The Author Guy Blog by Larry B. Gildersleeve (January 22, 2025)

 

22nd January 2025

Hello out there,

Welcome back. While I regularly purchase releases of new books online from either Amazon or Barnes & Noble websites (my books can be found on both), I also occasionally “haunt” used book stores (where my books can also be found). These stores can be a treasure trove of previously published books going back several decades and can usually be purchased for between one and five dollars.

When shopping at these stores, I first seek out the sections of prolific authors I study, especially those who are no longer with us, authors such as Stuart Woods and Robert B. Parker. I’m especially drawn to these two because their books are dialogue-driven, and that is my writing style, as well. Last week, my search was rewarded with a rare find – an authentic autographed first edition of Parker’s Widow’s Walk published in 2002.

If you’re ever tempted to order an autographed copy of an author’s current book, a note of caution. Years ago, I spent a decent amount of money for one by a world famous novelist. When it arrived, the autograph was on a sticker on a page, which means it’s likely the author never touched the book. Not what I wanted, and certainly not what I expected, and it does not occupy a place of honor on the bookshelves of autographed (some personalized to me) books in my library.

Until next week … Vaya con Dios

Larry B. Gildersleeve