This I Believe: Kentucky

Over the summer I launched my author ‘platform’, mikedwyerwrites.com, which was modeled largely on the book of the same name by Michael Hyatt. This was the first step in my long journey towards become a full-time writer. While I have continued to write here at OT I have also been expanding into the outdoor/hunting market with some freelance work at a number of sites. It has been an exciting time for me as I have renewed my passion for writing as a craft and learned a lot about building an audience.

Never one to ignore serendipity, I was amazed when a week after the launch I was contacted by the producers of the popular public radio program, This I Believe. They informed me that they were publishing a new collection of essays featuring writers from Kentucky and had selected a piece I wrote in 2006 for the book. This offer had no connection to my new efforts but the timing was fantastic.

Over the next couple of months I worked with an editor at This I Believe to refine my original essay for print. This was my chance to work with a professional editor and it was a fantastic experience. I have always loved feedback on my writing (both good and bad) and when we finally agreed on a final draft I must say I was disappointed to see the process come to an end.

On November 17, This I Believe: Kentucky will be published. I will join 60 other Kentucky authors in seeing our words in print. What has been extremely gratifying throughout the process is that the editors have treated us like real authors and referred to us as such. I have no illusions that this is the same as having my name on the spine of a book, but it is a start. A description of the book below:

This collection of This I Believe essays gathers sixty thoughtful explorations of the core values and guiding principles of authors from Kentucky. The contributors range from former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, to Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure, to Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker, to best-selling authors Silas House and Sena Jeter Naslund, to ordinary Kentuckians from every corner of the Commonwealth and all walks of life.

I am sharing this today because Ordinary Times has been a training ground for me and the writers and commentors here have been an immeasurable help in me developing my voice. My success is our success and it is an exciting time to see so many of us finding larger audiences for our work. I’m a big believer in teamwork and this site is an important reminder of the power of community.