Sunday, December 9, 2018

Today's Gift




Last Sunday, I announced a new gift book for cat lovers—The Gift of Nine Lives. (I neglected to say that it’s also for those who like tongue-in-cheek, somewhat sly, stories.) I admit to hoping for good sells. Back in 1992, when Crown published A Cat’s Life: Dulcy’s Story, it sold 14,000 copies in four months.

Crown said I sold most of those copies by setting up over thirty readings and signings in small and large bookstores in the metro area of the Twin Cities, in Seattle when I visited my cousins there, and in the Kansas City metro when I visited my brother and his family for Christmas. I also contacted radio and television stations and newspapers in all three areas and they responded enthusiastically.

But now, all is different: most small bookstores are gone; most newspapers don’t do book reviews anymore; most chat shows on television feature only celebrities. Moreover, I no longer drive so I couldn’t get to bookstores and television and radio stations if I had an invitation to do so! Finally, there’s a great difference between the energy level of a 56-year-old Dee Ready and an 82-year old crotchety crone!

The biggest thing of course is that, after trying for twenty-five years to find an agent to represent my writing, I finally accepted the truth that agents weren’t looking for my kind of writing. It was then—this past March—that I began to self-publish.

That, of course, implies self-marketing—the use of social media to get the word out. The ability to do that, my friends, eludes me.

So right now I’m feeling as if the world is passing me by. As if I’m on a deserted road that’s familiar to me but seems untraveled by others; I discover, to my dismay, that other writers have taken a detour onto a road named “Twenty-First Century Marketing”—a road that diverged and, as the poet Robert Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I, I took the road less traveled by, and that’s made all the difference.”

Right now the difference is that in one week “The Gift of Nine Lives” has sold only 11 copies. Eleven.

By this time in 1992, several hundred copies had sold. So I find myself somewhat dispirited. A little down in the dumps about the fact that I may be too old for this writing game; this marketing game; this selling game.

I’ve always tried to live by the mantra my mother gave me when I was a child. When things were hard, she’d say to me, “Dolores, you find what you look for. If you look for good, you will find it. And if you look for bad, you will surely find that too.”

That mantra has seen me through many difficult chapters of my life. It has helped me be positive when the twists and turns of life seemed intent on wearing me down.

But in this past week, I found myself stymied by my dream of communicating with others the stories I long to share. I’ve felt betrayed by my own unrealistic expectations.

Then it happened. Today I was reading a novel and suddenly came to a passage in which the main character quoted from the Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

Here’s the quote: “In everything, give thanks.”

Yes, in everything—the dark days, the painful days, the fearful days, the enlightened days, the sweet days, the emboldened days. This day. And tomorrow. No matter what happens—or doesn’t. No matter what is said—or isn’t. No matter how my body, mind, spirit feels—or doesn’t. No matter what: In everything, give thanks.

That’s what Mom was trying to tell me.

And so I give thanks today for those 11 books that have sold.

And I will give thanks tomorrow for whatever it brings.

And always, I give thanks for all of you who visit me each week. Thank you.


Peace.  

30 comments:

  1. Just getting a book written and self-published is an accomplishment to be proud of. But marketing is a huge hurdle in this day and age to over come, even for younger writers. Have you explored the idea of getting your book on Amazon Kindle? I've heard that isn't hard to do for self-published book authors and sales can be very good.

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  2. Oops! Disregard my first post if you want since I've just discovered you are already on Amazon.

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    1. Dear Jean, I learned from the sells of my convent memoir that about 1/2 of them were e-books and 1/2 print books. You are so right, Kindle makes a difference! Peace.

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  3. Dee, I just read this post on Facebook, but decided to put my comments on your actual blog post rather than publicly there. While I'm pretty certain you remember to say "thanks" far more often than I, I have been making a conscious effort to do that at least at the end of each day. Most of us aren't particularly faithful about that, and we need to remember the source of our blessings.

