Recently a reader wrote to tell me that she’d borrowed one of my books from her local library and was enjoying it, but she was disappointed to discover they had no plans to acquire Dr Dan’s Casebook. I know libraries are chronically short of funds so I offered to donate a copy. The library replied, thanking me for the offer but declining. It isn’t their policy to accept self-published donations. No, not even from an author they already stock. A good example of cutting off your nose to spite your face, right?

I’m glad to say that not all libraries have this shortsighted attitude. I’ll maintain my habit of donating to impoverished libraries but of course, what would be even better, is for them to buy copies, whether self-published or bearing the imprimatur of a publishing house. That way, I can afford to eat.

In other news today, I’m now at the formatting stage with Dr Dan, Married Man? so the sound most likely to be heard issuing from my study (kitchen, actually) during the coming week is aaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggh. However it is rather exciting to see the book taking shape. By next weekend Dr Dan may be ready to try on his new e-book jacket.