The Practically Shameless blog

Donating to Wikipedia

2011-11-08T16:55:15Z

I've just become a regular monthly donor to Wikipedia. The monthly amount is small, but over a year's time it will add up to something.

I use Wikipedia with increasing frequency to research or verify almost everything, from medical conditions to popular songs.

Please consider donating to Wikipedia today.

Coming book about Clean Talk

2011-08-19T19:30:49Z

I've just published two new essays to the Shadow Work website.

A Comparison of Clean Talk with Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

The Healthy Warrior in The King's Speech

Writing essays containing this kind of careful analysis is harder for me these days while I take care of my mother, and consequently it takes months longer, but I enjoy it just as much. I'm enjoying writing of all kinds right now, the words are flowing, which is so satisfying.

As a result of writing the essay about Clean Talk and NVC, I am now planning to write a book about Clean Talk.

Testimonial to "Practically Shameless"

2011-03-14T18:11:00Z

Testimonial from a reader of Practically Shameless, received via email:

"I have been reading Practically Shameless and have found it extremely good. ... This text should be required reading for every certified MKP leader."

The reader also included some more personal reflections.

"Practically Shameless" now for iPad and Nook

2011-02-14T17:02:00Z

Practically Shameless is now for sale as an e-book for both the Apple iPad and the Barnes and Noble Nook, in addition to the Amazon Kindle.

in iBookstore for Apple iPad -- Apple ID is 418821610
ISBN is 9780979832659

Apple's iBookstore sells the iPad version in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France and Germany.

Links to the other e-book editions:

for Barnes and Noble Nook

for Amazon Kindle in the US

for Amazon Kindle in the UK

"Practically Shameless" now on the Kindle!

2011-01-17T15:01:00Z

I'm happy to announce that Practically Shameless is now available for the Amazon Kindle!

Here's its sale page at Amazon in the United States (for some reason the product description is missing from the page, I've contacted support)

Here's its sale page at Amazon in the UK

Thanks so much to the readers who suggested publishing as an ebook, I really appreciate it!

"Practically Shameless" now in its third printing

2010-12-31T18:15:00Z

Books were delivered from the printer on Wednesday, and Practically Shameless is now in its third printing!

More than 2300 copies of Practically Shameless have been sold since its publication in February 2008, and I'm delighted with the response from readers. Thank you again to everyone who has sent testimonials!

If you've read Practically Shameless, please take a minute to visit the book's Amazon.com page and click "Like" (a small button to the right of the 5 stars). I appreciate it!

A holiday reminder

2010-12-04T02:31:00Z

A reminder, that my audio CD, "Home for the Holidays: Tips for a Practically Shameless Holiday Season " is available on CD and download for as low as $9.95.

The economic downturn was already in full swing when I released the CD, so I kept the price as low as possible so that as many people as possible could afford it.

I've received some wonderful testimonials to the CD since its debut two years ago, most of them of an informal or confidential nature that I couldn't easily share.

I hope you'll decide to find out what other customers have discovered, that "Home for the Holidays " can help at a difficult time of year!

Best wishes for a lovely, and a practically shameless, holiday season!

Feedback from a reader

2010-10-26T11:11:00Z

For some time I've been posting feedback I receive on Practically Shameless. I seem to have missed posting this one, received last winter, probably because I found it difficult to accept, and not deflect, such a wonderful testimonial.

"This week I read Practically Shameless. For any of you who are struggling with the feeling that they can't be creative, for whatever reason, or who, like me feel that they are the odd one out in groups, always the outsider, this book is priceless. If you want to get a feel for Alyce and her realness, have a look at her blog and if you get a chance, dip in further. I'm humbled by her willingness to be so open, and am having an interesting time exploring what that would feel like for me."

About the reference to my blog -- I have two blogs, this one and my personal blog at AlyceBarry.blogspot.com. These days, however, while I care for my elderly mother, I have less energy for regular blogging. When I write something at a deeper level, it's usually in an essay for the Shadow Work email newsletter, published about 4 times a year. Those essays also appear at the Shadow Work website on the Commentaries page.

Our current address

2010-10-26T11:05:00Z

Current contact information for Practically Shameless Press:

Practically Shameless Press
4949 North Whipple Street, Apt 2E
Chicago IL 60625-4135

(773) 267-2478

Email from a reader

2010-10-22T15:24:00Z

In an email this morning from a reader,

"I read your book this summer, thank you for writing it! I am training to become a shadow work facilitator . . . Your book really helped me put the training in perspective and has helped me in talking to others about the process."

From New Zealand, a look at Dad's letter

2010-06-11T12:35:00Z

On March 13, I wrote on this blog about a family connection to the HBO miniseries The Pacific thanks to a marketing company in New Zealand.

In this video about the ad agency working on this which contains a few typos and factual errors), over the theme music from the miniseries, there's a clip from the local news in which a news anchor holds up a letter "sent by a sergeant to his mother" and refers to "very very clever marketing."

