f you need confirmation that you are not the only frustrated writer out there, you’ve come to the right place.

I haven’t sent out a submission in months. Wife sickness and other obligations have gotten in the way. So I’m already feeling bad about that. But before all this (about four or more months back) I took a preview copy of Early Retyrement to a little local bookseller around the corner. Figured, hey, you want local writers? Nobody is more local than me?

So I gave it to the owner and weeks passed. And then, two months ago, I screwed up my courage, surgically removed my pride, found my balls and went over to ask, “Hey, reached a decision to stock me yet?” I got one of her clerks who took a little written message for me to pass along. And, of course, nothing.

That wouldn’t be so galling if I didn’t have one of her locally supported books, one I mentioned earlier, the Worst Book in Western Literature, which I laid out something like $15 for? Shit, and mine’s better, longer, and more grammatically correct. So what the hell is it with this wait?

Part of me knows I should be like Mindy Kaling of The Mindy Project, who storms offices and breaks down doors to get heard. I should be over there right now, asking if I should just take my book back (since they can’t review it in something like eight weeks – hell, just flip through the fucking thing, okay? What, you afraid I hid a pentagram in there?)

And part of me has that Hemingway feel, that I’m just writing cuz I’m writing, that I write well and know it, and I’m not going to play Facebook games to get my book placed. That’s, truthfully, more comforting (since I can mask a timid modesty with grizzled indifference and claim it’s beneath me). But yes, hell, I’m tired of going over and asking.

As I write this, I’ve decide that I will go over, next week, and put it to them bluntly. I guess I do need to come up with an answer. What’s the worst that can happen? I’ve placed in other shops but didn’t do so well. But hell, at least I’m not out a $10 review copy.

Yes, so if this seems sorta scattershot today, it’s because I’m making plans as I write. So watch this space. Next week, you’ll find out if I had the courage to go over and shake their tree.

>>>IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE BOOK THIS IS ALL ABOUT, YOU CAN GET “EARLY RETYREMENT” RIGHT HERE, A LOT CHEAPER THAN YOU CAN OVER AT THE LOCAL STORE (IF THEY EVER STOCK THE DAMN THING<<<