Interview with Alexander Polikoff

Author of  The Path Still Open: A Greater Chance for Peace than Ever Before

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Born in Chicago, now live in a Chicago suburb.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

Young children needing good schools.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

Engagement with public housing segregation, leading to an argument before the Supreme Court.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Addressing problems, residential segregation of African Americans in the first two books (and in the forthcoming fourth one), planetary self-destruction in the third one.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Readers who are genuinely concerned about our country and our planet.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Writing is a good way to hone your own thinking. Publishing is a challenge — finding a publisher, and working your way through the process.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

Write because you like to write, not because you have great expectations for the result.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Ideally, lots. Realistically, a few who find the ideas worth pondering would suffice.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

On the segregation issue, not to become disheartened at the lack of progress. On the planetary survival issue, figuring out what to tell my grandchildren about what’s happened recently.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Persistence.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

On (a) a tendency to verbosity, on (b) and (c), not really knowing what I’m doing.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

It will be coming out in the spring (co-authored).

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Traditional publisher for three, self-publish for one.