Several developments:

(1)
I’ve just published a novel-length version of Preludes, available exclusively on the Amazon Kindle Store.
(This link is for the US Kindle Store. For another Kindle Store, please do a search for “John Brooks” or “Preludes” on that store’s website.)

(2)
The original, novella-length version of Preludes remains available on the Kindle Store as well as on other ebook venues.
(This link is for the US Kindle Store. For another Kindle Store, please do a search for “John Brooks” or “Preludes” on that store’s website. Please note: other (non-US) Kindle stores may not price this novella-length version of “Preludes” as free.)

(3)
As for the manuscript of my next novel novel, Through the Valley of the Shadow of Life – a story exploring a man’s decades-long quest to free himself from the negative effects of sexual abuse experienced in the family environment of his childhood; his search for meaning and contentment in his life, including in his intimate relationships; and his efforts to make amends for past misconduct:

I submitted the manuscript to about 50 literary agents I had carefully researched and selected for their potential compatibility – based on works they had represented in the the past and which they expressed an interest, in their online profiles, in representing currently – with the novel’s subject matter. Although I did not receive any offers of representation, I did receive several personal replies in which the replying agent, based on the opening pages and story synopsis I had submitted, complimented Valley for its storyline and/or writing (with one or another agent calling the story “compelling,” saying there was “much to admire” in my submission, saying they had read my submission “with interest,” that “your writing is strong,” and so on). These compliments have provided me encouragement in my decision to self-publish this novel, which I plan to do sometime in the first half of 2022.

More details and an excerpt can be found here.

I have recently completed the manuscript of a novel – Through the Valley of the Shadow of Life – exploring a man’s decades-long quest to free himself from the negative effects of sexual abuse experienced in the family environment of his childhood; his search for meaning and contentment in his life, including in his intimate relationships; and his efforts to make amends for past misconduct.

Described by a beta reader as a coming of age novel in old age, Through the Valley of the Shadow of Life takes the reader on a journey of enlightenment in a struggle against darkness and taboo.

I hope I can find a good agent to represent this novel, and that the agent can then find a good publisher. If some or all of that doesn’t happen, self-publishing is always an option.

You can read an excerpt here.

(Please note: This update supersedes all previous updates regarding my writing activities, SNS, etc).

First, for over a year I’ve been working on some substantial revisions to what I had considered to be the near-final draft I  had previously completed, over two years ago, of Through the Valley of the Shadow of Life – this based on my consideration of various beta reader feedback and on various societal developments, particularly the rise of the #MeToo movement and its reframing of societal awareness regarding sexual assault generally.

Second, I’ve been working to make some significant revisions, based on reader feedback and societal trends, to Preludes: A Story of Child Sexual Abuse in a Middle Class American Family – my novella on the Kindle Store and other ebook stores based on my experience of child sexual abuse and the challenges of healing – with an aim of selling Preludes for a price (currently it’s free) and running a Kindle ad campaign. (Click here for the current version.)

Third, I have made an affirmative decision to drastically reduce the amount of my time available for writing and writing-related activities that I allocate to social media and similar activities, the reason being that I’ve concluded I need basically all of my available time for the writing itself. 

… in evening’s coolness on Omotesando Avenue … some feeling of peace.