Award-winning Wigan author Mark Golding is preparing to release his latest children’s fantasy adventure — and five lucky youngsters could find themselves immortalised as characters in the book.
Running Out Of Time, aimed at readers aged between eight and 16, is the sequel to Mark’s award-winning debut children’s novel Out Of Time and will take young readers on another adventure through time and space. But this time there is a very special opportunity for children to become part of the story themselves. Mark has created five new characters for Running Out Of Time and is inviting people to nominate real-life children to inspire them.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE STAR OR TO PURCHASE THE FIRST BOOK CLICK HERE
How It Works
Mark is looking for adults to nominate a child who has been a little star — whether than be overcoming adversities or doing good deeds. At the end of November, Mark and a team of judges will select the five children who have been selected to be characters in his next novel, Running Out Of Time.
The five winners will have characters based on them and named after them — and will even be illustrated as characters inside the finished book. It’s a unique and exciting opportunity for a youngster to quite literally become part of a fantasy adventure and be immortalised in print.
Once Mark has written the book, approximately three months later, he will be hosting a special launch event at Liverpool Central Library! The event will feature a reading of a shorter version of the book, followed by a special presentation of the book to the five lucky children and a book signing. The free event will also feature storytelling from other children’s authors on the day.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE STAR OR TO PURCHASE THE FIRST BOOK CLICK HERE
A Lovely Idea Inspired By His First Novel
The idea has a special significance for Mark, who is a Liverpool schoolteacher, as the hero of his first children’s novel was inspired by his own nephews and niece. Published in June 2023, Out Of Time introduced readers to Joe Jackson, an adventurous 12-year-old growing up in the seemingly boring English town of Highcross, alongside Lily and Patrick.
Mark explained: “I decided to name some of the characters after my nephews and niece, Joe, Lily and Patrick. I was thinking about creating a character and thought why not base him on a real life child. I’m creating the character anyway so how nice would it be to immortalise a child through them? The feedback has been incredible amongst our family and friends so I’ve decided to take it to the next level with this sequel and run it as a competition for five lucky children.”
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE STAR OR TO PURCHASE THE FIRST BOOK CLICK HERE
A Novel That Won An Award
In the first novel, Out Of Time, Joe’s life changes dramatically when his exploration of the site of an unexploded Second World War bomb leads to an encounter with Max, an extraterrestrial from the planet Proxima Centauri b. What follows is anything but an ordinary childhood adventure. Joe, Max and their friends embark upon an extraordinary journey through time and space, encountering everything from dinosaurs and Roman legionaries to medieval knights.
Meanwhile, they must attempt to stop the evil and ambitious Dardan from taking over planet Earth. The fast-moving combination of science fiction, history, humour and adventure proved a hit, with Out Of Time winning the Golden Wizard Book Prize in August 2023. Reviewers also praised the novel’s ability to combine entertainment with history, while its illustrations helped bring Joe’s increasingly bizarre adventures to life.
Mark said: “The first book won an award so now I’m returning to that universe with Running Out Of Time. Inspired by the likes of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy and the classic Back To The Future films, the sequel will offer another imaginative journey through the possibilities — and dangers — of time travel. This time, however, five real children will become part of that world.”
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE STAR OR TO PURCHASE THE FIRST BOOK CLICK HERE
Become Part Of The Adventure
Mark is inviting parents, relatives and others to nominate youngsters for the chance to inspire one of the five new characters. By simply messaging Mark via his website, adults can nominate a child with a reason why they deserve to be immortalised — whether that be due to being a little star, doing good deeds or overcoming adversities.
Five winning children will then be selected to become characters in Running Out Of Time, complete with their names and illustrations inspired by them. The winners will also receive the full VIP treatment when the new book arrives. They will be invited to a special book launch, where Mark will present them with their own signed copy — giving them the chance to see themselves inside the adventure for the first time.
For the winning youngsters and their families, it will mean their connection to the story lasts far beyond the launch itself. Long after they have grown up, their younger selves will remain characters within the pages of the book. For children who have ever dreamed of meeting aliens, travelling through history or becoming the hero of their own adventure, this time they won’t just have to imagine it.
Mark Golding / Running Out Of Time
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE STAR OR TO PURCHASE THE FIRST BOOK CLICK HERE
For more information on Mark Golding visit his WEBSITE
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