As promised, we are starting to post Free Dreamer’s adventures at the book fair. We had a small teaser a short while ago. But now let’s delve into Free Dreamer’s journey to Leipzig and her book adventures!
Adventures From Leipzig – Postcards from Free Dreamer
After a very bumpy ride on the night train from Vienna we finally arrived at Leipzig main station, early on Friday morning.Despite the early hour, the train station and the tram stops in front were very busy. Lots and lots of people arriving by train and taking the tram to the book fair.
We took the tram to our “hotel”. Oh boy, what a dump. It wasn’t a hotel but a camping site, with three of us sharing a bungalow each. It was freezing and tiny and the wireless didn’t work. We were collectively Not Pleased.
After we’d checked in and stored our luggage, my teacher made us go to a printing museum. We printed our own postcards, which was fun. And then an employee showed us one old and two really antique presses. It was really interesting to watch him work. Other than that, the museum was a bit dull and not very exciting.
Luckily, we got the rest of the day off and got to do whatever we wanted. Me and my three classmates went back to the main station. First, we explored the shops a bit. German products tend to be cheaper than those in Austria and there are some you can only get in Germany. I was getting really excited, because it wasn’t long till Brandon Sanderson, my absolutely most favourite author of all times would hopefully sign my books. So we decided to check out the book store that hosted the signing. Since nobody was around yet and we were all starving, we found food at the Pizza Hut next door. Another new experience for me, since there are no Pizza Huts in Austria.
For those of you who don’t know Brandon Sanderson: He’s an American Fantasy and SciFi author. I’ve been a fan of his works for many, many years and never thought I’d ever be lucky enough to meet him in person. Not all that many international authors ever make it to Austria.
When I got back to the shop, there was already a very long line of people waiting to have their books signed. I was so nervous and excited. I ended up standing in line for about 45 minutes. Luckily, the woman in front of me was very talkative and we had an interesting chat. A group of three showed up in cosplay, dressed as characters from “Way of Kings”. They were kind enough to pose for pictures.
And then I could see HIM. I wanted to squeal in excitement but held myself back. I was so thrilled. I had six books of his with me. And he signed every single one of them. For “Elantris”, he drew a little city map. Some of the others got a little quote from the book. And all of them got a “for Miriam”. I was happy beyond imagination.
He wanted to know if I had any questions for him. I was too excited to come up with anything good. But then I asked him why he didn’t come to Vienna and complained that I had to bring six (not exactly light) books all the way from Vienna by night train. First, he laughed and said, “Well, I flew over Vienna when I came here!” And I just thought to myself that that wasn’t very useful… Then he started to give me this speech about how a book shop had to contact his agent and invite him and so on. I cut him off. (Yes, I cut off my absolutely most favourite author!!) I explained that I’m a bookseller and that I’m aware of the procedure. And that my employer HAD invited him. He listened patiently and then gave me hope. Once he gets invited somewhere, he always visits, sooner or later. Then I posed for a picture with him and when I left, he said, “Thank youf or being a bookseller!” I was thrilled beyond words. *.*
After that amazing experience, I met up with my friends again, who are horribly ignorant people who’ve never read anything by Brandon Sanderson, even though I repeatedly told them how awesome he is. We wanted to go to the Fantasy night hosted by a German publisher. On the way there, we got horribly lost and ended up being half an hour late. Since Brandon Sanderson and two famous German Fantasy authors were there, the place was packed and we couldn’t even get into the main room anymore. We had to sit in a side room, with no view of the stage and could only listen to the three of them talking. The interview wasn’t done very well. Half the stuff wasn’t translated or was lost in translation, since Sanderson doesn’t speak German. It ended up being a rather dull affair and we left after a short while.
The day had been long and the night even shorter, so we found our way back to our dump. It was a little creepy at night. It was in the middle of a forest and not very well lit. Apparently those houses are a favourite hiding place for spiders. My two friends got rid of a huge, hideous spider, while I hid out on my bed. I think we killed five or six spiders that night. It was really rather disgusting. *shudders*
If you want to hear how we survived the night in the spider-infested dump and what Germans have to say about queer literature, check back next week.
