Chris Bradford's 'Bodyguard: Hostage': rejection karma and the art of the open box formation

Nearly five years ago, one of the first big school events we ever did was at Larkmead School in Abingdon. A young author thrilled kids with martial arts moves and samurai sword-wielding mayhem as he brought to life his action-packed debut 'The Way of the Warrior'. His name was Chris Bradford, it was the start of the Young Samurai series - and we were all hooked.

Two years later, and with the Young Samurai series garnering huge critical and commercial success, we put on a huge event for World Book Day: one of the highlights of our bookselling lives.

Chris Bradford is now one of the biggest children's authors there is - not just in the UK, but around the world. So how excited were we when we had the opportunity to take part in the launch of the first book in a hit new series from Chris - "Bodyguard: Hostage"?   

The action centres on fourteen year-old Connor Reeves, part of an elite teenage bodyguard team. Assigned to protect the daughter of the US President, what follows is a high-octane, action-packed tale that we have loved reading in the shop.

And the action gets as close to real life as you would wish. For the Young Samurai books, Chris trained in swordsmanship, karate and gained a black belt in Zen Kyu Shin Taijutsu. For 'Bodyguard' Chris trained to become a fully qualified professional bodyguard.

So what could be better in a school event than to impart crack bodyguard techniques to assembled school children? 

First stop was Henry Box School in Witney. Dressed in black, with essential wraparound shades, the event began explosively with Chris shielding the librarian against a potential hostile threat. With the help of volunteers, he went through some of the techniques of threat assessment, surveillance, anti-ambush exercises and unarmed combat.

Then it was back to Larkmead for a triumphant return to the venue of that first event five years previously. First, Chris met some visiting year 6 pupils from Marcham Primary School...

Then it was onstage at Larkmead for an explosive event - and more training...first the venue threat assessment...

 ...then some intel about the book itself...

Before some actual exercises involving the open-box formation that didn't exactly go to plan. Here fictional celebrity 'Justin Beaver' is left worryingly exposed...

The final test is the 'bullet-catcher'. Volunteers showed incredible bravery in the face of a real Nerf Gun...

Finally, Chris signed books and posters for children. Myself and librarian Ms Stott felt suitably prepared to adopt the bodyguard pose: 

Naturally we wanted to find out a bit about how Chris ticks as a writer. Taking advantage of a 'safe zone', and relaxing into a yellow 'combat awareness state' we asked Chris a few questions...

Five questions with...Chris Bradford's Writing Life

1.    What are you working on at the moment?

I'm currently working on the second in the series 'Bodyguard: Ransom', but I'm also busy plotting the story-arc for the entire six books that are planned. There's an unfolding conspiracy - hinted at in the first book - but I don't want to go too much into that. I'm also editing the final book in the 'Ninja' trilogy for Barrington Stoke (the second book, Ninja: Death Touch, comes out in August).

2.    What is the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?

Read Stephen King's 'On Writing'. If you are writing fiction, it's a must-read. Aside from that, write the book you'd want to read!

3.    What’s the best thing and the worst thing about being a children’s writer?

The best is when you talk to the parent of a child who has never read a book before, but loved your book. You've been involved in giving that child the gift of the love of reading - and that is the BEST. The worst is the actual, physical writing of the words. Ideas, research, plotting - that's all fun. But the sitting down, the writing (and rewriting) you have to do every single day. Writing is like a marathon.

4.    Do you have a writer’s survival kit, e.g. a place, thing or snack essential before you can start work?I'm not as lucky as other writers who can write anywhere, anytime. I have an office (well shed) in the garden. I need complete silence to write. I need to get my focus. I compare my style as trying to get a butterfly to land on your hand; you need to wait an hour and not move a muscle to get it to land. One distraction, and it flutters off and you need to start again. That's what it's like for me.

5.    What was your biggest breakthrough?

The breakthrough was the response I got to the initial manuscript. My agent had warned me that it might take weeks or months to get a response. It duly got sent off, and Puffin got in touch the next day. I think my agent's exact words were 'Chris, this is unusual'...

One of my theories is 'rejection karma'. Before I became a children's author I had 13 years as a musician, and believe me that was 13 years of taking many, many rejections. So it was like I had built up all this rejection karma, and when I submitted that manuscript... BANG. It all happened.

World Book Day with Chris Bradford

Two years ago, we did a fantastic event at Larkmead School involving Young Samurai author Chris Bradford as he launched book one in the series: Way of the Warrior. We - and the school - we so impressed, that we quickly approached Chris to take part in our Amazing Books for Boys event last year - culminating in an incredible show to coincide with the launch of book two: Way of the Sword. So when we were approached a few weeks ago to come along and help run an official World Book Day event with Chris, we jumped at the chance. And so on Thursday, Chris performed in front of almost 400 kids from various schools in Abingdon to celebrate both his World Book Day flipbook The Way of Fire, and book three in the Young Samurai series The Way of the Sword. Anyone who has seen Chris perform before knows his electrifying mix of live martial arts, scene-reenactment, sword display and audience participation. This time was no different. Afterwards, Chris signed books and posters and met fans - new and old - after two separate performances. There was an impromptu live performance on stage of a school battle in book three (which fingers crossed I have on video) and we had prepared for the day with hundreds of WBD flip books which looked impressive on the display racks: The event was organised through the Federation of Children's Bookgroups - and we very much appreciated the opportunity to take part. 2010 is the year of Young Samurai - as well as World Book Day, book four comes out in August, with another two already planned, a film in development, and another story appearing as part of Penguin's Pocket Money Reads. We have signed copies of book three in the shop - and for a limited time only, if you buy a copy you'll receive a signed Way of the Dragon book as well...

