After sending out 180 query letters and 10 snail mail book proposals to book agents across the nation, I am not done with my effort to find a book agent to represent me towards finding a book publisher. With the song, Cancer On My Mind (COMM), tentatively completed, Jesse and I, have decided on a concept for the video. I will be working on several different projects to hopefully launch my book and video by February or March 2010: the shooting and editing of the video; remixing the COMM song; constructing an information based cancer patient COMM web site; and upgrading my COMM blog site. I will email or snail mail 50-60 book proposals in the next 60 days.
I am seeking a kind soul to help me construct my COMM web site.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
COMM Post--Taking a Break to See the USA
I am flying to Missouri to celebrate Xmas and taking a break from waking up at 3 am, working on a book, song and video. This is the first time in my life I have taken two vacations in one year. After spending 10 days traveling and meeting my long lost relatives in Japan, I would like to vacation in new places to experience a fuller life while I am alive. Waking up in Japan each day made my mind absorb new things I had never saw with my eyes.
Done with the song for now and have moved on to creating a concept for the COMM video. After talking and devising for six hours with Jesse last Wednesday, we came up with a few ideas and decided on one for now. Jesse wants to push his technical and creative side, and boldly venture into uncharted video production and editing waters, and try something new. I predict that this song and video will surprise everyone I know, including all YouTube viewers, receive a lot views and hits, and launch my book and this video into super-stardom.
I looked at GoDaddy, Yahoo Business, and Google for web site support, but have not decided yet, and will assess the price and options I can get for my money.
I talked to Steve about re-shooting the cover in the next four weeks. He needs to get some lights and we are ready to shoot.
I researched POD (Publishing On Demand) and found an inexpensive and hopefully reliable company, BookLocker, to publish my book for $317, if I provide my own cover. iUniverse, CreateSpace, Trafford, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Lulu are high priced POD companies.
I have been writing poetry lately and am enjoying myself. I chose to not edit my final product and want my thoughts and words to live freely without refined words picked from a thesaurus.
I took some photos of a physical cancer museum in April 2009 while in Phoenix, Arizona. I will post these creative and expressive photos on my web site in 2010. This is the first physical museum I have seen that truly expresses the cancer experience in physical art/structures.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to all!
Live your lives happily!
Treat others like you want to be treated!
Live your life like it may be your last day alive!
Believe me, if you have not been at the door of Death, you would live your life harder and more happily if you were.
Peace out,
Waltdog77
Done with the song for now and have moved on to creating a concept for the COMM video. After talking and devising for six hours with Jesse last Wednesday, we came up with a few ideas and decided on one for now. Jesse wants to push his technical and creative side, and boldly venture into uncharted video production and editing waters, and try something new. I predict that this song and video will surprise everyone I know, including all YouTube viewers, receive a lot views and hits, and launch my book and this video into super-stardom.
I looked at GoDaddy, Yahoo Business, and Google for web site support, but have not decided yet, and will assess the price and options I can get for my money.
I talked to Steve about re-shooting the cover in the next four weeks. He needs to get some lights and we are ready to shoot.
I researched POD (Publishing On Demand) and found an inexpensive and hopefully reliable company, BookLocker, to publish my book for $317, if I provide my own cover. iUniverse, CreateSpace, Trafford, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Lulu are high priced POD companies.
I have been writing poetry lately and am enjoying myself. I chose to not edit my final product and want my thoughts and words to live freely without refined words picked from a thesaurus.
I took some photos of a physical cancer museum in April 2009 while in Phoenix, Arizona. I will post these creative and expressive photos on my web site in 2010. This is the first physical museum I have seen that truly expresses the cancer experience in physical art/structures.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to all!
Live your lives happily!
Treat others like you want to be treated!
Live your life like it may be your last day alive!
Believe me, if you have not been at the door of Death, you would live your life harder and more happily if you were.
Peace out,
Waltdog77
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Building Success One Part At a Time
My last blog entry was on November 6, six weeks ago. I have been a busy camper assembling my "book launch" machine to put out several different promotion vehicles to get the word out on my book.
-Jesse and I have tentatively completed, Cancer On My Mind, a song I sung/spoke, we wrote and produced music with Garageband in six months. We recorded the vocals in a clothes padded 3 by 6 foot closet, containing a microphone stand and microphone, a hiking head lamp, and a lot of patience. This took us six months to complete.
-I subscribed to a Google News search of brain tumor and have been posting current brain tumor stories to my blog, Cancer On My Mind on Blogger.
-Jesse and I have been trying to devise a plot/story and sub-plot for a video based on the song lyrics to shoot and post on YouTube in late January or February 2010.
I have been looking at web sites and am in the process of designing my own web site, possibly through Yahoo or Google to promote and sell my book. Google offers a business geared web site, which I need to do more research on before making a choice.
I have been talking to Steve D about ideas for shooting a book cover. Steve and I shot a draft book cover in June 2009, but will re-shoot it with a new and improved facial expression of myself, a cleaner Photoshop edit, and a better brain graphic to work with.
-I think I located a book company to Publish On Demand (POD), BookLocker, who will give me the lowest price I have found so far, $517 minus $200 (for providing my own cover) equals $317.
I am always busy working on the projects listed above and am looking forward to finishing everything listed above.
-Jesse and I have tentatively completed, Cancer On My Mind, a song I sung/spoke, we wrote and produced music with Garageband in six months. We recorded the vocals in a clothes padded 3 by 6 foot closet, containing a microphone stand and microphone, a hiking head lamp, and a lot of patience. This took us six months to complete.
-I subscribed to a Google News search of brain tumor and have been posting current brain tumor stories to my blog, Cancer On My Mind on Blogger.
-Jesse and I have been trying to devise a plot/story and sub-plot for a video based on the song lyrics to shoot and post on YouTube in late January or February 2010.
I have been looking at web sites and am in the process of designing my own web site, possibly through Yahoo or Google to promote and sell my book. Google offers a business geared web site, which I need to do more research on before making a choice.
I have been talking to Steve D about ideas for shooting a book cover. Steve and I shot a draft book cover in June 2009, but will re-shoot it with a new and improved facial expression of myself, a cleaner Photoshop edit, and a better brain graphic to work with.
-I think I located a book company to Publish On Demand (POD), BookLocker, who will give me the lowest price I have found so far, $517 minus $200 (for providing my own cover) equals $317.
