by Don Hall

I just ordered the proof copy of a book I've been working on since I left my job as an Ops Manager at the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel in Vegas.

The book has been sitting on my computer for some time. I sent out the original manuscript for a while when I was in Nevada but, given it wasn't a 'how to' book on gambling but a strange history of off-Strip casinos and a moment-to-moment memoir of working in the strangest casino I could imagine, there wasn't much interest. My life diverted attention to this book because I was compelled to write the last one about the weirdest divorce I've ever heard of but I promised myself I'd polish this one up and get it out this summer.

For the past few weeks I re-read it, cleaned up language (for example, I caught the fact that in one chapter I referred to someone's ample ass and then the next chapter someone's ample chest. Only one ample allowed), and formatted it. I built a cover that I'm mostly happy with but I'm sure if any of the other books I've published are a template, I'll change it at least three more times. Three proof copies seems to be standard for me.

Most of my stuff is more immediate but Casino at the End of the World was written in real time and I'd frankly forgotten I'd even written a lot of it. Re-reading it gave me a sense of melancholy and nostalgic reflection I didn't anticipate. It caused me to miss Las Vegas, miss the people I used to work with and for, miss the life I had way back then (a whole three years ago), miss the very vibe of a casino.

It also made me laugh. I don't know about other writers but when you read something you wrote a couple years back that actually catches you off guard and gives you the giggles, it's something special.

The work on this has made me want to go back and re-read some of my other books. I'm 100% certain I will cringe at missed typos and bad writing. Some of these were written a while back and, while I'm not even close to being a goodwriter yet, I'm a lot better than I was then. It has also made me think that this stasis in Kansas has to be temporary or I'll never write another book and that is unacceptable. Casino at the End of the World is only possible because I experienced it. I dove into the improbable and lived something unique.

The best part of writing out these stories is that no one has to suffer through them unless they choose to buy a copy.