Paperback out now!

The paperback edition of Cork and the Bottle has arrived and is available online here now!

Dates for Christmas Sending

The Christmas season is almost upon us and the old posty service gets pretty busy this time of year. So to ensure your friends and family receive their books in time for Christmas be sure to place your orders by:

Around New Zealand: 17 December 2009
Australia and South Pacific: 27 November 2009
Rest of the world: 20 November 2009

NEW! Listen to a reading

If a seahorse could talk what would it sound like? To hear Mark's take on it click here and listen to a passage from your favourite Cork story!

We are now on Facebook

By visiting our Facebook page and becoming a fan you'll see what's happening now at Sommerset Studio, including special fan-only offers, sneaky-peaks of other works in progress and more!

Cork takes to the stage

We were treated to an amazing night the other week when we were invited to see the Marlborough Primary School production of "Cork on the Ocean". It was a real buzz to see Cork's adventures bought to life as the whole school danced and sang in such a creative and uplifting way. We were really touched and inspired by the effort everyone made. Linden had a blast too - it was his first show!

Thanks so much Marlborough Primary for choosing our books, we will never forget such a special night.

For more pictures of this fabulous play visit our Facebook page

Book Mark for School Visits!

As part of the Writers in Schools Program you can now book Mark (ha-ha - bookmark) to visit your school! As well as hearing Cork's adventures from the (sea) horse's mouth, you'll be able to ask Mark lots of questions like: "Where do you get your ideas from?" or "Why is there a lollipop stuck to your shoe?" Just click on the following link to surf along to the NZ Book Council site and find out how you can have Mark visit your school!

http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz

A letter from Rototuna Primary School

Dear Mark and Rowan, the children in Room 19 at Rototuna Primary School absolutely loved your book. I told them you would be writing a third story and they decided they would like to have a go too. The children have each designed a page for your next book. We hope you enjoy looking at them. Maybe they might even give you a few ideas! Thank you - your books are awesome and Rowan's illustrations are amazing!! Tina Anderson, Hamilton

We got your artworks and they're fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us. Here's one of the pictures you sent for all our other visitors to enjoy...

A New Arrival

Rowan and I are now parents of a little boy! Linden Sommerset was born at home on Friday the 20th Feb, tipping the scales at 9lb 4 ounces - Not so little after all! He's sure to provide us with plenty of inspiration as we work on the final book in the cork trilogy. Now if only I could find the time to write!

Spiegeltent Storytime - Aotea Square

As part of the NZ Post Family Day at the Auckland Festival, Mark will be reading both Cork on the Ocean and Cork and the Bottle in the Spiegeltent, Aotea Square on Sunday 15th March. He will be onstage at 10am, so come on down - The Spiegeltent is an amazing venue and best of all it's free!