Promotional Information

/ Key title Must-have short story collection by Garth Nix, containing thirteen stories all introduced by the author himself. / Paperback edition of the ultimate collection of Garth's short stories -- perfect for fans and for introducing new readers. / Features 'The Creature in the Case,' previously available only as a GBP1 World Book Day title / Best selling Garth Nix has sold over 1.5m books worth over GBP3m since 2002 / www.garthnix.co.uk will be a key part of the consumer marketing campaign for 'Across the Wall', with a teaser campaign, exclusive content, sneak peaks and podcasts / Garth will visit the UK for a nationwide tour in September 2007 -- meeting fans, signing books and driving excitement pre-publication.

About the Author

Garth Nix was born in 1963 and grew up in Canberra, Australia. After taking his degree in professional writing from the University of Canberra, he worked in a bookshop and then moved to Sydney. Besides being a full time writer, he has worked as a sales rep, publicist, editor, marketing communications consultant and literary agent. He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books

Reviews

"Anyone familiar with Garth Nix's children's trilogy Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen will snatch up this anthology! there's a little bit of everything here." SFX From Garth Nix fans at www.garthnix.co.uk 'Amazing and brilliant, Nix always finds a new way to captivate the reader with each story.' 'This collection of stories is a great read, even if you haven't read any books in the Old Kingdom trilogy. Whether it be Nicholas Sayre and The Creature in The Case, or the short, tragic tale that is Endings, you'll be hanging onto every word and asking yourself why this book wasn't published earlier.' 'Awesome awesome book. My dad and I both were laughing our heads off at the Choose your own adventure and my personal favorite was the beautiful tale Endings. Can't wait to read more by Garth Nix.'

Gr 8 Up-Twelve short stories and one novella are stitched together with the popular Australian author's commentary on his writing life. Nix includes one choose-your-own-adventure type story, "Down to the Scum Quarter." A spoof on the genre, it takes place primarily in a bordello and is rife with literary and role-play allusions, but lacks a satisfying story arc. Other selections, more traditional in format, include a disturbingly gory and unforgettable "Hansel and Gretel" set in a dark cityscape, two spin-offs from Arthurian legend, and a Western fantasy that owes more to the movies than to history. In the novella, "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case," the scion of a political family wants nothing more than to cross the forbidden Wall and be reunited with his friends in the Old Kingdom, where magic is practiced and understood. To that end, Nicholas agrees to engage in espionage for his powerful uncle, only to be swept up in a terrifying scenario as a mummified monster is brought to life with his blood. Readers of the author's bestselling "Abhorsen" trilogy (Morrow/Avon) will find themselves right at home in this horror/fantasy/mystery but those new to this world will find the first pages slow going as they try to piece together the nature of the alternative reality and to identify offstage characters and events. At times self-indulgent (the text of the author's first book, written at age six, is included in his notes), this collection will nonetheless delight true fans.-Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.