Introduce Yourself! Showing 22,201-22,250 of 22,664

[Zele]

Hey there everyone! I'm Zele. I'm a reader and writer (but mostly a reader!). I currently work as an Editor for a digital marketing agency during the day, and as a burgeoning freelance book editor for indie authors at night. I have my BA in Communications and my MFA in Creative Writing. I love reading Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction/Fantasy, High Fantasy, Thrillers, Satire, Domestic Fiction, Suspense, Humor, and Romance. Looking forward to getting to know you all and reading your great work! :-)

[Papaphilly]

Hello,

I am a reader. Not a writer. I am not a frustrated writer, I do not have that talent. I do collect books and love a good story. Feel free to read my reviews. I take them seriously especially if you are an independent writer.

[Louie]

Nice to meet you guys! I'm Lu. I'm a cinephile from South Africa with a known love for frogs and a secret one for learning random facts.

I'm also a fantasy indie author writing about the imagined world of Fistbump the Sky. Readers explore the world through the serialised fiction" The Map Maker" through the newsletter, have their own adventure story through personalised books, or read the encyclopedia on Amazon. The first chapter is out now and free until January 30, 2025.

Poisonous Plants of Fistbump the Sky: Chapter One of the Fistbump the Sky Fantasy Encyclopedia

[Randall]

Hello to all! I'm Randy, I am an AAR. Addicted Author and Reader. Recently retired, 51 years young! I have recently began to write and write. Experimenting with different genres. I have written 3 books so far.
An Elk's Tear - A memoir / fiction based on a trip I went on, (Feet Wet).
2nd book a historical fiction, Sarah's Locket. (My favorite, and pretty good I believe.)
3rd a psychological mind bender, (Experimenting with writing). I love to read as well, so, post your books. I will try to read them and leave honest reviews. :)

[Joe]

Hi, my name is Joe D and I’ve introduced myself before. I’ve started my 4th non fiction book but I’m having trouble getting into my writing rhythm. I want to write about governance and the social contract; I’ve got a good outline for the TOC and the headlines will give me a wealth of material.

What do you authors do to get then flow going?

Joe

[John]

Hi everyone, I’m John D. Clay, and I write dystopian sci-fi thrillers that pull you deep into a world of rebellion, secrets, and survival.

My debut novel, Shadows of the Forgotten, is the first book in The Shadows Series, a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller where AI-controlled tyranny meets the raw fight for freedom. The story follows Allen Mercer, a man who wakes with no memory, only to discover he may be the key to a rebellion he never knew existed. Alongside the fierce and relentless Mia Turner, he’s thrown into a world of surveillance, deception, and resistance where every shadow holds a secret—and every choice has consequences.

If you love high-stakes action, morally complex characters, and a world that feels eerily possible, then Shadows of the Forgotten might just be your next great read. I’m excited to connect with fellow book lovers, sci-fi fans, and dystopian enthusiasts!

Tell me—what’s your favorite dystopian novel, and what about it sticks with you the most?

[Sebastian]

Hello everyone, Sebastian Proba here, an author who regrets not having more time to write :) I published two books in Polish and the newest one is also in translation to English right now. My reason to write is to tell stories about important things.

Lustra, których nie mamy
Laska i kij
Sebastian Proba

[Arielle]

Hello all!!

So many entries here, I wonder how to keep track...?! In any case, I'm Arielle Miller. Historically I've written textbooks, coursebooks, online courses, etc. in education/TESOL, but I've recently published my first memoir!!! It's called F*ck Me: A Memoir, and it relates my journey as a newly divorced woman dipping a toe back into the dark and murky waters of dating after decades away... it's a fun, funny and very s*xy read for anyone interested!!

:)

[Mangalam]

Hello Friends,
My name is Mangalam Shiva, from Bangalore, India. I have published 2 books in print format and 11 stand-alone short stories on Amazon KDP. The link for my books is: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mangala...?

[Paul]

So, here’s my beef with Goodreads and Goodreads’ readers.

