Yesterday I had the pleasure of going to the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Wales. (I say ‘Wales’, it is only three miles over the border, but oh well. It counts).For those who aren’t aware, it’s a literary festival that has been going for at least 25 years, but possibly longer. For anyone interested, it’s on until early June, and you can find out more here.
The main reason we went was the see Cassandra Clare. She’s the author of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, two book series that focus on the world of the Shadowhunters, who are demon hunters charged with their task by the angel Raziel. The interesting thing was that I managed to see her twice before we went into the show. I was sat eating my sandwich when I see her walk past. I nudge Pauline, who was kind enough to drive me all the way to Wales, and point her out. Not ten minutes later she’s walking back the other way. It was weird to see her wandering around with no hype surrounding her. I suppose the beauty of being an author is that not many people know what you look like so that sort of attention doesn’t follow you around.
Cassandra’s show was amazing, too. She spoke about City of Heavenly Fire, the City of Bones movie and her love for Adrienn Turner, and upcoming projects, as well as taking questions from the floor and reading an exclusive part from The Bane Chronicles, which is available in November. She was warm and funny and didn’t dismiss anyone. She was inclusive and made sure to look right at someone when answering their question. It was hosted by Sarah Rees Brennan (author of The Demon Lexicon) who is mad but I love her.
The came the two and a half hour queue to get my copy of Clockwork Princess signed. I also got a copy of City of Bones signed for my friend who attended the presentation but was unable to stay for the signing. This queue was unlike the one to get into the presentation as we didn’t make friends with the people in front of us. Oddly enough, they were from the same city as I am, and lived about 10 minutes away from me. What a small world.
When I got into the signing room, the experience went a little like this:
Sarah: *Notices my shirt* Looking for a Herondale, nice!
Me: Aren’t we all?
All: *laughs*
Sarah: So I take it you’re a Will fan, then?
Cassandra: Or it could be Jace.
Me: James, I think.
Cassandra: James, cool.
…And that was it. She handed my books back and I went on my way. While it was only short, Cassandra made my feel like I mattered to her. She took the time to take part in the conversation going on around her and made my meeting memorable for me. She’s my favourite author, so even having only that small talk with her was amazing for me.
Afterwards Pauline and I went to look around the other stalls and walk around trying to find food. It was after this, while I was waiting outside the loos that I saw Cassandra for the final time that day. She was walking past me and presumably going home. I caught her eye and smiled, and she smile back. Sarah, bless her, waved and said hello. It was nice because I felt like they remembered who I was. The plus sides of having a recognisable t-shirt, I guess.
Just as Pauline and I were leaving, she noticed that tickets for Stephen Fry were still available. For those who aren’t aware, he is an actor and writer, comedian and presenter. He’s a generally amazing guy. He is probably most well known for his various roles in Blackadder, being the host of QI on the BBC and playign the Mayor of Laketown in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. He was doing a talk entitled ‘Shakespeare and Love’. It was really interesting – he spoke about his love for Shakespeare and how Shakespeare himself conveyed the emotion of love. I was very glad that we managed to get tickets.
The day itself was truly spectacular. I loved every moment of it, despite the dreary weather. It was lovely to be surrounded by books and book-lovers. Hay-on-Wye is also a really pretty village, and it was a shame all we got to do was drive through it. I think if there’s another one next year (and I see no reason why there shouldn’t be, espeically since Stephen Fry is now the presendet of the festival) I would go again. My friend who was there yesterday is going to go again next week to see Benedict Cumberbatch, lucky sod. Ah well, I saw my favourite author and managed to squeeze in Stephen Fry. It was a great day, and one I will always remember.
The Musings of Eden 