Simon Trewin

For one night only the London Palladium will be transformed into a celebration of all things Bond. Hosted by Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry, this exclusive evening on Sunday October 5th at 7.30pm, will celebrate the world’s greatest spy, James Bond, and the life of his creator, Ian Fleming. Stars from the worlds of film and theatre will bring Fleming’s words to life, including some material never heard before, and a 60-piece orchestra will accompany some of the biggest names in music as they perform the best-loved Bond themes.

The evening will raise money for the British Heart Foundation and will star Samantha Bond, Charles Dance, Judi Dench, Sebastian Faulks, David Gilmour, Charlie Higson, Jeremy Irons, Lemar, Roger Moore, Rosamund Pike, Toby Stephens, Patrick Stewart, David Suchet, Ruby Turner, David Walliams, Harriet Walter and more to be announced.* Through music, words and film, the event will revel in everything Bond. A sneak preview clip from the new film, Quantum of Solace, will cap off an unmissable night: a grand finale to Ian Fleming’s centenary year.

Ticket prices are £100, £75, £50, £35 and £25. To book please call See Tickets on 0844 4124657.

www.seetickets.com

My very good friend Philippa Pride is running another of her inspirational writing courses this Autumn from September 29th to October 6th in Turkey. I only wish I could go myself. It sounds wonderful……

Imagine a week in the magical setting of an olive grove; a week to explore the book inside you; a week to lie in hammocks, walk in the pine forests, swim in a natural stone pool and gaze at the stars. Treat yourself to time – time to write and to let your ideas emerge.

Welcome to beautiful Huzur Vadisi where you will have an opportunity to discover what goes on in the world of publishing and how you can write a winning book.

Philippa Pride, an accomplished book editor, offers a unique course of professional tips for getting published and inspirational exercises for freeing creativity and getting started on / continuing the book inside you.

During her 20 years experience as a commissioning editor with one of the major publishing houses in Britain, Philippa has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. She is also a Life Coach, with a great deal of experience in helping writers of all kinds to find the voice and shape that they are looking for in their work.

The course is designed for anyone with a story to tell – fiction, non-fiction, diary or blog – whether a newcomer or established writer.

For more details click here

One of my authors, Janie Hampton, has been commissioned to write a light-hearted history of Girl Guides for publication  during their 100th anniversary in 2010. As with her recently published book on the 1948 London Olympics, this will feature the stories of the people involved, told by them.  If you were a Girl Guide, or a Brownie, can you tell her about it? Any funny things that happened? Or characters that you met (other Guides or your Captain or Brown Owl?) Or places you went? Or badges you won? Or Scouts you fell in love with? Or an exciting camp you went on? She would love to hear your stories, short or long.  Her email is hampton.oxford@dial.pipex.com 

Congratulations to Tom Vanderbilt on hitting the New York Times Hardback Non-Fiction Bestseller list with his wonderful and timely TRAFFIC – Why We Drive The Way We Do (and what it says about us).

The blanket review coverage in the U.S has been extraordinary and Penguin Press are set to publish in the U.K later this year. I urge you to listen to Tom’s interview here and to read some of the reviews here. I represent Tom on behalf of Zoe Pagnamenta who has recently launched her new agency in the U.K.

“Tom Vanderbilt is one of our best and most interesting writers, with an extraordinary knack for looking at everyday life and explaining, in wonderful and entertaining detail, how it really works.

–James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds