Sales from 'Gallatin Chronicles' will benefit community center
Local author uses prose to document hometown memories
BY JEREME HUBBARD
Most people, when asked about their hometown, have fond memories of that place. They can tell you about the people who lived there or about the times they had with their friends. Most people, however, do not take the time to write down those memories and become published authors. Jim Harper, who grew up in the Gallatin community, felt the need to express his thoughts about his hometown through poetry.

Gallatin resident Jim Harper recently published his own book of poetry and prose. "Gallatin Chronicles" can be purchased for $12. Mr. Harper has agreed to donate all of the proceeds from the book to the Gallatin Community Center.

"I wanted to write about my hometown, but preferred to write in free verse or poetic format. The writing provided an outlet and order for my thoughts," Harper said.

"Many emotions were intertwined as I thought of family and friends, some deceased, but still clearly etched in my thoughts. I wanted to provide a more formal and professional format as I thought that this may be of interest to others and possibly be part of a fund raiser for my beloved Gallatin and its community center."

Although the writings themselves created interest in local residents, perhaps the more interesting question may be of how a small town guy like Jim Harper can become a published author.

Many writers spend years trying to become published, and Mr. Harper has done it relatively fast. Now he's doing his best to accomplish his goals of expressing his thoughts and help out the community center in Gallatin.

"Over the past few years, I had given special friends and family copies of some of my writings. At a class reunion, I spoke to a dear friend Genny (Butler) Mantzuranis, who graduated from Rusk High School in 1967," Mr. Harper said.

"She wanted to read some of my writings and later, after reading them, indicated that I needed to publish them to share with others. At that point, the seed was planted in me to try and get my writings published.

"She provided me with names of publishers in the Dallas area. I was referred to P3 Press, a division of Brown Books Publishing, who focus on first time authors with limited or regional interest subject matter," Mr. Harper added. "This was not a 'vanity' publisher, so I knew they would not agree to publish unless they believed it was adequate."

After spending years writing without the guidelines of a publisher, Mr. Harper had to go through his writings and make sure that they said what he intended for them to say.

"I had many versions of the poetry and prose, sometimes re-writing them fifty or sixty times before there was an internal feeling that the work said what I intended," Mr. Harper said.

"As most writers know, writing and re-writing are essential. Because I still had no idea that P3 Press would agree to publish the work, it was a leap of faith to do so."

After he finished his writings, the publishing process was set in motion. He contacted the company again to submit his transcript for review.

"Typically one should make verbal contact with the company and then submit a transcript for review. If accepted for publication, a contract is developed outlining the extent of editing and creative development you want for yourself or the publisher.

"Once that is agreed upon, there is a cost for each step of the development, editing, selection of paper, illustrations, front and back text and any other steps needed to complete the publishing," Mr. Harper said.

"In 'Gallatin Chronicles' all of the text was produced by me, but each publisher has writers and graphics experts that can help.

"The cover was developed by the publisher from ideas that I had given to them," Mr. Harper continued. "Once the proofs are developed, you sign a final contract. I wanted a final product that was appealing in appearance as well as hopefully enjoyable to read."

According to Mr. Harper, the contents of the book have been compiled over about a ten year period. However, the publishing process took a considerably smaller amount of time.

"I submitted my transcript to the company in November of 2007 for review. About a month later they sent me the initial contract and I signed it in January 2008. By February I had the dedication, acknowledgements and biography finished," Mr. Harper added.

"The final proof was approved for printing in February and I received the books in March. I have just now begun to make them available. I have full copyright and sales responsibility."

All along, part of the reason for publishing the book was to help out the Gallatin community center.

The proceeds of this book are going directly to the community center fund.

"There are costs involved and I must pay sales tax to the state, but I intend to donate the profits from sales to the Gallatin community center."

If you are interested in reading the work of Mr. Harper, you can purchase the book many different ways.

Copies will be made available at the offices of the Cherokeean Herald, as well as at the Olde Store in Gallatin.

Mr. Harper will also have a booth at the Gallatin Gopher Fest on Saturday, April 26.

You can also contact Mr. Harper directly for orders through e-mail at cjharper82@ yahoo.com. The cost of the book is $12.

Many authors set out to become published once. Mr. Harper has such a multitude of writings that the first edition of 'Gallatin Chronicles' may not be the last of his published work.

"I have many unpublished poems and miscellaneous writings, and if all goes well I plan to have a second edition of 'Gallatin Chronicles' as time allows," Mr. Harper added.