The cover for The Clockwork Three is finalized and I can now officially reveal it. It’s already been floating around out there on the internet in various stages of completion. But I’m excited to share with you the version you will actually see in the bookstores.
What do you think? I’m thrilled with it, and I’m so grateful to Elizabeth Parisi, who designed it, and Brian Despain, the artist who created it. I think they both did a fantastic job.
Next up: my ALA report.
101 responses to “The Clockwork Three Cover”
Very cool, Matt. I can’t wait to pick it up. I’ll have to watch reviews to see if my copy of the extremely limited edition Molib #1 might be worth something on the open market. 🙂
Ha! Do you still have that? I have a copy or two as well, though I doubt they’ll ever be worth anything beyond a fond memory. But that’s certainly enough for me to hang onto them.
Definitely- great memories. Wow, that was a long time ago now that I think about it- half my lifetime anyway.
Hold on a minute – Isn’t Hannah blond?
Nope. Hannah’s got thick brown hair.
I just finished reading an advanced copy I got at the ALA conference. BRAVO! I couldn’t put it down. It was well crafted, and it had had heart. It is in the same class as many other award winning books. I will be recommending it to everyone I know.
Thanks, Kathy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Ooooooh, it’s PRETTY! I really like the portraits of the three kids. Can’t wait until October!
I can’t wait, either! But glad you like the cover.
Wow, that looks great! Congrats.
Thank you, Heather! When do we get to see your cover? Do you have it yet?
I think the cover is up on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8428195-entwined) though I haven’t gotten the go-ahead yet, so just chillin’ for now.
Wow, it’s beautiful!
Wow, what a fascinating change! The way the three kids are peering into the clockwork man invites readers into the story beautifully, making them want to open the book and see what’s going to happen. Very nice! Now, hurry up Oct 1 so I can hold a finished copy in my hands!
Thanks! I can’t wait to see the foil embossing on the cover.
Just stopping by from Natasha Maw’s site and had to comment on the beautiful cover. Congratulations! It’s gorgeous! I’m definitely going to be on the look out for it, as the story sounds fantastic as well. Best of luck!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book.
Can you make maybe a sequal that a brings them back togeather in some weird and yet magical way. Any way, GREAT book I just want to keep reading it over and over!!!
Thank you! I do hope to write a sequel one day, though I don’t have plans for one in the immediate future.
Could you maybe tell me a couple of books a young reader would enjoy, like your book.
Or something thats like your book because I just loved yours.
Hmm. I cannot tell you how hard it is to pick my favorite books, because I love so many. I can tell you the books I loved as a young reader: The EARTHSEA trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin; THE WHIPPING BOY by Sid Fleischman; Susan Cooper’s DARK IS RISING series; Lloyd Alexander’s PRYDAIN series; and most anything by Natalie Babbit (THE SEARCH FOR DELICIOUS, KNEEKNOCK RISE, GOODY HALL).
To list a couple of modern titles I’ve really enjoyed: HARRY POTTER (of course); Neil Gaiman’s CORALINE and THE GRAVEYARD BOOK; and Philip Pullman’s DARK MATERIALS trilogy. There’s just so many!
Thanks for those books they all looked intresting and I wil try to read as many as I can.
Cool! You’ll have to let me know if you enjoy them.
! I loved the Clockwork Three! But before you stress out over writing other things, it doesn’t need a sequel. It’s great the way it is. I detest how every kids’ book you pick up nowadays has four other books trailing behind it. And then you’re forced to trace them down. It kills me. For instance. Skulduggery Pleasant, by Derek Landy (which should become a movie one day, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp but I doubt it will) is the first book in a 9 BOOK SERIES. Please don’t do that to me.
Oh, I can assure you, Jane, that if I write a sequel, it would be the last book. I do not foresee this becoming a series. But it’s nice to know the story stands up on its own. I hoped it would when I wrote it.
First off, I read the book and cannot deny that I absolutely loved it. Everything was perfectly placed, and I love how all the pieces fall together in the end. Albeit it’s most likely of little consequence, my copy’s cover is exactly the same as the one shown here but without Hannah, Frederick, and Giuseppe. Furthermore, I must agree with Jane about the sequel thing. Believe me, I’d be overjoyed if you wrote more books, but, by my vertu, please not any more for this book; it’s perfectly fine the way it is. Moreover, if you haven’t read Skulduggery Pleasant, I would strongly advise it. That is all.
I’ll have to check out Skulduggery Pleasant. Thanks for the recommendation.
You’re quite welcome. Thank you so much for replying! I must admit I am shocked but then again, rather pleased at the same time. By the way, do you think you might be able to, perhaps, let me know if you ever do read Skulduggery Pleasant? Please?
Sure!
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Wazlib. (You know where that name comes from, right? I heard you liked Harry Potter.)
Here I am forced to quote (this might be paraphrased):
Snape: This is your textbook?
Harry: Yes.
Snape: Then WHY does it have the name Roonil Wazlib written in it?
Harry: It’s…my nickname!
Snape: Your nickname?
Harry: What my friends call me.
Snape: I’m aware of what a nickname is. *sneer*
I <3 Harry!
I do love Harry Potter, but I must admit the name slipped right by me. But now I know!
