Longest Way Around is the Shortest Way Home" - James Joyce: Ulysses
It has been over a year since I last posted an update on my continuing attempts to publish my memoir on treating heroin addicts in the sixties. No contract yet but I am optimistic about the future. Why so?
- Writers write. In this connection having suffered a bitter disappointment with an agent I have persevered and have continued editing and re- editing.
- I put MY ODYSSEY on hold while I completed another book called: DEMYSTIFYING MEANINGFUL COINCIDENCES (SYNCHRONICITIES): The Evolving Self, The Personal Unconscious, and The Creative Process which was published by Jacob Aronson in February 2010.
- Once the excitement publishing my book died down I experienced a resurgence of interest in continuing to publish my memoir.
- Stung by an unpleasant and expensive association with my agent I seriously considered the pathway of self publishing.
- Have you aspiring authors noted that E books via the kindle etc. are the rage of the publishing world? There are many compelling reasons to go this way. Among them are more control by the author, potentially more money, less time to publish, and so forth.
- After doing a great deal of research looking for the best publish on your own format I was almost ready to commit but was unable to deny the force of a nagging doubt.
- I have always followed the principle of be where they are not. This principle was reinforced when I spoke to an editor friend of mine who has read my memoir. He said "don't go the self publishing route. You have a timely and well written manuscript and credibility from your published book. Get a good agent."
- His advice sounded right to me.
- I plugged the following key words on the internet: finding the right agent.
- Within five minutes I chanced upon a company that acts as a middleman between an aspiring author and whatever and whoever else it takes to get a book published.
- I spoke to the head of the company giving her a five minute pitch. She responded with personal interest but bluntly indicated that my subject matter would probably not sell.
- Having learned from my experience her rapid rejection was experienced by me as a challenge to be overcome not as a reason to take an anti depressant.
- I said: "Let me tell you why you think the way you do." My subject matter - treating heroin addicts forty years ago is presumably untimely seemingly irrelevant. However I can assure you that it is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. " I know I am right as I am expert in this field. I have also told a powerful story from both the outside in as well as the inside out." She agreed to read my proposal.
- A half hour after reading my e mailed proposal she called back and excitedly said [paraphrase] I think you really have a great story here. Further I would like to suggest you let me send your manuscript to an editor who has had a number of New York Times best sellers on his list of successfully edited books. She also set a fair price for their service.
- So once again I found myself staring into an unchartered future. Is this the right course for me? Can I afford it? Recalling the wise words of my psychoanalyst "if you want to predict the future - predict the past." He also said "trust your instincts." There is always a certain degree of risk but to paraphrase Kierkeggard: "To venture is to cause anxiety, .... (but not to venture) is not to find oneself."
- Having waited, survived and learned from upsetting experiences, become a published and more self confident author, certain I am finally in the mainstream with relevant content - I expectantly await the first response from my editor.
- I now know that nothing can stop me from publishing My Odyssey. If he happens not to like it then I will go the self publishing route. However, at this moment in time, my pathway seems perfectly right.
- My optimism is bolstered by the remarkable events happening in the Arab world. My Odyssey is an in depth analysis of vicissitudes of struggling with the complicated issue of one's final authority - projection on to a cause, a parent, a dictator, or assuming the responsibility of electing oneself as one's own final authority.
- ??????? To be continued ........
- The tentative title of my memoir is: MY ODYSSEY: Turbulent Beginnings Working With Drug Addicts in the Late Sixties.
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