Ben Kane

Another first for me: one of my books (Hannibal) has remained in the Top Ten bestsellers list for a second week. It has dropped to No. 8, despite selling nearly 1,000 more copies than last week, which means that it was even harder to stay in the chart this week than last. I’m stoked! Because I’m within 15 words of my daily word count, I cracked open a beer at the rather early hour of 5.30 p.m. I can feel several more coming on too. Thanks so much to everyone who’s parted with their hard earned cash to buy a copy of Hannibal. Onwards and upwards. To infinity and beyond!

Now I’m going to get stuck back into Devil’s Charge, the excellent new novel from the amazing Michael Arnold. It’s an English civil war book, the 2nd in a series featuring the rakish Captain Stryker (think a meaner officer than Sharpe). It’s out in August, and I recommend it as an excellent read. If you click on the link, be sure to watch the book trailer – it’s very good.

It would never have seemed possible, but Hannibal has successfully gained a foothold in the iTunes store. What’s more, his troops have advanced into the charts there. If you’d like to listen to the amazing voice of Michael Praed (Robin Hood in the brilliant 1980s TV series) reading the whole, unabridged book, check it out here.

I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by John Ford last Sunday, and to talk about Hannibal: Enemy of Rome. If you feel so inclined, you can listen here (but only for another 4 days). Go about one hour and 6 mins into the programme to find me. Enjoy! 😉

You heard it first here – only 4 days after its release, Hannibal has entered the UK bestseller charts at No. 7!! Woo hoo!

It’s absolutely brilliant news, and it’s all down to you, my wonderful readers. So a heartfelt thank you to you all. I raise my beer to every last one of you. As we say in Ireland, “Slainte!”

Those wonderful people at Deva Victrix, who recently organised the Deva (Chester) Roman Festival, have managed to reach the final stages of a nationwide competition run by Barclay’s Bank. Having survived the gruelling initial rounds, which saw more than 40,000 others enter, they are now in with a chance to win the £50,000 prize! Obviously, this sum would mean an immense amount to a small business, but what Deva Victrix plan to do with it is even better. They would build a replica Roman marching fort, where the festival could take place annually, and where thousands of school children could visit, to be educated about Rome, and all its wonders.

I was so impressed with Paul Harston, the main organiser of the Chester Roman Festival, and all his colleagues, that I want to help if I can. If you’re interested, please vote for them too!

RESIDENTS OF THE UK CAN VOTE IN TWO WAYS, but please note that the closing date is 27th June 2011.

How to do it:

1) text ROMAN to 62555 (it’s your normal rate, if you get free messages it is FREE).

2) Go here and enter your email address.

Thank you for your help!

Finally, it’s here. Please let me know what you think. Oddly enough, I love it! 🙂