As we arrived at The Bewick Hall, Newcastle LIbrary, we were handed a 'Shadowhunters Army' button badge, and the 'army' were indeed out in force. The room was packed to standing room only, made up of clearly devoted fans of one, or both, of the authors.
The first half took the form of an informative question and answer session with the authors. The second an opportunity to meet the authors and get their books signed.
The moment the Q&A session began the room was immediately filled with arrow straight arms pointing at the ceiling. Each question demonstrated an indepth knowledge of the various plots and characters from clearly knowledgable fans. It didn't matter that the microphone didn't work properly, the authors answered each question in turn, clearly taking time to give thoughtful, insightful and often funny responses.
Watching the interaction between the two, it was clear just how close they are, as was their obvious shared love of the fantasy genre, both in their childood and formative years.
Though perhaps what was more fascinating were the differences between the two. This was most obvious when discussing their approach to writing.
Cassandra the obsessive planner - setting out whole series in advance - literally book by book, chaper by chapter. In contrast Holly revealed a much less structured approach - spending much more time working and reworking the plot from an original idea in her head, continually being frustrated as the product failed to live up to her original idea. She spoke about how she would often write and re-write chapter one.
It was genuinely fascinating to hear an award winning author speaking about her frustrations with her own writing process, and her efforts to overcome this; consulting other authors and even once trying to use without success a dictaphone.
In contrast Cassandra's solution was to simply start at chapter three!
Now back to Hyde Park. Cassandra recounted the story of a picnic in Hyde Park, London where she had been feeding the ducks, until she realised that one of the fillings was in fact duck! Appalled at her act of aiding and abetting cannibalism she beat a hasty retreat - pursued by the ducks! Cassandra then disclosed that it was this experience that she later drew on when coming up with the idea of Jace being afriad of, as well as hating ducks.
The session was full of such insights. It is perhaps no surprise that Holly, once described as ‘Queen of the Faeries,’ was influenced at a young age, by the book and illustrations of Brian Froud and Alan Lee's 'Faeries.’
The second half of the evening was the eagerly awaited book signing session, where fans queued eagerly and patiently, and in many cases for over an hour for the precious signatures. Many with books littered with posted notes colour coding significant and favourite episodes and incidents. Upon reaching the front of the queue, they were met with authors who spent time interacting with their fans, genuinely interested in stories or ancedotes and posing for photos. Everyone left the venue smiling, carrying their treasured signed copies.
I was left with a genuine sense of profound respect and admiration not only for the authors, but the legions of devoted fans. Everyone I think including me had a really enjoyable evening. Thank you Cassandra and Holly!
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Yes I'd cut my teeth selling books at the fabulous Tynemouth Book Fair for a few years prior, but this felt like a big step up. Thankfully I received great support from fellow members and dealers, both in my 'apprenticeship' and subsequently to this very day. The PBFA and its members, are in my experience, an inclusive and unique group who help and support each other.
Jeremiah Vokes my unofficial mentor, though I'm not sure he realises it, has encouraged me throughout. He provided my first piece of advice when I approached him in his wonderful bookshop in Darlington, more years ago than I care to mention. 'Roger' he said. 'Cut your teeth learning to sell, and make sure you specialise in something you enjoy and know something about.'
Sound advice indeed. The Tynemouth Book Fair provided that invaluable experience with the former, while the latter was the easy bit - I love childrens books, I always have, and had been collecting for many years.
Over the next few years Jeremiah, together with Jennifer (Bransdown Books) and Paul & Elaine from 'Classic Photographics' amongst others have provided further encouragement and advice, as well as supporting my application to the PBFA. Once accepted, it was they who strongly recommended I 'jump straight in', and so never one to shy away from a challenge it was off to Durham!
