I love German book fairs.
Every single one I've been to has been PACKED, and while that does tend to slow things down as you're trying to walk from one gigantic hall to the other, you really don't mind all that much. All these people crammed in around you are book-lovers, for god's sake. How annoyed can you actually be?
Over the weekend, I was at TWO German book fairs. The first one was in Cologne, on Friday evening, and I was up on stage with Rainer, the actor who does the German audiobooks, and Margarete, the translator. We've been doing this together for a few years now, so we're all quite comfortable with the process. The main difference between events in Germany and events everywhere else (apart from the need for a translator) is the emphasis put on the audio book. Rainer is as integral to the show as I am, and his readings make up half of our time on stage. The event in Cologne went wonderfully, and we had a really receptive audience, and I even spotted some familiar faces in the queue.
Once I'd finished signing, we went back to our hotel, where we had a very nice meal attended by the weirdest waiters I've ever encountered. One was tall, one was short, and they looked so alike that I started to suspect that they were the rejects from a batch of clones some mad professor had concocted in a dark and dingy lab. They were both wearing ill-fitting suits, both had the same type of glasses, and they both stood around and stared into space in the corners of the room while we were waiting to place our orders. So incredibly ODD.
Thankfully, we managed to escape the restaurant before they could kill us and harvest our organs to replace their own failing ones, and I got to my room and got into bed and put my head on the most deadly pillow the world has ever known. It was so big and so soft that when I put my head onto it, the whole thing folded up on either side and tried to suffocate me.
Convinced that the clone waiters were hovering outside my door, waiting for me to die, I slept without a pillow that night. I also slept sideways, because the double bed I'd been given was, in actual fact, two single beds pushed together, and I kept slipping down between them. Who knows what was waiting for me if I had slipped all the way? Scorpions? Tarantulas? Really lazy ninjas? Or maybe just a hole in the floor and a twisting slide that would deliver me to the mad professor's Experimentation Table of Doom?
I survived the night. Barely.
The next morning, we got a train to Frankfurt and then a plane to Leipzig. No attempts on my life were made during this time.
Leipzig Book Fair is half book festival and half comic convention. There are all these people dressed as Manga characters roaming around, chatting on their phones, browsing book shelves. Also, all of Germany had had a pretty bad winter, and there was piles of snow everywhere and it was pretty damn cold— and in the middle of it all you have these really cute German girls walking around in bizarre costumes that don't really cover a whole lot. They must have been FREEZING.
We did our first event, and although we only had a half an hour, it went very well. Such a huge crowd. The signing went on forever, and it was so cool seeing that many people wanting me to scrawl my signature over whatever they had.
The moment we were finished there we got in a car and drove to a graveyard. Because that's what you do once night falls, obviously.
We went to a huge sarcophagus-type place and we yapped in front of 200 people, doing our best to ignore the deep hole behind us with the old coffin. So just an average Saturday night, then...
Once that was done with, we went to dinner with a bunch of other people, including American author Maggie Stiefvater, and I sat at a big table with a bunch of people speaking German all around me. Best night EVER! Well, not quite. But Maggie is a funny lady.
Then I got back to my hotel. This time, my bed was a proper double bed, but the waiters had obviously followed me from Cologne because those damn pillows tried to drown my head again.
Sunday was my last day there. It was also Saint Patrick's Day.
(That's St PADDY'S Day, in its shortened version. Not St PATTY'S Day, as some Americans insist on calling it...)
I had an interview to do in the morning, and then I had two hours off before my event, so I went wandering through the halls. It was all so incredibly strange, and wonderfully so. It made me wish that Irish book festivals were like this. Imagine if The Mountains to the Sea festival had hundreds of teenagers walking around dressed as characters from comics and books. That would ROCK.
We did our event, signed for an enormous amount of people, and then I was whisked off to the airport to catch my first flight. I arrived back to my front door a little under eight hours later, tired but happy to be home, and looking forward to spending a night with my head on a pillow that doesn't try to kill me.
Monday, March 18, 2013
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«Oldest ‹Older 4801 – 4921 of 4921Hi Zaf.
"I opened up the window and looked up at the stars - it was a very chilly night and so it was clearer than usual so the sky looked higher up.
And I thought about this astronaut I heard talking on my radio about what it is like up in space.
And he said it made him feel very calm because you just looked out of the window of your rocket and all you saw for miles and miles was just stars and it was a comfort somehow to realise that the universe was such a big place and that the human-being race are just mere insects on a tiny sphere spinning away in the galaxy.
It seemed like all the stars were out and I thought to myself, all these stars can also be seen by Betty Moody - not now because it is day for her but when it is her night-time, she will be able to see a lot of the same stars I can.
