The next step in an author's life...

It's done, the book, I mean. But, my book journey is not. Once it's written, publisher is found, cover design created, forward written, and book printed, the easy part begins....NOT!
I'm currently busy with marketing and PR for the book. Looking for people who want to talk about it, tell their friends about it, and have energy to read it. I think it's interesting and nobody has written anything like it. They couldn't, it's full of my stories and my experiences. I'm pleased with it and ready for folks to check it out and see what a woman goes through behind the scenes in sport radio/TV. I'm not finished with my career, this is just a stop along the way. Now is the time to focus on getting it out there, and sharing it with the world.
I want my book to motivate young people to follow their dreams. I want them to have dreams that they believe will come true. Mine did, the dreams are still percolating in my brain and I'm still pushing to attain them all and fulfill the goals I've set for myself and the new ones that come up in my life.
2012...Here I come! Be ready, I'm unstoppable!!!

This is the slooooooow time...

The truck showed up with the final copies. I can't believe I'm at this place in my life. I did write a book, and it got published. Oh yeah!!!
Now I will market, promote and continue to dream big.

I'll dream about little girls reading it.
I'll dream about young boys reading it.
I'll dream about aspiring sports reporters and talk show hosts reading it.
I'll dream about broadcasting students reading it.
I'll dream about current talk show hosts discussing it.
I'll dream about TV sports reporters talking about it.
I'll dream about guys I used to work with reading it and feeling good that I made it through their tough personalities.
I'll dream about the good guys in sports, the ones who supported and believed in me, even though I was different.
I'll dream about knowing I made it through to this side and still want to work in the business.
I'll dream about getting back on the radio and being passionate about sports again.

I've been a little down lately, wondering if anyone will even find the book interesting. I know the stories are different than any others, but will people care? I sure hope so!

Go to the website, buy the book, then tell me, because I want your honesty, like I have offered you. My book is not going to win a Pulitzer Prize or any literary awards, but it's interesting and entertaining!!!

Now, will people buy it?

I wrote it. I re-wrote it. I re-wrote it again and again and again. We edited it, we edited more. We read it, we read it again and again. I read it more. My publisher read it more. My mom read it more.
It goes to print...
We wait...
We wait...
We wait...

It comes off the truck in nine boxes.
The truck driver opens one box.
He holds up the book.
It's mine, my book, the book I wrote!!!

He unloads the boxes into my garage.
I stand alone in the garage and open a book.
I wrote a freakin' book!!!

I notice a couple mistakes, one on the cover and one on the title page.
I try not to freak.
I freak.
The book signing is in five days.
How do we fix that???

We fix the cover.
We re-cover all of the nine boxes of books.
We have a great turnout and an amazing book signing.
We sell out that day.

We fix the errors.
Now it's all on pre-order at www.cjsilas.net.

I wait now.
I market now.
I promote now.

Then...I hope...and wait...and hope and wait.
Now, we wait, we wait, we hope, I hope...I know.

Dreams are more than that...

Heading out this morning to speak to an assembly of over 250 5th and 6th graders at Taylor Elementary School in Santa Maria, California. This is really exciting for me. I get to share my stories with them and urge them to have dreams and search for a way to make each and every one of them come true.
My book is a collection of stories about my life in sports radio and TV. But, it's about so much more too. It's about having dreams at any age and doing everything you can to fulfill them, even when many people try to stand in your way. The stories are true and heartfelt. The experiences are honest and only from my personal perspective. I'm sure others see our encounters differently, and that's fine. I convey my life's work in my words for people to enjoy. The journey wasn't always bad or painful, there were some great times too. I met some fantastic people throughout my career, some that I couldn't have done it without. Then I also came into contact with some genuinely awful people. But, I've tried not to hold grudges or hang on to past resentments. Instead, I've learned from each adversity and even grown because of most of those struggles.
Telling these kids about the hard parts of my career will not be my focus. Yes, I was challenged and yes, it was really tough at times. But, my career took me to some amazing places, where I covered cool sports stories and exciting games. It was as much fun as it wasn't, and if someone came to me right now and offered me the chance to do it again, I'd do it. I would be careful, but I would give it another try. Because I won't stop trying, I won't give up, I will not be satisfied until I'm on the radio again talking about sports and the people who play them and the people who run them and the people who make that 'show' happen.
I think these kids today will walk away feeling strong and hopeful, even if their lives don't illustrate that today. I want each one of them to hold their heads a little higher after they've heard some of my stories. If I can give them some confidence and encouragement to follow each dream, even the crazy ones, then I've done my part and I know I made a tiny difference.

The calm...before???

