I love author readings. I get to put a voice to the stories that run through my head, marvel at the sometimes insightful, sometimes unintentionally hilarious audience questions, and it usually provides an excuse to buy books. As if I need another excuse to buy books. However, I don’t love author signings.

I seem to be neurologically incapable of meeting famous authors, much less anyone I respect or, god forbid, idolize. The hours of waiting in line don’t play nice with the ants in my pants and when I finally get to the front, nothing comes out of my mouth. I freeze and either stammer incoherently or say something stupid like “Hey, I loved your book. Good job.” The whole process is nerve-wracking and I tend to avoid it altogether, but I should have made an exception for Neil Gaiman.

Yes, Neil is a good writer, and if you base your assumptions on Sandman and Anansi Boys alone, one might say that he is a genius. I wasn’t aware, however, that he is also a charming, sweet, and funny man. His University Bookstore reading last night at the University Temple was the highlight of my month and I continue to kick myself for not sticking around to meet him and for not bringing my fucking camera.

So, dear reader, the only thing I can offer is that Mr. Gaiman let slip the following tidbits. They’ve probably been reported elsewhere, but here goes…

Crispin Glover is playing Grendel in Neil’s adaptation of Beowulf that just started filming with Robert Zemeckis at the helm.

Neil is in talks with “a major cable network” to produce an anthology based on his short fiction.

Neil’s next book for kids, The Graveyard Book, will concern a baby who is brought up by a fun-loving group of corpses after his family is murdered by a serial killer (yikes!)