Interview with Tony Robles, Author of JOEY GONZALEZ, GREAT AMERICAN

Tony was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. His mother was a divorced high school dropout. The family was poor and they lived in gang and drug infested neighborhoods. But Tony’s mother never blamed their circumstances on anything other than her poor decisions. She taught her kids that the keys to rising above poverty were education and hard work.

Tony graduated from a segregated high school - all boys, all poor, mostly black. By today’s affirmative action standards, he should have been doomed to failure. All the cards were stacked against him: poor, Hispanic, spoke mostly Spanish, no father, bad neighborhoods, segregated high school.

If Tony had bought into that simpleminded malarkey he might have thrown up his hands and given up. But in those days there was no affirmative action, no English as a second language programs – nothing and no one to convince young Tony that his ancestry or his poverty were going to make it hard for him to learn. Instead, he had a mother whose unshakable optimism inspired him to study, learn and to dream of a bright future.

Of course Tony understood there was racism and prejudice. He was keenly aware that there were people who thought less of him because of his ancestry. But Tony’s mother made sure he never bought into the negative stereotypes; she did not allow him to become prejudiced against himself. Tony has pursued and lived the American dream as his mother promised, through education, self reliance and hard work.

Tony served four years in the U.S. Navy and came out E-5 (second class petty officer) qualified in submarines. He had a successful 27-year career in the U.S. Customs Service and retired as a supervisory criminal investigator.

Tony and his wife, Yolanda (his best friend of nearly 30 years) raised a daughter and a son and have a granddaughter. Through his words and by his example Tony always tried to teach his kids the important lessons he received from his mother; in his own way he gave his children his mother’s beautiful dream.

Tony wrote Joey Gonzalez, Great American to pass his mother’s dream to all children. He says of his mother: “She’s gone now, but her dream lives on, not only in the five children she raised but in the dozens of kids she befriended and loved and nurtured over the years. Our apartment was always filled with kids who loved my mother and called her Mom. She taught all of us the same thing: be proud of your heritage, stay in school, get a good job, work hard and you will succeed.”

Tony dedicated this book to his mother. He wishes she had lived to see it.

You can visit his website at http://www.joeygonzalez.us/.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Tony. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Joey Gonzalez, Great American is my only published book and my first children’s story.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

I wrote a personal essay (not a book), “The Last Voyage of the USS Sunfish”, that was published in the National Submarine Review. The essay is posted online at the website of the USS Sunfish (SSN 649). The crew of the Sunfish has made it a tradition to read the essay at every reunion and there are always moist eyes in the room. The Last Voyage of the USS Sunfish is a powerful piece because I wrote it from the heart. When I wrote Joey Gonzalez I did it the same way. Joey Gonzalez is a good story simply because it’s real and it’s passionate and it comes from the heart. One of the ladies who helped me translate Joey into Spanish said it made her laugh, it made her cry and it made her a little bit angry. Those are exactly the emotions I felt as I wrote the story. I still can’t read it without choking up.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

No rejections for Joey Gonzalez, Great American. I submitted it to one publisher and scored.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I was prepared for a rejection. I almost could not believe it when the story was accepted for publication.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

I learned about World Ahead Publishing and their Kids Ahead conservative children’s books and I was intrigued by the idea of teaching conservative values through children’s literature. I had an idea for a story about affirmative action told from a kid’s point of view. I submitted the story to World Ahead because I felt this publisher would have the vision and the courage to take on such a controversial subject.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I got very excited when the publisher accepted the story and then the long process leading up to the contract began. By the time I finally signed the papers I didn’t feel like celebrating. I felt emotionally drained. I still haven’t celebrated. I’m waiting for the first royalty check. Then I may pop open a bottle of bubbly.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

Several months ago, before the book was published, I dropped in unannounced at a bookstore where a group of kids were having a book discovery event. I did an impromptu reading and the story was very well received. I believe I could have sold 50 copies if they had been available. I have since contacted another bookstore and I’m scheduled to read during their Children’s Book Week. It will be attended by parents, teachers and librarians as well as kids. This time Joey Gonzalez will be on the shelves. I’m hoping to pack the room and sell lots of books.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I have no training in writing children’s literature. I wrote the story in one draft with no revisions. I sent it to one publisher and it was accepted for publication. I’ve read about and heard about people having that kind of experience but I never thought it could happen to me. If I had it do over again, would I do it differently? No.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have an idea for another kid’s story. I wrote a rough draft and brainstormed it with the illustrator and we think it’s doable. But I’m not going to do any serious writing until I’m completely done with Joey Gonzalez, finished with all the promotion and the touring and accomplished my mission of getting the message out to the kids. Have I grown as an author? Actually, I don’t feel like much of an author. I wrote one story. It was in my heart and I let it out. It was like uncorking a bottle or opening a box. I suspect if I try to do this again it will not be as easy. That’s when I’ll grow.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

Speeding things up would not have been good. The timing of this story could not have been better. Race relations and affirmative action seem to be in the news every day. Joey Gonzalez, Great American takes on the issue with a fresh and unique perspective. To my knowledge no one has ever written anything in children’s literature, or any literature, that challenges affirmative action with such a positive and inspiring message. Ironically, unlike the so called affirmative action programs, like “race norming” of test scores and rigged college entrance exams, Joey Gonzalez with its message of ethnic pride, personal pride and self reliance stands out as a truly affirmative action. It is a story whose time has come.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

The biggest accomplishment is still in progress. I’m delivering an important message to children. Writing the book was just the beginning. Now comes the hard part – getting the message out to the kids. My dream is that in the future at baby showers for black and Hispanic mothers it will become a tradition for someone to bring a copy of Joey Gonzalez, Great American. But my biggest dream (and the publisher won’t want to hear this) is that someday, the sooner the better, the Supreme Court will overrule affirmative action, and Joey Gonzalez, Great American will become irrelevant and will be seen merely as a curiosity, an interesting footnote in the history of a great nation.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Looking back at my life it is clear that every milestone was preparation for writing Joey Gonzalez. I believe my life experience made it inevitable that I would write this story. It was not a matter of choice.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I have a great life. I work part time at home transcribing recordings, a skill I perfected in wiretap rooms and undercover operations during my career as a customs agent. I enjoy transcription. It relaxes me and earns a few extra dollars that I happily spend on bicycle gear and other toys. I also enjoy writing. Now I have a children’s book published and a shot at publishing a few more. I have a close friendship with a very talented illustrator and we enjoy working together. What more could I ask for?

