I’ve been reading another brilliant book written by the very insightful, Seth Godin. I can’t get enough of this guy and his ideas on how we can work and create and live a life that’s meaningful. This one is titled, Linchpin: Are You Indispensible? and it was published in 2010. I wish I had read it a couple of years ago, but that’s water under the bridge.
I’ll quote from it now, however, to give you an idea as to why I’m writing this blog post at this moment.
“Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another.” p. 70
“The last element that makes it art is that it’s a gift. You cannot create a piece of art merely for money. Doing it as part of commerce so denudes art of wonder that it ceases to be art. There’s always a gift intent on the part of the artist.” p.72
I’m in the process of reformulating my approach to my writing and the way I publish my books, as well as the outcome I expect from all this activity. Stay tuned for more on this later.
What has struck me though from reading the above quotes and other parts of this book by Godin is that I, as a creator, have written and produced something, taken great care in doing so, and all for what purpose? Certainly not to sell lots of copies and make a pile of money – I’ve been in the book business long enough to know that this is very unlikely to ever happen. No, I write so my words will be read. I put it to you that this is ultimately why all authors write/artists paint or sculpt/photographers photograph/musicians write songs and perform, etc. We want to touch others with our view of the world, with our interpretation, with what we have to say. What is lacking isn’t the number of creators there are, but the people who will read, listen, and look at what we create. And comment on it. And pass it on to their friends, recommending that they, too, read and recommend it to their friends, and so on and so forth.
In an effort to spread the word about my own writing, and ultimately about the novel I have already published as a eBook and in print, I am posting free copies of two short stories that have been published elsewhere in the past. Anyone, anywhere in the world, may click on either of the links below and download the PDFs to be able to read. All I ask is that after you have read these stories, and if you like them, please comment below on this blog post. And, if you haven’t already read my novel, Island in the Clouds, please consider purchasing a copy.
But more importantly, I hope you will enjoy my writing enough to want to then recommend to your friends that they buy and read my book. You may even wish to purchase copies to give as gifts to those friends.
My gift to you then is my words; I hope your reciprocal gift will be to read my words, and that they affect you in some way or another. And that you tell me of the effect or, more importantly, that you tell your friends!
So, if you do read, and if you’re looking for something new to read and are willing to help me get the word out to others who you think may also be interested in reading what I’ve written, then click below and download your free copies of Hockey Night on Bellefair Avenue and 50 Ways to Lose Your Liver. (And you may want to subscribe to my blog while you’re at it.)
If you wish to know more about Island in the Clouds, a Bequia Perspectives novel before purchasing, please check out the page I’ve created with links to reviews, news and information about the book. There’s also a complete list on this page of where the eBook and print edition are available to purchase. If you’d like to read the novella I’ve published, That Last Summer, there’s information on the IslandShorts page.
If you have already read Island in the Clouds, I thank you! If you haven’t yet told me what you thought of the book, I would like to hear from you, too. And please do consider recommending my book to your friends or giving copies as gifts. Please help me spread the word.
I know there will be people out there, especially other writers, who will consider this to be an undesirable precedent I’m setting by giving away my work, not expecting to be paid for what I write, but I ask that you please bear with me. I feel as though I’m on the cusp of something revolutionary with this concept. If you don’t believe me, read Linchpin and see if it gives you similar ideas as well.
Hockey Night on Bellefair Avenue
50 Ways to Lose Your Liver
Since first posting this to my blog, other short stories I’ve written have been made available to read free on Allan Hudson’s Blog, South Branch Scribbler. Click on the titles to read:
Andrea’s Journey
Another Day in Paradise
Family Jewels
And I posted the following story to my blog, as well:
Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing 
Have you read Free by Chris Anderson (same guy who wrote The Long Tail). That guy’s been my guru for awhile. Anyway, yes, I’ll read your short stories. I always loved the title 50 ways to lose your liver. Great!
Thanks, Glenn! I’ve read The Long Tail. Will have to check out the other book.