Cathy Cassidy

CATCH A LUCKY STAR....

Lucky Star is out in a sparkly silver paperback version NOW… so if you haven’t read it yet, get your hands on a copy! I’ll be off soon on a countrywide tour to celebrate the paperback launch… check out the CATHY’S CAMPER page to see where I’ll be. There are public events in CRAIGAVON, N. IRELAND; BLANCHARDSTOWN, DUBLIN; CHORLEY; BRAMHALL, CHESHIRE; YEOVIL; BOURNEMOUTH & GUILDFORD… come along and join in the fun!

As well as the public events & signings, there will be a whole raft of school events. I’ll be visiting St Mary’s High School, Newry, Co. Down; The Mount School, London; Marist School, Ascot; St Michael’s High School, Duke Street Primary & St Laurence’s Primary, all Chorley; Wirral Girl’s Grammar & Upton Hall School, Wirral; St John Vianney & Our Lady’s Primary, Coventry. Phew!!!!

Last but not least, don’t miss your FREE mini book, ICE CREAM & DREAMS, available only in February 7th issue of MIZZ MAGAZINE... ask your newsagent to reserve a copy of Feb 7th Mizz for you. With an exclusive Cat & Mouse story, a fab extract from my next book Ginger Snaps and news of the 2008 My Best Friend Rocks Awards, ICE CREAM & DREAMS is just what you need to brighten up your Winter!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR....

Thanks to all of you for the amazing messages of support you sent over the last few weeks… it helped, I promise. 2008 is here at last and I’m hoping for a fresh start and a fab year – for all of us! A brand new book called Ice Cream & Dreams should get things off to the right start… it’s a new Cathy Cassidy mini-book and it’s FREE with Mizz mag (UK only) on February 7th. Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy for you right now…. don’t miss out!

As with last year’s freebie, Love, Peace & Chocolate, once the copies run out they run out, so make sure you reserve a copy while you can – and tell your friends, too! Ice Cream & Dreams has a brand new, exclusive Cat & Mouse mini-story, an extract from my new book Gingersnaps and LOTS more news, info and fun stuff… just what you need to chase away the winter blues.

Also coming in Feb is the long-awaited paperback version of Lucky Star, in a shiny new silver cover… so if you haven’t got your own copy yet, now’s your chance. I can’t decide which version I like best, the hardback or the paperback!

Happy New Year to all of you and thanks again for all your emails, postings and kind thoughts. If anything can get me smiling again, you guys can… promise!

Cathy x

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HAPPY/SAD CHRISTMAS...

First of all, I want to wish a very Happy Christmas to all my readers… enjoy every minute. Christmas is a magical time, so make sure you spread some happiness… and take time out to be with family and friends.

My Christmas is not shaping up too well this year. A few days ago, my lovely dad died unexpectedly. He had a stroke, a little like Jude’s gran in Sundae Girl, and just didn’t get through it. I’m hurting so much right now, and missing him terribly.

Readers often ask who inspired me to write, or who was my hero, and the answer to those questions has always been my dad. He shared my love of art and writing and gave me enthusiasm, determination and love of life. He showed me how to dream big and how to do my very best to make the dreams happen, and he always, always believed in me, even when others did not.

Things are still very raw for me and it might be a while before I am able to reply to my emails, so please be patient. I know you will understand, because you’re the best, most loyal readers ever. There’s one thing I would love you to do for me this Christmas… if you are lucky enough to have a family, go and hug them right now and tell them you love them. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about.

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SCARLETT'S A WINNER!

SCARLETT has been voted winner (older readers section) of the Royal Mail Scottish Children’s Book Award... woo!!!! I was so surprised at the fabby awards ceremony in Glasgow I didn’t know what to say – but THANK YOU to everyone who took part and voted for me!!!!

It’s a real honour to receive an award like this, especially one that is voted for by kids – it makes all the hard work worthwhile. Cool to see such great reviews from boys as well as girls, too! Special thanks to the group of kids who acted out an extract from Scarlett for the audience – you were all amazing!!!!

More exciting news… SUNDAE GIRL has been shortlisted for the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards! This is special to me too, as I grew up in Coventry and SUNDAE GIRL is set there. Voting for this award is open to kids everywhere, so if you’d like to get involved and cast a vote, just go to www.myvotescoventry.org and click on the READ IT OR ELSE section, which is where you’ll find SUNDAE GIRL. If you do decide to vote – thank you in advance!!!!

Last but not least, I have finally finished the first draft of my next book Ginger Snaps and will be working on the finishing touches over the next few weeks… phew!!!!! Watch out for Ginger Snaps in July 2008.

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