Last year I paid to have my book listed in Goodreads giveaway. 1008 people responded and of that 1008, one hundred received a free copy of my book with the intention (or so I thought) of reading the book. Boy was I a fool. To date, after 6 months I’ve had maybe 3 people respond with any type of review or response. Honestly, it was a waste of money.

The truth is I thought Goodreads’ readers would have more honor and respect toward other writers. I mean you basically entered into an unwritten contract when you entered the giveaway. Your entry was based on the fact that if you won a copy of the book you would read it and provide a review or a rating (good or bad) for the book, not sit on it until it withered and died on the vine. Those of you who have not followed through should be ashamed of yourselves. I would never treat a fellow writer so disrespectfully.

While I understand that one cannot get to a book immediately 6 months is more than enough time for some of you to follow through. Quite honestly I am disgusted and it’s making me rethink my association with Goodreads.

Sincerely,
PT Harry

[Paul]

So, here’s my beef with Goodreads and Goodreads’ readers.

Last year I paid to have my book listed in Goodreads giveaway. 1008 people responded and of that 1008, one hundred received a free copy of my book with the intention (or so I thought) of reading the book. Boy was I a fool. To date, after 6 months I’ve had maybe 3 people respond with any type of review or response. Honestly, it was a waste of money.

The truth is I thought Goodreads’ readers would have more honor and respect toward other writers. I mean you basically entered into an unwritten contract when you entered the giveaway. Your entry was based on the fact that if you won a copy of the book you would read it and provide a review or a rating (good or bad) for the book, not sit on it until it withered and died on the vine. Those of you who have not followed through should be ashamed of yourselves. I would never treat a fellow writer so disrespectfully.

While I understand that one cannot get to a book immediately 6 months is more than enough time for some of you to follow through. Quite honestly I am disgusted and it’s making me rethink my association with Goodreads.

Sincerely,
PT Harry

[Dieter]

Hi, I’m Dieter Luske, and I live in Australia. I have written eight books of various genres and have published hundreds of articles on holistic living.
My last book is CERTIFIED HUMAN. Set in Australia in 2033, it follows Blake Newcome, an investigative journalist who experiences a shocking awakening.
What he perceives through sight and sound no longer matches reality. Society has been quietly infiltrated by machines that imitate human appearance and behaviour.
We are already being deceived by AI, robots, and now by androids.
.. more books here > https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/Diet...?
Hope to meet more dystopian, sci-fy crime or speculative fiction authors.

[Scott]

Hello everyone. My name is Scott Ickes. I've been an avid reader of space opera and science fiction in general for many years. I was diagnosed with Leukemia in September 2023. Due to the effects of chemo and then a bone marrow transplant, I was very susceptible to getting sick (low cell counts to fight infections, viruses, etc. My white cell counts, platelets and red cells were all low quite often, so i could not cook or use a knife because I was a bleeding risk. I wasn't able to go to public places, such as stores, or restaurants, etc.

I was only able to watch TV and read. Although I love to read, when it is all that you're permitted to do, you start to get frustrated. My wife said, "You've always thought that you could write a book, so why not write one. You'll never have a better opportunity."

That is exactly what I did. My first book, 'Lemuria - First Contact' is with Beta Readers right now. The second book in the series, Elysians' is nearly finished. I have the outline for the third book laid out. It will be called "Antillians'.

I'm waiting until all three books are ready before I publish. I'm looking forward to conversing with avid readers and other authors here.

Scott Ickes

[Jeongwoo]

Hi everyone! I'm Jeongwoo Lee, an author fascinated by AI, biotechnology, and the future of society. It’s great to be here!

My books explore speculative ideas about technology, ethics, and human society, such as the potential of AI-driven governance and the role of space colonization in solving Earth’s crises.

One of my recent books, ‘Stars Beyond Bars,’ explores the concept of space as a new frontier for human rehabilitation. What if convicted criminals were sent to explore space? If you enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi with a mix of ethics and politics, you might find it interesting!

