Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Here is a few random things about myself not related to what I write:
• Eating cheesecake
• Throwing boomerangs
• Trying to catch boomerangs
• Playing with his 1 year old (which is like playing with a smaller, smarter version of himself)
• Hosting fake job interviews with random strangers inside elevators
I’ve written a whopping 1 book 🙂
I’m currently working on severally other writing projects at this time, and I’m loving every second of it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first) book is Stage Fight. It’s a guide to help people get over their fear of public speaking. Most books on public speaking focus on:
-What to do on stage to wow your audience.
-How to connect with the crowd.
-When to pause for emphasis on key points
-Blah, Blah, Blah
But they don’t address the fear of having to get up in front of people. They don’t service those readers who are petrified just thinking about staring into the eyes of an audience whether that’s an audience of 5 or 500.
I work with some incredible people who truly kick ass at work, but once they get in front of the boss to show the great work they’re doing they get beyond nervous, mumble and stutter through their presentation. They don’t represent themselves well under that pressure. I wrote this book to help them and many others who have trouble simply being themselves while speaking.
I was once also terrified to speak. Hated it. I did whatever I could to make sure I didn’t find myself in front of a crowd. It wasn’t until I left the US on a trip to Honduras that I found a way to get over my fear very quickly. That experience is what I share in the book to help my readers punch their fears of public speaking in the face!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually write everything out by hand before ever cracking open my laptop to start typing. My first book was originally +48k words all written by hand. I find physically writing down my book is the exact pace I need to get the best content out of my head and on to paper.
I’ve gone through a stupid amount of pens in the process 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books my Tony Robbins and John C. Maxwell have been truly pivotal in my life.
Another phenomenal book was Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang. Changed the way I viewed rejection regardless of what flavor it comes in.
What are you working on now?
I’m now speaking and coaching to help even more people get over their fear of public speaking. Teaching others gives me energy and brings more so much joy in life.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m so new at this I’ll have to come back to this one down the road.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Show up. Some writers like to feel motivated or creative to write. Motivation is so fickle. It only tends to show up after you do. My best advice it to write every day no matter how you feel. Even if you know what you are writing is hot garbage. You’ll impress yourself just how much you’ll get accomplished by just trying every single day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best? That’s a tough one but here goes nothing!
Surround yourself with people that support and encourage you. Everyone else should really get second priority. This is tough to put into practice, but the outcome…incredible.
What are you reading now?
Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferris
What’s next for you as a writer?
Definitely coaching and more speaking. I’ll still continue to write books. I get too joy out of it to stop.
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?
1) The Bible. I mean come on! It’s the Bible! Even if you are not religious, this book is chuck full of awesome stories and life lessons.
2) Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
3) The best rated book on how to survive on a desert island
Author Websites and Profiles
Cody Smith Website
Cody Smith Amazon Profile