Well, it’s been quite a week. I think I’ve experienced one of the best aspects of the writing life, and, if not one of the worst, then one of the less than blissful, shall we say.

I’ll do the bad news first. Maybe I should call it the not-so-great news. Because, after all, I did find multiple copies of my just-released novel, Brown Dwarf, in two bookstores - one big-box, the other independent. And when I approached busy clerks and asked if they would like me to sign them, they didn’t throw me out. Not exactly. Nor was I expecting red carpet treatment. After all, this is a town full of authors, and they’re probably walking in all the time asking to sign their own books.

But in the big-box store, the clerk yanked open a drawer, pulled out a roll of “Signed by the Author” stickers, then bounced a pen in my direction. Okay- I’m a working stiff too, and I know what it’s like to be trying to do eight things at once. But would a smile have hurt? I slunk away after signing (no, I did not put the stickers on  - that’s HIS job) feeling as if I’d interrupted something MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME.

On to the independent - a favourite of mine to which I’ve given a fair amount of business over the years. Store almost empty. Proprietor not particularly busy. But his boredom (oh hell, another AUTHOR!) was palpable. But I couldn’t resist. “I’ve been coming in here for years,” I began, big gullible grin splitting my face. “This is my fourth book, but my first novel. And it means a great deal to see it in your store.”

Okay. I really was not expecting tears and a hug. But again, would a smile have hurt? Even an acknowledgement that I had spoken?

Booksellers take note: I know you’re busy. But just exactly how busy would you be all day without folks like me?

Okay. Enough kvetching. On to the GOOD side of the writing life. I trudge home in the rain, having made a fool of myself in the bookstore. And what do I find in the mail? The latest issue of The New Quarterly. The Lists issue. In which appears not just my essay, “Daily Bread,” but two poems by Kim Aubrey - “From a List of My Grandmother’s Expenses after My Grandfather Died” and “From a List of My Grandmother’s Expenses for 1988.” Lemme tell ya. Publishing is great. But publishing alongside a respected colleague who is also a dear friend? Nothing beats it. Nothing.