Back when I was promoting Dancing Barefoot, (which has gotten a really nice bounce in sales this last week — I’m sure because of WWdN readers — so thank you!) I talked about it a LOT on my site. Partly, that was because Barefoot-related things dominated my life at the time . . . but it was also because I’ve been told (and experienced firsthand) that books only sell as well as their authors promote them. This is the best way I have to promote my books on my own, so I’m going to do that in the coming months. I just want to be honest about that right now. If this sort of thing bugs you, stop reading now, and go check out the best combination since Gretzky and Kurri: They Might Be Giants and Homestar Runner. Seriously, you guys.
Still here? Okay. Here are a few mid-morning Geek things:
- There’s another excerpt from Just A Geek at California Authors dot com. I am a huge fan of California Authors, and it’s very exciting to be mentioned by them.
- I’ve been thinking a lot about how to describe Just A Geek, because I’ve already heard a lot of people (especially booksellers) mistakenly assuming it’s a typical celebrity bio (it’s really not. I worked very hard to avoid that trap, and I hope it’s more David Sedaris than David Caruso) or a Star Trek book. I’m working hard to correct this misunderstanding (and hopefully reverse the “pushback” it’s created), thusly: Just A Geek is as much a story about Star Trek as Stand By Me is a story about walking down train tracks to find a dead body — sure, it’s part of the story, but it’s not what the story is about. It’s really a story about my journey from trying to be someone (or something) to please everyone else, to discovering that I’m happiest when I’m just myself — Just A Geek.
- I hear that the major chains are shelving Geek in Television, or in Sci-Fi. I’m not too crazy about that, because I think it belongs in Biography. So if you’re looking for it in Biography, and you can’t find it, go look in Television. I’m trying to get them to move it, but so far I’ve been unsuccessful. And if you really want to help me out, you could ask for it, even if you already own it, or don’t plan on buying it. That sort of customer inquiry filters back to Bookstore Mountain, and the Bookstore Overlords may decide to give it some better shelving in stores. If that happens, I’ll . . . uh . . . well, I can’t afford to buy everyone a cookie, so I’ll just have to offer even more of my eternal gratitude 🙂
- I have three confirmed readings and signings for August: August 6 at Powell’s Technical Annex in Portland, August 15 at Borders in Hollywood (on Sunset and Vine! Cool!) and August 21 at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. I’m also working on a SUPER COOL event at the ACME. If that goes off well, I could end up with something very cool.
- I’ll be on The David Lawrence Show this Thursday from 7-10 PDT to talk about Just A Geek, and I’m sure I’ll get to read some selections from it. I’ll post all the specific information about it on Thursday.
That should do it for today. Thanks for listening! Go reward yourself with Corporate MoFo’s hilarious explaination of The DaVinci Code. (I’ll admit it: I read the DaVinci Code, and I enjoyed it. It’s the first “popcorn” book I’ve read since Hunt for Red October) CMF wins a cauldron of bonus points, too, for working Frank Zappa and Frank Capra into the same column. Good work, Ken!
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
w00t! First post!
The ever important first post huh Pamster?
I really really need to go order myself a copy of “Just a Geek” I absolutely cannot wait to read it.
XOXO
M
You’re coming to Portland! YAY! That just made my morning :).
Glad you’re coming to Portland! I stole my boyfriend’s copy of “Just a Geek” before he got to read it and so far, its excellent.
I always thought a ‘Television’ section in the bookstore was a bit of a goof. Hope you get the placement you’re pulling for soon.
I wish I lived in a cooler place. We always get screwed over in Norfolk, VA. Though Shatner showed up once for the first Star Trek convention I ever went to…I was only 10 and those people kind of scared me…
*mope*
Anyway, I can’t believe people would be that dumb to categorize it as any sort of typical literature. What I love most about the writing is that it is so honest and emotional…and there’s no elitism in it.
I hope no one compares it to Star Trek Memories or I Am (or Not) Spock.
I just picked up the book at Powell’s Technical this weekend, and read it all that same day. It was awesome. Truly. I seriously laughed and cried, and not in fake movie-promo way.
