Well my dears, this is what you have asked for. A Myspace profile about me.
The impossibilities of yesterday become the accepted facts of today. Civilization has made great progress, even in ways we could scarcely imagine 100 years ago. Women have a voice and a ballot. Medicine has cured the terrible diseases of my time. Electricity, and fibre optic cable have helped man kind communicate, educate, and bring about a kinder world than the one I grew up in.
I am often asked, "Mr. Baum, how do you find rest in the great beyond without a Myspace profile?" They tell me that all the great story tellers of yore such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and many others all have Myspace profiles that can be found by simply typing their names. Upon doing some research, I learned of the wonders related to the Internet, a tool that could only have been described as a fairy tale in my years. So I suppose it's appropriate to have a Myspace profile.
Speaking of the Internet, did you know that you can find a fair portion of my books "online?" My dear friends at the Gutenberg Project have a great collection available for "downloading." While ClassicAuthors.net insists on printing my first name, they actually have some great material "online."
I was born in Chittenango, New York in 1895, into a devout family of German descent. I was the seventh of nine children born to my mother. I was named "Lyman" after my uncle, but I always preferred Frank. I was very young when I started writing. My brother Harry and I even produced a family newspaper as children. I have always admired and enjoyed the works of Shakespeare. For a time, I wanted to be an actor. Unfortunately, I never had much luck with the theater in the early days.
I am probably best known for the Oz stories. I am delighted at the continued interest of both young and old in them. A college professor once wrote me to ask: "For readers of what age are your books intended?" It puzzled me to answer that properly, until I had looked over some of the letters I had received. One said: "I'm a little boy 5 years old, and I Just love your Oz stories. My sister, who is writing this for me, reads me the Oz books, but I wish I could read them myself." Another letter said: "I'm a great girl 13 years old, so you'll be surprised when I tell you I am not too old yet for the Oz stories." Here's another letter: "Since I was a young girl I've never missed getting a Baum book for Christmas. I'm married, now, but am as eager to get and read the Oz stories as ever." And still another writes: "My good wife and I, both more than 70 years of age, believe that we find more real enjoyment in your Oz books than in any other books we read." Considering these statements, I wrote the college professor that my books are intended for all those whose hearts are young, no matter what their ages may be.
In the years since my passing in 1919, there have been numerous new Oz stories told by other story tellers. There have been great books, moving pictures, and exciting theatrical productions. Some have even taken the world of Oz to places it had never been before. There were new perspectives, and new audiences that continue even now to bring it all to life. In many ways, the stories have become a resonating part of the our culture. For this, I could not be more proud.