a small but determined chirp

On November 9, 2009, we headed downtown for the book launch. By Christmas the books were in hands and on shelves and holiday season readings were wrapped up. Before too long it felt like it was over. I released a book once and sheer terror and nerves to the point of being peeled raw and then ... just ... quiet.

It was a great quiet. The publishers' warehouse sold out in three months. You can't get a better quiet than that. Not that it was a million-book first edition. But still. It was a...