Anyway, I think they had it in the “internet culture” section or something like that. It took me a bit to find it. However, they had posters all over the freaking store about your appearance on the 6th. Oh, and they had Dancing Barefoot up right next to the register! Next to some Buckminster Fuller postcards. And when I bought it the guy said, “Hot off the presses!” all cheerfully.
Anyway, congrats on the book! It is great.
So, will you be making your way across the country? To, say, Boston? It is, of course, a very geek-filled area!
Just finished the book last night and loved it. Passing it off to my bf, who doesn’t like Star Trek (except for singing the battle music from the old show) and doesn’t read your site but really wants to read the book. Rock!
Cool. Thanks for the tip about that DaVinci Code thing. I read that book and enjoyed it, too… even though it was almost like a choose-your-own-adventure book. I really had it figured out pretty quickly, but it was still entertaining. 🙂 I’ll follow that link later, but just wanted to say thanks and I think you handled that whole post very well.
Can’t wait to read Just A Geek. Hope it’s not as hard to find as Dancing Barefoot (In Michigan, none of the major/local bookstores seem to have it)
Of course theres always the internet but, it’s just a last resort for me.
Anyway, hope you have a good day!!
It’s funny that you mentioned this Wil. I was in a chain bookstore (B. Dalton) this past weekend and I was looking for Dancing Barefoot. The first place that I looked was in Biography, by the way, but I couldn’t find it. Next I was going to check in Sci-Fi since you were in ST:TNG but I asked the lady at the register and she looked it up and found it but their store doesn’t carry it. Hopefully my little inquiry will get them to stock it.
hello Will, strange you should mention ‘Stand By Me’ as you were name checked in a BBC radio documentary about the song on BBC Radio 4, broadcast at 1.30pm in the ‘Soul Music’ series. It should be available on the BBC’s playback feature.
Soooo….in that big gap of time between August 6 and 14 you could theoretically be anywhere for more possible signings…say, anywhere between Portland and LA…like, San Fran (natch) or…ooh, how about Eureka, CA? We’d like that a lot. *rediculous, pleading grin*
well, except for mondschein’s use of the word irregardless, the article was spot on.
I just finished Just a Geek last night. It was a great read. It even brought tears to my eyes at some points. I did think it was funny that the subject listed on the back cover is Sci Fi/Biography since it really has nothing to do with Sci Fi. I’m glad to see you are coming to San Diego; I will definitely try to make it. As I mentioned in a previous post, my cats enjoyed the book, too. They both made sure to mark it as theirs.
I have compared Just a Geek, when asked, to Nimoy’s book I Am Spock, in that I think they’re both books about someone’s growth as they move from one place in their life to another, about coming to terms with the things they can’t change as they change the things they can, and both taking place during and in and around the phenomenon that is Star Trek, containing personal anecdotes that give the reader insight into Trek, into show business in general, and most compellingly, into the writer. I wonder who will be DS9 or Voyager or Enterprise’s Wil? It’s happened twice, now–it’s a tradition!
Thanks for a great read. I’ve been recommending it to all my friends, and on my own weblog.
Zettgrl, I was just about to post the same thing.
How could a writer use that word? Tsk.
Must order a copy of Just A Geek so that I can go stand in line to get it signed!
Argh! Coporate MoFo used the word “irregardless!” My inner English language nerd screams in abject agony and terror!
Oh, sorry, off topic.
Carry on.
I totally understand how the use of “irregardless” is irksome, but it does make me wonder…
If it was a cool bastardization like so many other words that people on the net created out of short”hand” necessity, humor, & attitude… then would “irredgardless” be “unirksome”???
Just my 2cc brain center giving it’s 2 cents. [plus, I get change!]
Re: the article, I agree with the reviewer’s recommendation of Perez-Reverte’s “The Club Dumas.” Good stuff, that. But avoid the Depp movie based on it, “The Ninth Gate.”
Elliott Bay Books in Seattle loves to do Book Signings. Their Website: http://www.elliottbaybook.com/
I know that we would love to have you up here for a visit. 🙂
Wil,
Do you know what times you’ll be at the various signings? For those of use who live near, but not in the cities where you’ll be promoting, it would really help to know what time to show up! (I’m sure it’s worth an hourlong drive… 😉
Hey Wil! I just ordered Just a Geek from my local bookstore and I can’t wait to read it. Dancing Barefoot was a great book and I’m looking forward to reading more of your stories…and to repeat what someone else said, come to Boston!!!!
