Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning authors Ronda Del Boccio and Bonnie Tesh have tales to tell about the process of co-authoring their book, I‘ll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On.  It took a lot of teamwork, a great sense of humor, and of course dedication.  They completed the book in 10 weeks, and 8 weeks later they got a “YES!” from the first publisher they pitched.  r.

Del Boccio and Tesh will talk about how to collaborate on a book without killing each other, and will share online and offline marketing tips that help them sell.  The inspirational self-help book hit the #6 spot on AWOC BOOKS site the day it released, November 6.  The book went on to hit #1 11 days later.

They got the idea to collaborate at a writer’s conference in Arkansas in march of last year.  Both authors have “disabilities,” and people are constantly telling each of them, “You are so inspiring!” or “You are so amazing!”

Bonnie Tesh has had three bouts with cancer namely multiple myeloma and breast cancer.  She had been in remission until her multiple myeloma reared its ugly head again this spring.  “I don’t feel like I’m inspiring or amazing,” Tesh said.  “I Just have a strong faith and a good attitude.”  Tesh worked in the health care field for over forty years and is now retired.

Ronda Del Boccio has been “partially sighted” since birth.  She has coped with job discrimination and other difficulties caused by misconceptions of the public about what a blind person can do.  “I’m not amazing either,” she said.  “I’m living my life with spunk and gratitude.”  Del Boccio has worked in disability services, advocacy, and university education.  Now she is an author coach and is known as The Story Lady of Storyation.com.

They started writing I’ll Push, You Steer at the May 2006 meeting of the Ozarks Writers’ League (OWL) and by the November 2006 meeting, their book had already hit the top of their publisher’s chart following its November 6 debut.  OWL is a regional group for anyone interested in writing.  The organization has about 250 members from Missouri, Arkansas, and a few neighboring states who write everything from poetry to novels.  Dues are $20 per year, which includes a quarterly newsletter AND free attendance at the quarterly meeting at College of the Ozarks in Holister, Missouri (near Branson).  The November meeting features faith -based book agent and author Terry Burns.  Burns is an agent with Hartline Literary Agency.

Visit the website for a free sneak peek of iI’ll Push, You Steer plus other inspirational thoughts and quotes to brighten your day.  The book is available at your favorite online or bricks-and-mortar bookstore.

Tags: success, folklore, legend, spiritual tradition, network marketing, BookWise