Over the last couple of years, I’ve been working on writing the Going East story in book format. I’m even doing an MFA to help me write an excellent book. I’ve learned a lot that I didn’t know about book publishing, and I’ve become a much better writer – without the help of AI!

Originally, I thought I’d plan to self-publish. I might still, but I’m also considering Indie publishers. Mostly because of print distribution, which is what publishers do well. However, in order to get a publisher, I need to limit my book to around 80,000-90,000 words. I cannot do that if I try to write the entire Going East story in one book.

I’ve been waffling – multiple times – between writing one book with the entire story, which would be longer, or writing two books – Going East across Canada: An Unconventional Bike Ride and Going East Around the World without Airplanes.

Going East Across Canada: An Unconventional Bike Ride focuses on the two summers we spend riding across Canada. In 2008 we rode from Ottawa, Ontario out to St. John’s Newfoundland. In 2009 we rode from Victoria BC back to Ottawa, Ontario. This is a book about Canada and all that we discovered about Canada as we experienced the back roads by bicycle. Our route was not the standard trans-Canada highway, rather we travelled a more northern route to Prince Rupert BC and across the middle of the Prairies, up to Timmins Ontario before making our way back to Ottawa.

Going East Around the World Without Airplanes focuses on the international portions of our trip. It covers container ship transits of the oceans, the middle east, and cycling through Southeast Asia. In it, I share my experience as well as reflections about interpersonal dynamics on container ships with predominantly German or Eastern European officers and Philippine crew and my experiences visiting culturally Muslim countries (Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Malaysia).

When I started working on the books in earnest, I found that it was easier for me to write the Around the World Without Airplanes book, so I’ve spent the last year with the support of the MFA focusing on the Going East Across Canada book.

I watch and see how the people I know react more to the Around the World book. However, I’m setting myself up to be pitching the Across Canada book to publishers first, as it will be ready first. I question whether I’m shooting myself in the foot by not putting my best foot forward.

I’m going to commit to sharing more here about my writing process as the books come together, as well as the questions I’m pondering along the way. I have a good outline of chapters, and most of the Cross Canada chapters have at least a first rough draft.

Would you buy one of my books? or both of my books? If you were to only buy one, which one would it be?