Self-publishing is good, for an unknown author, when s/he already knows who the readers will be (family members, students, etc.) But I would not recommend it to anyone who wants to reach a wider audience.
Last December I self-published "Tyranny to Freedom: Diary of a Former Stalinist." It has been available on
Amazon.com (and positively reviewed by several readers) but the number of copies sold was very small. Bookstores do not order self-published books written by unknown authors. Finding a reputable publisher (a very difficult task indeed) is the only way to proceed.
Disappointed by the situation, I decided to "compete with myself." I improved the book a little (based on comments made by readers), changed the title, and made it freely available over the Internet. Fortunately, I can afford to do this; my goal was to leave a testimony, not to support myself.
The new title is Diary of a Former Communist: Thoughts, Feelings, Reality.
The link to this FREE on-line book should appear below the signature. Does any one know a literary agent who might be appreciated? Please let me know (see my email below). Thank you in advance.
Ludwik Kowalski
Professor Emeritus
Montclair State University (USA)
kowalskiL@mail.montclair.edu
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Ludwik Kowalski, a retired nuclear scientist and the author of a free ON-LINE book entitled Diary of a Former Communist: Thoughts, Feelings, Reality.
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It is an autobiography illustrating my evolution from one extreme to another--from a devoted Stalinist to an active anti-communist. This testimony is based on a diary I kept between 1946 and 2004 (in the USSR, Poland, France and the USA).
Why am I distributing these books on-line, instead of selling them for profit? Because I want to share what I know and think about communism. The more people know about proletarian dictatorship less likely will they experience is. Please share the above link with those who might be interested, especially with young people, and with potential reviewers. Thank you in advance.
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