Along the Publishing Pathway...

Before I became an author, I began as anyone else who held an idealized view of the world. I had an idea which grew and expanded until it eventually materialized into a series of novels. Now, I understand that most normal people write one great novel and journey through the publishing process as they watch the words which they wrote onto a screen become manifested into a tangible and marketable novel.

After completing a pathway through a prestigious graduate school, however, I was determined that my mark on the universe must be somewhat more grandeur and impressive than what most contemporary authors were producing, though.

Somehow, I managed to complete a series of children's books, a series of adult contemporary novels, and a series of screenplays. I held idealized visions of hope and grandeur-- the potential of working with great literary professionals who would incorporate my literary work and turn them into the top selling and beloved novels which you find in your favorite bookstores. Rather, what I received was an author agreement form and a demand for thousands of dollars without a guarantee of the quality of the work which I would be receiving.

So, I asked myself what the top authors would be doing. Obviously, we should be supporting those around us, in our communities. As any author would, I requested a large endowment be contributed to our local university. I chose a community landmark to restore and renovate, a community church which has been supporting people of the community for over 50 years.

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us," Psalm 62:8.

The best way that I knew to support our local school system was to write a series of nearly a dozen lesson plans and whisk them off to the school administrator's office. Of course, I secretly hoped that financial contributions would accompany those lesson plans-- as they would manifest and appear from somewhere.

I wrote to our local judicial system explaining my literary accomplishments and blindly trusted that the proper process would ensue and enfold to help the people of the community who most needed the help my novels, children's books, and screenplays would bring to them.

Now, as I sit here writing this, I am still wondering why that help has not arrived. True, the local school system still has the series of nearly a dozen lesson plans which I sent them, and nothing can take that valuable experience away from any of us. It simply seems that there should be so much more, though.

As an author, my idealized view of the world was that I should receive a magnificent home, an impeccable car, and be able to trust that financially I would always be well cared for. These are simple and straightforward requests. I trusted that the people in our community would receive a boost in their lifestyle comfort and real tangible aid for those who so evidently needed it.

My requests as an author have been straightforward and basic. Perhaps I requested a cruise and a VIP all-expense paid membership to a local salon and spa along the journey, but for emotional purposes as the authorship stage transitioned into the publishing stage, those were rather minimal requests.

"Perhaps someday," a small voice echoes inside of my mind.