Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

While at the BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas next week, I’ll be signing copies of my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself in which I intimately share living with cerebral palsy to show others that cp is not a death sentence, but rather a life sentence:

Thursday, November 8th
Outside of the Exhibitors Hall
12-1pm

and

Friday, November 9th
Blogger & Podcaster Magazine booth #315 in the Exhibitors Hall
12-1pm

Come on by! I am really looking forward to meeting many of my imaginary friends and colleagues!

If, perchance, we do not meet up, copies of I’ll Do It Myself will also be available at the Expo bookstore.

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Thank you for your continued support for the Blog for a Year contest.. We broke the 7000 vote mark today! Please keep the votes coming in. One brilliant idea is to make the voting page your homepage to remind yourself to vote daily.

Have a great weekend!

If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. — Thomas Edison

When I was a young girl with the occasional bit of pocket money, I bought books such as Black Beauty and Alice in Wonderland at a small independent bookstore Black Bond Books. I dreamt that one day my book would be on those bookshelves too.

Last year, while I was still writing the manuscript for I’ll Do It Myself, I emailed Black Bond Books and asked if they accepted self-published books. (In hindsight, that was probably not the best way to ask the question.) The response was they typically don’t accept self-published works. Disappointed but not surprised because I was learning the self-published book was the illegitimate child of the publishing industry, I continued writing and proceeded with my plan to self publish my autobiography.

More recently and with encouragement from the Surrey Writers Group, I asked again if Black Bond would consider my book. This time I focused on the book’s message rather than on how it was published. After a delay of a few months and a gentle reminder from me, the response was positive! It was another “fall on my knees” moment along this book writing and self-publishing journey.

Yesterday I dropped off ten copies, which they are taking on consignment and will evaluate in sixty days. I’ll Do It Myself will be in local stores in time for Christmas! Please let Black Bond know they made a good choice!

Some times a “No” is not the final answer. “No” doesn’t necessarily mean failure. Some times you need to ask again, perhaps in another way or another person or at another time. Being persistent and driven, without being annoying, leads to success!

If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.

Blogger extraordinaire Liz Strauss is a kind, gentle soul who thrives on building relationships and connecting people. Promptly responding to any and all emails, it is as if she lives inside your computer. She honours successful and outstanding bloggers, including yours truly, with her SOB Award.

Liz inspired me to open Readers’ Café as a way to build relationships and community among my readers. And, she kindly guided me around the potential pitfalls of such an initiative.

Today we celebrate Liz! Her Successful and Outstanding Blog is two years old, and, typical fun-loving Liz style, she is having a party! Please stop by and wish her a happy blog birthday!

Fully in the party mood, I am giving everyone a party favour: an excerpt edition of my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself. (Left click to open the free pdf or right click to ‘Save As’ to your computer.)

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Liz, my friend!

If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.

(Photo credit: Martin van Rensburg)

Today, the Ferrari is parked and the Learjet is warming up on the tarmac. I’m off to Queensland, Australia! (Is the universal Law of Attraction picking up these hints?)

I have the pleasure of chatting with Jacqui Dalling, mom to adorable Moo who has spastic cerebral palsy. She shares her experiences in her blog Terrible Palsy, which is described as:

A condition in which onlookers and people in the community tell parents how terrible life must be raising a physically challenged child. This condition manifests itself through pity and audible sighing of those around you. Terrible Palsy can be deceiving because you can be asymptomatic for weeks, months, or even years, and then just when you and your family are feeling really good about your child, it can present itself in the form of a condescending pat on the head or a blessing from an anonymous busybody. Best known treatment is to carry a list of snappy comebacks in your pocket or a large bag of peanut M & Ms.

Ah, yes, that pity strikes from out of nowhere, at any time! How do you prepare your child for that? I share a few thoughts with Jacqui. Join us for our chat. I’d love to hear your thoughts on dealing with pity.

Good news: my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself is finally available as an ebook! No taxes, no shipping required! Autographed paperback copies are also still available, as well as large-print editions – while supplies last!

Please join me Friday as I fly to Washington, DC! For now, please cast your daily vote so I may win the opportunity to be paid to blog for a year (be sure to click on “Vote for Glenda Watson Hyatt”). Only 110 votes needed to take fourth place. Together, we can achieve that today. Thanks kindly!

If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.

Happy summer (finally)! Time to kick back and relax under a shady tree or on the beach slathered in sunscreen, with a cool drink in one hand and a good book in the other. And I have just the book for you!

Here’s what one reader recently said about I’ll Do It Myself:

I ordered your book and read it all the day it came….then I read it again. I have a three year old son… that has athetoid cp. I would love to be in contact with you because I see so many similarities between your story and the way his life is unfolding. I was so relieved to read your book and realize all of the possibilities ahead [for my son].

I have been mailing copies across Canada and the United States, as well as to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For local readers, copies are available at Celebration Christian Store in Surrey

Beginning Wednesday, July 18th, I will be holding bi-monthly “Ask the Author” nights, approximately 7-10pm EST, right here on my blog! Come ask me questions about my autobiography, living with a disability or just to chat. So, get your copy of I’ll Do It Myself and come join us on July 18th. Hope to see you here!

I am also planning a “Summer Sojourn” virtual book tour for mid or late August. Stay tuned for details.

Happy reading and have an awesome summer!

If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.