JOIN ALI SPARKES FOR THE
LAUNCH OF HER BRAND NEW ADVENTURE NOVEL…
DARK
SUMMER
ON SATURDAY 4 JULY AT
WOOKEY HOLE CAVES WOOKEY HOLE WELLS SOMERSET BA5 1BB
from 4.30pm to 6pm for cupcakes, a reading in a cave
and signed first editions..
The best-selling
children's author set her latest adventure - Dark
Summer - in the caves after being inspired by a visit
as a child. 'I returned to the caves with my own children
and husband and they'd lost none of their magic,'
says Ali, whose Shapeshifter series has won thousands
of children and adult fans.
'The
story had been in my mind for years - about a boy
getting lost in the caves and discovering a strange
girl who never leaves the dark.' Ali sought help from
the staff at the caves and was given background information
and guidance by caves manager Mick Bush. 'Mick was
great - he took me to a little tucked away cave that
the public don't usually go to, as it's not very accessible.
He showed me this
magical miniature grotto of frozen limestone rivers,
stalactites and stalagmites. It was beautiful and
peaceful - and also pitch black when we switched off
our torches. I had to experience that kind of darkness
for the story. It was very intense and exactly what
I needed.'
Local cave diver
Dany Bradshaw also helped Ali with her research. 'Dany
met me at the Hunters Lodge Inn in Priddy, so I could
experience an authentic cavers pub. He shared his
cave diving experiences and took me into the upper
workings of a pothole.
He and Mick -
and the Hunter's Lodge Inn - are written into the
book, together with a lot of inside information. They
both checked my early manuscript too, to make sure
it wasn't riddled with errors! I'm very grateful to
them.' The launch event will take place from 4.30pm
to 6pm on Saturday 4 July and will feature a reading
in Chamber 3 of the caves, otherwise known as the
Witch's Parlour. 'It's a very atmospheric cave, with
the River Axe running through it, and should be perfect
for a reading,' says Ali .
'I'm so excited!
A book launch in a cave is really something else!'
Dark Summer is published, from July, by Oxford University
Press and will be on sale in the Wookey Hole Caves
gift shop as well as other bookstores.
For more information
please contact Simon Tilley at Pebble Media on 07870
554301 or via simon@pebblemedia.co.uk
