Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

I am pumped as I head back to Chicago to chat with Andy Wibbels, author of Blogwild! A Guide for Small Business Blogging. His story is amazing; one that motivated me to keep writing my book because who knows where it would lead. Anyway, a publisher stumbled across his blog about blogging for small business, liked what she read and offered him a book deal! Just like that – a writer’s fantasy! Since releasing Blogwild!, he has received mega media attention. The Wall Street Journal called last week! This guy is hot!

Needless to say, I’m thrilled and honoured that Andy took time to chat with me about my book, living with cerebral palsy and my blogging experience. Isn’t the blogoshpere amazing! Once you finish reading Andy’s interview, come on back and share your most amazing blogging experience.

Late breaking news: the Celebration Christian Store in Surrey, British Columbia, has offered to take a few copies of my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself on consignment! (Thank you, Lindsay!) This is the first bookstore to take my book! Definitely a “fall on my knees” moment; one I have been dreaming about for thirty years!

Picking myself up off of the floor and drying my happy tears, I am now off to East Fallowfield, 45 minutes west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to chat with Jenn Givler. Jenn empowers women to express themselves authentically through their business and take their business into the world in a big way. She teaches women entrepreneurs to effectively start and market their businesses.

In my interview with Jenn, I share what inspired me to start my own business Soaring Eagle Communications and my original mission statement. However, the Eagle is undergoing a transformation. Read where the Eagle is headed now….

Paradise, CA Santa Ynez River Valley
Copyright 2002, 2003 Photo by Rick Raphael.com, Copyright 2002

Following the exciting news this morning about Do It Myself Blog being named AOL Ability’s Site of the Day, I am now off to Paradise, California, to speak with Gillian Hood-Gabrielson, the founder and President of Healthier Outcomes. Gillian is a popular and in-demand fitness and intuitive eating coach who understands the unique needs of busy women in different ages and stages of life. She is widely known for her ability to create a high degree of motivation among her clients to make exercise and intuitive eating an enjoyable and integral part of their lives.

Today’s interview on fitness and people with disabilities was refreshing because it is a topic often overlooked. Health professionals typically medicalize the subject by referring to it as therapy and rehab for people with disabilities, rather than as fitness, exercise and well-being as it is framed for able-bodies. In addition to this systemic obstacle, there are many other obstacles people with disabilities face when attempting to access fitness activities and facilities. However, new technology, like the Wii computer virtual gaming system, present may possibilities that could be utilized to provide people with disabilities and the sedentary population with fun ways to exercise.

Once you have read my interview with Gillian, please come on back and leave your comments, thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you! (If someone asks, I will reveal my initial title for this post. In fact, the first person to post a comment asking what was the initial title will receive a free copy of I’ll Do It Myself – excluding shipping. How is that as way to wrap up the second week of my virtual book tour “40 Blogs in 40 (Business) Days”!)

Have a great weekend!

Exciting news! This blog has been named AOL Ability’s Site of the Day. Woohoo! The first recognition by the media – this virtual book tour is working after all.

Today’s appearance of my virtual book tour “40 Blogs in 40 (Business) Days” will be announced shortly. I wanted to share this bit of good news first!

One reason for self-publishing my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself, rather than holding out for a six-figure book deal from a large American publisher, was to be eligible to have my book placed in Library and Archives Canada. Today I received the Receipt for Legal Deposit! My book is now preserved in Canada’s published heritage. I have now left my mark on Canadian history; an emotion-filled moment for me.
Grandma, who avidly supported “Made in Canada”, would be so proud. I feel her smiling down from heaven, giving me one of her bone-crushing bear hugs.

If anyone reading this happens to visit Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa, I would love a photo of my book on the library shelf.

American publishers, now I am all ears!