Dear Friends of SHE IS STILL MAMA,
Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mamas yourselves! I'm happy to update you on the progress of my children's picture book about a young child whose Mama has breast cancer: SHE IS STILL MAMA on CrowdRise.
After the SCBWI writers and illustrators conference, I did another revision of the manuscript, and then let my work on this book take a rest. Perhaps those of you who write, are artists, or who engage in any creative pursuit, will understand the cycles appearing in how I work -- just like a breath, I have a burst of inspiration and energy and then a period of complete letting go. There's no way to realistically stay in that creating mode constantly. It flows like waves. At first, I was nervous about the silence in the pauses. I thought I wasn't working hard enough. But I have since learned to trust and embrace the digestion and integration that needs to take place in an artistic process. Of course, a pause on one manuscript leaves room to work on another and to write brand new stories, but that's a different update!
What's Next?
I want to let you in on a new goal in my publication process. While I made and stand by a firm commitment to seeing SHE IS STILL MAMA in print by choosing self-publication, at the same time I am pursuing representation with a literary agent. If I can get support and visibility in the trade publishing world, SHE IS STILL MAMA will have a much greater reach to families facing breast cancer (and hence, more donations to my chosen non-profit!). So, I am working both sides, and whichever happens first wins! And no matter what, your donations are contributing in a concrete and meaningful way towards this project. Whether to help me distribute, market, and buy art supplies or go directly to the non-profit, every single dollar will make SHE IS STILL MAMA a reality. Of course the ultimate goal is to get this book in the hands of families who need it. I look forward to keeping you posted!
Will you donate to help me reach my goal?
Every single donation (large and small) directly serves to put SHE IS STILL MAMA into the hands of children and their families who need it.
You really can make a difference. Huge thanks to all of you who have donated!
Want to know more about SHE IS STILL MAMA?
I have decided to self-publish my picture book so that I can give directly to women and men who are living their lives with cancer. From free yoga and art classes, to "Look Good, Feel Better" seminars, workshops for family and consults with nurses, Katz Cancer Center helps real people facing cancer every day. All of their services are free of charge without question, for anyone with cancer, either undergoing treatment or fully recovered.
(
http://www.dominicanhospital.org/Medical_Services/Cancer_Care/052801).
SHE IS STILL MAMA is written for the young child (2-6 years old), and provides a unique view into the topic of breast cancer. Very few books approach this subject with young children and yet, there are hundreds of thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Since 1999, incidence rates of certain types of breast cancer have increased in younger women (Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, 2009-2010, American Cancer Society). Mothers with breast cancer are in need of targeted support for their young children.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support,
Karen
