Ken Miller

Author of Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment: Medical Specialists and Cancer Survivors Tell You What You Need To Know (Johns Hopkins)

Read the review here.

When did you think about becoming a writer?

Our oldest daughter Cara was born deaf and we had to make difficult decisions regarding communicating with her with American Sign Language or using an oral approach. We leaned quite a bit from reading a book, Choices in Deafness which provided factual information and the stories of families who had made similar decisions before us.

At the same time I was training in Oncology. I was interested, fascinated, and even amazed about how women with the same diagnosis would make very different decisions regarding their care. I decided about twenty years ago that I wanted to write, Choices in Breast Cancer.

Any particular story to tell concerning the writing of this book?

I wrote this book without any guarantee that a publisher would accept it.

I sent it to the Johns Hopkins Press who initially did not accept it BUT left the door open for revisions. Together with a Developmental Editor, Jean Silver-Isenstedt, we made some major organizational changes. When we resubmitted it the Johns Hopkins Press loved the book and agreed to publish it!

What some good advice that you've received concerning writing? Whats some advice that you could offer young writers?

If you are convinced that you have a good idea- go for it! Write it but be willing to invite feedback and make changes.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on "Walking in our patients' shoes"- a collection of essays from clinicians , including myself, about what it is like to be ill.