The BBC has announced that it is adapting James Herbert’s novel The Secret Of Crickley Hall. The drama will be shown in three hour-long parts for Halloween 2012.

The man behind the project is Director Joe Ahearne, the creator of Ultraviolet and Apparitions, who has previously worked on a number of Dr Who episodes starring Christopher Eccleston.

The Secret of Crickley Hall is a classic haunted house chiller, set in a Gothic-style mansion in Devonshire. Despite reservations, the Caleighs move in.

Once a home for orphans, creepy Crickly Hall has a few surprises in store for its new occupants.

Arriving in 2012 is the long, and eagerly, awaited new novel by James Herbert. Originally announced for intended publication in October 2010, Pan Macmillan will be publishing the 600 page chiller on October 11th, 2012 (this is a provisional date, so please pop back occasionally to view any further news or get updates here). It is entitled Ash, featuring David Ash, the sceptical paranormal detective, first encountered in bestsellers The Ghosts of Sleath and Haunted. Ash is investigating a mysterious and secluded stately home, deep in the countryside. There have been reports from locals about strange goings on, they think it might be haunted...
What Ash eventually discovers is truly shocking.

James Herbert received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for Services to Literature, at Buckingham Palace in October 2010.

Quoted by the BBC, James Herbert said he was "totally staggered and deeply honoured" by the honour, adding he never imagined he would receive one for penning horror stories.

With the imminent release of his much anticipated new book Ash, James Herbert has featured in local and national publications including Sussex Life, the Argus and October 2010's issue of BN5 magazine, gracing its striking cover.

An option on NOBODY TRUE has been sold for a six figure sum to Stone Village Productions. The principal producer over there is Scott Steindorff. He produced an adaptation of Philip Roth’s THE HUMAN STAIN with Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman and is currently in production on an HBO adaptation of Richard Russo’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel EMPIRE FALLS. Many thanks to Justin, who represents James Herbert’s film and television rights in association with David Higham Associates in the UK, for this news.

Between 2002 and 2006, this site ran a poll. We asked one question: Which James Herbert book did you most enjoy? From 7793 votes in total, the results were – The Rats (325) 4%, The Fog (140) 2%, The Survivor (68) 1%, Fluke (53) 1%, The Spear (42) 1%, The Dark (101) 1%, Lair (59) 1%, The Jonah (26) 0%, Shrine (47) 1%, Domain (3097) 40% , Moon (62) 1%, The Magic Cottage (1636) 21%, Sepulchre (51) 1%, Haunted (53) 1%, Creed (79) 1%, Portent (28) 0%, The Ghosts of Sleath (127) 2%, '48 (60) 1%, Others (187) 2%, Once... (1484) 19%, Nobody True (68) 1%.
Thanks for contributing.

James Herbert has been awarded The World Horror Convention Grand Master Award. A yearly distinction given to an author who has contributed greatly to the field of horror literature. James was presented with the award in March at the 2010 Convention in Brighton, and joins the illustrious company of previous winners who have included Stephen King, Dean R. Koontz, Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury, Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Brian Lumley, Ramsey Campbell and Tanith Lee.