Interview with Robert Boich ‘Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting!’

Robert Boich was born in Phoenix Arizona. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and attended Ohio Northern University where he graduated with a law degree. The author also received his LLM in taxation from Boston University. In his free time, Boich enjoys golfing, skiing, reading and traveling. The author is currently working on his second book, a novel, based on World War I and the battle of Verdun. He is married with four children and practices law in Ohio. You can find the author’s book on his website at http://www.rwboich.com/

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

I’m a first timer.

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

Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting!

Q: 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?

One rejection from a major publishing house; although it did make it to the second level, where the editor suggested that I try and find an agent.

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

The rejection wasn’t devastating. I had done enough research to realize that some of the most talented and influential writers of our time had a difficult time getting their first works published. Plus, I was fortunate enough to have my manuscript read by the head honcho at this major publishing house, and I know for a fact that he liked my work.

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

I contacted an agent who was recommended to me by a family member in the entertainment business, and after reading my manuscript, she suggested that I consider using iUniverse to publish my book. She offered to represent me and try to find another alternative, but absent an author’s platform or celebrity status, she told me it would be difficult.

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

It felt really good to finally see my ideas and my words in actual book form. I felt like I had achieved a longtime goal. I don’t recall doing anything special to celebrate.

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

I think the first thing I did was to call my family and friends and told them to spread the word. To tell you the truth, I hadn’t given much thought to promotion.

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

I don’t think so. The important thing for me was to get the book out there. I was, and still am more interested in helping people who are struggling with substance abuse issues then I am in the number of copies sold.

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

No, but I’m confident that the whole publishing experience has made me a better author. I’ve learned a lot from the process.

Q: 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 that there’s really anything I could have or should have done differently. The whole process actually ran quite smoothly.

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

The fact that my book has been able to help other struggling alcoholics and addicts find their way into sobriety is by far the biggest accomplishment. I’m also proud of the fact that my book was named the 2009 Best Regional Book of the Year in the Reader Views Literary Awards.

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

Do I have to be qualified for the other profession, or are we talking fantasy world here? I mean, I have another profession; I’m an attorney, so in a sense, by writing I have chosen something different. Of course, it seems like it might be fun to get paid millions of dollars for playing golf.

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

At this point in my life, I just turned 51 in March, I would be quite happy being able to earn a living by writing.

Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?

I really love what I’m doing right now. I get to travel; I get to write, and I’m able to spend time with my family. I hope things are no different in 10 years from now.

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

Just do it. There is so much technology out there today, that there’s no reason not to get published if you really want to.

Beyond the Books with Michael Anthony, author of “Mass Casualties”

They say the Army makes a man out of you, but for eighteen-year-old SPC Michael Anthony, this fabled rite of passage is instead a dark and dangerous journey. After obtaining his parents’ approval to enlist at seventeen, Anthony begins this journey with an unshakeable faith in the military based on his family’s long tradition of service. But when he finds himself in a medical unit of misfits as lost as he is, Anthony not only witnesses firsthand the unspeakable horror of war, he experiences the undeniable misconduct of the military. Everything he’s ever believed in dissolves, forcing Anthony to rethink his ideals and ultimately risk his career—and his freedom—to challenge the military that once commanded his loyalty.

For more information please visit www.masscasualties.com

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

A: This is my first book.

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

A: My first book is this book, ‘Mass Casualties: A Young Medic’s True Story of Death, Deception, and Dishonor in Iraq.’

Q: 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?

A: Well, a lot of authors hate me for this, but I was able to get the book deal on my first try. I had initially planned on self-publishing and then just handing copies of the book out, but then my girlfriend told me to try at least one place out, I did, and the rest is history.

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

A: Well, I hadn’t gotten rejected, but I was angered when I had gotten the book deal on the first try, I had wanted to be a writer since I was sixteen, but I had never really believed I could have been one, everyone told me it was too hard, and then to get a book deal on my first try, I was angered at myself, for not believing I could do something.

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

A: The Publisher is Adams Media, they are an Imprint of F&W Media. I chose them, because they are the only people I had written to, and I didn’t want to spend time shopping it around, I just wanted to write.

