Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written several books already across a number of genres. They all reflect in a way my own journey… so they’re not some expert looking down at you and saying “believe this or else, do this or else”. They’re more along the style of a real person like my readers investigating something for themselves or standing in wonder about some subject. At least those are the books I’ve written so far.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most popular book so far has been on exercise: Strength Endurance: Reflections on the Legacy of Dr. Leonard Schwartz – creator of “Heavy Hands”, “Panaerobics”, “Longstrength” and “IsoTonOMetrics”… it’s a “how to think” by someone struggling to adapt and apply the information he’s found (and which otherwise doesn’t seem to be available) and help others think about it themselves. I’m not just some muscle hunk hired to promote a book and pose as directed. I also write about habits… as someone whose seen my own “Atomic Habits” crash and burn! … And what to do to over come the shame and get back on building life changing habits.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like lots of subjects so my main “unusual” habit is to 1. write in the “short reads” category and 2. write about things I’m learning myself as a fellow learner.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I go in fits and starts. For fiction I read through everything I could find by Stephen Hunter and then Lee Childs. The same for my exercise book. I read everything I could find on the theories of Dr. Leonard Schwartz, even patent applications. The difference is I actually wrote about him.
What are you working on now?
Part of the issue of fitness for most people who aren’t full time actors, athletes or other folks paid to keep in shape is how to do something that fits their schedule. My first research was on the most effective way to do that for myself personally … then it was finding ways to integrate it into an insanely busy schedule. So that gets to the area of habit formation and maintenance which I’m working on now with several short reads in the self help genre.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang has just what authors new to promoting their own work need to get started. An acquaintance recommended it to me and you can beat the price and exposure a $10 sponsored promotion brings. I’m sure it will be part of an ongoing mix of ways to reach new readers and help faithful former readers get new information.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Now that you can publish short reads on Kindle, there’s no excuse not to dip your toe in the water and get started sooner rather than later. In some fields self-publishing smacks of desperation but I wasn’t writing in those fields. I didn’t know if my Strength Endurance book would sell but it’s been a steady seller. I wish I’d done that sooner.
I’d also say “begin with the end in mind” which I didn’t. Figure out a way for your books to promote your other books. Also find a reasonably priced way to stay in touch with people by email and/or other methods so that your readers can remain in touch with you when your next book comes out.
So I guess my last bit of advice is to think in terms of multiple books from the start instead of trying to write one huge “perfect” book. I’m not sure they exist.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m too old to search my memory to tell you. But I haven’t gone wrong by cultivating the habit of reading the Bible every day (often the Gospels) – just a short segment often – and not putting it down until I can answer this question “What did I read that amazed me today?”
What are you reading now?
I’m research work on habit formation as it relates to exercise but also in relation to the topic of “what do you do when you fail the first time?” That seems to be where I and others need the most help.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to create a useful family of books to help people with daily life issues that I’ve encountered myself, and serve that readership some how with other related books.
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?
That’s a tough question. I would bring the Bible with me… and whatever other books I’d need to make it off the island! Jules Verne’s “Mysterious Island” would offer lots to read in that genre!
Author Websites and Profiles
Chuck Huckaby Website