Thoughts:
The publishing/literary agent world seeks to sell as many books as they can; I want to reach the people that I can be of service to. Although the end result in both cases is the same — sell as many books as possible, I will achieve a more authentic and appropriate result if I maintain control of how I present my work.
Looking over Substack Grow — Setting Goals, I offer mine in descending order of importance;
I am writing about a world barely acknowledged in society
I look to build an audience
I seek to augment my writing portfolio
I would like to connect with like-minded people
I want to support myself with income
I post an IChing Oracle every Sunday for the coming week, also a journal essay on Luhrenloup. Then there is the occasional podcast, and now I’ve started sharing the book, “The Tenant’s Tale” chapter by chapter every Saturday.
Four chapters have already been published. For my next chapter, “Harlem” which illustrates how Tenant, labeled upscale by the casting agencies in New York, fares in her new surroundings. I will seek remuneration going forward with the book. I may include future podcasts in that category as they require a lot of work to accomplish. I say this with no audience to speak of, yet I honor the work and seek to grant it proper respect. It will be a nominal fee at first and hopefully as I go along it will be increased. Whatever the ongoing fee at one’s sign-up will be maintained throughout The Tenant’s Tale for that reader.
You need to know something about me and what I bring to the table if you are going to support my writing. Below I offer credentials, training, experiences, interests.
Education
Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, MFA in fiction writing.
University of Maine, Orono, ME, Master's Program in English/Creative Writing.
University of Southern Maine, Portland ME, BA, Major: Psychology, Cum Laude.
Experience
Seeress, spiritual counselor in private practice, professional name Luhrenloup.
Luhrenloup's training encompasses twenty years of dream analysis, a spiritual vision quest and four-day fast; she has studied shamanism with anthropologist Michael Harner, has worked with the witches Starhawk, Z Budapest, Margot Adler to become adept in the ways of magic.
Participant in research on social cognition and the role of psychic abilities at New York University.
Facilitator/leader of artists' groups, men's and women's groups, student and patient groups, with spiritual, emotional and/or intellectual focus.
Artist in Residence, University of Maine, Orono, ME.
Colonist at THE FARM: An Art Colony For Women, owned and operated by the artist and feminist Kate Millett.
Written Word
Creative Writer, fiction, poetry, essays.
Novels, "COMICS," "53," "Alice in the World," "Converting Hull 1042". Memoirs, “Manhattan Seeress”, "The Tenant’s Tale."
Poetry, chapbooks, "The Arcanum," "Luhrenloup's Arcana" Essays, "Looking For Trouble, Surely" in the anthology "What Does it Mean to be White in America?" published by 2Leaf Press, "Beyond the Great Door" in the anthology Heliotrope published by Rheta Press
Theatre
"COMICS, THE PLAY," adapted from first book “Comics” staged at the University of Maine, Orono and taught at the University of Maine
Performance
"Waste & Void:" theatrical one act film -- featured
"In The Cards:" documentary of Luhrenloup's life & work -- lead
"The Spirit of John Lennon:" filmed ritual with artist Gianni Motti at Metro Pictures Art Gallery -- lead
Addendum
Psychiatric Social Worker/Mental Health Clinician; part of the Emergency Team at Tri-County Mental Health Center, Lewiston Maine; Emergency Mental Health Services at St. Mary's Hospital; also Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington; responsible for evaluating clients with psychiatric or social problems in emergency situations, recommending treatment, be it counseling, commitment to state hospital or private facilities; dealing with distraught, unstable patients, their families, friends, police, etc.; finding needed resources within social services' community and outside of it for clients.
Coordinator of Patient Support Team at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington Maine, involved in counseling people with terminal cancer, AIDS, amputations and other major illnesses; in that connection facilitated a support group for people with cancer.
President, owner, Housewife, Inc.
Brush Painter, Bath Iron Works, shipyard, was part of crew renovating the ship U.S.S. Conyngham
Director, University Women's Forum, supervised, counseled members, put on programs for University and Portland community.
Skills/Activities
Bilingual, French; Athletic, disco, dance music.
I would appreciate ideas, suggestions from you who have travelled this road before me and are undoubtedly much wiser in the ways of recompense.