Why I write Books

Because it is an expression of Who I Am. There is no better reason to write than because of this. Often people think that their line of work has to do something for them. As an example, being a successfully published author will get me abundance, and freedom to do what I choose.

That is actually an incorrect perception. A clearer perception would be that I write, and pursue publishing because it is what brings me happiness, joy, and excitement. It's what gets my "juices goin'" if you know what I mean. And I would write my stories if no one read them, or many people did - simply because it's what I choose to do with my time.

And I do not make my favourite activity conditional. The condition being "I will not write unless I'm successfully published." Instead I will write regardless, without condition or limitation. That is why I write.

Graphic Artist - 2nd Drafts Reviewed

Just met with Ryan Lord, the graphic artist I'm working with to create insert drawings for book 1 of my series, The 7th Journey. For now, we've found that perhaps 9 insert drawings, plus cover art is the way to go. The book itself is broken into 3 sections or parts, with 7 chapters in each part. Each part will have 3 drawings... so far.

I'm really excited at the artwork we've come up with as a first draft, and after having reviewed the 2nd draft today, I'm really excited for what's to come. There's a definite evolution as we progress with the artwork, and I'm really happy with it.

I'll be posting the next round of artwork on my portal site, just as I have with the first drafts. The new artwork should be up shortly. I believe the artwork adds to the project in a real way, and will definitely help move this work to the next level as I progress towards representation.

Robert

Announcing - www.RobertJRGraham.com

I am pleased to announce the principle completion of www.RobertJRGraham.com, a site dedicated to project content, and relevant topics. The new design of RobertJRGraham.com revolves primarily around the age old communications concept of "who is my audience?" The answer to that is Literary Agents, and Publishers. The site reflects on deeper aspects of The 7th Journey, downloadable content, and biographical resources and history. The intent is to answer any anticipated questions a prospective Literary Agent or Publisher may have. That is actually harder than it sounds, as structural design ideas must also come into play, in context with ensuring information is accessible and clear. Thanks for reading.

RJRG

T7J - Testimonial from the Principle Editor

Further testimonials are pending, as people complete their reviews, however I thought I would post this for general consumption:

"The 7th Journey is indeed a fantastic journey for the reader, who not only sees adventure through the eyes of its characters, but is exposed to fascinating subjects - string theory, astral projection, quantum physics, parapsychology, religious mysticism, and government conspiracy - along the way. You'll not only want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens, you'll want to explore the theories and make discoveries for yourself." --- Michelle Allison, Principle Editor

New Cover Art Coming!

New cover art will be coming for Book 1 within the next couple of months, as long with a few other surprises that won't be revealed until later. I am working with a brilliant young artist by the name of Ryan Lord of U of T. A talent, and consummate professional, I am looking forward to seeing some output in the next few weeks.

We will be going through a few rounds with the art work I'm sure, with some additional effects pending, I am anticipating a truly unique and attractive piece that will be iconic. There will be much that comes out of this, in terms of work directly for the product, but also for my web presence.

Look for the latest updates to cover art, and series content on http://www.lulu.com/content/1396817

Latest content available at www.robertjrgraham.com

Coming soon... The 7th Journey Web Portal

The 7th Journey - Book II update

Currently, I have been working on Book II in my series, as Book I continues to make its' way through the publishing process. However some excellent work has been done thus far on Book II.

Chapter 1 is now complete, setting the stage for subsequent events, and introducing new and interesting characters who find themselves in the far north. Far away from the events in the first story, these new characters must now find their way south towards the now decimated metropolis to attempt to uncover the truth as to why their world has been toppled. An exciting adventure awaits them, as does mythrilling experience of writing.

Chapter 2 is well underway, as much of the story has been written, and it's only now my responsibility to piece it all together, in a contiguous fashion. This book will go even deeper into the aspects discussed in Book I, bringing new concepts to bear, and new relationships formed.

I'm excited to continue as there is a renewed energy surrounding this project, with new staff additions bringing their own stylized spin on the material. I look forward to working together, and what we're able to produce.

Robert Graham

The 7th Journey - Beta Period Comes to an End

The 7th Journey - the series that is essentially my life's work, and my greatest expression of my joy and who I am - a work that revolves around the expansion of mind, the development of abilities and experiences... the likes of which the world has never seen.

