A little over a year ago, I decided to see if I could raise the funds to publish my novel, Leaving Cleveland. Throughout my 40-year career, I have never asked for money to fund personal projects. Writing a novel was uncharted territory, and I felt this story needed to be out in the world. I initially looked for a literary agent, the gatekeeper to publishers, receiving a lot of thank you but no thank you. Although those agents who read the book complimented me on the prose and content, it came down to ” this is a great memoir but you are not famous, so it would be a hard sell.”

I Turned To Kickstarter

A month before my launch, I created a marketing plan that consisted of videos, ads, letters, and whatever I could imagine would help raise the funds. I remember launching the campaign and feeling terrified. Kickstarter’s policy states, “If you do NOT raise your target amount by 30 days, you will not receive any funds. “If I did not meet my goal, I might have abandoned the novel, feeling it was not meant to be.” I met my goal in the first week if you have been following my Leaving Cleveland journal. By the 30th day, I remember teaching a class at RMCAD, and my students joined me in the countdown to the end of the campaign; it was a great moment in my life. I received $ funding from family, friends, and strangers from $10 to $500. It gave me the confidence to move to the next stage of doing the final edit; there had been about 10 edits already, and move on to production

Bookbaby; Jewish Book Council; Barnes and Noble; and the Sophie Brody Medal Nomination.

I chose Bookbaby as my publisher since they seemed experienced in helping me reach my goals. I found them to be very helpful and always ready to answer my questions, and there were many. Once the book was published, it was accepted by the Jewish Book Council, and my book is on their website. In September, I received a letter that my book Leaving Cleveland was being considered for the coveted Sophie Brody Medal. It allowed me to send 10 of my books to noted readers nationwide. Whether it is selected or not, just the idea that book influencers will be reading my novel is reward enough. Finally, Barnes and Noble in Denver asked me for another book signing in December.

People Always Say…

One thing I always hear from people when I tell them about my novel they say, ” I always wanted to write a memoir.” I always respond, “You should, but make sure it is a great story that people want to read, not just a personal journal.” Usually, they stare blankly back at me and don’t respond.

Thank you for all your support, and please, if you read my novel, review it on Amazon. If you know of a book club, recommend my book. I am available for Zoom chats and have prepared discussion prompts. Finally, subscribe and share the Leaving Cleveland blog for the latest up-to-date news. I hope to see you in Denver for my next book reading at Barnes and Noble.

with gratitude

Steven H. Begleiter