Tag Archives: Alice

Media matters

Persistence Pays Off

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My memoir, shown by the camera shot above, has been reborn. Amazon has approved publication!

I first published its book-length version with the title How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) 15 months ago under the aegis of Amazon Publications. Its hands-on coordinator, James Dean, told me his company was unaffiliated with Amazon Corporation, but I didn’t worry, appreciative of his honesty. After all, how could such a corporate name exist without Amazon Corp.’s tacit approval?

Unfortunately, I was looking through rose-tinted glasses. After being published in May 2024, two supporters alerted me that the entire softcover book was unreadable, due to a faulty print replica process. I immediately pulled the plug on marketing before an unreadable book was foisted on an unsuspecting public. Simultaneously, the Amazon namesake changed its name to E-Book Publications, which causes me to wonder, “How many other misleading company names are being touted these days?”

I did not seek legal redress, realizing it could tie up my manuscript in litigation. Instead, I recorded and published its Audible in Grand Junction, Colorado. I gained a couple spectacular reviews, including one from highly regarded blues performer Bev Conklin from the Lehigh Valley. But Iris, my fictitiously named ex-wife from Miami, questioned the validity of the book’s title as did other readers offering similar perspectives.

Sales of the Audible were miniscule, so I engaged in considerable soul-searching. One afternoon, I found myself repeating under my breath the beginning phrase of the first poem I ever wrote, once performed as Banjoloika: If I Said That I Would Love You. Therefore, I added the explanation A Performance Poet’s Journey and, because of a company I discovered called reedsy.com, hired a professional graphic designer (in Slovenia) to cause my collection of stories to ascend from the dustheap.

Make no mistake, the “Lesbian” title is appropriate for the book’s Epilogue, but its new title allows prospective readers to quickly determine what the book’s contents offer. And after carefully going through a proof of the book earlier today, I approved its publication. Earlier this July 30th morning, Amazon approved the revised tome’s release!

Here’s a preview of what you will discover inside the 332 pages:

Chapter 1 contains my successful audition for the Columbus Boychoir School in Princeton, New Jersey, where I became ensconced in its remarkable university ambience. A successful 1956 performance in Carnegie Hall’s Annex is contrasted with an unwanted encounter with a Boychoir guidance-counselor pedophile. I describe the sordid encounter vividly.

Chapter 2 gives a thumbnail background of my father’s emigration from Hungary until a command performance before an audience of one: Louis Armstrong.

Chapters 3 through 7 take place in Miami, and in North Carolina I seriously discover the life-threatening peril of having a well-tanned skin color.

Chapters 8 and 9 include highlights of my wild life in Southern California, with a provocative firsthand account of what led to Janis Joplin’s murder.

Chapters 10 through 13 contain personal adventures and beginnings as a lifestyle journalist at both of Miami’s premier daily newspapers until the politics in Knight-Ridder’s corporate manipulations drove me away.

Chapters 14 through 17 take place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and contain several yet-untold stories that Bucks County Herald Editor Bridget Wingert asked me to write about back in the day.

Chapter 18 chronicles my new start in life with Alice McCormick as we journey from Doylestown, Pennsylvania to a perilous life in Portland, Oregon, and later Longview, Washington.

The Epilogue ends with a humorous take on the original book’s title: How I Became a Lesbian.

Alice passed away in 2020, and I created the earlier version in her memory. Officially, I ended my grief on March 27, 2025, and began revising If I Said That I Would Love You: A Performance Poet’s Journey, the book she made me promise to create before her Star Journey began. In fulfilling that solemn pledge, I also follow my literary journey.

Please don’t worry; I’m on the verge of realizing the rewards of persistence. That’s why I offer, “Order your copy from Amazon today. If you enjoyed the way I wrote for the Herald, your patience will be rewarded. This version of the book is finally legible, and there are some great photographs and clippings.“

At a price cheaper than the original one that’s shamelessly illegible, it’s a bargain, baby. Hip-hip-hurray!

How I Became a Lesbian

My Audible Is Available

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A promise made to Alice the evening before she passed over has now been kept. And I was able to keep this baby – How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) – from being stillborn.

“I want you to write,” Alice said on March 26, 2020. “Do you promise?”

“Oh sure,” I brightly answered, unaware this would be our very last serious conversation.

“C’mon, be serious,” she responded, waiting to see my countenance wane.

That’s when Alice made me repeat the same promise in a phone call to my first cousin, Margaret Johnston. The journey has been long and arduous. But Alice gave me marching orders, with little time to grieve. She was considerate that way.

Alice’s still waters ran deep, and I looked brilliant by keeping my mouth shut and letting her rule. With release of this Audible into the universe, Alice finally can concentrate on her spirit journey, with her karma continuing to smile down on me.

This plan of action was inspired by a knowledgeable musician’s musician: Don Slepian whose East Stroudsburg, NJ home is an audiophile delight. One other individual’s professional expertise made the Grand Junction part of this journey possible. His name is Taylor Riley of Fusion Audio, pictured below.

To order an Audible, just go to Amazon’s search bar, enter How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) and choose AUDIBLE.

Audio engineer Taylor Riley
How I Became a Lesbian

My Audible Is on the Way

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In a land where mesas loom above numerous traffic circles testing drivers’ sobriety, I continue to persevere. The result after five weeks of a demanding recording regimen? Eleven (of 18) chapters have been meticulously recorded by a superb audio engineer here.

This means the Audible for How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) is more than 50 percent complete.

I am the sole narrator of this collection of absurd happenings encountered over seven decades. They need to be told, at least that’s what Alice keeps telling me.

Consequently, I keep this website going, even while on the western slope of the Rockies. And if you want to wish me a joyous holiday season in return for heartfelt wishes for you, leave a comment. My late mother would add, “The more the merrier!”