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I’ve reached a point in life where I don’t plan that far ahead. If God grants me ten more years, I pray He will allow me the strength to continue doing what I love best, riding my bicycle with the road stretching miles ahead, the sun warm on my back and the hills rising to meet my throbbing heart.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Write from your heart. Write with courage. Don’t pull any punches. Never try to hide behind your words.

Interview with Charlotte Barnes, Author of THE MANSFIELD LIGHTHOUSE CATS

Charlotte Barnes is a proud 1993 graduate of Florida State University. She is a former teacher who began writing when she was between day jobs. She loves college football, and a good nap when she can get one! You can visit her website at http://www.charlottebarnesonline.com/ or her blog at www.charlottebarnesonline.com/apositiveplace.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Charlotte. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I’ve published three books and a fourth’s on the way!

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

My first book was “Creative Mojo: The Brainstormer’s Book of Gift Ideas for Anytime.” It was published in 2005.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I went through 30-50 rejections approximately, and then PublishAmerica took a chance on me.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

Rejection never feels good, and I could probably paper my house with the rejection letters, but find the rejection in publishing to be a little easier because it’s not face-to-face. I listen to motivational tapes when I want to motivate myself.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

My first book was published in 2005 by PublishAmerica. I liked the fact that they were open to unknown authors.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I was very happy to get published. It was the culmination of years of work and dreaming. I tend to celebrate in small ways. I might get a smoothie, or buy myself a book I’ve wanted.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I did an interview with my local newspaper. They’ve been very supportive and therefore I always make sure they get one of the first copies of any new books. I also sent out copies to local gift stores.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Probably not. You have to get your name into the marketplace somehow. I do wish authors would get more help with marketing, though, and I say that about any publisher that might publish a book.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have published 2 books since. I’ve picked up more about marketing and picking titles, and I have pursued different interests with each successive project.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I probably would have done more web research. I don’t think I would have sent some manuscripts as early as I did. I think I would have let them stew a little longer.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

I recently did my first radio interview on ArtistFirst Radio Network.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I would be a librarian—quiet job, still around books! Can you see a theme emerging?

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I have a day job to pay the bills (not as a librarian), but would love to write full-time in the future.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I would love to be writing full-time or doing something at a college somewhere.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

I would say pursue it with determination and a sense of urgency. Do what you can right now. Look at your situation honestly and assess your areas of weakness. Surround yourself with people whose strengths might complement you. Always encourage everyone you meet—especially your fellow writers!

Charlotte’s virtual book is brought to you by the fine folks of Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Rebecca Camarena.

THE POETRY OF MURDER by Bernadette Steele

Determined, personable, and imaginative are the words used to describe, Bernadette Steele. Throughout her life, Bernadette has used her persistent nature and quiet strength to navigate the hills and valleys of life.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Bernadette moved into the International House at the University of Chicago in 2004. The multicultural environment and gothic architecture of I-House and the U of C campus inspired her to write her first murder mystery novel, The Poetry of Murder (Oak Tree Press, January 2008).

You can visit her website at http://www.bernadettesteele.net/.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Bernadette! Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I am a first time published author.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

The name of my first book is The Poetry of Murder.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I received over 80 rejections from agents and publishers before I received one acceptance.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

Naturally, I was disappointed but not deterred. I continued to submit query letters and to explore other publishing options. For example, once I exhausted all of the potential agents and publishers in the United States, I was going to submit query letters to English speaking foreign agents and publishers. I knew going in that getting published was a numbers game and that if I submitted enough query letters eventually I would get published. I believed that my novel was good enough to be published. I just had to find someone else who also believed in my novel.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

My first novel, The Poetry of Murder, was published by Oak Tree Press in February 2008. After I determined that Oak Tree Press was a legitimate publisher, I accepted their offer because it was the only offer that I had. Oak Tree Press is located in Illinois and had published over twenty books prior to mine.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It felt great. I accomplished two goals. I completed my novel, and I got it published. I celebrated by treating myself to a nice dinner, and I celebrated with a friend by having dinner and seeing a movie.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I created my author website at http://www.bernadettesteele.net, and I sent out an announcement to my warm market of friends and co-workers.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

The route that I choose was the traditional route and I believe that this is the best route. I have nothing against self-publishing, but I think that it lends creditability to a writer’s work when someone else has enough confidence in your work to invest money in its production.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have only had one novel published. Having completed one novel, I have a better understanding of how to go about writing the novel and doing the research. I have also learned how to think beyond the novel with respect to future works and how the elements in the novel can play a part in the promotion of the novel.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I would have selected an editor with more connections in the publishing world, and when I was negotiating my publishing contract, I would have asked for more complimentary copies.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

My biggest accomplishment has been to create my author website. This task involved researching other author websites to see what the most important items were to have on it.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I have always been interested in architecture. I would have been a residential architect.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

No, I would not have given up being an author. If I had become an architect, I would still be writing.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Because I believe in thinking big, in ten years, I see myself as a best selling author, the winner of at least one Pulitzer Prize, and the writer of at least one screenplay and one television show.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

My words of wisdom for those who dream of being published would be to seek feedback from others. But try to pick people who don’t know you very well. And then pick and choose very carefully what advice you follow because when you try to please everyone, you please no one. In addition, be open to criticism but don’t let it destroy your dreams. I find that people who destroy the dreams of others, don’t have any of their own.

