"These books over here all have big marketing budgets. But those books on that table are the really good ones."

And AmyLiz comes in with the explanation!

What's awesome is that you actually *know* this. If someone at B&N actually told your editor, you've got a definite cheerleader, which is truly made of awesome. They don't pick random books to go in the towers or on the tables, you know.

::squees a little bit::

And I just applied for a job at B&N today, so maybe come August I'll be hand-selling it in the Central New York store!

From the time my brother was 2, he could identify makes and models of cars by their grillwork. The first were chevy novas he first called "Barb's car" cause our friend Barb drove one. When he got a little older (like FIVE) he very often could identify the year. Still can. Cracks me up.

Speaking of him, he send me a couple movies of his short track driving at Talledega. They too crack me up, for a number of reasons. 1. The instructor, admiring, in thick Bama drawl "This inn't stock is it?" "Naw, I put in turbo and some other stuff." ... " I'd love to have me one of these here." 2. Throughout tire screeches, a hose popping off and running off the track my brother sounds as if he's lazing on the porch, counting flies. Laconic, even. The instructor is much more excitable. When he runs off the track, brother utters a rueful "Oops." and the instructor is all "Don't worry about it, son, you're ok, it's fine..." etc. As if my brother is freaking out, not sounding like he's laying in a hammock drinking a beer on a warm summer day.

It's just so classic J. Need a calm head in a crisis? That's my brother. Not to say he doesn't get wild and excitable, but when he's focused on something important to him, he comes across as really, really relaxed.

It was just really cool. And he thought I would find it boring. I don't though probably not for the same reasons he expected.

They want it for mid-July, and I originally had an end of August date.

This is all strange, yeah? I mean, really strange. Hm. STRANGE!

In a good way, yes, but I keep thinking this is all very odd.

Just for the self-doubty part of your brain, I offer this Alternative Negative Explanation: Everyone at B&N is so appalled by your book that they're shoving all the copies onto the big front tables in hopes that they'll be all bought up as soon as possible so B&N never has to look at them again.

However, since that would also result in bucketloads of sales, I'm kind of stumped. I don't think it's possible to put a negative spin on this, or even a "Huh. Well." spin. WOO HOO! is the only rational option, I'm afraid.

DUDE. It means you are MADE OF AWESOME.

No shit! That's really fantastic!

Barnes and Noble wants to promote my book on a table. What does that mean?

Wow. Just wow.

wikisky. Sorta' like google maps for the stars. The ones in the sky.

Table placement at B&N or any of the chains is very very good and pretty much ensures better sales.

Allyson, you are made of awesome. That is great news!

I got 25 out of 30 on the familiar faces quiz. Let's see if I can remember who I missed: Keanu, Oprah, Rowan Atkinson, Blair, and somebody else.