Now then... THAT was a tour.
And it's all over. I've been home for a few days in between, but the fact is this tour has been going on since August 5th, and it ended September 15th. Last night I was walking around my garden, looking up at the stars, and the thought hit me: it's over. It's done.
Sure, sure, I have other things to do. I have an interview tomorrow, and signings and events in Bray, Ennis, Bangor, Belfast, Dublin and Cheltenham to come over the next few months, but essentially, that's me done for the year.
It's been a good tour. No, it's been a great tour. I got to meet so many of my Minions, both from Blogland and Facebook and the Forums and even Bebo, for God's sake. And then I got to meet so many more, those of you who don't even post comments. And then I got to meet those Minions who don't even know I have a Blog, or that there are Forums and Facebooks and Tumblrs and whatnot out there.
Already, some of you are being talked about in the corridors of Harper Collins. The tall blonde with the T-shirt in London. The hot chick in Australia, who asked me to marry her and assured me her girlfriend wouldn't mind. The readers who gaped, who froze, who hopped and skipped, who babbled and blubbered. The readers who proposed and flirted and flattered. The readers who came in costume, the readers who came with gifts... the artwork on display, the stories, the effort and dedication and the sheer talent. The massive four hour signing session in Liverpool 1, the even more massive five hour session in Bluewater...
And then all the bro-fists and the hugs and the tears from the hyperventilating teenage girls. The parents and guardians who stood in line so patiently, and who were so good-humoured. I hope you Minions thanked them for driving/escorting/waiting with you- they thoroughly deserve a hug.
It was exhausting. It was manic. It was fun. I wasn't able to take all the gifts with me on the plane, so they're being shipped over and I should have them in a few days. Once they are in my possession, I shall post some photos. Some of this stuff is astonishing.
So thank you, everyone who came out to see me and get a book signed. For some of you, it was our first time meeting. For others, we've met before. Others still, you've come to see me practically every single tour. I remember a lot of you. I know some of your names. And I love seeing you again.
And I'd love to say that now I'm going to take a holiday- but really, what are the chances of that? I've got stuff to do, and things to write, and sometime over the next month or so I'm going to have to start Skulduggery Pleasant Book 8...
1st
ReplyDelete2nd!
ReplyDeletemuahahahahhahaa
ReplyDeleteAnd now to read the post...
ReplyDeleteThe tour was awesome, Derek!
ReplyDeleteOr at least, what I experienced of it. I met you in Sydney twice, and I was the person who gave you the letter from Nixion Strange!
If you remember that.
Yeees...Book 8 soon. *grins*
And now, I am going to sleep.
ReplyDeleteYou have fun doing whatever it is you're doing at the moment, Derek!
Tours sound extremely exhausting.I'd like to say you deserve a holiday, too, but...
ReplyDeleteAnyway. I'm terribly envious (in the best way possible) of everyone who go to go to a signing/event! I've seen so many people post pics and recaps of the signings they went to, and it sounds absolutely amazing.
One of these years. One of these years I will make sure my holidays coincide with the potential signing times, and then... And then. Yes. I will be there. With books.
Hi Elly! Hi Zatharact! Good to meet you again!
ReplyDeleteAnd Kribu- right before I go and make myself lunch- I will say that I really and sincerely hope to meet you one day.
Derek, hai! I am very bummed that I could not get to any of the signings in Australia. I live in Townsville and as a Uni student, I have no money to go places with. Hopefully next time you will come within hugging distance... :(
ReplyDeleteTenth
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it. I got tenth.
ReplyDeleteHello Derek!
ReplyDeleteWell done sir ^_^
ReplyDeleteI should be getting ready for school. That's what I should be doing. Will I do it? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteDerek, You were here just a second ago! Please explain some of the fighting terms you use in the books. I really have no idea what you mean by 'flipped him/her over their hip'. Please?
ReplyDeleteI got eighth! :)
ReplyDeleteI think he's eating lunch.
ReplyDeleteGood god, it's over already?
ReplyDeleteI'm dying of curiosity about loads of stuff, still! Who is the man with the golden eyes? What will happen with Tanith? What were Skulduggery's wife and child's names? When, because it WILL happen, are Valkyrie's parents going to find out about Valkyrie and her world? Because they don't know Valkyrie, they know Stephanie...