Bernadette Steele’s Virtual Book Tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Cheryl Malandrinos.

Interview with Don Miles, Author of CINCO DE MAYO: WHAT IS EVERYBODY CELEBRATING?

Don Miles has been News Director for radio stations in New York City, (WPAT,) Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska and finally Texas. He has won “Best Newscast” award from the Nebraska A.P. Broadcasters and his news teams in Florida and Nebraska have won numerous statewide awards. Don has served on the Board of Directors for Florida’s AP Broadcasters and has judged broadcast news contests for UPI Rhode Island. Don has taught at the Universities of Florida and Nebraska, at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and at elementary schools in New York, Connecticut, and Texas.

He is the author of two books in the field of broadcast news, (Broadcast News Handbook and Broadcast Newswriting Stylebook.) He has a Bachelors in Education from State University of New York and a Masters in Journalism and Communications from the University of Florida. You can visit his website at www.donmiles.com.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Don. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published?

Cinco de Mayo is my third book. I published two books in the field of Radio-TV news when I was teaching broadcast journalism at the University of Florida.

Can you give us the titles of all your books?

Cinco de Mayo: What is Everybody Celebrating? (2007)
Broadcast Newswriting Stylebook (1977)
Broadcast News Handbook (1975)

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not, and if not published, why?

Broadcast News Handbook was written in 1972, after I had finished several years as a news director for a station in New York City. It came out in 1975, just as I arrived at the University of Florida in Gainesville to begin work on my Masters degree in Journalism and Communications. It later became the textbook for beginning broadcast journalists, and was used at Florida and a number of other colleges for many years.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I gave Broadcast News Handbook to a friend of the family who had worked in executive positions in publishing for a number of years. I never found out how many rejections he received. He just kept mailing the manuscript out. Finally, H.W. Sams publishing company of Indianapolis came out with it in 1975, three years after I had given it to the family friend who was acting as my agent.

How did the rejections feel, and what did you do to overcome the blows?

Fortunately, I never saw the rejections.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

H.W. Sams of Indianapolis published it. They were recommended by my agent.

How did it feel to become published for the first time, and how did you celebrate?

The publishing executive who was acting as agent came to my house in Connecticut with a copy of the contract and we had a signing ceremony. The spouses and children from both his family and mine were there, and we had a picnic supper. I felt very thrilled. I could hardly believe that it was finally being published. The finished products arrived at our apartment in Gainesville, Florida, a few months later, where we had moved to pursue my Masters degree.

What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I was just starting my Masters’ studies, so I wasn’t in a position to very much promoting. I made up for that within the next year or two when I became a professor and made it the required text for the course I was teaching! It was used at a number of other universities and community colleges.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I did have it to do over again, about thirty years later. I approached more than 40 agents with a query letter about a novel in 2004. Almost all of them rejected it or didn’t bother to answer. Finally, one of them wrote on the rejection slip that he’d like to see a nonfiction version of the book. I did one, and then he took it around to more than 30 publishers with no luck.

Have you been published since then, and how have you grown as an author?

Yes, I came out with Cinco de Mayo in November of 2006. I believe I have grown as an author, because now we are actually talking about a book, not just a manuscript. The reviews and the response from critics, librarians, museum people and educators have been very encouraging. Spanish teachers in several states are field-testing it, along with the manuscript for a Spanish translation. I am confident that it will find its market and become an “evergreen” book, a valuable resource for teachers and students for many years. A bilingual coffee table edition with maps and photos is also planned.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up?  What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

What I did this last time was go to a vanity publisher to at least get a book on the table! Now, when I say I want to come out with a Spanish edition for students and a bilingual coffee table edition with photos and maps for Latin America and the rest of the world, and later with editions of that novel which I set aside in both English and Spanish, I won’t be answering questions like, “What kind of book do you think you might like to write?” We’ll start at the already-published level with great reviews and a newly-designed cover, and talk about an upgrade from there.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

With the help of a very supportive family and many new friends, I think the biggest accomplishment was being able to start a new life. My wife of 44 years died just before this latest book, Cinco de Mayo, came out. I miss her very much, but we had promised each other that the surviving spouse would get on with a positive lifestyle. The book is dedicated to her memory, and it certainly has helped me keep my promise to her.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I’m happily retired, so I don’t have that decision to face. Still, I had a number of very interesting professions along the way. I taught third grade as early as 1958, and found myself teaching it again when I retired in 2001. I worked for radio stations, mostly as a newscaster, in the 50’s through the 90’s, and I taught broadcast news at the college level in the 1970’s and 80’s. The various editions of my book that I’m working on now are more hobby than profession.

Would you give up being an author for that profession, or have you combined the best of both worlds?

No, I’m happy being an author for now. Teaching, universities and broadcasting were all interesting and even challenging at times, but I don’t think I would want to return to them at this point.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I’ll be turning 82 in May of 2018. Right now, I can’t imagine what that will be like.  I hope it will be fun!

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Keep your day job!