In a waiting period, holding pattern, hover...cruise control...neutral...
Book was sold out on pre-orders, now waiting for the public release and the national media tour to begin. I guess I should enjoy these short calm moments, because if all goes as planned, it's going to 'blow-up' in a matter of weeks or days, who knows. My vision takes me all over the country, on radio stations, TV stations and in magazines or newspapers. In my dream, people will want to hear my stories and follow my sports career journey. The dream began so long ago, it's almost unreal, but it's here and it's happening too. Crazy!
I look forward to talking with guys I've known in the business over the years. I'm picturing myself, manifesting myself and creatively visualizing myself on stations in L.A., New York, Seattle, St. Louis, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego, etc. I dream of taking trips around the country to appear on TV shows and talk shows. John Stewart, Ellen, Leno, on and on. Hey, I can dream, can't I? Remember, this whole book thing was a dream, and it came true. I guess, with a little help from my friends and family, I made it come true. So now, I'll make this dream come true too. Sweet!
www.cjsilas.net

WHEW!!!!

It's taken me some time to recover from the book signing this past weekend in Shell Beach. Wow, what a surreal, enjoyable and crazy time we had at The Steaming Bean. The best part was we sold out of the pre-order copies. So cool! Now we wait until next month for the public sale online and in stores. I am thrilled to be sharing my stories, hoping people will be interested enough to finish the book and feel something.

I had this idea that I was "just a girl with stories to tell." But, that's changed over the past 10 days. I am a girl with stories to tell, but the book has a deeper and more significant message...we can be or do anything we dream to be if we are given and offered the right emotional and intellectual tools. We can dream for days at a time, for a life time and have what we want and create what we manifest. All we need is love and support from those closest to us. That is our strength, that is our fuel and that is our nourishment. It's what gets us up each day and keeps us going. It may sound cliche, but it's SO not!

I had a dream as a child to be a sportscaster. I just spent the last 22 years doing just that. You'll see the true stories of my time doing it, living it and proving we can do WHATEVER we want...if we're given the tools, the mental and spiritual tools. Love and encouragement are huge here and mean more than any college or university education!!!

www.cjsilas.net
Help me continue to get my message out and tell my stories. Buy a copy, buy more than one and give them as gifts to anyone that has a dream or a goal. Give them to anyone who wants something great in life!!!

It's sooooo close...

I guess how I'm feeling is natural...anxious, nervous, exhausted, overwhelmed and semi-ready. It's been such a long journey full and exhilarating. Now, it's here, just about 48 hours away. If I was rich I would fly every single person into town that has been there for me. Anyone that has supported me along the way. Everyone that has encouraged me or pumped me up during my radio/TV career. I dream of the day we can all get together and celebrate my 22+ years in this crazy business. There are so many people out there that have had an impact on my life. Many who don't even know how much they contributed to this project. I hope every guy and girl who's in the book sees it and gets 'it'.

I'm going to try and nap today, it's been a sleepless week full of anticipation for the weekend. When the truck showed up with my book on Wednesday afternoon, what a trip it was as the driver lowered the palate of boxes onto the ground and wheeled them into my garage on his dolly. I wept, he freaked out to have a strange woman crying over his delivery, then we laughed. As he drove away, I opened a book, stared at the title and realized that...I DID IT!

Who do I credit? Who do I mention? Who is worthy?

When you do great things in different walks of life, you have the power to place your own level of importance on the things you accomplish...

Jacob Kemper

Pretty exciting!!!

http://www.ksby.com/news/local-woman-writes-book-on-sports-broadcasting-career/

Follow this link to watch the first of many media appearances leading up to the release of my book No Girls Allowed: The Jock & Jill Mentality of Sports Broadcasting!

When life is just downright overwhelming...

Oh man, these are crazy times in the Silas household. It's as if the world is dropping things on my head to see if I can hold it all before my neck collapses or I fall over. It's supposed to be the best and most exciting time in my life. I'm a first time author telling the untold stories of women in the locker rooms and clubhouses, on the sidelines and in press boxes, in sports television and radio studios...honestly. It's so dang cool and outrageous, but at times it also seems like it may be too much to handle.
The book describes my journey and walks you through my career. It shares moments of greatness and times of pain and challenges. I always say "I'm just a girl with a story to tell." But, sometimes I feel it's much more powerful than what I'm thinking. Not one woman has made a full time, stable, and long career as a host in sports talk radio. We've been there for a moment or two. We've done sports updates and reporting from the field and games. But, not one of us has had a consistent and healthy career on sports talk radio stations. We're accepted, but with the safety of an arms distance. I'm not complaining, just expressing a truth of our business. And I know this to be factual because it's happened to me.
Some of the best programmers in the business in the past and of today have hired me, believed in me and given me a chance. When times got tough it never seemed to be because I wasn't ready for my show, I wasn't prepared for the content, I wasn't up for the controversy or the backlash. In my experiences, and I can only speak from those, it was because the groups of boys/males I worked with just didn't want me around, didn't want to change their behavior to make it comfortable for a woman to be in the room, the office or the studio.

