To the Publisher

Well, I just sent the book files to the publisher for her review and all of the many steps to come. This is my first book, so everything to come will be new for me as an author and editor.


However, I've worked in publishing for almost 20 years now. It's strange to be on this side of the desk, but I know a few of the things that might happen. The publisher may ask for revisions, send the book out for copy editing, and talk to me about the marketing of the book before it goes to the printer. These are just a few of the steps to be taken between now and the time the book is officially published.

I will try to update the blog as the process continues and keep you up to date as much as I can. In the meantime, if there are topics on the subject of full-term breastfeeding that you would like to see me discuss on this blog, please contact me at tothreeandbeyond@gmail.com or with the contact form on this page.

Thank you all for sticking with me and this project so far!

Beta Time!

As of yesterday, the full manuscript is out with beta readers. These include my husband, who is a full-time copyeditor (like myself), and some friends who have all breastfed their children and/or have editing and writing experience. I am hoping they will be able to give it a critical eye and give me important feedback to make the book as good as it can be.

It's a weird feeling to have this project out of my hands, if only for a little while. I've been working on it in most of my spare time for months now and more intensely since the stories were due in October, so I automatically seem to have that "twiddling my thumbs" feeling. It's good that my kids and my normal work-at-home job keeps that feeling from lasting long.

I expect the beta readers to be done within a week or two, and then I will be able to incorporate any changes that I need to. After that, it will be time to get all of the necessary files together and send it to the publisher.

I will write another update when that happens.

Thanks for sticking with me through this! I can't wait to see this thing in print (and in an e-book!).

Janell

Progress!

I just wanted to write an update for all of you that are following the progress of this book to let you know that the book is moving forward.

The publisher extended my deadline just a little, to March 1, but said, at this point, we should still have the book ready around summertime.

Tonight, I sent out the last edited story to its author. While I wait for all of the story authors to return their changes and copyright forms to me, I will be working on my own story, the introduction, and the back matter for the book (including the list of "milky names" and a resource list).

One thing I can still use help on is compiling a list of resources for not just breastfeeding mothers but for long-/full-term breastfeeding mothers and their families. If you have found such a friendly place, please email me or use the contact form on this page to let me know, so I can point my readers in the right direction.

Thanks!

Stories are Due Tomorrow!!!

I have a nice fat folder full of possible stories for my book, and I'm looking forward to getting more. Based on submissions, I will probably be merging some chapters or working stuff around, but I am really excited about the prospects of this book.

If you are thinking about submitting, here are a few notes:

• The book is about breastfeeding PAST THE THIRD BIRTHDAY. I am limiting the book to stories that focus on this precious period. I love reading all kinds of breastfeeding stories and applaud all of you breastfeeding mamas, but I can only accept stories about breastfeeding a child who has already turned three.
• I currently have the most submissions for chapters 1, 5, and 6, so submissions with a focus toward the other chapters would be most welcome (see the Call for Stories link at the top of the page for more details).
• Are you close but need a small extension? Please use the contact form on the right side of the page to message me, and I'll let you know whether I can accept a late submission.
• I am still looking for funny tidbits and anecdotes, milky names, and photos or artwork depicting breastfeeding past the third birthday.

Thanks, everyone!

What the Book Still Needs

Hello, mommies and mommy supporters! I am proud to report that the book is coming along nicely. I have 26 stories in my inbox, with some in the accepted pile, some into the to-read pile, and some in the pending pile. However, I can accept up to 72 stories for the book, depending on the length, so I definitely need more!!!

I have received stories mostly for Chapter 1 (Stories of Decision: How Did this Happen?) than for any other chapter. I still need stories for all chapters, but I have not yet received any stories for the following chapters:

• Chapter 3. Stories of Challenges: Difficulties Encountered in Long-Term Nursing: This chapter might include stories of divorce, illness, grief, schooling, societal expectations, and other situations that might make long-term nursing more difficult and will be limited to situational challenges and difficulties with those outside the family.
• Chapter 4. Stories of Family: Support and Conflict with Spouses, Partners, and Other Family Members: This chapter will include stories of how mothers and children were supported or discouraged by spouses and family members in their journey.
• Chapter 6. Special Stories: Long-Term Nursing when Mother or Child Has Medical Issues or Special Needs: As described, this chapter might include stories of older mothers nursing, nursing through illness, nursing a child with autism, and other challenging situations where the decision to continue breastfeeding might have been an advantage or a disadvantage.
• Chapter 9: Stories of How They Have Grown: This chapter will focus on first-person stories of grown nurslings (lets say, ages 16 and up). These stories might cover the following topics: How long did you nurse? Describe what memories you have of nursing and what kind of feelings you have toward that time in your life. In general, what positive or negative affects has nursing had on you as you’ve grown older? How do you feel the nursing relationship affected the relationship you have with your mother (or both parents)? Has nursing affected the way you interact or your relationship with other children and/or adults? Please describe. Do you feel nursing for as long as you did made it harder or easier for you to be independent and self-sufficient? Or did it have no affect? Please provide any stories or comments that you would like to share regarding nursing and how it has affected you as a person. 

Please keep in mind that just a few sentences or a well-stated viewpoint can change your story from Chapter 8 (weaning) to Chapter 6 (medical issues or special needs), for example. A weaning story might fit more poignantly into Chapter 6 if it is written about how nursing really helped a child with autism cope and how his or her weaning represented a step toward independence. Again, this is just an example.

I still need stories for ALL of the chapters as well as photos, artwork, humorous tidbits, and your or your child's favorite nickname for mama's milk.

Please spread the word and let mothers and former nurslings know that they can contribute to this important book.

Thanks so much!

Seeking Art, Milky Names, and Humorous Stories

1. Art: For the book, I am also seeking breastfeeding photographs and art. They can go with a story or be separate. So, you can submit a photograph without having submitted a story. Like the stories, you will be required to sign a permission form for me to use these in the book, so only submit items that are yours.
2. Milky Names: I will also be including a list of names that mothers and children use for mother's milk. I started this long ago and would be happy to add to it.
3. Humorous Stories: Another mother suggested a chapter of humorous anecdotes. Depending on what I receive, I may be able to fit this in, so please send them in--they can be as long or short as you like.

Please send all submissions to directly to me at tothreeandbeyond@gmail.com. The due date is October 15, 2013 for all items. Thank you!

Last Story Extension

I've extended the deadline for stories to October 15. This will be the last extension because the book in its entirety will be due to the publisher early next year, and I need time to go through and organize and edit the stories.

I will be going through already submitted stories soon to see which ones fit well with the book. If you've already submitted a story, you should probably hear from me before October 15. However, if you haven't yet submitted, the sooner the better!

On another note, I am contacting breastfeeding bloggers and perhaps a celebrity or two that fit into our category of nursing past the third birthday to help round out the stories in the book and, yes, draw attention to it. I'm very excited about this possibility, but mostly I want the book to be a collection of stories by everyday moms that can be useful to all mothers who find themselves nursing an older toddler or beyond. If you know of anyone else that might want to contribute to our humble little book, please spread the word!

Thank you so much.