Signed: The Complete Wendel by Howard Cruse

This was another book I sent out from New York City, the gay classic comic strip Wendel.

At the post office, there was an elderly man working there who I assumed was straight, but he recognized the name Howard Cruse from my envelope and we got to talking about my little signing project.  It was nice to have a moment with a stranger like that, especially an elderly man in a cardigan, who at first glance I assumed I had nothing in common with. His name was Adam too.

Signed: Pretty - Stories by Greg Kearney

I met author Greg Kearney at a book launch at a sleazy gay leather bar in Toronto.

I think more book events should be held in sleazy bars.  It gives me an excuse to go to them.

Signed: Pin-Ups and The World of Gloria Badcock by Maurice Vellekoop

I met Maurice Vellekoop at a launch party for his new comic book "The World of Gloria Badcock" at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto.  I was in a rush and not able to stay long but he was a pleasure to meet and as nice as can be.

Signed: Ninety Days by Bill Clegg

Further to his first book, Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man, Bill Clegg has released a follow-up, Ninety Days, which he signed for me while at an event in LA last week.  The bookstore I bought it from got him to sign it and shipped it to me, which was awfully nice. I'm going to have to go check out that book store when I'm in San Francisco.

A film based on a part of Clegg's life will soon be playing Inside Out, the Toronto Gay and Lesbian film festival.  I'm anxious to see more about this man who's face and personality has launched 1,000 ships.

Signed: Anything Goes by John Barrowman

I met the amazing Miss Barrowman at an event in 2008 for his show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and he signed his book.  I later attended a taping of the show but I was glad I had gone to this event, it was during the day, like 11 am on a Tuesday or something, but I got time off work and am glad I went.

I remember there was a mob to get to him and I had just managed to maim and kill enough people to get near him when he had to stop signing books and give a talk.  I thought I was out of luck but he came back at the end of the event, as charming as ever, and signed.

Signed: Gigolos by Michael Lucas

I met Michael Lucas at a live sex show in Toronto and had more fun that was legally possible.

I attended another with Stephen Daigle later but had grown more circumspect by that point and the photos of that night never made it on here.

He was charming, personable, talkative, game for anything, a great guy.

Preview: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent book.
This book has been out in the UK for a while and will be released in North America this summer.

A fantastically moving story of a man who gets a letter from an old friend saying she is dying of cancer and decides to walk to her across the whole of England.

There were so many fantastic elements to this story, the walk itself and the things that happen to Harold while he's walking were very vivid. The walk as a metaphor for life and for life's journey with all the reflection that having endless hours of silence by yourself can bring. The characters are very vivid, as is the setting.

One of the best elements for me was also the ending. I really had no idea where it was going to go and it turns out to be a writing on the meaning of life, our time here, and what we do with it.

I got this book as an advance copy and this is really why the advance copy program was started, for books like these by a first time author that are so fantastic and need word of mouth to spread.

This book will be the next big thing, read it, tell your friends, take a walk with Harold Fry.

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