Here's to another late start.

I burned three of my own manuscripts.  It was the sensible thing to do at the time and I have few regrets.  The fact I've written three more since is what I find conclusive.  That brings us to the point of this discourse and the raison d'etre for the new blog.

I'm publishing my first novel.

'A dog and his boy' will be available in paperback and e-book formats within weeks of writing this blog entry.

I'll post a few of the procedural details here and will also use the site to let you know when and where it's available.  The publisher is Amazon and though embracing the new reality of the literary world I have no idea what it means for me or my work.  This willingness to cozy up to the modern is tempered by a vast indifference to the ever advancing influence of social media.

I've been told by more than one person I'm past due having something published and there's little room to argue.  Somehow I've grown old though I scarcely noticed it happening.  While the fruitless trek in search of wisdom and perspective continues there's no reason not to share stories considered thoroughly and written well.

There's also no denying I've been softened by time.  Not only are the hard edges of my body but the sharp corners of my ideology now smoothed by the sandpaper of experience.  My youthful certainty has been displaced by a certain doubt as my six pack devolved into a middle aged beer keg.

I think of this loss and what's gained as the bargain exchanged for the time each of us may sojourn in our individual place and time.  An existentialist I hold little concern for the concept of fairness when evaluating such an arrangement.  In fact, I consider the idea immaterial in the face of temporal reality.

Only knowing me when could show the irony of those statements.

I'm fortunate that few are left who did and those that are mostly friends.

I wrote this novel for people who enjoy discovering the secret heart of those seemingly trapped by unique and individual circumstance.  No devotee of the fashion my prose is rooted in the traditions of literary fiction.  The writer must serve his story and the currency of the facts surpasses those of the realm in such an instance.

My understanding of it is simple.

It's art for arts' sake.

I've been true to that ideal with 'A dog and his boy' and I'm delighted to share it with you.

I'll post the date when you can get your copy in paperback or e-book soon!

Thanks for being here and thanks very much for your support.

-          TFP, October 20, 2015