Okay, 2012, here we come. Black Sox has been working hard and in order of release, the books we have being released are (drum roll please): No Peace for the Wicked (novel), Stations Along the Way: The Spiritual Transformation of Former Nazi Youth Leader Ursula Martens (biography), The Perfect Yankee: The Story of the Greatest Miracle in Baseball History (re-print) and Jack Nicklaus: A Biography.
Wow, how blessed we are. More details at www.markshawbooks.com
Okay, here’s the answer to the question – why do I say that I am the curious reader’s best friend. Here’s a list of my books, ones that cause readers to stop and think, learn about subjects they know nothing about, or simply be entertained:
Inspirational Books: Road to a Miracle
Religious/Spiritual Biographies: Beneath the Mask of Holiness: Thomas Merton and the Love Affair that Set Him Free
Historical Biographies: Stations Along the Way: The Spiritual Transformation of Former Hitler Youth Leader Ursula Martens (to be published Summer 2012)
Legal Biographies: Melvin Belli: King of the Courtroom and Falsely Accused: The Mike Tyson Trial
Political Biographies: Miscarriage of Justice: The Jonathan Pollard Story
Historical Chronology: The Doomed President: John F. Kennedy and the Greatest Murder Mystery in History (to be published 2013)
Aviation Biography: Forever Flying
Novels: Dandelions in the Moonlight (already published) and No Peace for the Wicked (to be published January 2012)
Sports Biographies: Don Larsen, Larry Bird, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Alice Dye
Animal Biography: Clydesdales: The World’s Most Magical Animals
Music Biography: Let the Good Times Roll
Reference: How to Become a Published Author: Idea to Publication
That’s the scoop. What do you think?
I’m flattered when people ask me what books I recommend to read. I have no idea why they do so, but I am quick to answer and do so depending on the type of books they are interested in.
For aspiring authors, I mention On Writing by Stephen King, Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, and my own book about publishing, “How to Become a Published Author: Idea to Publication.” I also suggest writers read biographies of the great authors, including Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, and Victor Hugo, books I had read recently. Learning about these gifted wordsmiths is not only interesting but valuable since readers may learn about how they became such great storytellers.
If the person asking enjoyed novels, I tell them two classics are Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea and Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. If humor is the object, nothing beats Woody Allen’s Without Feathers.
When the topic turns to inspirational books, I highly recommend New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton, The Way to Love by Anthony De Mello, and Manual for Life: Reality by Seth Chernoff. Each is well-written and each causes one to stop and think about the path of life chosen.
So that’s the scoop on my end. Please let me know what your favorite books are these days.
Yes, it’s true, my very first traditionally published novel, a legal thriller called “No Peace for the Wicked,” is on the way. Just finalized the cover with the publisher, and am proofing the latest version of the manuscript.
To show how perseverance pays off, I first learned of the true story that the book is based on nearly twenty years ago, in 1992. Hundreds of drafts later, a publisher finally said “yes” after years of hearing “no’s.” That’s why I tell writers, never give up, never quit believing, never quit at all because all it takes is for one publisher to say “yes.”
More details to follow regarding the storyline and the release date, but I am very blessed to have the book on the horizon. If you have had a similar experience where perseverance paid off, please let me know.
Reflecting on the publishing of my autobiography, Road to a Miracle, triggers many emotions. It is certainly been an honor for my story to have been told birth to present. It is also flattering that many have been inspired by the story (see Amazon reviews), one that includes my having hit rock bottom after the war of words I had with coach Bobby Knight to the gift of a lifetime, the discovery of a brand new family including a daughter and two grandchildren I never knew existed. Few may imagine the joy I feel each day, the glow inside of me when I consider how truly blessed I am with a loving wife, the best dog in the world, Black Sox, the new family, my immediate family, and so many wonderful friends. I’m unsure as to why I deserve these blessings but I am thankful every day for them.
In the book, I was able to say some very nice things about many nice people who have influenced a life filled with adventures at every turn. From my parents, to my siblings, to my new family, to the famous people I met along the way including James Stewart, Jack Nicholson, Joan Baez, John Denver, Neil Armstrong, Melvin Belli, Don Larsen, Jack Nicklaus, Pete and Alice Dye, Larry Bird, Mike Tyson, Dr. Morris Pollard, Cyndy Lauper, and more, I was able to tell of how special it was to meet them and to learn from them. I was also able to mention the writing of more than twenty “stop and think” books and counting, including several biographies that are true slices of history.
In the days ahead, the stories will continue on with new books in the works including Stations Along the Way: The Spiritual Transformation of Former Hitler Youth Leader Ursula Martens, an important book during these confusing times when people are singled out for being different, and my first novel, No Peace for the Wicked, a legal thriller. A sequel is in the works.
In the Charles Dickens biography I just completed, he is quoted as writing: “I hope my books will speak for themselves and me, when I and my faults and virtues, my fortunes and misfortunes, all are forgotten.” I second that thought with the hope that one day, when I have left this lifetime and moved to the next, my creative work with be recalled with favor. This is all a writer/author may ask for.
Yesterday, Lu, Black Sox and I toured a number of artist’s studios during what Boulder County calls “Open Studio Weekend.” We chose to drive up in the mountains just west of Boulder where the beautiful fall colors greeted us at every turn. At one studio, a wonderful gent greeted us and showed his creative works, ones numbering probably fifty or so. Lu and I were simply blown away with this man’s gift, his ability with oil to portray images ranging from carousels to dancing Indians to animals of every shape and size. I could tell that he was so proud of his labors, and he told of us of spending countless hours, sometimes months, on each painting. When we left, I told Lu that while I had enjoyed the beauty of the art, I felt badly for the artist who had obviously been unable to sell the paintings in the commercial marketplace. All that work, and yet few had loved the paintings enough to purchase them. This made me stop and think about the frustration of all creative people whether they are artists, filmmakers, poets, or authors. Each works so hard to create something from nothing, and yet disappointment can set in when sales figures are dismal. This especially hit home when I noticed that on Amazon there are now fourteen five-star reviews of my latest book, Road to a Miracle and yet sales have fallen below expectations. Lu says it is because people simply don’t know that the book exists much as many do not know the works of the gifted artist we visited exist. What lesson may be learned – that anyone who is creative must create for themselves, and if they are pleased with the work, then that is all that matters. At least doing so helps quiet the mind, and permit the creative one to create again.
During an interview today with a California journalist regarding my having written and published twenty-plus books, the woman asked how I had accomplished such a feat. She asked whether I had taken creative writing classes, spent hundreds of hours at workshops or seminars, or had been tutored by someone who was an expert in the writing process. I could tell she was surprised when I said none of this had occurred, that I had simply “winged-it” when I began, and then with each new book, kept learning on the go. When she asked what was the most important characteristic a writer who wants to be an author should have, I immediately said “perseverance” in tandem with a quote I had read from Hemingway. That is true, because while many say they want to write a book, few due for one main reason, it is hard work. That’s why I encourage writers who want to become authors to never get discouraged, to never give up but instead persevere during the long process it takes to write a book. Keep the faith, I tell them, you can do it, and when you finally hold that published book in your hands, all the hard work will be worth it.
Greetings and salutations curious readers. Welcome to the new blog site of Author Mark Shaw. It will be a pleasure to have you along for the ride! Check in often for the latest news, books in progress, and ramblings of a curious author! You can visit my website at www.markshawbooks.com.
