Only two people knew that I had written a new book.  Gideon Brookins knew because he served as the technical editor of the book.  Logan Collins knew because she read drafts of the book as I was nearing the end of writing the book.

     So when the semester started, I had a secret.  But I also had responsibilities. 

     I am the faculty advisor of the Psychology Club.  As always, they had asked me to speak at the first meeting of the club for the semester in early September.  It was a Thursday evening and I decided that they would be the first to know about the upcoming publication of my new book; “Howl of the Wolf: North Carolina State University Students Call Out For Social Change.”  But I also decided to have a little fun with them.

     When I got to the meeting room, I found about 70 students in attendance.  I had already set up a power-point presentation, so I greeted everyone and began my remarks as they ate pizza.  I told them about my summer project and that the book would be published soon.  I said, though, that even though the book wouldn’t be available for a month, I wanted their reactions to the cover.  So, I said, here is the cover for the book:

    

     At first they were silent.  I was not surprised, but I prodded them on. 

    “Well, what do you think?,” I said.  Silence.  “No really, tell me; it’s pretty nice huh…” 

    Finally someone said well it’s ok. 

    “Ok?” I said.  “What’s the problem?”

      I knew the problem, but I wanted one of them to say it and someone finally did.

    “But it’s blue Dr. Nacoste.  Almost Carolina blue”

    I laughed.

    “Oh no,” I said, “…you’re right.”

     I was having fun.  No way was I going to publish a book that used the colors of the hated rival, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, even if I did get my Ph.D. there.  Not because it mattered to me, but because it would matter to the audience for my book; students at North Carolina State University.

    “Well,” I said, “… how about this cover.”

         

    Seeing the Wolfpack red, seeing the silhouettes of wolves against that big red moon, the relief and joy in the room was like an explosion.  Smiles, laughter, admiration was now all over the room and all over the students.  It was a fun moment. 

     Now that they were fully with me about my book, all their questions were about when it would be available.  So I promised them that when I had copies of the book in hand, I would come back and give copies to the people “…in attendance at the meeting tonight.”  I was very clear about this. 

     “All of you who are here tonight,” I said, “I will give you a copy.  But that’s our secret, just the people who are here tonight.  So when I have them, I’ll let Heather (the Psych Club President) know to spread the word that Dr.Nacoste will be at the next meeting.  That will tell you I am bringing copies of the book; but just for those here tonight.  Got it!”

    All heads nodded to say, yes.  Then I went home to have some dinner.