“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

Ruburt has been thinking too much in terms of responsibility and work again. The attitude turns beloved projects into pursuits that must be performed along the surface of the moments. He has begun Seven, and so it must be finished (underlined), because, while he loves the book, he has begun to think of it as “work.” So poetry lately, again, does not fit in, for he must have a certain number of pages to show “that he has used his time properly.”

(Amused:) I often break off book dictation also at certain times to help relieve Ruburt of feelings of responsibility, when he thinks that he should have book sessions because of the responsible work involved. Poetry, painting, and out-of-bodies are quite as much a part of his “work” as anything else he does. To some extent all of this applies to you also.

(10:27.) Give us a moment.... Now: Pocket Books did not know what to do with Seven. (See my question in session 842.) It was fiction, and yet they were aware of Ruburt’s psychic reputation. (Pause.) There were indeed problems within the firm, and the editor who liked the book was let go and unable to follow through as she would have liked.

Besides this, however, there are certain other elements working along with the Seven books.

Ruburt’s books and my own—that is, Ruburt’s psychic books—are considered nonfiction, clear and simple. The Seven books are considered novels, yet they are not science fiction. It is understood that the author is breaking new ground—but metaphysical ground. Some people who read our other books are afraid to read the Seven ones—for if Ruburt writes fiction, which means not fact, then they fear the line between fact and fiction blurs, and where is the Truth, in capital letters?

The mass reader is used to conventional science fiction. The metaphysical elements are actually quite at variance with the science fiction audience: the reincarnational aspects in particular. The book’s very originality, therefore, to some extent has limited its readership. This is no simple Star Wars, for example.

At the same time all of this is known. The impact of all of our books goes far beyond, for example, the numbers sold, and it is in both of your natures (with amused irony) to send forth into your worlds books that are in exuberant opposition to its mass beliefs—(much deeper) so you can hardly expect the readership of gothic novels. Even I am more realistic than that!

The impact of the books is something else, again, and the steady sales and those steady sales will continue and accelerate. In terms of fiction, there are set categories, and Seven fits none of them. You are setting yourselves new categories. Enjoy the privilege, the ability, and the rewards, for the books do sell. People do listen.