***I'm entering this on Saturday. I wrote it yesterday, to post, but there was a problem with my PC, so I couldn't add it until now!!***
Had a fun event at the Secret Garden bookshop last night. There wasn't a huge crowd, but there were some hardcore fans present, and the store was lovely. And it only just clicked with me that one of my favourite chilhood books was "The Secre Garden"!!! Why didn't I think of that and comment on it last night, when I was there?!? DOH!
Ended up doing FIVE events AND a signing today!!! The first was in the Youth Service Center in Seattle. This was my first time doing an event in a correctional facility and it was a fascinating experience. I had to enter via a metal detector, and leave my passport at reception. I was speaking to a small group, but almost all of them had read my books. Some had even read all 12 of my vampire books! We had a nice intimate chat about the series. In fact, this was the first time I've talked in-depth with fans about book 12 -- when I went on tour in the UK and Ireland last year, it was mostly just signings, so I never got a chace to really discuss the finale with fans!!!! So this event was a LOT of fun for me!
I popped into a book supplier after that, to sign lots of copies to send to stores. Then I went to Auburn High School. I was only meant to be doing one event, but they wanted me to do two. I wasn't happy about that in advance (it's never nice to be surprised with an "extra" event when you're on tour!), but the staff were lovely when I got there, and had decorated the library especially. In the end I had a great time and did two very different events, one focusing on "Cirque Du Freak", the other on "Lord Loss".
After that I did two more store events, at All For Kids and Third Place Books. The turn-outs were small, but again the fans who did turn up were really committed Shansters, and the shop staff were fab. I think the people who work in children's book stores (particularly indepedent stores) are some of the nicest in the world!!!!!
I'm quite tired right now, but I only have one event tomorrow, so it's not too bad!!! I certainly plan to sleep well tonight though!!
Oh, almost forgot to mention! My "escort" (the person who drives m from one event to the next) is a lovely lady called Tracey. She used to star in a local TV comedy show which was hugely successful in NorthWest America several years back! She now mostly gives talks about heart problems (she almost died from a heart problem while on air one night!), but takes around authors her spare time. This is the first time I've had a celebrity escort -- I have to say, it's pretty cool!!!!!!
