Hearts in Suspension

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kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Big thanks to Steve for coming out and doing that, and to our very own Ms Mod for helping with its inception (the book). The event was a lot of fun, and I purchased a copy of the book (I did not expect a 367-page hardcover - wow!).

Sadly, there's always someone who has to ruin things for other people. For example, when my wife and I were sitting in our seats, waiting for the event to start, when two guys kept going in and out of the row. After what seemed like the fourth time, I noticed that one of the men was carrying a stack of about a hundred of the programs we were given upon entering. I thought it was a bit rude at first, as the doors had just opened, and people were still coming in, and did not get a program yet.

After the Q&A session ended, we were given the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book for $30, of which we were informed there were 400 random copies distributed among them, and the announcer said that books were limited to one per household. The very same guys who took all of those programs were ahead of us in line to buy the book, and came back with about twenty copies. I am assuming that he intends to sell them - with a program - on Ebay today at an inflated price, and that he'll probably have a few signed books in the pile.

I also overheard someone say that he got one of the signed ones, and loudly made it clear that he would sell it for $400 to others in line.

I must have been a real ****head in a past life to get so much bad luck, yet others who are so rude and uncaring get everything. Ah, well. At least I got a copy of the book.
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You should feel lucky that you got to see King in person. It's always a great time when that happens.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
Book arrived. Nice packaging to keep it safe in travels. Media Mail. Can't wait to dive in.
Moderator -- the box shows a USPS track number. It must have been within the link of the confirmation email.
They may have had that just for their own records to track the package in case someone let them know they didn't receive it.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Is it just me, or does Steve seem a bit more 'all business' in his essay? I've read 30 pages so far and his 'voice' is not as chummy as in other introductions, say in Night Shift or Skeleton Crew, or even in Danse Macabre. I'm NOT complaining, just making an observation. Maybe dredging up those memories took him back to that well of anger that he lived in during those turbulent times?
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Is it just me, or does Steve seem a bit more 'all business' in his essay? I've read 30 pages so far and his 'voice' is not as chummy as in other introductions, say in Night Shift or Skeleton Crew, or even in Danse Macabre. I'm NOT complaining, just making an observation. Maybe dredging up those memories took him back to that well of anger that he lived in during those turbulent times?

Personal opinion-- Those years were ones of anger and frustration. His essay is not like his usual greeting to his constant readers, perhaps due to that very fact. And, it is not fiction writing. It isn't development of characters or a fictional story. It is reality. Something he and his friends lived. It is part of what makes them who they are today. The total university experience adding in the turbulent times. For many, it is difficult to recall the feelings they had during that period. University was supposed to be a time of learning, growing and some sprinkling of fun. The years Steve attended university had the addition of worry, discontent, and frustration.
I think his "businesslike" manner is because what his constant reader are about to read is not a story, rather a look back at reality during a not so happy period in history.

The time period of 11/22/63 was also an important and world changing time in history. However, with that book Steve spun a tale of romance and what if. Hearts in Suspension is reality to Steve and his friends.

Just my thoughts.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
Is it just me, or does Steve seem a bit more 'all business' in his essay? I've read 30 pages so far and his 'voice' is not as chummy as in other introductions, say in Night Shift or Skeleton Crew, or even in Danse Macabre. I'm NOT complaining, just making an observation. Maybe dredging up those memories took him back to that well of anger that he lived in during those turbulent times?
One of the things he mentioned in his talk at the UMaine launch, was his realization of how much anger he had during that period of his life. I've contacted UMaine to ask if they have the videotape of the event ready to post publicly but haven't heard back yet. When it is available, I'll be sure to post the link and maybe listening to his talk will give you additional insight as to what was going on then and how it affected him now.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
Personal opinion-- Those years were ones of anger and frustration. His essay is not like his usual greeting to his constant readers, perhaps due to that very fact. And, it is not fiction writing. It isn't development of characters or a fictional story. It is reality. Something he and his friends lived. It is part of what makes them who they are today. The total university experience adding in the turbulent times. For many, it is difficult to recall the feelings they had during that period. University was supposed to be a time of learning, growing and some sprinkling of fun. The years Steve attended university had the addition of worry, discontent, and frustration.
I think his "businesslike" manner is because what his constant reader are about to read is not a story, rather a look back at reality during a not so happy period in history.

The time period of 11/22/63 was also an important and world changing time in history. However, with that book Steve spun a tale of romance and what if. Hearts in Suspension is reality to Steve and his friends.

Just my thoughts.
Very well said.