David,

We met at the Rutgers Writers' Conference, in the summer.

First of all, please forgive my extreme tardiness in sending you this note about your novel, behind everyman. No, it did not take me four months to wade through-in fact, I inhaled it in one sitting. You've already heard all the adjectives: it's engaging, witty, charming, clever, touching, funny, and rhythmic (maybe you haven't heard this one), which I attribute to your music background. A moving reading experience, not the usual dick lit.

Among my favorite parts: the Author's Note, Justine & the aardvark-polo shirt, baggage that won't fit in the overhead compartment & everything therapeutic, the delusional screenwriting dreams and the reality of the Monster Flop letter; everything musical; writer's stroke; Merrill's 30-minute run-on sentence, the online profile that you read, Everyman's insecurities, and all the great details and imagery-like finishing your ice cream but still swirling the melted part and the line 'You'll wait for her as an insect waits.'

You probably got some flak for using the 'you' voice, but it works. Hearing you read added to my appreciation of the novel, because I kept hearing your voice in my head.

Anyway, congratulations on your success. It's nice to see persistence pay off.

Sincerely,

C.K.

Philadelphia, PA