Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have only written one book so far which is “Become a Music Marketing Guru.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Become a Music Marketing Guru: Diagnosing Your Marketing Mistakes and Fixing Them Today Using Ken Wilber’s Integral (AQAL) Model. I was inspired by my failures as a music marketer. I had been writing music for many years and wanted to find out what was missing from my approach. The deeper I dug into it, the more I realized how confusing marketing online really is. I thought that this might be true for more people than just me so I decided to write my book. I was also reading some excellent work by Ken Wilber and I realized we need to get this methodology to more people in more fields because it’s really helpful.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I read a book called something like “how to write a book in a weekend” and I took some methods from that little book. Basically, it encourages you to develop an outline of twelve points for twelve chapters and then dictate the book as if you’re talking to a friend. I then took the transcript and sent this to a transcription service that I hired through the website Fivvr.com. It was fairly inexpensive but not as cheap as I thought after it was all said and done. I then edited and re-edited the book many times and worked on many different titles. I realized that I had actually two separate books and divided it that way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was really influenced by the Laptop Millionaire by Mark Anastasi. The idea of obtaining freedom from your laptop and working from anywhere really resonated with me. After I read that book, I realized that I had to quit thinking and start doing and writing my ebooks. I have also been deeply influenced by Joe Vitale’s body of work and his inspirational messages. I love the way that Joe Vitale brings information down to the everyday level. In the same category I would place Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad/Poor Dad books. I couldn’t believe how expertly he explained finances and money – two topics that always seemed so complicated to me. These are the non-fiction writers I love. Of course there are many others in the biography and fiction spaces. The one I’m most in love with now is James Salter for his amazing clear-headed prose and pictorial style.
What are you working on now?
I have several books I’m working on now. First off, of course, is the second book that emerged from my original manuscript for Become a Music Marketing Guru. That book is really much more focused on a single platform called ReverbNation and I’m thinking of calling it ReverbNation Secrets. The others are a little different for me as I’m thinking of branching out into the health field to deal with some alternative health therapies that can help people heal from injuries. I also have an idea for a nonfiction book much more related to my job on corporate responsibility. As you can see, I’m an eclectic writer!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I will let you know once I get more experience in this! This is my first book so I’m still trying things out. I can’t believe how many sites there are to navigate in this space!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it! Now that I have my book on Amazon I can’t believe how exciting it is. I feel like a life-long dream has been realized and there’s so much more potential out there for me. I am glad that I put in the work and got it done. It’s opening up new doors and options for me that I always thought were so unattainable.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I read one of the early motivational books once called “Exceed Your Station” which talked about using your free time for self-improvement. I think in many ways it’s just that simple. If you want to improve your station in life, you have to take your surplus time and re-invest it in your passions. That and to borrow from Ken Wilber, focus on your self-development and your character and also honor your obligations. I think all of these things have helped me so far.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a biography of the writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It’s amazing. He was this courageous guy back in the mid-20th century who was afraid to fly but traveled around Europe, Russia, and Latin America as a journalist. He got access to the main stories of his day and focused on writing hard-hitting multi-perspective pieces which in some ways told the story of the modern, global world we are now living in. He was able to take these experiences and insights and turn them into some of the most famous, well-respected novels of the last century including 100 Years of Solitude.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just getting starting. At 41, I feel like I’ve finally found a path that I want to follow for a long time. I have a full-time job and family to support so I have to balance things, but I want to keep plugging away at this for a while. I want to create several more nonfiction books and see if I can’t develop a bit of a catalog to promote on my various channels.
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?
Hmm, that’s tough. I would have to say 100 Years of Solitude since the themes of solitude would probably be relevant to my time on the island. I would also have along Mikel Hawke’s Survival Guide to Getting Out Alive, James Joyce Ulysses, and a one or two spiritual books such as the Holy Bible and something from the Buddhist side of things. That’s five, sorry.
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