Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a syndicated columnist and political analyst. He is the author of nine books on race, politics, and social issues. His numerous published articles appear in newspapers and magazines across the country. Read his hard hitting news and opinion blog at http://earlofarihutchinson.blogspot.com or visit his website at www.earlofarihutchinson.com.
Welcome to Beyond the Books, Earl. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
I have authored ten books.
What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?
The Myth of Black Capitalism
For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?
There were no rejections. It was published based on one submission and one outline by Monthly Review Press.
How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
I was like a kid waking up on Christmas day and seeing a tree full of presents with my name on it. It was a mix of euphoria and heady delight. I’m a real author!!! There are few feelings like it.
What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
I asked and got as many author copies as possible and sent them to friends and associates and asked them to spread the word.
If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?
I would have done exactly the same thing.
Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?
Nine more books. They have been self-published, small publishing house published, academic press published and big mainstream published. I have ranged over the entire spectrum of serious non-fiction, historical, political and social issue writing and analysis. The years and breadth of topics have added more and greater depth and body to my writings.
Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?
I was fortunate to have my first serious, non-fiction big ticket social issue work published at 21. This set me on my life’s course; namely to be considered a serious political and social analyst with the goal always of shaping and influencing public opinion. But most importantly to challenge established political conventions and making people think.
What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?
The satisfaction of raising topical hot button issues in print, getting praise and knocks from readers, and knowing that you are being read, debated, and sometimes the ideas you present acted upon.
If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?
I am a writer, first and last. It’s the greatest profession in the world There’s simply nothing like the joy and experience of the printed word.
How do you see yourself in ten years?
Still churning out books, op-ed pieces, essays, and political and social missives. I will be writing as long as the brain cells are still clicking and I can put pen to paper.
Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Only one, if you’re into writing for fame and fortune you’re in it for the wrong reason. And unless you’re the second coming of Hemingway (and even he had to work hard at it and had his share of frustrations) you won’t last. The right reason is the joy of writing!
