As the publication date of Gus Openshaw’s Whale-Killing Journal gets nearer, I’m looking forward to receiving my copy. In a weird sort of way, I was involved in the development of this book from a wacky serial published in a blog to an actual hardback with paper and everything.

You might say I was vicariously picaresque at the time the whale-killing journal was being posted. Of course, Mrs. Blubridge was really the instigator, I was just along for the ride. Don’t tell her this, but between you and me, she’s pretty… wacky, but she means well.

Currently, Gus is a little disappointed because of a bad book review – his stooge’s name is on the book due to some legal problems to do with slightly shady activities off Conch, and at least one corrupt Venezuelan naval officer. Anyway, the review on the Amazon page is one to make a whale-killing book-writing one-armed guy’s momma cry.

Mrs. Blubridge is going to be insufferable later because she got another little testimonial from Gus over this whole book-shilling deal. He’s had a quick scrimshaw done up as a thank-you for her support.

At least she won’t be running out of beer at the Grog Shoppe soon.