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

A: It felt amazing, as if waking from a dream. I still haven’t really celebrated; I’ve just been working since then.

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

A: I went on facebook and requested everyone I’d ever known, as a friend.

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

A: No. I thought it was a great journey to see the book come to fruition, from what it was.

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

A: That’s a tough question, because to grow, you’ve got to have roots and know where you are, since returning from Iraq, I’m still working on finding myself and where my roots are.

Q: 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?

A: I would have tried earlier, I didn’t try immediately, because I had listened to other people who told me it was hard, so I did nothing, but once I tried, I realized that things aren’t that hard, as long as you put in the time and effort.

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

A: Since returning home and writing the book, I’ve been very active with veterans issues and helping suicidal veterans, and veterans with PTSD. The biggest accomplishment, is just that I can say I’m at least out there and trying to help out, and I liked to think through my efforts and the combined efforts of those I’ve worked with, that we’ve at least saved a few lives.

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

A: A profession other than writer. I guess if I could have anything, I would want to play for the Boston Celtics.

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

A: I haven’t combined the best of both worlds, and I don’t know if I’d give it up, I’d make more money playing for the Celtics and I love basketball, but I don’t know if I’d be as fulfilled and able to help and touch as many people, so I guess I’d have to stay where I am.

Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?

A: I would love to be still writing books, but especially writing movies, maybe movies and books!

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

A: Be patient, and put in a lot of hard work, and do ten times what you think is enough.

Interview with Irene Watson, Author of THE SITTING SWING

Irene Watson, author of award winning The Sitting Swing, was born and raised in a tiny hamlet of Reno in the northern area of the province of Alberta in Canada. It was a farming community, mostly settled by immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Poland during the early 1900s.

Two books that had the deepest impact were Change me into Zeus’s Daughter by Barbara Robinette Moss, and, Lost and Found by Babette Hughes. Reading both books inspired Irene to write about her own life’s journey, from growing up in a semi- abusive home to finally accepting that experience as a path to a spiritual understanding of life. She now shares her story in The Sitting Swing.

Irene is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Irene received her Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Summa Cum Laude, in Psychology from Saint Edward’s University in Austin and her Master of Arts, with honors, in Liberal Studies: Psychology, from Regis University in Denver.

Today, Irene lives beside Barton Creek in Austin, Texas with her husband Robert of 42 years, and their Pomeranian, Tafton; their calico cat from a rescue shelter, Patches; and their rescued cockatiels, Clement and Elgin.

You can visit her website at www.irenewatson.com or her blog at www.irenewatson.typepad.com/irenes_weblog.

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

The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference is my first published book. I have also co-edited two other books: The Story That Must be Told, and, Authors Access: 30 Success Secrets for Authors and Publishers. I’m in the midst of co-authoring another book that should be published by the end of this year. It’s called: Rewriting Life Scripts: Transformational Recovery for Families.

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?

The first edition of The Sitting Swing was published by a vanity press. Needless to say, I learned a lot about publishing. The book had many flaws and I took it off the market when I found out the promised editing didn’t happen. In the meantime a traditional publisher offered to publish the book. We made some major changes – the first being editing. We also added the subtitle, a resource guide, a reader’s guide, and other major changes.

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

The first time round I attempted the traditional route before I settled on a vanity press. I got over a hundred rejections. I was disappointed at that time, but now I know why. I was going about it the wrong way.

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

The book was first published in 2005 and I’d rather not say the publisher’s name. I chose them because they were the first ones that offered to publish it.

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

It felt great! I had a huge launch at a local university with all the frills that go with a great party.

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

I have a marketing background so I was able to do a lot of my own promoting. I also hired a publicist to help me with some of the areas I didn’t have strength in.

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

OH YES! As I said before, I learned so much the first time round. Good grief…..my first choice is of course publishing through a traditional publisher. But, if that wouldn’t work out I would go the “self-publishing” route through a vanity press. There are a lot of good ones in the industry that support their authors.

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

Yes, I re-published The Sitting Swing with a traditional publisher and I co-edited two other books the same way.

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?

