My new novel, To Be a Fool: A Ghost’s Memoir, Book 2 is here and I’ve got a huge sale going on!
Well, partially here. The ebook is out and the print book will be coming soon (I’m taking preorders for it now).
This book begins right where Shuffled Off ends, furthering the adventures of JJ Lynch, Jesus, and Banquo in the afterlife. Here’s what a few of my early readers had to say:
“And wow… I cried so hard reading this the first time, I had to stop for a while because I couldn’t see well enough. What an incredible book!”
“…even better than Shuffled Off. Definitely worked well as a sequel.”
“If anyone you love has died, or may die before you do, READ this book!”
More on the book (and sale) in a moment, but first I want to get a bit reflective, just like our friend JJ.
The Big 50
A few months back when I was trying to pick a launch date for the book, it seemed it would be ready in October. Well, on October 16th I turn 50, so that seemed like the perfect date.
50 is a milestone. Three novels published is another milestone. Why not combine them?
And I’ve been thinking about this aging thing a bit (those zeros on the end of you age tend to inspire that). I’ve at times been unperturbed, other times apprehensive, and as of late grateful.
Aging can be a difficult process. Our bodies change, our capabilities change, and then our self image is forced to change because of that. I spent some time in the apprehensive realm: How the hell did 50 years pass me by? What do I want to do with the rest of my life? …And other predictable questions.
But, what I want to talk about here is gratitude.
On October 4, I got word that my old friend, Herb, passed away. I lived with him during and after college, he was one of the college gang, and we experienced a lot together during that crazy time (before wives, mortgages, and in his case, kids). Herb fought a long and hard battle against cancer that ultimately ended.
It’s sobering. Right away I added him to the dedication of To Be a Fool along with a high school friend, another college friend, a more recent friend, and a beloved pet. All of them having passed since Shuffled Off came out.
Yeah, sobering. Life is unpredictable, it’s length unknowable.
And this brings me to gratitude.
There are many things that am grateful for: my wife, my work, my home, my family and friends, and on and on. But just like everyone, I often get caught up in what is wrong and what I don’t have. But the reminder Herb’s passing afforded me is that I do have what is most precious: life. I have days on this planet when these friends of mine no longer do.
Many people, some very dear to me, don’t get the chance at 50 years. Each day, it is a gift, thus the gratitude.
This is not that profound a realization, or even new. But it is a good reminder: Life is short, be grateful as much as you can.
The Sale — 50% off for the BIG 50
I am generally a private person. I don’t usually publicize my birthday like this. But this year I am really grateful to be here on Planet Earth, really grateful to be having stories to share, and so grateful for all of you that have enjoyed them and supported me.
So… from now until the end of October, to celebrate my birthday, To Be a Fool and all the other autographed paperbacks in my store are 50% off!
To take advantage of this sale, go to the bookstore on my website, and enter the code BIG50BASH when you checkout. That’s it.
The print version is slightly behind, I should have them by the end of the month at the latest, so your order won’t ship until I get those in (thank you for your patience).
Shipping is $5 flat rate for each order, no matter how many books you buy. So stock up and enjoy!
Feel free to share this code if you know someone that might enjoy one of my books and wants an amazing deal on an autographed copy.
The Book
You may be wondering about the title of this missive: “A Fool’s Journey.” Well it goes back to To Be a Fool. In it, JJ comes across the concept of the Fool card in the Tarot. The Fool is the beginning of the deck and is about starting a journey in youthful exuberance and innocence.
In many ways, this is a very apt description of JJ and his journey in the afterlife, particularly in this book. He just dives in and makes it up as he goes along. Sometimes harrowing, sometimes rewarding, his journey is always FOOL-ish and fascinating.
And as I dive into my 50’s, I hope to be like JJ and keep growing, keep living, keeping loving, and keep writing…
Links and Such
I’ve got a nice sample of To Be a Fool up on my site, you can read right now.
The ebook version is out and available here:
You might have noticed that the print version To Be a Fool costs a few more dollars than Shuffled Off or Drawing the Dead. Well that’s because it’s 50% longer. More pages (396 vs. 280) have increased the cost a bit, but I think it’ll be worth it. To Be a Fool is a longer, richer story.
Oh, and if you live in Flagstaff and have a bit more patience, just contact me [link] by the end of the month and let me know what books you want and I’ll get them to you (and honor the discount) when we cross paths next.
Thank you so much!
Robert
