I haven’t posted here in over a week which I think is a record for me. I knew this past week would be busy, but I didn’t realise quite how busy.

This is the first time in my ‘professional’ life as a published author that I’ve done so many events in one month. (And it’s not over yet!) Because Random House UK want me (quite rightly) to do my bit as far as promoting Falling to Ash in person goes, we came up with a schedule of events throughout October that would still allow me to do all the other work I currently have going on. The Stone Demon had to be copy-edited, and now I’m supposed to be writing the second Moth book.

So last week I took part in a wonderful reading festival set up by Barking & Dagenham libraries, and spoke to groups of readers aged between 11 and 14. I also attended Eternal Twilight, the biggest Twilight convention in the UK. It seemed like there were a lot of people there for something that is supposedly ‘coming to an end’… though perhaps that’s because the Guest of Honour was Peter Facinelli, who plays Carlisle in the movies. I signed all three of my published books – not just Falling to Ash – for tons of people. I think it blew my little mind. Seriously, when I saw this huge line of people I asked someone who they were waiting for… Um… yeah. Me! Crazy times. And we sold out of The Iron Witch! My signing slot was between 11am and 1pm, and I figured I’d maybe have small groups of people coming over with nice breaks in between.

Hahaha!! No.

I didn’t stop signing for more than 10 minutes the entire time. I have no idea how many people bought books – but it was a lot – and I had an amazing time talking to everybody. There was this 90-minute period that is basically a blur, where I didn’t stop – my fabulous publicist, Lauren, actually had to open a bottle of water for me and put sugar in my coffee because I was too busy to take even a tiny break. O_O

And you know what? I loved it!

Though I have to say, I completely crashed in the evening. People never believe me when I tell them I’m an introvert (which sort of irritates me, because that means you don’t really know me… *ahem*), but events like this just prove it. I think there’s something called a ‘social introvert’ where you can do social stuff in bursts, but then you’ll collapse and need lots of recovery time. The Twilight event showed me that I can still do things like this, though, so I’m really pleased about that! I just need to make sure I have plenty of rest afterwards – and that it’s all spread out over a few weeks.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics that Lauren took. Sorry I don’t have your names, ladies:

And this was the gorgeous temporary tattoo I went home ‘wearing’ – a cross between Donna’s tattoos and the gold decorations on the front of Falling to Ash. Random House hired someone to create these for readers, which was brilliant of them! I had to wait until after my signing slot to get mine, but it was well worth the wait. I am seriously tempted to get something like this permanently:

(Click to embiggen.)

Maybe a bit smaller, though…

Thank you to everyone involved – I had a lot of fun!

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A quick note to say that the new Moth Tales web comic will be up later today. This is the final episode for a while as Candace and I take a break before the next 8-page story. I have to write the next chapter yet, so look for an announcement on Friday as to when we’ll be back in action. And thanks for reading, we appreciate it so much.