This process started about a year ago.
My mom had collected all my social media posts from around the time of my brain cancer diagnosis all the way through the first year or so after. One night after a family meal, she called me up to her office to see it. She had like 60 pages of the musings and perspectives that got me through that time. She told me she wanted to turn it into a book. My gut reaction was NO! I hated the idea – until I thought about it. The truth is I had toyed with the thought before, but seeing the reality of it scared me – a lot.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about it – This crazy idea of writing a book to share my experience and hopefully reach someone who was going through something big. I wanted this hypothetical person to know they weren’t alone and that eventually, they would be better than before because of their experience. That’s so easy to just say, but I feel like in order to really get it, they have to walk with me through my ups and downs to really know that it’s possible.
When the writing started…
I was embarrassed to even say it out loud to my family, “I am going to write a book.” It’s such a lofty goal and I knew if I said it out loud I’d have to follow through. The real test of my commitment was telling my friends. Then building this website around it. I didn’t want to be that person that never finished what they started.
A client of ours at Liquis Design is a prominent literary agency that gets publishing deals with the big dogs in New York. I figured I had an in with them and they agreed to review my proposal – but then – crickets.
I had written a 60-ish page proposal with all my marketing ideas, chapter summaries, etc. I couldn’t let that just die. So I started writing without permission or direction from a publisher. I wrote from the heart and the more I dove into my story, the more I was grateful for the opportunity to write with abandon, not having to worry about what a publisher might want or expect out of my story.
I am so happy with how everything evolved and turned out. In this book, I am sharing a true, authentic piece of me in hopes of helping a piece of you.
So when does New Again launch?
TBD.
I know right?! But we’re getting closer, I promise! The New Again manuscript is currently being reviewed by 14 beta readers for feedback before the final edit. I want to make sure it’s perfect for you. Already I’m encouraged by one of the readers who told me on the very first day that they couldn’t put it down and read 10 chapters in one sitting. This is getting so real!
I’ve asked all the beta readers to have their critiques in by August 6th which will be the 4th anniversary of my 1st brain surgery. The timeline of this is crazy. Who would have thought this could come of that only 4 years later? I’m in full gratitude for this moment.
Stay in the loop.
Once I’ve considered all outside input, I’ll make final adjustments, and send it off a real editor for clean up.
In the meantime, if you’re not on the pre-order list, you can add yourself here. Everyone on this list will be the very first to know when New Again is finally available!
XO
