Thursday, September 8, 2011

Bright Spot

Something to look forward to! Yesterday I got the advance copy of the anthology on and for parents of disabled kids in which I published an essay, Easy to Love but Hard to Raise. I've had that title backwards all this time, and perhaps because of my glass half-empty psyche, still hear it better that way. But never mind that! I've been reading the whole book, essays and in-between commentary, and think it is fantastic! If I had a book like this one when I was bringing up my kid, it would have made all the difference in the world. What a blessing that it will be out there, spawning all sorts of support groups, conferences, perhaps a whole movement that will help all those who don't know what to do to help their kids. The only thing I don't see there so far, and I'm scarcely 25% through the book, having just gotten it late yesterday afternoon, after going to the post office and paying postage due, is stuff about what the law says schools and public institutions owe our kids, what we can fairly ask for. I'm going to tell my friend in Philadelphia, Linda, to write to the blog for the book on Facebook, and perhaps she can add that dimension to the discussion.
I shouldn't put so much hope into this, but I'm thinking that if this book hits it big, perhaps I can draw some attention to my writing and pick up some sort of online writing job or teaching or something or get my books picked up by a publisher somewhere. This is the kind of thing people will buy; I know, because I have bought many books on similar subjects, and at one point, I would have bought anything I thought could help us deal with the difficulties of raising a kid with neurological differences.
I told the editors I wanted to help market the book by contacting NPR and doing interviews, doing readings, chatting up Facebook, or whatever. The book comes out in November. I can't wait!

7 comments:

Marly Youmans said...

Nice! I'm glad it looks so promising...

liz said...

Wow, somebody who really understands
the power of a first glance designed
that book cover, and with the
information inside it really could be a hit out of the park! I am very excited for you Robbi (and am anxious to take a look at the book myself! ;)

Robbi N. said...

Would you agree to write about it on your blog? I know that since you have been in a similar position, raising a neurologically different kid, you might be able to speak knowledgeably on this subject. If so, I could get you a review copy when it's closer to coming out.
Or perhaps you can do your own post for their blog on Word Press (under the book's title, Easy to Love but Hard to Raise) or their second book on educating kids with differences. I don't know whether that posed as big a problem in your case as it did in ours, but I'm sure there are some things you could add to the discussion if you're inclined to and have the time. Of course, that's the sticker, isn't it?

Marly Youmans said...

Well, if I have time, though right now I have a very big stack of things I've promised to write about, going back more than a year (agh!)

However, no matter what I will mention you and it.

Robbi N. said...

Okay Marly. I understand. I just thought you might want to take part in this for its own sake because of your history of involvement in this who project of raising a kid (and being a kid, as I was) with neurological problems. Of course, Mike could do it. He is Ben's dad, and there are precious few dads in this book! He's also a neurologist, and from what I have seen, a very good writer. That's not chopped liver. Could you ask him if he wants to try it?
Their next volume is going to be about home schooling/advocacy/advice for teachers having to deal with these kids. If he wrote an article for their blog and they liked it, it might very well end up in that book.

Robbi N. said...

Okay Marly. I understand. I just thought you might want to take part in this for its own sake because of your history of involvement in this who project of raising a kid (and being a kid, as I was) with neurological problems. Of course, Mike could do it. He is Ben's dad, and there are precious few dads in this book! He's also a neurologist, and from what I have seen, a very good writer. That's not chopped liver. Could you ask him if he wants to try it?
Their next volume is going to be about home schooling/advocacy/advice for teachers having to deal with these kids. If he wrote an article for their blog and they liked it, it might very well end up in that book.

Robbi N. said...

Hi Liz! Thanks! I think it's pretty exciting too. Maybe I can do a Holly, right?