Interview with Lisa Daily, Author of FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME

Lisa Daily is a dating coach, speaker and popular media guest — she has done more than 2000 interviews on top radio and television shows, including iVillage Live, MTV Live, Entertainment Tonight and top UK national morning show, This Morning, and she appears as a real-life dating expert on the HITCH movie DVD starring Will Smith. A frequent source for reporters, Lisa has been quoted in hundreds of publications, from the New York Times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune to Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Men’s Health, Christian Science Monitor and US Weekly Magazine. You can visit her website at www.lisadaily.com.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Lisa. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Thanks for inviting me! Fifteen Minutes of Shame is my first novel, and my second book. My first book was Stop Getting Dumped! a non-fiction dating advice book for women.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

My first book was Stop Getting Dumped!, which was published in 2002.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Both of my publishing experiences were freakishly rejection-free.
My husband and I moved to Minneapolis after he finished grad school, and our young son was still miraculously taking three hour naps every day. I decided it would be fun to write a dating advice book in my spare time, and sell it online instead of going the traditional publishing route.

I did the math, and figured I’d make a lot more money if I published the book myself.

I never looked for an agent, I never submitted to a single publisher. I have an advertising background, and I knew art directors, I knew printers, I knew production people. I figured, how hard can it be? Besides, I planned to do all the marketing myself, and after 8 years of serving the advertising needs of corporate America, I thought I might like to call all the shots in my next creative endeavor. For a change.

So, I wrote my little dating book in about six weeks, set a pub date (Valentine’s Day, naturally) bought myself a block of ISBN numbers and found a good short run printer. I hired a book publicist to send out review copies ($5000, resulting in 7, count ‘em, 7 media hits) and built a website.

When Oprah didn’t call immediately, I started to worry. When B&N national decided to pass, I started to freak. I woke up in the middle of the night, terrified that I’d spent $10,000 we didn’t really have. I decided that publicity, lots and lots of publicity, would be my only salvation. So every time I woke up with nightmares of being sucked into a quicksand-fast hole of debt, I cranked out a press release and faxed it to every media outlet I could think of.

I got booked on a local radio station. I got booked on the local TV station. B&Ns all over the country started placing individual orders for my book. My $5000 publicist managed to snag a quickie review in the New York Daily News (thank you, Alev Aktar).

The interview requests started to pick up, and I had the idea to pitch the book to the Ally McBeal show –it seemed like a good fit, one of the characters was always doing weird stuff to try to snag a man. I sent off my pitch and received a lovely form letter back stating that they could not look at my book and pitch unless they came from an agent.

Well, that was inconvenient. I didn’t have an agent. Fortunately, my $5000 publicist had a good friend who was an agent, and she was pretty certain her agent pal would be willing to slap a cover letter on my package for Ally McBeal.

I’d racked up about thirty interviews, the book started taking off, but I was spending a couple of hours a day in my garage. (in Minnesota, in February), packaging up books one and two at a time for individual stores who’d ordered, and re-ordered them.

I was spending most of my writing time billing stores (individually, gawd help me) and shipping out books.

Two days later, as I returned from my freezing cold garage/shipping center, I got a message from the agent on my answering machine. She said she’d read my book, she loved it, and to give her a call if I ever wanted to sell it to a major publisher.

Hmmm. Thrills and glory as a big-time author? Or two hours a day in the garage? Hmmm…what to do, what to do? As soon as my fingers started to thaw, I dialed the phone.

We talked for an hour, and I agreed to sign on with her. I worked on a proposal over the weekend and sent it and my contract off on Monday morning. On Tuesday I got a call from the Sally Jessy Raphael show. They wanted to book me for Thursday.

I called Lorraine, my newly-minted agent, who promptly set up meetings with as many editors as she could squeeze in before my return flight. Two days later, I was in NYC, sitting across from Sally Jessy, one of the nicest interviewers I’ve ever met. I had meetings with three editors that afternoon, all at big houses, and had several offers from by the end of the week.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

When I first started looking for a job as an advertising copywriter, I was in a very competitive market and spent a lot of time showing my portfolio around. It was the first time I’d ever really experienced any kind of rejection of my work. I tried to listen to the criticism with an open mind – sometimes one creative director would love a piece, and then the next guy would think it was garbage, I’d listen to my own instincts. But when I heard the same type of comment over and over again about a particular piece or line, I took note and made changes. If you want your work to get better, you should at least listen with an open mind to the opinions people who are more talented or more experienced than you are. My portfolio got better, and fairly soon after that, I got my first copywriting job.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

Plume/Penguin published my first book and debut novel, Fifteen Minutes of Shame, as well. I had offers and/or interest from all six major publishers for Stop Getting Dumped!, but I really hit it off with Trena Keating, who was Editor in Chief at Plume at the time. She wanted to crash the book, which meant they would publish it as fast as they could print it (about 6 weeks later) versus the usual 12 – 18 month publishing process.

She was a great editor for me, a very good fit, and I felt lucky to work with her.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

On the night the deal came in, my husband and I drank champagne. A few weeks later when the book launched, my girlfriends threw a party for me.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I pitched radio morning shows non-stop. I’d send out a pitch in the middle of the night, and by the time I woke up, there would be a couple of interview requests in my email inbox.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

No. My brief experience with self-publishing gave me a real appreciation for all the things my NY publisher WAS doing to promote the book, versus the overwhelming feeling that many first time authors get – disappointment in all the things they’re NOT doing.

I got a crash course in how publishing works, and still had the support of a great editor at a big publishing house. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

My first novel, Fifteen Minutes of Shame will be coming out March 25, 2008. It’s the story of what happens when America’s favorite TV dating guru finds out her husband is cheating – live on national television. (It’s fiction, I swear!)

Plume/Penguin is publishing Fifteen Minutes of Shame – I had such a great experience with my first book, we decided not to shop it around to any other publishers.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

It would not have been possible to speed things up even more. Six weeks from sale to bookstore was barely enough time to catch my breath!

