Link This |
Email this |
Blog This |
Comments (0)
CHUCK ALERT
May 8, 2007
With Chuck Palahniuk now in the second week of touring for his new novel, Rant, there is the customary exercise of having publishing people checking this number or that, with an eye to preparing those whose date with Palahniukian destiny is on down the line. This quest usually centers on how many people and books - information that's certainly useful, though the book question changes as time goes along, more people (especially devotees) opting to buy the book beforehand.
Howver, with Chuck Palahniuk, those aren't the most important questions. The numbers could be ten or a thousand, the most important aspect of a night with Chuck and his readers is time. A lot of it will be taken. Few writers, much less 'straight' (perhaps not the right word to apply here, but not a general genre writer, either) fiction writers, seem to have the relationship he does with his audience. For his first events, for Powell's and then up here with us, there was a mid-day signing of all copies (for us, it was a good exercise in flapping, then re-flapping as he signs and stamps on the half-title page ... future event-stagers take note). This was major stackage - and reboxing. But it proved a blessing for all. At night's end, which proved to be over five hours after arrival, there was no signing of stock afterwards to do, which can be a chore for all manner of reasons.
Our night was one at which we announced an earlier starting time, and an earlier-than-usual opening of the house time. People were there waiting when we arrived at the offsite venue, which was touch-and-go business as it was just before the stock signing back at the store. In went the books. Soon came Chuck. Soon it all began - the hundreds arriving, book sales, the signing, reading, dispensed items from huge boxes - rubber masks, books, toy cigarettes - so it all began. And went.
A friend at another store wrote about the brides who showed up. Yes, they were here, too. A number of wedding-like photos were taken as there was much posing with the author. Through it all, he seemed the most serene person present. May it all go on ... but don't plan for an early morning the following day.
Posted by Rick Simonson on May 8, 2007 | Comments (0)
