Insights on Publishing Coming Out of The Metaphysical Closet

Lisa Rhyne holding her book, "Coming Out of The Metaphysical Closet"
Lisa holding the first proof copy
"Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet" audiobook cover

 


Here are some insights on publishing Coming Out of The Metaphysical Closet. The paperback, hardcover and ebook are available on Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. The ebook is also available on Apple Books and Google Play Books. (See details on the book’s page.) This book is not available on Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited because their policy is it must be exclusive to Amazon – meaning I can’t sell the e-book anywhere else and I’m not going to do that. 

I am working on the audiobook. If you think reading this book is a challenge…imagine professionally narrating nearly 172,000 words for an audiobook! Fortunately, being the author and knowing the material intimately helps me narrate it in a way a stranger never could. This is a monumental task and true labor of love as this book was written in my “voice” and I know I’m the only person to narrate the audiobook. 

It is customary to create a companion “Reference PDF” for audiobooks that contain visuals (charts, diagrams, photos, etc.) and as you know, “Coming Out of The Metaphysical Closet” has over 300 visuals. The audiobook’s Reference PDF contains all the visuals in the book (in the order they appear), plus the full Mayan Birth Chart and complete Dragon Dictate transcript. Additionally, it has an extensive “Word, Name, References, and Quoted Content” section at the end. The companion Reference PDF is on the book’s page. 

The Phenomena Gallery has only select images from the book plus supplemental materials. 


Self-publishing is great for many reasons . . . but it ain’t for sissies! You can read about self-publishing online, as it is here to stay and a great way for talented creators to get their content produced and made available to the masses globally.

The delay in releasing this book in all formats is based on my ethos of not putting something out that is below acceptable standards. The print paperback and hardcover versions delay is due to a couple of production issues I encountered with the quality of the photos and the weight of the paper stock.

As the paperback and hardcover are print-on-demand, they are only created when you order them. So, they are truly quantumly entangled with you in a unique way, as the book you get was printed specifically for you.

Without going into all the details, I’ll just show you a few examples of the quality of the initial proof copy of the less expensive “standard color.” Below are screenshots from Amazon’s KDP site showing the details of standard and premium color versions.

The quality of the KDP/Amazon standard color was unacceptable to me, so the book is only offered in premium color on heavier stock paper on Amazon. A 532-page book with over 300 images costs more than the typical black and white book. I’ve also included screenshots to show you why color matters, so this book will not be produced in black and white due to the details in the photos.

This compendium is three books in one and worth every penny. I don’t know about you, but if I spent my hard-earned money on a book and got one with photos like the “standard color” samples below, I’d be mad as hell. I decided to print it as the best quality available, even if it does cost a little more because it is worth it.

After much due diligence, I found that BarnesandNoble.com’s “standard color” on the 50 lb. paper was high enough quality that I felt okay with offering this as a less expensive print version. I included a couple of photos below to show the difference in the thickness of the books. It has the 50 lb with the 70 lb paper versions. Plus, we have the Phenomena gallery to see photos in greater detail.

Below is a gallery with comparisons of the print version and the various ebook versions (on a phone, tablet, and Kindle E-reader) to show the different fonts and layouts as well as total page number.

Ebooks have advantages, such as being easy to transport as the printed paperback is almost two pounds!

The print versions are formatted with unique fonts that fit the book’s overall theme and aesthetic, the photos are larger, and printed books have a different energy signature than electronic ones. You can put a book under your pillow, on your altar, use it in ceremony . . . and if I sign it, that adds another degree of consciousness energy to it.

They both have their benefits. I’d recommend getting the ebook and a printed copy – either paperback or hardcover.

The photos are much smaller in the ebook. You can click on the thumbnail, and it will open up to a larger version. The ebook layout differs from the print, as shown in the screenshots below.

I hope that sharing some insights will help you understand some of what went into the making of this book over several years, covering a lifetime of experiences as a Dream Master in my never-ending quest and life of spiritual service.

Be sure to go to the Coming Out of The Metaphysical Closet page for links to purchase, read blurbs, and connect on social media. All the links for my personal, The Dream Masters, and the book are on the Connect page. You can read just some of the praise received on the Praise page

Visit the Phenomena Gallery, as it has additional photos and materials.

Thank you all for all your love and support on this journey and global movement to encourage everyone to come out of the Metaphysical Closet in these unprecedented times.

Truly in love, humble service, and always the Light, Lisa Rhyne


Thought you might find this as amusing as I did. When I purchased a package of 10 ISBNs from Bowker, they generate the numbers so it is completely random. Their system generated 10 ISBNs and the numbers of the first three ISBNs are very…interesting.

