Better to make sure and do it right than just do it right now. Which is why this damn book, Something I Said, has been taking so long to get out there. After spending a good year-and-a-half pulling the thing into shape, no point rushing the last minute nuts and bolts. So, the past month a half, that’s what it has been. A matter of nagging, last minute nuts and bolts. On the publisher’s end. Though, of course, Anura Si-Asar over at Papyrus Publishing, is telling the printer, “Look, sorry for the delay. But, you know what a pain the ass these creative types can be.”
Had to pick the right collection of essays. Controversial (but nowhere near my usual drop-a-building-on-‘em commentary) with humor thrown in to break things up – a man writing advice on romantic relationships. The essays that’ve previewed on Facebook are getting much love – a vastly relieving sign of encouragement.
Didn’t know Anura from Adam’s house cat when I pitched him the manuscript. He had published Mahmoud El-Kati and that was good enough for me. Since our first tentative meetings ‘til now we still don’t know each other real well but have a healthy mutual respect. The kind of mutual respect a writer has to have with a publisher. On top of which, it’s the chance for a couple of brothers to partner in business: that, sorry to say, just don’t happen nearly enough. Looking forward to this being a good experience.
Elsewise, scrounging around for songs to add to my singer-songwriter set list. Ain’t sung Smokey Robinson’s “Baby Come Close” in ages. Or Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Bottle”. Good time to woodshed: no gigs in the offing and, when not promoting the book, can work songs into the repertoire.
And gearing up to do a guest appearance on Flava News Radio’s On The Leopard Carpet with Lady Flava. Soon as Something I Said drops. Lady said last time I was on the show that she was looking forward to punching the book up once it dropped. Ya gotta like that! Whenever it gets scheduled for will be the on-air debut of the song “Angels” by Dwight Hobbes & The All-Star Hired Guns featuring Boday. Jeff “Boday” Christensen, trust me, plays some cold-blooded guitar.
Guess that’ll keep me out of trouble and off the streets. For at least a little while.
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