Huge thanks to all the lads and lasses who turned up to my readings in Kells and Monaghan on Friday ( Was it Friday? Yes, pretty sure it was Friday) Seriously folks, there’s no way my generation was that articulate at your age! You guys totally made my day with your enthusiasm and your fantastic questions! Thanks, and thanks to your teachers who brought you along, and the librarians of Kells and Oldcastle who made sure we had a warm place to sit and chat! (And to the mother who went to the trouble of getting my number and ringing me later to tell me how much her daughter enjoyed the readings! What a thrill.)
Saturday I met with another group of mindblowingly awesome lads and lasses. We all found ourselves flung together at the Bubblegum Book Bash (arranged by the tireless Sarah Webb, in support of the Bubblegum Club ). I had a great time listening to Judi Curtin reading from Alice to The Rescue ( I loved that bit! Hilarious!), Marita Conlon-McKenna signed a copy of Under The Hawthorn Tree for me and Derek Landy, as usual, gave me asthma I was laughing so hard. ( I’ll get you yet, Landy!)
I met loads of great folks there, so forgive me if I forget to add your names but hello to Ruth and her lovely Mam Lorraine (and thank you for the e-mail. It meant a lot.) Also Niamh, Ella and Louise (?) who were all sitting at my first table ( we writers were moved about a bit!) It was great fun to talk to you guys! I hope you do get to write your books, Niamh and Ruth, and I hope Louise ( don’t kill me if that’s not your name!) and Ella get to illustrate them!
Huge thanks to the adorable Siubhan (yes? maybe?) and her un-named friend ( tell me your name!) who were the very first people to greet me as the guest came in and who engineered it so that they could sit with me at table number two! You guys seriously rock! I particularly loved how Un-named friend sat with her fingers in her ears so she wouldn’t have anything spoiled while Siubhan and I discussed The Poison Throne. ( now that’s friendship!) And to the two James’s and Stephan who were also at table two! Congrats on the win, Stephan! ( or was it a James that won?)
Big shout out to Jinx! Dude, I cannot believe we got to meet in person – I don’t care what you say, woman, red hair is the awesome, particularly curly red hair!
Finally Nicole, I am so sorry you couldn’t come along! I hope you feel better soon and that the picture cheered you up!
Tomorrow I’m off to Monaghan and Clones for the second of my four CBI residency workshops. Brace yourself lads! Another day of trying to pack an elephant into a walnut ( though it won’t be as intense as last week. I promise.)
Thursday at 10.30am I’ll be in Dublin, reading from The Crowded Shadows at Dubray Bookshop in the Swan Centre Rathmines.
Friday I’ll be in Mount Anville School, doing a reading and then I’ll be popping about with the indefatigable and gorgeous Brenda from O’Brien Press, signing books and wotnot in Dublin.
So I’d better get back to me edits while I have the chance.
Tags: Bubblegum club, CBI, Crowded Shadows, Derek Landy, events, Judi Curtin, moorehawke, Readings, Sarah Webb, The Poison Throne
UN-NAMED FRIEND, some fecker has hacked my blog so I can’t edit old posts ( grrrrrr) So I shall have to acknowledge your lovely mail here and name you as Anna! Thanks for getting in touch, Anna!