Day got off to a dodgy start! Had to get up early (6.10) which was bad enough! Got to the school (Benito Juarez High) on time, only to find out that they wanted me to do four events back to back!! My publicist had heard about this last week, and had asked the people involved to re-schedule, since that was WAY too much to ask of me -- but obviously our request was ignored!!! I was furious, especially as I still have a cold. I hate it when people try to take advantage and over-work me. A those who've met me on this tour will, I hope, agree, I always try to give good value, and push myself hard. But for some, that isn't enough and they want even more. In the end I spoke at the first 2 events, then just signed at the second two. The staff at the school were lovely, and had gione to a lot of effort to make me feel welcome. It's just a pity they hadn't realised that they were looking for more than I could give them.. I think I'll have to start issuing guidelines for future events, to prevent situations like this from happening again. Anyway, half the kids got to hear me speak, and they all got their books signed if they had one, so overall it still went pretty well, I think. My head was pounding long before the end (my cold is making a comeback!), but it'll take more than a blocked nose and headache to stop Shan in his tracks!!! Paid a quick, fun visit to Ruiz school next. Answered questions, had lunch, and signed lots of books, all in the space of just over half an hour!! This was a last-minute, add-in event, which I'm glad I was able to squeeze in. I'm just sorrry we didn't have a bit more time, to do a full event, From there it was on to Pickard School. The kids were lively and a bit fidgety, but they gave me a nice welcome and weren't afraid to get involved!! Now I'm having a short rest, before heading out for my Halloween booksigning party in Downers Grove. More on that in my next report!!!!

First, forgot to mention yesterday that one family of fans drove for SIX HOURS from Oklahoma to come to my events!!! I appreciate the efforts that all of my fans go to when coming to an event -- I know it's not always easy getting to a store, or convincing your parents to bring you. But a 12 hours round trip is dedication on a truly top-notch level!!!!! Oh, and they gave me a really cool home-made T-shirt too!!!!!!! Flew out of Texas this morning, to Illinois (the outskirts of Chicago). I'm staying in Northshore. There's not very much around the hotel where I'm based, but since I won't be in my room that much, that's OK!!! I killed the free hours I had today by checking e-mails and watching"The Wedding Crashers" (fun -- much better than I anticipated). Also went for a walk. It was nice to get some fresh air. I haven't really been exercising since I got here. as there isn't much free time. I'll have to do some extra long walks when I get back home!!!! Was picked up by my new escort, Heidi, who also drove me around the last time I was here. We went to an event at Barnes & Noble at Old Orchard Center in Skoki.I thought it might be a small turnout, since Sunday events are often quiet, but there were over 120 people there!!!!! I was delighted that so many fans had turned up. And, lo and behold, one family (like in Austin) had driven 6 hours to be there, and are staying to come to my next event too!!! Others had driven for an hour, two hours or more!!!! I find such enthusiasm truly touching. I don't show it at the events (I don't want to blub in public!!) but I'm honestly blown away by having such dedicated fans!!!! You guys ... *SOB* .... you're the BEST!!!!! I also met some fans who'd come to my events the last time I was here. Sorrry for not recognising all of you, but I've seen literally thousands of faces over the last 18 months, and as those who know me will tell you, I've never been very good with faces and names!!!!!!! All in all, a top-notch event -- hopefully the first of a series of A1 Chicago stops!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 10 of the tour marks almost the mid-point -- it's a 21 day tour, so I suppose officially the middle comes halfway through tomorrow -- but this is close enough to it for me to celebrate!!!

Had another good day in Texas. The panel event that I did at the festival in the morning was fun. I read out some of the "Guyifesto" that I wrote for the book "Guys write for Guys read". It was the first time I'd read the piece out, and I have to say I really enjoyed it -- a lot different to what I normally do at an event!!! There were three other writers on stage with me, and a moderator. We all read a bit, then answered questions. It was slightly embarrassing, since most of the questions were directed at me, and were about my own books, not the "Guys" book!!! It was flattering, of course, to be the focus of attention, but I always feel a bit uneasy when that happens (OK -- it's only happened once or twice, but then I've only done a very few panel events!). I don't like to talk about my own work when I'm sharing a stage with other writers -- it's not fair on them, and I know I wouldn't like it if the positions were reversed. So I tried to open the questions up, to include the others, or else answered very briefly.