So, the stories are there, now what? How can we make it happen? How can we as a society mold the business of sports radio into a place that welcomes both genders? I know, and I've known for a long time there needs to be someone out there who's innovative, fearless and unstoppable. This someone must be ready to deal with the hate mail, the negative feedback, phone calls and emails. This someone must have the strength to know it will take time to teach sports radio listeners that women know as much as men and are as interesting talking sports. The hardest part, the biggest challenge and the most difficult moments are when sports radio listeners insist that we (women) talk and think like men. This is something we will never do! Some women attempt to, to keep their jobs, but it hasn't been too successful. Check out the numbers of women on sports talk shows, as hosts around the U.S. There aren't many. And on a national level, not one. What does that tell you? You tell me. I'm ready, because I'm still looking for that 'someone.' I won't stop until I find him or her to be that 'someone'.

I may not be on the radio today, but...

Now that the book is done. Yes, I said that, MY BOOK IS DONE! It's ready for public sales in a few weeks, you can pre-order it now at www.cjsilas.net. I've got my second book assignment and more time to think about the world of sports. I may not be on the radio today, but...I think about the stories, the people and the games everyday. And, I've got an opinion! For some reason, even though being in third place in the NL west isn't first place, it feels good to take two of three from the enemy over the weekend. As long as the Dodgers finish ahead of the Giants the season won't be a complete loss.

You may think I'm crazy, or already know I have those tendencies, but, this will prove it. I recently got a backwards LA tattoo on my back. It's a small one, a tattoo on my derby girl, but it's definitely backwards! I never, ever want to forget just how bad the energy of the Dodgers has been over the last year. Frank McCourt and his completely nuts wife have ruined us for the time being. That doesn't mean we Dodger fans will not recover, we surely will! But, these two knuckleheads have made it really hard to enjoy much about the 2011 season. Please, boys in blue, please, at least finish ahead of the orange and black, PLEASE!!!

I don't know why I'm not as excited about the NFL season being back as everyone else. I'm more pumped up for college this year. There are issues in every league of every sports at every level. But, I'm pulling for college to have a good strong year. I must admit, because I've been out of the loop working on my book over the last several months I cannot keep track of which team is in which conference. As long as this gets us closer to a college football post season playoff bracket, then I'm all for it.

The NBA season is in jeopardy...for some reason I don't care. My love for the Lakers and loyalty for 30+ years has dwindled a bit over the years because, because, because...I'm not a fan of kobe at all. I refuse to change teams, but I'm holding out for the next era. Lame to some, I know. But, he's such a egomaniac with that sense of entitlement that so annoys me. I would find a way back with the addition of Kevin Garnett for sure!!! But, that's not going to happen, I can dream can't I?

Book is here...selling now...OMG!

I cannot believe it's really happening. My book is for sale to the public, right now! Holy Cow!!!

I have no words! I have too much flying around in my head to believe it...22+years later, 2 years of writing, 1 year of editing, OMG!!!!

Death...Family...Love

Funny how things happen. One day everything seems like it's moving forward quite smoothly...then BAM! something blindsides you. Well, that's what hit my world this week. Book in print, pre-sales next week, book signing early next month, and public sales first of November. Getting more comfortable with my volleyball team and season getting underway, when...BAM! first scrimmage shows up and things feel scattered. Too much to handle. I know I am strong, I know it will pass, I know I will survive. I always do. But, I liked the smooth for the time I had it. Now, I must deal with grief, new beginnings, failure, waiting, sadness, disappointment, loss, and fear...aaaah, fear, that's a tough one!

Isn't most pain based on fear anyway? So, when it shows up, why are we so surprised? Why are we so unprepared, at first? Why does it hurt so badly? I have none of these answers, but I do have hope, faith, dreams and energy to push through, to persevere amidst all the pain, suffering and challenges. Wow, did I just try to convince myself that all of this is temporary in my blog? In front of others? On a computer screen? Yep. I did, and that to me is strong and courageous, but also friggin' scary as heck!!! There, that fear thing again. I cannot wait until next week, but I'm ready for tomorrow.

New challenges...

