Posts with Category Legacy Posts

James Patterson & Big Box Book Events

I met a bookseller in Palm Beach that knows James Patterson, the award-winning author whose novels tend to dominate the bestsellers lists.

I was relating some of my experiences doing events at independent stores vs. big box stores. He wasn’t surprised when I told him about one particular experience I had at my local big box. The store wouldn’t even put up a sign promoting the event in their store, and when I showed up for the event, they pointed to a foldout table and said, “Your books are in those boxes over there. Set them up however you like.” It was painful.

He consoled me with a story Mr. Patterson told him. He showed up for an event at a big box and they had…

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Reviews

I was on my book’s Amazon page today and saw some additions to the editorial reviews. It looks like someone has been taking positive bits of reviews out of context for me. Thanks whoever you are! Also, eat it Financial Times – apparently you accidentally said something good:

“If you are interested in learning more, I recommend Kelsey’s book. It’s light reading…Give it a try!” (BromleyTimes.co.uk, January 14th 2009) “…his conclusion that “we should try to be engaged consumers not mindless pocketbooks” may be a valuable revelation.” (Financial Times, January 24th 2009) “…puts globalization into human perspective. He Personalizes the stories of the people who make our clothes…highly entertaining and thought provoking” (Manchester Evening News, January 24th 2009) “Timmerman puts faces on the garment industry. This needs…

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Show the love! How to support your favorite authors

Since I became a published author, I’ve had the pleasure of a lot of great people supporting my book and me, including a failed campaign to get me on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report – still, it’s the thought that counts!

It’s great when someone takes the time out of their lives to spread the word about your book. After being on the receiving end of such generosity, I have vowed to give back to the authors that I enjoy. You should too!

Here are a few ways to support an author:

1) Buy their book – That’s kind of obvious isn’t it? If you don’t buy their book, there is a chance they won’t get to write another.

2) Ask your library to carry their book –…

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Outsourcing our guinea pigs

Clinical trials go global where the guinea pigs are cheaper. (from Science News)

DURHAM, N.C. – Top-tier U.S.-based pharmaceutical companies are moving their clinical trials overseas at warp speed, raising questions about ethics, quality control, and even the scientific value of their findings for people back in the U.S.

Many of the trials are taking place in developing countries in Eastern Europe and Asia where study participants are often poorer and less educated than are study participants in the U.S., according to researchers at Duke Clinical Research Institute

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Thomas Friedman on USA's international status

From his recent column titled, “Paging Uncle Sam.”

For all the talk in recent years about America’s inevitable decline, all eyes are not now on Tokyo, Beijing, Brussels or Moscow — nor on any other pretenders to the world heavyweight crown. All eyes are on Washington to pull the world out of its economic tailspin. At no time in the last 50 years have we ever felt weaker, and at no time in the last 50 years has the world ever seen us as more important.

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In Greenville, Ohio, tonight

Like wine, dessert, and listening to yours truly discuss WAIW??

Come to the Montage Cafe tonight in Greenville, Ohio at 7:30. I’ll be the one talking about my underwear!…

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Customer service is dead; long live customer service!

Call me jaded, but customer service is dead.

How often do you walk into a store or restaurant only to be ignored? Not a single “Howdy, can I help you within earshot.” (I’ve worked in retail so I feel that I can complain about such things – kind of like making ethnic- or religious-toned jokes when you are a member of the ethnicity or religion you’re poking fun at.)

I’ve always believed that even if you’re doing a crappy job, you might as well smile. Smiling makes it seem less crappy. Lying to yourself makes the job more bearable.

It’s to the point now when, on the rare occasion, I stumble upon a smiling someone who is good at their job and glad that I chose to patronize…

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Palm Beach Recap

The Palm Beach Democrats flew me down to talk to them about WAIW? on Monday. It was an interesting time.

* I walked on the beach for 1 1/2 hours. Nose got a little burnt; I blame TSC for not allowing me to bring on a bottle of sunscreen. Of course, everyone knows that any lotion higher than SPF 15 is highly explosive.

* My host was a 93-year-old woman whose husband acted as pediatrician to RFK’s (yes, that RFK) kids. She also recalled seeing JFK (yep, that one) cruising around Palm Beach in a convertible. She bought her home after WWII for $35K. Today, it’s worth millions. It’s an art deco home and one of the few in the area that doesn’t have…

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GOOD Q&A

Good magazine interviewed me for their website.

I’ve been slacking with the posts the last few days, but I’ll be updating soon. I’ve got some great posts coming: I have a good source that validates the multiple shooters theory in the JFK assassination, the best mint sales lady in the world, James Patterson on book signings, and a 93-year old woman who walks circles around me. All of that’s from one day in Palm Beach. Interesting place….

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