Darryl Hagar - Before He Was Published

I was now two years sober.I had been to over 300 12 step meetings, worked with a therapist twice a week, attended group mental health recovery classes for a year straight. My head was clearing and I really didn't want to go back to sea. What did I have to offer the world? I had navigated 900 foot supertankers for 20 years. I couldn't that ashore. I had drank and drugged for 27 years and unfortunately that was the only other thing I really knew a lot about.

I could write a book! God it would be an awesome read. All my sea stories, piracy, exotic ports and women, but most of it would be risky behavior about drugs and alcohol. I had done a lot of things that were socially unacceptable but there were dozens of lessons to be learned. I could make an impact on the world and leave a legacy of helping future generations srtuggling with addiction. I could even help an entire shipping industry, the merchant marines, that had a long reputation for drinking too much. What do you do with a drunken sailor? Well perhaps I could teach some sailors through my story not to be drunks.

I prayed to God to give me the courage, the wisdom, the strength to use my drug and alcohol crazy past to teach others about the disease of addiction and alcoholism. About how I succumbed to the temptation to drink and drug every day and how it ruined my career, my health, and nearly caused me to lose the one thing in life I loved the most, my son.

I wrote my entire life story, blow by blow, drink by drink,arest by arrest. I left nothing out nor did i embelish any of the events. It would be a no holes barred book that would stir peoples emotions, fuel their anger, and cause everyone involved how to better fight alcoholism and drug addiction, no matter what industry or population involved. I might have legal problems as a result of my writings but I would ask God for help. I couldn't help others unless I wrote down my story and shared it with the world.

The Man Overboard

How a Merchant Marine Officer Survived the

Raging Storm of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

was born and available at www.themanoverboard.com and www.amazon.com

Now I just had to have the courage to sign on the dotted line. As if a message from God came down from heaven I received the following two emails, One from one of my former Captains and the other from a major oil executive I had never spoken to in my entire life. I no longer believed in coincidences and after I received these emails, I moved forward and released my story to the world.

"I have had the pleasure of viewing your website,www.themanoverboard.com and wanted to let you know how proud I am having known you and what you are currently doing. As one of your prior supervisors, I apologize for not being more in-tuned with your needs at that time. Just know, as time progresses, we gain wisdom through experience. I have gained from this experience. Keep up the great work! I will continue to look for the good things in life that you have accomplished."

-Captain Richard Holman, Overseas New York and The Kenai

"Writing The Man Overboard and sharing your life experiences with alcoholism, ships, and the lessons you've learned takes great courage and will be helpful to our industry. I believe men will tuck your book in the bottom of their sea bags, right next to their dirty magazines, and read it back on the ships. I think men will look at their own lives, change their behaviors, and in turn, you will have helped prevent oil pollution and accidents. I will spread the work of your recovery and sobriety.

-Annonymous, West Coast Oil Tanker Port Captain

The Last Stop: Lincoln & the “Mud Circuit” by Alan Bower

Alan Bower

The Last Stop: Lincoln & the “Mud Circuit”

http:alanbower.com

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that’s featured in your book?

In March of 2006, I attended a meeting, in Taylorville, Illinois with its mayor, tourism council and president of the local historical society along with others interested in documenting Lincoln’s presence, activities and relationships in the city. This information would be used in promoting the city and its connection with Mr. Lincoln as part of the Looking for Lincoln project. “The Last Stop” was the result of that research project I agreed to undertake.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

I am directly descended from Joseph Durbin Sr., one of the first settlers who came to Christian County in 1829 and lived on Bear Creek, then part of Montgomery County. His brother, John “Stumpy” Durbin, arriving a year earlier is the great-great-great grandfather of Illinois Senator Richard Durbin. They both knew Lincoln for he represented members of their families in several cases. The two brothers are buried in the Durbin ancestral cemetery on Bear Creek in Christian County.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

The number of books available on Mr. Lincoln is said to number in excess of 15,000. I am sure the reader can find something that would interest them.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons?

My reasons are the same as your original thoughts.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

Anyone having a keen interest in the early years of Mr. Lincoln in the Illinois Assembly and his life on the Eight Judicial Circuit would find “The Last Stop” valuable in studying the types of cases he had including the extremely important relationships he established which would lead him to the White House.