Dear Mr. Kirby,
I literally just finished your phenomenal novel. I stayed up late last night, soaking up the words until sleep took me. Today I read The Clockwork Three almost all day, fascinated by what he next page held. Your novel is amazing. Words cannot describe how it touched my heart; how I cried a little at various parts. Since this is your first novel, and it is one of the best books I have ever read (up there with Harry Potter and Inkheart), I know you will go far. You have inspired me, Mr. Kirby. Thank you so much for lightening up my Christmas break with delightful words and characters.
Sincerely,
Christina
You’re very welcome, Christina. Thank you for your kind words – I’m so happy that you enjoyed the book.
Alright, I know I should really stop posting, but I must adjust what Jane said about my name. Roonil Wazlib was written inside Ron’s Potions textbook because his Spellcheck Quill started malfunctioning, so he ended up misspelling his own name, the poor thing. Later, Snape asked for all of Harry’s textbooks after he attacked Malfoy in the bathroom (in the 6th book), and Harry couldn’t hand over his own (because it has the Half-Blood Prince’s notes all over it) and remedied by grabbing Ron’s instead.:)
Don’t worry about posting again! And as for the correct attribution of the name Roonil Wazlib – duly noted and appreciated.
I’m still reading the book-just passed the halfway mark-and so far, I’m absolutely loving it! It was ever so slightly slow at first, but it’s really picked up, and I can’t put it down. Unfortunately my copy doesn’t have Guiseppe, Frederick and Hannah on the front, it’s just the clockwork man. Maybe that’s because I got it at bookfair, but idk. It’s still a really great cover.
On the whole sequel debate, I would LOVE to see a second book. But I would have to agree that that would have to be all though. Some books you have to leave as one, some have to have a sequel or two, and some (Like Harry Potter, which is my 2nd all time favorite series just behind Lord of the Rings) have to have multiple books. I think your book needs to have a sequel, purely I guess, because I don’t want it to end. That’s often how I feel about most books. I think a sequel for this could really turn out well. And by the way, ever since I started reading the book, it hit me that this should be a movie. That’d be great I think. I believe a lot of people would like that, and I think it could be really well done. That’s just me. But if it’s not to be, at least we have this awesome book. Thanks for making the world of books a more-wonderfully gratifying place. 😀
BTW, loved the Roonil Wazlib thing going on, that made my day.
Meagan,
The Book Fairs edition does have a different cover, but the text inside the book is the same. I like both covers, personally.
As for a sequel, I do hope there will be one, but not for a couple of books. I’ve just wrapped up my second book, and I’m starting on my third, and they are both quite different from each other, and from THE CLOCKWORK THREE.
I’m glad you think it would make a good movie – the film rights have been optioned, and while that’s a step in the right direction, it’s by no means a sure thing.
You’ll have to let me know what you think of the book after you’ve finished it.
Meagan, whoever you are, you’re amazing. You’d be even MORE amazing if you didn’t like Lord of the Rings better. But no big deal, you still love Harry. I love meeting Potterheads!!
Hey, now. In the interest of preserving the
piecepeace, I present to you an image to please all fans. Or make them all angry…Oi! You adjusted your ‘piece’! I don’t know how you did it, but I must admit I am quite impressed.
Meagan, I am absolutely delighted you are a Potter fan, but I must agree with Jane that it definitely does not fall behind Lord of the Rings. Ever. No offense, though. I shall respect your opinion with dignity.
Jane, I ditto your excitement at meeting fellow Potterheads, as you say!
And,—Mr. Matthew, Mr. Kirby, Matthew, Matt, what would you like for me to call you?—did you mean ‘peace’? Whichever you meant, the image is awesome; I was breathless with disbelieving laughter for about two minutes. Gandalf and Dumbledore should so get together some time. Maybe.
Are you a bigger Lord of the Rings or Potter person? Answer truthfully now.
Well, the students I work with all call me Mr. Kirby. To my friends, I’m Matthew or Matt, and I count my readers as friends.
And I did mean “peace,” so I might have to go strike that out (that’s what comes from responding to blog comments late at night, I suppose).
And if I am to answer truthfully, I would have to say that both series tie for second after the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin – always my #1.
Roonil, we need to meet up sometime. Thank you, Mr. Matt, that made my day. I did think it was Dumbledore at first, but it was Gandalf. Ah, well. You can’t have everything in life. (That’s a Ron quote, by the way).
And the Dumbledore-Gandalf quote is actually one of Yoda’s most famous lines from the original Star Wars trilogy (the ONLY Star Wars trilogy, actually, as I live in denial of the existence of those other three – a-hem – movie things that pretend to be Star Wars films).
IT WAS A YODA QUOTE???? BLASPHEMY!!! AND HARRY NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER TIES FOR SECOND!!!
(Although I have never actually read the Earthsea series, the fact is of no consequence.)
However, I will respect your right to have your own opinions, as appalling as they may be.
And thou art hereby dubbed Matt…, I suppose.
Thank you for respecting my opinion, however appalling it might be!
Oh, by the way, if you ever do post a picture of Dumbledore, be sure to post the old one; the new one is a disgrace (no offense, new Dumbledore).
I am appalled. I thought it was Dumbledore, though come to think of it I couldn’t remember when he said that…I appreciate your attempt at peace. I’ll make an effort to read the Earthsea books — you say it’s a series, how many books are in it? As long as you try to read Skulduggery Pleasant.
