Ian Mayo-Smith

Krishna Sondhi

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When the assets of Kumarian Press were sold to Stylus Publishing in 2008, the books written by Ian Mayo-Smith were expressly excluded from the agreement and the copyright and remaining copies of these books were retained by Ian and Krishna.

While Amazon and Barnes and Noble may still hold some stock of these books, they will be made available in April 2010 directly from us at a discounted price of $5.00 per book, plus $2.00 for postage and handling. The proceeds from the sale of these books will go to charity.

PEACE: Poems, Essays and Comments for Everyone (1994), a collection of the best of Ian’s shorter writings in prose and poetry that was published to celebrate his 70th birthday. Some of the writings in this volume have appeared later in other publications (for example, with the full approval of the author, in an Australian magazine) and one at least, "If I hurt you", has, to Ian’s surprise made the rounds of the internet, without acknowledgement of its origins.

The Children’s Aviary (1998) with illustrations by Andrea Doty, a little book for children describing some never before seen birds such as the Gazoogle Bird, the Humphus Pumphus, the Rude Blue Pyjama Bird, the Messy Nester Hawk and the Yakyaks.

Trying to Walk the Way: Hopes, Memories and Fantasies (1999), a second collection of Ian’s shorter verse and prose writings. “Ian Mayo-Smith challenges his readers as he takes them on an armchair journey of discovery around the world and into the soul …….. with a balance of wisdom and humility and a healthy dose of humor.” (from a review by Karen Elliott Greisdorf of Cornerstone Communications.

From 1999 to 2004, Ian’s energies went into editing, producing and writing for The Lilypad, so he produced no new books during this period, but then he began again. First he co-operated with Catherine Wyatt-Morley, CEO of the community organization W.O.M.E.N. and co-authored Positive People: Combating HIV and AIDS (2005). Catherine wrote the moving stories which account for the greater part of the prose pieces in the book, based on her two decades of running a support organization for individuals and their families who have been infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Ian added the remainder of the prose and all the verse pieces. He also edited, typeset and designed the book including its cover. It is published by Trafford Publishing and is available direct from the publisher or through Amazon.com.

Ian’s next book was written in Thailand and published by a Thai publisher, Orchid Press. Mara in the Land of Smiles (2007) is subtitled “An Ancient Fable for Today.” It is illustrated by the distinguished Thai artist Din Hin with outstanding water colors. The Bangkok Post the leading English language newspaper in Thailand devoted almost a full page to a review of the book, and above the review there is a sub-heading reading “American Ian Mayo-Smith’s latest book is a mythic tale that speaks of the crisis of Buddhist values in modern Thailand.” Thailand’s leading social activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Sulak Sivaraksa wrote “Ajahn Ian skillfully bridges the space between this ancient fable and the modern reader and demonstrates the power of a very simple magic, leading to the transformation of individual human lives.” Ian himself considers this the best book he has written and believes it has great relevance to the U.S.A. today.

Ian has also written another book, based on his experiences in Thailand. It is called Family Thais and is the fictionalized story of an Englishman married to a Thai wife. Ian says the book is 100% fiction and 98% true, since all the incidents that befall the members of the fictional family are based on things that have actually happened to the members of the Thai family that Ian and Krishna have “adopted.” At times funny, at times sad, the book depicts the life of a Thai family as it really is. At present this book is only available in pdf form and is available free to anyone who requests it.

Ian has also written the libretto for a musical called “Sisters” which tells the story of two women, one white and the other African American, both of whom are suffering from terminal diseases and who become close friends and supports to each other. The play is loosely based on the lives of two real individuals and is intensely moving. Copies can be made available for any dramatic groups who seriously want to consider it for production. The music by Ian with Heide Goertzen allows for a fair degree of improvisation by the performers. For further information email Ian at ajahnian@hotmail.com.

Quite apart from the books written by Ian himself, The Lilypad strongly recommends the following books which Kumarian Press published during her time as President and Publisher. The authors were contributors to or friends of The Lilypad. The books are still available from Kumarian Press (www.kpbooks.com). The books are:

AIDS Memoir: Joural of an HIV Positive Mother by Catherine Wyatt-Morley
(Text and graphic to follow)

All Her Paths are Peace by Michael Henderson
(Text and graphic to follow)

Lastly, Ian has just finished writing a comic spy thriller calles Do They Really Call This Intelligence?, subtitled The Spy in the Ointment. This will very soon be available as a pdf. Send any inquiries as to availability to him at ajahnian@hotmail.com.

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