i'm touring around southern california for Star Trek: The Manga

Star Trek The Manga: Kakan ni Shinkou comes out this week.

I have the usual doubt and uncertainty about my story, but my editor assures me that it's a solid story which fits into the Manga format, even though I think there are a couple of pages where I get way too wordy (imagine that) instead of letting the visuals tell the story.

CBS is really happy with it, though, and everyone at TokyoPop is very excited about the book (which includes some magnificent stories from other writers, including Diane Duane) and they are giving the book a full court publicity press, starting with a Southern California tour this week.

The first stop will be at my friendly local comic shop, Comics Factory, this Thursday, then we'll hit some comic shops in Hollywood and Manhattan Beach, before making our way down to Huntington Beach for the triumphant finale, with, uh, motorcycles jumping over a bunch of flaming school buses arranged to look like the Starfleet logo.

Here's the schedule:

Thursday, September 13
7pm-9pm
Comics Factory
1298 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena

Wednesday, September 19
8pm
Meltdown
7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood

Wednesday, September 26
8pm-10pm
Golden Apple
7711 Melrose Ave., Hollywood

Thursday, October 4
7:30pm
Barnes & Noble
189 Grove Drive, Hollywood

Saturday, October 6
7pm-8pm
Comic Bug
1832 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach

Details on the Huntington Beach appearance are still being worked out, and I'll post them when we get the time and date finalized.

It doesn't look like any of these stores are doing promotion (at least online) for the events, so I'm doing what I can to let people know about it, but I could use some help from anyone who is willing to give it. If you're in the Los Angeles area and are thinking of coming out, or if you know of anyone local who would be into this sort of thing, would you help me out and let them know? If you're a regular reader of a comics, Manga, or Star Trek website or blog, would you ping them so they can tell their readers?

I'll have copies of The Happiest Days of Our Lives with me at all of these appearances, so if you're local and don't want to wait for the book to officially go on sale, I've totally got your back, El Guapo.

Comments

[raphael]

I’ll try to be at Comics Factory, which is my friendly local comics shop as well, and I will see if I can’t encourage others to come by as well.

I totally expect Lieutenant Robin Lefler to be there as well. After all, who will help you scoop up all the nanites running loose?

[raphael]

Er, uh, and many of you may not realize that Lefler was promoted from ensign to Lieutenant, like I said in the above comment. You just didn’t know about it. Yeah.

Honest.

[Troll-bridge]

Heya Wil,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm looking forward to your story.

You'll find my own prose story, "Suicide Note," in the back of the book. It's included as the "sneak preview" of Pocket Books' upcoming TNG anthology, The Sky's the Limit.

Cheers,
Geoff Trowbridge

[LinksMonkey]

>>motorcycles jumping over a bunch of flaming school buses arranged to look like the Starfleet logo<<

It would be way cooler if you could get flaming school buses jumping over motorcycles.

Good luck w/your manga!

[starshine_diva]

Ah, the perks of living in California. Once again, totally and utterly defeated.

[gewurztraminer]

Hooray for book cataloging sites...now I won't forget to get the manga when in comes out. Have you seen your author page at LibraryThing, Wil?

http://www.librarything.com/author/wheatonwil

[Keri]

Dude, San Diego loves you. Why aren't you sharing the love down south?

[Wil]

I'm coming to San Diego (to Mysterious Galaxy, of course) later this year for Happiest Days of Our Lives. I'm sure the Manga will make an appearance, also.

[MJBUtah]

*snort* you, wordy? really? (heeheehee)

[Proto]

Bah, the September dates are all during dodger home games. Who planned this? An Angels fan?

[MJBUtah]

btw, I have been catching up on the shows sitting in my TiVo and was watching the "Everything I learned" episode about High School and I almost fell out of my chair laughing when you pulled out the "Don't be a Dick" motto (about Mean Girls no less). That filmed what, 4 months ago?
You definitely need to do T-shirts.

[Hans Moleman]

Wil, I know you live in sunny California. But if you ever make your way to the Atlantic states, I don't think you will have a problem drawing a crowd. I hope something brings you to travel to the right coast. We love you too!

[paige]

ooooo!!!! *claps hands*

but too bad i live in NC.

[Kristy]

the triumphant finale, with, uh, motorcycles jumping over a bunch of flaming school buses arranged to look like the Starfleet logo.

Oooo! YouTube!

[RedLeader23]

Living in Southern California is definitely awesome - but the traffic...the freeways...*shudder*. They won't be stopping me from making it to one of these events though.

[Russty]

Oh I'm definetly all over one of these events! Thanks for the heads up!

[wallflower17]

Congrats on your story's release! Have confidence in your editor's opinion about it being ready. They're more objective than the author can be about a finished product. I could pore over my stuff a million times and make edits every time.... peace :^)

[emoki3]

Morning Wil,

Any chance you coming out Ventura county way with this?

Evie

[brazos605]

You gonna make it up to the San Francisco Bay Area?

[brazos605]

And here's a silly question. Does the store let you bring in your own copy that you purchased somewhere else, or do you have to buy it there? I've never been to a book signing.

[FEJ]

Looking forward to the HB finale. I just hope I don't have to work. I hope you also get to make an OC appearance for Happiest Days of Our Lives also. Will you have any "Wil says "Don't be a dick!" shirts?

[BobApril]

I was already considering when - not if - to buy this book, just based on my love of Star Trek and of your writing. Then you mentioned Diane Duane's name. Wheaton AND Duane? My copy should be shipping today. A pity you're not coming out to the other coast so I can get your autograph!

[Kero Hazel]

I'm trying to figure out if El Guapo is a reference to Bas Rutten, the villain from The Three Amigos, or something far more sinister. Regardless, I'll see if I can make it tonight. I'll be inside the 3rd school bus.

[Mr. Person]

Thanks for doing the little event last night! I had a nice time chatting with you about nerdy things. And thanks for being patient when my cell phone refused to take a picture the first time.

-= Chris

[ignoramoose]

Heads up, Startrek.com is giving away 10 signed copies of this bad boy!
http://www.startrek.com/custom/exclude/giveaways/070921-manga/detail.jsp

Signed by Wil, David Reddick, Christine Boylan, Mike Wellman, and Don Hudson.

Rules say you can enter for this once per day.