My father was a writer which both inspired and terrified me. When I was five years old he became overwhelmed by his inability to find work in his chosen field, became increasingly manic and depressed, and took an overdose of sleeping pills. Though he didn’t die, I grew up believing that creativity and depression went together. Early on I longed to write, but I resisted the urge, believing that it might take me on the destructive path that my father traveled throughout his life.
It wasn’t until I grew up, had children of my own, and learned that I could separate my father’s craziness from my own, that I discovered that I could be creative without being crazy. Or at least my form of craziness could be channeled in a way that wouldn’t destroy my creative spirit or my life.
My first book, Inside Out: Becoming My Own Man, was published in 1983. My twelfth book, Stress Relief for Men: How to Use the Revolutionary Tools of Energy Healing to Live Well, was published in 2014. I published my first book myself through the company Carlin and I created, Fifth Wave Press. I’ve also been published by small, medium, and large publishers. Each book, for me, is like a child. Each has its own needs and each needs its own special kind of love, nurture, and support.
I began a recent article “Low Testosterone and Scarcity: A Glimpse Into the Future of Mankind,” with these words:
Yep, I’m working on a new book. When I saw the August 18, 2014 cover story for Time magazine—Manopause?! Aging, Insecurity and the $2 Billion Testosterone Industry—I knew it was time to tell men and women over 40 what I know about Manopause and Low T.
Here are the questions and answers, I’ve asked and answered thus far:
Is the topic of the book at the very center of my current passion and long-term life-purpose?
I have a lot of interests and I’m often tempted to commit to projects that may not be right in my wheelhouse of passion and purpose. When I’m not absolutely right on purpose, it’s often like a wheel that is out of alignment. Things wobble along and usually there’s trouble. I spend a lot of time and effort trying to make something happen that isn’t quite right. For this book, my answer is “hell yes.” (I’ve also committed to only doing projects where I feel a “hell yes,” rather than a “less-than-rousing “yes.”
Is the time right for this book?
Sometimes I’m right on target, but the timing isn’t quite right. I have other things on my plate that really require my attention. A book, for me, is at least a 2 to 3 year project, and often longer. It takes me 6 month to move from idea phase to getting a publisher to commit to the book. It takes me a year to write it, another 6 months or longer to get it edited and out, and then 1 year of intense marketing and a number of other years to keep it moving in the crowded market place of ideas. “Hell yes,” I say, I’m ready to do that.
Should I try and find an agent or seek a publisher directly?
For most of my books I’ve had an agent who is skilled at making the connection to various publishers, finding the right one, and negotiating a contract. When I started my writing career it was difficult to get a good agent because most wanted to work with authors that are already successful. Now it’s difficult because publishers are reluctant to take a chance on an author who isn’t already very, very, successful so even an author like me, with a track record, can have a hard time finding a good agent. On this book I thought I could find a good agent, but I also wanted to get the book out quickly. I reached out to a couple of agents I knew, but ultimately they declined the book.
There are advantages and disadvantages to self-publishing. It can be fun and instructive to do go through all the steps of creating a book yourself, i.e. writing, editing, cover design, formatting, printing, marketing, selling, etc. It can also be expensive and time consuming. A publisher does a lot of the work for you, but takes a big percentage of the book sales. It’s also much more difficult these days to get an advance on your royalties or get the publisher to do much promotion. I decided to seek a publisher directly since I had worked with a number before and had some direct contacts.
If you get one or more publishers interested in the book, how do you decide which one to pick?
That’s the stage I’m in now. In the next few weeks I’ll be talking to a number of publishers. I’m scoping them out, learning all I can, and getting some help from one of my past agents on the terms I might try and work out in getting a contract signed.
Stay tuned for the rest of the story.
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Jed,
I find your blog refreshing because there is no hard sell. To me it seems that you are more interested in getting the ideas and information out there. I appreciate that. I always read it when I get it and often pass along the link to the page to many of my friends.
Your insights into society and the modern world being influenced by testosterone and scarcity were eye opening.
Following your publishing adventure will be something I will look forward to.
Thanks again.
Cal, Thanks. At this stage of my life I don’t feel I need to sell anything. My primary goal is to help men and the families who love them. I do fine selling books and offering counseling to those who can benefit from what I offer. I give real value so people are happy to pay me, which keeps me in business doing what I love to do. Its a win for everyone.