Amy Quonce, author
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Do you have a story to share?

7/21/2012

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People have been asking me if the next book is out yet and if there is still time to submit a story before it comes out. The good news is that if you have been thinking about writing a story, there is still time to get it into the book!

Is there a person you know who has overcome unbelievable odds? Perhaps their story could inspire someone else going through a similar situation. The best comfort in a person's life is knowing that they are not alone.

Stories can be up to 2,500 words long, and anonymous submissions will be accepted for those who are worried about privacy. Changing names will also allowed allowed for the same reason.

Because I am trying to get as many wonderful stories to this next book as possible, I do not have an exact date set  for publication. However, I do anticipate that it will be within the next year. Any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected], or facebook.com/WindingRoadBook.

Here are a several of the Amazon.Com reviews from Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child:

I was unsure when I first opened this book just what I would  find. But, when I finished it....I said, "This book needs to be sold along with  a box of tissues." Some of the stories will make you cry and others make you  laugh.

The stories are from individuals who live with, or affect by,  children who were born different in various ways. Each story tells how a family  adapt their everyday life to the ordeals which become 'normal' in their  household. And, it spreads beyond that one child born, beyond the parents and  siblings; it affects aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, teachers, clergy, bus  drivers...and beyond.

These children teach us as much as the other way  around.

The one thing that resonates in this book is...love.
 

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This book shows the ups and downs both the parents and the children go through  in life with disabilities. One story you would die laughing and the next you'll  be crying your eyes out. Finished this book within a day. Just couldn't put it  down.

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I just read this entire book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down!  There were times when I wanted to cry, and times I wanted to laugh. It shows how  each family's situation is unique. There is no mold for a special needs person,  and no one right path to take to deal with them.

This book is one that  should be read and then shared with others.


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As a mother of a child with disabilities, I picked up a copy of this book in hopes of relating to other families who are dealing with similiar situations. The stories inside made me instantly feel connected. Some gave me hope, others melted my heart. I laughed, cried, and smiled throughout the entire book. It reminded me of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. A wonderfully easy read for  any busy cargiver who is raising a special needs child.

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Could the title, not be any more perfect?!??!!

I am so proud of Amy and the initiative she took in self-publishing this book. She wanted to find a way to connect her story with others, and this book is going to encourage and bless SO MANY families.

Having any kind of special needs child or family member  can be overwhelming at times. Unless you are physically living in their individual situations, it is so hard to comprehend all of the variances they experience on a daily basis. This book not only brings light to the hardships hese families face but also the triumphs and delights that these unique children bring into their little corners of the world.

This book offers hope, inspiration, and ultimately support, to let you know.... you are never alone. You are not, the only one. There are people that understand and will be there to cheer you on in the best of times, and help you pick up the pieces in the worst. Being an advocate for your child and helping others that also need it, can bring the greatest satisfaction and purpose in your life.

EVERY child is special. Special needs kids don't require extra love, just unconditional love..... just like any other child does.


 

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Autism Walk

4/22/2012

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April 28, 2012. Oswego County residents will gather at the Oswego High School track and walk three miles in an effort to raise awareness on Autism.
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From 11-2, the family fun walk will be hosted by the Oswego County Task Force. Activities for the day will include music, face painting, and balloon animals. The mission: To educate people on the disability.

Statistics show that 1 in 88 children are diagonosed with Autism. The spectrum ranges from high functioning to non verbal tendencies, yet each is unique in their own way. This Saturday they will all unite to show the world how beautiful they are.


Agencies and organizations will also be in attendence with information on how they can offer support to families. Tickets for the Brianna Bowl will be for sale, with proceeds going to the Brianna Cahill scholorship, which helps to send an Autistic child to college. I will also be there offering the opportunity for people to sumit stories to the sequel of Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child.

We are hopingfor a huge turn out this year, so come on our and show your support!

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Hands of Hope

3/28/2012

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All year long, families who are raising special needs children give tirelessly to those that they love. Without complaint the needs of others take over our daily lives putting the thought of ourselves on the back burner. Today the HOPE Network recognized many of these caregivers and offered them a day of pampering...to give their caring hands a day of rest.

The goal was to take the weight of our worries and temporarily put them behind us. For once we were to focus on ourselves. With the help of the community, we were offered manicures, pedicures, massages, makeovers, and we're treated to a wonderful brunch. Seventy women to told to go have at it...and we did!
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Pat enjoyed a manicure while I started my day with a relaxing massage. I would have fallen right to sleep if I didn't need to be alert for the speech that I was giving midday. So I spent the time finding the words that I wanted to say while getting a knot worked out of my shoulder. After that I was talked into getting my eyebrows waxed for the first time ever. I have one word to say to that...OUCH!

