My last tour, in 2010, was a huge success and every single day I was startled by the reaction. It was exhausting, with an astonishing amount of travel, but so worth it.
When I get back home, I have a little over a week to recover before the Ireland/UK tour kicks off. We're going to be doing something different this year- instead of heading over to the UK for 10 straight days, I'll be heading over for three weekends in a row. The plan is to pack as many signings in as possible on days when none of you will have school or college or work, so hopefully you can come along if you haven't had a chance to before. Again, further details will be available once I have them.
And now for something completely different...
How did you enjoy World Book Day? I know, I know, different countries have World Book Day at different times of the year, and some countries don't have World Book Day at all, so, the very term itself is kind of misleading... but ANYWAY...
I had a very good World Book Day, thank you very much. I was over in London with a bunch of other writers for a huge webcast thingy that was broadcast to three quarters of a million students across Ireland and the UK and, I don't know, possibly elsewhere. We each had five minutes onstage, which isn't a whole lot of time. I ended up talking about my dogs, for some reason. It was manic, but amusing.
Behind the scenes, however, was where the real fun was taking place. Put ten authors in a room, especially authors who write for young people, and after a while things are going to get slightly odd. And when a camera comes out to record interviews? Oh dearie me. I'm sure they'll be posted on worldbookday.com soon enough, so you can watch as responsible adults (such as me) turn into immature kids as we try to make each other laugh. Fun and games galore with Andy Stanton and Steve Cole and Chris Bradford, while Cressida Cowell looked on in astonishment. Eoin Colfer wasn't above having a bit of a lark himself, but Holly Webb and Jeremy Strong did the wise thing and stayed well away from the rest of us. Jacqueline Wilson, meanwhile, must have wondered what the hell was going on.
To end the webcast, we all trotted back onstage to meet The Duchess of Cornwall. I'm completely ignorant about all things royal family-ish, and I may have forgotten to stop chewing gum when I was shaking her hand. But I DID smile and say "pleased to meet you", so that was something, wasn't it? At least I didn't have my hands in my pockets, like Ronan O'Gara did when the Queen met the Irish rugby team.
Which, I have to say, I think is hilariously dim.
Annnnnyway...
I've been on TV quite a lot lately, and it's all thanks to World Book Day, so thank you, World Book Day, for interfering with my writing week. I was on the Alan Titchmarsh Show, which most of you know about, and then I was on Live With Gabby on Channel 5 a few days later, then I was on Elev8 on RTE yesterday, and on Tuesday morning I'll be on Ireland Am on TV3...
Good GOD. I'll be sick of myself, I swear I will.
And I can't even get away from myself in newspapers, either. The Guardian asked me to list my ten favourite villains from YA/children's fiction, and you can see if you agree with me by clicking here http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/mar/01/derek-landy-top-ten?newsfeed=true .
( I didn't include any of MY villains, because obviously mine would be best, and I'm far too modest to proclaim that in a national newspaper.)
Okay, that's enough babbling. It's 2:30 in the afternoon and I haven't eaten anything yet. Must make lunch.
Oh! One last thing! Take a look at this video- http://www.standup.ie/index/ - which promotes standing up to homophobic bullying. I mean, life is hard enough to get through without bullies making things worse, and the only decent thing to do is stand up for your friends when they need you.
And NOW I'm going to make lunch.
Posts
4,809 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 4601 – 4800 of 4809 Newer› Newest»Bye Blue!
I'm back if anyone noticed that I was gone.
Sweet Gorilla of Manilla!
WB Gab.
Hi bat
Bye Blue.
And thanks. I like jelly, but not on donuts.
Argh. Gtg to Guitar Lessons now. Bye!!
*hugs Eve and vanishes*
I gotta go! Bye!
Bye Mist! *hugs*
I gotta go too. Bye!
*growls*
I missed Shadow AND she didn't update her blog!
Hell, I missed EVERYONE!
Wait I'm not here
Derek! You amazing person! :D I'm so glad you're coming down - this is the first time I am actually aware that you're coming down so... I inevitably am going to meet you somehow. I was kind of hoping you could come to my school but if not, The Children's Bookshop works too - I'll just have to go force them to contact your publishers.
