Thomas Jefferson once said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

Branch Rickey added to that train of thought, “Luck is the residue of design.”  Later re-told as, “Luck is the residue of desire.” I like both!

Why do I dwell on LUCK?  I’ve had more than my share of it lately, all good!

Many of you have read and commented on my blog posts and class notes; helped me write memoirs, essays and short stories; or just lent a sympathetic ear as I progressed with my writing.                         

Several years ago, I began to assemble favorites and put them together to develop a book, “The Rogue’s Road to Retirement.”  Writing was the easy part.

My wife Dorothy and daughter Jenny attended an Author’s Reading at Gather last April. Gather is the heart and soul of Ivoryton, a little borough in the town of Essex, CT.   Housed in the former Ivoryton General Store in the 1800’s, Gather serves old and young alike, as a high-end gift shop… and home to Sue McCann’s Essex Books Store.

In this very special setting, my LUCK began to perk!!

After the reading, Jenny met Anna Termine.  Their talk turned to writing.  Jenny mentioned that her dad had written a collection of stories and had enjoyed starting a blog.  One thing led to another and Anna told Jenny that she was in the business and would like to see some of my work.  Jen and I had put together a book proposal, which she sent along to Anna several weeks later. 

Lo and behold, Jenny called 10 days later, in mid-June, and asked me to look at my email.  I was dumbfounded and asked her if what I was reading was real.   Not only was Anna willing to take me on, and serve as my agent, she had a publishing house that wanted to BUY MY BOOK – Skyhorse publishing, based in New York, NY!!!

WOW, am I lucky!  My dream come true!!!! 

I am now busy at work getting my manuscript in shape, and very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the very talented editor, Holly Rubino.  The book should be out next fall!!!

Jenny and I just returned to 4 Shell Walk, Lonelyville, Fire Island, our bayfront Shangri-la, this week to work on the “Rogue’s Road.” All is not grind.  This picture was taken from our 2nd floor deck two weeks ago on an earlier trip.  

Thomas Jefferson and Branch Rickey were right. It’s now up to me to make my LUCK a reality.  THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!!  Just goes to show you’re never too old to chase rainbows (even if you’re 81 and arthritic). 

And thanks to my “dream team” Anna and Holly!

Best, George “The Rogue!”  🙂

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