Book Tour!
Suggested listening while reading this blog: “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger or “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson.
A book tour. It’s one of those things every young, pimpled-face writer dreams about as a freshman in college. Well, that and a good pimple cream. And a girlfriend too, maybe. But I digress! Here’s a little tour diary. It’s impossible to include all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. If you don’t make a cameo, don’t take it personally! I tried.
September 21
It’s official book release day! I’m in Atlantic City for the first time in my life. The most I know about it comes from the Bruce Springsteen song—so I fully expect to see the Chicken Man blow up (this actually comes up later; stay tuned!) and find myself taking an unsavory job in the mob. Drove down the Garden State Parkway late last night and spotted around 75 deer. Who knew Jersey was so much like Central PA? And, that joke about Bon Jovi always on the radio in Jersey? Must have heard at least eight songs by him in the car, two of which were tolerable (“Blaze of Glory” and “Runaway”). Only event is the Moveable Feast Luncheon at the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, which is basically speed dating with booksellers. Seventeen other authors present as well—all of which are amazing. So humbling to be among their company. Immediately after, I drive back up to Newark and fly back to Virginia. Didn’t even have a chance to drop a quarter in a slot machine.
Song for the day: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.
September 24
Daytona Beach! First time ever in Florida—I suspect this blog will show, among other things, how under-traveled I am. On the way to the hotel, my cabbie tells me where I can watch the Penn State game tomorrow. And he tells me—unsolicited—where I can find strip clubs (he uses another term I won’t repeat since this is a PG-rated site). My first event in Florida is in the Late Night Reading room at the Southeast Independent Booksellers Association. While I sit outside, picking a passage to read, a women sits near me and keeps staring at me. Turns out she’s one of my former students from UNCW! And she now runs a bookstore in Carolina Beach. Never know who you’ll meet or what to expect. I wish I could say that she decided to open the bookstore because of my passionate classroom diatribes about literature. Later, I sit with Kelly Justice, Watt Key, and a few others. The awkward technique of plane chatting comes up. I mention that I never speak to my seat-mate though Watt encourages me to strike up a conversation. (This too will come back up—see the pattern?)
Song for the day: Ghost Dance – Dame Satan.
September 26
So long Daytona. Headed with Brock Clarke and his wife to Jacksonville to read at Bookmarks—a great indie store celebrating their 25th anniversary. On the way, we stop for lunch in St. Augustine. Beautiful city—which is the oldest in America. And a great Cuban sandwich. Much better food than the night before—a Hot Pocket pizza bomb. Brock and his wife are super nice people. Happy to have spent a few hours with them. Not to mention, in case you haven’t heard, Brock’s got a great new book out right now.
Song for the day: Burnin’ for You – Blue Oyster Cult.
September 30
Wake up before dawn and drive through heavy rain to make it to Virginia This Morning. Short interview goes very well. Unfortunately, I don’t receive any make-up and therefore look like a corpse next to the hosts. First television interview of my life.
Later that night—still in driving rain—I head back to Richmond to read at Fountain Bookstore. And two of my favorite people are there—Rebecca Schinsky (Booklady’s Blog) and Kelly Justice. They were two of the first bookly people to contact me over the twitterverse. Unfortunately, the rain deters some people from coming out, but the small crowd is engaged and supportive. Afterward, my wife and I grab dinner at a great Italian place. And then we drive home. In more rain.
Song: Cast Your Ship Upon Rain by Aran Ruth.
October 2
Big day! Start of Big Ten conference play. Oh yeah, also reading in Chapel Hill at Flyleaf Books. This time, the weather works the opposite way—after days of rain, it’s beautiful! And, UNC football is on television. Great bookstore that’s also pretty new. Hey, anyone opening a business in these times deserves credit—and if it’s a bookstore, there should be a congressional resolution to honor them. Sadly, that night I watch Penn State lose to Iowa. Not even Papa John’s makes me feel better.
Song: Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams.
October 3
Actually, Papa John’s has made me feel much worse. Why, Papa John? Why? Just put a small thing of Pepto in the box of pizza. We’ll thank you in the morning.
Head over to Fearrington Village for lunch with my amazing editor Chuck Adams and Kelly Bowen, my super publicist. Afterward, I read at McIntyre’s. Nice crowd, good questions. And my friend Pookie stopped by with his lovely bride. We grab coffee, then it’s back home. Happily, I can pick up a classic country radio station in the car. Nothing like some Waylon Jennings on a fall evening.