I'm just jealous. You've met Eoin Colfer? Pffft. I really do hope I get to see you because that would be my dream come true. Y'know - because my dream is to meet Derek Landy. Honest. I'm not even lying. And our accents aren't funny, yours are ^^
Anyone there?
SLAUGHTERHOUSE!!!
Eve I'll try to get on again in half an hour or so.
If you're still here.
Which I hope you are
Anyway
1st
1st
1st
Page goes to Eve the ROCK.
I'm 3 pages ahead now, Evie.
Hopefully be on again in half an hour. Or there abouts
Hi
Ugh!
Grr
Gonna have to do better if you want to catch up. ;)
*hugs*
*smiles* I'll catch up. You wait and see
*hugs*
We'll see.
*laughs*
*grins then stops* Agh! There's something in my hair!
It isn't a wasp is it?
*panicks*
Oh no! Gtg now , Eve. Bye!!
*hugs tightly and vanishes*
No, it's not a wasp. *feels around in hair* It feels like there's a ridge in my scalp or something! *starts picking at scalp*
Okay. Bye! *hugs*
*continues to pick at scalp*
Someone come on here. I need to survey someone for my homework!
Ugh! Fine! I'll just survey my little brother!
Hm?
Who was dat?
Grr. *sets up security camera, then remembers Paranormal Activity and quickly takes them down* I don't want to know.
Is anyone here?
Present!
Hi Eev.
Hi colbat
*stomps ground*
Damn it. I thought you forgot.
I thought you forgot Eev.
I will never forget EEV!
My name is Gabriel Cobalt.
Will be a bit slow to commentio.
And my name is Eve. But Eev's alright I guess. Colbat.
I need you to do something for me, Gab. I need you to do everything you can to prevent Mist from ever getting first again. Can you do that?
Where'd you go?
Ugh. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to be talking to yourself and then realising it AFTERWARDS?
Very.
Well, I may as well go ahead...
Derek! PLEASE come to Adelaide! PLEASE! I beg of you! As the Skulbassador of South Australia, I...
Hehe. Skulduggery and Ambassador. Skulbassador. I made that one up, so.... TM, people!
Yeah. Anyway, pleeeeeeeease! I REALLY want to meet you! Really! I want to meet you soooo much!!! Pleeease!
And someone PLEASE tell Derek how to read comments past the first page, for those of you lucky enough to get first page....*grumbles*
Anyway, you click on the post title, and the Newest, Oldest stuff appears, and yeah, you can read ma commentios.
Mist, please come on. I miss talking to people other than myself. Myself is boring,we have nothing in common. Pleeeease come on!
*looks around room and spots ufinished maths homework* Oh yeah. You.
*unfinished
Okay, this is not funny anymore. I'm BORED. And that's everyone's problem. *wears king's robe* I AM KING HEROD!!!
*reads through comments* Oh wow, I am such a weirdo.
*waits patiently for other people without talking*
I'm a weirdo too. I was just doing chores...
Might disappear again, Eve.
kay
My comment disappeared....:(
Damn it. I meant Eev.
Hehe.
I can't find the comp on the site...
EevEevEevEevEevEevEevEevEev
Colbat.
Have you read TEOTW?
did mr. derek answer my question?
I havent read the end of the world
i hate blogs
Oh. Okay. *zips lip*
Hi American.
Eve I know it's you.
Eev I meant.
It's not me.
I have to go now. Bye!
It's NOT ME. Grr! Bye
Really?
American you still there?
Refreshing
Mr. Landy, I would say I'm your biggest fan, but you may have already heard that billions of times.
And I mean billions.
When I finish writing my book, The Dragon Bandit, I will name you as one of my inspirations. Cool, huh? It's 500 pages (and still writing...)
Thing is, though, I'm from America, and I wish more than just the first three books would sell here. (Don't worry, though! I've already remedied that by ordering the next ones for myself online!)
I would add perhaps millions of more things, but I think I would bore you to death with my rambling on of how awesome you and Mr. Pleasant are.
Cheers and good luck with The End of the World!
