Friday, June 11, 2010 (US) Day 16—FINAL BLOG ENTRY
Who knew Reacher was ADORABLE?
So, Tuesday's lone engagement was ... postponed, so I had nothing to do, so I fell into a stupor
and didn't blog. Well, I had nothing to blog about, did I?
Wednesday was a quick Town Car trip around Manhattan, hitting nine chain branches to sign stock
for Father's Day displays. A signed 61 Hours, the perfect gift. Better than a tie. Better
than socks.
Thursday, a car showed up at 5:45 pm with Alison aboard, deputizing for Sharon, and we drove out
to Northvale NJ for the final event of the season. Good crowd, fun questions, and a
four-month-old Corgi named Reacher.
Now it's Friday and I'm about to head out for what should have happened Tuesday, which is a
TV show in midtown. I'll get back around 10, and then I'll be ... done. The 61 Hours
launch season has been long—all around the world—but fabulous. Thanks to all who made it
happen, thanks to all who came out to see me, and thanks to all who read the book.
Monday, June 7, 2010 (US) Day 15
The only thing missing is Lee.
Today was not just locally based, not just home based, but entirely sofa based. My only
engagement of the day was a phone interview with a New Jersey paper ahead of my visit there
Thursday. Apart from that, I finished checking the page proofs for Worth Dying For, and
returned them to the publisher, so that's all set to go in October (the 19th, I think, for those
keeping score.)
Note from Webmaven Maggie:
Worth Dying For goes on sale in the UK on Sept. 30th (but they start shipping about a week prior)
and in the US on Oct. 19th.
Sunday, June 6, 2010 (US) Day 14
Darien Public Library
So, I got home yesterday for the final, not-touring part of the tour ... a no-fly-zone,
stay-at-home kind of thing, with only one gig a day. Today was the Darien Library. Got out
there in a Music Express limo, found a large, enthusiastic SRO crowd, had a lot of fun, and
came home again. I had been trying to get to Darien for a few years, and finally it worked
out, and I'm glad it did. It rained a little, but only when I was inside.
Friday, June 4, 2010 (US) Day 13
The hordes at Borders
The weather reports called for rain so, naturally, I forgot to pack an umbrella. Not to worry,
I was with Lee (the luckiest man on Earth). Yesterday, it poured during Lee’s theater event
and stopped before we stepped outside. Today, there was an early morning deluge in Portland
while we were on the road but not a drop did we see. Stopped off at Kennebunkport for lobster
rolls at The Clam Shack. These are my old stomping grounds so it was a very nostalgic drive.
For Lee, it was green, much too green.
Got to Portland around noon, but couldn’t check into the hotel so we wandered around the shops.
Can you imagine Lee in a kitchen supply shop? We looked at coffee machines; now do you believe
me?
First up, a tv appearance for the local NBC station, WCSH. Good interview by a true fan of the
books. I’ll post a link to it on this website soon. The next and final event was at the
Borders in South Portland which holds the chain’s record nationwide for most Reacher novels
sold. Sweet! After the Q&A, the signing line went on forever, winding around the stacks. As
you enter the state, the welcome sign reads "Maine, the way life should be." Who are we to
argue?
Back to NYC tomorrow. It’s supposed to rain there. Want to bet the minute Lee and I wave
goodbye at JFK, the skies will open over me? Save your money, I’m buying an umbrella on the
way.
Webmaven Maggie
Thursday, June 3, 2010 (US) Day 12
Where to find Reacher
Officially, the day started at Logan Airport where Lee and I
met media escort Sally Carpenter. She ran us over to WGBH-FM
for Emily Rooney’s popular radio show. Emily’s a newbie
Reacher Creature and like so many of us, fell hard for the guy
the minute she met him. It was a nostalgic visit for Lee
since WGBH TV partnered with Granada TV on their Masterpiece
Theater productions back in the dark ages before Lee created
Reacher.
We then visited New England Independent Booksellers Assoc.
offices. NEIBA pooled their member stores’ orders so Lee
could sign them all in one swell foop (sorry). Smart idea,
right? One way to solve the too many bookstores, too
little time puzzle until scientists learn to bend time
reliably.
