Here are the contents of our Family Newsletter:

• Holiday Gifts
• Family Update
• Publication Update
• New Writing Schedule for Hazel Creek
• Continuing to Write Guy Talk
• Nice Review of Bryson City Tales
• Events of the last month
• Upcoming Events

Holiday Gifts
It’s not to early to begin thinking about unique holiday gifts, and what could be more exclusive than receiving a best-selling book, autographed by the author, and personalized to the recipient. Most of my books are available for just such gifts. You can order them here. Better yet, some of them are on sale between now and Thanksgiving. Supplies are limited, so be sure to order yours now.
Family Update
We’ve had the most wonderful autumn in Colorado. It’s been unseasonably warm and, as a result, the color season in the trees has lasted longer than usual.
Last year, by this time, we had had two major snows. This year, not even a dusting, at least at our home. Of course, the mountains have had snow and a couple of the ski areas at higher elevations are already open.
We’ll miss the lazy days of summer, but as we head into a busy writing and speaking season, and begin, even now, holiday preparations, we hope all is well with you and yours.
Publishing Update
New Writing Schedule for Hazel Creek
Not too long ago, after I had just finished the final copy edits for my first solo novel, tentatively titled Hazel Creek, I was procrastinating about beginning the process of outlining and writing the second novel in the series.
Yet, for some reason, I had felt a check in my spirit for some weeks and never got started on the project. I wondered if I was lazy or whether it was that “still, quiet voice” of the Spirit. Now, I’ve learned why I was sensing the leading to wait:
My agent received an email from the editor at Howard saying:

Given the manuscript’s size—123,000 words—marketing had concerns that it’s too big for the price point.

Granted, we okayed the extra words—we were originally expecting about 90,000—and we can certainly go with the size it is.

But marketing pitched an idea that I think has merit. Jonathan (the publisher) and Becky (the head of the fiction division) are enthused about it as well. I’d like to get your thoughts before the idea germinates any further.

It was suggested that perhaps Walt could split this one book into two.

As I see it, the benefits to Walt would be:

• Each story would be in a more digestible size.
• Splitting one book is less work—presumably—than writing another whole one.
• Walt is new to fiction; we could release his second book in a timely manner after the first, and keep him fresh in readers’ minds.
• His contract would be fulfilled sooner, freeing him to tackle other projects. (I’m guessing he has some; he seems to have a fount of writing ideas!)

I’m excited and enthused about the idea, so I’ve gone to work implementing the suggestion. Since each book will end up being 70,000 – 80,000 words, I’ll be able to add some details I had left out of the first book. I still face additional edits, but overall this whole process should be much easier.
By the way, if you know anyone (or know anyone who knows anyone) who is a major fiction author that might be willing to look at the manuscript to consider an endorsement for me, please let me know.
Continuing to Write Guy Talk
I’m continuing my work on my newest book for young teen boys. It’s tentatively titled Guy Talk: A physician answers your not-so-stupid questions about your body. It’s a book for Christian boys and will deal with the very real questions boys have about puberty and all the changes that come with it.
I’m very fortunate to have the help of a group of pastors, theologians, physicians, parents, coaches, teachers, psychologists, and counselors who are reviewing the manuscript, as I write, to be sure it’s “medically reliable and Biblically sound.”
Also, I’m blessed that the Christian Medical and Dental Association will review the manuscript to consider endorsing it to their 17,000 members.
I don’t turn the manuscript in until early 2011, so I’m not expecting it to release until late 2011 or early 2012.
Nice Review of Bryson City Tales
Bryson City Tales, the first book of my Bryson City trilogy, has been on the shelves nearly 10 years, but it continues to garner positive reviews and sales – for which I’m very grateful. Here’s a very nice recent review:

A YOUNG MD’S FIRST YEAR – October 2010

Bryson City Tales by Walt Larimore, M.D. is a delightful true story of a young doctor’s first year of family practice.

The small town of Bryson City lies in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The people there are in need of young doctors to reinforce the present medical personnel, most of whom are nearing retirement.

Fresh out of Duke University Medical School, Larimore is trained in all the latest technology, but he finds that he has a lot to learn about the local people and their way of life.

He is also the coroner and the emergency physician on his shift. His patients, some of them animal, become his teachers in many ways.

As Dr. Larimore and his family settle into their new hometown, he shares his hopes, and dreams with the homespun warmth that is reminiscent of James Herriot’s stories. He reveals the character, motives, and sometimes the disappointments, of a first-year family doctor.

This is a warm, good-feeling read. I loved it.

Of course, my medical school days were spent at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans (I call it “Harvard on the Bayou”) and my family medicine residency and sports medicine training was at the Duke University Medical Center and Durham County General Hospital. But, nevertheless, as a young reader, I adored James Herriot’s books, and to be compared with him is a compliment I deeply cherish.
Events of the last month

• Oct 5 – 8, Barb and I were in San Antonio where we enjoyed a delightful visit with our dear friends, Dr. Fred and Marian Brown, and enjoyed the River Walk. On Tuesday evening, I spoke at the annual CMDA Banquet on the topic of “A Person is A Person, No Matter How Small: My journey into becoming a pro-life physician.”
• Then, on Wednesday evening, I spoke at the Christus Santa Rosa Medical Center on the topic of “The Spiritual History in Clinical Medicine.”
• Oct 15 – 16, I flew solo to Lincoln, Nebraska, and presented three talks on “His Brain, Her Brain: How Understanding the Differences Can Impact Personal & Professional Relationships” at the Critical Issues in Medicine Seminar at the BryanLGH Medical Center East Medical Center.
• Oct 23, Barb and I attended the annual Life Network Banquet and Silent Auction in Colorado Springs. It was a wonderful and very uplifting event and evening.
• Oct 27 – Nov 2, I served as a Visiting Professor at In His Image Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, OK.
• Oct 27 – Nov 2, Barb and Kate were in Baton Rouge to celebrate Kate’s birthday and to visit with Barb’s family.

Upcoming Events

• Nov 11-12, I’ll be in Louisville, KY, speaking twice at the Global Medical Missions Conference at Southeast Christian Church. This is the largest Christian medical missions conference in the world. It’s held every year and usually has between 2500 and 3000 young Christians who are praying about and considering becoming international missionaries.
• Nov 12-13, I’ll scurry back to Colorado Springs and out to the Rocky Mountains where Barb and I will attend a Life Network Board retreat.
• Nov 17, we’ll celebrate our 37^th wedding anniversary.
• Nov 25-28, we’ll enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving weekend together.
• Dec 2-5, Barb and I will travel to Asheville, NC, where I’ll address the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. Of course, we’re looking forward to visiting with old friends, especially Rick Pyertiz, MD, with whom I practiced in Bryson City, NC, from 1981-1985.
• Dec 9-14, Barb and I will be in Baton Rouge at a family reunion with Barb’s side of the family.

Past Issues

• October 2010
• September 2010
• August 2010

You can get more information on many of my upcoming events here. www.DrWalt.com/schedule