Panama Hotel: Seattle, WA

Wow. What a phenomenal event. Many thanks to the fine folks at University Bookstore for hosting and Jan at the Panama.

Despite a bit of snow (and American Idol) we packed 'em in. There must have been 60-70 people, a tremendous crowd that filled the tea room and took up every available chair.

One great thing about being on tour is that I get to share good news with folks as it happens. Last night I was able to share that HOTEL landed at #18 on IndieBound's National Bestseller List! IndieBound actually only shows the Top-15, but they have an asterisk reserved for books "On The Rise," and that's where HOTEL came in. Funny, I've never been an asterisk before.

More good news tonight, but you'll have to be at Third Place Books in Bothell, WA to hear it.

Comments

[CharlesP]

I've been to Seattle one time (training while I was with Amazon.com), and now that I've finished the book I'm really regretful that I didn't visit the Panama. So glad the tour is going well for you.

[Jamie]

So far so good! If you're ever out this way again, be sure to stop in at the tea room. It's quite lovely.

[Steve Powell]

I attended the Panama Hotel event and it was very special. I came wearing two hats: as an organizer for a Meetup.com group, http://www.meetup.com/Whim-Tours-in-Seattle and as a tour developer at Seattle Tours. My Meetup group was very enthusiastic and I've already set up a tour of the sites in the book, set for Feb. 28th - from Lakeview Cemetary to Kobe Park to the former sites of Jazz Clubs to the Panama. Our tour company is viewing the Panama Hotel as an anchor of their new tour this year: Famous Seattle. There were three of us guides there at the event (and at the group dinner at Golden City beforehand.) We are all excited about what Jamie's story brings to this area of the International District and its historic past.

[David I]

An asterisk? Use the music industry terminology instead--tell people you book is "at number 18--with a bullet!"

[Kathy Dettwyler]

Are you working on a second novel? Please??!!

[Jamie]

David--I like your thinking, my friend. Much better to be a bullet than an asterisk. Barry Bonds is an asterisk.

Hi Kathy--yup, another book is in the works. Stay tuned. :)