BrooksBlog: The Unrepentant Blogger

I have decided to take a different approach to blogging on this occasion since I have nothing to gripe about and only good things to say. So I will set aside my reluctance to blog and eagerly embrace the opportunity to hand out praise and thanks to all involved in my recent book tour.

Where to start?

The fans, of course – although the booksellers are a very close second. But the fans were extraordinary. Judine (former manager and bookseller) always tells me that my fans are the best. They are kind and appreciative to me and to each other. They show respect for the venue and the people around them. They stand in line patiently even when it is quite long and talk to one another. They share stories, experiences, and their love of books. They say nice things to me without fail. No one ever misbehaves or causes trouble. This is rare, though we see more of it with readers of science fiction and fantasy than with any other group. We hear stories of writers having bad experiences, but I never encounter them personally. So thanks to one and all who came out for the events in Porter Square Books in Boston, Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Books & Company in Dayton, Joseph Beth Booksellers in Lexington, B&N Carmel in Indianapolis, Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Book People in Austin, Anderson’s Books in Naperville (Chicago), Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, B&N West in Madison, and B&N Roseville in Minneapolis. And, closer to home, University Books and B&N West Seattle in Seattle and Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills in Portland. The booksellers at each of these stores were equally welcoming. Every event was well run and the staff organized, professional and eager to help. When there was a glitch (only now and then) things were quickly straightened out. All of the events were well attended and well advertised to assure we would not be lonely. We weren’t. We had help with finding food and sometimes even our way back to wherever we had come from or were going. The real test? We had fun everywhere.

Finally, there are the people back home and in New York. David Moench has been putting book tours together for me for many years. He is very good at it. He listens to me, he anticipates me and he does his very best to find great venues and good experiences. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him for that.

In Seattle, helpful people take care of things while we are away. Lloyd housesits, Jim and Laurie help with the mail and packages and occasional cat feeding, and everyone watches out for the house. The kids accept that they are on their own and carry on with their lives. Shawn, faithful Web Druid, keeps the website up and running and responds to fan and reader requests and questions concerning events. Last, but not least, there is Judine. She travels with me (which is hard enough, all by itself), keeps me on schedule and organized. But she also writes the blogs and takes the pictures for the website and sends them off regularly. She talks to the booksellers and the fans, helping me communicate when the numbers are too large and the time is too short. No wonder I love her to death.

So thanks to everyone for another great experience. As you know, I will be back out for Bloodfire Quest in mid-March 2013 and Witch Wraith in late July 2013. More on this regarding events, sites and dates as we get closer. Hope to see more of you then, visit a bit, talk shop, have fun. There. That wasn’t so painful. Blogs can be fun! Now I have to get back to work. A new book beckons. Already.

See you soon, Terry.