6 - What do you think ignites a person’s creativity?

Passion…without it nothing happens.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

They perhaps fail to realize that anyone can write or they think they don’t have the time.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that?

A great journey begins with one small step and the same can be said for writing. The prospect of writing book can be intimidating and daunting task but if broken down into its individual parts the process soon looses it’s sense of enormity.

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

Motivation to succeed in anything we attempt comes from many sources and not always measurable in terms such as money or fame which can be fleeting.

10 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Never be afraid to try something you have never done before….you might be greatly surprised at the results…the best hitters in baseball strike out 70% of the time.

Meet Maria J. Andrade, M.F.T.

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.

Your Name: Maria J. Andrade, M.F.T.

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

Maria :I was born in the middle of the earth, Ecuador, South America. I was

raised in New York and in California where I now live with my husband,Sy.

2. How did you get started writing?

Maria : I wrote poetry and plays as a child. My undergraduate degree is in English but I studied psychology in graduate school. After becoming a Marriage, Family, Child Therapist

I wrote a book to help people succeed in love and marriage, entitled, Heart Magic, Keeping Love Alive & Well. It was translated into Spanish. I also wrote a book of poetry,

Singing My Self Home, a spiritual journey on the crisis of our time and my recent eco-social book and CD for children, Youngen Finds Her Song, which contains allegories about their global inheritance.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

Maria: I work with people in the field of counseling every day. I also garden, read and work on my house, which has become synonymous with working on myself!

4. What would readers like to know about you?

Maria: I don’t know what they would like to know. I am a pretty open person so whatever they wish to know they can always ask by going to : www.magicunion.com

5. What inspired your first book?

Maria: The divorce rate. Its like a crap shoot. One out of two marriages ends in divorce.

I also didn’t like to see the suffering it caused children. So I wrote a small self-help guide

to inform people about the greatest of all arts - the art of relating. It is not entirely true

what the Beetles said, “All you need is love.” I think we need some preparation in this

area!

6. How many books have you written?

Maria: The three I mentioned and 3 other kids’ books which will be coming out in 2009,

a science fiction novelette and a novel on the life of 3 women’s friendship which takes place in the 30s and a comedy play which I hope will be published by 2012.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

Maria: “Why Dear Mrs. Sullivan Is Distressed” and “Buster” are children’s stories in poetry. “Jennifer Magicum” is also for kids. The science fiction story is called, “The Return” and I don’t yet have a title for the novel or the play.

8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

Maria: I write what insists on being written and there are a lot of topics fighting for my attention so I usually give in to the one that most vehemently pursues me.

9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

Maria: Guilt- in part.I am sure I would have written much more if I had been more focused. My problem is I am interested in any number of things but I also have this commitment to my writing like a mother has to her children. It isn’t just about bringing them into the world but it is also helping them find a place there so they can have lives of their own!

10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

The priority is writing which I have done when I made no money at all at it but I like to know people are reading my work so obviously I will get paid. I have also given books away. This last book, Youngen Finds Her Song, An Inspiring Adventure From The Heart Of Nature, which as I mentioned, has an audio-book version with the voices of birds and insects conversing about “humans” and special sound effects and music. We gave many of the books and CDs to children who had special needs.

It is a book about hope, self-confidence, caring, earth stewardship and peace and I wanted to give it to them as a gift.

11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Which were the

most successful?

I think the reviews on Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com has helped and the American Book Sellers Association have done a great job getting the book out. Press Releases

are useful but not as helpful as forming relationships with people in the book trade

such as with this blog here with you! I appreciate the opportunity to be here.

12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

Maria: Although the book just came out barely a month ago it is already being used in schools. This is because of the work the publisher has done to inform teachers and libraries. We also have started a contest for students who write essay about the four basic concepts in the book, which includes some kind of drawing with it.

13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

Maria: Yes I do. I will be putting more information about the contest on my website: www.magicunion.com under “Children Books”

14. Where can people order your books?

Maria: They can order them through major book stores. However, for signed copies and for the audio book which seems to entertain and inform kids from 3 to 93 go to my website or write (Clara Publishing): clarapub@ca.rr.com

15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

Maria: I mentioned print, audio and also e-book.

