If I could write what I wanted to write, this would be a note about a man throwing chairs at one of my readings or the fairly hyperactive “meditation” a person was engaged in prior to a morning TV talk show. No one was injured in either instance, but they are great stories nonetheless.

However, some combination of age, maturity and especially the cautionary place occupied by a new writer leads me to hold off on telling these sorts of stories quite yet.

Time needs to pass, I think. Just a little more time.

I’ve done 6 or so readings so far, visited untold bookstores, been on two morning TV talk shows, done interviews in print and on camera, and generally spent the last month talking way, way too much about myself.

That, I’ve come to realize, is the nature of a book tour. Who knew?

Other stories I’ll tell some day involve nearly taking the kids into some sort of “Members Only Men’s Club” in a rural town, the notable “personality quirks” of a few interviewers, and the deeply odd behavior of certain guests waiting their turn to go on morning TV talk shows. (Loud meditation was only the start.)

The things I can say are bland but real: That bookstore owners and staff, the people at Unbridled, every interviewer and reviewer, and all the people who’ve come out to hear me read or get a book signed are all incredibly gracious and nice. Thank you all.

Here are photos of some of the events so far:

• Rock Point Books in Chattanooga: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621891237460/
• Davis-Kidd in Memphis: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621000308913/
• That Bookstore in Blytheville: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621000476829/
• Third Place Books in Seattle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621382326299/
• Tea Party Bookshop in Salem: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621766713735/
• Borders in Tacoma: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericbarnes2/sets/72157621871819922/
• Davis-Kidd Nashville: July 30
• BookSmart Tulsa: Sept 15

And links to some of the interviews and stories so far:

• WREG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U7_SScbDZI
• KATU: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYtSLa5uoio
• LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=68864
• Memphis Flyer: http://www.memphisflyer.com/BookBlog/archives/2009/06/30/eric-barnes-in-his-own-words-on-his-debut-novel
• Beatrice: http://beatrice.com/wordpress/2009/07/20/eric-barnes-guest-author/
• Drey’s Blog: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/06/birthday-bash-day-8-eric-barnes-shares.html

And links to some of the reviews so far:

• Publisher’s Weekly: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6670528.html
• Clark Isaacs: http://newsblaze.com/story/20090522053819clar.nb/topstory.html
• Bookfoolery: http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/2009/07/shimmer-by-eric-barnes.html
• BookingMama: http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2009/06/review-shimmer.html
• Collected Miscellany: http://collectedmiscellany.com/2009/06/shimmer-by-eric-barnes/
• PassionForThePage: http://passionforthepage.blogspot.com/2009/07/shimmer-by-eric-barnes.html
• Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/07/shimmer-blog-tour.html
• Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/shimmer-by-eric-barnes.html
• BooksForFree: http://thisbookforfree.com/?p=1002
• Linus’s Blanket: http://www.linussblanket.com/2009/07/shimmer-by-eric-barnes/
• Write for a Reader: http://writeforareader.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-tour-review-shimmer.html

Thanks again.

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