On the road again, Part III

Patty here…

The Book Tour

I love that Willie Nelson song. I’m on the road again for the third time, peddling my new book, SHORT CHANGE. I’m following the trail of NakedAuthor bookmarks left at venues across the land by our very own Paul Levine whose latest Solomon-Lord novel—TRIAL & ERROR—is now on bookstore shelves and in my To Be Read pile.



Maybe someday we NakedAuthors can coordinate a same-day release for all our books. We can rent a bus and go on the road together. Want to come along?



I can almost hear Willie in my head…

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

Alas, until that happens we travel alone, hawking our wares, pausing with trepidation at the door of each bookstore, wondering if anybody will be inside waiting for us.

I had two book signings on Saturday. My first stop was Mysteries To Die For in Thousand Oaks, a great independent mystery bookstore run by The Fabulous Threesome. I missed seeing Groupie there. He was at Thrillerfest hobnobbing with the literati, but I signed a book for him, nonetheless.

Later that afternoon I made my way to The Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles, located in Westwood just adjacent to the UCLA campus. The extraordinary Bobby, Linda, Richard, and the rest of the crew welcomed me with their usual elan.



A group of friends, relatives, and die-hard supporters were there, too, personal cheerleaders who have been with me from the beginning. At both signings I saw familiar faces in the audience. Repeat offenders. Two of my favorite words. I also saw new faces. Two more of my favorite words.

And then there was Elisa. She didn’t start out as a fan of my books. She became one through a shared adventure. About a year ago I was leaving the West Hollywood Book Fair, heading to the parking structure at the Pacific Design Center, which we Angelenos affectionately call “The Blue Whale.”



I retraced my steps to the door from which I’d exited the building, arriving at the same time as Elisa did. The door was locked. There was nothing to do but walk to an alternate entrance. The building is huge. It was going to be a long hike. We had just rounded the first corner when Elisa came to a dead stop. Looming ahead of her was a wall topped with a fence strung with metal wires. On the other side was the coveted parking garage. She eyed it for a moment.

“I’m going over.”

"Um, seriously," I said. "Are you nuts?"

Despite my skepticism and our attire (She was wearing a dress. I was wearing a pair of "Sex and the City" strappy sandals.), she began scaling the wall and then vaulted over the top. Not to be outdone, I followed her. It was a Tucker-worthy escapade.

Later as we climbed the stairs to our respective cars, we chatted and I gave her a copy of my first book, FALSE PROFITS. Much to my surprise, she emailed me a few days later to tell me she loved the book and had already bought COVER YOUR ASSETS.

I always remember this story as a rollicking good adventure but on Saturday I felt truly touched when Elisa and her main squeeze came to my signing in Westwood. She bought a copy of SHORT CHANGE and told me she loved how I handled the Southern California setting in my books. Said it made her feel as if she was right there with Tucker on her travels. She also told me she had taken up rock climbing. Somehow I’m not surprised.

Okay, I don’t want to get maudlin here, but I have to tell you. The support of old friends and new friends like Elisa, people who take the time to send fan mail, and my wonderful NakedAuthors family is what makes those dark days at my computer worthwhile. So thanks. Really.

Here are some of my upcoming book events in case you're in the neighborhood:

Saturday, July 21 at 1:00 p.m.
Book Carnival
348 S. Tustin Avenue
Orange, CA
(714) 538-3210
Website

Monday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Redondo Beach Public Library
303 N. Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach, CA
with Harley Jane Kozak and Linda O. Johnston

Saturday, July 28 from 2-4 p.m
Beale Memorial Library
701 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield CA
with Naomi Hirahara and Denise Hamilton

Miscellany

#1 Whether you’re nine or ninety, I highly recommend the film “Ratatouille.” The animation is truly amazing. The music is wonderful. The writing is topnotch. And seriously, how can you resist a guy who looks like this?



#2 The following Web site features authors expounding on the significance of page 69 in their novels. It’s a clever idea. Here’s my contribution for SHORT CHANGE.

#3 And in case you’re not yet sick of hearing me talk about me, here’s an online interview featuring—what else?—ME!!!

I'll stop now. Happy Monday!