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First Name (only please):	Phillippa
Age	16
location	New Jersey, U.S.A.
Comments and/or questions:	Is there going to be a sequel to My Name is O? I'm writing a research paper about you. It's due in 2 days, but I just wanted to know for my benefit. -Hi Phillippa, Thanks for your interest. Like my other books so far, My Name is O is intended to stand alone as a complete story by itself. I have no plans to write sequels. Good luck with your paper, and best wishes from London! Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Tuesday, April 23rd 2013 - 11:29:02 AM

First Name (only please):	Elizabeth
Age	20
location	USA
Comments and/or questions:	Best book I have ever read!!! Definitely recommending this book to all my friends and family. I started reading this book in an office of a tax helper (that lived in a different city as I do), after I read the first chapter I was hooked. So when I headed to my town I went to my library looking for this book. Thankfully the library contained the book :) And now 11:13 pm I just finished reading this amazing book. At first I was anxious to know the ending but now that it is over, I am kind of sad that is the end of it, but it was a pleasure to have read this book. I enjoyed this book so much that I went to the library to get another of your books called "Tim Defender of The Earth", I am looking forward towards enjoying this new reading. You are a great and amazing writer. -Thank you so much, Elizabeth. Your kind words have put a big smile on my face. Tim's a bit lighter and fluffier than Black Tat, but I hope you get a kick out of it. I had a lot of fun writing it - especially the destructive bits. ;D Thanks again and best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, April 15th 2013 - 11:21:45 PM

First Name (only please):	Kia
Age	15
location	USA
Comments and/or questions:	Hi, im a sophomore in high school who HATES reading and wouldn't do it for anyone... i was drawn to the Black Tattoo and within a few days i couldn't stop reading! i just finished the book about 10 mins. ago and i am SO happy i read it..! you are an amazing writer and i hope you continue to write adventurous mind boggling books such as this one. Your 10 years paid off very well! Fantastic job! -Hi Kia, Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words about my writing - they're very, very much appreciated. Your message reached me at a moment when (as often happens) my current project seemed to me to be impossibly ambitious. You have helped me to keep pushing on. I am very grateful. If Black Tat has given you a glimpse into how wonderful reading can be, then I'm also thrilled and honoured. Do you know the website LibraryThing? I've got a profile on that, here: http://www.librarything.com/profile/othersam ...I made a list there of books that I think are mind-boggling, together with some reviews and stuff. If you're interested in suggestions for what to read next, I hope you'll take a look. :D Thanks again for your message, and best wishes to you from here in the UK! Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, March 25th 2013 - 10:02:58 PM

First Name (only please):	Tristan
Age	11
location	U.S.A
Comments and/or questions:	Why did [EDITED FOR SPOILERS!]? Also, can you tell me a little bit more about the Sons of the Scorpion Flail? Oh, yeah this was an AMAZING READ! If you are looking for an amazing read, you just found it in THE BLACK TATTOO!!!!!! -Hi Tristan, Thanks so much for your message and kind words about my writing. I'm very happy that you enjoyed The Black Tattoo, and I really appreciate your taking the time to write and tell me so. :) I'm sorry to cut your first question short like that, but some people who visit this page might not have read that part of the book yet! Hope you understand. Have you seen the Black Tat Q&A page? There's a little more about the Sons of the Scorpion Flail here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#sons ...and there's an answer to your other question here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#MoreTat Thanks again and best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Friday, March 8th 2013 - 02:48:51 PM

First Name (only please):	Ali
Age	14
location	Lebanon
Comments and/or questions:	HI!!!! I love ur writings, ur my favorite writer, I write stories, I once wrote a comment on your youtube video and u replied to me! THANKS FOR THAT, it became my story I have been telling everyone about, and I was so honored that I talked to you. My question is, how can I send you my story, for you to read, and tell me what you think about it! I don't know if u would agree on that. Thanks anyways! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!! ~Ali -Hello Ali, Thanks for keeping in touch, and for your kind words! No worries at all about the youtube thing, you're very welcome. :D To answer your question, I can't and won't read your writing I'm afraid; sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but I've got my hands full with my own - hope you understand. I have put some general hints and tips about writing on the Q&A pages of various of my websites, including this one. Maybe they'll help. And if there's anything you'd like to ask of a general nature about writing that's not covered there then feel free to leave another message here and I'll do my best to answer. Meanwhile I wish you the very best of luck. Thanks again, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 01:12:18 PM

First Name (only please):	jeannette
Age	22
location	leuna deutschland (reader)
Comments and/or questions:	I have the book ''Black tattoo'' read language in German and was thrilled. comes out when is on with the story continues. when can we buy it? I am grateful for the hot story and look forward to''Black tattoo 2'' mfg jeannette from leuna -Hello Jeannette, It's a thrill and delight to hear from someone who has read something of mine in a different language to the one in which it was written. I'm very happy that you enjoyed The Black Tattoo - thank you so much for writing to let me know! :D To answer your question - and I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment - there will be no Black Tattoo 2, or anyway I'm not going to write one. The book ends the way it does because I wanted to leave the reader free to imagine the way the story continues for themselves if they want. My current policy is that I won't write a sequel, to this or any of my other stories, for much the same reason. I've written some more on this subject on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html I'm glad that you enjoyed the book, and I really appreciate your contacting me to tell me so. Thanks again, Jeannette, and best wishes from London. Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 05:05:59 PM

First Name (only please):	Thorn
Age	15
Comments and/or questions:	Hello... I'm still reading the book, but it is amazing and I can't wait to finish it! so glad I picked it up... -Thanks, Thorn! I'm delighted that you're enjoying The Black Tattoo, and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch and tell me so. Hope you like the rest of it, too! ;D Thanks again and best wishes, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, June 7th 2012 - 05:41:54 PM