We often move forward in our lives, doing the same thing, searching for something, living each day, trying to get through the good times and work through the struggles in our world. I know I've done that, for years. I continued to keep dreaming along the way, but sometimes things would slow it all down, prevent me from following my plans, having dreams and living out my goals. Giving up has never been an option, sometimes it's slowed down the process, but most times it has driven me! I will survive, I will attain what I've been fighting for and living to achieve.

Life has brought me a new and exciting challenge...coaching. I am the new freshman volleyball coach at a local private high school. It has been amazing so far after just my first week with the girls. I anticipate a truly enriching and growing time for me. Still challenging because it's different, but rewarding, fun and enlightening. The kids are so into it, so pumped up to be playing this sport. Now, it's my job to hone their skills, teach them about team work and instill in them the importance of the sisterhood on and off the court. I know what playing sports did for me in my life and I know it's a huge and important aspect of all children's growth. I hope I can give these girls what they need from me and be there for them when they struggle and be the first one to high five them when they succeed. Wait, kids don't high five anymore...it's all about the fist bump!

Time moves slooooooly!!!

August 1st, just about a month away from the reality of it all. A long time growing, living, thinking and writing. Not really knowing when or if it would ever happen. Now it's here, it's finally here. But the days are moving like a tortoise on a sandy beach. Writing is done, pictures are done, cover is done, printing is this next phase. And for me, waiting is the space I'm in now. I sit here, think about: did I put everything in that I meant to. Did I give everyone the truest sense of my experiences? Was I fair to myself or the other people in the book? Did I tell each story in the most interesting and honest manner?

I feel good about the whole thing, but it still seems like years away. When I have it in my hand, when I'm looking at it, with my name on it...then I'll believe. Until then, I'll just wait. I'll wait like we did as kids to get to finally arrive at our vacation spot. I'll wait like we did in the ice cream line for our scoops to be placed in the cup or cone. I'll wait like we do at the DMV, the doctor's office, or for to go food at our favorite restaurant . I'll be patient, at least I'll try.

Until then, I'm starting book #2...Derby, Love, life & Jams...Full Girl on Girl Contact! Wow, I'm really a published author, working on my second book...for reals!!!???

Reading the book, one more time...

I did at one point in this entire process of writing No Girls Allowed: The Jock & Jill Mentality of Sports Broadcasting, actually enjoy reading my book. Now, it's time number 25...whew! Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic, informative and really entertaining read, it's just hard to re-live my life one more time. I thought the intensity of the struggle would maybe weaken, but each time I read the section on my time getting to do play by play of a game at Syracuse, I get frustrated, AGAIN! I sure hope women are being treated better around college sports radio and TV stations now. It was a long time ago, but each time I read it, argh! It's still strong. Or the time in Florida when my jerk partner talked so nasty about a 13 year old gymnast. He was such a egomaniac and a little nuts too. The time I crawled under a desk at WQAM in Miami because my interview with Brian Bosworth got so totally messed up was such an embarrassment.

It's been fun, I've actually reconnected with quite a few people over the last couple months since the book release is so close. I'm excited for people to see what I've done, where I've been, who I've interviewed and how it's turned out so far. My career is far from over, but it's been a crazy ride, that's for sure! Each time I read the book I think of one more person who was great to me. The list of jerks is actually not as long as the list of cool people I encountered. That's kind of a relief, looking back at it all now. I'm excited for what's coming next for me. I have no idea what it is, but whatever the universe offers me, I'll be ready. October 8th...gets a bit closer each day!

Major League Baseball shows it's heart...

What a weekend it was in the majors...from tragedy to sadness, to elation, to triumph, to excitement and beyond. This is truly why baseball is the best professional sport out there. From the poor Texas crowd, watching a man fall to his death. From Josh Hamilton's painful struggles and past life to his recovery and re-emergence into the sport...to his baseball toss and last week's devastating death in his home ball park. To Josh's HR to win the game over the weekend, to his ability to shake the guilt and sadness and continue playing the game. Derek Jeter's weekend was a major accomplishment as well.

Man, I love this game. I love the history, the tradition and the stories. Baseball may have been passed by other sports in revenue and popularity, but it will always be my favorite. My Dodgers are killing me right now, not the actually guys on the field, but the front office and the soap opera led by the nuts McCourt clan, argh! I thank MLB for stepping in, it's embarrassing, but it's hopeful. I hope we get past this time in Dodger baseball, and get back to the game itself, on the field, in the stands and amongst the elite in the game again...I'm dreaming, I like to dream, my life's been a dream, my book is a dream. So, I'll never give up on dreams! Cheers, to dreams!