The Earthsea books are described as a “cycle.” There are several novels, and a collection of short stories. All are magnificent, but some are for more mature readers.
I would start with the original trilogy: A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA, followed by THE TOMBS OF ATUAN, and then THE FARTHEST SHORE.
Let me know what you think.
Okay, I wrote them down. By Ursula K. Le Guin, right? I got that from one of your earlier comments…Ok, now I need an author’s opinion. I know you’ve only written two books, but that’s two more than I have. What’s the easiest way to write? First person, third person with one main character (by that I mean it like Harry’s was), third person with multiple main characters (like The Clockwork Three) or first person with multiple main characters (every time you change a chapter you change the point of view, but in first person)? I’m afraid I’ll try to write a book and end up attempting the hardest possible way.
I find third-person to be the easiest. First-person is the hardest for me, as I really have to be inside the character’s head, and it’s very easy to make the point-of-view sound inauthentic.
But don’t let what’s easiest make the decision for you. You have to write in the voice and perspective that best suits the story. Good luck!
Thanks! I’ve got some weak ideas for a story where the chapter changes to a different character, portrayed in first person, but you’re right, it’s not easy.
Well I read all day yesterday, considering I had nothing else to do, and stayed up till 12:30 last night reading the rest of the book. And it was absolutely awesome. I now see what people mean by not wanting a sequel, but hey, I still think it’d be a good idea. But I wouldn’t be angry if there wasn’t another of course. That’s really cool that there’s a new book, I’ll be on the look out for it. And good luck with your next one. 🙂 I really would enjoy seeing a movie for this, in all honesty I think it could be really good and would definitely have movie potential.
Jane: Hahaha, thanks a lot. It’s always nice to be thought of as “amazing”. You and Roonil Wazlib there are pretty incredible yourselves. Lol, and I like meeting Potterheads too. It just brings joy to my day. I don’t think my mom will ever undestand it, but that’s alright.
Well being the LOTR fan that i am (haha) I knew it was Gandalf right away, and I think that is great. I’m positive I’m not the first to say this, but Gandalf and Dumbledore remind me a lot of each other. they’re both just plain awesome.
And I completely and utterly respect your opinions that Harry Potter is better than Lord of the Rings. But I have to disagree, although that’s the only thing that (in my opinion) could ever surpass HP’s greatness. Nothing else. In all sincereity I couldn’t go on living without Harry Potter. But there’s something a lot more sentimental to me about LOTR, and I’ve known the series longer anways. My dad used to read it to me when I was younger, before the movies came out-but at that time I had a short attention span, and pretty much fell in love with it when I saw the Fellowship for the first time. I’ve been reading the book for myself now for a while, having finished the Hobbit about a two years ago (which was awesome-cant wait for the movie), and the book is just great. Lastly, and now I know someone will shoot me for this, but I think LOTR is superior to HP, but not by much at all. I think it’s just way more complex and in a lot of ways I honestly just love it more. I think they’re very alike in some ways. But then again, in others, they couldn’t be more different from each other……..so sorry for the entire novel I wrote-I have a bad habit of doing that. 😉
At least you can say you’ve READ Harry Potter and LOTR. I haven’t read LOTR. I probably will, someday, someday…Since I’m such a hard-core HP fan, I doubt I’d like Lord of the Rings better, but I’m not going to trash it since, once again, I haven’t even read it. I think — and I’m sure Roonil agrees — that it’s wonderful to meet a Harry Potter fan who respects Harry even if they DO like something else better. Do you know, there was once this kid in my class who said Harry was a SORRY EXCUSE FOR A BOOK?!? My only response to that was to tell the kid that they were a sorry excuse for a human…but I was deeply wounded. I was then cured when I got another student into Harry…they reportedly stayed up late reading it and practically died when all the copies of the Goblet of Fire were checked out. But, on my word and honor, I will someday read Lord of the Rings. I’ve heard of people saying how much they are alike. They even LOOK alike, for goodness sake. But the real question…was Gandalf gay? Because I’m a kind, gentle person I won’t shoot you, but my pistol is cocked. (jk.) When I first read Harry I admired it for the humor, and sometime in the million re-readings afterwards I got all the deep meanings and complexity…J.K. Rowling is a certified genius. Obviously I disagree with you, Harry is superior for me (yes, yes, I know, I haven’t read it, but even if I HAD read it…) because, well, he’s Harry. Just Harry. 🙂 (That’s a Harry quote, by the way.)
Meeting Potterheads always brings joy to my day, too; see, where I live, in a small, humble town out in the middle of nowhere, there are very few Potterheads, much less any as rabid as I(naturally, my mom doesn’t understand, either). And I fell into raptures when you referred to HP’s greatness, which is utterly undeniable. I’m sure you’re already aware that I strongly oppose your views of LOTR supremacy, but I shall strive not to be disagreeable(I must admit I haven’t read the LOTR series or seen the movies). And maybe you like stuff better if you’ve known it longer. I was hooked onto HP since I saw HP1 in 1st grade and thought Hogwarts was a real-life boarding school. Ah, the ignorance of the young. I don’t think I could live without Harry either; I practically grew up with him. 🙂 Yeah, and I have a bad habit of rambling, too. No worries though, right?
