Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Party's ON!

I'm firming up plans for a Virtual Book Launch Party (TM Mike Peterson) to celebrate the upcoming release of Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow with you, whoever and wherever you are. The date and time are:

Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern)

I'm aiming to fill a couple of hours, we'll see how it goes. I thought a weekend evening would give as many people as possible a chance to participate. That's also a good time for my Special Guest, who does in fact exist and has committed to be here but plans can fall through so don't hold me to it. If anyone has just cause for why this party should not go forward, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Just a reminder of how this might work: I'll do a live webcast on UStream.tv in which I'll introduce the book, share some original art, do some drawing, tour the "studio," tell some stories, answer all the questions you can think of, and try to have some fun. I may snack. Anyone can join the party by going to a URL I'll provide later and typing in comments or questions, to which I or anyone else can respond. I have no idea how many guests to expect--I would not be surprised by numbers very small or very large--but as with any good party I know it'll be an interesting mix of people. I'll be sure to mention the time and date many times beforehand so you've got no excuse for not showing. I'll also record the webcast (although I don't think the typed comments are recorded) for later viewing.

By the way, I haven't heard any more about when WHTTWOT will be available in stores and through online merchants. It's still June 9 as far as I know.

Hope you can come! No RSVP necessary.

10 comments:

Sherwood Harrington said...

How should we handle "spoilers"? Since the party will be before anyone who hasn't seen a draft will know any plot (or other) details, should we be careful not to give anything away?

Brian Fies said...

Oh, you know, the usual good manners. I don't even like to discuss the secret of "Rosebud" just in case someone within earshot doesn't know it.

My intent is to skim through the book and provide an overview of the story without really lingering on individual pages long enough to read them. I think we can talk about broad themes and "what I was thinking when I drew this" without getting into actual plot or spoiling surprises, such as they are.

I guess I'd say I'd like to deliver a respectable tease that would make someone want to buy the book, not feel like they already read it.

Mike Lynch said...

This is a great idea and I'm glad it's coming together. I better have a nap that day. Living in the other end of the country means you don't start your Webcast until midnight here!

Brian Fies said...

Check it again, Mike! New Hampshire can tune in starting at 9.

Brian Fies said...

I've edited the post to avoid any confusion. The webcast will start at 6 p.m. on the West Coast, 9 p.m. on the East Coast, do the math elsewhere. I hope and think I can carry on for a couple of hours, but promise not to drag it out unnecessarily.

Mike said...

I'll be there.

Here.

Whatever.

Mike Lynch said...

Time is fluid, like a river.

6pm, 9pm ... I'll be peeking in!

sligo said...

can't wait!

going to make sure and get my virtual tux back from the dry cleaner so i'll be virtually GQ'ing (i'm not sure what that really means...)

ronnie said...

It's a date!

Nice work on the timing, Brian. It will start @ 10 pm here in the Atlantic time zone, quite reasonable for a Saturday night, pre-designed for late-night partying :)

Brian Fies said...

Thanks, guys, I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Ronnie, I was thinking of you, way out on the edge of the continent. Thanks for being flexible.