Over a year ago a group for the disabled asked me to contribute a book for an auction. Why me?, I asked. The organizers had come upon the idea of getting books from or by or about politics and politicians to be bid on in an effort to raise money. My novel qualified me. Instead of giving Verbatim: A Novel, I chose something else.

The event took place last Thursday night, at a venue in an art centre, and most of the people there knew each other well enough. It’s often nice to be almost a complete stranger at such things. There were politicians, activists, arts types and the disabled (who may encompass the other categories), each willing to go to as high as $130 for a book or set of books.

The auction items were displayed outside for everyone to see. Here’s my donation as it looked on the table:

Why not take the opportunity to bring this wonderful book to others? It went for a respectable amount (not the highest, but definitely not the lowest) to someone who I think will appreciate it. And this is the Year of Gaddis (or as much of one as we may get), with reissues of this book and J R, a book of letters due out soon (ed. Steve Moore), and a biography next year (Joe Tabbi). A good home, a good cause, and a great novel.