pictures UK and deliver a multi-platform multi-screen experience to children everywhere.”

Hmm... I wonder if they'll be doing a novelisation of the movie, and, if so, I wonder who they got to write it... ;-)

Tie-in Tuesday: More Moshi Monsters

News from Spider Eye Animation, in Cornwall...

That's a lot of (Moshi Monsters) books

Some statistics for you, for a slightly dull Monday morning.

Over the last two decades I have written...

7 Fighting Fantasy adventure gamebooks
2 Sonic the Hedgehog gamebooks
5 non-fiction titles
3 Warhammer novels
3 Warhammer 40,000 novels
2 Path to Victory gamebooks
1 Gamebook Adventure for Tin Man Games
1 Warlock's Bount gamebook
2 Doctor Who books (not including the 2010 Doctor Who Annual)
2 Star Wars books
8 Pax Britannia novels

... and today I completed my 10th Moshi Monsters title.

Go figure!

Moshi Doctors

Seeing as how I've written for both Doctor Who and Moshi Monsters, this is a marriage made in heaven, as far as I'm concerned. ;-)

Tie-in Tuesday: Monstrous Biographies - Zack Binspin

My author copies of this arrived the other day...

Or should that be Ruby Scribblez author copies, seeing as how she wrote the book?

Yes, that's right. I can add another alter ego to the growing list - Ruby Sribblez, editor of Shrillboard Magazine and friend to the gooperstars.

Anyway, you can pick up your copy of Zack Binspin's Monstrous Biography here.

Happy World Book Day!

I was fortunate enough to celebrate World Book Day a day early yesterday, with a visit to my alma mater, King Edward's Junior School in Bath, as one of their Book Week guest authors. I spent the morning talking to Years 5 and 6 about Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, and in the afternoon I spoke to Years 3 and 4 about how a book is made and also about characterisation, using Moshi Monsters as an example. I even had the privilege of speaking to the whole school during assembly.

I was made to feel very welcome by both the children and the staff, one of whom, Mr Orchard, inspired me with his history lessons when I was a pupil at the school! All I can say is that he must have only just qualified as a teacher when he taught me back in the 1980s. Lunch was spent in the very pleasant company of Head Boy Ben and Head Girl Grace.

Thank you to Mrs Macfarlan, who arranged my visit, and Mr Mac for allowing me to take over his drama room for the day. I had a great time, and I hope the children did too.

The room ready for the first session. 

 Year 6 being inspired by Fighting Fantasy monsters.

Year 5's turn to be inspired by the possibilities offered by adventure gamebooks.

If you're celebrating World Book Day today, why not treat yourself to a free download? 1853, from Pandemonium Fiction, is free to owners of Kobo eReaders (and less that £1/$1 for other eReaders) and features three, short, slightly alternate histories - all set in the same fateful year..

Marc Aplin sends a gunslinger to China and poses him an impossible question, Laura Graham writes of an Edinburgh overshadowed by more than factory smoke, while I raise an ancient and hungry evil in Mexico City. Enjoy!

Available for download now!

The Sci-Fi Weekender 2013

So that was the Sci-Fi Weekender 2013 (a.k.a. #sfw4) and (bar the arctic temperatures in my caravan) a great time was had by all. I hosted two panels - the steampunk one (featuring Mr Robert Rankin) being particularly well-attended - and sold lots of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks as well as numerous Pax Britannia novels.

Too many bizarre and amazing occurrences to even attempt to list them all here but I do have a few shout-outs to make. First of all, thank you to my stalwart supporters, Claire, Matt and John, who I think all impersonated me at one time or another over the course of the weekend by helping out on my stall. Herr Döktor, for the safe delivery of Archimedes, the steampunk robot parrot. Marcus and Winston (among others) who bought up vast stocks of gamebooks (both Fighting Fantasy and Path to Victory). Spindles, Emma and Magic Megan (who asked an excellent question during our steampunk panel). Emma Binns, Nick, Lady Raygun, David Howe, Sam Stone, Raven Dane, Fraser, Chase, Gareth L Powell, Ash, Daisy the Moshi Monsters fan, the Knightmare Cosplayers, Celeste, Laurel and Greg, Dr Geof, the Geek Syndicate guys and gals, Craig Charles, Area 51, Sean and Constance, Neil Brittle and all the organisers, and the nice man who gave me an Access All Areas pass, even though I didn't have time to use it.

Herr Döktor (or should that be Ulysses Quicksilver?) and Archimedes the Steampunk Parrot (who ended up totally stealing the show).

Apologies to all those I haven't mentioned. Come and find me on Twitter or Facebook and say hello.

Only at the Sci-Fi Weekender would you see Batman and Bane sharing a pint, or be able to say the sentence "There's a girl over there adjusting her hooves" without sounding like you were completely mad.

Anyway, check out my slideshow below and, if you're feeling brave, this.

Same time, same place, next year then...