The ball game at Fenway Park ran long so we raced over to
Brookline Booksmith to avoid traffic delays. Such plans
invariably guarantee there will be no traffic, so
we got lucky and had time to grab some coffee (the principal
fuel for Lee’s book tours—heck, for Lee’s life).
The Booksmith really knows how to put on a show! Bookseller
Genie Williamson found us in line at Starbucks and escorted
us to the Coolidge Theater where Lee took the stage for Q&A
with a full house. Great questions and a smart audience.
I have to say I was distracted during the event, the theater’s
painted ceiling was really lovely and if it hadn’t been so
dark inside the theater, I’d have a photo to prove it.
Speaking of photos, Brookline Booksmith discovered the actual
intersection of Lee and Child in nearby Jamaica Plain. How
cool is that?
Webmaven Maggie
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 (US) Day 11, Part 2
Chicago from above
We were a little worried about attendance tonight, because of the Blackhawks hockey game live
on TV, and I have to say that although the crowd was gratifyingly large, it was also
disproportionately female, which says much about both hockey and Reacher. But good fun was had
by all, which of course can't be said for half of the hockey audience. Which half, I don't know yet.
(US) Day 11, Part 1
All the vague uneasiness that some folks say they feel when visiting big cities is exactly what
I feel when I'm away from one, so it was very pleasant to arrive in Chicago this lunchtime. I'm
a city boy,born and raised. Can't help it.
And it was very pleasant to see Chicago escort and legend Bill Young again. He's like a good
luck charm for me. Five years ago I called my lawyer from his car and pulled the trigger on
buying my current apartment. Three years ago I was with him when I got the call about my first
US number one.
Now I'm in the Peninsula Hotel—extremely fancy, thanks Sharon!—waiting to head out to
tonight's event. More on that later.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (US) Day 10
Sioux Falls, SD
Got up early to do breakfast radio at a downtown facility where four FM stations shared space.
Three were on the schedule, but I did the fourth anyway. Hey, why not? Sioux Falls people seem
pretty informal.
Then I watched the weather change all day ... hot sun, violent thunderstorms, cold winds.
Ate part of a bison for lunch. The evening event was at B&N—big crowd, the best they'd had
since Sarah Palin. And why not? We have a lot in common. We both make shit up for a living.
No one gave me a hard time for research inaccuracy—61 Hours says it's cold here
in the winter, and the locals say, that's for damn sure.
Monday, May 31, 2010 (US) Day 9
Book Expo
So ... I got back to NYC on Wednesday, for three blended tour-home days, starting immediately
with lots of BookExpo stuff, then slightly less on Thursday, hardly anything on Friday, and
absolutely nothing at all on Saturday or Sunday. Now it's Monday and I'm back on the road ...
just arrived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ready for a busy day tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 (US) Day 8, Part 2
Front row left: Phyllis, Grandma, Teri & Tina
On my block, just in case
The evening event was lots of fun—350 people in attendance, five of who were my best Ohio
buddy Marcia, plus the Terrible Trio, Tina, Teri, and Phyllis ... plus Grandma! Naturally the
end of the signing line was a hoot. Check out the front row.
Back to NYC tomorrow, for BEA. More from there later.
(US) Day 8, Part 1
No maintenance dramas with Southwest today—we took off on time and landed on time in
Columbus, Ohio.
First up was a radio interview with a Boston station ahead of next week's visit,
done from the St. Louis airport. Then a phoner with Reuters, for a feature, from my Columbus
hotel room. Then TV, in a studio deep in the bowels of the Ohio statehouse, where Governor
Strickland does his appearances. Now I'm heading out for the dinner ahead of the Thurber House
event.
Monday, May 24, 2010 (US) Day 7
Monday, Monday ... first thought of the day: why does the little bottle in the shower say "Cleansing Shampoo"?
I mean, what other kind is there?
More at-the-gate airplane maintenance today. Something about a warning light. It's a good job we don't worry about our cars
like that. We'd never get anywhere. I once drove a car with a busted speedo and all the warning lights on—for four years.
