A true story about SPACE TRUCKER JESS that happened this weekend
In which I get an endorsement from my plumber
This is a true story: Our hot water heater broke this weekend, and when it came time to pay the plumber, I had to go to the bank. The plumber, Louie, said, "Come on, I'll drive you." So I hopped in his truck and we drove down to the bank. Along the way, Louie said, "Are you a lawyer?" I said, "Me, no. I do IT stuff. Programming. But I also write a little fiction."
"Oh?" he said, his brow raised. "I read fiction. What kind?"
"Science fiction."
"Really?!" he says. "I love science fiction!"
"Actually, I have a science fiction book coming out in a few days," I say, and I pull out a copy of Space Trucker Jess I have in my bag. "Here," I say, "you're the first to get a finished copy of the book. I'll sign it to you."
So I sign and personalize the book for him, and soon we reach the bank, and I head in to the teller. But there's a long line, and it takes me about 20 minutes to return to Louie with his payment.
And when I come back, Louie says, "I read the first chapter," he says, "and it's great! Plumbers will love this!"
And so, yeah, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, New York Times Book Review, eat your heart out. I got a glowing endorsement from Louie the plumber, which is honestly the best review one can get for this book. ;)
Space Trucker Jess launches tomorrow. Available across the galaxy at your favorite bookstore.
Speaking as a former groundskeeper who obsessively read during his breaks (to the point of a manager being scared of an employee being able to read and telling me “you’re scaring other people, so you need to stop”), that’s one hell of an endorsement, and not just because Louie sounds like he’s cool as hell. I fully expect he’ll tell everyone he knows, and you can’t beat that sort of word of mouth. Just include him in your Nobel acceptance speech, okay?
Good luck with it, Matt. Here’s hoping STJ breaks through big time! I also hope Louie gives you an SF-writer discount the next time around.