Seriously, you can’t take me anywhere. Tonight, I was THAT person. I got to Murder By the Book for Dean James’s signing of his new cozy mystery Murder Past Due, written as Miranda James, in time to enjoy some conversation with him and get a hug from Johnnie beforehand. Then I turned the sound off on my phone. Only I DIDN’T! I must have forgotten that vital last step, “Set,” because in the middle of Dean’s story to a VERY good crowd, my dumb cell began to ring. Which meant I had to scramble in my purse and find the thing and turn it off–it took an eternity. Sorry Dean and readers. I’m a moron.
Still, it was a wonderful night, because that’s the only way Murder By the Book knows how to do an event.
David introducing Dean with accolades from other mystery writers.
Kinley and John, two members of the best staff you’ll find at any bookseller anywhere.
Dean had a gratifyingly large audience and a long line to get books signed. In addition to Murder Past Due, he signed his Trailer Park Mystery series (written as Jimmie Ruth Evans), and his short story in the Delta Blues collection. Delta Blues includes well-loved writers (James Lee Burke, John Grisham, Ace Atkins, Charlaine Harris, Suzanne Hudson, Bill Fitzhugh, Suzann Ellingsworth, Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly, Mary Saums, Lynne Barrett, Dean James, Les Standiford, Toni L.P. Kelner, and Carolyn Haines), plus new authors (Alice Jackson, David Sheffield, Nathan Singer, Michael Lister, and Daniel Martine), and contains an introduction by Morgan Freeman. A portion of every book sold will go to Freeman’s Rock River Foundation, an organization that promotes literacy and provides grants to assist schools.
One thing I’ve found concerning recent changes to my health is that I MUST EAT when it’s time to eat or I get…cranky. Very cranky. So I was not amused to get home to find someone’s car blocking the drive into The Compound. A simple phone call and my problem would have vanished courtesy of the HPD’s choice of a tow truck. Instead, through some eel-like maneuvering, I was able to get my car inside the gate. Then I left this poster on the offending vehicle’s windshield:
Nice one, Becky! :o)
Thanks!
1) I’m soooo totally jealous that you have such access to Dean James. I LOVED his trailer park mysteries. I miss those characters terribly. It was a series I could easily sell to a lot of my mystery readers at the store. His Simon Kirby Jones books were fun, too. I’ll have to look for this new book.
2) I had a “too much crap on my mind” day yesterday and I forgot to record PR AGAIN!!!! I’ma have to catch up online this weekend, I guess.
I’m liking this season so far. Last night had some surprises! No spoilers here. =)
Oh, and as for you with the sign: “Spoken like atrue smartass, Annelle.” :0)
Nothing like a Steel Magnolias quote to start the day.
The notes you leave on cars are MUCH nicer than the ones I leave.
That’s because I’m such a nice person. Can you see me batting my lashes?
You may have been THAT person, but at least you didn’t then sit and carry on a conversation on your phone–in a normal tone of voice–in the middle of Dean talking. Then you would have been THAT INCREDIBLY RUDE PERSON! I was once in a meeting, someone’s phone went off, and she said “Look, everybody’s jamming to my ring tone!” No, stupid. Everybody’s looking at you because they’re waiting for you to turn the damn thing off.
You are way nicer than that person who blocked your drive. I probably would have had the sucker towed. You didn’t find your note crumpled on your front lawn later, did you? It seems like that would be the MO of someone who’s already rude enough to park as they did.
Some people should have their cell phone privileges rescinded.
They left the poster propped inside our fence. I guess they wanted me to be able to use it again. See? They ARE considerate, after all. (eyeroll)
Ha!
Wait. They were parked in front of The Compound? Don’t they know that’s Lindsey’s spot?
I would have left a different note. I would have blocked their car with mine and left a note with my phone number on it stating, “Please call when you leave. I’d like to put my car in my driveway that you blocked.” Only fair for them to be at least as inconvenienced as you were.
I like the way you think, Rhonda!!
I’m slapping myself for the incorrect usage of “that.” It should have been “which.” Bad writer! No coffee!
I’d have loved to have blocked them in, but I couldn’t figure out a way to do it without leaving Jellybean vulnerable. Someone was parked behind them at enough of a distance to allow them an exit. Dammit.
And yes–Lindsey’s spot! Or Kathy’s or Lynne’s. THE AUDACITY!
Julia Sugarbaker couldn’t have done better.
Well, there you go. I should close down this LJ now, because no greater compliment may ever come my way again.
In MY spot, none the less?! Next time we’re slashing tires! Or something…
We could totally craft-attack a car! We have the supplies and the know-how. GLITTER! MORE GLITTER!
Oh you are so nicer than me! I would have flattened a tire or four by letting the air out. No knife in the tires. That’s a little aggro even for me.
Every time I read your posts about Murder by the Book, I say to myself “Next time I’m in the city, I will go there.” But I never do. Haven’t been yet. 🙁
I will have to give this author a read. Thanks for the rec.
If you like mystery–suspense, thrillers, cozies, chick lit mysteries, mystery classics–you can find it all. Plus a staff with knowledge and enthusiasm. They are truly one of the best examples of why it’s sad to lose independent bookstores.
Someone is lucky I wasn’t home last night. Ooooh, Honey Bee!
My thoughts exactly. They don’t know how close they came to a massive towing charge.
Ah well, the rough with the smooth I suppose – but on the whole it sounds like a fantastic evening!!
I love your car poster; indeed you are a nice person! (I’d be intrigued to know, though, whether the not-very-nice person came to apologise/thank you, or just screwed up the message and drove away??)
They just placed the sign inside our fence and drove away. Which is for the best. We don’t allow two-legged varmints on The Compound at night without an escort, as shown here:
http://beckycochrane.livejournal.com/631312.html
Oh love it! Ha ha ha!!
Obviously entry by invitation only . . . 😀
Yes! And signatures on non-disclosure agreements. It’s like the Pitt-Jolie houses around here. Only we adopt dogs, not children.
Yes! And signatures on non-disclosure agreements. It’s like the Pitt-Jolie houses around here. Only we adopt dogs, not children.
Last night was so much fun. I love hearing Dean tell stories, and it always blows my mind to hear him mention getting to go to Elizabeth Peters’ home!
I love seeing you behind the counter at MBTB. =) And though like me, he’s an import, Dean is a Texas treasure.
drivewayless
I never had a driveway; I’ve lived at my parents and parked on the street or in various apartment complexes with parking lots that become hell during football games at Virginia Tech. I too have felt the urge to call the tow truck, but not for reasons enforced by the driveway. More for finding cars parked in the area of the road I spent most of the previous day shoveling the snow to get my car out.
Re: drivewayless
One thing about living in Houston–we never have to shovel snow.
Re: drivewayless
I seem to recall a post by you or tim about snow in Texas. Albeit nothing like 3 feet of snow, so I agree about never having to shovel snow in Texas. Snow shoveling in Texas is as probable as raining chocolate.
Re: drivewayless
Yeah–we’ve gotten several inches of snow in the past, but even on those rare occasions, no one shovels because nothing moves elsewhere. We don’t have road equipment to clear the roads, so there’s no point in clearing driveways (and I can’t imagine anyone has snow shovels or snow blowers unless they moved here from somewhere else). Mind you, we are talking less than a foot of snow. We just wait a day or two and it’s all melted away.
We do have ice storms. Again, we just stay home until the roads are cleared.