ASHES Across the Pond

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So the ASHES tour officially ended yesterday with that last visit to Chicago, and now it's time to recoup, regroup, re-enter my humdrum life.  In the process of returning me to my regularly-scheduled program, however, I remembered that I hadn't yet acknowledged all the wonderful kids I met across the pond, or thanked a bunch of people who welcomed me and my book to the UK and Ireland.  High time I got on that, I think, especially since so many kids have kept in touch.  So, a big round of thank-yous and shout-outs go to:

In Ireland: Ballymun Library for hosting and the kids of Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun, and Scoil Chatriona for hanging around after, chatting and staying in touch.   Hiya, Lea, Sean!

To Roisin Beaver and all you crazy kids at Colaiste Cois Life: truly a pleasure.  Quick, everyone: rub Michael's head for good luck before his hair grows out!  And, yeah, Blinne, I sure can talk for my dinner

Sophie Hess, thank you for safely squiring me around Dublin.  Loved our side adventures, too

Aoife Murray of Children's Books Ireland, thank you so much for easing my way to Ballymun and inviting me to be part of your festival.  David Maybury, you are the nicest scoundrel I've ever met, but–please–ditch the cardigan, then we'll talk.  Fellow authors Sarah Rees Brennan and Peadar O'Guilin: thank you for making me feel so welcome.  Sarah, next time: you bring your foil, I'll come with my saber, and we make shish-kebab of David while Peadar referees.

In the UK:

Many thanks to Jane Churchill for inviting me to the Cheltenham Literature Festival.  Damien Kelleher, thank heavens you were there to keep Will Hill and David Gatward in line.  Honestly, if those boys had had their way, we'd have gone completely weapons-geeky on you.  Then who KNOWS what might have happened?

Oh, all you kids at Monk's Walk, you made my day!  Really, you and the guys at Colaiste Cois Life ought to meet; you'd get along great.  Adam Lancaster, thank you for rounding up some of the finest and most enthusiastic future librarians I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

You guys at Walworth Academy: we could've kept talking for quite a while, I'll bet.  And so many good questions!  You were excellent.

And to you ladies of St. Angela's Ursuline, thank you for allowing me to share your lunch time.  The young woman who had that wonderfully thoughtful response to my question about the difference between surviving and living: with a mind like that, you will go far.

The launch party was . . . spectacular.  Thanks to all the authors, bloggers, and editors who came to share in the fun.  Purl Bar, you went above and beyond; those zombie cocktails were something special and my martinis were mind-bogglingly good.  Special thanks to Stephen Jones: you were so gracious, I had to keep looking over my shoulder to see who you were talking about.  If someone ever craps out of an anthology and you're just stuck . . . Also, Jo Fletcher, a pleasure meeting you.  Congratulations on your new imprint!  And, yes, I've already put the bug in Quercus's ear: Brighton, 2013.  Now you may hound them without mercy.

(And, Nick: that was just the nicest thing you said.  Thank you.  I'm so glad you found something to enjoy in your work.)

Lastly, none of this would've happened without the terrific people of Quercus Children's watching my back.  Special thanks go to:

Roisin Heycock for snatching up ASHES in the first place;

Niamh Mulvey for tirelessly organizing and then executing my visit in such a stylish way (and, yes, a history lesson from you is welcome anytime, anywhere);

and to my devilish escort, Alice Hill: next time, the cake's on me.