A nephew reports buying a MESSIAHS. Four other nephews, plus a niece, have withstood such an impulse. So have, as far as I know, all cousins, first, second and beyond. (My and Adele’s siblings received freebies.)
Had two sales myself. One went to a multi-media artist, already a reader, in the Bronx, and the other to an animator/artist in Huntington Beach, who got me through my web site. What got him to that, I can’t say.
In other news…
The launch party continues to occupy my mind. (REMINDER: Oct. 19. 2:00 PM. French Hotel Café. 1538 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley.) Paper plates and plastic forks have been purchased. (Cake and fruit to come.) Have loaded up on $10 bills, so I can give change to anyone who buys a book with two $20s. Fran, who is in charge of promotion, artistic direction, and the sound system, is getting itt together.
The t-shirts, which he also designed, silk=screened and printed, have arrived and are FABULOUS. Everyone who buys a book will receive one (M, L or XL) . (Alternatively, you can buy a t-shirt – also $30 – and receive a free book.) 28 people (some with partners) have said they will come, and some have invited friends. Nine have more-or-less sent regrets; 29 have not made their intentions known.
On a strictly positive note, 380 people responded to Fantagraphics on-line announcement of the book, which is far more of an audience than I knew I had. A couple were delighted and/or excited.
So many Bob Levins on the Internet; I'm the Bob Levin who writes.