This is not a book review, but it is a reading recommendation nonetheless.
Does anything about this look familiar to you?
It is not just that the fandom is Armitage’s and the picture on the cover was supplied by yours truly. But this is actually an e-book that has just been released on Amazon, and I am happy – proud, even – to promote the feck out of it. Not because of that stunning, technically and artistically flawless cover illustration. (You *do* realise I am joking, right?) But because of the author. Abby Vegas.
Blogger (left) and author (right) in front of local sight. Ca. 2014
Full disclosure: I know Abby. In fact I have met Abby in person twice. I even have hosted her in my house once. We both started in the Armitage fandom on tumblr at roughly the same time, sometime in 2012. And my heart immediately warmed to Abby when she called us “the crypt keepers” of the fandom on tumblr where everyone was at least 20 years younger than us 😂. But by Jove, the crypt keepers can have fun, too, and we did. Oh those endless tumblr re-blogs… We moved our conversation from public blogs to bts e-mails, and discussed all those important things that fangirls have to investigate: from internal fandom affairs to the occasional “talking me down the ledge” cry for help. In all of this, Abby has always maintained a level head. She strikes the perfect balance between “arsing around with fellow fans” and “now, let’s keep this in perspective”. In any case, Abby is a multi-talented woman, and while still active on tumblr, she entertained the fandom with her unique and graphic story-telling – as in: illustrated stories. She also delved into long-form writing and published an Armitage-inspired novel three years ago. (Check it out! Clean Break has a protagonist who will seem familiar to you. Not just the way he is described in looks, but also in terms of his persona.) And now she has compiled a memoir on her time as an Armitage fangirl – see above.
In her own words – or rather: in her own blurb:
Ever feel like you’re fangirling a little too hard over a celebrity? You’re not alone. In this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud memoir, Abby Vegas dives head-first into the fandom of handsome British actor Richard Armitage (who starred in “The Hobbit,” “North & South,” and “Ocean’s 8”). It’s one crazy ride—but will she achieve her goal of meeting him face to face?
I haven’t yet read the book but I was a fan of her writing way back when, and I did read Clean Break when it was released in 2016. So I fully endorse and recommend it even without having read it yet. (I am planning to do so this weekend as I am travelling to London for a short break.) And if you are interested, check out Fangirling Armitagenow. It’s free on Kindle Unlimited and it comes with 125 pages of insider fun. A book about *us*, guys… And if you *do* read it, I am looking forward to hearing from you what you thought about it! For any questions, I am sure you can also tweet @ Abby @awkwardceleb.
Otherwise – my mum left this morning, and I am heading off to London to see Tom Hiddleston on stage in Betrayal tomorrow evening. I’ll stay with Hariclea for a bit and there are plans to meet up with ex/fellow fans Suzy and Unionah who also happen to be in London for the same reason. The rest of today is earmarked for getting some blog posts scheduled, but if I don’t – well, you know where I am and why 🙂
Guylty Pleasure 
Good for Abby!! I hope her book is wildly successful!! Have a wonderful trip to London and watching Hiddles in action in Betrayal. Should be a fantastic treat!!!
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Many thanks 🙂
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Thanks for letting us know about this. I just bought a copy so I hope that you’re getting a taste of the royalties, lol. I don’t read enough on my Kindle app to warrant Kindle Unlimited, as my main e-reader is a Nook. I’ll get Clean Break next.
Hope you have a fabulous time in London!
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Oh, fabulous, LoLo – I can guarantee you that you will have fun reading this book. I love Abby’s style!
Hehe, and no royalties as such – but happy that my picture is still getting use 🙂
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Well, you know how much *I* love that photo!
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🙂 I do, too. And even though I couldn’t react properly, I was thrilled when RA more or less recognised it at RDC
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Guylty, THAT he (probably) recognized it alone would be the price of admission and a years worth of Thornton chocolates in my book!! T
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Yep. I didn’t expect him to know the pic. After all, he must see thousands of pictures of himself all the time…
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Exactly!! How priceless is that! And wunderbar to you that he did! Virtual hug your way!!!
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Sounds good!
Have a great time in London 😊
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By the way if you two are crypt keepers what does that make me? Guardian of the River Styx? 😂
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*roflmao* No no, I don’t think there is much of a gradation there. You are a crypt-keeper, too!
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Looking forward to it. There are three amazing photo exhibitions that I *have* to see. My all-time hero Don McCullin, then there is Diane Arbus, and Martin Parr… I am so excited!!!
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Haha … wow that sounds like a fun read 🙂
I just looked up when I had the last Armitage-related entry in my blog and it was back in september 2015. Exactly one day before my fangirling world collided with the real world … erm or more correctly: with a real man … lol … it suddenly feels like I was living under a rock for the past 3,5 years. 😉
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Well, hello Frau von E!!!! Nice to read you. How are things. And wow, is it really that long ago? Goodness me.
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Yep, goodness me too 😅
Things were pretty wild, but have settled just nicely. I moved about 200km south, got a divorce and finally remarried last October.
Am just planning to remodel the blog as I want to turn my astrology thingy into a THING…
Have fun in London with Hiddleston and the Diane Arbus exhibit… I’m really jealous – that sounds like it’s gonna be a super cool trip 😀
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Oh that sounds like real changes. Congratulations on your new life 🙂
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have a fab weekend!
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Many thanks 🙂
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Thank you Guylty! ♥️ Ahhh, we both look great for crypt-keepers… Have a blast with Hiddleston in London (jealous!) and safe travels!
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Thank you very much – and hope that book sells like hot cakes 😉
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Abby has never failed to make me laugh at her fangirling stories and I’m sure this book is no different. 😃
She did a great job interviewing Richard at the Into the Storm premiere, asking him the question that elicited his wonderful “Mustaaaaaaang!!” response (at 1:54 for those who haven’t seen this interview – hope you don’t mind me linking, G.)
Have fun in London Guylty!
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Mussstang!!! Go Abby, for modeling how to invent a new question on an informed, tangential subject that gives him a chance to show his personality. There will be no circus or tall dwarf questions from fangirls!!!
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That was a great clip! She was so composed and had great questions for Richard and so professional! He looked so dashing in that suit!
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The book sounds like fun! Nice to see your photo on the cover. I hope you enjoy your weekend and seeing Hiddleston on stage. His Loki almost rivals Guy for me in terms of dark yet sexy characters.
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Update: I”ve read the book. It’s fabulous. All kinds of fangirl emotions to identify with. The head nods constantly: yes, yup, that too….
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I was so impressed w her reporting on the red carpet for ITS and how cool and composed Abby was w The Armitage so she got my vote right there! I’ll check it out especially if you give it high praise! 👏👍
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Haha, I bet you are in there somewhere, aren’t you? I actually didn’t get round to reading it on my trip. But will do now.
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