When I was writing May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, I reached out to the world of book lovers for assistance. A host of strangers came to my aid and received no compensation for their time. Some agreed to be beta readers who provided useful constructive criticism. Others reviewed my book on Amazon, Goodreads, as well as a variety of other places. Another group of people interviewed me online, in print media, and on podcasts. To this day, I am grateful to everyone who helped to promote my award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life.
For several years after that, I chose to help others publicize their books by writing book reviews and interviewing authors. As a former educator and lifelong learner, I enjoyed the opportunity. Unfortunately, a series of painful and debilitating orthopedic problems caused me to step back from this endeavor in 2015. Many of my subsequent stories revolved around the challenges I faced as I coped with shoulder, knee, and foot issues. While I initially thought my break would be brief, life’s journeys took me in another direction.
As many of my readers know, I used my travel experiences to launch a traveling writing career. Even though painful orthopedic issues sometimes restricted my movements, I continued to persevere. After Ira’s near-fatal ski accident at Keystone Mountain, our priorities changed. While I always understood that our time on Earth is not guaranteed, sitting by Ira’s comatose body made me rethink our future. From that point forward, we have been planning a wide range of travel excursions. We realize that eventually we may reach a point in our lives when that will no longer be possible.
Even though my website clearly stated that I had temporarily stopped doing interviews and book reviews, I continued to receive unsolicited requests from authors and publishers.
In November, I received two requests within a week. These emails made me stop and reevaluate where I stood on this subject. Wow! I was honored that two award-winning authors had reached out to me. Why had so much time elapsed since I last shared the spotlight on my website with an author? As a lifelong learner, books have always been a part of my life. Before I traveled extensively, books took me to places near and far as well as places unimaginable.
That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without leaving your feet.
Jhumpa Lahiri
While on the road recently, I read both books. Now that I am home, I’m putting the final touches on my upcoming blog posts that will focus on Sylvia Rouss’ latest children’s book, The Hanukkah Fable of Little Dreidel and Silver Menorah and Aharon Appelfeld’s English translation of To the Edge of Sorrow. Unfortunately, I will not be able to interview Aharon since he passed away in 2018. I would have loved the opportunity.
I am now opening the door to a select group of authors and publishers who would like the opportunity to appear on my website. Due to my travel schedule and primary interests, I’m looking for books published in 2019 or 2020 in the following genres:
- Children’s and YA books with a unique message
- Fiction and Non-Fiction books with Jewish content
- Fiction and Non-Fiction books with a Travel or Food Theme
- Health and Wellness Books
In the coming year, I look forward to taking my audience on journeys both near and far.
May 2020 be the Best Year of Your Life at home and abroad.
BIO
When Sandy isn’t trekking or writing in the Colorado Rockies, she is traveling. She has visited more than 40 countries and lived as an international teacher in Bangalore, India. As a professional travel writer, Sandy shares her lifestyle and travel experiences with international and domestic online sites and print media. Her stories have appeared in Hemispheres, Destinations Magazine, Grand Magazine, Wandering Educators, Golden Living, One Travel, Miles Away, Canadian Jewish News, Getting On Travel, Far and Wide, Colorado Parent, Traveler Confidential, Family Circle- Momster, and others. In 2018, Sandy received a North American Travel Journalist Associaton silver medal in the online cruise category.
Sandy’s writing also appears in Golden Living, a Best Version Media publication mailed to Golden, Colorado residents. In addition to being the content coordinator/editor, Sandy contributes family and business feature stories and a monthly travel tip column.
Sandy’s award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, is a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle and living outside their comfort zone. This memoir was a finalist in the Travel category for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the 2013 International Book Awards, the 2013 National Indie Book Excellence Awards, 2013 USA Best Book Awards, and an Honorable Mention award in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category for the 2013 Global ebook Awards.
Are you interested in Sandy’s travels? Visit– The Traveling Bornsteins
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