On Writing : INTIMIDATION: Don't give in. Ask Robert Ringer and John Grisham by Douglas Glenn Clark

Last year I was offered a free download of a nonfiction book that I had rejected decades ago based on its title. "Winning Through Intimidation" struck me as the kind of message I would be wise to avoid. I had no interest in becoming a bully. Yet author Robert Ringer made a compelling offer by revealing that he had since revised the title because it had been misunderstood. The new title "To Be or Not To Be Intimidated? That is the Question" may not be as tidy or controversial, but it's a better fit apparently for the core philosophy. I've enjoyed reading the book because Ringer's book shares an important point: Many people don't fulfill their dreams because they feel intimidated. BEFORE DIGITAL PUBLISHING THERE WAS SELF-PUBLISHING While reading Ringer's book I decided to refresh my memory about his career. I was surprised to read this Wikipedia entry: "His first book, Winning Through Intimidation, was published in 1973. After the manuscript racked up 10 rejections from publishers, Ringer decided to self-publish the book. It became a bestseller, spending 36 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list." Self-publish? Really? Before digital publishing wasn't self-publishing considered vanity? No real author would resort to vanity press publishing. The moral of the story is clear. If you have a strong idea, share it. Ringer's book hit a nerve and did very well. Other books also succeeded. I believe Chin-Ning Chu's fascinating "Thick Face, Black Heart" title was initially self-published. And a guy named John Grisham had the nerve to self-publish his first novel and sell it out of the trunk of his car. How vain! (And gutsy. The young attorney was not intimidated by publisher's rejection notes.) REJECT INTIMIDATION: YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF PUBLISHING Not every title will do well. On the other hand, some bestsellers were rejected by numerous know-it-all publishers. Go figure. Great opportunities are available these days for books of various types and lengths. It all boils down to taking action and blowing past naysayers. Books are promotional tools. Ringer is now using his decades-old book to sell another product. Good for him. That strategy has been successful for years: your book is the platform or launch pad for other opportunities, such as teaching seminars, becoming a public speaker ... or announcing the arrival of a new exciting suspense writer. Pick your goal and go for it. But don't be surprised if less courageous authors find you intimidating. Douglas Glenn Clark Multiplatform artist The Memory Songbook