First Name (only please):	Laura
Age	19
location	Barcelona(Spain)
Comments and/or questions:	Hello Sam! I didn't know that this website exists till now so here I am!! I read The Black Tattoo years ago, but I still have it and I read it again when I have time. It's an amazing book :) But I have a question, why did not arrive any other of your books here in Spain? At least I haven't found anyone. Thanks!! -Hello Laura! It's a real thrill for me to hear from someone who's read a book of mine in Spanish. Thank you so much for your kind words! The simple truth about why The Black Tattoo is the only one of my books to have been translated into Spanish so far is that no Spanish publisher has bought the rights to my other books -- YET! ;) I was delighted when The Black Tattoo was published in Spain, and I have high hopes that more of my work will appear there one day. Meanwhile if you'd like to read my other books, you can only do so in other languages. Details of the various editions can be found at the books' websites (which you can find through my homepage, address below), and you should be able to order them via online booksellers. The English editions of my stuff are all available to order from my local bookshop in the UK, The Big Green Bookshop. Here's their website: http://www.biggreenbookshop.com/ I'm in Tokyo,Japan right now(!) but if you order from the BGB after I get home at the end of June, I could sign the book(s) for you if you like. Anyway, thanks again for your lovely message! :D All best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, May 9th 2012 - 06:35:58 AM

First Name (only please):	payten e. g.
Age	12
location	Las Vegas
Comments and/or questions:	The book was amazing, i loved it! It all happened when my teacher was MAKING us all get at least 1 book, so i looked around for a book that i started reading but never finished. I couldnt find it were it usualy was. so i went to go ask the libraian when i saw -DUN DUN!- The Black Tattoo! I read the back and it amazed me! I then decided not to talk to the librarian, i was happy with the book! It took me almost more than 2 months to finish. Its ginormous! I do have a few questions if you dont mind me asking. 1. I heard there was a movie of the black tattoo (obviously not in theaters) could you post it on the website anytime soon? 2. Did you change the original cover becouse you thought it needed to be darker, given the setting of the majority of the book? if not then why? 3. Why did the emperor enjoy watching people die? Like Charlie said, it doesnt make sense. 4. Do all your books take place in london? Is that where you live? 5.Why did you take a part of the story for the back instead of telling us what the book is about? 6. I cant believe you ended the book like that! Will there be another coming out telling us about Jack and Esme getting together (possibly)? And if so will it tell us about how charlie handles his father and mother? 7.Last but not least, are there still any of those uncorrected proofs that i could get here in Vegas? and if so, how so??? i really hope to hear back from you soon Payten Hello Payten, Thank you for your message and questions. I'm very happy you enjoyed The Black Tattoo, and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch to tell me so and ask me about it. :D 1. If there's a movie of The Black Tattoo, this is the first I've heard of it! Where did you hear that?? 2. The covers of my books so far have all been chosen by my publishers. Most editions of Black Tat involve the amazing painting by John Jude Palencar that it sounds like you've seen - but sometimes only a part of it. The variations aren't up to me. But I'm very happy with how they've turned out. 3. It makes sense to the Emperor. :) I don't answer your question this way to be irritating! The Emperor's reasons are hinted at in the book, and I know why the Gladiator Pits work the way they do. But I like to leave some things for the reader to work out or imagine for themselves. 4. I do live in London (well, right now I'm in Tokyo, Japan! But London is my home). So far all my published books have been set there (except, of course, for the parts of Black Tat that were set in Hell! ;D) But the book I'm working on now is set in other places too, and sometimes on other planets. 5. Just as with what goes on the front of a book, what goes on the back isn't really up to me either. Publishers have their own ideas of what's most likely to make someone pick up and read a book. TBH I also generally prefer back covers that tell you something about what a book's about, but there we go. I'm very glad whatever's on the back of the edition you read didn't put you off reading it! 6. I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment to you, but right now I have no plans ever to write another book using characters from The Black Tattoo. The story was intended to finish exactly where the book does. Have you seen the Black Tat Q&A Page? I've written quite a bit on this there: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html ...But essentially, like I said in my third answer above, I like to leave some space for a reader to imagine things for themselves. It sounds to me like you're already doing that. That makes me very happy. :D 7. Proofs of Black Tat and my other books turn up on eBay from time to time. You could try there, maybe? Thanks again, Payten. I hope my answers lived up to your questions. Leave me another message here again sometime if you like, or if you'd like to find out more about me and my work you can always do so via my homepage: www.samenthoven.com Cheers from Tokyo! Sam
DATE	Monday, April 30th 2012 - 07:29:46 PM

First Name (only please):	Ethan
Age	12
location	Now Washington
Comments and/or questions:	So how's the writing coming along? still love the book and working on new reader art. Bye -Hi Ethan! All's well here, thank you for asking. I have a novella for struggling readers about to launch in the UK. I'm about thirty-five thousand words into the first draft of a new novel. And, oh yeah, I've been living in Japan! Very excited to see any more reader art from you! Thanks for keeping in touch. :D All best, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Friday, January 27th 2012 - 12:50:19 PM

First Name (only please):	Diana
Age	13
location	Romania
Comments and/or questions:	Hello! The Black Tattoo is one of the best books I ever read. I really love it. I received it from my father and I'd like to tell you that you are one of the best writers in the world. I am proud to declare that I am one of your fans. Happy New year!!::X:X: -Hello Diana! Thank you so much for your lovely message. Your kind words about my writing have started off my New Year in the best possible way! :DD I am proud that you enjoyed the book, and very grateful that you took the time to get in touch to tell me. Thank you again, and a very Happy New Year to you, too! Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Saturday, December 31st 2011 - 02:11:16 PM

First Name (only please):	Mick
Age	16
location	Texas
Comments and/or questions:	Hey Sam, first off sorry about the spoiler, i guess i didn't realise what i was typing at the time. And I knew that King wrote as Bachman but I never took the time to read those books, and I haven't read anything from his son either. But, King is a master at short stories. I suggest either Nightmares and Dreamscapes or Everything's Eventual. Both are great collections of King's work. Ok,enough about King, on to the amazing Sam Enthoven! I just want to say again how great The Black Tattoo is, and how enjoyable it was to read. I have another question, and of course you can answer it whenever you wish, I know you're a busy man. What was the inspiration for the Palace? The architecture seemed kind of Gothic, but that would be expected considering it's in Hell. Ok, I believe i've gone on long enough. You're a wonderful author Sam, and I wish you the best of luck. Signed, a fan, Mick. P.S. - What's London like? Hi Mick, I've read and loved a lot of King's short work: even his ropey ones are often better than other authors going at full tilt. ;D Do check Joe Hill's stuff if you get the chance. And if you're interested in other book recommendations, take a look at my LibraryThing profile: http://www.librarything.com/profile/othersam ...I've listed and reviewed there a whole bunch of things that I think are terrific, and you might get a kick out of them too. Be my guest. The mental jumping off point for the Palace for me was The Tower of Babel, by Bruegel - an amazing image, well worth a look if you haven't seen it. The castle of Evil in the film Time Bandits was probably a factor, too. ;D Oh, and when I wrote the bit when Charlie and the Scourge go to meet Godfrey I remember I was thinking a lot about the work of the artist M. C. Escher. Thanks so much for all the kind things you've said about The Black Tattoo, Mick, they're very much appreciated, and it's a pleasure corresponding with you. I'm in Tokyo right now (check my current blog for details and pics if you like: http://www.theycrawl.com/news/) but, What's London like? Hmmm. It's a little like New York, I guess - only far older, far weirder, and the streets are full of stories. :D Thanks again and best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, November 7th 2011 - 02:03:49 AM

