“The World According to Doctrine” — Evil Recycles

Fool’s Gold?

I wanted to put “Tompkins County and Tammany Hall” on consignment in a College Town bookstore. I sent in the online form – twice; with no response. When I emailed the Inventory Manager; she contradicted the instructions, and said I should have dropped it off so they could “read through to make sure we think it will do well here and be worth your time” – so I did. Five weeks later; I inquired if they had reviewed it yet? She gave me the brush off: “I did give it a once over, and I'm not sure that we'd be the best place to host your book . . . and I'm just not sure it'll be worth your commitment to our terms.” Pushing the envelope – I assured her that I was committed; and still wanted to place the book on consignment. A few days later; I got the response: “your book reads more like a first draft than a finished manuscript. If you ever reprint your book - edited for grammar, punctuation, and clarity, with a list of works cited at the end - then I would encourage you to bring us that version to check out.” My book was not worthy. The Doctrine in College Town is just one step away from book burning: and maybe this year or the next — they’ll take that step. Tompkins County: Higher education at the lowest level.