Not every writer should be published. Many have the desire, but very few are gifted with the “it" factor. Every week about two hundred manuscripts cross my desk with less than a handful chosen. Why? Because not every writer is an author and some thoughts are better penned for personal use.
In truth, very few books are selected for The New York Times best-seller list or Oprah.
Personally, I choose to work only with authors who are passionate and have market potential. My perspective regarding self-publishing is not about vanity but about taking control. Self-publishing is both “hard work" and expensive.
It is my experience that some dreams do not necessarily constitute talent. Many years ago, I wanted to be a dancer. Garbed in the best dance attire, a friend and I signed on with a famous dance studio in Manhattan, NY.
Panting, with sweat dripping down my face, I ask Scott, “You sure this is basic jazz?"
Exhausted, he struggles out a whisper, “Yeah… I’m sure… shhh, Judi, our big number’s coming up."
With the attitude of a “pro," I quickly gain my strength and await our cue.
“Five, six, seven eight—!" Uh-oh, I am confused. Being dyslexic, I can’t figure my lefts from my rights and bump right into my partner’s face. Ka-boom! Embarrassed, I gaze up into Scott’s tense face and sight blood oozing from his mouth. Unaffected, Scott takes the lead and we complete our dance number “successfully."
Waiting for the applause, I notice a deafening silence. Scouting our surroundings, I realize that we are in the hallway outside the dance studio. Oddly, the door is shut. I peak through the frosted, glass window pane and spy the class doing their exercises.
Dumbfounded, I ask my friend, “What happened?"
“I dunno. I guess we went a little overboard."
“Guess so. Let’s go back."
Determined to “be stars" we re-enter the studio and quietly take our places. Trying unsuccessfully to keep up with the other dancers, I glance at my own reflection in the wall mirrors. I am pleased. I like how I look in the leotards and am excited about the future.
The instructor interrupts my inner, self indulgent thoughts and shouts out: “Okay, everyone, class is over. You did good! Scott, Judi—Mr. Black wants the both of you in his office right away!“
With a song in my heart, I notice my dance instructor looks directly at me while speaking to the class. Is he smiling at me? I think so! I smile back and excitingly seek out Scott as the class disperses.
Grabbing my friend’s arm, we joyfully “chasse´" into Mr. Black’s office. Wrapping up a phone call with the Bob Fosse´, Mr. Black quietly motions us to sit down.
In awe, I attentively listen to the one-sided conversation and happily nudge Scott’s shoulder. Hardly able to contain myself, I whisper to my friend, “Scott, I bet he’s plannin’ a show with Fosse´ and wants US in it!"
Oops, I guess my “whisper" was louder than I thought… I timidly look up, and, with a chuckle in his voice, Mr. Black confirms that a new show is indeed in production. Like a bolt of lightening, he adds, “Guys, you don’t belong here; neither one of you has an ounce of talent. This studio is for serious gypsies; not “jazzacise" junkies."
Somberly walking toward the exit door, I dramatically glance back at Mr. Black and declare, “I guess it’s really true that for every star on Broadway, there’s a broken heart. Next time you look up, Mr. Black, you will surely see mine."
Smiling back at me, Mr. Black kindly responds with a wink, “Judi, you know you suck at dance but you’re a brutal artist. Stay focused on what you’re good at and I’ll keep looking up for your star."
He was right. I still love dance, but stay focused within my own talents. Fourteen-years later, I open my own advertising agency on Madison Avenue, NY and work with many high-profile people. My niche is not in dance; my niche is in the visual arts and I am successfully living out my own dream.
With a little “soul-searching." we all need to examine our own “true God-given talents" and preserve the lesser for a hobby or two. Many “publishing houses" of today will print anything because quality is not their concern and “a hungry writer" will pay anything to have a book in print. This sadly creates false hopes for too many people who should have never invested a dime in writing a book in the first place.
In my life, I have been fortunate to meet many “Mr. Blacks" who “say it as it is."
Following is my thirtieth query of today:
Dear Mrs. Lake,
I believe that I am a gifted story-teller and poet and would like you to assist me in publishing my many works. As you can see, I am highly skilled but just need help in learning how to self-publish. The following is an excerpt of one of my most moving poems:
“I did it for your love,
you didn’t need to leave.
I did it for my pain,
I would take away your pain.
I wish you would’ve loved me.
I had always loved you."
Reflecting back on Mr. Blacks comments to me many years ago, I will not tell this writer "he sucks" but will carefully suggest a writer’s class or journal for his thoughts. It will never land on Oprah… never.
Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her ‘15 minutes of fame’ over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion.
This author of this Article has choosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
» left by sue thom from nj (71 days 16 hours ago.)
hi judi, i like the picture, and i enjoyed the story. when this "thing" is over, i am going to write a book. you may be my Mr. Black :) or, i may rise to the occassion..... we shall see,
my best,
sue
» left by Judi Lake(2,270) Judi Lake (71 days 15 hours ago.)
Ha! Thanks Sue, but I know how you write therefore you'll never see Mr. Black in me regarding our Sue Thom! Oh, the pic was a dare from my daughter and "the kid inside of me" still has trouble resisting a good dare... ahum... how old are we? (smile) Know I'm still praying for you! Thnx for commenting!
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