HANDED THE WORLD IN AN EMAIL!!!!!!!!

God, I have been dying to blog this all day, but have been so frustratingly busy! I must have read this email 1000 times and still can't believe it! Why have I been so crazy the past week and a half? In September I sent a copy of RALLY CAPS to THE MAIN PUBLISHING COMPANY in Italy that concentrates on disability issues, rehabilitation, psychology, etc. I have been using ERICKSON's publications throughout Jordan's journey - beginning to now. I covered the package in motivational stickers that said, "EXCELLENT!" "NUMBER 1!" "GREAT JOB!" you know the positive reinforcement sticker chart stickers, said a prayer and sent it...in SEPTEMBER! As those of you who follow this blog know, RALLY CAPS is being published here in Italy by the CASA EDITRICE INNOCENTI, amazing people who greeted me when I walked in the door and immediately said, "Sure, we'll publish your book! Actually, my daughter-in-law is deaf." Stuff like that just doesn't happen. You can't walk into a publishing company and suddenly they say, of course we'll publish your book.

Anyway, on January 15th I received a shocking email. ERICKSON said that they had read the book and decided that they would like to publish it. I stared at the email, stared, stared, stared. ERICKSON represented the opportunity to increase awareness of the cochlear implant on a NATIONAL LEVEL. Every year I receive a two hundred page catalog of their publications, sort through it and always find something relevant and intelligent. OUR BOOK in that catalog? This catalog is sent to Doctors, Audiologists, Surgeons, Teachers, Speech Therapists, Psychiatrists, Parents throughout Italy. They host educational conferences, informative workshops, send magazines, articles, THE WORLD! and here that was being placed right within my grasp, yet unattainable, because our book is already under contract with a publishing house that I love...and our family's story belongs to this territory. How do you let something like this go, when you know that you have a miraculous opportunity to increase awareness to the people who need it the most?

So, I wrote a letter to both parties explaining the situation. A week passes - I'm dying (NOTE: I did not tell my dad about this situation at all) ERICKSON replied by saying that they were happy for us, congratulated me and informed me that it was not their policy to intervene when there were other publishing companies already involved, but that they would look forward to working with me upon completion of another book...A TOTAL CLASS ACT! I died. I wrote them a letter saying exactly that, "I'm dying, but I understand and appreciate your professionalism. Actually, I have already begun the second book and I look forward to working with your AMAZING publishing company in the future. Thank you." (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

That night, I went out to dinner with my friend Carla. Poor Carla, I was a wreck. After dinner I just did not want to go home, so I suggested we get a drink in the center at this place I had gone to with my friend Rachel(who I never have time to see:(). We went to this place and it was CLOSED! SEQUESTERED, actually. We decided to take a walk in the Corso and who did we find?????? Stefano! The editor of my publishing company. I locked my arm in his and took him on a little walk where we had a nice chat and he basically told me he would contact ERICKSON to see if they could come to an agreement and if not..."It was nice knowing me..." Glowing! Hope returns. Do people like this really exist? How is it possible that I always find such amazing people who GET IT! The smile returned to my face, I ran home and sent ERICKSON another letter...I WILL NOT SURRENDER! My publishing company will contact you in the attempt to reach an agreement...they understand how important it is to me...

Another week passes. I often go out to the court next to my house that has a wooden fence encircling it and a far-reaching view of the rolling, green TUSCAN HILLS. This week as I looked upon these hills from inside the fence, I saw infinity and endless opportunities. I should be satisfied with the Grosseto publishing house, a beautiful, generous group of people, ready and willing to help us...why isn't that enough for me? Why must I want more? I AM AMERICAN!!!!!!! AND I WANT THE AMERICAN DREAM EVEN IF THAT HAPPENS IN ITALY! I have been feeling so tested lately, kind of like my life is changing and am I sure I want to go there? Destiny is calling, can't mess with that bad boy.

Last night, I received a letter from ERICKSON (a gentleman named Daniele who can REALLY write!) stating the following:
Dear Jodi,
Our publishing company was contacted by the EDITORE INNOCENTI DI GROSSETO, but (paraphrasing here)the issues involved in breaking the contract, reformulating a contract, renegotiations and contact with Publish America are more complex than it may seem, and our Editor and Advisory Board does not deem it appropriate to get involved when there is another Publishing House already involved who is passionate about publishing your book, especially given the fact that the book is close to being published. (not just dying at this point, suffering and dying)Based on your agreement with your publishing house it is only correct that they publish your book, although we know that you have great faith in ERICKSON and in the opportunities our publishing company would provide in allowing for a greater diffusion across Italy, as well as the opportunity to deal with issues regarding DEAFNESS. (Freaking stick a knife in my heart and turn it)AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE WILL BE VERY PLEASED TO RECEIVE A COPY OF RALLY CAPS. WE WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU TO PROMOTE THE BOOK BY MEANS OF ARTICLES AND DISCUSSIONS IN OUR MANY MAGAZINES...

Someone pinch me... I have just been handed the best of both worlds. FLYING. DREAMING. I will not be alone in all of this, Jordan will be right next to me raising his voice to educate others...



Questa parte qui è per gli italiani che cercano di capire qualcosa da questo macello di blog. Il mio blog è stato messo sul deafread.com un sito per i sordi dove c'e' lo scambio d'informazione relativo alla sordità specificamente tutti coloro che utilizzano il linguaggio dei segni, ma addesso si è aperto anchè un dialogo molto interessante in riguardo all'impianto cocleare. Ho visto questa pubblicità della Pepsi che andrà in onda durante il SUPERBOWL (football Americano) ed è straforte...guardate un pò:)La Casa Di Bob...