Signed for about 40 minutes after the event, then did a solo event in the Capitol building. It's a lovely old building (well, old by American standards!), but quite a maze inside. I'm surprised any of my fans were able to find their way to the room where I was!!!! Had a good crowd, and answered lots of questions. Then signed for another 40 or so minutes. My overall impression of the festival is favourable. Apart from the poor communication in terms of them telling me what they wanted me to do, it was very well set-up, with a huge team working to facilitate score-loads of writers. There were loads of people at it, and plenty of copies of books to buy. I certainly wouldn't say no if I was ever invited again while I was over here on a tour.

Had a couple of hours to relax. Packed my bag (I got some laundry done today -- hurrah!! I'll smell nice and clean for the next half of the tour!), then went to do another event at the Book People shop. A nice event, with a good crowd for a Saturday evening. I read my "Lord Loss" extract again. I've been focusing on that more than any of my other pieces, since it's such a powerful chunk of text, and since that's really the book I'm here to promote. I was a bit worried that some parents might think it was too bloody for younger kids, but I've had no negative feedback so far.

Went for a Mexican meal (probably my last of the tour, since I'm heading north after this) with Jennifer and Sabrina. They're great company -- we had lots of laughs together, and ended up telling each other dirty jokes and talking about dubious sexual practices!!!!! That's the side of Darren Shan the fans don't see on tour. I might look sweet and innocent at my events, but it's all a facade, Shansters -- away from the limelight, I'm a crude, rude, foul-mouthed dude!!!!!!!!!!

:-)

A quieter day, crowds-wise. Went to Stony Point 9th Grade Center in the morning. The event had been arranged by the Texas Book Festival, and they hadn't bothered to liaise throughly with us. I thought I would be doing just one event, but the people at the school had been told I'd be doing two events. I was furious -- not with the folks at the school (who were great, and well organised) but with the organisers at the festival who hadn't bothered to run their plans by me first. I'm looking forward to my events at the festival tomorrow, but I'm VERY unimpressed with the communication levels of the people running it -- in addition to this boo-boo, they've signed me up to do a panel event without asking me about it first! I'm perfectly happy to do the event, and quite looking forward to it -- it just would have been nice to have been asked first!!! Festivals are devilishly difficult to organise, I know, and this is a BIG festival, so I appreciate the effort that's gone into setting it all up, getting so many authors together, and trying to make all the times and venues fit. The organisers seem to have done a top-notch job on that score, so it's a pity they've shot themselves in the foot by not actually communicating better with their visiting authors -- or at least with ME!!! (And for all I know, I'm an exception and every other author has received in-depth briefings on their events!! But I doubt it!!!!!)

Anyway, the events at the school went well. The kids were on the old side, which meant they didn't get as involved as younger teens probably do, but they listened quietly and asked some good questions. I'm getting better at doing events for older teens. On my last tour of the States, I struggled at events like these, since all my talks were geared towards younger readers. Now I have some material prepared which plays well with 16 and 17 year olds too, so I feel more confident and I think they enjoy it more.

Went to the O Henry Middle School later. Had a larger crowd at this one. It was held in a large hall in the school, and I was on stage. The kids were well behaved (I sometimes have to quieten them down at larger events, since I can get kids who don't really have any interest in the books, just in skipping class), and I put on an enjoyable show.

Finished up at Barrington School. This was a very small group, of quite young kids (10/11 year olds). They were very enthusiatic, and even though I don't really like doing such close-encounter events most of the time (for me a tour like this is all about publicising the books, so I like to cram in as many kids as possible), it was kind of nice to have a relaxed, small-scale end to the day.

I don't have any events tonight -- my first night off in what feels like an age!!!! (Of course it isn't, but when you're on the road, your perception of time can warp!) My lovely media escort, Sabrina, is taking me to the cinema, to see the new George Clooney movie. My bullying publicisit, Jennifer, on the other hand, is hitting the town to paint it red with an old friend of hers. It's at times like this that you find out who your true friends are!!!!!    :-(

p.s. only joking about Jennifer -- she's a star!!! But don't ever tell her I said that!!!!!!!!

