Getting the book printed didn’t take very long and in fact took me by surprise. It’s on Amazon now. https://www.amazon.co.uk/WHEN-LISTENING-ENOUGH-Rodney-Terence/dp/1800494602 but the book entitled “Action Steps for Expository Preachers” was written by another Rodney Wood. Selling the book isn’t my top priority. It was always my intention to give the book away to people I admire, friends or engage in “swapsies”. So I haven’t got a Facebook author page, use Twitter, Instagram or worried about Bookbub, the cream of the crop apparently when it comes to promoting and marketing your book. I do however like the idea of creating a Youtube channel where you can hear the poem and see me wearing that leather hat. I already seen to have started a blog but haven’t set up a link to my Amazon page and really tried to push it. When I get the books I’ll send some off to reviewers, although my first book was received 5 positive reviews that resulted in no extra sales. Two copies will of course be sent to the Poetry (and they’ll probably pay you). The point is I’m very relaxed about the whole affair. So far this has resulted in an article in Write Out Loud. I’ve also had the idea of donating any profits to a national charity but more about that in another post. However, I’m still waiting for copies of my book to arrive and then I have to buy envelopes, and stamps. To end here’s the second poem in the book:
YOUTH
I was bruised with bamboo canes / knew nothing much for sure
slept on boards / wore chains / I was bruised with bamboo canes
slept on boards / wore chains / knew nothing much for sure
I started cruising until / another day / another demon came along
escaped from the closet / I started cruising until
escaped from the closet / another day / another demon came along
I waited in the park for business / I couldn’t forgot that childhood
joined with a pimp / I waited in the park for business
joined with a pimp / I couldn’t forgot that childhood
I’ve known pain without end / I don’t want an immortal soul / I wanna die
I’ve never been human / I’ve known pain without end
I’ve never been human / I don’t want an immortal soul / I wanna die
Rodney Wood 