I already threw a fit (not really, but basically) at my local B&N) when they didn’t have Danicng Barefoot, so another trip is in order to see if they have JAG, and where it’s filed…
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do some East Coast signings! If I must bow and make offerings to the uberlords at O’Reilly, I will. Even just a stop in NYC would rule, I’d totally drive out for that one! In other words: The East Coast Monkeys Want Wil!
And hey, don’t worry about promoting yourself on the site. Since I have a band and write FanFiction in my spare time (when I have it), I do alot of shameless self-promotion as well. We all have to do it. Won’t bother me at all, nor will it take away from my WWdN fix…
I haven’t read The DaVinci Code, but I did pick up one of Dan Brown’s other books, Digital Fortress. It’s kind of a combination of a Clancy-esque or Ludlum-esque spy thriller with cryptography (not quite as good as Cryptonomicon, but definite geek material). It was definitely worth picking up the paperback at Costco.
Now I’ll have to hit up the Tattered Cover in Denver (subliminal hint to Wil? Hmm?) and see if they have JAG in stock. Rock rock on!
There are probably a few out there like me- who ordered both from Amazon last week. I’ve wanted both and they were both available. (Made a lot of people glad when I mentioned this in a thread on /. – I guess Dancing Barefoot was not available recently or something?) Anyway there are probably a lot of folks out there like me who kind of put it off- and now are grabbing both. The tracker thing tells me they will be waiting for me when I get home today.
Erbo – I also enjoyed Digital Fortress. Enjoyable, and also reasonably technically accurate (I’m a computer nerd). This is contrasted with Jeffrey Deaver’s The Blue Nowhere, which had a well-written style, but got several of the technical details wrong, which irked me.
Have to find JAG now 🙂
Wil,
I would love to read your book. But at the prices it is currently selling in Canada: $36.95 ($25.86 on sale) for a paperback, it is just too expensive. I will have to wait for it to show up at my library.
Why is Just a Geek so expensive? Paperbacks here are generally in the $10-$12 range.
Arwen
Hi Wil,
I am so glad to here that you were coming back to Powell’s Techinical Annex in Portland. I got my copy of “Dancing Barefoot” signed there too. I didn’t realize till I was reading JAG, that that was your very first book signing. I remember how excited I was that day to hear you read, and get my book signed, so it was cool to know that those of us there were part of your first signing. That is cool! Looking forward to it again!
Wil,
Thought you might be interesting in a possible reason the booksellers are shelving your book in the Television and Film or SciFi sections. I’ll warn all the other posters, this could be a bit boring.
I used to be a Library Technician, and one of the classes I had to take was in Cataloguing and Classification–ie, where do you put the stuff so people can find it. Most small booksellers go by the same rules as libraries, and most libraries (particularly those using the Dewey Decimal system) no longer have a dedicated Biography section.
Instead, they classify books based on other criteria. For example, a biography of Norman Schwarzkopf would likely be found in the U.S. Military History section. Similarly, a book on the history of the Motown record label would be found with either books about business in Detroit, or Music.
Because you’ve included the words “Star Trek” in your subtitle, some cataloguer probably decided that it was the biography of someone who had been in a Television show or Film. Or, they could consider it “companion reading” for those ubiquitous Star Trek series books. Either way, it means your book will be found in strange places.
Oh, and before anyone else says it, YES, the Dewey Decimal system sucks rocks.
TMBG, You rock!
I owe you one.
I’m eagerly waiting for JAG; unfortunately for some reason amazon.co.uk has decided that it’s going to take 4 to 6 weeks for them to get me a copy.
Re-checking “your account”, it seems they have upgraded that to 1 to 2 weeks.
Bah.
Alternative Explanation
I got the funniest email from Amazon this week, recommending JAG. Can someone explain this?
“We’ve noticed that customers who have purchased I’m Just Here for the Food: Food + Heat = Cooking also purchased books by Wil Wheaton. For this reason, you might like to know that Wil Wheaton’s Just a Geek is now available in paperback. You can order your copy at a savings of 32% by following the link below.”
