Daniel Handler, please visit the UK!

[Dante]

Thank you very much, Gigi. Your generous requests on our behalf are much appreciated.

Edit: News!(oneoneetc.) I was talking to bookstore guy earlier, and he said - although I don't recall him specifying where his information came from, so don't ask me about it - that Handler might be coming to the U.K. over the summer. So, maybe we're in luck at last.

[mycelium]

www.hayfestival.com/2005/DOWNLOAD/PDF/draftProgramme/2006.pdf

Look on page 9- 'Lemony Snicket' might just mean a discussion or 'dress up as your favourite character' session, but the Hayfestival is generally very good, so there is a fair chance it could be Daniel! ;D

However, he was supposed to appear in Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and those of you who had tickets know what came of that:(

[Gigi]

ffwf said:

Thank you very much, Gigi. Your generous requests on our behalf are much appreciated.

Edit: News!(oneoneetc.) I was talking to bookstore guy earlier, and he said - although I don't recall him specifying where his information came from, so don't ask me about it - that Handler might be coming to the U.K. over the summer. So, maybe we're in luck at last.

You are certainly welcome. I've already met him once, and even though I would love to see him again, it would also be great if others could too.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, that he comes and that you might get to meet him. It would probably be a once in a lifetime experience you wouldn't want to miss.

[Dante]

More news pours in by the day. UnfortunateEvents.com has announced - oh, I'll just quote it.

www.unfortunateevents.com/html/news.php?id=54

We can't think why, but apparently lots of you would like to meet Mr. Snicket personally - and your chance is coming soon.
Keep an eye on your local book shops and watch out on unfortunateevents.com for details of a curious competition that could see you come face to face with your favourite author when he visits the UK in May.
A happy meeting is not guaranteed - so visit again soon for more details at your peril...

A contest just to meet him? Gah, it's like they want as few people to see him as possible. Still, that apparently confirms he'll be around, which is good. The Hay Festival schedule had him being around in early June, so let's call that corroboration.

...I guess it figures that late May and early June are when I have my A-Level exams, doesn't it?

Edit: I wonder if this was planned all along, or if your recommendation was taken into consideration, Gigi. Hmm. Thank you once again, anyway, and I guess I'll have less excuse to complain in future...

[Gigi]

It's nearing the end of March, they better get moving on details about the contest. As usual, they keep it all mysterious. Be sure to keep us updated on the details and we're all willing to help you in any way we can to make sure you win.

And I take no credit for this. I'm sure it was planned before I suggested it to them.

[hewhomustnotbeseen]

Well, now, the contest is officially open.

70 unlucky winners will receive tickets to the Unfortunate
Event at the Clink Prison Museum, London on 29th May 2006.
Those of you brave enough to enter should
text WEB followed by your name to 80125
No purchase necessary. Standard text charges apply. Deadline for entries is 5th May 2006. 70 winners will be chosen and each winner will receive 3 tickets to the event in London's Clink Prison Museum on 29th May (winners must arrange their own transport). Parental permission for anyone under the age of 16 is required for entry into the draw. Only one entry per person allowed. The competition runs from 1st April.
Terms and conditions:
1. All entries for the draw must be received by 5th May 2006

2. Entrants must be resident in the UK but not employees (or members of their families) of Egmont UK Ltd, their agents or anyone professionally connected with the draw.

3. Parental permission for anyone under the age of 16 is required for entry into the draw.

4. Only one entry per person allowed.

5. All text entries are charged at entrant's standard operator tariff. Return messages are free of charge.

6. Consumer data will be retained for the duration of this promotion and will not be used for any other purpose, unless you opt-in at another time to receive ongoing news and offers from Egmont as part of a subsequent text entry.

7. Proof of texting does not constitute proof of receipt of entry. The promoter is not liable for non/ late receipt of texts due to operator/network failure, or for any associated cost to entrants.

8. All winners will be notified via SMS within 7 days of the closing date

9. The prize entitles winners to 3 tickets to meet Lemony Snicket on 29th May 2006. All winners must be accompanied by an adult aged over 18 and will be responsible for making their own way to London and covering all travel expenses on the day.

10. The names and counties of the 70 prize winners will be made available at www.unfortunateevent...

11. No cash alternative will be offered.

12. The draw will be made by an independent person. The promoter's decision is final.

13. The promoter is Egmont UK Ltd. 239, Kensington High St, London W8 6SA

Unfortunately, I don't live in the UK, but maybe someone else does. 70 people can win, so that just increases any of you people in the UK's chances of winning.

[champ103]

Thank you very much! I'll enter at once!

[Gigi]

He's going all the way to London and only 210 people will get to meet him? I hope he's making more appearances than just that one exclusive appearance.

[Dante]

London? Too far, but that's pretty much what I expected.

[Gigi]

How far is it for you? Are you at least going to enter and see if you win?

[Dante]

dgrune said:

How far is it for you? Are you at least going to enter and see if you win?

170 miles or so, I understand. And I don't even own a mobile phone, let alone understand this "texting" of which the younger generation is so fond. I guess I could borrow one, but to me it'd be fairly irrelevant if I could, since it sounds like too much of a large-scale event for an agoraphobic recluse like me to consider. On the bright side, at least I can't complain anymore about Handler never coming here.

[Gigi]

Maybe he has an agoraphobic recluse stop on his book tour.

[Dante]

dgrune said:

Maybe he has an agoraphobic recluse stop on his book tour.

Do you think he'd visit my laundry room if I told him the sugar bowl was there?

[champ103]

I saw a banner in a shop promoting it yesterday (it says to text 'SNICKET' then your name, not 'WEB') I can't find my phone ):

[Dante]

dupin said:

I saw a banner in a shop promoting it yesterday (it says to text 'SNICKET' then your name, not 'WEB')

Oh, can you imagine if UE.com had put the wrong thing up on their site? That'd be hilarious... For me, anyway, but less so for them. Thing is, I wouldn't even put it past them.

Anyway, make sure you enter, Dupin. We really need a 667 representative there... A major one, anyway.