Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Children of Color With Cancer Support Groups
Ok so I saw a need, and I hope I don't get any flack for it. I noticed that there were not very many support groups for people of color with cancer, and so I started one. The group I started is called Children of Color With Cancer (looking for a shorter form, maybe CCWC or something, if you have any ideas please comment).
The group is intended to provide a much needed forum for people of color with cancer. It does not exclude any race. Let me make that clear. However, this group discusses the issue of cancer specific to children of ethnic or mixed backgrounds.
I don't feel like I need to explain, but I will for anyone who wants to challenge me on this. After writing Wonderful Wigs, I wanted to make it available to all children, but especially for the children that will identify strongly with the main character, Aisha. I began to search for groups like this, but as I searched through the cancer support groups, I couldn't find Aisha. I began to think, do children of color get cancer? When you visit the hospitals they are definately there, but online, I just didn't see the support for them. So I felt like it was needed. Yes, cancer affects all people of all races, however, it does affect us differently in some ways. That is a FACT.
So I wanted to create a group where they could discuss these differences openly, without feeling awkward, or not having someone who can relate, or identify with how their skin turned blue or black as tar from the chemo. Or should I stay natural after my hair grows back or get a perm? Or whatever other specific problems they may face.
Like I said people of all races are welcomed if you feel like you can offer support or get support.
The group is intended to provide a much needed forum for people of color with cancer. It does not exclude any race. Let me make that clear. However, this group discusses the issue of cancer specific to children of ethnic or mixed backgrounds.
I don't feel like I need to explain, but I will for anyone who wants to challenge me on this. After writing Wonderful Wigs, I wanted to make it available to all children, but especially for the children that will identify strongly with the main character, Aisha. I began to search for groups like this, but as I searched through the cancer support groups, I couldn't find Aisha. I began to think, do children of color get cancer? When you visit the hospitals they are definately there, but online, I just didn't see the support for them. So I felt like it was needed. Yes, cancer affects all people of all races, however, it does affect us differently in some ways. That is a FACT.
So I wanted to create a group where they could discuss these differences openly, without feeling awkward, or not having someone who can relate, or identify with how their skin turned blue or black as tar from the chemo. Or should I stay natural after my hair grows back or get a perm? Or whatever other specific problems they may face.
Like I said people of all races are welcomed if you feel like you can offer support or get support.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Help
Happy New Year!
Many of you have already read about my first Children's book, Wonderful Wigs. If not, take a look at my profile for more information. It's a children's book intended for ages 4-10. It tells a story about a little girl named Aisha, recounting her battle with cancer, chemo, and the loss of her hair. In the end she finds that wigs aren't so bad, but she doesn't need one to be beautiful.
Here's the dilema. At the end of this month January 30, 2009, we plan to visit a local children's hospital (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta) to do a book reading. Initially I just wanted to give out a few copies to some of the kids. After visiting the hospital last week and seeing how many kids are affected with cancer and are undergoing chemo right now, my heart nearly broke and I wanted to give them all a copy of the book and coloring book.
Here's how you can help. We still need about 50 more copies of each book. I have started a book sponsorship program on my website http://www.chaunarcher.com/ . If you go to my bookstore you can click "sponsor a child" next to the book you would like to sponsor. You don't pay S&H. If you like you can leave special instructions when purchasing the book, with your name or company name, and we note in the book, donated by _____ . For our Jan 30th reading, orders have to be made by the 20th. You can sponsor after that, because we plan to do several more this year.
The book is $18.99 and the coloring book is $8.50. This is very minimal and you can order as many copies as you like. We also have corporate sponsorship if your company would like to sponsor a bundle at a discount. If you cannot please pass on the info to help us meet our goal.
I wish all of you success in this New Year! Thanks!
Many of you have already read about my first Children's book, Wonderful Wigs. If not, take a look at my profile for more information. It's a children's book intended for ages 4-10. It tells a story about a little girl named Aisha, recounting her battle with cancer, chemo, and the loss of her hair. In the end she finds that wigs aren't so bad, but she doesn't need one to be beautiful.