Honestly, I don’t thing I would have done anything different to speed things up. When I got finished my manuscript the process went very quickly.

What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

Ahhh…yes…I would have made sure my book was edited properly, and then double-checked it. I paid for editing and assumed it was done properly. I didn’t check the work. After the book was published I found out, from a national newspaper reviewer, the book had major editing issues. I started checking and sure enough, even the word “foreword” was spelled as “forward.” That was very upsetting to me. For someone that was in publishing for over 30 years should have picked that up. Yes, I’m still upset about it. However, that said, I make sure an encourage all authors to be sure they double-check the work after it is returned from an editor.

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

Notoriety I would say is the biggest. My grandkids now have a Nana that is an “author” and that’s a big deal to them. (Laughs) But, on a more serious note, I established a book review and author publicity service called Reader Views. I learned a lot during my formative years as an author and still learning. My mission is to pass on everything I know to prospective authors.

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

None other at this time. I’ve been through six or seven career changes in my life. Each one has been a huge learning experience.

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

I’m combing both worlds.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Semi-retired and traveling the world doing transformational retreats.

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

Yes….never, ever, ever, ever, give up. There is someone out there that believes in you. And…be sure you double check the editing!

Virtual Book Tour: Interview with Jenny McGill, author of DRAMA & DIPLOMACY

Jenny McGill, a native of Mississippi, has widely traveled the United States and Mexico. She met her husband, Howard, in Texas and discovered he had the same love for Mexico as she. They have lived in the state of Jalisco, Mexico thirty-five years. Fourteen of those years she represented the U.S. Government in Puerto Vallarta as a consular agent. The McGills have retired to a mountain village near the coast where Jenny writes for the Mexican media, promotes young local artists and pursues her own writing career.

You can visit her website at www.mjmcgill.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Jenny. 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)?

This is the first time I have published a book, and I’m self-published. Drama & Diplomacy is my first book.

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 short story called Street Sounds of Mexico that was never published as a book, but it was published by a local newspaper in Puerto Vallarta.

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 never was rejected since I always planned to self-publish.

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

If I had been rejected, I probably would have thought, “That proves I am an author, doesn’t it?” I would feel sorry for all the people who missed my wonderful story and then I would have gotten out my Blue Funk File and found a reason to get back in the game.

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

I chose McGill Books because I own the company.

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

I felt ten feet tall! I spoke to the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group about the birthing of the book, the local media interviewed me and I was profiled in an upscale Mexican magazine, Vallarta Lifestyles.

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

I sent out 150 invitations to friends, characters in the book and local press to come join us for a book presentation in one of Puerto Vallarta’s luxurious beach villas, Villa Verano, owned our friends Burt Hixson and Gerry Battle.

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

I don’t think so. I wanted my book to be available to the public NOW! I think we all hope a big name publisher will jump at the chance to publish and promote our work, but we have to get started somewhere. I chose to self-publish.

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

I am a freelance writer in Mexico and I am published in several English newspapers in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. I write a monthly column for Mexico’s biggest English e-zines, and I am working on another manuscript; a historical novel based on fact, which I hope to have ready to print in the late spring of 2009. How have I grown? I believe I look at life differently now. I don’t paint with oils or watercolors. I paint with words, and a new scene unfolds every day that I want to write about.

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 searched for a good literary agent, and I certainly would not depend on my friends, my computer Spell Check or me to edit. The second edition of Drama & Diplomacy was professionally edited twice.

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

I don’t know that you could call it an ‘accomplishment’, but it is a fine feeling to be introduced as a writer. It is an even better feeling to be recognized by a total stranger who says, “I read your book and I loved it!”

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

I don’t think I would have chosen to do anything other than what I’ve done in my life. I used to dream about writing, but when I would wake up I couldn’t remember what I had written. In earlier life I didn’t think I had the extra time to write. Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing now – I have the time.

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

I’m combining life, day by day.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

That would make me 82 years old. If my fingers can still find the keyboard and I still recognize my computer, I can see myself choosing the actors who will play the characters of my books that have been made into movies.

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

Make your dream come true. You can. I did. Thank you for interviewing me.