Somebody kill me, before the suspension does.
*kills Valkyrie C Wannabe*
ReplyDeleteOh my god! You've resurrected from the dead!
Hi!
ReplyDeletethis is the closest to 1st i've ever gotten...
Hello KL!
ReplyDeleteDerek! If you are still on, I have a question I've been wanting to ask you.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think would win in a fight: Skulduggery or China?
If Skulduggery did not turn into Lord Vile.
Hey SP!
ReplyDeleteDerek!
ReplyDeleteDerek! OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD...
ReplyDeleteWho'd win? Melovent VS Vile.
ReplyDeleteVile. No question.
ReplyDeleteA better question would be The Unnamed vs. Vile.
ReplyDeleteEven Darquesse had trouble fighting Melevont.
ReplyDeleteDarquesse never fought Mevolent.
ReplyDeleteUnnamed VS Darquesse
ReplyDeleteTree! Now, I must go.
ReplyDeleteWell, I haven't read KotW yet,so excuse me if I'm wrong, but at the end of DB, Vile seemed to be just a bit stronger than Darquesse.
ReplyDeleteBYe SP!
ReplyDeleteDerek, will you answer me? Please?
Hi Mr. Landy!!!! I am Lord Vlaedr. We haven't met.
ReplyDeleteYou should seriously think about coming to South Africa! Please. All of us here love you. By all of us, I mean everyone. Even the people who haven't read your books.
~Your Best and Biggest South African Fan, Lord Vlaedr
Don't listen to him. Come to AMERICA!
ReplyDeleteWhere virtually no one has heard of you, but still.
Wow! Thanks Derek! I can now picture Skul and Val doing that perfectly :D
ReplyDeleteRaechel. Always a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteKestrel. My fancy friend.
I am NOT fancy. Gosh. Hi!
ReplyDeleteHello Vlaedr! *hugs and a cookie*
ReplyDeleteAt my library, they have up to Death Bringer in the catalogue (even though they dint have the books) and over one hundred people have Dark Days on hold.
ReplyDeleteAmerica loves you! Derek Landy!
ReplyDeleteDude... They need some more copies of the book then lol
ReplyDeleteAwesome. At MY library, they only have Faceless Ones, and I'm the only one who ever checks it out. Even though I own it.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love cookies. When are you going to continue that story???
ReplyDelete?
ReplyDeleteI like cookies...
Derek you were honestly amazing and I love you to pieces and pretty please post the picture from Bromley in 2011 on the next blog.
ReplyDelete:D Liverpool <3
My library never has any fiction books! I guess that's because it's the uni library... But hey, now I've got a second copy of all of them! I won them in a drawing comp on the FB page ages ago :D I haven't even seen them yet cos they turned up at my family home rather than my college dorm.
ReplyDeleteHello...
ReplyDeleteI have to go, bye!
ReplyDeleteKestrel, you may have half of mine.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone! * hands out Valsnacks *
ReplyDeleteAnd Becky says hi, we hope you love Project Baguette, and I hope you use your SKULLY bank x3
ReplyDelete*Gives Kestrel a cookie too* I'm not sure whether I will continue it. It does have promise, but it was really just a writing exercise. I'm trying to focus more on Soulless at the moment. Well, on assignments, then Soulless lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat's Project Baguette again?
ReplyDeleteActually cant stay gotta go bye!!
ReplyDeleteDeeeeeeeeeereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great tour. That'sa silly thing to say, since you just said that it was a great tour.... I hope the tour was as great as you said it was! I really enjoyed it, and I'll be there first in line again if you ever revisit Adelaide... :)
Sweet. Im glad. If don't have a problem with it, I would love to see a teaser chapter or two.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. I must find where I left my bottle of creative juice...
ReplyDeleteProject Baguette is a project headed by Livvy and assisted by Becky and I that we gave to Derek at the Liverpool signing x3
ReplyDeleteYes, but what is it? I know he mentioned it at some point...
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I know what you mean. I have to be in "Da Mood" to be able to write anything...
ReplyDeleteMy 'Da Mood' is a curious creature. It rarely visits me and when it does, it's generally 2am.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone here like to Cosplay?
ReplyDeleteSame. Mine comes out when it senses I have other things to do. It waits. It watches. And when something mildly important is about to happen, BAM! Inspiration strikes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am extermely excited about book eight. It's goin gto be a long and tense wait for me... I shall do fan art to pass the time!
