West of the Moon tour (10)

After two days escaping into the Brecon Beacons (the weather was glorious and the views from the top of  Pen-y-Fan, which is nearly 3000 ft high, sublime) - I feel almost as though I really have been on an adventure like Bilbo's or Frodo's, journeying up mountains... and so it's lovely to reach the Homely House of the Book Maven, presided over by wise, welcoming, and magical writer herself, Mary Hoffman.

It seems a suitable point to stop, sit down in a comfortable chair, and chat about trolls and fearsome Viking warriors.  But don't worry, we're safe here, they can't get in.


Image: The view from Pen y Fan looking towards Brecon

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So here I am this morning over at the Bookwitch being interviewed by the Bookwitch herself, while her talented photographer prowls around snapping...

I appear to be talking far too much, and at a great pace too, but they are very patient with me and offer me sandwiches (probably in an effort to shut me up for a few seconds!)

I'm like this when I get excited.  And I seem to have confused them about watermills.  But I certainly had fun!

West of the Moon tour (8)

This morning I'm writing to you from Wales (actually).  I'm sitting on a low, comfy, faded sofa in front of a wood fire, surrounded by old stone walls.  The dog is gnawing a bone.  Outside are beautiful mountains (which later on we'll be walking up); and when I woke this morning I looked out of the window and saw a beautiful red fox running towards the house over the grey frosty field.

However, such are the wonders of modern technology, I am also to be found this morning at wonderful Wondrous Reads, where I will be talking about monsters - vampires, zombies, the whole nine yards. 

Oh - and what happened when Frankenstein met the Wolf Man...

West of the Moon tour (7) The Realms of Gold

My host at Asamum Booktopia this morning, Emma, asked if I would write about what public libraries have meant to me, and as I did so, I realised more and more about how very important they've always been in my life.  To me, shutting down a library is like pulling out another of the foundation stones of civilisation.  They are one of the few public places left where everyone and anyone can feel at home.  In fact, I can't think of an alternative indoor public space where you don't have to pay, or explain your business, or dress a certain way or to a certain standard, or buy anything - even a coffee! - and you can stay quietly reading all day if you want to, in company with others, safe and warm.  And that's even before I get on to the books... Please come and join me in the realms of gold!


Picture credit: Eldorado, Dreamworks

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I thought it might be helpful to add a list of the places 'West of the Moon' has already been on tour - do click the links if you haven't seen them.

RECLUSIVE MUSE (in which I talk about the Nis, the little house spirit who befriends Peer)
SCRIBBLE CITY CENTRAL (in which Lucy Coats reviews the book and I answer her Burning Question)
MOSTLY BOOKS (in which I am interviewed)
MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS (in which I talk about the creation of fantasy worlds) 


Now for the exciting part!  Head over to Scribble City Central  once again and find out how to win one of four copies  of 'West of the Moon' - and the competition is international, so everyone gets a chance!

And if you can't wait, and happen to own a Kindle, you can download the book here - or you can order it from any good bookshop or from Amazon.

West of the Moon tour (5)

Today's the day!  World Book Day and the publication day of 'West of the Moon' and my husband's birthday as well - so to celebrate, you'll find me over at Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books, talking about the creation of worlds, large and small, and the truths that breathe through the apparent untruth of fantasy fiction.  Is it all childish make-belief?  Or something deeper?  

Here's the grand vision of world creation:

And here's the craftsman's:

 

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Today the tour makes a halt at 'Mostly Books', a vibrant little independent bookshop tucked away on an old street in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.  Here I've been answering questions from the owner, Mark Thornton, about 'West of the Moon', writing for young people, and some of the books I've read and loved for years.