I don’t know that I would change anything – I learned from the things that didn’t really work (I’d probably avoid paid TV product placement in the future), but everything that happened brought me to where I am today, and I like that place.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

That’s tough. Stop Getting Dumped! hit the bestseller lists during its launch week both in the US and the UK – I’m really proud of that. I give love advice on a syndicated TV show called DAYTIME every week, and I’m really proud of that. I’m mostly proud that I followed my heart and wrote my novel, Fifteen Minutes of Shame, when it would have been easier to follow up with another non-fiction dating advice book.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Being an author is the best profession I could imagine. The second-best profession for me was my first career, as an advertising creative. I wrote every day, I worked with really smart people, I traveled and made a really nice living, and I worked on something new every week. For me, it was a dream come true.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I gave up advertising to be an author, and as much as I loved it, I wouldn’t go back. I love this more.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I’d like to have another ten books published (we’ll see how that goes). Like most authors, I dream of the top spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Mostly, I hope I’m as grateful for the experience of being published as I am today.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

What separates working writers from wannabe writers is sticking it out, getting it done, whether your muse is on vacation or not. Don’t give up when it gets hard – it gets hard for everybody. I recommend that anyone wanting to write books starts by getting the best writing job you can swing (newspaper, magazine, advertising copywriter) where you are surrounded by, and hopefully supervised by, writers who are far better than you are. Learn everything you can, and write every single day. Then, be brave and put your work out into the world.

Lisa Daily’s virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Dorothy Thompson.

Interview with Nancy Oelklaus: Author of JOURNEY FROM HEAD TO HEART

Nancy Oelklaus began her career as a high school English teacher in Marshall, Texas. She earned the B.A. in Communications from Oklahoma Baptist University, the M.A. in English from the University of North Texas and the doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University, Commerce. For nine years she served as assistant superintendent for instructional services in Marshall, followed by nine years as executive director for the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Since 2000 she has worked as an executive coach in Austin, serving entrepreneurial clients in education, social services, financial services, real estate, public relations, and city administration. Dr. Oelklaus has received numerous awards and honors for civic leadership, including the Vision to Action Award from the Visions of a Better World Foundation in Boston. She was named Leader of Leaders by Sam Houston State University’s Department of Educational Leadership and Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women of Marshall, Texas. In 2007 she received the Profile in Excellence Award from Oklahoma Baptist University. Her articles have appeared in publications including The American School Board Journal, The Austin Business Journal, The Systems Thinker, and AustinWoman. Her first book, entitled Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically, will be published in March 2008 by Loving Healing Press of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three coaching CD’s by Nancy are available through Amazon.

You can visit her website at http://www.headtoheart.info/.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Nancy Oelklaus Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Several years ago I self-published a small book of poetry entitled Alphabet Meditations for Teachers. Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically is my first professionally published book.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

I allowed Alphabet Meditations for Teachers to go out of print because I could not devote the time to marketing that it needed for a larger distribution. However, I still have it and may re-publish it at a later time.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

For a year I worked with an agent who was taking the proposal to major publishing houses. I lost track of the number of rejections, but I would guess it was around 15, maybe 20. After a year I decided I had to do something differently, so I consulted Irene Watson of ReaderViews.com, who put me in touch with Victor Volkman of Loving Healing Press, a small press in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He liked what he read! The first agent I used was also an intellectual property attorney, and when I took her the contract to review, she said, “This is better than anything I could have gotten for you from the major publishers.”

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I had been warned to expect rejections. I’ve heard stories about major writers whose work was initially rejected hundreds of times. I had been prepared, so I knew rejection was just part of the process.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

Loving Healing Press of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although I’ve never met Victor Volkman, president, I have experienced him via e-mail as a kind, patient man. I respect his work; he’s exacting, and he expects a lot from me, and he’s great at giving support and encouragement. When my attorney read the contract he sent, she said he was incredibly fair and obviously very ethical. My publisher has exceeded his promises, and I’ve had only good experiences with him. He delivers on what he promises, usually ahead of schedule.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It feels normal—like I’m finally in my own skin. The celebrations begin next week, with a book signing in the place I called home for 25 years. Then we’ll have a celebration barbecue in the place I now call home. It feels good. I know this book represents a significant accomplishment, but I’m more interested in getting it into as many hands as possible so that it helps people.

What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The very first thing was to have excerpts published in a local monthly magazine.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

No, I wouldn’t. I just kept taking the next step. And then the next. And the next. And before I knew it . . . .

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

My confidence has grown, and I’m now planning to write my next book.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I wish I had done something early on to boost my confidence. Because of some of the “horror stories” I had heard, I often doubted whether my work would ever be published at all. I also had a lot of fear about whether or not my husband would accept my decision to be an author. As it turned out, all of my fears were groundless. I also think I could have saved time if I had not been so intent on finding a major publishing house. That’s just ego stuff, and I know better. But it was difficult to get unstuck from that pattern of thinking.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

My greatest sense of fulfillment has come from the responses of people who have read the book. Their words tell me it has fulfilled its purpose to help people have happier, more meaningful lives.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I am a teacher. I started my career as a teacher of high school students. Then I was a teacher of teachers. Then I was a teacher for leaders, which I still do through coaching. Now my book, JOURNEY FROM HEAD TO HEART: LIVING AND WORKING AUTHENTICALLY, is teaching for me.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I’ve combined the best of both worlds, and I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

As I see myself today—living a good, healthy life, coaching leaders, speaking, and writing books.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Hold fast to the dream. Make the internal changes necessary to bring that dream into your current reality. Consider these words from Carl Jung: “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.”

