Alex Milway seems to have books popping out of his ears at the moment (which is a very nice thing for the rest of us, even if not for Mr Milway's ears). The Curse of Mousebeard is about to be released in hardback in the US (it's out in the UK on 3 July), and I've been eagerly following his tweets on the development of Operation Robot Storm - the first of the Mythical 9th Division books (out 7 June).

You can win a copy of The Curse of Mousebeard with a lovely original drawing in - just go and look at this post here on the Mousehunter blog. I don't wish to be horrible, but I hope you don't win, because I'd quite like to! But fair's fair... you should certainly have a go :-)

I can also heartily recommend Alex's recent Panel Borders interview, which helped me to while away the hours whilst ruling out several pages of Rainbow Orchid layouts. And keep listening, because it's followed by a really good interview with John Harris Dunning, author of the marvellous Salem Brownstone.

Here is the cover to volume two of The Rainbow Orchid, out on July 5th 2010.

There is a competition over at The Book Zone (For Boys) to win a copy of volume one - pop over and see what you have to do to win. The deadline for entries is Monday 29 March 2010.

I'll also take this opportunity to mention a few of this year's events, which are starting to fill up the calendar. I'll be at the Bristol International Comic Expo, the Hay Festival, Caption, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. There will be more to come - keep an eye on the events page.

Nathaniel - he can't help it most of the time, being the fall guy, but actually he comes up with some pretty smart ideas too. I am sorry for what I do to you in volume two, Nat! Here is a watercolour sketch I did of him a couple of years ago.

Edit: I almost forgot to mention that there's a little interview with me over at the Book Zone (For Boys), as part of their graphic novel month.

A lot of people really seem to like Evelyn Crow. Just be careful, she really is no good - it'll all end in tears, I promise you. Here's a quick wash sketch I did of her.

This is a rather dark iPhone photo of what a little of The Rainbow Orchid volume III looks like right now. Hope I'm not giving too much away!

And here is a marvellous and slightly confused review of volume one, complete with suggested ending. Thanks Class 7B!

Here is a visual list of books I've recently devoured. Most of them are now part of various piles around the place as I seem to have run out of bookshelf space.

Here is some fan art for the brilliant Nedroid, because he regularly gives me a good chuckle (especially with the exploits of Reginald, Beartato and friends). If you don't already read them, go and see!