And I realised that although the world can feel like a very big place and people can seem very far away, it is also true that the world is a very small place.
And maybe that is the point of infinity, bath east is there to remind you that things on this world aren't as big as you think they are - not compared to infinity anyway. Because, you see, Betty Moody compared to infinity is practically next door.
And I am beginning to think maybe infinity is not such a big worry after all."
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now
Lauren Child
"ood time"?
Uh. Well, the Ood are pretty good, I suppose, so that works. :P
Bye, Dragona! Sleep well!
@Ais: Still, by the time that happens, Sir Derek will be working on other books.
Isn't that right, Mister Landy? *pokes*
Aw, don't worry Ais. (Sorry, I keep nearly calling you Ash, 'cause I had a friend called Aisling and I called her Ash)
I'm sure Derek will write something new, or do SP short stories. And at least he'll do the blog :)
Bye Dragona *hugs*
Hi Tyler
*that it
bath east? *facepalm*
I was using the vioce to text thing cause I was too lazy to type. :P
*laughs*
I know the situation, Mara. xD
*voice
Seriously? *facepalm again*
Maybe he'll tour America
Right here's the list of books that I have to read:
Changeling: Demon Games by Steve Feasy
Changeling: Zombie Dawn by Steve Feasy
Inheretance by Christopher Paolini
City Of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Zom-b: Underground by Darren Shan
Zom-B: City by Darren Shan
Lady of The Shade by Darren Shan
Alice In Zombieland by Gemma ???
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Curse of the Kings by Alex Barclay
The first 3 Percy Jackson books
And that's my list!
Derek BETTER write something else after Skulduggery Pleasant. He better. I really like the way the books are. There's something funny about it all. He could nearly kill off everyone and it wouldn't sink in until after you'd finished the book cause he made all around d the deaths funny. That better not give you any ideas you hear me Derek Landy?
I've got a few, too... :P
Including Gone. I have to read that. *nods*
I quickly gave up on voice controlled things for that reason. :P ^^
@Zaf: He'll have to come to America at some point. Or America may find itself coming to him. o0
@Em: A fair few of those are on my list, too. Though, actually, my list of books I have to read is actually more of a book of books I have to read. :P
I still have to read Fear, Plague and Light. My friend said she'd lend them to me though so at least that's some books I won't have to buy.
Okay I'm trying voice control thing. Actually works. Mostly.
That's al lot of books Em :)
I love Clockwork Princess!!! It is amazing! Although I'd already guessed how the Jem x Tessa x Will thing was going to work out :)
Inheritance is quite a good book, but the first chapter's really boring. Just a warning. It gets better after that.
*Looks back at list* I also love Divergent :) And City of Lost Souls, of course. Percy Jackson is just awesome! It's my third fav series after SP and The Infernal Devices.
I need him to com here!!!!! My KOTW book demands to be signed! Yes I will have TMS signed once NJ sends it but...
Hi Zaf! *hugs* He has to go to America eventually. Otherwise all the Ameriminions will riot :)
He absolutely has to go to America. There are so many ameriminions who want to meet him But can't because he lives too far away.
*laughs* I know what you mean, Ais.
Aside from that, people would keep on reading, even if all of their favourite characters are killed in some cruel joke. It just doesn't STOP people.
(Derek Landy: Just because it wouldn't stop me from reading, don't get it into your head that you can kill ALL of my favourite characters. One or two, okay, but not all of them. No way.)
He may find himself dead and a certain Elder will have done it
And a certain Sanctuary agent will help that Elder
Perhaps, when he's visiting somewhere else, there may be an 'accidental' flight mix-up, resulting in Mister Landy 'accidentally' arriving in America, and a bunch of Ameriminions 'accidentally' being there to greet him. :P
*looks for a dark corner to plot in*
Yeah it wouldn't stop me reading it. But it would be wayyy too cruel to kill off all of my favourite characters.
Hehe. I lent TMS to my friend and Tanith is her favourite character and I was teasing her making her think that she died and then making her think that she didn't die in it. Well she's probably nearly finished it now or maybe she's already finished it so she'll know now. I mean I gave it to her in Monday so she's probably finished it.
*on
There'a a dark corner over there Taia *points*
Where did you think the clone waiters were waiting to take him? And who did you think paid them to do it? (Stopping off in NZ on the way, obvs)
Im in the New York Sanctuary so
Oh that's a good point Saph. Pity they didn't manage it.
I'm Irish but I still want him to go to America.
Wait maybe they DID manage it but Derek kept it quiet so that the Ameriminions that didn't get to see him wouldn't be jealous.
