An award for bravery?

Lazlo Strangolov's Feather & Bone has been nominated for the 2010 CILIP Carnegie Medal.

I am surprised and honoured that my little book is on such an illustrious list. I can only think those responsible are wise to the warning within the pages. For the tale hides clues to the nature of a TERRIBLE CATACLYSM. One that is set to befall us all at some point very soon.

These are eagle-eyed and courageous individuals who are clearly anxious to spread the word before all is lost. My guess is they're the kind of canny people who, like me, have taken steps to prepare for the End Times.

As a result, I imagine when the dust clears and the world emerges into a New Age, we can expect it to be heavily populated by libarians.

rise of the zombie beagle

Throughout the summer I have been busy - spinning the tale of a very sad girl indeed.

I have been moved to finalise my next novel should the world fail to end as planned. A good End Time Theorist must always have a get-out clause after all.

For me, this nasty flu business has upset my calculations somewhat. Should I prove to have got the date wrong, we'll need something else to read.

And so, just in case, I have cooked up a tale about a child bereaved of her pet beagle - a decomposing pooch that goes on to be dug up and revived by her father. (Un)naturally she loves him like any pet, despite the squishy bits, and indeed this is put to the test when the loyal beast is dognapped...

I see it as a cross between Lassie Come Home and Dawn of the Dead. The book, complete with further scribblings, will surface courtesy of Walker Books in early 2010.

Until then, I shall continue to monitor the possibilty that our world shall be no more. Which would be a shame now I think about it, after all the effort I've put into writing this second offering.

God speed, my followers!

the coast is clear (for now)

Among my weekly provisions, I found a mouth mask.

I am in isolation in my bunker, but I have been wearing it day and night.

It appears that we are safe for the time being. The Swine Flu didn't wipe out the world as feared. To my great relief, this means my own End Time prediction remains compelling.

Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than having your claims that the world will end on a certain date overshadowed by more immediate events.

So, for now it is safe to leave your burrows. Go out. Enjoy! It won't last long ...

Mark my words.

Swine flu: hello?

All this time I've been focused on the chickens, and look what happens! My research appears to have been turned on its head.



The key is not to panic!!! There is still time for the End Time Theory to lock into place. It might prove to be a Dark Day for the world as we know it. On the upside, it means I won't be proven wrong this time.

Have faith, my friends! Everything will turn out just fine ... the day is still to come when I can safely say 'I told you so.'

Praise be for Feather & Bone

"A page turner with darkly comic events that will have you amazed at the way the story unfolds. You won't be disappointed. Take my word for it."
The Red House

"Gloriously scary, exciting and gruesome. In the hands of Strangolov, the question of 'what's lurking in the dark dark wood' is no longer a cliche."
Irish News

"The humour throughout is darkest black, the style totally tongue-in-cheek and the whole concept hilarious – but not for the squeamish or for anyone with an allergy to poultry or associated odours."
Robert Dunbar, The Irish Times

"Highly original, very entertaining, unfadingly black ... hilarious."
Books for Keeps

"Extraordinary ... Strangolov creates a sense of menace and unease."
Literary Review

"Feather and Bone is one of the spookiest, atmospheric, wonderfully absorbing books I have read so far this year. It’s everything I wanted The Series of Unfortunate Events to be. With respect to Lemony Snicket — Strangolov is better!"
GleanerZine


"Strangely unnerving."
The Bookseller

"Absolutely wonderful."
Junior Eductation Plus

Rather than hope to shake my hand, however, may I suggest you devote your time to preparing for the beginning of The End Times.

Good news also from Germany and The Netherlands, where Feather & Bone - and the coded Domesday date within - will appear in translation.

Let's just hope this happens sooner rather than later.

Eyes to the sky

Chicken Hypnosis

Feather & Bone contains a code revealing the date this year that a great calamity will befall the earth.

If you can't crack the code, however, find your nearest poultry farm and observe.


For they KNOW!


Should you encounter a stricken chicken, one in need of treatment for emotional exhaustion, here's how it's done