Song: Just to Satisfy You by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
October 5
All this time, I’ve been doing lots of radio interviews all over the country, usually by phone. But I get to stop by the NPR studios in Philadelphia for an hour-long chat with Marty Moss-Coane. Her producer Denis welcomes me to the studio and couldn’t be nicer. And Marty asks fantastic questions. Then I hop in the truck and head onto the turnpike for Harrisburg. What deal with the devil did the state of Pennsylvania make with Roy Rogers Restaurant? It’s the only place to eat along the turnpike. Come on. Luckily, I meet two college friends in Harrisburg for dinner. Great time catching up and eating wings.
Song: Farm in Pennsyltucky by Jeannie Seely.
October 6
Now, time to tackle the rest of Pennsylvania. Off to Pittsburgh. Easy drive takes me right into the city, which looks as beautiful as ever. Never understood the hate for Pittsburgh—maybe people base it on how things were in the 80s? Now, it’s a great little city that’s nicely reinvented itself. I stop by the Post Gazette for a talk with Bob Hoover that’s broadcast on the paper’s website. Then it’s off to the South Side. I’m reading at Joseph-Beth and I stop in early to check out the space. It’s a chain-store but has the feel of an indie. I’m impressed. At the reading, a friend from grad school and her boyfriend drive to see me read. We grab coffee afterward and it’s very nice to catch up and talk shop. Also finally meet Dory Adams, who wrote a fantastic review of my book on her blog. And she’s from my hometown. Dory, her husband, and another friend invite me to eat dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. We talk for two hours about home, family, and the reaction to the book. Dory’s support means the world to me because my mother and her parents are deeply upset over the book. They feel as though they are portrayed poorly, which is shocking to me and everyone else who hears the story. The people I’ve met—including Dory—felt that my mother and grandparents were the heroes of the book. I wholeheartedly agree.
Song: (My Heart Is) Closed for the Season – Bettye Swan.*
*In honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who apparently didn’t have a season.
October 8
Detroit. Here I am, in the motor city at the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association. Meet Megan Fishmann from Algonquin for lunch. Then watch an episode of Gangland before the reading. Later, I find out that Megan also likes Gangland. Who doesn’t like it? And what a way to relax before a reading! Packed room ready to hear the authors read—and it’s a receptive crowd as well. Afterward, watch the Phillies in the hotel bar over pizza, then meet some great folks, including Peter Geye, who’s written a fine book called Safe from the Sea. And while I haven’t read Wendy McClure’s next book, the title alone sparks interest: The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie.
Song: One Piece At a Time by Johnny Cash.
October 9
Nashville. Here I am, in music city at the Southern Festival of the Book. First time in Nashville and I’m ready! Even though Penn State has horribly lost to Illinois—and I paid $10 just to get wifi on the plane so I could listen. Attend a reception for the authors and meet up with a college friend who’s now getting an MFA in Memphis. It’s a great time, great people, and Broadway is a crazy scene.
Song: I’m Easy by Keith Carradine.
October 10
Panel presentation in the senate chamber. Feel like I’m testifying! Great crowd. Afterward, I sign some books. And, outside the hotel, meet a former Nashville fire fighter and his wife. They were at the panel talk and invite me to lunch. We talked for an hour and a half about fire fighting, Nashville, writing, and life. Really, one of the nicest and most unexpected moments from the tour. He even offers to drive me to the airport!
So, I’m on the plane. A young woman sits next to me. She’s holding Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. Since Chuck Adams edited that—and I’ve read Sara’s book—I think back to Watt Key’s advice to strike up a conversation.
“How do you like that book?” I ask.
The woman looks shocked. Maybe I’ve broken some cardinal rule to flying? She nods and says, “It’s good. Hopefully I’ll finish it this flight.”
I smile. “You know, I’m a writer. My editor actually did that book too.”
“Huh,” she says. Then she pulls out her Blackberry—modern speak for leave me alone.
Song: Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
October 11
Back in the truck to drive to Matthews, NC for the Women’s National Booksellers Association Charlotte chapter. It’s a dinner—and the first time they’ve had an event like this. Very honored to be there. Hop from table to table during the meal and talk with booksellers and readers about the book. It’s a great crowd, even though on the first read, my book might seem geared toward males—three generations of men tied by fire. But I’m very lucky to have had strong, loving, courageous women in my life.
Song: East Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.
October 13
At the Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC. And the crowd includes some high school students. Reminds me of my own high school days, how enamored I was with writers and books. I can only hope that I seem painfully cool to these kids. And near the end, a friend from Wilmington shows up. He takes me to a fantastic restaurant and we catch up. Southern Pines, by the way, holds true to its name—pine trees everywhere. It’s a beautiful area with lots of shops downtown. Maybe I can retire here.
