Neil Gaiman Defaced My Books

Okay, I actually asked him to, but 'Neil Gaiman Signing' was too boring a title.

Last week I was lucky enough to take my daughter to Neil's appearance at Kinokuniya Books in Sydney. Hazel has been an avid fan of Mr Gaiman ever since I bought 'Coraline' for her a few Christmases ago. As the book that finally turned her onto reading, Hazel has always regretted missing Neil's last appearance in Sydney a couple of years ago.

I was at that previous event as well, but due to the incredibly long queue winding through the long sprawling store, was completely unable to hear Neil's talk. That was a four hour wait to get Hazel's copy of 'Coraline' signed for her (and a couple of my 'Miracleman' comics).

This time we were better prepared. We were there early enough to join the queue at a point that meant we could actually hear him this time. And it only took us an hour and a half to get signed afterwards.

The life of a successful writer must be really hard on the signing arm. I wonder whether anyone has developed RSI from signing for hours on end?

Hazel Meets Her Hero

The desired effect was achieved when Hazel was finally able to meet her hero and express to him how much his writing means to her. She was able to get his latest book signed ('M is for Magic') before I placed my copy of his 'Miracleman' trade in front of him. (Still no  news on new 'Miracleman' material... d'oh.)

Neil's reading of his forthcoming book, 'The Graveyard Book', was brilliant. I already know Hazel will be waiting at the bookshop on the day of release. With a couple of months to go, it was a painful tease to hear two long extracts that clearly set up the bizarre but simple idea Neil has used.

Neil Gaiman impresses because his body of work crosses so many boundaries. From young readers to old, comic readers to novel lovers, television to film, Neil is a writer's writer. In a couple of years, I'll no doubt happily line up again for another chance to shake his hand.