I was really excited to get an invite to the Puffin Summer Party a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't too sure what to expect or who would be there but I jumped at the chance to get to mingle with some of the Puffin authors. I'd arranged to meet up with Sammee (I Want To Read That) & Sophie (So Many Books, So Little Time) at lunch time and we had an afternoon of book shopping planned. As it turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year so far we quickly changed our minds - the underground was unbearable and we couldn't face it a second time! We made it as far as the big Waterstone's in Piccadilly where we spent quite a few hours hiding in the cafe in the basement. We still had a great time chatting away but it was so nice to be out of the heat.
The party was held at Banqueting House in Whitehall which was an absolutely amazing building. I didn't think of taking pictures of the outside but check out the ceiling of the room the party was in below (impressive isn't it!)
We arrived right at the start of the party and after being welcomed by Jayde we soon found a group of other bloggers to chat to. I don't know about anyone else but I was in awe of the location, the overwhelming number of people and a little star struck by so many fantastic authors all in one place!
Liz, Sammee, Rhys & Sophie
I was a bit nervous about going over and talking to the authors but we had lovely chats with Julia Golding (who was at the event wearing her Eve Edwards hat but I have met before in her Joss Stirling persona), Sarwat Chadda, Helen Grant and Curtis Jobling. Despite the fact that I wandered around with my camera in my hand for the whole evening I took hardly any pictures (not like me at all I know!) but we did ask Curtis for pictures. He was the only author that I knew in advance would be there and since I loved the first Wereworld book Rise of the Wolf (you can read my review here if you haven't already seen it) I was really looking forward to meeting him. Curtis was really friendly and we managed to get some spoilers about the Wereworld series that have me very excited but I'm afraid we were sworn to secrecy so I can't share the news here!
Sophie, Curtis & Sammee
Me, Curtis & Sammee
It was fun spotting different authors amongst the crowds including Alex & Simon Scarrow, Michelle Paver & Phil Earle. We found out later that Melvin Burgess and Charlie Higson were also there but I didn't see them. I'd like to say a massive thanks to everyone at Puffin for hosting such a great event and letting some of us bloggers tag along! It was great to meet so many lovely authors & I had a fab time :o)
Who was there:
Jayde - Puffin
The authors we saw & or spoke to:
Alex & Simon Scarrow - Website
Curtis Jobling - Website
Helen Grant - Website
Michelle Paver - Website
Phil Earle - Website
Sarwat Chadda - Website
The bloggers:
Ana - The Book Smugglers
Liz - My Favourite Books
Rhys - Thirst For Fiction
Sammee - I Want To Read That
Sophie - So Many Books, So Little Time
Rhys - Thirst For Fiction
Sammee - I Want To Read That
Sophie - So Many Books, So Little Time
Julia Golding / Eve Edwards / Joss Stirling are the same person??? how did I miss that??
ReplyDeleteWOW - you had a great time! What a wonderful event. :)
ReplyDeleteI knew Julia Golding and Eve Edwards were one and the same but I didn't know she was Joss Stirling too!!
ReplyDelete@ Kirsty - I thought everyone knew that but I'm starting to realise that they didn't lol. Perhaps I wasn't supposed to mention it but I met her as Joss Stirling at the OUP event last year
ReplyDelete@ Kay - it was such a great evening, I wish I'd thought to take more pictures :o)
@ SJH - I'm glad you at least knew Julia & Eve are the same person, I hope I've not given away a state secret about her being Joss too lol
I don't feel so worried now, I actually put in my OUP event write up that Joss is Julia Golding so I don't think it can be a major secret!
ReplyDelete