Here we go! Start the countdown! The BIG day is coming!

Available SOON!
My auto-biography: Bullied Nearly To Death; Loving My Life!

Many of you have heard me mention, for a seemingly never ending period of time, that I was writing a book. To be honest, there were more than a few times when I doubted I would ever finish writing my story, but here I am… and here it comes!
The writing portion is completed and it is with my publisher now. We have completed the tedious editing stage and are only a few steps away from the official publication date. For your information, these are the last few steps:

• Page Layout
  • Editing 8 ½” x 11” pages to the final paperback size of 6” x 9”
  • Determining and arranging the pages in a uniform format (font size, margins, running head, foot, white spaces, etc.)
  • Addition of author’s information, publication information, chapter list and other pages
  • Proof-reading and approving the design
• Cover Design
  • Determining what information will be included on the front, back and binding edge of the paperback version
  • Arranging the words and image(s) in an attractive and eye catching format
  • Proof-reading and approving the design
• Formatting For eBooks
  • Each of the companies have their own specific requirements

Once the last eBook company responds with a “Yes” on the formatting, my book will be released and that will be the official publication date.
When the book is released for purchase, look for the above picture on the cover.
I'll tell you all the story behind the picture in a future blog post.

Keep watching my website, www.shuntersmith.com for updates and notifications!

It took a long time to complete my auto-biography – a little over a decade. Family life, time spent working at different jobs over the years and collecting, recalling, discussing, and organizing all the details required patience, understanding and concentration. Putting all that information into a chronological order and writing the story in an understandable and entertaining manner presented a challenge that, at times, seemed daunting and almost impossible. I also had to overcome my lifelong struggle with dyslexia and the occasional depression issues to create a coherent story that is packed with emotions and filled with information.
While researching publishers I learned they were surprised to hear I had written over 180,000 words for an auto-biography. I was told, “It is always difficult for us to accept auto-bio manuscripts. We tell writers they need a minimum of 20,000 words, but most can’t come up with that many to describe their lives.”

That was not a problem for me!
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The original working title of my book was “My Life”, however I realized an unintentional theme threaded throughout the pages. Bullying was a topic that threatened my younger years and haunted me well into adulthood. Having been bullied, I had attempted suicides, so I reworked the story to a more concentrated version (closer to the 100,000 word count publishers asked to target) and also created a new title “Bullied Nearly To Death; Loving My Life!”
I now have a completed story that defines my life as best I recall it. When it is officially released for purchase, my readers will learn how I struggled through being bullied while also experiencing exciting opportunities. That the constant effects of being bullied dragged me to the deepest depths of despair yet I was also blessed with opportunities along the way that would lift me to emotional highs of happiness and joy. I was a desperate person who contemplated revenge and suicidal thoughts, but I then found a reason – a mission – to use my experiences in a positive manner. Through my auto-biography and live appearances, I look forward to helping others understand how negatives can be positives, how to respond to hate with kindness, and what anyone can do to control stress, conquer fear, and manage adversity.
            I look forward to sharing other stories with you that were not included in my book as I post a new blog every week. My target day to release my latest entry is on Monday evenings, but don’t be surprised if I’m a bit late on my self-identified deadline. I assure you that many of my posts will make you smile, others may make you cry, but all of them should be entertaining.
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Until next week…I bid you all good health, good spirits and good times!
S. Hunter Smith