Death Takes a Byline

Larry slammed his fist into the palm of his left hand. "I can't take this anymore, Joe. I can't take this constant hat-in-hand jockeying for space on the bookshelves and exposure in the media. How can I continue writing when the people who are selling books don't read? And to make matters worse, these same people keep trying to second-guess the public about what they want to read."

Joe remained calm. "I have an idea that might work."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I mean it."

"Alright. What?" Larry stood up an...