Boston CONFIRMED - July 2nd!
So it turns out that Eventful Demands really work! Thanks to everyone who demanded me in Boston (currently a staggering 209,) I was able to confidently contact a few bookstores and tell them that I was coming to town, with about 200 people who would come to their store, spend some money, and freak out the regulars.
As I've tried to put this together, I've learned that Boston has no shortage of outstanding bookstores, (especially indie book stores) and scheduling something for two days before the Fourth of July holiday is really, really hard . . . but I stuck at it, because this is such a unique opportunity to find out if decentralized tools and the power of the internets really does work for a guy like me.
On the advice of several WWdN:iX readers, I focused my attention and my efforts on Brookline Booksmith and Porter Square Books. If I was going to be in town for more than two days, I could probably do events at both stores, but since I'm only there for a brief time, (and because they called back first) I'll be at Brookline Booksmith on July 2nd. The store is working with the theatre across the street from the store to set up a screening of Stand By Me, followed by a Q&A with me. If they can get a print of the film, it will start at noon; otherwise, I'll just take the stage at one, do a reading from Just A Geek, and take some questions after. Either way, it's going to be really, really fun.
More details will come as they get worked out, but so far, here's what I have in easy-to-cut-n-paste form:
Who: Wil Wheaton, author, actor, cad, knave, raconteur.
What: Reading from Just A Geek, possible screening of Stand By Me.
Where: Brookline Booksmith - 279 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446
When: Sunday, July 2, 2006 - 12:00pm
This is really exciting for me. I feel the same level of anticipation and giddiness I felt when I was about to release Dancing Barefoot through Monolith Press, because this is something that I never could have done on my own (both practically, and courageously) and I can't wait to see how this whole thing turns out.
Now, I can turn my attention to taking care of Montreal, which is going to be a hell of a lot easier, I think.
We're still waiting on another SFBA visit, which is up there in the demands (not sure how many, but I've only demanded once...).
I think it'd be really cool for you to do something, while in the inner bay area (I don't consider SJ, cupertino, etc. to be part of the BA), outside of SF. Perhaps Berkeley or Marin or somesuch... but SF would be good too...
Posted by: StarkRG | May 08, 2006 at 03:27 PM
The theater across the street is the Coolidge Corner Theatre. It's a very cool place run by very cool people and they're always trying to help out small-budget filmmakers with things like screenings, Q&A's and even open screenings where just about anyone can bring in their video and show it on a big screen. It's also the only place you can see some really cool midnight movies in the city (With the exception of the Full Body Cast's weekly Rocky Horror performance in Harvard Square, plug plug).
Posted by: Overstim | May 08, 2006 at 03:31 PM
I demanded for Portland. 76 people!
Posted by: Shelley | May 08, 2006 at 03:35 PM
This makes me wish it was possible to be in Boston that weekend...too bad it's not. But it's awesome that Eventful demands worked...I'm sure the event will go well and be fun.
Posted by: kblue | May 08, 2006 at 03:45 PM
woohoo!
Posted by: rmd | May 08, 2006 at 04:05 PM
If it didn't conflict with my friend's wedding I'd come up from NY to see you.
Oh well, maybe next time.
Knock em dead dude (and please try to get some video, or even audio of the event)
Posted by: Sukotto | May 08, 2006 at 04:34 PM
btw, I wonder why the first of your "Demand" links in the right nav doesn't say where it's for. It just says "writer, blogger"
Posted by: Sukotto | May 08, 2006 at 04:36 PM
Yep, don't forget about San Francisco! I know we reached our minimum.
Rock on -
Posted by: Jen Z | May 08, 2006 at 04:45 PM
So when is the NEW book coming out? ;)
Posted by: whatupdog | May 08, 2006 at 04:49 PM
Funny you should ask, whatupdog. Check back in about three minutes for the post I'm working on right now.
Posted by: Wil | May 08, 2006 at 04:52 PM
I am so totally there. AND, as an added bonus for me, I've never seen Stand By Me (but have wanted to since I became a blogfan)!
Posted by: erin12 | May 08, 2006 at 05:34 PM
Woo hoo! :-D
~ Not Melissa
Posted by: Whistlebinky | May 08, 2006 at 05:47 PM
I am keeping that day wide open. Looking forward to an awesome 4th.
Posted by: spi | May 08, 2006 at 07:36 PM
I bet you'll love Coolidge Corner. The Booksmith is one of the best bookstores ever. I always pack lightly when visiting Brookline so I can buy stuff-- and I live in NYC, home to the Strand. Also, the movie theater is Old School fantabulous.
Just in case I can't hop a Fung Wah bus from New York, I demanded you for the city.
Posted by: uberlibra | May 08, 2006 at 08:11 PM
This is excellent!! The Coolidge is also putting on the Serenity Charity Screening as well. They are a well bunch there. Let's hope they can grab a print.
Posted by: The Hey | May 08, 2006 at 08:30 PM
Woo Hoo! You just made my day!
Posted by: hanna | May 08, 2006 at 08:33 PM
How much time are you actually going to have in Boston?
Posted by: chaostheory | May 08, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Now if we could just get you to Atlanta for this year's DragonCon...
(come on, Demand It folks!)
Posted by: Kelly | May 08, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Yey!
Don't forget, I can help you out with anything you need in Montreal.
And no, that wasn't meant to be sexual... -.-
Posted by: starshine_diva | May 08, 2006 at 09:43 PM
Oh my Gosh, I've never been more jealous of people living in boston.
I demanded for Washington D.C. - I live 4 hours away in small-town Virginia while I finish grad school, but I would make the 4.5 hour drive in a heartbeat!
Demand an appearance in DC, people!
Posted by: allie | May 08, 2006 at 09:45 PM
This is so exciting. I've never really done the fangirl thing (other than going with my mom and step-dad to see Lou Ferrigno during his Hulk days -- I was about 8), but there's a first time for everything.
Posted by: Jayne's Girl | May 09, 2006 at 05:29 AM
I'm so excited! I figured if I ever wanted to see you in person I'd have to trek to CA.
Question though: if they can do a showing of Stand By Me, does that mean you won't read from Just a Geek, or would it be the movie and a reading?
Posted by: steph | May 09, 2006 at 07:05 AM
Excellent - it's on my calendar!
Are you planning to promote outside the blogosphere or do you figure with the Eventful demand you've probably got a capacity crowd as is? If you want to flyer, or promote online in other places (livejournal, events calendars, whatever) I'm happy to help (I need to make events posting all over the place a lot anyway).
Posted by: Erica George | May 09, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Atlanta is getting up there too. <3 I've been sending the link around.
Posted by: Clan Shadow Walk | May 09, 2006 at 10:44 AM
I am so doing a happy dance right now! Finally, I'm going to get to see wheaton live! I cannot wait until July 2nd!!!!
Thanks Wil!
Posted by: Sharfa | May 09, 2006 at 10:45 AM