In perfecting his flying at high speeds, Jonathan had turned into a bird of another feather.

That crystal clear voice was dictating the next chapter. Nine years and several editorial jobs later, Bach woke up early one morning in Ottumwa, Town. Unable to think of a way to end his little fable, Bach put it away. One day this seagull, whose name was Jonathan, soared up and away, determined to perfect his flying ability. These told of a seagull who grew discontented with the life lived by the other birds in his flock, dreary creatures who flew merely to pick up scraps of food dropped from garbage scows. he heard a crystal clear voice chant in his ear three words: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” He rushed back to his lonely writer's room and, man inspired, typed out some 3,000 words. Raymond Walters Jr., assistant editor of the Book Review, is veteran observer of the book trade. One foggy evening back in 1959, depressed by the fact that his writing was barely paying his rent, Bach took a stroll along a canal embankment in Belmont Shores, Calif., when Have him tell a story that enables the reader to (a) see how glamorous industry or profession operates on the inside (b) feel imperiled by unseen forces or (c) live raunchy life vicariously. He had published three books, the most successful of which, “Stranger to the Ground,” the reflections of a fighter pilot on a flight from England to France, sold a grand total of 17,000 copies.Ģ. This mid‐thirtyish native of suburban Chicago, onetime Air Force captain and latterday barnstorming pilot, was supporting himself in a way by editing and writing for flying fan magazines. The great majority of novels on any best - seller list are works by authors of previous best sellers.Ĭonsider, for example, the case of Richard Bach. Start with a writer already well known to the great reading public for his ability to entertain, instruct or shock. As a public service, we share them with readers of the Book Review.ġ. As astute veteran observers of the trade have remarked, there are seven simple rules that, if conscientiously applied, are almost certain to induce a best seller.

To many outsiders, the publishing of books seems as chancy as horse racing.

Jonathan livingston seagull full story