The Philadelphia Poe road trip

It was fabulous! John Langan and Laird Barron picked me up Saturday morning 10:30 and we drove down to Phillie directly to the German Society, where the first event was to take place. We were about 45 minutes early. The auditorium was large and I was very nervous that no one would show up. The people who run the German Society were very nice--Laird helped move the piano to the side of the stage and put the podium in the middle and brought some folding chairs up for us. Greg Frost showed up with a case of wine. People started showing up--some I knew: Gardner Dozois and Susan Casper, Michael Swanwick and Marianne Porter, Tess Kissinger and Bob Walters, Tom Purdom, and others from the sf community...and many other we did not know. There were at least 60 people total. We each did our thing, with Edward Pettit talking about Poe's life a bit and me just introducing the three readers.

Afterwards 20+ books were sold and inscribed and the remaining five were taken by the Poe Society to sell in their gift store.
The wonderful Helen McKenna then gave some of us a tour of the Poe House (photos linked below).

A bunch of us went to a pub to drink for awhile and then a much smaller group went over to Greg and his lovely wife Barbara's to eat her delicious lasagne. I stayed over. Laird and John stayed at a hotel nearby.

Sunday, we met at Greg and Barbara's and all went to a breakfast place where Laird could sate his obsession for blueberry pancakes. We then drove to Between Books, a very large bookstore jampacked with great stuff--in Claymont Delaware (not far from Phillie). There, our most excellent host, owner Greg Schauer, had a Poe cake in honor of the book. About 20-25 people were a very attentive audience. All the Poe books on hand were sold out. And other titles by me and Greg also sold. We hung around to answer questions and then Laird, John, and I left around 3:30 for part south. I cannot believe I ate at McDonalds on Saturday and Burger King on Sunday--ugh. I usually eat at one of those places once every two years. McDonald's is better and cheaper though ;-)

John dropped me off at Alice Turner's apt with my bag so I could watch the Academy awards with her. I finally got home around 12:30.

Here are photos from the two events

Last several hours for the Jackson award funraiser

It ends tonight at midnight, ET. I wish I could buy tix but as someone who helped put together the event I cannot. But YOU can. It's just a $1 and a dream (I know I know--winning a signed book or a partial ms by Peter Straub or Jack Ketchum is not exactly the same as winning $10 million in the NY lottery--but hey, your chances are much much better).

Jackson Awards site

Happy leg!!!!

Saw Dr. P today and when he opened the bandages to my shock and relief, the wound was about half the size it was a week ago, and mostly filled in. YES!!! No more unaboot but some gel and bandage (which I can replace tomorrow when I buy BIG bandaids). I have to keep the leg raised over my heart as much as possible to keep the swelling down and continue the healing --which is a bit inconvenient. For example, I cannot do it while working on the computer but I can do it while reading, laying on the couch with leg up against the back of the couch.

I had him photograph the wound this time. Will download at some point and/or email to anyone who'd like to see.