Death Troopers/No Doors Tour - Dispatch from the Road

I’m sitting at the airport in Sacramento waiting for my flight up to Seattle for the next stop on the Death Troopers/No Doors book tour. Although I’ve only been to two stores so far, the experience has been amazing. Every day is a surprise.

Last night at Borders in Folsom I arrived to find a table set up in front, stacked with my books, but no people around it. I’d been told that the 501st would be there, but unlike the Barnes and Noble in Huntington Beach, they were nowhere to be seen. “Oh well,” I thought. “Not every event is going to be big. The 501st must not have been able to make it.”

I found Marc, the store’s community relations manager, and told him that I was here for the signing. “Lots of people are here for the signing,” he said. “Mr. Schreiber should be here any time,” he said. I told him that I was Mr. Schreiber and I was doing the signing.

Immediately I was hustled to the back of the store where a towering, broad-shouldered Darth Vader was waiting for me along with a half-dozen stormtroopers and Imperial brass. A moment later they escorted me back out to the table where a huge crowd had suddenly appeared, waiting in line for the signing. It turned out that basically everybody in the store was there for the event. The 501st flanked me on both sides while I signed books and posters and posed for pictures. John Williams music played over the speakers. I have discovered that it’s a lot of fun to sign your name to the music of Star Wars.

I’ve also discovered that Star Wars fans are among the most polite and friendly people imaginable. Meeting them on tour has been a terrific pleasure, and the reception of the book so far is nothing short of incredible. I want to thank the 501st in particular for putting on the armor and helping facilitate these events…not to mention for the great honor they extended in making me an honorary member.

Meanwhile, I hope to see you on the road.