One... Here it Comes

If you saw my video, you know that in June I am releasing a book. One: Unleashing the Energy that Connects Us All.
 
There is A LOT of work that goes into getting that done. From the editing, to cover design and book layout, to press releases, scheduling a book tour and book launch… lots to consider.
 
All of which occurs amid my already crazy life of parenting, seeing clients, teaching, filming and trying to carve out quality time for my friends, hubby and ME.
 
Needless to say, it has been a hectic few weeks. The stress has allowed my Ego, which I discuss at length in One, to rear its ugly head putting the following doubts in my head: Is the book any good? Is anyone going to really care? Is the information of value to people? Are people going to pick it up and feel like they have wasted their time and money?
 
These fears are raised because I know I am biased. I’ve spent months writing and have put my blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul into the book. I’m proud.
 
But that’s me. And, my husband doesn’t count either.
 
To put these fears and the ego to bed, I was picky about who I chose as my first set of reviewers. I needed people that I trusted to be kind, and yet at the same time critical. I didn’t need someone to fluff my ego only to find out by the copy editor that it was a crappy book. But, I also needed someone to be gentle as the book has truly been a labor of love. Ultimately, I needed honest feedback.
 
These were the brave folks who were not only selected, but stepped up to the task:

1. Jen – a woman I went to college with. She graduated with a degree in computer science and currently works as quality improvement analyst. I have no idea what that is other than I know she likes to find bugs as well as find ways to improve quality and efficiency of the workplace. She was a perfect fit because she was going to find the holes and point them out.
2. Terry – my stepmother who, if you’ve read this blog you know, has conservative tendencies and is new to the concept of intuition. She is representative of my target audience. She was the best test because she would have a good sense where I failed to answer questions that my target audience would have.
3. Ginny – a friend I have taken many classes with. She is a huge supporter and I knew would give me good feedback, even if the book fell short. But she is also a great addition because she is a school teacher. With that expertise, she would be able to point out where I was talking over people’s heads and where the teaching moment was lost.
4. Sue – a highly enlightened friend who I swear has read just about every spiritual and metaphysical text out there. She has such a broad range of knowledge and expertise, she would be able to tell me if there was value add or I was just repeating what has already been said. Not only that, she has experience editing a high profile spiritual magazine.

 
These folks were the first to see it, other than my husband. It was in rough shape. But, I was excited to find they LIKED IT… THEY REALLY DID.
 
Now there were a lot of comments and questions. And work to be done, but less than I expected. After a job with a tyrannical boss who loved her red (sometimes green) pen, I was ready for the worst. But, I didn’t have that. In some ways, I think I may have been harsher than they were. After getting it back I decided to cut two whole chapters!! Don’t fret, they are going in my next book… or the one after that.
 
Their comments put the fear to bed for a little while. Long enough to make the edits and get it to the copy editor.
 
Now that it is in her hands and I’m waiting, the fear is creeping back in. What if the book isn’t needed?
 
Spirit worked to alleviate this fear over the weekend at the Find Yourself Retreat. Throughout the weekend, there was insightful conversations. These conversations, initiated by the group of ladies who were looking to Find Themselves, were all topics covered in my book!
 
It got to a point where I felt guilty saying, “it’s in my book!” I wasn’t there to sell the book, but the questions raised were those that I sought to answer. Finding intuition is really about finding oneself. And over the weekend when I struggled to come up with another reference that truly answered the questions they had, I realized there wasn’t one. At least not one that broke it down simply.
 
Made me realize, maybe there is a place for my book… maybe I’m not just overly proud of myself…. And maybe, there was a reason I was inspired.
 
Want to be one of the first to get a copy? Click here to pre-order!

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