- This event has passed.
Justin Somper Author Event
May 1, 2024 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
About Justin
Justin is the author of 14 books for young people, including the six VAMPIRATES novels, which have been published in 35 countries and 25 languages. Cressida Cowell calls VAMPIRATES, ” a swaggering tale of excitement and adventure that thrills from the first sentence”.
Justin’s new series PIRATE ACADEMY, launched by UCLan in March 2024, is set in the same world as VAMPIRATES, though both series can be read independently of each other. He’s also the author of two books for young teenagers – ALLIES AND ASSASSINS and its sequel A CONSPIRACY OF PRINCES. Originally from North London, Justin is currently based in Perth, Western Australia, where he enjoys writing the PIRATE ACADEMY adventures, in between refreshing dips in the Indian Ocean, inspiring visits to lighthouses and long-overdue sailing lessons.
During the pandemic, Justin trained as a meditation guide and wellbeing coach, specialising in Effortless Meditation. He now helps people all over the world to relax and help reduce their stress levels.
Check out Justin’s website: vampirates.co.uk
Justin on Instagram (@justinsomper)
Justin on Facebook (@JustinSomperAuthor)
What to expect from the event
Justin will introduce the world and setting of PIRATE ACADEMY (500 years in the future, when the oceans have risen and there’s a new golden age of piracy) and talk about how his ideas for the school, world and characters developed. This will range from the fact that he imported some key characters from VAMPIRATES through to the influence of sailing lessons in Perth, where he now lives. Justin will discuss how he swapped out the regular school timetable for lessons suitable for young pirates! A reading will be included and Justin is looking forward to answering lots of questions from the pupils. He might also ask some of the audience and find out their ideas on additional lessons for the pirate timetable!
Focus Book
The session will be focused on Justin’s brand new book PIRATE ACADEMY: NEW KID ON DECK, which was released 7 March 2024.
Buy the book
If you’d like to buy the book for your school before or after the event, we offer a substantial discount on the RRP price. Please email events@wherereadingrocks.com to order books. Orders received 7 days before the event will arrive in time for the event.
We can also offer this book at a discounted rate to families PLUS your school will also receive a 5% credit (based on the value of the books sold to families) towards any future book purchases made through Reading Rocks. To enquire about our family discounts email events@wherereadingrocks.com.
About the Book
Book title: PIRATE ACADEMY: NEW KID ON DECK
Illustrator: Teo Skaffa
The year is 2507. The oceans have risen.
A new dawn of piracy has begun.
Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock are students at the elite Pirate Academy.
This is no ordinary school!
Lessons range from Knots Class and Sailing to Combat Workshop… The teachers are all pirate legends… The pressure is always on…. Friendship is everything.
When a new kid, the mysterious Neo Splice, arrives, everything changes FAST. Suddenly the dangers are no longer simply out on the oceans but right here, amongst them. In the face of real peril, the students of Barracuda class must put everything they have learned to the test against a ruthless and seemingly unstoppable new enemy.
Welcome to Pirate Academy – once you step through the door you won’t ever want to leave!
Publisher: UCLan Publishing
Buy with your credits
Credit balance: 0
No credits? Get started with Virtual Events by signing up to our Year of Reading and get FREE events for the whole of 2026!
