Interview with Author Michael Ray Burse Jr.

 

 

 

1. What inspired you to write the book?

My wife, Nikia Woodberry, and my daughter, Ny’Lazia Woodberry-Burse, were my greatest inspirations, and then I have to consider the emotional devastation of losing my sister, Lasonya Burse. The encouragement of two wonderful women buoyed me to write down my life story finally.

 

2. What is it about, and who is it written for?

A Father's Cry is an unfiltered and heartfelt account of my journey as a father, including during and after a challenging divorce. It expresses the pain I felt for being away from my oldest kids emotionally. The book was written primarily for me (as it was part of a healing process). I have stigma around mental illness, PTSD, and all its ugly dysfunction and disorder, and found writing to be helpful to transfer all kinds of emotions.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get from reading your book?

I hope readers find some part of themselves in my story. I hope they take away that they are not alone in their pain or suffering. I hope they understand that fathers work to keep in touch with their children, even when parenting is rejected. I want them to recognize fathers' efforts and emotional truth.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The title A Father’s Cry was chosen after my sister’s death, as it depicts the unfiltered, genuine feelings I have had as a father. The cover design shows a man willing to cry and address the societal thought that men should always look strong and unemotional.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers, other than “run!”?

Say what you want. There will always be praises and criticisms, but no one can take away your truth. Do not let anyone disregard how you feel. Write freely, radically, and with emotion. Let tears and feelings fill the page and give them direction.

 

6. What trends do you see in the book world, and what do you see for the industry's future?

I am optimistic, particularly seeing a massive push towards AI and audio. With that said, books will prevail. People need to reincorporate reading into their lives like they used to before social media.

 

7. Were there particular experiences from your life or career that you leaned on to write the book?

Absolutely. As a father and career infantry soldier, both experiences contributed to the book’s content. The pain, the desire, and even the pain are emotions that all come out while writing.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? What writer or book is your writing similar to?

My style is unfiltered and emotive. I do not write in a particular style; I express whatever is on my heart and mind. If I had to choose some authors, I would say Eric Jerome Dickey and Zane. I enjoyed both authors' abilities to write freely and honestly.

 

9. What obstacles did you have to face in writing the book?

While writing, I had struggled with alcoholism, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. I had to find strength, therapy, and faith to work through it. Writing became my means of coping and moving forward. 

 

10. If people could only buy or read just one book in the month, why should it be yours?

My book provides perspective, and I think, an overlooked perspective; that of the father's emotional journey. It is about resilience, family, and strength from love and support. I disclose and share the book as a testimony of survival and growth. I ask that you support and try to understand the man behind the words—the father, husband, and survivor.

 

Author Biography:  Michael Ray Burse Jr. was born in Hinesville, Georgia, on October 15, 1981. He is the son of Michael R. Burse Sr. and Angelea Mitchell and was raised by John Mitchell Sr. He has grown up in a military family. Burse is the second oldest among his siblings and is an Orange Park High School alumnus in Jacksonville, Florida. He continued his education while serving in the U.S. Army and earned his associate's degree in Criminal Law from Texas Technical College in 2007. He earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Strayer University in 2014 and his master's from Southern New Hampshire University in 2021.

Social Media. Please see: https://facebook.com/michaelburse1410.

 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your 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!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 4.25 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