I’m Dan Howland, the author of The Journal of Ride Theory Omnibus, and I will be touring through New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio in late August and early September. I’ve chosen Pennsylvania because it has what must be the densest cluster of amusement parks in the United States, if not the world. The trip will take me from Coney Island to Hershey Park, Williams Grove, Bushkill, Dorney Park, Knoebels, Lakemont (home of one of the oldest roller coasters in the world, Leap the Dips), Del Grosso’s, Idlewild, Kennywood, Conneaut Lake, Waldameer Park and finally into the Bowling Green area of Ohio for Cedar Point. I’m currently looking for independent bookstores in areas around those parks that might be interested in hosting readings.

The Journal of Ride Theory Omnibus is a compilation of six issues of the Journal of Ride Theory, the zine about amusement parks, rides and strange forms of transportation. WIRED magazine called it "...Singularly charming and witty," and the Willamette Week named it one of Portland's "Best 'Zines for Inducing Bafflement and Awe."

My reading will include live narration of a short documentary on the Futurama ride at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, as well as excerpts from the book. If you would like to include the documentary as part of the presentation, a VHS player and a TV large enough to be seen by the audience will be required. However, the reading can take place without it. Afterwards, the floor will be open for Q&A on the subjects of amusement and theme parks.



The Journal of Ride Theory Omnibus is a 192-page trade paperback book, which retails for $15.95. I can either bring copies with me to the reading, or sell them to you directly in advance. This is also a good opportunity to sell other amusement park history and guide books.