One: Here’s an interview with me at the Fresno Bee, the newspaper at which some of you will recall I started my full-time professional writing career — they hired me as their film critic in 1991, when I was 22, and young-looking enough that I would get carded going into R-rated films. No joke. It’s much less of a problem now. Anyway, I had a great time in Fresno (among other things, while I was there I met my wife), so if any of you ever make Fresno jokes in my presence, I’m gonna have to have Krissy come over and kick your ass. I’m just saying, is all. And I’m glad I am still remembered there. If you follow the link, note that whoever coded that page did a really terrible job — it’s sometimes difficult to see where the questions end and the answers begin, and there are a couple of funny line breaks. But overall it’s readable.
Two: If you ever wanted to see me live — you know, to get a clean shot — I’ll be doing a chat/signing at the Dayton Barnes and Noble on Saturday, February 19 between 6:30 and 8:30 (pm) to promote… Book of the Dumb 2, which you may or may not recall is also in the stores at this moment. I haven’t been self-promoting this little gen of humor with the same embarrassing fervor that I’ve been using to flog Old Man’s War, but that’s not to say a) that it’s not a fine, fine book, or b) that it’s not doing well. In fact, from what I know of the early sales figures, it’d already sold twice the print run of Old Man’s War by the end of 2004, without much in the way of promotion. It’s an interesting illustration of the difference between genre fiction and mass-market, general interest non-fiction, and also why I’ll continue to write general non-fiction for the foreseeable future.
(This is not to say that OMW is not doing well — from what I understand, it’s doing fabulously for a hardcover from a first-time unknown science fiction author. It’s just a matter of differing definitions of success, according to genre.)
At the speaking/signing I’ll be reading from Book of the Dumb 2, talking a bit about the nature of human stupidity, taking questions and also, of course, signing books. I’ll be focusing on BotD2, but I’ll be happy to chat about and sign any other of my books you might bring with you and/or buy at the store. Hint: if you haven’t picked up BotD2 yet, it would be a great time to do so.
So: 2/19, 6:30 – 8:30, the Dayton Barnes and Noble. Be there, or be somewhere else.
You saw OMW got a review in Entertainment Weekly, didn’t you? B+. Very nice for them.
Ah crap. I’m an inattentive dumbass. Ignore that last comment.
Oh, sure. You pick the weekend I’m out of town to have a Dayton signing. Where am I going? To pick up the Ford Taurus I inherited from my dad.
My God. I’m middle-aged now!
Mmmmm. Ford Taurus. That’s a SWEET ride.
Said the guy with a minivan.
I’ve never been down to the Dayton B&N location, but then again, this is the first time I’ve been aware there is a B&N down there. I’ve spent too much time and money at the Beavercreek location to go any farther south.
Enjoyed the interview. If you ever make a signing appearance in Virginia, let me know!
Patrick
That reminds me; saw a copy of BD at the Harrisburg Media Play and turned it flat side out. No OMW, though, but they only have one bookcase for sci-fi that’s not series-related.
Thanks, Bill. Hey, did they ever send you a hard copy of the book?
I used to make fun of Fresno, but then the amazing Brian Kenney Fresno showed me the light:
http://www.bonghitrecords.com
I particularly recommend the “Bobby Salazar!” mp3.
And apparently if you’re from Fresno, you make fun of Madera:
http://www.bonghitrecords.com/bonghit/lyrics.htm#mmm
“And apparently if you’re from Fresno, you make fun of Madera.”
There’s not enough of anything in Madera to make fun of. We usually made fun of Bakersfield instead.
Greetings from Merced, John.
First off, these days we all make fun of Modesto. Second, you are still missed. Finally, when are you doing a book signing out here the wilderness?
Thanks, Claude. Nice to be missed.
Signing: Not likely any time soon, I’m afraid. I have to become a lot more popular first.