Busy Weeks
Wednesday, May 7, 2008Well, we did it. My sister Summer and I visited 12 cities in 14 days as part of the Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague launch festivities. That first week we often had to settle for an hour or two of sleep each night. Some of our signings lasted until after midnight (we started them at 7 p.m.) and then we had to catch early morning flights the next day in order to keep appointments in the next city. It felt ludicrous to check into hotels at 2 a.m. only to check out at 3:30 a.m. But a pathetic hour and a half in bed felt better than nothing. By checking into a hotel, at least we had the illusion of normal sleep.
The whole first week was an interesting exercise in sleep deprivation. We should have invited researchers to monitor us. Despite feeling a bit stretched, I managed to keep it together during multiple presentations throughout each day and for long signings in the evening. Summer experienced some moments on the edge of blacking out, but all in all we stayed healthy and made it through.
We didn't catch much sleep the second week either, but three or four hours a night felt pretty good after one or two the previous week.
On some days, libraries became my home away from home. We often booked our hotels near the airport, so it usually didn't make sense to return to the distant hotel between daytime appointments and signings. We killed as much time as we could getting dinner, and otherwise found ourselves without anyplace to go. Libraries made a good haven because I could browse, we could get wi-fi, and I could get on a library computer when needed (we only had one laptop, and Summer needed it to keep booking future engagements).
Summer was awesome for hanging in there with me during such brutal weeks. I can't believe how well she kept us on track despite her fatigue. Now we both get to rest from touring for the coming week. I'll be getting ready to pound out my fourth Fablehaven book, and Summer will be readying our final tour visits before summer hits.
We had the awesome reward of learning that on May 11, Fablehaven will be posted at #3 on the New York Times bestselling children's series list. That is the highest we've ever hit!
I'll be doing a couple of signings in Utah on Saturday, May 10. Check Fablehaven.com for details.
Hope you guys are liking book three.
Brandon
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on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 1:00 PM.
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May 8, 2008 12:02 PM
Do you know how amazing you are? I love your books, they are fabulous. I feel so bad for Lena, but it's better then Patton dying, as that would change life forever, or Kendra, who's a main character. I certainly hope you do more with Kendra and Gavin's relationship. They are so cute. I own all three of your books, and recommend them to my friends. Once again, YOU ROCK!