News from Jersey and Ohio:
First–yesterday I picked up a copy of our proud local newspaper, The Hoboken Reporter
, and lo and behold, there’s an extended story on, you guessed it, Your Humble Author. Because I am the hotness.
I was interviewed by none other than Caren Lissner, Editor-in-Chief and also a popular author in her own right, which means Caren knows a thing or two about the writing business and asked me some really interesting questions about the business of being an author, and also let me ramble on quite a bit about various things the way I often do. It’s really a very nice piece and if you live in this area you should pick up a copy and then tell me how much of a nerd I sound like.
This was good timing because ever since World Fantasy Con I’ve been sitting here dozing at my desk wondering how to keep up momentum. Promoting a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and I often wonder how in the world you keep the universe interested in your novel, aside from wandering the earth with a copy in your backpack and stopping at every diner and bar and reading a bowel-shaking snippet of action-packed prose, and then having some handy order forms ready to take orders.
I don’t think the piece is on their web site yet; if they ever post it I’ll let y’all know. [UPDATE: Posted.]
Second: The Cleveland Plain Dealer‘s John R. Alden wrote a really nice review of The Electric Church:
“”The Electric Church” proves once again that, at least in the world of books, being bad can be a whole lot of fun.”
So there you go–today I am dominating the local press of the world. Don’t let the efforts of these fine folks go to waste! Buy another copy today!
How dare you compare yourself to Chandler and Hammet! Just kidding, I know you weren’t. Anyway, I love this line:
“Promoting a book is a marathon, not a sprint”
We’ll make sure the story gets up on the internets soon.
CL,
I dare because I have no shame. None whatsoever.
Thanks for a hilarious article. I think you captured the self-centered craziness that is: me.
J
Well look at you, all famous and everything!
I shall allow myself the indulgence of a small ‘woot’ in your honour.
By the way, I hope that ‘9 copies sold’ includes the one I bought in the Hoboken B&N.
If not, rack one up! I will go down in posterity as ‘that guy that put Jeff into double figures’.
Or perhaps this is ‘copies sold (,000Ks)’, in which case make that ‘five figures’.
Now I have to go and see some Danes in an enormous truck in Union Square to talk about a ballerina.
I’d rather be at the Brooklyn brewery, but I guess that will have to wait…
Diamat,
Ah, that was you buying at the local B&N–reports of suspicious types buying subversive books come in all the time, you know.
As for my fame and all the wooting and whatnot, last night I was kicked from the couch by the wife in order to clean the catbox and take out the garbage; the rewards of fame still seem to elude me.
And yes, I think we’d all rather be at the Brooklyn Brewery.
L
J
Damn you, Jeff Somers!
KAREN,
You know you’re not allowed to comment here. Do I have to call my lawyers?
J
Somers-Mania is sweeping the nation. Holy crap.
Frank,
Holy crap indeed. Who’d a thunk it?
L
J
It’s finally up.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19032011&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523585&rfi=6
(You have to paste the entire linky.)
The only problem with the article as I see it is that she left out your biggest stepping stone of all — the huge amount of acclaim and notoriety you received when I published you repeatedly in The Whirligig. Harrumph!
Feeling slighted (sniffle),
Frank
Caren–thank you!
Frank: I think the CIA redacted you from the article. I still hear a click on the phone every time I say your name.
For those late to the party, I’ve already detailed some of Frank’s interest in my writing here.
L
J
I knew it! That damn CIA sabotages everything I do. But I will get my revenge! Oh yes. For sure.
Frank, move to Jersey City and we will certainly exaggerate your role!