September 30, 2009 On Friday, September 25, 2009, Charlotte and I attended the First Annual Book Fest in Tyler, Texas. I was invited as one of the speakers by Dee Brock, who provided us with a free book table, lunch and other amenities. There were 60 writers present, all of whom paid $20 for a half table and lunch, or $35 for a full table. The program provided for several breakaway talks in various rooms, and intervals where attendees could browse the tables, talk to the authors. I was the next to last speaker among 3 who were allotted 15 minutes each. We were scheduled to begin our talks at 3:15 p.m. However, by that time, most of the authors and many of the visitors, school children and would-be writers, had left. First to speak was Sylvia Dickey Smith, whom I had met that morning when I stopped by her table. I told her I had listened to her online interview of a friend from Winnsboro, Maryann Miller. She interviews mystery writers, since she writes in that genre. But, she told me she also interviewed writers for another publication and said she’d like to send me a list of questions. I gave her my card. The last talks did not start on time, so I limited my address to 7 minutes. I was followed by a friend I’ve known for many years, Clay Reynolds, a teacher, novelist and non-fiction writer. After those talks, people in the audience swarmed over to our table. Many picked up my business cards. There were writers from several towns who asked me if I would speak to their groups or conduct a workshop or teach a course based on my CD lessons, THE MAGIC OF WRITING. There were others who asked me what I charged to critique their stories or novels. I told them I charged $50 an hour and could only read their works on my computer, which uses a magnification program. I said that I would only need 1 chapter or a story, and that should do it. I charge this fee because my time is very limited and I believe a writer should be compensated for such tasks. It usually takes me from 2 to 3 hours to read and critique a short chapter or story, but I only charge $50. I told those who wanted me to conduct a workshop in their cities that I would not consider it unless they had at least 20 students registered. There is a reason why I insist on at least that many to sign up for my classes and workshops. Which leads me into the next part of this journal. On Saturday, Sept. 26th, I conducted my final workshop at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts. For this workshop, I only charged $45 for 4 weeks, and I voluntarily gave the Center 20 per cent of that low fee. But, I only had 10 students for this workshop. It was conducted each Saturday morning for 4 weeks, from 10 a.m until 11:30 a.m. On that last morning, I had only 8 in attendance since two of my students were leaving town that day. I am used to having at least 24 people attend such workshops or writing classes, but those who sponsored these charged $60 or so for 4 weeks of classes. And, that is a reasonable fee, as well. But the workshop in Winnsboro may be my last. I am very disappointed that more people don’t attend these. I kept the price low this last time because of the dire economic climate that pervades this country and has spread around the world. Apparently, either the price wasn’t low enough, or not enough people in NE Texas believe they need any help in writing. Whatever the reason, apathy or the economy, I can no longer afford to teach or conduct such workshops. I’m dismayed because I not only love to teach and work with writers, but because I believe that my courses are unique and useful. I have had many students who never wrote a story or a novel, never even attempted to write, end the course with either a saleable short story or the beginning of a novel. These students have ranged in age from 13 to 97, and all were able to write a professional piece of work at the conclusion of the course. When I taught classes in California at the University of Riverside, Redlands University and elsewhere, I had from 30 to 40 students in my classes. And, in Missouri, when I conducted writing classes for Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU), both in Branson and in Springfield, I had the same number of students. Two of my students in Springfield took over teaching my classes there when I was no longer able to spend the time teaching. Both of them became successful novelists after attending my classes. And, recently, after I spoke before the Ozarks Writers League (OWL) in Branson, a man came up to me after my talk and said he had been in my class at the University of Riverside back in 1969 and was now a successful novelist. “I owe it all to taking your course,” he told me. It is never too late to begin a writing career. After 50 years of writing and publishing, I am nearing the end of my own career. And, I never had a writing teacher, never attended a writing class. Over those years I learned something about writing that I have been able to pass on to others. I am grateful that I had the opportunity, for I know how difficult it is to break in, to earn a living at the craft and to survive the many changes in publishing over the course of a lifetime. I hope I have left something good behind, that I have helped writers elevate the quality of their writing, become published, and discover the rewards that come from writing. A good story lasts forever. A writer is here on earth for only a short time. But, we can leave footprints, perhaps, that others may follow. I am humbly grateful for all that was given me over the years. But, each talk, each workshop or teaching course, takes a little more out of me. For now, I wish only to write the books under contract and to paint. I fear my public teaching days are over. And, I am very tired. Jory Sherman