I am always busy working on the projects listed above and am looking forward to finishing everything listed above.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tumor doesn’t stop artistic Girl Scout | Local news, sports, weather, blogs, opinion, crime, obituaries, business, directory, marketplace, education, high school, family, shopping, arts, entertainment, movies, books, cooking, auto, real estate, jobs, classifieds, photos, videos, comics, contests, and mountain pass webcams from Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan, Leavenworth, Waterville, Cashmere, Quincy, Entiat, North Central Washington newspaper
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Exchange student from Greenland battles brain tumor | The News-Review - NRtoday.com
http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20091110/NEWS/911109973/1063/NEWS&ParentProfile=1055
Posted using ShareThis
Posted using ShareThis
Friday, November 6, 2009
COMM Post--To Gain Garage Band Success...
Please don't get me wrong, GarageBand is a fun music making software program to use. It is the process that is time consuming: writing a song that you like; learning what musical instruments your mind and ears like; constantly adjusting the transitions and vocal/instrument levels; and most importantly, respecting the entire creative process enough to re-write/re-create lyrics and music tracks over again at the end of a six month song construction process.
Jesse, my partner in crime throughout this creative project, is a dedicated, patient, and imaginative guy. We work well together and respect each others opinions, musical instrument choice, lyric choices, and finished product goal.
After six months of working on the song, Cancer On My Mind, it will be completed in a few more sessions. I will copyright the song and then we will storyboard and shoot the video.
I mailed two book proposals and received my first SASE denial from a book agent. I have sent out 160 email and snail mail query/book proposals since March 2009. I know what you are thinking, no I am not done looking for a book agent to represent me.
Jesse, my partner in crime throughout this creative project, is a dedicated, patient, and imaginative guy. We work well together and respect each others opinions, musical instrument choice, lyric choices, and finished product goal.
After six months of working on the song, Cancer On My Mind, it will be completed in a few more sessions. I will copyright the song and then we will storyboard and shoot the video.
I mailed two book proposals and received my first SASE denial from a book agent. I have sent out 160 email and snail mail query/book proposals since March 2009. I know what you are thinking, no I am not done looking for a book agent to represent me.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
COMM Post--If You Can't Email, Go Old School and Snail Mail It...
I am close to exhausting my supply of emailing book agents with query letters via the resourceful and free Agent Query web page.
I finished my book proposal, after six months of enjoying my free during the Spring and Summer, writing a song/music/recording the vocals, and working a full-time job. The book proposal includes: book synopsis; my marketing plan; audience; chapter outline; sample chapters; chapter summaries; competing books; and bio.
I sent out a few book proposal via snail mail and contain the mysterious SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope). Will the envelope ever make it back and will it contain good or bad news. I picture my SASE as a message in a bottle, floating in the abyss of a book agents pile of book proposals. Come back to me, at least send the damn thing back, whether it is good or bad news, let's get the SASE machine going!
I received four wonderfully creative pages from my screenwriter/professor, Alan, in Nor Cal containing an interactive visit between my Mom, me, and my neurosurgeon, and how to learn visualization for fun and dealing with stressful times in my life; surviving a 80 minute MRI scan. Thank you Alan for your dedication to my book project. Great job!
I finished my book proposal, after six months of enjoying my free during the Spring and Summer, writing a song/music/recording the vocals, and working a full-time job. The book proposal includes: book synopsis; my marketing plan; audience; chapter outline; sample chapters; chapter summaries; competing books; and bio.
I sent out a few book proposal via snail mail and contain the mysterious SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope). Will the envelope ever make it back and will it contain good or bad news. I picture my SASE as a message in a bottle, floating in the abyss of a book agents pile of book proposals. Come back to me, at least send the damn thing back, whether it is good or bad news, let's get the SASE machine going!
I received four wonderfully creative pages from my screenwriter/professor, Alan, in Nor Cal containing an interactive visit between my Mom, me, and my neurosurgeon, and how to learn visualization for fun and dealing with stressful times in my life; surviving a 80 minute MRI scan. Thank you Alan for your dedication to my book project. Great job!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
COMM Post--Not Singing Like Freddie Mercury, But The Vocals Are Done!
I ran into the same mental brick wall recording the song vocals for my upcoming song and video, Cancer On My Mind. Practicing outside of the 3 foot by 5 foot padded closet, lit with an LED headlamp hanging from the ceiling, and a microphone stand and microphone, is not the same as standing in the closet by yourself.
Jesse patiently practiced the song lyrics with me, until I got so frustrated, that I was ready to call it a day, pack it up, and go home.
We figured out how to record "The Walter Way." I listened to Jesse say the lyric line from outside and repeated his line exactly, tone, timing, and emotion, and we recorded the last two verses in a short time.
Success! This completes six months of song writing, music writing, and recording of the vocals.
The next step is the obtaining the proper levels of the vocals and music, story boarding the video, shooting the video, and editing the video with the music and vocals.
Jesse is a master of Garageband and video editing with Final Cut Pro, so I will add in my opinion, but the bulk of the work will be his doing.
Expect a video that is: humorous; fast-paced; contains multiple edits per minute; Final Cut Pro editing options, like split screens, fades, Insert, Overwrite, Replace, Fit-to-fill, Superimpose, Swap Edit, Ripple, Roll, Slip, Slide, Extend, and Shorten, either in the Timeline or in a dedicated Trim window; and audio sweetening.
I will probably end up launching the video and web page after I get my book published or self published in the Spring of 2010.
Jesse patiently practiced the song lyrics with me, until I got so frustrated, that I was ready to call it a day, pack it up, and go home.
We figured out how to record "The Walter Way." I listened to Jesse say the lyric line from outside and repeated his line exactly, tone, timing, and emotion, and we recorded the last two verses in a short time.
Success! This completes six months of song writing, music writing, and recording of the vocals.
The next step is the obtaining the proper levels of the vocals and music, story boarding the video, shooting the video, and editing the video with the music and vocals.
Jesse is a master of Garageband and video editing with Final Cut Pro, so I will add in my opinion, but the bulk of the work will be his doing.
Expect a video that is: humorous; fast-paced; contains multiple edits per minute; Final Cut Pro editing options, like split screens, fades, Insert, Overwrite, Replace, Fit-to-fill, Superimpose, Swap Edit, Ripple, Roll, Slip, Slide, Extend, and Shorten, either in the Timeline or in a dedicated Trim window; and audio sweetening.
