Meanwhile, I'm trying to angle to get a press pass, to give me better access to all parts of the site, make me legitimate when I try to interview people. I spoke to someone back in April, before the festival press office opened, and I've since written but, surprise, surprise, no reply. I ring up and talk to somebody called Crispin, who sounds young and snotty. He tells me in a rather condescending way that I really don't need a press pass. I'll have all the access I need without one.
Demand is huge and, anyway, they often make press people pay.
I'm perfectly willing to pay and repeat that the book might be rather good publicity for the festival. But banging your drum's so unBritish and, anyway, the little snot probably thinks that reading novels is deeply uncool, never mind writing them. Crispin eventually concedes that, if I buy a ticket at the normal rate, doing so will put me in a good position to have it upgraded when they make the decision. I say I'll do this. In a way, I'd rather fork out 145 for one of the hospitality tickets, but a press pass would give me better access and make me look less like a ligger.