Thursday, October 12, 2006

I’ve been waiting for today for a long time

One of the down sides to knowing people in the writing business is that you often know about stuff before it goes public. You read ARCs months before release. I just read Lost Dog and now I’m reading Big City Bad Blood. And something I won’t complain about at all is the ARC of Hard Man by Allan Guthrie – I don’t think that’s coming out until March or April.

No, the real complaint is that you end up anticipating things that much longer. Like today.

Today, I’m going to go see this guy. It compensates for missing both of Mark’s panels at Bouchercon. Although I consider it a tragedy they haven’t just given him a room and a microphone and let him entertain all on his own. Then again, I considered it a tragedy they didn’t do that with Alexander McCall Smith.

I’ve been looking forward to today for months. I’ve known about this for longer than I’ve known I’d have a book published next year, so that gives you some idea of how long I’ve been waiting for today. I promise to report on the event. Meanwhile, we have jokes, and if you need something heavy and thoughtful, you can read my post at Killer Year.

The newfie saw the sign at the restaurant.
It read " Happy hour special: Lobster tail & Beer."
"Ah ," he says to himself , "My 3 favourite things! "

15 comments:

Jen Jordan said...

Chick! They did that in Toronto and it was a packed house. Mark B was in his glory....

Reading arc's does mean a longer wait for the next book. It's almost cruel except there are sooooooooo many books to read.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Oh, I can just imagine! The thing they've got him on on Saturday, if it's same as it was two years ago, you just read from your book to the audience after saying a little bit about yourself. Dead dull.

An absolute waste with a comic talent like Mark.

What I find hardest is, I'm biting my tongue. You want to tell everyone THIS IS A GREAT BOOK but you can't say too much. Which sucks!

Anonymous said...

This domain could possibly gain laurelses if you ask me. This is just absolutely fast plus informatory. - heart burn

Bill Cameron said...

I have been looking for some informatory heartburn, and now I know where to find it!

Have fun, Sandra! (I know you will.)

Sandra Ruttan said...

Well Bill, I do have the tomatoes packed, so I can always entertain myself...

(I'm sure Mark will be great.)

Anonymous said...

Ha! When a newfie gets a little tail, he throws it back!

(You should have seen my face when my born-and-bred Toronto mother told me she was moving to St. John's... "Oh, the jokes!" I thought. "What about the jokes?!")

angie said...

You are the ultimate fan-girl, Sandra. It always cracks me up!

Sandra Ruttan said...

Ha ha BekBek! Yeah, the jokes!

Angie, I know. I really am a big gushing fan. Depending on who you talk to it makes me cute or supremely annoying. Or in your case, amusing.

Anonymous said...

I'll give this site full marks.It's because if it's utilised to it's broad potential , it would make your job much easier. - tropical fish

Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Series said...

Wow! Mark Billingham! That rocks! Friggin' awesome.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Trace, if you could get yourself down to TO, you could see him and Michael Connelly together next week, I believe. October 21:

http://www.markbillingham.com/diary.html

Bill, the Wildcat said...

I can definitely appreciate the ARC thing. I've gotten to enjoy a lot of ARCs this year, including the book I'm reading now (FEAST OF SOULS by C.S. Friedman). Earlier this year, I enjoyed David Robbins' ASSASSINS GALLERY before it came out, too. I was so disappointed to see that book not do as well as it should have. That was a really good book... but then, that's another post, I imagine.

JT Ellison said...

I hope it was spectacular! Looking forward to the report back.

Anonymous said...

Make sure the poor thing doesn't freeze to death Sandra. I know he was worried about that. norby

Unknown said...

I like the title of your post. It makes me want to write something around it. Hope all is well.