This will probably be my last entry for the year (even writers deserve a rest now and then), so just to say happy holidays to everyone who's been so great to me through 2009!  And here's to a great 2010, where all kinds of things are coming...

In 2010, Monsters of Men will be released of course (May in the UK, Ireland and Australia, and September in the US and Canada), as well as in German (details when I have them).  2010 will also see French and Spanish versions of The Ask and the Answer (details when I have them, too), as well as The Knife of Never Letting Go in Swedish, Turkish, Hebrew and Korean!  How cool is that?

Other good things to come:  On the fifth of January, I'll find out if I've won the Children's Book category of the Costa Award (shortlisted against some very good people, so keeps your fingers crossed for me).  In February and March, I'll be touring Australia and New Zealand doing publicity, starting at the Perth Festival and ending at the Somerset Festival in Queensland, with lots of stops inbetween.  Stay tuned for a detailed calendar.  And I'll also be teaching on an Arvon Foundation course in June.

And of course, I'm writing.  About what, I can't say just yet, but there's more to come.  I've been so busy, in fact, I can barely keep up with all you commenters!  Very sorry about that, so a big hello and thanks to Emily, Larry, Rachel (I couldn't possibly comment, Rachel), Amanda from Canada, Kyra (you rock, too), Jessica B, Emily (see above for Australia!), Geoff, Alexis, Olivia (I'd love to come to Galway), and Nigel McD (no advice (I'm not even sure how it's done) but lots of good luck).  Thank you all and happy new year.