Whew -- it's the end of another exhausting day!!! Started off by sleeping through my wake-up call (again!) then having to rush to make it to my first event. Luckily I got there on time, and signed LOADS of books at Moorhead/Caney Creek School. Then it was back to the airport and a short flight to San Antonio, where I did another event, in Jackson Middle School. The kids were very lively, full of questions, and VERY excited to meet me!!! The librarians had decorated the library with life-size drawings of Darren, Mr Crepsley, Mr Tall and some other, and had even recreated the Tunnels of Blood inside the library!!!!! I love it when school and libraries go to such great effort to make me feel welcome. It's a pity that I don't always have a lot of time to stay and truly appreciate the work, but I always appreciate it!! Had a few hours off, which allowed me to eat with Jennifer and my new driver, Sabrina. Had Mexican food. I've been eating a lot of that recently, since it's just so good over here in Texas!!!! Then I went to a public event and signing at Barnes & Noble at 12635 IH 10 West, Had a HUGE turn-out, including a bus-load of over 50 kids for a school a two and a half hour drive away!!!!!!!! I did my rarely performed "Ballad of Darren Shan" piece (the first three acts -- basically the story of the first 3 books set to rhyme). I don't perform it too often since it's quite demanding on the kids who volunteer, since they pretty much have to recite a poem without ever having seen it before. But the kids tonight were brilliant and read expertly. I had lots of fun with it, and I think everybody else did too. Answered lots of questions, then went into signing mode. I've just finished up (9.45p.m.) and am typing this up on the PC in the back room of B&N (thanks, Ellen!!!). After this, it's a one hour drive to my next hotel, then an early start in the morning -- I have to be leaving by 7.30 or thereabouts -- OUCH!!!!!!

Flew to Houston this morning. Brought my blog up to date once I'd checked into my hotel, then hit the road and did three events. The first was at Kingwood Middle School, for a small group of hand-picked fans who call themselves Shananigans!!!! A self-contained room in the library had been decorated spookily, and the kids all chipped in to create a ghoulishly delicious feast, with treats such as "icky eyeballs" and "Sam's remains"!!! (A bit different than the treats Rosy and her friends in Irving are used to!) I had great fun -- just a pity I had to dash off before I had time to smaple some more of the delights on offer!!!!

Next up was a large event at Fort Settlement Middle School. It was open to the public and LOTS of fans came. I was on a big stage, where I did my "Cirque Du Freak" scene and answered questions. Then I was signing for about an hour and a half afterwards.

Finally I did another talk and signing at Border at Fountains on the Lake in Houston. We weren't expecting a big crowd, because the Houston Astros were playing a World Series game, but we actually got a decent turnout and I signed quite a lot of books in the end. I also signed plenty of stock copies, so if you live in the area and want a signed Darren Shan book, get to Borders ASAP!!!!!

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Shan-fan level in Houston -- excellent crowds and enthusiastic fans. I'd certainly return here in the future, if the opportunity arose!!!

Oh -- forgot to mention yesterday that I stopped at a Sonic restaurant for the first time!! I had tots, which I'd never had before, and liked them!!!!!!

Despite my patchy night's sleep, and snoozing through my wake-up call (I knocked my mobile phone off of my bedside table during the night!), I felt pretty good in the morning. My nose was bunged up, but my throat was fine, so I could talk OK. Had 4 excellent events. The first two were school events, in Irving, in Lamar Middle School, and The Academy of Irving ISD. Lots of kids, plenty of fans, and loads of them bought books. I was signing for ages, especially at the second event, which is just how I love it when I go on tour!!!!

Had a nice Mexican lunch with Jennifer and Rosy, then drove over to Fort Worth Public Library, Summerglen Branch, for a public event. There was a good turnout and some VERY excited fans!!! Signed lots more books, then made our way up to Frisco for the final event at Barnes & Noble at 2601 Preston Road. Had a large turnout -- especially for a Tuesday night -- and was there about two hours, giving a reading, answering some questions, and signing LOTS of books.