The result of all this fastidious engineering was that we were late into St. Louis, which meant I did the afternoon phoners
from the escort's car and the sidewalk outside the spiffy new St. Louis Four Seasons. Then I had a club sandwich and we headed
out to the evening event at the library. Big crowd, lovely people—as are you all. I just got the first week's sales figures,
and they are terrific. Thanks, America!
Sunday, May 23, 2010 (US) Day 6
A tire problem delayed us out of Dallas, and by the time it was fixed we needed more fuel, so that delayed
us a little more, and so what had looked like a fairly relaxed Sunday turned into a bit of a scramble. And
Phoenix was ... cold. Yes, unbelievably, temps were in the 60s and the landscape was still full of spring
blossom, with weird little flowers still growing on the cacti.
The event at The Poisoned Pen was mayhem ... a huge crowd, and the second consecutive day where supplies of
61 Hours ran out. All good.
Saturday, May 22, 2010 (US) Day 5
Legacy Books
Relatively quiet day ... a 43-minute straight-up, straight-down flight from Houston to Dallas, a nap in the
achingly hip W hotel, then a 20 minute ride out to the shiny new Legacy Books in Plano, where a big crowd
awaited. SRO and sold out—they even ran out of copies of 61 Hours. Then dinner with Dallas friends Alison
and Harry Hunsicker. A good day on the road.
Friday, May 21, 2010 (US) Day 4, Part 2
Murder By The Book
Houston's Briars Club
Had a rest after lunch and then headed over to MBTB's actual store for the evening event. There were the usual
giant stack of pre-solds to be signed and the usual giant crowd waiting. Always a great time. Afterward
McKenna and David took me out for dinner. Houston, gotta love it.
(US) Day 4, Part 1
Up at 4 am for my usual early-morning road breakfast—Advil, Visine, coffee and Camels. Then to the
airport for the early plane to Houston. First up was an intimate book lunch at the venerable Briar Club—the
upscale end of Murder By The Book's operation. Food was good, although I missed dessert—that was when
I was talking. I had coffee, though.
Thursday, May 20, 2010 (US) Day 3, Part 2
Courthouse Sq. in Oxford, MS
Then came the 5pm event at Square Books. The Square itself was exactly what you would find in a John Grisham
novel ... a courthouse, shade trees, all kinds of quaint old stuff. The bookstore was equally charming—a
vibrant independent with a terrific staff and a great audience.
Then we drove on to Memphis, to be closer to the airport for tomorrow morning's early flight to Houston.
(US) Day 3, Part 1
Woke up and did a radio interview from my hotel bedside phone, and then was driven to Oxford—a three
hour ride along empty rural Interstates—where friend, fellow writer and local resident Ace Atkins
treated me to lunch and told me about the new series he's starting. First title will be "The Ranger", and
I'll be the first customer, based on what I heard.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 (US) Day 2
May Contain Nuts
So, I got home after the annual Reacher Creature NYC launch bash, packed my little suitcase, took a
short nap, and headed out to LaGuardia for flights to Atlanta and onward to Jackson, Mississippi. Breakfast
on the first plane, peanuts on the second. They were dry roasted, weighed point-four-two of an ounce, and
were produced by an outfit called King Nut Company. The only ingredient listed was peanuts. Then, just in
case of doubt, there was a warning: May Contain Nuts.
We did TV and radio, and then a late afternoon/early evening event at the delightful Lemuria bookstore.
Now I'm awaiting room service and looking forward to a slightly longer nap tonight.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 (US) Day 1
B&N Lincoln Triangle, NYC
61 HOURS Launch Day. Lee’s 14th Reacher. Barnes & Noble broke fire codes, packing so many people into one
of their largest event spaces (some arrived two hours early to get a seat). The overflow stood outside
watching Lee on overhead monitors. The A/C surrendered and the room got steamy (Reacher has that effect
and don’t we know it). It was rainy and cold outside, the temp dropping 30 degrees from a week ago. Was
this a great day, or what?
It never gets old. We live for Launch Day.
The day before, Lee went to Random House to sign books for stores that aren’t on this year’s tour. Boxes
and boxes (and boxes and boxes) crammed into a small office; his publicist told me the smell of new books was
heady. ebooks are wonderful, but they don’t yet come with that great new book smell. The reviews (if you
got the latest Reacher Report, you know about some of them) are love letters to our man Reacher, the
pre-sales are tremendous, and the buzz is louder than ever. Could a Reacher movie be far off?* Yikes, what’s
to keep me from grinning like an idiot? (Lee would suggest nothing has so far.)
