A few years ago, the local volunteer library called: Would I be interested in signing my books at Barnes and Noble to raise funds for the library? The store would donate a percentage of all sales. It sounded like a win-win, but I’m cautious by nature—usually. “Tell me more.” Just a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon, and the local Star Wars re-enactors would be there to draw people to the store. Not just publicity and sales for me and money for the library, but fun. “I’d be happy to do it,” I told them. So I turned up at B&N at the proper time and there were Darth Vader, Princess Leia, a nice selection of troopers, and a Wookie, standing around a table holding my books. I sat myself down, Darth Vader wheezing through his mask at the back of my neck. We chatted about their organization, licensed by the Star Wars franchise to make charity appearances, provided their costumes were really authentic-looking. The customers came. Well, “customers” is the wrong word. A s...