First post! Good luck Wil.

Is this book tour bringing you to the East Coast per chance? I'd love to hear you read.....and get my book signed....

Hi Wil,
I read Dancing Barefoot and I thought it was great. I can't wait to get Just A Geek.
I do have one question for you. I am a big U2 fan and I was wondering on what album does U2 cover Pattie Smith's Dancing Barefoot? I guess it could be a movie soundtrack.
Listening to the song Dancing Barefoot while reading your book would totally add to the experience of reading the story.
Later,
Chris

hi wil,

(longtime lurker here...) just echoing the question, and plea, for you to extend your tour to the east coast. dc!! i'm a huge fan and would love to have my book signed. best of luck to you!

I'll be there with kitty shoes in tow!

Woo hoo! Karen and I will be there with little Ben in tow. We're really looking forward to it!

theanonymousbrit: You need to buy a copy at MG to get it signed, but you might be able to attend the reading without it.

As Chris said, you will have to buy a copy at MG to get in the autograph line (they told me) but anyone can attend the reading.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow Wil....Just got back from picking up my copy and my ticket!

Hmm. I'm a little disappointed w/ the whole idea of a "ticketed" signing, especially when the store's charging full cover price for an author's work. It also punishes those who already bought the book, tho I suppose it's their right to do so. Doesn't mean I can't feel disappointed. I was just in there a half hour ago: it's a pretty tiny store...I think there will be fans hanging out the windows for air!

Best of luck to you tomorrow, Wil. I'm confident it'll go really well. I'll drive past and wave around 2pm or so, just to see the line out the door.

Please include Canada on your book tour. "Just a Geek"'s popularity is growing here. I can't wait to get my copy.
Best wishes.

Ya know, I've had the hardest time finding a copy of Just a Geek. Borders in my area didn't have it..though their computer claimed they did...Barnes and Noble didn't have it. I guess I'll buy it from Amazon.

I did think Dancing Barefoot was rockin'...especially the "WILLIAM F**KIN SHATNER!" part....

Bryan

Okay, is anyone camping out tonight in front of MG? I hope you're ready for the hordes of fans.

TO CHRIS:

U2 covered "Dancing Barefoot" on an import CD single for "When Love Comes To Town" w/B.B. King and it later showed up on their 1st "Best Of" 1980-1990 collection. But only on the Limited Edition 2 CD version. Those that bought the single CD version of the "Best Of" missed out on a TON of great U2 b-sides, covers and originals. Scope it out!

Boy I'm glad I was paying attention to my LJ friend's page today. I'll be there, went and picked up a copy of the book earlier today - and yeah, that store *IS* kinda small, isn't it? o.O

When are you going to bring the Geek tour to Minnesota? You could try and set up a book signing in the Mall of America, or something. I'd then have a chance to heckle you.....

Err, I mean buy a book and get it signed

My family and I are driving down from Orange County for this. Hope you have a great turnout. Not sure how awake I will be as I am working the graveyard shift tonight, but I know it will be worth the 4 hrs. sleep I get before I get on the road. Good Luck tomorrow.

Also, had one of the embarassing moments you discussed several days ago. We were in the Jack in the Box drive thru line and I read the poster about "... this is your last chance to get dessert,... unless you want to drive around again"

I found this amusing so I read it to the kids in the car. They couldn't figure out why this was funny and my 10 yr. old son was rolling his eyes, and scrunching way down in his seat. A mile down the road they were still asking why I thought it would be funny to drive around again. Someday they will understand.

It would be so cool to have you here in the High Desert. There are 10 or 12 of us who read up here and I know Judy (ScragglyJane) would love to actually meet you. She's the one that turned me on to you. She speaks of you and your wife all the time.

Good Luck tommorow.. not that I think you need it.. but I am wishing you well just the same. ;)

My family and I will be driving down from Orange County, too, for the signing. Didn't know that there will be a reading, too. Bonus!!

I've been saving my JAGinity all summer for this event. I was also surpised by the "ticketed event" deal, but I suppose the trade off for paying full retail price at MG over Amazon's discount is to be allowed to have a minute or two of exclusive "Wil time".

