Friday, April 29, 2011

Bah! Delays!

Okay, fine, I HAD wanted to unveil the new cover sometime this week, but obviously that hasn't happened. I've been assured that I'll be able to do it sometime NEXT week, though, so hopefully that'll work out.

In the meantime...

I'm feeling much better these days. I haven't gone back training yet- I haven't recovered THAT much- but I went in for a few tests on Wednesday and they have pronounced me fit as a proverbial fiddle and told me that I'm pretty much immortal, which I knew already. But still, always good to hear a second opinion.

I did an event last night with John Connelly in Easons in Dublin that was a LOT of fun. John is a crime writer by day, but at night he writes the wickedest books for younger readers- he's written The Book of Lost Things and The Gates, and has just come out with his new one, Hell's Bells. He read an excerpt from Hell's Bells and, for the first time ever, I read an extract from one of MY books. I normally don't read aloud because I have a stutter, and I much prefer to just walk around the stage and ramble on about cats and dogs and weird-looking children. But last night I thought I'd do something new, so I read, and it was actually a lot of fun- but what made it cooler was the fact that it was an excerpt from the new book. I decided that it wouldn't be an action scene or a chase scene, or in fact anything to do with the actual plot. Instead, it was Valkyrie at home with her parents and her baby sister- so there was a LOT of her dad being his usual oddball self, which really seemed to go down well.

Afterwards there was a signing session which, ahem, kind of went on until AFTER the store had actually closed... But the Easons staff were all really cool about it, even though they had to stay late, and they seemed to be having a good time while I chatted and doodled and signed. I even met some people who visit this Blog- so say hello in the comments section, dammit! Especially you, Elizabeth, who came up to me after I'd signed her books and asked for a hug. Awwww. I LOVE giving hugs. Elizabeth now has a special place in my heart...

I'm just looking at my calender here for May... Let's see... Okay, I'll be at the Brighton Festival on the 8th, then I'll be doing something with Children's Books Ireland on the 22nd, and I'll be at the Wicklow Festival on the 28th. So if you're around, drop by and give me a hug.

1,264 comments:

1 – 200 of 1264   Newer›   Newest»
Minnie said...

Awwww. I love stories about hugs, but I don't give hugs myself. And actually I don't love stories about hugs that much, unless they illustrate how awesome my favorite author is. I'm glad the event went so well. Wish you'd come to America. =)

Georgina Howlett said...

Heya Derek!

I'm glad that you're feeling better, and I hope that you'll post the cover up soon! I can't wait until September for various reasons, one being book 6 is out, another is that I get to enter year 10, and the final one is that I am bringing a whole group of crazy fans with me to one of your tour signings.

Ohhh yes. There's me, Olivia Spring, Ashley Sowers, Becky Allaker, Katy Amsden, Dayna Hiscock and a whole other array of people all joining me at a signing. Oh, and we're coming as our OC's.

You excited yet, Derek? (You better be.)

Sooo, apart from wishing you well, I am gonna go find a map, hope to find where Brighton is and show up and scare you sometime soon. If you need tickets, if there's any left I'll get some, and if there aren't any left I'm expecting you to get me in there for FREE. You get me?

By the way, when will you be announcing your tour dates for September? You better be doing some signings before the 5th or else I'm gonna kill youuuuu~

Not really. It's just that if its after the 5th, I ain't coming anywhere. :C

So, seeya Derek and don't be too scared! Send me a message on Bebo, and hurry up with that cover! D<

Georgina/Ashione

Octa said...

3rd!!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hello! 4th?! :D

DogsLikeBones said...

Goose darn it more waiting for book covers! It's a good thing I'm a patient person... Although I can bore easily... But I can also be easily amused...
ANYWAY So glad to hear your feeling better!
P.S. First ever comment and (I think) I'm number 3!

Ayesha said...

i sooo glad yor feeling better!! =D

DogsLikeBones said...

Oh never mind number 5 then you people comment too fast...

N said...

8TH!!!!!! :D

Dragona Pine said...

I'm glad you're feeling better Derek :)

Dragona Pine said...

Hey I'm 9th and is this 10th?

Dragona Pine said...

YEY!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

and hey, derek my man! that's cool! (at least for me...)

i just hope that you will get us the cover as soon as possible!

hey peeps! news for me?.......

i wish that i'd gone up to london fot the royal wedding, simply because i know that i would've been celebrating with my good friend who i sadly do not see very often!

Ayesha said...

