Sad to hear of the untimely passing of Nicholas Brendon. I loved Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and he was a key part of its success. I heard him talk at a convention years ago, and he was very engaging. Even in death may he be triumphant!!

For those not QUITE ready to commit to a Tattoo Tuesday tat… Make like this fan called RUSTY, grab a Sharpie and treat yourself to a temporary Shark (from The Demonata) tattoo!!! 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️

The Shans are heading home after a fun few days in London. Treated myself this morning to a very tasty breakfast in Blanco Kensington. So I certainly won’t be leaving on an empty stomach!! 😂

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the phrase “pimp your ride.” Well, a Shanster called LOUISE has taken things to the next level — “pimp your SHAN!!!!” 😂😂😂😂

Today the Shans visited the Postal Museum in London. The highlight, of course, was the ride underground through a stretch of the old sub-London Mail Rail. But the kids loved designing their own stamps too! Well worth a visit.

The Shans have had an enjoyable day at Legoland Windsor. The staff have been a bit overly officious and curt - maybe they’re still grumpy after their winter hibernation, given that the park has just reopened for the season - but the lines for the rides were short and the weather stayed dry. Hurrah!

Move aside, President Snow! A Vampire Prince has come to take over the Games!!!! 😜

David Byrne is one of my fave performers. I went to see his latest tour last night and it was a stunning show. Tinged slightly by the rude woman behind me who trying to force me to stop standing. I just laughed at her. Sit down at a David Byrne gig?!? Not in this world, lady! 😂

If YOU are a teacher or librarian, and would like to look into the possibility of arranging an event with Darren Shan (either virtual or in the flesh), click on this link to find out how to enquire: darrenshan.com/news/world-b...

I was interviewed for the March edition of the People First Podcast. We chatted for just under half an hour, about my books, writing and more. It was a nice, relaxed interview, one that I enjoyed a lot, and you can listen to it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWE1... @PeopleFirstKC

A fan in Belgium asked me where they can buy The Saga Of Darren Shan. I recommended the beautiful box set which you can get for less than £20 on Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Saga-Darren-... I think you can get this through other Amazon stores worldwide too, at a similar low price. Enjoy!

GLAZEN emailed me with the following joke: “Larten Crepsley? More like Farten Crepsley, the way he knocks you out with his gas!” I shared the joke with ol' grumpy puss, and his expression was something like the one in this drawing by LIV!!! 😂😂😂 #cirquedufreak #jokes #fanart

I was surprised when my dad told me he read the book from my kindle about "the guy from the future who became Jesus or something." Apparently he liked it though! @darrenshan.com

Some cool World Book Day costumes. First my daughter GAIA, who dressed as The Immortal Jellyfish, from the gorgeous book by Sang Miao. Next, MILA, who dressed as a transformed Grubbs Grady. Finally RYAN who perfectly captures the look and melancholy mood of Mr Crepsley.

Happy World Book Day everyone!!! I did a couple of highly enjoyable school events in London today, one in East London - B Smith territory, for those of you familiar with my Zom-B books. I wore the t-shirt for all you Madam Octa lovers out there!! 😜 #worldbookday

Was I ever likely to come see anything else in the West End on a brief visit to London for a couple of World Book Day events tomorrow?!? 😂😂😂 Review to follow… @draculawestend #draculawestend

I read Tender Is The Flesh last week. Bimey! And I thought MY books were dark! 😂 An extremely bleak story, set in a near future where humans are bred to be eaten, this is lowkey and unsettling all the way, with an ending that left my jaw hanging wide open. #tenderistheflesh

The March issue of my monthly newsletter went live today. Topics include: *A new book on the way. *A video about why books rule... *Writing tips... And more!! Do a quick online search for SHANVILLE MONTHLY DARREN SHAN -- and enjoy!!! #cirquedufreak #DarrenShan #newsletter

The March issue of my newsletter is live: darrenshan.com/shanville *I have a new book on the way. *I share a short video in which I talk about why books rule. *Writing tips. *Articles about my books and the CDF movie. And more! Enjoy! #cirquedufreak #DarrenShan #newsletter

Just heard the terrible news that Dan Simmons died on Saturday. A majestic writer, and a massive influence on me. Carrion Comfort. The Hyperion series. The Terror. All of those are among my all time favourite books. Even in death may he be triumphant!!! #dansimmons

#FanArtFriday! 4 drawings of Darren Shan, by LIV. The 1st features a young, carefree Darren. The 2nd captures him dur the Purge. The 3rd dressed as Dracula! And the 4th is when he's facing the realisation that he might be destined to become the dreaded Lord of the Shadows.

Are you a budding author, head whirring with ideas, finding it hard to narrow your focus and take just one of those ideas all the way through to its end? If you'd like to read my advice on how you should do that, click here: darrenshan.com/news/how-to-... #WritingCommunity #writing

It was very nice to see the Cirque Du Freak movie recommended on a site in RWANDA just before last weekend, as one of seven family-friendly horror movies worth watching. www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3344... #cirquedufreak #newtimesrwanda

I've just finished Father of the Future btw. Very clever ending. Second half of the book was really good! (First a little slow but still was decent)

People (especially budding authors) often ask me... IS THERE ANY MONEY TO BE MADE IN WRITING?!? I address that very topic in a blog post today, for anyone who's interested: darrenshan.com/news/is-ther...

I had a couple of emails recently from budding writers asking for advice. As I always do, I pointed them in the direction of the WRITING TIPS section of my site, where you can find LOTS of advice if you're interested in learning about MY writing journeys. darrenshan.com/extras/topic...