And he was too embarrassed to say that he was kidnapped. By clone waiters of all people.
Maybe he is embarrassed??!!
Like he should have seen it coming for gods sake
Even ninja clone waiters...
Oh my Golden God.
I have a bad feeling something's going to happen to Ghastly...
NO DEREK, PLEASE SAY IT'S NOT TRUE! STEAK! STEEEAAAAAAAKKKKK!
Ghanith must happen!!! Let them eat steak!
Mara what ship is steak? It is a ship right?
Hi again Mara! *tacklehugs*
*laughs*
Multiple locations in America, with NZ on route, of course, Saph. Hired by one of these Ameriminions, I'm sure.
I'll bet the clones were a pair of mishaps from one of Doctor Nyes experiments, too. :P
Ah! Thank you, Saph!
*wanders into the corner of darkness*
*switches on the light*
That's better. :P
Ghastly! Tanith! Steak! Ghastly!
Derek Landy: Do not harm dear Mister Bespoke...
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
How do we manage to discuss steak, ninja clone waiters, and kidnapping Derek all at the same time?
Hmm just realised that the room I'm in has gotten dark. Meh can't be bothered to walk all the way over to the light.
I helped in the waiter incidents
I was always here. . .
Just extremely distant. But hey, Saphy. *hugs*
Steak is the most beautiful ship you could possibly ship. It is also known as Ghanith. AKA Ghastly and Tanith.
Ais; If only you were a Teleporter :) What is your power btw? Do you have one?
Saph cause we're just amazing like that. *nods* yes that's the reason. We're not craxpzy or anything. No. Not crazy.
*crazy
Of course we're not crazy Ais. You just keep believing that and soon you'll be able to see the pretty fairies that no-one else can see...
I'm an Elemental Saph. Well at least I think I'm an Elemental. But I might start training in something else as well. Until I have the Surge anyway. But that's ages away. I'm only 12 now.
I'm a Teleporter. :P
I have 5 minutes left here... So I'm gonna go. Night guys. *hugs everyone* *disappears*
But I already see the pretty fairies. Wait so can you see them too? If you can that'd be great. Whenever I mention them people look at me like I'm crazy. I'm honestly not crazy. Although some people A.K.A. most of my class think I'm crazy for reading so much.
I'm a Sensitive and an Elemental at the moment. Dunno what I'll choose when the Surge comes, but that's ages away. I'm only 13.
Night Mara
*frowns*
I tried to fix my one-eared-head issue.
Now it just looks lopsided...
I'm just hoping, when I've finished, the red eyes won't look quite so terrifying. :P
I'm crazy.
*pride*
I am a werewolf.
Bye Mara!
I know Aisling! No-one else believes! But the fairies are so pretty! We just have to beliiiiieeeeeeeve...
Well not crazy in a bad way. I'm crazy in a good way.
I'm a Necromancer but I still serve on the American Council. I work alongside Grand Mage Bisahalani and another Elder but I work in the main American Sanctuary up in New York City
In two years of Blogland-ness, I still haven't settled on any kind of power.
I am the powerless! :P
Yes Em we must believe in The pretty fairies.
*frowns*
Does Clarabelle have any magical ability?
I can't draw at all, Tara. I'm sure if I tried, it would look ten times more lopsided than yours :)
Em; Really? I didn't know that. That's cool :)
Please excuse any random full stops or capital letters.
The pretty fairies are all that matters...
I don't know if Clarabelle has any powers. I think she does, I just don't know what they are.
*turns on the light*. Wow way too bright. *turns off the light again*.
Gtg night.
She is a werewolf she and I fought a lot in the summer
*nods* and she called me that damn Necromancer
Bye Ais! *hugs*
I might go as well. I need to eat breakfast :)
Bye everyone!
Awh, Bye Ais! Sleep well!
Aww. Bye Saph! Enjoy your breakfast! It was nice meeting you. :)
I may suddenly disappear.
And wbd.
Cake.
Bye....oh you an Aussie!
You still are that damn Necromancer lol
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOW CAN ALL YOU PEOPLE NOT LOVE ARTEMIS FOWL GAH I WILL MURDER YOU ARTEMIS FOWL WAS MY LIFE LIKE SERIOUSLY I WOULDN'T HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THAT FANFIC OF MINE AND THEN IT GRADUALLY BECAME MY STORY ABOUT HUNTER (no I've got no idea how that happened either the stories are so completely different it's hilarious) SO SEEING AS THAT IS MY LIFE NOW THEN FROM A CERTAI POINT OF VIEW ARTEMIS FOWL IS STILL MY LIFE AND ALL THE THINGS WE BELIEVE ARE TRUE ARE ONLY TRUE FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW YEAH STAR WARS REFERENCES ROCK AND THIS SENTENCE IS WAY TOO LONG LIKE SERIOUSLY WHY DID I DECIDE NOT TO PT PUNCTUATION IN IT LIKE WAHT THE HELL SO I SHOULD PROBABLY END IT NOW AND UH YEAH.
