Blissdom Canada Handout: To Publish or Not to Publish

Here is the handout from the session Jen Reynolds, Nadine Silverthorne, Theresa Albert, and I participated in at Blissdom Canada this afternoon.

Thanks so much to all who came out and to the Blissdom Canada organizers, for inviting us to be part of this fun and inspiring conference.

Toronto Book Launch: The Mother of All Pregnancy Books

The Toronto Book launch for The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (2nd Canadian Edition) was everything I could have hoped for and more.

A huge group of highly energized women -- and a couple of very brave men -- descended upon Orange Dot (the perfect place to host such an event). Thank you, Lucy, for welcoming us into your gorgeous facility. It was such a pleasure to meet you; and I am looking forward to being a part of the Orange Dot family. I find you totally inspiring.

The event kicked off with Brandie Weikle, editor of ParentCentral.ca, giving a warm and friendly speech talking about how long she has known me (we've worked together at three publications) and what The Mother of All Pregnancy Books has meant to Canadian parents. (She shared the feedback she received from a variety of parents -- and the comments were just lovely).

I talked about my experience in writing this book (it was an extra-challenging writing experience for me this time because I experienced a tough battle with clinical depression during the writing of the book, so having the book out in the world represents the achievement of a major personal milestone for me). I also talked about what the new edition of the book has to offer (it has been thoroughly updated from cover to cover and features brand new content on environmental issues, complementary and alternative therapies, couple relationships during pregnancy, prenatal depression, and domestic violence) and then I invited the guests to share some of their pregnancy wisdom. Each guest wrote their wisdom on a gorgeous notecard designed and donated by Lindsay Brewda of Grace Announcements; and then hung her contribution on our Tree of Wisdom. (We're creating a video to showcase this part of the program. You'll be able to see it in a few weeks' time.)

While the tree was filling up with "leaves" of wisdom, the guests enjoyed Voss water and an assortment of juices as well as cookies, mini-cheesecakes, brownies, and other delicious treats made by Two Moms' Baked Goods as well as as assortment of juices and waters and chatted -- and chatted.

Then, as the evening wrapped up, guests headed home with a signed copy of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (thank you, Wiley Canada, for making it possible for each guest to receive a copy of the book) and a commemorative water bottle (designed and donated by Kathy and Kim Originals) tucked into a gorgeous blue mesh stroller bag (donated by Prince Lionheart).

Thank you, everyone who came out to make this event so fun and so memorable. And thanks also to those of you who really wanted to be there, but who couldn't be there for various reasons. Life happens!

Finally, thank you for going above and beyond, Impressions PR: Alison Burke, Tamar Gibbert, and Heather Lochner. I hope you are planning to relax and unwind in a major way this weekend. You have earned some serious time off.