And here it is -- the last of my 50th birthday posts!! (It fell on July 2nd.) Four very talented Shansters drew beautiful drawings and shared them with me on the special day, and it thrills me to be able to share them now with YOU.

First up, AMITY LEE (I named a character after her in my Archibald Lox series, as she produced the first ever fan art based on it back when the first book came out a couple of years ago) brought several of the characters from my books to life, so that they could wish me a happy birthday. How many of them can YOU name?!?

STEPH (my current Facebook and Twitter profile pictures feature a drawing by Steph) had the same idea, and once again I ask -- how many of these rogues can YOU put a name to?!?

I posted a photo of myself holding a pair of balloons, at a little family party that I had the weekend before my 50th, which inspired MIKE to recreate it in a drawing. I've got to say, I think I look better in the drawing than I did in the real-life photo!!

Finally, LIV decided to draw the real Darren Shan next to the character of Darren Shan from the Cirque Du Freak books. Like Mike, I think she improved on the genuine article -- I don't think I've been that thin since about 1985!!!! You guys are too kind!!!

Right -- that's the first fifty years officially done and dusted!! Roll on the next half century!!!!