First Name (only please):	Mick
Age	16
location	Texas
Comments and/or questions:	Hey Sam, me again. I loved Hitchhiker's Guide, I read the whole series. Also, Smaug does seem a little bit like the Dragon. And the marbles scene at the end of MiB sorta ties into [*CENSORED! SPOILERS!*]. By the way, by any chance have you ever read a book called The Eyes of the Dragon, by Stephen King? It's one of my all time favorite books, next to The Black Tattoo of course (hehe). In case you haven't read it, you should, because it is great. Also, look for a character named Flagg, you'll like him i'm sure. Well Sam, that's all from me. Until next time, stay Crimson. Signed, a fan, Mick. P.S. - There are few dragons in The Eyes of the Dragon, but the ones that do appear are important. Oh, and good luck in the writing business. Cheers, Mick. -Hello again, Mick, Thanks so much for keeping in touch! Sorry for butchering your kind words like this, but I've got to be careful in case other visitors to this page haven't read the book yet - you know how it is. ;) As it happens I just recently read a couple of Stephen King books - ones he wrote under the pen-name Richard Bachman. RAGE and THE LONG WALK were both great reads, but my favourite Bachman is still THE RUNNING MAN. :D I'll be sure to keep an eye out for THE EYES OF THE DRAGON next time I'm in the mood for some King. Btw, have you checked out the work of Stephen King's son, Joe Hill, yet?? HORNS is brilliant, and his LOCKE AND KEY series is some of the best comics around right now. Anyway, thanks again, particularly for the luck (always useful!) and very best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Tuesday, November 1st 2011 - 07:18:01 PM

First Name (only please):	Nona
Age	15
location	Texas (blahh I don't really like it here)
Comments and/or questions:	Okay. So I started reading this book like 3 days ago and I just finished it. For one I would like to tell you that you are a magnificent writer. Also I just wanted to let you know that I actually had to read this book behind my dad's back. My stepmom saw me reading and asked me what it was about. I told her "the book is about a kid who has to go to hell to save his friend from a demon that takes over his body" and she like totally flipped and called my dad and told him, but anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I LOVED the book sooooooooooooo much that I kept reading it against his wishes and, I REEEEAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYY WISH THAT WISH THAT YOU FELT DIFFERENTLY ABOUT SEQUELS!!!!! -Hello Nona, Your awesome message has completely made my week: thank you so much! :D I'm not sure what I'm most delighted by: the fact that you enjoyed the book and took the time to write and tell me so - or the fact that you risked your family's disapproval to read it. If it was up to me, I would let everyone in the world read anything they want, without interference or censorship of any kind, no matter how old they are (or aren't). I recognise that your family's attempt to stop you reading my book probably comes from a desire to protect you. But good for you for deciding for yourself, and I'm honoured that you reckoned my book was worth that decision. I've only visited Texas once (Austin), but I liked it a lot and hope to come back one day. Anyway, I wish you happiness wherever you choose to live, and in whatever you do. Thanks and best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, October 16th 2011 - 05:18:41 PM

First Name (only please):	Cailyn
Age	17
location	Phoenix, Arizona
Comments and/or questions:	I found this book in a random box outside of someone's house and I took it. I read the book a few years ago and decided to look it up. That is when I came across this website. I have really enjoyed this book!! :) -Thanks, Cailyn! I'm very glad my book found you, I'm delighted you enjoyed it and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch and tell me so. :D Thanks again, and best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, October 9th 2011 - 06:22:59 PM

First Name (only please):	Corrina
Age	11
location	New Jersey
Comments and/or questions:	Ever since the first time I got The Black Tattoo at my library, I knew it was the greatest book I have ever read. I've read it at least 13 times in about 2 years, and I'm still not tired of it! Your book inspired me to write even more. :) Now I'm writing 3 book/story things. I loved The Black Tattoo and I hope you write more books. My favorite character was Khentimentu the Scourge. NOT because I share its ideas, but because it was a very powerful character, and a great antagonist. Thank you for writing The Black Tattoo. -Thank you so much for your message, Corrina! I'm honoured that The Black Tattoo has inspired you, and I wish you the very best of luck with your stories. If you'd like to find out about my other books, you can do so via my homepage: www.samenthoven.com And if you're interested in suggestions for further reading - books that I think are the greatest - then please feel free to take a look at my LibraryThing profile: www.librarything.com/profile/othersam Happy reading - and writing - to you, thanks again for your kind words about my work, and very best wishes from here in London. Sam
DATE	Thursday, September 15th 2011 - 01:38:02 PM

First Name (only please):	Kyle
Age	17
location	Texas
Comments and/or questions:	I've read this book 5 times in the last 3 years and I have a question that's been going through my mind since the first time I read it. Are you completely done with Jack and Charlie? I'd love to hear more of their adventures. Jack is my favorite character. Thank you for creating such a marvellous book. -Hi Kyle, Your message has made me very happy. The Black Tattoo took me five years to write. One of the things that kept me going on the project, kept me trying to make it the best book it could be, was the faint but amazing possibility that one day someone like yourself might read it, and reread it, and maybe reread it again, and so on - so the book had better be ready to stand up to that kind of examination! ;D I'm delighted and honoured that you've given my work so much attention, and I'm thrilled that the book is still providing pleasure. Now: I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment, but the answer to your question is Yes. When I finished The Black Tattoo I had and still have no plans to write other stories involving Charlie or Jack. I've written quite a bit about why, and why the ending is the way it is, on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html ...The short version would be that I want to write standalone (self-contained) stories -- but if readers want to imagine more, for themselves, then I hope I've left the space for them to be free to do so. Thanks for your kind words, Kyle, they're very much appreciated. All best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Friday, September 9th 2011 - 05:25:01 PM

