On Thursday, I am going to post Chapter 4 of this story I'm working on. Should I continue to do this?

A number of emails have been dropped on my doorstep that challenge the wisdom of this activity. There have also been emails asking why I am doing this when I have a publisher and an agent already. So, I thought I'd roll out a few things here today and hopefully get some feedback from y'all.

First, the book coming out next Spring is non-fiction. Although it does state in my contract that the publisher gets first look rights to my next book, this publisher doesn't print fiction. So they will surely pass. And, the agent I have, like any savvy agent, isn't going to touch a fiction manuscript until it is done. Yes there are people who get book deals for novels but they are BIG people: established best-selling authors, celebrities, or Paris Hilton. The reason you have no takers for a fiction book proposal is that there are too many variables. Beginning is good, middle sucks wind. Author is an undependable drunk who never delivers on time. Etc.

Second, I have mixed feelings about the publishing world. I read posts like this and this and I think-- why bother? (NOTE: both links were found at Tingle Alley). I have a little story to tell. I have a job that keeps me in beer, cigarettes and avacados. And, I have a blog with a few faithful readers who, as it turns out, are either writers themselves or like to read.

So I think-- what the hell. I'll post chapters of my story and have a small reading circle and the most important thing is that I am writing. But the emails have rocked my boat, so I've been rethinking this. Maybe, reading a chapter online is hard on the eyes and is so unlike reading a book it borders on the unpleasant. Is this true? I don't know since I don't read online.

My question to you, gentle reader---- is it hard to read online? Is it rather pointless of me to be posting a chapter a week? Do you lose track of the story because of the long delay between chapters? Would you just prefer I wait until it is done and then send you a MS doc you could print out yourself and read in your favorite chair?

Please let me know. I should tell you that I am already of the mind that if there are less than 9 people who want to read this story on a weekly basis I will close it down. Why 9? Cause it is a magic number, that's why.

You can send your thoughts to: bluepoppylove AT yahoo DOT com

got 2 cents?