Silver Dagger Book Tours
  • Welcome!
  • Current Tours
    • Book Tours
  • Book a Tour
  • Open Sign Ups
  • Contact
  • About
  • Win a Book Tour!
  • Welcome!
  • Current Tours
    • Book Tours
  • Book a Tour
  • Open Sign Ups
  • Contact
  • About
  • Win a Book Tour!

A Light in the Darkness - Book Tour and Giveaway

2/5/2020

56 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

A Light in the Darkness
by Lisa A. Sniderman
Genre: Inspirational Memoir 

Picture
What can we do when we struggle with an illness that doesn't go away?

An inspirational story of the healing power of music, creativity, following your dreams and finding your true purpose.

In 2008, singer-songwriter Lisa Sniderman was living the dream in California. As Aoede, the Muse of Song, her star as a gifted recording artist was rising fast. Lisa’s quirky folk-pop performance style electrified audiences up and down the West Coast, and the albums just kept flowing. But just when her career was rocketing skyward, a health crisis brought all of her dreams crashing to the ground. Diagnosed with a rare, debilitating immune disorder called dermatomyositis (DM), Lisa struggled to maintain a normal life with a body in revolt and, eventually, to accept a new normal. Living with a chronic illness challenged Lisa to see DM as a gift in disguise that has opened the door to new dreams, new songs, and new opportunities. Lisa’s story is for you if you seek strength, new inspiration, hope, joy, healing, and if you or someone you love struggle with a chronic illness, disability, or unexpected life events. Her insights and reflections on her journey inspire hope and the courage to keep dreaming and living to the fullest no matter what life hurls at you.




Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo ​



Picture
Picture
​"Of all the ways I put myself out there, sharing my personal struggles is perhaps the most daunting. At times, especially because I’m almost always home, I feel like I’m hiding from the world, playing it safe indoors. Maybe that’s why I create light characters, focus on fantasy, and want to connect with my inner child. As I’ve taken on Aoede the Muse’s identity, inspiring others, I’m disinclined to share the scary, icky, fearful, sad, negative feelings—the secret spaces where I’ve stuffed my skeletons. I tell myself I have to put on a smile and be upbeat, not show weakness or have self-doubt. It’s much easier to tell the world that all is beautiful than to admit that living with a chronic illness is harder than anything I’ve ever faced; that some days it’s exhausting to get out of bed, despite my positive attitude and optimism; that I get tired of thinking and talking about being sick, and just plain being sick; that the endless therapies, drug cocktails, and unwanted side effects keep me on a roller coaster; that I resent having precious moments of my life replaced with 156 doctors’ appointments; that I wish I had more stamina for being in the world; that I wonder where David’s and my relationship would be had I never gotten 
sick--if he didn’t have to do all the shopping, cleaning, cooking, and driving, and we had an equal partnership instead of a caretaker-patient relationship. This is the stuff I used to keep to myself, choosing instead to share the positive accomplishments, the milestones, and the fulfillment of dreams I’ve decided others want to hear about.”

​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede, is an award-winning, quirky, folk-pop artist, playwright, filmmaker, and author from San Francisco who creates to heal. She creates and records unique, original full-length fantasy musicals on audiobooks that she adapts to musical theater stage plays. She’s been honored with more than 80 awards for songwriting, audiobooks, films, stage plays and books since 2012 all while suffering from a rare autoimmune disease: dermatomyositis, a progressive muscle weakness disease. Lisa’s mission is to be a light and a muse by inspiring, engaging, empowering, connecting with, encouraging, and supporting young adults and kids at heart of all ages, challenges, and abilities through original art and music. She fosters healing by “giving your creative spirit wings and inspiring you to share your story.”

Lisa’s new memoir, A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude, chronicles 10 years living with chronic illness while creating to heal. Through confessions and life lessons, Lisa offers support, compassion, strength, connection, encouragement, motivation, and hope-a light in the darkness-to those battling chronic illness, disability and unexpected life challenges.

Lisa founded an online community of artists creating to heal and collaborated with more than 50 artists who are also creating to heal, culminating in an online video showcase and live multi-media performances in December 2018.


