Fantastic event organised by David O’Callaghan from Eason and Sheena and the crew in Eason O’Connell Street. As I walked down into the basement to the children’s dept I was met by a life-sized mummy. Pretty scary stuff! The ceilings were draped with black net, with bats and skulls hanging from it. They’d put a lot of effort in.

Derek Landy unveiled the cover of his new book, talked about kittens and made the children ‘sing’ in this strange horror chorus. Sounds mad but it worked! Derek has really blossomed, both in his writing, and personality. He’s brilliant with kids and they love him. He could read the phone directory to them and they’d still love it. IN fact, he’d probably make the phone directory fun – he has a great way with names – if you’ve ever read a Skulduggery book you’ll know what I mean!

Justin Somper of Vampirates did a spirited reading, with lots of sword action and salty sea dogness. I’ve known Justin for years now – we’ve grown up in the kiddi lit world together – and he’s still such a gentleman. I’m so delighted his Vampirate books are taking off in such a big way, he deserves it.

They were quite a team. Joining in the fun were Jenny and Tom from Children’s Books Ireland;  David Maybury, uber blogger; Mary Byrne, Derek’s lovely pr person; and a host of Eason, Harper Collins and Simon and Schuster bods, some in costume (the booksellers that is, not the publishey types).

I dressed up as Tanith Low, trouble maker and general cool chick (I wish!) from Derek’s Skulduggery books. My son told me I looked like Indiana Jones. I told him I almost named him Indiana, so he stopped slagging me pretty quickly! His name is Sam Jack Iowa – yes, Iowa – it’s to do with Field of Dreams, the movie, don’t make me tell the story, please! He has suffered enough.

Fab event – much better than working. (Apologies to my editors – I’ll get straight back to the writing, I promise!)

Sarah X