First Name (only please):	antonia
Age	39!!!
location	Northamptonshire
Comments and/or questions:	Loved the book "Black Tattoo", have been a avid fiction reader for many many years and i thought it was sheer brilliance, really looking forward to reading your other works -Thank you, Antonia! I'm delighted that you enjoyed Black Tat, and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch to tell me so. Thanks again and best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, September 5th 2011 - 12:25:35 PM

First Name (only please):	Angela
Age	13
location	Korea!
Comments and/or questions:	The Black Tattoo was so...GOOD! Half of me wanted to go slowly and savor it, and half of me was flipping the pages at superhuman speed ㅠㅠ Loved the characters, especially the Scourge, the Chinj, and Number Three [edited for spoilers!]. A few questions, though... How exactly did Nick get possessed by the Scourge? What were those burns on his hands? Why do the Sons never reveal their names? And what are the Sons of the Scorpion Flail exactly? I mean, why is Number One never really known, and how did Number Two get to be 'Number Two' in command? Bye, I'm going to get Tim (oh wait, the bookstore isn't open today...pfft) -Hello Angela, Thanks so much for your kind words. I don't think I've had a message from a reader in Korea before! :D I'm thrilled and honoured by your questions, because they're even more of a sign of how much you enjoyed the book than your praise. However, I'm a little hesitant about answering them fully, not because I don't have answers [I do - or I /think/ I do!] but because the reason I didn't answer them in the book is that I like stories that leave space for the reader to imagine things for themselves. When everything is laid out for you then there's no room left for any other interpretation, and I think that's always a shame. So while I can give you a couple of answers, I hope you'll understand why I'm not going to tell you everything. Also, I don't take it for granted that what I imagined for these characters outside the story in the book is any more valid (or awesome!) than what /you've/ imagined, just because I'm the author. If you've got better answers, go with those. ;D But here goes... -In the battle in which Belinda was killed, Nick managed to trap the Scourge in a staff - but only just: that's how his hands got burned. The problem was, he didn't complete the ritual by taking the Scourge back to the tree. -If you join the Sons of the Scorpion Flail you have to give up your name -- or rather, your number /becomes/ your name. You have no other identity beyond or outside The Sons of the Scorpion Flail. -Number Two was good at being a Son. But as he progressed up the ranks, Number One noticed that his increasing power in the organisation was going to his head. When Number Two (with the agreement of the other three apparently active members of the Top Five at that time-!) was promoted to Number Two, /he/ thought he was now acting leader of the Sons. But Number One only put him there so he could keep an eye on him. ;D -As to who or what the Sons are beyond what they say to Esme when they first arrive at the theatre, I leave that to you to imagine. HEE HEE HEE! Thanks so much, again, for your wonderful message and questions, Angela. Very best wishes to you from here in London. Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, September 4th 2011 - 01:04:14 AM

First Name (only please):	Christina
Age	23
location	Connecticut
Comments and/or questions:	I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed The Black Tattoo. The characters really resonated with me and I found myself thinking about them long after I finished reading, especially Charlie. I originally sought out this site to find out if there was a sequel in the works or to try to ferret out clues about what happens afterwards, but understand your reasons for leaving it open. Also, after I finished the book I ran out and got a copy of TIM, Defender of Earth the next day. Good luck in all of your writing endeavors! -Hello Christina, Thank you so much for taking the time to find the site and send me your lovely message. Readers who've let me know that they relate to Black Tat's characters haven't tended to mention Charlie: I'm glad you did, and I appreciate your understanding about the ending. ;D Tim's a fluffier read than Black Tat but I had a lot of fun writing it: hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the good luck (always useful) and for your kind words and encouragement. Best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, August 21st 2011 - 11:48:52 AM

First Name (only please):	Ceitlin Cy
Age	12
location	Estonia
Comments and/or questions:	I love this book so so much... This is my favorite book of all other books.. I'm very happy that this book is a fictional:) Is the next book in the series have already published? Either second book at all, or should only come?? I hope the second book come to.. :) (I hope I wrote everything correctly):P -Hello Ceitlin Cy, Sam here. Thanks so much for your message: it's a huge thrill to hear from a reader in Estonia! :D I'm so glad you enjoyed the book, and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch to tell me so. I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment but The Black Tattoo (or 'Mustad haarmed' ;D) was always intended to stand by itself as a self-contained story: there is no 'next book in the series'. However - though they haven't been translated and published in Estonia, /yet!/ - I have written other books. So far I've had two more novels published here in the UK and elsewhere, and a new novella (very short novel) is coming in January 2012. These books are also standalone stories: they don't involve Jack, Esme, Charlie etc either - but I hope you might be interested in them anyway. ;D You can find out the latest about me and my writing via my homepage: www.samenthoven.com Thanks so much again for your message. Hearing that my work is being read and enjoyed in Estonia makes me very happy, and your kind words have put a big smile on my face. :DD Best wishes to you from here in London, Sam
DATE	Monday, August 15th 2011 - 02:57:37 AM

First Name (only please):	Darci
Age	18
location	New Jersey, USA
Comments and/or questions:	Hello! So, when I was a wee little lass back in 2006 (actually I was 13...so not too wee), I received the Black Tat for Christmas (as well as Hell Phone by William Sleator...needless to say, it was a very HELLISH Christmas--and let's not even talk about my family! Ha-ha-ha...oh wait, I'm not funny). I remember pretty much plopping my butt down on the couch and reading it that day, devouring it as quickly as I could. I loved it; I couldn't put it down; I was enthralled. Well, high school got the best of me, and what with trying to keep up with my honors/AP English classes and other honors/AP courses, my love of reading sort of fell to the wayside. I stopped devouring any and all horror novels that were published for young adults and set my sights to, as Darren Shan has said, "liter-a-choor." Yet, the other day, as I was cleaning out my bookshelf--trying to decide which 50 or so books I was gonna lug up to college with me--I came across the Black Tat again. I remembered loving it, ADORING it, and thinking it was one of the best books I had read. So? I sat my 18 year old behind down and read it again. I just wanted to let you know that it hit me much the same way as it had five years ago. I was absolutely captivated and in love with each character. I loved the philosophy, the portrayal of Jack and the Chinj and ESPECIALLY "Godfrey." It was all just as lovely as I had thought it was when I was 13. I wanted to applaud you for creating such an incredibly diverse and accessible novel. You really have "the touch" for writing YA literature! So, thank you for writing such a lovely novel. I'll definitely be on the lookout for some of your other stuff in the near future--who cares that I'm 18, I still love a good story!! -Hello Darci, Thank you so much for your wonderful message. I'm thrilled and honoured and delighted and overjoyed that The Black Tattoo connected with you this way. It's a strange sensation having books out in the world, meeting readers. It's an even stranger sensation when a book (one I wrote!) takes on meaning for a reader from the point (or points) in the reader's life when the book and the reader met. Though I have lots of favourite books (check my LibraryThing profile to find out more if you like: http://www.librarything.com/profile/othersam ) ...there are only a very select few that have had this kind of effect on me so far -- so, to hear that Black Tat did that for you... wow. You've reminded me what an amazing job writing is. Your kind words and encouragement will keep me trying to write the best stories I possibly can in the future. And I'm especially happy that Black Tat has helped your love of stories to survive through the education process. Hee hee hee! :D Thank you again, Darci, and best wishes to you from here in London. Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Saturday, July 23rd 2011 - 11:23:01 AM