This initial book was offered to the public through a Beta Program / Pre-production / Evaluation edition. This edition was largely used to collect feedback, and to assist with market research. Testimonials were obtained, and will be posted shortly to the http://robertjrgraham.com parent site. Specifically here http://robertjrgraham.com/Robert_J.R._Graham/7th_Journey.html

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Beta program. The information was sufficient, and now it's time to move forward with the finished product and obtain the proper representation. To be clear, this work is not meant to be a "Self-Published" work, it never was. In fact, the current distribution version does not include an ISBN number for that specific reason. The Beta editions were largely available through Lulu.com, as they offer an on-demand printing service which served our purposes for this evaluation program.

The Beta / Eval period for the book has come to an end, and thus will be no longer availble by the end of the week. It takes a great deal of determination to break through in this industry, and a great deal of hard work. Those of you close to the project realize that, but now it's time to move forward. Thank you for your time, and for your patience.

Respectfully yours,

Robert J. R. Graham
Author

Book II - Update

Currently book 2 of "The 7th Journey Series" is being developed, with new and exciting plot developments unfolding everyday. New ideas and new ways of integrating wisdom and refreshing perspectives on misunderstood subject matter is the name of the game. I'm focusing heavily on a solid, plot driven story, well grounded in factual events, and connections to real world dilemmas are extremely important in this iteration of the story. As the foundation has been set in book 1 of the series, book 2 will focus more on action, sub-plots, and an interesting mix of mystery, science fiction/fact, and espionage.

Currently 26 pages have been written, which drive out the initial character plots and interactions - which takes our characters even further into mysterious realms and alternate realities. The dream life of the characters are thoroughly explored, as well as their individual motives - which all tie together in the end. I'm excited to develop this installment of the story, and I can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for your time, patience, and attention.

Regards,

Robert Graham

The 7th Journey - Book II Update

I'm getting ready to head down south for a month, for a vacation from work, but a chance to work on the series. I expect to get a great deal of progress accomplished on Book II. The story is coming together quite nicely, and a clear vision exists for the story. The next chapter of the story will be extremely interesting, bringing the series deeper into the exploration of its' characters, and their motives. I'm very excited to get to writing this block of the story, as now that a foundation has been established, I'm able to freely write and explore various new concepts that I'm sure you the reader will really enjoy. This chapter of the series will explore cutting edge ideas and new realms of thought and our purpose and what's possible for our species. As I've said, this is the really fun part, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it, and I'm sure you will too.

Book I continues to progress. I've taken the Synopsis back to the drawing board, as I am now going to write it with a new format and perspective which reflects more of the structure of Book I itself. I want this synopsis to be the best it possibly can be, so ultimately it cannot be rushed, and will be done as soon as it can be. The Query letter is already complete, so now this final piece is all that remains, and is truly the final barrier between me and the front window display at Chapters / Indigo. Keep positive, and watch for The 7th Journey in stores near you!

Thanks for reading!

RG

The 7th Journey - Book II update

The background for Book II of The 7th Journey is now being researched and notes are being taken vigorously. I will be going out of the country for 30 days over the holiday season, and will be working extensively on book II. I expect to have some major traction upon my return.

Book I is moving steadily along, with packages being sent out by the end of September. This is a significant step forward for the project, and will represent a major milestone in the progression of having this series come to fruition. It represents closure for the first book, allowing serious work on the next book to begin.

For those who are looking forward to another article on The Inner Process, stay tuned, as I intend to discuss many interesting topics in the coming months. Thanks for reading.

RJG

New Beta Site for "The Inner Process"

I am attempting to build a beta site, which may end up replacing this one if I'm pleased with the development. The beta site is now located at http://innerprocess.wordpress.com/. Your comments are appreciated. Thanks.

RG

To Be Continued...

Currently, the work on the T7J project has taken a step back. The work continues on, but of course, the changes and training that I'm undergoing has taken precedence. As T7J is of course the dream, and will eventually allow me to make the transition from part-time to full-time author, but for now my current career aspirations and responsibilities are the priority.

The time has come to shift the priorities however, and move towards finally completing the synopsis, which has undergone tremendous re-writes based on research, peer review, and my own editing. Now, thanks to those closely connected to the project, I've regained momentum and focus to really drive this home. The generic synopsis is now going to be much more target specific as we proceed to connect with key literary agents in the Unitied States. This refocusing is what is needed to finally put this piece of the puzzle in place, and which will wrap up my work on T7J book 1. Once this has been completed, the dealings with the agent will begin, and we'll go from there.

