Almost everyone has heard the expression, “a rising tide floats all ships” – and assuming your ship isn’t full of holes, it’s true. The expression applies with equal force to publishing, and has special meaning where authors are concerned. Because authors have the power to raise the tide. Not just bestselling authors, either. Every single one of us – and in the weeks to come I’m going to write on this topic more than a little. (If you’re not an author, don’t worry – a lot of my advice will apply to other life situations too.) Many times, when an author
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Japanese Lotteries – Old and New
The Ashikaga shoguns ruled Japan during the Muromachi period. Although not strictly considered a hereditary position, the title of shogun remained in the hands of the Ashikaga clan from 1338 until 1573. The office most commonly passed from father to son or from older to younger brother, but on occasion it passed in entirely different ways. One of the strangest? A lottery. The fourth Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimochi, held the title of shogun from 1395–1423, at which time he retired in favor of his son, Ashikaga Yoshikazu. Unfortunately, Yoshikazu died only two years later. After his son’s untimely death, 40 year-old
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