I will probably end up launching the video and web page after I get my book published or self published in the Spring of 2010.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
COMM Post--Don't Stop Believin'
Sent out another 10 book agent query letters and received two "not my kind of book project, but good luck" replies.
My creative partner on the song and video, Jesse, has told me that the song should take two more days, and it will take two days for him to shoot the video, with one more day for re-shoots, and two days in post-production. Jesse, is an old friend from my days at Santa Rosa Junior College, and my wild ass mountain biking days at Annadel State Park. Life was good at 31 years old, when I was still trying to figure out what to do with my life. He found me on MySpace and was reluctant to contact me because of my cancerous past, and the possibility of negative results or paralysis from the brain surgery and treatments.
We have been working on the song lyrics, music, vocals, and YouTube video storyboards since May 2009.
If I cannot find a book publisher, I am planning on self-publishing in the Spring of 2010, and launch the video on YouTube at the same time.
My creative partner on the song and video, Jesse, has told me that the song should take two more days, and it will take two days for him to shoot the video, with one more day for re-shoots, and two days in post-production. Jesse, is an old friend from my days at Santa Rosa Junior College, and my wild ass mountain biking days at Annadel State Park. Life was good at 31 years old, when I was still trying to figure out what to do with my life. He found me on MySpace and was reluctant to contact me because of my cancerous past, and the possibility of negative results or paralysis from the brain surgery and treatments.
We have been working on the song lyrics, music, vocals, and YouTube video storyboards since May 2009.
If I cannot find a book publisher, I am planning on self-publishing in the Spring of 2010, and launch the video on YouTube at the same time.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
COMM Post--Still Chomping at the Bit...Not Gonna Give Up Yet
I sent out 10 more query letters seeking book agent representation to get my book published.
Finishing the lyrics and recording the last vocal tracks for the song have been a difficult task to accomplish. I am working 4-10 hour days, traveling to Oakland, and trying to keep my vocal skills and patience up recording in a 3 feet by 6 feet padded closet, with a LCD headlamp above my head, is a challenging task.
Hopefully we can finish the last of the vocals tomorrow.
I am still trying to get a book cover shot for a possible self-published book in 2010, if I can't secure a publishing company.
If I self-publish my book, I will engage in creative ways to publicize and promote my book, i.e. walking up and down Market Street in San Francisco wearing a sandwich board containing my book contents and why it might help people to read it. Cancer has impacted everybody, no matter who you are, so let's educate ourselves about how we can beat this deadly disease.
Finishing the lyrics and recording the last vocal tracks for the song have been a difficult task to accomplish. I am working 4-10 hour days, traveling to Oakland, and trying to keep my vocal skills and patience up recording in a 3 feet by 6 feet padded closet, with a LCD headlamp above my head, is a challenging task.
Hopefully we can finish the last of the vocals tomorrow.
I am still trying to get a book cover shot for a possible self-published book in 2010, if I can't secure a publishing company.
If I self-publish my book, I will engage in creative ways to publicize and promote my book, i.e. walking up and down Market Street in San Francisco wearing a sandwich board containing my book contents and why it might help people to read it. Cancer has impacted everybody, no matter who you are, so let's educate ourselves about how we can beat this deadly disease.
Monday, August 31, 2009
COMM Post--Back From A Long Break
I took a break from writing in this blog since May 2009, and am back to report on some new news about my book.
I have been working hard with my creative friend, Jesse, writing a song, producing the instrumental tracks with Apple software GarageBand, and recording the vocals to the song in 9-10 six to ten hour recording sessions in a padded closet, standing in front of a microphone stand and microphone. This process took 5 months to complete.
If you have never recorded vocal of any kind, please take my advice, and think about how difficult this task might be to accomplish, and the insanity you might experience to finish recording all the vocals needed.
Jesse and I have some great ideas for a video to shoot for a later posting of the entire package on YouTube in 2-3 months.
I talked to a great photographer, Steve, an airport screener at SFO, about re-shooting a new front cover of my book, for possible self-publishing run. He has to gather some lights, and we will shoot it in his garage in front of a black background, to make PhotoShop edits easier.
I sent out 10 more book agent queries and received 10 more denials.
I am not going to give up just yet on getting a book agent to represent me, and get my book on the shelf.
I have been working hard with my creative friend, Jesse, writing a song, producing the instrumental tracks with Apple software GarageBand, and recording the vocals to the song in 9-10 six to ten hour recording sessions in a padded closet, standing in front of a microphone stand and microphone. This process took 5 months to complete.
If you have never recorded vocal of any kind, please take my advice, and think about how difficult this task might be to accomplish, and the insanity you might experience to finish recording all the vocals needed.
Jesse and I have some great ideas for a video to shoot for a later posting of the entire package on YouTube in 2-3 months.
I talked to a great photographer, Steve, an airport screener at SFO, about re-shooting a new front cover of my book, for possible self-publishing run. He has to gather some lights, and we will shoot it in his garage in front of a black background, to make PhotoShop edits easier.
I sent out 10 more book agent queries and received 10 more denials.
I am not going to give up just yet on getting a book agent to represent me, and get my book on the shelf.
Friday, May 15, 2009
COMM Post--Approaching 100 Book Agent Query Letter Submissions
Slowly, but surely, I have been sending out a few book agent query letters, before and after work. I am happy to say that I have reached my elusive goal of sending out 100 book agent query letters. I have been using a free web page, Agent Query, to email book agents my query letter. After sending out the last batch, 80 to 100 book agent query letters, I received five positive responses.
Since I finished my final draft in January 2009, with the ego and writer support of a best friend of mine, I pondered who I would be and what would I do with the extra time. What would I be? In the last five months, I have spent my free time hiking, going to fun and exciting parties and creative social events, and laughing and being spontaneous. I accomplished what a lot of people would never think of starting, writing a book, and trying to find a book agent who would lead me to an enthusiastic and supportive book publisher.
I printed up 50 and 100 pages, wrote two cover letters, and mailed them off to two book agents in New York.
I am slowly finishing up my book proposal to send with my entire manuscript to another book agent in New York.
