Writing this on the plane on the way to Toronto, for Bouchercon. Had the ABSENT FRIENDS launch last night at Partners & Crime bookstore in NY. (Food and wine provided by me; that's traditional, for the author to do it. Independent bookstores are struggling enough, sometimes have 3 writers a week, would go straight under if they fed everyone's party. My publisher's buying ads and sending me on tour, so that's where their bucks are going.) Had about 75 people, which is a lot for this kind of event. Some strangers, but mostly my friends, who seem to be a very loyal bunch, and I thank them. Including a number of other writers: Peter Blauner, Lee Child, Gabriel Cohen, Reed Coleman, Jim Fusilli, Naomi Rand, Jonathan Santlofer, Tom Savage, Keith Snyder, Peter Spiegelman. Gerald So, who posts here, has his own blog on blogspot.com, and whom I'd never met before, was there, as was my political mouthpiece. Read, did a Q&A, signed. Was very nervous beforehand, not about reading -- I enjoy that -- but because this was the first public event for AF. I'm still wondering how the book will be received outside the crime writing community and outside NY. Last night kicked off my tour, so I guess I'll start to know soon.