Song: Lone Pine Hill by Justin Townes Earle.
October 14
Back to Charlotte for a signing at Park Road Books. Charlotte is always a town I’ve driven through or flown into, but never actually visited. Had a great time talking with the staff and customers. The one amazing thing I’ve discovered is that since I’ve written a memoir, readers often share their own amazing stories. And everyone has a unique, compelling tale to tell. It’s always great to hear that they relate what I’ve written, that it’s made them think about their own families. That night, while I pack, a show (not Gangland) airs and chronicles the Philadelphia mafia scene in the 70s and 80s. And lo and behold, they talk about the bombing of Chicken Man in Philly! I thought Bruce just made that up. Nope.
Song: West Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.
October 15
Driving to Asheville at the height of autumn. Well, there’s really no better place that I’ve been to in the fall. Breathtaking views. And my wife and the dog are headed down from Charlottesville. A friend and her husband drive up from Alabama to see both the town and me. We grab dinner, then turn in for the night.
Song: The End of the Summer by Dar Williams.
October 16
Malaprops. If you’re a reader in the southeast—and perhaps the entire country—it’s hard not to know this name. It’s a fantastic store that I’ve always visited when I was in town. And visiting as an author is a special treat. I read to another great crowd, talk about my book, and then answer some questions afterward. One reader tells me this: “I think what you did took such courage and conviction. It’s hard to look at your past. I just want you to know what that means to me.” She takes my hand and smiles. “I’m not good with words, but I know in my heart what I want to say.” But what she said was perfect.
Song: Blue Ridge Mountains by Fleet Foxes.
October 22
Practically reading in my backyard in Crozet, Virginia. Okay, if Asheville is the best place to be in the fall, Central Virginia is a close second. And Crozet is amazing. I visit Over the Moon Bookstore—and a very full moon up the sky. The crowd has a lot of friends who’ve heard this loads of times before, but I’m thankful they’ve shown up. Over the Moon—the only bookstore in Albemarle County—just opened in June. And what a store it is. It smells of books and wood inside. That should be an air-freshener fragrance!
Song: The Virginia by Neko Case.
A book tour. It’s one of those things every young, pimpled-face writer dreams about as a freshman in college. Well, that and a good pimple cream. And a girlfriend too, maybe. But I digress! Here’s a little tour diary. It’s impossible to include all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. If you don’t make a cameo, don’t take it personally! I tried.
September 21
It’s official book release day! I’m in Atlantic City for the first time in my life. The most I know about it comes from the Bruce Springsteen song—so I fully expect to see the Chicken Man blow up (this actually comes up later; stay tuned!) and find myself taking an unsavory job in the mob. Drove down the Garden State Parkway late last night and spotted around 75 deer. Who knew Jersey was so much like Central PA? And, that joke about Bon Jovi always on the radio in Jersey? Must have heard at least eight songs by him in the car, two of which were tolerable (“Blaze of Glory” and “Runaway”). Only event is the Moveable Feast Luncheon at the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, which is basically speed dating with booksellers. Seventeen other authors present as well—all of which are amazing. So humbling to be among their company. Immediately after, I drive back up to Newark and fly back to Virginia. Didn’t even have a chance to drop a quarter in a slot machine.
Song for the day: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.
September 24
Daytona Beach! First time ever in Florida—I suspect this blog will show, among other things, how under-traveled I am. On the way to the hotel, my cabbie tells me where I can watch the Penn State game tomorrow. And he tells me—unsolicited—where I can find strip clubs (he uses another term I won’t repeat since this is a PG-rated site). My first event in Florida is in the Late Night Reading room at the Southeast Independent Booksellers Association. While I sit outside, picking a passage to read, a women sits near me and keeps staring at me. Turns out she’s one of my former students from UNCW! And she now runs a bookstore in Carolina Beach. Never know who you’ll meet or what to expect. I wish I could say that she decided to open the bookstore because of my passionate classroom diatribes about literature. Later, I sit with Kelly Justice, Watt Key, and a few others. The awkward technique of plane chatting comes up. I mention that I never speak to my seat-mate though Watt encourages me to strike up a conversation. (This too will come back up—see the pattern?)
Song for the day: Ghost Dance – Dame Satan.
