Questions and Comments from Readers

What of Three on a Broomstick?

From Shannon: "Are you planning on publishing any of the "Three On A Broomstick" stories, either as short stories or full-length novels? I got very excited hoping they were real books after reading Brooms 1 & 2, and was sorely dissappointed this wasn't the case!"

Alas, I gave the first Three on a Broomstick book a shot and was so unhappy with the result that I haven't even shown it to my wife. But the attempt gave me insight into the characters beyond that which comes from jotting down notes. Maybe someday.

Comment using this form:

To Vanity, or not to Vanity...

I'm going to paraphrase this reader comment because the language was rather strong. (The word "flame" comes to mind.) Stephen wrote about Mt. Sneffels Press, asking if it was for real or just published my books. He pointed out I said it was not a vanity press (see Mt. Sneffels Press page.) He's almost right. A vanity press is one that takes lots of money for a setup charge and then gives you your books. I did not go to a vanity press (there are lots out there, and they're quite eager to take my money and, frankly, I think by and large they're all scams). Rather, I set up my own publishing house. Indeed, Mt. Sneffels Press at present only publishes my broomstick books. In fact, at this point it's not much more than a name registered with the Colorado Secretary of State (which cost me $1) and a Colorado-registered logo (another dollar) and a credit union account (which costs me nothing). Gee whiz...I had to put something down for the name of the publisher! (And, when obtaining my ISBN numbers, I had to provide the name and address of the publisher.) So, let's set the record straight. No, Mt. Sneffels Press is not a vanity press. Yes, I am self-published. And, yes, I'm open to the idea of publishing the works of local authors (one has contacted me), although I guess at that point I have to charge him enough money to cover my costs, which I guess will turn it into something of a vanity press...circular logic here. Poor Stephen accused me of trying to put something past him. Alas. That was never my intention.

Better than...Harry Potter???

Hmm...I've been trying to avoid the HP words completely, both in the book and on this website (I should admit I'm a Harry Potter fanatic). But...when a 14 year old reads Book 1: Genesis in two days and pronounces it better than...Harry Potter...then I have to sit up and take notice. And then this 14 year old hands the book over to his 12 year old sister, who reads it and then makes the same pronouncement. (And I didn't solicit these comments—they come to me via grandparents!) I aimed the book (and especially its dry, offbeat humor) at adult readers, but if 12 and 14 year olds get it, perhaps I need to add youth to my marketing strategy!

Oops...a Tiny (Big) Misunderstanding

From Chris (and this is an exact quote): "I read some comments from the author, and he made it sound as if he thought Conservatives, Republicans and anyone who believes in God are idiots. As I am all three of these, I would like to not receive any more of his writings. I am all for intelligent discourse, but without the name-calling and the idea that if people don't think like you, they are somehow unintelligent. Please unsubscribe me."

Sorry to see you go, Chris. AWeber tells me you've been a free subscriber since Jan 30th, so you're several chapters into the book. I've hidden my own religion (definitely Christian) and describe it in the book vaguely as a "mainstream" denomination. I know plenty of conservative people as well as Republicans (my mother and sister for two) and have a deep religious belief myself—you didn't get to the chapters that describe my interaction with my pastor. So I don't think these people are idiots. But there are people I do think are idiots, and I freely describe them in the book. Lazy, unthinking, blinkered, stupid people are idiots! People whose "fundamentalism" is of the blind variety, who have a knee-jerk reaction to anything outside their tiny little worlds, and who yell before they seek to understand? Yes, these are idiots! And as far as religion, you'll note that the FOG folks are dealing with truly sacred artifacts: the Holy Grail and the sole remaining remnant (so they think) of Moses' staff. I define "reverence" as "respect for sacred things," and you'll never find me showing disrespect for the truly holy. This does not stop me, of course, from finding humor in any situation. And I'll admit to picking on people from Texas and New York, undoubtedly unfairly!

Article in Local Paper

See this article in our local paper. Nice writeup, plus a nice photo.

From Tom

From Tom relative to his free chapter every week: Thanks for the chapters - I enjoy getting them each week. Like a little treat!

