Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 15:28:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFAList at KeithLynch.net
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Tom Clancy & V. C. Andrews . . .
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

"Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu> wrote:

> For those who subjected themselvesto the Tom Clancy signing at Olssons:
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/admin/emailfriend?contentId=A530=
> 78-2002Jul23&sent=yes

That URL doesn't work.  (Yes, I know to delete the trailing equal
sign and append the second line.)  Possibly the article has expired.
I believe Washington Post articles are only online for two weeks.

I did go to Thursday's signing, and I was appalled.  People stood in
line outdoors in 95 degree heat without water for two hours or more.
Tom Clancy arrived late, in a long black chauffeured limousine, and
entered the store without apologizing and without pausing momentarily
to be photographed.  Also, he gave no talk nor did he read from his
works.

Only after he had been signing books for a while did the bookstore
staff announce that he would only be signing his new book, _Red
Rabbit_, which is only available in hardback.  It was also announced
that he would do no personalization, but would only sign his name.

I had brought all my Clancy books with me, all paperbacks, on which I
had spent more than $150 over the years.  Although the store assured
me when I phoned a week ago, that he would sign all of them, I thought
there might be a three book limit.

After I heard the announcement, I stayed in line, having already
invested three hours.  I'd rather hear Clancy tell me himself than
take the store's word for it.  And even if he won't sign anything, at
least I'd be able to chat with him for 30 seconds or so.

But I wasn't even allowed near him.  Not just because of the store
staff.  He has personal bodyguards!  I was made to feel very unwelcome.

I wasn't the only one.  Several people had brought cameras, but could
only get pictures of the backs of several people standing in front of
the table he was behind.

I had been looking forward to buying _Red Rabbit_ in paperback.  And
all the other books he may write in the future.  But now, I think I'll
just read them in the library instead.
--
Keith F. Lynch - kfl at keithlynch.net - http://keithlynch.net/
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