Does Oprah Read Elle
Paper signifies one-year anniversaries—maybe because paper embodies humility. Perhaps the grandiose imaginings of what marriage could be mellows out, in the course of a year, into a more full-bodied picture of what is.
Whatever the reason, it seems apropos to celebrate the one-year publication anniversary of Moonlight on Linoleum by confessing (on paper) some of my more grandiose imaginings that mellowed out this year. Maybe I’m the only writer to be afflicted with grandiose imaginings, and then again, maybe not.
1) Contrary to my wild imagination, Oprah did not read Moonlight on Linoleum—nor did her people contact my publisher for a free copy.
2) My social-media skills improved but, contrary to my wild imagination, I have one less zero than 1000 followers (and two less zeros less than 10,000 followers) on twitter @TerryHelwig.
3) Despite my logging onto Amazon.com several times a day to check book sales, Amazon never ran out of copies. Luckily, this addiction wasn’t harmful to my body--unless carpal tunnel counts.
4) Contrary to my wild imagination, I wasn’t deluged with endless calls. My need for an unlisted number never materialized. (FYI, I never once imagined Hollywood calling—okay, maybe once.)
5) A writer writes. It doesn’t matter if a book makes it onto the New York Times Bestseller List; but, of course, in my wild imagination, my book spent months there.
Lest it sound like I’m not a 1000% grateful that Howard—a Simon & Schuster imprint—published my book; let me be clear. I am. I am deeply appreciative and humbled by the recognition and kudos the book has received. And I admit even my wild imagination did not anticipate how profoundly I would be impacted by readers’ comments.
One reader, after reading the book, picked up the phone and dialed her mother, breaking an eight-year silence. A few weeks later her mother died. “Without reading your book, I would be devastated by the way things were. Your book made a huge difference in our lives. Words cannot even begin to tell you.”
My sisters and I were humbled to know our story impacted the lives of people we never met.
My wild imagination and I have much to celebrate. And, just when I thought the celebrating was over, Elle Magazine has just selected Moonlight on Linoleum as their 2012 Grand Prix winner for the Best Non-fiction Book of the Year.* Thank you, Elle.
But, here I go again! I’m trying hard to bridle my wild imagination, but I can’t help wondering: Does Oprah read Elle?
*December Issue 2012, pg. 232
Whatever the reason, it seems apropos to celebrate the one-year publication anniversary of Moonlight on Linoleum by confessing (on paper) some of my more grandiose imaginings that mellowed out this year. Maybe I’m the only writer to be afflicted with grandiose imaginings, and then again, maybe not.
1) Contrary to my wild imagination, Oprah did not read Moonlight on Linoleum—nor did her people contact my publisher for a free copy.
2) My social-media skills improved but, contrary to my wild imagination, I have one less zero than 1000 followers (and two less zeros less than 10,000 followers) on twitter @TerryHelwig.
3) Despite my logging onto Amazon.com several times a day to check book sales, Amazon never ran out of copies. Luckily, this addiction wasn’t harmful to my body--unless carpal tunnel counts.
4) Contrary to my wild imagination, I wasn’t deluged with endless calls. My need for an unlisted number never materialized. (FYI, I never once imagined Hollywood calling—okay, maybe once.)
5) A writer writes. It doesn’t matter if a book makes it onto the New York Times Bestseller List; but, of course, in my wild imagination, my book spent months there.
Lest it sound like I’m not a 1000% grateful that Howard—a Simon & Schuster imprint—published my book; let me be clear. I am. I am deeply appreciative and humbled by the recognition and kudos the book has received. And I admit even my wild imagination did not anticipate how profoundly I would be impacted by readers’ comments.
One reader, after reading the book, picked up the phone and dialed her mother, breaking an eight-year silence. A few weeks later her mother died. “Without reading your book, I would be devastated by the way things were. Your book made a huge difference in our lives. Words cannot even begin to tell you.”
My sisters and I were humbled to know our story impacted the lives of people we never met.
My wild imagination and I have much to celebrate. And, just when I thought the celebrating was over, Elle Magazine has just selected Moonlight on Linoleum as their 2012 Grand Prix winner for the Best Non-fiction Book of the Year.* Thank you, Elle.
But, here I go again! I’m trying hard to bridle my wild imagination, but I can’t help wondering: Does Oprah read Elle?
*December Issue 2012, pg. 232
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Bonnie
(last edited Nov 15, 2012 04:18PM)
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Nov 15, 2012 04:17PM
Terry, I wrote to Oprah and told her to read your book, but sadly she never responded (nor anyone from her staff). Gave it a shot anyway! Love ya cuz!
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I have a feeling Oprah receives a copy of nearly every book published. Thanks for the good word, though.
I really enjoyed your post. I am struggling to find a publisher for a spiritual development book. Do you have an agent that you can recommend? You can find some of my writing at www.randomreflectionz.com and www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-organ. Thanks.
The publishing industry is rapidly changing; finding publishers and agents is becoming increasingly harder. I have two friends who have decided to publish e-books themselves for this very reason. Here's what one of the leading writers' magazines Poets & Writers has to say on the subject: http://www.pw.org/content/literary_ag... Also, I have published a few writing tips on my website http://www.terryhelwig.com/tips.aspx Hope these links are helpful. Good luck to you.