(Forgive me, Matt—I’m aware you usually are the first to reply to comments—but what had to be done had to be done. Not saying it had to be done, of course.)
No need to apologize.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Meagan!
Matthew: Thanks, I definitely did enjoy it. I’ll be reading it multiple times in the future.
Jane: You’re right, at least I’ve read the series. I know so many people who hate it, and they’ve never even seen the movies, let alone read the books. And I cannot even begin to concieve why someone would call Harry Potter a sorry excuse for a book!!! (Great comeback to that btw) I have a lot of friends that love the series, but I also have a lot of friends that either a) just don’t like it b) flat out hate it or c) think it’s stupid and have to trash it constantly. I’ve had to explain several times over to numerous people the genius of J.K. Rowling and the series, and sometimes I get through to people. But other times, they just can’t understand. I have to confess that I’ve repeatedly called people out on their hatred of HP, and debated them on it until we were told to stop.
Haha, and to respond to your “Is Gandalf gay?” question…well, no, Gandalf is not gay. But the actor that plays him in the movies, Ian McKellan, sadly-is. I remember my whole world crashing down around me when my mom told me that XD But it’s okay. It often saddens me because a lot of people think the entire series is gay, but it’s definitely not. [See it’s completely and utterly a story of friendship, aside from the actual plot of the story with the Ring and what not. People only think that b/c there’s only 3 important women figures, and the rest of the characters are guys. And a lot of them form really close friendships and what not.] But that’s not the point. I’m just rambling…and that’s good that you’re willing to read LOTR. I must admit that sometimes I get a little frustrated reading it, but that is only because I have the 50th anniversary editon, and it’s all 3 books combined. It’s absolutely ridiculous how large the book is. And to top it all off; Tolkein has a bunch of appendices and other stuff at the back of it. The whole thing together is over 1000 pages. It’s literally like an oversized dictionary. But most people have the 3 seperate books, which are obviously smaller. I only have this one b/c its the only one that’s availabe to me (my dad’s copy).
And like I said before, I completely understand your love of Harry and that nothing can beat it. For me that’s also true-I mean HP and LOTR are at the very top of my list, and nothing-nothing, nothing, nothing-can surpass them.
Roonil: Oh, the greatness of HP is most definitely undeniable. Anyone who says otherwise must be-mental. (Sounding a little like Ron there) I too was completely hooked when I first saw HP1. It was a total revelation, and I knew there was nothing else like it out there. I wish with all my heart that Hogwarts was real. :)) I can also understand YOUR views of Harry Potter supremacy, but upon reading that you’ve never read or seen LOTR, I can see why you think that. And I’m sure if you ever see the movies (which you definitely should) you’d probably still like HP better of course, but theres not a doubt in my mind that you’d come to really like LOTR. It’s like you said, knowing something longer just-normally makes you like it better.
Sometimes I feel that the movies are better, but purely because they’re slightly more updated-i guess-in the way that they talk. See Tolkien was born in the 1800s, so naturally the way he wrote was a little outdated for the 2000s………Also, it’s nice to meet someone who rambles on as well. 😀 It’s good to know I’m not the only one.
Meagan: I loved it when you sounded like Ron! <3 Ron! I nearly fainted with pleasure, if I do say so myself. I promise I'll try to read LOTR whenever I get the time (which I don't think will happen for a while, unfortunately), and I'm sure it'll be good because everyone I know who likes it is smart and also an HP fan.:) Oh, and I too wish that Hogwarts was real! I read the majority of the series before I turned 11 (that was only because all of them weren't published yet), and I remember hoping in vain for a letter from Hogwarts. Anticipating my birthday that year was better than usual.;) And I would completely be overcome with ecstasy if I ever met J.K. Rowling or any of the actors (who are so DARNED LUCKY!!! **grates teeth in frustration**). If I ever, ever, ever, EVER become famous, publish a book, or anything of the sort, I will try to meet at least J.K. Rowling, which would be a dream come true. Problem is, no matter how much you might want to meet someone famous or someone just plain awesome, to them, you're just another person that they'll forget. So, I'm going to try to make myself a name first. Which might work. Hopefully. Anyway, about the people who doubt Harry's awesomeness, I've met people who actually prefer STAR WARS to the ever brilliant Dream Team. An alarmingly large number of people, too. It saddened me, to be sure. I mean, they are astonishingly vehement about it, which appalls me greatly. But, as Ron says, you can't have everything in life.:) Speaking of Ron, I have friends who actually despise him, and I mean, how is that even POSSIBLE??? By the way, is there any HP character you particularly don't like? My apologies for the lengthy… statement, fellow rambler.
