Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Interview with Author Helen Horyza


 


 

  1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?

I was inspired by my clients. Over the past thirty years I have had the privilege of helping virtually thousands of people find greater satisfaction in their lives and their careers. It is brave to aspire to your potential. It’s easy to settle and give up. I wanted to ignite a spark of hope and grit, enabling as many people as possible to elevate their career. I also knew that my Elevate Career Cycle model would be an excellent foundation for the book. Additionally, the Cycle has helped so many people get unstuck. I wanted to get it out to the world.

 

2.What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?
Elevate Your Career:  Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of is about the Twenty-First Century labor market. I describe both the opportunities and the threats to your satisfaction, stability and success. Then the book presents my Elevate Career Cycle which offers insight into the psychology of career transitions and the strategic actions that will allow anybody get unstuck and on the road to their potential. As I describe the Cycle, I offer real life stories of people in the different stages. I end the book with a plea for readers to do what they are gifted to do. The reader is then invited to take my Elevations career assessment for free and to subscribe to my YouTube channel. This gives the reader abundant information and resources for long-term healthy career development.

My targeted read is under-employed, unemployed or folks who hate their job. This book has a wide audience from mature teens seeking a direction, to young adults suffering their quarter-life crisis in their mid-twenties, to gen Y, gen X, boomers and beyond.

 

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down?
Career upheaval is normal, predictable and can be navigated towards growth and transformation.
Career success requires grit and persistence.
You must be accountable for your career, no employer, government or economy with take care of you.
There is dignity in doing work that provides for your life/family.
Always keep striving toward your potential.

 

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?
First, write because you have something to say. I long knew I wanted to write a book but I was not ready. Over the past couple of years the structure of the book and the message became clear. All the bunny trails I had considered as book topics fit into the larger structure that became my EYC book. I encourage writers to find an editor or writing coach to stay on track and improve the quality of your book. Also, remember that no one cares about your book as much as you do. You will be the driver of the marketing, PR and social outreach.

One last thought, I released my book mid-January 2020. Soon thereafter, the pandemic shut-down traditional promotional avenues. I felt stuck for a while but eventually found a great book PR firm. TV interviews, book reviews, blog articles etc. can all be done virtually. Now my book is getting both national and international exposure. So, never give up and find a way to reach your audience.

 

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

I mentioned one big trend in my previous answer. Book signings, public speaking, etc. has vanished in it’s traditional format. Authors need to be both comfortable and effective in video formats. Public speaking on Zoom can be done! TV interviews, magazine interviews, etc. can all be done remotely. I now feel lucky because I don’t have to take a plane to get to the communication sources. This is a very current and positive trend.

The trend toward totally independent author-driven publishing seems risky to me. There is so much noise in the media between health issues, elections, fires and floods…I’m not sure self-publishing makes sense. I used a hybrid approach where is have a publisher with expertise to come to market at a very professional level but I own the book and get all the proceeds. I think this is the best route for less experienced authors like me.

 

6. What challenges did you overcome to write your book?
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit how little I knew about the elements inherent in a solid non-friction book. I needed to be “coachable” taking my editor’s advice every step of the way. I had to overcome my own worries that is might not be good enough (what ever that means). I wanted the book to be well written and readable. I had to overcome my doubts that I was capable of that. I also lost all of my income in the stretch of time that I was writing the book and in the first couple of months after releasing it due to budget short-falls, contract cancellations and most recently the pandemic shut-down. If I was not so far along in writing my book when I lost my biggest contract in October 2019, I might have given up. But, I live what I wrote in my book. I kept writing and have re-invented my career. I am opening the Career Coach Entrepreneurs Academy, a certificate program for people who want to become career coaches. I suspect that many authors in 2020 have a similar story to mine.

 

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?

 Your career is central to your ability to pay for everything in your life, to your financial stability, your health, your sense of fulfillment, your relationships and your legacy. The importance of making a great career choice and riding out the transitions successfully cannot be over stated. Buy Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of this month and then you will have the money and the fortitude to buy other books in the future. 

 

Author Bio:   Helen Horyza is an expert in the field of career development. She is an accomplished trainer, motivational speaker and executive coach.  Helen holds a Master of Science degree in Career Counseling from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and is a professionally trained coach through Coach Training International. She is a Nationally Certified Career Counselor (NCCC) and has over thirty years of experience uncovering talent and directing it to achieve extraordinary results. For more info, please see: https://www.elevateyourcareer.com/

  

Please Contact Me For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

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