ReplyDeleteWell it's basically a book filled with lots of SP stuff such as fanfiction, fan-art, signatures, letters, doodles... Just heaps of stuff, really. xD
ReplyDeleteBut why 'baguette'?
ReplyDeleteHave you not heard of the Baguette joke? If not I'm not going to tell you as it is a scarring joke.
ReplyDeleteTell me the Baguette joke! It can't possibly be worse than my other scars :D
ReplyDeleteIm with Raechel!
ReplyDeleteNo, I couldn't, it's just too much x3
ReplyDeleteSKULDUGGERY PLEASANT 8!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was nice to meet you too Derek
just one comment, as I should be doing a summary on some work I've done over the term -_-
Pwease? With Skulduggery's hat on top? *puppy dog eyes*
ReplyDeleteOh my god. His hat... On top... *roars with laughter*
ReplyDeleteI don't beg. I just threaten. Don't make me.
ReplyDeleteA BAGUETTE IS SKULDUGGERY'S PENIS *runs for the hills*
ReplyDeleteOh come on. I stole it just for you. Baguette Joke! Baguette Joke! Baguette Joke! :D
ReplyDeleteI see. Teehee.
ReplyDelete...I didn't need... ...to know that...
ReplyDeleteYou were asking for it too! Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteYou asked for it you stupid people D; I must now go and walk my dog.
ReplyDeleteSilly people walking dogs and eating lunch. It's midnight! Not the time for that! :P
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly disturbing... I was hoping it was half-way appropriate!
ReplyDeleteOf course it was disturbing. We are evil, creepy, psychotic minions, are we not? At least it wasn't a rubber chicken. :O
ReplyDeleteI hope Derek doesn't get back before I do. Derek, if you do, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND FORGIVE ME FOR BAGUETTTESSSSS
ReplyDeleteI think I am mad, but hopefully not creepy. Rubber chicken?
ReplyDeleteWhy did the rubber chicken cross the road?
ReplyDelete...do I want to know....
ReplyDeleteWell, you'd better, cos I don't. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, thats only slightly confusing. So why did he?
ReplyDeleteOh no, I asked you first ^_^
ReplyDelete;) Ladies first.
ReplyDeleteBut... But... Fine. =.=
ReplyDeleteMaybe it wanted to stretch its legs?
Quickly get started on skulduggery 8, I just can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHello Ethan. Would you like a cookie too?
ReplyDeleteI think it crossed the road to spy on me... All chickens are spies. Did you know that?
ReplyDelete*Throws cookie at Ethan* Well, I must be off, lovely people. Tis nearing the stroke of midnight and I have a job interview tomorrow. Wish me luck :) *Hugs all round*
ReplyDeleteSkulduggery Pleasant book 8!!!:O Can't wait! Glad you had a good time Derek. Must have been tiring though. I was soo gutted that I couldn't go but ah well what can you do... You're so lucky that you were able to travel round the world meeting so many cool people.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Raechel!:D
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Valice! We've never spoken before but d'ya wanna be friends?:)
ReplyDeleteSure! Nice to meet you Panda Bear! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou too!:) just call me panda though, everyone does:)
ReplyDeleteValice! Another friend!
ReplyDeleteHi:)
ReplyDeleteHi Vlaedr!
ReplyDeleteSo excited, I will finaly het my Skulduggery- T-Shirt tomorrow!
*starts throwing with jelly beans at everyone because of excitement*
Wohoo!!
"get", not "het"... is this even a word?!
ReplyDeleteIm happy for you!
ReplyDeleteYayyyy Jelly Beans!!:D
ReplyDeleteOW! that one hit my eye..
Im happy for you!
ReplyDeleteUh, sorry Panda...
ReplyDeleteHI DEREK! I hope you liked Project Baguette! And I love that little horse that Becky had you doodle for me on that poster! Can't wait for it to come in the mail! And could you post pictures of Project Baguette? I've still yet to see it!
ReplyDelete- Ashley
And Derek, i have an idea on the director for the SP movie (just a suggestion, u in no way have to actually listen to me, seeing as how you probably already have a director in mind, but im gonna say it anyway, and fast as i think i am starting to ramble), Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings series. Just a thought :P
ReplyDeleteHi everyone whos on! *hands them all cookies*
how is everyone?
