“I know that people in Cleveland are, theoretically, like people in other places,” said author Neil Gaiman Sunday afternoon, in a soft British accent. “But I don’t know what people in Cleveland want to know.” A mob wanted to know anything Gaiman would talk about.
According to the library, a crowd of over 1,000 turned up. Fans began lining up before 11 a.m. for the 2 p.m. event. An hour before it kicked off, the line was a block long. The event nearly didn’t happen at all. Gaiman had the flu, and was talking about canceling appearances in Cleveland and Toledo (Monday), but girlfriend Amanda F. Palmer (formerly frontwoman of the Dresden Dolls) tweeted that she’d badgered Gaiman into keeping his commitment.
Gaiman’s reputation has been growing steadily for over two decades, from his work in comics (including Sandman) to children’s literature (Coraline, now a movie), picture books (The Wolves in the Walls), and adult fantasy fiction (American Gods). Last year’s The Graveyard Book has been on The New York Times bestsellers for a full year. It won a Newbery Medal, which is given to authors for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. (Gaiman mow lives in Minnesota.)
Gaiman is also a noted reader: He performed the audiobook version of The Graveyard Book, which won the Audio Publishers Association’s Audiobook of the Year award for 2009. And his reading/question-and-answer session delivered such a performance. Gaiman claimed he was winging it, explaining, “If I don’t plan too much, nothing can actually go wrong.”
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2009.
This event was fantastic and I’m so glad that I waited hours to have him sign my book…I was second to last in line and I loved every moment of it. Thank you to the Cleveland Public Library for bringing him in!
Neil Gaiman is a jackass who funds scientology, a buck for Gaiman is a buck for scientology. Gaiman is listed as both a “Patron” and a founding US “Patron” of Scientology in recent donation lists (2004 & 2006), although his funding and contributions to the cult extend back in time to the early 80’s when he ran a Sea Org. According to ex scientologist Jon Attack, Patrons (are) the highest ranking membership – of the International Association of Scientologists. Founding Patrons (those who became Patrons by the IAS 20th Anniversary (October/November 2004) have donated US $40,000 and committed themselves to lifelong devotion to the cult. Patrons with Honors have donated US $100,000.