OMG will you come to england to do a book signing if so wen?? i wanna know plz can you tell us! oh and of course ill give you a hug!!=D

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i have only just strated reading The Hunger Games *hangs head in shame* but already i am really excited and, as they say, INTO the story! :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

AND YES! I AGREE WITH AYESHA! COME HERE DEREK! COME TO US! :D PLEASE! WE ANTA BOOKS SIGNING! (i already have the fifth book signed, but i bought it like that... it's not the same...)

I WILL PROMISE TO BE THERE IF YOU DO! :D

Ayesha said...

hunger games is amazing its becoming a film cant wait to watch it!!! XDDDD

DogsLikeBones said...

If you're ever in oh, I dunno... Say West Coast of Scotland? And in need of a hug? I could help out - In exchange for a little book signing =D

Crescent said...

COOL! If you post what the times and places etc are, and if there in Ireland around north county dublin, I will be THERE!! And iv heard your stutter, in an interview i saw on utube, and i think its really cute!! I amimmensly happy u are well, and cant wait to see the cover, which will no dout be EPIC!

Crescent said...

I would LOVE to meet you! I would bring all my books and make you sign them, and then questiion you endlessly...
Well, I would really like to meet you. And For some reason, on your website, when i tried to join the munchkin army, i filled in my details to register, and clicked finish but nothing happened. do you know why?

hudson said...

OK, well now you have competition. I've just landed a kind of job as the teen columnist for my local magazine. so HAH!!!

Pity about the cover :(

Lilith Nightshade... said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLGWQfK-6DY

WATCH, WATCH, WATCH! in primary school, we did a dance to this, and we had to do the dane-off between boys and girls too! the coolest thing is, that I was the main girl dancer! OH YEAH! the worst thing was, that nobody recorded the DAMN PERFORMANCE! D: anyways, yes, some of the dancing in this vid is a bit... weird... but there you go! the guy's wig falls off! LOL! :D

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*rolls around on the floor*

LALALALALALALA!

Crescent said...

OMG, wouldn't it be so cool if like Georgina said,we all dressed up as our OC's!! OMG, I really wanna do that, tho my oc doesnt really have any accentuated features...

Aquila Felis said...

Mine neither...
But it'd be fun, though.^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

... my OC is onlt wearing a boring jacket and t-shirt... i think that she would probably wear traniers like mine, or boots like mine...

Aquila Felis said...

Oh, wait, she has one:
Her bow!^^

Crescent said...

GTG I will be seeing you folks! BYE!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

bye cresent! :)

Aquila Felis said...

Bye Cresent!

Crescent said...

If any of you minions live in Ireland, then we should all go to the same signing and meet up! Possibly dressed as our OC's!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins*i would LOVE to crescent... but we have practically NO money right now... *sighs*

*mumbles* when my book's finished...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i would just fly over there if i could! :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

is anybody here?...

Aquila Felis said...

Yes, me. :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*sighs* i'm off to write my novel!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins at aquila*

i will still kinda be on here! don't you worry! :)

Aquila Felis said...

Na, you know me: It's quite difficult to make me worry.^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins*

Aquila Felis said...

*humms happily*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*sits down and tries to remember how many flips she did in the dance*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLGWQfK-6DY

Lilith Nightshade... said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLGWQfK-6DY

hey, just watch this from 3:23 and the person in the pink hoodie and white hat teleports after she's done her part! :D LOL!

DogsLikeBones said...

*wimper* The rain just gave me a hell of a scare...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins* i love your pic! :)

DogsLikeBones said...

Who? Me?

Lilith Nightshade... said...

yes, you! :)

DogsLikeBones said...

*blushing* Why thank you :)

DogsLikeBones said...

I really like yours too!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins* thanks! :) sorry if i'm a bit distant... i'm busy! :)

DogsLikeBones said...

No problem - I'm the same I keep listening to the same song on youtube this is probably my 6th time so far :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

listen to this! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLGWQfK-6DY

in primary, i did a dance to oit and was the main girl dancer! :D

DogsLikeBones said...

Haha that's funky :)

Rachel McCoach said...

*grumbles*
i cant believe ours was one oot o just 3 schools NOT off for the wedding*

damn cheap highland council...

Rachel McCoach said...

:O i LOVE that thing now...drawing random things

Derek, good to hear ur getting better

but...

how come WE dont get an excerpt?

Prophet said...

Next week got it
great work fighting the parasites by the way

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi... am i late?...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*decides she must be*

Becky Allaker said...

