Going to the Fair and Giveaway Winners Announced

I went to the National Book Festival this weekend.  It's a pretty impressive event and something I suggest to everyone who meets the following criteria: likes historical or biographical non-fiction, has children, and doesn't mind crowds.  The Mall was set up with a tent for each section - Fiction & Mystery, Graphic Novels, Poetry & Prose, Contemporary Life, et. al.  Making up the largest part of the event was a robust Childrens section.  Penguin Books, Scholastic, and PBS Kids all had a huge presence   It was great to see so many kids out at a reading event or maybe more importantly so many parents bringing their kids to it.

Yes, this is a terrible picture of the

Fiction & Mystery tent. Heavy on the

old people.

Unfortunately, the only adult genre writer in attendance was Neal Stephenson (although there was a few more among the young adult crowd).  I picked up a copy of his new novel Reamde intending to get it signed and giveaway on the blog.  But, I couldn't justify leaving my wife and daughter to go wait in line.  I'm still probably going to give the book away though - I'm not storing this monster at my house.

As a side note, if you have plans to visit the District of Columbia in the next few weeks, I'd suggest waiting.  The Mall now looks like someone roto-tilled it and then sowed it with turds.  Just saying...

More important than my "zany" weekend (overstatement of the year), I have the result of my first giveaway - two signed copies of T.C. McCarthy's debut novel Germline are on their way to:

Richard Auffrey, Stoneham, MA

Nicole Osier, Ironwood, MI 

I have to admit I was hoping this would go to some international folks since so many giveaways are US/UK restricted.  Alas, the random number generator of doom has it in for my readers from South Africa, Australia, and exotic Canada.  There's always next time.  Maybe we'll make the next one international only - if your face America!