Note, I’m not educated in numerology but have heard these numbers have “mystical” meanings. I think it is fascinating that the last 3 digits of the paperback are my birth month and day (January 17) and the publication date): 1-1-7 and the last 3 of the hardcover is also the publication date: 1-2-4 – January 2024.

This is the kind of synchronicity that’s a regular part of my world!

Ebook: 979-8-9893341-0-0
Paperback: 979-8-9893341-1-7
Hardcover: 979-8-9893341-2-4
Audiobook: 
979-8-9893341-7-9

 


Below are screenshots from Amazon’s KDP website showing Standard vs. Premium color to show why I chose to publish this book with the best possible quality photos. Barnes & Noble has more reasonable pricing so there are 2 versions of each – standard and premium color and they’re priced accordingly.

Screenshots from Amazon's KDP website showing Standard vs. Premium color.
Screenshots from Amazon's KDP website showing Standard vs. Premium color.
photo of 2 hardcover books showing the difference in thickness of 50 lb vs. 70 lb paper.
Hardcover - 70 lb vs. 50 lb Paper Stock
The first book, Journey of a Dream Master (Book 1) with the trilogy compendium, Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet.
The first book, Journey of a Dream Master (Book 1) with the trilogy compendium, Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet.
The first book, Journey of a Dream Master (Book 1) with the trilogy compendium, Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet.
The first book, Journey of a Dream Master (Book 1) with the trilogy compendium, Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet.

Screenshots below from the first proof copy from Amazon that is “standard” color on the thinner paper stock. There are printing anomalies like bands of incorrect color throughout the entire book. Below are photos from the proof copy with the original photo below to show the difference.

Screenshots from Amazon's KDP website showing Standard vs. Premium color.
Screenshots from Amazon's KDP website showing Standard vs. Premium color.

Screenshots below are comparing the print manuscript version with the various ebook versions. There are also color vs. black and white to show why this book will not be offered in a black and white version. 

Below are some book blurbs. More can be found on the Praise page plus reviews and awards. 

END GLOBAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE WITH METAPHYSICAL ABILITIES

Now before I begin my passionate tangent about how vital it is to end global discrimination against METAs, I’ll ask that you please pardon my rambling as I know this is going to be a string of random thoughts as they arise. My brain is in overdrive and I’m quite sleep deprived. I hope you’ll consider what I’m attempting to communicate as briefly as possible – as this is a big topic which is so very dear to my heart and to millions of people worldwide. I had to post this to (hopefully) start a dialogue, get more articles and interviews done on this fascinating, far-reaching, timely and seminal topic.

Here’s the gist of this particular post: Me and my people – the METAs – are still being persecuted and quite frankly, we’re sick and tired of the vile witch hunts, prejudice and discrimination. Enough is enough! The time has come for EVERYONE to be able to come out of the metaphorical “Metaphysical Closet” and step into the Light, to be able to make a living while living our lives openly, authentically, freely and safely. 

This post is about the rampant discrimination against anyone who identifies as or has abilities labeled as: psychic, paranormal, extraordinary, magical, metaphysical, supernatural, shaman(ic), wiccan, pagan, energy healer, light worker, trance channel medium, the fields of parapsychology which includes telekinesis, the “clairs” (clairvoyance, claircognizance, clairsentience, clairaudience, clairescence, clairgustance, clairambience) and on and on. You know what I’m talking about. Let’s just call them “METAs”.

I have been in the arts and entertainment industry – in one form or another – for basically my entire life! For my entire life, I have been aware of my supernatural abilities and talents, and have continuously used them as well as endlessly studied a wide variety of metaphysical areas, modalities and practices.

As most who know me know I’m a member of SAG-AFTRA, BMI and other various groups and have owned my own company, The Dream Masters, (“TDM” since 2000) and also currently work at Disney in the Legal Affairs division doing above-the-line, live action deals (my “day job” as it were). It has been an interesting life indeed and the best is yet to come.

I fall into several categories of highly discriminated against people: woman, over 29, not a size -000,…and the never-discussed yet most shunned group in every industry: the “metaphysically gifted” (“METAs”).

I came out of the “Metaphysical Closet” in 2016 and it is now part of my mission to education and advocate for “METAs” worldwide.

If it weren’t for Metas, the arts and entertainment industry wouldn’t exist. Period. Read that again. 

At this time, there’s an unprecedented movement to eliminate discrimination and hate crimes against a wide variety of groups of people based on: color, race, religion, sexual orientation/identification, LGBTQ+, etc. But still nothing significant for the METAs! 

Shockingly, the scientifically proven, absolute oldest and largest group of humans in the entire world throughout all of history (and often the greatest contributors to the arts and entertainment industry on all levels) are the METAs.

Yet, we are still forced to live in the metaphorical “closet” because of who and what we are – how we were born as well as our choices on how to live (and make the world a better place for all). METAs are still forced to hide our innate abilities as well as valuable learned skills, unable to live safely and authentically out in the open. We constantly have to hide and lie to protect not only ourselves but our families as well as keep our jobs. 

Under current federal laws, “religion” is one protected category…unless you’re a pagan, wiccan, satanist, druid, voo doo/ hoo doo practitioner, etc. Then you’re still considered a weirdo (and possibly delusional and dangerous) and companies lie about why we don’t get the job to avoid lawsuits. But, being highly intuitive and intelligent, we METAs know why we don’t get hired. 

METAs pretty much stay in the closet so they can keep their jobs and have a good life for themselves and their families. As for the entertainment industry…the federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on age and equal pay are a joke (ask 99% of the women). Now factor in people who are METAs…there’s unprecedented discrimination. I am speaking out and standing up to this because I’m fed up with all the double-standards and hate-based discrimination born of ignorance, fear, envy and jealousy.

METAs are usually master storytellers at heart. It takes great imagination and focused intention to manifest great stories and for actors to embody characters. There is an alchemy to acting and all great movies as well as music have a metaphysical ability to transform the audience. 

The greatest storytellers all attribute an unseen force/source for their works. The greatest composers and authors all say something to the effect, “I just wrote down what I heard in my head (or in my dreams or daydreams).” THAT is the perfect example of “channeling” information from unseen dimensions/realms/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. Artists see the painting/picture/sculpture in their mind’s eye and then make it here in this reality.

Writers have been quoted saying that a story that just came to them but got put on a shelf for 20 years will be vastly different when they try to get back into editing it. The village has changed, the people have all changed (grown up, got married, divorced, had kids, died, etc.) and they rewrite a lot of the original manuscript/script. The reason is so simple that it gets missed/dismissed most of the time…or the writer knows what’s going on and will never admit to it for fear of being blacklisted as a kook.

Here’s what happens: Twenty years ago, a writer achieves resonance with a person, a place…let’s say a tiny village and the people in it. Doesn’t matter how – it can happen a number of ways. The writer’s accessing another realm where this place and all its people are real. Naturally over the course of 20 years things change. When that writer returns to that old story they put away on a shelf and gets back into resonance with the village and those people…it is different. And since time is relevant…20 years here could possibly equal 1 or 100 years in that alternate reality.

There are hundreds of quotes on line talking about this phenomena. For instance:

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. ” ~ Michelangelo

People hear that and say I’m being modest, but I am not a modest person, but I have to be truthful about what I’m doing and what I’m doing is channeling. ~ Morgan Freeman

You can’t sit down and write 300 compositions in a three-month period and think that you’re doing it all by yourself. Obviously, there’s something going on here. And whether you want to call it channeling or being connected to a creative force or knowing your history and knowing where you belong, that’s, you know, maybe a personal thing. ~ John Zorn

Many times, working is kind of like channeling, and I really don’t know what’s going to fall on the page. I just did this image of a fat girl and put her on a tiny mountain peak of grass that she’s walking over. It just amused me. ~ Gloria Vanderbilt

“When I am ….. completely myself, entirely alone… or during the night when I cannot sleep, it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how these ideas come I know not nor can I force them.”
― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

You can research this type of stuff all day long on the Internet. One interesting recent article I came across was this one:

Researchers at Durham University teamed up with the Guardian and the Edinburgh international book festival to survey 181 authors appearing at the 2014 and 2018 festivals. Sixty-three per cent said they heard their characters speak while writing, with 61% reporting characters were capable of acting independently.

(Many still don’t fully understand what’s happening but them trying to explain it is very interesting to me. They are channeling and don’t even know it…or won’t admit it for fear of persecution.)

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/27/majority-of-authors-hear-their-characters-speak-finds-study

My website has a lot of information as well as photos when paranormal phenomena in them. My group of peers are the thought leaders and pioneers of fringe science as well as all things metaphysical. We are all working together to change things for the better…for everyone everywhere. It is time to raise the vibration – especially in the entertainment industry – by bringing this discussion into the mainstream across all formats.

I humbly ask you to kindly consider all this and will either write about it or contact publications and approach journalists and anyone else who will listen so that all of you can help to shed light on this enormous and vital topic and end global discrimination against METAs. 

This is an important subject that is gaining momentum and to be ahead of the wave/setting the stage/leading the way is an important thing.

Let us join together, start a dialogue and get articles done on this fascinating timely topic and take action. The days of witch hunts are over…and anyone who wants to continue that very old tradition is in for a surprising response and awakening.

I’ll be writing more and more about this. If you want to write about this or interview me and other experts on this topic, I’ll help you however I can. Please reach out to me via the Contact page. 

In Humble Service, Love & Light ~ Lisa Rhyne

Lisa Rhyne

LISA RHYNE

Founder & President of The Dream Masters