Website * Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * YouTube ​



Picture
Can you tell us a little about your book?  When did it come out and where can we get it?
My new memoir, “A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude,” is an inspirational story of the healing power of music and creativity, following your dreams and finding your true purpose. It chronicles 10 years of my battling and coming to peace with a rare chronic illness-a progressive muscle weakness disease called dermatomyositis (DM)- while obsessively creating to heal, and offers support, compassion, inspiration, connection, and encouragement to those who need it most-especially those experiencing transformations: illness, disability, or unexpected life challenges. In it, I share my journey of plunging into and through the darkness, my reflections, confessions, insights, and life lessons, to inspire hope and the courage to keep dreaming and living life to the fullest no matter what life hurls at you.
You can find it on Amazon and through my website, and it is now also available as an Audiobook, which includes some bonus tracks, like a new Epilogue and song “Keep Shining” I recorded earlier this year in collaboration with 20+ other artists as a reminder to never give up.


2) So, what inspired you to write your book?  How did you get into writing memoirs?
In 2016, when I had been living with DM for more than eight years, it hit me that I had never really processed my illness; never let myself feel deeply the loss of independence from being hospitalized and rendered unable to move my muscles; never allowed myself to delve into the darkness, my twisting spiral staircase of a journey into chronic illness, and the vulnerability of sharing my weaknesses, that became my reality. Instead for years, I donned my artist persona, Aoede, the Muse of Song in Greek mythology, and created bright, light, happy, uplifting, positive, feel good, childlike, quirky pop songs and full-length fantasy musicals melding mythology, magic and music, to counter the darkness I was experiencing and living with daily. I discovered music and art are my lifelines, and I cannot stop creating! But creating and expressing, donning my “Aoede” artist hat, doesn’t go far enough. I’ve discovered a yearning to be part of something bigger than myself and to affect change. Helping others navigate their own personal darkness continues to be an important part of my own recovery. I’m learning that the acts of creating and sharing my story, music or art and allowing myself to be vulnerable can also inspire you to live your dreams, open your heart, empower you to share your story and help you heal. I was inspired to write my memoir to speak to and inspire those struggling with chronic illness, disability, and unexpected life challenges (and those who love them).

I wanted to write to inspire my readers, which led to me selecting memoir as my genre. I had struggled with the tone of the story, initially sharing it with my editor as a diary and inviting the reader in to my secrets and confessions, but revised the structure to be more universal and to share coping strategies and life lessons via each of my chapters (e.g., Redefining Success, Facing Your Fears, Putting Yourself Out There). This also allowed me to plunge deeper than just relaying an account of my day-to day experiences allowed me, and to share more personal thoughts and reflections on my journey.


3) What, do you feel, sets this book apart from other books in the genre? 
My honesty, personal qualities (e.g., I include quotes, many color photos along the way, inviting the reader in to see the people and places I describe and spend a chapter sharing about the beautiful family and friends that served as role models and cheerleaders); it isn’t a cookbook self-help approach, but rather stories, life lessons, reflections I gained and share from my journey will illness. I also include as back matter, questions for reflection, resources, and many life lessons, to inspire and encourage someone else along their way. By sharing my story in a way that the reader can relate, by showing them that whatever life hurls at them, they can still have hope and follow their dreams,
In a review, one reader reflected and shared:
“The details of her journey to continue her abundant life despite her health challenges is like no other I've ever known or read about. The joy that she lives, and her many accomplishments, are so far beyond what most completely healthy people I know have ever dreamed of. The book is packed with beautiful and inspiring quotes, many engaging photos of Lisa's life, and wonderful anecdotes of how she has not just been coping with her illness, but thriving, stretching, growing, becoming, and being a true light in the darkness despite it.”


