“Why this book?”

“Why you?”

“Why now?”

Those three “why” questions are commonly asked of authors. They may be asked before the book is published, such as when querying agents or speaking with editors. They may also be asked during a panel discussion or special event celebrating the book’s publication.

Basically, an author is making the argument that: their book is needed in the world, at this time, and that the author is the best person to write this book. 

This week, as I think ahead to my memoir’s publication (Spring 2028!!!) and my own author career, I wanted to share my answers to these questions with you, my readers. Because you all have been reading my words here each week, and you all are an important part of my author journey. 

“Why this book?”

This is the book I needed to read when I became ill. Except I couldn’t find anything like it. The same thing happened once I received my diagnosis, and again when I retired from my teaching career. I searched for the stories of others experiencing similar situations of invisible disability and chronic pain. Except I couldn’t find any such stories. I wanted to know it wasn’t just me who struggled to explain outwardly-invisible pain to a young child. I wanted to know how other chronic illness patients adapted when their dream career was no longer possible because of poor health. 

“Why you?”

My memoir could only be told by me. However, though the specifics are mine, the themes of my book are universal. It may take different forms, but we all live with hidden pain. Scars not immediately visible. Loss and grief when the life we thought we would be living is no longer possible in the same way. It feels like I have always considered myself a writer. I have always found solace and clarity in getting my thoughts down on paper. And, I use my writing as a way for me to teach. I may no longer be able to teach children in a classroom, but I can teach readers that not all disabilities look the same. 

“Why now?”

My book is scheduled to be published in 2028, but I have been writing about my invisible disability for well over a decade now. I didn’t realize that as I wrote one essay, then another, and yet another, I was also writing a book — a cohesive collection of my experiences as a mom, a wife, a teacher, a woman living with a chronic illness causing chronic pain. And the older I get, the more I realize that we are all dealing with something. We’re all carrying around pain of some sort, scars and wounds that might not be evident at first glance but are still very much a part of us. And that’s only going to increase as humans are living longer, which means more of us will likely be dealing with health issues as we age.

In Spring 2028, I may be asked these very questions. It feels only right to first share my answers here, with you.