Amazon link: https://a.co/d/3t06ewW

I’m always looking for great discussions on science fiction and futuristic storytelling. What’s a sci-fi book that made you rethink the future recently?

Jeongwoo

[DARLENE]

I started out as a reader, but now I write. I am also looking for book reviews. My book empowers women! Perfectly Imperfect!! Here is a look into what my book is about.

CHECK IT OUT!!!
https://youtu.be/qn5HFweCfjc?si=eHjpu...

[Candida]

Candida Pugh Hello, Strangers. Another stranger here. I've been a writer since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. My latest book involves one of my triad of loves: dogs. My Life in Dog Years: A Poodle Named Henry is hilarious and heart-rending by turns, but mostly it's an honest account of a somewhat wacky individual who leaps and considers the consequences on the way down. That's how I came to adopt a biting giant poodle named Henry. He used to think I was the girlfriend of the leader of the pack. He became one of the loves of my life. The book talks about many others as well.

[Brandi]

Paul wrote: "So, here’s my beef with Goodreads and Goodreads’ readers.

Last year I paid to have my book listed in Goodreads giveaway. 1008 people responded and of that 1008, one hundred received a free copy of..."

Hi Paul,

I couldn't agree with you more, but it isn't only Goodreads readers. I've paid another company to offer my book in exchange for reviews and of the 300+ ebooks I sent out, only 5 have bothered to leave a review. I get that 10% is the norm, but come on.

I'm close to stopping my marketing, save time and money, and just write to release the books and not worry. If they sell, fine, if not, fine. I find begging readers for reviews is getting tiresome and they don't like being hounded about reviews, but...they did take the book on the agreement of doing a review! And if the review is force, is it real? Enough said. I'm going back to writing my series. Good luck with it all, Paul. I'm sending you good vibes.

To my readers who DID leave a review, I so appreciate you!

[Sebastian]

Hi everybody, Sebastian here, reader and author. Currently I work on translation of my second novel from Polish to English so it is a journey. Counting for some interesting discussions here.

[David]

David R. Flores

Hi everyone. I'm David. I'm a writer/illustrator who started as a screenwriter, ventured over to writing and illustrating graphic novels, and recently published my first novel titled "Control; Alt: Delete: Dr. Stundel's Program To Reboot Your Dangerous Teen." It's a Y/A satire about a school safety program meant to save the world from future criminals.

I'm a native New Yorker and now live with my family in the Los Angeles area. I love film, books, art, and music (I played the electric bass and piano growing up).

[David]

I'm a new writer and just published my first novel, Malama Island. Influenced by travel to Iceland, Hawaii and life experiences; Malama Island is my first written endeavor creating a story born out of fantastical images of reality, both experienced and imagined.

I've been a visual artist for over five decades and with this novel I was able to bring my imagination to a new medium.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP7M5LQR

[Al]

Hello! My pen name is Al Ashcott. I'm 34 years old. I'm a hyperglot. I speak six languages. I love to write, read and study. Here are my three published books:

Za Volodju!
Mummy Issues I: Public Servant Abduction
The Cat Lady Case

I'd love to make friends with fellow writers and interact with my readers and share impressions with them!

[G.L.]

Hi. Glad to be part of this board. I'm going through and reading some of your introductions and doing some new friend requests. I'm new to Goodreads, so please feel free to "friend" me. Thanks.
I've written a book titled "SO FN WHAT." It's about starting over again in life after a major crisis. I'm getting ready to write another book, which is totally unrelated to the first. I'm going to transcribe & publish my parents love letters to one another (before they were married) while my dad was deployed in the Korean War. They're very endearing, detailed, & even historical. Anyway, hope to connect with some of you. Again, feel free to friend or follow me. Best of luck with your writing adventures!

[Scott]

Hey Bookworms!

I'm new to all this and was told that Goodreads is a fantastic resource and community—so here I am! Although I’ve published my first indie novel, I don’t consider myself a writer in the traditional sense. I see myself as a storyteller, and from the reviews so far, it seems I have a knack for intrigue and plot twists. That said, this is my first book, so who knows—maybe I just got lucky!