So, okay, it was really warm in the room. But nobody got up to leave. The crowd was in great spirits and
asked interesting questions which led Lee to provide a good deal of insight into his writing and Reacher.
He explained the six reasons for writing 61 HOURS (oh no, I’m not listing them here—you’ll have
to attend a signing for that) including a very unexpected request from a man whose wife apparently really
likes Reacher. Ahem.
After the event, Lee took a small group of diehard (and, apparently, waterproof) Reacher Creatures out
for some celebratory alcohol at a local bar/restaurant. Turns out, the bartender is a Reacher Creature, too,
and has gotten many of her regular patrons hooked on Reacher. I tell you, I wouldn’t have been surprised if
during the cab ride home, the driver had a copy of 61 HOURS on his dashboard. It was that kind of day.
Don't worry, Lee will be back writing the blog tomorrow...
Webmaven Maggie
* Sorry, no new movie news to tell—but keep your fingers crossed!
Friday, April 16, 2010 (NZ) Day 27
Dunedin
Dunedin ... as close to the South Pole as I'm ever likely to get, and down here you can tell that autumn is
giving way to winter. There was a cold wind blowing all morning ... I put my coat on for the first time since
London.
We did two sit-and-signs and some print media, and the evening event was an exclusive affair at the city's art
gallery. And ... that's it. The marathon is over. Huge thanks to RHNZ publicist Jennifer for an amazing week.
Because of time zones and the date line, for me Saturday will be 40 hours long ... I'll spend about 19 of
them on planes, most of them asleep, I hope. 61 Hours launches in the US on May 18, and I'll be back
on the road then, and this blog will resume. Until then, take care, have fun, be good.
Thursday, April 15, 2010 (NZ) Day 26, Part 1
Christchurch
The flight out of Nelson—a nice little Bombardier Q300, no video screens for the safety announcements,
alas—was a little late, so we hit the ground running and didn't let up for the next five hours. First
came TV, then three back to back signings in three downtown stores, then more TV, some radio, and now I'm
trying to decide whether to have a BLT or a pizza as my pre-event snack. Got to keep up the energy levels, right?
Day 26, Part 2
The evening event was in a downtown theater—not sure how many people were in the audience, but I do know
there were more than 500 in the signing line. Or, my hand knows. And my wrist.
Room service coming up ... and then the last day. I've been on the road so long it feels weird to say that.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 (NZ) Day 25, Part 1
Today I went to prison. Only as a guest, though, for Wellington Prison's library and literacy program. The
warden was a little nervous about making me mix with the inmates. I said, you should have seen where I grew up.
You should see where I live now. We call these guys neighbors.
A guy serving six years for arson and armed robbery gave me a chess set he made from papier-mâché and varnish.
A Maori inmate chanted a traditional farewell which ended up with us rubbing noses. I showed him the traditional
NY-style fist bump as an alternative.
The prison was the second stop of the day. First was radio, third and fourth were downtown signings. Then we
flew to Nelson on the South Island. Two points of interest about Air New Zealand: first, there is no security
for the short city-hopper flights. None at all. You just walk in off the street and get on the plane. Second,
the cabin staff in the safety video are naked. Seriously. Only time I ever paid attention, which I guess is the
aim.
Happy Nelsonites for good reason
(NZ) Day 25, Part 2
There's a 1967 E-Type Jaguar parked in the hotel lobby. Not sure why. Manufactured in Coventry, England, same
as me. Non-smoking hotel, though, which is a drag, and weird, in that Nelson is allegedly the weed capital of NZ.
