I read enough books and see enough book promotions to know that the really successful authors are shameless self-promoters. I’ve always been a little skittish at that game, but now that my sixth book has been released I realize that I’ve got some catching up to do.
So it is with great humility that I present to you my 332-page book of original short stories modestly titled, “Absolute Summer and Other Stories.” By now you have digested my two recent novels released by Tate Publishing, “The Genuine One” and “The Old Man in Section 129” and have made your comparisons to the other great story-tellers of our time. This new book contains 10 short stories conceived and written by me christened, “Absolute Summer,” “Couch Potatoes,” “PEF Rancourt’s World,” “The Echo of Perfection,” “The Global Athletic Legitimacy League,” “The Magnificent Marble,” “Shootout at Gold Crick,” “Elishama,” “Mya on the Fountain Plaza,” and “Light Beams.”
Please, please, good people. I know you are at this very moment wondering to yourselves where you might procure a copy of this latest book, as the holiday season is indeed quickly approaching and it would make the perfect Christmas gift. I’m sure you’re thinking of purchasing two of them (or more) so that you can read and enjoy it yourself, at your leisure.
So I will go right to specifics. “Absolute Summer and Other Stories” is available on lulu.com for $15. Yet, you can have it for $12 (just a little more than a dollar per story) at a one-time-only Daily Globe book signing event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. right here in downtown Worthington on Friday, Nov. 13. Conveniently, that is the day of the Worthington Open Houses for the Holidays kick-off. So you’re going to be coming to visit us anyway; you might as well bring a book home with you, with the added bonus of the author’s signature.
Did I mention there will be refreshments?
Just in case you’ve forgotten to buy “The Genuine One” and “The Old Man” previously (shame on you), they will also be available for purchase at the Nov. 13 event. Now, I have been told (although I can’t for the life of me understand why) that some of you have not yet purchased any of my books. I forgive you, of course. But I will tell you this: In the coming week, I promise to post excerpts of two of my new stories online (www.dglobe.com) for your sampling. You’ll be able to find them in the contributors section where we make our blog posts.
I know. What more could you ask for, right?
The stories are of varied themes ranging from warm and nostalgic (“Absolute Summer”), inspirationally faith-based (“PEF Rancourt’s World,” “Light Beams”) to quirky (“Couch Potatoes,” “Shootout at Gold Crick”) to humorous (“The Global Athletic Legitimacy League”). My hope is that you will find that the characters are thoughtfully drawn and that the themes — though varied — reveal something universal to the human experience.
Is that enough shameless self-promotion for you?
Whew. I’m glad that part is over. Now on a more serious note: I personally want to thank everyone who has purchased any of my books. It gives me great joy to know that my creations are being digested, and even greater joy to hear the nice things you’ve said about them.
Frankly, “Absolute Summer and Other Stories” might be my final book. I haven’t decided yet. I think I need a break from story-writing for a while, at least. Even so, I am quite pleased with this new book and very much hope that you will be pleased with it, too.