Adventures in Self-Publishing: Jerk Edition

Reading at Black Cat Books, Lennoxville, Quebec. Photo/Eric Cote

I realized this summer that if I were to be true to my established publication intervals — You’re Not Going to Eat That, Are You? (2010), Don’t Everyone Jump At Once (2013), A Hole in the Ground (2016) — I should get something in print for 2019.

And so, over the next few months, I compiled, laid out and printed my latest collection of works, entitled A Jerk in Progress because it’s a good pun and also what I am. Aren’t we all. Let’s be honest.

The collection includes about 80 short humour pieces that first appeared in The Sherbrooke Record (and then many of them here) or on air with CBC Radio’s Quebec City afternoon program “Breakaway.” There are also pieces from the now-defunct website and magazine Life in Quebec. Over the period this collection covers (roughly 2011 through 2015), that gave me about 400 pieces to choose from. So 80 out of 400: that’s a lousy batting average. On the other hand, I can assure you that this collection is 100%-guaranteed not terrible!

In fact, I feel these are some of the best pieces I’ve written over the many years I’ve been writing humour. (In The Record alone, since 2004, I recently learned I’ve written 784 columns!) I was in the middle of a very prolific period, and things seemed to be firing on all cylinders. I was writing a weekly column, a CBC piece every two weeks, LIQ once a month or so, and I even found time in there to write a novel! Not to brag, but, God, I miss my 40s!

Sunday afternoon, I launched  at Black Cat Books in Lennoxville with some lovely fans and a collection of sweets. Books, fans, sweets! Who can ask for anything better? The multi-talented Eric Côté captured the event in the above photo, with more on his site.

But, as I’ve said before, self-publishing is easy; selling is hard.

And so to business: If you order directly through me, I’ll ship you a signed copy for (in Canada) $20.00+ $5.75 shipping; (in USA) $15+ $8.25 postage & shipping. I’m prepared for PayPal or e-transfer and creative transactional ideas.

If you prefer paying by credit card, you can give Amazon a bit of our money either at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.

Local folks can find it at Black Cat Books, Brome Lake Books (mystery author Louise Penny’s favourite bookstore) and Townshippers’ Association.

Finally, I need a crown on my molar; I’m hoping this book will cover the deductible. Surely you understand.

– Ross