Sister Mary Joseph Nodules—A Cruel Revelation My first reaction was: Colon Cancer? How can this be? I’ve visited the doctor faithfully, every six months, you see. Blood work done, medications taken, colonoscopies on time, No family cancer history—yet here’s this mountain to climb. It started with bumps around my belly button’s mark, Could it be hernia surgery’s aftershock, a mistaken spark? Five doctors treated fungal, yeast, and the unknown, I self-treated, searching for answers, but hope was overthrown. Through four to five months, pain and burning my constant plight, Pills and creams given, yet no comfort in sight. The fourth doctor suggested a biopsy’s might, I scheduled a colonoscopy with the fifth, seeking light. He said he’d never seen anything like this before, Cut a bump, sent it to pathology’s core. Cancer came the verdict, a shadow on my door, The last thing I expected, my heart sank to the floor. The cancer doctor named them: Sister Mary Joseph Nodules, Metastatic cancer, their verdict’s gavel. My judge and jury, he sentenced me with a sigh, The cancer had spread—no cure could he imply. Crap, not the news I wanted to hear, A PET scan, a port, chemo drawing near. In this battle, maybe I’ll live a bit longer, In this journey uncertain, only the time of my demise is unclear.
The name, was originally coined by Sir Hamilton Bailey, an English surgeon and the first to mention it in its book “Demonstrations of Physical Signs in Clinical Surgery”, published in 1949, honoring the Sister Mary Joseph (1856-1939), who was superintendent nurse and Dr. William Mayo most frequent first assistant, at the St. Mary’s Hospital (now Mayo Clinic) of Rochester, Minnesota.
The Sister Mary Joseph, was the first person who observed that the patients with advanced abdominal-pelvic malignancies, frequently presented a periumbilical palpable nodule.
Updated SOT Media Blitz Campaign November 3, 2024 (Monthly updates found on Mortlaitner.com)
“This is crazy ambitious and cool…. and I love it!”—-Samuel Peralta (Founder of Lunar Codex)
Now SOT on sale at Amazon, https://a.co/d/7G6nuSm, Thriftbooks, Walmart, Better World, bookdeli.com, Alibris, Google Books and The Nile.
As of 10/31/24— 88 SOT units sold—2 in the United Kingdom
Pull out your iPhone and take a picture of SOT in an exotic place and post on your social media and on SFWA (FaceBook) or other social media.
Post SOT info on your website.
Write a review of SOT and submit to Amazon and Goodreads.
International praise for SOT already coming in from Scotland, India and Canada.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank (October 28, 2024):
#23 in Romance Fiction Writing Reference
#59 in Poetry Anthologies (Books)
#147 in Love Poems
Book Launch of “The Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology. Many of these ideas will also be used when SOT lands on the moon in September 2025.
1. Write form to be use by our authors in the international press i.e. Fabiyas in India, and Mort— The Times of Israel (TOI has already referenced SOT a couple of times.) to announce our success on getting poetry on the Moon;
2. Write paragraph to be sent to our authors to send to their alumni (College and Universities) publications and local media (See in formulary);
3. Write press release (Amy) —(Press kit) for national TV programs and national newspapers
New York Times:
If you have time, tell us what you’re reading! (We may publish your response on our Letters page, or feature it in an upcoming newsletter.) You can email us at books@nytimes.com. We read every letter sent.
Gregory Cowles Senior Editor, The New York Times Book Review
LA Times, Washington Post, St. Louis Dispatch . (Anita Mitchell for TV and consultation with Amy);
4. Write specific columns (Press Kit) for Poetry, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers and Space magazines. (Anita Mitchell and Amy) We are waiting for response from Writer’sDigest and Poems, Remember rejection is part of the process and good for the soul.
5. To get buzz going write paragraph for all authors to post times on their X, FaceBook, and Instagram sites.
6. List of Media Contacts:
A. Al Goch— Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (Mort)
B. Peter D’oench—Channel 4 CBS Miami (Mort)
7. We have submitted submissions to WD and Poets and Writers. No response yet—Rejection is a bitch!
8. Submit “Message in a Bottle” to Authors Voice for December Issue;
9. Christina Mayo says: Thank you! I’m planning to write about our book and the Lunar Codex time capsule in my column for the Miami Herald. We can figure out the best date later.