Day 25, Part 3
The evening event was hosted by the local indie bookstore and was held at The Boathouse, a waterfront place. Sold
out and SRO, which is tautologous, given that this is the world capital of, etc, etc. Crowd was appropriately
mellow, questions were fun, signing line was long, and dinner was a room service sandwich, with cheese and Earl
Grey tea.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 (NZ) Day 24
The crowd in Wellington
Excerpt from Lee's schedule today:
TUESDAY, 13 APRIL (AUCKLAND/WELLINGTON)
7AM—Jennifer to collect Lee from hotel 7.40AM—MEDIA INTERVIEW: TVNZ, BREAKFAST - live studio interview. Contact: Renee, *** *** **** 8.10AM—BREAKFAST with principals from The Warehouse (party of 12, Jen has seating plan). Venue: Mecca,
Viaduct Basin 9.10AM—MEDIA INTERVIEW: MORE FM BREAKFAST (Christchurch & Nelson) Phoner with Si & Gary. Venue: Hotel room;
Contact: Bondy, *** *** **** 10.15AM—MEDIA INTERVIEW: phoner with Kristin Edge, to be syndicated through 6 regional APN dailies. Venue:
Hotel room 11AM—CHECK OUT of hotel and drive to Borders 11.30AM—BORDERS’ customer loyalty promo winner "Join Lee Child for an espresso". Venue: Borders Café, Queen St 12-12.30PM—IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING: Borders, Queen St 1-1.30PM—IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING: Whitcoulls Corner, Queen St 1.45PM—Drive to airport and check-in for FLIGHT NZ*** 2.30PM—WHITCOULLS AIRPORT: Meet staff & sign stock 3PM—Go to gate 3.30PM—Depart for WTGN arriving 4.30pm 5.45-8PM—EVENT: LEE CHILD IN CONVERSATION WITH PAUL THOMPSON, (PT is General editorial manager,
Fairfax Media & long-time Reacher fan). Paul & Lee to chat for 40 mins, including a short reading from
Lee, followed by 10 min Q&A & signing. Bookseller: Whitcoulls
Monday, April 12, 2010 (NZ) Day 23
Tuesday's stock on its way out
Beautiful weather here in the North Island—blue skies, sunshine, and a really crisp autumn feel. The day
went like this: radio, breakfast, radio, TV, TV, signing, then lunch.
After lunch we dropped in at the RHNZ offices so I could say thanks to the folks there, especially the warehouse
staff, who are doing a Herculean job just shoveling 61 Hours out the door fast enough to meet demand.
Last year Gone Tomorrow was NZ's second-best-selling book of the year, after Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol,
and this year 61 Hours has already passed GT's whole-year numbers after only three weeks.
Very cool.
The Kiwi copies are printed in Australia—for ease of shipping—from typeset files supplied by London.
The evening event was in a ballroom at the Ellerslie racetrack. Good fun was had by all, especially me.
Sunday, April 11, 2010 (NZ) Day 22
RCs in Takapuna
Eased into it this morning with a civilized 9:45 start and a cup of coffee and a muffin with Graham Beattie
(of the famous Beattie's Book Blog) who will do the conversation part of tonight's "in conversation" format.
Then three sit-and-signs at three branches of The Warehouse, which is NZ's version of CostCo.
Then a short cocktail hour with the winner of a competition that big bookseller Whitcoulls organized through
their loyalty program, and then the aforementioned evening event, which had a large and delightful audience ...
including Our Marcus,
Roanne, Albie and Fergus (who told me he goes by the monikers Gus or Gusto, and it was
easy to see why the latter is appropriate.)
Now room service is bringing me a banana split for dinner. Tomorrow starts soon.
Well, usually they send a limo to pick me up at the airport and drive me to the hotel, but New Zealand is the
world capital of Reacher Madness, so they sent ... a helicopter. Minutes after clearing Customs in Auckland I was
strapped into a sleek black machine heading for a helipad on the roof of a skyscraper in the heart of downtown.
Where the Mayor of Auckland was waiting to greet me. I'm not kidding. Reacher Madness.
Now I'm in a waterfront hotel watching sailboats pass by six floors below. So once again, repeat after me: it's
a hard life, but someone's got to do it.
Promotion starts in earnest tomorrow morning, but before then I'm chilling Kiwi style.
Friday, April 9, 2010 (AU) Day 20
Leaving Sydney
Brisbane
Got up early and flew out of Sydney as the sun was rising and landed in Brisbane an hour later. Both are great
cities in their own way.
