Friend: How many people came to your signing last night?
Writer: Almost 100.
Friend: Almost 100 in a town the size of Sykesville! A likely story.
Writer: Yes.
Friend: What?
Writer: Yes, A Likely Story.
Friend: So how many people came to your signing last night?
Writer: Almost 100.
Friend: A likely story!
Writer: Yes, A Likely Story.
(with apologies to Abbott and Costello)
A Likely Story is, you will have gleaned by now, a most unlikely story, a relatively new bookstore (just celebrated its second anniversary) in a small Carroll County town that is probably more exurb than self-contained place at this point, about halfway between Baltimore and Frederick. This was my third event there and it was, as ever, astonishing and gratifying. I have no idea how Debbie, the owner, does it.
Saw at least one TMP denizen and several familiar faces. Came home, had dinner with the SO and one of my best friends, and that was a rare treat, too.
Let’s see — I don’t work Thanksgiving or Christmas, and I tend to take off the 4th of July as well. Memorial Day and Labor Day are case-by-case. I almost always work MLKing’s birthday and Presidents Day.
If I’m really sick, I’ll take a sick day.
A Likely Story – a terrific visit! My friend and I wish that we could have taken you over to Baldwin Station and listened to you talk for another four or five hours. Thank you!! I am excited to hear about your upcoming short story/novella and the possibility of a “Swann Park” novel. I believe this is the park near my son. Our own Love Canal!! My son lives at Patapsco and Birckhead. He had often been the baby sitter for my dog if I were going out of town. One day I went to pick up the pup, and my son said “Let’s take him to the park before he takes the long ride back home”. We walk to what appears to be a park. As the sun starts to set, the scene is beautiful. The bridge, the water, the park twinkling in the sunset. As I get closer I am shocked to find that the twinkling in the light of twilight was in actuality broken glass shards and needles. The folks standing in the shadows of the buildings do not seem to be there to enjoy the view. Oy! So to make a long story even longer – THAT is precisely why your novels are so wonderful. Your writing style, your characters, the paralleling of our own “real world” phenomena and your love of Bawlmer, hon! Thank you.
See you tomorrow at P&P- I am bringing a Clif nectar bar – more of a healthy dessert than breakfast.
If last night’s packed SRO audience was any example, no wonder you’re making best lists. Except for Syd and me (I have my autographed ARC copy),I don’t believe anyone walked out of there without a signed copy of at least ATTF, at most, also paperback copies of previous books. I don’t recall as many digital and camera phones being used in the past while you were talking. You may call yourself a minor celebrity, but I think those days are over.
Your dinner had to be pretty late considering when you would have gotten out and the distance you had to go. Looking good by the way.
You mentioned that you consider writing your job and you go to work each day and do so. Syd wants to know if you ever take sick leave, weekends, and/or holidays.