-Silastrix
P.S. I totally agree with you on Count Olaf being on one of the top ten villains.
It's not me, and I could disappear at any minute coz dad might turn the Internet off
Now that i have come back from my small little world :) I did something for school today called a Book Talk....our teacher had us do a one minute talk on a book and i did Dark Days.... think i terrified my teacher when i explained about Scarab's plan :D
wow... we are really close to the 5000 limit...
I think school just got easier for me. :P but, I'm going to need to catch up still so I might not be back today... maybe, maybe not. not sure about that.
Hey, Derek. It's me again. I just want to tell you something that would please you since I read somewhere on your blog that you like the Hellboy comics (as do I) and I thought you should know that there are Hellboy NOVELS. Not comic books, actual pages of words novels! They were written about a decade or less ago and my favourite is called The All Seeing Eye, which features Liz and Abe. You might like those novels :)
derek COME TO USA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH....... DEREK WE SHOULD HAVE A VOTE ON WERE U GO NEXT! do u agrrey? ok good!!!!!!!!!! so i think u can put polls on the blog. so after u do that, for the choses you will put usa and then anywere else youv wanted to go to!!!!! see easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4877th!
Hey Derek. Not sure if you'll ever get this far down and read this, but I thought I'd have a go regardless.
I've been a fan of the Skulduggery series for years (I got onboard about the time of 'Playing with Fire', so you can work out exactly how long. I can't be bothered) and have followed this blog since its beginning, though I've never posted before. I just wanted to share a story with you...
I work as a 1-2-1 SEN LSA in a school in Essex, England. For those of you not familiar with teaching abbreviations, I'll explain what that means. I work one on one with a 9 year-old boy in a year 5 class who has severe behavioural needs. My job is to support him and help him to improve his behaviour and progress academically, as he is working at way below the recommended level for a child his age. I've been with him since November last year and there has been significant progress in his attention span, behaviour and compliance with school policy, as well as his school work. The one area he continues to struggle in is his reading.
The boy, who I'll call 'H' so I don't get sued, comes from a less-then-supportive family where he is pretty much ignored by his mother and allowed to roam about the neighbourhood to his heart’s content. He is shown very little support at home. I doubt he has ever been sent to bed with a bedtime story and as a result has much more experience of 'Call of Duty' then books. He hates reading. No passion of reading has ever been distilled in him and so, despite the fact that he is a capable reader, he refuses to read at school and usually kicks up a huge fuss.
That's where you come in.
You already have several devoted fans in my class who almost fell off their chairs in excitement when I told them they could get a Skulduggery Pleasant book with their book voucher last week. And of course, I turned up to school on Monday with my own copy of 'The End of the World', which I showed to H. The cover has a picture of a skeleton on it, which is enough to sell it to him, so I read the blurb and explain a bit about Skulduggery and Valkyrie and he is understandably intrigued. I ask him if he would like to read the book, not by himself but with me reading the words and him following along. He agreed, which is a big step for him, and we crack on with chapter 1. I have to stop every now and again to ensure he understands what certain words mean. I also act out some of the actions and facial expressions (the other kids who sit nearby think I’m bonkers) and question him almost constantly about the story. 'Why do you think Ryan did that?', 'What do you think Valkyrie thinks of Ryan now?', 'What would you have done in that situation?' etc.
H answers. He laughs along at the jokes. He plays a game at break time with his friend where they pretend to jump out of a window and float to the ground. He asks if we can read some more of the book after lunch. He keeps a piece of paper with our current page number on it in his draw. He writes out the first letter of each chapter (the illuminated ones with the pictures) on a piece of paper and tries to rearrange them into words, convinced that there is a secret message in there. He has tried on more than one occasion to join the Munchkin army on the school's laptops. He has made me draw dozens of pictures of Skulduggery for him to copy and colour. In short, he is hooked.
T.B.C.
