At the moment, I am in the process of combing through the final set of proofs to send back to the publisher for printing. I can't believe that this is really going to happen. We have a book - our first book - about skin cancer, coming out in less than two months. The final product will be shipped in three weeks. And it will debut on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Borders come May 1st to commemorate national Skin Cancer Awareness month. After two years of planning, interviewing, writing (and re-writing), hiccups, hangups, struggling, transcribing, collaborating, researching, brainstorming, editing, and praying, the book will soon be a reality. I can hardly believe it. Miracles happen.
My best friend, Melissa (who wrote the Afterword), and I went to Ottavio's to celebrate the book being sent off to the publisher. She asked me how it felt to be done with the book. I told her that I was far from "being done with the book". While the bulk of the work is, indeed, done; the book has been written, there are endless nights of worrying about how the book will be received by the public? Will the individuals I interviewed, featured, and honored in the book be happy with the final product? Will our sponsor be happy with it? Will the public receive the book well? Will be be able to fulfill our promise of sending copies of the book to every university in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Utah (the "high risk " states for skin cancer)? Did we catch any/all typos? Did we cite and quote our sources correctly? Did we write and produce a book that will actually help people, not harm them? Questions. Listless questions. The worrying never ceases, thus my work is never done.
In short, this book has been an adventure wrought with a broad spectrum of emotion (no, we aren't talking about sunscreen right now - though, the book does address the subject of proper application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays). Amid roadblocks,challenges, and tears, there have also been blessings - the blessing of new friendships and bonds, the blessing of new insights and learning experiences, the blessing of serving and educating others. And, quite frankly, that is what this book is about - it is about serving the skin cancer community. It is about educating young adults about protecting themselves from a common, yet very preventable cancer. It is about honoring those who have been touched by this disease and inspiring others. It is about saving lives.
Many of the emails I have received regarding this book have been about how much I was paid (or will be paid) to do this book. I can say, in all honesty, that I did not receive any monetary compensation for this book. I undertook the project because I felt there was a need to assemble a unique and comprehensive resource guide for young adults and thus teach them about skin cancer prevention. Thus, in between work and church obligations, I began writing this book. After we have distributed more than 1,000 complimentary copies of the book to universities and melanoma foundations, we will utilizing the proceeds from book sales to go back to the cause. All proceeds generated will go back to the cause.
Why?
Well, to put it rather simply, that is the way it should be - a book about skin cancer should support efforts to combat skin cancer.
That said it is genuine hope that will represent, honor, and serve the skin cancer community well. It is my sincere prayer that this book will be a tool to help save lives from skin cancer, and a launchpad towards furthering our goal to eradicate skin cancer from the earth.
In closing, thank you for your interest and support. Don't forget to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. If you don't have one, log on to www.aad.org and find a board certified dermatologist nearest you.
Until next time, here's to your health and happiness!
Danielle.
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