This will free up time for me to get back into the creative space, the part which I truly love, and deal less with the marketing and business aspects. Those aspects of course are crutial, and are an important part of the whole, but are definitely the more tedious parts of the project. But as this project moves forward... I thank those who have offered their help, and I appreciate it far more than they may ever know. Your work has been instrumental, and vital in keeping this project moving as smoothly as it has. So I thank you... but the next chapter of this project... is to be continued.

Process Update

The last few months, I have experienced many things. A slow down in the development or completion of my proposal packages for one, yet I have also experienced many advancements in research. I have experienced many slow downs at work, only to reveal a slingshot effect into a new and entirely different aspect of my development. The changes I experienced awakened in me, the truth of who I am.

At times, the content of life, and the attachment of the ego to that content stirs within you many experiences, emotions, projection, and a willingness to expand awareness beyond the limitation of the current situations. In my recent attachments to my career, and the role in which I play, I realized many things about myself - mainly that I may be able and quite capable in doing the work, however the lack of joy I experienced was a massive reminder as to who I truly am.

Who I truly am is not a function of my role, the role of uncle, brother, son... friend, colleague, martial artist... writer... none of these roles truly represent who I am. Who I am is evolving consciousness, and that consciousness, without attachment to roles, seeks joy. Without Joy, without this high quality experience of life, there is suffering. Happiness is, and can be very fleeting. Happiness is not within things, we are within happiness, if we choose to be. Happiness is a state of being, and is not a function of having or doing. Without this realization, happiness will always be fleeting... a glimpse of hope, in a world full of attachments to ego, to opinion, to form (physicality, or physical stuff), yet with each high, there is an equal opposite low. This will be the constant state of life without a realization that happiness is ultimately a choice.

My main realization, through the events which have transpired as of late, have brought me to a state of being in which I truly realize the doing in which brings me strength, which brings me power, and happiness... in the midst of those doings that made me depleted, and left me in very low states of energy.

Who I am within the world of form, of physicality, is an amass-ment of what doings I decide bring me the most happiness, and allow me to be in a state of pure beingness - as opposed to being in a state of attachment to a role. The things that I do which bring me presence in my being, that which allows me to concentrate soley on the current moment, and those things which bring me absolute peace of mind (meaning an absence of thought), are writing, kung fu, and work with technology, and to a lesser degree (only because I am still in a great learning curve which requires mental activity) guitar.

Those activities bring me presence in my being, and remove me from the world of thought. It brings me to a state of peace, to a state of love, to a state of being who I truly am. Pure consciousness... the awareness beyond thought.

Many activities can bring you to this place of pure absence of thought. Extreme physical activities that require concentration, meditation, deep breathing exercises... music... etc. There are infinite paths to peace of mind, but you must realize the difference between who you truly are, and the role you so happen to be playing.

I am a strong believer in the concept that whatever I am meant to learn will be presented to me under any and all conditions, so for example, if I was not a "Senior Process Consultant", I would be some other title or role, and the conditions would still be presented to me which would promote my best and greatest development of consciousness. But if you are trapped within a role, and are unaware of it, you will end up learning through negative aspects of yourself. If you choose to do something which brings you joy, you will be presented with the experiences which develop your consciousness through positive aspects of yourself. It is this recognition of your own being, and your best mode of functioning which brings you closer to who you truly are.

So... now... where does this leave me in context with the project of "The 7th Journey?" Now... the project will receive an incredible boost of energy. An incredible jolt of power, and an incredible jetison forward... just as I have on a personal level. This is because I will no longer be depleted, no longer experience limitation, and no longer seek to "reset my mind" in order to work on the project. Now, all actions through my life will work towards the same end. Happiness... presence... oneness with life. There will no longer be contention within... there will only be expression of joy without. This... is the 11th gate that I have been waiting for. The slingshot forward.. and now... the project is ready to move forward.

The packages will be sent to the agents with the right energies... as opposed to the packages being sent out in a state of conflict. This is what "The 7th Journey" has been waiting for... this is what I've been waiting for. So now... finally... it has begun.

Thank you for reading.

7th Journey Hardcover - Request Only

Right now, I'm only accepting requests from individuals for an advanced Hard Cover copy of The 7th Journey - Book 1. The posting that I had up on Lulu was the original manuscript version, that I have given to friends and family. I've ordered a few copies for myself for demonstration purposes when speaking with industry professionals, such as agents or publishers, and for my own personal collection.

I am no longer offering advanced copies of the work to the public, and I have strict controls on the copies that I have distributed. This is because I'm continuing my task of finding a qualified agent to represent me in the U.S. market. This is quite a job in itself, but well worth the effort.

