Might I finally get a bit famous?

... in Germany, at least, and via being quoted by someone who already is? Some time ago I got a request from a German publisher on behalf of a children's author who wanted to quote a translated version of a poem of mine called "What If This Road". I said sure, why not (quite forgetting to ask for any money; I do wish mamma hadn't brought me up believing it was rude to mention money) and thought no more of it. I didn't take much note of the author's name either.

Soooo... the complimentary copy just arrived and when I saw what a beautiful hardback artefact it was, I checked up on the author at last. Obviously I should have heard of Cornelia Funke; she's been translated into English and all sorts of other languages and her Wikipedia entry says she's compared to JKR - most unfairly as far as I can see, as the little I have read so far makes Funke look a far better writer. (Her website is even more fun, too.) What I have is the German version of Tintentod (Inkdeath); apparently it comes out in English next year, and at least one US bookshop has ordered the German version because his customers couldn't wait for the English one.

Well, well... all recognition is welcome, including that classed as OBE (Other Buggers' Efforts). I wish the translation of the poem had preserved an ambiguity in the last two lines, but it isn't bad otherwise (nor am I saying I see how it could have done).

Poem behind the cut if anyone's interested ( What If This Road )

( and here's the German version )