More than Meets the Eye: Yvonne Perry

Book Title: More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife: Yvonne Perry
Published: BookSurge Publishing (9 Jun 2005)
ISBN: 9780975387061
Genre: Mind, Body and Spirit

Price: £21.19

Summary: Including a commentary by Dr. Aaron Milstone of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, More Than Meets the Eye: True Stories About Death, Dying and Afterlife covers many aspects of the dying and grieving process. Perry uses true stories to look squarely in the face of euthanasia, suicide, near-death experience, post-mortem processes, hospice care, assisting the passing of a loved one, spirit visits from deceased loved ones and other topics people are somewhat reluctant to talk about. The book offers non-religious information and insight to assist people in finding peace about the mysterious process of transitioning back to God/Source. A legal document that may be used as a living will is included in the appendix. Read more at www.yvonneperry.net/books.htm or purchase at Amazon.co.uk

What is your book about? More Than Meets the Eye gives information to alleviate the fear of death; comfort caregivers, friends and family of a person who is near the end of life, or has recently passed and provides understanding for those who have had a near-death experience and lived to tell about it. Insight from Dr. Aaron Milstone, Medical Director of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Lung Transplant Program about why physicians are ill-equipped to deal with death and are unable to comfort dying patients or their families.

Other discussion points include:

Why people sense the presence of their loved ones near them during the funeral, graveside ceremony and in the days following.

Reasons we should address end of life issues with family members.

Understanding emotions regarding sorrow, grief, loss and guilt.

How to tell if death is about to occur for a critically ill patient and how to assist a loved one in gently departing.

Dealing with the emotional devastation of a loved one’s suicide and signs that indicate someone may be suicidal.

Discussion about euthanasia.

There’s also a legal copy of a Living Will, also known as an Advanced Health Care Directive included in the book and on my website www.yvonneperry.net/books.htm.

Why did you write the book? I have experienced the loss of several loved ones and understand the grief felt by those on this side of their passing. I’ve been by the bedside of family members who suffered prior to their passing and felt I had something to offer care givers. I also know that the deceased tend to attempt to communicate with us. Many people don’t like to talk about this, but I feel it is an important part of the process and it should be understood as well.

I think most people are afraid of things they do not understand, and they either try to avoid the matter or find a way to invalidate their experience. The American view of death and the afterlife is deeply rooted in fearful superstition and religious dogma that suggests punishment for sin. Much of this does not align with the experiences had by people who have had a glimpse of the other side. Due to fear of being rejected by family, friends and religious organizations, people are not comfortable sharing anything that veers from the path of what society considers “normal.”

I find that when I talk about my spiritual experiences, people are genuinely interested and they feel safe enough to share similar encounters they have had. Once the ice is broken, they find the conversation so comforting and liberating, they want to read my book.

Where did you get your inspiration from? I have always been curious about the other side, but while my uncle was on life support for almost a year, I kept sensing that I was being visited by his spirit. Moments after he passed away, (before my mother called to share the news) I heard my uncle’s voice in my head and knew that he had passed. He told me what songs he wanted me to play and sing at his funeral. I hadn’t yet been asked to play, but when my mother did call to tell me my uncle had passed, she also requested I sing and play for the funeral. Of course the songs my aunt picked were the same songs my uncle had requested during his supernatural visit. I sensed my uncle’s presence at the ceremony so strongly that I could only smile while everyone else was crying. To me, he had not “gone” anywhere. He was closer than ever.

How does your book differ from others that are similar? It not only gives information to help people understand what to expect before, during and after death but how to deal with the emotional experience, physical challenges and spiritual insight it provides.

Why did you choose POD? I did not want to spend my time and energy trying to convince a publisher that my work had merit or that they could make money on it. Instead, I wanted to offer encouragement to the people who need it now. POD allowed me to do this with a quality product that I feel proud of.

What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of this method? My book is not on the shelves in bricks and mortar bookstores; however, the book probably wouldn’t be on their shelves if I had gone with a conventional publisher either. Shelf space is hard to come by. My book may be ordered if a patron requests it in a bookstore, but many people make their purchases online these days so I don’t feel that I’m missing sales just because I chose POD.

How did you market your book? At first I promoted it to my friends and family. I sold 200 copies right off the bat. I didn’t do much to promote the book after the initial launch. My second book RIGHT TO RECOVER Winning the Political and Religious Wars over Stem Cell Research in America just came out this month. When it started selling, More Than Meets the Eye also started selling again. In fact More Than Meets the Eye is ahead of RIGHT TO RECOVER in the US Amazon ranks and I’ve spent $4,000 marketing it!

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome? Learning how to market my book and coming up with the money to do so.

What would you say to others considering POD? These days the author is expected to do much of the marketing regardless of how a book is published. Having a conventional publisher might have given me some money in advance to do some marketing, but sales would have to justify my keeping the advance. If you think you have a marketable product and you are willing to market your book, POD is the way to go.

Where can I get a copy of your book? More Than Meets the Eye is available in the UK at http://www.amazon.co.uk/