Through Obscurity, Dalrkly

Tom has asked that I post the following message regarding a curious claim that he is himself a fictional author:

To my readers:

I must admit, this is not the first time I have not felt exactly ‘real.’ And though I am tempted to address the issue way or another, despite my name I have never been much of an adherent to the Bellman’s rule-of-three. Instead, I say only once, believe what you will. After all, I should be amused, particularly by the fact that in my science-fictional works I have so oft written of metaphysics, parallel universes, and inter- and intradimensional rifts. I do admit my work is hard to find, although not impossible, as the intrepid Gregory Anderson will tell you. By the way, he is currently on the trail of the fictional-author story I wrote in 1976, published in a one-shot bearing the inauspicious name of Kukuanafan. But then, I didn’t write that one under my own name, so I don’t suppose it will prove much of anything. In any case, I expect he will find a copy, as sooner or later everything turns up. Perhaps when it does, someone will want to publish it. I am as proud of that story as I am of any of my work, although that isn’t saying much.

Oh, and don’t bother sending Ralph after me. He’ll only upset my cat Fleena and get himself into more trouble than it’s worth.

Namaste,

TWB