10. Beverly Melasi or other children’s author or author who lectured us on children’s books if they would consider writing children’s picture book hypothetically titled, “Patti’s Poem Goes to the Moon.”
11. Start building SOT’s platform now and pitching our book on social media. We have something important to share. So let’s share it.
12. Request authors apply for lectures at Local Authors Miami-Dade Public Library System;
13. Have a number of book launches across Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; (Books and Books, My Backyard Museum (Plantation) and in author’s homes)
14. Ask SOT authors to make appearances on Authors Showcase;
15. Create SOT porcelain coffee mug, mouse pads and bookmarks for membership (Giancarlo);
16. Ask Giancarlo to create SOT wall posters to so speakers can take them on lectures. (Office Depot for two appropriate sizes)
17. Send article to: https://www.npr.org/sections/author-interviews/;
18. Request to do presentation at Books & Books @ The Studios 533 Eaton Street, Key West, Fl 33040;
19. Request Anika Madison to do podcasts with SOT authors;
20. Seart formulary for SOT authors to use for blitzing the social network world.
21. Request SOT authors to post Lunar Codex medallions to on their social media.
22. Setup a joint breakfast with members of the Space Coast Writers Association when we’re in Canaveral for the launch Giancarlo;
23. Ask Giancarlo to create poster with all the archives’ logos that have accepted SOT;
24. Publish SOT stories on Mort’s 25 FaceBook group pages for writers and poets Notice of sale of SOT already posted 10/27/24 (membership to add to list)
25. Use Lunar Codex website “news” for examples of published stories about Lunar Codex
26. Next year, I will create a SOT podcast and set it up on all outlets to house the audio stories and poems, preferably read by each author.
I will help record, edit, and publish the stories and poems through the podcast.
I will coordinate first with the SOT Team. More info to be released later. Susana Mueller
27. Mary Greenwood—-“I live in Dunedin, which is in St. Petersburg area. I can do outreach from here. I know some of the bookstores and writers groups in the area.”
28. I’d be delighted to feature our collection on my podcast Everyday Folks Radio at the time of release as well as to offer half hour interviews with featured authors individually and/or collectively throughout the year leading up to the release.
Individuals who are interested in being interviewed must contact my podcast production team directly at everydayfolksradio@gmail.com. I or a team member will follow up accordingly. Also, a couple of the featured poets have already been guests on my podcast in the past, so I think you’ll definitely get some interests! : )
As a featured poet myself in the collection, I think this would be a delightful collaboration… all free, too!
28. Goals:
Have 60 reviews on Amazon by December 31, 2024;
Have 30 reviews on Goodreads by December 31, 2024;
Barnes & Noble has our first book review. (5 Stars)
Goal: Sell 1,000 books by December 31, 2024. 150 digital, 50 hard cover and 800 paperback. (88 paperbacks already sold)
29. Make contact with other statewide writer associations concerning SOT lectures on Zoom.
30. Check to see where we rank on Amazon bestsellers list poetry section. Our goal to top the list.
31. Looking for volunteer to create SOT FaceBook page (Neil);
32. Request Connie to do letters-to-editor for local newspapers concerning SOT;
33. Recommended quote for book signings: Date, Purchaser’s Name, “May your life be a Sea of Tranquility,” your signature. Please email me more quotes to add to this list.
34. Patch contest: Carla Albano
35. Howard to draft letter to be sent with SOT to archives that have accepted us. We need update on UK exhibit concerning SOT and we need to determine how to send hard cover books to archives that have accepted SOT.
36. SFWA should consider sending its patrons a hard cover SOT as a thank you for their patronage.
37. Ask Peter Schmitt to see if the Richter Library at UM will showcase SOT. Ask Ellen Book to showcase SOT at the Pinecrest library
38. Ask if we have someone with expertise at selling SOT to libraries nationwide.
39. I’m requesting that the theme of the Mango Conference be “We’re Going To the Moon.”
40. Monica update on Library of Congress number.
41. Waiting on eBook by Susana Mueller.
I am looking for volunteers to handle any and all above activities and for additional thoughts and ideas for our media blitz book launching campaign.
