Wow, it’s a first! The first time for me at age sixty-nine.
My brother rebuilt the custom, three-wheel motorcycle he’s owned for forty years. I took pictures – as is my habit. I knew some of his history with that machine, but I asked him for the full story.
I thought the words and pictures went together nicely and maybe I could make a little coffee-table book as a gift for him.
And then I thought it would be even nicer if I could get that story and pictures published in a motorcycle magazine. I sent out a few letters of inquiry but got no takers.
About six months passed before I received an email from an executive editor at Tattoo Media Ink in New York, saying he would love to see my story and pictures for publishing consideration in their Outlaw Biker Magazine.
I submitted my article and was told they would use it. Great! I said before asking what they pay. Unfortunately, there is no monetary compensation, it’s more a tradeoff for the exposure. “Not even a tee-shirt or some complementary issues?” I asked.
They were generous with complementary issues, and it is exciting to open a slick, lacquered magazine cover, flip three glossy color pages and see, “My Brother’s Chopper – Photos and Article by Scott Canfield.”
The story and pictures cover three glazed pages that are preceded and followed by almost as many pictures of motorcycles as pictures of nearly naked women. That can make it a bit awkward when I want to say, hey – I got published – take a look!
This issue will be on sale nationwide on newsstands and in most Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million locations on September 7th, 2021. You can see the cover, some pictures, and the description here. Please note one misprint – they say, “We also feature custom builds from ANTHONY CAMMARANO & LOREN CANFIELD!” Loren is my brother, but his last name is Stonebrink.
You can see and/or download a PDF copy of the magazine here.
No surprise for me! Your writing has always been either informative, delightful, poignant, reflective, fun, inspirational….need I go on? Congrats Scott!
Very kind words, Kay, from someone who has written and published. Thank you. I would love to find more success in writing than simply entertaining myself and now and then having it spill over where others might read it. Maybe if I find my niche. A novel, a blog, a periodical publication? So many possibilities, but how do you begin to wade into it?