Interview With Inspirational Author Jamie Weatherly

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?     It actually took some prying and pulling to get this final product out of me.  Initially my book project was nothing like what UnLoaded turned out to be. I “accidentally” included a few quips of recovery and hope in my original manuscript, and my publisher insisted I create a book with purpose, using my personal experiences and relatable rhetoric to possibly change the life of maybe just one person.  

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for?     This isn’t the story of an alcoholic/addict’s life; it is the story of life that just happens to be told by an alcoholic.  It is a quick and easy read and although some of the scenarios might be extreme, the underlying themes of fear, human nature, and self-exploration are familiar to any and everyone.  Who is this for? Everyone.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? Motivation to be exactly who they are supposed to be and the very best version of what that is.  To eliminate self-doubt and self-sabotage and abandon the monotonous comfort of complacency.  

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?   With the help of my wonderful publishing team, SPARK Publications.  The word “UNLOADED” itself plays on the slang of being “loaded” as in drunk or high.  We brainstormed and looked over a lot of imagery that I felt attached to and unattached too.  We felt really good about the simplicity and darkness of the photo chosen.  The color scheme hints at my Irish heritage with the “Un” in UnLoaded offset on white to stand out.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?     Be open minded.  You will have to take criticism.  WRITE EVERYTHING.  Treat it like a job…meaning don’t write when you can get around to it.  Instead set a regular schedule where you are not available to the rest of the world.  I had to tell my family as such, M-F, 5-6:30, I am writing.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?   Short attention span.  More audio books.  But just like an appreciation for “local” and “homegrown,” I think there is a resurgence for the everyman, self-published (or hybrid published) authors that are in the hustle of social media and selling out of their cars.    

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?    I was always a talented writer, so I was told by teachers & friends.  And believe it or not, as a life time fan of hip-hop and professional wrestling, I think I have a way with saying things in a creative and profound way.  Imagery is everything.  My career as a chef also; there is a lot of split-second, heat of the moment times of decision making.  Sometimes while writing I would choose a topic and just go, go, go full speed and just let it go.  There’s always time to edit and clean up later.   

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?  I right with my genuine voice.  It was difficult shortening some thoughts into concise sentences.  Free-flowing thought.  Unique yet relatable metaphors and stories.   

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?     With the subject matter of my journey through addiction and alcoholism, I had to go within myself to some pretty deep and dark places.  The years of my life in active addiction are not forgotten and ignored, but I had to put myself mentally and emotionally into those moments and revisit that mindset to capture my authentic feelings and thoughts.  The book isn’t a series of war stories, but I did need to submerge myself into some of those depths of hell to be able to bring forth my story of hope, motivation and inspiration. 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?     Because it can change their life.  It can be a reminder that we are destined for greatness and might be stuck in a rut we don’t realize.  It’s a reminder that we are not alone, that there are many (again, addicts and non-addicts) that share the same thoughts, fears, dream, worries…we are all human.  And we owe it to our family, society and ultimately our very own self to be the absolute best person we can be.  

About The Author: Jamie Weatherly is a proud Charlotte native that has spent most of his life in the Carolinas.  A lifer in the food service industry, Jamie underwent the most spiritual and emotional evolutions while cheffing and trudging through active addiction and eventually a life in recovery.  Once destined to be buried by his friends and parents, Jamie is now a happy family man, living in suburbia, and finds joy and pleasure in the most simple, daily nuances.   Having survived his own personal, self-endowed torture, Jamie realized he needed to share his story for anyone that might be as lost as he once was.  For more info, please see: JamieWeatherly.com. 

 

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum