An Interview with Delin Colon: Author & Entrepreneur
Sylvia: Hi Delin, it is such a pleasure to interview you. I know how busy you are so thank you for your time. Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book.
Delin: Thank you Sylvia. My name is Delin Colón. I am the author of “Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal of History.” I was born in New Jersey and have lived in Maryland, D.C., Florida, California (northern and southern), Montreal and Washington State. My undergraduate work was in French, with a minor in Social Psychology, and my graduate work was in Clinical Psychology. Among many other things (such as working in psychiatric hospitals), I’ve been a technical writer for Sociological Abstracts, a researcher, and owner of a construction company.
I’ve always enjoyed writing but seem to have a special affinity for research and non-fiction. I also enjoy creating minimalistic collage art. I live quietly in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, a fine art photographer.
Sylvia: So, you are in construction… AWESOME! Woman Power! So, writing is probably very relaxing after a long and noisy day in the field. What inspired you to write your first book?
Delin: My father had always told me that my great-great uncle, Aron Simanovitch, had been Rasputin’s secretary. About 15 years ago, I happened across an out-of-print copy of Simanovitch’s memoirs in French, which fortunately I understand. I was thunderstruck by all the good works he recounted of Rasputin helping the oppressed Russian Jews. After translating his memoir into English, I spent the next decade doing research to substantiate his claims. What I found was that the anti-Semitic Russian aristocracy demonized Rasputin (the same way they did Jews) for his humanitarian efforts. No one before had ever chronicled Rasputin’s aid to Jews, yet all who knew him, from his daughter to his murderers, mentioned his efforts whether with derision or admiration.
Sylvia: Very interesting, especially the fact you researched the subject for a long while.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Delin: Yes. One is obvious, the other more general. I want to show the effects of anti-Semitism. Even those who aren’t Jews suffer the effects, as Rasputin’s reputation did. The larger message is that, just as there are two sides to every story, there’s more than one view of history and various perceptions of its events. History is generally written by the powerful, the elite and the literate. That’s only one side of the coin. Then, there are the masses – those whose voices have been silenced or simply swept aside. In the case of “Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal of History”, pre-revolutionary life in Russia was luxurious if you were an aristocrat or a successful businessman. If you were a poor Jew, confined to the ghetto called The Pale of Settlement, deprived of an education, most occupations, without civil rights, life was a tenuous thing.
Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Delin: I think every writer has to find her own path. The only thing I can say is that, when you’re writing, focus only on the process. Don’t even think about publishers, who will like it, how you’ll market it, etc. All that will only distract from you putting everything into it. You have plenty of time, once the manuscript is finished, to worry about all that other stuff. When you’ve put down the pen (or keyboard), after the final draft, then look at it with a critical eye, from a reader’s point of view, publishing, marketing, etc.
Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?
Delin: For the truth. We should not allow defamatory myths to be perpetuated and we should give credit where credit is due. Rasputin, now 95 years after his murder, deserves to be exonerated – finally vindicated – freed to no longer be an unwitting victim of anti-Semitism. And.. I could use the cash.
Sylvia: Could anti-Semitism really be the reason the aristocracy hated Rasputin?
Delin: I’ve been asked this a number of times. Certainly, it wasn’t the only reason. There was the aristocracy’s jealousy of a peasant having the Tsar’s ear. There was also the jealousy of the clergy because so many attended Rasputin’s dynamic sermons. There were also his radical political ideas like giving equal rights to the Jews, not engaging in wars, not sending soldiers into battle without ammunition, slashing the black market prices on food. These things sound reasonable to us, but to the aristocracy, it was a death knell. But I think those who doubt that someone’s character could be defamed because of anti-Semitism don’t quite understand how deep that hatred can be. World War II was proof of that.
Sylvia: Hatred… yes, it’s deeply rooted; gut wrenching deep! Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?
Delin: I’m a dinosaur who prefers writing with pen on paper. Somehow, I feel a computer, or even (forgive the anachronism) typewriter, removes me from the work. I just feel more of a connection when writing directly onto paper. Since my work involves research, I’m usually pretty spread out, with index cards of information that I organize into the sequence I want, then transcribing from them onto a legal pad. For my purposes, the dining room table works well, since I never use it for meals anyway. It has a warm atmosphere.
Sylvia: Pen and Paper! That’s rare these days.
Well Delin, what is your POWER WORD? A power word is a word that has great effect to the person hearing or reading it. My power word is EMPOWER! In fact, I created a weekly program called, POWER UP and each week my group discover and discuss a specific POWER WORD as it relates to our lives. I provide audio and handouts as well.
Delin: Sound interesting! Let’s see… that’s a tough one. I guess the first one that comes to mind is “YES”.
Sylvia: YES, hmmmm, I like that… Why “YES?”
Delin: Well, it opens me to all possibilities and leaves no room for doubt. When an idea comes into my head, my first reaction is “YES”! Even if it doesn’t work out, without that “yes,” I’d never explore it.
Sylvia: Delin, it’s been a pleasure! Thank you once again for your time. Where can my readers buy your book?