Event videos

We had a fab new writers event last night with the Oxford Writers' Group - so whilst I busily write up that event (and there's a lot to cram in) I thought you might enjoy some videos from some of our events in June (what a long time ago that now seems...). Firstly, Chris Bradford has released an 'official' launch video from the Amazing Books for Boys launch event for Way of the Warrior. Splendid stuff: And whilst you are recovering from that, here's some (slightly) more sedate few videos from the Children's Food Festival. Firt up is Alex Mackay, one of the undoubted stars of the weekend - he is an incredibly passionate, larger-than-life New Zealander who has made his home in Oxfordshire, and who has this amazing rapport with kids. He set up the Raymond Blanc Cookery School, but that's only the start of his talents - find out more here. Here he is getting the kids all fired up about dough - and it's a shame I didn't get any footage of the huge queue of children holding the world's longest piece of pasta... On the Sunday, it was a great privilege to finally meet "the teenage chef" Sam Stern - we have been huge fans of Sam in the shop since we opened, we've recommended his books to loads of kids - and some of them came on Sunday, bringing their sauce-flecked copies for signing. Although (now 18) he'll lose his 'teenage' moniker shortly, it was a real pleasure to meet Sam and have him signing in the tent. Here - with a willing assistant - he prepares some homemade burgers: And finally, I didn't manage to get any footage of Sophie Grigson whilst demonstrating on either of the two days, but she's an fantastic performer and like Alex she really gets children excited about cooking (it's perhaps no coincidence that both these chefs are heavily involved with the Kids' Cookery School in Acton). Here she is giving some sage advice on the importance of children learning to cook with - and respect - sharp knives in the kitchen (under close supervision of course): Signed copies from Sam, Sophie and Alex in the shop... This Monday (July 13) we welcome Helen Peacocke in the shop, talking about her new book "Paws Under the Table", a guide to dog-friendly pup walks in Oxfordshire. Helen is a well-known local writer, and she is passionate about dogs, walking - but also about 'using or losing' our wonderful country pubs...tickets available in the shop or email us to reserve a place...

An Amazing Day

Our "Amazing Books for Boys" event took place on Saturday - and an amazing day it was too. We'll write up the individual events in more detail over on the Amazing Blog for Boys shortly, but for now here are some highlights. First up was Trapped By Monsters:

From left, Sam Enthoven, Joe Craig, David Melling, Tommy Donbavand, Andy Briggs and Ali Sparkes. Hard to believe that at least two of these authors had never met before - their show was superb:

The strain of having been locked for the past weeks in a cave was really showing. The authors were under a great deal of stress - forced to compete in a nightmare gameshow to avoid being eaten. Kids were selected at random from the audience for to take part in unspeakably awful activities. Here we see children turned into mummies using specially re-used toilet paper... ...whilst at the back a frightening monster took form as the event progressed. Finally, released from the horrific spectacle, the authors were allowed into the main foyer of the theatre to sign books!

There were Trapped By Monsters trading cards - and even Trapped By Monsters cakes! No sooner had they departed, the stage was transformed into a dojo ready for the appearance of Young Samurai author Chris Bradford and Team Taurus - the brilliant Oxford School of Martial Arts Display Team. Fog crept out onto the stage, and the packed audience was treated to an incredible display of carefully choreographed martial arts, readings and audio-visual displays: Chris doesn't just do readings - he brings them to life, acting out the fight sequences from the Young Samurai books: This was the official launch event for Way of The Sword, the sequel to the award-winning Young Samurai.

After the performance, Chris signed copies and had pictures taken with young fans.

Finally, Robert Muchamore came onto the stage, and talked about CHERUB, Henderson's Boys - including the latest Eagle Day. Robert had fans travel from as far afield as Reading and Milton Keynes to hear him speak. He talked about how he started writing, how the books have developed - and took many questions from fans who had a scary amount of knowledge about his books. It was a great performance - and a storming end to the event. Robert then signed books, chatted to fans and patiently had photographs taken by everyone - including the event organisers. Thanks to everyone who helped out on the day (including Yaxkis and Will above), everyone who came to be entertained - but mostly thanks to all the authors and performers who made it such a memorable day. We have a week to recover - and then this Saturday it's the return of the Children's Food Festival for us...

3 days to go...

