In a Haight Street Liquor Store

        The first time i came across David Goodis was on the revolving bookstand in a Haight street liquor store. It was San Francisco, Spring 1966. There amidst Signet classics, soft-core porn and instructional titles along the lines of Science of Sexology by Dr Mortimer Snerd MD was the Grove Press/Black Cat edition of Shoot the Piano Player.
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        But there just looking at that cover i knew i had to have that book. So i looked around, checked the convex mirror situated above the cold drinks cabinet, slipped it under my jacket and walked out of the store, unnoticed by the Chinese owner, a mild-mannered guy who never seemed to mind me reading, maybe occasionally stealing, his paperbacks.

excerpts from
Some David Goodis Moments
Woody Haut
on davidgoodis.com

Goodis at Warner Brothers

lower image
Larry Withers
                                  http://www.davidgoodis.com/styled-63/index.html