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even though I had practiced The testimony that I planned on giving, I was caught off guard as I teared up talking about the struggles my daughter endured the first few years of her life. end the end it made me more relateable to the audience and I managed to get a few chuckles and a big round of applause. Every attendant walked away with a copy of Sometimes the Wind Blows Sideways, and the offer was extended for each of them to write their own story for the sequel.

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A big thank you goes out to Carissa Lagoe, Lori Sills, and everyone else involved in the Northside Baptist Church HOPE Network. They work year around to offer services for our children to enjoy that they might not otherwise be able to have access to. For more information on their programs please visit Northsideonline.com.

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Kindle edition is here !

2/3/2012

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I love the digital age. Not only was I able to revise my print edition to add a bonus story, I was also able to convert my files into a kindle ready book. The title can be digitally downloaded within seconds to your kindle or ipad, which includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet.

Product Description from Amazon.com:

Raising a child with special needs can be both challenging and rewarding. In this special collection of short stories, families and caregivers share their struggles, laughs, and tears as they celebrate the lives of individuals who
have  triuimphed over unimaginable hurdles.
  
With topics that range from Autism, Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Developmental Delays, Brain Tumors, physical impariments and even the death of loved one, this book is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, friends and neighbors whose lives have been touched by a disability.
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To purchase a kindle edition of Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child, you can click here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00757ISSM


Since I am a member of KDP select, those of you who are a kindle owner AND a member of amazon prime, you can download this book free of charge.

To purchase a paperback of Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child, you
can click here:
http://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Wind-Blows-Sideways-Quonce/dp/1466419180/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328327597&sr=1-1

**Remember that customer reviews are always welcomed on Amazon.Com.

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An expansion times three

1/12/2012

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Who says change isn't good?  During this past week, inspirations have guided me to tweak not only one, but three ways that I could improve on for my readers in 2012.
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First, I have decided to not only expand the way that readers are able to access the book, but to branch out and start preparing for the book's sequel. Over Christmas vacation I had all but tore my hair out trying to properly format the book so that it could be accessed on kindle.  Eventually I gave up and walked away because the thought of looking at the files one more time honestly made me want to vomit.  I went back to work and put the thought of the looming files out of my mind and concentrated on other things.  Well life has a funny way of catching up with you, and sends gentle reminders of what path you need to be taking.

After I opened my recognition letter from Senator Patty Ritchie for the work done on the book, I knew it was time to look into what I could do to finish my goal of putting it into an e-reader.  I contacted kindle and asked if they offered conversion services that I could use.  Unfortunatly they said that they did not, but offered me a list of companies that do offer that very sevices.  Wouldn't you know that my publisher was one of the companies on the list?

So of course I contacted them right away to see what I needed to do start the process.  Easily enough I only need to allow them to convert my current files and I would be all set, but the problem was that I had a 'bonus' story ready to go into the kindle book.  If I converted my book as it, that story wouldn't make it into the e-reader.  But the more I thought about it the more I realized that this wasn't a problem, it was a sign of something greater.  I needed to adjust the files in my paperback book to include this 'bonus' story and at the same time add to the back matter the announcement of the book's sequel.  Yes...a second book is on the way and it needs your stories!

Any new books purchased through my estore (www.createspace.com/3703816) and at Amazon.com will contain the new material.  In there I have added an announcement that I will be accepting new stories for the second book.  Soon I will be adding more details on my website as to when the cut off will be for submissions and the anticipated date of release.  But the most exciting news is that I am extending this invitation to anyone who lives in the United States.  While my first book was focused on families in Central New York, many of you have friends and family who live in other states that would love to take part in this.  So please pass the word on, I would love to hear stories from as many places as possible!

Stay tuned for updates on the latest developments! 


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An unexpected surpise

1/7/2012

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I love unexpected surprises.  Walking to my mailbox this morning my only expectation was to unleash another handful of bills and junk mail.  So when I saw a large envelope cradling the mounds of ordinary small white ones my mind started racing to figure out what it may be.
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Eagerily sliddding my fingers underneath the tab, I reaveled a nice note of achievement from my local seantor.  Her office had seen a newspaper article about my book Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Chid and she wanted to congratulate me on my work.  The hard laminate note will forever be preserved as an honor within my presentation binder of all my work.

