Maxwell Ivey

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the blind son of carnival owners. I grew up wanting to follow in my dad’s footsteps and run the family business. I actually got to do this for about 11 years. He was my business partner and best friend. We drove a million miles together getting the show from one town to another. After his death from cancer, me and my brother patrick weren’t able to keep the show going. This lead to increased weight gain and depression that I only came out of when a doctor told me I would either have to get healthy or die. I was checked out by a good physician. She first had me tested for sleep apnea. I have it and my life started to change once they began treating it with a CPAP machine. It helps you breath at night. I got more energy and found my passion for life again. This lead to my starting an online brokerage company for amusement park and carnival equipment. I had to learn so much including how to hand code html, building an email list, growing social media networks, recording videos, blogging, replying to comments, etc. I later learned about word press and transferred my site. I had been hanging out in a lot of face book and linked in groups to promote my business. Many of them commented on how inspired they were by all that I was doing online. I told them heck I’m just a guy working hard to build a business and support a family. They said Max there are a lot of people who don’t have any physical disadvantage and yet they are doing nothing with their lives. They convinced me that by showing up when I could easily sit on the couch eat junk food and watch TV. I was an inspiration. That lead to a second website called the blind blogger where I share the more personal experiences of being a blind entrepreneur. I was challenged to write a book as part of a online summit. I wrote about my journey and the lessons learned along the way. It was called Leading You OUt of the Darkness Into the Light a Blind Man’s inspirational Guide to Success. People have been impressed and inspired. I started doing podcast and radio show interviews to promote it and have now become an expert on using online media to share your story promote your products and build your brand. My most recent book is Its Not the Cookie Its the Bag. Its a book about what I learned about losing weight and keeping it off. I had gastric surgery and lost over 250 pounds. I learned a lot of lessons about good physical mental, emotional, and spiritual health that I share in the book. I love to sing and often sing as part of podcast and radio show interviews. I live with my crazy dog penny half greyhound half dalmation so we call her a greymation. She is my mindfulness coach reminding me when its time to put the laptop down and get to my real job of scratching those places she can’t quite reach. I’m a good old fashioned southern gentleman and I’m single. If you have a question, just ask. I’d rather answer an awkward question than have you guess. Thanks, Max

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Its Not the Cookie Its the Bag. I was listening to all the ads during the last holiday season. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, there are lots of ads for diets, diet books, fitness centers, exercise machines, weight loss clinics, and surgery too. I thought with all that I have learned about losing weight and keeping it off why not write a book about it. People often say that if the blind guy can do it why not me. I am often referred to as the No Excuses guy because I just don’t do excuses. I believe there is always something you can do to improve your situation. I hope the book alps a lot of people finally get healthy and stay that way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on my laptop while lying down. I often plan my next blog post or chapter while in the shower or riding my bike that doesn’t go anywhere. I’m blind so I have no way to look at how my work will appear on the screen or page. For this reason I work based on what my words, sentences, and paragraphs sound like.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Eric Weihhamayer Blind climber who summited everest; Rachel Scdorous Blind Ididerod dog sled racer; Nick Vujicic born with no arms or legs; Jennifer Rothschild amazingly talented blind singer and author; along with people like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Mike Robbins, Elizabeth Gilbert, Dr. Laura, Gretchen Rubens, etc. And I often find as much encouragement and enjoyment in life from the pages of a good fiction book such as those from people like Nora Roberts, John Sandford, Robert B. Parker, J D Robb, Sandra Brown, Steven King, Tom Clansey, Clive Cussler, Faye Kellerman, Robert Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, just to name a few. I often remind readers of my blog that often the mind wants and needs a good mindless read as much as the body may want a snickers bar or some ice cream.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on rewriting my first book into a much more detailed version with many mor examples. I also have a new online radio show on the Universal Energy Radio Network. Its called Get It Moving Mondays. Its a show to help people take action by giving them a public source for accountability.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I prefer podcast, radio shows, youtube interviews, etc. I find that when people get to hear your voice and find out who you really are it helps them connect in a way they usually don’t from blog posts or magazine interviews. I am blind and don’t live in an area with the greatest public transportation. Doing these online interviews helps me avoid having to deal with logistic issues of speaking in person. I would love to do book signings and talk to college kids or business groups; but its not for me right now. Any method can work as long as you let your real true self show in the process.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read every day and write every day. They all say that writers write. This is true. You have to do it to get good at it. But I find most really talented authors read a lot. I suggest that if you ar having trouble getting started then maybe your goal is too big. I start out every writing session by telling myself I’m going to write for five minutes. No matter what I can do five minutes. So can you. Usually I look up 30 minutes an hour or more later and wonder where the time went. Just like most marathon runners didn’t start out thinking they would run marathons most authors don’t start out thinking of writing a 300 page novel. Most start out thinking I have a story to tell. So, tell your story. I don’t have to tell you not to think about grammar, punctuation, spelling, or formatting when you are writing. I know this can sometimes be hard for some people, but its really freeing once you get the hang of it. And just remember you can always hire an editor to turn your great story into a visual masterpiece.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My dad always said if you don’t ask they can’t say yes. Never be afraid to ask for help. Also, don’t be afraid to tell people God the universe what it is that you need and want. The more you put it out there, the more it will find you. This is how I found my editor Lorraine Reguly of Wording Well.

What are you reading now?
I’m always reading two books. I will have one fiction and one nonfiction. ONe is for pleasure and one is for while riding my bike or walking on my treadmill. My self improvement book right now is I Am by Joel Osteen. My for fun book right now is Swim Suit by James Patterosn.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to edit and publish my memoir. I want to get a traditional publishing contract at least once. I want my continuing story to be made into a movie or TV series.

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?
The Lord of the Rings, The Dark Tower Series, the Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Septic Tank, and Every Day a Friday.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maxwell Ivey Website
Maxwell Ivey Amazon Profile

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