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Steamboat author publishing medical thriller

Luke Graham
Local doctor and author Stacy Childs talks about his most recent work, which is a medical-themed thriller called "Block 10." The book is currently available for digital download on Amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.smashbooks.com. The book will be released in hardback, paperback and audio book this summer.
John F. Russell

— Stacy Childs self-published his first book six years ago.

He’d never had experience writing and never thought he’d ever put words together to form a book.

But after hearing an epic tale, Childs did just that.



“I met a local guy in town, and he told me a story,” Childs said. “I thought it was so fantastic, I told him he had to put it in writing. He said ‘I don’t want to, why don’t you?’”

There was, however, a lesson to be learned from Childs’ first effort.



Writing novels isn’t easy. Childs took his first self-published novel and gave it to two book clubs to critique.

“For the most part, they said it was terrible,” Childs said.

But the writing bug never left Childs, and after completely reworking his first novel, he is set to release “Block 10” in June.

The medical thriller already is available in e-book format.

After his initial book was a dud, Childs knew he had to learn the craft of writing. He met Rich Steinberg, who helped him with ideas about how to change the book. He completely rewrote it, changed places and added more dimensions.

The book follows an Olympic-caliber skier whose knee injury sends him into a suicidal depression. The skier meets a mysterious doctor, who is well versed in experimental medical treatments. The skier gets lured into a world of cutting-edge medicine, women, gambling and bare-knuckle fighting.

Writing is “being able to let loose and say whatever you want,” Childs said. “Any inhibitions you have, you can let loose.”

About five months ago, Childs was ready to self-publish this time around, as well, when co-author David Wilson decided to publish it under his company.

Childs said that within a month, the book was in e-book form.

Childs dedicated himself to learning about writing for the past several years, by attending ThrillerFest in New York City several times to pitch ideas and take workshops from some of the more notable thriller writers.

He currently has a third book in editing, “Boys of Dixie Pig,” that is scheduled for release in the fall.

He will semi-retire from urology in September and continue to write.

He said he doesn’t have any huge expectations with this book, but he’s just hoping people enjoy reading it as much as he enjoyed writing it.

“I never started this thinking I’d make money,” he said. “It was a challenge. When people say I can’t do something, it lights a fire in me.”

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229, email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @LukeGraham


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