    While looking for something else today, I stumbled across something I plan to share publicly on my FB, but will share with you first. "If you want God to close and open doors, let go of the doorknob." Since I've pretty much been a "control freak" for most of my life, that really spoke to me, and I hope it will to you as well. I think you have to write, simply for the joy it brings to YOU, and if you're more interested to share your stories than to fatten your bank account, might I suggest you share them via this, or a separate blog. That would certainly give those stories opportunity to reach a much wider audience, because I'm certain everyone who follows you, would definitely share them (and you) with their broader circle of friends, particularly the cat lovers among them. Hopefully, that would also be a much less expensive manner of "self-publication" for you. Just a thought. Peace to you this beautiful Sunday. Karen

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    1. Dear Karen, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I can see doing one of the cat books--which are gift books with short chapters--on the blog. However, the convent memoir was 77,000 words long and the novel I hope to self-publish in 2019 is 132,000 words long. That kind of length precludes, I think, putting them on a blog. I think I must embrace my own love of writing and simply be happy that my books are reaching some people. Be happy with what is. Peace.

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  4. I'm going to read it today!! I'll let you know what I think.

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    1. Dear Fishducky, I look forward to your comment on Amazon! Peace.

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    2. Customer Review
      fishducky
      5.0 out of 5 starsA beautiful story
      December 9, 2018
      Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
      This is the story of creation from the perspective of cats. There are disciples such as Tabia, Fatin, Sabah, Jadi, Omar & many others who spread the Holy Word; cats have nine lives. Their god is Bastet-Net & Widjan is her first High Feline. “Praise to Bastet-Net who purred Omar into a dream that took him into the wilderness of the Canine Empire,” Widjan purred. “All felines will honor his name forevermore! May he nap with the great god of cats until time folds itself into her dream.” Thus ended the forays of Tabia’s companions. Cats announced the astonishing good mews of nine lives to felines throughout the Canine Empire and beyond. They napped beneath the sun in every country. They snoozed into the dream of Bastet-Net.

      Cateluia! Cateluia! Cateluia!

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    3. Dear Fishducky, I'm so glad you liked the book. I had such a delightful time writing it. I'd look around me in my home and see one of the cats snoozing or racing through the rooms, jumping on the furniture, or I'd see the third one backed into the corner because Matthew--the tiger-striped one--is such a bully! And seeing all that, I'd just incorporate it into the story.

      Thank you for reading this today and leaving a comment on Amazon--the first one! I so appreciate it. Peace.

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  5. Gratitude is a gift which keeps on giving.
    And, as others have said, to have completed and published even one book is a huge accomplishment. Which you achieved and surpassed.
    Hugs.

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    1. Dear Sue, normally, I am grateful for my life--that's why I've kept a gratitude journal for 25 years. Each night I write in it five things/events/people/feeling/etc for which I am grateful that day. But I think that most of the time these are things that I can immediately see why I'd be grateful. I need now to accept/embrace/abide with those things that don't immediately reveal their goodness to me. Peace.

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  6. Oh Dee, oh Dee-o--I forget, even things I've written down. Just under the directions to start my car with the remote starter is my note with the title. I wonder if I would remember what or why I had that title noted if...but I won't think about that right now. Have a happy holiday season, and I'll give thanks, too.

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    1. Dear Joanne, let's both give thanks. You've gone through such horrible health problems during the last 18 months. I so hope you are able now or will be able to see the good coming from them. It took me about three years to be grateful for Meniere's Disease. I never wanted to have to endure the trauma of it again, but I did find something to be grateful for. Peace.

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  7. Well, you've just sold another one. I looked it over earlier this week and put it aside. Now it's on my Kindle! :-)

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    1. Dear DJan, thank you. I so hope you enjoy it! Peace.

