The Gift of Swag--What I Got at Book Expo and What Folks Can Get at Boswell This Friday (at 11 AM)

For the first time in many years, I didn't bring home a single cloth bag from Book Expo, the book convention that previews fall titles. Well, I didn't bring one home last year either because I didn't go. There are less advance readers editions (galleys) as well, but they were certainly available (with some exceptions--I think HarperCollins only provided ebook access).

I did get one piece of swag, however, thanks to the alert eyes of Jason. It's this purple Mr. Toppit umbrella. And since Mr. Toppit wins best swag of the show (admittedly by default, but honestly, I think Mr. Toppit would have swept the category in most years), here's a bit of preview about the book.

"When Arthur Hayman, an unsuccessful screenwriter turned children's book author, is accidentally hit by a cement truck in London, his dying moments are spent with a passing American tourist, Laurie Clow, who is fated to bring posthumous fame to his obscure series, The Hayseed Chronicles, and the enigmatic and sinister Mr. Toppit who is at the center of the books. Spanning several decades, from the heyday of the postwar British film industry to today's cutthroat world of show business in Los Angeles, Mr. Toppit is a riveting debut novel that captures an extraordinary family and their tragic brush with fame to wonderfully funny and painful effect."

Swag, did you say swag? Why we're hosting Penguin Mini Truck this Friday, from 11 AM-12:30 PM, and we have a bit of swag ourselves.

Driving the Mini to Minneapolis (could there be a more obvious destination? It's like a magnet city) is Penguin editor Alexis Washam, who acquires literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, and mystery and psychological suspense, as well as a variety of non-fiction in subjects including pop culture, music, travel and memoir.

We have very nice 18x24 posters with the history of the Penguin logo, suitable for framing. We'll also have a limited number of balloons, assorted postcards, and, with purchase of any Penguin book, one of their great cloth bags (well, assuming they show up). Note that second-hand and bargain do not qualify for this offer.

Come meet Alexis, get some swag, take a picture with the Penguin Mini. It's all this Friday, 11 AM till 12:30 PM.