MITCH STURGEON
Author and Blogger Living With MS
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I’ve always enjoyed the craft of writing. As a student, I dabbled in fiction, but as a senior in high school my prize essay was a piece of creative nonfiction, portending my future. But after high school, I became an engineer and businessperson. I took pride in crafting reports that were clearly written and thoroughly researched. It was only in my emails and letters that I sowed my creative oats and had some fun.
Then I retired, and I rediscovered the joy of writing, in the form of a memoir-based blog, this very blog. I connected with people from all over the world. After a few years, I began to consider a different method of reaching out to people. My blog posts were disconnected from one another, sporadic. My readers were fickle, as much for the demands on their time as for their interest in my essays (I would like to think). Eventually, I began to entertain the idea of writing a book. My earliest drafts date back to the spring of 2014. Four years later, I self-published my memoir, and what a year 2018 turned out to be.
For me to self-publish by the summer of 2018, early in that year I had to give up on my dream of landing a traditional publishing deal. Trying to find said publisher was the part of writing this book that I disliked the most, and so giving up on that quest was a mixed blessing. As much as I hated admitting defeat, a great burden was lifted, and I could see a clear path to publishing in the coming months.
Here’s what I was up against in trying to land a mainstream publisher. More people write books today than ever. Fewer people read books today than ever. With a few exceptions, it’s nearly impossible for a first-time author, without a formal writing education or significant writing experience, who is not a famous person, to get his or her memoir published. I think I had a good enough story; I just didn’t have enough experience, talent, name recognition, or luck.
Once I had put this behind me, finishing the steps to publication became like managing an engineering project, and I was in my element. I employed consultants where I needed (final book design) and learned new skills where I could (website design using WordPress). I built to-do lists, schedules, and budgets. I made critical decisions on vendor selection and marketing. And then the launch day arrived.
Kim and I decided to split the launch into two regions, one in our current location of South Portland and the other in our hometown of Lincoln, Maine. Click here for a recap. We began in South Portland. Of course, I worried that I would throw a party, and nobody would come, but that wasn’t the case. The South Portland launch party, held at Willows Restaurant, was a hit. We had great turnout. I didn’t make a fool of myself in my readings, and we sold a bunch of books.
I didn’t think we could top the southern Maine party when a week later we marched up to northern Maine, but I was wrong. The turnout was a little stronger. My performance was a little cleaner. We sold a few more books. But there was something else in the air. This was a homecoming. So much of my book was about growing up in Lincoln, about my family, about the people in Lincoln. Love filled that room at Gilmore’s Restaurant. I couldn’t have hoped for a better reception.
In the ensuing months, we sold books by ourselves. We had bookstores selling them for us. I partnered with what some people consider the evil empire–Amazon. Later, with help from Dave King, I produced an audio version of the book to complement the print and electronic versions already available.
I was interviewed by newspapers. I even made it on TV. I received awards. Book clubs featured my memoir. Old friends showed up on my doorstep after decades of absences. Sales were brisk. But the best part of having published my book were the personal reviews and heartfelt messages I received from readers. I can’t find the words to express how rewarding this was, and continues to be, for me. The wound of not finding a big-name publisher healed quickly, and I can’t imagine being any happier than I am with the publishing of my book. And it’s not over yet. 2019 is shaping up to be another good year for Enjoying the Ride.
Despite all this success, I struggled with the idea of calling myself an author. Anyone could write some drivel, pay a company to print it, toss the book around to friends and relatives, and ordain themselves an author. But in my case, there was a single event that convinced me of my worthiness.
A friend asked me to participate in career day at a middle school in South Portland. I accepted. As Kim and I approached the classroom where I would speak to several groups of eighth-graders, I saw the sign:
MITCH STURGEON, Author.
There was no debating the issue any further. After all, it was in writing.
17 Replies to “2018 – The Year I Published a Book”
So happy that this has given you more than you expected. The book was a great read that once I started I couldn’t put down. I am proud to have gone to school, and know Mitch Sturgeon, the author. 😉
Wanda, I’m so glad you liked it!
If you can write a boom and sell it even a few copies plus, then you are an author, Mitch – and one that I am proud to have on my desk.
Roland, I can’t argue with that!
Bravo, Mitch!
Thank you, Cheryl.
I loved the book! And Mitch, you are way more than an author…you are and have been for years, a Writer!
Daphne, if you say so 🙂
You are truly an inspiration to me! I have TM. I can’t wait to read your book! Thank you, Mitch! I am Jason Greenleaf’s mother-in-law.
Jeanette, I hope you enjoy it. Please say hi to Jason for me.
Mitchell{Mitch} and Kim. Read your BOOK and couldn’t put it down. I loved it from begain to end. What courage you have put forth in your struggle with MS. My daughter in law has MS and she has read the book and said it is a inspiration to all that have MS. Carole and Clair are our Long and Dear friends. Keep enjoying the Ride as many are doing after reading your Book. You are a great Author and Writer. Wonderful Read.
Diana, thank you so much for your kind words. Carole speaks of you fondly!
Dear Mitch,
Thanks again for writing your book “Enjoying the Ride”. As Someone with MS for the last seven years you really struck a nerve and a mechanism that I could use to share with friends and family some of my challenges/ordeals/realities without sounding like I’m whining. Your book being on Kindle was a godsend because reading a standard book can get kind of uncomfortable the audible book is really great too and really increases its availability. Just as an aside I can fully appreciate the time spent in using voice to text software in producing all of the above. Without Dragon I would really be dead in the water when it comes to typing these days as you know everything you want to do is a challenge.
Your latest blog post on pluses and minuses in 2018 and looking forward to 2019 have jumpstarted me along the same lines to get some focus on where I’ve been, my progress and what I want to accomplish.
I’ve been going through some of your YouTube presentations and you have really touched a nerve as far as how you make your bed. I was initially diagnosed with spinal stenosis back in 2006 and then MS in 2011 to the point now where I can’t walk and transfers have to be made laterally. Once I get into bed with help from my wife I really can’t move too much and have the feeling of being immobile and trapped. Medical marijuana has taken the edge off of occasional panic attacks and night when I wake up and can move my body and feel trapped. I have been desperately trying to find some of the devices that you use on the Internet and to date I have not been successful. It is possible that I’m not using the proper search words or what I’m looking for as another name and has been repurposed.
I fully understand that you may not respond to this note not because you don’t want to but because it’s just so difficult to do. But if you think of a link that you might want to share it wouldbe appreciated.
I’m not particularly enjoying my ride but I’m doing the best I can while I’m on this particular journey and realizing how blessed I am with a wonderful supportive wife , a decent pension, and medical insurance along with children that are healthy and employed and grandchildren that are healthy. In reading about your experiences I also am very thankful that the MS disability didn’t get me until after I retired as I don’t know how I would’ve managed working with that burden.
Wishing you all the best on your ride and may that new expensive breakthrough drug at least be able to slow down and/or stop the progression.
– – Hans Frohlich
Hans, thanks so much for writing. I’m glad you find my blog and book of some use. I think the product you are looking for goes by this name: Contour Products Mattress Genie Inflatable Bed Wedge
Dear Mitch,
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! I was really reaching a dead end in terms of my Internet search. Now I can review some of these products and see if they make sense for me to use. The Internet is so powerful that it is easy to get lost in the maze.
– – Hans
Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and journey with the next generation of young people in South Portland. So lucky to have someone like you willing to share your craft with other aspiring authors.
Gretchen, I benefited as much as they did. It felt great to interact with your eighth-graders.
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