Frankly, I was beginning to doubt the whole enterprise. I haven’t received a book contract for Recut Madness, let alone get paid an advance. I’d only seen an electronic version of the cover. The page proofs were nice to look at, but that’s really only two steps removed from manuscript pages, in my mind. Was this book deal some kind of elaborate practical joke? Was someone going to call me up and tell me, “Sorry, we changed our minds–no book for you!” These are the thoughts that go through my mind at crunch times. That’s the kind of crazy optimist I am. It makes me a joy to live with.
But Friday afternoon, just before we were all piling into the station wagon for a few snow-drenched days in western Michigan, the UPS truck rumbles up. The driver brings us a heavy box about 12 inches on all sides. The return label says Virginia, which doesn’t tell me anything.
I sliced open the box, and inside were 25 shiny new copies of Recut Madness. Real, proper, find em on the shelf copies. Yahoooo! I didn’t really read them through (I think I know the pieces by heart now), but I flipped through, trying to imagine what the casual shopper of modern satire might be looking for in a title. Something to while away the doldrums, to add some spice to life, to keep the absinthe bottle in the cupboard for just a little time more. Baby, this book has got it. Getting the copies before the Easter holiday was extra nice, because I could hand-deliver a few copies to relatives.
The books are here. Now, one worry is gone. Time to wait for the other worries to come pounding on the door in the middle of the night.
you will be happy to know that I passed the book around to all my roommates once they got home that Sunday, they all laughed their heads off, I think that Spartacus was a favorite, as well as Babe, who doesn’t like a good Orwell reference? congrats. I know it will be a hit.
Thanks!! Nothing like a little “man on the campus” marketing. Tell em to make sure and tell all their friends.
* Charlotte’s Web, not babe. but you got it just the same. will do.
This is fantastic!!! Can’t wait to see it in the stores. COngratulations.
Congrats, Jim!
shea (evidently, the *other* shea)
Don’t be pouty DVS. Throughout our lives, we intersect with many Sheas. But you were the first and most impressionable.