....I actually invited Georgina... So I don't know how me and the guys going to a signing with HER works...

But anyway. I am depressed, D-Man. The fact that the nasty Harper Collins people are making us wait for the cover shot me down, but then I heard that Thirty Seconds to Mars may not be making another CD. It's depressed me muchly. And goddamnit not even Noah and the Whale is helping.


Hmph.

However, my good man, I'm very glad to hear that you're well again! And, rest assured, I will molest you with hugs when I see you next! So be ready!

Now.... Do WE loyal minions get to see that same excerpt of Book Six? OhGodIhopewedo.

It'd cheer us all up no end, it really would! Because waiting for Book Six really is killing us.


Oh, and I'm bringing you a prezzie in September! You better like it because it's awesome! Or will be....


When it's finished....

OH, AND. Olivia (Flaring as you best know her) might also make an appearance in September. I'm not sure, but she might because she said she might be coming over here to see me. So be prepared for us. :D

Now, I am going to curl up in a corner and eat what's left of this easter egg.....

Byebye! <3

K4Y731GH said...

Hi Derek!
Glad to hear your feeeling beter and I can't wait to see the new cover!!! :)
(wooo i got acomment before it reached 100!!!! woohooo =D)

Ann Marie said...

YOU'RE ALIVE!
*CLINGS*










*still clinging*









*realizes that you might not appreciate being clung to*
*lets you go*

Ahem. Good to see you, dude.

Now I'm going to take my inappropriate worry and go bed to bed. Later!

Unknown said...

What's the Wicklow festival and where??? I want to bring your new fan Dana! ( and myself obvs)

Tori said...

HUGS!!!

Rachel McCoach said...

OMG!!! everyone- watch the new smurf film trailer!! its EPIC!!! theres a talking cat! and the surfs...epicly awesome!!!

tis out in july me thinks

:D

Aquila Felis said...

*walks in*

Dragona Pine said...

Hi.

Tori said...

hey u guys, check out my new blog post
and COMMENT DAMMIT!!!!
i don't even think anyone read my last post either :'(

Dragona Pine said...

Aww poor Tori. I'll go have a look ^^

Tori said...

yay :D

Rachel McCoach said...

hey :) and ill go look too :)

and hey again, i dont think weve properly met tori :)

Aquila Felis said...

I'll go and have a look, too. :)

Tori said...

YAY *jumps up and down*
people are reading my mindless ramblings :P

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i am here! :D

Dragona Pine said...

Tori, your picture of your hand is AMAZING!

Ayesha said...

hi everyone!!

Tori said...

hi lilith

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi tori! :)

Tori said...

no it isn't dragona
it's super frustrating and is a smudgy mess

Dragona Pine said...

Hello people ^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

OMG! AMAZING!

Tori said...

i'll be back in a little bit

Lilith Nightshade... said...

brilliant pic!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

'kay tori

Lilith Nightshade... said...

umm... i need to go and write my novel now...

Dragona Pine said...

Tori, it is AMAZING! I'm in awe. I can't even dream of doing something that good, all I can draw is stickmen ^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

but before i go, i will give you all a conversation starter!... umm...

Dragona Pine said...

OK Lilith

Dragona Pine said...

LOL Lilith.

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*decides to pull out gun again*

Ayesha said...

OMG that pic is amazing!!

Aquila Felis said...

I think it's a really good drawing, Tori. :)

You should trap those people messing with your art... *grins evily*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*shoots out light again*

Dragona Pine said...

*puts a bullet proof light on*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*sighs*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*break dances*

HAHA! THERE'S A CONVERSATION STARTER! :D

Dragona Pine said...

*spins on his head*

Aquila Felis said...

You could put itchi powder over it...
or, working with gloves, you could use poison ivy...
*grins more*

Rachel McCoach said...

wow good hand :) i cant draw people but my animals and spur of the moment pics are quite good

http://picsofawesomeness.blogspot.com/2011/03/here-are-some-of-my-drawings.html

Rachel McCoach said...

a booby tapped work of art aquila? very nice idea...

*thinks evily* :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

unemployment in a record high!
people coming,
people going,
people born to die!
dont ask me because i dont know why,
but its like that, and that's the way it is!

people in the world trying to make ends meet!
you try to ride car, train, bus or feet!
i said you gotta work hard if you want to compete!
its like that, and thats the way it is!

HUH!

Dragona Pine said...

:P

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*break dances with dragona as he seems to be the only one who pays attention to her*

Dragona Pine said...

