Once a temporary home to a wayward grand piano, the Biscayne Bay sandbar has a new tenant.
Just for today.
Inspired by the story of the piano left on the sandbar about 200 yards from the Quayside condominiums off Northeast 107th Street, author Sean Kenniff decided to set up camp on the sandbar Tuesday - a sunny, breezy Tuesday - for a makeshift book signing.
"To say it was sparsely attended would be exaggerating," admitted the author of Etre the Cow (HCI, $11.95), who kayaked out to the sandbar before daybreak. He says the police came by, and a couple of people passed by on boats and took photos.
Kenniff hoped somebody, anybody, would stop to inquire about his book (about a cow having an existential crisis -- aren't we all?). Have the troubles in the publishing industry really come to this?
"It's unfortunate, but people aren't reading books like they did in the past. Small stores are closing, book chains are struggling, and publishers are cutting back on book tours. It's up to you to help your publisher promote your book. With authors, books are their babies. . . . who wouldn't do anything they could for them?"
That includes standing outside all day, attempting to persuade police you are not a menace. But at least Kenniff wasn't enduring blizzard conditions like much of the country.
"It's 80 degrees. I brought an umbrella, but it's really breezy so I'm wet. I came out at high tide, and I'm soaked to the bone and freezing. But it's really nice to be out here."
Kenniff wasn't the only copycat eyeing the sandbar. On Friday a table and two chairs - with a tablecloth, place settings, a bottle of wine and a chef statue - appeared there.
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