So, you take issue with the book?
Posted By Tom on May 25, 2010
When I first read Kody’s book, I was so moved by the passion he felt for Pitbulls that I had to help him “Grammatize” his book. Having had 9 dogs in my 53 years on this planet, I was immediately drawn to the story. Dogs do something magical to the heart, and even you folks who have complained so bitterly, have had life-changing experiences with your own dogs. I can only hope all of you read the rest of the story before you make such snap judge-ments.
I normally write books for at-risk kids. My first book, Scratchin’ on the Eight Ball, the story of a narc who was murdered back in 1976, is the most Lost, Stolen, Missing book in the Lincoln Public school system. So I know I have a voice that kids are listening to. So, too, does Kody. He and I both are in this for the sake of the dogs, and we are not the greedy fools some folks out there believe us to be.
I have read every blog and approved of even the most negative ones on my site to give all of you a voice on this matter. Hopefully, even the darkest comments bring awareness to the plight of Pitbulls around the world. I do not hold it against you if you do not like the book. That is totally up to you on whether you wish to ban, burn, or protest its publication. If you channeled your energies as Kody has done, you, too could make a difference in helping make people aware of this terrible blood-sport known as “dog-fighting.”
And for the many of you who have been touched so far by what you’ve read, I thank you for writing in to show your support. I think it is awesome that so many of you immediately got the point of what Kody is trying to say. Judging the book without reading the rest of the story, is truly an injustice. So I commend you for “getting” just a snippet, and giving your support for the rest of the book, which is a great story written by a kid who has a mission to help the Pitbulls of the world.
Some have accused me of being greedy. They even went so far as to quote me on our self-publishing services we are trying to offer to kids like Kody. What gives? I have been a published author since 1982, and two of my books were published by reputable publishers, an educational publisher here in Lincoln and Haworth Press in New York. Both books have sold well with over 20,000 copies in print, but that does not a rich author make.
Do you know the difference between an author and a large pizza? A large pizza can feed a family of four! Sad, but oh so true. So, yes we would like to help other kids get their own writings in print, but it does cost to do so. I therefore made it quite clear to one would-be young author that if she was serious she would need to make an investment in the venture. Good Lord, if someone sees anything wrong with that, I would think they need to get back into the real world and take off the rose-colored glasses.
Kody and I thank all of you for writing in, and we look forward to hearing from the many of you who have ordered Wild Hearts. Be they good or bad reviews, we will read them all. Thank you “all” for your concerns, opinions, and remarks. You and your point of view have put a different spin on this whole dog-fighting scene, be you a “dog-man” or a “breeder” or a “lover of dogs.” All of your opinions count, and I am one who appreciates them, even those some of you have threatened to “wreck” my site. Throw your stones if you wish, but before you cast, think about whether or not this Wild Hearts book might put a new face on the blood-sport of dog fighting.
Tom Frye