September 26
So long Daytona. Headed with Brock Clarke and his wife to Jacksonville to read at Bookmarks—a great indie store celebrating their 25th anniversary. On the way, we stop for lunch in St. Augustine. Beautiful city—which is the oldest in America. And a great Cuban sandwich. Much better food than the night before—a Hot Pocket pizza bomb. Brock and his wife are super nice people. Happy to have spent a few hours with them. Not to mention, in case you haven’t heard, Brock’s got a great new book out right now.
Song for the day: Burnin’ for You – Blue Oyster Cult.
September 30
Wake up before dawn and drive through heavy rain to make it to Virginia This Morning. Short interview goes very well. Unfortunately, I don’t receive any make-up and therefore look like a corpse next to the hosts. First television interview of my life.
Later that night—still in driving rain—I head back to Richmond to read at Fountain Bookstore. And two of my favorite people are there—Rebecca Schinsky (Booklady’s Blog) and Kelly Justice. They were two of the first bookly people to contact me over the twitterverse. Unfortunately, the rain deters some people from coming out, but the small crowd is engaged and supportive. Afterward, my wife and I grab dinner at a great Italian place. And then we drive home. In more rain.
Song: Cast Your Ship Upon Rain by Aran Ruth.
October 2
Big day! Start of Big Ten conference play. Oh yeah, also reading in Chapel Hill at Flyleaf Books. This time, the weather works the opposite way—after days of rain, it’s beautiful! And, UNC football is on television. Great bookstore that’s also pretty new. Hey, anyone opening a business in these times deserves credit—and if it’s a bookstore, there should be a congressional resolution to honor them. Sadly, that night I watch Penn State lose to Iowa. Not even Papa John’s makes me feel better.
Song: Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams.
October 3
Actually, Papa John’s has made me feel much worse. Why, Papa John? Why? Just put a small thing of Pepto in the box of pizza. We’ll thank you in the morning.
Head over to Fearrington Village for lunch with my amazing editor Chuck Adams and Kelly Bowen, my super publicist. Afterward, I read at McIntyre’s. Nice crowd, good questions. And my friend Pookie stopped by with his lovely bride. We grab coffee, then it’s back home. Happily, I can pick up a classic country radio station in the car. Nothing like some Waylon Jennings on a fall evening.
Song: Just to Satisfy You by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
October 5
All this time, I’ve been doing lots of radio interviews all over the country, usually by phone. But I get to stop by the NPR studios in Philadelphia for an hour-long chat with Marty Moss-Coane. Her producer Denis welcomes me to the studio and couldn’t be nicer. And Marty asks fantastic questions. Then I hop in the truck and head onto the turnpike for Harrisburg. What deal with the devil did the state of Pennsylvania make with Roy Rogers Restaurant? It’s the only place to eat along the turnpike. Come on. Luckily, I meet two college friends in Harrisburg for dinner. Great time catching up and eating wings.
Song: Farm in Pennsyltucky by Jeannie Seely.
October 6
Now, time to tackle the rest of Pennsylvania. Off to Pittsburgh. Easy drive takes me right into the city, which looks as beautiful as ever. Never understood the hate for Pittsburgh—maybe people base it on how things were in the 80s? Now, it’s a great little city that’s nicely reinvented itself. I stop by the Post Gazette for a talk with Bob Hoover that’s broadcast on the paper’s website. Then it’s off to the South Side. I’m reading at Joseph-Beth and I stop in early to check out the space. It’s a chain-store but has the feel of an indie. I’m impressed. At the reading, a friend from grad school and her boyfriend drive to see me read. We grab coffee afterward and it’s very nice to catch up and talk shop. Also finally meet Dory Adams, who wrote a fantastic review of my book on her blog. And she’s from my hometown. Dory, her husband, and another friend invite me to eat dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. We talk for two hours about home, family, and the reaction to the book. Dory’s support means the world to me because my mother and her parents are deeply upset over the book. They feel as though they are portrayed poorly, which is shocking to me and everyone else who hears the story. The people I’ve met—including Dory—felt that my mother and grandparents were the heroes of the book. I wholeheartedly agree.
Song: (My Heart Is) Closed for the Season – Bettye Swan.*
*In honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who apparently didn’t have a season.
October 8
Detroit. Here I am, in the motor city at the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association. Meet Megan Fishmann from Algonquin for lunch. Then watch an episode of Gangland before the reading. Later, I find out that Megan also likes Gangland. Who doesn’t like it? And what a way to relax before a reading! Packed room ready to hear the authors read—and it’s a receptive crowd as well. Afterward, watch the Phillies in the hotel bar over pizza, then meet some great folks, including Peter Geye, who’s written a fine book called Safe from the Sea. And while I haven’t read Wendy McClure’s next book, the title alone sparks interest: The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie.