As far as camping out over night goes, when I ordered my books over the phone a few weeks ago, I was told I was #'s 8 & 9. Wouldn't this numbering system imply a preorganized line? Or would there be separate lines for the reading and the signing? Too late to call MG tonight.

Oh, well. Que sera, sera. See y'all manana!

Good luck Wil!

You will be great. I saw you in Las Vegas and you were fantastic!
Have fun:)
Chris

Any chance that your book tour will take you to the Midwest -- say, Minneapolis? How about a book signing at the Mall of America as suggested by another commenter? I'd love to attend a reading -- but I'd probably be too shy to have you autograph my copy of JAK. :-)

I'm happy that good things keep coming your way! Sending more MOJO.

How is your friend Kris doing? What ever happened to that kitty of yours that was so sick a while back?

Have a great time, Wil. You'll knock 'em dead.

I've got a copy of Dancing Barefoot and Just a Geek now, from my local Chapters in Barrie, Canada. They're brilliant. I know you've already heard this, but I want you to hear it from me: you're a truly great writer.

/Sigerson

at 4am this morning, i finished JAG in one sitting. it made me laugh and made me cry on more than occasion, but most importantly to me, it made me appreciate someone that i have never met who shares the same struggles as my best friend.

matt's an incredibly talented singer and actor, fresh out of school, who wants to make it in musical theater. unfortunately, he's not what you would call, to borrow a term from wil, "edgy." he looks like the "every man" and happens to be a robust 6'7. one almost never sees either of those on stage these days, especially not together.

thanks for giving me a little insight into your psyche, wil. it was a fantastic read. i look forward to more of your work. and guess who's getting his own copy of your book.

You have nothing to worry about, Wil. After seeing you at Borders I know you'll do great!

I STRONGLY advised every person in that part of California to drive whatever distance is necessary be at the reading!

The Mysterious Galaxy reading was fabulous and I loved finally hearing you in person, Wil. The total dorking out I experienced while talking to you in the signing line can only be blamed on the fact that I shouldn't talk to celebrities. Ever. What I should have said to you was, you are inspiring, I love your website and admire your writing. Thanks for being there.

First post, just discovered the site. Also, I just finished "Just A Geek" and posted a review on Barnes and Noble.com (will be visible once they approve it).

Two words: East Coast.
More words: Orlando, Florida.
Also: When?
Plus: Thanks for a great read! (I'm not one to squander exclamation points, but you earned it).

Do you have a whole tour planned, If you come to Phoenix I'll make sure to be there.

I blogged Wil's San Diego event today at my brianstorms blog -- complete with photos!

http://www.brianstorms.com/archives/000421.html

Wil,
Enjoyed the reading. Enjoyed even more just meeting with you afterwards. You will be glad to know that my 14 year old stepson thinks your funny and cool. He even wants to read the book after I finish with it.

Sure wished we could have downed that Guiness and cursed the traffic together.

Regards,
Dennis

Just putting in my plea along with the others for you to come to the East Coast Wil. NYC would love to have you!

And here you were nervous about the potential success/failure of JAG. Looks like JAG is a rousing hit, as is the man that wrote it.

Good job, Wil! And good luck with the Geek Tour! Now, can we PLEASE get an East Coast stop somewhere near PA? *drops to knees and begs O'Reilly to set it up*

Great to meet your, Mr. Wheaton. Will be interested to see any future publications.

Glad to hear the touring is going well. Still awaiting the day you come up to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Hope you will one day.

OMG, Wil!! Come to Hawaii!! Please please please!

So Wil,

How did it go?

DAMNIT!!!! I'm not in San Diego anymore!! Can you come to Helena, Montana??

"the perfect blend of geek and non-proliferation"

I also blogged the event. Check it out here:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/kungf00/156468.html

Thanks Wil for comin' down to San Diego!

Love the site, I am a long time fan. Hope you don't mind, but I am promoting your site to everyone that reads my site. If possible I would like to get a .jpg of that WWdN pic to put on my site (geocities won't load .bpm's). Enjoy life, and everything in it, because noone gets out alive.

Heh, first time posting here....hadda comment on your quote in this months Wizard though. GJ man :)....

GEEKS Assemble

Rtn

A big Thanks to edwoodca. I just got the limited edition Best of U2 1980 to 1990 with the cover of Patti Smith's Dancing Barefoot.

