Query Letter

SURVIVING IN SPITE OF MYSELF is my 50,000 word account of my own mental illnesss and that of others.  It takes place in the 1970's through the early 1990's.  It starts in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Goes toVentura, California, then back to Salt Lake City.

Entering a room with a red tile floor, I see a table, chairs a pool table and some people gathered around.  This is part of a mental health center in Utah.  The room was filled with smoke.  People visiting, laughing, arguing. Some were sitting quietly.  A couple of guys were playing pool.  In the middle of this chaos, someone yells, "Beam up their intestines!  Do it Zorro!

I have lived more than half of my life as a consumer of mental health services.  We mentally ill people seem to have our own community.  This is a true story about our struggles and our relationships.  Its about being treated like sadistic freaks who people need to fear.  It's about people trying to support each other and watching as some of our friends lose their battles.  It is about breakthroughs in psychiatric medicine that has changed peoples lives miraculously.

This account visits hospitals, crisis centers, emergency room and residential treatment centers.  It provides first hand insight into different kinds of mental illness and their manifestation.  It includes many crisis situations and resolutions.  As you read you will meet some of us individually.  Take a look.  We're not too frightening.

I have been certified as a mental health case manager and a peer mentor.  I led a writing group and edited a newsletter for Valley Mental Health, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have attended several writing classes.  The Utah Association of Personal Histories has published one of my stories in their book, "One World, Many Stories."  I attended their Fall conferance.  NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.) published one of my poems in their literary booklet., "Voices of the Mentally Ill."
 I received an award from Valley Mental Health for my "Insperational Recover.) in the year 2011

With you aurthorization, I will gladly send you a copy of my manuscript.