It what can only be considered the best of good luck, author Seth Greenland (The Bones, guesting at The Elegant Variation) just happens to have a friend with a debut novel on the shelves right now. This is good luck because so does Greenland. This allows Greenland to explore the trials and associated tribulations of such a debut from a distance. He doesn’t need to explore his own behaviors or fears — clearly his friend provides sufficient fodder for examination. Or somethign like that; it strikes us that one may not necessarily wish to examine fodder. Remember, the author described below is not Seth Greenland. Greenland clearly exercises adult self-control.
Along with having descended into the hopeless modern authorial cliché of compulsively checking his own Amazon ranking (careening around like a herd of bi-polar schizophrenics without their meds, if you’re interested), he is, needless to say, also checking the rankings of friends who are authors. Right now, he has bolted to the head of the pack for the simple reason that no one he knows (other than yours truly) has a new book out. This, thankfully, allows for him to remain friends with us – at least from his perspective. How we feel about him is an entirely different kettle of fish. Meanwhile, he has made it clear it will be impossible for him to ever develop a friendship with Dan Brown. My friend’s eternal resentment is the steep price that author will have to pay for the success of The Da Vinci Code.
2 responses so far ↓
BPM Smith // Mar 17, 2005 at 2:38 pm
Hi Jill. Intersting notes on Seth’s column. He just told me his agent sold the film story rights to THE BONES. I’ll have an update tomorrow at the above website. Was hoping to introduce myself to you but I can’t find your email. Take care.
booksquare // Mar 19, 2005 at 10:03 am
Not quite Jill (she’s the fun one — I’m the cranky one), but tell Seth congratulations. And that we here at Booksquare hope his “friend” is equally successful!