Team participants, please keep me posted with all your SOT activities so that we can incorporate them in this media blitz list.
Book Launch “The Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology. Many of these ideas will also be used when SOT lands on the moon.
I am recommending the following steps be taken before book lunching party:
1. Draft form to be use by our authors in the international press i.e. Fabiyas in India, and Mort— The Times of Israel to announce our success on getting poetry on the Moon;
2. Draft paragraph to be sent to our authors to send to their alumni (College and Universities) publications and local media (See in formulary);
3.Draft press release (Press kit) for national TV programs and national newspapers—New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, St. Louis Dispatch . (Bring in Anita Mitchell for TV and consult with Amy);
4. Draft specific columns (Press Kit) for Poetry, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers and Space magazines. (Bring in Anita Mitchell) We are waiting for response from Writer’sDigest and Poems
5. To get buzz going draft paragraph (See formulary) for all authors to post times on their X, FaceBook, and Instagram sites.
6. List of Media Contacts:
A. Al Goch— Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (Mort)
B. Peter D’oench—Channel 4 CBS Miami (Mort)
7. We have submitted submissions to WD and Poets and Writers.
8. Submit “Message in a Bottle” to Authors Voice for November Issue;
9. Ask Christina Mayo to write article for the Miami Herald.
10. Beverly Melasi or other children’s author or a SFWA group project should consider writing children’s picture book entitled, “Patti’s Poem Goes to the Moon.”
11. Let’s start building SOT’s platform now and pitching our book on social media. We have something important to share. So let’s share it.
12. Have authors apply for Local Authors Miami-Dade Public Library System;
13. Let’s try to have a number of book launches across Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; (Books and Books, My Backyard Museum and in author’s homes)
14. Ask authors to make appearances on SFWA’s Authors Showcase;
15. Create SOT porcelain coffee mugs and mouse pads for membership (Mort);
16. Create SOT wall posters to take on lectures. (Office Depot for two appropriate sizes)
17. Send article to: https://www.npr.org/sections/author-interviews/;
18. Request to do presentation at Books & Books @ The Studios533 Eaton Street, Key West, Fl 33040;
19. Request Anika Madison to do podcasts with our SOT authors;
20. We have started formulary for SOT authors to use for blitzing the social network world.
21. Request SOT authors to post Lunar Codex medallions to on their social media.
22. Try to setup a joint breakfast with members of the Space Coast Writers Association when we’re in Canaveral for the launch;
23. Create poster with all the archives’ logos that have accepted SOT;
24. Publish stories on Mort’s 25 FaceBook group pages for writers and poets (membership to add to list)
25. Use Lunar Codex website “news” for examples of published stories about Lunar Codex
26. Ask our resident podcast expert with Susana Mueller for advice on podcasts;
27. Mary Greenwood agrees to market SOT in the St. Pete and Tampa area.
28. I’d be delighted to feature our collection on my podcast Everyday Folks Radio at the time of release as well as to offer half hour interviews with featured authors individually and/or collectively throughout the year leading up to the release.
Individuals who are interested in being interviewed must contact my podcast production team directly at everydayfolksradio@gmail.com. I or a team member will follow up accordingly. Also, a couple of the featured poets have already been guests on my podcast in the past, so I think you’ll definitely get some interests! : )
As a featured poet myself in the collection, I think this would be a delightful collaboration… all free, too!
28. Goals:
Have 60 reviews on Amazon by December 31,2024;
Have 30 reviews on Goodreads by December 31, 2024;
Sell 1,000 books by December 31, 2024.
29. Make contact with other statewide writer associations concerning SOT lectures on Zoom.
30. See if we broke into top Poetry books in Amazon.
31. Look for volunteer to create SOT FaceBook Page;
32. Request Connie to do letters to editor concerning SOT;
33. Recommended quote for book signings: Date, Name, “May your life be a Sea of Tranquility”, your signature.
I am looking for volunteers to handle above activities and for additional thoughts and ideas for our media blitz book launching campaign.
