Bereavement Gift Book

by Janelle Shantz Hertzler
(PA)

Self Published Bereavement Book

Seasons of Solace is not a typical sympathy gift book, which is written in the tone of a therapist. Those books have their place, but when people are in grief they need read real life stories of people who have "been there."

Seasons of Solace: A Story of Healing through Photos and Poems contains the nature photos that I took and grief poetry that I wrote during the years after my husband was killed by a drunk driver. While everyone who read it said it was deeply moving, the traditional publishers didn't want to touch it--just a little too different.

As Steve mentioned above, self-publishing photography is very expensive. I considered it my last gift to my husband. I also needed to do it for my own healing. I am extremely happy with how the book turned out. The official pub date was March 2, 2010, but I have had it for several months.

Although I saw the book as a gift to my husband and son and for my own healing, I obviously would like the book to help others as well. So last year I researched website options. I stumbled upon Site Build It! The program that Steve uses and recommends.

It has taken many hours, and I haven't had as much time as I would like to commit to it. But in spite of my not being able to do as much as I would like, my site is getting way more traffic than any other self-published author that I know. I tell all my writer friends about it. You get to write as you are creating it. And if you are hoping to get a book contract with a traditional publisher, you can't beat SBI! for building that all-important platform.

I noticed on Steve's comments to a couple with an Africa photo book (webmaster's note: click, then scroll to bottom of page) that he encouraged them to build a site around the keywords related to their book. If you take a look at Journey Through Grief, you will notice that I have covered many topics that people are searching for related to grief, spiritual journey, and sympathy.

I now get emails from readers telling me how much the site has helped them. I know I have a long way to go to take the site where I want it. (I'd be happy for any of Steve's expert advice related to the site.) But as SBI! continually reminds us--the slow and steady pace of the tortoise (along with the right tools) will get you where you want to go.

As for the results of how far the book will go, it is too early to say. But I am starting to get all kinds of emails from people who have found it helpful and that makes it worth the effort.

Here is one story that has been especially meaningful to me from the past week. A friend of mine visited an elderly woman who had just lost her husband. He loaned her his copy of my book. He went back to visit her several weeks later. When he left he asked if she was finished with the book. She asked if he could leave a bit longer as she looks through it and reads from it everyday. So he said she could keep it.

Thanks for this great site, Steve! I for one think SBI! is the best resource for any self-published author.