In the last few weeks I have visited some schools, been signing books at Waterstone’s in Market Harborough, Kettering, and Coventry and planning a new story for KOGworld! The new story happens of course in The Kingdom of Gems, but has a surprising Christmas flavour to it (I’m not telling you how!). I will put it on the KOGworld site on Christmas Eve so look out! It will be an excellent read for Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

I have created an exciting new addition to my Waterstone’s signings; when people buy the trilogy they also receive a free scroll, created and sealed with wax by me (I have the burn marks to prove it!) It is a letter from Princess Amalek and Prince Seph to Wizard Elzaphan, and it is linked to the Christmas Story.

Now for a few photos!

Visiting Copthill Independent Day School, Stamford

Happy customers at Waterstone's Kettering

More happy customers at Waterstone's Kettering

Visiting the library at King Henry VIII School, Coventry.

‘Jasper Cooper visited school to give a talk to a class of year  7 students in our Library.  They were delighted to meet an author.  The talk was about his children’s books and was both informative and engaging.  Students were taken through the process of becoming an author from the initial inspiration of ideas to publication.  Throughout his entertaining interactive talk with the use of video clips, Jasper involved the students and they listened attentively when he read an excerpt from one of his stories.  He carried out a question and answer session then completed his visit by signing a selection of his books which students could buy on the day.’
Kirsty Hill – Librarian at King Henry VIII School, Coventry.

That’s all for now. Here’s a list of my Waterstone’s Signing Events leading up to Christmas:

It’s about time I posted an up-to-date blog for you… so here it is! I will be posting regularly now. My plan is to write a blog each week, so keep a look out.

The kingdom of Gems trilogy is gradually becoming better known.  To help this along, I have been busy doing Waterstone’s Signing Events around the country. They have been tremendously successful! Not only is it a good way to introduce the trilogy to new readers but it is a good way of meeting those who are already fans. Here I am in Waterstone’s Market Harborough – pictured here with a new young reader keen to begin the adventure!

On my Waterstone’s tour I have met many interesting people too! For example, a few weeks ago I met John Challis – he’s a main character, called Boycie, in Only Fools and Horses and The Green Green Grass. (If you don’t know Only Fools and Horses it is a major, very famous comedy series, so good that they keep replaying them over and over… ask your parents!) We were both signing our books in Waterstone’s Worcester on the same day.

Here are my next few signing events at Waterstone’s:

It would be great to see you if you are able to pop in!

Very best wishes,

Jasper

You can now buy it from most Waterstones around the country, or you can get your copy of The Glass prison online now by clicking here

Best Regards,

Jasper

Hello Kingdom of Gems Fans,

Today I have some great news!

The Glass Prison (the final book in The Kingdom of Gems trilogy), has been printed!

It just arrived back from the printers a couple of days ago. This means that you will be able to get your copy from this website on THIS Thursday (October 7th)!

This is very exciting for me and I know many of you have been waiting eagerly to get your hands on a copy. It is the product of a lot of work, very enjoyable work, and I’m so pleased you will be able to read it soon. I am thrilled with the finished book and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Until you have your own copy, here is a sneak peek at the cover:

I hope you like it! Please do leave your comments below, and be ready for this Thursday 7th October for the release of The Glass Prison!

Jasper

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Hi Kingdom of Gems fans,

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas. I’m having a great time with my family.

I’m very excited about the publication of The Silver Well. Yes, it will be in February/March.  You might be saying “At last!” – so am I! It is a great relief, and my plan is to follow it up with The Glass Prison in later 2010 as well. I decided I had to get the rest of the trilogy in print as soon as possible for all the people who have been waiting with such enthusiastic anticipation. I am fed up with waiting for a publisher to jump on board, which is a real puzzle because  Candara’s Gift has sold very well and is extremely popular, but it seems to be a stage that nearly every author has to  go through, even J.K Rowling! Harry Potter was turned down many times and only got into print because a publisher’s daughter read a couple of sample chapters and liked it.  Anyway, I am fed up with waiting, so I am going ahead myself.

Having completely finished working on the 3 books of The Kingdom of Gems (KOG) trilogy, I recently got back in touch with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Remember, they are the world’s biggest Hollywood agency and very interested in making films of KOG. So, it’s  good news again… the film interest is still very much alive.

RECENT EVENTS

I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Alderton Junior School in Essex recently. Here’s a picture. There is a lot more info about my school visits on my website.

Visiting Alderton Junior School

There have been two recent signing events. One at the Kennett Shopping Centre in Newbury, where my stall was next to Anneke Wills, who was the first Doctor Who girl back in 1966!

I visited The Canterbury Indoor Tennis Centre, where I play – you know what a keen tennis player I am! Here’s a couple of photos of me presenting a copy of Candara’s Gift for the player who made the coach, Simon Grieve, smile the most in their final squad session before Christmas!

Candara's Gift presentation - junior tennis squad, Canterbury Indoor Tennis Centre

Candara's Gift presentation - junior tennis squad, Canterbury Indoor Tennis Centre

That’s all for the moment. I will keep blogging regularly now to keep you in touch with any new developments – books, films, or anything else.

Christmas and New Year Greetings,

Jasper

One step closer to publishing!

The Silver Well and The Glass Prison are both finished and my New York agent has them. He is approaching publishers now. It is a great relief that things are finally moving forwards and I should have more news for you soon. Why do things like this usually take longer than expected?

I have had a wonderful time working on The Glass Prison. Now it is done I am concentrating on illustrations for The Silver Well and The Glass Prison. There is a lot to do; more maps and about sixty ink illustrations in the two books.

When the publishing of The Kingdom Of Gems trilogy in underway then, the idea of making films can be pursued. I have the biggest agency in the world representing me with this and they are very enthusiastic! That is a little way off but it looks extremely positive.

Candara’s Gift will be published in Turkey very soon, probably this month. Exciting! I can’t wait to have a copy in my hands.

I’ll let you know when there is more news.

Jasper

So, in the meantime, I have been working very hard. I am just doing the final editing on The Glass Prison and am very close to finishing. I am thoroughly enjoying it, of course, and it is shaping up beautifully. It is filled with excitement!

The Turkish edition of Candara’s Gift is completely translated and they have just been working on the cover. I will put the cover on the website when this is done.

I’m really sorry to keep you waiting. It is extremely frustrating for me, especially thinking of you waiting eagerly for The Silver Well. However, I hope you can see that I am doing the best I can and that the future is very positive for The Kingdom Of Gems trilogy. Be patient… The Silver Well is on it’s way in 2008.

Jasper

Here you will be able to find out the latest news and information about Candara’s Gift and the other upcoming books in The Kingdom of Gems trilogy.

Thanks for stopping by!