The Backspace Conference is over, and by all accounts it was a success. If you're an aspiring writer, this is a must-attend event.
I got to spend some quality time with Barry Eisler, Lee Child, MJ Rose, Jeff Cohen, Heather Brewer, Jackie Kessler, Reed Farrel Coleman, David Robbins, Harry Hunsicker, and many other more important people that I'm forgetting due to fatigue.
I was honored to win the Bob Kellogg Good Citizen Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Internet Writing Community. Lesson to writers: help each other, and one day you'll get an award. Also helping each other happens to be a nice thing to do.
A few days ago my publicist, Charlie Davidson, carted me around New York for drop-in signings, but since then I haven't been able to do much in the way of bookstore visits, having emceed this convention. But that will change today, when Barry Eisler and I tool around town in the Rustymobile, picking up the bookstores I missed.
Thanks to everyone who has called or emailed, offering to help out. I've been extremely busy and unable to reply to email, but you'll be hearing from me soon.
Stats:
Miles driven so far: 5016
Bookstores visited so far: 174
Books signed so far: 1558
Books hand sold so far: 146
Bookstores remaining: 326
Awards won: 1
And for those who want to buy signed JA Konrath books in your local bookstore, here's where I've been lately:
Joseph Beth Pittsburgh PA
Mystery Lovers Bookshop Oakmont PA
Waldenbooks 1000 Ross Park Drive Pittsburgh
Waldenbooks 242 South Hills Village Mall Pittsburgh
Borders Express 100 Robinson Ctr Pittsburgh
BN 339 Sixth Ave Pittsburgh
BN Squirrel Hill Pittsburgh
BN Waterfront Homestead Pittsburgh
BN Waterworks Pittsburgh
BN South Hills Village Pittsburgh
BN 100 Quinn Drive Pittsburgh
BN Monroeville Pittsburgh
BN Cranberry Township PA
Borders North Hills Pittsburgh
Borders Monroeville PA
Borders The Mills Tarentam PA
Aspinwall Bookshop Pittsburgh
Walden Unionville PA
Borders 1 s. Bread Philadelphia PA
Borders Express 1625 Chestnut Philadelphia
BN 1805 Walnut Philadelphia
Jay's Bookstall Pittsburgh PA
Borders Camp Hill PA
Waldenbooks Camp Hill PA
Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore
BN Camp Hill PA
Walden York PA
Borders York PA
Walden Lancaster PA
Borders LAncaster PA
BN Lancaster PA
Borders East Brunswick New Jersey
BN East Brunswick NJ
BN Holmdel NJ
Black Orchid Bookshop NY
Mysterious Bookshop NY
Partners and Crime NY
Murder Ink NY
The Strand NY
Borders 461 Park Ave NY
Borders Columbus Circle NY
Borders Express Staten Island NY
BN Astor Place NY
BN Union Square NY
BN 555 Fifth Ave NY
BN 600 Fifth Ave NY
BN Lincoln Center NY
BN 2289 Broadway NY
BN 86th & 2nd NY
BN 86th & Lexington NY
BN Staten Island
Colliseum Books 42nd Street NY
After the Big Apple today, I'm heading to Connecticut.
Onward and upward...
You will probably get into Guinness for your efforts. Talking about the book. Great job.
ReplyDeleteYOU WERE IN HOLMDEL???
ReplyDeleteOh my God! thats my backyard and I'm so sorry I missed you!!!
A good citizenship award!? Congratulations, you Boy Scout, you...I got tossed out myself. Something about circumstantial evidence and a discharged fire extinguisher. I guess they took that seriously in the Fire House where the troop meetings took place. Great to know your Genny will have a stablemate. Drove our kids 500 miles today, to camps at different ends of a large state, and I'm wiped. I have gained true appreciation for your herculean effort!
ReplyDeleteGo-o-o-o Joe!
Joe,
ReplyDeleteYou deserve that good netizen award, and many of us sincerely appreciate your intelligence, ingenuity, and generosity. That being said, I was wondering if Jack Daniels has worked out her self-image issues regarding dress sizes: in Rusty Nail she says at one point she's a size 8, then later admits to barely fitting a size 12. How's a guy to buy her a nice cashmere sweater for her birthday?
Thanks for the kind words, all.
ReplyDeleteRichard--the size 12 is a joke she makes with the hot firefighter. She's an 8 all the way.
Dang, you were in my building! (1625 Chestnut, Philadelphia). If I had known.... Well, now I'll just have to go buy one of the books.
ReplyDeleteJoe:
ReplyDeleteYou can stay at my place when you come to Toronto (Ontario, Canada)!!
The award is much deserved. Thanks for keeping up this blog and keeping the rest of us in line with something to strive towards.
ReplyDeleteThere's a word for a writer who never gives up... published.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the this in Writers Digest it became my motto. I just signed with an agent. Thanks Joe for all of you encouragement.
Thanks for the mention, Joe. It was a joy meeting you in person! Of course, now whenever I think of you, I'll think of dining on intestines. :)=
ReplyDeleteOkay, so what size is Herb? I'll take a wild guess--42/32 pants, XXL shirts.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I always imagined Jack as about a 12. Maybe because she beats up guys in bars sometimes.
Stop by my place if you want to get into Guinness (not talking about the book).
I know I have disagreed with you in the past over a few things... but having met and talked with you I finally "get it". I understand where you arecoming from and what you are really up to. Thank you for being you and stepping up.
ReplyDeleteAlthough you may not remember talking to me at the conference, talking to you and listening to you speak has had a profound affect on me. So thank you.
If you decide to tour in SoCal and need a place to stay, I have loads of room. Otherwise, keep up the good work.
Congrats on your award, it's well deserved.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you very much for the copy of Whiskey Sour, signed no less, with accompanying signed coaster! I wasn't expecting it, knowing how busy you've been.
I've been covered in smug all day and come the weekend, I'd better not be disturbed while I read it!
Good luck with the rest of your tour.
You're awesome, Joe. It was a pleasure seeing you again -- and heh, you're a gutsy guy. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I mentioned this to you, but you're one of the people whom I acknowledge in HELL'S BELLES. You're the one who got me to start thinking about writing as a busness, not just an art...and that made all the difference in the world.
I can't think of anyone else who deserves the Bob Kellogg Award as much as you. You're amazing. Without your advice and encouragement, I would not be where I am today with my writing.
Thanks, Joe.
And dude, have I mentioned lately that I love your main character's name? And that for a while, I lived in a town called Latham?
Hmmm. I think you're tuned into my wavelength, or something...