Scalzified

[calimac]

I read John Scalzi's blog, I've read a couple of his novels, why not go to his reading session at Books Inc. in Mtn View, since he was coming all this way anyway? So I did; large crowd but I stood over at the side, where the books are, and browsed shelves while waiting for the event to start. He read us a chapter from the novel-in-progress, about which I don't think I'm supposed to say anything,* and some amusing pieces from his past writing-humor-for-AOL career. Then he took questions, giving a long involved answer to one about his policy of only attending conventions with full policies on harassment.

As the event moved into book-signing mode, I ran into friends with a clever plan. They would duck out and have dinner, and come back later when the line had drifted down. I'd already eaten, but I accompanied them and nibbled a bit. We went to an Indian restaurant called Shazam. That can't be right.

When we came back, however, the signing line was still long. Popular guy.

*Though I will say that Scalzi's penchant for writing amusingly snarky dialogue continues unimpaired, even when the characters are the last sort of people you'd expect to hear talk that way.

Comments

[athenais.livejournal.com]

I am very fond of John Scalzi. He writes some pretty good books, though I don't love them to pieces, and he is one hell of a blogger and a great guy. And yet I am amazed at his career. It is just astonishing how popular he is. I have rarely been around someone so universally appealing.

[anderyn.livejournal.com]

Did you get anything signed?

I picked up the audio version of his new book, "Lock In" and it's quite enjoyable, thus far. Doesn't hurt that Wil Wheaton is narrating it.