Ray Hartjen - Writing Your Truth: How Personal Memoirs Create Connection and Healing

The Publishing Performance Show

Ray Hartjen is an author, musician, and cancer patient advocate who has written several books including "Me, Myself and My Multiple Myeloma" - a memoir about his journey with blood cancer. After being diagnosed in 2019, Ray transformed his experience into a platform to help others, with all proceeds from his book benefiting the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Beyond his cancer memoir, Ray has co-authored "Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh" and writes about his other passions including auto racing with his upcoming book about the Indianapolis 500.

In this episode:

• Ray's journey from cancer diagnosis to becoming an author and advocate
• The process of writing a deeply personal memoir
• How Ray's perspective shifted from "fighting" cancer to living with it
• The importance of community in the cancer patient experience
• How writing helped Ray connect with others and expand his purpose
• The challenges and benefits of working with editors and publishers
• Marketing strategies for authors promoting their books
• Tips for writing authentic biographical stories

Resources mentioned:

• Me, Myself and My Multiple Myeloma: https://www.amazon.com/Myself-Multiple-Myeloma-Behind-Scenes/dp/1636983340
• Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh: https://www.amazon.com/Immaculate-How-Steelers-Saved-Pittsburgh/dp/1636980546
• Revenue Orchestration and Today's New Era of B2B Sales and Marketing (book): https://www.amazon.com/Revenue-Orchestration-Todays-Sales-Marketing-ebook/dp/B0DJX3LC9L

Book Recommendations:

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: https://www.amazon.com/Project-Hail-Mary-Andy-Weir/dp/0593135202
• A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/076790818X

Connect with Ray Hartjen:

• Website: https://rayhartjen.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ray.hartjen
• X.com: https://twitter.com/RayHartjen
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGz0k3o0dK3g6c0aVJay_Q
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayhartjen/

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• @teddyagsmith
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