The book release date has finally arrived… Sort of. As a first-time author, I’ve been learning a lot about the book business through on-the-job training -- i.e., you learn as you go, and it’s not always fine and dandy.
Yes, my book is being published on Oct. 13 (Friday the 13th). But no, it won’t be available on that day. It will be rolling off the presses at the bindery and then shipped to stores and to people who have ordered it. I’m supposed to get a few copies, too. That would be nice.
But technically, Continuum has again pushed back the “official” release date to Nov. 1.
I believe the reason is to give it a cushion for delivery to retail outlets.
So it’s released, but it’s not released. At first, I was worried that I would not have copies for the six book signings I have scheduled. But I've been assured that’s not going to be a problem.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I was interviewed by two local television news anchors – Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV/Channel 11, the Toledo CBS affiliate, and Jim Blue of WNWO-TV/Channel 24, the local NBC station.
Both interviews went pretty well, I think… but you never know how the final edit is going to come out. Channel 24 aired the interview last night during the 11 p.m. news and again this morning, and Channel 11 will broadcast it as a “Jerry’s Journal” segment during the newscasts at 5 p.m. tomorrow and 8 a.m. Saturday (update: the Jerry's Journal has been delayed until next Friday, 10/20, because there's too much going on today, I've just been told).
The Jim Blue interview was straightforward, sitting in the studio, answering questions… some of them centered on the satanic aspects of the murder, which is sure to stir things up. The interview with Jerry was done in my home. We talked for an hour and they’ll use 2 minutes for the show. At the end of the interview, I played guitar. It was Jerry’s idea because I told him that when I was getting burned out writing I relaxed by playing some music. I hope that part comes out OK… I was nervous and didn’t really play that well. But I trust Jerry… The “Journal” segments are usually kind of lighthearted but that’s a tall order with this book about a ritual murder. We’ll see!
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One more note: The Blade hired an outside reviewer, Javan Kienzle, to write about my book. She is an author and also the widow of William X. Kienzle, well known for his book “The Rosary Murders.” I have not read Mrs. Kienzle’s review, which will be published Sunday, but was told by an editor that she gave it a positive review overall. She said it was engrossing, but then she spent most of the review describing the murder case itself and not really critiquing the book. I’m happy with that, though. At least it was generally positive. I have a semi-thick skin from writing for a newspaper for so many years, but to be honest, waiting for reviews of my first book is an extremely nerve-wracking experience.
As I’ve said before, however: I will remain optimistic until proven otherwise. I’m glad the big day is here… sort of!
Oct. 13, 2006. Sylvania, Ohio.