I fly to Edinburgh this morning for my events at the International Book Festival tomorrow. It's the 20th year in a row that I've appeared there, which is quite a remarkable achievement, even is I do say so myself! I remember, many moons ago, when I'd been invited back a few times, thinking I might make it to 10 in a row, but doubting that would actually happen -- I assumed there'd be a year or two where either they wouldn't invite me, or I wouldn't be able to go because of a prior commitment, or a flight would get cancelled and I'd end up not being able to get there. But, to my delighted surprise, I made it to 10 without any mishaps, and then started wondering if perhaps 20 in a row might be feasible. If I'd been a betting man, I wouldn't have wagered even a pound on it, because it seemed so unlikely -- yet here we are. (Well, assuming that nothing dark and dubious happens to me -- or the Festival -- within the next 24 hours!!)

I've a few more grey hairs than I was sporting back in August 2000 when I turned up for what was my first ever festival appearance. And I doubt I'll be bouncing about the stage quite as vigorously as I did back then -- the bones creak a bit these days! But otherwise it's going to be pretty much business as it was back then, because I'm going to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of Cirque Du Freak, which means I'm going to be focusing on the same books than I did 20 years ago, i.e. Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels Of Blood.

If you're a fan of last-minute plans, and can make it to Edinburgh tomorrow for 5.30pm, I'd love to extend a freaky welcome to you -- you can either buy tickets at the Festival box office in Charlotte Square on the day, or book them in advance online: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/darren-shan-roll-up-roll-up

And look what I just found -- a review of my first ever event in Edinburgh from back in August 200! I thought that I'd saved it on my site, but wasn't 100% sure until I went searching. Here's what the reviewer had to say about a young Darren Shan back then... https://www.darrenshan.com/interviews/article/edinburgh-book-festival-event-review