Song: One Piece At a Time by Johnny Cash.
October 9
Nashville. Here I am, in music city at the Southern Festival of the Book. First time in Nashville and I’m ready! Even though Penn State has horribly lost to Illinois—and I paid $10 just to get wifi on the plane so I could listen. Attend a reception for the authors and meet up with a college friend who’s now getting an MFA in Memphis. It’s a great time, great people, and Broadway is a crazy scene.
Song: I’m Easy by Keith Carradine.
October 10
Panel presentation in the senate chamber. Feel like I’m testifying! Great crowd. Afterward, I sign some books. And, outside the hotel, meet a former Nashville fire fighter and his wife. They were at the panel talk and invite me to lunch. We talked for an hour and a half about fire fighting, Nashville, writing, and life. Really, one of the nicest and most unexpected moments from the tour. He even offers to drive me to the airport!
So, I’m on the plane. A young woman sits next to me. She’s holding Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. Since Chuck Adams edited that—and I’ve read Sara’s book—I think back to Watt Key’s advice to strike up a conversation.
“How do you like that book?” I ask.
The woman looks shocked. Maybe I’ve broken some cardinal rule to flying? She nods and says, “It’s good. Hopefully I’ll finish it this flight.”
I smile. “You know, I’m a writer. My editor actually did that book too.”
“Huh,” she says. Then she pulls out her Blackberry—modern speak for leave me alone.
Song: Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
October 11
Back in the truck to drive to Matthews, NC for the Women’s National Booksellers Association Charlotte chapter. It’s a dinner—and the first time they’ve had an event like this. Very honored to be there. Hop from table to table during the meal and talk with booksellers and readers about the book. It’s a great crowd, even though on the first read, my book might seem geared toward males—three generations of men tied by fire. But I’m very lucky to have had strong, loving, courageous women in my life.
Song: East Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.
October 13
At the Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC. And the crowd includes some high school students. Reminds me of my own high school days, how enamored I was with writers and books. I can only hope that I seem painfully cool to these kids. And near the end, a friend from Wilmington shows up. He takes me to a fantastic restaurant and we catch up. Southern Pines, by the way, holds true to its name—pine trees everywhere. It’s a beautiful area with lots of shops downtown. Maybe I can retire here.
Song: Lone Pine Hill by Justin Townes Earle.
October 14
Back to Charlotte for a signing at Park Road Books. Charlotte is always a town I’ve driven through or flown into, but never actually visited. Had a great time talking with the staff and customers. The one amazing thing I’ve discovered is that since I’ve written a memoir, readers often share their own amazing stories. And everyone has a unique, compelling tale to tell. It’s always great to hear that they relate what I’ve written, that it’s made them think about their own families. That night, while I pack, a show (not Gangland) airs and chronicles the Philadelphia mafia scene in the 70s and 80s. And lo and behold, they talk about the bombing of Chicken Man in Philly! I thought Bruce just made that up. Nope.
Song: West Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.
October 15
Driving to Asheville at the height of autumn. Well, there’s really no better place that I’ve been to in the fall. Breathtaking views. And my wife and the dog are headed down from Charlottesville. A friend and her husband drive up from Alabama to see both the town and me. We grab dinner, then turn in for the night.
Song: The End of the Summer by Dar Williams.
October 16
Malaprops. If you’re a reader in the southeast—and perhaps the entire country—it’s hard not to know this name. It’s a fantastic store that I’ve always visited when I was in town. And visiting as an author is a special treat. I read to another great crowd, talk about my book, and then answer some questions afterward. One reader tells me this: “I think what you did took such courage and conviction. It’s hard to look at your past. I just want you to know what that means to me.” She takes my hand and smiles. “I’m not good with words, but I know in my heart what I want to say.” But what she said was perfect.
Song: Blue Ridge Mountains by Fleet Foxes.
October 22
Practically reading in my backyard in Crozet, Virginia. Okay, if Asheville is the best place to be in the fall, Central Virginia is a close second. And Crozet is amazing. I visit Over the Moon Bookstore—and a very full moon up the sky. The crowd has a lot of friends who’ve heard this loads of times before, but I’m thankful they’ve shown up. Over the Moon—the only bookstore in Albemarle County—just opened in June. And what a store it is. It smells of books and wood inside. That should be an air-freshener fragrance!
Song: The Virginia by Neko Case.
No comments have been added yet.
