Just you wait…

I listened to the soundtrack of Hamilton, pretty much on repeat, during a good chunk of the final writing and editing of Back in the Game. Jamming out to the hip-hop tale of a murder, the Revolutionary War, and that wacky English King probably doesn’t sound logical. But it worked, and the words went where they needed to go.

Back when I was listening to “My Shot”, I couldn’t allow myself to daydream about the wonderful moments to come, starting Sept. 1, 2016: holding the hardcover of the book in my hands – it was real; doing our first interviews, and seeing the book resonate with the public; our first book signing and meet/greet; talking to the first parent who thanked us for writing the book because it changed their child’s life….

As Lin-Manuel Miranda is fond of saying, “A bit of a day…” to describe amazing and overwhelming things.

Being an author isn’t easy. Getting your book noticed isn’t easy. Cutting above the noise of a Presidential Election like no other, a Presidency like no other, floods, terrorist attacks and the crazy swirl of the world isn’t easy.

I’ve gotten smarter all around – writing, editing, researching, being on the other side of the media and having reporters interview you, public speaking, marketing, and just learning how to be patient. You do your best, put it out in the world, and pray it works.

And I feel Back in the Game works. We’re the 2017 Clarion winner for best non-fiction, we’ve helped educate people about concussions, and most importantly, we did the very best we could with the very best intentions.

All good. So thanks. Thanks to everybody for their support. Friends, family, Oxford University Press, Craig our editor, co-workers at The Sports Neurology Clinic and Michigan State, and all the great book sellers and schools  who have hosted us!

 

 

To Berlin and back…

When you are a kid, you cannot wait for summer to start. The holy grail of vacation comes with countdowns, the easing up of school, and hopefully, the dreams of doing cool stuff with all the free time. Summer seems endless.

And then you grow up, BOO!, realizing that summer does not sadly last forever and God damn it, now you have to work. (Or a better rephrase, thank God I have a job, but oh how I wish I could be outside….)

I have been always so lucky that my “job” as a journalist has let me be outside, be traveling, be part of the world. If I was trapped in a cubicle, which has happened, I know my spirit would slowly die.  So been lucky to be able to jump on planes and see the world.

I just got back from Berlin, after speaking/presenting at the International Association for Conflict Management’s 30th anniversary conference. It was a great opportunity to mix with scholars and professionals in areas that I am not normally immersed in. And if this world needs anything…it’s people that understand conflict and how to fix it.  Discussing how the media works, fake news, social media and the acute need for news literacy was a wonderful challenge, as it pushed me to be more involved and evolved in my thinking about my field. Why do we do what we do? What are anonymous sources? Getting to explain media/journalism, and then take questions, from audience of end-users is hugely instructive. You see what they see, which may be different that what we meant. So thanks #IACM2017!

On more happy news, Back in the Game has been selected as the 2017 Clarion Award winner for best non-fiction book! We are so thrilled, excited and truly humbled by this honor from the Association for Women in Communications. Thanks so, so much!

Life comes at you pretty fast…

Now seriously, can we take a moment to reflect on the sageness of Ferris Bueller? He was right in 1986. And he’s still right in 2017. (I am a bit relieved that Matthew Broderick, who is now 54, seems to look like he is 35, and not 16 – which he did for most of the last 30 years.) Anyways.

Still on the speaking/appearance path with Back In the Game, thanks to the continued demand. We’re thrilled about that, as it is not about us – it is about elevating the discussion about concussions and youth sports, and also helping parents and coaches be informed. We can clearly see the impact of those conversations and it is humbling. We are happy to be here as a resource. And we are also here to listen too – it is a confusing time for parents and coaches, who want to do the right thing for youth athletes. We want the same. (And if you would like to have us come to your association/school/etc. to speak, let me know.)

I’ve been shocked, and downright floored in recent weeks, first by the Association for Women in Communications – Detroit Chapter, and then by the College of Arts and Sciences at Michigan State. I am thankful to both groups for choosing to honor me for my work, and make a bigger promise: short acceptance speeches 🙂

 

 

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