March Update

March 2013

My sister Sally came to visit us in Florida last week.  She's an adventuresome gal and can always be counted on to get us out of our routines.  One of her many passions is to bathe in the multitude of hot springs scattered throughout the country, and she possesses a two-volume guide to such spas. 

So we trekked to nearby North Port, FL and went swimming in the Warm Mineral Springs National Park.  The park lore maintains that it is the original Fountain of Youth discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1521 prior to his untimely death from a poison dart launched by the Calusa Indians near the now-named Charlotte Harbor.

We soaked and swam in the 87-degree geothermically-warmed waters that tumble out of a 3-acre, 240' deep sinkhole.  We quickly observed that we were in a minority as English speakers.  We were accompanied by a bevy of hefty, hirsute Russian women, although they could just have easily been Estonians.  Eye candy they were not, but they were mighty fine floaters.

While waiting for Sally and Judy as we were preparing to leave, I overheard a couple of older (as defined by being more wrinkly than me) ladies comparing notes.  One of them exclaimed,  "I've been coming here for years, and I'm convinced this really works."  After a quick glance I can pretty well attest that it doesn't, although I uncharacteristically kept my thoughts to myself.  I left in as wizened a condition as when I arrived.  Maybe it requires multiple treatments.

I just returned from banjo camp with a heavily-reinforced dose of humility.  It's amazing how many unheralded, yet phenomenal banjo players inhabit our fair land.  On the plus side, I find that my left pinkie is getting stronger and can now stretch four frets from the index.  This is my version of progress.

I was visiting with a woman on a flight back to KC, and saw an opening to huckster my book, when she stopped me in mid-sentence and said,  "Do you know John Richmond?"

I said, "Of course, there's a chapter in the book called Albany John, and that's none other than John Richmond?"

She said, "I'm from Albany, MO, and I've heard of that book.  I'll give it a look."

If only I were doing as well in New York, but alas I'm not.

A few weeks ago I read an article in the WSJ about a self-published science-fiction novel Wool that went viral and subsequently sold hundreds of thousands of electronic copies.  Publishers are now bidding for the rights for a paper version. The author noted that the key to getting exposure was an accumulation of positive reviews posted on http://www.goodreads.com.  The book received over a thousand reviews with an average rating of 4.8 (on a scale of 5). 

Goodreads is a great place to see what others are reading and to share your favorites.  Odd as it may seem, NNAOPP has now been rated by four readers, all giving it five stars.  Any kind words or ratings you might post would be greatly appreciated.

Sales are now at 1,206 (I had to add the comma to make it look like a larger number).  I remain unsuccessful at finding an agent, but I got a call from my brother saying neighbors of friends of his wife's sister's hairdresser really enjoyed the book.  This development keeps me going.

Warmly,

Chuck