Just when I thought I hit a dry spot in my search for a book agent, I received one request for a book proposal and my entire manuscript, and the request renewed my faith to continue the pursuit of my goal.
Life is strange. I am a believer that taking baby steps to reach a goal might get you to the grand prize. Even if you don't reach your goal, at least you tried. I must constantly remind myself to enjoy and savor each step of the journey.
Since I finished my final draft in January 2009, with the ego and writer support of a best friend of mine, I pondered who I would be and what would I do with the extra time. What would I be? In the last five months, I have spent my free time hiking, going to fun and exciting parties and creative social events, and laughing and being spontaneous. I accomplished what a lot of people would never think of starting, writing a book, and trying to find a book agent who would lead me to an enthusiastic and supportive book publisher.
I printed up 50 and 100 pages, wrote two cover letters, and mailed them off to two book agents in New York.
I am slowly finishing up my book proposal to send with my entire manuscript to another book agent in New York.
Just when I thought I hit a dry spot in my search for a book agent, I received one request for a book proposal and my entire manuscript, and the request renewed my faith to continue the pursuit of my goal.
Life is strange. I am a believer that taking baby steps to reach a goal might get you to the grand prize. Even if you don't reach your goal, at least you tried. I must constantly remind myself to enjoy and savor each step of the journey.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
COMM Post--Still Hammering Out The Book Agent Query Letters
After getting a total of four positive responses from twelve book agent query submissions, I still manage to email a few more before I go to bed or go to work. My job has been crazy this week, long hours and a lot of people contact, but I do like it. This weekend will be filled with getting my carpet cleaned on Saturday, welcoming a new bed frame, and box spring and mattress, and sending out parts of my book for review by book agents. Yippie, tomorrow is Friday!!!!!!!!!
My blog main page has been revamped with nice new colors and formats. Killer job, Jesse!
My blog main page has been revamped with nice new colors and formats. Killer job, Jesse!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
COMM Post--Glimmers of Success
After a few days away from the book agent-query letter mass emailing, I decided to give it another go, and email out six query letters. I received two out six positive responses. After going one positive response out of fifty query letter emails, I am two for six, with a chance to get a few more positive responses out the four unanswered emails.
I talked to my comrade, Jesse, and we are meeting in the next week to talk about and plan out the shooting for the two videos I would like to shoot and post on YouTube.
Ever since I saw YouTube, I wanted to post something with good subject matter, my book, and help people cope with brain tumor survival and diagnosis.
Above all, do what makes you feel good in life.
I talked to my comrade, Jesse, and we are meeting in the next week to talk about and plan out the shooting for the two videos I would like to shoot and post on YouTube.
Ever since I saw YouTube, I wanted to post something with good subject matter, my book, and help people cope with brain tumor survival and diagnosis.
Above all, do what makes you feel good in life.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
COMM Post--Steady As I Go.. Forward March...
As of April 13, 2009, canceronmymind.com is now linked to my blog.
I have received 30 email "No" responses out of the 50 emails queries I sent out in the last three weeks, seeking book agent representation.
I received an envelope from Oprah, with a letter enclosed, "We do not take manuscripts", and my manuscript.
I will send my manuscript to Steve Case of Revolution Health and Accelerated Brain Cancer Care (ABC2) to see if anyone can use the inspiration and hope from my survivor story.
I will keep my head down and keep charging forward.
I have received 30 email "No" responses out of the 50 emails queries I sent out in the last three weeks, seeking book agent representation.
I received an envelope from Oprah, with a letter enclosed, "We do not take manuscripts", and my manuscript.
I will send my manuscript to Steve Case of Revolution Health and Accelerated Brain Cancer Care (ABC2) to see if anyone can use the inspiration and hope from my survivor story.
I will keep my head down and keep charging forward.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
COMM Post--Welcome to Walter's Cancer On My Mind Query Letter Machine
I received a positive response back from a literary agent in LA on Friday, who asked for the first three pages of my manuscript. I sent the pages and received a reply, "Thanks for letting us look at this. Your story is remarkable but alas, this project isn't right for us. Best of luck. "
So, now I am one for 25 in book agent email representation submissions.
Hell, their are probably a thousand book agents in the U.S., so I have my work cut out for me.
After the email submissions, come the snail mail submissions with the enclosed SASE.
Still no word from Oprah Winfrey or Senator Kennedy.
So, now I am one for 25 in book agent email representation submissions.
Hell, their are probably a thousand book agents in the U.S., so I have my work cut out for me.
After the email submissions, come the snail mail submissions with the enclosed SASE.
Still no word from Oprah Winfrey or Senator Kennedy.
Friday, April 3, 2009
COMM Post--Walter versus the Publishers
I started the second hardest thing next to completing a manuscript, publishing the manuscript.
I can't complain about the positive comments I have received from doctors all around the U.S.
I received another kick ass comment from a prominent neurosurgeon from UCSF. It took me five emails and a lot of patience to get this comment.
Dear Walter,
I’m glad to offer a brief comment.
"This is a riveting account of a patient’s own journey through the many challenges of having a potentially fatal disease. It points out that perhaps the most important medicine in life is determination and perseverance that this illness can be beaten and controlled. Congratulations for an outstanding account of your experiences. "
I hope this is what you had in mind.
Sincerely,
Mitchel S. Berger, MD, Kathleen M. Plant Distinguished Professor, Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery, Director, Brain Tumor Research Center
University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M786,
San Francisco, CA 94143-0112
I started my query letter email campaign to 10 book agents on April 1. By April 2, I received three denials. I sent out five more on April 3, and received a reply from Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises, in Los Angeles, requesting the first three pages of my manuscript. Yippie!!!!!!!!!!
An actual positive reply. One out of 15! Not bad for a two day start.
I know that I have a long year ahead of me, filled with hundreds of email and SASE query letters until I find someone to represent me.
I will toss all the rejection responses to the side, keep my head down, think positive, and continue to run into the burning building, naked, and with gas cans and dynamite strapped to my body.
To me, this sounds just like trying to survive a grade two and three brain tumor.
From here on out, it is me against the rest of the cancer survivors trying to publish a book about a battle between a talking brain tumor and a guy that will never give on trying to live.
I bought Always Looking Up, by Michael J. Fox, and am excited about cracking it open this weekend. I loved his first book Lucky Man, and he will always be an inspiration to never give up on anything that you want to accomplish.