I will consider special requests for advanced copies of the manuscript, however the majority will have to wait for the Mass Market edition, which will hit shelves sometime in '08. I am open to questions or comments, that readers may leave on this site. I will respond to them as soon as I can. Thanks for reading.

Regards,

Robert

The 7th Journey - Limited Edition - On Sale until Dec 1

For those of you that wish to purchase a hard cover copy of the 7th journey, then I suggest you do it this week or next, as I will be making the product “private” come December 1st, as I will be pursuing proper representation via agents, and will de-list the product from the internet.

I will be coming out with paper back versions of the book in the New Year for distribution to Editors, Agents, Publishers, and to have it on-hand during future meetings, but that is on the back burner right now, as the Hard Cover book will do. I am also awaiting some concept art work for the book cover, before investing the time and money into various copies of the paper back. Essentially I want to ensure that the cover is as I’d like it, before purchasing multiple copies.

Creating the hard cover version was also a good opportunity for me to test the waters of those around me, and to discern interest levels, and the reactions of the general populous. The feedback has been interesting, and I’ve realized a great deal from this first release of the book. I will continue my pursuit of agents, and publishers, and book deals in the New Year.

A copy of the Limited Edition Hard Cover is available here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1395866

Thank you for your time, and interest.

Regards,

Robert J. Graham
Author

7th Journey - Book Release Commentary (Hard Cover Edition)

The hard cover, and the download of "The 7th Journey - Book I", is apart of my overall strategy for obtaining large scale representation. Right now, this particular move through LULU Publishing, will allow me to have a copy of the book, in hand, and available for those who ask about it, this is until the large scale, advertising campaign begins.

The Hard Cover, is a high quality book, with cream inside pages, and a dust jacket. This can be autographed upon request. This book will be a stepping stone in process of getting proper representation from an Agent, and eventually a Big Name Publisher (e.g. Penguin books). I am currently in the process of obtaining proper representation, which will eventually culminate in a multi book deal, beginning with Book 1.

For those who are truly interested, Book 1 in Hard Cover format is a limited edition, and a collector's piece for fans of the story. I am extremely proud of this release, and I hope it is enjoyable by all who purchase a copy.

I will accept questions or comments via this forum, thank you very much!

Best Regards,

Robert J. Graham

The 7th Journey - The Auditum Trilogy - Book I

The 7th Journey - Book 1

I'm proud to announce that The 7th Journey - The Auditum Trilogy - Book I is now available in Hard Cover format. This book as taken me 3 years to produce. Many hours of research, writing, and passion came together to finish this book, and I'm pleased to release it to the public.

I will continue this site, and continue to discuss my ideas, present interesting concepts, respond to reader comments, and speak to the progression of my next project: The 7th Journey - Book II

Description of Book I:

Book 1 of The 7th Journey, sets the stage for the Auditum saga, The 7th Journey is the story of Robert whose curiosity and circumstance has landed him a position with Netex, a Canadian R&D firm. Robert is hired to discover the missing components of the Auditum technology, but discovers more than he bargains for through the death of his close friend. This sparks further investigation into the source of the technology, as its true purpose is still in question. The technology causes Robert to experience various realities, which bring his very sanity into question, as he develops several uncanny abilities, while his life unravels around him. As the experiments continue, he meets a mysterious woman from another dimension, who suggests that his true destiny is far greater than he has ever imagined. Coupled with the direction of a mysterious girl, an old wizard, and the last prodigal son of a Sufi religion, Robert gains new wisdom about himself, and the world around him, in preparation for what is to come.

Proposal... On the Way!

Currently, I've been spending much of my time working on the proposal for Book 1. It's harder than it seems. What is a proposal? It's a large (roughly 100 page) document, that describes the book, plot, market, genre, about the author, has comparisons to other (similar) books, and other various sections, that are essentially there to entice a publisher.

There are many things that go into a proposal... a great deal of research is required, and is currently under way. Much of it is already complete, and at this time, I'm roughly 60% of the way through it. I am also not doing it entirely alone. I have help (thankfully), because as much as I am a creative type, and as much as I like to write, that doesn't necessarily mean I can write marketing text. I've written the book, but can I sell it? That's a different process entirely, and I'm not so foolish to assume that I can do it all on my own. This proposal has to represent the best quality work that I'm able to produce... otherwise it will end up in the infamous "slush" pile, that so many other manuscripts have ended up.

