Larry Jordan

Nov 12, 2022 by Larry Jordan, in The Way

I spent 25 years in the investment banking business, and people sometimes ask me about the economy. At breakfast with friends, someone asked me about the economy, and I answered with an awkward silence. My friend bailed me out. "He's a writer now. He's not a banker anymore."

Sometimes, things like that sneak up on you. In my forties, I started training for a marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I had never run before. People would ask, "Are you a runner?" and I would say, "No. I know a lot of runners, and I run a lot of miles with them a few days a week, but nothing serious. I only ran one marathon and a few half-marathons."  Invariably, they would say, "What are you talking about!? You are a runner."

So, I guess that I am a writer. This book has been such a blessing, no matter how many people read it -- I'm getting a fresh start, learning new things, and meeting new people, all relatively late in life. It turns out that writing a book is only part of the process. Designing, editing, and printing the book is another part. Holding author talks and discussion groups is another part. Managing blogs, Facebook pages, twitter accounts, and websites is another part.

"You should do an audio book." Yes, that's on my list.
"You should host a podcast." Yes, that's on my list.
"You should prepare a study guide." Yes, that's on my list.
"You should write another book." Yes, that's on my list, too.

At this point, writing is an avocation, not a vocation for me. Anyone who pursues writing as a vocation (and does it right) is spending a lot of time on this stuff.

Writers tell me that you have to do 100 things in hopes that something that you do breaks you out of the pack (but you never know which thing or things do it.) Writers who do it right are telling me that I am doing all of the right things, and that I am going above and beyond the call, at that.

Sometimes, it is really difficult to know what to do first and what to do next. Who knew that I needed an ISBN number before I could finish designing the book? Who knew that I needed a 500-word description of the book, an estimated publication date, and a list price for the book before I could get an ISBN number?

Several friends told me that I should print a few proofs of the books for author talks, book clubs, family and friends, and influencers. That was good advice, and the more that people read the book and talk the book, the better equipped that I am to describe it and to pitch it.

At the same time, I do not want to get ahead of myself. When people ask where they can get a copy, the honest answer is "The trunk of my car." Since I should know whether I am publishing or self-publishing the book in six months or so, it will be easier to sell books when they are actually available.

Again, whether a lot of people read the book or not, I am really grateful to be setting off on a new adventure at this stage in my life.



 

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