2008: A Dutch Odyssey

About a week ago, I went on my first overseas signing gig - to Holland.

I was actually going to the land well known for its canals, tulips and clogs (amongst other, less salubrious, non-PG past-times), in a dual capacity as BL editor and author. Aided and abetted by the inestimable Rik Cooper, I was headed to Frenzy which is a really cool, pseudo-Games Day event exclusively run by the Dutch.

We were travelling over by ferry from Hull to arrive in Rotterdam. It would then be a short drive to Utrecht, where Frenzy was being held. To say the journey was something of an odyssey is a bit of an understatement. We actually missed our scheduled ferry trip due to a flat tyre (the hard shoulder of the M1 at 5pm on a weekday is a pretty scary place, let me tell you), so had to actually go back home again (I think we travelled a total of 30 miles, and despite various flatbed trucks, chaps with replacement tyres and so on, we still couldn't make it to the ferry in time - regardless all of our contingencies).

Okay, so take-two and we made it to the ferry this time (without the billowing smoke screen from a gradually disintegrating tyre that marred our first trip) and disembarked in Rotterdam without further incident. Just one slight problem, as we were meant to arrive in Holland a day earlier, we were actually already late for the event. So, with sat-nav in hand (or, rather, suctioned to windscreen), we drove to Utrecht and the convention site. This proved easier that it at first seemed with Holland's wonderfully quiet motorways and oddly courteous drivers, and we took a wrong turn. Using all of our BL survival powers, and a modicum of luck, Rik and I got back on track and found the venue at last.

Only ninety minutes late. Eek! It was a genuine possibility at this point that we might not be able to take all of stock in that we'd brought with us (with pre-release copies of Mechanicum, no less, amongst other great books and stuff). Thankfully, the good people of Holland were very accommodating, and my hat goes off to the great guys and gals of the Northern Europe Outriders (basically GW volunteers who help out at events and such - I wrote an article in White Dwarf about them once...), who were simply awesome. Fred - if you're reading this - you are a legend. They were all great, and helped us set up. Soon it was like we were never late and BL was at Frenzy with a vengeance.

The day itself (a Saturday, as it happens) was phenomenal. We were very busy, and I personally had a great time signing lots of copies of Assault on Black Reach: The Novel, Oathbreaker and even Grudgelore, and chatting to folks (who knew I had a Dutch fanbase) about my future projects (Honourkeeper and Salamander). We even sold out of Oathbreaker, which is a testament to the Warhammer love out here in the Benelux and Scandinavian countries. It was absolutely fascinating talking to people about all manner of subjects to do with the Black Library, and I have to say each and every one was exceptionally friendly and attentive.

The day ended with a few more sporadic signings, a bit of selling on the stand and, quite flatteringly, judging the painting competition with my fellow Games Workshoppers, Phil (from Forge World) and Matt (from Northern European Sales). Tremendous!

It all culminated in a spate of trophy giving for both the painting competition and the doubles tournament being held in an adjacent hall to the one we were in. Never have I heard so much noise come from so few people (well okay, about 450, but it was still noisy). Great stuff. You couldn't help but be swept up by it all, and by the time we had packed up and were ready to leave, I felt I had been part of something special.

Evening was relaxation time, and after heading to our hotel to check in, drop off our bags and spruce up, we ventured into Utrecht proper. Joining up with the Forge World boys, Rik and I enjoyed a nice steak at an Argentinian steakhouse and a few well-earned Dutch beers.

The next day we headed to the Amsterdam store and had a look around this picturesque city. It all went a bit too swiftly for me, as after taking in some sights and buying the odd gift or two for Louise (nothing dodgy folks, just chocolates and tulip bulbs), it was time to leave again and head for the ferry in Rotterdam. I wasn't going to miss the incessant Europop offending my ears on the Dutch radio stations, but I was going to miss Holland. What a beautiful, clean and friendly place. Though I suspect Western influences are slowly eroding some of its culture, Holland still retains its national identity proudly in both its architecture and, perhaps most telling, its attitude. I shall certainly be planning a return journey.

As if it didn't want me to go, the sea was particularly rough on the way back. Apparently, there was a storm front affecting the UK and we felt this all the way in Holland with force seven gales buffeting us, and waves smacking the sides of the ship like thunderbolts. It really was quite hairy, and I was glad when we finally arrived at Hull and I could place my feet on terra-firma again. It didn't detract from what was a great trip though, and one which I shall certainly remember.

It looks like there'll be more sojourns to other nations in the future, too, as more of my novels hit the stands. I shall look forward to that in due course and meeting folks who perhaps can't get to the UK so easily. I'll keep you posted on the blog. Until then...

(Picture captions: 1 - A snap shot of that most ubiquitous of Dutch landmarks - a windmill; 2 & 3 - At Frenzy, where I do a spot of signing...; 4 - There's even a Batman in Amsterdam, honest!)