Australian crime author Michael Robotham has been announced as the ambassador for the 2008 Books Alive campaign.

Robotham, whose first novel The Suspect sold more than 1 million copies, has written the short novel Bombproof, which will be this year’s giveaway book—being presented free to those who purchase any of the 50 Books Alive recommended reads as part of the Books Alive promotion.

‘We’re thrilled to have such a top notch author as Michael Robotham as our Books Alive ambassador this year,’ said Books Alive chair Sandra Yates. ‘Michael has really come up with the goods for this year’s Books Alive feature title. Bombproof is a cracking good read--a thrill-a-minute ride through Britain’s murky underworld. It really is a book that people will find difficult to put down.’

Yates said this year’s campaign, which runs throughout August and includes author appearances by Robotham, was an exciting one, with changes in store. ‘We’ve refreshed this year’s campaign with an exciting new look, and expect to get more Australians hooked on reading than ever before.’

Books Alive is an Australian Government initiative, developed through the Australia Council for the Arts. The month-long campaign runs from 27 July, and includes Robotham’s giveaway title, as well as promotions, advertising, author tours and reading events around Australia. For more information visit www.australiacouncil.gov.au

This article from Thorpe Bowker's Weekly Book Newsletter and Media Extra is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

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