Book signing...Woot Woot!

It's getting closer. I even feel like it's actually happening. I thought it would only hit me that I had written a book when I'm holding it in my hand. Now, with a book signing/release party officially on my schedule, it's really close. WOW, after everything, every re-write, every edit, every change, every photo, every and every cover design.

The book is moments from being in my hands!

Oy Vay!

October 8th, in San Luis Obispo County, the release of No Girls Allowed!

I'm thrilled to announce this event and will blog more later, but I'm hoping we have a big turnout. I'll have friends and family there as well as listeners. I want people to finally read my story and share the excitement after 20+ years.

This is so friggin' cool and unreal!!! Cross your fingers that the reviewers like it, here I come Ellen, Leno, Letterman etc.

Tough decisions in book publishing...

Who to mention? Who to leave out? I want to thank the folks who helped me, supported me and believed in me. What about those that 'think' they did, but in actuality had no positive influences at all. I'm in a quandary, don't want to hurt feeling, but also want to be true to myself and my very first book.

I'm nice and sweet like that, most of the time. This is a book, it will be in print for a long time, there's no taking anything back once it is released in early fall. I think I'll cover my ass and be kind, argh! Will I regret it? Doubt it. It just seems lame that I feel I have to please anyone. At least I'm sharing this part with the world, or the few who read my blog. It's my own personal therapy.

On a side note, I went for a walk with my perfect little dog, in my beautiful neighborhood for the millionth time in the last nine years, and I got an off leash dog citation. What a buzz kill! Really? My dog is the dog that sits on every curb, comes whenever I call her, and behaves better than most children. Isn't there a clause or an exception to the law when the animal is well mannered?

Birthday this year...

I celebrated my birthday this weekend and realized not only how lucky I am to be healthy, full of love and surrounded by so many incredible people. But, and this is a big but, not a big 'butt' a big 'but.' This is the year my first book will be published and released. Seems almost unbelievable, though it's true and it's really close. After years and years and years of hard work, determination and sweat, I will see my book in a hard cover and with my name on it.

This is crazy cool! Stay here for news over the next few weeks, hang out with me during the process it takes to get it done, follow along with me for each step I take along the way.

Woot Woot!!!

ESPN Book is released...

The new 700+ page book about ESPN behind the scenes just came out and it's already #5 on the best seller list.

How cool, I was referred to as 'the hot blond.' It's been years since I was a)blond or b)called 'hot.' Awesome!!! If that book gets big, it could really help me when mine is released soon.

Let's keep the energy in sports radio/TV books moving forward, then when mine drops, woot woot! It'll rock the book and sports world.

I am thrilled to have finally finished, now I've got to find a way to make it big so that everyone reads it and it gets some serious play out there in book land.

My goal, crazy as it may seem...1,000,000 copies, oh yeah! Dream big CJ, dream big. The book was a dream and it came true, why not keep the momentum moving forward!!!

Have a fantastic weekend...my birthday weekend, Father's day weekend.

Cheers!

derby life...

Great game against my former team CCRD. Love my new league. Why do our bodies have to age when we try so hard to take care of them. I eat right, I exercise OFTEN and I nurture it on a daily basis. But, I'm still getting old and it hurts to get beat up two or three times a week while wearing roller skates. But, how could I ever consider giving up roller derby? Nearly five years later, I can't, so I'll try not to complain too much. Check out my first home bout with my new team on July 2nd in Santa Maria, California. 7pm in the Convention Center. Come support women's full contact roller derby wearing our colors...purple and silver. Cal Skate Roller Derby, like us on Facebook too!

DodgeHer Blue JR42

Book is soooo close...

Now that the new 700+ ESPN book has been released, mine is next! I'm expecting it to be out early fall with pre-sales coming soon! Rick Neuheisel did a great job on the forward and everything seems to be in line for the book to drop soon. After 22 years, it feels like it's about time. I've had to be patient this long. I can wait a couple more months. Review copies go out next month, then we wait for reviews. Then we print the final and voila, boom it hits the shelves!

I cannot wait. I am proud of the work and now am excited to see what is next for me. Radio, radio where art thou radio? I'm ready to get back on the airwaves and get back in touch with the listeners.

Book to print so soon!

I'm in the final stages of my book's release. Wow, it finally feels real and close to happening. UCLA Head Football Coach Rick Neuheisel is writing the forward and besides that it's done!!!

Book finished...check

Pictures for book...check

Design book cover...check

Picture for sleeve...check

Thanks you's/Acknowledgment...check

Dedication page...check

Review copies...check

Forward, forward, forward...Bueller?! Bueller?! Bueller?!