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jpskewedthroneA big thank you to all of you who've wished me a happy birthday! I tried to respond to everyone, but I'm sure I missed a few. So far this is what I've done on my birthday:
--some unmentionable (but fun) morning activities with George
--hit the local flea market, bought a boardgame: Advance Ticket to Boardwalk
--hit the local auction house, found nothing of interest
--read more of Barbara Campbell's Bloodstone (and I'm really enjoying the book)
--hit the local B&N and signed copies of Vacant Throne in paperback
And I have to say I was happy to see that the B&N had 7 copies of the book. More than I expected. And while I was there I brought it to the attention of one of the patrons, hence the authorial guilt. Basically, I was browsing the section for myself and noticed this guy looking through the books. He was obviously browsing, not looking for something in particular. He kept taking books off the shelf, reading the back cover, putting them back, moving on, etc. I did nothing, grabbed the copies of my books, took them up the counter, signed them, waited while they stickered them, then took them back. And he was still there, still looking. He had a book or two in his hand that were fantasy.
So I said, "This is a good book, although I'm biased because I wrote it." And then I put it in his hand.
And immediately the guilt set in. I don't want him to feel pressured to buy the book, because it might not be something he'll like, but at the same time if I don't point it out he might not even look at it and what if it's something he'd really like? Oh, the quandary! Obviously I eventually caved and brought it to his attention. But what would you do? I mean, in some sense writers must be shameless on this type of thing, but it still bothers me when I do it.
In any case, the guy thought he'd like it and had me personalize it for him. So I made a sale . . . but it comes with its own side of guilt. I'll get over it I'm sure, but at this point my mind is saying, "What if he doesn't like it? What if I got him to buy a book he'll hate?" while another part of my mind is saying, "It's a good book, he'll love it, stop fretting!"
If you'd like to do something for me for my birthday, I'd suggest going out and buying my book. That's the perfect birthday present for me. If you've already got the book, thank you! You've done plenty. (Although you could also buy the book for a friend or the local library or something.)
If you're feeling so inclined, you can help spread the word about the book by posting this on your blog:
All you have to do is copy and paste the following into your blog:
I thank anyone in advance for helping spread the word.
In other news, I will be holding signings at a couple of places this month as follows:
Waldenbooks at the Oakdale Mall: January 17th (time to be announced, but probably in the afternoon); Binghamton, NY; a multi-author signing including Patricia Bray (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
pbray), S.C. Butler (scbutler), and Barbara Campbell.
Barnes and Noble: January 24th, 2pm; Hackensack, NJ; another multi-author event including Patricia Bray (pbray), S.C. Butler (scbutler), Barbara Campbell, and Daryl Gregory.
There will also be a release party being thrown by me and the staff at RiverRead Books in downtown Binghamton, NY on January 23rd starting at 6:30pm. RiverRead is a new independent bookstore, located at 5 Court St., Binghamton, NY, 13903. The plan is to have wine, cheese, desserts, and of course, my books for purchase. Anyone in the area who'd like to come is invited.
And lastly, later today I will splurge horribly and eat a piece of the chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting I made for myself yesterday. With Reese's peanut butter cups chopped up and sprinkled on top.
--some unmentionable (but fun) morning activities with George
--hit the local flea market, bought a boardgame: Advance Ticket to Boardwalk
--hit the local auction house, found nothing of interest
--read more of Barbara Campbell's Bloodstone (and I'm really enjoying the book)
--hit the local B&N and signed copies of Vacant Throne in paperback
And I have to say I was happy to see that the B&N had 7 copies of the book. More than I expected. And while I was there I brought it to the attention of one of the patrons, hence the authorial guilt. Basically, I was browsing the section for myself and noticed this guy looking through the books. He was obviously browsing, not looking for something in particular. He kept taking books off the shelf, reading the back cover, putting them back, moving on, etc. I did nothing, grabbed the copies of my books, took them up the counter, signed them, waited while they stickered them, then took them back. And he was still there, still looking. He had a book or two in his hand that were fantasy.
So I said, "This is a good book, although I'm biased because I wrote it." And then I put it in his hand.
And immediately the guilt set in. I don't want him to feel pressured to buy the book, because it might not be something he'll like, but at the same time if I don't point it out he might not even look at it and what if it's something he'd really like? Oh, the quandary! Obviously I eventually caved and brought it to his attention. But what would you do? I mean, in some sense writers must be shameless on this type of thing, but it still bothers me when I do it.
In any case, the guy thought he'd like it and had me personalize it for him. So I made a sale . . . but it comes with its own side of guilt. I'll get over it I'm sure, but at this point my mind is saying, "What if he doesn't like it? What if I got him to buy a book he'll hate?" while another part of my mind is saying, "It's a good book, he'll love it, stop fretting!"
