After I finalized the manuscript for Human Shade, my debut short collection appearing in the Lost Horse Press New Poets Series, I gave friends, family, and co-workers the opportunity to pre-order the book. The response has been unexpectedly wonderful.
Each order that has come in so far has felt like a small vote of confidence in my work. Collectively, they represent a substantial community of encouragement and support. By taking and fulfilling these orders myself, I feel personally connected to readers. I can also see where the books are going, as shown on the following map:
(Drag to move; double-click to zoom.)
The first two boxes of books are scheduled to land on my doorstep on Thursday, and nearly all of them already have homes. Almost as soon as they land, I will need to request more books from the publisher in time for my readings in March.
This, to me, is the best the Internet can offer–a sense of personal and meaningful connection to a global community of support. Prior to this experience, if you had asked me to name fifty to a hundred people who would be willing to pay good money to make extra sure they got a signed copy of my book, I’d be hard pressed to name them. Now I know who you are.
I look forward to shipping out books this weekend.