Thrillerfest and Superman

Just now getting back from the weekend, which was wild for sheer surrealness, starting with the visit to the house where Superman was created. Last time I was there, the paint was peeling, the roof was dumping water into the bedrooms, the whole place was a mess. Today, the outside is pristine. It's the Norman Rockwell painting I imagined in my head. And of course, we took an early sneak peek at the Superman fence that now marks the spot (now that the house is no longer red and blue, it needed something). And for the ultra geeks, it's the original S. Go see it here (WSJ)...click slideshow...

Had a beautiful time catching up with all the Siegel & Shuster Society members, who are the dearest people around. And then, it was onto the roomful of real Siegels and Shusters. I mean, it. All of them. A hundred or so relatives, each with their own personal story of Joe drawing on butcher's paper, and Jerry telling stories. Natch, the pinnacle was meeting the real Lois Lane, Joanne Siegel, who was...how does this not sound odd...stunning. Really stunning. And so full of life. Like you look at her and know that she should've inspired the most famous reporter. Her daughter and the rest of their family are so appreciative of all of your work and I bring back love and hugs and mushy stuff for all.

Then onto Thrillerfest, where I got to spend time with pals (dicky name-drop time) Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Sandra Brown, Steve Berry, Jon Land, and loads of others that I rarely get to see but always love seeing. The Thriller writers get it so right. A full conference just to discuss (and help other writers with) the craft.

And then back home, where my son says to me, "I hate to read." Perfect ending to a weekend of literacy love. We're now (and me we, I mean Jason Sherry, who did the first video, and the film CUBES) putting together a new video so you can see the new house for yourself. I can't thank you enough for putting the word out and telling people and doing what each of you individually did. As I said over and over, it wasn't me. YOU were the reason it really got done.

This week is going to the Heroes for my Son book.