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Justin Somper

@justinsomper

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11 MG novels so far published in 35 countries including VAMPIRATES. PIRATE 🏴‍☠️ ACADEMY OUT NOW in Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland, France, USA & Canada.

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Incredibly, it is FOUR years this week since we took a huge leap and transported ourselves from London to Perth.

What an amazing adventure this has been - and continues to be - all the more so, perhaps, because we did it in our 50s. To anyone else contemplating taking a big leap into something unknown at this point, I would say GO FOR IT. Sure, there have been moments of challenge but mostly it’s just wonderful. It’s been more energising than a mega-dose of vitamin C (though I’m sure the Vitamin Sea helps!) and made us stronger individually and as a couple and ready to boldy keep on adventuring.

Heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been part of our journey - friends old and new here in Perth (and WA and across Australia), our family here and the significant number of our UK family (and mates) who have paid us a visit, not to mention those who have cheered us on and wished us well from afar. And the wonderfully supportive writing community here in Perth and WA - you were already included as friends but just to give you a bonus shout-out here.

Very excited to see what the next twelve months have in store. There are new chapters to write - both literally and figuratively.

(First three photos on this carousel are from October ’22. The rest are highlights from the past 12 months.)

#goforit #onegiantleap taken in Perth, Western Australia by @justinsomper

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6 days ago

Today marks Love Your Bookshop Day in Australia and I’m sending love and thanks to all the brilliant - and tireless - booksellers I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and work with here in Perth, Freo and wider WA.

Thanks for all your support for local writers like me - and for everything you guys do - day in/day out - to connect readers, books and writers. It is SO appreciated.

A new poll by YouGov in the UK has revealed the none-too-shocking result that “nine in ten bookshop visitors say browsing lifts their mood.” So, what’s going on with visitor number 10?!

My own mood is ALWAYS lifted by the gorgeous bookshops and booksellers of WA, whether I am popping in to sign books, joining forces on events in schools and libraries or simply having a browse.

Thank you…

Dymocks, Subiaco
Boundless Books, Leederville
Beaufort Street Books, Mount Lawley
Dymocks, Busselton
New Edition Books, Freo
Paperhouse Books, Applecross
Paperbird Books, Freo (special shout-out to Mim, who books my school visits!)
Margaret River Bookshop
Planet Books, Mount Lawley/Cottlesloe/Perth
Text & Co, Dunsborough
The Subiaco Bookshop
Rabble Books, Maylands & Dymocks, Booragoon…

Wishing you all a brilliant day! And special thanks to the wonderful @angestannard for introducing me to these awesome folk!

#LYBD2026 @loveyourbookshopau @kidsreadingguide taken in Perth, Western Australia by @justinsomper

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9 days ago

Get @reshare_app • @celestialfantasyevents 🎃 HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY: PIRATES OR VAMPIRES? 🏴‍☠️🧛

We have a VERY special Halloween prize for one young fantasy reader! This one is for the Celestial mums and dads or grandparents in the group (or school teachers!).

One winner will receive:

🩸 The VAMPIRATES series, Books 1–6, in gorgeous foil paperback editions, all signed by author Justin Somper!!
🏴‍☠️ PLUS Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck and Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea

8 BOOKS | PRIZE PACK VALUED AT OVER $150!!!!!

Perfect for young readers who love pirates, vampires, adventure and a twist of danger on the high seas.

TO ENTER:
Tell us in the comments:

🏴‍☠️ PIRATE or VAMPIRE? 🧛
Which would your young reader choose to be, and why?

Why not tag Justin Somper in your comment so he can see which side our Celestial kids choose! Instagram : @justinsomper Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JustinSomperAuthor/

Parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles and carers are very welcome to enter on behalf of a young reader.

Justin Somper is the bestselling author of the Vampirates series, which has been published around the world, and even trained in sword-fighting to help him write his pirate fight scenes! Vampirates is currently being developed as a major live-action TV series!