Merry Christmas!

How I Became a Lesbian

My Book Is In Limbo

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Unless some unforeseen miracle occurs, I must put How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) on hold.

The only way to get hold of a poorly printed copy is to order one from Amazon. Until I finish unpacking in Grand Junction (Colorado), my mind is focused on immediate priorities.

I must decide whatever memories from my 81 years of life, clothes and personal necessities can fit in the 2010 Ford Escape that sits in my garage. Alice bought it for us in Doylestown.

This is serious downsizing, because I am moving in with a woman from Hialeah, Florida, my boyhood hometown. There’s more to the story, but so far it’s incomplete. Let it be said that she is saving space in her ground-floor condo for a wayfaring writer.

Visitors to my website have been here for over 10 years. You deserve to know what’s going on. Wish me well.

How I Became a Lesbian

The Way Ahead

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Two days ago, all monies paid Amazon Publications by me were returned, marking its admission the printing quality of How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) cannot be upgraded. I promptly phoned James Dean at the newly renamed E-book Publications for his explanation.

Dean tersely explained, “Because you filed a dispute for marketing.”

Indeed, I did exactly that.

Once Cousin Margaret Johnston warned me about flaws in the book’s printing, I put a stop to Amazon Publications’ $2,000 charge for marketing, disputing it with my credit card company. As of Monday, June 3, 2024, Amazon consents to my outrage, and, in addition to its three-month marketing charge, has returned ALL payments I gave in anticipation of publishing the story of my life.

Why did I stand up for quality? I grew up in Hialeah and Miami, Fla., surrounded by literary ghosts. My mother was an esteemed English teacher whose library was filled with classics. I never would hawk a flawed book, not even mine.

Therefore, I advise you to look on the bright side: The book has been published, with a fuzzy typeface that makes it a challenging read, though another avenue doesn’t share such a handicap: Kindle. That is the only way left to comfortably consume my work of a lifetime.

I have become skeptical that we will see improvements to the book’s flaws anytime soon. But, to continue making lemonades out of lemons, rejoice in knowing I escaped a pool of carnivorous sharks who feed upon their prey in the deep seas of Marketing.

The book, with fuzzy typeface and all, and its Kindle companion remain available on amazon.com.

How I Became a Lesbian

Aftermath From My Book Launch

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If you ordered a print copy of How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories), feel free to return it to Amazon and get a refund. The typography is horrendous.

No one has complained yet about its appearance on Kindle, but, then again, the book is newly published. My ears are highly sensitive to feedback. Until confidence is restored, marketing of the book has been discontinued.

Any decisions regarding the book’s future must be postponed until after I move 1400 miles east – from the Pacific Northwest to the western side of the Rocky Mountains – known as Grand Junction, Colorado.

My time here on the West Coast has come to an end.

How I Became a Lesbian

Early Reports of Flawed Printing

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Uh-oh. Earlier this Mother’s Day, I received an alarming report. One of my literate readers wrote me with a sad review of How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories).

“The printing is awful,” she wrote. “It looks like a scan, fuzzy, out of focus and printed very lightly. I’m contacting Amazon to see if it is eligible for re-printing or return.”

Later she added, “I went ahead and downloaded the Kindle version so I can more easily read. Struggling with fonts is not my thing.”

I contacted another reader, who confirmed a similar state of her printed book. Apparently, Amazon couldn’t have done a better job of discrediting its print capabilities than by distributing my books. Therefore, I caution my friends and supporters to forget about obtaining a printed copy until Amazon cleans up its act.

The Kindle price is $6.99, and it’s available NOW.

How I Became a Lesbian

And Now It’s On Kindle

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Saturday morning, I heard from Kindle, and it’s official. Anyone waiting to read How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) who can’t afford a printed copy can now find it on Kindle.

My book is unlike anything I have read, and its organization was up to me (and Alice, who is working hand in hand with my late mother) to lead me through the process. There is sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll galore, because that’s what you find on the Internet.

Nothing is presented salaciously; everything is told how it really happened. I use a practiced journalist’s approach, always being wary of not tooting my horn. I leave that to you, my dear readers.

Now I wait for the reaction, because 432 pages are a lot for a memoir, but it’s also a love story. The Kindle price is $6.99, and it’s available NOW.

How I Became a Lesbian

10 more days to launch

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Amazon has revised my book release date. It is now May 6.

Today actually was the deadline for pre-publication work, not the book release date. I apologize for letting impatience get the best of me; I know you are impatient too.

Although I’m embarrassed about confusing the book’s availability, I’m still excited. To use a military term, here’s the “straight skinny.”

How I Became a Lesbian (and other stories) is set for release on Monday, May 6. The memoir/love story consists of 432 pages with 32 color photographs. The softcover sale price will be set at $29.99, and Amazon reserves the right to increase the asking price 30 days after launch. For those who prefer Kindle, the book will be available the same day — on May 6th — for $6.99.

After three years and six months writing this beast, with 18 challenging chapters and an epilogue describing how indeed I became a lesbian, I took a deep breath. But only for a couple days. Then followed three intense months of initial edits followed by another four months to oversee Amazon’s publication process, all with proofreading galore.

Whew! None of my 15 years as a photojournalist can compare, especially since a next-door neighbor unintentionally set a smoldering fire to my townhouse with all my work inside. Fortunately, I arrived home in time to call the fire department and have them put it out.

I’ve written and/or edited two other books, but those were for other people. This book is mine, all mine, and was inspired by love for Alice.

So don’t get your panties in a bunch. The book is almost ready! I’ll keep you posted as events warrant. And the photo above — which is NOT in the book — was taken 12 years ago when Alice proudly escorted me to Cape May, New Jersey. Those were fine times.