 

 

Interview with Self-Help/Personal Development Author Gabrielle Goddard

Gabriella Goddard is the founder of Goddard International Ltd., innovators in personal development Gabriella works as an Executive Coach and Speaker. Her clients include senior executives in FTSE100 companies, TV presenters, authors, journalists and entrepreneurs. She is regularly featured in the media including International Herald Tribune, Weight Watchers Magazine, The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, BBC Online and on BBC Radio, Radio 5 Live and Discovery Health channel.

Originally from New Zealand, Gabriella enjoyed an extensive career in international marketing and branding before making the “gulp!” decision to set up her own business. Gabriella lives a free-spirited life with bases in London, New York and Spain. www.gulptime.com

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Gabriella. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title of your book?

Hi there. I’m the author of an exciting new self-help book called “Gulp!: The 7 Day Crash Course to Master Fear and Break Through Any Challenge” which has just been published by Bantam Dell in the US. This is my first book and I hope it’ll be the first of many!

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

”Gulp!” is actually the first book I’ve ever written which was why it was such a big to get it finished! But more about that in a moment.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I spent a year pitching my book idea to various publishers. But prior to even doing that, I spent six months working with a fabulous Book Coach, Julia McCutchen, who helped me hone my proposal writing and helped me to believe that I could actually string some coherent sentences together. I pitched my newly honed proposal to five mainstream publishers and I was overjoyed when two of them called me in for a meeting. They liked my ideas, but felt they weren’t quite “strong enough” to be commissioned. But it was a huge confidence boost and I realized that this was serious now, and I to sign with an agent. So I pitched my proposal to an agent and she took me on immediately. Within two months I had a book deal signed with Penguin UK. Bantam Dell then purchased the US rights for Gulp! less than a year later. So it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

On one hand, receiving the rejection letters was really hard. But on the other hand, they really served to motivate me to keep on trying. I always knew in my heart that my book would be published so I just kept chipping away. And when my spirits dipped, that was when the organic dark chocolate came out.

All I can say is that if you want to see your book published, you should never give up trying. Listen to the feedback you get and take it on board. Don’t be too disappointed by the rejection letters. Expect to get some, and then turn them into paper airplanes when they arrive.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

“Gulp!” was first published in the UK by Penguin in May 2006. When Penguin read my proposal, they instantly “got it,” so when they made me a really good offer I jumped at it straight away.

Then, when the contract arrived, it was one of the scariest moments of my life. After all that dreaming, there in right in front of me on the kitchen table was a contract. Now all I had to do was write 60,000 words – and make ‘em good ones. It was a real moment and it was this experience which motivated me to explore fear in such detail when I was writing Day 2 of “Gulp!” I tried all the techniques out on myself first – and thankfully they worked.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It was an amazing feeling to be published for the first time. I raced up to the book store with my camera and was like a proud mom taking photos of “Gulp!” sitting on the bookshelf. I organized a launch party at Penguin’s penthouse suite in London, and invited all the people that had been important supporters on my writer’s journey. And while we sipped champagne on the balcony overlooking the River Thames, we were blessed with the most beautiful sunset. A sight to be treasured forever.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The first thing I did to promote Gulp! was to place adverts in a couple of magazines targeting people interested in personal growth. Big mistake. They looked fantastic - but didn’t work very well. I also gave a number of talks and emailed everyone on my contact list about it.

Through trial and error, I’ve discovered that the book marketing methods that suit me the best are the online ones – virtual book tours, blogs, podcasts,online radio and video clips.

You have to find out what works for you. And that will take time – and expect to make mistakes along the way.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

As a first time author, being published by a big name publishing house has been a real privilege. And I’m now starting to write my second book which I’ll be pitching to publishers sometime over the next six months.

My biggest realization about the world of publishing is that it takes a heck of a long time to get a finished book on the shelf. It’s all a little too slow for my Aries creative drive. That’s why I’ve also gone down the route of self-publishing three personal growth audio books which are now available internationally. I’ll also be releasing some eBooks on Amazon Kindle later this year.

So a blend of publishing routes is what works for me. And this has been incredibly stimulating from a creative perspective, because writing for the audio medium is quite different from writing for the printed medium.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

Well, I’m working on my next book now, and boy oh boy is it a heck of a lot easier. I’ve learnt so much about being an author over the past two years. In “Gulp!” I talk about the importance of sparking your imagination, trusting your instinct and planning your way forward. And this is how I’m approaching my next book. With this framework, it feels natural and easy.

The other big wake up call has been that as an author, your work doesn’t stop once your manuscript has been submitted. A large chunk of your role is to market and sell your book as well. This takes time, energy and financial investment, and I’m a lot more realistic about the commitment involved in making this happen.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

There are only two things that I would change. Firstly, I would have spent more time just writing. It takes a while to find “your voice” so the more practice you get, the faster the process. The second thing is that I would have been a lot clearer about the “hook” of my book. I wanted Gulp! to be a general book that could help people face ANY challenge. But the problem with that is it’s too broad for the media. They need something specific to really hook on to. It’s taken me a while to translate the essence of Gulp! into a singular marketing message – which is to “Give Up Living Passively!” Ironically, with the recession looming this is an ideal message for the tough times ahead.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

One of the moments that I’ve cherished the most so far this year was seeing “Gulp!” on the bookshelf next to Deepak Chopra’s latest book in one of New York’s biggest Borders. After conjuring up that vision well over three years ago, it was amazing to see my dream crystallize. It just goes to show that what may seem impossible at first, can be possible.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

To be honest, I’m 100% happy with being a writer. I also speak at conferences, run my online personal development business and coach senior Executives. So I guess you could say I’m multi-professional.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I definitely think I’ve combined the best of both worlds. The only thing missing now is my talk dark handsome man and my house by the sea.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years time I’d like to have published a number of books, some of them novels in different genres (eg. romance, suspense). I’d love to have written a song that has been recorded. And I’d also like to have written the story line for a documentary or film.

