Dear Toni,

My career has spanned four decades. I started as a folksinger in Greenwich Village (NYC) in the 60’s playing many of the venues that were made famous by the likes of Bob Dylan. Like Dylan, my music became “electrified” by the middle of the decade, and I signed with Atlantic Records. My group, Apple Pie, toured constantly, opening for the immortal Jimi Hendrix, Cream (featuring Eric Clapton), and The Chambers Brothers, among others.
I moved on to the world of theater as star of the San Francisco production of the Broadway hit Hair. Following my stint in Hair, I relocated to London where I was recruited as vocalist for the Polygram recording group, Steamhammer, later returning to the States to star in the stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
An avid Harley owner and longtime session vocalist, I’ve appeared in numerous films and television series, including a pilot for ABC, and a short-lived series co-starring with George Clooney. In the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, I was a partner with the late actor Ray Sharkey in a rock n’ roll club called Radio Night Club & Lounge.
I recently put the finishing touches on my first literary effort, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Chronicles.
My new band is CHEAP SUIT. Our next show is at THE MINT, 6010 Pico Blvd. (half a block east of Crescent Heights), in Hollywood, January 28th, from 7:30 to 9:00. This is also the 20th anniversary of my 39th birthday, so I would recommend making reservations and being there by 7:00 P.M. if you intend to have dinner. By the way, the food is great and not expensive.
I know this has been a long road to my question, but sometimes I think our background is just as important as our questions.  At least, for me, I always find myself interested in how a person got to where they are. 
So finally, here is my question:
I recently finished my first literary attempt and have been told by professionals that it's pretty damn good. Being a songwriter and not necessarily an author, I really think it's needs to be edited. I would like to publish it as well as work up a treatment for a screenplay. My question is: what course of action would you suggest I take in finding an editor who would edit it for a piece of the action?

Sincerely,
Bruce Payne

Dear Bruce

I agree with you; I really enjoy hearing about the journeys people have taken to get to where they are now.  Sometimes I find in Los Angeles that people just want to limit their definition of who they are to one or two sentences.  The personal journey is what interests me. 

In answer to your question, I think you have several avenues open you.  If you want to do it the traditional way, you can run your book by a literary agent who can in turn pass it on to an editor.  Sometimes publishers will do it for you, but that is very rare now. Another way to go would be to consult Craig’s List on-line and list yourself as someone seeking an editor.  Another way to go – and this would be my personal choice -- would be to tape yourself telling the stories, and bring the tapes(s) into a company that will transfer it to manuscript form, corrections included.  This is not expensive as you might think and will give you the options of having a tape that you can use for a book, a movie or even doing a live one-man show, which from hearing about your background sounds like it might be very cool!

Thank you,
Toni Attell

Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net.