Need Your Help: A Shameless Self Promotion

As a writer, I rarely ask for input from those that read what I have to say.  For me, writing is a way to communicate what I feel, think, believe and am most passionate about.  Writing has been somewhat of a ministry for me and has allowed me to connect with people all over the country and people that I may never have a chance to talk to face to face.  Writing is therapy for me and helps me communicate some of the tough, and sometimes dark issues that I deal with each and every day.  Sometimes I feel like my readers are sitting across from me at our favorite coffee shop and listening to me ramble.  I say this to let you know that you reading my blogs, essays, book chapters, etc. means more to me than you might realize.

From time to time, many of you have sent me emails, commented on a blog or personally told me how something I've written has impacted you in a particular way.  I make it a point to save each and every comment in some way, because your opinions matter to me.  Unfortunately, a lot of these comments are scattered about in cyberspace.  I've tracked down a few, but many are out there somewhere, waiting to be found when I'm not intentionally looking.  Many comments have just been made by you personally, as we've talked on the phone or over a cup of coffee.  I remember specific comments that have encouraged me and reminded me that people enjoy reading what I have to say.  Well, it is with this that I need your help.

I am working with a publisher that is potentially interested in my first book.  One of the areas that they are asking me to expand on is my reading platform.  Basically, they just want to know if I have a basic reader following that can be used as a foundation to begin marketing the book.  Its one thing for me to believe in the potential of my book, but quite another to know that that potential literally exists from others.

What I am asking is for you to just share your thoughts with me.  What have I written that has specifically affected you in a positive way?  Maybe it's just my writing in general that has impacted you in some way or inspired you in terms of your faith.  Would you be willing to send me a comment or an email sharing your thoughts?  (Unsolicited of course!)  If I can compile a file of positive responses to my writing and interest in my book, I can then use this to provide a platform foundation to reveal to this publisher the very real marketability of my book. 

Of course, as always, if you have negative comments, you know I welcome those as well, although I won't be sharing those with the publisher.  However, once the book is released, you'll have every opportunity to let them know what you really think of the "garbage" I write!  :)

Thanks everyone!  You're support means everything to me!

Peace & Blessings!

Jake