Authors Must Invoke Rocky As It Celebrates 50 Years

Fifty years ago America celebrated its bicentennial, elected a man who would become our best ex-president, and the Eagles launched a classic song, Hotel California. The Big Red Machine repeated as champs in what was then America’s National Pastime and Happy Days was the top TV show. 1976 was also the year of the debut movie of a classic franchise, Rocky, starring the then-unknown Sylvester Stallone.

As a movie buff who used to go to the movie theater to watch 100 films a year as a teenager, and as one who has seen probably 10,000 movies, I can say that one of the best movies ever made, that still rings true today, is Rocky.

It has many messages for authors to embrace, such as:

* Make the most of your shot at success.

* Work hard to seize upon an opportunity.

* Be driven beyond the dictates of your raw abilities.

* Ordinary people can accomplish extra-ordinary things.

* One can overcome huge odds against them.

* There are no boundaries to where your passions can lift you.

* You can’t expect to not take a beating when in pursuit of a major goal.

It is the story of the underdog, about rising to the occasion when you get your one lucky shot, and about the will to persevere in the face of fear, exhaustion, adversity, and pain. It is about clawing and grinding your way to even be in a position to compete. All Rocky wanted to do was go the distance, to stand toe-to-toe with the champ, to show that he belonged on that stage.

Though he fought with a lion’s courage and a gladiator’s heart, he didn’t win the fight, and yet, he was a winner by anyone’s standards. 

Whether you like boxing or not, this film can’t help but motivate and inspire its viewers. The signature song that begins with trumpets awakens something deep inside of you, perhaps bringing out what was long dormant or not even known to exist within each of us.

This, along with a scant few classics, like It’s A Wonderful Life, can be watched countless times over the years and you will still feel inspired and moved —  even though you can practically mouth the dialogue from so many viewings. Why? Because it is the story of the everyman, appealing to our desire to find and live our purpose in life, to fulfill our dream, and to rise up against all odds.

Rock-ee!

Rock-ee!

Rock-ee!

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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 5,400,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 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 2026.

 

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 was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

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

 

 

How Do You End Writer’s Block?

I will confess — and please don’t hate me for this — I never get writer’s block. Ever. 

That does not mean everything I write is genius or even good, but the ideas just flood me. I can’t write fast enough, as I fail to keep pace with my ability to generate ideas.  

I have known from a young age that I was gifted with a creative way of thinking but it was only confirmed when I took an IQ test as a high school senior with an organization called Johnson O’ Connor. My brain floods me with analysis, thoughts, what-if scenarios, and exercises in logic. I question everything and have an unending curiosity. Nothing fully satiates my wandering mind. 

They said my level of ideation was high. I have an ability to generate ideas quickly that was off the testing charts. I was in the 100 percentile. I have always been eager for input— exposure to things, events, or people that can inspire fresh thoughts. My instant reaction to something is to try to consume it from all sides and angles.  

From ideas, comes the act of writing — both to convey something but also to workshop something as well. I question more readily than I can make a declaration about anything.   

So, what is the secret to resolving your writer’s block?  

Everyone is different, but I would say to try any and all of these methods until you fix your brain constipation:  

1. Do whatever you have done in the past that worked to free your mind up for writing. In other words, look at past solutions as your playbook for today.  

2. Try to write your way out of it, meaning write about anything, as an exercise, just to get you going again. Even try different forms — write a diary journal, letter-to-the-editor, a poem, or a love letter.  

3. Take a change of scenery. New surroundings can instill new thoughts. 

4. Take a break. Just walk away from your desk and forget about whatever you were trying to write. Remove all pressures and demands to write and instead, do something else. 

5. Change your diet, sleep pattern, or level of exercise. Play a sport or partake in a competition. Jumpstart your brain power with a realignment of your physical state. 

6. Abuse your addiction — or go sober. I don’t do drugs and only drink socially. I haven’t been drunk in many years. But if lighting up, popping a pill, or self-medicating with an intoxicant relaxes you, makes you feel good, or puts you in a creative frame of mind, who am I to say no? Or maybe you party too much and your life is a shit wreck? Time to go cold turkey and clean your act up. 

7. Consume a book, movie, play, ballet, concert, comedy club, museum, poetry reading, or art show, or attend a conference or convention. Being around the arts and creative culture may stir some ideas or evoke strong feelings. 

