Product details
- Publisher : 54500; 1st edition (July 2, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 207 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0578427060
- ISBN-13 : 978-0578427065
- Item Weight : 13.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.47 x 9 inches
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up,
where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the
personal you.
Julie Amour is the author of The Tamam Shud Cipher : Principles & Method.
She is an armature writer for many genres which include poetry, Sci-fi, as well
as Non-fiction. Owning her own bookshop, she also dabbles in book design,
graphic arts, and was a performance artist / singer songwriter. In her free time,
she enjoys chess, large amounts of coffee, and reading everything she can set
her eyes upon. Julie Amour lives in Northern California with her first love
from childhood and her handsome Siamese cat.
What inspired you to author this book?
I simply cannot
tolerate the word unsolved. It implies an impossibility; that no one can solve
the problem. Literally, nothing is impossible. And it is possible that we as a
society have come to believe and accept the notion that only a select few from
elite colleges or those with high authoritative careers can offer the solution.
And if they cannot solve the problem then it must be impossible. I just do not
believe that or accept that.
Not every cipher or code or problem speaks to me, but I grew up with the
Rubaiyat in my home. I own the 5th edition from 1890. When this case came
to my attention, I was already well versed in the area of poetry and the Rubaiyat.
I could see that there was something there and that I could find out what it
was and solve the 44 letters written in the back of the Unknown Man's copy of
the Rubaiyat.
It was an adventure I could not resist.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I changed the book
cover twice. I really liked the first cover, which is the perspective of
looking up from the ground like a buried treasure being exposed for the first
time. I put the 44 letters on an old skeleton key, as the 44 letters are 1 set
of 4 keys to the cipher.
The second edition cover is a man without a hat walking into a keyhole as he is
the key to it all - the Somerton Man, the Unknown Man.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally
and as a writer?
That would be my
parents. They were signed with Capital Records in 1967 to 1973. Our entire
daily life was music, writing, and performance art.
However, to write my manuscript's first draft was daunting even though I had
learned to outline in college. Back in the 90s, for almost every class, we had
to write long-term papers. By default, I learned to write fast.
It was after I had listened to a lecture by Jordan Peterson, who had given
advice to his students about writing their thesis, that I was able to rough it
out. He had brought up a fantastic inspirational point in that particular
lecture; if you had a gun to your head could you write it badly? That made me
laugh because of course the answer is: Yes. Yes, I could.
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What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
My biggest struggle
was figuring out who the audience would be. Who is this for? So I wrote it for
everyone from all walks of life. The Rubaiyat itself was written for and read
by a diverse audience. I tested this book on 3 groups: high school students,
middle-aged, and the elderly. In each draft, I simplified the concepts and steps to
accommodate the general audience. They are anyone who enjoys crime, riddles,
and a good mystery actively being solved; I bring you along on the adventure with
me.
As far as obstacles, I trained myself years ago to shut out the world and write.
Writing has always come first in my life. I started writing at 13 or 14 years
old in a serious way. For some reason, I never wanted to hide it or keep it to
myself. I always wanted to share what I wrote. That was a very nerve-wracking experience,
but I learned what people wanted to read and hear through that. We can be our
own obstacles in life. I'm against that. I never take life or myself too
seriously. Just the work of writing itself.
Tell your readers about your book.
The Tamam Shud Cipher is based on the Tamam Shud Case in
Adelaide, Australia. Also known as the Somerton Man Mystery or the
Unknown Man, who was found dead on a beach with a torn strip of paper in his
pocket with the words Tamam Shud written. I solved the cipher based on 3 pieces
of evidence presented in the case; the Rubaiyat with 44 letters written
in the back page, the torn strip of paper in his pocket, and the contents of
his suitcase.
The Rubaiyat of Omar khayyam is a poem that conceals an entire cipher
within it. It contains the instructions and the keys to send and receive secret
messages. I give the solution to the Somerton Man's secret message and show
everyone how to find and use the cipher.
Who is your target audience, and why?
I believe I answer that question, but let me clarify a bit further. There are so many people who are interested in this case. There are websites dedicated to it. People are dedicated to solving this. This case already has a fan base. But do they want the 44 letters solved? Do they want to accept a solution? I'm not sure. I think there is more money in keeping it mysterious. All those who are already part of the fan base are my audience. But I wanted to bring everyone along in the adventure of solving it. Somerton man fans...Poetry fans ... Riddle fans... True crime fans... Mystery fans... It's for them.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
Can we define success? Like happiness, it comes and goes, but it is not the main goal. You never know what the outcome of any endeavor will be but if you find one purpose, one good thing to do, do it with all your might. Success is just simply not giving up or giving in to frustration. Getting past all that is success in itself.
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What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
I write for everybody. I try not to use language that makes me sound bigger or look smarter. I think that is a big faux pas. I want everyone to understand what I write for today and tomorrow. I use standard vernacular. Most books on ciphers and codes use math and language not common to everyone. It's like an exclusive club; for members only. I immediately saw that. Not all ciphers and codes need math to explain them. The Tamam Shud Cipher can be figured out, understood, and used by everyone. That is my point throughout the book. It's the purpose of the Tamam Shud Cipher and Rubaiyat.
