Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trace A. DeMeyer on June 29, 2012 at 12:36pm

Well said, and it's becoming apparent that anyone can publish anything which makes it even more difficult to sort through and find decent books to read... I admit it's a bit overwhelming to me as a writer and journalist. I did what many of the marketing pros suggested when my memoir One Small Sacrifice was published: a blog, tweets and a book page on Facebook. That's enough and it's working for me.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Paul on June 29, 2012 at 12:42pm

Hello Trace, Thanks for your comment. One Small Sacrifice is an interesting title for a memoir. May I ask the sacrifice? Because I know what sacrifice is...am very interested. Sarah Paul

Permalink Reply by Trace A. DeMeyer on June 29, 2012 at 1:25pm

One Small Sacrifice: A Memoir, Lost Children of the Indian Adoption Projects is about opening my adoption and uncovering the history of the Indian Adoption Projects - so it's a hybrid of memoir and history. I was that sacrifice and what a long long journey to find home.

I published my second edition with Create Space this year - very pleased many are reading it and finding my blog... I was fortunate to have some wonderful reviews early with my first edition and that is helping people to find my book.

www.splitfeathers.blogspot.com

Permalink Reply by Sarah Paul on June 29, 2012 at 1:35pm

What a poignant story! I lost my family as a child also and after 40 years got 2 brothers back. Was your family intact when you found them? Were you abused? 83% of foster children are abused in the foster home. I was.

Permalink Reply by Trace A. DeMeyer on June 29, 2012 at 1:41pm

Abused by my adoptive father - yes. Never met my natural mother but did have contact with one of the daughters she raised. Met my father and his 5 kids - this is all in my memoir - the entire journey.

Sorry to hear this news of your childhood but it makes us into very strong people today.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Paul on June 29, 2012 at 2:10pm

If it was your experience that pain made you strong, I will not say it didn't, but it only made me disabled, wasted a gifted intellect,and gave me long years devoted to recovery where I should have had normal relationships and worldly success. Strong, successful people grow up with support, love, money, opportunities and no abuse. The only valuable thing those who suffered have is knowledge of what is wrong and a desire to fix it. But the good scenario will be when there is no more suffering to fix, and I do believe that is possible. But I am not one to say that suffering made me strong. It is not true. It wasted a life. That is why we must end it --because no good comes from it. Suffering is unacceptable--and unnecessary. If your society had been compassionate, you would have stayed with your family and as you say at your blog, the main culture community would have helped your family to keep the children. The same was true for my family. I came from good parents and went to bad ones. I am not bitter but I have no illusions. The human race is only beginning to comprehend its responsibility for ending suffering because deep down the human being believes that suffering is necessary and that he is helpless to change that. So...our basic concept of reality must change. Anyway, that is my opinion. I am glad you have told your story and certainly support your work. Suffering is a big topic and a very important one. Sarah

Permalink Reply by Trace A. DeMeyer on June 29, 2012 at 3:19pm

No more suffering - I agree.

Permalink Reply by Grace Peterson on June 29, 2012 at 12:43pm

Can you post a review on Amazon stating this? This is what I'd do. Although it won't change Amazon's methods, it might get people to at least take notice of the fraudulent tactics of this particular "book."  It seems that where ever something good is taking place, there are always those who will misuse it. 

Permalink Reply by Sarah Paul on June 29, 2012 at 12:52pm

Ummm...Grace, I will have to examine myself to see if I want to directly attack this writer! Will it do good to attack her directly? I do think that making suggestions in a general way will often cause people to reconsider their mistaken behavior and change it. But I WILL think about this. Thank you for the suggestion. Sarah

Permalink Reply by Michele Tracy Berger on June 29, 2012 at 12:44pm

Hi Sarah,

I really appreciate the feelings that you express here. I think all of us are being called to examine our own level of integrity as we move into this very different publishing reality with a new set of norms (and fewer thoughtful gatekeepers). I think a space like She Writes is a testimony to a community that seeks to present a very different model of how to approach the writing life.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Vine on June 29, 2012 at 2:03pm

I don't know if I would write a review or complain to Amazon.  I don't agree with what that writer did, wouldn't do it myself, but they are obviously in it to make money and found a method that works.

Permalink Reply by Katherine Ashe on June 29, 2012 at 6:34pm

You're so right, Sarah. This seems to be a new twist on the scams that have been plaguing Amazon. But we must hang in there, provide books of quality so that it's evident the independent and small publisher world is every bit as valid as the big traade publishers.  We're struggling against a culture that's made marketing the leading factor in everything: films with promotional budgets equal to the entire production budget, big trade publishers who, since the 1980's, have made the marketing department's wants more weighty than the aesthetic decisions of editors.

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