Getting Out

OBLIGATIONS
I have two book reviews yet to post at my review blog-- www.blitzreview.blogspot.com-- Will do so asap.

BACKLOG
I have over a dozen ready posts for this and my other blogs (not counting LitMystery), and notes for a score more. How many, if any, I'll post; whether or not I'll save them for a possible future print-zeen, or File 13 them-- I don't know.

THE CAMPAIGN
Some people forget that I was recruited, chiefly by Doug B. and Steve K., to get back into lit at a time in '98-'99 when I was doing no writing at all. I determined then to return only to lead a campaign that was balls-to-the wall. I left a good-paying job and moved to Philly to get things going. I pursued the campaign as far as it would go, pulling undergrounders along as far as I could. Now I intend to pick up my life where I left off. I have a few loose ends to tie up first.

GOALS
The biggest misconception about myself was that I was an embittered writer out solely for himself, to get "published" in any way possible. That's the one thing I never pushed for, even within the ULA itself. My plans were always larger. To be published by the congloms for a token advance and a blowjob I can do without. I entered the campaign not as a writer, but as a salesman; a promoter. My motivations: to change literature from the standpoint of a reader, sure. I also saw tremendous business opportunity if the campaign to create a REAL, distinct alternative to moribund established lit was successful. The opportunity is still there.

STRATEGY
For the literary underground, a Big Media campaign was the only way out, and remains the only way out. Content niche-dwellers (OW etc.) aren't ready for prime time. They're intimidated by the larger world, and so are unwilling to leave their safety zones. That's not a criticism. It's a statement of fact.

VALUE
As is this statement: With my varied skills, including at ideas, showmanship, and p.r., from the start I was the most valuable piece of the puzzle. Others couldn't deal with this. What I badly, badly, badly needed to complement my skills was a genuine and willing "Zeen Elvis" personality or two to be at the forefront of the group.

P.R.
That my photo went out with our first big story was unfortunate-- but no one else was available for the photog, or, except for Mike J., to meet the journalist for the story. It's more clear now that no one else in the immediate group was ready for the attention and noise. (I received squawking about nearly every story we got. My actions, no matter how beneficial to the campaign, were never good enough. So be it.)

PERSONA
"Crazy King Wenclas"? I played my role well.

BETRAYALS
Discussion of saboteurs belongs in my fictional serial at
www.literarymystery.blogspot.com
I'll say here: I don't know what they gained. Maybe someday they'll tell me.

QUESTION
Are undergrounders, and the lit world, better off without my presence? I guess we'll find out!
(I'll do at least another post or two this summer before I sign off.)

No Peace

It's obvious that peace isn't possible for me with this blog's enemies. I'm supposed to keep this blog going just so long-time foe "Harland" can continue to take shots at me. At the same time I'm not to attack the person's identity directly, now that it's been admitted to me. I don't wish to anyway. The person is in a panic that I might leave and in a panic that I might stay; detests this blog but doesn't want it to go away. For me it's a no-win situation.

MONOMANIA
Monomania has come from "The Assassin," as fixated on destructive revenge as Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill" or Greg Peck in "The Bravados." As Stephen Boyd eventually tells Peck, "I'm tired of you dogging my trail!"

MYSTERY
The serial "Plutocracy USA has turned into a series of chases, quests, searches. We're getting into the heart of the tale. Chapters to come include "Soul of an Assassin," "I, Moby Dick," and "The Court of the Demi-Puppets." A new chapter or two will be up this week.
www.literarymystery.blogspot.com

Aftermath

WAGING PEACE?
Harland's plans for war with this blog were about as farsighted as the U.S. military's in 2003 for Iraq. After initial success-- then what? "Harland" is clueless.

What do I do now? Am I banished to a used car lot?

Fact is that without my writing and shit-disturbing I'm a very ordinary guy. I have a strong personality, but need ways to access it.

OCCUPATION?
I've yet to receive from "Harland" (May Barber) any coherent occupation policy about these blogs, which need direction fast as they're losing their audience. Shades of Don Rumsfeld! (Show "Rummy" the door, May.)

Why would I be okay with this? "Harland" has cut down myself and my writing. I offer the person the opportunity to do better. I'm calling the person's bluff. Besides, as Colin Powell told Bush Jr. about Iraq, "If you break it, you own it."

The King Wenclas insurgents are isolated on Literary Mystery (www.literarymystery.blogspot.com), their last stronghold.

OTHER INSURGENTS
DIY moderates like Brady are silent. The ULA's sole conservative, George, who has always been critical of the literary establishment (and of everyone else) has been purged for outspokenness. Rather than broadening, the movement has narrowed, for good or ill.

"LIBERATION"
In stages, the ULA has been liberated from my presence. The alleged dictator is gone; statues of evil King Wenclas toppling throughout the realm. Strangely, new ULA kingpin Jeff Potter has still asked me to get publicity, as if it's a matter of snapping my fingers and saying, "Abracadabra." (The last publicity I received, the Philly radio show, was both scorned and misused.) He's asked for new ideas. I can hardly offer new ideas when the ideas I've offered aren't followed.

CENTRAL AUTHORITY
With my toppling there is no central authority in the Rebellion. I kept things together for many years not through any institutional role, but the force of my personality.

With no central authority, and none proposed, we see the ULA breaking into fiefdoms in which one individual, with one area of the Rebellion (say, books) will hold absolute power. This goes against the cooperative spirit of the ULA's original vision. One can't ask for volunteered work without respecting the volunter's input. Maybe this set-up will work. Time will tell.

WHERE NOW?
Whither the cause? Where are the strategies? To ask me to continue to serve the Rebellion with a dozen knives in my back is unsound. Defeated? Certainly. Defeated twenty times over; smashed, stomped, pulverized from every direction in every way possible. I'm in the position everyone wants: sidelined. Hannibal of Carthage after Zama. Vercingtorix laying down his sword. Crazy Horse captured. A handcuffed and unlistened-to opponent of literary Empire.

New Chapter

Chapter Nineteen of "Plutocracy USA" is now up at

www.literarymystery.blogspot.com

We are introduced to a new character, Roody McDoody, who as you may remember used to post comments on this blog. . . .

FYI

Most of my public literary activities are suspended while I negotiate terms with the person who's defeated me. I trust the individual will be wise and generous. . . .

I suggest readers delve into this blog's archive, which has a ton of material.

I'll also be continuing the story at

http://www.literarymystery.blogspot.com/

Thanks.