My mother hid the Harry Potter books from me because she said I read them too much. I mean, is that even POSSIBLE?? I can’t imagine having all the HP books compressed into one…dang, that’d be a big book. You know, no one even SUSPECTED poor old Dumbledore was gay until in some interview Mrs. Rowling came out and told us. But gay on GRINDEWALD, of all people? Well, at least he wasn’t gay on Harry…that could’ve gotten awkward. Thank you, I’m pretty proud of that comeback too. Yes, you did sound like Ron! That was so totally awesome! 🙂 I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that the first time I saw HP1, I had nightmares about the end scene where Voldy swoops out of Quirrell and there’re flames everywhere and he’s cackling evilly and he crumbles under Harry’s touch and Harry passes out. I was also a bit terrified about the scene where Drac0 (!) and Harry see him in the Forbidden Forest drinking unicorn blood. But now, all I can do is exclaim on how adorable Harry is, and how Draco is cuter than a guinea pig. I don’t know when I learned that Dumbledore was gay, but it came as quite a shock. But then again, at that age, I didn’t really know what it meant if someone was gay. If I can read Oliver Twist (it took me two years, but I did it) then I should be able to read Tolkein, right? Right. And, mimicking Roonil, I must ask: any HP characters that you abhor? I, for one, would not consider it any great crime if Ginny (I cringe just to think of her) jumped into a well never to resurface. I know, I was waiting for my acceptance letter too, Roonil! And then I didn’t get it and I was totally devastated but I still haven’t lost hope…Those actors are so ungrateful. Dan Radcliffe said if J.K. Rowling wrote anymore Harry Potter books, they were going to have to ‘talk’. I mean, the nerve of that guy! He gets to play HARRY POTTER. Why would he want to stop? I would call J.K. Rowling everyday if I were him and thank her for giving me the most amazing role ever. But that ungrateful little…ooh. I’m not quite the rambler you are, but I pride myself on being a decent one. Of course, it’s not much to pride yourself on, but it’s SOMETHING, right? Right.
Roonil: Thank you, I quite often sound like Ron..like everyday often. You’re right, how is it even humanly attainable to hate Ron!?!?! That’s jsut a concept I can grasp. I LOVE RON. And it’s funny, because I’m just like him in so many ways its not even funny. And this has resulted in my widely excepted nickname of “Ron” which i am called quite oftenXD It’s also because he’s my favorite character, but you know. I would love to meet J.K. Rowling too!! She’s on my list of people I HAVE to meet one day..I have a long list:) And I feel the same way with the whole “meeting famous people and being forgotten because you’re just another person” thing. I too would like to make a name for myself as well before I meet anyone. And i would love to be an author too, but the thing for me is that I actually want to be a director/producer. I’m going to make movies one day 🙂
And I’m sorry, but how could someone tihnk Star Wars is better than HP?? I’m not gonna lie, I really like Star Wars, but there’s no way it surpasses anything in my Top 5s. *smh* And go fellow ramblers!! I really am trying to break the habit, but to no avail *sigh* it’s a fruitless attempt. and I loved when you sounded like Ron, great use of quotation there. Makes my day 😉
Jane: It’s not possible to read HP too much!! I can’t believe your mom would hide them from you!!!! Actually, that happened to my friend Anna. Who btw, reminds me so much of Ginny-just not as tomboy-ish and aggresive XD She’s really sweet and not-boyish or anything, haha…..how can you hate Ginny!?!?! I love her!!! I love all the Weasleys. They’re just amazing. I’m a Weasley at heart. But even though I don’t agree with your distaste with Ginny, i can’t help but laugh at the way you eexpressed that. “Ginny can go fall in a well, never to resurface.” that sounds like something me and my friends would say, haha. Comedy is my life XD
And that’s great that you’d at least want to read LOTR. (Trust me you will NOT be disappointed) If it doesn’t happen for a matter of years even, that’s ok, just as long as you get a chance. And yes, if you can read Oliver Twist this wouldn’t be a problem, especially considering that (like I said) most people get the three seperate books. Not the immense encyclopedia-like monster that I have, lol. I can’t believe Dan wouldn’t want J.K. to keep writing. I’m sorry but if it were me i’d want her to keep writing for life! Now I realize that that’s a huge extreme, so I wouldn’t expect that of anyone, but I still wish there were more books. because at the moment I have nothing as far as books/movies go to look forward to….Well actually I lied, Mathew says he has a new book 🙂 and also Peter Jackson (dude who directed LOTR) is F I N A L LY making the long awaited “The Hobbit”. Just like Deathly Hallows its coming out in 2 parts—which makes me extremely irritated because the first part doesn’t even come out till this December, and the 2nd part doesn’t come out till December 2012!!! I don’t know how I’m going to survive..
P.S. There are absolutely characters from HP whom I detest.
#1 Dolores Umbridge-I wish she would go fall in a hole and never come out. I cannot stand that woman for the life of me, and everytime I see her in the movies I can’t help but feel a wave of hatred despite my religion which says I should not hate others. X)
#2 Rita Skeeter-she can join Umbridge in the hole-or Ginny in the well-I’m very flexible, either would work for me.
#3 Percy Weasley-I despise Percy; I think he is the most arrogant, self-centered, pig-headed, annoying character ever written into a book. He’s a lot of other things too, but I won’t take up another 5 paragraphs. He’s on an ego trip, that one.
