A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee # 5

This is a work of fiction.

Oprah Winfrey Books and Authors: Dream

Here’s my story of how I made it on Oprah Winfrey’s recommended book list.

It’s a good thing for Authors that Oprah likes to read. She wields more than a ton an a half of influences. It’s truly enormous.

Forbes has even announced, for the second year in a row, Oprah Winfrey is the most influential celebrity in 2013. It’s no wonder Authors want their books associated with her name.

So let me regress, because first things need to be first. This is no different than thanking a solder for their service to our country. I would like to thank Oprah for all her efforts to promote the literary arts. I wish I had an award to give her with this word of thanks, which would then be placed on the Oprah Winfrey's Official Biography, with the rest of her awards. She is deserving.

Oprah’s Book Club (www.oprah.com/book_club.html) has a list of suggested books where you can even mark the ones you have read. See also (www.oprah.com/book.../Oprahs-Book-Club-The-Complete-list)

Oprah, after her 25 year run with the Oprah Winfrey show vowed, “I’m going to try to develop a show for books and Authors.”  The amazing thing about Oprah’s influence is that the books she recommends have sold 55 million copies without including the likes of John Grisham or James Patterson. This has become known as the Oprah Effect.

For the last two years, on Oprah’s website we have O's 2011 Summer Reading List, and O's 2012 Summer Reading List. So, what’s at the top of the list for 2013, here’s a peek, O's 2013 Summer Reading List.

Getting on the Oprah’s recommended book list isn’t easy.

And I dreamed, yes, I had a dream, Oprah hated me for keeping me up all night. She calls:

“Hello.”

“Is this Carl Lee?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“It’s Oprah Winfrey. I finished your book this morning.”

There’s a long pause as I struggle to speak. I need to respond before she says hello again and with all my might, “Ah, another wheelhouse I’ve lit up.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself for keeping me up all night. I only meant to read the first few chapters.”

Again, another pause, “Okay, I’m sorry. I should include a disclaimer about missing meals and getting no sleep at the start of the book.”

“Hum, that’s funny, but I agree. So while I have you on the phone, thank you for the wonderful tale. Where’d you come up with all that stuff?”

I give the short answer; not believing Oprah has called. “Sorry, trade secret.”

“It was so intriguing.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“It was wonderful. I’m putting you on my list for 2013 summer reads. How do I get your autograph on my copy?”

“A list, and what? You want my autograph(?)"

I am so humbled, I am beside myself, to think Oprah Winfrey wanted my autograph. I let her know where to mail the book, then said goodbye.

Enjoy my work.

All disclaimers aside, an Author has a right to dream.