We heard about projects including an upcoming trip to China (which now, a month later, he's just finished) to research a nonfiction book on China, and a short story about a man whose imaginary girlfriend comes to life (which he has since completed and had accepted). During the question and answer section, Neil made sure to get a couple questions from the overflow room, and took a few questions from kids (there were quite a few in the audience), including “Do you remember signing a girl’s foot in Portland?” He’s a fantastic speaker, and of course most of his fans already know he’s a wonderful reader. I’ve listened to his audio books before, but I was still sort of amazed at his vocal range with characters, particularly reading Odd and the Frost Giants. I really did feel as though I were a little kid again, listening to the bear voices in a faerie tale. Afterward he signed books and possibly feet.
Actually he’s a saint. He signed for everyone that wanted something. I’m not sure what time he left, but Matt and I finally made it out with our signed books at about 6 pm, and I know Neil was supposed to leave to catch a plane at 4:30. So yeah. Saint.
In high fan-girl fashion, I had sketched Neil a picture: a caricature of Neil. As he put it: “Oh, it’s me! Beekeeping! With a three-headed Cabal!” So I think he liked it, even though my friend Jack told me I was being creepy.
I was giddy, and emotionally drained from being giddy, for the next several days. It was an amazing day and I got to give Neil my drawing, and we got some books signed, and heard part of a new story, and got a teaser about what he was working on next, and generally heard him talk about what he does and what it’s like. It was an unbelievable way to spend a day, especially sharing it with Matt. Even if I didn’t get to eat more than a cookie and a half between waking up and 7 pm dinner. Totally. Worth it.
Article comments
1 - Jenna
Great review of the Neil Gaiman visit. Such an interesting and lively account. Would love to have been there (if I wasn't several hundred miles away across the Atlantic). Good on him for making a (free) library visit. And well done Cleveland Public Library in having the vision to extend an invite.
Authors are too often nowadays, only let loose on their public by their publishers at bookshop signings, where there's a prospect of dosh and publicity in the offing. (Thanks also Meagan for the nudge towards the Sandman bookshelf and a happy prospect of yet another re-read).
2 - Lynn Voedisch
I absolutely love Neil Gaiman and wish he'd spend more time writing ADULT books. But that's just my little peccadillo. I think it would be wild to set Gaiman loose on an audience and see what he does.
3 - hadesarrow
Jenna - One of the things Neil does very well is connecting with fans. I suspect he'll end up SOMEWHERE near you eventually... and yes CPL is awesome. Cleveland has a bad rap, but we've got a lot of upsides and our library system is one of them.
Lynn - I agree... his children's books are wonderful, but they're just over too quickly to get adult length enjoyment out of them.