I can't complain about the positive comments I have received from doctors all around the U.S.
I received another kick ass comment from a prominent neurosurgeon from UCSF. It took me five emails and a lot of patience to get this comment.
Dear Walter,
I’m glad to offer a brief comment.
"This is a riveting account of a patient’s own journey through the many challenges of having a potentially fatal disease. It points out that perhaps the most important medicine in life is determination and perseverance that this illness can be beaten and controlled. Congratulations for an outstanding account of your experiences. "
I hope this is what you had in mind.
Sincerely,
Mitchel S. Berger, MD, Kathleen M. Plant Distinguished Professor, Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery, Director, Brain Tumor Research Center
University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M786,
San Francisco, CA 94143-0112
I started my query letter email campaign to 10 book agents on April 1. By April 2, I received three denials. I sent out five more on April 3, and received a reply from Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises, in Los Angeles, requesting the first three pages of my manuscript. Yippie!!!!!!!!!!
An actual positive reply. One out of 15! Not bad for a two day start.
I know that I have a long year ahead of me, filled with hundreds of email and SASE query letters until I find someone to represent me.
I will toss all the rejection responses to the side, keep my head down, think positive, and continue to run into the burning building, naked, and with gas cans and dynamite strapped to my body.
To me, this sounds just like trying to survive a grade two and three brain tumor.
From here on out, it is me against the rest of the cancer survivors trying to publish a book about a battle between a talking brain tumor and a guy that will never give on trying to live.
I bought Always Looking Up, by Michael J. Fox, and am excited about cracking it open this weekend. I loved his first book Lucky Man, and he will always be an inspiration to never give up on anything that you want to accomplish.
Monday, March 30, 2009
COMM Post--Dream or reality mailings...
I have read a few similar sayings over the years:
Doers do, doubters don't do;
Dreamers sit on the fence and dream, and risk takers jump off the fence and build their dream one day at a time, until it becomes a living and breathing reality.
I finished Cancer On My Mind in Jan 2009 and have not taken the time to celebrate its completion. I jumped head first into a new phase of book publishing, which I have no experience in.
Publishing a book is hard, but not as hard as completing a manuscript. A writer (and the significant others who still believe in him or her) must work on a plan (book proposal and query letter) to hook a book agent to represent him or her.
I finished constructing my plan, complete with four awesome reviews from prominent doctors from UCLA, UCSF, and Harvard Medical School, and am ready to send my query letter to 20+ book agents, seeking representation, toward a book publishing contract.
I bought a new Brother 2140 monochrome laser printer, installed the driver software this morning, and printer three formal letters, two to Senator Kennedy in Boston and Washington D.C., and one to Oprah Winfrey in Chicago. I am not begging for them to help me publish my book, but to share my book with cancer patients or those suffering from life threatening illnesses, and people who would like to read a fast-paced saga about a brain tumor patient who uses positive thinking to defeat cancer.
I know what some of you must be thinking...is this guy crazy!!
No, I am not crazy, but I do believe in myself and the impact my book will have on newly diagnosed cancer patients, looking for a glimmer (and hopefully a lot of hope) to beat their illness, and live a long and healthy life.
Eight years and fours months ago, I wished that I could have stumbled upon a book like mine, to inspire a newly diagnosed cancer patient, to use the strength that I already possessed in my mind and body to beat cancer.
I discovered this quote by Steve Jobs in a quote web site in January 2009:
We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life.
Life is brief, and then you die, you know?
And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.
I am happy to still have my life and I know my book is damn good.
Look out world Cancer On My Mind is getting published in 2009!
Doers do, doubters don't do;
Dreamers sit on the fence and dream, and risk takers jump off the fence and build their dream one day at a time, until it becomes a living and breathing reality.
I finished Cancer On My Mind in Jan 2009 and have not taken the time to celebrate its completion. I jumped head first into a new phase of book publishing, which I have no experience in.
Publishing a book is hard, but not as hard as completing a manuscript. A writer (and the significant others who still believe in him or her) must work on a plan (book proposal and query letter) to hook a book agent to represent him or her.
I finished constructing my plan, complete with four awesome reviews from prominent doctors from UCLA, UCSF, and Harvard Medical School, and am ready to send my query letter to 20+ book agents, seeking representation, toward a book publishing contract.
I bought a new Brother 2140 monochrome laser printer, installed the driver software this morning, and printer three formal letters, two to Senator Kennedy in Boston and Washington D.C., and one to Oprah Winfrey in Chicago. I am not begging for them to help me publish my book, but to share my book with cancer patients or those suffering from life threatening illnesses, and people who would like to read a fast-paced saga about a brain tumor patient who uses positive thinking to defeat cancer.
I know what some of you must be thinking...is this guy crazy!!
No, I am not crazy, but I do believe in myself and the impact my book will have on newly diagnosed cancer patients, looking for a glimmer (and hopefully a lot of hope) to beat their illness, and live a long and healthy life.
Eight years and fours months ago, I wished that I could have stumbled upon a book like mine, to inspire a newly diagnosed cancer patient, to use the strength that I already possessed in my mind and body to beat cancer.
I discovered this quote by Steve Jobs in a quote web site in January 2009:
We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life.
Life is brief, and then you die, you know?
And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.
I am happy to still have my life and I know my book is damn good.
Look out world Cancer On My Mind is getting published in 2009!
Monday, March 23, 2009
COMM Post--Another Feather in My Cap
I received an awesome book blurb from Jorge Lazareff, M.D., Geri and Richard Brawerman Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at UCLA.
“There are a large number of cancer patients who had the courage to share their feelings and travails after the diagnosis of a ghost evoking disease. I have derived a lesson from each one of the many memoirs I have read. What makes “Cancer on My mind” stand tall among its peers is its prose, bordering with the profane, always witty, closer to Bukowsky than to Dr. Phil. I congratulate the authors for his triumphs.”
I am still trying to figure out what Charles Bukowsky and Walter Kornichuk have in common, but I am very happy with the praise for Cancer On My Mind. Bukowsky wrote the script for Barfly, starring Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway, and I am content with a glass of Merlot, and sliced Brie and Hi-Ho crackers. Is that a connection?
Tim is helping me connect my domain, canceronmymind.com to my canceronmymind.blogger.com site. I hope to launch my web site this week, containing brain tumor information sites and a few inspirational Lance Armstrong videos.
