Greetings friends, family and fellow searchers. Long time no post, eh? I apologize for the lengthy interlude. You can't build a big following by posting only once every 4 months, but the subscribers you do get are the most beloved and appreciated. Thank you again so much for sticking with me, encouraging me, subscribing, buying my book, and for not unsubscribing ;-)
Not to make excuses...but it was really an exercise in will-power to get the book out of my head and onto paper. A couple of good things came out of the global lockdown for me and finishing my book was one - a beautiful healthy granddaughter was the other. See, I've been busy, right? (or somebody has) No matter how imperfect the final product, the book became one of those things to which, once committed, I could not renege. It was a labor of love to be sure and cathartic all the way, but the most compelling reason for me to put it in writing and share it was to help someone - anyone - experiencing any of the emotions and longings I did for 40+ years.
When you talk with established authors and prospective literary agents or publishers, the first question many ask is, "Who is your audience?" That's about one of the easiest hard questions I've ever been asked. Easy because I can think of a dozen reasons readers might find my story interesting - writing style, urban perspective, Detroit History, Americana, slavery/freedom, European immigration, Irish and Slovak customs and experiences, adoption, abandonment, child welfare & advocacy, parenting adopted kids, being an adopted or abandoned child, family history and research, DNA testing..... Spitting Image is all of those stories wrapped, I hope, in the context of one child whose triumphs and tragedies may be slightly different from others but also very familiar, comforting and assuring to many others. It's a hard question because the implication is that in order to market a title successfully, it helps to be much more specific than "everybody."
Well, based on the feedback from readers, I have no regrets so far. I fretted over how some family members (real or pseudonymed) might react. I didn't intend to bruise or offend any egos, however the experiences are very real and not unique to myself. Many readers have thanked me for being so honest and almost all have called this story a roller-coaster ride. I accept that as a compliment. I wanted readers to be engaged, I didn't include things of shock value for the sake of sensationalism, but I did include difficult pivotal moments which formed or changed my thinking about important societal issues. I don't want to give anything away, but I want to thank you for buying and reading Spitting Image. I want to give a special thanks to those who have taken the time to write a review of the title on Amazon and elsewhere.
Ask
If you have read Spitting Image, please write an honest review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or wherever your purchased it. Whether or not you have purchased a copy, please call your favorite local bookstore and ask them to stock it - tell them you liked it (if you did) or that you'd like to see more titles like it on their shelves. Tell them that Amazon shouldn't be making ALL the money off of this tile. Tell them when they're ready to resume author signings and promotions, you'll show up if this title and author are there. I know this is a lot to ask, but I am only asking because of the purpose and mission. I didn't write this book to get rich and quit my day job. I'm not (either of those). I wrote it because I had to get it out of my head and because I knew that someone would be comforted, strengthened or more thoroughly informed by it. That's all. I still do intend to donate a portion of the profits to the National Safe Haven Alliance. The book is selling steadily, but the volume is low and it has not yet turned the corner from red to black (that cover was expensive!) I can't donate a portion of profits until there are profits, right? If you have contacts in media, ask them to enquire here, or do a book review or schedule an interview. I'm always happy and ready to talk about family research, DNA testing, or anything that celebrates and protects women and children. Thanks again for sticking with me and for all your help, encouragement and love. I feel it, and I hope you do too.
