Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an amateur competing bodybuilder and nutrition/training expert. Over the years I’ve obtained a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge about the various methods of getting and staying in shape. Now I felt it was time to share that knowledge with others.
I have written two books to date, “Lose Weight Without Dieting” and “Flexible Dieting Handbook”. The former talks more about various lifestyle changes and habits that can help a person lose weight, not having to worry much about dieting. While the latter book focuses on providing information about the most reasonable and flexible method of dieting.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Flexible Dieting Handbook and it was inspired by my own personal experience of getting into the best shape of my life, despite eating anything I wanted.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a writer who relies heavily on inspiration and motivation. I can go weeks without writing a single word and I can have days where I crank out 10,000 words without issue.
I usually keep several browser windows open at all times during writing so that I can do research on the side, making sure I don’t make factual mistakes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alan Aragon and Lyle McDonald are both excellent authors and specialists on the topics of nutrition or training. Both have multiple books released which are all worth reading.
On a more general note, I grew up reading a lot of Jules Verne.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on several books with undecided titles. I still have some nutritional aspects to write about, as well as talk about training.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I feel no one site or method guarantees the best results. The best way is to make sure your book gets exposure from multiple sources – promotional sites, social media, word of mouth, online communities and guest posting.
It’s the whole package that generates the most sustainable results.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to ask and even pay for help when it comes to things like editing, proofing, advertising and so forth.
Most authors are only good at one thing – and that’s writing. Trying to learn all the other aspects of the publishing business is a very difficult process that may take a while to get a hang of. And chances are that people who specialize on a specific aspect will always be better at it than you. By all means – try to learn everything, but it’s best to pay for help early on, or your first book may never get properly launched.
I also recommend against signing up with Publishing companies. Publishing companies take too many freedoms away from the author, as well as ask for too much of the profits, while never being able to guarantee success.
I find it much more reasonable for the author to directly hire individual professionals to handle the various aspects of publishing that they are not proficient in themselves. That way the author keeps full control over the book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never be afraid to fail. It’s the failures that pave the way to success.
What are you reading now?
Currently nothing due to being busy with my own books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books. Lots of topics to cover.
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?
Books on how to survive being stranded, how to navigate using the stars and the sun, how to traverse the water with minimal assistance and other books of such nature.
Being stranded on a Desert Island definitely seems like a death sentence, but I’d rather die trying to figure out how to survive, rather than reading a novel as I die of thirst or something.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Mayfield Website
James Mayfield Amazon Profile
James Mayfield’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account