Interview With Inspirational Author Cesar Soares

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?
After an accident and spinal surgery, I spent a long time at home recovering and unable to do much. Writing began as a form of therapy, also encouraged by my psychiatrist as I dealt with post-traumatic stress. I had experienced neurological problems following the accident, and writing helped me work on my concentration and keep my mind active. What began as therapy eventually became a book.

2. What exactly is it about, and who is it written for?
The book tells the story of my life, beginning with my childhood and the work I started doing at a young age. When my family faced financial hardship, I shined shoes at the age of ten. I write about the effort it took to build a career, become a television presenter, and own a communications company. I also share my setbacks and the difficult realities I experienced.

At the height of my career in Brazil, I lost everything: my family life, my relationship, the life I had with my daughter, and my money. I reached zero and had to start over in the United States as an immigrant. I came in 2017 with little more than a plane ticket and very little money, hoping to help my mother, who had cancer and needed me. Even after major surgery, I had to do physically demanding work because I had no other choice.

When I was about ten years old, I used to talk about the United States. Years later, I had forgotten those childhood thoughts, and then I found myself here in search of a dream. The book is for anyone who has pursued a dream, suffered losses, or had to begin again.

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
I hope readers see that every person’s story matters. I once thought my own story was not important enough to become a book. Writing my memoir helped me put my memories and experiences in order, and I hope it encourages others to tell their own stories too. The value of writing a memoir is not only in becoming successful as an author; it can also help you understand and organize your own life.

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
I chose the title because most people have experienced a dream being broken in some way, whether a business fails, a relationship ends, or something they hoped for does not work out. I have had moments when my own dreams were broken, and the title reflects that. I chose the cover design myself. The shattered glass represents a breaking point in my life.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers, other than “run!”?
Have the courage to write your story. Every person’s story matters. You do not have to write a book to become famous or successful. Writing a memoir can help you organize your memories and make sense of your life. With today’s technology, it is also easier for people to develop their ideas and bring their work to readers.

6. What trends in the book world do you see, and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I believe digital books will continue to grow, and audiobooks will become more popular as well. Publishing is also becoming more accessible. Platforms such as Amazon make it easier for independent authors to publish and distribute their books in many countries, without depending on a traditional publisher or literary agent. Technology, including artificial intelligence, may also help more people develop their projects and bring their ideas to life.

As these opportunities expand, I hope major media outlets will also create more ways to bring independent authors and their work to readers. I would especially like to see The New York Times Book Review open its doors to writers who cannot afford a literary agent or traditional publishing support. Many have beautiful and powerful stories to tell, but lack the resources and opportunities to reach a wider audience. Giving them a chance could help readers discover voices and life stories they might otherwise never hear.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
My experiences with both success and failure helped me tell my story. They taught me that a person can achieve a great deal through effort and persistence. I also draw on my interest in the law of attraction and on the personal and spiritual growth that have helped me throughout my life.

Coming to the United States with almost nothing and having to start over shaped my perspective. I had undergone major surgery, but I still had to take physically demanding jobs because I had no other choice. Those experiences helped me write honestly about determination, hardship, and rebuilding a life.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
My writing is based on real events. I write about human experiences, philosophical questions, and things that have actually happened. I do not write fiction. I admire Paulo Coelho, and I feel an indirect connection with his work. Since my book is a memoir, readers may also think of other true stories about perseverance, such as The Pursuit of Happyness.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?
The story is raw and honest. I had to put my ego aside to write about what really happened and show who I am. At times, I worried about including certain things, but I came to feel that I did not need to hide from the truth or lie to myself.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?
If readers are looking for a true story about determination, struggle, resilience, and faith, I believe they may find something meaningful in my book.

About The Author: Cesar Soares is a Brazilian journalist and television presenter who worked in broadcasting for nearly twenty years and later built his own communications company. In 2017, he came to the United States with very little, hoping to help his mother, who had cancer. Despite having undergone major surgery, he had to take physically demanding jobs and rebuild his life from the beginning. His memoir, Where Dreams Break, tells the story of that journey. For more info, please see: https://wheredreamsbreak.com

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 11 million page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 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 2026, 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) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). 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, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, 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