Yesterday was pub day for Robert Crais‘s The Sentry and the launch party was held at Diesel Bookstore in Santa Monica, CA. Of course I had to go because I heard there’d be food. Yes, I cleared a whole tray of potatoes and some chocolate thingies but that’s not the best part.
There was a great turnout (I stood in line for about 17 hours to get my book signed), with many familiar faces in the crowd. Authors Gregg Hurwitz, Brett Battles and Gerald Petievich were there, so were my friends Debbie and Laurie, blogger extraordinaire Michael (le0pard13) with his son A., and Crais’s website manager/creator of the newsletters, Carol T. I also got to meet Steve, the nice man who let Crais go to the bathroom in his house while Crais was shooting his Sentry video down in Venice. Steve said I’m welcome to use his toilet, too. Score!
Crais shared rave reviews for his novel and a few fan letters (someone who’s a regular here was quoted—you’ll see when you attend his Belmont signing!) before reading a couple of passages and signing books. I won’t give away spoilers; you’ll just have to make one of his appearances if he’s in your city to experience all the fun.
Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with some photos:
Crais with Debbie
I’m standing on tiptoes here, with one leg swinging in mid-air:
Man sandwich with Crais, Battles & Michael
And what a difference a year makes. Last year when I showed up, I got this reaction from Crais:
This year, I got this:
For the win!
18 Comments
Christine
January 12, 2011 at 5:00 amLooks like a great time – thanks so much for posting the photos! Terribly jealous, of course, but I may make it to Atlanta for his signing. Great to see Debbie again! Adore the photo of you with the guys! Btw, did Steve extend friend-of-PCN invites as well? 😉
Jen Forbus
January 12, 2011 at 5:33 amAwesome! I think I need that man sandwich picture to hang up in my library! I’ve been having serious discussions with Mother Nature so she doesn’t send any of this crappy weather my way the day I drive up to Milwaukee.
Christine
January 12, 2011 at 5:37 amhahaha! Jen, I was thinking the same thing about that photo! Wouldn’t it look fab up next to my Men of Mystery calendar?
Elizabeth
January 12, 2011 at 6:47 amFor the win, indeed! Thanks for sharing, though I am terribly jealous. Closest he’ll get to me would be either a 10 hour round trip or require a hotel stay overnight and I just can’t swing that. 🙁
Naomi Johnson
January 12, 2011 at 9:34 amShe shoots, she scores! I love the man sandwich photo!
Jann
January 12, 2011 at 9:36 amI’ll have to try for a man sandwich of my own…but at 5’9″ it wouldn’t be nearly as cute!
le0pard13
January 12, 2011 at 10:08 amBob (he now lets me call him that) was in rare form last night, Elyse. It was a great time at the launch party, as well as getting to associate with you and Brett “Maverick” Battles during the evening. Even my teen son was pretty impressed with it all. He said
… on the drive home. Thanks.
Naomi Johnson
January 12, 2011 at 10:41 amMichael, your son paid you the greatest compliment a child can give a parent! That is so cool.
Ybnorml
January 12, 2011 at 11:41 amLast night was so much fun. How can you pass up free food, free wine and chocolate thingies? Hearing Bob read from The Sentry was nice but his readings of his Facebook comments and emails was hilarious. Great to see you last night Elyse, it’s been much too long. Love that photo of the man sandwhich. No wonder you were happy to be the last person in line!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 12, 2011 at 11:55 amChristine—Hope you make it to Atlanta! Regarding permission to use Steve’s bathroom, once I’m inside, I’ll just let you in the back.
Jen—Can you guess who’s the cheese in that man sandwich? I think the ham is obvious, though who’s the pickle may not be.
Elizabeth—That just sucks rotten eggs. You should start a letter-writing campaign to your local bookstore to get them to book him next time.
Naomi—I normally have to sit on someone’s shoulders to even come close to shooting a basket so for me to score anything is pretty exciting.
Jann—You should go for a man meatball sub!
lp13—Ohhhhh, that is the BEST compliment; you are one cool dad. But I’m sure when he said he wanted to hang with your friends, he was only talking about Brett.
Ybnorml—I’m always bringing up the rear (don’t think about THAT too much) but can you believe I wasn’t last in line? There were 2 ladies behind us. It was really nice to see you, too; so glad you came up. I got a mountain of ARCs waiting for you!
Jann
January 25, 2011 at 9:06 pmOh my, didn’t get the man-sandwich, but I did get pix, a hug and a kiss. And nothing like, (me)”Hi, I’m Jann” (RC)Jann with 2 n’s! Hi!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 25, 2011 at 9:16 pmHey now, sounds like you got a nice package deal! I assume you’ll post the pics on FB? I’ll check them out there.
Jann
January 25, 2011 at 9:31 pmThey are there, although seeing me is scary. Hell, a kiss is a kiss!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 28, 2011 at 2:59 pmHi Jann, saw your pics! Also saw your quote in a BelmontPatch article about the event.
What does the T-shirt say?
Paulette
January 12, 2011 at 10:07 pmFABULOUS!! I can’t venture that far on a school night, but will be at the Vroman’s-sponsored event at Pasadena Library Thursday night. anyone? anyone? I WILL get someone to sandwich me or at least allow me to use a bathroom!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 13, 2011 at 12:51 pmHave fun at the Vroman’s event, Paulette! Hope your sandwich turns out delicious!
Nora
January 13, 2011 at 12:58 pmJealous! :~)
I saw him speak at the Tucson Festival of Books last year, and he’s very engaging. Easy on the eyes, too, lol!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 13, 2011 at 3:36 pmLooks like he’ll be at the Tucson FOB again this year, Nora. Full list of authors here.