Gah, Min, I was thinking the same as Kayt that you would have liked to post that awesome news (but totally makes sense why you didn't want to :P). And definitely sounds like sincerity and adoration in your voice rather than nerves.
So, it was my first time to meet Isobelle and other obernetters this weekend at Supernova, and I had a really nice time. I still hadn't finished reading The Sending yet so I was sitting in the airport terminal waiting for some others to arrive with my head in the book with my earphones in, reading intently. Then this shadow kind of formed in front of me and someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was reading The Sending and I looked up and it was a whole bunch of obernetters XD. I thought it was very cool they could tell the cover from just the little bit that was poking out from where I was resting it on my legs.
In the morning some changed into their Elspeth costumes, then we headed down to Supernova. At one point we had to walk single file down along a road, so anyone on the opposite side would have seen a conga line of different Elspeths, half of which carrying cups of tea hehe. When we got there, the mass of Elspeths formed and the photos were taken. Everyone looked great in their different versions of her from through out the series so far :). We then headed into the venue and split up a bit and walked around to the different stalls.
Some how we all ended up at the Dymocks stall at the same time in the line to get our books signed by Isobelle ^^. Her line was the longest by far next to two other fairly well known authors, which was both great and amazing to see. When it was my turn to get her to sign my copy of The Sending, she was very nice and chatty and read the Einstein quote I had on my shirt which she thanked
me for letting her read. I thought "this isn't the way it's supposed to be, I'm meant to be thanking her" XD. So I (being a little embarrassed) quickly thanked her for letting me read her books (adding in an awkward hand motion over the Obernewtyn books sitting next to her). After we had some lunch, it was just about time for the Big moment, The Sending launch.
(refer to the video Min posted above) We gathered around a wrestling ring of all places, where the 'brought to you by obernewtyn dot net' wrestling announcer (those there will probably cringe at that XD), who introduced Min to launch the book. It was very exciting to see Min up there, one of us obernetters, about to introduce Isobelle Carmody to this large audience that had gathered for the launch of such an important book in the series. She did very well under pressure (I know if it was me up there I would have been reduced to a blubbering mess of nerves :P), and you could feel how special this was to her to be introducing someone she adores like Isobelle. Then Isobelle herself launched The Sending! You can hear what she said in the video, but being there listening to her she gave off the impression of being a very positive, determined, upbeat person that really loves to create her books. Afterwards she got her photo with the Elspeth Horde, and then dashed back to the Dymocks booth to continue signing.
The next day we got up bright and early to head down to have pancakes for breakfast with her (some of us definitely woke up from the crazy antics of the taxi driver we had >P< ). It was funny, because we used our obernet usernames for our orders XD. Then Isobelle arrived, and someone started clapping, and so we all clapped for her arrival hehe. We ate and she moved amongst us, talking to small groups of 5 or so at a time. I hope more people will talk about what she said in their small group with her. In our group she started talking a bit about how she feels about technology, and the myriad of new things we have thrust upon our lives, and how she's decided (I hope I understood her right) to not get caught up in it all and use only what she needs and feels comfortable with. We then talked a bit about some of what was in The Sending (urgent lemons! XD), and also about her travelling the next few days for the rest of her tour. All in all it was an absolutely fantastic morning, and it was great to talk to Isobelle in such a relaxed way.
After the breakfast we headed back to Supernova, where we milled around for a bit and then went to watch Isobelle introduce Ian Irvine for his book launch. She had only been given the book the day before so she hadn't had time to read it much but luckily BB had given her some tips at breakfast about his other books and what he was like. After that Isobelle had to rush away to the airport, and so we started to head off and say our good byes. I had a really fun time, and it was great to finally meet Isobelle Carmody, and a bunch of you from obernet ^^; .
Edit: Oh and the only half decent photo I managed to take :P
~Link~