If you'd like to do something for me for my birthday, I'd suggest going out and buying my book. That's the perfect birthday present for me. If you've already got the book, thank you! You've done plenty. (Although you could also buy the book for a friend or the local library or something.)
If you're feeling so inclined, you can help spread the word about the book by posting this on your blog:
All you have to do is copy and paste the following into your blog:
I thank anyone in advance for helping spread the word.
In other news, I will be holding signings at a couple of places this month as follows:
Waldenbooks at the Oakdale Mall: January 17th (time to be announced, but probably in the afternoon); Binghamton, NY; a multi-author signing including Patricia Bray (
pbray), S.C. Butler (scbutler), and Barbara Campbell.Barnes and Noble: January 24th, 2pm; Hackensack, NJ; another multi-author event including Patricia Bray (
pbray), S.C. Butler (scbutler), Barbara Campbell, and Daryl Gregory.There will also be a release party being thrown by me and the staff at RiverRead Books in downtown Binghamton, NY on January 23rd starting at 6:30pm. RiverRead is a new independent bookstore, located at 5 Court St., Binghamton, NY, 13903. The plan is to have wine, cheese, desserts, and of course, my books for purchase. Anyone in the area who'd like to come is invited.
And lastly, later today I will splurge horribly and eat a piece of the chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting I made for myself yesterday. With Reese's peanut butter cups chopped up and sprinkled on top.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:46 pm (UTC)And have a happy birthday!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:47 pm (UTC)Happy Birthday!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:43 pm (UTC)Have done...
Date: 2009-01-04 09:45 pm (UTC)Just to reiterate: Please don't crash your car before completing this series.
Re: Have done...
Date: 2009-01-05 01:44 pm (UTC)Re: Have done...
From:no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 10:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 10:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 10:55 pm (UTC)I will see you at RiverRead! Hooray!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:46 pm (UTC)And thanks for the bday wishes!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 11:02 pm (UTC)I still need to pick up your stuff. But I'm having TBR pile guilt... 100 books still waiting to be read!! :) But I've not been in the mood for UF. I think I will have to hit Borders... *sigh*
I'm a twit - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:47 pm (UTC)And thanks for the bday wishes!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 11:03 pm (UTC)Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting... *drool* that is like... my MOST FAVORITEST cake of ALL TIME (and have made same for my own birthday as well) Perhaps it is a Capricorn thing.
Sounds like you had a great day (apart from the guilt thing, of course.)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:48 pm (UTC)Cake was good. *grin*
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 11:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:50 pm (UTC)Thanks for the birthday wishes!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 12:08 am (UTC)Good job in the bookstore. I think it would be cool to have the author standing right there while I was browsing. I think you gave him another reason to like the book.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:51 pm (UTC)And the cake was awesome. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:51 pm (UTC)Happy Birthday!
Date: 2009-01-05 12:28 am (UTC)Re: Happy Birthday!
Date: 2009-01-05 01:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:54 am (UTC)Hackensack? Didn't know there was an B&N there. Only 40 minutes away, so maybe I'll be able to sneak up there and say hi.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 02:32 am (UTC)Often times I leave with nothing. And sometimes, being the well read sci-fi/fantasy dork guru I am, I see someone else in the same predicament. I recommend things. I've turned people onto Starship Troopers assuring them it was nothing like the movie. Told others about Alas, Babylon which is one of my all time favorites. I've even turned some others around to what sci-fi -used- to be, whats helped create and mold all forms of media entertainment with things like Alfred Bester and A.E. Van Vogt (But not Slan Hunter, god that was garbage, but totally not Vogt's fault.)
You wrote it, you've wrote others. In order to do that you've also got to be a student. You know what you like, and your writing style will reflect that.
You're a published author man! It's not like you're gonna create a religion or anything... *eye shift*...
Push them books! No guilt allowed!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:54 pm (UTC)*grin* Thanks for the thoughts on the guilt thing. Hopefully the guy reacted the same way you would.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 03:40 am (UTC)Years ago I was in the bookstore and doing just what they guy you saw was doing and a man came up behind me and recommended the first Wheel of Time book. "It has strong female characters." I bought it and loved it, and have continued the series (although, I'm totally bogged down in book 8 and have been for years). My son asked at the time if it was Jordan himself who recommended the book and I don't know the answer. I always like to believe it was. At least your guy will know.
This will go on my list (with the first 2).
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 12:48 pm (UTC)Yay.
Happy Birthday and I've marked my calendar. I live about 2 miles from the Hackensack B&N, so I'll try to make that signing :D
Suelder
no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 01:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 08:47 am (UTC)Is it anything like The Blade Itself?
no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 04:48 pm (UTC)