Thursday, October 22, 2009

No Rest for the Wicked

Returned from the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention Sunday night to find myself on the cusp of launch week for Smasher.

So that evening I had to come up with a posting for the marvelous Criminal Minds blog where I'm a guest this week.


Monday morning I spoke to Therese Poletti of MarketWatch who was working on a story about a Silicon Valley entrepreneur-turned-thriller-author. (Story here.)

Then came the big event -- the launch of Smasher at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park. I had no clue how many people would show, but in a fit of bravado two months ago I'd taken the over on an over/under wager of 100. Of course, by Tuesday afternoon, I was wringing my hands with concern about attendance. I managed to win the bet when 105 friends and readers showed up to listen to me drone on about where the ideas for Smasher came from and why I love being a novelist. (Below is the view from the lectern.)


I worked with Abigail Johnson, one of Silicon Valley's top PR people, to put out a press release (click here) on how being an entrepreneur prepared me for life as a writer.



Yesterday I drove the 100 miles to Davis for a "sign and greet." The manager said she would order 20 books. I showed a false sense of confidence when I told her I could sell more. We bet $1 on my selling 30. Thanks to my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and his boss, I won that bet, too. Whew. (The drive went quickly; I listened to the great Michael Connelly's newest, Nine Dragons.)

Tonight I'm going to be at A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland. Two dozen more events in the next month. What an endurance test! I'm excited!




12 comments:

Alan Orloff said...

Wow, Keith, you're off to a terrific start. Mazel Tov. Keep it up!!

(And, from the sound of it, if this writing thing falls thru, you can make a few dollars gambling.)

G.M. Malliet said...

LOL, Alan.

The crowd shot is amazing--so many people. Great job!

Lisa Bork said...

Good one, Alan.

Very impressive, Keith. Enjoy your success!

Beth Groundwater said...

Go get 'em, tiger! Sounds like you're off to a great start with this book.

Sue Ann Jaffarian said...

Keep up the great work, Keith! 100 at your launch?? Sheesh! I need your followers!

Keith Raffel said...

Alan, when we get together, I'd be glad to regale you with stories of my life as a professional gambler. I don't know if things are great; I just feel like I'm playing a male version of the lead in Run Lola Run.

Alan Orloff said...

I will definitely take you up on that. I love gambling tales!

Julia Buckley said...

Wow, Keith--I've never had a launch that big. Good for you! You are a PR machine.

Julia Buckley said...

Now that I think of it, can I hire YOU as a consultant for my next book? :)

Jess Lourey said...

Keith, you give me...how did JT Ellison say it? "Lemming?" "Kemnel?" I want what you got.

Keith Raffel said...

Jess, my grandmother said "yenims" is having what others have.

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