Your full name
Henry Lombard
Your book title
Cancer couldn’t break us
If you had to pitch your book in a single sentence, what would you say?
Cancer Couldn’t Break Us is the powerful true story of one family’s extraordinary journey through breast cancer, loss and Mulitple Sclerosis - and the courage that carried them forward.
What makes your book different?
My book is different because it is real. It’s not just about illness, but about courage, love, and the strength to keep going when life becomes overwhelming.
Who is your ideal reader, and what do you hope they get from reading your book?
My book is for people going through difficult times — people who need hope. I want them to feel encouraged, to know they are not alone, and to find the strength to keep going.
What is your full-time profession?
I am currently a full-time caregiver to my son, while also focusing on my writing and building my journey as an author.
YOUR WRITING PROCESS
What inspired you to begin writing this book?
I started writing this book because of what my family and I went through. It was a way for me to deal with the pain, but also to share a message of hope and strength with others.
How long did it take you to complete your book’s final draft?
It took me a few months to complete the final draft, as I was balancing writing with my responsibilities at home. I also took time to reflect and make sure the story truly captured the emotions and experiences behind it.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in writing your book, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was reliving painful moments and balancing writing with my responsibilities at home. I overcame it by focusing on the purpose of the book — to bring hope and meaning out of those experiences
How did you approach the editing and proofreading stages of your book?
I revised the manuscript several times myself, focusing on flow and clarity, and then worked with an editor to help refine and polish the final version while keeping the story authentic
What surprised you most about the writing or publishing process for this book?
I was surprised by how emotional the writing process was, and also by how much work goes into publishing a book beyond just writing it.
YOUR SELF-PUBLISHING JOURNEY
What made you decide to opt for the self-publishing route for your book?
I chose self-publishing because I wanted full control over my story and the freedom to share it directly with readers worldwide through Amazon.
Could you share a key learning experience from the self-publishing process?
My biggest learning was realising how much goes into publishing beyond writing — from editing and formatting to understanding Amazon’s publishing system. It taught me patience and ownership of the process.
What resources or tools did you find most valuable during your self-publishing journey?
The most valuable tools were Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon, Microsoft Word for editing, grammar tools for refinement, and the support of my editor, which helped me produce a professional final book
For your next book, what would you do differently when it comes to the writing / publishing process?
For my next book, I would be more structured from the start, plan my writing in stages, involve editing earlier, and be more prepared for publishing and marketing on Amazon.
MARKETING AND BOOK PROMOTION
Have you written any other books?
I have mainly focused on my current book, Cancer Couldn’t Break Us, which is my first major publication. I am also continuing to write and develop new work, including future book ideas.
How are you planning to connect with and find new readers?
I plan to connect with new readers by sharing my story authentically on social media, encouraging word-of-mouth, and using Amazon’s global platform to reach a wider audience.
What advice would you give to other self-published authors struggling to promote their book/s?
My advice is to focus on authenticity, stay consistent with sharing your message, and be patient. Readers connect with real stories, and platforms like Amazon KDP give authors global reach if used consistently.
LOOKING AHEAD
Do you have any upcoming books or projects you can share with us?
Yes, I am currently working on new writing projects, including expanding my anthology Echoes of My Soul, and continuing to develop work focused on resilience, family, and personal experience.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your book?
Readers can find my book on Amazon, and I also share updates and my writing journey on social media to connect directly with them.
If you have an author or book website, please share the link.
https://henrylombardnet.wixsite.com/henrylombard
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
What do you hope readers remember most about your book?
I hope readers remember the message of resilience and courage — that even in the most difficult circumstances, it is still possible to keep going and find strength within yourself. More than anything, I want them to feel hope.
Who supported you during your writing journey?
I was supported by a combination of personal encouragement from family and professional guidance from my editor, who helped me refine the manuscript while keeping its emotional authenticity intact.
What emotions did you experience while writing this book?
It was a deeply emotional process. At times it was painful revisiting certain memories, but it was also healing. Writing allowed me to process those experiences and turn them into something meaningful.
What impact do you hope your book will have?
I hope my book encourages people who are going through difficult times to feel less alone. If it can give even one person strength or hope to keep going, then it has achieved its purpose.
Why is storytelling important to you?
Storytelling is important to me because it allows real human experiences to be shared in a way that others can connect with emotionally. It helps turn personal struggle into something that can inspire and support others.
How do you define success as an author?
For me, success is not only about sales, but about impact — knowing that my story has touched someone’s life, given them hope, or helped them through a difficult moment.
What message would you give to someone facing hardship?
I would tell them that even in the darkest moments, there is still strength within them. Difficult times do not define who they are — how they rise from them does.