First Name (only please):	Olivia
Age	13
location	Cumbria
Comments and/or questions:	Hi, I was recently in a second hand bookstore, and I have to say that your book caught my eye immediately! I bought it and have read it many times in the past week. You are an amazing writer ! Thank you so much for writing this book ! Will there be a sequel ?? If there will be - rest assured, the first book off the shelf will be uh, let us say... acquisitioned by moi ! :) And if they ever do decide to make a movie from the book(s) let me know when and where the auditions for esme are !!! :P thanks, yours in writing Olivia -Hello Olivia, Thanks so much for your kind words about The Black Tattoo. I'm very happy you enjoyed it! :D No, there are no plans for a sequel. I've written a bit about my reasons why not on the Black Tat Q&A page, here... http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html ...but the short version would be that right now I'd like all the books I write to be standalone stories. If a film version ever happened and the makers put out a casting call then OF COURSE I'll let you know (I'll tell EVERYONE! :D) But in the mean time I'm carrying on writing more stories, because that's what I do and what I love. If you'd like to find out more about my work check my homepage, address below. Thanks again for your message, Olivia. I'm really glad you enjoyed the book, and it's very kind of you to take the time to get in touch to tell me so. All best wishes, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, July 14th 2011 - 05:15:00 AM

First Name (only please):	Emily
Age	21
location	Sacramento, CA
Comments and/or questions:	I loved your book. It enthralled me from the very start. Your descriptions make it amazingly simple to imagine it. And when you wrote about Jack meeting G-[*edited for spoilers!*], well you wrote one of the many theories I have on the subject. Thank you for that. You write beautifully, I look forward to reading more from you. -Hi Emily, I'm so sorry to butcher your kind words so brutally, but I hope you understand that I've got to be careful of visitors to this page who haven't got to that bit in the book yet! ;DD Thanks so much for taking the time to send me your lovely message. Your encouragement is very, very, very much appreciated. Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, July 11th 2011 - 04:38:30 PM

First Name (only please):	Mick
Age	16
location	Dallas, Texas
Comments and/or questions:	Hey Sam, About 2 years ago, I picked up a copy of a book known as The Black Tattoo. I read the first chapter and was instantly enthralled. The book absorbed night after night of my time, and when I was finished with it, I was almost sad to turn it back into the library. Now, I recently purchased The Black Tattoo so I can enjoy the amazing experiences of Charlie, Jack, and Esme again. I must say, this is one of the most impressive books that I have read in quite some time, and I am highly impressed. I'm hoping to see more from you Sam, Signed, a fan, Mick. P.S.- What exactly inspired you to create The Dragon? He's a favorite character of mine, and I was just wondering how he came into being. Drop me a line if you're ever free from the grips of the Scourge! Cheers, Mick. -Hello Mick, Thank you so much for your message. I'm really thrilled and delighted that The Black Tattoo made such an impression on you, and it's very kind of you to take the time to write and tell me so - much appreciated. I'm glad you like The Dragon - I'm fond of him too. Like pretty much all ideas I think, he came from a mixture of different places. Douglas Adams' Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy was a big influence (especially the supercomputer Deep Thought!) I was also thinking about the Red King in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass (and Alan Moore's Miracleman); Smaug in Tolkien's The Hobbit; The Dragon, Ogdru Jahad, from Mike Mignola's Hellboy - and the very last scene from the first Men in Black movie (the scene involving marbles ;D) To make my books and stories I draw from a bubbling, reeking, belching cauldron of things I love - things that thrill me and make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I think that filling a project with your own mix of stuff which does that for you will give you the best chance that other people might enjoy the results too (and I'm always searching for more pungent and tasty ingredients, HEE HEE HEE!) If you'd like to find out more about my work you can keep up with the latest on what I'm up to via my homepage, address below. Thanks again for your wonderful message, Mick. Knowing that people like yourself are out there getting a kick out of my stuff helps keep me going (and puts a big grin on my face! :DD) Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Saturday, June 25th 2011 - 06:43:58 PM

First Name (only please):	Rose
Age	13
location	Spain
Comments and/or questions:	Hello! Me again! This is so exciting, no one's ever actually ANSWERED me before. But anyway, couple of things I wanted to say. 1. What I said before about it being turned into a film, and you said that live action would be too expensive... Well how about a mix of live action and cartoon. Would that be any cheaper? 2. I just logged in and saw that The Black Tattoo has been translated to spanish. That is AWESOME!! Now I can show it to my spanish friends. They about a million times what it was about when I was reading it at school. I'd like to read it in spanish and see how it compares with the english version. Anyhow, bye! I've gotta go! P.S. Sorry it's such a long "comment". But I'm just really happy! -Hi again Rose, No worries at all, it's a pleasure corresponding with you. :D 1. Yes, a mix of live action and animated might be cheaper I guess, and a fully animated version probably would be cheaper still (and maybe even /better/: my dream animator would be Genndy Tartakovsky - 'Samurai Jack' is GENIUS!) But it's not up to me: I don't make films - live action or animated. If someone wants to turn Black Tat into another story form then I'm happy to talk to them about it, of course. But books are my favourite form of storytelling, I love books, so I write books. 2. If you do read Black Tat in Spanish (it's called TATTOO) then please let me know how the two versions compare! Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, May 26th 2011 - 05:30:34 AM

