Abbie Hoffman had the right idea. It's so establishment to go to a bookstore and buy a book that will mostly profit the publisher and the bookseller. The author is on the bottom of the food chain. His book title suggests what he thinks the potential reader should do: Steal it.I went to the dark side again and had Lulu publish "Tales of a Texas Boy." The snobs over at Absolute Write would curl their literary lips in disgust. Lulu is a step up from Publish America. It has no pretensions of selectivity. You write it, they'll print it. End of deal.
If you happen to see the book laying around somewhere, by all means, please steal it.
Although, Tales is a darn good read, it doesn't fit any of the molds for major publishing. Short story anthologies get published only if the author is Mr. or Ms. Already Famous. The likelihood of little Eddie finding a print home is zero.
Therefore, I did it myself and it looks very good. The straw that pushed me over the edge was a special for the Published By You distribution package. Marked down from $149 to $50, it was just too good for me to pass up. I've not quite shoved the book off the bank into the river of self-published books. It's still clinging to the Lulu dock. At some point, I'll hit the Approve button and off it will go to Bowker's Books in Print. If it floats, then fine. If it sinks, yanno what? I don't much care. The point was to get the danged book printed up in a nice format for my father. He's 85, he's the little Eddie in the stories, Father's Day is coming up soon. Do the math. Wouldn't you do the same thing?
So, go buy it over at Lulu if you want. I'm not counting on that happening, so you could surprise me big time if you did. I offered everyone the chance to get a cheaper copy and nobody took me up on it, so I hardly expect anybody to buy the higher priced book ($14.95 plus about $2.56 shipping).
I'll say it again: You know what? I don't care.
Tell us more about it! I remember critting some boyhood stories over at CC, but I can't remember if they were by you. I do remember that they were fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAnybody who'd like to read more can visit my website:
ReplyDeletehttp://marvadasef.com/tales.aspx
When I lookes, I saw First Duty. It sounds like it will be an excellent read. Will the leader of the factory planet smirk and speak poorly? :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd answer, TC, but you probably won't come back to look at the comments.
ReplyDeleteOh, heck, I'll answer anyway. First Duty's villain smirks, but speaks very well. Think Lord Palpatine in Star Wars, but without the force.
Aha! Fooled you! ;-)
ReplyDeleteOK, at least he doesn't claim Jesus told him to invade Alpha Centuri. :-)
At my place you mentioned your short on rendition. Have you considered posting it as a serial?
Will TC return to read this? Stay tuned for more on this serial commentary.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary Rendition's internet publishing rights are owned by The Deepening. I can't put it up for anybody else to read. I could print it on paper, but can't post it. It's one of those things where you think it doesn't matter when you sign the contract.
ah, you only send mails when you post new interviews? I actually come here when I get a mail; see how lzy you make me? missed a lot it seems.
ReplyDeleteI liked, and still do like, the Eddie stories.
I was surprised to see you put it at Lulu, but I can understand your reasoning, and your dad will appreciate it I'm sure.
good for you, Marva, very well done.
I may buy one some day, you know, but the dollar exchange is a killer to me, and my entire bonus has already been "spent", as in, when I get it, it has a destination...
but good for you, and good luck with it.
Shhhh.... He's ba-a-a-a-a-ack! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's sad. I suppose they have no plans to resurrect it. :-(
In re: Extraordinary Rendition on the resurrect comment? It's out there to read for anybody who's subscribed to The Deepening. I do have a story on the free read side, but it's a far cry from ER. It's a romance.
ReplyDeleteOh well. I tried. :-)
ReplyDelete