I flew into New York City a few days ago in preparation of an online signing I would be having with author Naomi Novik for her newly released omnibus, In His Majesty’s Service.
If I haven’t said it before, I love New York City!
I have been here twice, both times for the NY Comic Con. I haven’t done very many tourist-type things—meetings, events, dinner and drinks at the Comic Con take up a great deal of time—but instead have tried to embrace the city as it is. Great food. Great people. Great city. I highly recommend a visit if you haven’t, especially if a visit to Comic Con can be worked in!
The first time I visited I had author Terry Brooks and his wife Judine as a guide; they have been here many times before and found the very best restaurants and fun things to do away from the convention. The second time I was alone and spent more time walking the city to discover its true nature.
Chaotic fun!
This time I have been almost exclusively at Random House.
And I thought it would be fun to write a post about it!
Random House is located just south of the gorgeous Central Park. The building has a beautiful glass entrance with twin revolving doors. Two walls of glass bookcases from floor to ceiling filled with Random House-published books from its inception to today greet those who enter. Entering and approaching the front desk, two security people met me and, after authenticating my identity, gave me a visitor's pass. After passing another secuirty checkpoint at the elevator (who knew book content was a top secret effort), I ascended to the building's upper floors.
Random House publishes more than just science fiction and fantasy. It is the largest English-language book publisher in the world. It houses dozens and dozens of imprints, all with their own speciality and all with hundreds of employees. Each floor in the building is a maze of offices, cubicles, conference rooms and miles upon miles of computer cords and lighting. From the top floor to the enormous mailroom at its ground floor, Random House is something very unique.
To say this place is huge would be a dramatic understatement!
I spent the afternoon primarily with people from Del Rey books. The signing with Naomi went very well; it was fun talking to her about her forthcoming work. I got a look at The Talisman: The Road of Trials Issue #1 that will be released later this month. I even tried to help the editor for Terry Brooks find a great title for his next book. These kind of things happen all of the time here—multiple discussions and meetings. People bring this place to life. Everyone I have met loves books. They spend their minutes talking about books. Even now, as I type this, there is a loud discussion going on right next door about bestselling eBooks and how to improve sales for other eBooks.
The thing is, when these people leave for the day in a few minutes, they will continue to talk about books at dinner, while getting drinks and even at home until they go to bed.
That is passion. These people love books just as readers do.
I can't help but think of the monks who, in piety and silence, used to reproduce books by hand-copying them one word at a time, one page at a time. Talk about hand strain! Now we are able to produce a several million print run in essentially no time at all. But even though Random House is a corporation it is one built by very real people. It still takes a similar dedication like that seen by the monk to see a book created and published.
In essence, the religion these Random House employees live by is books.
I know one thing.
I will be sad to fly home tomorrow. Because I love being surrounded by books and book people.
Guess it is time to start planning my next visit!
Post Script: Many thanks to Gerald and Adrian in the mailroom! You guys were helpful gentlemen and without your aid I would not be flying back to Seattle on time! Thank you again!
butt Shawn, were tha mostest illegitimate peoples hear in Seattle!!!
No seriously, glad you're having a great time. Have a safe trip home!