4) I’m sure readers are curious about your next writing project.  Can you tell us what you’ve got cooking up now or is that a secret?
When I considered how best to share my story, I realized I wanted most to collaborate with other artists who were creating to heal. In May 2018, I put out a call to passionate musicians and artists who have also turned to creativity to help them heal to collaborate on a special “Lights in the Darkness” event in December 2018, focused on shining our lights and the art of healing. I was so overwhelmed by interest and offers to participate that I started an online Facebook community: "Lights in the Darkness-Creating to Heal," which has grown to 200+ artists. Between August and November, I interviewed via video 45 artists, musicians and authors from around the world who use creativity to heal. In December, I produced two related ‘Lights in the Darkness’ events in collaboration with more than 50 artists: “Lights in the Darkness-Conversations on Creating to Heal” an online video showcase featuring interviews and stories with 45 artists, and “Lights in the Darkness-Creating to Heal,” a live/streaming online multi-media event where artists and musicians shared personal stories, songs, their art and their hearts.

My vision is to share how we’ve become lights for others through our stories, music and art. We all battle our own darkness, life challenges and illnesses. Many of us have turned to arts and music as a healing path. We create, record, and perform our music; write our stories; make and share our art to express But we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Through doing what we do, we help others who may be battling something similar. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, it opens the door for others to share their stories.
As I struggle with living with chronic illness, I realize my remaining challenges are continuing to create, connect, and be part of community while at home on limited energy. This realization has helped me get to the next part of my journey to foster healing: I want to bring people together virtually to help others struggling with chronic illness and limited energy thrive through creating, connecting and community. I plan to create a virtual summit: How to Thrive With Chronic Illness and Limited Energy in July 2020, and am spending time this year recording video interviews from 60 expert speakers: thriving artists who also battle illness, medical experts, thought leaders, spiritual teachers and healers, alternative practitioners, online support networks, creative (music, art, drama) therapists, to share effective coping strategies, practices, resources, tips, life lessons and more helping people to thrive.

This has also sparked my next musical project-a spoken word album on the stages of grief and thriving that I am writing and recording now, and will also be inspiration for my next book!

Lastly, I recently collaborated with 20+ “lights in the darkness” artists who contributed vocals for a new recording for a song I wrote called “Keep Shining,” a powerful anthem reminding us to never give up. The music video shares my story and struggle with rare illness, disability and recovery. It has been selected for multiple film festivals and awards of recognition, and is being considered for Grammy Awards :) 

​
​
Picture
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Feb 5

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Choose Life Choose Words - GUEST POST

Feb 6
Java John Z's
Lisa Everyday Reads

Feb 7
Literary Gold
Musings From An Addicted Reader

Feb 8
Book Fanatics
Scrupulous Dreams

Feb 9
Anna del C. Dye official page
Teatime and Books

Feb 10
A Pinch of Bookdust
Bedazzled By Books

Feb 11
Books,Dreams,Life
Inside the Insanity - GUEST POST

Feb 12
A Wonderful World of Words
Mythical Books

Feb 13
Luv Saving Money
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read

Feb 14
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
Craving Lovely Books

Feb 15
Insane Books
The Book Dragon

Feb 16
Midnight Book Reader
The Bookshelf Fairy

Feb 17
Maiden of the Pages
Girl with Pen

Feb 18
Inside the Insanity
Sylv.net

Feb 19
Janise's Jivin' Book Blog
Pen Possessed

Feb 20
The Sexy Nerd 'Revue'
Book Club Gone Wrong

Feb 21
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee
4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼

Feb 22
❧Defining Ways❧
Taryn Jameson

Feb 23
Book Corner News and Reviews

Feb 24
ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ - GUEST POST
Readeropolis - GUEST POST

Feb 25
nanasbookreviews
T's Stuff

Feb 26
Reviews and Promos by Nyx

Feb 27
Books all things paranormal and romance
Books, Authors, Blogs

Feb 28
Dragon's Den
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'

Feb 29
Book-Lover
Twisted Book Ramblings

Mar 1
The Scratching Post

Mar 2
Plain Talk Book Marketing - GUEST POST
Breanna Hayse Romance

Mar 3
TNT Book Promotions
A Blend of Sass and Class Blog
T.L. Gray Blog

Mar 4
michellemengsbookblog - REVIEW
eBook Addicts

Mar 5
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
Chapters through life
​

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Picture
56 Comments
Bea LaRocca
2/5/2020 06:00:17 am

I love the cover for your memoir. Thank you for sharing your book details

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 10:10:10 am

Thank you so much! I really loved the idea for the lighthouse and was inspired by a painting.