Oh it's okay Valice:)
ReplyDeleteHey:)
ooh cookies, can I have one?
ReplyDeleteCookies!! :D
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should start handing sweets too instead of throwing them into someones eye...
of course u can *hands panda a cookie*
ReplyDeleteYeahh, maybe you can just throw them in peoples moths instead?
ReplyDeletelol valice
ReplyDeleteWhoops I meant Mouths:P
ReplyDeleteYayy thanks nights:)
I could try!
ReplyDelete*throws another jelly bean to Panda*
*catch's jellybean in mouth*
ReplyDeleteYayy, that. is. De-Licious:D
np Panda
ReplyDeleteWohoo, jelly beans!! :D
ReplyDelete*takes out jelly-bean-gun*
Who want some??
*Gasps* Oooohh a jelly-bean gun, I want one!:O
ReplyDeletedo you want one? ;D
ReplyDeleteyeahh I lurrrvvvve Jelly-beans:D
ReplyDeleteHere!
ReplyDelete*takes out another and hands it to Panda*
Sorry, I just have this one in pink left...
Yayyy:D ah well, I can maybe paint it blue or something...:L Thanks Valice:)
ReplyDeletei gtg for a while, will try and be back later today sometime, bye all! *hands them both more cookies*
ReplyDeleteBye nights thanks for the cookie:)
ReplyDeletebye nights!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the cookie (and the idea of handing thinks instead of throwing)
ReplyDeleteGot to go too, will be back later...!
ReplyDeletePromise :)
Oh okay. Seee yaaa Valice:)
ReplyDeleteHI people!
ReplyDeleteHey Kestrel:)
ReplyDeleteI'm back! But not for long as I'm now headed to try on a bridesmaids dress for when my sister gets married :D
ReplyDeleteoooh luckkyyy, I'd love to be a bridesmaid:)
ReplyDeleteOMG DEREK I AM GOING TO SEE YOU IN BELFAST I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteI AM LITERALLY GOING TO BE DRAGGING MY FRIENDS WITH ME!! :D
ALSO, *screams* YOU'RE STARTIGN BOOK 8 SOON! THAT IS SO AWESOME AND EXCITING!!
one last thing, I'M 16 IN 2 DAYS TIME :D
Happy Birthday in 2 days!:D
ReplyDeleteAww Thank you Panda Bear :')
ReplyDeletewelcomes:)
ReplyDeleteOh. I'm so sad he couldn't go to Germany.:'(
ReplyDeleteHI PEOPLE!
ReplyDeleteWbd, doing hwk. :(
Me too! But I think he'll come february 2013 to germany again!
ReplyDeleteDEREK BLOGGED AGAIN. YAY.
ReplyDeleteGLAD YOU HAD FUN, DEREK.
YAAAAY.
NOW TO BE ANGRY AT WHSMITHS FOR KILLING KOTW DUSTCOVERS AND THINKING IT'S ALRIGHT.
I live in England. I didn't get to see him. :(
ReplyDeleteHe didn't come anywhere in the northeast where I am.
Stupid WHSmith.
ReplyDeleteHow are you, Sequintial?
INK. I HAVENT SEEN YOU IN AGES.
ReplyDeleteVLAEDR. FORGET AGES, I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN MILLENIA!
ReplyDeleteHI.
I didn't get to meet him either, Star. BUT, WHEN MY BOOKS ARRIVE IN THE POST, HAVE 40 SP BOOKS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT.
ReplyDeleteI'm good. Ellikins sent me two letters, a skull bracelet, a drawing, a key ring and the HG movie companion. C:
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteLet's pray he comes to Sheffield next year, eh? :)
I had so much fun meeting you in Dublin, Derek, it was AWESOME :D Thanks for signing my books and looking at my pictures :)
ReplyDeleteIm so happy to see you again! I thought you were dead!
ReplyDeleteAND Y U NO CHECK MY BLOG ANYMORE???
UM . . .
ReplyDeleteI'M GETTING BEHIND ON EVERYONE'S BLOGS. I'M BUSY. IT ISN'T JUST YOU . . . *puts 'Visit Everyone's Blogs' on the end on my very long To Do list*
Bbs, dinner.
Hey peoples:) sups?
