Airborn The Movie: Take Two

One of the questions I am most frequently asked by readers is: "When is Airborn going to be turned into a movie?" I still don't have a definitive answer to that, but I  can at least tell you that it's recently taken a step closer.

In 2004-2006 the book was developed by Universal Pictures and the Sommers Company (The Mummy, Van Helsing, G.I. Joe) and they commissioned a script that, to my mind, had astonishingly little to do with my novel. The screenwriters gutted the plot, took out the cloud cats altogether, and left behind two characters called Matt and Kate and a storyline involving mystical urns. (In case you haven't read the novel, there is not even one mystical urn.)

Airborn is a special book for me, and I decided that, if at all possible, in future, I would try to have a bit more control over what happened to any film adaptation.

So I am very pleased to be able to tell you that I have optioned the book to Halifax Films and Oscar-winning producer Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, Shake Hands With the Devil). I will be writing the first draft of the screenplay, and will act as an executive producer on the project.

So here's hoping for an excellent second take!

Half Brother nominated for UKLA award

The UK Literary Association has included Half Brother in its 2012 shortlist for best children's book for twelve to sixteen year-olds. I'm delighted to be in the company of celebrated UK writers like Kevin Brooks, Patrick Ness and Andy Mulligan. This is the first time a book of mine has been nominated for this award.The full shortlist is below.

Long Lankin, Lindsey Barraclough

iBoy. Kevin Brooks

Being Billy, Phil Earle

Trash, Andy Mulligan

A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness Illus. Jim Kay

Half Brother, Kenneth Oppel

London Times chooses Dark Endeavour as a 2011 Best Book for Children

The children's critic for The Times of London, Amanda Craig, has made her annual pick of the best children's books -- and This Dark Endeavour makes the cut for the young adult category (13yrs + ) alongside Moira Young's acclaimed Blood Red Road:
"Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavour (David Fickling £12.99), a captivating gothic novel for 13+ about the future Dr Frankenstein and his competitive love for his twin brother. Books this good are for life, not just Christmas."

This Dark Endeavor named a 2011 Quill & Quire Book of the Year

Reprinted from Quill & Quire Magazine

"The talented and prolific Kenneth Oppel already garners much attention from readers, award juries, and critics alike. So why feel the need to include him here? Here's the thing: sometimes the hype is justified. A Gothic tale of love, lust, ambition, and the supernatural, Oppel's latest effort, which has roots in Mary Shelley's classic horror novel, combines eloquent language and an action-filled plot. His young Frankenstein brothers, Victor and Konrad, are sure to get as much attention as those Twlight kids, especially once the movie (optioned by the producer of Stephenie Meyer's hit franchise) hits the big screen..."

The New Covers

This Dark Endeavor will have a new look Summer 2012, in preparation for the release of the sequel, SUCH WICKED INTENT in August.

For those of you who didn't feel you had quite enough Victor Frankenstein in your life, rest easy -- the new cover gives you altogether more coverage of the mad-scientist-to-be, although his face is still, infuriatingly, half turned, or near concealed by abundant hair.

And for those of you who may have been curious about what the much sought-after Elizabeth Lavenza looks like, the cover of Such Wicked Intent should bring some satisfaction.

Happy Halloween

Always good to get some love from London, especially since England is the home and native land of Mary Shelley, whose masterpiece Frankenstein inspired This Dark Endeavour...

This Dark Endeavor and Augmented Reality

At hundreds of Chapters Indigo stores all across Canada, you will find an amazing banner depicting the Dark Library: shelf upon shelf of ancient tomes which Victor Frankenstein discovers in a secret chamber within his chateau.

If you have an Android phone, you can download a free app instantly, and scan your phone's camera over the shelves to search for a hidden volume. When you find it, the book will slide out from the shelf (on your cell phone screen), open, and reveal animated clues about my story.

The campaign was launched yesterday, at the Eaton Centre Indigo store in Toronto.

Or you can go here to my website, and experience the same thing via your computer's webcam:

Have fun!

And click here for Quill & Quire's coverage of the Augmented Reality campaign.