This is one suggestion for a cover for  "NEWS!"

 It's Been One of Those (Golden) Weeks

This has truly been a memorable few days for this old journalist who is trying to become a legit novelist. The highlight, of course, was signing a book contract with Propertius Press and its estimable founder, Susannah Smith.

I signed this contract because of Susannah (whom I call Ms. Pie for secret reasons), a woman of vision, creativity, professionalism, humor and very real presence. She was a hit for me from Day 1 and Day 1 was quite a while ago, before I even knew she was in the book business.

There were other options that would have likely paid a good bit more, but when you're an old man and don't really need the money, there are other considerations that take precedence, foremost among them being whether I'm happy with what I'm doing.

The answer to that is a resounding "yes!" Or a more forceful, "Hell, yes!"

I wrote my first novel ("CLOG!") a few years ago and couldn't find a Susannah Smith to publish it, so I did it myself. It was a moderate success and I was reasonably happy with the product, though I am absolutely convinced she would have made it much better. 

"NEWS!" is a combination of what I've learned about novel writing in the interim and the contributions of some important people to the process. Susannah has only begun to contribute (and already is having a positive impact), but my best girl, Linda Kay Simmons changed the book in several ways and taught me something about writing fiction. She has just finished her fourth novel ("Pissant and Cinderella," which is outstanding and important) and actually got her first copies the day I signed with Propertius Press.

Tonight Linda and I are going over to Lynchburg to help celebrate the release of my old friend Leah Weiss' second novel, "All the Little Hopes."

Yesterday, I met (for a magazine piece I'm writing) Larry and Judy Helms, a couple of Bent Mountain writers. Larry writes but doesn't publish and Judy writes and publishes. Her newest is a page-turning legal thriller called "Grudge Tiger." She has also just signed for a second book with her publisher (which, by the way, was interested in "NEWS!").

And Saturday a large bunch of writers and book people will gather at my house for my 75th birthday and a celebration of literature, journalism and being old without being dead. 

It is a truly satisfying and gratifying time. Especially with all the new friends I've made in the past few days. I hope we can keep up the pace and the momentum for the next year as we get "NEWS!" ready for the bookshelves and the iPad. I'm living this life.