This tour diary is kept daily by Victoria Holmes (Editor AKA Erin Hunter) on her travels across the states. It has been typed up from warriorcats.com, and any spelling errors have been left untouched.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 2

The Erin Hunter tour for October 2007 is officially underway! I started off today with sixteen radio interviews (gulp), which were much more fun then I was expecting, to be honest. The presenters asked some very interesting questions about where I get my ideas from and what will happen in the future books - not that I gave anything away of course! I wonder if anyone heard me though? It seemed very early to be talking about books on a radio show, but it would be nice to think that a few if you were listening in.

This afternoon I had my first signing, at Bank Street Bookstore in New York. This is such a great place if you love children's books! I was a bit worried no one would come to see me because Forestar's Quest has been out for a while, and maybe lots of people came on my last tour because they wanted to buy The Sight. But I was wrong Over two hundred of you turned up, and I loved every minute of talking about Firestar's Quest and hearing what you thought of it. Special purrs to Sparkrain, Whitepaw, Runningstream, Mossystar and Shadowtail - in fact, to everyone who shared their warrior names with me. Why can't I be that imaginative when it comes to making up new names?

As always, I was humbled by how much you love these books, and how seriously you take them. There are always several people in the audience who know far more about the series then me! Extra-special purr goes to Becky today, for noticing that Bluestar's last word is "ThunderClan." I must confess I didn't do this on purpose, but now that she's pointed it out, I think it's fab!

Off to Philadelphia tomorrow, so until then, sleep well and maybe StarClan walk in your dreams!

Vicky/Erin

MONDAY OCTOBER 1

It's started! I'm on the road again, and VERY excited at the prospect of meeting lots more readers right across America. I arrived in New York two hours ago, and although I didn't have any events scheduled for today, I wanted to say hi, and welcome to the October Tours Diary!

I'm going to be talking principally about Firestar's Quest - and oh my goodness, that's a heavy book to carry around! - But if you've been to one of my events before you'll know that I'll answer questions of any of the books so far. Just don't ask me what happens net, because I'll never tell you! I know I'm famous for loving chocolate but there aren't enough Hershey bars in the world to persuade me to tell you how Firestar looses his ninth life...

My first event is at Bank Street Bookstore at 4pm tomorrow. Please come if you can! It's a fabulous store, a real treasure trove of children's books - so if I'm not out front ready to the event, you'll be able to find me lurking among the shelves, checking out the competition!

It's such an honour to be in the states again, sharing your passion for Warriors. If you can't make it to one of the events this time, I'll keep you up to date with my daily diary, and hopefully I'll be visiting a store near you when I come back next year.

Right now I'm off to find some food to build up my energy for the next eighteen days...

Vicky/Erin