Okay, but I’m not going to write about that …

I have more exciting news. I just got off the phone with Greg Allen. Those of you not from Chicago may not know him; he’s creator of the longest-running theatre show in Chicago, “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind,” an ongoing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes each week (go to http://www.neofuturists.org). Anyway, Greg’s work has been a big influence on me since I moved to Chicago in college and first saw the show.

It influenced the writing of my book as well. And I had this dream of getting him to read it so that, providing he liked it, I could put a quote from him on the cover. That would mean so much to me. Back in February I started volunteering at the theatre, helping to organize their play archives. So I was getting to know people around the place. And then a few months ago, my friend Sharon successfully auditioned her way into the show’s cast. So I figured I was making some headway …

Once I’d met Greg a few times and he sort of knew what I was doing with the archives, I casually mentioned my book and said I’d be thrilled if he could read it. And he said he would read it! Wow. Well, several months have passed and Greg mounted 7 shows in 8 months, which of course means that he’s had no time really. And meanwhile my publishing schedule has been rolling along; the book covers have been designed (but not printed), the actual copies of the book will probably arrive this week, as will promo postcards I had made up. I was holding off on printing the covers on the chance that Greg would be able to write me a blurb in time.

Well as I said I just got off the phone with him. I called to ask about using the theatre on a night when it’s ‘dark’ to have my book signing/release party. And much to my delight, Greg told me that he has managed to read half of the manuscript thus far and really likes it! He said, “I really like the way it’s structured, the randomness, how a life is made up of all these little slivers. You know usually someone asks you to read something and it’s like ugh, but I’m really enjoying it. In fact I was going to finish it last night but I sort of pooped out. And you know I’m happy to support it any way I can, lend my name to it.”

I told him how much that meant to me and how thrilled I was. And we talked about possible dates when I could use the theatre and we came up with the 23rd or the 29th or the 30th of October. Greg told me he will mention those dates at the theatre’s business meeting on Sunday; I said I’d call on Monday to get the verdict. He said he’d try to finish reading it and write me a sentence or two by the end of the week. I thanked him profusely and then said goodbye.

Wow, I’m really excited. Things are coming together. With a little luck, in a month the book will be ready to sell. Keep an eye out for updates.