Status report.

Why not, right?

On the Way to Someplace Else: Still almost ready. I know. Talk about a total mind-blow. Actually, I have the front cover pretty well tied up. The back cover needs some work.

Here's the thing. I'm supposed to get people to review the book before I publish it so I can include the reviews on the back cover. Makes sense. The only problem is that I really don't care. I'm supposed to care a lot about that. It's the smart thing to do. Write a check to a reputable reviewing service, get their comments, and--if the comments are favorable--print them on my book.

But I have a real problem with the entire concept. It is unpalatable to me. Pay someone to review my book. For real? What a great gig! Seriously, had I known such a thing existed, my professional life might have taken a very different turn.

So, I don't believe I will be doing that. It's probably not the right way to go, but it makes me feel all oogy inside whenever I consider it. It comes down to this: For whom am I writing these books?

Well, that would be me, I suppose. I mean, sure it's for people to read them. And I would love to be a wildly popular novelist--don't misunderstand me on that. But I have a hard time caring what some professional book reviewer says about my work. I tend to be a rule-follower in most regards. But I don't like this rule.

So screw it.