*continues spinning on his head*

*leaps up, does three flips and lands on one arm*

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

DEREK!!!!!!!!!! CAn you unveil the cover and title of the new bok say around oh i dont knoew May 6th for my birthday ;D PRETTY PLEASE! That would be like an AWESOME thing to see on my birthday! it would make my day!

Dragona Pine said...

Hi Skulgirl!

Ayesha said...

hiii skulgirl!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi skulgirl! :)

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Skulgirl!
*echoes*

Rachel McCoach said...

talking about pics...i need to go scan more into the comp before i lose them.
also need to feed the animals and find the tortoise before he escapes...

be back in like 15 mins guys :)

Dragona Pine said...

Ok Rachel.

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

OLO PEPOLES!

Ayesha said...

ok rachel!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

'kay rach! :)

Dragona Pine said...

Skulgirl, long time no see?

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

yeah i had a LOT going on with passover and such i bearly had time to come on the blog!

Dragona Pine said...

Did you enjoy passover?

Anonymous said...

some people come on this blog way to much... just saying....

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

sorta it wasn't as fun as i hoped but i got to miss a day of school!

Dragona Pine said...

Currently-infamous, we enjoy coming on, so what?



Skulgirl, that's good ^^

Aquila Felis said...

*gives cookie to currently-infamous*
Pooor one...
^^

Dragona Pine said...

LOL Aquila

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

yeah so right now the weather is good here and tomorrow i have to go to a cousins who i dont really know bar mitzvah :/ i have to sit an hour in the car squished next to my brothers

Anonymous said...

i'm just saying, i mean do you even know each other in real life other than on this blog

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

so does it really make a difference its kida fun for people not to know you personally but like a pen pal sort of way

Ayesha said...

no we dont, but does it matter???

Dragona Pine said...

Aww poor Skulgirl, I hope you have a good time.




Currently-imfamous, nope, we do not. But we all share a liking for SP and that is why we are friends.

Aquila Felis said...

How should we? I'm German. ^^

Mar-Chu said...

WE HAD A HEATED DISCUSSION ABOUT CRUMPETS IN SCIENCE TODAY!

However, I still have no clue what they are~

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

i hope so too! man its nice outside! we went outside for art today and i found my pencil sharpener out there :P i lost it on monday

Ayesha said...

LOL hii mar!!!

Mar-Chu said...

I know Thalia and Mir in real life!

Dragona Pine said...

LOL Skulgirl.


Hi Mar!

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

arent crumpets like larger biscuts? or is that scones?

Mar-Chu said...

the royal wedding was influencing everything today...

I'm watching it now with my aunt, mom, and grandma.

Mar-Chu said...

Hello~!

Dragona Pine said...

Mar, just wait until they're on the balcony. That was NOT a kiss. It was more of a peck, I'm sure one of them is half chicken...

Ayesha said...

lol dragona!!

Mar-Chu said...

*sighs*

Ah drat.

I was actually thinkin of you on the bus Derek!

I was day dreaming of the time when i would finally get my hands on the sixth book and...

*grins*

but now I just depend on this blog to keep me sane. ^^

Dragona Pine said...

What? It was a peck!

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

i didnt see the wedding!!! it was on at like 4 in the morning over here i was still asleep!

Rachel McCoach said...

UK guys! did us all get off for the wedding?

Anonymous said...

i couldn't put myself through the whole wedding even the two getting married looked bored

Dragona Pine said...

Get off Rachel?

Aquila Felis said...

I didn't watch the wedding at all.^^

Mar-Chu said...

I KNEW YOU WATCHED IT DRAGONA!

When I watched clips of it all day I was like-

"What if thats someone on the blog?!"

"What if they're watching it?!"

"WHAT IF DRAGONA'S REALLY PRINCE WILLIAM!"

and then-

*looks at carriage*

"...They should've rode in a bently."

then my friend said- "Whaaaaat?!"

and I said- "A 1954 BENTLY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL!"

...I got bored, so the rumors in my head got more drastic.

Dragona Pine said...

You didn't miss much Aquila, but it's like a moment in history isn't it?

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

i was asleep for it all :P we were gona watch it in french but my teacher could find a clip in french :/

Min (Thalia) said...

Derek, you need to come to America so I can give you a hug.

Mar-Chu said...

We had it recorded~

so now we're watching it.

Mar-Chu said...

If I hugged Derek Thalia, I would savor it. And maybe be so overjoyed I would squeeze him a bit.

