Soon to be a Book: “Acquisition Syndrome”
My draft of “Acquisition Syndrome” is now on the way to my agent via Fed Ex. There are still many steps before it makes it print. (Agent, publisher, graphic artists, page layout and design, revision suggestions by my editor Dorrie O’Brien, proof copy tests readers, line editors etc etc. To be ready by Christmas is optimistic, but maybe we’ll be lucky. AFter the first of the year is more realistic.
You will not be surprised that some of this book is a light-hearted romp through the world of some bluegrass picking doctors. Those of you who know me well will also not be surprised the book also has some serious undertones.
The subtitle is “From Healing Art to Business.” You may have noticed the trend in recent years medicine has become too business oriented and not as patient centered, at least not enough to suit me. The book explores this unfortunate trend and the human factors of greed and exploitation that underly it. I assure you the story will not please big business or big insurance whatso ever, so when they come looking for me, just say, “Dr. B? Oh he’s just some crazy bluegrass picker down in North Carolina, Harvey County I believe. Trust me, they are gonna be some kind of unhappy, so please, if it ain’t one of our kind, don’t point me out to ’em at a festival. I think regular folks like us will enjoy the book, though.
You can count on this: The story will take you deep inside the world of modern medicine to places you did not know existed and will expose traps I hope you avoid in your travels. The story is fiction but it is true fiction. As I’ve always said, fiction should show the truth but tell no facts. I worked on this book very hard even the summer I was sick, and I hope I did that. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as “The Mandolin Case.” With the support of the bluegrass community ‘the Mandolin Case” made it all the way to #1 on the Amazon Country Book list last summer. I recall the one publisher who said bluegrass people wouldn’t read. Now they have shown interest in “acquisition Syndrome.” I told my agent I wasn’t trying to be mean but sorry, I dance with who brung me. If that guy didn’t have faith in us before he’ll have to wait in line a little while. And like Dr. Bones Robertson in “Acquisition Syndrome” I’m a nice fellow, but can have a tenacious side if someone disses my people.
Will keep you posted on developments.
dr. B
Tags: book to be published
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
July 17, 2011 at 8:18 am
Sounds wonderful — VERY much looking forward to reading it. There are those of us that remember health care when it was about the patient – not big business. Sometimes “progress” is anything but.
July 17, 2011 at 9:37 am
Amen Carolyn. Dr. B
July 17, 2011 at 10:53 am
2 WOO HOOs!
somthing to look forward too!
and for The Mandolin Case making it too #1 🙂
July 17, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Thanks Jel. I hope to get well enough for me and the wife to take the book tour to Missouri some day. Dr. B
July 18, 2011 at 3:16 pm
doc, that would be nice, if ya could,
but if not maybe , I could talk DH in to taking a trip up there!
Is there any cool places to take picture of up there? 🙂
July 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Wasn’t it Twain who said we want our fiction to be more real than our reality? Looking forward to reading it when it hits the bookstore! I can’t tell you enough what it has meant to me to find your site. Every week this aspiring author learns something new.
Keep kickin’ the you know what out of old long gone and stay cool Dr. B.
kc
July 17, 2011 at 4:44 pm
KC, Good to hear from you.Yep, Twain is a Lit hero to me.
July 18, 2011 at 11:05 am
Me too! So we have more in common than just North Carolina : )
July 18, 2011 at 10:53 am
Greatly looking forward to it! You’re a true inspiration and heck of a culturalist.
July 18, 2011 at 11:29 am
Thanks guys, I hope you enjoy it and find some useful life lessons too. At this point I have seen a lot.
Dr. B
July 18, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Looking forward to the next book. We know all about those precious insurance companies don’t we Dr. B? Looking forward to seeing you at Darin and Brooke’s CD release . Hope this finds you feeling just lovely today!! Prayers to you , my friend.
July 18, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Ah, the next book, eagerly anticipated here in our house. You are a worker, Dr. B., Barbara and I admire your spirit and determination. We will read any book by the world’s best (and only) author of medical bluegrass fiction, true but without facts.
July 18, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Thanks so much guys. Jel, They used to csll call N.C. “Variety Vacationland” Lots of scenic spots from beaches to mauntains. If you’ll email me a phone number to tom.bibey@yahoo.com I’m give you a buzz and tell you more. Dr. B
July 19, 2011 at 11:30 am
Doc B! I’ve missed you! I’m waiting eagerly for this new book – it’s a sequel of sorts to “The Mandolin Case,” right?
How are you doing, though? I haven’t seen an update on your situation in a while. My thoughts are still with you and I often wonder and worry about where you’re at and how you’re coping. I hope Marfar and the kids are being as supportive as they can be, and that music is continuing to be as strong a presence in your life as always.
July 19, 2011 at 11:47 am
slightly, So good to hear from you. Yes, it is a sequel to “The Mandolin Case’. Of course Indie is gone and Dr. Bones Robertson does his best to fill his shoes and serve as a mentor to young Dr. Billy Spurgeon.
Overall I am doing OK considering my Dx. I am tired and my vision is poor but my wife keeps me going.
July 19, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Can’t wait to read it…..keep on writing..and playing…Wishing you the best.
July 19, 2011 at 5:39 pm
CDH,
Thanks so much. I am just glad the thing didn’t kill me and that it doesn’t look like it will.
adr. ab
July 20, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Moose’s wife hooked me up with your site and I love it. You are a very talented physician, writer, and musician….very impressive.
July 21, 2011 at 10:23 am
Thanks June. Moose is a very fine old friend and a great banlo picker. Hope you’ll come visit again. Dr. B
July 25, 2011 at 6:04 pm
You have been staying BUSY! Can’t wait! Proud to be your friend.
July 26, 2011 at 6:07 am
It has been a tough summer but I’m hnanging in there. Dr. B
July 30, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Doc,glad you have started the process. I stiil remember the time we got to play golf at Lake Lure, just seems like yesterday.
July 31, 2011 at 8:00 am
Smitty,
I believe that “chnce meeting” golf game was just God’s way of getting two bluegrass brothers together.
Dr. B