Even though Tucker Max, author of ‘I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,’ is an idol for some college-aged males, his own idol is a little more reserved.

‘It’s hard to argue with someone like Winston Churchill — smart, funny, beat a dictator in a war,’ he said.

Max appeared in Syracuse on Sunday at Follett’s Orange Bookstore, signing copies of his books and meeting fans. He was on tour to promote his new book, ‘Assholes Finish First.’ More than 150 people turned out for the 2 p.m. signing, arriving as early as 12:45 p.m. to be first in line to meet the author.

The signing was arranged back in August, when his tour manager contacted Follett’s. Follett’s prepared by having 300 books available for purchase in its store and stationed Max on the second floor of the mall. The store hoped that if this signing was a success, there would be more events with other mainstream authors.

‘Everything is going good with the tour,’ Max said. ‘People like coming out to sign books and take pictures. If I didn’t have fans, I might have to get a real job.’

Max began writing online in 2000 and decided to pursue writing full time in 2002. ‘I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell’ was published in 2006 and became a best seller and feature film starring Matt Czuchry in 2009. His works are filled with casual anecdotes about his hook-ups, nights out with friends and run-ins with the law.

After two books and a movie, Max said he has to be more careful about his public actions.

‘I can’t just drive drunk some girl’s car into the front of a store anymore, I can’t get away with that,’ he said.

Max was willing to sign his new book or his previous book. The first half of his new book is very similar to his first book, but he said his recent success changed his life. And while crazy things still happen worth writing about, his experiences are a little different.

Max said his stories about women sometimes attract negative attention from other women. His assistant on tour is a female, and he said this helps keep him focused and avoid unwanted situations.

‘I have no idea how many women I’ve slept with. I think it’s really creepy once you’re past 30 or 40 women,’ Max said. ‘I would say I’ve slept with more than 100 and less than 1,000.’

At 31, Max said he is looking to settle down at some point, but his lifestyle has made dating difficult.

‘Who wants to be single their whole life? Marriage can be great if it’s between two people who love and care about each other,’ Max said. ‘But it is hard to date me. It’s not that it’s completely unlike dating another guy, but not like dating a normal person. There are a lot of great things I bring to the table and a lot of difficult things, too.’

Although Max pulls from his life, not every event is seen as a potential story.

Tucker said he goes out with his friends to have fun, and sometimes the crazy night will yield a story and sometimes it won’t. Sometimes an amazing night is too boring when explained, while other stories become funny with time.

Putting his life on display has affected his relationships. He said his success has made friends envious, but he does not know what his family thinks of his works.

‘What does my family think about me being a best-selling author and having a movie made about my life? I don’t know. If they don’t approve, it’s their problem, not mine,’ he said.

Max’s success has been unconventional. He encouraged college students to explore and look outside the social norm of going from high school to college to a job they might be unhappy with.

‘If what they want to be differs from the standard path, people tell them they can’t do it,’ Max said. ‘And my advice is college is a time to ignore those people, take risks, find your destiny — and most people don’t do that and get into a job and life they don’t like.’

This was Max’s first time in Syracuse. He said the city needed more besides the university. When he asked people where to go to eat, he said they all directed him to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Max, who hails from Austin, said the barbeque couldn’t live up to what he was used to.

After he is done promoting his latest book, Max said he would continue updating his website and writing, but another movie is unlikely. He has already started another book, ‘Hilarity Ensues,’ according to his website.

blszklar@syr.edu

Published on October 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm