This made me chuckle! 😂😂😭😭 (Originally posted by MARIS on Facebook.)

Here are three photos of cosplaying Shansters dating back to Halloween. AUSTIN and MARIS bring Mr Crepsley and Madam Octa to life. And MOLS MARIE is Mr Tall, who of course used to be the employer of the orange-haired grump!! #cirquedufreak #cosplay

I meant to share this at Halloween but it slipped through the cracks! It's a gourd of HARKAT MULDS made by a Shanster called LIZZY! I think Lizzy did an amazing job. Who can best it come October 2026?!? You better start practising NOW if you want to take on the challenge! 😂😜

The first 2026 issue of my online monthly newsletter is live. *New UK editions of The Vampire's Assistant and Tunnels Of Blood incoming! *Chart success for Archibald Lox! *An online manga focusing on Cirque Du Freak! And lots more! darrenshan.com/shanville #cirquedufreak

The eBook of the first Archibald Lox book has shot to the number 1 slot across a variety of fantasy-based categories. The eBook is always FREE to download. Sweet!!! It's available through all good eBook sellers -- Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Kobo, etc.

My ebook Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds is available on BookBub for FREE! There are eight more books in the series if you like the first one! 😃 Click on the link below to download Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds NOW! 🥰 www.bookbub.com/books/archib...

The eBook of Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds is riding high in the charts! This would be a great day to download it, to help bring it to an even wider audience. It's FREE! 🥰 On sale through Amazon, Apple, Google Play, B&N, Kobo, etc. etc. #bookbub #freebooks

I hope you all had a lovely relaxing day yesterday. We were up late, so we’re on go-slow today - I haven’t even dressed yet! 😂 Here are some photos from when I went to @sandboxvr_ie in the run-up to Christmas. A pretty cool place to hang out, even without the VR rooms!

‘‘Twas the night before Christmas - Darren Shan style!!! 😂😜👻 www.facebook.com/share/p/183E...

When Dante and I were finished killing Stranger Things monsters at @sandboxvr_ie yesterday, we ordered a couple of drinks from the robot bartender!! How 21st century is this?!? As a child of the 70s and 80s, let me assure you, people, we’re living in the future!!! 👻👻👻

The split screen highlights from our visit to @sandboxvr_ie in Dublin earlier today to battle the Stranger Things monsters. Had a blast! Highly recommended.

Merry Christmas from Vampire Mountain [Dynasty AU] ·꙳⋆𖢔𖠰𖢔·꙳⋆ #cirquedufreak #fanfic #shanfic

Having been born on this day in 1957, I am somewhat susceptible to tv adverts we see at this time of year, ones that use the festivities of the 1970s as a means of evoking nostalgia for Christmases gone by. I think this one may have gone a bit too far however.

Did YOU know I’d written a four book series about Mr Crepsley and his life before he crossed paths with Darren and Steve?!! If not, the good news is that with Christmas just around the corner, you now know exactly what to ask Shanta for!!!! 😂😂😂

If you're looking for a truly SHANtastic eBooks bargain, head to SMASHWORDS, where 3 of my Archibald Lox books are on sale at HALF their normal price, while the other 6 are absolutely FREE to download! This means you can buy all nine books for just $4.47! www.smashwords.com/profile/view...

I posted my annual SHANTA CLAUS story online yesterday. Search online for DARREN SHAN SHANTA CLAUS EXTRAS or else go to darrenshan dot com /extras There are some Shanified Christmas songs, and my own unique version of Twas The Night Before Christmas to enjoy too!!! 🤣

😪😪😪 Even in death may they be triumphant.

My annual SHANTA CLAUS story is back online! What do Steve Leopard and Lord Loss get for Christmas?!? Where are we at with the Cirque Du Freak and Demonata TV adaptations?!? Find out here: darrenshan.com/news/shanta-... #cirquedufreak #SantaClaus

Cirque Du Freak is the book of choice in an online Japanese manga that focuses on books - yay! Just remember to click the arrow on the LEFT, because manga reads from right to left! And if anyone can translate it and provide a short synopsis... 😀🥰 www.corocoro.jp/chapter/4766...

I went to see ASH last night in Dolans Limerick. They put on a brilliant show, which included this rocking Yuletide cover!! 🤘🤘🤘

My favourite books that I've written is THE THIN EXECUTIONER. So I was delighted when I read this new review for it in THE INDIEPENDENT! www.indiependent.co.uk/book-review-... It's a long, insightful review, which goes a long way to explaining why the book means so much to me too.

And now the elves have taken over our kitchen, with the help of Spideyphant, who spends most of the year snoozing under our stairs! This is getting seriously out of hand!!!! 😂😂😂😂 #elfontheshelf

Shanville always gets invaded by a pair of elves in the run-up to Christmas - Saucy Minx and Mishka! Yesterday they dismantled my Russian Dolls to make a big 6 and 7. Dante and Gaia grinned widely and kept repeating "Six-Seven!! Six-Seven!!!" 😂😜 #elfonashelf

A couple of Shatastic bookshelfies, shared with me recently, by Joe and Leni respectively.

There was an amazing review for The Terrified Troll recently, on the Books, Films & Random Lunacy blog. You can read it by clicking on this link: gdbastow11.wordpress.com/2025/11/06/r... And for a bit more about the book's availability and future, click here: darrenshan.com/news/random-...

