Initially I approached this task of pimping Jim Webster’s story ‘A Bad Penny’ with considerable enthusiasm. After all how difficult could it be?

But I soon realised that even though I was resolute and unwavering I needed inspiration. Who should I look to?
Now it transpires that some years ago Halan Gran, the greatest literary mind of his day, had written on this very topic. He had apparently analysed the whole issue and had put his thoughts down for the benefit of future generations. And so I immediately sought out his book.

I went without delay to a second hand bookshop maintained by one Alen Gaetz. On entering the shop I was somewhat taken aback by the sheer number of books that were jammed into far more shelving that could be sensibly fitted into the space available. There were shelves packed with books, with piles of books balanced precariously on top of the highest shelf. There were other shelves that rested on crates which were, in turn, filled with books. There were books on the tables, there were books stacked under the tables, and there were even books stacked on the chairs around the tables.

Rather than root aimlessly through this wealth of literature I asked Alen if he had a copy of Gran’s book, pithily called, “Everything a successful writer like myself can tell you about writing and selling lots of books and becoming unfeasibly rich.”

He gestured to a far corner. “You’ll find it in that alcove.”

I headed for the alcove which was perhaps the least frequented part of the shop. I had to blow dust off the spines before I could read them. Slowly I made my way across the shelves. This was obviously the area dedicated to those who wrote about promoting their books. I began to feel that I might be in luck.

Continue reading here…

…but, just in case Tallis’ efforts are not as effective as he would wish, he is also revealing the cover of a new volume soon to be added to the annals of the Port Naain Intelligencer…

And if you haven’t discovered these joyous tomes yet, you really should!