&. Confront what blocks you. Think hard as to why you are not inspired to write and why you are feeling intellectually stunted. Go head-to-head with the truth.  

9. Debate someone about a political or philosophical issue, something to get your juices flowing again.  An honest intellectual exchange of ideas and opinions is a healthy prelude to writing.  

19. Get into an argument or delve into a drama with someone. Unburden your stress by yelling at someone. Embrace some road rage— but don’t risk your life in the process.  

11. Maybe you just need to screw the writer’s block out of you. Find someone to allow you to just release.  

12. Don’t overthink or seek perfection as a writer. Just unload your head and heart and then sort out the seashells from the seaweed.  

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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 5,600,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 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 2026.

 

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 was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

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

 

 

 

Are Authors The CEOs Of Their Writing Business?

 

You may think that you are creative, smart, and a good story teller. Perhaps you have life experiences or career moments that help inform your writing. You likely fancy yourself as a talented writer. But, are you ready to step up to being a small business entrepreneur?

Whether you are or not, this is in fact who you have to be when you are an author.

Granted, you are not selling widgets or providing services like that of a financial or medical doctor, but you do have a product — a book; a brand — you; and a storefront — your website. When you get into the business of writing books, you are a business.

You are the CEO of your writing career and publishing business.

What would help you to run your business more effectively and successfully?

* Be Organized: sloppiness is not an asset
* Stay Informed: keep an awareness of trends, news, and current events
* Use An Advisor: hire a book marketer
* Be Prepared: anticipate the potential of multiple paths and opportunities developing
* Stay Scheduled: or time gets wasted
* Have A Business Plan: or plan to fail
* Increase Your Communication: be clear and concise or suffer bad results
* Honor Your Commitments: or people will not deal with you
* Deal With Chores: conducting research, paying bills, keeping up with social media
* Take & Check Your Notes: always be learning

As the CEO of your writing business, you need to lead, not follow.  Your skills now involve managing others, working long hours, and doing many things that do not involve the act of writing. Shift your focus from just being the artist to business owner/talent. Once your frame of mind switches and you mature into a more complete person — and don’t just whine that you wish you could just write and leave all that other stuff to others — you will be ready to start experiencing real success as a writer.

 

 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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 5,400,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 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 2026.

 

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 was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

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

 

 

Which Questions Do Authors Need To Answer?

 

 

If you look at a map for marketing a book, your journey will take you to certain areas that are vital for success. It really comes down to knowing which questions to ask – and how to find answers to them.

 

There are scores of questions to be asked for you to answer, but the 25 below provide for a good foundation to get you in the right direction.

 

In researching your answers, be sure to seek out many points of view from multiple types of sources. Fellow authors, writer associations, author Facebook groups, publishing blogs, book trade publications, writer magazines, writer conferences, author podcasts, and books on marketing are all good places to start.

 

The more you know and understand – and the faster your education process takes – the better off you will be to execute a successful book marketing campaign. Kep asking questions - -and work hard at obtaining the answers.

 

Here are 25 questions you should ask yourself:

 

1.      What is my marketing plan for my book?

 

2.      What are my goals when marketing it?

 

3.      Will I hire a book promoter or marketer to help me do certain things and to teach me how to do things?

 

4.      How do I get more book sales?

 

5.      How do I sell the foreign language rights?

 

6.      How do I get my book turned into a TV show or more?

 

7.      Should I turn the book into a series?

 

8.      Can I create spin-offs to the series?

 

9.      Should I publish an audiobook?

 

10.  What should go on my website?

 

11.  Which platforms for social media should I be on?

 

12.  What should I be doing on each one?

 

13.  How do I get more professional book reviews?

 

14.  What should I do once I receive the reviews?

 

15.  How do I get more customer reviews on amazon?

 

16.  How do I improve and expand upon the distribution of my book into the marketplace?

 

17.  Where should I speak to promote my book?

 

18.  How do I go about arranging for these speaking events?

 

19.  Which awards should I apply for – and when do I have to submit by?

 

20.  How can I land a literary agent?

 

21.  How do I find a book publisher?

 

22.  How can I establish my writing legacy?

 

23.  What products or services can I create based on my book?

 

24.  How do I get more testimonials?

 

25.  How do I write books that are more marketable?

 

 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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 5,250,000 page views. With 5,400+ posts over the past 14 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 was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

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