Yesterday, when I found a non-descript shipping box on the front porch, I expected something I had purchased online. What a pleasant surprise to see the box contained six print copies of one book. The 6th Edition of Goolsby & Grubbs Advanced Assessment: Differential Diagnosis!
This has been a labor of love, enthusiasm, and scholarship since Laurie Grubbs and I first proposed the book concept to the publisher almost 25 years ago. With interest demonstrated, Laurie and I set out to create a most detailed book proposal on the topic. This included a detailed outline and a complete draft of what would become the chapter on "The Abdomen". After we submitted the proposal packet and several months of waiting, we received notice that the publisher had accepted our proposal and we realized it was time to start in earnest on the complete work.
While I had moved on, Laurie and I had taught together in an NP program for several years and this was a wonderful opportunity to maintain and grow that partnership. I've written separately about writing for publication. But the gist is that editing and writing much of this book as been like watching a child grow up during this time. Each edition we added new content and refreshed the existing. We worked with amazing subject matter NP contributors.
While this book will now be the current source for approximately 4 years, we know that in 2 years it will be time to start working on a new edition. Laurie and I both decided at the outset of this edition that this would be our last. We may each harbor some angst regarding the future of the book, but we have passed the torch to others.
This book and our experience is just one example that if you believe that something you can create should exist, you should take the opportunity to make it happen. There is joy in creation and taking opportunities. I hope you believe enough in some creation to get to work!