I am editing the double-spaced 211 page manuscript into a compact single-spaced 84 pages, to mail off to Oprah Winfrey at Harpo Productions in Chicago, and Senator Kennedy in Washington, D.C. and Boston.
I say, Never aim to high when you wish for something.
Here is a quote from Steve Jobs, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc.
"We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know?
And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it."
I say, "Run away from the doubters, and laugh and create the unknown with the dreamers."
In November 2008, Harpo Productions, Inc. announced that the Oprah Winfrey show will continue through the 2010-2011 season. We would certainly welcome and hope that The Oprah Winfrey Show would continue in syndication beyond that, but that is a decision only Ms. Winfrey will be making,” said a CTD spokesperson in a statement. (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128545/posts)
This gives me a lot of time to construct and get my promotional monster, canceronmymind.com, up and running.
“There are a large number of cancer patients who had the courage to share their feelings and travails after the diagnosis of a ghost evoking disease. I have derived a lesson from each one of the many memoirs I have read. What makes “Cancer on My mind” stand tall among its peers is its prose, bordering with the profane, always witty, closer to Bukowsky than to Dr. Phil. I congratulate the authors for his triumphs.”
I am still trying to figure out what Charles Bukowsky and Walter Kornichuk have in common, but I am very happy with the praise for Cancer On My Mind. Bukowsky wrote the script for Barfly, starring Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway, and I am content with a glass of Merlot, and sliced Brie and Hi-Ho crackers. Is that a connection?
Tim is helping me connect my domain, canceronmymind.com to my canceronmymind.blogger.com site. I hope to launch my web site this week, containing brain tumor information sites and a few inspirational Lance Armstrong videos.
I am editing the double-spaced 211 page manuscript into a compact single-spaced 84 pages, to mail off to Oprah Winfrey at Harpo Productions in Chicago, and Senator Kennedy in Washington, D.C. and Boston.
I say, Never aim to high when you wish for something.
Here is a quote from Steve Jobs, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc.
"We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know?
And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it."
I say, "Run away from the doubters, and laugh and create the unknown with the dreamers."
In November 2008, Harpo Productions, Inc. announced that the Oprah Winfrey show will continue through the 2010-2011 season. We would certainly welcome and hope that The Oprah Winfrey Show would continue in syndication beyond that, but that is a decision only Ms. Winfrey will be making,” said a CTD spokesperson in a statement. (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128545/posts)
This gives me a lot of time to construct and get my promotional monster, canceronmymind.com, up and running.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
COMM Post--Sometimes dreaming helps create future realities
I received a positive comment from one of the most accomplished doctors who treated me back in 2000, Dr. Larson. Dr. Larson was Professor in Residence at the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He was also co-director of the university's Gamma Knife Program, a position he held for 16 years. In addition, Dr. Larson was clinical chief of Long Hospital Radiation Oncology, co-director of the Cyberknife Spine Radiosurgery Program, director of the Cyberknife Body Radiosurgery Program and principal investigator in the Brain Tumor Research Center. He is current Co-Medical Director, Gamma Knife Program, at the Washington Hospital Healthcare System, in Fremont, CA.
“Cancer On My Mind is an original narrative of a brain tumor patient’s thrilling journey of survival or death. After receiving his diagnosis, Walter uses positive thinking to battle his talking brain tumor through six hours of awake motor mapping brain surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Great doctors and nurses, amazing medical treatments and drugs, and family members and friends can help defeat cancer. This book shows that a cancer patient must rely on a strong body, and resilient self-esteem, to survive the daily fatigue and doubt of surviving cancer. Walter reverses the helpless attitude some brain tumor patient’s feel by working during his chemotherapy treatments, escaping reality by walking many miles throughout San Francisco, and maintaining a “never give up attitude” after six hours of brain surgery and throughout his 36 weeks of exhausting chemotherapy treatments. The talking tumor narrative is an ingenious perspective, and allows the reader and cancer patients into the evil psyche of cancer, the heartless potential messenger of death.”
I read the screenplay treatment written by Allen Amundsen and the content is awesome. Allen is a very talented and imaginative writer. He makes my book jump off the page. The talking tumor has been transformed into the Strange Man, who appears in my mind, in my dreams, stressful moments, and while I laying the MRI tube visualizing snorkeling on the beach, to relax during a hour and 15 minute long scan. My Mom is portrayed as a strong woman, who encourages me to hang tough and I will beat cancer.
Overall, I am amazed how Allen has adapted my book into a 16 screenplay treatment complete with flashbacks, a character who i make mends with, puking, six hours of awake motor mapping brain surgery, and chemotherapy. The Strange Man and I battle each other other, mano y mano, hand to hand, and trash talk each other like a hero and villain, in a good versus evil movie plot.
I am going down to Steve's house on Saturday, to shoot some pictures in a photography studio for my book cover. Steve turned me on to a computer artist, Jerry from Indiana. Steve showed me some of his work on his web page and it is insightful, imaginative, and surreal. These are elements that I would like to have in my book cover. Jerry and I talked on the phone today and made some headway on some ideas for the book cover.
I emailed Tim some brain tumor web sites and a few Lance Armstrong videos, I would like to post on my Cancer On My Mind web site.
I am still waiting for a few more positive comments for my book.
All in all, full steam ahead.
Oprah here we come.
“Cancer On My Mind is an original narrative of a brain tumor patient’s thrilling journey of survival or death. After receiving his diagnosis, Walter uses positive thinking to battle his talking brain tumor through six hours of awake motor mapping brain surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Great doctors and nurses, amazing medical treatments and drugs, and family members and friends can help defeat cancer. This book shows that a cancer patient must rely on a strong body, and resilient self-esteem, to survive the daily fatigue and doubt of surviving cancer. Walter reverses the helpless attitude some brain tumor patient’s feel by working during his chemotherapy treatments, escaping reality by walking many miles throughout San Francisco, and maintaining a “never give up attitude” after six hours of brain surgery and throughout his 36 weeks of exhausting chemotherapy treatments. The talking tumor narrative is an ingenious perspective, and allows the reader and cancer patients into the evil psyche of cancer, the heartless potential messenger of death.”
