While I was under contract with a traditional publisher I was comfortable with calling myself an author (or soon to be author when the book was actually published).  Several years ago I attended a presentation at the UW Madison Writer’s Institute by a publication attorney.  He explained that the term “author” has a specific legal definition.  A writer becomes an” author” when there is a contract between a person and a publisher to create a specific work.  Based on this understanding, at the time, I was adamant that anyone who self-published was not an author.

Well, the days of having a contract with a traditional publisher are fading in my rear view mirror.  In a few weeks I will release Murphy’s Troubles on Amazon print- on- demand and used their proprietary Create Space publishing service.  So, by my understanding of the term, I can’t honestly refer to myself as an author.

So, do I call myself a writer?  That term is very broad and doesn’t satisfy me as being descriptive of what I do.  Several years ago when I was developing my LinkedIn profile I used the term:  Novelist and Freelance Writer.  I don’t any longer remember why I chose those words, but I’ve decided it fits.  My first love is the novel and my second freelance non-fiction for my blog, Extra Innings, book reviews and an occasional print magazine.

After Murphy’s Troubles is available on Amazon I’ve settled on calling myself a published novelist.  I think that is accurate and it avoids any legal misunderstanding that may occur by calling myself an author.  This is important to me.  It may seem like I’m splitting hairs.  For me, the distinction is significant.  It’s also a way to answer the question – what do you write – in a simple, elegant way.   

The practice of children screaming “trick or treat” when visiting your home on Halloween evening didn’t begin in America until the 1940’s. Usually there wasn’t a trick because most homes offered their ghoulish visitors a treat, even though my Dad insisted on handing out apples.  Growing up I was embarrassed by his healthy handout, now, I recognize he was ahead of his time.

This week author Ruth Ozeki  is the guest the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  The campus coordinates a program called ‘Go Big Read’.  A book is selected each year for study by the entire campus (+42,000 students).  All 5000 entering freshmen were given a copy of Ozeki’s latest novel A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING.  For a week there have been discussion groups across campus that Ozeki participated in and 60 courses offered to students on her novel.  Any writer would be envious of both the book sales and attention Go Big Read generates.

Part of Ozeki’s duties for the week included making a presentation to a room of 1200 readers and I was one of the mega-audience attending.  We didn’t learn until she began speaking that she had no intention of talking about her novel, instead, she lectured us on “How To Be A Better Time Being”, which she read directly from notes.  In a forty-five minute presentation she shared only a thread of information on writing A TALE . . . It wasn’t even obvious that she had six points to share with us on ‘how to be a better time being’ until she announced number three and told us there would be a total of six.

Ozeki is a Zen Buddhist priest and had us spend +10 minutes meditating.  Again, not at all what I expected in an author’s book reading.  I’m not against meditating, but I am against being put in a position that I have to meditate with 1198 strangers, it was inappropriate and offensive.

At the close of her presentation 30 minutes was allocated to a Q & A.  The professor moderator, of  course, had to start with his own question – not that 1200 people in a college setting would need any prompting to ask questions.  He only wanted to show us how important he was, that he had to lead the questioning.  We once called that pompous and self-important.

All of the questions posed were about A Tale . . ., not a single question about how to be a better time being.  She didn’t answer a single question.  She stuttered and danced around any direct, meaningful answers. 

So, this Halloween we received a trick from author Ruth Ozeki.  My recommendation is, if you have a chance to attend one of her author readings, skip it.       

Plain and simple, here it is . . .

10/18 received electronic proof of book

10/21  received  physical proof of book

10/21 to 10/25 review proof,  make corrections, upload corrected proof

10/28 review and upload final book cover with spine

11/5 receive corrected proof

11/12 approve final proof

11/12 approve final cover

11/12 select regular and extended distribution

11/12 MURPHY’S TROUBLES sent to Amazon distribution

11/19 receive author’s complimentary copy

11/20 MURPHY’S TROUBLES available on Amazon for purchase

Part of the schedule is based on milestones Create Space provides to accomplish their tasks and part is dependent on me.  Having this timeline makes it real, concrete.  I began down the meandering road to publication in April 2010, it has taken 44 months.   

This past Monday I took one giant leap closer to releasing Murphy’s Troubles on Amazon.  I had a telephone conference with my design team at Create Space.  I panicked when my manuscript file was converted to a book format came in at 501 pages.  I attempted to change the formatting and physical dimensions of the book (called trim size) to reduce the page count.  It became clear that I had stumbled into the realm of graphic design experts and I was lost.

For a $349 I purchased the Create Space interior design package.  They sent me a document with recommendations for:  trim size, body copy font, accent font and fleuron (that squiggly thing separating major paragraph breaks within a chapter).  Before purchasing the package I was asked three times if I would like to try to do the interior design myself.  I appreciated not having a hard sell but I knew I needed help.