Reply
Beyond Comps
2/5/2020 07:52:48 am

Great cover!

Reply
Lisa A Sniderman link
2/5/2020 12:56:45 pm

Thank you kindly! The artist really did an amazing job with it!

Reply
Kelly D
2/5/2020 08:50:23 am

I like the cover, it is very scenic.

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:50:40 pm

thank you-I loved the lighthouse as a central theme, and the idea of it looking more like a painting... <3

Reply
Rita Wray
2/5/2020 10:03:26 am

Sounds like a good read.

Reply
Calvin
2/5/2020 11:47:51 am

Really wonderful design, uplifting themes.

Reply
Lisa Ann Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:54:32 pm

Thank you so much! Glad the cover and themes are resonating... <3

Reply
Lisa A Sniderman link
2/5/2020 02:36:56 pm

Thank you so much! Glad the cover and themes are resonating... <3

Reply
Sherry
2/5/2020 04:17:27 pm

Sounds like a very good book.

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:53:47 pm

So glad the description is resonating with you! <3

Reply
wendy hutton
2/5/2020 04:52:00 pm

sounds like an interesting book

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:53:13 pm

Thank you... hope it will resonate with and inspire you if you read it! <3

Reply
Debbie P
2/5/2020 05:46:31 pm

This sounds like a very good read. Beautiful cover!

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:52:37 pm

Thank you-may something from my story inspire you on your journey if you read it! <3

Reply
Lynn CLAYTON
2/5/2020 08:28:06 pm

nice cover looks like a great read

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:52:09 pm

Thank you so much-hope you find something from my story to inspire you on your journey if you read it!

Reply
Terri Quick
2/5/2020 09:14:24 pm

Beautiful cover

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/5/2020 11:51:30 pm

So appreciate and glad it is resonating!

Reply
Shannon Holmes
2/6/2020 12:40:15 am

I love the cover and sounds like a great book to read.

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/7/2020 01:52:25 am

Thanks for your comment-and hope something in my story inspires you on your journey if you read it <3

Reply
jenn fike
2/6/2020 08:35:10 am

I love this cover

Reply
Lisa A. Sniderman link
2/7/2020 01:53:05 am

thank you Jenn! I loved how the artist created this-it was inspired by a painting..

Reply
jenn fike
2/7/2020 08:03:04 am

Great cover!

Reply
Victoria Scott
2/7/2020 08:26:37 am

Sounds like a great read! Thank you so much for sharing!

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:11:21 pm

So appreciate! If you read it, hope my story inspires you! <3

Reply
Julie Lundstrom
2/7/2020 01:22:44 pm

I love the cover and would love to read this book.

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:12:04 pm

Thank you Julie! I hope if you read it, something from my story will inspire you!

Reply
AuntySuzany
2/9/2020 01:10:45 am

Sounds inspiring! Love the cover! so much for sharing!

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:12:37 pm

SO appreciate!! Thank you for sharing as well!

Reply
Mood Reader
2/16/2020 09:48:33 pm

Looks great!

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:12:59 pm

Thank you!

Reply
Piroska
2/17/2020 01:25:51 pm

I love the cover! Very inspiring story.

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:13:42 pm

Thank you! The cover was inspired by a lighthouse painting.. and I hope you get a chance to read it!

Reply
beth shepherd
2/24/2020 12:48:35 pm

I really like the cover! It def draws me in. Thank you

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:14:21 pm

Thank you Beth! I hope you get to read it and that something from my story inspires you!

Reply
Wendy Jensen
2/27/2020 01:28:05 pm

Beautiful book cover. I only quality for half of this giveaway as I don't read ebooks.

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:14:48 pm

thank you Wendy!

