Friday, January 21, 2011

My Auction: Lot # 5


Lot # 5 Description: Envelope containing galley proofs of one of the author's books (this is the "final and last version" of the book before printing).

History: For some reason the author has kept most of the galley proofs of his books. We don't know why. These galleys are not worth anything. Still . . . the author found this galley and is hoping to locate a suitable buyer: perhaps some unsuspecting nut who collects these sorts of things. Historically, the author has made few to no changes in his galley proofs over the years since, by the time he receives the galleys of his books, he is already deep in the throes of writing another book and can't remember what he wrote the year before. Some of his books, when published, have even surprised him. He is shocked whenever he receives his author copies and thinks to himself: "Self . . . why is your name on the cover of this book? When did you write it?" This little envelope contains one such history, a pre-pub copy of a book. Don't know which. The author has not opened the envelope to look.

Background: The author is certain that this is a book his wife has not read. She's funny that way. Why would she read his books, after all? She has to listen to his warped ideas and eat his cooking. Why go to all the trouble of pretending the guy has any suitable ideas? This is only one of hundreds of envelopes. Only God knows what can be found in the others. The author just pulled this one out of a stack and photographed it. It's pot luck. Sort of like his dinners.

Quote from Author's Wife: "I'm saving your books to read in retirement. I'll have more time to read then, and you will probably be an invalid. It will be fun watching you try to eat some of your own dinners."

NAME: BID:

No comments: