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Please come back 8/30/11 for the continuation of the massive "Super '70s and '80s" series, running most days between now and 10/12/11! And for today, a post of "regularly scheduled content":

In June, I "reported" that a friend discovered my book Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman in a Six Flags gift shop. That it was there was not a surprise, since I'd worked hard in 2008 to pitch them. That it is still there is something of a surprise—and a pleasant one, even if these are the same still-unsold copies brought in three years ago!

The friend who told me of this in June went back in August (presumably for attractions other than my book) and kindly snapped and sent these photos:


I suspect (but will never attempt to prove) that this is the first hardcover nonfiction book to be sold in an amusement park gift shop. Not exactly a distinction worthy of Guiness, I know.

This email came in from a young woman I have known since she was a tiny girl (and she kindly gave me permission to share it here):

I recently graduated high school. Thursday night my fellow graduates and I went to "Grad Nite" at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I was looking through Superman and Batman capes when I noticed something familiar at the front counter: your book! I screeched excitedly and called my friends over, pointing to Boys of Steel as I explained that I knew the author. It was really great to see one of your books at the very front of a store, on display, and to know that I had the same book at home, had read it cover to cover multiple times already, and even had met the author!

Photo courtesy of Braden E (via Flickr).

1. Because Six Flags is home to home to various Superman rides including a roller coaster (pictured above) with the zippy name "Escape from Krypton," I personally pitched them Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman several months before it was published in 2008...although even I thought it unlikely that an amusement park would carry a hardcover nonfiction book in its shops. To my pleasant surprise, they agreed to try it.
2. Three summers later, the book is still available at Six Flags! (Then again, since the sale was nonreturnable, perhaps that is a copy from the original order three years ago that has yet to sell...)
3. The book is on display at the front of the store. (Then again, if it is a copy from three years ago, they've got to do whatever it takes to move that thing.)

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