Yesterday, Celsius 232 #2026 came to an end ✨ Another year where I had an amazing time, so it deserves the annual chronicle.
I just realized I’ve been writing my Celsius diary since 2023 (however, I haven’t translated those past entries yet). HOW TIME FLIES, it’s incredible. And how wonderful to keep meeting up with the same people every year ❤️ in this beautiful city that I love so much.
SIGNATURES WITH A DRAWING! At the Duermevela stand
On Friday the 17th, I was at the Duermevela Ediciones stand signing copies of all the books whose covers I’ve illustrated: The Sorcerer of the Crown, The Rightful Queen, Half a Soul, Ten Thousand Stitches, and Long Shadow.
I was thrilled to see the line of people waiting for my signature, even longer than last year’s. Thank you so much to everyone who came with their books! A really fun girl told me she wanted to start a fan club for Prunella, the protagonist of The Sorcerer of the Crown. Zen Cho, if you’re reading this, please hear our prayers 🙏🏻
I always think… “How can there be so many people queuing up? I’ve only done the covers!” And then my sister scolds me, saying that who doesn’t clearly and fondly remember good book covers and their illustrators? But at this Celsius, I paid special attention to how fellow artists are valued, to how enthusiastic some people were to have me draw for them, and it’s making me realize I’m wrong…
Thanks to everyone who came for their drawing + signature, and to Rebeca and Almudena from Duermevela for always being so fantastic (and for putting THE FAN near me in such a hot summer day!) 🪭 Another year signing with of the most beautiful publisher there is in Spain.
Event talks & sketchbook
We went to quite a few talks, and I rediscovered a hobby I had several years ago, which is carrying a notebook to draw and take notes. So there are notes from the talks by Becky Chambers (I was so eager to hear her!), Joe Hill, Javier Prado, Matt Dinniman, Tomás Hijo…
Here are some photos of my notebook. The TWO PAGES OF NOTES? Tomás Hijo’s talk. I wrote down EVERYTHING. He summarized so much about illustration theory in about 50 minutes! I’d love to read a book that goes into more detail on this topic.
When I didn’t have anything to write down, I’d draw dragons and fairies…
Friendship Time
As every year, the BEST part of this event has been being with my friends (both those from Asturias and those visiting from Madrid, like Javier, Camila, and Alba) and celebrating the now traditional Great Dragon Dinner 🐉 I made up the name this week without consulting any of them; perhaps it needs some improvement…
And one more thing! I also found Patricia García-Rojo’s El verano en que llevaron los lobos (a book I absolutely love and one of my favorite covers I’ve ever designed) in several bookstores. It’s a shame we couldn’t meet during the event, but hopefully we’ll have another chance next year.
¡Hasta el año que viene!