maddersahatter

We attended on Saturday. The fact that the Book Zone only rates a line or two in this statement underlines the feeling that we had about the event. YALC was treated like the poor relations at the wedding, shoved into a small space at the back. We felt that the organisers woefully underestimated how many people would attend the event for the authors. There were no virtual queue tickets for the authors, and no space allowed for queuing to meet them. I believe the numbers of book fans attending prove that YALC has enough support to be an event in its own right next year. If not, then please have the sense not to put Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman within 10 yards of the queue for an A lister like Stan Lee. And have virtual queuing. One of the volunteers tried to move us on because we were blocking the area next to Stan Lee's queue and people couldn't walk through the area. He was incredulous when we explained we were queuing for Derek Landy. Authors have fans too, mate! We have attended LFCC for 5 years - it is always on the weekend near my birthday so my children take me as a birthday treat. We've never felt as disappointed as this year. We thought it would be doubly enjoyable since we wanted to meet both stars and authors. Instead, we couldn't get near the stalls for crowds, and only got to see half the people we wanted to meet - both stars and authors. My daughter carried a heavy backpack full of books for 8 hours hoping to get signatures, and left with only half signed. I was given ticket 857 for Summer Glau at 10.15am, and she was only on 570ish at 5pm so I didn't get to meet her. We spent exhausting hours doing nothing but lining up for something like 15 minutes total between us with those we wanted to meet, and no chance to browse the stalls. We appreciate the difficulties experienced and know most staff were doing their best, but outside we and the other Early birds who got off the train with us were given conflicting instructions and moved several times, meaning we ended up further back in the queue than we should have been, while others who were behind us were put in a supplementary queue that ended up going in well ahead of us. We were eventually bundled in so fast our tickets were taken as a whole rather than torn [we usually keep the stubs as souveniers] and our hands weren't stamped meaning we couldn't step out for air during the day even if we could make our way through the crowds. At one point we tried to take a toilet break from the Book Zone only to find that the toilets down that end were blocked off 'no access to toilets' by photo booths and stalls and we had to fight our way down to the toilets at the other end, where there was a long queue. A ridiculous reduction when so many extra people were present. We applaud the 'pre-booked' ticket only suggestion - the dates are fixed and regular, so those serious about attending have all year to book leave from work or make whatever arrangements needed, and to save up for ticket and spending money. Could we also suggest a minimum age for attendees? We understand that some people need to attend in wheelchairs, and that is fine. Everyone is understanding about making room for them. But babies in pushchairs just add to the chaos, and those under 2 yrs old are unlikely to gain much from the experience. They just get even more hot and fractious than the adults. Again, it is no secret when the event takes place. Attendees have plenty of time to arrange babysitters. My daughter and I had our toes run over several times by baby buggies - and by luggage trollies! Seriously folks, have some consideration in a crowded area, leave the wheels at home. [As I said, my daughter carried a backpack full of books. She would have been more comfortable pulling them along in a trolley, but had more consideration for other attendees]. For five years, LFCC has been the absolute highlight of my year, but after Saturday it will take someone really special to get me to go back next year. I'll probably stick to MK Collectormania in future.