Poisoned Pen, Concealed Carriers, and Crazies

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Just got back from a wonderful trip with Larry Correia down to Phoenix. We did 2 signings and hit 23 bookstores in 1.5 days. Our new zipcode map GPS method rocks! Have three interesting things to report.

First, we have a great time at The Poisoned Pen, an independent bookstore in Scottsdale. Lori and the other two guys whose names I forgot (doh!) were wonderful hosts. We talked about our books, fielded questions, and then signed. Had a great time. A lot of laughing and good stories shared. If you’re ever in their area, you should stop by and check out the store.

It was also nice meeting Valerie Moore, a reader I met on Twitter, who makes her own beads. Cool thing is–she’s doing a new design inspired by the book called “The Grove.” Can’t wait to see what it looks like.

I also need to comment on Mysterious Galaxy, the store we went to in San Diego. Patrick and his crew were also wonderful hosts. This is also the first bookstore I’ve been into dedicated to science fiction and fantasy. The folks who showed up were hard core fans. We loved it. I hope I get to go back again and again.

BTW, anyone wanting to pick up signed copies can get them at either place while they last. I believe both stores do a lot of mail business as well.

Another comment along these lines. We noticed a dramatic difference between stores. Larry and I both agreed that the Barnes & Noble (Bookstar, which is a B&N store as well) and the independent stores (Poisoned Pen, Mysterious Galaxy) consistently showed the best customer service. They also consistently showed the most business sense. Kudos to them.  

Second, Larry had a bunch of gun owner friends show up to the signing and then invite us out to dinner the next night. We had a great time. Polite, good-natured, and fun. Of course, a number of them were carrying concealed weapons. And I’ll tell you what–never felt safer in my life.  Now, I know some people are going to say, hey, that’s just an accident waiting to happen and if any bad dudes show up you’re just more likely to get shot or have the gun stolen.

Um.

No.

These guys don’t just carry weapons. These guys live and breathe weapons. They customize guns. They shoot them and train with them in competitions. These guys know guns like I know my keyboard. I wish I could have remembered all their names–Chris, Hiram, Mark, the dude with the Hooters wife, and the other dude who drives for an armored truck company (and wears a kilt!), and about five others.

Thanks to Chris for a great dinner at Famous Dave’s!

I wish I could post pictures. I promised myself I take a camera on this trip. Dang it. Denver. I shall document Denver.

Finally,  I have to write about a guy in the Mesa Barnes & Noble where we were holding our informal signing. We were in the cafe. My great sister had brought rum cake muffins and everyone who came was eating them and talking. One of them asked me how I got the idea. So I told them the cow story and about the idea of humans being ranched for their souls. And just after I finished this a guy who had been reading behind us, a B&N customer, stands up and says, “Your book it true! Your book is true!” He had a beard and was all bug-eyed.

At first I thought he was joking.

Nope.

He said lizard men were ranching humans and I needed to read book xyz by author abc. Later he told my sister that the Bible showed they’ve interbred with humans and are taking our souls.

Lizard men… and all this time I thought it was the socialists that were going to get us.

Larry and I had talked earlier in the day about the demographics of our audiences. His audience was easy–red-state conservatives, military folks, & gun nuts. I expressed my trouble finding an easily identifiable demographic tag for my readers. But now I know–I got the crazies. 😛

John and Larry do Phoenix this Thurs & Fri

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Just a reminder. Larry and I will be in the Phoenix area this week on book tour. If you’re available, we’d love to see you Thursday night at the Poisoned Pen or earlier that day at the informal Barnes & Noble meet-n-greet!

Thursday,
November 19
3 pm – 5 pm		 Meet public, discuss book, signing. This is informal, just chatting in the cafe–Brown & Correia Mesa, AZ Barnes & Noble
Dana Park Village Square
1758 South Val Vista Drive
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 545-8507
Thursday,
November 19
7 pm – 9 pm		 Meet public, discuss book, signing–Brown & Correia Scottsdale, AZ The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 947-2974

Need Your Input on a T-shirt Design

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Folks have been asking and I’ve been thinking about a T-shirt. I want it to have potential to be a cool saying on its own (so people actually want it) as well as promo for the book. I know I want the title, but do we need anything else? I’d like your input.

