Received a definite confirmation from number six of The Eight, and we are on for a review via phone next weekend ( exact details forthcoming ). Number seven — the last reader since number eight’s self-elimination — remains at large, so to speak. They have 50 pages left, and no idea when they might have enough time to finish. When informed of their straggler status, their response: “I figured I would be.”

I understand the delay. Holidays, and a job that requires a few nights in addition to long days, crimps leisure time.

Here’s a few lessons lessons gleaned from The Eight:
1) Stick with the months of January through October when offering people a manuscript to read. Avoid sharing projects right before, or during, holidays. And cross November and December right off the calendar. Too many external distractions, too many real commitments.

2) More eyes means richer, more thoughtful observations.

3) When three or more people agree on a point, LISTEN.

4) Understand how people read books. Freaks like writers often approach stories like a drunk hits a six-pack. Give either enough time and space and boom, they’re done. The hell with work in the morning, just gotta finish. For less inclined individuals, reading is done via stints, in all sorts of places and environments. Eight weeks is a good baseline for turnaround.

In the meantime, I waited this long; another week is no hardship.