This morning I received an e-mail from the publisher at the American Cancer Society.  They passed on publishing my book, "My ta-tas were fine. I had cancer down there." I was disappointed. Previously I had received positive feedback; first from the managing editor then all the medical material was approved and cited as being well done.  The entire process seemed to be moving in a positive direction at turbo speed. They only had my manuscript for less than 2 months.  During that time there was Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years; and still it moved through quickly and with positive feedback.  I had become confident that the ACS would be publishing my book. I had even begun creating a database of prime locations for book sales and even prepared presentations. Initially my heart sunk. I had become over confident.

Reality was going to be the theme of today.  Next was the reality that take home pays decreased for work done in 2013. Apparently, the government feels FICA needs it more.

I am a proponent that the one thing in life I can control is my attitude.  I felt like I was a character in Star Wars being drawn to the dark side.

I did what is natural to me and sent a thank you note to the publisher at the American Cancer Society.  As I re-read their e-mail to me I found my attention refocused. They had used the word "excellent". They hadn't passed because it was bad writing. It wasn't a fit for their library. They had even wished me luck.

Dear Ms. McKay:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to review your manuscript. My managing editor, Rebecca Teaff, and I have both read the manuscript and find the writing excellent. However, we are going to pass on the opportunity to publish it. We are a small publisher and are limited in the number of projects we can take on in any given year. Often this means choosing from a large pool of publishable manuscripts like yours. In this case we thought other projects were better fits for our current needs.

I wish you all the best with your book, and thank you for thinking of the American Cancer Society.

Sincerely,
Len Boswell
Book Publishing Director  

I looked outside and the weather was postcard perfect. Funny how refocusing can make an enormous difference.  Saying thank you to ACS reminded me of my many blessings. First and foremost I am grateful to be alive to feel disappointed and sometimes frustrated (smile).  I am grateful that a company that is dedicated to cancer support found my book accurate and excellent. I am grateful that I had the freedom today to go for a drive and walk on the beach. I wasn't in an office waiting for 5 o'clock.  I am grateful that there is money coming in even if it is less than before.  I am grateful for the good health and safety of my loved ones.

It is an amazing thing, once you start being grateful your spirit is buoyed and you realize your blessings are too numerous to list. I am grateful I regained control of my attitude and didn't fumble. I remain positive and hopeful.

Post Script to my day:  I received a reply to my thank-you. I am truly a blessed lady. I recognize the power of being grateful and having a strong faith. 

I am sorry that we could not publish your book. The good news is we are just one of more than a hundred publishers who publish in this niche. I think you have an excellent chance of being picked up by another publisher. Len Boswell Director, Publishing