Here's the dilema. At the end of this month January 30, 2009, we plan to visit a local children's hospital (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta) to do a book reading. Initially I just wanted to give out a few copies to some of the kids. After visiting the hospital last week and seeing how many kids are affected with cancer and are undergoing chemo right now, my heart nearly broke and I wanted to give them all a copy of the book and coloring book.
Here's how you can help. We still need about 50 more copies of each book. I have started a book sponsorship program on my website http://www.chaunarcher.com/ . If you go to my bookstore you can click "sponsor a child" next to the book you would like to sponsor. You don't pay S&H. If you like you can leave special instructions when purchasing the book, with your name or company name, and we note in the book, donated by _____ . For our Jan 30th reading, orders have to be made by the 20th. You can sponsor after that, because we plan to do several more this year.
The book is $18.99 and the coloring book is $8.50. This is very minimal and you can order as many copies as you like. We also have corporate sponsorship if your company would like to sponsor a bundle at a discount. If you cannot please pass on the info to help us meet our goal.
I wish all of you success in this New Year! Thanks!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Just wanted to say Happy Holidays to everyone. For many years this time of year was hard for me. This was my mother's favorite time of year, and she made sure that Christmas was wonderful. After she passed, it always reminded me of her and her absence. Now that I'm older I think I share that same spirit that my mother had. I love this time of year! I can't wait for Christmas day, not because of the gift giving, but because I get to make memories, and spend quality time with my family. My family! My Happy Family! In these uncertain times, that's something to be valued and appreciated! Now I see why she made such a big fuss.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Answers to My Readers Questions
(This was previously posted on my myspace blog)
Well, since the books release, I've been asked so many questions about the book, as expected. Some questions, though, are repeating and I would like to answers some of the questions my readers have.
Why did I write Wonderful Wigs?
Well I wrote wonderful wigs, because I have always had a strong emotional attachment to cancer patients and survivors. My mother lost her battle with cancer when I was 12, going on 13. I don't know if that is what may have caused this attachment, but I'm sure it had something to do with it. I always felt as though the adults around me, whose responsibility it was to explain to me what was really going on failed, when they painted an unrealistic fantasy of my mothers illness and her condition.
Of course, you grow up and you deal with loss as best you know how. And after having two daughters, I began to think about little children, particularly girls that have to go through what my mother went through. She was an adult woman and it was so difficult for her, just the thought made me cringe. I then began to think about what resources were out there for parents to discuss this with them. And surprisingly there were quite a few books out there, similar to mine, however, not many if any that portrayed any little black girls.
Which brings me to the next question...
Why is the main character illustrated as a little black girl?
Well, growing up as little black girls we have a complex about our hair. The media doesn't portray what we have naturally as beautiful. And growing up 9 out of 10 black women at some point didn't like their natural hair, and either got a perm, or some other texture altering treatment done to there hair to make it more "beautiful" and manageable. So, to already have issues with the hair you were given, and then lose it all due to cancer must be so difficult for a little black girl.
I'm not discrediting the degree of difficulty that little white girls must have. Being a girl of any race and losing your hair is difficult. But there were more resources out there already for girls of other races to identify with, and none or very few that portrayed a girl of color.
Why the name Aisha?
The answer to this is actually quite interesting. It took me weeks to come up with a name for her that fit. I love all things African, and have been learning bits and pieces of Swahili from some Kenyan friends. I wanted to incorporate something from Swahili in her name. I began to asks my friends the Swahili word for different words that I wanted this book to portray. The name Aisha came from me the Swahili word for life: maisha. I took off the 'm' since Aisha was a more common name, and easier to pronounce.
Will there be another Wonderful Wigs book?
Probably not. The discussion series is about more than cancer issues. All of the books will tackle other life issues that are difficult to discuss with children. There will be little boys and children of other ethnicities as well.
What's next for Chaun Archer?
Well, I'm continuing the discussion series, because it is much needed. The next book in the series will be released April '09. I also want to have my young adult fiction released next year, but no promises on that, one thing at a time. I have a few book signings, and readings coming up the begining of the year, after the holidays, which I will post on my site. Until then, just spending time with my wonderful family!