Reply
Daniel M
2/27/2020 07:00:25 pm

like the cover

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:15:11 pm

Appreciate Daniel!

Reply
Heather Mahley
2/28/2020 04:07:31 pm

SOunds like a good read

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:15:50 pm

Thanks Heather! If you do read it, I hope something from my story will resonate with you on your journey!

Reply
Jess Duke
2/28/2020 10:50:59 pm

Gorgeous cover! Great design and I'd definitely pick it up and read it.

Reply
Lisa Sniderman link
3/1/2020 12:16:21 pm

thank you Jess! Appreciate and glad it resonates with you!

Reply
Val Ledesma
3/1/2020 01:17:08 pm

What inspired you to choose those vibrant bright blues ?

Reply
Mya Murphy
3/1/2020 01:17:20 pm

I collect lighthouses, and this cover is so gorgeous!!

Reply
susan smoaks
3/2/2020 11:30:35 am

i like the cover. i would like to read this.

Reply
Danielle Day
3/3/2020 04:59:27 pm

I like it!

Reply
Sarah Oswald
3/3/2020 09:57:00 pm

I love the look of the book cover.

Reply
Scarlett A
3/5/2020 06:48:36 am

Looks like a great book!

Reply
Judy Gregory
3/5/2020 08:36:20 am

Great cover.

Reply
Hesper Fry
3/5/2020 06:55:19 pm

I really like the book cover.

Reply
Stacey A Smith
3/5/2020 08:42:03 pm

the cover is lovely have always loved the looks of light houses .

Reply
Sand
3/5/2020 09:27:44 pm

It's a lovely cover!

Reply
Jerry Marquardt
3/5/2020 11:09:08 pm

I would like to give thanks for all your really great writings, including A Light in the Darkness, and wishing the best in keeping up the good work in the future.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Win a FREE tour here!
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Sign up for tour updates!

    New tours. All genres. All ages. All the time.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Activity Book
    Adventure
    African American
    Alt History
    Anthology
    Apocalyptic
    Audiobook
    Australian
    Bdsm
    Billionaire Romance
    Biography
    Chick Lit
    Childrens
    Christian
    Coloring Book
    Comedy
    Coming Of Age
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporaryromance
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Cozymystery
    Cozy Mystery
    Crime
    Cyberpunk
    Dark
    Dark Romance
    Drama
    Dystopian
    Educational
    Epic Fantasy
    Eroticromance
    Erotic Romance
    Fairytale
    Fantasy
    Fantasy Romance
    Financial
    Giveaway-hop
    Gothic
    Graphic-novel
    Health And Wellness
    Historical
    Historicalromance
    Historical Romance
    Holiday
    Horror
    Humorous
    Inspirational
    Legal Thriller
    Lgbtq
    Literaryfiction
    Mafiaromance
    Mafia Romance
    Magicrealism
    Magic Realism
    Mcromance
    Mc Romance
    Memoir
    Menage
    Middlegrade
    Middle Grade
    Military
    Mystery
    Mythology
    Native American
    Newadult
    New Adult
    Nonfiction
    Paranormal
    Paranormalromance
    Paranormal Romance
    Parenting
    Pets
    Poetry
    Politics
    Postapocalyptic
    Pulp-fiction
    Reverseharemromance
    Reverse Harem Romance
    Rockstarromance
    Rockstar-romance
    Romance
    Romantasy
    Romanticcomedy
    Romantic Comedy
    Romanticsuspense
    Romantic Suspense
    Satirical
    Sciencefiction
    Science Fiction
    Scifi
    Scifiromance
    Scifi Romance
    Selfhelp
    Shortstories
    Short Stories
    Special Needs
    Special-Needs
    Speculativefiction
    Speculative Fiction
    Sportsromance
    Steampunk
    Supernatural
    Suspense
    Sweetromance
    Thriller
    Timetravel
    Time Travel
    Travel
    Urban
    Urbanfantasy
    Urban Fantasy
    Western
    Womensfiction
    Womens Fiction
    Youngadult
    Young-adult
    Youngadultya
    Young Adult Ya

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016