Now, I'm sure you're rubbing your hands together with glee contemplating this new recruit to your army and anticipating the glorious praise and devotion that he will soon start to rain down upon you. But the reason I decided to share this story with you is about more than that. This is a child who was slipping through the cracks in the education system. Who took 4 years to get someone like me in to support him. Who, as far as I know, has never shown interest in a book in his life. And here he is, happier than I've ever seen him, sitting still and quiet, mesmerised by your words and finding a home in a book for the first time. As his teacher as well as an avid lifelong reader, I find this a truly remarkable and wonderful thing.
I just wanted to say thank you on his behalf, knowing he (and possibly you) will never read this, but simply so grateful that I had to share it.
Thank you for all your hard work over the years, and for those yet to come.
Patience
(Sorry about double-posting. Word limit :P)
YAYAYAYAYAYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're coming to Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi?
Wait, did you say the IRELAND/uk tour?????
.................................................................................................................................................................................
,
PLEASE COME TO ADELAIDE <3 I UTTERLY LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND HAVE EVERY SINGLE ONE EVEN THE WORLD BOOK DAY ONE AND UTTERLY FREAKED OUT WHEN I HEARD YOU WERE COMMING TO AUSTRALIA. TT^TT I HOPE YOU COME HERE AND I GET TO SEE YOU BECAUSE ITS A DREAM TO MEET MY WRITING INSPIRATION~! <3!
anyone here?
Even though this post is also going to be filled up pretty quickly, I know that you're all going to go here after you use up the space on Book 7.
You all talk too much.
Anyway, the point of this is; I'm leaving. I don't know for how long. It could be for a year, it could be for three hours after I finish my accursed English Assignment given by my Art teacher.
The point IS, I'm leaving and won't be coming back for an indefinite period of time.
And I don't want to say it on the current post, because...I don't know. Because I'm stubborn like that.
So that's that and everything's dandy. I'll be gone by the time you read this, and I'm not watching the comments either.
Bye.
Oh, and bye, Lavender. If you decide to leave, I hope you know that you're doing the right thing.
Bye again.
ZATHRACT MIST, IF YOU HURT EVE IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, I WON'T REST TILL I FIND AND PUNISH YOU.
Just gettin' ready.
DYLAN YOU LITTLE F*CKWIT!!!
Huh. I got last
Everyone here?
We are all so amazing.
... what did Mist say?
DYLAN, EVEN FOR A PSYCHOPATH WHO JUST TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE, YOU ARE STILL STUPID AS EVER!
brb
im righting the next one
Mist, please don't leave
....why were you leaving then, Mist?
Nixion, that was hours ago.
I already explained this.
Brb.
*comes in*
well, that was fast. Nice Nix! you got last!
...that rhymed... :P
no, that was only a few minutes ago
Mist, don't criticise me! You're the one that makes multiple posts to get first.
No it wasn't. Can you read?
Not THAT much!
*is trying something*
brb...
it says it was four minutes before eveyone got here
I'll criticize you all the bloody hell I want, pickle. Firstly you deserve it and secondly, when I double post it is 3 at the most.
That other day when you were being stupid (again) and getting all smart-ass on me for posting 11 times was Brandon's fault. (this kid from my school who decided to press my iPod)
Look at the time when Sparky came in with all the caps yelling at Dylan. THAT is the time everyone came in, Nix.
Back off, Mist. Not in the mood.
yeah, and it says four minutes
I'm not blind
oh, sorry
Wait, why were people here hours ago?
Teehee.
Well Dylan, neither is Zathract, apparently.
Or Sparky, for that matter.
Because they found out I commented here.
What's up, pickle? Can't think of anything to say? Because, funnily enough, whenever I get on the offensive, you NEVER seem to be in the mood.
is that it, pickle? Are you intimidated by me? That's sad.
okay, I give! It didn't work! How do you get another profile account with the same account!
*shouts in frustration*
HOW DO YOU GUYS DO IT???
I think you have to have another email account
Create a new google e-mail address.
brb
And then open a new web browser. Chrome and Firefox for example.
Zathract, I tried to kill myself yesterday. It isn't just a normal everyday thing. So you'll excuse me if I'm a little bit weary.
And then you can be two people at once.
*grins darkly*
Or a new tab, which would be easier.
I don't give a crap, pickle, that was your decision wasn't it? If you don't want to get harassed for things you deserve to be harassed for then bugger off.
