The birthday story behind the book

Honoring my mother, and her CIA memoir, on her birthday

Greetings!

First, a little news: In This Life now includes a podcast. 😊 For the first episode, and in celebration of my mother’s birthday today, I’ve posted an interview I recorded when she was 95-years-old, asking her some questions about her memoir and her life as a CIA wife. It is titled, “It was altogether a really exciting experience.” (It was originally posted on Vimeo. I’ve also added my 2021 conversation with Peter Warmka about our respective CIA books and experiences, titled “CIA Confessions.”)

Some of you are familiar with my mother’s highly-rated memoir, but for those who are not, the book is titled, Six Car Lengths Behind an Elephant: Undercover & Overwhelmed as a CIA Wife and Mother by Lillian McCloy. You can find it anywhere books are sold.

Me, presenting my mother Lillian with her 90th birthday cake in 2016.

The birthday story behind the book

On my mother’s 90th birthday, I offered the following gift: I would transcribe her manuscript (typed 20+ years prior), edit it, and publish it.

I planned to do this professionally, but also in as timely a manner as possible, given her age. The book was published six months later. She was no longer able to read, due to macular degeneration, but she loved it. She was thrilled to be a published author.

Lillian, aged 90, holds her newly published memoir

Books generally require three or more months of pre-publication marketing in order to get serious media coverage. That’s because reviewers need time to read the book and write their pieces, and media prefers to cover and review books when they’re newly published, not three months later.

Since I prioritized her book as a gift, and not as a commercial product to try to sell, I didn’t do any advance marketing. Even after the publication, I had no marketing budget, but I did what I could to get the word out. She was a great writer and I knew her unique story would be compelling.

With very limited exposure, her book garnered praise from notable authors, including John le Carré, as well as glowing reviews, including one in the CIA’s own publication. Most important of all, it generated high ratings from readers on Amazon and Goodreads.

• Read some author endorsements

• Check out some book reviews and media coverage

Lillian’s amazing life before she met Frank

My mother’s memoir focuses solely on her life as a CIA wife. If only she had written another book about her life before meeting my father. My goodness. She had many fascinating, moving, and hilarious tales to tell. Among other things, she sang with a big jazz band, dated Monty Hall, and worked as Melvin Belli’s executive secretary in San Francisco.

I invite you to read this entertaining, feature-length obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle by columnist Sam Whiting.

If you are unable to read the full article online, please contact me for a copy.

After the Chronicle feature came out, I was invited to speak about my mother’s life at several Arts & Culture events (“soirées”) in San Francisco. I’ve also welcomed other opportunities to speak about my mother’s book, my father’s role, and our family experiences. (Please contact me if you’re interested.)

My mother wrote her book as a way to honor my father and all he endured as an undercover CIA officer. I then published the book as a way to honor her, and all she endured as his wife and our mother, moving our family from country to country.

I’m so glad I did. It’s a birthday gift that keeps on giving.