So why don’t I call myself a writer? Well, my first book took 26 years to complete due to my lack of writing skills and poor grammar. Thankfully, we now have tools that help with that, allowing me to focus on storytelling while refining my craft along the way.

I haven't been a big reader over the years due to a hectic life (more on that in my bio if you're curious), but things have finally calmed down. Now, as I dive into writing book two of my trilogy, I’m also hoping to find more time to read.

Most of my days now, you will find me in Hair & Makeup, getting prepped for my next role as a Special Action Support Actor (SPACT)—you might have spotted me in House of the Dragon! But enough about me—I’d love to hear about you! Drop a comment, say hi, and let’s see where the conversation takes us.

Ciao for now, bookworms!
Scott

Cio for now bookworms
Scott


The Miseries - Book 1 - The Hanging TreeScott McCarthy

[Tristano]

Tristano Quaglia, journalist and enthusiast of anthropology, philosophy, metaphysics and history of religions, has been studying the spiritual aspects and rituals of Western and Eastern religious ways for over 30 years. He has already published, in Italian, the books: “Beyond the mists of Avalon” (Oltre le nebbie di Avalon), “Embracing silence” (Abbracciare il silenzio) and “The Tao of Chinese medicine” (Il Tao della medicina cinese).

[Jack]

Hi everyone. Im Jack a 27 year old from the UK. I've recently published my first book if anyone wants to check it out.

Always open to checking other books out to if it fits my genre of Fantasy

A Shadow's Whisper

[[deleted user]]

Hi, I'm Dee, and I am an author, illustrator, and reader of course. I have written two children's ebooks, and 1 young adult ebook novella.
I enjoy reading most genres, especially non fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers.
I live in Australia with my partner Dave, and our dog Ziggy.

[Franco]

Hi everyone, my name is Franco. I'm from Rome, Italy.
I wrote the dilogy "The secrets of Avalon Wills" published last year, and now I just published few days ago my new book:
"Donna Touching the Truth" all my books are available in Italian and English as well. I started on goodreads last year, but I didn't use it a lot, so I have to learn how to use it, just find this group right now. I hope I didn't make any mistakes posting this. If I did, I'm sorry.

[Charles]

I am a former soldier with the British Army turned published author. I am lucky enough to write full-time and am currently working on English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom.

More details about me and my books here on Goodreads and on my website at https://charlescordell.com

If you don't find what you are looking for, please do get in touch.

Charlie

[Anjalina]

Hello everyone! I am a young Canadian author who has just published their first poetry book today When Dusk Breaks. I am also an avid reader, and relatively new to Goodreads, so I'm excited to see what's in store.

[Elsa]

I am Elaine Sapphire
I just started my career in writing
I hope you could spend your precious little time to read my books too.

[Lawrence]

Greetings, I’m Lawrence—a retired Navy corpsman turned storyteller—and I’m honored to introduce my debut Kindle Edition, The Warrior’s Code: Rise of the Immortals – A Battle for Kings and Gods (Book 1 of 1 in The Warrior’s Code series).

In this epic historical fantasy, I blend my military experience with a passion for divine storytelling. Before empires and thrones, before the first blade was ever drawn, there was war in the heavens. Araziel, the Morning Star, defies the Almighty, shattering the celestial order in a rebellion that condemns him and his fallen legions to the shadows of history. Their whispers shape the fates of nations, even as the veil between worlds is torn apart.

Within the mighty halls of Persepolis, King Xerxes stands at a crossroads. Although his father, Darius, once conquered nations, Xerxes now seeks something greater—immortality. Tempted by unseen forces, he must decide whether to rule as a man or ascend as a god. Meanwhile, beyond the Aegean Sea, Leonidas of Sparta sharpens his blade. His warriors, sworn to hold the line against Persia, face a threat older and darker than any empire—a force that challenges the very essence of war.

Prophets in distant lands foretell a cosmic struggle, where the fates of kings and nations are written in the stars. This is a battle not for power or conquest, but for the very soul of creation.

