Five days away from Someone You Can Build A Nest In
Does your drink need a bear trap to keep it safe?
Yesterday I went to Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, NY. They’re an independent bookstore with a deep love of literature. I made a deal with them to carry signed copies of my book for anybody who won’t be at my launch or at the events I’ll be doing this summer. I want signed copies to be able to reach everyone, no matter how far away they are. Oblong Books ships internationally.
This was my first time signing several stacks of books. I could get used to it! It helped that the clerk, Nicole, was very friendly and kept me company. I can’t wait for the next time I get to go back to Oblong Books.
My next stop is New York City. On April 2nd, launch day, I’ll be doing an event live in the Rare Books Room at The Strand. The Strand is a legendary bookstore. In the 1970s, my mom used to pick up Slavic books for my great grandmother while she was building her collection to preserve our family’s culture. To say I’m honored to be there is an understatement.
Anybody who buys a book at the event will naturally get it signed and personalized. I’m playing with some unusual signature ideas right now! Pre-orders are currently sold out, although they’re working on getting more copies in for that night. Tickets to attend are still available, and signing up helps The Strand know logistics like how many chairs to bring in and how much of the space needs to be made available (as well as how many more books they probably need). So it’s super helpful if you can sign up through this form.
But there’s one more thing. If you’ve already pre-ordered my monster book, I have a bonus for you. The folks at DAW Books put together a prize box to promote Someone You Can Build A Nest In, packed with lots of themed goodies. But there’s one item inside that I have to show you.
Shesheshen is a shapeshifter who has to build her body out of whatever parts she can find. Bones are hard for her to generate, so she uses rods for tibias and a chain for a spine. In her chest cavity, she keeps a bear trap. It’s handy when a human gets too close and needs to be bitten. Those of you who read the opening chapter at Tordotcom got a sense of its handiness.
Well…
Yes. DAW Books made a Shesheshen-themed bear trap coaster. It bites your drink.
I cannot stop playing with this thing. It was worth writing the book just to get one of them.
That’s all for today! I’ll check in again soon. Are you all excited to meet my monster?
I'm so happy for you I can't stand it!
This is going to be such an amazing launch, John! I’m so happy for you!