Guest Blog: Welski meets Gaiman

Neil Gaiman was over here last week, to the delight of his legion of fans from all over the metro. While I enjoyed The Graveyard Book immensely, I must say I have yet to acquire the taste for his other works.  I’m not a big Gaiman fan so I’ve decided to leave the blogging to one real Gaiman fangirl — Welski, a book club friend from FFP, guest blogging from Bookerella the Enchanted.

I’m actually envious of her fan girl experience. I wish I was a Gaiman fan — he’s over here quite a lot, and there have been a lot of opportunities for fan encounters. I’ve never had a favorite writer (or illustrator for that matter) of mine visit the country for a tour.

Read on for the highlights of Welski’s story (copyediting and comments in blue mine).

I took a whole day leave on March 18 so I could wake up late that day. My fully charged camera was ready, my books, The Graveyard Book, Marvel 1602 and Wolves in the Walls (Ooh, I loved this too!) were inside the Fully Booked plastic bag with my signing pass. I took my time preparing thinking that I have ample time from 2pm to 4pm to register. Engk. Overstatement of the year. My nice arse alighted from the taxi in front of Power Plant Mall at two o’clock on the dot yet when I went inside i found this line of people crawling like ants. Oh, and did I say line? Pardon me, I meant spiral! I wasted no time and immediately fell in line. I whiled away time by taking some pictures.

After one hour and a half, I finally got my number… which was 241!! (Hey, Welski, that’s still in the top half! They issued 500 total right?) Ugh. I finally heeded my tummy’s sentiments and headed to Seattle’s Best at the second level. I ordered their Spiced Berry Java Koolah and a slice of banana bread. Have I not been a deluded moron, I would have ordered myself a full meal!

Around five pm, the energy brevved up and an excited buzz replaced the friendly chatter on the place. A joyous chorus of shouts and applause greeted the genius behind the Sandman series. Neil Gaiman was finally here!!

What can I say? It was really worth the wait. Just seeing him brought a huge, huge grin on my face!

Fans hugged him, girls kissed him, and admirers presented him with mementos to bring back to his homeland (Neverwhere?).

It was almost seven o’clock when our batch was called. My stomach was making its protests again but I shushed it up… I couldn’t think of anything else, I was starstruck at the man in black signing his name on my books!

On The Graveyard Book, he drew a headstone and put my name on it. I’ve had mixed feelings with this mind you, seeing my name put on a headstone but I did not care much because having Neil draw something on my book is really wicked! (Awesome, Welski!)

On Marvel 1602, Neil wrote Omnia Mutantur meaning, “All things are changing”, very well describes Marvel 1602 as well as our world today.

I would have loved to stay after my books were signed but then again the rumbling in my stomach refused to be ignored. So I took one last look at the man who has inspired hundreds of Filipino artists and connected with thousands of Filipino readers of all ages with his legendary works. Here’s the man who believes In Filipino talent and encourages Filipino artists and writers. Here’s the man who finds great delight in our cultural roots and reminds us that we should be proud of our heritage. Here’s the man who loves Choc-nut (local chocolate — really, Gaiman loves Choc-nut?) and loves the Filipinos so his fans love him back more.

As I rode the taxi home, I clutched my signed books to my chest and looked forward to seeing him again next year.

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Read the full story (and check out more photos on Welski’s blog).

Thanks for sharing your story on my blog, Welski! I’m glad you had the chance to meet Neil Gaiman, and I’m glad you had a wonderful experience.

I wish I can experience something like this someday. Now if only J.K. Rowling/Jasper Fforde/Darren Shan/Suzanne Collins/Carlos Ruiz Zafon would come to the Philippines, I’d be squealing all the way to the book signing! :)