Where to Buy / About the Book

Q.  Hey!  I’m in Bogota and I wanted to pick up a copy of your book.  Where can I get it locally?

A.  At Author’s Bookstore & Cafe on Calle 70 # 5-23 Bogotá Colombia..

The owner, Steve is a transplanted American.  He’s also supernice and helpful..

Otherwise – the book is widely available on-line at Amazon.com,  Barnes & Noble, iTunes and multiple other on-line outlets in paper and digital formats.  We also have a Spanish version.

The biggest question I get about the book, after Why Medical Tourism? – from potential readers, friends, and the doctors I am interviewing is always the same:

Who is pays for this/ who is paying you?

The answers, as always, are the same.

1.  No one pays me.  I pay all the costs of my research myself – out of dwindling retirement (the money kept disappearing down a stock market black hole anyway -so at least now I am using it.)  I am here in Colombia writing this book – because I think it’s important. I will get paid when /and if people buy the book.

2.  I don’t have a big publishing house supporting me because:

A.) they rarely do that for unknown authors, (and I am certainly unknown)

B.) they don’t feel there is a need or a market for a book like this (or at least that’s what they keep telling me.)

3. No – the government of Colombia is not supporting me - I don’t know anyone in Colombian government – and I doubt that they would be interested in the work of a (unknown american) nurse – in a country that doesn’t always value nurses very highly.  (I did write to President Santos once as a lark – and surprisingly, he sent back a nice note!)

4. No – the doctors do not pay me – that would completely invalidate the work that I do – it wouldn’t be an independent/ unbiased review..  That would be an advertisement – and we have enough of that already.. It was the need for unbiased review that led to the idea for my surgical tourism books in the first place.

The doctors I interview participate out of: curiosity (I am a bit of a novelty), genuine interest in surgical tourism, or sometimes just generousness of spirit (‘sure, I’ll see her since she’s all the way here in Bogota’)..

I do it because it’s my passion.. I love what I do as a nurse practitioner – that connection and trust I have with my patients – and I feel that this is part of that.. Patients asked me about surgical tourism – and I felt compelled to find out more, and to have strong, solid research and evidence behind me to pass on.

I hope that answers your questions  – keep writing!

More book news:

Anticipated completion date is August 2011.  I will be offering an e-book version for all of my readers living and working here in Colombia.

Further information about the book, and where to find it will be updated soon.

Hidden Gem: A Guide to Surgical Tourism in Cartagena, Colombia is widely available on-line, including e-book formats for travellers.. The book website has evolved into a medical discussion page, but includes book updates and Cartagena news since book publication in July 2010.

11 March 2011

Renewed my visa so I can continue writing and interviewing physicians here in Bogota for another few months.. Book is about half-way done, but all this writing and racing around are definately taking a bit of a toll – but at the same time, of course, I love it.

21 March 2011

Well, of course I couldn’t let a holiday weekend pass without working! Since the ORs are closed, I’ve been reviewing my interview notes, editing and working on the cover.

I wanted something different for this cover – something that coveys the energy and the feel of Bogota so I have been looking for some photo editing software – and it looks like I may have finally found exactly what I need.. In exchange for the licensed software – I have promised to review it here.. That seems fair enough..

It’s a program to make photo collages – and I am trying to use it to arrange all of the great photos I have of Colombia into coverart to submit for the book cover. (I have a specific look in mind – and I have a hard time conveying it to others.) So after I play with the program a bit – I’ll let you know how it goes. Here’s a preliminary view – still have to get a few more photographs.. (Hopefully, I’ll get a few more this week.)

So the program is called Picture Collage Maker Pro- and you can find it at www.picturecollagesoftware.com. I am still figuring out all the ins and outs of the program, but so far it looks like it will work pretty well for my purposes.. It seems pretty easy to use, just pick your photos and arrange them.. (Actually, I was surprised when I tried all my other photo software that I couldn’t do this already.)

I’m sure the cover will change over the next few months, so keep stopping by.

25 March 2011  – Evolving Cover News:

Let me know if you think it’s too busy, tacky or just ugly..  It’s still a work in progress, so I’m sure it will change over the next few months. I have to say that I love it – but I guess that’s because all the pictures represent a lot of interviews and hard work..

7 April 2011

Looks like I am getting near the end – sad and relieved at the same time.. (worried about running out of money, but enjoying writing every day..) I miss working with my patients everyday – so I will be glad to get back to cardiothoracic surgery..

Up past 200 pages already – and I reduced the font..  (recommended is 12 but that’s too big – now down to 10..  won’t go any smaller because that’s not readable..) But I want to keep the book small and portable, so people will find it convenient and keep it handy.

10 April 2011
On page 220.. Still writing away furiously..

12 April 2011  – Book description for retail sales channels:

Surgical Tourism comes to Bogota! The author of Hidden Gem: A Guide to Surgical Tourism in Cartagena, Colombia now brings you the full story of the hospitals, treatments, and physicians of Bogota, Colombia. Methodically researched, this book takes you behind the closed doors of the operating room to tell you what you need to know. This guide is essential for more than just the surgical tourist – this is a must have for anyone traveling to, living or working in Bogota, Colombia.
Detailed chapters on multiple surgical specialties: including cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, bariatrics and more. Comprehensive information and guide to preparing, and undergoing surgery as a medical tourist; what to bring, what to ask, when to call the doctor, and where to go in an emergency.

7 May 2011 –

Wow!!  Book is really starting to come together – well over 200 pages – with font down to 10 point (still very readable), just completing the last interviews – last Bogota details, some other research.. and then – editing!

In other news – I have found the absolutely perfect place for a party when I return to Colombia.. I am calling it a ‘book party’ because I will be bringing the first copies of the book  – but it’s really a thank you party to all the people that have been so wonderful to me over these months..

It’s going to be at a charming little bookshop (what else?) called Authors on Calle 70, No 5 – 23.  They specialize in English language books..  August 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm

It’s the perfect, a slightly laid- back, relaxing place, in the neighborhood where I have spent so much time.  It’s one of those places that makes you want to pull up and chair and chat with friends, or read that novel you’ve been hanging on to..

Not sure how successful I will be at arranging a party from another country – but we’ll see!

- come down to Bogota and join me.

12 May 2011 – Drug Guide

The updated drug guide, written and reviewed by Dr. Albert Klein, PharmD is complete!

Follow @GlobalRN2