The cinema has skewed my vision of book signing events. In a recent movie with John Cusack, the camera pans from John, surrounded by stacks of his latest horror release, his tenth I believe, to a room full of chairs in what is obviously a bookstore. There are four individuals in attendance, one sleeping, and two resting their tired feet. He asks if there are any questions. The fourth person, a young woman asks a question and John's character gives a smug answer.
When I ventured off into the book signing adventure, I was ready for and looking forward to anything. My vision of the eclectic book signing was way off - though I may still find that parallel universe somewhere down the road – perhaps in NYC, San Fran or Chicago? I have had a wonderful and varied experience at each store. From the small You've Got Mail style independent; to the large B&N and Borders; to the large independent – all have been no less than a great experience. Gene Hackman was quoted recently as saying that nothing he had done in film or theater prepared him for the abysmal book signing event. Understandable for someone of his fame and love of the easy living in Santa Fe – but for this old entrepreneur, spending an afternoon in a bookstore with avid book readers is utopia.
Next: I'll tell you about each type of bookstore experience. I will try to post at least once a week from here forward. Let me know what you want to know. Send me a question brian@BrianHuey.com
Recent movie experience worth noting: John Adams - HBO (now on video)
Currently reading: 1924 by Morgan Llewellyn re: Irish Independence
Great recent review of Perpetual:
Ludlum. Crichton. Clancy, Uris. Each has the capacity to make me into a page-turning, I'll-get-some-sleep-tomorrow, frenetic. Each builds wonderful fiction on a solid base of fact. Add to that list NAELB member, Brian Huey. But Brian adds another facet: He has the refreshing literacy and humor of my favorite suspense writer, Trevanian.
In Brian's first novel, Perpetual, he creates a diverse set of characters - scientists, mercenaries, politicians, terrorists, OPEC ministers, and a brilliant young science student, Matthew Eaton, whom you don't want to leave. (Don't worry, sequels are on the way!) Brian puts them into situations based on today's - and tomorrow's - headlines. Like all good fiction, Perpetual makes you re-think what is going on around you: Energy policy, politics, military adventure - all are in play.
Make no mistake: This is NOT a cocktail table book. This is an adventure to read. It is a story that, while extraordinarily entertaining, will stay with you. Every time you see another gas price spike, or open your utility bill, you'll remember Brian's wonderful characters, and hope that somewhere, somehow, a real-life Matthew is at work in his research lab.
I encourage you to enjoy this adventure. Perpetual is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. Or, a signed copy can be obtained from www.brianhuey.com.
--Barry Reitman, President, Keystone Leasing
