I guess I�ll start from the beginning. My cousin Jennifer works for ECW press. We have had some funny talks about the wrestlers she has worked with while they write their books. ECW press has published numerous wrestling books as of late (i.e. Wrestlecrap being one of the most well-known ones). After one particular conversation I had with her, I felt the urge to see if I could write a book about wrestling.
A few weeks ago I cut and pasted my 2 �Is There Any Good Left in Pro Wrestling� Journals from my website into an email and emailed them to Jennifer and the head wrestling book publisher. Jennifer said she had no power over the wrestling books, but, I could wait and see what Michael (the head of the wrestling department) said.
About 1 week ago I received a call from Michael and he told me he loved my journals. AND ... he wanted me to write a book to be published by ECW press!!!
So obviously, I�m stoked at this point. He told me to brainstorm some ideas for a book and to get back to him. So for a week I brainstormed and came up with a somewhat autobiographical concept for my book. I talked to him at the end of the week and he had some different thoughts in mind.
Michael really liked where I was headed with my articles concerning the morality of the wrestling business. He thought (and I agreed) that the majority of the wrestling public would be more interested in my personal views/experiences with religion and wrestling and how that relates to the rest of the wrestling public. From his own experience, he said he was surprised with how many wrestlers/people involved with wrestling are getting saved and talking publicly about it. He went on to say that he would like me to try and get some interviews with some of the top talent that are vocal about their religious views (i.e. Shawn Michaels, Sting, and Ted DiBiase).
At this point in the conversation the �mark� inside of me is doing backflips while the reserved professional is holding it in on the outside. Interview HBK! Interview Sting! This is getting crazy!
After I hung up the phone I had time to do some cartwheels and then reflect on what I have been offered to do. The first person I told was my girlfriend. And she immediately knew why this was happening ... and then so did I. You see, for the past year (since writing my religious-type articles) I have struggled with understanding why I am in the business. And, more importantly, what I want to do with the business. One year ago, I concluded I want to help people. Since then, not much has gone on. However, recently, after I first got in contact with ECW press, I immediately started asking some of my friends to pray for me. And to pray for guidance concerning my career. Well ... those prayers have been answered. THIS opportunity is what has come from all of these thoughts, struggles, and prayers.
Like I said, initially I thought this was going to be a book about Cody Steele. Now I know it�s not. It�s going to be A LOT more than just that. I don�t know exactly what yet ... but I�m working on it. I�m writing my proposal for ECW press right now. And I�m praying that my proposal is a success.
Already, things are starting to happen. For example, last night ... my buddy who works at a Christian camp said there was a special needs kid there named Trevor who had always wanted to meet a wrestler. He wanted me to come down and see him before he had to leave the next morning. I immediately knew I had to go see him. So I got in my van and made the 45 minute trek out to Pierce Williams Christian Camp to meet Trevor. I brought a Cody T-shirt, a Cody picture, and a tape of some of my matches along with me too. After getting some pictures with him and talking wrestling for awhile he went inside to put the picture I gave him in a safe place. My friend told me I might not be able to tell ... but I just made Trevor�s day, week, or even year. That made me happy.
Anyways, I know that I am supposed to be doing this book for a reason. Whether it�s to get some answers to the questions I struggle with from guys like Shawn Michaels, or whether it�s to increase awareness that pro wrestling can do good in the world ... I don�t know yet. But I would like to ask for everyone�s prayers. Just pray that everything that is supposed to happen does and that I keep focused on what truly matters.
I�ve been thinking today about who I�d like to interview for the book. I obviously want to interview guys like Sting and HBK, but I am also thinking I will need some fan input and also some input from my fellow workers on this subject. So anything you can think of and would like to talk to me about, please, feel free to contact me. [email protected]
That�s it for now. Thanks for reading.
God bless,
Cody