Friday, December 17, 2010

Snoopy Dancing Through Chocolate Roses



I’m Snoopy dancing through fields of chocolate roses

I got copies of my book today! Yay. It’s beautiful in my totally unbiased opinion with cover art by Ginnie E, L. Fenton. My tremendously helpful publisher at Ninth Month Publishing was Susan Ferguson.

My collection of short stories is titled Murder Manhattan Style and available at http://www.ninthmonthpublishing.com/books.html

New York Times Bestselling Author, Nancy Pickard wrote a blurb saying in part, "Warren Bull is a short story master, and this collection shows him at his best…" Earl Staggs wrote a review, saying in part. "Highly recommended morsels for when you want to spice up your reading diet with variety."

Now that the commercial is over, I can say that it is an amazing feeling to see so many hours of writing and so many more hours of rewriting distilled into paper and print. I can see it, touch it and smell it, weigh it and measure it. I’m tempted to taste it too. But I won’t.

Just possessing the book gives new meaning to the concept of “sweat equity.” In my working life as a psychologist, I did not create a tangible product. I always asked my clients if therapy helped them. I used anonymous paper and pencil scales. I set measureable real life goals like fewer days in a hospital per year, being able to keep a job longer, completing a grade in school and so forth but success and progress were only inferred from behavioral change.

As a writer the years of apprenticeship, skill building, grammar honing self-editing and word-smithing have paid off in a book that other writers and editors I respect have said kind things about. I admit, now, to some trepidation about sending it off to reviewers who might have been critical. The whole writing life, it seems to me is a test of courage and willingness to open up emotionally, knowing that some feedback will be negative. Years of effort may not pay off in publication. The only validation may come from within.

I figure I had a monetary return that entered the five-digit range (including two numbers after the decimal place) over the time my novel was in print. I hope to do at least that well with my short story collection.

Of course, in reality I know my book may vanish into the sea of published material without a discernable ripple. I’ve been struggling to get my work into the sea. Let me pause and enjoy this moment.

Please share your latest success at writing.

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful news Warren. I'm keeping all fingers and toes crossed for great sales success (and boy is it hard to type with my fingers crossed.)

    ~ Jim

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  2. I've had two shorts published this year, one ezine, one print. I was thrilled, and am still thankful, but it's not like selling your first novel.
    Congratulations, Warren. Having the praise of a well-known author is fabulous. Enjoy the dance!

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  3. Thank you, James,

    Please uncross your fingers and toes before they cramp. I happen to know you will have a happy announcement soon.


    Thank you, E.B.,

    I read your printed short story and loved it

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  4. Congratulations, Warren. I look forward to reading your collection. Clearly, I can't speak for all writers but my experience is that publication and/or one or two morsels of praise keep me going through reams of rejections. And you have significant praise so way to go and what a great Christmas present.

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  5. congratulations, Warren. Here is something I have discovered in nearly 50 years of writing (and I lost count a long time ago of how many) - the thrill remains the same. I still feel just the same excitement you describe when I open a package and hold my latest in my hands. I'm sure you will find this true as well. Without that satisfaction, what would be the point?

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  6. Thanks, Victor,

    For your words of wisdom.

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  7. Great news - cannot wait to read it! And you are good at that dance - keep dancing!

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  8. This is great news, Warren! I love Nancy Pickard's books and her blurb would certainly snag my gaze. Congratulations! I will look for your book, and perhaps you'd like to write a Made It Moment for my blog?? (Pretty please?) Congrats again!

    I can't share a success. I am on submission. That means all successes are in limbo till I hear. But boy, do I look where you are, and...hope!

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  9. Jenny,

    I'd be happy to write something for your bog.

    Please email me at wbull1@everestkc.net with details

    Warren

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  10. Warren,

    Your "unbiased opinion" is totally on target; it is a great cover!

    You very much nailed the writing journey. Best of luck with yours.

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