🇦🇺 Australian postal addresses only.

Winner drawn: 31 October 2026 – Halloween! Winner will be drawn using the spinning wheel, with winner announced via social media with a comment on the post - you need to respond to the post within 48 hours so we can organise your prize to be posted.

Good luck, young pirates and vampires. ⚔️ by @justinsomper

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10 days ago

Meet the book which kept me excellent company during my 20 hours of plane travel from London back to Perth (including the 5.5 hour flight where Qantas’ inflight entertainment system was offline.)

A new novel from Matt Cain is always a delight. The Castle of Stories offers double cause for celebration. It’s a beautiful novel in its own right, as warm as the Tuscan sun it is set under, plus it’s the first book published by Pansy, the LGBTQ+ independent publisher set up by Matt and his husband Harry Glasstone.

We need more books like this! The Castle of Stories is the story of fortysomethings Adam and Theo who are busy building their own fairly new relationship - dealing with Theo’s recent coming out and just what this means for his ex-wife and their three kids, plus Adam’s own challenging dating history. When Adam inherits a rundown property in Italy from a relative he knows little about, it leads the couple to an unforgettable summer, bringing the property back to life and, in the process, discovering the true story of mysterious Great Uncle Wilf. A last minute change-of-plan means Theo’s kids join the couple for the whole summer, testing the foundations of Adam and Theo’s relationship.

As always, Matt Cain weaves a deliciously inviting story with welcome layers of complexity. The book offers fresh insights into blended families, found family and also gay shame in multiple eras. The Castle of Stories abounds with intriguing, three-dimensional characters and breaks satisfying new ground in storytelling. Frankly, all that’s missing from this renovation is Alan and Amanda!

This is one of several brilliant books I acquired whilst in London from the wonderful - and also recently refurbished - indie bookshop, Gay’s the Word. They also do great totes, which - rest assured - will be sported beach and poolside this Aussie summer.

#newfiction #tuscany @pansybooksuk @gaysthewordbookshop @mattcainwriter #writingcommunity taken in Gay's The Word by @justinsomper

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13 days ago

Carlos & me, John Street, Cottesloe, October 2026. taken in John Street Cafe by @justinsomper

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14 days ago

It’s always a sunny day when Carlos flies into town. Perfect pretext for a beach jaunt! taken in Cottesloe, Western Australia, Australia by @justinsomper

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14 days ago

A belated anniversary celebration featuring zingy cocktails, a delicious dose of culture (Sandra Oh outstanding in the NT’s The Misanthrope) and crazy good cooking - as always - at Lucky Chan’s. Not to mention the best company known to (this) man. Feeling lucky, lucky, lucky. by @justinsomper

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15 days ago

I've spent a lot of time in East London these past couple of weeks, walking around in the late summer sun.

I feel a special affinity with this part of London.

I’m not sure if it comes from the fact all four branches of my family tree were knocking about these streets when they arrived in the UK in the 1880s.

Maybe it’s because PJ and I had our civil partnership at Shoreditch House. We agreed to adore and endure each other here!

I suspect I’m also responding to the layers of history, the air of decay and constant renewal and the pulse of creative energy that emanates from these streets today. The beigels don’t hurt either.

#shoreditch #whitechapel #eastlondon taken in Shoreditch East London by @justinsomper

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17 days ago

A much too brief catch up with my good friend Alex. So proud of this guy. He’s always been a wonderful human and now he’s launched his bid to become London’s next mayor. taken in Soho, London UK by @justinsomper

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17 days ago

Me and my sister Jenny

Me and my bro-in-law Ray taken in Wimbledon, London by @justinsomper

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18 days ago

A champion visit BTS at the All England Lawn Tennis 🎾 and Croquet Club, aka @wimbledon . taken in All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club by @justinsomper

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20 days ago

Crosswalk, Wimbledon Village… taken in Wimbledon, United Kingdom by @justinsomper

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20 days ago