Stupendous Barnes and Noble appearance!

Sarcastic? Moi?

Attendance was, as I had predicted, sparse. Hard to believe it's even more difficult to get people to show up for readings than it is to get them to buy books, but it is. Anyway, for the few people who were there, I think it was fine. I did a talk about the saga of my title and then a reading. Except for a guy in the back with such high blood pressure he looked as if he was concentrating on keeping the top of his head from blowing off, the tiny crowd was responsive and laughed at all the right places.

Anyway, I'm not going to have an all-out moratorium on appearances, but no more weeknight bookstore events. Kaput.

In other news, Lisa Kudrow's audiobook narration got another rave, this time from a top Amazon reviewer. Click here to see Gail Cooke's review.

Now, if Amazon didn't HIDE the most sought-after edition of the audiobook, people might actually buy it.

Yes, Amazon hides that edition. Lord knows I don't want to bite that hand that feeds me. After all, Amazon does a GREAT job of selling the hardcover. (Thank you, Amazon! I worship your massive and sublime virtual glory!) But the regular edition of the CD is kept out of view.

Here's the thing. There are many versions of the audiobook:
Audiobook on CD, regular edition
Audiobook on CD, library edition
Audiobook on CD, Mp3 edition
Audiobook on CD, abridged edition
Audiobook on cassette

The most popular, of course, is the first one. It's also the one you can't freaking find on Amazon, unless you click through a precise and complicated maze. If you don't believe me, click here, and you'll see a box that lists a whole bunch of editions, but not the REGULAR CD EDITION (the one that sells for $61.27 is the library edition, even though it doesn't say that). But aha ... there a place you can click to see all 5 editions and formats. Guess what? IT'S NOT THERE EITHER!

It is, in fact here. I'd explain how I found that, but your head might explode. Anyway, according to my industry sources, Amazon is not being wily and trying to get you to shell out for the more expensive library edition--they're just screwed up. It's maddening. Hard enough to sell a product when it's right there on display. But try getting people to buy something that's hidden in the storeroom behind a wall-to-wall barrier. Sheesh.

But you know what's easy to find? The paperback edition, which doesn't come out until August 2007.

That sound you hear is my head smashing against the wall.

Okay, I'm better now. No more whining.

Happy Birthday Myfanwy Collins!!!!!!!