Neil Gaiman in Conversation with Philip Pullman

Posted by Ian May 18th, 2013

To celebrate the release of Neil Gaiman’s new book The Ocean at the End of the Lane, he will be in conversation with Philip Pullman at the Oxford Playhouse Theatre at 19:30 on August 12st. Both writers will be signing books afterwards. To find out more and book tickets, click here.

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Fill your house with books urges Pullman

Posted by Ian May 4th, 2013

Philip Pullman has encouraged parents to fill their homes with books to get their children reading. Speaking to the Oxford Mail in support of the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign, he said “Make sure you have lots of books in the house, lots of attractive picture books, and some interesting stories as they get older [...] Enrol your child at the library – that is very important. Make sure they know where the library is and that they are always welcome there and that the library is full of lovely books to borrow.” He also mentions that one of his favourite childhood books was Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner.

Read the article in full here.

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Philip Pullman Interviewed by Cambridge News

Posted by Ian May 2nd, 2013

There is a good interview with Philip Pullman by Ella Walker of the Cambridge News posted today. It coincides with the staging of I Was A Rat! in Cambridge. The production is touring until June. Read the interview in full here.

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Philip Pullman elected President of Society of Authors

Posted by Ian April 26th, 2013

Philip Pullman has been elected as President of the trade union the Society of Authors and will take up his position on August 3rd, succeeding current president P.D. James on her 93rd birthday.

P.D. James © The Society of Authors

James said ‘[N]o one could be better qualified for the task [...] the Society of Authors could not be in better hands.’

Pullman said ‘P. D. James has been a magnificent President, whose knowledge and wit and wisdom will be very hard to follow. The Society of Authors has been representing and supporting the work of

writers for a hundred and thirty years, and now that we’re in the middle of one of the greatest

revolutions in printing and publishing and reading there has ever been, the Society’s experience will be needed more than ever. I am both honoured and excited to be taking on the role of President.’

Philip Pullman © The Society of Authors

The Society of Authors was founded in 1884 and represents over 9000 members. The position of President is the Society’s ultimate honour and is currently a lifetime position.

Read more on the Society’s website.

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Pullman adds voice to Botanic Gardens guide

Posted by Niall March 25th, 2012

His Dark Materials fans who visit Oxford’s Botanic Garden can now enjoy an audio guide from author Phillip Pullman. The Garden has special importance to fans of the series due its role in the heartbreaking conclusion of The Amber Spyglass. As a result, Pullman has been asked to record part of a voice guide for the garden, in which he talks about its significance to Will and Lyra, in particular a bench which plays a key role in the young couple’s story. Pullman told the Oxford Mail that he thought the audio guide was a great idea, and that he was particularly keen to contribute due to ‘the bench’, as it is known to fans: “It’s a nice bench in a very nice place – the Botanic Garden is such a lovely thing to have in Oxford.”

Pullman also offered a brief update on the much-anticipated His Dark Materials companion work The Book of Dust, insisting that it was proceeding well and would be finished just as soon as: “I write the words: ‘the end’”.

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