Huh

Mannerisms sometimes escape me, as it does with Chad Parenteau, whom I saw sell his book to a curious diner as the whole troupe took over an entire area of the lounge at a Sheraton later that night, thus earning our name "savages," or was it "troublemakers?"

That was David Hess from his amazing report on the Boston Poetry Massacre.

And this is where I could just be making trouble for myself, nitpicking on one thing (about myself, no less) out of a great piece by someone amazing enough to record just about every living person at that wonderful weekend event; but I'm seeking clarification here, not griping. I'm not sure what David meant.

Did that moment with the diner bother David or anyone else? Was my taking an opportunity to sell a book really that annoying to those around me? Mind you, I'm not really including the rest of the diners because I don't really care about them--especially if they called me or anyone else savages when there really wasn't anything savage about us.

Sorry if that's so, friends. Me? I considered that sale a highlight. Someone wanting to buy my book that wasn't a poet or family member. I remember every single one of them. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both poets and family members offering support, but it's reassuring that someone who doesn't know me wants to buy my wares. Plus I tend to bother strangers less than I do other poets (as some can surely verify this weekend), so the work is what moves them to buy a book, not my, er, pitch.

Plus, that table was cool. They initiated a friendly conversation rather than deem me or anyone else unworthy of providing the place with our patronage; and the guy sitting there talked with me about his idea for a book on the art of writing letters to the editor (which he's experienced at, given the samples he proved me). This provided yet another excuse to bring up Rich Mackin. I want a cut from his next book's sales, I swear.

I try not to act like that guy with the question marks on his suit selling his how-to-get-money book on TV; but at the same time, if my book doesn't sell, my self-publishing goals are stagnant, so I'm driven. I'm trying to get some free stuff out by the end of the year to provide a karmic balance to all my salesmanship.

Anyhoo, I'm glad that David appreciated many of my lines and should stop writing right about here. I should also re-read his piece. He's so damned detailed, it's almost like I maybe wasn't there. Check out the link via the quote. Thanks, David.