And now a brief essay on the world of the literary arts.

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"Why Hemingway Shot Himself; or: Why F. Scott Fitzgerald Got So Darn Depressed"
by Michael Prescott

Authors get moody. But why?

I have the explanation.

This guy wrote me asking for signed bookplates ’cause he’s such a BIG FAN.

So I sent him two.

He was very appreciative. Here’s his email:

Thank you very much, I just received my book plates! I have read your book "Last Breath" and I’m getting ready to read "Final Sins", I can’t wait 🙂

After that I’m stuck though, those are the ones of yours my library has on the shelves 🙁

Sincerely,

[Name withheld]

Get that?

He’s "stuck."

Can’t read any book that’s not IN THE LIBRARY.

The prospect of actually going out and BUYING a goddarned book in a frackin’ STORE is totally beyond this guy. He can’t even imagine PAYING for a book. Nor does he see that this might be a problem in terms of the author earning his livelihood. He’s happy to READ the book and even ask the author for a frackin’ FAVOR. Just don’t ask him to lay down any COLD CASH in actual payment for the product of the author’s HARD WORK.

And that’s why authors get moody.

The End
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