Wednesday, March 18, 2015

MARCH 2015 BOOK SELECTION: MY TEMPORARY LIFE


I don’t use my Kindle too often. I really like it, but just prefer a book in my hands. When I travel, however, it’s wonderful. I have a whole library at my fingertips without the weight and bulk. So recently, when traveling, I ran across a book I had downloaded some time ago called My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie. It was probably a free download so my expectation was not high.

I was immediately engrossed in the novel. As I was reading, I did a little research about it and ran across this: https://vimeo.com/48898277

In the video, Martin Crosbie talks about his road to publication. What was most surprising was his inability to find an agent, editor or publisher for this book after submitting around 130 times! I keep hearing this same story, over and over again. It seems agents and publishers, if they cannot categorize you in a specific genre, are reluctant to take a chance. Sure there are exceptions, but this is most often the case. Unless you are very lucky and/or persistent and/or a celebrity, you might as well save your time. It’s very disheartening, to say the least. Instead of giving up, Martin Crosbie finally chose to self-publish and became very successful. Okay, I’m off the soapbox.

I loved this book. It’s true it starts as a coming-of-age story and develops into something else, a mystery, a love story, a thriller. But he didn’t lose me. Instead I was pulled forward and in couldn’t-put-it-down mode. It was clear, well-written and fast-paced with well-defined, rich characters. I liked it so much I bought it in book form as well. Highly recommend.


Kudos, Mr. Crosbie, for not giving up.

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