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  8. Dee, I know we see God differently, but I prayed for Him to show you what to do and that it would result in enough sales to make you happy, and then a little bit more. We need more good things to read in our world! All I know to suggest is Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, and blogging. Or you could do something scandalous to get in the news! :)

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    1. Dear Sandi, thank you for your prayers. I, too, am praying that I will embrace what is, whether than trying to control the arc of my life. I need to abide in hope. Thank you for reminding me of that. Peace.

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  9. If I do something that gives me joy, I am content with myself. How others react or don’t react to it, no longer affects me. I have always tried to do my best and that is all any of us can do. I understand your disappointment but I look at you, dear Dee, and all your accomplishments and how you have lived your life. You are a marvelous woman and have given so much of yourself to others. Even if your book does not sell thousands, those who read your words will be blessed knowing a little bit about the lovely Dee O’Mara Ready.

    Now, I am going to Amazon and order your book.

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    1. Dear Arleen, thank you for your generous words of support. I need to remember just how blessed my life has been in friendship and creativity.

      I'm not sure if this is an explanation or an excuse but the past week has been hard because of my Meniere's headaches, which are like migraines in intensity. The barometer has bopped around and one night the headache was so bad that I considered going to Emergency to have them give me a shot to knock me out! I didn't go and the headache went away after about 12 more hours but it was just one of about five I've had in the last week.

      I know always that they will go away, but the thing is they leave me so depleted that my thoughts get muddled and yes, I sometimes move into self-pity. Which I think I did this past week.

      Thanks for using my mom's name. She was such--is such--a wonderful human being. And thank you, too, for ordering the book.

      Peace.

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  10. A lovely sentiment, Dee. Thank you for the reminder to give thanks. x

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    1. Dear Bea, when I came upon those words in the book I was reading, I realized that the 14 guardian angels--yes 14!!!!!--who watch over me were once again seeing to my needs. I needed to read that and to meditate on what it means to live that way on a daily basis. Peace.

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  11. Hi Dee, I’m in awe of your creativity and I’m pretty sure those book sales are going to pick up.

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    1. Dear Annie, and I'm in awe of your new way of blogging--your new page for the recipes and for the aspects (canine!) of your life. I do hope you are right about sales picking up. Writer want to communicate and to do that they need readers!!!!! Peace.

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  12. If the original 11 were Kindle, I am one of those. Haven't read it yet as I am in the middle of a book now but it is at the top of my to be read list.
    Have you checked into libraries? We have no book stores in tiny town but the library often has book signings, usually by local authors. You live in a larger town so your library would probably draw more folks. Just a thought.

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    1. Dear Patti, the original 11 are divided between print and ebook (Kindle). thanks so much for purchasing the book. I so appreciate it.
      And thanks, also, for the suggestion about the library. I'll ask my friend or a niece to take me there and so if I can speak with the manager. I'd do it on the phone, but actually seeing a self-published book--and seeing that it's presentable!!!!--helps someone make a decision to have me do a signing. I'll let you know how it goes! Peace.

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  13. My precious Dee you are such an INSPIRATION!

    Writing and publishing a book is quite an achievement !

    You did what you had to !

    Life is mixture of sweet and bitter experiences which test our faith with success and failure.

    We are surrounded by God.
    He is within us !

    No matter what happens our faith must remain unshaken, this is is the only way to bring miracles in life!

    I Completely agree with your mom, sooner or later God bless us which we truly struggle for!

    Stay strong my friend!
    I am proud of you for your positive approach!
    Hugs!

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  14. Dear Baili, thank you for your words of encouragement. I am asking Holy Oneness to deepen my faith and my hope. Peace.

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  15. Hi, Dee. I think every writer knows the ups and downs you describe, but of course to move back "up" one must remember gratitude, as you express so well. I've been sick but now am on the mend, and this morning I ordered your book for my cat-loving, sly-humored sis-in-law. It'll make a great Christmas present. Thanks for writing!

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    1. Dear Deanna, Thanks so much for ordering the book. I hope your sister-in-law enjoys it! And I hope you continue to feel better. Peace.

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