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from Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 23:50 (Agree/Disagree?) I hope you'll write down what you went through.But even if you won't find a publisher, which I don't wish you, please let others know, at least through a media like this or any website you'd prefer. (reply to this comment)

From book Friday, July 30, 2004, 16:34 (Agree/Disagree?) I just know it's very hard to do. I have made a good attempt, but you spend a lot of time trying to publish, often at your own expense. My advise, make a lot of money, retire, then you have the cash to promote the book. (reply to this comment)

From I agree Saturday, July 31, 2004, 11:43 (Agree/Disagree?) I don't want to discourage you, but pretty much anyone who left the family has a story to tell. Not many people are gonna wanna hear it unless they already have an interest in cults, etc. It's not gonna be a really happy story, and things you may think end up happy are piddly to the rest of the world. People will listen to you if you end up extremely successful, or somewhat famous. For example, if you end up going to school, and make your way to being CEO of a Fortune 500, you will probably gain interest all over, and end up with people who wanna write your story for you. Another route, is you can try to get onto a reality show, and then reveal the shocking truth there. By that time you'll have an audience. But unless you are really good looking, or very charismatic, you are not gonna make the spotlight in the show. Scandals abound, and just because everyone who hears your story told says you should write a book, doesn't mean it would sell. Sure they would read it cause they know you, but that doesn't make it a best-seller. But I would still write your story and save it, because who knows what will make headlines someday. Write it now while it's fresh in your mind, but don't set your expectations too high as far as publishing and selling it goes. Good Luck!(reply to this comment)

from Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 16:34 (Agree/Disagree?) I took a good course in creative non-fiction writing a few years ago --as well as some courses on publishing and things. Some of the info I gleaned from it may be helpful to you. Usually you get an offer for the book or article BEFORE you write it. For example, you send a query letter along with a sample chapter to a publisher. A deal is struck BEFORE you write the book. This means that you have to do all the research before you contact the publisher, have an idea of the market, target audience, etc. It's difficult to make money off a book. Publishers may expect you to do a lot of promoting at your own expense. Self-publishing, or publishing on demand is growing in popularity. All sorts of formulas are available. Some books that might help you in writing your lifestory, or memoirs: Inventing the Truth -- William Zinsser, 1987 Writing Life Stories -- Bill Roorbach 1998 Turning Memories into Memoirs -- Denis Ledoux, 1993. I got all of these from the public library -- very helpful. Good luck! The business of publishing can be utterly brutal, but the craft of writing your story can be empowering and liberating. Everybody should do it. As Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Cheers (reply to this comment)