First Name (only please):	Madeleine
Age	11
location	Nottingham
Comments and/or questions:	Hi Sam I went to see you at a school for the Brilliant Book Award Your book is amazing and I couldn't put it down! Maddie -Thanks, Maddie! I'm so glad you liked it - thanks for letting me know! :D Sam
DATE	Saturday, May 14th 2011 - 09:02:00 AM

First Name (only please):	Rose
Age	13
location	Spain
Comments and/or questions:	Listen, I loved the book. It's so cool. I'm reading it for the second or third time. It's incredible! Question: Is there, will there ever be and do you think it is a good idea to make a film of The Black Tattoo? Thanks! -Hi Rose, Thanks so much for your kind words about The Black Tattoo - much appreciated. :D I would have no objection to the book being turned into a film (as long, of course, as it was a GOOD film!) The thing is that it would be VERY expensive to make, particularly in live action. I did once talk to a film producer about it, but it was quite a short conversation! The budget would need to be hundreds of millions of dollars. That's a lot of money for a studio to spend and risk. I wrote The Black Tattoo to be as huge and epic and spectacular as possible. One of the great things about writing novels (as opposed to films) is that my 'special effects budget' is only limited by two things: my imagination, and the skills I need to describe things in a way that people believe in while they're reading. Another advantage that books have over film is that everyone who reads a book will have their own way of picturing the scenes and the characters and the action - for themselves. Ultimately whether Black Tat ever gets turned into a film or not actually doesn't matter to me. I write books, the best books I possibly can. Kind words and encouragement from readers like yourself help keep me going. Thank you, Rose! Best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Friday, May 13th 2011 - 09:07:16 AM

First Name (only please):	Tarmo
Age	24
location	Estonia
Comments and/or questions:	Hi Sam. The Black Tattoo was a really good book to read, no regrets there :P Keep up the good work! And thanks. (for the well spent time, when reading that book) -You're very welcome, Tarmo. I'm delighted that you enjoyed The Black Tattoo. Thank you for your kind words and encouragment. :D Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, May 1st 2011 - 08:02:49 AM

First Name (only please):	sam
Age	18
location	birmingham UK
Comments and/or questions:	hi, i read the book a while ago now and have decided to go back to it again...still finding it as good as before too :) ...one thing though...will there ever be a sequel as the ending was left so open?? -Hi Sam, Thanks so much for your kind message: I'm absolutely delighted that you're enjoying Black Tat - and for a second time, too! :D To answer your question: "Never say never" they say and I suppose that's probably sensible, but right now - and I hope this doesn't come as a disappointment - I do not intend ever to write a sequel to The Black Tattoo. I've written quite a bit about why (and the open ending) on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#sequel Here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#afterwards And here: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#MoreTat Thanks again, Sam, for taking the time to get in touch to let me know you're enjoying the book: I really appreciate it. I hope my reasons for not writing a sequel make sense to you. You can find out more about my writing via my homepage, address below. All best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, April 18th 2011 - 06:00:23 AM

First Name (only please):	Himawan Pradipta
Age	16
location	Indonesia
Comments and/or questions:	Just finished reading your book! It's a totally gripping story!! Well-packed action with humorous scene combined in one book. At last, I read the "Epilogue" chapter (EDITED FOR SPOILERS! ;D) I LOVE YOU SAM. -What an enormous thrill to get a message from a reader in Indonesia. I'm very happy you enjoyed the book, thank you so much! :D Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, March 23rd 2011 - 02:53:21 AM

First Name (only please):	steven
Age	23
location	swindon
Comments and/or questions:	hi i am shanias bro she has seen u at the ridgeway school and she thought u was amazing she has got the book of black tattoo it makes no f****** sense but she thinks it does she wont stop reading it no matter wat i cant get to stop she loves it so much any way see ya -Hi Steven, Thanks for your message, I think. I'm very glad to hear your sister is enjoying The Black Tattoo. Too bad it's not doing anything for you. Best wishes, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, March 9th 2011 - 11:40:54 AM

First Name (only please):	zHeN
Age	19
location	Philippines
Comments and/or questions:	In terms of bodily functions, what the hell is Gukumat? Because he pretty much controls everything in hell it seems likely he has something to do with the Dragon, doesn't he? -Hi zHeN, The demons are connected to the Dragon, but they've been developing by themselves for a very long time. I see Gukumat as just a selfish politician, an opportunistic, nest-feathering, self-replicating upstart who has "only" been the power behind the throne in Hell for the last couple of thousand years or so. Now effective immortality has palled for him; he's bored to death of Hell (and of everything) and that's why he's become obsessed with waking the Dragon. But I didn't say any of that in the book, so you shouldn't let some pronouncement from me now affect your interpretation. ;D Best wishes from London (and thanks for your awesome question!) Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, February 28th 2011 - 07:24:54 PM

First Name (only please):	Chaz
Age	23
location	New Haven, CT
Comments and/or questions:	What does the small symbol on your pages in the BLACK TATTOO stand for? I have a thought that it might represent some type of sign for protection . . . Either way i would love to have that image as my computer background if you can spare a moment -Hi Chaz, Thanks for your message. The symbol you're talking about only appears in the US editions of the book. It's something that the design team at its American publishers (Razorbill, they're an imprint of Penguin) came up with by themselves, without any input from me. I like it: it reminds me of the biohazard warning sign! But I like your interpretation, too. :D I don't have a scan to send you I'm afraid: I tried scanning the symbol directly from the book, but it didn't come out well enough. Sorry about that. Hope you can get the symbol some other way. Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, February 27th 2011 - 08:09:29 AM

First Name (only please):	Tyler
Age	17
location	Not telling
Comments and/or questions:	This book made a hell of a lot of sense to me. Put my life in perspective. Thank you to the people who wrote the book! -Hi Tyler, Sam here: I wrote The Black Tattoo. I'm very happy you got something out of reading it, and I really appreciate your taking the time to get in touch to tell me so. Thank you. :D Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Friday, February 25th 2011 - 04:07:08 PM

First Name (only please):	Sheridan
Age	14
location	Idaho Falls, Idaho
Comments and/or questions:	When I picked up The Black Tattoo two years ago it was only because I liked the picture on the cover. It lay on my desk for quite awhile but when I finally did pick it up I could not put it down!!!! I am currently rereading it for the fourth time. Seriously, I can't get enough of this book. Hey Sam, you know how you could complete my life? WRITE A SEQUEL! Sincerely, Sam Enthoven's number one fan. -Hi Sheridan, Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment, but I'm not going to write a sequel to The Black Tattoo. For some reasons why check the Black Tat Q&A page: http://www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html That said, I'm very glad you enjoyed the book so much, and I really appreciate your taking the time to write and tell me so. Best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 09:52:57 PM