The sergeant was my dad, and the letter he's holding up was one Dad wrote to my grandmother from Okinawa.

If you look closely you can see "Sgt John Barry" on the envelope's return address.

The agency sent copies of letters like Dad's to homes in New Zealand as a way of publicizing the miniseries, and some people got a copy of Dad's letter to Grandma.

Testimonial to the audio book

2010-06-07T13:05:00Z

From a reader in New Jersey, a testimonial to the audio book edition of Practically Shameless:

"Practically Shameless is a true inspiration, may you continue blessing others with your work. A friend speaks highly of the Shadow Work Seminars, now I understand his reasoning. Regards and many blessings to you and those in your path."

I recently donated copies of both the paperback and audio book editions to the library at Evanston Friends Meeting (Quakers), and both copies are currently out on loan.

Connection to HBO Miniseries

2010-03-13T14:17:00Z

My family has a connection to the HBO Miniseries The Pacific, which starts tomorrow night, March 14, as I described in an essay for the Shadow Work email newsletter.

Here's the essay. You'll find the letter mentioned on page 62 of the paperback edition of Practically Shameless. (In chapter 5 on audio CD.)

I'll be watching the miniseries at the home of a family member who has HBO, I expect it to be a moving experience.

Three more testimonials, one to article on holidays

2010-02-22T11:42:00Z

Three more testimonials. The first, from a reader in Spain, to Practically Shameless --

"Alyce I LOVED your book and was so inspired to continue this work with this structure, thanks!!!!!!!" - E.E.

The second, from a reader here in the Chicago area, to the audiobook edition --

"I want to tell you that I have just finished CD #1, and am halfway through CD #2 - and that I am VERY moved by your story as you relate. I am very impressed with the honesty of your self-disclosure and your journey and the connections you make. I am learning a lot! Thank you for making your 'work' available to me." - P.M.

The third, to an essay I wrote about shadows as they emerge over the winter holiday season --

"Alyce, Thanks. I really enjoyed your article on the Holidays. I am not sure if I have ever heard anyone nail it so perfectly." - D.H.

I've written three articles on that topic so far (there will undoubtedly be more!), in addition to my CD on the holiday shadows, my Home for the Holidays CD. Here are the essays:

Holiday Strategies We Know and (Don't) Love
Learning About My Holiday Shadows
A Little Girl at Christmas

Some recent testimonials to "Practically Shameless"

2010-02-22T10:51:00Z

I've received a number of emails from readers of Practically Shameless over the past few months. Some excerpts:

"Just finished your book Practically Shameless. Bless your sharing the journey. I found myself relieved as could relate and identify on so many levels!! (In those moments, "it got scary" as I'mthinking... 'this is it!' What she is talking about is what I havebeen trying to find words for...) I will be re-reading the book againto take it in... from a different place. I'm grateful for the clarity in describing the processes andteaching-pieces toward the end of the book. The discussion on the different strategies was immensely helpful." - J.J.

"I recently read your book Practically Shameless and found it veryinsightful. It has provided me with a better perspective about myupbringing and its effects on my adulthood. It seems that there areseveral parallels in your and my life. Thanks for your contribution tomy understanding of ME." - D.F.

"Suppose you get a lot of fan mail about your book so I won't gush toomuch - just want to say 'thanks' and let you know how much your book onshadow work has helped me." - A.E.

"Home for the Holidays" CD, this year in time for Christmas

2009-12-10T00:05:00Z

A year ago at this time, I was frantically writing, recording, and editing my Home for the Holidays CD in time for Christmas. I finished the CD, and put it up for sale, with only a few days to spare.

I called it the "special preview edition" because I was planning to expand it during the year to encompass 2 CDs. I wanted to say more about group dynamics and add a few other topics, like personality types.

My life took a different turn, however, and I am now living in the Chicago area once again, and caring for my elderly mother. I won't be expanding the CD this year.

Home for the Holidays is available as a CD, still for just $12.95, and as an electronic download for $9.95. To purchase, visit the Practically Shameless Press website.

The CD can also be ordered from Amazon.com, and once Amazon has ordered copies from me, it will be available there for quick sale.

Possibility of a Russian translation

2009-09-22T23:13:00Z

There's a possibility that Practically Shameless will be translated into Russian, for private distribution by the translator.

I'm honored.

Maybe another book?

2009-08-09T12:20:00Z

A friend in Colorado, Lisa Trank, commented on this Facebook status I posted last night that it would make a gorgeous opening for a book:

Went thru Mom's storage unit today, hunting for MRI films from a brain tumor 22 years ago, didn't find any, but did find 2 of Dad's old wool Marine Corp blankets, in pretty good shape considering they lived thru wars both real & metaphorical. They smelled nice. When we were kids, they kept us warm in the back seat of the car when Dad drove us around to look at Christmas lites. Also picnics at the Wilmette Bowl.

