The internet does so much to connect people and it accomplishes that feat by making the world a smaller place. I once believed that my voice couldn't transcend my little town, that writers didn't come from places like the one I lived. Due in no small part to social media we are no longer isolated from places, events and people. Everything that your mind can imagine is now at your internet enabled fingertips.
Last year I was graciously asked to write a little piece as a sidebar for a diabetes parenting book and the publisher liked what I wrote enough to not hang up on me when I, in the middle of an unrelated phone conversation, began to pitch my book idea like I had nothing to lose. Pretty gutsy for a man whose only other printed works were from an elementary school writing contest (see pic below). I began to tell the publisher about all of the experiences that I've had throughout my life living in what is generally considered to be a woman's world. I told a few stories and ended by professing my sincere desire for people to see their relationships and families through one another's eyes, a gift that our role reversal has given me. A few weeks later I was writing a book about being a stay-at-home dad.
I expect my next book to have a slightly nicer type set.
I've always hoped that I'd have an opportunity like this and I want you all to know that it's due in large part to your support of Arden's Day that I am getting this chance. I can't thank you enough for the continued love and support that you've shown me through our 'internet connection'. I am working hard to bring you the same honest, emotional look into life as a stay-at-home parent that I've tried to bring to type I caregiving. I don't think that you'll ever look at the primary caregiver in your family the same way again.
My book, 'Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Dad' will be available for Father's Day of 2013. The book tells a bunch of great stories from my 12 years of being a dad but most of all it's a love letter to the people that stay at home and raise our children. Being able to watch Cole and Arden grow is one of the true pleasure of my life and I hope that everyone will leave the pages of my book feeling the same way I do about loving and raising a family.
I want to thank Leighann from the D-Mom Blog for starting me on this road when she asked me to write a piece for her new book, Spry Publishing for not hanging up on me, WEGO Health for spotlighting bloggers that are writing books and my family who has been so understanding as I write these past few months - I promise I'll get back to cooking decent meals very soon!
I'm going to do my best to keep you up to date on my progress as the writing process moves forward. At the moment, I'm just writing and trying to hit my manuscript deadline of September 1st.
related links:
WEGO Health's Health Activist Authors series for online writers interested in making the jump to print.