going on with Jhananda?

[Jhanananda]

Yesterday I left Prescott, AZ and traveled to Flagstaff as the forest service has opened the road to the ranch I live on during the warm half of the year. I plan to complete my month's grocery shopping, pick up my mail, and water and head to the ranch.  I am not sure when I will be able to check in here. I do have a new smartphone and cell-service which came with more monthly data and the ability to use the smartphone as a hotspot, so hopefully I'll be able to check in regularly.

[Tad]

Jhananda,

I remember in the past you had an intent to write a book and already had some notes done. Any hope of getting it published in some format?

[Jhanananda]

Jhananda,

I remember in the past you had an intent to write a book and already had some notes done. Any hope of getting it published in some format?

Thanks, Tad. I have had to focus on health and moving, and now I am moving again, with continuing health issues bogging me down.  My plan now is to sell 2 of my three vehicles, and store the 40 foot container at a storage facility, and spend this winter completing one of my many incomplete books. My book on mysticism the Fruit of the Contemplative Life is available at this link.  The problem with publication is it costs money to put ink on paper and reproduce it.  I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.

[Alexander]

Thanks, Tad. I have had to focus on health and moving, and now I am moving again, with continuing health issues bogging me down.  My plan now is to sell 2 of my three vehicles, and store the 40 foot container at a storage facility, and spend this winter completing one of my many incomplete books. My book on mysticism the Fruit of the Contemplative Life is available at this link.  The problem with publication is it costs money to put ink on paper and reproduce it.  I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.

Can you compile everything you want preserved in a PDF, and email it to me?

[KriyaYogi]

>>>
Jeff:I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.
>>>
  I can understand what you mean Jeff and commiserate with you on the topic of suppression in my life as well.  One of my other meditation teachers had his websites shut down and was sent to a mental institute in Toronto in 2019 for talking about spirituality.  He has been in and out three times in three years. 
   He keeps trying to get a stable job when he is allowed to be an outpatient but within a month of starting something happens and he is let go and sent back to the institute.  I keep checking in with him to see how his livelihood is going but it keeps falling apart.  I sometimes chat with him on social media because he is allowed that most months when he is 'low risk' but I don't know if/when he will be let out and allowed to work again normally.  I guess we just have to do the best we can and expect society will feel threatened by us.

-David

[Alexander]

Jeff:I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.

It is the nature of things.

The common people don’t understand the concept of mysticism. They don’t understand the human condition (old age, suffering, and death) thus they don’t appreciate what esoteric religion is able to offer. Only once they have become exhausted of the cycle of repeated suffering will they come to their senses and gain appreciation.

Appreciation allows you to distinguish between higher knowledge (knowledge pertaining to the path to liberation) and regular knowledge. But without the personal desire for liberation the two types of knowledge appear indistinguishable.

You are not patronized in life. God does not hold your hand. And, you reap what you sow.

All we are here to do is make sure there’s a pathway out. But, people must appreciate it, identify it, and come on their own.

[Jhanananda]

Can you compile everything you want preserved in a PDF, and email it to me?

I will work on it this winter

Thank you, David

[bodhimind]

Amazon has a program called KDP that allows independent authors to publish books.

Here is a link: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GHKDSCW2KQ3K4UU4

Nowadays, all that is needed is a doc file, and it can be converted into a Kindle ebook (which is a format largely used by many over the world) and subsequently printed on demand. What this means is that the printing costs are subtracted from royalties earned from each sale of the book.

Paperback printing cost: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834340
Paperbacks: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834190
Hardcovers: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GAVW3FZZAKA2KY3B

Hence, there is no need to fork out too much expense. Promotion of the book, advertisements, are where more expenses or efforts to spread the message would be required. What would really help is a compelling title that draws the targeted audience, and a well designed book cover.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, bodhimind, I tried electronic publishing several years ago with my book of poetry.  I think about 500 people downloaded it.  I never saw a penny from Kindle, Amazon, or Smash Words.  If I had I would have continued to electronically publish my work.

[KriyaYogi]

>>>
Bodhimind:Amazon has a program called KDP that allows independent authors to publish books.
>>>
  This is exactly what my other teacher, Dr. Andrew (the one I mentioned above), started doing once too many websites were hacked and shut down.  It seems to be a sustainable strategy in this modern age of censorship as I don't think his Amazon account was ever hacked.  He had several hundred mini (5 - 15 page) eBooks on Amazon last I remember. 
    -David

[bodhimind]

I have ghostwritten an amazon bestseller before, and it is about selecting a title and cover that appeals to what people are searching for. So there may have been a product-market mismatch when the poetry book was launched. I think books on Buddhism, especially targeted to beginners are rather popular these days when the title is clear on what it is meant to advice on. If the message on ecstastic buddhism ever spreads, it is likely via this avenue, given that the alternative are books like TWIM (bhante vimalaramsi), corrupted teachers like Culadasa, teachers stuck at elementary understanding, etc.

Books like the Nikayas are also very popular but the translations are questionable, given it is usually by Thanissara Bhikkhu. Online published version at suttacentral.com also has wonky translations.

[Jhanananda]

I have ghostwritten an amazon bestseller before, and it is about selecting a title and cover that appeals to what people are searching for. So there may have been a product-market mismatch when the poetry book was launched. I think books on Buddhism, especially targeted to beginners are rather popular these days when the title is clear on what it is meant to advice on. If the message on ecstastic buddhism ever spreads, it is likely via this avenue, given that the alternative are books like TWIM (bhante vimalaramsi), corrupted teachers like Culadasa, teachers stuck at elementary understanding, etc.

Books like the Nikayas are also very popular but the translations are questionable, given it is usually by Thanissara Bhikkhu. Online published version at suttacentral.com also has wonky translations.

Thank you, bodhimind. I agree on your points, and will review my consideration of electronic publication. 

[Jhanananda]

Today I head back to the ranch to pack everything up and move back to boondocking in remote communities.  The move is likely to take me a few weeks before I can get back online.

[KriyaYogi]

   Hello everyone, hope you are all well.  I saw this video on youtube today from a man who claims to be a millionaire about how he sold books on Amazon.   I thought it was apropos to what Jeff wanted to do (or at least what the forum has suggested).  The presentation seemed clear and useful.  Jeff if you get a chance to watch, he is using blank books (planners) for sales which is very easy, but I believe the template idea is the same for any book.  He reported 25$ of sales a week over expenses for Amazon as a passive income idea.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhY8Lh-BzII

 -David

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, David, once I am done with the move, which could take months, then I plan to get back to completing several book projects and sell them via electronic publishing.  My decline in health starting 13 years ago has hampered my finances and given me little resources or vitality to pursue anything, but hopefully that will all change soon.  I hope to get back to the ranch today or tomorrow.