An Out-of-Compound Experience

Tonight I had to run some errands, so on a whim, and with low expectations, I stopped by our neighborhood Borders. Alas, no copies of THREE FORTUNES were on the shelf. I picked up another of Greg Herren’s mysteries, MURDER IN THE RUE DAUPHINE (New Orleans being on my mind this evening). I also noted that FARB’s TRUST FUND BOYS looks good in its new trade paper release.

As I was leaving, one of the associates asked if he could help me, so I asked if he could look up two books–Lori L Lake’s HAVE GUN WE’LL TRAVEL, which I’ve heard a lot about, and, well… THREE FORTUNES IN ONE COOKIE by Cochrane Lambert.

They didn’t carry Lori’s book, but he said they should have five copies of THREE FORTUNES. I held my breath; could it be true? They weren’t on the shelves. They weren’t in the back. I have a feeling it was Johnny (a former coworker of Tim’s) who had the answer: The book was displayed on the new paperback arrivals table, about three feet from where I stood. (HOW DID I MISS THAT COVER?)

I called Tim, who came right over so we could sign them. I got to hang out with the Borders staff, always a great experience because they are fun and nice. I found out one of the women once worked with one of my former managers. Small world. Tim arrived. We signed. I bought one, since we haven’t received our author copies yet. I’m an impatient person, and I had to know if the galley changes were made.

Tim suggested we go by the Alabama Theatre Bookstop (a Barnes & Noble store). Although they didn’t have any copies of THREE FORTUNES yet, the woman who helped us was adorable. She looked it up, said they’d ordered two copies, then gave us a piercing look and said, “Hey, isn’t this YOU?” When we admitted that it was, she said, “You’re Beck, too, aren’t you? I know your scene!” Which cracked us up.

I am happy to say that all our galley corrections were made (Thanks, Nick and Alyson!). I can breathe easier. However, an error that Jim caught too late for us to correct is still there. If you buy the book and locate it, I’ll post another picture of a scantily-clad Tim. (BAH HA HA, he has no idea I’m saying that.)

P.S. If you find errors we didn’t know we made, I’m posting a photo of a scantily-clad Dick Cheney. You have been warned.