Bookstores and Poetry and Search Engines

A funny thing happened to me on the way to pick up some tropical fish yesterday. Perhaps it’s a question for anyone who’s published a book:

I walked into a Barnes & Noble, and went to the poetry section. There, for the first time in my life, I found, on the shelf, a copy of a book that I’ve written. What a weird sensation. One of those “look around for the camera” moments.

At the checkout counter, I mentioned to the clerk (well, I simply HAD to tell someone) that my book was there. She asked me if I wanted to sign it. So, of course, I did. Now there’s a copy of The Little Book of Guesses with a “signed by the author” sticker on it at the Arboretum Barnes & Noble, in Austin, Texas.

What an odd little scenario. Do you know what I’m saying?

In other, slightly related news, I’ve come across a new search engine:

http://www.goodsearch.com/

It’s powered by Yahoo, and they say that for every search you perform, they’ll donate a penny to the charity of your choice. How interesting. I typed in “Four Way Books,” and, well, I suppose I’m donating a penny to Four Way Books every time I search for something now. So far I think I’ve donated something like five cents.

I don’t know how this works, but at some point I’ll ask Four Way Books if they’ve gotten the check.

In other, further other, news:

New books on the horizon I’m excited about:

Bin Ramke, Tendril (Omnidawn, due in September)
Mary Jo Bang, Elegy (Graywolf – in hardcover!)
Cate Marvin, Fragment of the Head of a Queen (Sarabande)
G. C. Waldrep, Disclamor (BOA)