I can remember arriving early at Durham School, which was the venue then, to set up in a very nervous state, my car laden down with boxes of books and book shelves, complete with my brand new shiny PBFA sign and table cloth. Luckily for me arriving at exactly the same time was Hilary Farquharson. It was from Hilary that I got my next piece of invaluable advice - something I remind her everytime I see her - 'never have wasted journey from your car' - as she walked passed me with a huge grin and bookshelves tucked under each arm.
As luck would have it, I was actually exhibiting in the same annex with Hilary, as well as Rachel & Mark from RMJ Books and Ken Mullins (Ken Mullins Books) and I can never thank them enough for their kind support and advice to the 'new boy' - actually I think they all took pity on me!
In truth the actual fair was a bit of a blur, but I can still remember that amazing buzz as the first customers walked into the room, approaching my stand, and began studiously examining the books, as well as the thrill and a hint of validation as I made my first ever PBFA sale.
Fast forward almost a year and half to Saturday February 10th 2018 and this years Durham Book Fair, with a brand new venue at The Durham Johnson School.
Having had the pleasure of assisting the wonderfully knowledgeable and irrepressible Gill Tiffin in organising this years fair, I am confident that everything is in place for a wonderful event.
There are 40 book dealers exhibiting from across England and Scotland. While the venue which is handily located on the A167, has a large single hall, a cafeteria alongside and a car park offering ample free parking. Throw in two direct bus routes from the City Centre for those arriving by bus or train and disabled access and no stairs to negotiate, means that if you love books there is no excuse for not attending!
Humford Mill Books specialises in childrens books and these can be found on our website www.humfordmillbooks.com. We will be exhibiting at the Durham Book Fair with a selection of childrens books not available on the website, as well as books of local interest, sci-fi and other first editions. There is even a small selection of poetry books for those in the mood for love and Valentines day!
I hope to see you there, and if you have read this blog please let me know - its a strange feeling writing but never knowing if anyone actually ever reads the thing!
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All the new listings can be found in the category 'Recent Acquisitions' at the top tool-bar under 'Book Categories,' as can all of our categories and authors.
As its nearly Christmas I thought it was an opportune moment to highlight the Christmas books of one of Britain's most popular, slightly irreverent and controversial author/illustrators in Raymond Briggs. The man who produced books such The Snowman and the Father Christmas books, which have become Christmas classics.
Briggs is one of my favourite children's author/illustrator, one who has never been frightened to shy away from controversy and use cartoons to deal with tough issues, as his book on the horrors of nuclear war 'When The Wind Blows' typifies.
However, it is for his children's 'Christmas' books that he is perhaps best known, particularly 'The Snowman.' The book was published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton with laminated pictorial boards without a dust wrapper, and has gone on to spawn a series of spin-offs.
The book features drawings in pencil crayons, without words, which was famously turned into a short animated film commissioned for Channel Four. The equally famous sound track to the film included 'Walking In The Air' the song which became a UK top 10 hit for a very young Aled Jones.
The second half of the book differs from the film in that in the former there is no meeting with Father Christmas as there is in the film.
Indeed Briggs a self confessed Christmas 'Grinch' confirmed in an interview with 'The Independent' in 2012 that the book which depicts a snowman melting in the morning, was actually about introducing children to the concept of mortality and had nothing to do with Christmas.
Still nonetheless the book and indeed the film have become Christmas classics - with the film being screened by Channel Four every year since its release in 1982! There has even been an animated sequel 'The Snowman and The Snowdog' made in 2012.
Despite the success of 'The Snowman' it is for the book 'Father Christmas' for which Briggs gained formal recognition through the award of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal. This was Briggs second success having won the award back in 1966 for his illustrations in 'Mother Goose.'
The Medal is a awarded annually by children's librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. Previous winners have included notable illustrators Shirley Hughes, Chris Riddell, Helen Oxenbury, Janet Ahlberg, Anthony Browne and Michael Foreman.
The book was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1973 and issued with a dust wrapper. Briggs took his slightly irreverent approach to the subject, and Father Christmas is depicted as a grumpy old man constantly complaining about his job, having to be out in all weathers the same time every year!
