ON GETTING PUBLISHED

Over the last quarter century I have written more than twenty books on the history of American railroads, all of which were commercially published, so the heart-pounding excitement that comes with seeing my name in print became tempered some time ago. Last week my first novel, called Gideon’s Ghost was released by Beacon Publishing Group, and, whaddya know, the thrill is back, this time in larger measure than ever. I think I know why. To a great degree, writing a nonfiction book is comparable to writing a master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation. The emphasis is on getting the facts right and hoping that your peers will recognize the value of what you’ve achieved. Getting a novel published is like getting a record on the radio or a painting hung in a gallery. It’s art, and its success is a function of subjective appraisal from people (publishers) who know good from bad.

Gideon’s Ghost is a young adult novel. The story is based on my own experiences as a teenager “way back when,” and was inspired by the dozen years I spent as a teacher in a middle school in Illinois. For those interested, a synopsis is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM! (Books-a-Million) and Kobo, where the book can be obtained in both paperback and e-book form.

For those still waiting for that first acceptance, remember: For every writer who catches lightning in a bottle, there are thousands more who succeed through sheer perseverance and continuing efforts to hone their craft. Never give up!