How do you write about a writer?

I've been postponing this out of sheer cowardice. I have a friend who writes, well. Professionally in fact and he has just had his first graphic novel published which is great. The problem is I know that as soon as I mention his name there is the risk of not only him but his friends reading my words, and they know what good writing is. Still I can't put it off any longer Cy is one of my oldest friends and it was great to get to see his work on a shelf in a real shop being sold (and signed) to people he didn't know. I think that is one of those signs of success, someone you've never met wanting you to sign something.

This comic is based on Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers. Those of you who have read my profile may remember that he is one of my favourite authors, in fact I would say I brought myself up on his stories, so there was plenty of scope for the comic to offend me. Cy however has been very aware of the feeling people have for the original work and has succeeded in producing stories that I feel complement the original. Nic (the other half of the CyNic team) had managed to arrange a secret launch party this Saturday, a feat not dissimilar to herding cats (without a laser pointer). With fans, friends and even a Starship Troopers cake (well done Manny) it was a fun and memorable event. It was held at Whatever Comics in Canterbury where we all went to university. This shop must have been supplying Cy with comics for about 20 years so it was the only place to properly celebrate his first publication, and it gave me a chance to finally get to know people I have heard a lot about over the years. Manny lived up to everything I had heard and astounded me with his enthusiasm for my work. He has actually caused me to revise my main site to include a links page, and has given me ideas for other improvements. We also discovered that there is a mail order service for comics and the shop will call you to tell you there are comics ready to send. For us this would be ideal as we are terrible at remembering when new issues have come out and need collection. This could be our way back into reading comics.

While I was there I also visited the university. Boy it has changed. The physics lab isn't anymore and the whole campus felt abandoned. When I was there, there were always students about doing things now it seemed empty. Do all students go away at weekends now? Still I did have the chance to leave invites for Bob Egar who was the master of my college and who is stil working there in computing. Now I must love you and leave you, the Britsh Museum is calling me. Well done Cy, keep up the good work.