#4 I really don’t like Filch. I’ve always been extremely bothered by him. OH, and his cat Mrs. Norris!!! I wish she had stayed petrified!! I also don’t like Madame Pomfrey very much, she just kind of irked me with her snippiness and-her wanting to kick everyone out of the Hospital Wing…
Have you ever heard of A Very Potter Musical? If you haven’t, make haste and do so. Voldemort in the first one (AVPM) is Umbridge in the sequel (A Very Potter Sequel: AVPS). Which means Umbridge is portrayed by a guy with ridiculously massive biceps. I used to hate Umbridge too, but now…anyway. Percy turned good in the end, remember? Fred and George made him give a right proper apology, right before…*sniffle sniffle* FRED DIED!! “…with the ghost of his last laugh etched on his face.” It tears me up every time. I would’ve really despised Rita, if not for the fact that Hermione totally kicked her butt! I was SO proud of her, with her little jar and the bug with markings around the eyes that looked suspiciously like Rita’s spectacles…:) And Filch…yeah, I could never bring myself to care at all for Filch. But if I had to say the character I despised second most, I’d probably say Cornelius Fudge. He was such a…a…lily-livered toad. A pied ninny, a block, a stone, a worse than senseless thing! (I don’t know if you’ve read the Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt or not, but I get a lot of my curses from there. Actually, they’re Shakespearean, but heck, I don’t read Shakespeare.) Mrs. Norris…I remember a time in the first book when Ron and Harry are visiting the Mirror of Erised and they’re under the Invisibility Cloak and Mrs. Norris is sauntering around the corridors and Ron and Harry both wondered with a jolt: Did the Invisibility Cloak work on cats? I used to be able to say I loved all Weasleys, but Ginny…eurgh. I’m not going to argue pointlessly with you, but I feel obliged to let my reasons be known. 1. She only liked Harry because he was rich and famous.
2. She went around snogging every boy she could get her hands on just to get Harry to notice her.
3. She was disgustingly perfect.
a. She was ‘tough’.
b. She was good at Quidditch.
c. She was pretty.
d. She was good at spells.
e. She was supposedly funny, seeing as Rowling said she was the ‘life and soul of the team’ but I’m inclined to think that was through Harry’s eyes, because she’s not the ‘life and soul’ of anything.
I did have my moments where I was annoyed at Madame Pomfrey but then I think back to all the times she saved their lives. She cured Ron’s hand when he got bitten by Norbert (Norberta, actually, but they didn’t know that at the time) she grew back all the bones in Harry’s arm, and she turned Hermione from a cat back into a girl. If any of the professors really get my goat, it’s Madame Pince — I know, I know, not really a professor, but…Hogwarts staff member, there you go. The librarian where I live is beyond awesome, and I hate seeing librarians portrayed — stereotypically, I might add — as sticklers for low voices and shooing people out the moment they put a toe out of line. I could totally read some more Harry Potter books about their children (especially Scorpius and Rose), but in an interview Rowling said she felt like it’d be ‘anticlimax’ as there would be no more major villains to fight, which I agree with. But as long as she keeps writing something, anything, we’re good. You know, you’ve got very good sportsmanship. If, for example, you’d told me you hated Ron — which you don’t, thank goodness, like me you can’t get enough of him — I probably would’ve stopped talking to you altogether. Yet, I said I hated Ginny, who you said you loved, and you complimented me on my way of expressing my hatred. That’s takes courage, like I said, I’d’ve either stopped talking to you or sent out a reply of curses. Remember to watch AVPM, your life will be complete.
Meagan: YOUR NICKNAME IS RON??? That, my dear fellow, is sheer BEASTness. I also cannot fathom how anyone could hate Ron and was properly appalled when a friend of mine called him a “stupid, whiny brat.” INCONCEIVABLE! That was from The Princess Bride btw. X) A must-see if you haven’t already watched it. And, y’know, I’ve thought about making movies, too, but I don’t know how I would attain such a position. I mean, to be an author, all you have to do is write, which, believe me, I will. And I’m so glad you feel the same way about meeting famous people because I don’t want a glancing moment; I want to KNOW them. Yes, unlikely, I know. BUT I will persevere. And I’ll look out for your movies, just let me know their names.;) Also, I heard about them making a movie of The Hobbit (which I’ve read but forgotten a lot from), but I also heard that they changed a lot from the book and even added characters? Did you hear about that? About those whom you loathe…well, Percy, I liked him but only at the very end of HP7. And I never gave much thought to Filch and Mrs. Norris. Filch actually cracked me up with his obsession over Peeves and punishing students.
(Remember when he’s trying to punish Harry for tracking mud in?
Filch: “Crime…”
Harry: “It was only a bit of mud!”
Filch: “Befouling the castle…”)
I too could not stand Rita Skeeter (that Skeeter-cow, as Harry said XD ), but, as Jane said, Hermione gave her what she already had coming. Go Hermione! But I really did hate Umbridge; she made it hard to read HP5 because she infuriated me. Honestly, the nerve of her! Making Harry bleed! And I second Jane on watching AVPM; it’s hilarious. You will never read about Umbridge in the same way again. Promise.;)
Jane: I totally agree with you about hating Ginny and agree with your reasons. The child is abominably despicable. Ugh. And, Jane, I too have seen AVPM and AVPS and read The Wednesday Wars, which is a most delightful book. Ginny, Fudge, and Umbridge (in the book)—there’s probably more that I can’t think of right now—were all “apes with foreheads villainous low.” And my mom hid the Potter books from me, as well; it was utterly heartbreaking. And I would LOVE to hear more about Scorpius and Rose! They are so meant for each other!XD
Matt: I love the tiny smiley face I just noticed at the bottom of the page. Awesomeness.
