ON THE ROAD
The first week of this whirlwind tour was pretty amazing. We kicked it off in New York with an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” then flew to Florida for an event that night and another event early the next day in a bookstore. I was stunned by how many people were there at 9 in the morning. I mean, I know they have nice weather and everything, but still…
Although the experiences were great in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, reading to an audience at the Music Hall, and a fundraiser in Hartford, Connecticut, helping literacy during a luncheon, the highlight had to be in my hometown, Detroit, last Wednesday night, when Tony Bennett, Hank Azaria and Joe Dumars all came in to help launch the book and raise money for the homeless. That was beyond memorable. Hank and Joe told insightful, funny stories, and Tony Bennett not only sang, he did his finale by putting down the microphone and bellowing a rendition of “Fly Me To The Moon” BY HIMSELF without any amplification. The guy is 80 years old, and his voice rang off the rafters of the Fox Theater! It was one of those goosebump moments. The event grossed over $100,000 to help the homeless in Detroit, and to all those who attended, I am truly grateful.
STARBUCKS: Tuesday begins the much-anticipated Starbucks experience, with an appearance in New York at the Starbucks at 29th and Park. The Starbucks chain will be carrying For One More Day nationwide, encouraging people to read it and get together with others to discuss it. It’s sort of a book club on a huge national stage, and I love the idea that a big company is encouraging people to read. Starbucks is also donating one dollar from every book sold to the Jumpstart literacy organization. That makes it even better. I have the full schedule of the eight Starbucks I will be visiting and speaking at on this website, under the tour dates and schedules – so if you are near one, please come by and say hello. I’ve now seen some of the posters they have for the stores, as well as questions about For One More Day and its story and characters. It’s incredibly flattering and humbling to see this much effort for my book. I know another writer will enjoy this experience after me, and another after that. I hope they get the same kick out of it that I am.
FEEDBACK: If you’ve had a chance to read For One More Day, I’d love to hear from you on this website. And as a means of bringing together those who read it, if you feel comfortable, please share a brief story of someone you would like to spend one more day with if you had the chance. I think one person’s story will weave interestingly into another’s.
