I have received an invitation to a book launch

from a man whose manuscript I edited

and by whom I was paltrily paid.

 

The invite came by email.

‘Do I have to buy a book?’ I emailed back.

‘Well, it is a book launch,’ he said.

 

I couldn’t argue with that.

‘The thing is,’ I said, ‘ I have no interest

in the topic and at $37 a copy

 

it is a little steep.’ I waited for an answer.

And then I got irate. I emailed back,

‘And anyway,’ I said,

 

‘whatever happened to my complimentary copy?

Not everyone who attends a book launch

buys a book.’

 

He couldn’t argue with that.

And he didn’t. Now I don’t know whether

to go to the book launch or not.

 

What would you do?

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