Richelle Mead book signing at the University of Sydney

At her second Richelle Mead signing of the day, Decadence goes back to school. In a manner of speaking.

Any questions I had over why the after party of a YA book tour would be held at a university hall were answered when I arrived. St Vladimir’s Academy is traditional on the outside and modern on the inside, while Sydney Uni has a mix of historical stone and modern glass and steel. MacLaurin Hall has some truly inspiring stone towers and large-paned windows surrounding beautifully kept lawns.

As a new friend said, “I feel like I’m in Hogwarts.”

I arrived at this signing with over half an hour to spare, which I spent in line chatting to strangers whom I hoped wouldn’t spoil the series for me (as though the exclusive reading from the as-yet-unpublished fifth book in the series, Spirit Bound wouldn’t do that).

One fan was so hardcore that she had brought at least one book from each of the three series Richelle Mead has going and on the title page of (I think) a Succubus book she wanted Richelle to sign, she had actually written, “P.S. I hate Mattie!” in the hope that she can get this character killed off.

At some point during the wait, we were handed coloured wrist bands to help with the signing. My purple wrist band meant that I would be in the first group to line up, with another group wearing blue wristbands to follow and another two after that.

At 6 pm, we made our way up the stairs where we were handed a showbag, which according to Penguin’s website should have contained “samples of some new Young Adult books, prizes and an exclusive, Richelle Mead signed VA Tour poster that can not be purchased anywhere!” but actually contained said poster, 2 temporary tattoos, one single, solitary book and a voucher for 10% off at Kinokuniya.

Inside, it looked like I would have expected the school dance to be held there, with the wooden arches making the most of the high ceiling, traditional-looking portraits of God knows who, a row of black-garbed waiters holding trays of drinks, and a DJ at the far end, with a smoke machine adding to the atmosphere.

I think it was about half an hour before Richelle arrived from her other signing at Bondi. Penguin introduced her and told us that they would release books here on the same day as the US release.

If I had to complain about something, it would be the music. I don’t mind that it was a selection designed for a school disco, and what songs would be more appropriate for a vampire party than Bleeding Love and Decode (which got a huge cheer from the teenyboppers who sang along—OK, so I did, too)? But, showing extreme old age here (like over 22), it could have been a bit quieter so that people could hear each other talk about the books they read if they weren’t dancing. Because some of us don’t dance sober. And you can’t get tanked on soft drinks.

Anyway, the purple wristbands got the call to line up and, luckily, my new friend who apparently hates queues more than I do found someone we could line up with much closer to the front.

Source: Penguin Books Australia

The decision was made that Richelle would only sign one book per person (with the loophole that if you brought a non-reader with you, they could get another one of your books signed for you). All my others were signed at Galaxy, so I just had my still-unfinished Vampire Academy.

My turn came and she immediately asked if she’d seen me before and I told her I was at Galaxy. After all the faces she’s seen today, I have no idea why mine would stand out. I admitted to her that I hadn’t yet finished the book, but I already liked how she’d written the teenagers, like she could remember being that age. She replied, “I don’t know about that, but thank you.” And then my book was signed.

Penguin announced that there is no VA movie planned as it has not been optioned and if readers want a VA movie, they have to contact a major film company and tell them to make it. But in the meantime, they would decide on a dream cast. Sophia Bush from One Tree Hill would make the perfect Rose, and Dakota Fanning was the only suggestion for Lissa.

Then three girls from each side got up to debate Team Dimitri vs Team Adrian, but the cheering was too close for me to tell who won.

After another group got their books signed, Richelle decided to read a passage from her draft of the next book, Spirit Bound. It wasn’t very spoilery, though. Rose was in the shit for having a go at someone she probably should have left alone and got another tarot reading with the usual predictions of unhappiness and enemies.

Richelle signed books for the rest of the people in the queue while everyone else left.

I finally finished Vampire Academy on my way home.

You can see some photos of Richelle Mead’s signings at Galaxy and the University of Sydney via Flickr.