(…sorry it’s taken me nearly 2 months to reply to this..if you ever see this of course.)I HAVE seen AVPM and AVPS!!!!! My friend told me about them a few months or so ago, and I HAD to watch them; especially because she was very intent on me seeing them 🙂 I absolutely adore them, they are HYSTERICAL. Umbridge in AVPS-WOW. Just wow. I don’t recall laughing so hard in my life! There are soooooo many great lines from both of them, I just can’t even begin to think of them all. “You’re smarter den da guy who wrote dis book? You’re smarter den-MERLIN?” LOL XD
Jane: Yes, I was SO glad Percy finally came to his sense at the end. But in all honesty I wish he died instead of Fred. I mean he was RIGHTTTT THEREEE! Hahaha. I was proud of Hermione too, nor could I ever like Filch ;D And you’re right, Cornelius CAN be an irke.
No I have not read The Wednesday Wars, but you all have such good taste in books around here that if it ever comes my way I will not hesitate to read it 🙂
I don’t like librarians to be stereotyped either, though I have never come across a librarian that has been an enjoyable person. I’ve had two VERY loathsome librarians that I have known.
I guess it would be sort of an anticlimax wouldn’t it. But I wouldn’t care 🙂 And besides, J.K. Rowling is so clever,s he could easily come up with more enemies! haha.
Thank you! I try to stay that way, lol. I like to be a peace-keeper you know? I don’t enjoy arguing, hahaha 😉 I’m glad I was able to please you with my compliment on your hatred comment, lol XD Thanks for calling me courageous 8D
Roonil: It certainly is!!! I would agree that it is sheer beastness! XD Hahaha! I know, how could ANYONE hate Ron, ever!? He is NO whiny brat! He’s amazing!
HAHA!!!! Aesome Princess Bride reference!!! I LOVE that movie! Oh goodness, I quote that thing all the time!!
That’s really cool that you’d be into movie making! Haha we all have so much in common don’t we? Lol. I have absolutely no idea what any of my movies would ever be, but if I do indeed go down that road, just remember the name “Meagan”, spelled with an extra “A” in there, and you’re good to go 😉 Likely there isn’t gonna be a director with that first name spelled that way anytime soon, so yeah :))
Awesome, you’ve read The Hobbit!!!! Great!! And you heard right, Peter Jackson DID infact add a few characters. But actually, there’s only 3 (as far as I know) and they were all in LOTR. He added Galadriel, Legolas (Which i am TOTALLY fine with ;D) and Elrond. My mom was saying she thinks they did that because if people see that there’s familiar characters from LOTR in The Hobbit, more people will want to see it. Speaking of old characters, Gandalf is in that one, but he wasn’t added he was already in it, alongside Bilbo. Well of course you knew that though, you yourself read it! Haha X)
Oh my gosh, that “Skeeter-cow” quote just made my day!!! I LOVED that line, I will always remember the first time I read it1 I just about died XD (It’s the simple things in life that mean the most to me, or make me laugh the hardest haha)
OH MY GOSH, Ron and Harry with Mrs. Norris XD I will always destinctly remember Ron asking Harry if he could kick her! HAH! Oh, I love HP :)) <3
I kind of feel really bad, we've turned Matthew's little blog thing into a discussion of things other than his book 🙁 Haha. Sorry! 😉
Is the clockwork three in 3rb person? I have been looking for books in 3rd person for a book report i need to do and can’t find one. If not any suggestions?
Yes, The Clockwork Three is in 3rd-person, specifically a limited 3rd-person that rotates among the three main characters.
I loved this book, it was very well written, and had a twist to it. I hope you are thinking of writing a second book, because I know of many people who would enjoy it, the people I have recommended this book to enjoyed it also and are astonished by your work! Please write a second book!
Thank you! My second book is called Icefall and is due out this October. It’s not a sequel, but I do hope to write a sequel someday.
So I loved your book, and I think it would be awesome as a movie!!!!! I would definitely see it!!!! your book sort of inspired me to write my own story 🙂
oh, and I’m a huge Potter Fan too 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
personally, i like Hedwig and Dobby
Thanks! I think it’s great that you’re inspired to write your own story.
And I also think it would be awesome as a movie.
I can’t wait till your next book is published. ( Icefall) It sounds so interesting. I love when books have kids my age in it! (Im 12) Like the Clockwork Three. My grandma is the manager of a library and she already has the book Clockwork Three in it. she is waiting for your new book Icefall to be published! Already over 100 people have cheked read the Clockwork three in her library. I wonder how many people will read Icefall when it is published?
I hope you keep writing books. At least three more. Can one of those books be the seaqual to the Clockwork Three? ( Best book I have ever read) 🙂 🙂 :):) Don’t stop writing those books!!!!
From,
Cailin
Hi, Cailin. I’m glad The Clockwork Three is circulating in your library. That’s awesome.
And I plan to keep writing books for a long, long time. Hopefully, one of them will be a sequel.
I was searching Google to see if “The Clockwork Three” was ever going to be made into a movie, and I found this blog, so I want to comment that it was a great book! My copy doesn’t have Guisseppe, Frederick and Hannah on the front, just the clockwork man, but I like the cover posted here better. Has anyone ever offered to make a movie based on the book? I would love to see it! This is my favorite book right after Harry Potter (which I read from other people’s comments that you liked too).
