Getting Excited...

I am testing the waters looking for reviews and making my "Hit list" for my marketing campaign. There's been some interest, but I wont say who or where...I dont want to jinx things (LOL) I'm not really superstitious, I just dont want to "count my chickens before they have hatched"!

I will be donating a portion of the sales of my book to the HER Foundation to support their ongoing research efforts. The HER Foundation is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization and donations are Tax Deductible! To learn more about Hyperemesis Gravidarum you can visit their site by clicking the banner below:

They will be adding my book to their site as well in the next week or so. Thank You! Kimber :)

The majority of my marketing effort will be when the book hits Amazon, etc... But so far I feel pretty good about the response I have recieved! Here's to hoping... :)

Press Release

Raynie Andrewsen Aims to Raise Awareness of Deadly Pregnancy Disease: Hyperemesis Gravidarum with Release of New Book, Letters to Zane.

RENO, NV.—SEPTEMBER 22, 2007— Raynie Andrewsen leads readers through her struggles with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in a book written for her unborn child, Letters to Zane.
Letters to Zane is a heartfelt story of a woman who finds herself about to become a single mother and unknowingly about to fight for her life and the life of her unborn child. She learns she has Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and must face her own mortality. The disease although rare is very debilitating for women who must go through it. Some women abort or lose their child, others lose their lives. Letters to Zane describes the disease, treatment, and the daily struggles she faced trying to bring her child into the world.

Raynie Andrewsen originally wrote Letters to Zane as a journal to her unborn son, so that he would know how much he was wanted and loved. She quickly realized that her story could help other mothers struggling with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She believes that it will give them hope when there seems to be none. Letters to Zane is available for purchase at www.lulu.com.

“I never thought bringing my child into this world would be so hard. I wanted to publish my story so other women suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum will have access to information in a market where there is very little written about the disease. There is little information available about this disease which afflicts approximately 50,000 women each year. If my story gives just one woman hope, then I have done my job.” said Raynie Andrewsen.

Link to Publication*: http://www.lulu.com/randrewsen

Author’s Blog*: http://letterstozane.blogspot.com/


ABOUT AUTHOR:

Raynie Andrewsen is a Single Mother, Master Herbalist, and Author. This is her first published work. She spends her days in Southern California with her son. She also volunteers her time reaching out to support other women who are suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Published through Lulu.com, winner of the 2007 Web 2.0 Award for best websites (SEOMoz.com), top ranked self publishing site, one of the largest online worldwide creative communities, and a premiere global marketplace for new digital content on the Internet.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Raynie Andrewsen, herbalrain@hughes.net, 760-586-1360.

Let's Celebrate!

I did it! I finally published my book. In a few weeks our story will be out in the world for all to see. With a little luck it will reach a woman who is in desperate need of some HOPE!

It is available right now from the publisher:
Letters to Zane

Print Version is $19.95, Downloadable Version is $10.00

To order from your favorite bookstore or library when it becomes available, use these numbers:

Library of Congress Number: 2007906640

ISBN Number: 978-1-4303-2756-1

This is a big day for Zane and I! I just want to thank all the people who helped me through it all, you are truly a blessing.

New Chapter...

I decided to add a chapter to my book, this chapter is going to have the clinical stuff! All the different ways I was treated for my HG. I am thinking it may help some women who may not have medical care familiar with treating this debilitating disease. I dont think it will delay the book at all. I am thinking it will be published this month and released by Christmas. At least that's the goal! Wish me luck!

My Proof is Here!

Today was pretty exciting for me! My Proof book came in the mail today. I had drove down to the mailbox and was dissapointed that the mail was not there. Of course when I got back to the house the mail man drove up...LOL

I used the binoculars to see if it was worth driving the 1/3 mile back down to the mailbox, sure enough there was a box! I started jumping up and down saying "My Book is Here" It was somewhat reminicent of that scene from The Jerk... You know the one...'The new phone book's here, The new phone book's here!' LOL

Anyhooo.
I went back down and there it was. My book. My heartfelt words to my son, my tears, fears, and my joys. In Print. I wanted to cry I was so happy. I feel so accomplished.

I just finished proof reading it. There are a few things that need to be fixed, minor type-o's, but other than that I am pretty happy with it. I'll be publishing it in the next week and then setting up distribution.

My friends and family are excited.... So am I !

Friends

"You were unrecognizable... I just cried because I wanted my friend back!"

That is what my Pamie Dear told me today. It was a very touching and emotional discussion. We were talking about my book and how close I am to having it released. She is excited to read it. She said that she could not believe how sick I was and actually neither could I. It still gets to me when I think about it, or read other women's stories.

It's hard to believe that women, in a time that should be their greatest joy, are stricken so hard. We are litterally beaten down by the disease. Women do die from this, and those who dont die certainly are knocking on the door.

Women terminate their pregnancies, or suffer for fear that they will never be able to go through it again and realize their dream of motherhood. This has changed my life. It has become kind of a mission to tell as many people as I can about Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

I am seriously traumatized. I honestly feel I could never have another child because I am terrified I will be as sick or worse. I dont think I could go through that again. I dont think my body could take it, and my recovery thus far has been slow although I think somedays I have come very far.

Although I have read limited research stating that the chances are about 50% that women experience HG in subsequent pregnancies, from the women I have found, it seems that number is not correct. I would say the number is more like 90%. The women I have found seem to suffer in each pregnancy, and if they carry to term many have same or worse severeity.

I cant believe that there is so little research done on something that is considered one of the major reasons (besides pre-eclampsia) that women are hospitalized. I cant believe that there are some women who cant get proper medical care for HG and end up terminating their baby or worse...dying.

It just bothers me. Just venting.

Library of Congress

WOOOHOOO!
It's here! My Library of Congress PCN Number!
I'm Just a few short weeks from realizing one of my dreams!

Book Update!

Things are running pretty smooth so far! I have just ordered my review copy to double check the editing and see what the finished copy will look like. I'm still waiting for my control number from the Library of Congress, should be another week. After my final review I will be ready for my ISBN and Distribution! It's pretty cool what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. Plus... it has given me a taste of what I need to do for my next project!