Delin: Thank you, Sylvia. You have no idea how grateful I am for this opportunity.Readers can click on the following link, Amazon.
Website: http://delin-colon.artistwebsites.com/
Blog: http://therealrasputin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/delincolon
Delin’s Book Review
Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
I’m thrilled to report that, following your interview, Sylvia, New York Journal of Books has published a glowing review of my book, Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal of History. They rarely review self-published books, so this was an exception.
> Reviewer Charles Weinblatt, author of Jacob’s Courage gave a very incisive assessment of the work. The review can be seen at:
> New York Journal of Books (http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/review/rasputin-and-jews-reversal-history)
I am so excited for you Delin. Congratulations! This is wonderful news.
This is great Delin! Congrats!
Enjoyed this interview. Sounds like an important book. Congratulations Delin!
Delin, that is so exciting! Sylvia, you have quite a group of readers and I can’t wait to be your guest here. Delin, your book sounds fascinating. I always love the truth about a historical figure, especially one with Rasputin’s reputation. Good luck and Congratulations on the review!!!
Hi Barbara,
Thanks so much for your comments. I am looking forward to posting your interview on 2/8.
Hey Mary,
Thanks so much for reading Delin’s interview and visiting my blog. Your interview will be here before you know it, 3/21.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to comments.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment. Editor!
Dr. Karen Moriarty welcomes interviews about her unique book defending Michael Jackson…
New FIVE-STAR Michael Jackson Biography Is Now Available as an E-Book: Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy by Dr. Karen Moriarty
“If you want an eye-opening portrayal of the real Michael Jackson – delivered in a rare blend of disclosure, respect, insight, and passion – this is it!” Thomas A. Mesereau, MJ’s defense attorney
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Author and psychologist Dr. Karen Moriarty has announced that her book Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy is now available for e-readers in Kindle and NOOK formats.
Since its release in December 2011, Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy has won numerous accolades, along with FIVE-STAR REVIEWS, and has been called by Readers Favorite “one of those rare books that will touch the reader’s mind and heart.”
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This book reveals a never-before-told inside view of the daily life of Michael Jackson, to help readers understand the real man and father behind the music and genius. The author presents evidence of his heterosexuality and secret girlfriends. She explains why he became so nomadic after his 2005 trial, why he always veiled his children in public, and why he always kept millions of dollars in cash within arm’s reach. This book reveals the details of his last four mysterious years—where he went and what he did. His many private acts of kindness are disclosed as well as his global humanitarianism, which included $300 million in contributions to causes around the world.
See http://www.defendingaking.com for complete information about the book.
Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy is now available as an e-book through http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com, and the paperback is available from these same websites as well as from http://www.infinitypublishing.com.
Format: Paperback (498 pages) ISBN: 978-0-7414-7031-7 SRP: $27.95
Kindle: $7.69 NOOK: $7.96
Genre: Biography
Dr. Karen Moriarty has worked as a teacher of English and writing, a counselor, consultant, and administrator for public schools, and as a licensed clinical psychologist and therapist in private practice. Her first book, Baby Richard: A Four-Year-Old Comes Home (2003), presents the behind-the-scenes story of the highly-publicized case that rallied the public and changed her clients’ lives forever.
The author may be reached at defendingaking@gmail.comor (904)373-8008 .
Website: http://www.defendingaking.com
Dr. Moriarity,
Wow, very interesting! I enjoyed visitng your website and reviewing reviews listed on Amazon.com. I would love to feature you on my blog. For more information to submit your information, please go to, http://sylviabrowder.com/media/women-authors.html
Sincerely,
Sylvia
Good afternoon
I was interested in sharing my story here. I am 67 and published my first book A Hairdresser;s Diary just recently. Please let me know if you would be interested in me
http://www.amazon.com/Hairdressers-Diary-looking-reflection-ourselves/dp/1475164289/ref=zg_bsnr_220855011_12
Thank you
Christine,
Thanks so much for contacting me. I am happy to profile you. Here is the link for further information, http://sylviabrowder.com/media/women-authors.html. As soon as I get her information, I will put you on the schedule. Currently, I am scheduling for November. I schedule authors as they turn in the information that I requested.
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia – I have just launched my second book “Empowering your Authentic Self: the secret of revealing your true nature and awakening to your self-aware magnificence” on Amazon as an ebook. The title is fairly self explanatory and it is the culmination of wisdom that I have gained through the roller coaster of my own life – essentially if it is going to Be, it’s up to Me! I share the tools of transformation that have helped me to accept myself, and value the gift that I have to share with others walking their path on this Earth, here and now. I would love to be interviewed by a woman such as yourself who has clearly grasped the truth of her own magnificence.
Hi Rosalind,
Thank you so much for connecting with me. Congratulations on launching your second book. What a great milestone. I would be delighted to interview you. Here is the link with more info, http://sylviabrowder.com/write-for-us/author-interview-submission.html.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Hi, my name is Robert Hirsch and JournalStone Publishing has just released my novel, Contrition. Could you please advise me on how to go about getting interviewed or reviewed on your site? Thank you.