At this time, I've decided that the proposal will be completed in the same fashion as book 1. On its own time, and it will take as long as it takes, to produce the quality that I'm looking for. For a time, I tried to track towards a project plan... but that proved difficult, as the entire team is made up of creative types... who don't normally like being held to timelines. I also didn't appreciate the process while going through it in that fashion... for the follow reasons:

- How many projects have I actually worked on that met their "Go Live Date?" - Zero
- How are the stress levels of individuals who track towards projects? High
- How does the process feel when tracking toward a plan? Laboured and difficult

The end result of that experience was me hating the proposal process. Now... I love it again! The syergy is back, the right people are available to help me, and the process continues. The first book was written in my spare time over a 2 years span. And for a book this size (400+ pages), that is quite good timing... as most first books take about 5 - 7 years to write. Because when I get in the groove, I really get into it, and produce like a mad man. So it's just a matter of when I feel the timing is right, and my mood is there, and the stress levels are low... and now, I'm back in the groove.

I estimate the proposal to be done by end of summer. At that time, various press releases will be sent out (probably over the summer), so stay tuned... a listing of local papers will be posted on this site, so you can catch a glimpse of my first public press release for the Trilogy. After which, I will be approaching various publishers in the fall.

Then my agent in New York will get involved, after an initial deal has been made with a publisher... and I'm off to the races. What does all this mean? I could be a full time author this time next year, and no longer will I need to work within the confines of a corporate world! My days and nights will be mine again, along with my energy and my creativity (during the 9-5). Where I can take things from there... only time will tell.

Most likely, I'll continue my journey in Mexico, writing and researching on a full time basis. Coming back up to Canada for 4 - 6 month intervals, to continue my education and training in my various realms of interest... (kung fu, psychology, spirituality, etc.) visiting friends, and family. The dream is becoming a reality, and now... the count down is only months away. Not years.

God bless, to all those who continue to maintain interest. You will not be disappointed, and you'll be getting some autographed copies as well! All the best, thanks for reading.

Book I & II Update

I've been feverishly busy, working through various projects at work, and in my personal life, so updates have slowed as of late. However, that is not to say that progress has not been had. In fact, I can safely say that I'm more than 50% through the Book proposal for Book 1 of my trilogy. This document is essentially your entry point into the publishing world, and ends up being quite large once you're complete. I estimate around 100 pages of marketing text, research, comparative analysis and various other sections to give prospective publishers an idea of what this is about. Not only give them an Idea, but to entice them, and to help them see the value in what this could bring about, as a partnership and as well as the beginning of a new perspective.

It is hard to map the end date for the book proposals completion, as things like this take their time. You may have the best story in the world, but if you don't know how to market and sell it... you're not going anywhere and your manuscript will collect dust on a shelf. So this is the most crucial part of the process, and I've decided that it will be done when it's done. No more harsh dates to rush towards... as all good things come to those who wait... and do their homework.

Book II is now underway, and has officially begun. There are pages and pages of notes associated to this next installment in the series, but now it is just a matter of putting it all together and having the time to do so. As with the first book, Book II is calling to me, so I have no question in my mind that it will be complete. But I wonder if it will take the 2 years that Book I took? That all depends on the parallel work on the Book I proposal, and how quickly this can be marketed. If and when this series gets picket up, that will allow me to write my books full time, and to do what I really love... to be creative, and free to do so whenever and whereever I choose. Which is the God given right for all of mankind. And one day we will all get there. Thanks for continuing to Read.


ALSO *** Stay Tuned for the up coming Launch of my new Domains - geared solely towards The Trilogy. This will feature articles, sample texts, help on how to become an author, writing tips, and various other interesting goodies!

Book 1 Update

So the time has come to finally present some status to my readership. All 2 of you :)

I've been working diligently with my editor over the past summer to get the manuscript to a polished and properly edited space. The good news is... Michelle informs me that the manuscript has been completely edited, and I now only away the few remaining Chapter and Part evaluations that are still outstanding.

This will give me a great lead into where the book may need strengthening prior to my inevitable presentation to various publishers. I will be taking the next couple months to completely review the manuscript, and ensure that the proper messages are delivered, with the appropriate balance of grammar and style that will attract a reader without getting in the way. With the edited manuscript, and chapter evaluations from my editor and another close friend of mine, I'll have a good deal of ammunition to polish the book as it should be.

After I've surfaced with a completed and 'ready for distribution' manuscript, I will be working diligently to create my book proposal, and will seek to find various publishers within the New York, and Chicago areas... and I'll go from there. This will be the beginning, where the world takes it after that is up to them.

I'm just thankful and happy to be apart of the process. Thanks for reading, more to come as the days unfold.