Well, I’ve done it. I started working on my cat stories book again. If all goes well and I don’t get swamped with client work (which would be a good thing), I will complete it within the next month or so and publish it as an ebook. I’m excited! How many of you would be interested in reading my book of cat stories? It includes stories about many of the cats I’ve known over the years and those from other cat people I’ve met. I have stories of feral cats, cats living in cat colonies, cats suffering from ailments, cats with unusual habits or traits, cats who live in libraries, working cats, cats with handicaps, traveling cats, cats as teachers and much more.
Are any of you familiar with Dewey, the library cat who was found near death in a book drop in Iowa one frigid morning several years ago? There’s a book out about him now? I was one of about 250 people who wrote about Dewey over the years. I haven’t seen librarian, Vickie Myron’s book, yet, but I have it on my Christmas list, so I should own it soon.
I also want the book, The Necklace. How many of you know about this book? It’s the story of a group of women from my county, here in California, who pooled their money to buy an exquisite, expensive diamond necklace. The book tells the story of how this necklace affected their lives and the lives of those they have shared the necklace with. For example, one woman I know was given the honor of wearing the necklace because she stepped up and gave a friend a kidney.
Both of these books were picked up by major publishing houses and all of the authors are touring around promoting their books. Isn’t it interesting to see what the big publishers will buy and what books will sell?
It seems to pay to get involved, doesn’t it? If Vickie Myron hadn’t taken the injured, abused kitten in, she wouldn’t have earned a million dollar + advance this year. This is a reminder of how important it is to reach out when someone needs our help and to say “yes,” even when we may feel a little uncomfortable or the request is a bit unorthodox or overwhelming. It sometimes pays to risk and take chances. Of course, we all know that publishing is a gamble and it becomes more so all the time.
So what did you do this year that might ultimately result in something positive for yourself or others? Have you taken risks? Have you stood up for or helped someone else? Have you stepped up to the plate on behalf of your publishing dream? I’d love to hear some of your stories.
In the meantime, if you plan to enter into the competitive world of publishing in 2009, be sure to do so with all of the right information and resources. Before taking your next (possibly wrong) step, read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.
It seems that more hopeful authors are heeding this recommendation as my book sales are up!! Yeah!! And Thank you.