Well, since the books release, I've been asked so many questions about the book, as expected. Some questions, though, are repeating and I would like to answers some of the questions my readers have.
Why did I write Wonderful Wigs?
Well I wrote wonderful wigs, because I have always had a strong emotional attachment to cancer patients and survivors. My mother lost her battle with cancer when I was 12, going on 13. I don't know if that is what may have caused this attachment, but I'm sure it had something to do with it. I always felt as though the adults around me, whose responsibility it was to explain to me what was really going on failed, when they painted an unrealistic fantasy of my mothers illness and her condition.
Of course, you grow up and you deal with loss as best you know how. And after having two daughters, I began to think about little children, particularly girls that have to go through what my mother went through. She was an adult woman and it was so difficult for her, just the thought made me cringe. I then began to think about what resources were out there for parents to discuss this with them. And surprisingly there were quite a few books out there, similar to mine, however, not many if any that portrayed any little black girls.
Which brings me to the next question...
Why is the main character illustrated as a little black girl?
Well, growing up as little black girls we have a complex about our hair. The media doesn't portray what we have naturally as beautiful. And growing up 9 out of 10 black women at some point didn't like their natural hair, and either got a perm, or some other texture altering treatment done to there hair to make it more "beautiful" and manageable. So, to already have issues with the hair you were given, and then lose it all due to cancer must be so difficult for a little black girl.
I'm not discrediting the degree of difficulty that little white girls must have. Being a girl of any race and losing your hair is difficult. But there were more resources out there already for girls of other races to identify with, and none or very few that portrayed a girl of color.
Why the name Aisha?
The answer to this is actually quite interesting. It took me weeks to come up with a name for her that fit. I love all things African, and have been learning bits and pieces of Swahili from some Kenyan friends. I wanted to incorporate something from Swahili in her name. I began to asks my friends the Swahili word for different words that I wanted this book to portray. The name Aisha came from me the Swahili word for life: maisha. I took off the 'm' since Aisha was a more common name, and easier to pronounce.
Will there be another Wonderful Wigs book?
Probably not. The discussion series is about more than cancer issues. All of the books will tackle other life issues that are difficult to discuss with children. There will be little boys and children of other ethnicities as well.
What's next for Chaun Archer?
Well, I'm continuing the discussion series, because it is much needed. The next book in the series will be released April '09. I also want to have my young adult fiction released next year, but no promises on that, one thing at a time. I have a few book signings, and readings coming up the begining of the year, after the holidays, which I will post on my site. Until then, just spending time with my wonderful family!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sponsorship
Ok, so, many of my friends and fans have expressed a concern to me, and I thought I should address it. Many of you love the book and the concept, but do not have a child, or do not have a young child that would benefit from this book. So I've come up with a solution.
Very often, we will visit children's hospitals for book readings and signings. I love doing this because it really gives the children an opportunity focus on something else. However, many of the parents are financially drained, so purchasing a book is just not an option. The coloring book itself is such a great tool because it gives the parent and child an opportunity to interact and talk about some things that may have been on their minds.
This is where sponsorship helps. If you feel like you would like to support this book, but would like it to be used to its fullest potential, sponsorship may be for you. You avoid shipping costs, and the book gets into little hands that can use and appreciate it. All it entails is visiting my website, www.chaunarcher.com/store.html and next to the book you would like, click "sponsor a child" and you do not have to pay shipping cost, we designate a book to a family at the hospital.
If you are a part of a company or organization that would like to do a corporate sponsorship, where we display your company banner and hand out literature or gifts from your company during our booksignings and readings, you can visit my web site www.chaunarcher.com/corporate.html . You can buy, at a discount, a number of books to give to families at the hospital or rehabilitation facilities for children recovering from cancer treatment.
If you have any questions about sponsorship, feel free to email sales@chaunarcher.com .
Thanks for your support!
Very often, we will visit children's hospitals for book readings and signings. I love doing this because it really gives the children an opportunity focus on something else. However, many of the parents are financially drained, so purchasing a book is just not an option. The coloring book itself is such a great tool because it gives the parent and child an opportunity to interact and talk about some things that may have been on their minds.
