They say, don’t meet the people you truly admire, they will disappoint you.

Well, I have to say that for some, this might be true…

It just doesn’t apply to me on this one.

On the 3^rd of September 2019, I made my way into the Brisbane City library to meet my unicorn author, John Connolly. I was not disappointed!

(Unicorn authors are those that you would love to meet but seem to be hidden in a writing cave somewhere. The author that when you see their book you just buy it without reading the blurb because you know it is going to be awesome.)

John is the author of the Charlie Parker Series which kicks off with Every Dead Thing. Even now, 20 years after its release, it is my favourite book (it is also the most stolen. People come over and we talk books and I go here you gotta read this but give it back… I HAVE NEVER GOT MY COPY BACK! I HAD THE ORIGIONAL 1999 COPY OF EVERY DEAD THING!!! IF I GAVE YOU A COPY YOU NEED TO TH RETURN IT. ALL SIX COPIES!)

Anyway, the author talk with John was amazing. There were some really good questions asked and I got a great sense of who this man was. He is well read, loves to travel and loves writing. He talks of his characters as friends (how could you not be after 20 years?) But the second John talked of writing or reading or his favourite authors his face lights up and his eyes were bright as he talked about his genuine passion. Some of John’s answers you could see him holding back on the response (couple glasses of wine under his belt and I think we would have had a very different man, we should keep that in mind for next time).

I told him I had been reading the Parker series since I was 19. I apparently made him feel old and he told me to go home… John, I was 19 when your book came out… 20 years ago. I am not that much younger than you. This had me laughing as I left thinking I am 12 years younger than you!

All in all, the man has an amazing mind, a wonderful imagination and I am totally in love with this man’s mind and humble manner and the grace at which he met his readers.

Meeting my unicorn author has made me want to read more (oh the hardship, :D) and write better than I have before. If I could be half the writer that John is, I would be doing well.

If your unicorn doesn’t live up to expectations, you might want to pick a better calibre and choose a humble, funny, well read man who loves music and honours his imagination by writing books that are just simply brilliant reading. Wait… Did I just describe the perfect man… Romance Readers? You know I just did. He started with the mind, and made my imagination go wild. You all know there is nothing better than that.

I didn’t get to pick his brain about much but in the future, I hope I will get the opportunity. It was a honour and a privilege to meet John Connolly and I can’t wait for him to return to Brisbane so I can get more signed books and pick his brain further. John, if you want to mentor someone, PICK ME!

I am still on a high today. My legend made me feel empowered and excited. I doubt much of the above makes sense. Pretty sure my admiration of this man is pretty clear!!!

Thank you, John Connolly, you are a legend in my books. I hope we meet again.