Please keep me posted with your SOT activities.
Thanks.
Mort
Updated Media Blitz October 20, 2024 (Do monthly updates and post in Mortlaitner.com)
Book Launch “The Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology Many of these ideas will also be used when SOT lands on the moon.
I am recommending the following steps be taken before book lunching party:
1. Draft form to be use by our authors in the international press i.e. Fabiyas in India, and Mort— The Times of Israel to announce our success on getting poetry on the Moon;
2. Draft paragraph to be sent to our authors to send to their alumni (College and Universities) publications and local media (See in formulary);
3.Draft press release (Press kit) for national TV programs and national newspapers—New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, St. Louis Dispatch . (Bring in Anita Mitchell for TV and consult with Amy);
4. Draft specific columns (Press Kit) for Poetry, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers and Space magazines. (Bring in Anita Mitchell) We are waiting for response from Writer’sDigest and Poems
5. To get buzz going draft paragraph (See formulary) for all authors to post times on their X, FaceBook, and Instagram sites.
6. List of Media Contacts:
A. Al Goch— Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (Mort)
B. Peter D’oench—Channel 4 CBS Miami (Mort)
7. We have submitted submissions to WD and Poets and Writers.
8. Submit “Message in a Bottle” to Authors Voice for November Issue;
9. Ask Christina Mayo to write article for the Miami Herald.
10. Beverly Melasi or other children’s author or a SFWA group project should consider writing children’s picture book entitled, “Patti’s Poem Goes to the Moon.”
11. Let’s start building SOT’s platform now and pitching our book on social media. We have something important to share. So let’s share it.
12. Have authors apply for Local Authors Miami-Dade Public Library System;
13. Let’s try to have a number of book launches across Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; (Books and Books, My Backyard Museum and in author’s homes)
14. Ask authors to make appearances on SFWA’s Authors Showcase;
15. Create SOT porcelain coffee mugs and mouse pads for membership (Mort);
16. Create SOT wall posters to take on lectures. (Office Depot for two appropriate sizes)
17. Send article to: https://www.npr.org/sections/author-interviews/;
18. Request to do presentation at Books & Books @ The Studios533 Eaton Street, Key West, Fl 33040;
19. Request Anika Madison to do podcasts with our SOT authors;
20. We have started formulary for SOT authors to use for blitzing the social network world.
21. Request SOT authors to post Lunar Codex medallions to on their social media.
22. Try to setup a joint breakfast with members of the Space Coast Writers Association when we’re in Canaveral for the launch;
23. Create poster with all the archives’ logos that have accepted SOT;
24. Publish stories on Mort’s 25 FaceBook group pages for writers and poets (membership to add to list)
25. Use Lunar Codex website “news” for examples of published stories about Lunar Codex
26. Ask our resident podcast expert with Susana Mueller for advice on podcasts;
27. Mary Greenwood agrees to market SOT in the St. Pete and Tampa area.
28. I’d be delighted to feature our collection on my podcast Everyday Folks Radio at the time of release as well as to offer half hour interviews with featured authors individually and/or collectively throughout the year leading up to the release.
Individuals who are interested in being interviewed must contact my podcast production team directly at everydayfolksradio@gmail.com. I or a team member will follow up accordingly. Also, a couple of the featured poets have already been guests on my podcast in the past, so I think you’ll definitely get some interests! : )
As a featured poet myself in the collection, I think this would be a delightful collaboration… all free, too!
28. Goals:
Have 60 reviews on Amazon by December 31,2024;
Have 30 reviews on Goodreads by December 31, 2024;
Sell 1,000 books by December 31, 2024.
29. Make contact with other statewide writer associations concerning SOT lectures on Zoom.
30. See if we broke into top Poetry books in Amazon.
31. Look for volunteer to create SOT FaceBook Page;
32. Request Connie to do letters-to-editor concerning SOT;
33. Recommended quote for book signings:
Date, Name, “May your life be a Sea of Tranquility.” your signature.
I am looking for volunteers to handle above activities and for additional thoughts and ideas for our media blitz book launching campaign.
