So back when we were in London, which seems years ago now, I did a bunch of interviews. They’re starting to leak out this weekend, so I thought I’d give you guys a heads up.
Note to US and Australian readers: my YA books only appeared in the UK this year, so it’s all “new, new, new” to them.
First, here’s a profile by Amanda Craig, the YA and children’s reviewer for The Times—paper sometimes known as “The London Times” to us clueless USians.
Amanda’s a huge Uglies fan, so her profile is pretty cool. (And by the way, here’s her review of Uglies from earlier this year.)
There was also a great photoshoot for the article, in which I posed with a scalpel, surgical gloves, and an evil leer. Sort of the-author-as-Dr.-Cable. The photo isn’t online yet, but I’ll try to track it down. I’m dying to see it.
Secondly, I sat down with Meet The Author, a video series in which authors discuss their books. They have a whole siteful of cool interviews.
I’m trying to sound non-stupid. Can’t you tell?
It’s an interesting format: The author, which would be me, sits and talks straight to a camera for a minute or so. It’s all one continuous take, no editing, so it’s sort of raw and stumbly, but real. And highly unnerving for those of us who are used to rewriting our words a few dozen times before anyone see them.
Here are the results for The Last Days, Midnighters, and Peeps.
Note that for the moment, Peeps is called Parasite Positive in the UK. Apparently the slang word “peeps” has different connotations there, or something. (Trusty British readers, can you verify?)
(Hey, you can download these as audio from the iTunes store! Search on “Meet the Author,” then open up the “Meet the Author UK Podcast.”)
And finally, an amusement unrelated to the London trip: The Wikipedia entry for Samhain now lists Midnighters as a “Modern Popular Culture” reference.
One small wiki-woot for me, one giant step for Darkling-kind.
Update: This wiki-factoid was pointed out to me by Lyra!
Why weren’t any of us UK fans told about your appearances beforehand??? I wanted to see The Scott. 🙁
Unfortunately, all the public appearances were in schools, where they don’t let in wanderers by. Sorry I couldn’t squeeze in any bookstores and such.
But I’m sure we’ll be back soon!
hey, i’m second! (not including scott)
wow…this is..fawesome!
On your midnighters video-
i do agree, sneaking out of the house in Texas is a fool experience..
no one..seems to exist..
I especially like sunrises..
of course all of my friends are like: you crazy? going out ALONE at night?!!
On Peeps-
the title, “Parasite Positive” confused me for a sec..
I was like… Parasite Positive?? Scott Westerfeld has a book named Parasite Positive?
and then I FINALLY clicked it and i was like:
OH PEEPS!
I can be so clueless sometimes…
Last Days-
did i mention that the last days cover almost got my mom and dad to forbid me to read books?
XD
didn’t know u had a band…
what was the name?
I want a band…. too bad i’m SUPER underaged.
by the way, let me know if/when ur doing a public appearance in texas..
*ahem* I was the one that pointed out *ahem*
point what out?
Pointed out the wikipedia/Midnighters reference. (Yeah, I like to answer for people. I like to think it saves them time, even though I know it doesn’t…)
So, I hope those trusty British fans tell us the secret meaning of “peeps”.
in england peeps is like people
so “hey peeps”
erm whats it in america?
that’s what it is here too, sometimes…
Here in America, land of words-that-are-spelled-the-same-but-have-different-meanings and words-that-are-spelled-the-same-and-are-pronounced-differently-and-also-have-different-meanings-because-English-is-such-a-strange-language, ‘peeps’ can mean people, those marshmallow goodies mostly found around holidays such as Easter and Halloween, or… parasite positives. (e.g. of above English craziness:1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.) Yes, ‘peeps’ is just one of those darned confusing words…
Ha ha! How about:
The heir was feeling faint and needed some air.
I had to do an English project on Homonyms just a couple of weeks ago! 😀
Hmmmm, that sorta works…
I’ve got some!
The weight of the bear was more than he could bear.
They played a game of pool by the pool.
Lol. I guess those homonyms work better because the two words are actually spelled the same way. Hmmm, now I’m thinking…. What’s a sentence for the words, wind (to twist) and wind (blowing air)….?
I watched the wind wind playfully around the tree’s branches, whispering to its leaves.
Wow, I’ve started a trend. Go, Me!
Those ‘Meet The Author’ videos are always so strange, in my opinion. Sometimes the authors are really weird… like Darren Shan… but Scott, yours was good. You didn’t look stupid at all!
Oh, and there was one of mine that used wind and wind, but Sierra’s is much better.
Lol! You did start a trend! The unfortuante thing is,now I can’t stop trying to think up Homographs!
The actors don’t have anytime to play before the play begins.
The violist stopped her bow for the final time in the piece, and she took a bow.
A ball is no place to bring a ball!
The ruler needed a ruler to measure with.
Ahhhh!
The english language is crazy. I love grammar. Does this make me odd, yes. Way to go on being on Wiki, Scott. So…you gonna tell us more about that upcoming novel any time soon? Just a hint, perhaps? Pretty please?
*getting confused*
uh….
yeah..
anyhow..
i’m with hannah..any hints, Scott?
Thanks for the credit in the update Scott!
hi there,
i just wanted to drop by and let you know that i’ve posted a review of pretties on my blog – i loved it by the way 🙂
xxsxx
Hey, Scott, question: Did you coin the term “fawesome”? A friend of mine says that he’s heard it somewhere else…
Hi,
I love your books so are u going to do a 5th book? Please do another book!!
sorry if im totally out of the loop but what does fawsome mean? is it a combination of words like… oh grr i had a ton of them and now i cant think of any. i hate it when that happens
wow never mind i figured it out like five min. after i put that there. wow talk about brain missing. just ignore me and my stupidity.
I hate my computer. It didn’t work.
fawesome is used in The Last Days. Zahler says a lot of words with an “f” at the begining. like fool, fexcellent, fawesome
nevermind. i missed your last comment iminlovewithjonathan
‘Peeps’ is kinda like a word for friends
Hey everyone-
I am a uglies Triology Mega-Fan and I have just finished the series I was wondering what the peeps and So Yesterday is about.
Are they a series?
Also which one is more interesting?
I am a huge Scott-La Fan so I know that they are probably both Fansatic!
Scott-La~
You are so great please e-mail me at:
pepper1228@hotmail.com
~Ashley-wa 🙂
Marilyns Shampoo-
I love the like and the quote!
“But you’re…”
“Pretty? Think again.” She smiled. “I am Tally Youngblood. My mind is very ugly and I am taking your car.”