1) Describe your journey to becoming
an author.
I began writing when I was
nine-years-old because I was elected as the reporter for the 4-H Club. We had a workshop for the reporters sponsored
by the local newspaper, The Daily American Republic. The news reporter for the pager was a Mr. Bob
Roberts. He encouraged me to write about
events in our community and human interest stories. By the time I was twelve, I was receiving
about $20.00 a month for articles that I had written and submitted other that
the club news. In high school, I was on
the school's newspaper staff, and in college at TRCC I was the News
Editor. That was only the
beginning. I wrote short stories, poetry
and even wrote "scholarly" research articles that were published in
professional journals. Later, I began to
write poetry and short stories. Luckily,
several of them were published. This led
to my first book, Pulse
Points of a Woman's World,
which was a book of poetry. The next was
an espionage novel, An
Underground Jewell, based on the use of language to control
society. After that was the book Merchild
Land that I wrote for my eldest
granddaughter, Heather. Finally, I have
a new book coming out that is a memoir that focuses on survival of the rough
spots that we find as we travel the road of life, Traveling a Rocky Road with
Love, Faith and Guts.
2) Where do you find your
inspiration to write?
We all have stories inside of us; it is a matter of getting them down on
paper. However, my inspiration is because
of my experience with Stage 3 bladder cancer about seventeen-plus
years-ago. There was nothing out there
information or support wise for me. I
decided to make a change in that situation for others. I began a message board for women and bladder
cancer. I was asked by a publisher if
they could publish a collection of my poetry.
I was thrilled. After the book
was published, I decided that it would make a good platform and a way to raise
money to somehow help others find information and get the support that was not
there for me. Since that time, the American Bladder Cancer Society was founded,
and I give all the proceeds from all the book sales to help provide for others
that was not there when I experienced my own battle.
3) Please tell us about your
children’s book, Merchild
Land.
The story behind this book is special.
My eldest granddaughter stayed with me, and attended the public school
where I taught at the time. She was in
elementary and I taught high school. It
was a thirty-five mile drive to and from the school. On the way to and from, she always wanted me
to tell mermaid stories. Later, I wrote
a poem that was for her about "merchildren" and an adventure under
the sea. This poem evolved into the book
because I wanted her to have something to pass on that related to that
childhood memory. I wanted her to have
something she could read to her grandchildren at nap or bedtime and tell them
that her grandmother wrote it for her.
The synopsis of the book is:
Merchild Land is a delightful children's story that will keep both child
and adult captivated with its lovely lyrical verse. This is a perfect bedtime
story that will send you little one off to the land of mermaids, merchildren
and all the wonders under the sea until evening. As the shadows fall, and it is
time for bed the children dream of flying high above the mermaids' ocean home,
sailing the sky's misty sea above the waves' highest dome on a boat of golden sails,
and silvery wings. They visit strange lands as they ride the waves of the Milky
Way, talk to the man in the moon, and dine with kings sailing the whole night
through.
4) Describe how you chose your publisher.
I have decided that since I donate all the proceeds from the book sales
to the American Bladder Cancer Society, that I would self-publish so they would
receive as much as possible from the sales.
I check several places, and then I made a choice based on services and
distribution.
5) What other books have you
written?
Pulse
Points of a Woman's World
- Nominated for the 41st. Georgia Writer of the Year Award.
Traveling
a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts,
an inspirational memoir. (To be released in a few days.)
6) How do you promote your work?
What methods have worked best for you?
Word of mouth, book signings,
internet such as Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, email, online interviews.
websites, reviews, and radio and television interviews. I have many local people who come by where I
work to pick up copies for gifts on holidays and special occasions. I try to everything I can to get the word out
about the reason for the books' existence, bladder cancer!
7) What are your upcoming plans for
2012?
Launching my newest book, Traveling
a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.
Launching my newest book, marketing all my books, and I plan to work on a
biography of my father who served in WWI.
He was born in 1898, and I think his journey is worth telling.
8) What is your definition of
success as an author?
Having others want to read your writing.
Helping others by writing.
9) What advice would you offer to
aspiring authors?
Keep writing, never give up on your
dreams even when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Remember all the authors who were rejected,
and then became successful. A good
example is Frank Baum. He used the
royalties from his Father Goose book to get the Emerald City published even
when he was told that no one would be interested in a "classical" children's'
story. He wrote thirteen books in the
series, and then...Disney produced the Wizard
of Oz. That was the story of Frank
Baum. He was a father and a traveling
salesman who never gave up on a dream.
Biography:
Author, professor of communication/s,
coordinator of the Academic Resource Center at GMC-Augusta, adviser for the
campus newspaper, the advisor for the GMC-Students for Bladder Cancer Awareness
Group, and the V.P. of the American Bladder Cancer Society. (http://www.bladdercancersupport.org). Bladder cancer
survivor, and patient advocate. Most
memorable public speaking event: Guest speaker for the White House
Communications Agency's observance of
Women's History Month. Favorite
quote: Reba McIntire, "To survive it takes a backbone, a funnybone and a
wishbone."
Want to know more about me? Check me
out here:
Authors Den Page
http://www.authorsden.com/sylvialramsey1
http://www.authorsden.com/sylvialramsey1
Thoughtful Reflections Blog
Amazon Author Page
http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1305578084&sr=1-2-ent
http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1305578084&sr=1-2-ent
Authors Website
www.sylvialramsey.com
www.sylvialramsey.com
Facebook Page
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