First Name (only please):	Danny
Age	19
location	SC
Comments and/or questions:	I've had your book for a few years now and just now found your website. I loved the book, it was a very refreshing story and truly engrossing. I am still hopeful about a sequel and was wondering about your plans for one. You left so much open for more stories, that i hope you are in the works on another book. I can't wait to dive back into hell with you, good luck and congratulations on your success. -Thanks, Danny. I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment, but I have no plans to write a sequel to The Black Tattoo. I've written quite a bit about why on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html ...However, I'm always hard at work on more books! if you'd like to find out more about my writing take a look at my homepage, address below. Thanks again for your message. I'm delighted you enjoyed The Black Tattoo but it's very kind of you to take the time to get in touch to tell me so. Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, January 24th 2011 - 07:03:26 AM

First Name (only please):	laura
Age	15
location	aurora, illinois, u.s.
Comments and/or questions:	This book was ... well i don't have words for it i just know that it blew my mind. I really think you should make this book into a movie. keep on writing you're an amazing author. -Thank you, Laura. Your kind words and encouragement are very, very, very much appreciated! :D All best wishes to you from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, January 23rd 2011 - 10:20:42 AM

First Name (only please):	Hailey
Age	14
location	Nova Scotia
Comments and/or questions:	I loved this book, I really did! I think its one of my favorite ones I've ever read. I loved it so much because Jack reminds me of how I feel a lot of the time. Sometimes I feel just like him - typical. My friends often overshadow me in a lot of things, and this book made me realize it really doesn't matter because we're all typical, no matter who we are. Typical in a good way, that is. :) -Hi Hailey, Your message makes me very happy. You've hit on exactly the point about my intentions with Jack and why he's the way he is: his strengths aren't as obvious as Esme's or Charlie's (even to himself) but they're still what makes him the ultimate hero of the story. What Jack says is something I used to say (that's probably why he says it!) But now I don't think there's any such thing as 'typical' -- not really, not if you're looking at something or someone in the right way. Thanks again for your lovely message, and very best wishes to you from here in London. Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, January 19th 2011 - 03:07:44 PM

First Name (only please):	Karolin
Age	12
location	Estonia
Comments and/or questions:	This is a seriously good book, my favorite. I think I read this book about 6 times (I have never read one book so many times =D). I would like you to write the second part, because it was so good to read something serious has happened all the time because everything was so exciting and interesting. I myself would never have thought of what could be hell, or that the world is a kind of experiment or something like that. (vabandan kirjavigade p�rast kui neid on) -Hi Karolin! I'm so happy you enjoyed The Black Tattoo - thanks so much for getting in touch to tell me so. :D I have to tell you, the book was intended as a self-contained story: there isn't going to be a 'second part' (btw, I've written about why in the post below this one). It's also the only one of my books to have been translated into Estonian so far - though I hope more will be one day! But if you'd like to find out about the rest of my writing, you can do so via my homepage: www.samenthoven.com Thanks again for your message and kind words, Karolin. And to answer your last point (I think!) your English spelling is excellent! ;D Best wishes from London, Sam
DATE	Sunday, January 16th 2011 - 04:55:46 AM

First Name (only please):	Brett
Age	15
location	Manhattan,KS
Comments and/or questions:	hey, i read your book black tattoo and i really liked it. i read it over 10 times! each time was better. but i was wondering if you are gonna plan to write a book to continue the story? i feel as if you left some stuff incomplete in the book, if u dont mind me saying. like what happened to Charlie afterwords and if Jack and Esme ever got together? and what happened to Hell afterwards as well? i think u could answer these questions in a second book of it and maybe develop a new plot as well. but that's just my opinion. -Hi Brett, First up, thank you so much for taking the time to get in touch and tell me your thoughts about The Black Tattoo. The book took me five years to write and (as I have done and intend to do with all my books) I put everything I possibly could into it in the way of passion and enthusiasm and commitment. That you've read it more than ten times and you're still getting a kick out of it... that makes me very happy. Now: I hope this doesn't come across as too much of a disappointment to you, but the answer to your question of whether there's going to be a second Black Tat book is a blunt and short one. It's No. I've written quite a bit about why on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#sequel Here: www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#afterwards and Here: www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html#MoreTat ...But a short explanation would go something like this: The Black Tattoo was always intended to be a self-contained story. My current plan as a writer is to try never to write sequels: I think there are already too many sequels in the world that aren't as good as their originals. If I tried to write another Black Tat story now it wouldn't have my heart in it. So I'm not going to do it - whether for money or even because people who love the book ask me to. It's true I left some plot threads open at the end. That was deliberate. I like endings that leave space for the reader to imagine a life for the characters beyond the story they've just been told. From your message it sounds like that's just what you've been doing with Charlie, Esme, Jack and the demons. I think if I weighed in with what I think could happen, it might spoil what you've been imagining - which is another reason for me not to do it. If you feel the ending is unsatisfying I am sorry. But the book ends exactly the way I intended it to, and I stand by that. Thanks again for your message. I hope you understand my reply. The most important bit is that I'm honoured and delighted that you're enjoying The Black Tattoo so much, and I really appreciate your writing to tell me so. Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, January 12th 2011 - 04:54:24 PM

First Name (only please):	Steve
Age	16
location	Seattle, Washington
Comments and/or questions:	Hey Sam i would just like to thank you for writing this book. I've had it for a few years and have read it 7 or 8 times! It has been my favorite book, i'm not sure why but i absolutely love it! Do you have any other books like it or close to it that you wrote? -Hello Steve, Thank you so much for your message. I'm thrilled and honoured that The Black Tattoo is currently your favourite book. By kindly taking the time to get in touch and tell me so, you've put a big cheesy grin on my face! :D Whether my other books are like or close to Black Tat for you is something I think only you can decide. I will say my stories are all aimed at young people, they're all intended to be fast and thrilling and (heh) they all tend to have monsters in them of one kind or another! If you'd like to find out more about the rest of my writing, you can do so via my homepage, address below. Thanks again for your message, Steve, and very best wishes to you from here in London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, January 2nd 2011 - 04:20:26 AM