Aquila Felis said...

Had enough moments in history without it.^^

Mar-Chu said...

I watched the last royal wedding too!

*grins*

I remember the dress! it was puffy!

Dragona Pine said...

*wonders how he can be in too places at once if he is prince william*

I don't think I'm him... LOL


And I'm already married ^^

Ayesha said...

hii thalia!!

Rachel McCoach said...

yeah like all the schools got off but ours didnt...but we had to watch it in biology. it was so boring...
****
http://picsofawesomeness.blogspot.com/2011/03/here-are-some-of-my-drawings.html

more o me drawings are up...well 3 acc. the tortoise is a bit wierd

Mar-Chu said...

...what in the what is my grandmother knitting?

Dragona Pine said...

Rachel we're off school anyway. It's still the easter holidays until tuesday for us ^^

Mar-Chu said...

the priest!

every time today I saw him I was oddly remined of the preist from the princess bride.

Dragona Pine said...

LOL Mar.

Rachel McCoach said...

:O we went back on tuesday. but we got monday off again. when did u guys get off for easter?

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

uhhhh you guys are lucky! im back at schol it sucks

Mar-Chu said...

*looks at orange string*

*headtilt*

*mumbles*

ipreytogodthatsnotforme...

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

why do you not want an orange string?

Mar-Chu said...

awwww! so purdy!

*the wedding, not the string thing...*

Dragona Pine said...

Then I've got tuesday, wednesday and thursday at school because it's my grandma's funeral on friday so I get a day off.

Mar-Chu said...

*looks at skulgirl*

*mumbles*

becauseihavenoideawhatthatisanditsprobablynotagoodsighn...

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

oooooh now i see!

Prophet said...

u spelled sign wrong Mar

Anonymous said...

I'm simply curious to who elizabeth is...

Mar-Chu said...

BLAAAAAAAH! I DONT CARE BOUT SPELLIN!

Mar-Chu said...

aha! now i remember!

Prophet said...

*shrugs*

Mar-Chu said...

*screams*

ITS A ARMY OF CAMERA MEN!

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Krane!

Prophet said...

u say an army not a army cos its a vowel

Ayesha said...

hii krane!!

Rachel McCoach said...

ah right :) cant believe how quick this year's gone though...i practically just went into 3rd year and now were almost starting the changeover again

Mar-Chu said...

SHUTTUP!

I PRACTICALLY COULDNT HEAR FOR HALF OF KINDERGARDEN! IT TOOK THEM UNTIL THIRD GRADE TO GET ME A TUTOR!

Anonymous said...

it's always awkward when everyone knows everyone and you slip in, quietly to listen... do please carry on

Prophet said...

cant stay 4 long cos im taking what half demon u r quizzes

Dragona Pine said...

*hugs Kallista*

I g2g now... night all...

*hugs Flo*

Night...

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

very nice currently-infamous

Skulgirl13 A.K.A Deryn Mellifluous said...

BYE DRAGONA!!!!

Prophet said...

so far im either a fox or wolf demon

Anonymous said...

thanks

Min (Thalia) said...

Night Dragona!

Rachel McCoach said...

night dragona!

c.f- i was like that at the start :) till i got to know all these strange and wonderful folk

Anonymous said...

to be polite, goodnight Dragona

Aquila Felis said...

Night Dragona!


You could take part currently-infamous, you know?
^^

Ayesha said...

byee dragona!!

Prophet said...

bye Dragona
fox= sly and cunning
wolf= tough loner

Anonymous said...

i already have a cool nickname c.f.

Prophet said...

the fox is more suited to me but hey still

Anonymous said...

i think i will take part, iv'e been checking this blog out before but never wrote... ^^

Rachel McCoach said...

haha if you like it C.F :) soz but im too lazy to write it all :) u are C.f to me now :)

and thanks for the comment on me pic page-u too ayesha- i cant really draw people at all. except eyes

Aquila Felis said...

c.f. ...
Hmmm... I'll always have to type .s ...
^^

I did the same before actually talking to the others.^^

Mar-Chu said...

...do my eyes deceive me?

OR IS THAT A BENTLY?!

Aquila Felis said...

A Bently? Where?^^

Mar-Chu said...

awww bye Dragona!

Anonymous said...

i should of chose a shorter name ah well

Aquila Felis said...

You can still change it. currently-infamous doesn't sound like a chosen name to me.^^

Prophet said...

its fine mine used to be
Vladthedemonboy and thats much longer

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