Book Title: Held Together: A True Story of Love’s Victory by Jenny Q
Category: Adult Non-Fiction; 456 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: BookBaby
Release date: June 1, 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Graphic medical procedures, some bad language)

Synopsis

In January of 2014, Joshua Tree’s beloved village herbalist, Jenny Q. suddenly became seriously ill and rapidly descended into a coma with slender chance of survival. The shock of this news initiated an overwhelming outpouring of love, wit, service, practical magic and sharing of spiritual wisdom between those in her intimate desert community. Indeed it seemed that the entire group became one in their desperate effort and race against the clock to save her life.

While the words of others in the community tell the story in this book, it is Jenny’s own insightful writings that provide a fascinating window into a range of rare experiences. She gives us a unique glimpse into the mysterious worlds encountered while in a coma, the absolute alteration of losing one’s legs, the subtle venom of PTSD, the nightmare of withdrawal from prescription opiates, and the maddening frustration of having to re-learn basic skills previously taken for granted such as the ability to walk.

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Interview

Today we are blessed to have Jenny Q visiting and she shares some insight into the book and herself.

What is your next project?

I have been asked to write about my life on the road when I was in my twenties. I was following the Grateful Dead with a crew of close friends, who now lead creative and artistic lives.

I am gnawing on the idea of another collaborative memoir, gathering stories from those friends and weaving them together with my own writings, as I did with my first book, Held Together.

This book is about a health crisis that you endured. Did the writing of this book contribute to your healing?

I decided to gather submissions from community members and tell the story from many perspectives, as much for an experimental approach as for a tool to generate suspense. With each essay I received, I learned something new about my journey, as I was unconscious or in a dream state much of that time. Gathering those stories was cathartic and helped me piece back together bits of myself.

What were some of the personal obstacles you had to overcome in writing and releasing your memoir?

This book is about such a tumultuous time in my life, the greatest health crisis I have endured. I decided to make myself completely vulnerable. I am from a traditional Palestinian home, and being so totally open is not smiled upon in my culture. Many times, I wondered if I would have to courage to actually publish the book I was working so hard on.

Do you snack while writing?

As I am generally writing at 4:30 in the morning, I always have a mug of espresso in hand.

If I am writing late at night, I wouldn’t turn down a bowl of popcorn!

What do you hope the publishing and success of this book will bring?

Actually, I do have an agenda!

As an RN, I would like to speak to health care professionals about my experience to help with the development of sepsis protocols.

I would also love to visit new amputees, to help them overcome their fear and trauma. Post traumatic stress is terrifying for everyone in a family, and I would love to be a support. What gave me courage to expose so much of my vulnerabilities was my desire to reach out to others who have had trauma or have disabilities. It can feel so lonely.

Trailer

About the Author

Jenny Q was born in Southern California to Palestinian immigrants. Her love of herbs began in her teens while on the road following the Grateful Dead. After exploring many heart homes, she set her roots in Joshua Tree, California, where she opened Grateful Desert, the local apothecary. Joyously sharing her life with her tight-knit desert community, Jenny lives with her beloveds~ Yazzy, her daughter and Myshkin, her wife.

​Website

Giveaway

Prizes: Win a copy of Held Together by Jenny Q (5 print copies and 15 ebook copies) open to USA & CAN / 20 winners total

(ends Oct 6, 2018)

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