One of my many faults is that I always thought I could do any thing. So, when I told my sister Shifra I was going to write a memoir – she died laughing, literally. I sat next to her bed in the Tel Aviv hospital as we reminisced about our life, growing up in Jerusalem. She laughed with me shortly before moving on to a better world.
I was inspired to write FROM JERUSALEM TO BEVERLY HILLS by my grandchildren, with a desire to leave for them my history and that of my family, Palestine, Israel, America – their roots. I am sure they will read the book one day in the future. However, now that the book is out, like all authors from time immemorial, I would like everyone to read it.
Alas, I found that even if your book is published by one of the big publishing houses, in these times of tumult in the publishing business, an author has to work hard publicizing, selling, pushing and touting his own horn. Many thousands of titles come to light every year, but most slip into and remain in the dark where they get no attention.
This is why, I have been told, I had to have a special page in my blog for the praise I received for my book. So now you can read the praise – excerpts from the many emails I have received from readers – in the blog page called PRAISE THE… BOOK.
So, to make some waves, I had sent the book to the 2010 Jewish Book Awards contest in New York. Fierce competition, the book didn’t receive an award in this contest; I was beaten by good writers – Philip Roth’s memoir was only a finalist!
However, last month, I appeared in front of a couple of hundred people in New York, members of the Jewish Book Network, to make a presentation of my book and participate in a year long program that may present an opportunity to speak to many Jewish groups around the country. I had the honor of appearing with experienced, recognized and award-winning writers. Dina and I enjoyed the experience immensely; visiting friends and good NY restaurants were the bonus.
This week the Jewish Book Network sent an email to its members which mentions my book and has links to the book trailer video and its Amazon page.
As some of you may know, in May, my book received an “HONORABLE MENTION” – 2nd place in category – in The 2011 Paris Book Festival.
The whole Authorship experience brought us much excitement. I hope someone up there, directs my family, especially brother Yudke and sister Shifra, to Amazon in the sky so they could read my book in which they star.
