1. What inspired you to write this book?
During my years working in aged care, I often found
that the new staff fresh out of training school. had very little practical
knowledge or experience in dealing with elderly people and especially elderly
people suffering with dementia. Most of them had had only a few weeks of
placement where they did very little work as they were
there to mostly observe. I felt they were not given sufficient “hands on
training” that would then facilitate their understanding of the role they would
be undertaking on the job. Also, more practical experience would help them to
see if they were suited to or liked working in aged care. I also encountered
families with loved ones at home that were struggling in caring for their loved
one as they didn’t have, or were unaware of the process of dementia or ageing. These
were the two main reasons I decided to write this book, in the hope of giving a
little basic information to those who need it.
2. What exactly is it about and who is it
written for?
Ground Zero The Frontline is about working with
elderly people and people affected with dementia, whether in an aged care
facility or at home. It outlines the skills and attributes the carer needs to understand
and communicate with the people they are caring for no matter what condition or
illness they may have. It’s also about looking at oneself and seeing a
reflection of yourself in others and understanding that regardless of age, we
are all human and need love, understanding, compassion and respect. There are
real life scenarios set as examples of the many situations that may be
encountered in this line of work. I wrote this book mainly for people wanting
to follow a career path in the aged care industry or those that have the task
of caring for their loved ones at home. It is written in a very simple way so readers
from all walks of life can understand it. Simple, basic, to the point.
3. What do you hope readers will get out
of reading your book?
I’m hoping that my readers will get an understanding
of others and a little more understanding
of themselves as well as some basic practical
information on how to deal with some difficult
situations. Just because someone is old and frail and
may be suffering with dementia doesn’t mean that they don’t need the love,
respect, compassion and care given normally to others. They need it very much
and deserve it.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title
and cover design?
Honestly, the book title came to me before I wrote
anything. Ground Zero, for me, is where it all happens. Where the action is. The
Frontline, is frontline workers. The personal carers, nurses and other staff
doing the everyday tasks and caring to keep everything going, be it in and aged
care setting or in a home environment. As for the cover design, I wanted
something very simple yet significant, hence the elderly persons hand in a
younger person’s hand. I also wanted it to be easily recognized and I think we
achieved that with the pink and tan colour. My publishers were very good in the
helping me with the design.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you
have for fellow writers – other than run!?
Don’t run. I think from my personal experience it’s
important to be passionate about what you’re writing and have knowledge and
clear thought about what you want to get across. Do it no matter how scared you
are. You’ll be glad you did. Many times I wanted to give up as the frustration
set in. Then I thought of how I would feel if I didn’t do it and the regrets I
would have in the future about giving up. That kept me going me matter how
difficult it got. I’m very happy I did it. It’s always a grand achievement.
6. What trends in the book world do you
see – and where do you see the book publishing industry going?
I see that there are so many more genres of books
these days compared to 30 or 40 years ago. It seems that no subject is off
limit (if ever it was). I suspect that more people are wanting to write about
what they know and put it out to the world. Self-publishing is seeming to be a
viable option for those who either are unable to, or choose not to go through a
publishing company. I find that there’s
also a lot of competition in the genres so that means that the book publishing industry
is alive and busy with something for everyone.
7. Were there experiences in your personal
life or career that came in handy when writing this
book?
Most definitely. The whole book is based on my work
experiences spanning over 30 years. Having worked in the industry for so long
you learn valuable skills and insight to pass on to the newcomers.
8. How would you describe your writing
style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
I’d say that my writing style reflects my personality.
Straightforward. Simple. Strong. True. I don’t beat around the bush as one
would say. I believe in being honest about what I want to convey to my readers.
Sometimes it can be confronting, but it’s the truth. Done with respect and tact
of course. I’m not sure who I could compare my writing to. I believe that this
comparison may be best made by others.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the
writing of this book?
My biggest challenge was overcoming the fear and doubt
that I was just wasting my time and that no one would read it and no publisher
would want to publish it. Finding ways of writing that were very simple and
could be understood by all while still conveying the message I wanted to get
across was at times difficult. Deciding which information was the most
important without overwhelming or confusing the reader proved a to be a
challenge as I had to constantly think that I was writing for people from all
walks of life with all different education levels and of all ages.
10. If people can buy or read one book
this month, why should it be yours?
I believe my book will be useful to everyone at some
stage in their life. We all know or have in our family or lives people that are
elderly or have dementia, or both. Knowledge on how to
communicate with, how to understand, how to listen to,
how to help and care for these people is necessary. My book gives out basic
knowledge at your fingertips. If you know how dementia works and how the ageing
process works and what you can expect, then you can deal with situations that arise
without too many problems. Information is power.
About The Author: Anna was born in
Italy and migrated to Australia with her family at the age of four. She trained
as a nurse in Australia and worked there for a few years before travelling back
to Europe in her early twenties, living in Switzerland and Italy for
twenty-three years. During that time, she gained valuable skills and experience
in the caring for the elderly and people affected with dementia. Anna then
returned home to Australia in 2010, where she continued to work in the aged
care sector, refining her skills and putting into practice what she had learned
abroad. Some of those precious insights and experience she shares with her
readers in her book. For more information, please see: https://annafpompetti.ampbk.com/
Need Book Marketing 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 over 30
years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.
Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!
Read
This!
Please
Support Book Aid International
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/please-support-book-aid-international.html
Wall Street Journal Leaves Authors With One
Less Best-Seller List To Manipulate
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/wall-street-journal-leaves-authors-with.html
Can
You Discover Your Book’s Reader Identity?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/can-you-discover-your-books-reader.html
The Author Viral Content Toolbox
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-author-viral-content-toolbox.html
Interview With Combined Book Exhibit’s
Director of Business Development & Media, Chris Malinowski
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/interview-with-combined-book-exhibits.html
Spotify’s Audiobook Deal Is Great – And
Awful!
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/spotifys-audiobook-deal-is-great-and.html
20+ Online Writing Communities For
Authors
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/20-online-writing-communities-for.html
Why Are Author Marketing Emails Lousy?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/why-are-author-marketing-emails-lousy.html
What’s Your Book Marketing Approach?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/whats-your-book-marketing-approach.html
How Authors Should View Selling Books
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/how-authors-should-view-selling-their.html
University Press Week Highlights Need For
More BIPOC Books & Authors
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/university-press-week-advocates-for.html
About Brian Feinblum
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.