[Transit Installment 34]

Zero

Installment 34 of Transit is longer than previous installments posted under the novels tab of "Marty Writes Stories," partly because I've not posted in a while and partly because some of my readers have told me the installments I have been posting are too short. Live and learn.

And why has it been so long since I last posted?  I had no idea how much of a time suck promoting Transit would be following publication.  The novel's been live on Amazon for a few weeks and has recently become available via IngramSpark, and therefore to independent book sellers everywhere, as well as Barnes & Noble.  

But all that effort seems to be paying off. There are three upcoming opportunities in February to talk about the novel and perhaps sign a few copies as well.

The first opportunity is an author interview on the Art Beat program with DJ Laura Mullet on OZCAT Community Radio,  KZCT 89.5 FM in Vallejo.  The broadcast will be live on February 1st at 10:30 am (PST) and if you live outside station's local broadcast range, you can listen to the livestream at 10:30 am (PST).

Second,  Benicia Literary Arts is sponsoring a reading and book signing event for Transit on Sunday February 18 at Bookshop Benicia, 636 First Street, Benicia, from 5:30-6:30 pm (PST).  It promises to be a lively event.

Finally, the following Sunday, February 25, I'll be reading with a group of fellow authors at the McCune Rare Books and Art Collection on the lower level of the John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa Clara Avenue in Vallejo  from 2-4 pm (PST). I hope to see those of you who are local to the California Bay Area at one or more of these events.

On to the story. 

Installment 34 of Transit continues with Jessamyn reflecting on a dream of jaguars mating she had the previous evening, leading her to ruminate about her deceased husband. We finally learn his name and his nickname.

The jaguars have demanded Jessamyn become accountable for her premeditated murder, but she is resistant. After a lengthy conversation with herself about the ethical implications of her crime, she emerges far from repentant. She concludes  "his death is undeniably a good thing. I’m better off, his students are better off, the whole world is better off. Nobody misses him, let alone mourns him. The universe continues to hum unperturbed by his death." Not completely true, of course.

I hope you continue to enjoy Transit. I will continue to serialize the novel without putting anything behind a pay wall for the moment and, if you want to read Transit from beginning to end, all 400 plus pages, you can find it at Amazon, Barnes& Noble, or your favorite independent bookseller. 

My gratitude to all of you! If you are enjoying my Substack, please tell your friends and encourage them to subscribe for free.