Why China Will Never Rule the World, a new book

[Ed Lakewood]

Good-day fellow Forumosans,

Well, I'm back from the drawing board with a new book called Why China Will Never Rule the World: Travels in the Two Chinas. The official date of publication has been set at June 4, 2011 and the book should be available from all major bookstores in North America as well as 40 online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Wal-Mart, and so on. The book is being published in Canada and printed in and distributed from the United States. There is a marketing campaign in place, but that doesn't preclude failure, goodness knows. I've sacrificed a lot to write this book, penned next to the Danshui River and along the frozen shores of the Bay of Fundy, and feel it is a much stronger effort than my first, which, in retrospect, seems rather derivative and disjointed; perhaps even a touch puerile. I probably won't be available to field questions for a while (if anyone has any, that is) because I'm going to be too busy helping my publisher promote the thing, but if you'd like to learn more, you can go to http://www.troyparfitt.com to read an excerpt, take a look at the cover, etc. I should mention that the site is still under construction.

Thank you,

Ed Lakewood

[the chief]

Good-day fellow Forumosans,

Well, I'm back from the drawing board with a new book called Why China Will Never Rule the World: Travels in the Two Chinas. The official date of publication has been set at June 4, 2011 and the book should be available from all major bookstores in North America as well as 40 online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Wal-Mart, and so on. The book is being published in Canada and printed in and distributed from the United States. There is a marketing campaign in place, but that doesn't preclude failure, goodness knows. I've sacrificed a lot to write this book, penned next to the Danshui River and along the frozen shores of the Bay of Fundy, and feel it is a much stronger effort than my first, which, in retrospect, seems rather derivative and disjointed; perhaps even a touch puerile. I probably won't be available to field questions for a while (if anyone has any, that is) because I'm going to be too busy helping my publisher promote the thing, but if you'd like to learn more, you can go to http://www.troyparfitt.com to read an excerpt, take a look at the cover, etc.

Thank you,

Ed Lakewood

Dear Ed,
Looking good, I eagerly anticipate reading it.
I'll forgo my usual reticence and let you know if I think you're full of shit or not.
Two questions.
First, why didn't you use your real name as the author? The pen name you chose sounds fakey as hell.
Second, OK, I can understand if the photo shoot for your promo shots was scheduled during your lunch break from your Mall Security gig, but maybe you should have brought a change of clothes. Just saying is all.

I keed, I keed, seriously, good luck with the new book.
It would be nice if one fucking good thing managed to come out of New Brunswick.
And hey, no matter what happens, you can always say it's better than that SARS and Sex POS.

[housecat]

If you go to the websited linked to above and click on praise for the book, it says, "Coming soon!"

I'm sorry, but that funny in a sick, sadistic kind of way.

Anyway, I'd like to read this book and I do wish you well.

[Ed Lakewood]

You're right. I do look like a mall cop, don't I? I should have a speech bubble floating in front of my melon saying, "You're banned for a week you filthy little punks, unless you buy me a pack of smokes. Then I'll look the other way."

The "Praise - Coming Soon!" was written by the website designer. I think that all the bits that aren't populated yet say "Coming Soon!" or something like that. It's a work in progress. The book hasn't actually gone to print yet. It is kind of funny, though. Sort of like how Less Nessman, on WKRP, had tape around his desk to show "where walls will someday be." Remember WKRP? Don't make 'em like that anymore. Nosireebob.

Ed

[the chief]

Ed,
Read the excerpt and I'm totally hooked.
LOVED the description of TST in the morning, it was spot on, I could smell it as I read.
Hilarious you should mention the Theroux, I read the Iron Rooster about 2 weeks after I first got here, and as you were starting to outline your plan, I was thinking, this sounds cool, kind of like Riding the Iron Rooster, except with manners. And then you up and cite it, brilliant.
I'll definitely be looking to acquire a copy at the earliest availability.

[archylgp]

Ed,
Read the excerpt and I'm totally hooked.
LOVED the description of TST in the morning, it was spot on, I could smell it as I read.
Hilarious you should mention the Theroux, I read the Iron Rooster about 2 weeks after I first got here, and as you were starting to outline your plan, I was thinking, this sounds cool, kind of like Riding the Iron Rooster, except with manners. And then you up and cite it, brilliant.
I'll definitely be looking to acquire a copy at the earliest availability.

I agree with Chief; can't wait to read it.

While reading your preface I remembered my first time in China, when I was fifteen years old, taking the bus from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. I haven't thought of that day in years.

[sandman]

I really enjoyed the excerpt. You're quite right -- your prose style HAS grown up. I look forward to reading this one.

[Tempo Gain]

Looks good! looking forward to it.

[Homey]

congrats on finishing the book, I hope it's a huge success!

I enjoyed reading the excerpt.

[TainanCowboy]

Lose the word "whirlwind"...it implies superficial.