I have been very lucky in my years of writing to have gotten some fantastic opportunities; getting to see many a theatre shows, having access to some books prior to their release to read and share my thoughts on, and even a couple of interviews with authors.
On Sunday 29th October, I was very fortunate to have been given an opportunity unlike anything I’ve done before: a bookish brunch with an author in attendance.
With thanks to the wonderful team at Book Break & Black Crow PR, I had a real pinch me moment as I was invited to have brunch with none other than bestselling author Cassandra Clare.
(There is also a YouTube video of me talking about this on my channel where there you can see clips of the brunch with Cassandra Clare and me talking about my experience).
If you’re reading this post and unsure who that author is, here’s a brief overview. Cassandra Clare is an American author responsible for the Shadowhunter universe books, spanning across over 30 books (I believe she has written 44 books to date!), and her books have been translated into over 30 languages (last time I checked it was 35). Having more than 50 million copies of her books sold worldwide, getting to go to this event in honor of her new book was a massive deal for me, and I truly spent the whole day in suspended disbelief that it was really happening. So, let me tell you about it.
Out now is Cassandra Clare’s new book which is her debut in a new adult fantasy series – Sword Catcher.
To bring you all up to speed, here is what can be expected from Sword Catcher:
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads):
In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill. Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher-the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible. Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities.
By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge. After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces. As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal?
Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war-and the world into chaos?
The event was super fun and a huge milestone for me. I have been writing for years, as long as I can remember, but this was the first time I’ve ever been invited to something like this, so it was quite nerve- wracking the thought of going to an event like this all in my own. It was so pleasantly surprising that the event was actually really relaxed with a lovely chilled atmosphere and everyone was so friendly, welcoming and easy to chat to. After all, we are all creators of some form and we all love books – the perfect kind of like-minded people to make friends with!
So, after getting coffee and cake (when they said brunch…I thought they meant a croissant each, not a whole table filled with more cakes and biscuits than you can imagine!), and kindly being given a bag with some exciting Sword Catcher items in, we were treated to a question and answer session with Cassandra Clare, hosted by A. Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal. Chao asked some really interesting questions with Clare’s answers being really engaging and insightful.
Following the session between the two authors, it was then time for the question and answer session between us – readers and creators – and Clare. As I have not yet finished Sword Catcher (I’m working on it!), I didn’t feel I had anything I could yet ask, but the questions other attendees did ask were really well thought out! Again, Clare was really engaging in her answers, giving an insight into her writing process, world building and research, characters and how she develops her writing and all it encompasses.
Something that made me really happy was how Clare discussed when researching for Sword Catcher, she researched a variety of countries and cultures both in the present day and throughout history; one of these countries she researched was Turkey, specifically the city of Istanbul! When I heard that, I was even more excited to read more of this new book of hers!
(A reminder that if you want to see some of Clare’s answers and discussions, there is a YouTube video on my channel containing this).
Given the insane magnitude of the universe Cassandra Clare has written, full of intricate detail and depth, it was so fascinating to get to hear just some of how she turns her brilliant story ideas in her head to the masterful books we then hold in our hands to read and enjoy.
Following the question and answer sessions, we then were able to speak to Clare individually and get our books signed. Being allowed one book personalized and two signed was so exciting, but with such a huge backlog of books to choose from, how did I decide? Well, whilst The Mortal Instruments is the first series she wrote and that I read, The Infernal Devices is my favourite series of hers so far, so the first book in that series – Clockwork Angel – is the one I chose to have signed and dedicated to me. Furthermore, whilst The Mortal Instruments is not my favourite series of hers, City of Bones is the first book in the Shadowhunter universe in publication order and the book that kickstarted my love for this world and Clare as an author, so that is the second book I took to get signed. Finally, as it was a Sword Catcher event, I felt it only fitting to get my copy of Sword Catcher signed.
I read Cassandra Clare’s books growing up, and her Mortal Instruments series is one that really cemented my love for the fantasy genre. So getting the chance to thank her for this impact in person was really very special. I also had a really heartwarming discussion when I told her that as someone of Turkish heritage, I found it really interesting and it meant a lot to me that she researched Turkey for the book. Upon saying this, Cassandra Clare told me a bit more me about her visit to Turkey and her research for the book; how beautiful she found it, how much she found so interesting and how much of todays cultures and practices we still owe to some of the history of Istanbul. I could hear how passionate she was about both the research for her books and the works she creates, and I really felt she was really appreciate and genuinely cares about her readers.
This was a very surreal experience for me; having worked so hard on my blog for so long, to have an opportunity like this made all the hard work feel worth it, and it made me think that maybe people really do read the things that little me writes!
Following the brunch event, I was then kindly given yet another bag of goodies and then the chance to just explore the rest of comic con at my own leisure which was super fun! I’ve never been to comic con before, only the Young Adult Literature Convention which is a whole different kettle of fish. I got to see friends, amazing displays, some really fun stalls and games (Parabolic Theatre’s updated version of Bridge Command is NOT messing around, so fun and come on so much from when I last saw it!).
As I had the rest of the day to spare, I took myself along to Holly Jackson’s signing, Jackson being the hit author of A Good Girls Guide to Murder, a fantastic series and one that is coming to BBC as a tv series soon! Getting to meet her was really lovely and even though she had many a people wanting to meet her, again I got the impression she really cares about and is very appreciative of her readers, as she really took time talking to everyone with so much love and attention. I highly enjoyed her agreeing with me that we support both women’s rights and wrongs, and unhinged characters are definitely the most fun!
I found comic con such a lovely atmosphere. It was quite anxiety inducing for me as this is the biggest place I’ve ever been to really, especially alone – YALC is much smaller! So I did wonder how I would cope, but I actually was really pleasantly surprised at how calm I felt! There was a really welcoming atmosphere; everyone is welcome, there’s no judgment and anyone is welcome to be whoever they wish and there’s a really comforting feeling of acceptance for and by everyone. I found myself chatting to random strangers and everyone just being really friendly. It was such a heartwarming event and I found it really quite moving to feel so much love, acceptance and kindness in one place – something I think is really quite precious, when the world can sometimes be quite the opposite. It was a refreshing but special atmosphere and a really nice way to end a day I’ll never forget.
For all the opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to get – be that trips to the theatre, being sent books to read, interviewing or even meeting auntie, I feel very lucky every time, and very grateful. I love to write – I do it for the passion and love and enthusiasm I have and I want to just share that with the world. But chances like these only inspire me more to continue with my writing, to continue to work hard on my blog. I’ve already seen it grow across the years and I know this is something that will only continue.
Thank you so much to team Book Break, Black Crow PR and Cassandra Clare for an unforgettable experience and day!
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare is out now.
One Show at a Time 