Unsold books

Kevin is a little writer. Five years ago, his debut novel, Frostbite, was an instant literary sensation, spending a week on the best-seller lists and being hailed on the front page of the New York Times Book Review as "the voice of a new generation of writers".

Over the next year, "Frostbite" went through five hardcover reprints, and Kevin became a full-on bestseller, earning lucrative royalties. He bought a big villa, luxury car, wife Jenny is quit her job, become a full-time wife. Then Kevin's second novel was expected to be released and, to his surprise, it quickly became a 1. A $99 book that doesn't sell. Now he has a different title: "One-hit wonder writer".

Kevin, of course, was reluctant, and began work on a new novel called Twisted Sheets. He traded in his mansion for an apartment, his limousine for a cheap used car and promised his furious wife that he would buy everything back with the money he earned from his third book. However, the original publisher turned him down, forcing Kevin to sell the book to a small publisher at a depressed price, and he had to sell it himself.

As soon as Twisted Sheets was published, Kevin drove around in his used car selling books. The cross-country trek was partly financed by his personal scale of the fifth edition of Frostbite, which he bought for $1, auto signed and put in the trunk of his car, and sold for $20.

Kevin has been signing books in many unlikely places over the past two months as he is desperate to promote his new book

"Dear customers," said a hoarse voice over the loudspeaker, "we are pleased to welcome best-selling author Kevin Dangler, the poster child for the next generation of authors, to our store to sign his latest book, Twisted Sheets, in aisle 14. Welcome to have a look, and don't forget to buy our fresh flowers, which are only 9. $9 a pot."

Kevin put his head on his arms and cursed God for his cruelty. Not so long ago, he was in New York, signing books for fans with big writers; and now he's sitting in a Kmart, fighting over a pot of begonias on sale.

Suddenly, a woman whispered in Kevin's ear. "I can't believe you're here."

"Neither does I." Kevin look up wearily and saw a girl in her early 20s, wearing white sweatpants and a tight sleeveless T-shirt. Her short blond hair was a little messy, as if she had just rolled out of bed, and Kevin thought she was cute.

The girl handed Kevin a copy of frostbite. Its cover wrapped in clear plastic. She said, "Would you please sign your name?" Kevin was intrigued, because it meant the fun was there to meet him, even if it was just in one of the aisles of the mall.

Kevin excitedly took the book from the girl and opened the title page. This is the first time edition -- she must have had it for years.

Female fans falling from the sky

On the flyleaf of her copy of frostbite, Kevin captioned the girl, Megan. "To Megan for reminding me why I became a writer."

Megan looked at Kevin and said nervously. "I've wanted to meet you for a long time. I think you have the greatest writer. 'Frostbite' is the sexiest book I've ever read."

Kevin looked up at Megan again, and they both blushed as they looked at each other.

Megan said: 'I'm a librarian, signed first editions of mystery novels. I've got hundreds. But there's only one I keep by my bed..."

Kevin's heart stirred again. "Must be a very enviable collection," he said.

"Want to go and see?" Megan asked tentatively. A drop of sweat trickled down Kevin's back. He said nothing for a moment, then looked up and smiled at Megan. "I'll take care of things here and meet you in the parking lot for 10 minutes."

Under the hot sun, Kevin followed Megan's car, and after a long drive. They reached an old part of Spokane. Megan leads Kevin into a tiny house that looks like a town library. The living room was lined with bookshelves lined with rows of hardback books wrapped in transparent plastic.

Kevin cocks his head to view the titles on the shelf. Megan has all the suspenseful names, from Brock to Westlake. These books can't all be signed by the author... Kevin whipped out a copy of Bloody Jigsaw, first edition, which read: "To Megan, with love from the heart. Michael Connelly." He took another copy of Shorty, also first edition, autographed by Elmore Leonard.

Kevin groaned darkly as he put the book back. Megan brings beer from the kitchen, and she tells Kevin that she loves books that she travels to get signed by their authors.

Megan was looking at and took a sip of wine. Her neck was beautiful, slim and long. Kevin looked at her, almost smitten. Megan suddenly took Kevin's hand and said. "Go see where I put your book."

Kevin is headed to the bedroom, where the walls are also lined with bookshelves and "Frostbite" has been placed closest to the bed. Megan not play ball with Kevin's hand, slipped her blouse off, and sank onto the bed. She whispered. "Read it to me."

As if possessing, Kevin climbs into Megan's bed...