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Conversation with Firefighter/Paramedic Barry Makrewicz about the book he co-authored Triumph, Tragedy and Tedium: Stories of a Salt Lake City Paramedic/Firefighter, the Sugar House Years
Links:
www.triumphtragedyandtedium.com
Facebook.com/Triumph-Tragedy-Tedium
On this episode of the Medical Author Chat I talk to retired teacher and hospice volunteer about her book Living and Dying with Dignity: A Daughters Journey Through Long-Term Care
The book is a combination of Jennifer’s biographical journey as a daughter caring for her two ailing parents and the switch from adult child to caregiver. It is also a compilation of lessons learned about death and dying and sharing resources related to palliative care. Jennifer wrote the book from the point of view as a teacher.
We finish the conversation with a discussion about the difficulty getting published and how Jennifer used a co-publishing strategy to bring her book to fruition. You can connect with Jennifer on the many blogs she writes:
The book ‘blog’ is simply excerpts: http://livinganddyingwithdignity.blogspot.com/
Ontario Seniors: http://ontarioseniors.blogspot.com/
Thank your teachers: http://thankyourteachers.blogspot.com/
Reflections from Cottage Country: http://mymuskoka.blogspot.com/
Medical Author Chat podcast listeners and blog readers occasionally ask me for advice on how to get their book of EMS stories and memoirs published. Since I have not published a book myself, other than three copies of my masters of science thesis, I can’t suggest a foolproof process. Nonetheless, these are ideas that might work:
1. Ask published authors. At the end of each podcast episode I always ask the author/guest for their advice on becoming a published author. Ask the published authors you know. Read Seth Godin’s blog, books and check out the Domino Project.
2. Grow a tribe. You are not likely to publish a collection of EMS stories for a mass audience. Instead start growing a tribe of friends and followers through blog posts, articles, and podcasts. A tribe that has come to know your writing is more likely to buy your book than a stranger or bookstore browser.
3. Referrals and Recommendations. Ask your tribe to tell their communities about your blog, podcast, and book. Ask readers to write recommendations on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other websites where people buy books.
4. Be accessible. If you are selling books you need to be found. I regularly find books that I would like to interview authors for the Medical Author Chat podcast but I can’t find the author’s email address, web site, blog, or Facebook page. If I can’t find you I can’t help publicize your book.
5. Attract Attention. Do things that will attract attention. In his book, Attention: this book will make you money
Are you trying to publish your own collection of EMS stories?
Listen to an interview with Dr. Ron Breazeale author of Duct Tape is Not Enough
Dr. Breazeale explains how Reaching Home is a book about reslience and how storytelling can be used for teaching. We dug into the importance of resilience for overcoming adversity and dealing with hard times.
The workbook, Duct Tape is Not Enough, teaches 11 skills and attitudes, including the importance of conectedness, flexibility, and optimism. Duct Tape is Not Enough is a six hour training program for group or individual study. Two of the DVDs feature stories told by a mix of people including a firefighter and a health care professional. We discussed the application of resilience training to health care professionals.
We concluded our conversation with advice from Dr. Breazeale for aspiring writers. He emphasized the importance of how a good editor helped him improve as a writer.
You can learn more at ReachingHome.com
Have you read the novel Reaching Home or participated in a Duct Tape is Not Enough workshop? Please share your experiences in the comments area.
This episode features veteran Firefighter Will Wyatt, author of the book And a Paycheck Too: Just Another Day at the Office for a Veteran Firefighter.
During the episode Will describes his inspiration to join the fire service was watching the television show Emergency! He explains that he never had an interest in EMS but a year into his career needed to become an EMT. Ever since EMS has been the majority of what he does as a firefighter.
Will was inspired to write the book to help the “average American understand what Fire and EMS professionals do in a typical day.” He went to great pains to make the book enjoyable to the public – not just insiders. He explains that life as a firefighter is a “roller coaster.”
The book is a mix of humorous stories and reflections on the fire services. He also shares one of the emotionally charged situations of his career that is told in the book.
Will wrote the book over a three month period. He usually wrote in the morning. He did not keep a journal during his career, but wishes he had. Will advises listeners to start taking notes for a few months before starting the writing process. He also encourages aspiring authors to sit in on firehouse story sessions to remember some of the other memorable moments of their career that might not be top of mind.
And a Paycheck was self published with Brown Publishing Group and is available for order through AndaPaycheckToo.com.
Show Notes:
