Chasing Tales

Into the final stretch here. For some strange reason I’m feeling a bit calmer. Could be because there is no reason to get crazed anymore. I’ve done what I can do, and I can do no more (kinda sorta - I could walk the streets in a dog costume giving out postcards I suppose). The rest is up to the public and whether or not the story of a New York’s couple relationship as seen through the eyes of their mutt will intrigue them enough to buy my novel.

Meanwhile - can’t decide if I should bring Mr. Mies to the book launch. There could be a lot of people there (although the baseball playoffs do start Wednesday & the poopy Mets are in it ) and we all know how skittish he can be with crowds. Perhaps if I stick him in his sherpa carrying case and then let him make a brief, but meaningful guest appearance.

Coliseum Books,  one of the few remaining independent bookstores here in New York has just filed for bankruptcy and will shut its doors within a month or two. This news obviously struck a deep cord with me as my launch/reception/reading is slated to take place there next Wednesday, October  11th.   I met  Evan Marshall,  my literary agent at Coliseum several years ago.  Ironically, he was there to discuss his latest how-to guide on  getting your novel published.  Our  fortuitous encounter  led to a two-book deal with Kensington.  Anyway,  I had decided to have my event at the store to 1)support an "indie" and 2) be a part of a full-circle/inspirational story for aspiring writers.  So this news doubly sucks. 

I spoke to George Leibson, co-owner of Coliseum, this morning.  The store has  already received their sixty copies of DOGGY STYLE, so he assured me the event would go on.   Although, with the cafe dismantled, the space won’t  be as "aesthetically pleasing" as before. And with a sharply reduced staff, nerves will be on end.  

My book launch  will mark  the last author event at Coliseum before this thirty year old New York institution shuts its doors. But as long as they’ve agreed to let the show go on, I, too, will not abandon ship

If I have to hear the first chapter of DOGGY STYLE read out loud to me one more time - I think I’m going to lose my canine mind!!!

After 5 days of being in the “dark” I’m back. Not sure if that is good or bad news….Anyway, my road runner connection crapped out and naturally, it took forever to get Time Warner to make a house call. Just another bit of pre-launch aggravation I didn’t need.

Anyway - pre-launch freak outs continue. My sales rank on Amazon has now  passed the one million mark (all this before the book officially hits stores!). B & N is better - 161,000.  The information highway sucks the big one.

I spend 99% of my time working on HOOKED…the other 1% is devoted to practicing the book exerpt I’ll read at the launch party. If Mr Miles’ insoucient reaction is any indication - the audience ought to be asleep in three minutes.

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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Okay, so I promised to write every day and I blew it. Sorry, folks. These days all I do is whine and kvetch.  Not very interesting blog fodder I would think. So there is NOTHING new to report except for the fact that DOGGY STYLE hits stores on week from Tuesday. ARGHHHHHHHHHH! 

Also - I’ve got to stop checking those damn Amazon and B & N sites to see what my sales rank is because these numbers only contribute to my author angst.

Never underestimate the benefits of being an unpublished, starving writer.

In an ernest attempt to blog every day here goes….

Met with my Kensington publicist yesterday. Sweet guy who also happens to be named well, GUY.  Anyway, he’s getting ready for the final p.r. push before DOGGY STYLE is officially outted in bookstores on October 3rd.  Whew. Here I am, Ms. Approval Issues about to be scrutinized by the general public. Am I spooked?  You bet I am!

Mr. Miles definitely has a point there.

Anyway - on Friday, I received copies of the store ready version of DOGGY STYLE. The book looks great but the reality still hasn’t set in. Perhaps when I see the books stacked up on display in Barnes and Noble I’ll finally believe I’m a published author.  Meanwhile - Publishers Weekly (despite a crappy review obviously written by a non-dog person) listed me under “HOT TOPICS.”

Of course, I wanted to split.  The park was over-run with pure breeds, all coping attitudes. I’d like to know how many of THEM are on the front cover of a book!!!

Aw - come on. Cut me some slack here. I’m doing the best I can.  As for long walks - we’ve been in a bit of a monsoon season here in the city.  And I did take you to that AKC dog fair in Madison Square Park on Saturday and all you wanted to do was split.