The December issue of my monthly online newsletter is now LIVE. Tour updates... the Cirque Du Freak movie gets a Halloween shout-out... there's a music-themed new interview with me... a Cirque Du Freak-influenced song... and lots more!! darrenshan.com/shanville

In the middle of putting up the Shan Christmas tree. At the top, our Angel Of The North, one of my all-time favourite decorations. ❤️❤️❤️ #christmas2025 #christmastree #christmastreedecorating

The final few pics from the Shan clan’s recent trip to @disneylandparis From hanging out in Peter Parker’s bedroom, to a spell in galactic solitary, to having a crack at Excalibur, to admiring the huge Christmas tree, I think it’s fair to say we left no Mouse dropping unturned!!! 😂😂😂

The Shans are back home after a fantastic few days in Disneyland Paris. Here are some more photos from our trip.

If you’ve ever wondered what McDonalds in an alternate universe might look like… Pym Kitchen in Disneyland Paris Studios has the answer!!! 😂😂😂🥳🥳🥳

I’ve been unleashing my inner super hero at Disneyland Paris! Maybe I’ve discovered the subject of my next series… SUPERDARREN!!!! 😂😂😂 #disneylandparis

One of the highlights so far of our trip to Disneyland Paris has been meeting the mighty Chewbacca!! Having grown up with the Star Wars movies, Mrs Shan and I were thrilled. The kids… less so!!! 😂😂 Oh, and it was fun meeting Mando too, of course!!!

Who can guess where the Shans are?!? Answers on a postcard to the quartermaster at Vampire Mountain! Winner wins a month’s supply of bat broth!!! 😜😂

When I was on tour recently, a big-hearted fan presented me with a lovely book. Being aware that lots of Shansters wouldn't be able to make it to any of my appearances, she invited fans to send her letters and fan art, which she bound together. You guys are the BEST!!! 😍🥰😘

The last batch of Terrified Troll orders are all in the post and on their way, for anyone who ordered and paid this week - woohoo! And I'm on MY way to Dublin now, to see one of my favourite bands of the last few years - SPRINTS. Double woohoo!! 🤣

This Terrified Troll is looking for a good home! 😜 1 of 10 copies of the unnumbered edition currently up for sale. Each costs €25, which includes shipping. If YOU would like a copy, send an email with your name and address to [email protected] First come, first reserved!

The signing page for The Terrified Troll. Shantastic, no?!? 🤣 50 copies of the unnumbered edition are currently up for sale and going fast! €25 apiece, including P&P. If interested, send an email with your name and address to [email protected] and I'll add you to the list.

50 unnumbered copies of The Terrified Troll are up for sale. But you'll need to act swiftly to be in with a chance of buying a copy! Full details can be found here: darrenshan.com/news/unnumbe...

On a grey, cold winter’s day, the Shan clan, of course, decided to head to… the beach!!! 😂😂😂 Ballybunion was the beach in question. The kids had a great time. Me? I won’t be back again until there’s a bit more sunshine!!! 😜

I know the Cirque Du Freak movie divides opinion, but it made an AOL list of The Best Classic Halloween Movies of All Time. 😀 The listings for each film are brief, but if you'd like to check out what the compilers recommend, click on the following link: www.aol.com/articles/def...

An interview with me, by the Hungarian site ROCKSTATION, just went live. In it, I talk about my musical tastes, bands and songs that I like, etc. If you'd like to check it out, click here: rockstation.blog.hu/2025/11/14/k...

I loved the Triple Trouble exhibition at Newport Street Gallery - Damien Hirst, Shepard Fairey & Invader. The most fun I’ve had in a gallery in a long time. Highly recommend if you’re in London and don’t mind getting off the beaten track!

On tour I met a Shanster called CHRIS who told me he was in a band called WEAK ASLEEP, and one of their songs had been influenced by Des Tiny in my vampire series. You can listen to it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCmA... And this is their Spotify page: open.spotify.com/artist/0bS7z...?

Some final pics from my 25th anniversary Cirque Du Freak tour! I had an amazing time out on the road this year. Thanks to all the staff of the stores who hosted me, and to all of YOU who turned up and waited patiently in line. Let's all do it again for the 50th anniversary, yeah?!? 😂👻❤️

Look what I spotted lurking near my hotel this morning! It’s the last day of my 25th anniversary Cirque Du Freak tour. I’m signing in: WATERSTONES BOURNEMOUTH CASTLEPOINT at 10.30am. WATERSTONES SOUTHAMPTON at 3pm. All are welcome.

Never meet your heroes - unless your hero is @darrenshan.com. Definitely meet him. Thank you for your impact on my youth, and my world, with your stories. Coolio!

If you ever wondered how freaky authors kill a couple of spare hours before signing in WATERSTONES CARDIFF at 4pm… wonder no more!!! 😂😂😂

On my way to CARDIFF for a signing in WATERSTONES at 4pm. It’s going to be a big crowd, so my advice is to get there early if you can, I might even start signing a bit before 4… The cool biscuits were a gift from GEORGE and taste as nice as they look! 😂❤️

I’ll be signing in Waterstones COVENTRY at 4pm today. Everyone is welcome - just turn up and join the line. They will have copies of the 25th anniversary edition of Cirque Du Freak on sale, and you are more than welcome to bring books from home too - no limits!

Today's the big day -- the start of the final leg of my 25th anniversary of Cirque Du Freak tour! I'll be signing in WATERSTONES BIRMINGHAM on the High Street from 4.30pm. All are welcome. Want to be strangled by Darren Shan?!? This is your chance!!! 😂