- What really
inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or
experience and conveying it into a book?
I was inspired by my clients. Over the past thirty years I have
had the privilege of helping virtually thousands of people find greater
satisfaction in their lives and their careers. It is brave to aspire to your
potential. It’s easy to settle and give up. I wanted to ignite a spark of hope
and grit, enabling as many people as possible to elevate their career. I also
knew that my Elevate Career Cycle model would be an excellent foundation for
the book. Additionally, the Cycle has helped so many people get unstuck. I
wanted to get it out to the world.
2.What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?
Elevate Your
Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of is about the Twenty-First
Century labor market. I describe both the opportunities and the threats to your
satisfaction, stability and success. Then the book presents my Elevate Career
Cycle which offers insight into the psychology of career transitions and the
strategic actions that will allow anybody get unstuck and on the road to their
potential. As I describe the Cycle, I offer real life stories of people in the
different stages. I end the book with a plea for readers to do what they are
gifted to do. The reader is then invited to take my Elevations career
assessment for free and to subscribe to my YouTube channel. This gives the
reader abundant information and resources for long-term healthy career
development.
My targeted read is under-employed, unemployed or folks who hate
their job. This book has a wide audience from mature teens seeking a direction,
to young adults suffering their quarter-life crisis in their mid-twenties, to
gen Y, gen X, boomers and beyond.
3. What do you hope will be the everlasting
thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long
after putting it down?
Career upheaval is
normal, predictable and can be navigated towards growth and transformation.
Career success requires grit and persistence.
You must be accountable for your career, no employer, government or economy
with take care of you.
There is dignity in doing work that provides for your life/family.
Always keep striving toward your potential.
4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have
for fellow writers?
First, write because you
have something to say. I long knew I wanted to write a book but I was not
ready. Over the past couple of years the structure of the book and the message
became clear. All the bunny trails I had considered as book topics fit into the
larger structure that became my EYC book. I encourage writers to find an editor
or writing coach to stay on track and improve the quality of your book. Also,
remember that no one cares about your book as much as you do. You will be the
driver of the marketing, PR and social outreach.
One last thought, I released my book mid-January 2020. Soon
thereafter, the pandemic shut-down traditional promotional avenues. I felt
stuck for a while but eventually found a great book PR firm. TV interviews,
book reviews, blog articles etc. can all be done virtually. Now my book is
getting both national and international exposure. So, never give up and find a
way to reach your audience.
5. What trends in the book world do you see and
where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I mentioned one big trend in my previous answer. Book signings,
public speaking, etc. has vanished in it’s traditional format. Authors need to
be both comfortable and effective in video formats. Public speaking on Zoom can
be done! TV interviews, magazine interviews, etc. can all be done remotely. I
now feel lucky because I don’t have to take a plane to get to the communication
sources. This is a very current and positive trend.
The trend toward totally independent author-driven publishing
seems risky to me. There is so much noise in the media between health issues,
elections, fires and floods…I’m not sure self-publishing makes sense. I used a
hybrid approach where is have a publisher with expertise to come to market at a
very professional level but I own the book and get all the proceeds. I think
this is the best route for less experienced authors like me.
6. What challenges did you overcome to write
your book?
I’m a bit embarrassed
to admit how little I knew about the elements inherent in a solid non-friction
book. I needed to be “coachable” taking my editor’s advice every step of the
way. I had to overcome my own worries that is might not be good enough (what
ever that means). I wanted the book to be well written and readable. I had to
overcome my doubts that I was capable of that. I also lost all of my income in
the stretch of time that I was writing the book and in the first couple of
months after releasing it due to budget short-falls, contract cancellations and
most recently the pandemic shut-down. If I was not so far along in writing my
book when I lost my biggest contract in October 2019, I might have given up.
But, I live what I wrote in my book. I kept writing and have re-invented my
career. I am opening the Career Coach Entrepreneurs Academy, a certificate
program for people who want to become career coaches. I suspect that many
authors in 2020 have a similar story to mine.
7. If people can only buy one book this month,
why should it be yours?
Your career is central to your ability to pay for everything
in your life, to your financial stability, your health, your sense of
fulfillment, your relationships and your legacy. The importance of making a
great career choice and riding out the transitions successfully cannot be over
stated. Buy Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of this month
and then you will have the money and the fortitude to buy other books in the
future.
Author Bio: Helen Horyza is an expert in the field of
career development. She is an accomplished trainer, motivational speaker and
executive coach. Helen holds a Master of Science degree in Career
Counseling from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and is a
professionally trained coach through Coach Training International. She is a
Nationally Certified Career Counselor (NCCC) and has over thirty years of
experience uncovering talent and directing it to achieve extraordinary results.
For more info, please see: https://www.elevateyourcareer.com/
Please Contact Me For 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
30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all
genres.
Happy Holidays! A gift for
you!
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About Brian Feinblum
Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This
is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he
now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab
rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and
IBPA’s The Independent. This 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 2018
as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com
as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity
for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.
