This week I got an invite to the Kelpies Award twentieth anniversary celebrations.
I can't go - I'll be away, but it brought back some great memories. I won the Kelpies in 2008 - and my first middle grade book, Tarantula Tide, was then published by Floris Books.
It was my opening into the industry and soon after publication I began a round of school visits, talks, and events including the Edinburgh Book Festival.
I found a piece I wrote at the time giving my impressions of the festival from the point of view of a very nervous newbie. Here it is...
I flew from West Wales on the Friday and made my way, far too early, to the Author's yurt in Charlotte Square on Saturday morning.
Rain pounded on the canvas and plastic windows but it was warm inside with a real fire, hot coffee and snacks.
I hung my "Authors" badge around my neck sat down on a comfy sofa and waited. Sara the children's events organiser arrived and introduced me to Francesca my personal facilitator. Their friendliness put me at ease and when the girls from Floris Books arrived we made a cheerful group.
I was sharing my event with Andrew from Butterfly World in Edinburgh, and we'd decided to use the illegal trade of animal smuggling, the theme of my book, as a connection. He brought live tarantulas, cockroaches and a python for the children to hold. Thrilling stuff.
There was a good sized audience, thanks heavens, and the event went well. Andrew's creatures were a huge success. Kids lined up to hold the tarantula and snake and even a hissing cockroach. I overcame a life long fear of spiders and allowed a Chilean Rose Tarantula to squat in my hand.
After the event, I signed books and was on a high for days. 😀
1 comment:
What a wonderful, memorable experience, and such a fine setting for you and your book.
Not sure about the spider though!
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