Readers and friends have been sending along or posting some awesome photos of the experience -- guess you could say -- of getting through "Down & Delirious."
Above, Conrad is reading along studiously while at a dentist's office in New Orleans. Below, the blog Love & Hate L.A. (so good) is stuck one evening absorbing the book by candlelight. I'm blushing.
Nice to hear that Metropolis Books in downtown L.A. is carrying it. Last I was in town, a friend reported that the venerable Skylight Books on Vermont was carrying the book but had sold out -- less than a week after the title officially hit shelves.
It's not Amanda Hocking, but it's something!
Friends and contacts in New York, Texas, and the Bay Area have been going to Barnes & Noble (first-person confirmation here) or asking for it at local shops. Is it or isn't at the Strand in Manhattan? I'm hearing different things, but I see it on the Strand website, at a paltry eight bucks. In San Francisco, I'm stoked to hear it was "on its way" at City Lights Books, the landmark shop in Beat-central North Beach. ... I remember going there to browse while in college.
Below, photographer William Dunleavy (whose excellent work led to the photograph accompanying Chapter 11, "Originals of Punk") sent this fantastic photo of the book in a 'proper' place, at least in his homemade cosmology. It's on an altar.
Pretty amazing. Thank you, up front and right now, for all the kind and thoughtful notes of feedback I've received. I appreciate each one. Now ...
I'm back in Southern California this weekend for a couple more presentations of "Down & Delirious." First, on Sat. March 12, I'm participating in ArtTALK in Pasadena. The all-day, free event at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center features several exciting performers and writers. I'll read and also have books for sale. See here for more info.
On Sun. March 13, I'm part of a reading at Workspace, an experimental community venue at Five Points in Lincoln Heights. Excited to hear that the event will also feature author Veronica Gonzalez, a D.F. native. Here are previous readings at Workspace. I'll have books to sell as well. And I'll tweet when I get the exact hour and coordinates.
In April, I am reading or presenting the book at three venues in New York City or in the greater region. Details on those events when they get nearer. Also, I've just been invited to present at the L.A. Times Festival of Books on the USC campus. Ajúa! The festival takes place April 30-May 1.
FUTURE UPDATES
Yes, rolling out the book has been as hectic as it sounds, and it's really only just started. People warned me: Promoting a book in this saturated and digital-leaning climate is indeed a "full-time job." I do miss the news right now, but this leave has been indispensible to getting the book out there.
In the coming weeks, I'll have updates on ...
* Where to buy the book here in Mexico City.
* A book-release event in D.F., finally. It's gotta be juuuust right.
* The Spanish-language translation! From a major Mexican house.
* Details on events on the East Coast.
** A reading in Tijuana, for all the primos and pollitos.
* And a new book project ... indie in spirit, thankgod.
Till then, thanks again!