Had drawn these ages ago. The three amazing vampire princes from The Saga of Darren Shan. I would love do another set like this in my updated style with Darren and Vancha #darrenshan #fanart

We have another Tattoo Tuesday post! And this one's a stunner! It was sent to me by FELIX, who decided to get a tattoo of Darren and Mr Crepsley on their way to Vampire Mountain, when they first catch sight of it. Fair takes one's breath away, doesn't it?!? 😍 #cirquedufreak #tattootuesday

www.cbr.com/fantasy-movi... Although they're critical of the Cirque Du Freak movie, they're very complimentary to my books. I'm not sure an adaptation was ever going to be "the next Harry Potter," but maybe the TV show will surprise us if it ever gets the green light and gets made!

It's #FanArtFriday. We have: CYRUS by LIV. GLALDA by AMEIRO. QUICKSILVER by EMILY. WESTER by LENI. How many of you remember who they all were, and the roles they played in the storyline??? If you're drawing a blank, perhaps it's time for a quick reread... 😂 #cirquedufreak

I've started work on my next Darren Dash book! It's going to be an absolutely eye-popping sizzler of a novel all about magic and... sex!! And I'm not kidding!!! You can read more about it here: darrenshan.com/news/im-work...

I love when publishers in different countries use their own art for the covers of my books. My Brazilian publishers did, and while the books are out of print and difficult to track down these days, at least we have those gorgeous covers to admire.🥰 #cirquedufreak

Had to visit, survived with no issues @darrenshan.com

It's TATTOO TUESDAY. LYD decided to get blooding scars tattooed on her fingertips. I don't recall any other Shanster ever sending me similar pics, so LYD may well be in a world of her own... well, along with the thousands of REAL vampires who also have these marks, of course! 🤣

The multi-award winning thriller Stalled drops on YouTube tonight at 7pm UK time! Directed by Max Aaron. youtu.be/8zApdwx55EM?... If you want to check out the work of one the guys trying to bring The Demonata to life as a TV show, tonight's your chance! If you like it, leave it some love online!

The sprogs dragged me along to see GOAT at the cinema today. I had low expectations, but to my pleasant surprise I enjoyed it. Fast-moving, good jokes, interesting characters, engaging match scenes. I walked away happy, as did the kids. Baaa!!!! 😂

This #FanArtFriday features four fab drawings by LINE, based on her favourite book of mine: The Thin Executioner. Which also happens to be MY favourite out of all my books too. Jebel Rum... Tel Hesani... and a couple of graverobbers called Master Bush and Master Blair. THWACK!

If you missed my earlier post today, when I set an AI programme straight after it had misidentified a movie clip as being from the Cirque Du Freak film, you can read all about it here: darrenshan.com/news/humans-... #cirquedufreak #Grok

The February issue of my monthly newsletter is live. * the next episode of Cirque Dub Freak. * Lord Loss prints for sale. * my reading roundup from last year. And more! Go to my website - darrenshan dot com - and you'll see a link for SHANVILLE MONTHLY on the home page.

The February issue of my monthly newsletter is LIVE! * the next episode of Cirque Dub Freak. * Mel Grant is hoping to tempt you with a Lord Loss print. * there's a podcast episode about how you can never trust authors. For all that and more click here: darrenshan.com/shanville

I started reading Darren Shan's Demonata series in middle school, checking them out from the library. I didn't finish the series then, but as an adult, I bought this cool set. I've been a horror hound since I was a kid, and Darren Shan was a big part of that

The February issue of my newsletter hasnt been posted yet because... Yesterday I was London to watch my football team (Tottenham Hotspur) and Marty Supreme. Today I went to the beach with the kids, because it's a bank holiday in Ireland, to mark Saint Brigid's Day. Sorry!

I should have had one of these in The Lake Of Souls!! It could have had a battle with the Grotesque!! 😂😂😂 #cirquedufreak

It's FAN ART FRIDAY! 4 drawings of Mr Crepsley, by: SAM: in the ring binder. SHIRIN: faceless Mr C. VIKTORIA: with the bats. LUKE: In the style of Jeff Lemire's "Essex County." #cirquedufreak #FanArtFriday #fanart

My Hungarian fans might want to set aside some free time on June 11th, 12th and 13th this summer... That's all I'm saying for now!! 😜😂🥰 #cirquedufreak

I saw the finale for Stranger Things today. I loved it! It's hard to end a long series. You'll always get fans who complain. But for my money the Duffers hit the finishing nail square on the head and gave us an ending that left me with a big wistful smile. #StrangerThings

I read 48 books last year. Lots of 4 star, several 3, a few 2, a sole 1 star. At the top, three books got 5 stars: Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett. One Day, by David Nicholls. Bear Town, by Fredrik Backman. For every book I've read since July 1987: www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

Got gifted this from my sister for my birthday, I own all of Cirque Du Freak and it's by far one of my favorite series and only needed this book by @darrenshan.com to complete my collection of this spin off. Dylan's loss 😜 #books #thesagaoflartencrepsley #cirquedufreak #darrenshan #birthday #26yrs

Took my daughter to see Stitch Head at the cinema today. A gorgeous-looking, fun riff on the old Frankenstein films. I enjoyed it a lot, up there with Poor Things as one of the better recent Frankie-inspired flicks, albeit one made for a FAR younger audience than that film!! 😂

Went to see All My Sons while I was in London. Bryan Cranston was excellent, matched well by the rest of the cast. The play is a bit old fashioned, but its main theme, of people happy to make wartime profits out of other people’s misery, are still sadly as timely as ever.