I shoulda shaved

Jim Butcher's event drew about 400 people. Yikes. I counted 32 black leather jackets, 21 fedoras/wide-brimmed hats, and only two guys who went for the trifecta: leather jacket, hat and "wizard's staff".

With my unshaved face and fat gut, I imaging I didn't look out of place. I really felt out of place, though.

There was no reading; it was all Q&A, and what's more, Butcher is a funny, engaging speaker. Even when a reader (the very first one!) came to the mike to ask him about his...