Why can’t I just buy it in a store?
The short answer is, I don’t have a publisher for it. Some editors read it, but they fell into three general categories:

1) Those who just didn’t like it.
2) Those who liked it, but couldn’t sell it in to the higher ups.
3) Those who liked it but suddenly realized there’s another novel about moonshiners and bootleggers during the Depression and Prohibition that’s being published this fall by their, or another, house.

Seriously? Is that third one true?
Painfully true.

What’s that book called?
Nice try. There’s no way I’m selling that guy’s book for him. I’m sure he’s a fine, upstanding citizen and we’d have a thousand tales to share. But the part of me that spent over two years writing this book is still a little miffed at the part of him that beat me to the editorial tables.

Why don’t you just stick it in a drawer and try to sell it to a publisher later?
I thought about that. Then I had a realization. When I wrote Small Town Odds, before it was published, I gave a copy to anyone who was interested in reading it. Seriously, anyone. I was just happy that someone would care. I had written the book to simply see if I could do it. So, I didn’t have any big plans for it.

By releasing Pure Spirits into the wild, I feel like I’ll be getting back to that same place. When I was writing simply for the love of it.

Of course, with Small Town Odds, something pretty amazing happened. Someone who read it knew someone who knew someone who worked for a publisher. I’m not naïve enough to think that could happen twice. But it did teach me an important lesson about doing your best, then throwing open the doors to chance.

Do I have to print Pure Spirits myself?
You do. But it won’t be expensive. Send it to Kinko’s and it’ll be about the price of a paperback book. Go with someplace local and it’ll be less. Be sure to print it double-sided, though. We’re trying to save a planet, here.

Can I just read the PDF on my computer screen?
You sure can. This is an especially handy way to waste time at work. If someone looks over your shoulder and sees you reading a lot of words in a document on your screen, they’ll probably think you’re working. And the appearance of work is just as good as actual work when payday comes.

Why don’t you publish it yourself?
Despite being a published author, I know next to nothing about publishing. I’m not a very good businessman, publicist, or production manager. I’m just a writer.

Are you making any money off of this?
Not a dime.

Can I send you some money?
You cannot. Believe me, I didn’t start writing books because I was under the impression there was a pot of gold at the end of it. If you really must buy something, pick up a copy of Small Town Odds. If you already have a copy, buy one for a friend. Then you and me and your friend will all be happy.

So what can I do?
You can sign up on the mailing list over there on the left. That way, the next time I have a book in the stores, I can let you know.

What does your wife think about this?
She’s cool with it.

What do your parents think of this?
They, as always, have their doubts.