I've decided to go with this whole expensive, self-indulgent process of self-publishing on the theory that what I'm doing is OUTRAGEOUS!

So I'm actually into this for 10 grand, and no book has even been produced yet. I'm embarrassed to admit it. But it could be considerably more. I saved two grand during the editing process by editing it myself. I bargained my promotion package down from $11,500 to $8,500. And today I said no to the "opportunity" to have a screenplay treatment written up by a professional screenwriter for a cool $3400. Can you imagine that? Ray, who seems to be the agent who's been assigned to me, started off the phone call by telling me he wanted me to go to Las Vegas and pitch the idea for Otorongo to some producers!

Now, that would be outrageous. For a variety of reasons. And if I had more outrageousness in my system (and more money), it would have been a trip to do it! If nothing else, I probably would have gotten a short story out of it. But, I mean, I'm a very introverted person, and there IS no idea to pitch for Otorongo! I just wrote the damn thing so I wouldn't fall asleep at the wheel driving around 5 hours a day commuting in and out of SF. Like, it kept me awake! It may have saved my life. Do you think some Las Vegas producer is going to be able to relate to that?

The question is, what would my grandson think about this if he knew about it? I'd better not tell him. Talk about being embarrassed by your parents! This is being embarrassed by your grandparents!!

On a slightly, but not too different, note. I came across this excellent novel by Martin Millar in Powell's when I was up in Portland over the weekend. Wish I could write like this!

Anybody else like his books?