I Published My First Book, & I Owe thanks To My Fellow Freepers For My Success

TRFMF ^ | 12/3/22 | OneVike

[OneVike]

I've been a Freeper for 25 years come next February, and I must admit that my knowledge and understanding of things has been immensely effected by the many great minds who are part of this great forum. Whether it's about politics, science, history, or religion, FreeRepublic has been to me, what many Colleges used to be. I have witnessed many a great mind debate other great minds, and I have witnessed my share of knock down, drag out, leave no prisoner, fights between Freepers who would die on their cross of beliefs. Probably the biggest was the battle of the long-knives. This is not an insult, but rather a compliment to the way this forum has truly effected me, and many like me, in our understanding of the world throughout the last 25 years.

It's been an somewhat unorthodox education, but it has enabled me to gain the knowledge, experience, and courage to write the book I published this past week. My book is titled, “Sleuthing The Scriptures.” It is a Christian book that contains many commentaries I have written over the years. Most deal with topics I have dove deeply into for the purpose of helping others understand GOD’s Word. It has long been my passion to open up the Scriptures and explain them in a way most Christians can understand. Too often theologians write in a way than only seminary students and other theological professors can grasp.

Many who have read my work, understand that I try to write in such a way that it makes it easier for Christians who are still drinking milk to understand. I try my best to explain things in a way where the reader will not need a lexicon or dictionary handy to understand what I am conveying. If something needs a deeper explanation, I will do so with proper notes to help bring the point to a solid understandable conclusion.

As I do with all my writing, I try to emphasize the importance of doing one's own investigation by reading the Word to be sure I am not taking Scripture out of context just to force a point I wish to make. I'm only human, so I pray for guidance to keep me humble, and above all, I fear leading others astray more than I desire recognition for my writing. Too often wolves in sheep’s clothing will twist Scripture to sway gullible young Christians away from Christ, because they are children of the devil who only wish to destroy one’s faith.

In the book I just wrote I have added some devotional Psalms I have written over the years along with a short story I pray will bless the hearts of those who read it. As a bonus, I have included something I have never published before. It is a theory I have pondered for many years about the day our Lord visited His father’s House when He was 12 years old. If I am correct on my theory, then this a portion of Jacob’s was fulfilled on that very day Jesus was baffling the religious scholars in HIS Father’s House.

This theory is one I have been working on for 35 years. I do plan on writing a separate book on this, but I offer my theory as it is in a 29 page chapter near the end of my book. There are a quite a number of good friends I have shared my theory with, some are Freepers, along with some pastors from various different denominations who have weighted in on my thesis. Its these well respected men who have suggested I expound upon my thesis in a book so I can offer a more in depth explanation than a mere chapter can offer. Which I am in the process of doing.

I share the information below as a way to thank FreeRepublic and my fellow Freepers for my success, because if FreeRepublic never existed, well then I never would have reached the point where IU could write, let alone get a book published.

As of this morning when I woke up, my current paperback book was ranked #34, while my Kindle e-book was ranked #17 on Amazon's New Releases for Christian Education.  They were ranked lower at #9 and #13 respectively, but Amazon numbers change quite frequently, and the sale of one or two books can make a big difference in the ranking of the competition. When I consider the millions of books listed by Amazon, I will accept my ranking in this category. Over all on the actual best seller list, I have been as low as 145,000, and as high as 490,000 . This only 5 days after I published my book, a new book is eligible to be ranked in the new release categories for 30 days, so that's free advertising as long as I can stay in their top 20 list which is on their first page. True, it's a niche category, but hey, I get the free advertising.

[NTHockey]

I am still trying to get my first book published - at age 81. It’s been proofread, but I’m hung up on headers and footers. I’m using Word 2016 and even tutorials are no help. The tool bars don’t even match up.

Any leads, helps or clues. I’m on a very limited budget.

