From two-time Leacock Medal winner and bestselling author Terry Fallis comes a slim parable of a novel that imagines a world where literature rules—and one humble writer discovers that success can be the strangest fiction of all.

What if novelists were the new rock stars?

Malcolm Forde is a novelist who’s made peace with the modest life of a working writer—half-empty book events, glowing reviews that don’t sell books, and the quiet satisfaction of a good sentence. But after falling asleep while writing late one December night, Malcolm wakes up in a world that looks very much like his own . . . except everything has changed. Writers are now global celebrities, lit tours fill stadiums, and he’s suddenly rich, adored, and world-famous.

As Malcolm is swept into a surreal whirlwind of fame—including private jets, red carpets, and rabid fans—he starts to lose touch with the quiet, solitary art that once gave his life meaning and purpose. An End in Itself is a wry, thoughtful, and deeply human satire that interrogates our obsession with celebrity and success while celebrating the enduring power of the written word.