Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former major league baseball player who, like many of us, could not get enough of the game while playing so I went into coaching it after my playing days. I opened my own sports academy to help young players develop their skills and form the love for the game that I had. Along the way, I learned so much about teaching the game and dealing with kids, parents and other coaches. When I stopped working so much, I realized I had a brain, so I began writing about my playing, coaching and parenting experiences. It has resulted in 3 books so far.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Creating a Season to Remember: The New Youth- Sports-Coaching Leadership Handbook came about after hearing so many parents and coaches calling their sports coach an “Idiot.” I began to realize that people were often right with their assessment but also sympathized with the “Idiots” because they don’t have the proper, or any, training to coach the kids in ways that inspire and improve their skills. So, I wrote a comprehensive handbook that deals with every type player and every situation that coaches of any sport will encounter in hopes of limiting the number of unfortunate scenes that occur daily on the playing fields and indoor courts. I am not sure there was an old handbook for coaching, but the state of youth coaching now demands a need for one.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, only that I do as little research as possible as I want the information I pass on to come from my heart and experience, not from things I read about the subject.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many authors and books from my younger days gave me a love of books and the goal of writing a book someday. My favorite was always The Catcher in the Rye, even though I was expecting it to be a baseball book. I write so much now that unfortunately, I do not read as much as I should.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my worst favorite part of being an author – the marketing – so I am grateful for sites like yours.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I believe just giving people quality advice, on a daily basis, about how to best deal with sports relationships is the best way to open their eyes to the possibilities of influencing kids in positive ways.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from the heart and let a professional worry about the editing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I am not throwing away my shot” – even though that came in recent years from the famous play, I think of it often, so as not to waste any days. I am not throwing away my shot at helping sports parents and youth coaches to be all that they can be.
What are you reading now?
Gonna try and tackle Alexander Hamilton, referred to above because the play was so inspirational.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Soon, I will begin another book to help coaches and parents navigate their way through the world of youth sports.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Catcher in the Rye and what else? my three books, Creating a Season to Remember, Raising an Athlete and The Making of a Hitter.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Perconte Website
Jack Perconte Amazon Profile
Jack Perconte’s Social Media Links
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