This is where sponsorship helps. If you feel like you would like to support this book, but would like it to be used to its fullest potential, sponsorship may be for you. You avoid shipping costs, and the book gets into little hands that can use and appreciate it. All it entails is visiting my website, www.chaunarcher.com/store.html and next to the book you would like, click "sponsor a child" and you do not have to pay shipping cost, we designate a book to a family at the hospital.
If you are a part of a company or organization that would like to do a corporate sponsorship, where we display your company banner and hand out literature or gifts from your company during our booksignings and readings, you can visit my web site www.chaunarcher.com/corporate.html . You can buy, at a discount, a number of books to give to families at the hospital or rehabilitation facilities for children recovering from cancer treatment.
If you have any questions about sponsorship, feel free to email sales@chaunarcher.com .
Thanks for your support!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
What Can I Say
When I started Lady Dragonfly Publishing, frustrated with traditional publishers, I couldn't imagine the emotional rollercoaster I was about to take a ride on. It takes more than just being excited about your book to keep you going. It is a long term committment. And if your not ready to commit to this, good or bad, win or lose, then it probably isn't for you. My company is still new, and so is my first book. I'm very happy with the end result, but it was not easy. It still isn't.
Luckily, I found an angel. Theresa Butler. As I was setting things up for my networking, I was on myspace and she sent me a friend request. I added her, but was too busy to take a look at her profile. I really should have, because it would have saved me so much time and frustration. It wasn't until later that I took time to look at her page and I realized we had so much in common. We were both authors, turned publishers, and our books were about to be released within a week of each other. However, my book release was not as successful as hers. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong, so I started following her around the web. There's no other way to say it. I'm ashamed to say this but at times I felt like a virtual stalker. I read her blogs, went to her marketing communities, and social networking, and what I found was a phenominal woman. She was so willing to help others. In all of her blogs she never failed to mention what worked for her, and that began to be my guide. Finally, I reached out to her, and told her how much she inspired me, and told her this story. I wasn't sure of what her reaction would be. I didn't want to scare her away and cause her to stop sharing her story because someone was actually listening. It wasn't much of a surprise, when in response, she shared even more with me. Amazing!
Most people that find success, even just a little, tend to keep it to themselves for fear of someone using their methods and doing better. She never held anything back. On top of that, her book concept, Simon Says is phenominal. I was begining to get frustrated but she inspired me to try new routes and revamp and reorganize my plan. Sticking with a plan that isn't working for you, just because its 'the' plan, is harmful to your vision. It's just as harmful as quiting just because its not working. The whole point is don't quit. What I've learned is it doesn't matter if your plan doesn't work. It's continuing the path even if there is a detour. Stay positive, you'll soon get right back on track.
Luckily, I found an angel. Theresa Butler. As I was setting things up for my networking, I was on myspace and she sent me a friend request. I added her, but was too busy to take a look at her profile. I really should have, because it would have saved me so much time and frustration. It wasn't until later that I took time to look at her page and I realized we had so much in common. We were both authors, turned publishers, and our books were about to be released within a week of each other. However, my book release was not as successful as hers. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong, so I started following her around the web. There's no other way to say it. I'm ashamed to say this but at times I felt like a virtual stalker. I read her blogs, went to her marketing communities, and social networking, and what I found was a phenominal woman. She was so willing to help others. In all of her blogs she never failed to mention what worked for her, and that began to be my guide. Finally, I reached out to her, and told her how much she inspired me, and told her this story. I wasn't sure of what her reaction would be. I didn't want to scare her away and cause her to stop sharing her story because someone was actually listening. It wasn't much of a surprise, when in response, she shared even more with me. Amazing!
Most people that find success, even just a little, tend to keep it to themselves for fear of someone using their methods and doing better. She never held anything back. On top of that, her book concept, Simon Says is phenominal. I was begining to get frustrated but she inspired me to try new routes and revamp and reorganize my plan. Sticking with a plan that isn't working for you, just because its 'the' plan, is harmful to your vision. It's just as harmful as quiting just because its not working. The whole point is don't quit. What I've learned is it doesn't matter if your plan doesn't work. It's continuing the path even if there is a detour. Stay positive, you'll soon get right back on track.
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