The day broke down as follows: 135 minutes of media, 150 minutes of book signing, and 60 minutes of live talking
in the evening at the Dymocks event at the Irish Club. And that was it for Australia. Four days of fun with ace
publicist Alysha, and big crowds and warm welcomes everywhere.
Tomorrow ... New Zealand.
Thursday, April 8, 2010 (AU) Day 19
Dymocks Sydney
Thanks, Alysha!
Up at 5 for a full-on, non-stop 17-hour day ... exactly the kind of day they invented amphetamines for.
Flew (safely, of course) on Qantas to Sydney, and headed straight for breakfast with key local booksellers and
publishing people. Then came TV, and a dash to the Sydney Morning Herald-Dymocks Literary Lunch—a
lot of eating going on today. There were about 550 guests, which meant a mammoth signing line, which meant a
last-minute dash to more TV, which meant we got snarled up in afternoon traffic and were 15 minutes late to the
evening event out in Camden. The audience was patient, though—drinks had been served, and they probably
wished I had been later still, so they could have another round.
Now I'm heading for bed, because tomorrow we're doing it all again—except with an earlier start.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 (AU) Day 18
Mt Barker Community Library
Up at 7 for the flight through a 30-min time zone to Adelaide in South Australia. Wall to wall media all day,
then a ride out to suburban Mt Barker for a seriously packed event at the library. Lovely people, amazing signing
line. Now time for bed, because tomorrow we get serious in Sydney ... looks like we have about ten seconds off
between 6 am and midnight.
Publicist Alysha said we were facing busy days, and she wasn't kidding ... up at 6:30 for a trade breakfast—with
a call-in to a radio show on the way—then more media and a lunchtime sit-and-sign at Angus & Robertson on
Bourke Street, which had a long line of delightful Melburnians in attendance.
Then more media, and the evening event at the fabulous new Wheeler Centre, which was an interview format hosted by
the splendidly named Brisbane writer John Birmingham.
Now I'm ordering dinner, and next I'm going to sleep.
Sunday-Monday, April 4 & 5, 2010 (AU) Day 15 & 16
Tail cam
Melbourne
Well, Qantas maintained its 100% safety record, which is just as well, really, because I just spent 19 hours on
one of its planes. But what a plane ... it was my first ride on the new double-decker Airbus A380—absolutely
huge, noticeably bigger than a 747, very quiet and stable. I had a little cabin all to myself, with a bed big
enough for Reacher himself. I slept about 9 hours on the way to Singapore, then we spent an hour on the ground
refuelling, then I watched a movie and took a nap.
Coolest thing was the Tail-Cam—a forward-facing video camera mounted high in the tail and piped into the
entertainment system. Takeoffs and landings were awesome.
Now I'm on the 38th floor of the Melbourne Sofitel. Just had breakfast, been out for a walk, and now I'm chilling
ahead of what RH Australia publicist Alysha says is going to be a very busy week.
Saturday, April 3, 2010 (UK) Day 14
The only thing to report today was a live hour on BBC Radio 4 this morning ... and that's it for the UK.
Now I'm waiting for the hotel laundry to return some stuff, and then I'm going to pack and head for Heathrow
for the flight to Australia.
More when I arrive there, but in the meantime thanks to all in the UK for a fun
two weeks, and as always special thanks to Patsy and Brad for looking after me so well.
Friday, April 2, 2010 (UK) Day 13
Left-overs, please?
Absolutely nothing to report today ... it's Good Friday and not much is happening here in the UK. I slept
late, and went to my editor's house for a long, lazy lunch. Roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, sweet potatoes,
roast potatoes, asparagus, string beans, sugar snap peas, followed by meringue with blueberries and peaches,
for those keeping score. And coffee. All home made. Great food, lovely company.
Repeat after me: it's a hard life, but someone's gotta do it.
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (UK) Day 12
Bradmobile: green navigation
Started with an 8 a.m. phone interview with an Australian magazine, after which I got up and dressed and climbed
into the New Bradmobile and we drove out of London and past large flat green things that I believe are called
"fields", until we reached Colchester, Britain's most ancient town, where we found Britain's largest signing
line waiting at Waterstone's.
The Crowd at Norwich
Two hours later we were heading for Norwich, where we stopped at Bertrams wholesalers for a mass stock signing.
