Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the grandson of four Holocaust Survivors and have written three books. All of my books deal with the lives of my grandparents. They highlight the entire life journey of these incredible Survivors. The central theme is “Survive and Thrive”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Escaping Death, Embracing Life: The Jack Grinbaum Holocaust Experience”. This book is the written version of an interview I did with my Grandpa Jack about his Holocaust years. The book also covers what he remembers from before the war and just after the war. I have been inspired by my grandfather as far back as I can remember and I decided that now is the time to share the inspiration.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to give the reader a view into the whole person when I write. I don’t focus on specific “action” events as much as stories that reveal larger things about the person. I have been told that my books have a special narrative quality that uses imagery and pictures to paint a full picture.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my favorites are Mitch Albom, David Halberstam, Elie Wiesel, Anne Frank, John Feinstein and David Maraniss
What are you working on now?
I am now transcribing the interviews I did with my other two grandparents specifically about their time during the Holocaust. In the book about their lives, “Czech Mates: Holocaust Legacy” I take the reader on a full life journey, but this new book will give many additional details about their time in escaping the Nazis during the war.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook and Twitter and also try to send outreach to people who hopefully will have an interest. It has also been important to spread the word through people I know.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you love your topic. You also need to keep at it in terms of promoting the book. There are so many titles out there, you need to find your niche and keep at it virtually every day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To keep plugging away and keep trying to find those people who will take up your cause. Elie Wiesel’s book “Night” was gathering dust on book shelves until a Rabbi in New York many years after it was published brought it to prominence. If your book is worth reading, people will take up the cause…You just need to reach them! I guess this isn’t advice I heard but it is advice I gathered!
What are you reading now?
“ConsterNation! The Economics Behind the Angst” by Paul Winghart
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a series of Holocaust books that I intend to write. After that I am not sure, but I know I am not done! I love the writing process!
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?
They would need to be books I have not read. I would pick two sports themed books, one political book and one I would need to do a search for and see what strikes me. I love reading books about life in a professional sports league and about specific political campaigns
Author Websites and Profiles
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