But most of all, I hope that I’ll still be happy doing what I’m doing, taking good care of my health and really enjoying life to the fullest.

Because that’s what’s most important.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

My first piece of advice is to never give up. I know it sounds clichéd, but you never know when your luck will turn.

My second piece of advice comes from Day 6 of “Gulp!” which is to “focus and flow.” Be very focused about what you’re doing. Set deadlines and proposal submission targets. Develop the writing disciplines of a published author. And then flow with it and watch what happens.

And my third piece of advice is to stay inspired. Writing is a creative process so do things that spark your imagination, like watching a movie, or going for a walk in the countryside or taking a painting class. Just one spark could change your manuscript forever.

And if you need a little inspirational lift right now, you can visit YouTube to see the official book trailer for “Gulp!” (so just turn the speakers on, sit back and enjoy!)

Thanks for inviting me to be a guest on your blog. And anyone who wants to commit to writing their book can come and join the One Big Gulp! Campaign – it’s free and you get a downloadable Workbook, plus daily emails for 30 days, regular podcasts and chances to win free copies of Gulp! and coaching sessions with me. Join today at www.gulptime.com

Interview with H. Peter Nennhaus, Author of QUO VADIS, ISRAEL?

H. Peter Nennhaus, a retired surgeon and Illinois resident, was raised in Berlin and became a U.S. citizen in 1961. He is the author of Boyhood, the 1930s and World War II, Memories, Comments and Views from the Other Side. Among his various interests, the study of the history of the 20th century, the Holocaust, and anti-Semitism has been a persistent focus.

You can visit his website at www.outskirtspress.com/quovadisirael.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Peter! Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I published one book in 2002.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Is was entitled Boyhood, The 1930s and the Second World War, Memories, Comments, and Views from the Other Side. It deals with my childhood, which I spent in Berlin during the war.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I was stubborn. I must have sent it to 20 publishers but it was rejected by all of them. I then accepted an offer by a subsidy publisher.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

It was very discouraging. I was wondering whether the text was considered politically not correct enough or whether the quality of my writing was the reason for rejection. English is my second language, so that was a possibility. Nevertheless, I didn’t give in.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

It was published by Chandler House Press of Worcester, MA. I went through some soul searching but in the end decided, this was my only chance.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I received my author copies three days before Christmas and thought that was most appropriate. But there were early misgivings: Once the whole order of 300 books was delivered and I took them to my basement, I realized that getting them into the book trade was up to me as the publisher, apart from giving some advice, washed his hands of it.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

Being a novice in the field and lacking any sort of business instinct, I struggled along with contacting bookstores, suggesting book signings and talks, contacting newspapers, and offering it to local libraries, but encountered little echo. There was one Barnes & Noble book signing but it was attended by only a single couple. The most successful event was a talk I was invited to give at a synagogue. An adventurous undertaking, I felt, for a German to tell a Jewish audience of 85 listeners about his experiences during the war and Holocaust, but it was well received with praise and many thank-yous. Nonetheless, the books I exhibited in the local bookstore never sold.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I certainly would choose a demand self-publisher such as the one I used for my present book, Outskirts Press, as they render a flood of assistance in book promotion after the book is out on the market.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I love to write, it gives me pleasure. I also paint pictures, landscapes, botanicals, portraits and that gives me pleasure too. It’s the art of creating something beautiful or intelligent, and so is writing. It’s arduous, though, for like painting a portrait, it’s got to be perfect.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

Blessed if I know. Writing is like creating a flower garden. You design it artistically as best you can, but you still have to accept what nature makes of it. The creativeness is in your mind and your heart, you’re stuck with it. Don’t try to change it, it won’t work.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

It is the remarkable approval of my first book that keeps coming in at a steady pace. They tell me, in standard publishing the success is prompt and brief, whereas in self-publishing the echo grows slowly. That has certainly been the case in my Boyhood book where the approval rating has been most gratifying.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

In my case, it’s the other way around. I used to be a surgeon and it has been only after my retirement that I have had the time to enjoy this most satisfying life of an artist and a writer. That’s what I will do the rest of my days.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

Right now, I wouldn’t change a thing. This is it!

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Now that’s an interesting question. My writing career will very definitely be subordinated to my longevity. I definitely hope to be around then and still writing.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

By all means, go for it! If you find a mainstream publisher, so much the better. But it looks to me, because of the internet, self-publishing is wide open today and different from what it was twenty years ago. Maybe you will not succeed, so what? The fun is in the effort to express your thoughts and feelings. Reach out for the stars – even if you fail, its beats watching television.

Interview with Dr. Becker Holstein, Author of THE TRUTH (I’M A GIRL, I’M SMART AND I KNOW EVERYTHING)

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is the originator of The Enchanted Self(R). She has been a positive psychologist in private practice and licensed in the states of New Jersey and Massachusetts since 1981. She is currently in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.

Dr. Barbara speaks regularly on radio programs around the country, and appears on television in New York and New Jersey. Her inspiring audio shows and podcasts can be found on the web. Her articles and stories appear on the web on hundreds of sites. She also gives lectures, seminars, and tele-classes on happiness. Listen to her e-radio show, The Enchanted Self on http://www.ladybuglive.com.  Also, listen to her e-radio show, Happiness for Women Only! on http://www.internetvoicesradio.com/

Her newest book, The Truth, I’m Ten, I’m Smart and I Know Everything! is another first in positive psychology. Written by a ten year old girl as a diary, Dr. Barbara has been able to imbed lots of positive truths that we all need to remember and live by, regardless of our age.

