“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(A fourth category—publishing/advertising—developed shortly before the session began. I happened to discover a full-page ad of Prentice-Hall’s in the New York Times book section for April 27, 1975. Four books were featured, but none of Jane’s. I showed it to her, and it got as negative a reaction from her as it did me. Such instances always make me angry, almost at once.

Castaneda’s books, for all their seeming unconventionality, had a niche to fall into, for here was the quite conventional scholar exploring a culture, even of the mind; not his own—but safely, within an academic framework to which he then returned, and to which academic readers could identify. Castaneda had his society’s credentials ahead of time. That society could then accept his journeys, and the individuals could allow themselves to follow his adventures, and forgive him for his cultural transgression because he brought home goodies.

Castaneda could report. Other so-called psychic books of current nature are reported also, but usually by someone even further removed from the original experiences. A writer, free-lance, will do the life story of so-and-so, because the “psychic” himself is considered too erratic, too out of it, and too untrustworthy to honestly record his own experience.

Most of them do not have the writing ability to do so. But beyond that the feeling is that one who has such experiences is by temperament unreliable. The story must then be authenticated by someone else. There are publishing niches for such books.

Both varieties of books allow the reader a built-in distance that provides a cushion against cultural shock: the story is, after all, secondhand. Castaneda told his own story, but it was still secondhand, because his own opaqueness added the necessary distance that protected the reader.

Our books, and I am including Ruburt’s, fall into no such neat category—presenting publishers with problems. In the beginning, particularly, and for that matter now, Ruburt has no accepted credentials. He is not a doctor of anything, for there is no one alive who could give him a degree in his particular line of research, or in yours.

Tam instantly saw the quality in our work, and Ruburt’s. In the beginning only his enthusiasm sold our first book. Prentice would have taken it had you allowed another writer to report the experience. Tam’s boss did go along with him, however. It was Tam who saw in Ruburt’s original manuscript the importance of his work, and the way in which Ruburt was trying to hide it by playing down his relationship with me.

(Pause at 9:49.) It would have been highly impractical, then, to expect Prentice to advertise the book. Times are changing. There is a so-called occult climate, yet we do not fall precisely into that category for them, the publishers, either; and Ruburt refuses to take advantage of “the trappings.” At least then they could say they had an occult personality who played the new part. It might be farce, from the publisher’s viewpoint, but they could sell it, and they would know how to advertise it.

Publishers deal with the culture that you know, with people who follow it. Prentice does not understand why the books have sold. Castaneda does not become Don Juan. He holds himself clearly apart from the reality he explores. If our material was not excellent it might have found its way to some spooky underground publisher.

An ordinary, reputable publisher does not know what to do with a Jane Roberts who produces a Seth of another reality—books on her own also, and books moreover of quality.

He hides behind no other credentials, or social system, or dogma. It is important that our books make their way, and as unhampered as possible by the commercial distortions that would automatically be applied by men interested in advertising a product.

Now Tam can write some good ads. (Long pause.) There will be some good advertisements. In the meantime, Prentice has given a framework—a reputable one—in which the books could find their growth and audience.

They knew they had something, but they had no idea of what it was—or how to handle it. In the beginning they did expect that you might pressure them —perhaps you were opportunists. They were highly impressed because you did not press for publicity. You were not publicity seekers, then. They have no idea of how many books they should have for advance printings—first printings.

They have given you much more freedom than any other reputable, now, publisher would have. The books are forming their own secure basis, and they will do far better. In the meantime you have progressed.

The new environment and the coming spring will help. I would like to have a session on Thursday, to give you more specific suggestions that will be of benefit. After a few sessions devoted to practical concerns we will let you rest so that you will not have current sessions plus the book to do.