Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A Very Special Book Signing

A few days ago, I was a party to the most enjoyable book signing I've ever attended-- even though there was no financial gain. I'm among two dozen authors who contributed to an anthology titled "Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting for Next Year." The brain-child of Chicago author Donald G. Evans, it is a compendium of articles, short stories, poems, and other material centering on the Chicago Cubs and the team's fruitless, century-long quest for a World Series triumph. Evans, a lifelong Cubs fan, rounded up a group of us writers who, like him, have suffered with the team for years--even decades. And he told us up front that our total compensation would be two copies of the finished product because all the proceeds would go to a charitable organization.
The organization is Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, a group of former and current athletes. CBCC has raised more than $12 million for cancer care, education, and research programs at Chicago hospitals. It also supports Camp One Step at a Time, a summer event for children with cancer.
The mass book signing, with at least 10 contributors on hand, was held in a North Side Chicago bar. I don't know who had the most fun, the folks who bought the books or the authors, all of whom--if I can speak for myself--came away feeling awfully good because they were part of a project that was both enjoyable and worthwhile.
For information on ordering "Cubbie Blues," go to www.cantmisspress.com

Robert Goldsborough

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