Hmmmm… something I didn’t know about this crowd!
still loving JAG.
Hey, everyone read the link Wil posted to “Corporate MoFo’s hilarious explaination of The DaVinci Code”. In paragraph seven, the author used the fake word “irregardless”. As discerning WWDN readers know, you can use “regardless” or “irrespective. “Irregardless” is not a word. Write the editors of the New York Post and help them with basic vocabulary.
Can I add my “voice” to those clammoring for a more east coast visit. Well, I’ll settle for midwest. Any state around the Ohio river will do for me. 🙂
We want to share the love to wil. Hope you can overcome your not liking to travel. The fans will make it worth it!
Congrats again!
At Chapters ( http://chapters.indigo.ca ), I found (and subsequently bought, just last week) Dancing Barefoot on a shelf marked “Science – General”. Very helpful.
I just recieved your book “Just a Geek” in the mail! I couldn’t wait for it to arrive!! I’ve already devoured the first 50 or so pages.. I would’ve read more if I wasn’t dog-tired. I also recieved one of your Autographed Dancing Barefoot books. I really loved taht one and I’m sure when I’m finished, I’ll have loved this one with just as much vigor! Keep writing.. don’t stop now!! 🙂
I have a book by Eric S. Raymond as well! (*The New Hacker’s Dictionary, 9th Edition (I believe it’s the 9th printing?) It’s really good.. and it’s awesome that you got the opportunity to meet him.
Have a great day! 🙂
Hey Wil,
Just to let you know Amazon.co.uk are being real slow at getting your book. Didn’t have this problem with Dancing Barefoot but after pre-ordering months ago and getting a delivery estimate of July 5th…still nothing.
I don’t know if there’s anything you can do to satisfy the needs of your UK fans and I also wondered if anyone else in “blighty” was having the same problem…
Chris
dude! August 15th at Borders H’wood! I love that store. That means you can take the MTA Red line there and see a movie at the Arclight too. Wee!
Wil,
I thought I’d let you know that I found Just A Geek at the front of the Borders book store in North Attleboro, MA. It was featured in the New Non-Fiction section. There were a whole column of your books, right at the entrance!
I just thought you’d like to know that it isn’t always hidden back in the Television section 🙂
Didn’t see Just a Geek, but hubs & I did see Dancing Barefoot in the Sci-Fi section of our local B&N. Didn’t have the cash on us, but we will be getting it soon.
Portland will represent. See you on the 6th Wil!
Oh, I’m so there at the Sunset and Vine signing! I work at the CNN studios a block away – how frightfully convenient! (And my folks are up in Portland, and will be thrilled that you have a confirmed date at Powell’s. Yes. It’s a family affair, geeky.)
BOOK TOUR!!!!!
Cool! My calendar is marked and alarm is programmed!
I can’t wait, Wil!
Scott
BOOK TOUR!!!!!
Cool! My calendar is marked and alarm is programmed!
I can’t wait, Wil!
Scott
I work at a Borders, and we don’t have a Biography section at all, so I think that your book ended up in TV as the next-best alternative. I checked our inventory computer a week or two ago, and we had “Just a Geek” on order … I’m sure it’s there, or will be soon! If your book tour hits the Seattle area, come do a signing at my Borders in Bellevue, WA! That would be SO cool! (More exclamation points!!!)
I don’t have a copy yet, but it sounds great and I’ll be ordering one soon from O’Reilly. By the way, it’s insanely easy to get a wholesale discount from them at rather low volumes, if any readers are in the mood to try reselling Wil’s book.
Wil,
Keep up the good work. Everyone, seems to be having a good time with this book.
FG
congrats on the bio, though i think you should have titled it:
“i’m with slashdot. we don’t lie.”
I am jazzed about the Pee Wee Herman reference in the chapter posted on O’Reiley’s website. Just put in my order, will be here tomorrow, i cant wait to read it. I read Dancing Barefoot in one sitting and loved it . I miss the times you would co-host Call For Help, I know there are looking for a new Co-host for screensavers, it would be rad if you got the job. no worries if you dont. thanks for the great page.