The “Published” Author

There were some interesting questions at the last book signing. One person asked if being from Chicago—nobody knows where Naperville is—and having my novel set in Chicago,  meant that I intended for the book to speak to the rising tide of violence in the city and if so, how?

Wonderful question! I gave as good an answer as I could given the time constraints, but the short version is, “No, but…” and “Read the book” respectively.

There were other questions too. How do you write dialog? How long did it take to write the book? What advice would you give to first-time writers? And so forth. One question that stumped me for a minute came in an interview before the signing. I was asked, “When did you first think about publishing your book?”

Seems like a pretty obvious question on the face of it doesn’t it? However, I had to stop and think about it. No one sits down to write anything without the thought of publishing it…do they? But what does “being published” really mean anyway? What does it entail?

Well, it seems everybody and their brother has a blog these days. Everybody—so I’m told—is on Facebook. Hordes of people have Twitter accounts (shudder). Basically, if I have a thought, I write it on my blog/Facebook page/Twitter feed and voilà! The world can see it. That sure ‘nuff sounds like publishing to me!

I just heard someone in the back say, “Oh but that’s not real publishing!” Yes it is. I tell you there is no magic in holding a book in your hands with your name on the spine. Anyone can do it. It’s just one way. A friend of mine is, at this very moment, looking at cave paintings in Spain. Guess what? The person who painted them is published! All that is required is to have something to say, and make it available for others to read. Now, I grant you that not everything we write is edifying, beautiful, or true. IMHO, the world would be a better place if it were, but that’s a topic for another conversation.

We are a communicative species. We have language, we think—in theory—we are creative, and we need to speak to each other. How we do that is really up to us. In my case, given the message I wanted to convey, a novel was the best vehicle. Having little discussions with you guys about various topics is best done through this blog. But it’s all publishing.

So when did I first think of “publishing” my book? I guess when I sat down to write it, because I wanted it to be read. It wasn’t just for me. And, for me, if it were only ever read by one other person, I would consider that a success. The message got to somebody. What they do with it from there is up to them.

And then there’s the stuff I write just for me that goes “unpublished.” Both types of writing are worthwhile because the former is meant to help others get through life, and the latter is meant to help me get through life.

So, you have something to say? Go forth and do likewise!