My next post won’t appear for several days because I’m busy preparing for two events.

On Saturday, June 19 at 11:30 am, I’ll be delivering the Convocation Address to the Northwestern University Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences graduating class of 2010. Anyone interested can join the other 10,000 people in attendance at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL. No ticket required.

But you don’t have to be there to see it. The event will also be streaming online at http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/convocation/. The topic of my ten-minute speech is “Gems from the Diamond.” After I finish, 1,000 graduates will receive their diplomas individually; you probably won’t mind missing that part.

Then, on Monday, June 21 at 7:00 pm, I’ll discuss and sign my new novel, The Partnership, at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL (811 Elm Street). (http://www.amazon.com/Partnership-Novel-Steven-J-Harper/dp/0984369104/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273000077&sr=1-1)

So perhaps you’ll see me before you read whatever I have to say next.