Then came the Millennium Library in Norwich, where I did a local BBC radio interview and the evening event, which
was the last public event of the tour. They were all terrific. We couldn't have sold more books, except at
gunpoint.
Back in London now, having watched the new Sherlock Holmes movie on the Bradmobile's screens.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 (UK) Day 11
Darley orders a Dagwood
Quiet day, really, involving much eating ...
We drove back to London last night after the event, but I didn't have to get up early. First up was the Daily
Mail Literary Lunch, which was a sparkling affair at the Royal Lancaster hotel, where I used to stay before
discovering the City Inn in Westminster. I appeared with Richard Littlejohn (think a slightly less insane Glenn
Beck type) and we were introduced by the ever-professional Giles Brandreth.
Then ... nothing, except dinner with my agent Darley—a little business, a little gossip, some football talk,
and champagne.
Note to self from Webmaven Maggie: Don't update blog when you're hungry.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (UK) Day 10
The Tobacco Factory
Woke up in Bridport, which was temporarily sunny during the breakfast hour before the whole southwest was
deluged by cold rain. But we made it to Bristol OK and met up with the BBC, who were covering my lunchtime
WH Smiths signing for a Culture Show documentary. There was a long line of lovely people there, so all was
good.
Then we taped the interview segment at the nearby Tobacco Factory arts facility and headed onward to Bath,
where a capacity crowd awaited for the evening event.
Great day, enhanced by the news that 61 Hours stays firmly at number one for a second week.
Monday, March 29, 2010 (UK) Day 9
Mondays in Yeovil
Left London at a civilized hour and headed south and west, first to Yeovil, for the lunchtime gig in the charming
Swan Theatre, where the crowd was large and welcoming. Then onward to Bridport, for the evening event in the
equally charming Electric Palace, a fine old movie house now in use as a multi-purpose venue. The format was an
interview conducted by fellow author and local resident Jason Goodwin. Then we all had dinner at the Bull Hotel,
where we're staying. Some folks don't like Mondays, but this one was fine.
Sunday, March 28, 2010 (UK) Day 8
For some reason there's an NYPD squad car parked behind my London hotel. A movie prop, presumably, and subtly
wrong in that the license plate and the light bar pre-date the car itself.
Just one of the sights I saw on this Sunday off. I went window shopping on the Kings Road, ate a Dutch
pancake, and read the newspapers.
Back to work tomorrow.
Saturday, March 27, 2010 (UK) Day 7
Aston Villa, keepin' it real
Well, you can't always get what you want. 61 Hours might be an instant number one in the UK, Ireland,
Australia and New Zealand, but soccer will always bring a person down to earth. By a lucky chance, my boys
Aston Villa were playing in London today, against Chelsea. Brad is a Chelsea fan, and Brad is a guy who can
Get Things, so he got me a ticket and we went to the game ... and the Villa lost 7-1. They were truly hopeless.
Truly, truly awful. It was their worst defeat for 24 years—and I was at the last one too, in 1986, on my
birthday, no less. Sports fans will understand when I say I would have traded one of the number ones (Ireland,
maybe?) for a win, but it was not to be. Brad was extremely tactful. And at least we had the steak dinner we
didn't have on Thursday night.
Friday, March 26, 2010 (UK) Day 6
Welwyn Garden City Library
Spent most of the day at Transworld's offices doing some publishing-related things, and then headed north to
Welwyn Garden City, the terrifyingly verdant London overspill town where the evening event was held at the
library. Big crowd—including our Dot—and some interesting questions. Good fun, overall, despite all
the green things on open view. Trees, lawns, bushes. At least it was too early in the year for actual flowers.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 (UK) Day 5, Part 1
What sofa?
Got up early in Belfast to get a plane to Manchester, but there was a delay at the airport ... an earlier flight
aborted its takeoff and got stuck at the end of the runway, so the whole place was shut down for two hours. Which
meant we got to Manchester only just in time for the sit-and-sign at the WH Smiths in the Arndale Centre—the
exact store where, on September 1st 1994, I bought the paper and pencil to write Killing Floor. I was
sitting about ten feet from the shelf where it was displayed.
