The Writer's Life 1/19 - Chronicles

The Vagina Chronicles created controversy several years ago, lauded for its frankness by feminists, bashed for its vulgarity by many. It had been staged annually at Mount Holyoke College, an all-female institution, until this year. A student spokesman criticized its “narrow perspective” and called it “inherently reductionist…and exclusive.” I guess it no longer pushes the envelope far enough. Maybe the next shocker will feature actual sexual acts. That would truly be theater of the absurd.

Anyone traveling to Indonesia be forewarned. Despite pleas from other countries, yesterday its government executed six people, five of them foreigners, for drug-trafficking. The method was firing squad. I wonder how its citizens’ illegal drug use compares to that of other societies. I’ve always had trouble with the death penalty, so I can’t support Indonesia’s methods, but its decisiveness is as impressive as it is shocking.

NFL: There were no surprises yesterday. Seattle won what figured to be a close contest, and New England rolled. As much as I hate the Patriots, this is a dream matchup -- the precision of the Belichick machine vs. Carroll's undisciplined wild bunch, whose bizarre penchant for penalties, especially the personal foul, has so far been negated by its awesome talent. In fact, the pairing is strikingly similar to last year’s. I doubt there will be a blowout this time. It looks like a toss-up.

A few days ago I emailed AuthorHouse, publisher of my first novel, Close to the Edge, and asked if they'd send me the file they use to print the book so that I could make it available on Kindle. Of course they will -- for 50 bucks, and the contract, which should soon be up for renewal, will then be voided. I'd love to switch it Create Space, which might allow me to lower the cost of a print copy from its current $16.73. I won't pay the asking price, however. My only options are finding a way to recover the file, which is on a floppy disc, or retyping the entire manuscript.

Since it was so windy at my usual nook, I took the floating book shop to Bay Parkway, where the Chase bank, which was closed, provided shelter. For the first two hours there wasn't much activity. I sold only The Manhunter, a memoir by John Pascucci, who specialized in capturing evil men, including Nazi mastermind Josef Mengele. After two, a Polish woman who has donated scores of books gave me seven pristine paperback best-sellers. Minutes later a gentleman purchased Close to the Edge. Thanks, folks. I celebrated by picking up a couple of squares at L&B.

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/