My graphic designer, Anna, led me through a series of questions to make the decisions that will shape the physical book.  I didn’t hesitate to ask for recommendations.  First choice – trim size.  Originally I chose 8.5 x 5.5.  Anna recommended 8 x 5 because it was more common for my genre.  She was able to tell me that size would result in a 330 page book, perfect.  I reviewed the various font options with my cover designer because I trust his judgment in the visual appearance of the book.  We chose Mercury for the body copy font (interior paragraph font); Charlemagne for the accent font (chapter headings) and a simple fleuron.  Next I was asked if I wanted the right page chapters.  That means each new chapter would always begin on a right hand page.  At first I thought that was a good idea.  However, Anna pointed out that could add 30 pages to the total page count.  I didn’t want to do that and she explained that most fiction books don’t have right page chapters.

Finally, we reviewed the image size of my book cover.  When I uploaded the cover file several months ago we guessed at the trim size.  We downsized the book so now the image needs to be adjusted.  I notified my cover designer and will have a properly sized image in about a week.

With all these decisions behind me the book seems much more real because it’s taking on physical shape in the real world.  I’ll be sent an electronic proof on 10/28 but I asked to be sent a physical proof which should arrive in early November.        

I have been down the path of working with a traditional publisher and it didn’t work out.  After two and a half years of many versions of my manuscript, my former publisher didn’t meet two publication dates they set in 2012.  Each time a date was missed there was no explanation.  I tried to negotiate a publication date in 2013 but the publisher refused to negotiate.  I threw up my hands in disgust and terminated that contract.

When I started my journey to publication in early 2010 I was hell bent on traditional publishing.  I felt there was a dark cloud over self-publishing.  I was convinced that I wouldn’t be a legitimate author if I self-published.  Check the definition of author, then you’ll understand.

For years self-publication meant vanity press but now there are legitimate alternatives.  I was approached by a subsidy publisher but after careful analysis I concluded only the publisher benefited from that relationship.

For self-publishing I selected Amazon’s Create Space because the Linkedin groups I belong to rated their experience as very good to exceptional and because my friend and author, Marshall Cook, selected Create Space after his publisher of many years went out of business.

Create Space is completely transparent in the services they provide at no cost and those that have a fee.  I have called them for help and written e-mails.  They are patient with me and always offer a solution.  When my browser didn’t work to upload my manuscript file, they did it at no cost in the format they needed for publication.  They offered this solution to my problem, I didn’t ask.

My goal is to publish MURPHY’S TROUBLES in November; I’ve been assigned a Create Space publishing assistant to guide me through the publishing maze.  I consider myself fortunate to have the services of Create Space to help a novice publish my debut novel.  A few years ago, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity. 

Traditional literary agents and the publishing industry is risk averse because they are in the business of making money, not encouraging literature.  Create Space has developed a publishing model where there risk is minimal and the cost to the writer is only what they can reasonably pay yet have a high quality book produced.  So what if Amazon is the 600 pound gorilla in the room?  I like gorillas.   

Several years ago I became interested in traditional oral storytelling.  I thought  oral storytelling would be a natural extension of my writing fiction.  I felt that learning to tell oral stories would deepen and enrich my writing.

A local librarian was working to establish a storytelling group where people could learn the art, be supportive and refine their presentation and stories.  The first meeting included an eclectic mix of people all with different reasons for wanting to be storytellers.  As part of the meeting attendees were asked to volunteer to tell stories.  The first was the librarian who told a story of a family canoe trip.  While she told the story dramatically (read melodramatically) it was neither interesting nor humorous.  A second couple told a story about a trip they took in the Caribbean.  They laughed throughout their own story; they were the only ones in the room that were laughing.  Do you see a pattern? My idea of true storytelling wasn’t about folks sharing their own life experiences;  that should be confined to family reunions or professional comedians.

 This past weekend there was a Wisconsin Storytellers Get Together at a local library.  The cost for the day was $40; I wasn’t sure what the money was to be used for but spending that amount wasn’t going to break the bank.

About 25 people attended of which 21 were women that had been retired for at least 10 years.  Of the four men attending only one looked young enough to still be holding a day job.  In the very first session I learned that most attending performed storytelling for money.  I was shocked and surprised. I didn’t want to tell stories to add to my income, but for the art.  It began to feel bad in my gut.

It became crystal clear that these folks were not interested in stories, they were interested in performing.   I’m not interested in performing; I’m interested in storytelling as an art.  I had a strong reaction in my gut.  That part of you that says:  get out now, this isn’t for you.

After the first session I quietly walked out.  I didn’t get my forty bucks worth, or maybe I did.  I avoided what could have been a major detour on my journey to become a better writer.  I’m a writer, not a performer; at forty bucks I guess it’s a cheap lesson.

    

In February I terminated my contract with Mischievous Muse Press to begin the journey to self-publication.  Since then the book cover has been completely redesigned and the back of the book blurb tossed and re-written.

The first edit the manuscript had was a substantive edit by my friend and mentor Marshall Cook.  As a result I added two chapters and re-wrote the last chapter, dramatically changing the ending of the book.  Marshall convinced me that making the last paragraph of the book a cliff hanger just wasn’t fair to the reader.  Of course, he’s right.

Next, my website:   www.rexowens.us had a complete make-over.  I actually hired a pro to provide me with an analysis and make specific recommendations for change.  I accepted all the recommendations and in a single month saw a 25% jump in hits.

