As if writers aren't humiliated enough by the seemingly endless rejections most receive on the way to even the most modest success, the real embarrassment only begins with publication. At least that is what Robert Robertson's book Mortification: Writers' Stories of Their Public Shame," suggests. According to this oh so true article by Dinitia Smith in the New York Times, "You're Published. Now the Fun Begins? Think Again" when Robertson solicited authors' reminiscences about their most humiliating moments, the stories poured in.

Readings and signings appear to be particularly fraught. I've done book store signings and also passed by a few. The major difference between a book signing and a car wreck is that gawkers don't slow down as much for a signing.

Mary and I once did a signing with Ed Hoch. I recall two of Ed's friends showing up. Granted, no one knows the writing duo of Reed and Mayer but one would think someone would be interested in meeting Ed, the acknowledged master of the mystery short story who's been in every issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine for more than twenty-five years. Well, Mary and I had him pretty much all to ourselves so that signing turned out to be a good one!