Busy month

This is a busy time of year for the kidlit-minded in general and me in particular. The Bologna Ragazzi Fair is just round the corner, while the Paris Book Fair is practically upon us (opens on Thursday). As for myself, I will be in Paris (for a bit of literary shopping) and then in Ugine in the French Alps for a couple (12!) of school events and a two-day festival involving signing, crosscountry-skiing and perhaps a spa.
Busy, I tell you!

Montreuil

I am delighted to say that I will be roaming the aisles of the children's bookfair of Montreuil (near Paris) this December: manning the children's writers and illustrators' Charter's stall (http://www.la-charte.fr/), signing my Christmas opus on Hachette's patch and generally loitering and going 'oooh' and 'aaah' and spending plenty of money on my own crimbo list. If you're in the vicinity, do pop in!

Signage

A bunch of books signed, plenty interesting people met and chatted with, a healthy dose of exciting talents discovered or rediscovered and a cool badge with my name on it beside the word "Pro*"... here's a fraction of what the experience of signing at the 2010 Paris Bookfair got me. You could add to the list: a few extra kilos of luggage to bring home, a comic book in Armenian, a better idea of which of my books catch the kids' eyes (and which their parents'), a realisation that tiny and/or regional publishers have a fantastic selection of picture-books on offer (so it seems size doesn't matter after all), and a love of proper chairs and proper tables. Can't wait to do it again!


* "pro" as in professional, meaning that I wasn't there for fun but for work (ahem). But the badge does make its wearer look like a pro, thus its coolness!

Paris Bookfair 2010

Yours truly is beside herself with pride, excitement and a little terror, as she has been invited to sign her masterpieces at the Paris Bookfair this March. So, if you happen to be wandering in the vicinity of Stall J48 (Editions Auzou) between 3 and 4 pm on Friday 26th, or near Stall E59 (Editions Fleurus-Mango) between 11am and 1 on the 28th, if you're more of a Sunday-morning person, do come along! All the details of the fair can be found here. Extra-cool message with the signature if you say you read this blog! ;o)