It took quite a while for me to find a compatible copyeditor/proofreader.  In August I found Christine Keleny of www.ckbookspublishing.com, who lives in a small town right here in Dane County, Wisconsin. Christine provided both insightful copyediting and line proofreading.  It has taken me about a month to review Christine’s recommendations and incorporate about 98% of them (Christine would prefer I write out all numerals).  In September I also took a one day brush- up course on grammar and punctuation because my experience with Christine was proof it would be beneficial for me.

I am now on the brink of publication.  First, I will be doing technical editing on formatting and consistency in the manuscript.  Then will come the day that I upload the manuscript to Create Space.  Recently, Create Space is offering more options on what is called interior design.  I want to take my time to get the “look” that I want for the book.  Create Space will also send me a hard copy galley to review and make final changes.  Then, the hour will arrive in October when MURPHY’S TROUBLES is published.

I want to choose a date for publication that coincides with a significant event in the history of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.  Right now I’m leaning toward 27 October (1980) the day the first Hunger Strike began.    

  

Have you ever started a hobby – just because.  A few years ago I decided I wanted to learn to kayak.  My wife reluctantly agreed.  A co-worker suggested we take a class from a local Kayak shop to see if we liked it.  We took the class and both my wife and I fell in love with it.

With a kayak you’re on the water, typically near the shore of a lake or on small rivers or creeks.  You’re able to move silently and with a low profile that doesn’t disturb the wild life.  A few weeks ago we witnessed a spectacular bird exhibition at a nearby lake.

There’s a small park in western Dane County that has a small lake, Indian Lake, that doesn’t allow boats with motors.  It is a perfect lake for kayaking and canoeing.  It was a mid-morning Saturday and with the exception of a single surf boarder we had the lake to ourselves.  Along the shore we saw sandpipers and turtles.  Over head we saw a pair of big blue herons that were intent on leaving the lake.  It soon became apparent why they decided to leave.

A large eagle was circling the lake.  We paddled to the western end of the lake to watch the eagle hunt.  It would circle, circle, circle, not caring that was watching.  Several times the eagle flew directly overhead.  Then the eagle plunged headfirst into the water.  We watched as he hit the water his talons extended then he flew away at a 45 degree angle.  We both thought he snagged a fish.  Instead of flying away to a perch he continued to circle the lake, he missed his prey.

From behind us we heard a shrill squawk and saw another eagle take off from the tree tops.  It must be a hunting pair and the Mrs. was obviously upset about the male’s ineptitude.  The female began circling the lake and the male flew off to the east and out of sight.

This is why I kayak.  

For my parents’ generation it was December 7, 1941.  For my generation it will always be September 11, 2001.  That year it was on a Tuesday.  This year it’s a Wednesday, time marches on.  Like most of us I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

The tragedy of so many innocent lives lost in a single day remains incredulous.  For us survivors it has been the twelve years past that weigh on us.  As recently as the last two years, NYC firefighters had to fight in Congress to receive benefits they deserve for health care.  My brother-in-law works for FEMA and he spent months at ground zero.  To this day he can’t, he won’t talk about his experience.

That day we all became hostages to terrorism.  We have fought a twelve year war against an enemy that isn’t a state but a movement.  Killing Bin Laden didn’t have the emotional satisfaction we all anticipated.  When President Obama announced Bin Laden’s death there were impromptu demonstrations in streets with cheering, flag waving, and singing. The jubilation faded as quickly as it began. 

 For several weeks CNN and other news media flooded us with the details of the seal team’s mission.  Yet, it wasn’t satisfying.  We all knew the war goes on.  Try flying anywhere and you’re reminded that we continue to live under the anvil of terrorism.

Terrorism is based on fear, the unexpected and continuous danger.  The Provisional Irish Republication Army invented modern day terrorism.  The Provisional IRA was the first officially internationally designated terrorist organization for their unique form of warfare from 1968-1998 called The Troubles.

I don’t know if either the national psyche or our individual psyche will recover from terrorism’s threat in my lifetime.

I like quotes that inspire, provide perspective, get me in touch with myself and express a truth in simple words.  All around my office I have little pieces of paper with quotes hanging with scotch tape on bookcases, walls, etc.  I thought I would share some of my favorite.

“Do or do not.  There is no try.”  Jedi Master Yoda

“The individual human spirit is nourished by a sense of connectedness to the whole of human awareness.” I Ching

“Don’t want to be a writer.  Be writing.”  William Faulkner

“Be careful who you let read your work.   I’m a big believer in writing programs and workshops, but you can’t listen to everybody’s voice.  You have to decide who you’re going to trust.  First yourself.”  Alice Hoffman

“To dream anything that you want to dream, that is the beauty of the human mind.  To do anything that you want to do, that is the strength of the human will.  To trust yourself, to test the limits, that is the courage to succeed.”  Bernard Edmonds

This isn’t the whole collection, but I’m sure you get the flavor.  Send me your favorite quote and I’ll write a blog on quotes that folks send in.