This morning I did my first ever panel event with other authors. Myself, John Fardell and Lucinda Hare were all whisked off to talk to 200 9-12 year olds in Wishaw Library about our books, which are shortlisted for this year’s Royal Mail Awards.
We each had 15 minutes to talk, followed by a joint question and answer session at the end. It was Lucinda’s first event ever, but she bravely volunteered to go first, leaving me to follow her epic tales of dragons and fantasy worlds with a story about a scary bloke in a hat. The 15 minutes I was allowed to talk for passed in a bit of a blur, and I would’ve happily carried on for another 45, but it was only fair to give John his turn on the microphone.
I soon snatched the microphone back, though, once the Q&A started. Look, here’s me refusing to let go of the thing.
Poor Lucinda and John didn’t get a look in.
After the event we did a book signing and I was dead chuffed that so many of the kids wanted to get their hands on Mr Mumbles and Raggy Maggie. There were lots more questions at the signing table, and plenty of photographs taken. I’d say I hope they got my good side, but it’s ambitious to think I have a good side. Not looking like the Elephant Man’s less attractive cousin is probably about the best I can hope for.
Anyway, it was a great event to do, and I’m looking forward to being back in Wishaw next Friday, doing another joint event – this time with me old mucker, Tommy Donbavand.