For readers who love epic historical fantasy infused with supernatural warfare, legendary battles, and prophetic visions, The Warrior’s Code offers an unforgettable journey. Step into a realm where destiny, rebellion, and divine purpose collide—where the fate of eternity is in your hands.

May this tale inspire you, and may the light of Elohim guide every step of your journey.

https://archive.org/details/rise-of-t...
https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Code-...

[Fallon]

Hi, I'm mostly a theatre person but I wrote a few novellas when I was younger and now I've become an arc reader since I'm not writing anymore. It can be fun but Instagram is a tough nut to crack and don't even get me started on BookTok. I think 29 is too old for that.

[Tammy]

Hi, I'm Tammy Lind. I'm 67 and retired. Being retired has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing. I always thought I would write a fantasy book but instead I wrote a cozy mystery book. I am also an avid reader.
I just self published my 1st book, Wilde Accusation on Kindle. I hope it's all right to post that here.
I hope to get to know people on here.

[Constantia]

Hello Friends,
I'm an author / artist, and my name is Constantia Munda. I'm just starting to work with Goodreads on promoting my metafiction Artists' book.

I'm accepting friend requests on Goodreads and I look forward to blogging and posting about bad parenting, child abuse, young adult suicide, and the true meaning of the Mother's Day Holiday.

Please see my profile or blog for the thesis of my book: "Mother's Day in the Empire State, Or An Answer to the Arraignment of Women."

[Juris]

Hello, dear Goodreads members,

I represent a team of developers working to make indie authors' lives easier.

We have a few ideas we’re considering developing, but they’re all quite time-consuming.

Honestly, we’re a bit tired of ChatGPT-generated reviews that sound great but may not be practical in the real world.

So before we dive in, we’d love to hear from real authors and real readers—your honest opinions matter most to us!

[Shawn]

Under the Live Oaks
Hello, my name is Shawn Hart out of New Braunfels, Texas. After a decade of being a singer/songwriter, I decided to write a story. I enjoyed the entire process so much, and look forward to writing more. Here is my first novel.

[Katy]

Shawn wrote: "Under the Live Oaks
Hello, my name is Shawn Hart out of New Braunfels, Texas. After a decade of being a singer/songwriter, I decided to write a story. I enjoyed the entire process ..."

Congratulations!

[Katy]

Tammy wrote: "Hi, I'm Tammy Lind. I'm 67 and retired. Being retired has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing. I always thought I would write a fantasy book but instead I wrote a cozy mystery book. ..."

That's great, Tammy. Glad you can finally write. I don't tend to read mystery books but I will give your's a look. Thanks.

[Katy]

Franco wrote: "Hi everyone, my name is Franco. I'm from Rome, Italy.
I wrote the dilogy "The secrets of Avalon Wills" published last year, and now I just published few days ago my new book:
"Donna Touching the Tr..."

Your English is real good. And I'm learning Goodreads, too. I'm going to be starting a giveaway soon. And you?

[Katy]

Anjalina wrote: "Hello everyone! I am a young Canadian author who has just published their first poetry book today When Dusk Breaks. I am also an avid reader, and relatively new to Goodreads, so I'..."

Congratulations! The first book of many...

[Katy]

Scott wrote: "Hey Bookworms!

I'm new to all this and was told that Goodreads is a fantastic resource and community—so here I am! Although I’ve published my first indie novel, I don’t consider myself a writer in..."

Sounds really exciting. Keep on keep on...
k

[Katy]

Brandi wrote: "Paul wrote: "So, here’s my beef with Goodreads and Goodreads’ readers.

Last year I paid to have my book listed in Goodreads giveaway. 1008 people responded and of that 1008, one hundred received a..."

Thanks for the news. As a new writer to Goodreads, this gives me a sense of what I can realistically expect.

[Katy]

DARLENE wrote: "I started out as a reader, but now I write. I am also looking for book reviews. My book empowers women! Perfectly Imperfect!! Here is a look into what my book is about.

