Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt

My husband Darrell selling my autobiography

“Valuing Disabilities in Our Community” was last night’s theme at the 19th Annual Vancouver International Jewish Film Festival. Oftentimes, the cost of disability is emphasized, while the value of people with disabilities is discounted or ignored. The two films screened provided a honest and thought-provoking look at what it means to have a disability: SHAMELESS: the ART of disability, which I had the pleasure of viewing last May and highly recommend it, and The Boy Inside, which will air on CBC Newsworld on April 3rd.

I had the opportunity to sell my book I’ll Do It Myself at this event. Unfortunately, I have been down with bronchitis since completing my virtual book tour and was not able to attend, which was extremely disappointing because this opportunity has been a year in the works; even before I had finished writing the manuscript. However, my sweet husband went in my place. Hopefully there will be more such opportunities.

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(Photo Credit: Francis Estanislao)

Welcome to the finale of my “40 Blogs in 40 (Business) Days” virtual book tour, promoting my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself. What a blast the past eight weeks have been!

Today I make my final stop in Temperanceville, Virginia, to chat with Dorothy Thompson who is a PR Coach and the author of several books. Her blog Pump Up Your Online Book Pomotion is an appropriate place to wrap up this virtual book tour because, even though today is the last appearance on this tour, I’m just getting warmed up with my online promotion. I have other ideas in the works, and there will definitely be more virtual book tours. Watch for a Summer Sojourn!

I would like to thank these individuals who embraced the new fandangled concept of a “virtual book tour” and made it an awesome success:

• Jim Hasse (New York, New York, USA)
• Penny Haynes (Canton, Georgia, USA)
• Susan Emerson (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada)
• Mary McDonald (Austin, Texas, USA)
• Suzanne Falter-Barns (New York, USA)
• Judi Finneran (Carlsbad, California, USA)
• Des Walsh (Gold Coast, Australia)
• David Gayes (Chicago, Illnois, USA)
• Gillian Hood-Gabrielson, double thanks (Paradise, California, USA)
• Jenn Givler (East Fallowfield, Pennsylvania, USA)
• Andy Wibbels (Chicago, Illnois, USA)
• Glenda Hinz (Lincoln, Nebraska, USA)
• Cristina Favreau (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
• Tracey Lawton (Findlay, Ohio, USA)
• Wendy Piersall (Chicago, Illnois, USA)
• Pam Slim (Mesa, Arizona, USA)
• Yara Nielsenshultz (Olathe, Kansas, USA)
• Shadrach and Kim Bloomer (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
• Liz Lewis (Christchurch, New Zealand)
• Reverend Carla Golden (Kansas City, Missouri, USA)
• Paige Eissinger (St. James, Missouri, USA)
• Sheri McConnell, (San Antonio, Texas, USA)
• Liz Strauss (Chicago, Illnois, USA)
• Scharlene Redway (Chicago, Illnois, USA)
• Derek Featherstone (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
• Tariq Khan (Houston, Texas, USA)
• Lori Arriaga (St. Paul, Minnesota, USA)
• Alyice Edrich (Beresford, South Dakota, USA)
• Harmony Cornwell (Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada)
• Niqui Merret (Brighton, Great Britain)
• Ron McDaniel (Kent, Ohio, USA)
• Rick Cockrum (Monaca, Pennsylvania, USA)
• Heidi Richards (Miramar, Florida, USA)
• Dorothy Thompson (Temperanceville, Virginia, USA)

I would like to give a special thanks to my sweet husband Darrell for being so supportive and for putting up with the many, many late nights these past eight weeks. And to my Mom who followed me to every virtual stop, which made this adventure extra special.

The most recent visitors

And thank you to all of you for visiting and reading along on my blog. You definitely made this virtual book tour a worldwide event!

And, yes, copies of my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself are still available. Be sure to order yours before this print run is gone!

Have a great weekend!

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March is Women’s History Month. March 8th was International Women’s Day. Today is Virtual Women’s Day™.

Based in Miramar, Florida, the WECAI (Women’s ECommerce Association, International) Network™ created Virtual Women’s Day™ for women to celebrate online with a full day of showcasing women, networking and hearing from some excellent speakers.

My showcase for Virtual Women’s Day

I had the pleasure of being one of the twenty-seven women to showcase our products and services. I, of course, showcased my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself.