I read the screenplay treatment written by Allen Amundsen and the content is awesome. Allen is a very talented and imaginative writer. He makes my book jump off the page. The talking tumor has been transformed into the Strange Man, who appears in my mind, in my dreams, stressful moments, and while I laying the MRI tube visualizing snorkeling on the beach, to relax during a hour and 15 minute long scan. My Mom is portrayed as a strong woman, who encourages me to hang tough and I will beat cancer.
Overall, I am amazed how Allen has adapted my book into a 16 screenplay treatment complete with flashbacks, a character who i make mends with, puking, six hours of awake motor mapping brain surgery, and chemotherapy. The Strange Man and I battle each other other, mano y mano, hand to hand, and trash talk each other like a hero and villain, in a good versus evil movie plot.
I am going down to Steve's house on Saturday, to shoot some pictures in a photography studio for my book cover. Steve turned me on to a computer artist, Jerry from Indiana. Steve showed me some of his work on his web page and it is insightful, imaginative, and surreal. These are elements that I would like to have in my book cover. Jerry and I talked on the phone today and made some headway on some ideas for the book cover.
I emailed Tim some brain tumor web sites and a few Lance Armstrong videos, I would like to post on my Cancer On My Mind web site.
I am still waiting for a few more positive comments for my book.
All in all, full steam ahead.
Oprah here we come.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
COMM Post--Hard work equals ???
I took a friends advice and send my book comments by Federal Express to my neurosurgeon, Sandeep Kunwar, at UCSF. I received an email from his today that his is almost done with his review and comments. I am so jacked that this strategy worked and that the man with the talented hands, is the last doctor at UCSF to complete his review of my dialogue, out of five doctors.
I thought that completing the book was a task. The real thinking out of the box task has been completing my marketing strategy, and getting to the superior quality and level to submit to a book agent. I have three positive blurbs for my book, but don't intend to stop now.
I received email responses today from Dr. Kunwar at UCSF, Dr. Spencer at Yale University, Dr Berger at UCSF, and Dr. Chen at USC.
I am kicking ass now and loving it.
I thought that completing the book was a task. The real thinking out of the box task has been completing my marketing strategy, and getting to the superior quality and level to submit to a book agent. I have three positive blurbs for my book, but don't intend to stop now.
I received email responses today from Dr. Kunwar at UCSF, Dr. Spencer at Yale University, Dr Berger at UCSF, and Dr. Chen at USC.
I am kicking ass now and loving it.
Monday, March 16, 2009
COMM Post--Persistent-Patience, Patient-Persistence
I took a needed break from the book on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon. I hit it hard on Sunday night and emailed 12 doctors from USC, U of Colorado, among other top universities in Neurology. I received a positive comment from Dr. Chang, my oncologist since 2000, Susan Chang, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Neurological Surgery and Director of Clinical Services on the Neuro-Oncology Service of the Brain Tumor Research Center at UCSF. “A unique perspective of living with a that lends insight into the many challenges that patients face. This also highlights that despite the known odds, that on an individual basis, this terrible disease can be overcome.” How do I think these kinds of comments will help my book? Credibility among agents and publishers, and readers of all kinds.Allen emailed me today that the treatment for the screenplay could be done as soon as in a few days. I talked to Steve today about the book cover. He needs to re-shoot the head shots again, and then he will email the pics to a more experienced friend in PhotoShop and digital design. I subscribed to Literary Marketplace and collected 20 book agents who I will send my query letter to in the next week or so. The book is coming together, slowly, but surely. Everyday seems to bring more support for the book. I actually believe I will get an agent to acquire a publisher and bag this mother.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
COMM Post--Patience...Patience...
I sent out 13 email to doctors all over the U.S. and am waiting for a few more comments of positive support for my book. I hate rushing a task to complete it, and later realizing that I should have just relaxed, took a few deep breaths, and did it the right way without a deadline. I feel this way about the query letter I have been working on for two months. Book publishers and agents receive thousands of query letters a year, and skim them and toss out the letters that don't sell them in the first sentence. We all filter out poor quality items or attitudes, but these people do it for a living. I received a three sentence, closer paragraph, that will work just fine.
Monday, March 9, 2009
COMM Post--Selling Yourself to an Agent or Publisher
I have been working on a query letter and book proposal for two months. I have a list of potential candidates who I will try and impress in the next week. I have the first four paragraphs completed, but am puzzled at how to conclude my last paragraph, an action or non-action, last paragraph. I don't want to come off to demanding, but honest and positive. I never thought three sentences would challenge me. I got some great advice today on how to format and present my query letter. Support is hard to come by these days. Most people are great talkers, but poor in really helping to complete a task.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
COMM Post--I Thought Yesterday Was Going To Be A Rest Day
I arrived home tired from driving 225 miles to and from Monterey. My Blackberry vibrated and I casually checked who emailed me. It was an email from Allen Amundsen, a professor from HSU, with some high quality and thought provoking ideas about a screenplay version of Cancer On My Mind:
The underlying theme of the book will be the same for the screenplay: a man who finds the strength to stare down the biggest conflict in his life--his own brain. A triumph over tragedy story--finding the hope and strength within in order to battle the cancerous tumor that also lives within.
I'm thinking about personifying the cancer as an imaginary person whom only the protagonist (Walter, of course, lol) can see and hear. Mr. Cancer (I think I will merely refer to him as The Stranger in the script) appears often to taunt him. This will open up many opportunities for riveting dialogue between protagonist and antagonist throughout the script. I think the imaginary Cancer Man will end up being a love/hate character for the audience--he is the paragon of evil and the bringer of death, but also witty and charming (sort of like a demon/devil type of character--after all, its always the villains who get all of the glory: think Hannibal Lecter or the Joker.)
Also, in terms of dramatizing the real-life story points, I'd like to weave in some flashbacks of the Father and the Brother. The key supporting characters will be the Mother and Friends.
In particular, it might be wise to create some composite characters for the Friends--I think Friend A (perhaps "Jeff") will be supportive throughout, and Friend B (perhaps "Michael") ultimately chooses to sever the friendship because he can't deal with the protagonist's struggle/possible death. So this will create another layer of conflict and tension (as well as another layer of hope for the protagonist.)
The Surgeon will also be a major character, becoming a friend and ally of the protagonist.
I see the screenplay as 60% serious drama, and 40% humor--which is a balance that always makes for a rich movie-going experience.
