Hi Maria, was just wondering if you had any updates on your trip to the UK? Do you know where your going to be for the week?

this thread makes me laugh. :)

OK. Make sure you tell them about Leicester and Birmingham as well then!

I'll let my publisher know about Brighton and Crawley :)

Reema - thanks for the offer to help, but I believe my publisher will have contacts with the bookstores. If I need extra help - I'll let you know!

Maria V. wrote: I would love to go to Ireland, but not sure if that's possible - I'll mention it to my editor :) I must admit my knowledge of UK geography is lacking - I'm not sure where the towns Shley mentioned are (I've heard of them) - but I will find out"

Brighton and Southampton on the South coast of England! :)

Everyone loves Brighton, so you should probably definatley go there. :)

Keelin wrote: "IRELAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please tell me if shes coming to northern ireland *meeep*"

Keelin write to MIRA (address at the top) and ask them. Or email this lady and ask
Anna.Baggaley@hmb.co.uk

Maria- Crawley would be good - i have friends who live there, so i can stay with them. I'm in Leicester and can get to any of the surrounding cities quite easily(hint). I can try writing a letter to my local borders and waterstones and see if they could have a book signing there? Am i allowed to do that or do your publishers do it?

I'm so excited

I'm so glad MIRA wrote back to you Reema!

The plans for now is I'll be coming over the week of January 18th! I'll make sure I have a weekend event. I don't know where I'll be. The UK office is in Richmond, Surrey - but I have some friends that work at Waterstones in Crawley (and in Cardiff Wales - but that may be a bit of a trek :)

I would love to go to Ireland, but not sure if that's possible - I'll mention it to my editor :) I must admit my knowledge of UK geography is lacking - I'm not sure where the towns Shley mentioned are (I've heard of them) - but I will find out!

I can't wait!!

IRELAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please tell me if shes coming to northern ireland *meeep*

Whoop! We need dates!

OMG! Where have I been?! (away from the Internet, it looks like) This is great news--we'll have to spread the word (nudge nudge ladies)...

I got a letter back from MIRA! They confirmed that your coming in January. They also said they will email me to keep me informed with the plans.
YAY

please dnt ferget bout northern ireland preferably in easons in derry ...... id love to meet u cuz ur books r da only ones i ctually go out wif da intention of buying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need to get them signed as well :L:L:L:L:L:L:L

Well, lets hope that there are lots of lovely dates - inlcuding weekends and a trip down south... Oooh, I could get her to sign all my books...

i know what you mean - i hate london, i always get lost. I just need it to be a weekend as i can't get time off work!

I guess we could have a Study Party for my birthday. :D

Well, I'm in Southampton, and can't really travel that far out.. So.. Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton... Anyone of them would be fine... But, I like the idea of Brighton best, because then my mum can come. :) But what are the chances? Everything good is always in London, like that's the only palce in England!

*crosses fingers*

Shley is that an open invitation???!!!!

I can't believe it, what cities do you think you can get to - or am i jumping the gun a bit?!

I'm right in the middle of the UK so i'll travel anywhere!

Oh oh oh i'm so excited!

Oooh, my birthday is on the 29th of Jan - maybe you could pop round for cake.


I am only joking by the way.

But, it would be a very exciting birthday if you were in the south of England on that day...

Just received an email from my UK editor and they're looking at mid to late January 2010 - when SEA GLASS comes out in the UK!

So keep your calendars OPEN for those last two weeks :)

YAY!!
Maria

Oh, I'd love for Maria to come to the UK! as long as she comes to either Brighton, or southampton so I can meets her! That would be a fun day out. :)

What a great idea. You could do a school's tour as well as the book shops. Sorry i'm getting a little ahead of myself!

I know, I could write a letter to Richard and Judy (They are talk show hosts)and try and get them to put your books on there summer reading list. Everyone reads them. If we can get you on that list thats half the work done!
I'll find an address and let you know how that goes.

It might not be for another week as i have to go visit my dad abroad. But i'll do it as soon as i get back.

Make sure nothing exciting happens with out me ok! :o)

Thanks Reema!

Actually Poison Study did win! They haven't posted the 2009 winner yet :) Why I told you is it might be a way for me to justify a trip to the UK!!

Keep your fingers crossed!!

Right letter went in the post today. HOpe it helps. If i don't hear anything back i'll send another one and maybe another!

Had a look at the site. Only participating schools can vote :o(

Will send another letter to Catherine.
We will get you over here if it's the last thing i do!
(I'm not crazy - i promise) :o)

Thanks for the help Reema! I'm working on a trip. And this news will help me:

I recently found out Poison Study was voted the Paperback of the Year for the Wirral Schools!! All their 8 and 9 year students read 20 books and vote on their favorite!

Here's a link: www.wirral-libraries.net/paperbackofthey...

And just FYI - Belinda no longer works at MIRA Books -Please send mail to: Catherine Burke - the address is the same :)

THANKS!

Calling all fans from the UK.

I know we all love Maria's books otherwise we wouldn't all be here trying to find out as much info as we can and meeting people with the same love for her books.

I am trying to convince/pester MIRA UK in order for them to bring Maria to the UK.

Could all fans fom the UK (and anyone else if you would like to support us!) please write a letter to the following person asking for them to bring her over.

Ms Belinda Mountain
MIRA Books
Eton House
18-24 Paradise Roa
Richmond
TW9 1SR

Thanks everyone