Waterstones do all sorts of amazing events, and there’s been a recent leaning to bring some of these to the shop floor, particularly at Piccadilly. There’s a great sense of fun to shop floor events, a closeness and personal contact that you don’t necessary get with the big panel stuff, which (fairly obviously) have a very different vibe. Have a look at the Games Café events and the various Bookseller Book Clubs… and come in for some proper Manga Mania in August!
On the shop floor: four fabulous creators from Search Press, who will be sketching for us and signing their books, plus you can join Manga artist Celine Cresswell for one of her hugely successful art classes (ticket holders only, grab them here, and places are limited, so get in quick!)
Guests
Celine Cresswell signing Draw Manga Faces, Heads and Hairstyles
Celine is a UK-based illustrator, working in data science. She attended Loughborough University to obtain her master's degree in mechanical engineering, graduating in 2023. As of 2022, she began illustrating books.
Joanna Zhou signing Super-Cute Manga Chibis to Draw and Paint
Joanna is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer based in Vienna, Austria, specializing in cute illustration, comics, art toys and character design.
Keith Sparrow signing Manga Now!
Keith is an artist, writer and performer living in Cornwall. He runs regular manga drawing clubs and workshops and has experience delivering workshops to children.
Chie Kutsuwada signing 10 Step Drawing Manga, 10 Step Drawing Kawaii and other titles
Chie is a UK-based Japanese manga creator and illustrator. Chie attends many manga-related events around the world, and runs manga workshops at schools, libraries and museums. She also illustrated Julian Sedgewick’s Carnegie Medal shortlisted middle grade novel 'Tsunami Girl'.
Plus all the usual giveaways, goodies and offers, and come in Cosplay for a cheeky free tea/coffee in the cafés!
Reading: Japanese novel What You Are Looking For In the Library by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts. Very gentle, has an elegant simplicity that feels very Japanese, and touches on the wonders and help that libraries (and felted cats) can bring to us all.
Watching: Godzilla Minus One, which was fecking awesome. Happy 70th, big guy!
Playing: our Sigil D&D returns to the lower planes, taking on the big nasties in the Abyss. The cleric can’t contact his God, the druid’s dog can’t get any sausages, and the mage has produced a coconut so desiccated it’s turned negative (a coconot), though what he intends to do with this wonder, I have honestly no clue.
I guess we can only find out…