Reading Lisa's comment, my heart lifted to think that I could write another book. When I left Colorado to move back to the Chicago area, I did so wondering if I would ever be able to publish another book, and expecting that I couldn't at least for some time. Writing Practically Shameless left me deeply in debt, and paying off that debt has been such a strain financially that it became impossible to continue my Shadow Work practice, which suffered a good deal from the recession. It seemed I needed to find a regular job, and I know exactly how hard it would be to write a book while working at a regular job, because I tried it for years, and there's little energy for the task of creating a book at the end of a work day, as I'm sure many of my writer friends will attest.

But I've got a job now -- taking care of my mother, and being paid for it by her estate -- and it's paying the bills for now, and if I wrote a book it would be about taking care of her.

As I replied to Lisa, I'm often too tired or too full emotionally to have much big-picture perspective on the process of caring for her. But I realized as I wrote that, that I could keep notes toward that end and worry about writing the book later, perhaps after she's gone, assuming I'm still around myself by that time. Her older sister Ginny just turned 97, and Mom is 86, so it could be a while. I'm 58 now, and if Mom lived to 100, I'd be 72 by then.

It comforts me to think I could write here, on this blog about publishing, any thoughts I have toward such a book. And if I get a book written, I will publish it. I don't know that I would have any lofty goals in doing so, as I did in writing Practically Shameless, when I wanted to teach people a less shame-full way to see themselves and their lives, and to describe what Shadow Work feels like, since it's always so difficult to describe. My goal in this book would mostly be to share what it was like to take care of an elderly mother and what I got from the process. Maybe that's a lofty goal as well.

Moving to Illinois

2009-05-24T17:24:00Z

Practically Shameless Press is moving to Illinois in a few weeks. We'll be temporarily located in Evanston, just north of Chicago, for the summer, then moving into permanent digs in late August.

The reasons for the move are primarily personal: to be near my daughter, who lives on Chicago's north side, and to be near my mother, who lives in assisted living in Glenview.

Mom needs more care these days, and I'll be playing a central role in her care, taking over for two siblings who have gone above and beyond for years.

Of blogging, publishing, reading and greed

2009-03-26T17:16:00Z

I posted this to the Boulder Media Women email list this morning, in response to a question about the maximum number of blogs a person ought to have. Links to all three of my blogs are at my home page.

I started out with one blog about all topics, then added a second when it came free with the new website for my small press [this Press, this blog], then added a third when it came free with my book's page on Amazon.com.

I decided I would offer a different focus on each: (1) personal stuff, movies, politics, books, miscellaneous, (2) publishing, writing, and topics related to my book, and (3) the human shadow as it appears in world affairs and current events. I knew I'd find it challenging to blog frequently enough to warrant having 3 separate blogs, and the jury is still out on that one, largely because I don't have as much time or energy for blogging as I would like. I seem to go in spurts, frankly, blogging a lot when I've got the energy with occasional lengthy silences.

After a brief experiment at posting an entry to the personal blog every day, I abandoned the idea because in general I don't believe in forcing myself to do things I don't like. I do my best to post to the Amazon blog at least once a month and have been able to maintain that. I find it hardest to keep up with the blog at the Press because I haven't been working on a book until recently because I've had very limited time to do so.

I've since acquired the philosophy that one result of people blogging every day whether or not they have something real to say is that lots of junk gets published, and as a result the meaningful writing on the web is harder to find.

I've recently gone a step further than that in my thinking, to the suspicion that it's very similar thinking that got the book publishing industry into trouble. Let me wax rhapsodic for a moment and see if anyone agrees with this line of thought (and if I agree with it once I've written it out).

Once upon a time, publishers accepted only manuscripts they considered worthwhile or, failing that, salable enough to fund the worthwhile books. (I guess I'm generalizing a lot here, I'm thinking of the publishing houses that wanted to produce good books, because I used to work for publishers like that. The people who worked at such places did so because they loved books, and they wanted to publish only books they'd be proud to have on their shelves. And every one of them had shelves and shelves of books at home.)

Gradually, the publishing industry succumbed to greed, as it seems every industry does eventually. It began publishing books that weren't very worthwhile but that would make a quick buck. Walk into any B&N or Borders, and you'll see a table of what I call "junk books" for sale for a few bucks each. Books to be given as gifts, for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, etc.

Not surprisingly, readers caught on to the fact that bookstores were full of "junk books" and that you couldn't count on a book being worth the purchase price. You couldn't count on it being well edited or published because it was worthwhile. That certainly wasn't the only factor in the decline of reading (I blame television primarily), but I think it contributed.

I reviewed a book in 1997, written by a stellar writer, Maya Angelou. I had read her earlier work. It looked to me as if her publisher had decided to "repackage" some of her shorter blurbs into a book, released in time for Christmas, attractively designed and priced at an astounding $17.95, I believe (it was a pretty short book). I was disappointed to find nothing new in the book and said so in my review. I also said I was particularly disappointed considering Maya Angelou's female audience couldn't afford to spend that kind of money on a book that offered nothing new from Angelou's soul.