But if you do enjoy the novel, and it's something you could possibly see buying in a book store, or recommending to friends, I hope that you'll make the effort to send along a little something. My costs of production are indeed minimal, but like most creative people, I do also appreciate the peculiar type of applause that comes in the form of cash money. I'm not ashamed to say it — after all, I have a mortgage, a child, a dog, and a truly insane computer videogame habit. All of these must be fed. Frequently.

If you're wondering how much to send, I'll make it easy for you:

$1.

Yup, that's it. One dollar. I figure one dollar is an amount almost everyone can afford to send (you'll have to pitch in an additional 33 cents for a stamp, of course). One dollar is both rather substantially less than you'd pay for a science fiction novel in a bookstore (where paperbacks now average upwards of $6 dollars, and hardbacks hover around $25) and rather substantially more than I'd get in royalties from a paperback publisher — the standard royalty rate is 7 to 12 percent, which translates (on a $6 paperback) to 42 to 72 cents per book. So everyone is happy. Yes, there's a risk you won't pay even a dollar. But if it were in the stores, and you had to buy it first, there's a risk you wouldn't buy it at all (if you could find it at all). I figure the risk is about equal. At least this way you have a chance to give the novel a fair shake without having a salesperson pressuring you to buy the book, or to get out of the store because they're closing down for the day.

(If you're not in the United States, send along the equivalent to $1. I'm sure my bank will love getting funds of all nationalities. Might as well make the tellers work for their pay!)

Now, mind you, if you want to send more than $1, by all means, please do. Baby needs a college education.