I met Clive Barker

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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I met Clive Barker! Of course, it was at a show of his artwork for his new book, Abarat, so a bunch of other people did, too, but I met Clive Barker.

In case anyone is interested, he is charming and engaging (and a lot bigger than his jacket photos imply). The artwork for his book is actually really good, especially when one is surrounded by all 100 or so paintings. He is the latest in a series of horror authors to start writing “Children’s books” after having a child (Gaiman being the other particularly noteworthy one). Presumably the money raised is used to start a therapy fund for the aforementioned children.

A French TV station (Telebien, maybe, or Televivre? ) was taping the event, so if French dopers see a small child in a stroller holding the book and mugging for the camera, that’s the little Bashere. It might be a couple of years before he’s allowed to red the book, but we did promise that he could look at the pictures.

Were any other dopers at the signing? It looks like the exhibit itself will be at the Pacific Design Center until the end of October. It is worth seeing. Particularly if one doesn’t especially care for sleeping.

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There was a smaller audience due to the fact that many fans thought ‘I can’t go there! People might think I’m gay’. So we had more time to talk to Clive.

     Friendly, down-to-earth, and deeply appreciative of his fans. A bunch of people had brought books. Before anyone could even ask, he said "I see many of you are clutching books. I'll be happy to deface them for you."

He posed for pictures, signed, and chatted until one his assistants insisted it was time to go and he reluctantly left.

I’ve got his signature on the inside of a wooden-puzzle box.
I find it very satisfying and reassuring when you meet a celebrity and they turn out to be a good, friendly person.