Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Release day: AS SHE LAY SLEEPING

Today is a lot more low-key than when The Bookseller came out, but it marks the release of my second book and first work of non-fiction. The book is called AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, and details my experience prosecuting a 25-year-old murder case.

One of the reasons that it's more low-key is how I feel about the book. I want as many people to read it as possible, of course, but that's because I want people to see what it is we do here (why I started this blog, as you know) and what it's like to get so deeply involved in a case like this. So much of these big cases is about the families of those involved and it's no surprise to readers here that I became good friends with the son of the victim in this case, a musician my age who turned out to be one of the most fun, interesting, and truly good people that I've met.

And it's because of him that I've decided that should I ever see royalties on the book, they will go to HAAM, the organization that provides "access to affordable health care for Austin's low-income, uninsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness." *

The writing of this book was never about making money for me, it was about telling an incredible story, one that featured a lot of fascinating (and sometimes bizarre) people. I hated that the victim, Natalie Antonetti, might be forgotten once the trial was over and the media returned to more mundane news stories. And frankly, I want my kids to read the book one day and know in detail about the most grueling and compelling case of my career (so far!).

Before I forget, here's the cover (click on it to go to its Amazon page):


I've been asked several times, so in case you had the same questions I can say that I had no input whatsoever on: the cover, the sub-title, or the reference to being a "best-selling author." The latter surprised me, but it turns out to be true: I was on BookPeople's bestseller list for December and am a number one best-seller for one of the Amazon sub-categories of mystery.

If you read the book, let me know if you like it. Perhaps via my Facebook author page, which is here. If you don't like it, well, I guess you can let me know that, too. :)

Happy Tuesday!


*Readers often assume that once a book comes out, its author begins rolling around in piles of cash. Writers know that's not true. Therefore, any musicians reading this need to continue to take their vitamins, exercise regularly, refrain from mixing their illegal drugs, stop double-fisting tequila, and use baseball mitts to catch baseballs, not their teeth. Likewise, administrators and fund-raisers at HAAM should continue their fine work in lieu of relaxing by their above-ground pool and acting like musicians re: the above-named vices.
Additionally, should this book somehow make a boatload of dollars I will retract this pledge with the sole purpose of paying off my and my wife's school debt. If you thought musicians were poor, you should see the debt carried by public service lawyers these days. We're like the federal government, but with good intentions.  Plus, musicians get to sleep in late.

7 comments:

  1. You are hilarious. I can't wait to read it. It sounds like a true labor of love. Glad to hear you're a bestseller. Once I come up for air from illness and edits, I'm diving right into The Bookseller as well!

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  2. Yay, Mark! Sounds like another gripping read. I'll put it on my list for 2013. Congrats on being a bestseller!

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  3. Thanks Lisa and Nancy. I hope you guys like it, and don't let me know if not. ;)

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  4. I wish you, and of course HAMM, great luck. You are a marvelous writer and have a wealth of experience with your subject matter--how can you go wrong?
    prisongrievances.blogspot.com

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  5. Thanks Terri, that's kind of you to say, much appreciated.

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  6. I started reading your book this afternoon and look forward to the read. But I'm 25 pages into it and still there is no year when this happened. Dates everywhere but no year. When did this murder occur?

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  7. Sharon, thank you - the murder was in 1985, sorry I wasn't more clear about that. Hope you continue to enjoy the book!

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