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
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 