I see myself in a very convoluted light. The act of “getting the pen to the paper” has never been a problem for me. Even though there is no pen and no paper here when I write, the thought is the same. Ideas flow through my mind and I commit them to the “electronic” paper (please note that 95% of what I write here uses completely recycled electrons). Enough fantastical ideas have streamed out of this brain that I am currently almost finished with my second book.

But I worry. It’s the worry of most new authors, I think. How do I avoid The Shakespeare Syndrome? What did you say? You haven’t heard of the Shakespeare Syndrome? Well sit back and let me tell you all about it.

I first encountered the Shakespeare Syndrome in high school. As usual, we had to read Romeo and Juliet. About halfway through, I realized that with all the high schoolers and college students buying Shakespeare’s books, he would surely be making close to nine figures today. What a boon for someone who has been dead for four hundred years!

And, thus, I diagnosed the Shakespeare Syndrome: To be nominally accepted as a good writer in his lifetime and become the most sought author four hundred years after his death.

According to the citadel of information, Wikipedia, Shakespeare shares the number one spot for selling fiction books with Agatha Christie. Both reportedly have sold two billion books. Even at a royalty of 25¢ per book that would give Bill Shakespeare $500,000,000 to toy around with. He could have bought Stratford instead of just a house in Stratford.

And that is my prayer, that I do not get The Shakespeare Syndrome. While the idea of having millions of youths buying my books in 2421 is attractive, I would rather benefit from more immediate royalties. Wouldn’t you?

So, yes, I am an author. I write for an audience of children between 8 and 14. The stories take place in a fantasy world where different species – Giants, Gnomes, Dwarfs, etc. – live together. It is not a utopia. They have their own problems just like we do. But my strong characters can be youths who find themselves in challenging situations, just like many of today’s youths in the real world make good adult decisions in difficult situations.

My first book is available on Amazon. My second will soon follow.

Thank you for the privilege of your time.