CHECK IT OUT!!!
https://you..."

Bad Ass Biker Bitches, hey? Love the name. Planning any giveaways? I'm curious.

[Katy]

Hi Everyone,
I've been knocking around Goodreads for a few weeks and I figured it was time to introduce myself. My memoir about traveling in my father's magic show will be published this May. I started it many years ago, but could not complete the book, because I knew it would upset my father as I reveled his magic tricks in the story. Anyway, now he's gone and here I am.

Writing the book helped me understand my childhood better, and it also helped me appreciate my father more. We actually didn't get along as adults, but when I was a kid, it was different. The memoir has plenty for photos and even my journal entires when I was fourteen. I have learned that being an assistant in a magic show begs this questions: What is real magic?


www.katygrabel.com

Katy Grabel
The Magician's Daughter: A Memoir

[Nathaniel]

Hello, I’m Nathan, a trans author and translator from Czechia, now living in Costa Rica.
I self-published five books in Czech, starting with The Inscrutable Ways of Fate in 2019, which I’m now rewriting into English.

My series, Divine Tragicomedy, blends literary fiction with fantasy—think rich prose, deep psychology, and slow-burn tales set in a mediaeval world of historical crafts, clothing, and weapons (my wife and I once forged blades and fenced!). No dragons or chosen ones here—just morally grey characters navigating a harsh, satirical reality.

I’m also translating Lost in Time, a second series in the same universe, with a different era and a heavy, archaic style inspired by Lovecraft and Shelley.

My work’s not for the masses but for those who savour intricate, unflinching stories.
www.nathanielwonderful.com
www.medium.com/@nathanielwonderful

[Doug]

I'm an author and a new member! My name is Doug Most. My third book is coming out this August, a non-fiction historical narrative about World War II called "Launching Liberty." You can read more here (https://www.dougmost.com/) My last book was called "The Race Underground" about the first subways in America, in Boston and New York, and my first book was a true crime story called "Always in our Hearts." I love nonfiction narrative, from Erik Larson to Laura Hillenbrand to David McCullough and Hampton Sides. I look forward to engaging here!

[Bookers]

Dear Readers & Authors out there!
I come to you under a pen name (Arthur Solace), choosing to let the story speak for itself rather than introducing myself in detail. What matters most is the tale that unfolds in my book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTQC3FG9?...
My journey as a writer began with a love for reading, sparked and nurtured by the incomparable Michael Crichton. His masterful blend of science, technology, and thrilling narratives not only captivated me as a reader but also inspired me to pick up the pen. It is in the spirit of Crichton's pioneering work that I now make my own attempt at storytelling.
'ATTAINTED' is a short techno-thriller with a twist. It belongs to a sub-genre I like to call 'Fork and Fuse Fiction,' which combines the essence of a concise techno-thriller with an innovative narrative structure.
Here's how it works: At the end of each chapter, you'll be presented with a choice. Your decision will determine which branch of the story you follow next. It's like standing at a fork in the road, choosing your path through the narrative. But don't worry about missing out - all these branching storylines will eventually fuse together in the final chapter, where the one and only truth behind the mystery will be revealed.

Happy reading!

[Andy]

School SUCKS! That’s the opinion I had at eight years old, and it didn’t change for twenty-five years.

It started in kindergarten where each day before naptime we were forced to listen to bible stories. Not being a believer, even in those early days of my life, and being what I consider to this day to be an intelligent child, I was quick to point out the illogical conclusions these stories suggested.
I am more than willing to admit that I hadn’t learned the social graces to correct someone gracefully. That took many more years to learn, and if you talk to the people that know me well, they will affirm that I have never truly taken those lessons to heart. I spent a lot of time standing in the time-out corner.

I was raised in a household that was centered around science like some are centered around religion. I played math games with my father on a daily basis and loved it.

We did experiments and studied various things of interest, ranging from zoology to space. So, it was no surprise to me that in second grade the teacher told us to complete two pages in our math workbook, and in the time given, I completed the entire book.