I will have specific pages for you very soon. Let me know what you think of the ideas!
Allen Amundsen has taught me a lot about being a creator and or writer, "Just do what makes you feel good, enjoy it, and don't take things too seriously."
Allen has breathed new life into my book, by thinking about how it could be displayed it a more layered, interactive, drama/comedy/audience interactive perspective. The appearances of "The Stranger" are stylish and smart, and don't give away too much from the beginning.
Man, I am happy to have someone with the passion to de-construct and then re-construct the dark subject matter in my book into a living and breathing screenplay. He has the passion, creative outlook, and energy to really make something real, even more real.
I spent sometime trying on a new pair of shoes for work and will wear them around the house before I test them out at the S. F. International Airport at IT-G. They feel pretty good up to this point, but let's not get too cocky. Let the feet be the judge and butt out.
I spent a few hours on the Internet tonight searching for publishers I will submit my query letter or book proposal to in the next few months.
I am still anticipating at least a few more positive reviews of my book from the 12 emails i sent out to UCLA, Duke, Sloan-Kettering, Harvard, and UCSF.
I finished the query letter, but am still waiting to hear from Mary Ellen, a marketing expert in Albequerque, NW, to give me a few pointers.
The underlying theme of the book will be the same for the screenplay: a man who finds the strength to stare down the biggest conflict in his life--his own brain. A triumph over tragedy story--finding the hope and strength within in order to battle the cancerous tumor that also lives within.
I'm thinking about personifying the cancer as an imaginary person whom only the protagonist (Walter, of course, lol) can see and hear. Mr. Cancer (I think I will merely refer to him as The Stranger in the script) appears often to taunt him. This will open up many opportunities for riveting dialogue between protagonist and antagonist throughout the script. I think the imaginary Cancer Man will end up being a love/hate character for the audience--he is the paragon of evil and the bringer of death, but also witty and charming (sort of like a demon/devil type of character--after all, its always the villains who get all of the glory: think Hannibal Lecter or the Joker.)
Also, in terms of dramatizing the real-life story points, I'd like to weave in some flashbacks of the Father and the Brother. The key supporting characters will be the Mother and Friends.
In particular, it might be wise to create some composite characters for the Friends--I think Friend A (perhaps "Jeff") will be supportive throughout, and Friend B (perhaps "Michael") ultimately chooses to sever the friendship because he can't deal with the protagonist's struggle/possible death. So this will create another layer of conflict and tension (as well as another layer of hope for the protagonist.)
The Surgeon will also be a major character, becoming a friend and ally of the protagonist.
I see the screenplay as 60% serious drama, and 40% humor--which is a balance that always makes for a rich movie-going experience.
I will have specific pages for you very soon. Let me know what you think of the ideas!
Allen Amundsen has taught me a lot about being a creator and or writer, "Just do what makes you feel good, enjoy it, and don't take things too seriously."
Allen has breathed new life into my book, by thinking about how it could be displayed it a more layered, interactive, drama/comedy/audience interactive perspective. The appearances of "The Stranger" are stylish and smart, and don't give away too much from the beginning.
Man, I am happy to have someone with the passion to de-construct and then re-construct the dark subject matter in my book into a living and breathing screenplay. He has the passion, creative outlook, and energy to really make something real, even more real.
I spent sometime trying on a new pair of shoes for work and will wear them around the house before I test them out at the S. F. International Airport at IT-G. They feel pretty good up to this point, but let's not get too cocky. Let the feet be the judge and butt out.
I spent a few hours on the Internet tonight searching for publishers I will submit my query letter or book proposal to in the next few months.
I am still anticipating at least a few more positive reviews of my book from the 12 emails i sent out to UCLA, Duke, Sloan-Kettering, Harvard, and UCSF.
I finished the query letter, but am still waiting to hear from Mary Ellen, a marketing expert in Albequerque, NW, to give me a few pointers.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
COMM Post--A Deserved Break
I has been a very exciting week for me and my book, so I am taking well deserved break to relax and reflect.
Where will I go from here?
What other amazing and generous doctors will jump on my support boat to keep me afloat?
I am just building my arsenal to launch on the cancer and publishing world and am blown away by the response my networking skills have uncovered.
Day-by-day...Step-by-step.
Where will I go from here?
What other amazing and generous doctors will jump on my support boat to keep me afloat?
I am just building my arsenal to launch on the cancer and publishing world and am blown away by the response my networking skills have uncovered.
Day-by-day...Step-by-step.
Friday, March 6, 2009
COMM Post--Thank Goodness, It is Friday
I received another email response from a cancer doctor at UCSF who will read Cancer On My Mind and hopefully give me some support for my back cover of my book. I am doing my best to network with all of those who want to help me construct my web site, give me advice on marketing and promotion, and tell me that all this effort will not be wasted.
Life is good. I am celebrating my 9 th year of cancer-free living after i get a thumbs-up for my annual scan next month.
Life is good. I am celebrating my 9 th year of cancer-free living after i get a thumbs-up for my annual scan next month.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
COMM Post--Support for Cancer On My Mind
Cancer On My Mind is finished. I sent out 13 email requests out to doctors at UCSF, UCLA, Duke University, Harvard/Massachusetts General, and Sloan-Kettering. I received two emails of support for my book from the Director of Radiation Oncology and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at UCLA.
I own the domain canceronmymind.com through godaddy.com.
I started a blog called Cancer On My Mind on Google.
I have a professor at Humboldt State who is writing a screenplay treatment based on my book to pitch to agents and producers in Hollywood.
A lot going on lately in my life, but it did take me 4 years to write the book, so something ventured and something gained.
I own the domain canceronmymind.com through godaddy.com.
I started a blog called Cancer On My Mind on Google.
I have a professor at Humboldt State who is writing a screenplay treatment based on my book to pitch to agents and producers in Hollywood.
A lot going on lately in my life, but it did take me 4 years to write the book, so something ventured and something gained.
COMM Post--Great News...
I checked my email to find that Dr. Jorge Lazareff, a neurosurgeon from UCLA will be submitting a paragraph to include in my book. I was pumping my fist up and down, and yelling and howling like a cowboy! The four years it has take to finish my book is finally paying off. Day by day, and step by step. I need a few more of these academic endorsements and I feel my hard work is legitimate by and a book agent and publisher standards.
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