Will I read your book?

It's flattering, as an author, to be asked if I will read your book or a sample of your writing. I'm lucky in my career to now have been asked that question so many times that it prompted this post.

I wanted to write something that would gently and politely explain my answer:

No, I'm sorry, I can't.

I know that's not what you wanted to read. Consider the publishing date of this blog: May 28, 2017. If you asked me after that date, you know for sure it isn't personal. This post had already been published.

But I don't want to simply say no. First, I want to provide some help-- some alternatives for you. Then, if you care, I want to explain why my answer is no. Because I do value you as a reader or friend.

So, you're looking for advice on getting published or someone to edit or critique your work? Okay, here's what I did. I never went to a published author for help.

1. I sought out friends who were readers. I asked them, because they're my friends, if they would read my work and provide honest feedback. What do you like? What don't you like? What's not working? Take the gloves off, and give me your best.

2. I took creative writing classes all throughout college. If you've never taken a class, consider searching for creative writing classes at your local community college or workshops offered through your library. Call the colleges and libraries and ask if they do this. If they don't offer such programs, ask how you can get one started. Maybe you can organize a group of writers who want to read and critique one another's work.

3. Hire an editor. Do your homework, get references, make sure they are legit-- not someone to proofread, but someone who will critique your story. Lots of people offer services for really cheap. Do some Googling, and take a risk.

From there, repeat the cycle as often as needed: friends who read, workshops/classes to help, and professional editors. Query agents and independent publishers. Repeat until you find an offer you like.

That's what I did.

Okay, so back to: Why is Joe a jerk who won't read my work?

Lots of reasons. and I don't want to be a jerk, so that's why I'm taking time to explain it all here.

1. First, I LOVE reading, just like you. I go to the bookstore, buy two books, read one, go back and buy two more. I have so many wonderful books that I still want to read that I barely have time to get through.

2. I'm not a full-time writer. I'm a full-time professor who works 40+ hours a week, has papers to grade, and already fights hard to find time to do my own writing. I long for the weekends-- where I put in hours and hours of work on my writing. I LOVE writing, and this is when I have to do my work. It's just the way life is, so I really don't have time to do more.

3. Are you already published? Fantastic. I'm more likely to read that-- but it may be MONTHS before I get to it. And yes, if I read it and enjoy it, I will post a nice review. Send me the link to your book. If it looks interesting to me, I'll add it to my wish list.

4. But you're not published and want help? I'm a reader and a writer, not an editor. That's a totally different talent, my friend. I'm simply afraid there is no magical piece of advice that will help. You have to work hard (see the first three steps in the previous section).

5. I actually do offer monthly writing workshops if you live in Central IL. This is my way of giving back-- trying to teach others what I learned that helped me. Please look at ICC's Adult Community Program writing workshops and sign up. Lots of people have asked for my help, but then don't take my workshops. The only reason I offer the workshops is to help others, and it's the best way to manage my time while giving back to the community.

6. Don't live near me? Ask your local library if they'd invite me to be a guest speaker. I'm happy to host talks, workshops, and events-- if it's out-of-town, all I ask is that they cover my travelling expenses. Your local library (or any organization) can learn more about me at www.joechianakas.com and contact me at joechianakas@gmail.com.

So, those are my reasons in nut shell. I do wish you the best of luck. It's a hard business-- but if you love it and never give up, you'll make it.

Thank you for asking, and thank you for reading.

- Joe

About the author:

Joe Chianakas is the author of Rabbit in Red, a horror trilogy. Rabbit in Red won best horror book of 2016. It was picked up by Horror Block and sent to thousands around the world. The second book, Burn the Rabbit, hit #1 on Amazon’s hot new horror releases and is available now. The trilogy concludes this fall with Bury the Rabbit. Follow Joe on Facebook or visit his webpage here. 

Power

               The person who invades your dreams has extreme power.

                In sleep, we are most vulnerable.

                You came to me last night in my dreams.

                (How many times is it now?)
                Arms open.

                Crawling in my bed.

                I rolled, to make it easier for you.

                And then you kissed me.

                Divine.

                You stroked my body.

                Hand gliding down my chest.

                Making my back curl like a gymnast.

                You grabbed me.

                Put me inside you.

                I was in nothing less than heaven.

                But as we all must do,

                I woke up.

                And I lost you.

                Again.

                (How many times is it now?)

                I roll over to an empty bed,

                And I long for one person.

                The one I will never have.

                The one who controls my dreams.

                The one with the power.

                The one who controls me.

- Written summer of 2004

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Blind Man Walking

For weeks, I could see the brain of my toilet.
The chain had broken, and I had to reach into the fluid to flush.
After a couple of days, this didn't seem weird at all.
Funny the things we can get used to.
Go without cable for a month and you realize you don't need it.
Live alone for a year, and you know you can survive without others.
Raised on specific religious and political beliefs, and you'll never think you're wrong.
Maybe we are robots.
Conditioned and programmed and not unique at all.
Do you have the brains of a toilet?
Is someone pulling your chain?
Do you walk on paths paved only by others?

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Lazy inspiration

I'd like to sit and think.
To do nothing.
Boredom is for lazy fools.
Give me boredom.
Give me time to write some bad poetry.
But there's always something we have to do.
Freedom is not free.
Sometimes I want to be the moon.
Far away from this world,
Visible only in darkness
To romantic star-searchers
And deep thinkers.
It's the object of desire
And inspiration.
And it's never called upon
To do anything.

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The Joy of Writing

The novel consumed me,
A plethora of vultures
Attacking a corpse in the desert.
The novel was my child.
Pleasure and pain,
A thorn on a rose.
The novel fucked me.
Abusing my body,
It erased my mind.
The novel was a third shift waitress,
High on heroin,
At a cheap street corner dive.
The novel was me.
A clone, a brother,
Conscious and subconscious.
It was the sun behind the night.
And it was blinding.

