#NewmanMcr countdown: 20 days to go

In 20 days, as you may have gathered from this blog, we will launch Robert Newman's new novel The Trade Secret at Gorilla Manchester (7pm on June 4). Here is Rob being brilliant. Love Mark Thomas and Mark Steele? You need to be at our event in June!

#NewmanMcr countdown: only three weeks to go

With 21 days until our biggest event yet, here's another video which takes a theme of Robert Newman's book - the battle against corporate power. Did you know there was an occupation of St Pauls in the days of King James? Here are the voices of some more modern-day protesters.

#NewmanMcr countdo-- oh forget that, here's @socratesadams

We're meant to be counting down to our Rob Newman event with a series of connected videos, but we're so made-up with Socrates Adams' award success, here's a video which is nothing to do with the event but we don't care so shut up.

Here's Socrates Adams' hilarious 2012 promo for his book Everything's Fine. Watch out for his essential new book A Modern Family: launch news to come.

And the Young Bookseller of the Year is...

...Socrates Adams of Blackwell's Manchester!

Socrates began work with us as one of our temporary booksellers that help out during our busy September period. He's since risen up the ranks to manage our Business Centre, which works directly with university departments, the NHS and numerous other institutions and businesses.

In March, he was shortlisted for the Sue Butterworth Young Bookseller of the Year, sponsored by HarperCollins, facing competition from the likes of two London Waterstones, The Wallingford Bookshop and Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. At a glittering black-tie ceremony tonight, he was announced as the winner.

We're obviously made up. It has been an incredible year here at Blackwell's. Over to his colleague Sue Chapman, one of our most experienced booksellers and a favourite with many customers:

Sue said: "Although I have only worked with Socrates for a relatively short time in his role as Business Centre Manager I have been impressed with his enthusiasm & knowledge. He is prepared to tackle anything... although he may sometimes have a dodgy taste in music Socrates is a pleasure to work alongside!"

Socrates recently declared an interest in the music of Cher. Nevertheless, we extend our congratulations.

#NewmanMcr countdown: 23 days to go

ApoCalypsoNow: a 54-minute history lesson from our approaching Manchester headliner Robert Newman. (NSFW.)

#NewmanMcr countdown: 24 days to go

Our countdown continues, like some inexorable nuclear clock. Except instead of armageddon, you get Blackwell's and Bad Language's biggest ever event for only £3. Pre-booking is advised - get your ticket today while you remember!

Rob's book The Trade Secret is based on the true story of the first Elizabethans to discover coffee. So let's have one of the greatest coffee scenes in cinematic history: Iggy Pop and Tom Waits in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes.

#NewmanMcr countdown: 25 days to go

Our countdown continues. With 25 days until we host Robert Newman, here's what his new novel The Trade Secret could sound like. Here is, bookfluffies, a musical taste of Persia several hundred years ago. Coldplay be damned!