I am pleased to announce Adrienne Graham won an autographed copy of my autobiography. I also won a couple of prizes, including a year’s subscription to Pink - the first magazine for the professional women. Not to miss an opportunity, I have already set the goal to submit an article before my subscription is up!

Thanks WECAI Network Founder and CEO Heidi Richards for an awesome event.

Because today’s event was live, there is no interview to read. Please come back tomorrow for the finale of my “40 Blogs in 40 (Business) Days” virtual book tour!

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After a slight delay, I finally made it to Monaca, half an hour north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to chat with Rick Cockrum as I continue my virtual book tour. Rick is a social worker who works with elderly people and people with disabilities to provide services to try to keep them in their homes when their age or disability makes it difficult for them to care for themselves. By keeping them out an institutional setting as long as possible, the individuals retain their independence and dignity, which is so critical. Enjoy the interview.

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Today’s stop on my virtual book tour found me in Kent, Ohio, chatting with author and speaker Ron McDaniel. His blog Buzzoodle Buzz Marketing provides information on creating oodles of buzz. I love that! Which author or solopreneur couldn’t use oodles of buzz?

In our interview, we talk about how I hope people will feel after reading my book, my favourite fan mail, and creating a buzz on the web. Thanks Ron!

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I have fond memories of camping with my family in Golden Ears Park, near Maple Ridge.
(Photo Credit: Greater Vancouver Parks)

On this beautiful day, I virtually trekked out to Maple Ridge in the Fraser Valley to chat with Harmony Cornwell, a freelance writer. Even though we live only miles apart, we actually met on Liz Lewis’ blog in New Zealand!

In my interview with Harmony, I share how embrace a positive mental attitude, how to tune out naysayers, and the highlight from my virtual book tour so far.

(Photo Credit: World Guide to Brighton)

With Rod Stewart still on my mind after Saturday’s rockin’ concert, it seems fitting that I jump across the pond to Great Britain to pop in on Niqui Merret in Brighton. Niqui is a Flash consultant focused on accessibility. We chat briefly about what I use the internet for, my favourite websites, and my one request for web developers and designers.

Thank you, Harmony and Niqui, for an exciting day on tour!

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Saturday night was a much needed break from my virtual book tour as I spent another great evening with Rod Stewart! I was happy to see he still has it! (Not owning a cell phone with a camera, I, unfortunately, do not have any illicit photos to share.) He began the evening by announcing that he was not going to do any song from the American Songbook; that he was going to stick with rock, which he does best. I agree. It was a night of music that reverberated through my breastbone and my soul! My legs are even sore from dancing in my scooter! A great way to be reminded I’m still very much alive!

With recent discussions about following one’s dream, Rod is a great example of someone who took a risk and followed the road less taken. As a teen, he had two passions: football (soccer) and music. He choose music and stuck with it. Unlike today’s era of “instant Idols”, he did his time busking on street corners and playing with small bands in small, smoky bars until discovered by Long John Baldry, who I regret not seeing perform even though he lived in Vancouver for several years. After singing with a few more bands and a few solo albums, his big break was when a disc jockey took a chance by playing the B-side of a single, introducing the world to “Maggie May”. The rest is music history. At age 62, Rod still says, “I love what I do.”

We would have missed out on great music had Rod not believed in his musical gift, had he not overcome his fear of singing in front of large audiences and had that one dj had not played the flip-side. What might the world miss out on if you don’t believe

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Today my “40 Blogs in 40 (Business) Days” book tour finds me traveling virtually to Beresford, South Dakota, to speak with freelance writer Alyice Edrich. On one of her three blogs, she interviews with authors, literary agents, business people, and photographers. I was excited that she agreed to interview me when I asked.

In our interview, I offer some advice on how individuals, who have been told they wouldn’t amount to much, can begin to find value in themselves. It all about attitude: tuning out the negative ones and embracing the positive ones, which can be so empowering. Enjoy the interview.

The most recent visitors - thank you!

This wraps the seventh week of my eight-week virtual book tour. I would like to thank you all for following along. I’m amazed by how people from around the world are finding my blog. The power of the blogoshpere!

Saturday night Darrell and I are going to see Rod Stewart in concert. This will be my fifth or sixth time seeing him. How can you tell he is my favourite? It’ll be a great break and I’ll return re-energized for the final week of this book tour. Have a great weekend! I sure will.

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