To New York for BEA

Left London in torrential rain yesterday and flew across to New York (to be greeted by more torrential rain). Tomorrow I’ll be appearing at Book Expo America 2013, and tonight I’ll be on the panel at the ALA/SLJ Children’s Librarian Dinner, along with Susan Cooper, Kendare Blake, Cynthia Voigt and Jack Gantos. It’s a prestigious line-up to be part of, and I’m very excited. This morning, Central Park outside my window is lush and green and humid, under a lead-grey sky. I’m going to finalise my speech for tonight, then take a walk to the American Museum of Natural History, to have a look at some dinosaurs.

Last night, after I got in, I had a lovely dinner with old friends Alison Morris of Scholastic, and Gareth Hinds, the brilliant graphic novelist, who showed me proofs of his beautiful forthcoming edition of Romeo and Juliet. You can see more of his work (including an incredible Odyssey) at www.garethhinds.com.