From Barbara in Florida

Barbara is following the "chapter a week" philosophy. Some of her comments so far:  "I'm interested to see how your creativity differs from other authors." "What a surprise to find Moses in a story. Very unusual. And neat the way he just disappeared. Also interesting that our hero rides a motorcycle." "Thanks for the installment. It's got some good chuckles in it. And the chapter ends with a page-turner."

Thanks, Barbara! And please pass on those chapters on to your friends!

Perfect Photography Platform!

From Jim in Ridgway, CO: I was down photographing the Durango and Silverton train in the winter snow at Rockwood on Wednesday, and found three great photo locations that would have yielded spectacular shots. Only problem was that they were all about 40 feet to one side of the track and about 15 feet above it - right in the middle of the air over a 400 foot dropoff. Of course I told Kathy that I really needed one of Dave's brooms! So there's another use - an ideal photo platform (if you can keep balance steady). The scary thing is that I was serious! It would be perfect!

I agree--the perfect platform. Better than a helicopter, because you can get in tight and there's no noise. But do keep one eye on the horizon to keep your balance!

Couldn't Put It Down

From Eleanor in Ouray, Colorado: Dear Dave, Last week at the Community Musical Program at the 4H Center I bought your book. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down--a delightful story. I am going to send it to Illinois to my bipolar scientist son to read. Now when I go outside I look up to see if you are flying by! Keep up the good work. Blessings, Eleanor.

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I'm quite frank in the book about being bipolar. Tell your friends to come online and get copies!

Oh, Uh, Yes, I Guess They Might (Still) Be Sensitive

From Jeff via e-mail: $17.76 is an excellent price, but... There are certain sensitive folk who dislike that particular number. True story: While I worked at a large international company, one of our computer products needed a numeric password so Field Engineers could access and change the configuration table. They already needed a specially cut key, so the password only needed to be long enough that no one would key it accidentally, and it should be easy to remember. The engineering department decided on 07041776 and a memo was sent to all the heads of Field Engineering Departments worldwide. Several months after the product entered service, our factory began getting problem reports from across the pond. To drastically shorten a hilarious Keystone Kops runaround, it turned out that the head of Field Engineering for UK had thrown the memo in the trash because of the 'offensive' number which it asked him to provide to all his Engineers. Some people have a loooong memory! So, if you're not getting many orders from the UK, consider giving them a 'special' price. Perhaps £11.05 for Guy Fawkes Day.

Hmph. Well, I suppose. That was a loooong time ago. But interesting now that you mention it. After all, the power to fly a broom came from London. The reason for calling it the "Great American" broomstick was to avoid the label of witchcraft (see page 121). There's more on the English vs. Yankee problem in Book 2 and even more in Book 3. Your suggestion to provide an especially significant price for our British forefathers is interesting, but £11.05 works out to close to US$23! Hmmm...maybe I could give a discount on the shipping. Let me think about it and play with PayPal to see how to make a button just for the folks in the U.K.

Words from a Local

From Don in Ridgway, CO: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dave Casler's fanciful and witty novel. His devilish sense of humor and his amazingly realistic descriptions of his "broom flights" around the mountains of Southwestern Colorado and beyond, help make this book a "page turner." I look forward to reading his next book.

Thanks, Don! Your comment about the "amazingly realistic descriptions" is one I get frequently. And the next book is Book 2: The Missing Wand which will be released July 4, 2008.

Same sense of the ridiculous

From Spock in MD: The referenced web page is from my recent copy of This-is-True and I found the idea delightful enough to want to share it with my students and, in fact, anyone else who may have a similar sense of the ridiculous. There are four samples of the book to read. It should be enough to whet your appetite for more. (See his original post.)

Thanks Spock! —Dave

Are you flying backwards?

From a This is True reader: The real question is not "Why is this man flying a broomstick?" but rather: "Why is this man flying a broomstick _backwards?" As any good witch knows, the bristles go in front--to hold the candle. (One of the earlier dangerous designs which made it to production.....

Hmph. Interesting question. I did a search on Google Images for broomsticks, and not a single image showed anyone flying in reverse. So I must assume that having the tail behind you is the standard position. But, as I note in my books, the broomstick is as happy going backwards as forwards, so I suppose what you propose is possible, although I would put it in the category of aerobatics, plus it would put the control area behind you. —Dave