I have spent the last four years preparing my new book, The Spark, the Flame, and the Torch, which is due out in May, 2010.

Writing a book is an interesting (catch-all adjective!) process.† First comes the idea, which could probably be written in one short sentence. (This is why many books start as magazine articles and are expanded -†not always for the better -†into books). In my case, the idea changed dramatically during the writing period which resulted in abandoning the initial project altogether and starting from scratch about one year into the project – just when I thought I was nearing completion!

Then comes the research, writing, editing, testing (on real human beings!), revising, editing and†reviewing – a sobering, often humbling, and always enlightening process.† Many reviewers of The Spark, the Flame and the Torch have been enormously helpful and generous with their time.† Then type-setting -†and then the editing and review process starts all over again. Web design, social media, old-style marketing, cover copy and design all follow, together with assigning an ISBN number and all the other regulatory and technical details.† Working the book over for legal vulnerabilities is another chore.† Sometimes the creative process can be eclipsed by the left-brain necessities during this stage, so keeping the original inspiration in one’s heart is critical during this phase.

Publishing and distribution are other major phases of getting a book out into the market.† And this is another story.

In 2008, 560,626 books were published – double the number published five years earlier, but book sales peaked in 2005 and have been declining ever since, and the average numbers of each book sold†are declining too. And 7 million previously published books are already in the marketplace! In 2004, 950,000 titles out of the 1.2 million tracked by Nielsen Bookscan sold fewer than 99 copies. Another 200,000 sold fewer than 1,000 copies. Only 25,000 sold more than 5,000 copies. The average book in America sells about 500 copiesî (Publishers Weekly, July 17, 2006). The average U.S. book is now selling less than 250 copies per year and less than 3,000 copies over its lifetime. Of the 250,000 business books now in print, about 100 are stocked in the average bookstore, and 1,500 in a superstore.

With the huge number of books in the market, the revolution created by on-demand publishing, the growth of e-books and e-readers, the turmoil and closures in the world of publishers and the demise of bricks-and-mortar bookstores, the†quest for attention by authors for their one lonely, but brilliant, creation in the marketplace is quite intense!

So the inspiration of the original idea, the passion one has for bringing an important message to the world – despite all the clutter, disruption†and confusion – is the lifeblood of any enduring author.
If you are an author – take heart and live your dream.† If you have been following my work over the years, I invite your support in any way that you wish to contribute.† Help us make the world more inspiring my taking the Inspire Pledge, telling your friends, buying the book and spreading the message of The Spark, the Flame, and the Torch.