I am here to share, to help. Nothing is more rewarding for me than sharing.

Doobie Shemer – 10 October 2014

The Back Flap

Walking with Elijah is the story of Doobie Shemer’s literal and spiritual journey from kibbutznik to shaman. As he recounts the significant events in his life – his childhood in Israel, the loss of his father, the influence of Grandma Tova, his introduction to shamanism – Doobie takes us with him on his journeys to the spirit world to share his vivid mystical experiences and the answers he finds to life’s key questions.

Now, twenty years on since he first met Elijah, his Spiritual Teacher, Doobie has incorporated spiritual work into every aspect of his daily life. As a practicing shaman himself, Doobie regularly helps family, friends, and strangers to find answers and solutions that are both practical and spiritual.

Walking with Elijah: The Fable of a Life Journey and a Fulfilled Soul inspires us to fearlessly explore our own spiritual path and to walk paths never walked before.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

May 2010

How long did it take you to write it?

About 4 years

Where did you get the idea from?

During the course of the last 20 years, my life has been transformed from living aimlessly into a stage where I feel fulfilled in my heart and my soul.
My hope is that Walking with Elijah would inspire others to fearlessly explore their spiritual path and to walk paths never walked before.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

My book is about my spiritual experience. My main struggle was with articulating my experience in the depth and the magnitude that will read appealing and intriguing.

What came easily?

Once I got into the writing path I felt comfortable with the pace and the detailed.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My book is nonfiction spiritual memoir. All the characters in my book are not fictional.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Rumi is one of my favorites. Another author is Paulo Coelho – both inspire me with the way they view life beyond materialism and significant is the spirituality in their poems and stories.

Do you have a target reader?

In fact, I do. Walking with Elijah is dedicated all those the feel stuck (like I did), either in their daily job or in general with life. I do hope my personal story will provoke them to think, to dare themselves out of their comfort zone and to experience the amazing non-ordinary reality.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Each chapter in Walking with Elijah tells about different topic and has a Shamanic spiritual journey in its core. All my experiences are reflections of my journeys and events that preceded them.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Once I get the idea of the chapter, I journey to Elijah my spiritual teacher, then I take notes of that journey, which become the 1st draft of a chapter.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I do minor editing, but I am mostly relying on a professional editor.

Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)

Yes, I did, and I’ll be happy to recommend her.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, I do (in fact Natalie Merchant singing in my ears as I write this interview) – given my book topic – Metaphysics / Spirituality – I was listening to one might call Healing and Spiritual music.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, to more than 30, but I got no attractions.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Once I realized that no Agent is interested I decided to go indie.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Yes, I did, and I’ll be happy to recommend him.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Still working on a plan, trying to research on the Internet, learning from others.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Start small, learn about Indie publishing and marketing with a small book (40-60) pages. Only once you feel comfortable with the process (and you have made all possible mistakes – you will for sure!) write your long-life-dream novel.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Israel, Kibbutz Givat Berener

Where do you live now?

Pasadena CA. USA

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am here to share, to help. Nothing is more rewarding for me than sharing.

What are you working on now?

My next book would be about Energy work – still working on the concept.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Doobie’s website, the website for Walking with Elijah, or its Facebook page.

Get your copy of Walking with Elijah from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).