What surprised me was the teacher's reaction. She was totally surprised by this, and it irritated her. It irritated her more when she could discover no error in my work. In those days the school system was totally unprepared to understand or to help gifted kids as they are now referred to. This isn’t me bragging, I don’t consider myself gifted. Science has always been easy for me, English and history not so much.

In seventh grade biology my teacher informed the class that animals have no capacity for language. Three days later I showed up with three books about the language of dolphins, and this time presented my evidence in a private meeting. Instead of engaging in a scientific debate over my evidence per the scientific method, I got a long-winded lecture to never ever point out his mistakes again.
What a wonderful way to demonstrate what science was all about. I only had one good teacher in middle school, Mr. Mueluer, is the only name I can remember. It was eighth grade history. He didn’t give a damn about dates. He taught cause and effect and awakened an interest in history that lasts till this day. It was the only A grade I had ever gotten.

The teacher that made the biggest impact on my life was a teacher in that middle school. She was not a great teacher. She droned on the repetitive English lessons we got each year. One day she told us to go to the library, check out a book and write a report. It was the first time I got to pick the book rather than have it assigned. I wandered around that library despondently.

I didn’t like to read at that time, and I didn’t read well. I finally picked out a book and left. Waiting until the last possible minute, I picked up that cursed book and forced myself to start reading. My mother almost had a heart attack when she walked into my room at 3:00am because my light was on, and she found me with my nose buried in a book. Red Planet by Robert Heinlein and it changed my life forever.

My father always told me “You can learn anything there is to know from books.” I didn’t believe him until that day. Since that day I have never been more than an arm's length from a book. School still sucked, but I could learn anything I wanted without their help.
In High school I just stopped going. I missed twenty weeks of a twenty-two-week semester. I only got caught because the librarian in our local library started to question why I was coming in so often during the day when I should have been at school. That’s when I added spy novels to my reading list.

By the time I hit college I was reading a minimum of two books a week, plus the required course textbooks. Other than programming and computer courses, college still sucked. Not being required to attend class I didn’t. I just turned in the required work and took the tests. In fact, I was much better at learning on my own. I had the discipline at this point in my life to buckle down and get the work done. In the final trimester of my wife's pregnancy, I turned in all my homework for the semester during the first week.

That’s the time in my life where I really learned how to learn. It’s a shame schools don’t teach students how to research much earlier than they do. In my day they didn’t teach it at all.

I entered the workforce professionally in 1978 as a computer programmer. In two years, I was managing a group of ten programmers for General Electric. Over the course of the next ten years the computer industry exploded. Technology was changing faster than you could keep up with it. It was a constant scramble to learn what you needed to know. That is when I learned an important lesson that serves me well to this day. The more you know, the more you realize how little you really know.

I was in and out of classrooms for the next 30 years, both as student and teacher. This is where I learned what a good teacher was, and I had some great ones.

Great teachers care about learning outcomes more than grades. They want to develop you as a person, more than meeting test scores. They encourage, guide, coach and mentor their students. If you disappoint them, they will not criticize, they will help if you let them, but you might just get that look you got from your mom that made you feel two inches tall.

To be a lifelong learner is invigorating. It keeps me young. They say eighty percent of men that retire early die young, mostly from boredom. Not me, there is still so much left to learn, and that volume grows hourly.

[Dee]

Hi, my name is Dee Jordan. I've written two novels and many short stories. Recently, I self-published a 27-page braided essay titled "Skywalker: The Horse Who Picked Me." Yesterday was the number one new release in biography and memoir short reads. I've been writing for about twenty years. Soon, I will have a memoir available on Amazon. It is at the developmental editor, and I hope to have it published by the end of this month. The braided essay is $1.99 on Kindle and $4.99 in paperback. It's not your typical horse story.

[Katy]

Doug wrote: "I'm an author and a new member! My name is Doug Most. My third book is coming out this August, a non-fiction historical narrative about World War II called "Launching Liberty." You can read more he..."

Welcome! Good luck moving forward...