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A 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.