In an interview with The Guardian in 2014 Briggs disclosed that the book took him nearly 18 months to write and draw and that he saw parallel with his own fathers occupation as a milkman, and who like Santa had to work in all weathers.
Briggs followed up the book with the equally popular 'Father Christmas Goes On Holiday' published in 1975, again issued with dustwrapper. Whilst there have been further spin-offs, it is these two books which are both highly sought after by collectors, particularly with their elusive dustwrappers.
The two Father Christmas books were also made into an animated film again commissioned by Channel Four titled 'Father Christmas' in 1991, featuring the voice of Mel Smith as the grumpy Santa.
In 2014 Puffin produced a three book boxed-set 'The Christmas Collection' which featured 'The Snowman' and the two 'Father Christmas' books together. These were produced in laminated pictorial boards and issued without dustwrappers.
There is little doubt that the Christmas books of Raymond Briggs will continue to grow in popularity as new generations continue to discover them, either directly through the books themselves or through the films.
Humford Mill Books is delighted to offer for sale the exceptionally rare original 'Father Christmas' 1st edition with that elusive dustwrapper, as well as the 1st edition of 'The Snowman' and the 'Christmas Collection' boxed-set.
These books can be found within our Christmas Books or Raymond Briggs categories - the latter containing other new listings by Briggs, including 'When The Wind Blows' and his illustrations in Showell Styles 'First Up Everest' - the account of Hillary's ascent of Everest.
Finally, I would like to close by thanking everyone for their fantastic support in this new business venture and wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
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The dream has always been to turn my passion and interest in collecting children’s books into a business. With a lifetime spent working in the public sector with absolutely no selling experience, the whole thing has, at times, felt like a distant dream. However, two years down the line with serious hard work and bags of mistakes later, here I am a member of the PBFA with a year travelling the country, attending book fairs and about to launch my very own website.
I’ve kept a journal over those two years and over the coming weeks and months I intend to share with you the highs and lows, experiences and lessons learned during those tentative steps into the strange and unique world of second hand book selling.
I also hope to make the blog informative, featuring children’s authors and illustrators that best reflect those books that make up the vast stock of books I have for sale. I will be compiling regular newsletters highlighting new acquisitions and news, which I aim to publish monthly.
I recently had a stand at the two day PBFA York Book Fair (September 15th-16th 2017) where I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people. I have to say whilst I was a little nervous - the fair is after all the largest second hand book fair in Europe, the experience was fabulous. I would especially like to thank all those who took the time to stop and chat as well as providing feedback - it really was encouraging and appreciated. Also a big thank you to all those who gave me their email addresses - it did feel a little awkward and unnatural standing there with my clipboard and pen in hand! Hopefully the regular 10% discount for receiving my newsletters will make it worthwhile for you all!
I am so thrilled finally to be able to launch the website. Its been a labour of love now for longer than I care to remember. Last night I went through my initial business plan - written over two years ago, a key component of which, was always the website. At the time it really did seem like an impossible task. So I have to be honest and say, its with a real sense of pride that the website goes live.
I don't claim to have the rarest books, although there are some real gems, but I have made a real effort to provide a broad range of children's books at competitive prices, featuring all the main authors and illustrators, particularly from the 1950's onwards. Additionally all the classic annuals such as The Beano, Dandy etc are present, as well as many titles from the fabulous Asterix and Ladybird series. Modern illustrators such as Anthony Browne, Sir Quentin Blake, Korky Paul, Tony Ross etc also feature strongly. I have a particular interest in Enid Blyton and Eagle/Dan Dare, and make no apology for the amount of books featuring both.
We've developed the website ourselves so please bear with us if there are any teething problems. Please feel free to provide any feedback regarding any aspect of the website and content, as well as any wants you have that you couldn't find on the website.
Finally, many thanks for reading this blog through to the end and I genuinely hope you get some enjoyment from the website. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to receive the 10% discount.
www.humfordmillbooks.com.