FROM MY EYES, TO YOURS!

May 24, 2014.

Blog. What a unique word to start my journey of not only being a newly published author, but in my hopes of further connecting with everyone who have become a part of the Belfast Child community. To be honest, I actually do not know what a blog is or the proper way of writing one. Is there such a thing? Regardless, I'll make the most of my first attempt.

Let me take you back a little. Belfast Child officially started with the launch of my Facebook page on July 15, 2013, which also happened to be my 43rd birthday . Yes, I've just aged myself and gave my birth date away!

Two weeks prior though on July 3, I had submitted my roughly drafted manuscript of 43,000 words to my publisher for review and feedback. I figured I was done at that point and was on top of the publishing world. Sadly though, I was about to be proved wrong in that my journey was really only just beginning.

The following evening on July 4, which happens to be the very same day that Americans celebrate their Independence, my beloved pet of sixteen years died within my arms. The loss associated to her passing dumped me into a such an abyss of grief that I ended up writing a ton more which included a reflection about Brandy and her life. Within two weeks of that, my manuscript had grown by almost 30,000 words. Yet it wasn't enough. I needed to keep on writing!

Even as a social worker, I've learned that through grief, loss, and the trauma associated with passing of a beloved family member including a pet is that I personally turn to what I know best and use as my coping mechanism - writing. As such, my manuscript had grown to 72,325 words within a two week timeframe but it continued to expand all the way up to 88,000 words. There had to be an end point. And so began the tedious task of editing.

Thankfully for me and while my editor was providing thoughts and revisions, a dear friend of mine, Marianne, who is also from Belfast but lives within eight hours of me here in Manitoba, took on the task of helping me through the editing process by providing a lot of constructive feedback. A task that would take almost another nine months to make this book seem just right.

With that said, it is with bittersweet emotion that after a three-and-a-half year journey and with this wee blog, I am finally able to announce the official release of my much anticipated book:

Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child - Life. Personal Reflections. Poems.

I should let everyone know that in addition to my Author Giveaway on the Goodreads website, I am also awarding three phenomenal, rare edition, Belfast Child Prize Packages that include:

1. An autographed softcover edition of the book!

2. An embroidered Belfast Child hoodie!

3. A silk-screened Belfast Child T-shirt!

These can be viewed on the Belfast Child Facebook page (posted on May 15)! Those interested in being entered to win must first Like the page itself, look for the post from May 18 and follow the instructions from there! Click on the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/ThroughtheEye...

Realistically, I am still up against a massive learning curve in this new world of being an author. I hope that many of you will come and join the Belfast Child community.

From my eyes, to yours,
Greg :)