OPTION 1: TITLE ONLY

Slap the title as it appears on the book on a black shirt. Font is brown or the green of what’s on the book’s cover.

ServantofaDarkGodFont

OPTION 2: I AM NOT

I had someone say that the parents might be concerned if their kids were walking around with a shirt proclaiming they were servants of a dark god. Part of me says, yeah! Another part says, well, I guess I can see their point. The suggested solution was to add the words “I am not a” in front of the title in smaller font. It works. But it also feels like a copy cat of Dan Wells’ marvelous shirt which is just the title of his book.

OPTION 3: TITLE, SUBTITLE

In this version you get the bang of the title, but then you make it clear we’re talking about a book, not minions. So you have the title as above in big letters, then underneath or on top in smaller font you have:

  • Read it!
  • Eat. Sleep. Read.
  • Rocks!
  • An Epic Fantasy
  • Book-o-thrills
  • The humans are being ranched…
  • It’s story time, kiddies…
  • ??

So here’s where I need your help. Let me know which option you like best and if you have any ideas for option 3, please share them!!!

LA/Book 2, in which the novel kicks my butt

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I’ll make this short. I have a deadline for my next revision of CURSE OF A DARK GOD. It’s November 20th. But the book is kicking me around like a tin can. I sat down Saturday to work on my current revisions and as I unpicked the chapter I was working on the whole story unraveled in my hands. I worked for 8 hours trying to put it back together, but it resisted all efforts.

I’m not one to take this lying down. I’m going to San Diego this week, but will fly back early to work on the book, which means I will not be visiting Los Angeles. Alas. This wild beast will come under control. And that should please all those who have read SERVANT and are waiting for the next installment.

“Wally” by Aslyn

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My daughter was playing this song on her internet list. The tune and singer’s voice grabbed me. I downloaded it based on that. Then I really listened.

Oh, man.

I cannot tell you how much I love this song. I love the melody and phrasing, Aslyn’s voice. I love the lyrics. I love the true story behind them. Gracious Lord, this is what it’s all about.

This youtube is of a live performance. She gives a great into to the song. She tells how her grandfather Wally, who was in the Coast Guard when he young, met his wife Fae. They were married for 55 years. Then Aslyn tells how she found Wally, a few days after Grandma Fae died, sitting in his rocking chair holding a black and white picture of his wife, his eyes wet with tears. Fae had written on the picture: “to sweetest boy I’ve ever known.” You gotta listen to that intro. Then you have to get the Lemon Love album version of the song. It’s 99 cents on Amazon.

Here are the lyrics. I’ve added the little spoken part you get on the Lemon Love version that’s not in the live performance.

“Wally”

[Aslyn’s grandfather]

Hello, I’m Wally. I’m the man that had the good fortune of one day of finding a companion that would live with me for more than 55 years. No man could have ever asked for a better wife, or better friend, than the one I found across the dance floor at the USO.

[Song begins]  

Dear Wally, I’m writing this letter sincerely.
To tell you you’re the “sweetest boy I’ve ever known.”
Remember that USO when we met.
You almost didnt go.
Well, me and your two sons are very glad you did.
Cause when your eyes found me I could hardly breathe.
I wanted you.
Glad you wanted me.

I never stopped falling in love with you, Wally.
From the first day I saw you
I was sailor-bound, I just knew.
You had me, I was yours.
We danced out on the floor.
And with each passing day.
I only loved you more.

That night was pure magic.
Who would have imagined.
It would become 55 loving wonderful years.
Your job was not all easy.
Those last years I could hardly speak.
But when I looked at you I knew nothing had changed.
And when I was leaving.
I could feel you hurting.
But then I saw those angels and I knew your love would want this for me.

I never stopped falling in love with you, Wally.
From the first day I saw you
I was sailor-bound, I just knew.
You had me, I was yours.
We danced out on the floor.
And with each passing day.
I only loved you more…more… more…more… more

So while you’re waiting
Know that I’m saying I love you
I love you………

I never stopped falling in love with you, Wally.
From the first day I saw you
I was sailor-bound, I just knew.
You had me, I was yours.
We danced out on the floor.
And with each passing day.
I only loved you

You had me, I was yours.
We danced out on the floor.
And with each passing day.
I only loved you more..

Dear Wally…