23 Days

For three years we've been preaching the marvels of Tim Dorsey, the skillful story-teller who introduced Serge Storms to our universe.

And for three years we've been promising that we would bring Tim to New Albany. The countdown starts now. On Tuesday, February 26, Mr. Dorsey will touch down in his native state following an exhausting tour northward. Join us as we celebrate this momentous visit, starting at 5 p.m.

Our Web site contains all the key information. We invite you to pick up Tim's newest book, Atomic Lobster, the tenth of his Serge Storms novels.

We have a special invitation for all "Shredders," the folks who started the Serge Storms Historical Research & Debating Society and all who would like to join. At 7:30 that evening, we'll venture north to Rich O's Public House and the Prost Events Hall for a reservation-only evening with Tim Dorsey. The hall can only accommodate 50 people and the reservation list is filling up rapidly. The multiple dining rooms of Rich O's and Sportstime Pizza will be available for overflow, but to ensure your chance to spend time with the author, you must reserve before the list is full.

During that event, we also will have a very special presentation for Mr. Dorsey. Guests can sample brews from The New Albanian Brewing Company, but for the most part the party is a la carte. And it's free! You can order food and libations from the menu and mingle with the author, his fans, and even the Publican himself. If the festivities allow it, we'll have games and contests, too, although Tim himself asked for this venue so he could spend time with his fans.

And while we can't promise it, I expect Tim will accommodate those who can't get into the Prost but who will be lingering in the other dining rooms.

The best way you can thank Tim for this visit is to buy his book, available now at Destinations Booksellers, 604 E. Spring St., New Albany.

In the coming days we'll share with you our love for Tim and his "hero," the inimitable Serge A. Storms. Do not miss this event, whether it is the booksigning from 5 to 7 p.m. or the after-party. This will be our biggest event ever and the response we get will make a significant statement to major national publishers like Tim's own HarperCollins Publishers about how well New Albany and Southern Indiana can support big author tours.

For the time being, we're keeping publicity quiet and local, but soon the whole metro area will be clued in. Purchase the book Atomic Lobster or any of Tim's previous books now and make your reservations for the post-signing gala.