Meet Ronald Jackson, author of “Beyond the Backstage Door”
Tell us what your book, “Beyond the Backstage Door,” is about!
Sure! Here’s the summary:
A look inside the musical journey of an avid music fan who spent almost six decades experiencing music from different perspectives and across three genres, ultimately becoming a respected music journalist and critic with his own comprehensive website and radio program.
What did you love most about writing this book?
Recalling my encounters and conversations with artists of the ‘60s (Smokey Robinson, Gene Chandler, members of the Coasters, Barbara Lewis, Mary Wells, and others), followed by the aspirations and fascination with what is now known as classic rock, and, beginning in the ‘90s, my wonderful experiences in contemporary jazz all combined to spark my interest in documenting all of this. It was the match that started the flame. After much thought about my experiences, I became so excited about taking on this project that I dove right in, allowing my memories to lead the way. Starting from my first experience at around age 10, I enjoyed chronicling events and mentally propelling myself back into the various scenarios, each sentence igniting another exciting memory. The overwhelming sense of transporting myself back through each period was just that—pleasantly overwhelming.
How did you start writing?
Since grade school, I was always interested in words telling a story—spoken and written. I was often poked by my college English professors to pursue English as my major (I had initially chosen Political Science as my major). Not then thinking that I could write something that would have broad appeal, I declined. Oh, how I regretted that choice later! I did go on to become a professional writer-editor in the federal government for roughly 25 of my 36 years there.
Imagining the beauty and possibilities of writing about my musical memories—and using them as a doorway to contribute to the world of music in yet another way—a world of music I absolutely adored—in a really useful, participatory manner was simply irresistible.
Tell us a little bit about your self-publishing experience.
Many years ago, I wrote a couple of fiction novelettes and attempted to publish them in the conventional way (figuratively knocking on the doors of publishers throughout the U.S.). I found the conventional publishing process for fiction to be much more critical and questioning. I ultimately chose not to pursue that avenue again. I also found that self-publishing has its own drawbacks if you’re not someone with the financing needed to see it through (cover design, production, etc). Writing fiction just adds another level of concern.
For this project, I found that Amazon KDP was very accommodating. Just write the book, arrange for cover art and design, identify your audience, and proceed. The monetary reward may or may not be what one expects, but you satisfy your prime objective: telling your story without going broke trying to do so.
What was your biggest challenge in bringing the book to market, and how did you solve it?
Finding the right venue or platform that provides what you need without an overwhelming list of restrictions has turned out to be the most frustrating. Your story may be the best of its kind, but it means nothing without an audience—and audiences are brought to you by the proper and appropriate vehicles. That remains a work in progress. Amazon has provided the main vehicle, but I’m continuing to seek other platforms that can guide interested readers to my story.
What's one piece of advice you have for other writers?
Be resilient and patient!
Anything else you want folks to know?
Whether or not you’re a musician or music industry insider, I’d like to think that, if you’ve ever felt that music has played an integral part of your life, and if certain artists, songs, or concerts instantly transport you back to a particular place and time, you will easily relate to “Beyond the Backstage Door.”
Where can people find your book?
