From Nora -- added on Wednesday,
March 28, 2001 @ 7:30 P.M. |
Beth
|
Diane
|
Joanne
(added 4/1 @ 4:15
P.M.)
Warmer here. 35 degrees felt absolutely
spring-like after Cleveland. Short flight but it
doesn't seem to matter to my system. Plane travel
always leaves me strung out and punchy for an hour
or so after arrival.
Escort whisked me off to some stock signings. By
the third stop I found myself desperate for alcohol
and tobacco. LOL. I forgot how pretty Milwaukee is
though. The lake, and the neighborhoods, the great
old buildings downtown. But my hotel is the best of
all. I'm so happy to see it.
Dump my stuff. Smoke. Ahh, some of those edges
are smoothing off already! Clean up, start to feel
human. Put things in order and go down to the
pretty lobby bar and call home over a champagne
cocktail. We're rolling again.
Out to the mall and Waldens, where my schedule
tells me there'll be a little reception afterward
for some local writers, hosted by a Susan Curtis
whom I met some years back. I think, huh, I don't
remember any Susan Curtis. I knew a Sharon Curtis
and her husband Tom who used to write wonderful
books and were great fun to hang out with.
When we get there, I see the line snaking all
the way around the second level of the mall and
adjust my mental time clock for length of signing.
And walk in and see it IS Sharon. What a
great kick to see her again. Wish I had more time
here so I could spent an hour with her and catch
up.
But it's work time. This store has pulled in a
hell of a crowd. One young woman tells me my books
started her reading. That's always the biggest
compliment. Everyone's so happy, so cheerful. Well,
except for the one woman who cried when we spoke. I
never know what to do about that.
Lots of books, lots of pictures.
Then we have a little cheese and fruit and I do
a very informal Q&A for the writers.
Drive home. Oh yeah, the escort has told me her
daughter is very jazzed I was coming in. She'd read
the excerpt of The Villa in Cosmo and
wanted the book. Kathy tells me that's a first for
her girl. Very flattering.
My little late supper is waiting for me when I
get into the room. I gobble it down, set out stuff
for Chicago and fall into bed.
My pal Bill, the fabulous mid-west escort, will
be driving me into Chicago this morning. Looking
forward to that.
Don't feel tired so much as dopey. Brain's
getting mushy. And my neck and shoulders are one
huge knot. Nothing new there though.
Nora
From Beth
Hi!
We just saw Nora last night in Milwaukee. She
was wonderful and very gracious about signing all
six of my books, even writing Happy Birthday to my
80 year old aunt on one. She even poised for
pictures with us. The staff at the bookstore were
very friendly. It was well worth the hour and a
half drive. Thanks, Nora! Sincerely Beth S.
From Diane
My drive to Milwaukee was pretty much
uneventful. I had one turn around when I stopped at
Barnes and Noble and asked how to get a number for
the signing. What signing. Nora was here this
morning. Oops. Wrong bookstore. The man was very
accommodating. He said it was in the mall next to
Sears. I did not have to drive very far since it
was right down the street. (At least I wasn't
driving to driving to Chicago.)
I arrived at the mall and started to look around
for Walden Books. Where to start. Looked up and saw
a line of people. Looked good to me so I took the
escalators to the 2nd floor and saw the line.
<sigh> I wanted to get something to eat and
relax, but instead I joined the line and waited
with everyone else. Walden Books sits in the corner
next to Sears. On the concourse, there was two open
areas where you can watch the people on the ground
floor. This made a big circle. The line started at
the front of Walden Books, went around part way on
the first circle, and not to stop foot traffic, and
started on the second circle. The people working
the signing for Waldens were very helpful.
Because of the crowd size (over 150) and the
size of the store, Nora did not do Q and A. Waldens
was trying to come up with a "Plan" but it didn't
work out due to the Mall policy and how to handle
the line. I was told people were lining up at 4:30
and the signing did not start until 7:00. Can I say
"riot" if someone was to cut in front of me if I
waited that long? Devoted fans.
Line moved pretty fast. No clue what Nora wore.
Looked good. She did threaten to ring my neck but
said she was to tired. I asked when Eve would get
pregnant. Had a great laugh about it. This is a
standard question that is asked at most signings.
Nora says when she is pregnant that will be the end
of the In Death Books.
Said bye and went home for food.
Diane
From Joanne
She was wonderful!! Greeting her admirers with a
smile and hello, she signed 150-200 books. That's
how many were in line ahead of me. An hour and a
half wait. Well worth it to tell her how much I
enjoy her writings and beg for Roarke's shirt to
come in larger sizes 2x would be fine, 3x even
better. It was a thrill of a lifetime. Thank you
Nora for coming to Milwaukee!
Nora's The Villa Tour
2001 