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

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/

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
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• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

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