📚Free Dreamer Book Fair Adventures Blog Giveaway📚
Have any questions for Free Dreamer? Leave them here along with your email address. Random reader will be picked to win a $10 gift cert in the Free Dreamer Book Fair Adventures Blog Giveaway. It ends 4/29 at midnight. Have you been to a book fair? Met your favorite author? Do you want to know what was Free Dreamer’s favorite part of her book fair experience was or what books she brought home? Write in and leave a comment!
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, April 16:
- Adventures From Leipzig – Postcards from Free Dreamer
- This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, April 17:
- Book Blitz September by Robert Winter
- Cardeno C on the Mates series + Giveaway
- DSP GUEST POST Tali Spencer on Breaking the Ice
- Release Blitz & Review Tour – Moments – RJ Scott
- Review Tour – Goodnight My Angel by Sue Brown
- A Caryn Review: Goodnight My Angel by Sue Brown
- A Julia (or Stella) Prerelease Review: The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
- A MelanieM Review Tour: Moments by RJ Scott
Tuesday, April 18:
- DSP GUEST POST RK Staunton
- HARMONY INK PRESS GUEST POST Nikolai Joslin on Cold Front
- RIPTIDE TOUR Wake Up Call by JL Merrow
- A MelanieM Review: Imagines (Imago #2) by N.R Walker
- A Stella Review: Wake Up Call (Porthkennack #1) by J.L. Merrow
- An Alisa Review: Beneath the Layers Anthology
- An Ali Audiobook Review: Lord Mouse (Lords of Davenia #1) by Mason Thomas and Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Wednesday, April 19:
- Blog tour Shelter The Sea by Heidi Cullinan
- Blog Tour Beneath the Layers Anthology
- Fierce by Rob Rosen 2 week blog tour
- Review Tour – N.R Walker – Imagines (Imago #2)
- A MelanieM Release Day Review: A Day Makes by Mary Calmes
- A MelanieM Recent Release Review: Fierce by Rob Rosen
- An Alisa Release Day Review: Breaking the Ice by Tali Spencer
Thursday, April 20:
- Blog Tour: Falling for Him by CL Mustafic
- DSP GUEST POST Andria Large on From War to Forever
- Review Tour – Snap Shot by V.L Locey
- RIPTIDE TOUR A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Gathering Storm (Porthkennack #2) by Joanna Chambers
- A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Rough Edges by Cardeno C. and Kevin Chandler (Narrator)
Friday, April 21:
- Blog Tour Drama Queens With Love Scenes by Kevin Klehr
- Book Blitz Sound of Us by A.M. Arthur
- DSP GUEST POST KC Burn on Just Add Argyle + Giveaway
- Release Blitz & Giveaway: Clare London’s A Good Neighbour
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Just Add Argyle (Fabric Hearts #3) by K.C. Burn
- A MelanieM Review: Wave Goodbye to Charlie by Eric Arvin
- A Stella Review: Falling for Him by CL Mustafic
- An Ali Audiobook Review: The Imperfection of the Swans by Brandon Witt and Kirt Graves (Narrator)
Saturday, April 22:
A MelanieM Review: Wytch & Prinze by Kassandra Lea
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
It’s great you got to meet Brandon Sanderson. I haven’t read one of his books yet although I have my eye on a few of his stories. In general what book of his would you suggest I start with?
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Thanks for the post! I’ve never been to a book fair (or met a favorite author), so I’d love to know what else happens at a book fair and which were your favorite and not-so-favorite parts. Sounds like your accommodations and the spiders was a not-so-favorite part. 😦
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
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The fair sounds fun. What was your biggest surprise find or happening at the fair? I know what you’re saying about Sanderson. I read his concluding 3 vols. in the Wheel of Time series, and thought they picked the quality back up to what I saw in the first 3 vols. But I’ve since gravitated to gay fiction, so haven’t read anything of his since. Do any of his stories involve a gay protagonist?
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