The note was simple, but enough to keep me geared up to continue my writing.  A sequel to the first book is a definate possibility, as many of the readers are now moved to share their own stories.  Thank you Senator Ritchie for noticing the work of people within our community, and for encouraging me to keep following my dreams

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2012, the year with no resolutions

1/1/2012

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It sounds crazy, doesn't it?  Starting off the new year without making any unrealistic promises that are well meaning yet have no chance of ever materializing.  But I propose just that.  I will not begin this year setting myself up for failure, instead I propose to simply follow through on the projects that seem worthy enough.


Last week my goal was to have my book ready for kindle by the time I return to work on Tuesday morning (or Wednesday if we're lucky enough to get a snow day  LOL).  I tried....I really did.  Hours were spent each day formatting and converting files, only to end up with my friend holding me back from throwing my computer out of my window.  A dajavu moment that I had while trying to format my paperback book.  While I did end up outwitting my computer back in November, sadly I have not won the battle yet this time.  It doesn't mean that I have given up.  No, quit is not in my vocabulary.  It just means that folks who got a kindle for Christmas may have to wait a little bit longer to download my book.  Since the physical version is still available in bookstores and online, I am okay with that.  I would much rather be behind schedule than produce something that wasn't right.

So I started off my new year not exactly where I had anticipated, but in firm belief that everything happens exactly when it is suppose to happen.  Maybe there is some unknown reason why I shouldn't be producing an e-book right now.  My friend Lisa thinks it's because I should be concentrating on revising my book proposal and query letter for my other book.  I have a hunch that she's not too far off with that one.  The fresh ideas are brewing in my head and I would like to get them out of the brain clutter and onto paper before I forget what they are.

The year ahead is still vast, and with 364 unexplored days in front of me I have ample opportunity to create wonderful things in my life.  Hopefully I will take some time and squeeze a vacation in there somewhere because working full time and writing as a second job sure does drain the life out of you.  I will however pledge to take each day as it comes, and enter through any doors that are opened for me.  I am hopeful for a productive year, full of good health (Lord knows we have hit our limit last year with unexpected setbacks) and happy memories.  Welcome 2012, may you be the best year yet!
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First offical book review

12/10/2011

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    Welcome!
    I am so excited about my first offical book review, by none other than Diane Estrella.  It's so exciting to have her introduce my work to her followers, and I am greatful for the opportunity to get to know a new audience.  Below are four survey questions that will help me decide what direction to go in on future books.  All comments are confidential, unless you choose to supply your contact info. 

    What do you like to read?

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A River's End Reading

10/29/2011

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In anticipation of my upcoming book, Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives With A Special Needs Child, I decided to take part in a public reading down at the River's End Bookstore will some fellow writers within the community.  As always, the bookstore hosted a wonderful evening and we heard from many talented authors.

When it was my turn to share, I took out a piece that I had written, and read during the SUNY Oswego Summer Writing Institute.  It was not a story that I could share without shedding a tear back then, and it seems that time has not changed things for me. By the last paragraph, my voice was fighting to come out and the words were lost through the sounds of my tears.  It was not a sad story that I was reading, yet one very dear and close to my heart.  You see, it was the story of how my doctor advised me to abort my daughter, and instead of listening to his advice I listened to my heart.  Over the past fifteen years I have watched my daughter struggle, grow, and become a beautiful  loving human being.

The reason I shared this particular piece was simple.  I wanted to show the community what kinds of stories they will find in my upcoming book when it is realesed this December.  I want to show that just because somebody is labeled with a disability doesn't mean they can't become a valuable member of society.  And with this anthology we will show the world how the word 'unique' can also be defined as 'spectacular', 'amazing', and 'inspiring'.

Asides from the fact that I was almost too chocked up to finish reading my work, that night was a huge success.  Some people took my information to pass along to families that they knew who may want to contribute stories to the book and I got to mingle with the other writers who bravely took center stage to share their own precious words.

I'm sorry there is no picture to post with this blog.  I had my video camera running so that I could post the video to my blog, but when I finished my reading and went to click the stop button I realized that it froze 42 seconds into taping and I ended up with nothing more than me introducting myself to the audience.  Then when I came home to download the pictures I took with my camera, of course that did not want to work either.  But as you all know things happen in threes and the best part was that my last name had accidently been printed wrong so I started out the evening with a new identity.  Ce La Ve...what else can you do but laugh?  I had a great time and that's all that matters !
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    Author

    I have the privilege of being able to shape the minds and lives of children who are battling disabilities.  It can be very trying at times, but more often than not it is very rewarding.  As a mother of a child with a disability, I know the struggles that they go through on a daily basis.  This allows me to have a little more compassion for the people that I work with.


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