A Life Reclaimed: The Background
Sheila, her mom (my sister Piedad), and I talked about documenting Sheila's experiences for many years but only decided to develop it as a book in Spring 2007. From my notes, Sheila's contributions, recollections, and photos from various family members and friends, I started writing her story in September 2008. After several layers of editing, the book slowly took a form of its own - small in size but rich in content.
As a first-time author, deciding between a traditional publisher and a POD (print-on-demand) publisher was easy. Basically, I did not want to invest a lot of money in the book. I just wanted it published for my niece and her mother. Moreover, a traditional publisher would not waste time on someone unknown like me. I decided on taking the POD route but finding the right POD was a challenge. With no one to advise or guide me, I went on the web and read writers' blogs for months. Having read quite a few favorable comments from authors about Booklocker.com, I finally settled on them. In late June 2009, I emailed Angela Hoy my manuscript and much to my delight, Booklocker agreed to publish my book. Working with them, including the book designer Gwen Gades, has been a positive and pleasant experience.
In April 2009, I started painting Sheila's portrait (see home page) which I always intended to use for the book cover. After putting the final touches on the manuscript and working closely with Gwen, the book was finally published on September 30, 2009.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Epilogue:
On September 18, 2010, Sheila became the first woman to undergo a successful bilateral hand transplant at the
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10268/1090194-114.stm).
Despite some difficulties, she is gaining functionality with her "new hands" day by day through hours of occupational therapy, her perseverance, positive outlook, and, of course, family support. She was featured in Discovery Channel's Life-changing Medicine http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1150157078001?bclid=1150154420001&bctid=1156023991001 and in CNN's Human Factor (http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/23/human-factor-two-beautiful-hands/?iref=allsearch).
Follow her progress in her blog which is quite an interesting read: http://sheilamaya.blogspot.com/.
********************************************************************************************************************************
Sheila, her mom (my sister Piedad), and I talked about documenting Sheila's experiences for many years but only decided to develop it as a book in Spring 2007. From my notes, Sheila's contributions, recollections, and photos from various family members and friends, I started writing her story in September 2008. After several layers of editing, the book slowly took a form of its own - small in size but rich in content.
As a first-time author, deciding between a traditional publisher and a POD (print-on-demand) publisher was easy. Basically, I did not want to invest a lot of money in the book. I just wanted it published for my niece and her mother. Moreover, a traditional publisher would not waste time on someone unknown like me. I decided on taking the POD route but finding the right POD was a challenge. With no one to advise or guide me, I went on the web and read writers' blogs for months. Having read quite a few favorable comments from authors about Booklocker.com, I finally settled on them. In late June 2009, I emailed Angela Hoy my manuscript and much to my delight, Booklocker agreed to publish my book. Working with them, including the book designer Gwen Gades, has been a positive and pleasant experience.
In April 2009, I started painting Sheila's portrait (see home page) which I always intended to use for the book cover. After putting the final touches on the manuscript and working closely with Gwen, the book was finally published on September 30, 2009.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Epilogue:
On September 18, 2010, Sheila became the first woman to undergo a successful bilateral hand transplant at the
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10268/1090194-114.stm).
Despite some difficulties, she is gaining functionality with her "new hands" day by day through hours of occupational therapy, her perseverance, positive outlook, and, of course, family support. She was featured in Discovery Channel's Life-changing Medicine http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1150157078001?bclid=1150154420001&bctid=1156023991001 and in CNN's Human Factor (http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/23/human-factor-two-beautiful-hands/?iref=allsearch).
Follow her progress in her blog which is quite an interesting read: http://sheilamaya.blogspot.com/.
********************************************************************************************************************************