Dylan, why are you pick on Zath?
Dylan, why are you only bugging Zathract?
No, tabs don't work, it's the same browser so you have the same account.
*sigh*
Finally! That was the answer I was waiting for that whole time! Thank you.
Brb.
*looks at Crucify*
Ew...
Oh that's good.
*scowls at Sparly*
Let's not do that again, shall we?
No, tabs work, nimrod.
...Just gonna ignore that one...
If they worked, pickle, then I wouldn't have to use different browsers.
Actually, tabs don't work, double-nimrod.
I'm not going to sit here and play name-calling with you. Let's do something else. Anything.
And I must have a newer version of computer than you. Because two tabs works for me.
Idiot, pickle. We would know considering we're the ones doing it all.
I've used two accounts before.
No. I have the newest model of Windows out considering we get each one the exact day they come out for free as a courtesy from Maquarie University.
That's true Nag.
*looks at him*
*shrugs and starts carving the tree with shadows*
No, dipstick, I probably have a newer version. It's a touchscreen. I must just have better internet, because it allows me to use two tabs for different accounts.
um. I have to go quickly...
*doing laundry*
Bye, Lav. I'd hug you, but since your spaz-attack yesterday, I decide not to.
Internet connection makes absolutely no difference.
And neither does touch screen. The performance level of the device you use make no difference to Google Accounts you dumbass.
See you, Lav.
Or perhaps you use some crap thing like Yahoo Accounts.
Bye lav
Well, something must be better on here because I can use two tabs for different accounts.
Let's talk about something else, shall we?
No, I use Google Accounts.
Bye Lav.
Don't treat Lav like that Dylan , you're the one who kissed her.
Zath, e-mail.
Then you're lying. Tabs don't work.
Tabs do work. All I have is Internet Explorer, not chrome or Firefox.
Checking, Sparky.
We have less than forty comments left...
Internet Explorer is...Urgh...
*shudders*
*reads email*
Oh...uh...
Hi people!
Just gonna go read through the comments!
No, internet explorer isn't 'urgh', it works just fine.
Hi star!
Hai star!
No, it's crap.
Hi, Star!
Hey Star.
No, it isn't.
Hallo Star!
Hello Star.
Remember me?
Internet Explorer is absolute sh*t.
Replied, Sparky.
Nope. Not really. I always have five bars. Which is the maximum.
I'll put the thing on the next post
Where's Eve?
Replied.
Lol. Five bars is the maximum. That's crap.
I have to go now. Gonna have dinner then go see John Carter at the movies. Hehe. Bye! *hugs Mist*
screw it
Soul Sucker: You are by far the most evil thing I have ever encountered. Offer your soul to me, Dark One
*Cuts to a scene with Soul sucker talking to a penguin*
Penguin: Wack (sounds like that, dunno why)
Soul Sucker: What? No you can’t have my soul. How would you even… Look, just get in here
*Penguin slaps Soul sucker as he tries to suck out Penguins soul*
Soul Sucker: Ah, who needs you!
*Kicks Penguin away. Penguin goes flying through the air, and is caught by Ice King*
Ice King: Gunter? (That’s what he calls the penguin) Who told you that you could fly?
*Penguin points at Soul sucker, who is sucker souls out of other penguins*
Ice King: What! Nobody but me can suck the souls out of my penguins. And polar bears, because that’s just nature Gunter
*Fly’s toward Soul Sucker*
Ice King: You have raised my frothy dander. Leave now, or risk bringing the vengeance of Ice upon-
*Soul sucker turns and looks at Ic King, his face splitting apart while he does so, showing the Ice King hi brains, eye-balls and flesh*
Ice King: AAAAHHHH! I have soiled my tunic… Completely by choice.
*Fly’s away quickly*
Enjoy John Carter ^^ Bye!
Joh Carter... seen it
Bye Eve
Replied.
It's not. Stop dissing my internet. I can use two tabs, and you can't. Is that bothering you, Mist? Because that's pathetic.
Bye, Eve!
*hugs*
*sucking
Was it good, Nix?
Bye Eve!
*his
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