I’m afraid so. The book’s published, and I wanted to let everybody know about it.
It’s on sale now? Available for purchase?
It is.
Then why are you showing us a picture of From Sea to Stormy Sea?
Because the good people at Pegasus would have a fit if I didn’t. And I can understand their position. They knocked themselves out to produce a genuinely beautiful volume, made sure all of the art works are faithfully reproduced, and feel they’ve come up with the season’s ideal gift book. And the book’s contributors might be similarly disinclined to take a back seat to a herd of stampeding bison. Their sixteen never-before-published stories are all quite wonderful, as reviewers have delighted in pointing out, so why shouldn’t they be entitled to pride of place in this humble newsletter?
Sixteen stories? It says seventeen right on the cover.
The seventeenth story is mine.
Last and least, right?
Yes, and I’m fine with it. And I’ll be happy to join a few of the contributors at 6:30 on Wednesday, January 8, at the book’s only official promotional event, a signing at Otto Penzler’s Mysterious Bookshop at 58 Warren Street in downtown Manhattan. So far three contributors have said they’re coming—Janice Eidus, Jerome Charyn, and Charles Ardai.
And in addition to From Sea to Stormy Sea—
Oh, dear. I do believe I hear hoofbeats.
I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s my great pleasure to announce that Hunting Buffalo with Bent Nails is widely available even as we speak in ebook and paperback form—and, remarkably enough, in a library-binding hardcover edition as well.
Down the line, the collectors among you will also be able to preorder the signed-and-limited deluxe edition from Subterranean Press. But you don’t have to wait for the ebook, paperback, or hardcover. Order them now and you’ll have them in time for Christmas.
What a gorgeous cover!
Isn’t it a beauty? Wouldn’t you feel confident giving such a fine-looking book to anybody on your Christmas list? And wasn’t I admirably forward-looking myself when I commissioned Albert Bierstadt to paint it for me back in 1888?
Words fail me. Dare I ask what’s in the book?
Do you remember The Crime of Our Lives? In that volume I collected all the nonfiction pieces I’d written over the years dealing with crime and mystery fiction. Ever since I’ve wanted to do the same with the rest of my nonfiction—travel pieces, odes to New York, introductions to this and that. My introduction to Dave Van Ronk’s memoir. An appreciation of my mother. A numismatic view of Raymond Chandler, a piece about my collection of old subway cars—
I must have misheard you.
That happens all the time. The book’s a thick one, with twenty-nine pieces—including, of course, the title essay, which first appeared in American Heritage. Sheesh, there’s even a poem. If you want to know more about what’s in the book, just check out the product description on the Amazon page.
And while I’m there, buy the book. Is that what you’re getting at?
Well, I certainly wouldn’t try to talk you out of it. The links above are to Amazon, but you can also find the book’s various editions on offer at Barnes & Noble and other online retailers. You may not spot it on the shelf at your local bookstore, but they can certainly order it for you. So can your library.
Or, if you can bear to wait until January 8—
I can pick it up at the signing at Otto’s.
You can indeed. And if you don’t feel like flying in from Denver or Salt Lake City for the signing, you can call (212) 587-1011 and order a copy.
Denver? Salt Lake City?
Wherever. There’s so much else to tell you, but it’s going to have to wait. I’ve got a new novel coming soon, and a book full to the brim with all my writings from Linn’s Stamp News plus some philatelic snippets from Keller. And I had such a good time conducting a fiction workshop at Newberry College that I expect to offer an OK Boomer version in the spring—probably in April and May, probably in Brooklyn.
But that’s all for a future newsletter or two. Dress warm, enjoy the holidays, and don’t leave the house—except for something important. Like, you know, to buy a book…
Well you sold me again. Raymond Chandler was a numismatist. Who knew? Well, aside from you. Sort of like Warren Buffet being a stamp collector and stamp dealer, once upon a time. He just attended the APS Stampshow. He could probably have bought everything there. I am not jealous as I understand he is now buying trains and railroads. Yes, for real according to an investment letter I was reading. The rest of us boys have to settle for the toy ones. They are still fun to play with. I had my son convinced that his train set was really mine for a few years until he got wise! Also the Buffalo and nails thing sounds like fun so I bought it also. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!