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.
Hey Wil ... Toronto is up to 100 people interested and it is just down the road from Montreal. Maybe you should do a Canadian tour!!
P.S. By "just down the road" I mean 6 hours drive without traffic.
Posted by:Oz | May 09, 2006 at 12:38 PM
I'm gutted. If only I lived in Boston I would have been able to see one of my favourite talented actors. :(
Hope it all goes well in Boston though!
Posted by:danni-girl | May 09, 2006 at 01:14 PM
I've demanded for Atlanta! We're up to 163. :)
Posted by:elfgirl | May 09, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Wow, I used to steal books from the booksmith as a kid.. what a small world.. ok, I was a bad kid, sorry..
Posted by:SirFWALGMan | May 09, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Speaking of events and demanding things...
Wil, you gotta hook it up for Seattle!
http://upcoming.org/event/64762/
Posted by:sarahalyse | May 09, 2006 at 05:58 PM
This is gonna rock more than Nintendo's media conference at E3!!!!
YAY!
Posted by:honeythunder | May 09, 2006 at 07:51 PM
YAY! As manager of one of the few Indie stores here in Montreal... we are very excited! This be very SHINY!
Posted by:scarlet | May 09, 2006 at 08:55 PM
Wil,
You will have a great time in Boston. The people will love you.
FG
Posted by:FABIAN | May 09, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Booksmith's my favorite bookstore in town! Open and doing well for years before the B&N moved in up the block, and still doing well years afterwards. You can bet I'll be there.
Posted by:Ari B. | May 09, 2006 at 09:31 PM
Wohooo! Go Boston! And two days before independence day.
And in terms of toronto, it is a 4.5 hour train ride(if its the express via). And in terms of driving from MTL to Toronto, 6 hours, meh, its more like 4 hours. Its only 6 hours if you go at the speed limit :P
Posted by:Kurya | May 10, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Well, I am a little late to the table, but I finally went up and put in my vote for Ohio. I voted for the two cities I'd be willing to travel to in order to see you. Hope that eventually you make it out again.
I know from past entries that you're not jazzed about flying and being away from your family, so thanks for being willing to do this to see us fans.
Posted by:Ms. Lulu | May 10, 2006 at 01:50 PM
Ok, Wil!
We've got 214 ppl on our Demand for DragonCon. NOW will you at least consider it??
C'mon! We have wanted to meet you for YEARS!
You have an invitation for this year's Con. You can talk to Eric, who runs TrekTrak for the most expedient response: trektrak@aol.com
Thanks!
Angela
Posted by:Misangela | May 17, 2006 at 05:47 PM