I’m happy you enjoyed the book, Aleah. It has been optioned for a movie, but that’s just the first step, and it has a long way to go before it actually becomes one. But I’ve got my fingers crossed!
I loved the book. If they mess it up if it becomes a movie, I’m shooting the director. It does not need to be bad.
This book is my 11 year old daughter’s favorite book. She is wondering if it will ever become a movie?
I’m so glad your daughter enjoyed it! As for a movie, all I can say is that the rights have been optioned twice, which means it’s at least a possibility. But ultimately it’s out of my hands, unfortunately.
Great book! In your opinion who is the most important character?
Thanks, Shane. The thing about The Clockwork Three is that each of the three characters prove important to the others. None of them could have succeeded in their quests without the other, so I really can’t say that any is the most important. However, if I have to pick a characters that the book is “about” I would say it’s mostly Giuseppe’s book.
The story was complex and compelling. I was forced to set it down several times so that I could catch my breath and bring my emotions back under control. I like the cover without the children. I have my own “screenplay” in my head while reading your marvelous novel. The hard-bound book I bought is going into our middle school’s media center where I teach. I look forward to discussing this book with my students. Thank you. Ready for the movie and your next book.
Thanks, Diana. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I hope your students to, too.
These people who tell you not to write a sequel to the Clockwork Three haven’t fallen in love with your characters. I want to know what happens to them!
I just finished reading it (my Christmas present) and wish I could start the next. If only it existed…
Perhaps one day… Thanks, Summer.
When reading the book, I just couldn’t wait to finish on chapter and start the next!
I just couldn’t wait to finish on chapter and start the next!
I know this conversation is old maybe even dead but I couldnt resist. I would love a sequel but in my brain I know that a beautiful ending should stay that way ( no objections to a sequel though) Alfred kropp kind of messed it up. Also I loved skulldugery pleasNt though didnt know it was a sequel. Also a movie would be fantastic I imagine it being as gorgeous as Hugo. I know making a movie takes connections and money, but look how Hugo turned out. I got the clockwork three cover version with just the clockman no giu Hannah or Fred but I like it that way it looks mysterious. Just because of that book I am going on an adventure to find all of your novels wish me luck!
I read this for my 8th grade book club, and everyone in the group enjoyed it! We had to make a movie trailer for it (I was Hannah) and here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSo-dlg2QFE if you would like to watch it. I was wondering if there was ever going to be a movie for this book? Also, is there going to be a sequel? Thank you!!!
Cool! Awesome trailer, you guys! I hope to write a sequel one day, but if I do, it won’t be very soon. As for a movie, I don’t know, but my fingers are crossed!
Nice trailer. The costumes were cool.
Oh! I was also wondering if you had any good book suggestions. I am 14 years old but I read at a high school level. I love fantasy, like Harry Potter or the Fabelhaven series.
Thank you again,
Addie
Sure! Try the Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander, the Dark is Rising books by Susan Cooper, the His Dark Materials books by Philip Pullman, and most especially A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, and The Farthest Shore, all by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Please make a sequel to it!!!! i want to know if frederick and hannah end up together and lots of other things!!!
This book is one of my favorites of all time. It is beautifully written and the characters resonate with living energy. A sequel is a must! I agree with some of the early comments that it shouldn’t become a massive series, but you could try writing more books that are not in the series, but are related. They did a similar (not the same) with Narnia. Some characters from The Magicians Nephew featured in others with out really being part of story (sort of). I absolutely love the book and am trying to buy a copy for my home. You really have mastered the literary art Mr. Kirby. I am 14 and normally read thicker non-fiction and biographies, but I love fiction also. In a similar line is the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series by James A. Owen. Unfortunately it falls into the same long series trap as other books, but each book is independent and the last book will be coming out soon.
Oh and sorry for taking up so much space but I couldn’t resist. The clockwork thing Frederick has going on really has peaked my interest in the clock-maker’s trade. Frederick really relates to me and I love the automatons.
Also I was wondering. The copy I read had no children on the front, just the clockwork. Why is that? I like to be able to see Hannah, Giuseppe, and Frederick.
I think this is the best book I’ve ever read. Ever. I could not put it down. All I did was read. Some of my friends actually asked if i was reading for a school assignment because i never stopped reading. Is there a second one? If there isn’t i recommend one PLEASE!
Why, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! There isn’t a sequel, but I have a few other books out that you might like. 🙂
Hey, so I actually finished the book like two days ago and it was the most amazing book EVER. It is officially my FAVORITE book. I’ve been trying since to look for any books with a similar taste, but so far I’m out of luck. I recently also noticed that this book was out in 2010, I was surprised because I found it at a book fair we had in November of last year. I am going to read another one of your books called The Lost Kingdom, it looks interesting. Although, if you know any books similar to The Clockwork Three, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much for writing this book, you have no idea how much this book means to me. I will treasure it for as long as I can.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And I hope you enjoy THE LOST KINGDOM as well. You might also try ICEFALL, my second book. If you’re looking for other books to read, some of my favorites are the stories by Natalie Babbitt, Ursula K Le Guin, Philip Pullman, MT Anderson, and so many others.