Today, for the first time in 11 years, I was able to casually enjoy the LA Times Book Fest as a "civilian." I had no signings to do, no panels to participate in, nothing to do by browse, listen to the panels, and catch up with old friends.
I chatted at book store booths and at the "VIP" room with T. Jefferson Parker, Barbara Seranella, Michael Connelly, Kirk Russell, Reed Coleman, Jeff Mariotte, Mark Haskell Smith, Leslie Klinger, Patricia Smiley, Bob Levinson, Kevin Roderick, Patt Morrison, Rob Roberge, and 24 writer David Ehrman, among others. I enjoyed panels on Mystery Writing (with Klinger, Roberge, Seranella and John Morgan Wilson) and writing the Short Story (with my brother Tod and A.M. Homes, among others).
For the first time, I didn’t buy a single signed novel at the fest…just a handful of pop culture non-fiction books — ALIAS SMITH AND JONES: THE STORY OF TWO PRETTY GOOD BAD MEN, GUY WILLIAMS: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK, and two Taschen books 70s CARS: VINTAGE AUTO ADS and 60S CARS: VINTAGE AUTO ADS. Compared to past years, that was a meager haul indeed.
Tomorrow promises to be a much busier day, with signings to do at Borders and Mystery Bookstore, and lots of panels I want to attend…
I looked for you high and low and never did find you. Don’t know if I will make it tomorrow. Guess I’ll have to wait for your next signing.
I enjoyed panels on Mystery Writing (with Klinger, Roberge, Seranella and John Morgan Wilson)
Prior to this, I wasn’t familiar with Rob Roberge and I still don’t know anything about his book(s?), but after hearing him during the panel discussion – one aside in particular – he shot to the number one position on my Books to Buy list.
…just a handful of pop culture non-fiction books — ALIAS SMITH AND JONES: THE STORY OF TWO PRETTY GOOD BAD MEN, GUY WILLIAMS: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK
Lee, I’m not sure you’ll get this in time for it to do me any good, but do you happen to remember which booth had these books?
The ALIAS SMITH AND JONES and GUY WILLIAMS came from the Autry Museum booth. The Taschen books came from the Taschen booth.
Thanks, Lee.