Chris Ridell and Elizabeth Laird at Waterstones Piccadilly!

I got to meet the poet laureate briefly last night! I foolishly forgot my copy of Goth Girl to get signed, so asked if he could doodle something in the back of my sketchbook!

He was thrilled to see I carried one on me so he flicked through mine and I his! His is immaculate and perfect as you can imagine. Chris gave me some lovely words of encouragement which I sorely need! :D 

As always these talks are never seemingly long enough and would be marvellous to listen to these great writers talk all evening. 

Meet the Illustrators- Waterstones Piccadilly

Friday evening was spent wonderfully listening to the marvellous Alex T Smith, Nick Sharratt and Chris Haughton. They spoke about their influences and techniques. It's just so enjoyable hearing how an illustrators gets their influences and inspirations from.
 There was quite a twitter crowd too which was lovely! Elli Woollard, lovely to meet her talented daughter too, Amberin Huq, Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar, Annaliese Stoney, Emma Carlisle, Emma Block and Karl Newson!

Emma Carlisle and Amberin 

And Emma Block and Ariane