Had my two busiest school events of the tour -- indeed, two of the busiest of ANY of my tours!!! At the first, I spoke to an audience of just over 120, and it seemed like just about everyone there came up afterward to get a book signed -- I was signing for a solid hour! There were at least double that at the next school, and once again almost everyone seemed to have a book to sign -- I was going like the clappers for an hour and a half, far quicker than I'd normally sign, conscious that school was finishing and many of the students needed to leave to catch buses!!! I felt like I'd run a long race by the end -- but I only just had time to draw my breath, and then it was off to a shop for another two hour signing session!!!! This tour has definitely been my busiest yet in terms of numbers of people turning up to get their books signed. I thought, after my last few tours, that the crowds couldn't get any bigger -- but they can, and they have!!!!! Shan-mania looks like it might just be gearing up -- who knows how manic it will get from here?!?!?

Onto other matters! For those of you who think you can out-gross the Shan man, check out the following competition from Waterstones -- it's a beaut!! Of all the Darren Shan competitions that have been run over the years, this ranks up there with the very best of them!!! Waterstones are offering you the chance to create a demon of your own, by describing it in 50 words of less -- and the winning contestant will see their demon featured in Book 9 of The Demonata in May 2009!!! This is the first time I've ever let a fan design a creature for one of my books -- and it will very probably be the last!! You'll also get an OBE, and free signed copy of the book, and a chance to come and meet me in person to collect it!!!!! The comp is open to readers in the UK and Ireland, of any age (but you'll need a parent's permission if you're under 18). For more details and the full rules, click here: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1314 The closing date is June 2nd -- so act swiftly before the chance passes you by!!!!