The girl’s edition, titled: The Truth, (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) debuted February 2008 in bookstores nationwide.
You can visit Barbara’s website at http://www.enchantedself.com/  or her blog at http://www.enchantedself.typepad.com/.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Barbara! Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

This is my fourth book. Actually two of my books have had two versions. This book is one of those-the first version is The Truth (I’m Ten, I’m Smart and I Know Everything) designed for women, while this edition, The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) is for girls, tweens, teens and their moms.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

My first book is The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy and yes it was published by an academic press in l997.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Actually no rejections. There had been a version that was rejected, but that version was never finished. I had just done two or three chapters and sent our query letters. About four agents rejected the book which did not include the whole concept of positive psychology which was in the book that got published. I actually presented at a conference and an acquisitions editor came up to me and asked if we could talk. She loved my ideas and encouraged me to put them into an academic book. She set my head reeling and as they say, “The rest is history.” Two years after that the book, which is a pathfinder book in the field of Positive Psychology, with roots in Feminist Therapy was published.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

As I mentioned, my first book was a real gift to me. Even writing it, although it covered deep psychological material, was a dream. Sometimes it felt as if the words were being channeled to me. It was wonderful.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

The publisher was Gordon and Breach Science Publishers and the division was Harwood Academic Publishers. They have been bought out since by Brunner-Routledge Publishers.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I felt really wonderful. However, there was so much frustration in getting the books from Singapore to New Jersey that I almost lost my feelings of joy. The books arrived about 8 months late, resulting in me having wasted a lot of money as I had hired a publicist who kept doing work without any books to present. I did pull myself together and I gave a book signing at Barnes and Noble and then a party at my house afterwards. It was a lot of fun.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

As I said I had hired a publicist. She helped me get some newspaper and magazine coverage. I also send out flyers to my friends and associates. She also got me quite a few radio bookings and I got a lot more on my own and via advertising in a magazine that went to producers.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

No, this was an excellent route for me. It established me nationally as a positive psychologist writing in the newly emerging field.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have been published since. My next two books were published by a Print on Demand company, except that DELIGHT, one of the books was also published by LadyBug Press as a cd-rom multi-media book. That means it has the text, but also music, art and my voice. I don’t know if I have grown as an author. I think I have learned what I am good at writing and that my best style is not an academic style. I write simply and yet with a deeply moving touch. And I write fiction which I never realized in the beginning.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I don’t know if I could have speeded things up. In the best of all worlds if I could have gotten an agent that understood my books and we had worked together over the years that would have been ideal. I felt too much alone and isolated.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

I think the biggest accomplishment is reaching out to so many people via my writing. The miracle of the internet is part of all this. I put an article on the web, such as on my site, www.enchantedself.com and I don’t know who reads it or where. I have an e-radio show, such as www.internetvoicesradio.com  Kids, Tweens and Teens, and I don’t know who listens. But these are unbelievable accomplishments that promote healing in the world and help me to feel I’m living with purpose.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Probably actress and/or professional mystery writer.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

My base profession is being a psychologist. Being a writer is a dream come true. I’d still love to do some acting-but I might settle for The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) being turned into a movie or a play.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Working like crazy on the whole series that comes out of this book and having fun at the same time-vacations, networking, staying fit, feeling purposeful and happy.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

You can do it! Keep dreaming but also keep mobilizing. As my father said, “1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. Perspire a lot. It will keep you healthy, young and fruitful.

Interview with Woman Entrepreneur Karin Abarbanel

Karin Abarbanel is an entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and an expert on start-up strategies for women. In addition to Birthing the Elephant, Karin is the author of three other how-to guides. She speaks frequently on women’s entrepreneurship and served as spokesperson for Avon’s “Corporation to Cottage” program. Karin has appeared as a guest expert on ABC TV’s “Good Morning America,” CNBC, and WCBS. You can visit her website at www.birthingtheelephant.com.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Karin. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

I have published five how-to guides, including:

Birthing the Elephant
The Dollar Bill Knows No Sex
How to Succeed on Your Own
The Woman’s Work Book

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

My first book was the Woman’s Work Book, a pioneering career guide that explored job-finding resources for women.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Actually, I worked as a writer for hire on my first book and so a book packager had already made a deal with the publisher.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I’ve found that it’s best not to dwell on the rejections. I really work hard to focus on the value of what I’m writing and I just feel that the people rejecting me really don’t “get it” and so if the book isn’t for them, then they aren’t for the book!

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

It was published by Praeger, which no longer exists. I worked with a book packager who made the publishing deal before I came on board.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It was a wonderful feeling! I just loved holding the book in my hands and realizing that all my hard work was onw concentrated in one powerful little package. I went out to dinner with my family and my boyfriend, who I later married.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I didn’t know much about promotion – I was so green I thougjt the publisher would handle this. Whoops!

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I don’t think so. It was very satisfying to be published by an established publisher. I was in my mid-20s at the time, and I was very excited by the idea of having a book out.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I’ve learned much more about both the writing process and the marketing process as well. I used to wait for my muse to show up and she was often on vacation. I learned the hard way that when you show up, so does your muse! I have also learned much more about marketing and this is vital as an author. I’ve gotten very involved in Internet marketing for “Birthing the Elephant” – and find it to be very empowering. You can do a lot very cost effectively and really benefit from viral marketing.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I think I could have worked harder on my proposals. I’ve learned that putting together a really strong proposal makes writing the actual book much easier.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

I have been working on a play and I had a staged readig for it, which was very exciting for me.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Probably psychology or poetry therapy for children.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I love being a writer and I think I can pursue these other career ideas as well in some form.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself writing fiction and plays in a beautiful home by the sea!

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

If you really have the desire to be published, then stay with it!

Believe that what you have to say is worthy of being read – and find people who believe in your dream to help you. Write on!