ReplyDeletehey panda bear, howya?
ReplyDeleteI'm awesome thanks:) how are you? any news?:)
ReplyDeletenot much, i might be entering the young scientist competition.
ReplyDeleteI'm not religious, but I won't lose hope;D
ReplyDeleteHello, anyone that appeared. Cya, anyone that left.
Derek!!!!!! You said you'd mention Luce!!! Please!!! Remember? I got a hug and demanded that she be mentioned!!! Derek!!!! Pretty please with a hug and ice cream??????
ReplyDeletehey luce
ReplyDeleteHey and hey:)And woah eden that's awesome:D my friend might be entering too!:)
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you remember me, even just a little. With my painting and shoes and I couldn't speak properly due to excitement....
ReplyDeleteHehehe, I'm going to make you a present one day......a BIG one!
Hey guys!!!
ReplyDeleteBACK!!!
ReplyDeleteHi people who arrived!
hey star Rhiannon and Willow
ReplyDeleteHey willow, Hey Ink! How are yous?:)
ReplyDeleteAHH DEREK I MET YOU ON FRIDAY! you probably don't even remember me xD wasn't the most memorable person there xD BUT you were amazing :D
ReplyDeletehello jennifer.
ReplyDeleteI AM FINE!
ReplyDeleteBut annoyed by the amount of hwk I have.
Wb, Star!
ReplyDeleteFab to see you in Liverpool Derek and glad you liked the little model that i made for you! Might see you in Cheltenham too:} Good luck with ideas for book 8:)
ReplyDelete-Em
I dont have that much, just some irish and history and religion.
ReplyDeleteStar do you like Artemis Fowl.
ReplyDeleteI missed lord of the puppies D:
ReplyDeleteHey Star! It been a week since I last blogspoke to you :P
because Star if you do? i live in the same town as the author and my mom knows him and my brothers in his sons tennis class.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool Eden! My friend's secretly obsessed with it... When I said a quote I looked up she fell of her chair fangirling.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding, Eden??? If SP and Gone didn't exist, Artemis Fowl would be my favourite book series by miles. :)
ReplyDeleteha, see i dont think hes that big because i see him the odd time maybe, i didnt think he was that big outside Ireland.
ReplyDelete. . . OMGG. *faints*
ReplyDeleteughh I'm out of school sick which is alot worse than hmw D:
ReplyDeleteDON'T MOBE. I'LL BBS.
ReplyDeleteMobe? okay, I won't mobe then...
ReplyDeleteyeah im not kidding he lives in Wexford Ireland my Nana got me Half moon investigations and whats it called code breaker or something signed. he gives a big show to most of the schools in wexford to come and have a laugh during the sci fi fest i got his autograph.
ReplyDeletehes funny and his beard is even funnier.
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh luckyyyy:O where in Wexford?:O
ReplyDeleteEden would you think I can get an autograph from him for my friend?? It's fine if you say no but it's worth a shot.
ReplyDeletei dont think so but i could see what i could do for you.
ReplyDeleteand i dont know where in wexford but in the general wexford town area
The general yorkshire area :D Miranda quote.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eden :D
EDEN YOU LIVE NEAR MY BEST FRIEND...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh cool:) you are so lucky to know him:)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=281264238649176&set=o.54064762985&type=3&theater
ReplyDeleteDon't let me near photoshop. EVER.
I GOT TO HUG DEREK!
ReplyDeleteBest Day Ever!
My Poor Nana Was Exhausted Because We Were In Line For 3 HOURS in Liverpool One. But It Was Totally Worth It Because I Got A Hug And Two Books Signed! Ahhhhhhhh! Thank You So Much Derek For Being So Awesome! (Although I Still Think Your Evil!)
no problem, it couldnt hurt to try ill get my brother to ask his son.
ReplyDeleteput the plan will need cunning and charm, i might offer him my autograph just to make sure the deal is on with a note saying "mr colfer as you can see by how cunning and charming i am i wil be famous some day so here is my autograph, keep it you may be able to sell it some day and all i want in return is two of your autographs.
whose your best friend Luce.
ReplyDeletestupid correct type, it stops working and then it starts back up.
ReplyDeleteLuce whats their name.
Cool Eden :P
ReplyDeleteI don't have charm I have a disease. It's called awesomeness; don't worry it's not contagious.