First Name (only please):	sydney
Age	15
location	mich.
Comments and/or questions:	i want to thank you for writing such a great book. i am also a writer and i find your character Esme very inspirational. in the book i'm writing i feel like the main character needs a little Esme in her :) -Thank /you/, Sydney! I loved writing Esme, and I'm delighted and honoured that she's an inspiration for your own work. I wish you the very best of luck, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Monday, December 20th 2010 - 09:21:18 PM

First Name (only please):	Jarleen
Age	15
location	Europe, Estonia
Comments and/or questions:	I want to GOD DAMN THANK YOU for writing such an amazing book, Sam! :D I just wonder will there be book number 2? I'm burning to see what happens to Esme, Jack and Charlie! :D -Hello Jarleen, Thank you so much for your kind words - it's a real thrill to get a message from a reader in Estonia! :DD The Black Tattoo was written as a standalone book - so there will be no Book 2, I'm afraid. I hope that's not too much of a disappointment to you, but I believe there are already too many lame sequels in the world(!) so right now it's my intention that all my books will be self-contained stories. I've written a bit more about this on the Black Tat Q&A page, here: www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html That said, I aim to keep writing more books for as long as I possibly can! The Black Tattoo is the only one of my books to have been translated into Estonian so far, but if your English is as good as it seems to be from your message then perhaps you might like to check out some more of my writing?? ;D You can find out all the latest at my homepage: www.samenthoven.com Thanks again for your wonderful message, Jarleen. I'm so happy you enjoyed The Black Tattoo, but I especially appreciate your taking the time to write and tell me so. Best wishes to you from here in London, Sam
DATE	Friday, December 3rd 2010 - 08:58:58 AM

First Name (only please):	Chevaunne
Age	13
location	Pretoria, South Africa
Comments and/or questions:	Thank you for letting me know Sam! Forgot to say so last time but I loved the Black Tat! My birthday is coming up so I guess I'll order it as a present to myself. Again, thank you for letting me know. :) -You're very welcome, Chevaunne. And thank /you/ for the kind words about Black Tat. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Ahem: just to mention, if you like the sound of my other books (details/websites at my homepage - url below) then Random House Children's Books apparently publish those in South Africa, too! ;D Thanks again, happy reading and best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Tuesday, November 23rd 2010 - 07:57:54 AM

First Name (only please):	Chevaunne
Age	13
location	South Africa
Comments and/or questions:	I have a friend that brought the black tat from a different continent and I want to know if its available in South Africa. Do you know? -Hi Chevaunne, thanks for getting in touch! The rights to publish Black Tat in South Africa are owned by my UK publishers, Random House Children's Books. So the British edition (the 2007 paperback, see www.theblacktattoo.com/editions.html for details) should - as far as I know - be available there to order from any bookshop. Hope that's helpful! Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Sunday, November 21st 2010 - 08:36:40 AM

First Name (only please):	Cat
Age	30
location	Hawaii
Comments and/or questions:	Ohh! I got the unabridged audio book to listen to while at work and I think I made a big goof of myself, big goofy grins co-workers prob thought I was nuts :) love this book and spunky characters, looking forward to your next book. -Thanks, Cat! As someone who regularly alarms people with my own huge cheesy grin, I'm delighted that Black Tat had this effect on you. :D Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, October 13th 2010 - 08:44:05 PM

First Name (only please):	connie
Age	15
location	Salem, Oregon
Comments and/or questions:	I absolutely love this book I'm doing a report on it for my English class and I hope all the other kids enjoy it as much as I did. I think you are a splendid writer, even though this is the first time I read your book. I read it because my friend Sasha said that it was a really good book, she read it in 7th grade and said she really liked it. Thank you for writing it. Do you have any other books you could recommend to me? I would really appreciate it. Hi again, Connie! I'm so glad you're enjoying the book, and I really appreciate your contacting me to tell me so. As to book recommendations - YES! I keep a list of books that I love and think are amazing on the website LibraryThing. Here's the url of my profile there: www.librarything.com/profile/othersam As well as the list itself I've written a bunch of reviews and so on. Be my guest - hope you find something you like! :D Cheers from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, October 7th 2010 - 11:59:28 AM

First Name (only please):	Sasha
Age	15
location	Oregon
Comments and/or questions:	Sam I must say you are an AMAZING writer. I love your book The Black Tattoo(: The first time I read your book, was in 7th grade and it was just... I don't know. Amazing. I didn't like to read at all... I actually hated it. I picked up that book and then started to like to read. It took me about a month to finish. But I simply enjoyed it. I've read the book about 20 times. Now I'm doing an assignment on it(: And thank you. Thanks to this book I have written a few minor stories (all fiction) but still thanks to your book(: -You're more than welcome, Sasha. Reading is one of the central passions and pleasures of my life. The possibility that something I write might help someone else start to enjoy reading is one of the main reasons I do what I do, so your message makes me very happy! :D Thanks for your kind words - and thanks, too, for recommending Black Tat to Connie! All best wishes, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Thursday, October 7th 2010 - 11:58:40 AM

First Name (only please):	connie
Age	15
location	salem oregon
Comments and/or questions:	this was an amazing book. -Thank you, Connie! Best wishes from London, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Tuesday, October 5th 2010 - 12:45:47 PM

First Name (only please):	The Good Ninja
Age	A need-to-know basis
location	A secret facility
Comments and/or questions:	I loved reading The Black Tattoo, and I would love it if the author made a sequel (hint hint). I'm eager to read his next series, too, when I come across it. Hello, Good Ninja! And thanks for getting this new guestbook page started. ;D I'm very very happy that you enjoyed The Black Tattoo, and I really appreciate your breaking cover to get in touch with me from your secret facility to tell me so. However - and I hope this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment - my plan right now is for all my stories to be one-offs, standalones. I've written quite a bit about this on the Black Tat Q&A page (www.theblacktattoo.com/qanda.html) but the quick version is that, simply, I think there are too many sequels in the world already. That said, my very latest project (currently top secret!) may end up being released online at first, in a serial format. We shall see! :DD Thanks again for your kind message. I hope you'll keep a (stealthy, dark-adapted) eye on my homepage (url below) for the latest on what I'm up to. All best wishes to you, Sam www.samenthoven.com
DATE	Wednesday, September 15th 2010 - 08:15:56 PM

...earlier guestbook entries
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