This week, we’re talking with Madison Cavanaugh, about her book The One-Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Before I became a health journalist and author of health and wellness books and articles, I was first a songwriter and lyricist. I wrote the first-ever novel (titled Midwinter Turns to Spring) that comes with its own music soundtrack of songs, which I wrote the music and lyrics to.
Why do you write?
I write because I believe that words have the power to transform lives. Through my writing, I aim to inspire and empower readers to take control of their health and well-being, and to live their best lives. Writing is not just a profession for me, it is a calling, a way to make a positive impact on the world and leave a lasting legacy. I write to share my knowledge, my experiences, and my insights, and to connect with readers on a deep and meaningful level. Ultimately, I write because I believe that everyone has the potential to live a life of purpose, passion, and fulfillment, and I want to do my part to help them achieve that.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The inspiration for the book came on the 4th of July 2008. I had spent that holiday weekend with my sister Rebecca's family in Northern California. After the holiday picnic and fireworks were done, Rebecca confessed to me that she was about to lose her house to foreclosure because she and her husband, George — both real estate agents with practically no income in 2008 — have been unable to pay their mortgage in several months. The only bills they were paying monthly were utility bills — just to keep the lights on and water running for the family members who lived in their house, including an adult son, an adult daughter, a son-in-law (all of whom had lost their jobs that year) and 3 grandchildren under the age of 7. Rebecca and George could hardly earn enough money to put food on the table for the eight members of their household. The 3 of us cried over their dire financial straits and the looming prospect that by Christmas that year, their family would be homeless and would have no place to live.
When I returned home to Los Angeles after that holiday weekend, I pondered various ways of preventing Beckie's family from losing their house and becoming destitute, homeless and hungry. Within a few days, I experienced an epiphany of sorts, which prompted me to write a book about a natural healing therapy that I had heard about in January 2008. I was hoping that writing the book and marketing it online could potentially generate enough money to at least feed my sister's family. I prayed that sales of the book would produce a modest profit of $1,000 a month, just enough to at least feed my sister's household and maybe even pay for a portion of their utilities. Within 5 weeks of the book idea first dawning on me, I had finished writing a 113-page book, which I titled “The One-Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases.” The book generated modest profits of $600 on the first month, $2,000 on the second month, and an astounding $13,000 on the third month — more than enough for my sister to feed her family and pay for her monthly mortgage for the first time in months. What happened in the next few months can only be described as spectacularly miraculous: On the 9th month (April 2009), The One-Minute Cure became the No. 1 Amazon bestseller in the Health, Body and Mind category for the first of 15 times, and it hit the milestone of generating cumulative sales of $1 million by July 2009. Today, 13 years after it was first published, the book (now on its Second Edition) still continues its winning sales streak. And it all started because I was inspired to write a book that would help my sister's family in their time of need.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
What I enjoy most about the health and wellness genre is the opportunity to empower and inspire readers to take control of their own health and well-being — and doing the same for myself in the process. You've probably heard the saying, “If you want to become a subject matter expert, write a book about the subject matter.” And this is what I set out to do. To date, I've authored 11 health and wellness books simply because I dared to become a subject matter expert. And as a result, I've ended up providing practical advice, actionable steps, and evidence-based information in my books that can help readers make positive changes in their lives and achieve their health goals. It's incredibly rewarding to know that my work can make a real difference in people's lives and help them live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
How would you describe your writing process?
My writing process is a journey of self-discovery and exploration. I start by immersing myself in the subject matter, researching and reading extensively to gain a deep understanding of the topic. Then, I allow my intuition to guide me as I write, trusting that the words will flow naturally and organically. I believe that writing is a form of meditation, a way to tap into the collective consciousness and channel insights and wisdom that can inspire and transform readers.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Authors have a lot to gain from participating in social media. Social media platforms provide a unique opportunity for authors to connect with their readers, build a community around their work, and promote their books to a wider audience. By engaging with readers on social media, authors can gain valuable feedback, insights, and ideas that can help them improve their writing and better understand their audience. Additionally, social media can help authors establish their brand, increase their visibility, and ultimately sell more books. In today's digital age, social media is an essential tool for any author looking to succeed in the competitive world of publishing.
What advice would you have for other writers?
My advice for other writers is to write from the heart, be authentic, and don't try to be someone else or write what you think people want to read. You don't always need to “Write what you know” as Mark Twain once wrote. There's power in writing about topics that you are unfamiliar with — never underestimate the rewards of your thorough research. More importantly, write on topics you are passionate about — or what you stand for or believe in. Writing is a journey of self-discovery, and the more you explore and experiment, the more you will grow as a writer.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I believe that the title and cover should be a reflection of the book's essence and message. The title should be catchy, memorable, and convey the book's core idea. More importantly, the title should highlight the main benefit(s) that the reader will experience upon reading the book. Case in Point: The title of my book, “The One-Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases” says it it all. It incites curiosity and entices the reader to pick up the book and delve into its pages. The cover should be visually appealing, have colors, images, fonts and typefaces that stand out from the rest of the books in the same genre — and should also be relevant to the book's content.
What's your next step?
My next step as an author is to continue to explore and write about the intersection of self-development and health and wellness. I believe that true health and wellness is not just about physical health, but also about mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. My goal is to elevate my readers' consciousness to what's possible in the frontier of health, longevity, self-realization and our quest to connect to our higher self.
What book do you wish you had written?
If I had to choose one book that I wish I had written, it would be “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. This book has had a profound impact on millions of people around the world, including myself. It offers a simple yet powerful message about the importance of living in the present moment and letting go of the past and future. The book's teachings have the potential to transform people's lives and bring them a sense of peace and fulfillment. I admire Tolle's ability to convey complex spiritual concepts in a clear and accessible way, and I believe that his work will continue to inspire and enlighten people for generations to come.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
As an author, seeing a new review for my book is always a humbling experience that fills me with awe and gratitude. I'm grateful because I've been given the opportunity through my work to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Because my books are in the health and wellness genre, I'm grateful for the opportunity to transform the health of my readers, change their lives for the better, and in many cases, even save their life or the life of their loved one. It reminds me that my work is not just a product, but also my contribution to the world. Whether the review is positive or negative, it is an opportunity for growth and reflection, and a chance to connect with readers on a deeper level.
