Back when Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer first found out it would be my name, not his, on Holmes on the Range, he wasn't very happy. He was the author of the book, he insisted, and none of my arguments about him being merely the fictional narrator of the book got through to him.
"We'll see how 'fictional' it feels when you've got my boot-toe up your backside," I remember him telling me.
Now, with two Holmes on the Range sequels in stores -- both with "by Steve Hockensmith" on the cover -- the guy's got even more to be mad about. So I'm throwing him a bone.
When it comes to book clubs, Big Red gets to play the Big Man.
If you're in a book club that reads Holmes on the Range or either of the sequels, On the Wrong Track or The Black Dove, Big Red will personally call during the club's discussion of the book to talk about his adventures with his brother, life as a cowboy or whatever else you might want to ask about. (Knowing him as I do, I'm sure he'll also want to spend a fair amount of time dissing me. Just let him rant until it's out of his system.) BONUS: You'll also get a free copy of whichever of the other books you want!
You can click here to contact Big Red and set up a time for his phone call.
And if you're wondering how a fictional 19th century cowboy could possibly have access to a telephone...hey, why don't you ask him?
Steve Hockensmith
January 30, 2007
UPDATE: At the request of our publisher, Big Red has made a gracious concession. (Which isn't to say he made it graciously. There was actually a lot of cussing involved.)
If a book club would prefer to get a call from me, Steve Hockensmith (a.k.a. "That Book Rustlin' Bastard"), that can be arranged. I'm also available to attend in person any book club meeting within a 50-mile radius of Petaluma, California.
Send an e-mail here for more details.