Then we had a sandwich and now we're heading down to Waterstone's on Deansgate for the evening event. Waterstone's
is in what used to be Kendal Milne's furniture department, where I once bought a sofa. Best sofa I ever had. It
lasted about eight years, but eventually Stanley the springer spaniel rotted a hole in it by curling up on it
while damp. It's often damp in Manchester, and springer fur takes a long time to dry.
(UK) Day 5, Part 2
Happy Deansgaters
The Deansgate event was as good as ever, with the traditional large, loyal and welcoming crowd. No traditional
steak dinner afterward, though, as we have to be in London first thing tomorrow, so we drove south straight after
the last book was signed. The transport news this year is that the Bradmobile is now a new Audi wagon. The
on-board entertainment is the same, though. We watched The Orphan on the way down. Now it's nearly 2 am, and time
for sleep.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 (IRE) Day 4
The Movie House Cinema, Belfast
Trivia answer: I didn't have a tooth taken out just before this tour. Dental health excellent. Of course, the
odds get better the fewer teeth you have.
Got up quite early and flew to Belfast in Northern Ireland, a place I used to know well. My father was born
and raised here and we visited my grandparents often. But I haven't been back for 40 years. Everything has
changed quite a lot—except the weather. Still drizzling, just like the day I last left in 1970.
I did TV for the BBC and the commercial channel and visited the No Alibis bookstore, who hosted tonight's event,
which was at a movie house. The format was an interview conducted by crime novelist Brian McGilloway. A fun
evening. Saw my cousin Helen for the first time in 41 years.
Ate a total of three hamburgers today. Who says you can't live well on the road?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 (UK) Day 3
He'd kill that mockingbird.
Trivia question: how does this year's tour differ from the last two? Answer tomorrow. How is it similar?
Answer: in lots of ways, although today started with a BBC interview with the lovely and talented Mariela
Frostrup ... about someone else's book, which was a first. The BBC's Open Book program is doing a special
show about the 50th anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird, so I did my best to sound intelligent about
it this morning. Then came more radio, and a lot of print, and then the annual publication dinner in the
evening ... which, being on a Tuesday, came hot on the heels of the first week's numbers for 61 Hours.
The first 72 hours' numbers, to be accurate, and they were excellent ... in fact the book is already number
one in the UK, which I'm very happy about and very grateful for. Thanks, UK!
We hit the road tomorrow, heading for Belfast. More in 24 hours.
Monday, March 22, 2010 (UK) Day 2
With these lumpy armpits, wouldn't you be worried?
Delta flight 3 took off an hour late due to runway resurfacing at JFK, but had an amazing 120-mph tailwind behind
it all the way, making London in less than six hours—the fastest I have ever made it in 36 years, apart from
one time on the Concorde. Good karma continued with a nice ride into town ... and my room at the hotel hadn't
been given away—for a morning arrival I always have a room booked for the previous night, but usually
(however many times they're told) they decide I'm a no-show around midnight and put someone else in there. But
all was good, so I had a long nap and then strolled around the corner to the Tate Gallery and saw their Henry
Moore sculpture show. Seen en masse, old Henry's stuff comes across as the work of a profoundly anxious man ...
lots of clasped, clenched hands and wrung fingers.
Next up is dinner, and then back to bed before work starts in earnest tomorrow.
By the way, in terms of packing I don't seem to have forgotten anything. Amazing!
Sunday, March 21, 2010 (UK) Day 0 becomes Day 1
Around the world, four weeks, two bags
So, I'm due to leave for London on a day flight, Monday. But things being what they are these days, that flight
is canceled, and after a crazy scramble—every corporate travel department is rebooking like mad—I'm on a
flight that leaves Sunday evening. Ah, the reality of touring. Not a biggie, except that I'm a world-class
procrastinator—never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after that, is my motto—so now I'm
scrambling to get all my ducks in a row before the earlier-than-anticipated departure. Lots to do, like packing,
which is an art form in itself when you've got four solid weeks on the road, to different seasons in both
hemispheres, and you can only take carry-on bags. I'll do my best, but I'm bound to forget something.
More tomorrow, from London. I'll unpack and tell you what I forgot.
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