Um, hello.
Very msd.
LOL
Nice entrance Star lol
I did try my hardest to get into Artemis Fowl, I always do try and give books a chance but I just couldn't bring myself to like the character so i just couldn't do it.
But that does not take away from the fact that it has been such a successful series and means a lot to a lot of people.
I just couldn't get into it.
*rocks back and forth*
Im going mental
Um.
*hands Star a cookie*
Hey. :P
It's very likely that I will disappear soon.
Otherwise, wbd. :)
HEY, TAIA. :)
*eats cookie* Thank you. :)
@Em: Well, that's your opinion. *shrugs* :)
It gave me my story, so I'm immensely grateful to it.
Silence has fallen... Hello?
Hey!
Derek, you seriously need to publish a new post. We're using up all the comment space :)
Hi Saphy! [hugs]
How are you?
Hi Fabi! *hugs back*
That's so weird. My computer said we'd done 4999 comments :S
I'm pretty good. I should be doing hhomework.
How're you?
Weird... Mine says we have a little ways to go still.
Mine does NOW *rolls eyes* I like your new pic. I should probably change mine.
I'm okay... Mostly because I'm eating ice cream. The sun is getting in my eyes though and making them water. Also I'm allergic to pollen and there were onions on my sandwich earlier.
Sorry... I didn't mean to complain like that.
Wbd.
Meh, it wasn't really complaining.
Wbd too while I do homework
Thanks... I should probably change mine to the completed sketch. It's supposed to be Tanith, but the hair looks dark, so I don't know then...
Okay...
Murdering cheese again. :-P
Ill Tweet to Derek
Good idea, Zaf, and hi!
Hi Zaf!
*Waves*
I'm bored... I like potatoes...
Lol hi
Hi Death *hugs*
You're bored?... We could always plot how to kidnap Derek.
I like potatoes. My brother doesn't. He likes mash though, which confuses me. They're the same thing :S
Hi Death
Potato clock. [nods] The third grade science class made a potato clock today. They were on display by the main entrance-y place.
*potato clocks
They each made one, so...
My friends and I are fighting... They won't listen to me... They don't understand what I have been through... THEY DON'T BLOODY EVEN CARE!!!! I SHOULD GO KILL MYSELF TO TEACH THEM!! THEY WOULDN'T BLOODY CARE!!!!!!
Death calm the fudge down
*grabs*
No killing yourself it isnt worth it
*Quiet*
It feels like it.
Whats the point? It isnt helping to kill yourself sometimes frieds fight: it happens it'll get better they will understand but dying isn't the answer to it believe me
Hell, it feels like it... My uncle is dying, my family is falling apart... I carry their weight on my shoulders... I can only stand for so long...
*hugs*
I know the feeling I lost my uncle to ALS and the last few weeks were hard we knew he was to die but the way he went it was stressful on all of us
Got to go... Bye
Bye Aussie I hope the day gets better
I swear i wanna get last comment
GAH I FINISHED TMS
Jubi did you cry when....
TMS SPOILER ALERT
When Jack died? I sure as hell did
I cried too! It was SO SAD! I hate you now Derek :(
I wanted to kill Derek I mean I called NJ on Skype sobbing! SOBBING Landy reduced me to tears I mean I didnt cry when he killed Bliss or Kenspeckle but but THIS CHAR I cries
I feel your pain Zaf :( I could never really hate the Golden God, but I came close. I was yelling at the book for ages with tears on my face. I was upset about (SPOILER ALERT) Annis too :'( But not as upset as I was about Jack.
WHY, DEREK? WHY?
I was freaked with Sabine I wasn't entirely sure if the guys raped her ten killed her or just killed her I'm thinking rape I mean
"With Saracen I assure you it was purely physical."
*sits in tree*
Just you wait Landy I will explode you if you dare harm a hair on Grand Mage Erskine Ravel he is MINE back off you little good for nothing murderous little....
Ahem how very rude of me
Guys... There is a spoiler post for just that kind of conversation.
Thanks for the SPOILER ALERTs, though.
I'm outta here!
Lol yeah i know but eh i figured this post is ending sooo its fine and I learned
Derek threatened us with spoons needlesss to say i took him seriously
Omg
LASTY
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