Page 27 of A Bookish Story

Abuelita scowls. “Don’t rush. Save your money and take all the time you need.”

“And also, I’m going to be on a morning show next week, which is exciting. It’s national.”

They glance at each other with a quick nod, and I see the pride flash in their eyes.

I only wish we were actually talking about a book I wrote.

The following Tuesday, I wake and open the app to the streaming network for the morning show, which I’ve been watching religiously since we taped the episode.

Glancing at the screen now, I see the anchor reporting distressing news about the world and weather, so I mute him while I go to the main house and brew myself a single cup of coffee. Next door, I hop in the shower, and dress for my low-key day. Ryan has given me the morning off and my plans are to get words down on my Desdemona book. For the past two weeks I’ve spent so much time with Ryan between research, and becoming Elizabeth, that I haven’t spent enough time on the manuscript due next month. I’m so close and all of the threads are coming together for one epic showdown between two vampire enemies.

Back in my shed, I try to get into the zone, but first I check my email.

One is from the new editor assigned to me at Blushing Publications, which manages all the Desdemona books. This is the first book we’ve worked on together and from the beginning she’s treated me a bit like a drone, or a bot, even suggesting the way I should rewrite a sentence.

To: theghostwriter@hotmail

From: Dee@BlushingPublications

I was shocked to learn you’ve published a book under the Elizabeth Brogan pen name. Your contract states you are to let us know ahead of time of any new project with which you’re involved. You have violated our terms and therefore we’re going to have to let you go. Send over everything you have, and we’ll take it from here.

Wait. What? No, they’ve misunderstood. They think I actually wrote the book.

I’ve already written three-fourths of the current Desdemona book. Besides, her information is incorrect. I’m not writing as Elizabeth Brogan. I’m a ghostwriter, but in reverse. Ryan is the ghostwriter. I hit reply and began to compose my email when my cell buzzes, my landline rings, and someone knocks on the shed’s door.

All at the same time. I’m not accustomed to this chaos before noon.

A text from Ryan simply reads:

Call me.

Always a man of few words. Ironic since his historical fiction books are huge doorstoppers. I set my cell down, let the landline go to voicemail, and go to the front door because it might be a package. The UPS guy is always confused when Abuelita asks him to deliver it to a shed.

Not a delivery guy. It’s Sofia.

“Congratulations!”

“Thanks?” I say as she slides past me. “What for?”

“It’s official. The book selection! Did you miss it?”

I have missed it. I pick up my phone, then hit rewind until I see the cover of the book appear. Sofia looks over my shoulder.

And there I am in a photo holding the book, smiling into the camera. The host describes me as a debut author whose book holds a unique premise. The emotional, heartfelt, and funny book written entirely in the male’s perspective has been praised by early reviewers. Kirkus Reviews calls it “lyrical” and “soulful.” Publishers Weekly has given it a starred review.

They splice the press junket skillfully and use snippets of the interview in which I’ve talked about the hero. In the end, they use just three minutes of the thirty-minute interview and cut out the part where I nearly fell off the stool.

“I can’t believe you’re not more excited than this,” Sofia says, plopping down on the love seat. “You’re on TV! And you looked great.”

“Thanks. You think I looked okay? Did the camera add ten pounds?”

The smile slides off Sofia’s face. “We’re not going there, chica.”

Then I remember the email and face palm. “It’s not all a bed of roses for me. I just got fired.”

“What? They can’t do that! It’s too late.” She points to the monitor to make her point.

“I mean from my ghostwriting gig. They said some foolishness about violating my contract because I published under a pen name.”