Newsletter #93 — Stuffed Parrot vs. Vests
November 1, 2024
Newsletter #93 — Stuffed Parrot vs. Vests
Stuffed Parrot vs. T-Shirts vs. Vests — I don't know about other professions, but being an author means receiving tons of advice . . . whether you ask for it or not. I learned this with my first book, She's on First. I would sit there at a book signing and people would come up to me and say things such as You know what you should write next? A book about women hockey players. Or: I have a great idea for your next book. You're gonna love it. It's about a . . . .
I think that people have gotten better over the years: I don't hear as much intrusive advice as I used to. But still, I do hear some. At the Columbus Book Festival (and elsewhere) several people came up to the sales table and told me that what I needed was a large parrot at the table. To attract buyers. Most of them did not specify whether the parrot should be a live one or a toy. Those who did specify mentioned a plush parrot toy.
Actually, after receiving this particular suggestion so often, I did some internet shopping for plush parrot toys. Deeply was dissatisfied with all of them, so I didn't pursue the subject.
However, I did wonder whether there was any gimmick that might attract more buyers to my booths. Tee shirts was my first thought. But winter is approaching, and I couldn't see Phil or me standing around in a tee shirt in late autumn or mid-winter.
Then I considered vests, which are actually versatile because they can go over tee shirts and over heavy sweaters. End result: I bought two vests, and Phil and I will wear them first at the Nov 8-10 Windycon 50 in Oak Brook, Illinois.
I'll let you know what advice I receive, sartorial or otherwise.
Windycon Panels — And speaking of Windycon, you may recall that I was wondering whether I would be a panelist. The answer is Yes, eight times over. Here's my schedule. And when I'm not on a panel, I'll be sitting at our vendor's table.
9 - 10 p.m. Butterfield Room Friday, November 8 — Panelist, Crafty Connection
10:30 - 11:00 a.m., Windsor Room, Saturday, November 9 — Reading from Exit Velocity
12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Camden Room, Saturday, November 9 — Panelist, The Trouble with Humor
2:00 - 2:30 p.m., TBD, Saturday, November 9 — Autographing copies of Exit Velocity
4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Windsor Room, Saturday, November 9 — Panelist, Speculative Fiction vs. Science Fiction
10:00 - 11:00 a.m., Hunt Room, Sunday, November 10 — Panelist, Changing Genres
11:00 a.m. - Noon, Kent Room, Sunday, November 10 — Panelist, Modern Censorship
1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Camden Room, Sunday, November 10 — Panelist, Diversity in Character Development
Rockford University Speech and Sales — My talk at Rockford University was very well received, and Phil was so busy at the sales table that he forgot to give away the freebies! Almost all of my baseball books were sold: I need to order more to replenish the stock. The next day I spoke to two classes, one on the topic of research, the other on the topic of writing as a profession. A delightful two days!
French Translation— A few days ago I was noodling around on Amazon international sites and came across a review on Amazon-France. I recognized it as the same review that Jan Donley wrote for Amazon-US.
For your entertainment, here is Jan's review in English, and then in French.
EXIT VELOCITY is a delight. It takes readers deep into Chicago neighborhoods and even into outer-space. I don't want to give anything away because it's so much fun to discover all the surprises that this novel has to offer. The novel is told from three different points of view: Rowan, the young activist, Jake, the reporter, and Deeply, the parrot. All of the characters are wonderfully drawn, and the novel made me think in new ways about class, guns, activism, socialism, democracy, capitalism. EXIT VELOCITY made me wonder, made me laugh, made me want donuts, made me want to keep reading!
EXIT VELOCITY est un régal. Il emmène les lecteurs au cœur des quartiers de Chicago et même dans l'espace. Je ne veux rien dévoiler car c'est très amusant de découvrir toutes les surprises que ce roman a à offrir. Le roman est raconté de trois points de vue différents : Rowan, le jeune militant, Jake, le journaliste, et Deeply, le perroquet. Tous les personnages sont merveilleusement dessinés, et le roman m'a fait réfléchir différemment à la classe, aux armes, à l'activisme, au socialisme, à la démocratie et au capitalisme. EXIT VELOCITY m'a fait réfléchir, m'a fait rire, m'a donné envie de beignets, m'a donné envie de continuer à lire !
Setting — In my November 1 blog I talk about reader reviews.