Interview With Author Bryon Ehlmann
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
All my academic degrees are in computer science—BS, MS, and PhD. I’m a very tenacious, mathematical, logical, and analytical person. (Too rational, according to my sisters!) I was a software engineer for a computer company for twelve years and a computer science professor for thirty years.
In 2012, at age 62, I grew tired of keeping up with the ever-changing idiosyncrasies of computer software systems. After all, I’m also a more theoretical person. Instead, I wanted to apply my talents, skills, and an open mind to the Big Questions in life, which meant studying the more established fields of philosophy, religion, and psychology. So, I retired early.
I’ve written two books. My first book was related to my specific expertise in computer science. It was published in 2009 by Springer. Its title is Object Relationship Notation (ORN) for Database Applications: Enhancing the Modeling and Implementation of Associations.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Natural Afterlife Discovered: The Newfound, Psychological Reality That Awaits Us at Death.
Soon after I retired, I woke up from a dream and, for the first time in my life, thought, “Suppose I never had woken up. How would I ever know the dream was over?” My thought was, “I wouldn’t. How could I?” I also thought, “Why hadn’t I or others asked this question before?” I had to investigate.
Essentially, what I had carried out was a thought experiment. It led to others, like “When being given general anesthesia, when do I know I’m not on the operating table?” My answer: “Only when I wake up in the recovery room.” But then, “suppose I never do?” My response: “Then I’ll forever believe I’m on that operating table. Reading articles about near-death experiences (NDEs) made me think: “Suppose I’m having an NDE, where I believe I’m in heaven like many survivors do. When do I know I’m not? Only when I recover. But suppose I never do? How will I ever know I’m not in heaven?” I won’t!
These thought experiments led to ten years of research and analysis. My efforts revealed a new reality about death and the afterlife based on human experience and cognitive science. As my understanding of this reality evolved, I wrote articles, including three published in psychology journals. I eventually expressed the reality as the theory of a natural eternal consciousness.
Then, I felt obligated to write a book. It would allow me to make the content of my journal articles more accessible to the public, tell of the challenge I had faced in trying to publicize a newfound reality that upsets current orthodoxy, discuss the potential philosophical and religious significance of this reality, and most importantly, make as many people aware of it ASAP. The more people who know about it, the better the world will be.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I suffer from being a better editor than a writer. I often read what I’ve written, don’t like it, and have to change it. Unfortunately, this often occurs after it’s already been published.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
These are three nonfiction books that made me look at the world with new insight:
Biocentrism by Robert Lanza, MD Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
What are you working on now?
I’m not working on another book. I’m a 75-year-old retiree and too busy with my new hobby: marketing my book and responding to comments and questions from readers. I have to call it a hobby since my wife accuses me of still working too much on my book.
I’ve found that writing a book is half the job. Marketing it is the other half when you self-publish. While doing so has many advantages, a disadvantage is that you don’t have a publisher with the incentive and means to market it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for me is my website https://bryonehlmann.com/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My book presents a theory that upends the current orthodoxy about death and an afterlife. It’s radical, “outside the box,” and provocative to many. As such, I believe many journal editors and book agents think, “It’s too hot to handle.” In the book, I tell of my travails in getting my journal articles and book published–eighteen rejections for one of my journal articles and seventy rejections by book agents.
So, my advice to new authors: Be persistent! If you believe in the value of your idea or story, don’t give up despite many submissions and rejections. When I finally found the right journal after those eighteen rejections, the editor exclaimed in response to my submission: “Wow! I’m a bit speechless. … my “wow” pertained to the writing and topic, everything.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Regarding my book, that would be “Consider self-publishing.” This advice was especially good for a nonfiction author like me who had a clear message to impart, wished to retain control over how it was delivered, and wanted it to be delivered ASAP. Also, royalties are generally higher with self-publishing. Given a publisher’s posted printing costs, you can determine your book’s price and thus royalty. And you can make revisions more quickly and cheaply before and after the book is published.
What are you reading now?
Interesting articles on politics, history, science, and especially those relevant to my book. My book reading has been put on temporary hold. As I previously mentioned, a disadvantage of self-publishing is that marketing is your responsibility. I’ve contracted for help on this, but it still involves much time and effort on my part.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Interviews, presentations, book signings, and continuing to respond to readers’ questions.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
First the practical, then books to ponder:
· Outdoor Life: Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual: 272 Wilderness Skills | Survival Handbook by Tim MacWelch
· History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day by Smithsonian Institution (Nigel Ritchie and Adam Hart-Davis)
· An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, 4th Edition by Brian Davies
· The Bible
Author Websites and Profiles
Bryon Ehlmann’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.