TestimoniesAn inspiring story... A Tale of Two Authors August 11, 2010 | By: Doug Dillon, Volunteer| Published by Central Florida's Hospice of the Comforter
“I’m a Before he got sick, Tony Mancuso worked in the field of data processing, and one day decided to try his hand at being an author. Over time, he wrote a 230-page mystery, The Lie Catcher. In this book, Tony used the first names of family members and friends as the first names for his characters. The Lie Catcher tells the story of Kevin Petty, an ex-FBI profiler, as he struggles to solve a bizarre case for a Florida police department. Even though Tony classifies his book as a Christian novel, he says, “This isn’t an attempt to convert anybody to Christianity. It’s simply sharing with people how I see things and my hope for a better world.” Justly believing in the value of his book, he paid a printer to produce a large number of copies. Sadly, Tony fell ill before he could try marketing his work. Incapacitated as he was, and still is, Tony’s dream of getting his novel out to the public came to a screeching halt. He had 1,200 books sitting in his home gathering dust. “I know I’ll never be able to sell those books,” he told me once, “but I sure would like for people to be able to read them. I’d give them out for free if I could find a way to get them out there to folks.” You know, as a writer myself, those words really tugged at my heartstrings. So, Tony and I talked some more, and I asked him if he would mind if I helped him distribute at least some of his novels. Well, his face lit up and he enthusiastically agreed. The thing is, I realized Tony would never be able to experience the usual connection between writer and readers through book signings and other public appearances. “What if we enclosed a letter from you in each book?” I suggested. “We could include a picture of you and your physical address and ask your readers to say how they liked what you wrote.” A big grin spread across his face and we were on our way. Since then, Director of Volunteer Services Rose van der Berg and Volunteer Coordinators Isabel Osth and Susan Peoski have been wonderful in helping me figure out ways to distribute Tony’s books. I’ve been able to give his novels to individuals and some groups, but we still have a lot of novels left to go. We are always looking for more ways to get copies out there into the world. With every book goes the letter from Tony with his picture included. When I visited him last week, he let me read two thank you cards from people who received a copy. His wife was there and they both wore beautiful smiles. It isn’t often in our work as Hospice of the Comforter volunteers that we can actually do something for our patients beyond befriending, but I was lucky enough to have that opportunity with Tony. In light of my experience, I urge volunteers to stay alert to such possibilities with thier own patients. If you act on what you find, those smiles you get in return will warm your heart forever. If you want to know more about Tony, his book or this project, please don’t hesitate to contact our Volunteer Services department. What was God doing in Tony's wife?
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I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
Jeremiah 1:10 (AMP)
writer too,” Tony said, looking up at me from his bed at the Garnet Heart group home in Altamonte Springs. I had just told him that my latest book would soon be available for sale online.