I’ve noticed quite a lot of traffic to the blog page about The Friday Project, which I can only assume is either a) journalists from the trade press looking to see whether or not we’ve got the inside skinny on the fate of TV Cream Toys’ publishing company du jour or, b) other authors whose books have not yet been released wondering why the TV Cream titles are still available. 

The truth is, aside from what’s in the reports already out there, I know little else: speculation suggests that someone is buying up the company (or at least some of its backlist), and that some of the outstanding authors’ contracts will be honoured, some may not.  Whether this is true or not (and for whom) is only partially confirmed. However, having sat with TV Cream Toys in purgatory for about 12 months (it was released almost two years after the original pitch), I can at least empathise with those who now wonder if their book will ever make it to the shops. 

On the thorny issue of reprints, I don’t know if that will ever happen either (although I’d like to see paperback versions of TV Cream Toys and TV Cream’s Anatomy Of Cinema), so perhaps buy up the unsold stock while you still can, eh? 

I’ve added a link in the site navigation to the TV Cream Toys Quiz (which originally appeared on the front page of TV Cream over Christmas 2007), just in case anyone wants to download it and have a crack.  It’s one of those Excel jobbies, weighing in at around 980Kb (so shouldn’t take too long over your modern-day, new-fangled, fat broadband pipe), where you have to guess the 100 different toys from screencaps of the adverts they appeared in.  Some are easy, some are deceptively difficult.  And no, not all the answers are in the book, so it’s just for fun, not really to try and get you to go out and buy yet another copy! 

I’ve added a page about the forthcoming TV Cream Toys book (now with added subtitle, after various distributors asked for one - it’s true that you do need something more than just a title for window displays, etc., to help passing punters understand very quickly what’s inside, so the finished cover now has the legend “Presents You Pestered Your Parents For” emblazoned on the front). 

It’s just some blurb and various links to online retailers who are already stocking the book on pre-order, but I’m already obsessing over the Amazon sales ranking (anywhere between 32,000 and 180,000 depending on which way the wind is blowing) so, if you’re flush, do cough up for one. 

If it does well, I already have loads of ideas for what can go into volume two.  There are also some other TV Cream titles in the pipeline (from the same publishing company, The Friday Project), so expect plenty more exciting news in the future. 

Well, the toys book (volume one, I hope) is finished and waiting only to be published.  It will be in shops in time for Christmas 2007, so if any of your relatives get you socks or something this year, make sure you advise them in plenty of time so they can make up for their error next year.  Place your orders in advance at Amazon!

As well as the entries on this site, plus a bundle of other toys, the book also has some fabbo pics (courtesy of yours truly and his travelling camera), plus brilliant illustrations from
a guy in the States of all places.  There is talk of a limited edition calendar version of the book too (which will be much more photo heavy and less fact-conscious). 

In the mean time, toy enthusiasts should get themselves along to The Science Museum in London, where there is currently an exhibition called “Playing With Science” which explains how scientific principles can be taught through common playthings.  Oh, and you can take your own toys along too. 

Thanks for all the offers of help so far.  I’m currently engaged in lengthy trips around the UK taking pics of people’s toys.  But I still need more to volunteer theirs to appear in the book.  Basically, if there isn’t a photo accompanying the entry on this site, then I need to find someone with that particular toy.  Please do get in touch via the link in the menu bar.  Don’t worry about the cost, I’ll call you straight back.