East coast! East Coast! East Coast!
What about us "eastern liberal elites?"
Don't ignore us!

Maryelizabeth and MG rock. =) Wish I could've made it to the reading/signing (parents in town, not their scene). I imagine it was a pretty cool perspective for you, thinking about how far your writing career has progressed since the last time you were there. Hope the rest of the signings go well (and involve less traffic).

I've been to other signings where I've been asked to buy the book, and there seem to be some sound business reasons for it. The bookstore needs to report their sales of the book, not just how many people attended, to places like publishers and bestseller lists, etc. And they have costs associated with hosting author events. Plus, you know, it just seems like good manners. You wouldn't plan a dinner at McDonald's and show up with a bag from Jack In the Box, right?
Had a very nice time at the signing, Wil, and it was worth the weight.

Do you have any plans to do an appearance/appearance-and-signing in the Seattle area at any point in the foreseeable future? I wanted to get down to Portland, but couldn't, since I'm in the grips of packing for a move. And I'm lazy. And I didn't feel like driving. Look, we would have had to ride in my Camaro or my friend's Toyota. I know, I know. We totally would have taken the Camaro. So how about Seattle?

To sapphowillow:
I might, however, buy McDonald's food at a nearby place that was 40% cheaper, and then go to another higher-priced McDonald's that had something cool I wanted to see.

Mysterious Galaxy seemed to acknowledge that their full book price was kinda ridiculous in this day and age, and thus tied it to being able to get Wil's sig. Totally understandable, I guess, but disappointing nonetheless.

Wil,
I've enjoyed reading your blog over the last year; so much so that in honor of both of our 32nd birthdays (mine is about two weeks after yours) that I went out a bought JAG!
Thanks for keeping your blog and giving us a chance to get to know a part of you!

Independent book stores have a lot to compete with since most large chains (ie.. Amazon, Borders, BN) get large discounts from publishers because they can order thousands of a single book. Most independents have signings and author appearances as a service to customers, but also to bring customers in. When you buy a book from a small store like MG, you are supporting a company that 1. is as interested in books and authors as you are, and 2. is competeing with a very large national chain. For small businesses to survive, people need to buy items there. I don't fault MG for asking you to purchase a book there to get it signed, if nobody bought the book from them, they couldn't carry it AND couldn't have authors like Wil come down and spend time talking to fans. Remember what Wil said about MG supporting him on Barefoot - I bet none of the big chains wanted him to do a signing for them then.

That said, I was there on Saturday and thought Wil was great!

I posted to my blog 3 weeks ago about the San Diego book signing after briefly talking with you about it in Las Vegas.

http://binarywolf.com/blog/2004/08/wil-wesley-crusher-wheaton.html

Ironically I was out of town (San Diego) during this appearance, however it was fun reading some of the well written comments made by those who were there.

It's great to see things went so well for you at Borders, Will. I can't wait to buy your book! Also, I wanted to shout out for River Phoenix's birthday. He would have been 34 years old today. He is truly missed.

Wish I could be there. You best be coming to Seattle. Oh, you seem to like interesting, quirky blogs - seen this one? (not porn!!)

http://privatedick.blogspot.com

HOW WEIRD IS THIS!YOUR BOOK ARRIVED TO ME ON RIVER's BIRTHDAY!!It reminded me of "Stand By Me" of course.Just a Geek....Gordie!!

East coast please. DC pretty please.

Word, Cindy - those are EXACTLY the things I wanted to point out after reading James' post. Independent bookstores are a dying breed and they should be supported in whatever way possible.

The thing about going into Mysterious Galaxy is that the clerks are so much more knowledgable about the genres they sell than in the "big box" stores; they can offer good info about the authors you like and suggest other reading based on your preferences. They're people who work in a bookstore because they love books, not just college kids looking for a part-time job that doesn't involve paper hats and fry grease. Going in there has a small-community feel to it, and the signing events are, I think, more personal and informal than in a big-box. Along with bigger independents like Powell's, they did help Wil at a time when the larger stores may not have been enthused, and helped give momentum to his efforts to promote his writing and eventually get a larger book deal.

So to me, it's worth paying a little more to support excellent small businesses like MG.