This was my busiest day of the tour so far, and thus my most enjoyable. I'm never happier on tour than when I'm working hard, meeting lots of fans, and signing stacks of books!! This was my first time in the Dallas region, and based on this response, I certainly hope to return some day soon!!!!!

... Shan rested!!! I didn't speak much, taking care of my throat. Went for a look around a few of my favourite Vegas hotels -- the Venetian (my #1 pick), New York New York (where I went on the roller coaster) and the MGM Grand. Did a small bit of gambling and won a few dollars at roulette, but wasn't really in a gambling kind of mood.

Flew out in the early afternoon, to Dallas. Met my publicist, Jennifer, there, and we went for a meal and some treats with a librarian called Rosy Bee-Atch and a few of her friends. Got to our hotel late, after 11p.m. -- only to find out they'd over-booked and given our rooms away!!!! That's the first time that's ever happened to me, and I was mad as hell!!! The hotel, people, is the Omni Mandalay, 221 E Las Colinas Blvd, Irving -- my advice is to NEVER go anywhere near it!!!!! And warn off all your friends too!!! Luckily we found temporary lodgings in a nearby hotel, but it was VERY late when we got to bed, and naturally we were both quite agitated, so I don't think either of us slept particularly well. Life on the road -- it isn't all glamour and fun!!!!!!

Sorry for the delay in updates, folks -- when I'm on tour, I don't get the chance to go online every day!!!

My Las Vegas events all went well. I'm always nervous at Sunday events -- it's usually the quietest day of the week for crowd turn-outs, in my experience, but I got good crowds at all 3 of the libraries and the store I went to. Started with a mix-up -- the driver who picked me up took me to the wrong library!!! And his company didn't have the correct details on file, so they weren't going to allow him to take me to the correct place!!!!! Luckily Jennifer, my publicist, sorted everything out by phone, and I made it to Henderson about half an hour late. There was a nice sized crowd and I signed their books for them.

I got my largest crowd of the day at Sahara West library, and also two of my most dedicated fans! A couple of teenagers had FLOWN up from MEXICO -- JUST to see me!!!!! They had to get a connecting flight, and were heading back straight afterwards, because they had school on Monday!!!! I always appreciate the effort fans go to when they come to one of my public events, but this was dedication far above and beyond the call of any normal duty!!!!

Having said that, there were some more die-hard Shansters at the Green Valley Library -- they'd driven over 4 hours from Orange County in California to be at the event!!!! I got another good crowd there, then went for something to eat with one of the librarians (Andrew) and a couple of his colleagues. (Sorry, guys -- I'm terrible with names!!) Did my final signing of the day at Borders North Rainbow Road. Not a huge crowd at this one, but more than I might have expected for late on a Sunday night, so I was pleased enough with it.

Only downside of the day was that I picked up a sore throat from the air-conditioning during the day!! The one thing I fear most about tours is catching a cold and losing my voice during them!!! My throat wasn't especially bad by late Sunday night, but I could tell I had a small dose of a cold coming on, so I took care not to go too crazy. Went to check out the Bellagio water fountain display, then strolled back to my hotel (Mandalay Bay), popping in to have a look at one or two casinos along the way, before turning in for a relatively early night.

Had my best public event so far at the Barnes & Noble shop in University Village on Saturday. Had a good turn-out, loads of fun questions, and was signing for nearly an hour. I also had the pleasure of meeting one of my favourite comics creators, the incredibly imaginative Jim Woodring -- check out www.jimwoodring.com for more info about him and samples of his incredible works. I wish we could have had a bit of a longer chat, but I had to make tracks to catch my plane. Flew out of Seattle at 6.31pm. Had a good time up there. Would have liked it if a few more fans had turned up at some of the public events, but those who did turn up were first-rate fans and made the events a pleasure for me.

Flew into Las Vegas, the next stop on my tour. Checked into my hotel, had a relaxing bath, put my ear-plugs in (hotels in Vegas can be noisy places sometimes!!) and hit the sack.