[combat_boots]

Word

Sections, headers, and footers

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V3OY2_4bqHw

[OneVike]

Not sure which I meant, it is a confusing standard these two words are ruled by. I did mean to use "Effected" instead of "Affected". When I ran the word checker it did not bring into question the uses, probably because both words are correct spelling. Yet, word spellers are not good at deciding what correct grammar is used in some cases. The proper uses of the past tense of these two words can be confusing, even for computer grammar checking software. if a verb or a noun of this word is needed, spell checkers are lost.

I do understand the differences, but even at that they can be deceiving when trying to decide which one should be used. I hate global warming discussions, but let us take it for an example, shall we? Both words can be interchangeable, but they can change the meaning somewhat of the sentence, where intent of the sentence is effected.

I could say:

The use of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests has brought about (effected) climate change.

I could also logically say:

The use of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests has influenced or made a difference regarding (affected) climate change.

However, to really get you thinking, I could argue that while some claim fossil fuels destruction of forests has (Affected/Effected) climate change, others would claim there is no connection between the two, because only the sun can actually affect climate change by effecting the weather patterns, not the use of fossil fuels. (This one is tricky!)

All that to say, I am still unsure if I used the correct word or not. However, the main point is, my use of effected, truly affected your responses. Yet, it can be said correctly that Jim Robinson's effect on political discussion since the late 1990s, has even affected the financial status of many by allowing free debate to take place.

See how you effected my evening by protesting my use of a word that could possibly be argued, by the best English instructors, to be one of the most difficult spellings to nail down depending upon the point being made?

Have at it gentlemen, because before I hit post, I ran this whole comment through 4 different spelling and grammar software programs, and not a single error was flagged.

[OneVike]

I used google drive, and it took me awhile to figure it out.

After I finished it in google drive I saved to my hd as a document, or in my case out. which is pend office e, but worked the same as Word.

[OneVike]

Thank you. :)

[OneVike]

is it on Amazon? Il. check it out.

What is your name so I can match the author in case other books have similar titles.

[logi_cal869]

Some of us have been previously zotted and current profiles don’t reflect true time on FR.

I, too, claim 25 years and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it.

[logi_cal869]

Congrats!

Someday I may inquire as to your self-publishing...when my motivation is reinvigorated.

[OneVike]

LOL thanks. Too funny

[OneVike]

Just freepmail me and I’ll respond

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[IrishPennant]

NT,

I'm a former Marine as well...and the author of seven books - the seventh, "Digest of the Broken Road Traveler" will be out in just a week now on Dec 10th.

I self publish and have my own publishing LLC...and I am a MS expert. If you need help with publishing, my FRiend, send me a private message. It would take me no time to format your Word doc for KDP (Amazon) upload in both print and eBook.

You can see my work on Amazon in their search bar by typing in R. Glenn Kelly (I do speaking engagements and writing under that name).

Let me know, sir...you need help, I'm here.

[OneVike]

If you already saw the post, forgive me for pinging you.

I wrote a book, and wanted to thank all my FReeper friends through the years for taking a part in this, because of your help, or even because of your criticism that helped make me a better writer.

If you asked prior for me to remove you from my seldom used jingliest, I apologize. I used a list I found after I loaded things onto a new computer. As usual things get crossed up and lost or found after some years.

[sasquatch]

It’s insignificant. Smile and have a great evening.
A friend has a shirt. It asks, ‘Is anal retentive hyphenated?’

[eyedigress]

I saw your post. I will check it out. :^)

eye

[EEGator]

Congrats. I’ll check it out.
It’s a major accomplishment many desire, yet seldom do.

[Lurker]

Congratulations!

L

[Jane Long]

Congrats....and, thanks for the ping!

[sasquatch]

Family’s from Idaho, Montana and Alberta.
Be well friend.

[Jane Austen]

Several here have published books. There are threads for gardening, cooking, and there used to be an interesting one about Anna Nicole Smith. If there’s one about books, I would like to be added to the list. A number of members have books published.