It's three days to go until our Amazing Books for Boys event, and I'm extremely nervous. It's not just because it's the biggest event we've ever done, it's just that there are some extremely intimidating authors coming to Abingdon on Saturday, and I'm sure that between them Robert Muchamore (ex-private investigator and now mega-selling CHERUB author), Chris Bradford (black belt samurai-swordsman) and the six authors from Trapped By Monsters could make life unpleasant for me if I screw up. Having said all that, I think we've got all our bases covered. He said confidently... There's more author interviews and videos over on the Amazing Blog for Boys - and for anyone in Oxfordshire on Saturday afternoon, we should still have tickets available on the door for any of the events - but do call the shop on 01235 525880 to check (alternatively email us at books@mostly-books.co.uk). In other news, we had a great day on Saturday with the Young Enterprise teams, and on Monday we did two school's events with Matthew Skelton...who risked life and limb in front of 100 school children when he dared to mention he wasn't entirely enamoured with 'Twilight' (he did get pelted with stuff, it wasn't pretty). Pictures to follow...

Deadly Samurai in Abingdon

On September 25th, we did a splendid event with hot new children's author Chris Bradford at Larkmead School. Chris is a samurai swordsman who has written a book based on research he did in Japan (and his own experiences) set in the 17th century. Young Samurai: Way of the Warrior is a cracking - if somewhat grisly - read (two particularly nasty deaths in the first 8 pages) which tells the story of young Jack Fletcher, a Westerner who trains in the way of the samurai. Chris fought off deadly Ninja assassins to get to Abingdon (they were disguised as First Great Western train officials, but Chris recognised them for the saboteurs they were) to beat train delays and give an enthralling demonstration and reading to Year 7. Chris commanded undivided attention, partly because of interest in the book, mostly because of his Samurai demonstrations with a real sword inches from the front row. Any author looking to spice up an upcoming reading of their book at a bookshop might take a leaf out of Chris' book:

Despite sparing no details in his descriptions of 'ham-sandwiching' opponents, Chris's message about the way of the samurai was one of discipline and respect. He answered questions about samurai, showed clips from real samurai training schools in Japan - and gave probably too much information about a Japanese energy drink called "Sweat". Chris signed copies for the pupils, then leapt off for a date with destiny (actually a demonstration at the School of Martial Arts in Oxford). It was a great event - the school was buzzing - you can read more here.

Utter madness

No, not the nationalisation of the US banking system, but rather the ever-so slightly ridiculous number of events that we've got coming up in the next two weeks. Having had a packed schedule over the Summer, we haven't done ourselves any favours by organising a load of events coming up in the next few weeks. But it's what we like to do - so we can hardly complain when they stack up like Heathrow on a Friday evening. Anyhoo, we've got some corking events coming up in the next few months (take a look at our events page for more details) but the next couple of weeks will be full, culminating in six events in two days next Wednesday/Thursday (which even by our standards is possibly overdoing it). Here goes. Everything kicks off tomorrow evening as Alison, Nicki and I put on our best bib and tucker and bowl up to the Natural History Museum for the Bookseller Retail Awards. We have been shortlisted for Children's Bookshop of the Year, and - like the British Book Industry Awards back in May - this is the first time we've ever been to these awards. Expect a full report after the event... It's the Gardners Trade Show this weekend in Warwick - and once we make it back from there next week begins in earnest. On Wednesday 24th September, we have our Wednesday morning bookgroup meeting at 10.30. Good luck to Ali who is taking over the group from Anu (who, I am delighted to report, had a bouncing baby girl - Marissa Joy - on 6th September - Mum and baby doing very well). From 3pm-5pm, there will be a signing by bare-knuckle boxing legend Paddy Monaghan. And if you are wondering why we have a bare-knuckle boxer signing copies of his memoirs in the shop (after all, it doesn't sound like one of our events), it might help to know that Paddy grew up in Abingdon, and famously used to host visits by his friend Muhammed Ali who visited his council house in Saxton Road in the 70s and 80s. To know how he got to know Ali, and why Ali visited so often - come meet the man and read his book... Wednesday evening we are hosting the book launch of Eliza Graham's novel Restitution, the follow-up to her successful debut novel Playing With The Moon. Like her first novel, Restitution is being published by Macmillan New Writing, and they have done a cracking job with the book design - I'm desperately carving out time to read it ahead of next Wednesday. I'm looking forward to meeting MNW's commissioning editor Will Atkins who will be there - and if anyone would like to come along to the launch, please get in touch quickly and let me know. That's Wednesday. On Thursday, samurai sword-wielding children's author Chris Bradford will be doing his martial art stuff at Larkmead School in front of the whole of year 7. Then at 4pm, we celebrate the launch of our after-school reading club when David Melling reads from his new book The Star-faced Crocodile. It's then our bookgroup in the evening. Throw in the odd storytime, a committee meeting and one Harvest Festival to attend at Alex's new school (just to get the old work-life balance sorted) and you can see it's a busy old time. But fun as always. (On another note, I've just returned from a fantastic evening spent with the WI up at Wootton, where they kindly let me waffle on about the bookshop for half an hour. As part of the evening, the ladies brought in old books to look at, with me awarding a prize for the most interesting. I awarded it for the original - get this - 1780 edition of Paradise Lost. Incredible to hold a book like that in your hands...without white gloves).