On Aug. 6, I began posting on my Web site the manuscript of my as-yet-unpublished running-themed novel "Coming Back, Coming Up," the story of two world-class runners straining for Olympic glory amid love, strife and death. It's sports fiction written not for the traditional middle-school audience but for adult readers, runners and non-runners alike. To all who have taken the time to read the book, I thank you. Almost all of the responses I've received since I posted the first part of the manuscript have been extraordinarily positive and encouraging. The volume of hits so far has been nothing short of overwhelming: as of Aug. 19, there have been more than 1,500 viewings by people in at least 45 states and more than 20 foreign countries, and the numbers keep rising. And virtually all of this traffic has come from spreading the word on a single electronic bulletin board. Naturally I have dreams of seeing "Coming Back, Coming Up" stocked on bookstore shelves and available on Amazon.com, but finding a publisher who will take on an unknown writer isn't easy. They want to see good writing, but even more than that, they want to know that if they print a book, there are people out there who will buy it. But telling them that some of the most well-educated, rabid readers in the country are the estimated 36.2 million Americans who describe themselves as at least casual joggers (according to a USA Track & Field’s Road Running Information Center survey) won't pique their interest the way hearing from interested readers will. Help me convince publishers there is a market for for "Coming Back, Coming Up" by signing this petition asking them to consider it, and ask your friends and family who might enjoy reading the book to do so as well. Adding your name to the list and suggesting others do the same takes only moments of your time and could have a huge impact with publishers. I believe this opportunity to do a little viral marketing might not come my way again...and I have many more stories to tell. Help me get this one and the rest out where people can read and, hopefully, enjoy them. Thanks very much for your support! Gerald C. Matics

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