- Written in the winter of 2003

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On writing, and a re-introduction to the blogosphere

I’ve had several journeys with blogging. My first attempt was a blog devoted to politics, and I’m still surprised at the number of views the blog received and the number of real friends I made (and lost) due to those discussions. While I’m still politically active and always open to a good face to face discussion, I deleted the political blogs. I was tired of fighting, tired of ignorance. There are only so many bigoted people in the world that I can deal with at one time. So I focused my energy on my other life passions.

And I do have several. Teaching is #1. I’ve been a teacher for 14 years now, 10 of those at the high school level where I taught all sorts of English classes, from American literature to creative writing and everything you can imagine in between. Now I teach communication classes at the college level, an intro to comm class, public speaking, intercultural communication, comm theory, and more. It’s fantastic.

My #2 passion is tied between fitness and martial arts. I started training in the martial arts over 20 years ago, and I’ve created and taught a variety of programs. I currently host a karate club at the college where I teach. Fitness to me is like breathing—I have to have it every day. After taking dozens of classes and doing home DVD programs, I became certified in a few programs and teach 4-5 group fitness classes each week. Those are also fantastic.

It’s not fair to say my #3 passion is writing. I can’t give it a number. You see, I enjoy reflecting and writing on my passions, so writing is like the skin that holds all those passions together. Without my ability to write, I’m not sure those passions would fully exist. So let’s just say that writing is also a huge passion.

This summer, I finished writing a novel and am in the process of sending out queries and looking for an agent. I’ve written a lot before: other novels, short stories, poems, news articles, theses, and more. I’ve published many articles in magazines (and got paid for it, yeah!), but I’ve never tried to publish fiction. Even though I’ve completed works of fiction before, I never thought they were good enough for mass publication.

Until now.

 I’m fired up, and since finishing a book this summer, actually letting friends read it, and revising, revising, revising, I’m ready to add “author” to my resume. I’ve outlined 3 more books, and hope to write a couple a year. I’m an optimistic person, a go-getter, no doubt. I don’t mean to be arrogant, but I’ve always believed passion and persistence pay off. Of course, one needs patience too. The longer I wait to hear back from my queries (and I’ve only sent a few so far, and only just last week), the more I think about the kind of author I want to be. I’ll keep re-reading and revising my current book as long as I need to do so, and I’ll keep writing other stories until I find an audience.

So that’s why I’m returning to the blogosphere. I’m going to share my writing journey and hope to connect with others who have similar goals and experiences. I’m going to share some writing, much of it old and terrible (can’t share the new stuff yet!). I don’t want to self-publish. Call me greedy, but I want to see that printed book with my name on the side at my local bookstore. That’d be cool!

If you browse through older posts, you’ll likely see a lot about fitness and some about teaching. Hey, like I said, those are my big passions and I have to write about them, even if most of what I have written is personal and has not been shared yet.

I’m going to try and share a lot more. I’m going to try and read a lot more too. So blogosphere—who’s writing and trying to publish? And how’s that going?

Since this is a blog of re-introduction, I’d like to include a little informal bio below. Check it out if you’re curious about my background. Ignore if not, and that’s ok—I’d still like to hear about your writing journey.

-          I graduated from Illinois Central College in 1999 with an Associates of Arts & Sciences (this is where I now teach!). From ICC, I transferred to Eureka College and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a secondary education certification (summa cum laude).

-          I started my teaching career at Metamora High School where I taught high school students for ten years, from 2001-2010.

 -        While at the high school, I pursued more education and graduated from Bradley University in 2008 with a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, a very cool program that combined science, psychology, literature, law, communication, and religion—it was like an advanced gen ed program but you had to connect all of the subjects.

-          After that (something was wrong with me, I know), I went for a second master’s degree. In May 2011, I earned a another Master’s degree specifically in Speech Communication from North Dakota State University

-          I have studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan at Sophia University, and I STRONGLY believe no college education is complete without a study abroad experience.

-          I’m now beginning my 14^th year as a full-time educator. I’ve taught dozens of subjects including English, American literature, journalism, creative writing, and so much more! This is my 4^th year as a full-time professor at ICC.

-          You can’t teach public speaking and not do it, right? I love inspirational events, and I have been hired as a motivational speaker, performing at all-school assemblies and special events for multiple central Illinois schools and organizations.

-          I’ve won a few awards for teaching, which of course is cool but I have a lot more I want to accomplish. My first award was the Golden Apple Award in 2001 for the best student-teacher from my college; thirteen years later, I won Advisor of the Year for 2013-14 for my work with student organizations at my college.  

-          I also love fitness! I am a certified Turbo Kick instructor and P90X Instructor, and I teach about 4-5 fitness classes a week just for fun at our very own ICC CougarPlex.

-          I started the Cougar Karate Club last year on campus, a free martial arts club our students. I’m also a martial artist. I’ve earned a 4^th degree black belt in karate, and I enjoy sharing that passion too.

-          I run a college food pantry and am always shocked at the number of people who need help. It’s a great joy to provide that help.

-          This last May, I completed the Master of Online Teaching program and am now an official Master Online Teacher. I prefer face to face classes, but I also take pride in improving the online environment. Teaching and learning online is inevitable in today’s world, so I’ve tried to learn more and make it better!

-          And like most of you I’m sure, I cherish my family and friends (and I’d include pets in that statement too—2 dogs and 3 cats make my small home a big zoo some days!) above pretty much anything else.

-          And of course my next big goal is to be a published and successful fiction writer! (And maybe some more non-fiction and memoir too!)

If you’ve read this far, you must be a good friend. Or my grandmother. Or just a really cool dude. Thanks.

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