On Friday, June 14, 2002, I was at Hooters in New York City hanging out with a friend. At my house, other friends were eagerly awaiting the delivery of 14 boxes – boxes that contained 1,000 copies of I’ve Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway: A firsthand Account Of The Tragic Events Of September 11, 2001 – which was a book written by me – making me an official author.

When the books were delivered, they called me – and told me that the books looked great – and that they were on the way to bring me a copy so I can see it for myself for the very first time…

…that next hour was a blur – until they showed up and handed me a copy of my own book – making me an officially published author for the very first time.

When I first got a copy in my hands – I can’t even describe how I felt. A feeling of jubilation, fulfillment, satisfaction – and culmination came over me, because I knew that at that one moment – that I could say the words, “I wrote a book” – and mean it.

The book was published by a publisher I will not mention – because he does not deserve it and was a crook as well as someone who did not care about the book at all – but rather the money it would bring him. In fact, he asked for my final payment for the book on September 11, 2002. Shocked and dismayed that he would ask for it on that particular day of all days – the one year anniversary of what my entire book was about – I asked him if he had even read my book in the first place and realized what a sad day that was for me – but needless to say he did not care and would not waiver on his payment date. So needless to say – him and I went our separate ways immediately – and I have not spoken to him since – and wish things upon him I will not mention to anyone.

But despite his inhuman and unfeeling greediness, the book flourished – selling many copies around the country and the world – as well as selling close to 50 at my book signing, which was held at the famous Pip’s Comedy Club on July 20, 2002 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. After that memorable day – I sold hundreds more – but when I was about halfway through selling the book, I did something I, at the time of my seeing the book for the first time, never thought I would do…

…I gave the rest away for free.

While I was thankful that I made back what it cost me to publish the book and broke even on my investment, I felt horrible telling people that I was an author of a book about September 11th, that I lost my best friend that day, was a block away when the first Tower collapsed, that I worked at Ground Zero and in the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Command Center from September 12th through December 31st – and that my book told the whole story…

…and would then ask them for $19.95 to hear my harrowing tale.

So after breaking even on sales that mostly resulted from friends, colleagues, and sales on Amazon.com, I decided that I could not meet someone new, tell them about my book – and then take their money. So, whenever someone asked me about the book and wanted to see a copy – I gave them one for free. In fact, I gave so many away – that I only have one copy left.

So now, when people ask me about the book and want to see it, I have to lend it to them, let them read it – and rudely ask for it back. Last night, my friend Avery was over and I showed him my book. I offered to loan it to him like I have to so many others – and he so intelligently suggested that I simply convert the electronic file of my book to a PDF file and e-mail it to him. As soon as I heard him say that, only one thought crossed my mind…

…why didn’t I think of that?

For years – six to be exact – I have had the Adobe PageMaker file of my book sitting on my computer, and all I had to do was click one icon that reads, “Export Adobe PDF.” With one simple click, I could have shared my book with countless people who asked me for a copy of my book – to whom I had to politely decline because I only had one left. How idiotic I feel that I never thought of such a simple solution to the problem I had that people wanted my book and I stupidly thought I only had one copy left…

…when in reality – I had an unlimited supply.

Think about it, I gave over 500 books away for free anyway – so why not give away a PDF of the book to whoever wants it? Sure it’s not a tangible copy that they could hold in their hands – but they can still read it, see the pictures – and experience the book for themselves and take from it what they wish. I seriously cannot believe that doing such a simple thing never crossed my mind – but now that it has thanks to Avery – I freely offer my book to anyone who wants it…

…with the only cost being to let me know what they think of it – whether they like it or not.

Until I figure out how to make it downloadable directly from my website, if you would like a copy of my book, please feel free to e-mail me at pwein1972@yahoo.com and I would be more than happy to send it to you, hoping that you enjoy it and share it with whomever you wish – and that you realize just how important my serving my city and nation, my experiences, my memories – and my best friend – are to me.

Thanks Avery.