Robbing Peter to pay Paul (with time) takes on a new meaning when you have a blog but you're trying to write new, or update existing books (all pictured). This blog's suffered over the past few months but for a good cause. In the process of it an ultra-skinny blog over the period, I'm delighted to have produced Presenting, Speaking and Facilitating Secrets, Media Appearance Secrets and a minor revise and re-release of my 2003 Change Your Thinking Change Your Life.
The latter has been out of print for about a year (not abnormal in the life cycle of books) and when a client wanted me to talk on the topic of sustainable change he said, 'Haven't you got a book on the topic?' My answer was 'Yes, but it's out of print.' Can't you bring it back into print?' was the rejoinder.
It was a big ask. With just two weeks to go, I waded through 140 000 words, added in journalist Mandy de Waal's interview with me on the power of prayer and endured the foibles of MS Word 2007. Had it not been for the patient input of my IT buddy Lennard Gast during his very limited free time, I wouldn't have made the printer's submission deadline. I got the books delivered to me literally the day before they were needed. That's how tight the timeline was. Thanks to Mike White and his team at www.megadigital.co.za in Cape Town for making this possible.
It's nice having the books available again. My aim's never been to make money out of books - you don't do so anyhow, unless your name's John Grisham or Wilbur Smith J - but it's a great joy and indeed privilege to share the experience that I've been blessed to encounter over the past 40 years. The books are packed with practical, immediately implementable ideas and techniques that can fast track the reader's development. All available at or through Exclusive Books Hyde Park or on www.exclusivebooks.com
I've now started writing a book on the life of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. It won't be a quick write but it's a response to a request-instruction from my beloved spiritual preceptor, Swami Shivapadananda, many years ago. May the Universe guide the contents.
Dear Clive,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.
I consider you one of the pre-eminent philosophers in South Africa. Keep up the good work and keep on helping us see the light.
Posted by: Jacques de Villiers | Wednesday, 27 May 2009 at 08:22
Thank you Jacques for your kind words. Any credit however, must go to the great sources who are the inspiration for the book. On working through it again I was struck by the good content. I feel like the 'compiler' of the wisdom and can say that without any sense of personal pride. I'm privileged to have been a part of its production.
Posted by: Clive Simpkins | Wednesday, 27 May 2009 at 08:31
Well done on your books... and for sharing your wisdom my darling friend Clive. "Change your thinking, change your life" is a treasure!
Posted by: Mandy de Waal | Thursday, 28 May 2009 at 09:33
Thankee Mands me darlin' - it was nice being able to include your interview with me on the power of prayer. That article's gone all around the world. Big love, C
Posted by: Clive Simpkins | Thursday, 28 May 2009 at 17:52