Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

aztimm — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:30:49 GMT

Congrats on the book Jeff...how are we going to get hand signed copies? When they make the movie, remember the forumites for walk-on roles...or would that be swim-on? :D BOOK SIGNING! GET YOUR COPY OF THE GROUNDBREAKING NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY ODD MAN OUT, PERSONALLY SIGNED BY MASTERS WORLD RECORD HOLDER JEFF COMMINGS! In Odd Man Out, Jeff writes about his teenage years and most of his 20s, when he was afraid to live openly as a gay man among friends and family. Though he was a member of several USA Swimming national teams and competed in two Olympic Trials, his fear of rejection from those he loved and respected severely affected his life socially and athletically. His redemption in his 30s enabled him to become a successful Masters swimmer – and a more content person. MEET THE AUTHOR! NOON SUNDAY, JUNE 6 DOTTIE BOREYKO/BROPHY SPORTS CAMPUS 2902 EAST CAMPBELL ROAD, PHOENIX COPIES AVAILABLE FOR $20 AT THE EVENT ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT DOLPHINSOFTHEDESERT.COM AND AMAZON.COM FOR $20

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Allen Stark — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:39:41 GMT

I enjoyed the book and recommend it to any Masters swimmer.He really captures the excitement and anxiety of meets.Good Job Jeff!!:applaud:

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Sat, 15 May 2010 05:56:57 GMT

Congrats on the book Jeff...how are we going to get hand signed copies? When they make the movie, remember the forumites for walk-on roles...or would that be swim-on? :D

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

That Guy — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:17:06 GMT

Congrats on the book Jeff...how are we going to get hand signed copies? When they make the movie, remember the forumites for walk-on roles...or would that be swim-on? www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../24155.asp Order from there and you get a signed copy! Using real swimmers in the movie is a great idea. For example, "Pride" suffered because no one in the movie knew how to swim fast. That was ok early in the movie when the kids were supposed to be novices, but by the end of the movie, they were supposed to have improved.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:53:54 GMT

I do like the cover picture. :agree: I agree. That is an interesting picture. It seems to capture multiple emotions all in one instance. Congratulations on the book Jeff!

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:42:58 GMT

I am looking forward to reading this. I disagree with Jeff's premise: I have always thought that swimming culture was more racist than homophobic. I am actively involved in the civil rights of gay people (if you ever want to get involved in that go to Lamda Legal) which I guess is my way of saying that I am basing my feelings on more than just an impression. I also think that swimmers on the whole are much more progressive than other sports in regard to racism and homophobia. My somewhat bizarre theory is that swimming causes one to be reflective (what else is there to do while you are swimming!) which leads to more social awareness.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Jeff Commings — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:50:49 GMT

Karen, It's a photo taken of me after I set the world record in the 50 *** at the 2006 world championships. It's one of my favorite photos taken of me in the pool, and a no-brainer for the cover.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Karen Duggan — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:16:20 GMT

I do like the cover picture. :agree:

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

knelson — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:15:39 GMT

I haven't seen a lot of overt racism in swimming, but maybe that's because you see so few minorities participating. Let's face it, when someone like Jeff Commings or Cullen Jones is at a meet everyone knows it, and it's not just because they are both great swimmers.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Jeff Commings — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:07:23 GMT

I did think about giving a box of books to someone to take to Atlanta, but I might not get my copies from the printer in time. Sorry, everyone. Thanks again for the support and I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on the book.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Muppet — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:25:56 GMT

Nice, I actually swam in the same lane(last Sept at Convention) as a published author. i think i was in the same lane; hopefully it wasn't the day i wussed out after 1k. swimming will become a bit more representative of our population demographics as time goes on. I'd argue that in some areas of the country, we've already reached that. Our oft-overlooked younger age groups are the ones who are now starting to bring this representation in force into masters swimming.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:10:28 GMT

Jeff, congrats on your book, I assume butterflyers will be holding out for an audio version...the only problem with you becoming a serious and responsible journalist and writer is not having you engage in our endless debates here anymore. After all, it doesn't stop James Thornton...whoops, 'serious and responsible'... 'James Thornton', what was I thinking?

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

tjrpatt — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:59:49 GMT

Nice, I actually swam in the same lane(last Sept at Convention) as a published author.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Bobinator — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:37:58 GMT

I can't wait to read it! I think I just became Jeff's FB friend the other day!!!!

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:32:46 GMT

Bring 2000 copies to Atlanta and I bet they will sell out. I told him that, but unfortunately he's not coming to Nationals.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:24:44 GMT

I told him that, but unfortunately he's not coming to Nationals. OK, Jeff, then send somebody else out to Nationals with 2000 books! :applaud: :D

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:56:47 GMT

I'm so buying this. Thanks for pointing it out, Kirk.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Allen Stark — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:21:52 GMT

Bring 2000 copies to Atlanta and I bet they will sell out.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:41:12 GMT

Hi, everyone. The guys who run the message boards would frown on me starting a thread about the book, so I am glad others did it for me. Yes, it is available on Kindle, but you can indeed get it in hardcover. You can buy it right now at www.createspace.com/3448459. We won't have any at Swimming World for a few more days. Thanks everyone for the support! Jeff, my husband and I just read the description of your book on the above link and we both look forward to reading it (He's not even a swimmer! :D ). We wish you MUCH success!!! :applaud:

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Former Member — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:27:51 GMT

That Guy mentioned it in another thread, but I thought this deserved a thread of its own. Also I know Jeff won't come on here and promote his own book, so someone else has to! Here's a link to the announcement on the Swimming World website: www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../24155.asp Congrats, Jeff! I look forward to reading the book. Makes two of us. Jeff, I hope your book is a bestseller and insipriation for people.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Jeff Commings — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:42:21 GMT

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Speedo — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:31:28 GMT

I realize that 10 years ago, this phrase would have sounded pretty strange; but I'm going to have to Google Kindle.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

knelson — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:21:09 GMT

Of course, then I'd have to budge off my Luddite like stand against e-book-readers. By careful, they suck you in! I haven't read a 'real' book since getting my Kindle.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

Patrick W. Brundage — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:37:34 GMT

Cool. I'll definitely add this to my reading list ... maybe if my wife will lend me her Kindle, I'll read it before the hard copy comes out. Of course, then I'd have to budge off my Luddite like stand against e-book-readers.

RE: Odd Man Out: Jeff Commings' book

jbs — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:09:31 GMT

Looks like it's only electronic. Dolphins of the Desert is given as the publisher. Pretty neat! :) Looks like you can buy a paper copy here: www.createspace.com/3448459