16. Will you write more books?

Maria: Do dogs have fleas? How many is the question based on what the gal upstairs decides.

17. What do you have in the works now?

Maria: Most immediately I am working on the illustrations for one of the children’s books and I want to finish what needs completion the play and novel.

18. What does the future hold for you and your books?

Maria: I intend for people all around the world to read my books while I am above the sod. So I have my work cut out for me don’t I? Right now my children’s book, “Youngen” and “Rufus” (the two main characters in my book -birds) have flown to Canada to be part of the “Blossom Project” an organization that works with girls who are the first to go to college. They are also flying to Africa – to be part of the Woza Moya Poject to help children who have Aids. These are two good organizations for your audience to check out.

Who knows where my books will go next?

19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Maria: Make connections with organizations and people like you.

20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

Maria: Probably press releases. I wonder if anyone actually reads them?

21. Tell us about your most recent book.

Maria: This is a story about a small Thrush, who accompanied by her friend and guide an Owl, goes on a journey to find her unique song. She starts out without one, which is rare for a Thrush because they are beautiful singers. This is partly due to the fact that she has no confidence in herself. In one chapter she tries to put other bird’s feathers in her own!

At any rate in her journey she finds her song but she also discovers what “Humans”

are like and learns about the incredible beauty and wonder of the world around her.

22. What makes this book special to you?

Maria: This book contains everything I believe in.

23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

Maria: My favorite comments are from kids. I actually wrote this book with children ages 7-13 in mind. However, sophomores from Upland High School in CA wrote:
“Youngen is a great book. It taught me to respect nature.”

“What I liked about the book is that it showed some of the world’s problems through the eyes of two birds. I also liked that she went through a journey.”

A teacher wrote: Fabulous story! There are lots of insights and lessons for young readers.

For myself, once I started reading, I did not want to put it down!

24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Maria: I believe there is crisis in our country and around the world, which is social, economic, moral and spiritual. Fundamentally it is an opportunity for the human race to re-evaluate its priorities. My book written for children allows us to see what is truly important in life. These are things like family, friendship, community and the connectedness of all life. I think our ability to choose our priorities wisely now is a matter of our survival.

25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Maria: We need to get in touch with hope and this book offers that vision! It is not a Pollyanna kind of hope but based on some facts which people of all ages need to know.

26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own

creativity?

Maria: I love poetry and a good poem sparks my creativity but so does a good meal. I think it is important to be open to the world, people, nature, beauty, books, art. Etc. Keep being curious and being open to learning. I was thinking of learning to play the ducimer.

I am as old as dirt but hey, I would love to play that instrument when I do a poetry recital.

27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Maria: The need to communicate with large numbers of people about things you care about motivates authors. However, they usually begin by writing for themselves. I wrote poetry as a kid because I was moved by joy, sorrow, fear etc. I also wrote plays to see words come to life. It is something that is organic like becoming a kind of tree.

28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Maria: I think right now it is the contest which will offer kids a $50.00 US Savings Bond for writing an essay on one of 4 concepts in the book, Youngen Finds Her Song:

Self-confidence, Community, Earth Stewardship, or Peace.

29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

Maria: Teach Your Children Well! This book contains a essential values not only for an individual to create the “good life” but these are life enhancing values for a united World.

30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Maria: The major theme of the 21^st Century is “Relationship” with self, other and the natural world.

The lone wolf mentality is over. We can see that as we look at the impact of things like global warming, the economy, and human rights. We will either make it together or we don’t make it at all. My book reminds us that our chance of making is - good!

Jamie Glazov Author of United in Hate: The Left's Romance with Tyranny and Terror

Tell us the book title and your author name.

United in Hate: The Left’s Romance With Tyranny and Terror

What inspired the book?

When I saw my leftist acquaintances and leftists on the world stage cheering when 9/11 hit, I realized it was time to write a book exposing the Left’s charade of being for humanitarianism and social justice.

What makes this book special to you?

This book is special to me because I wrote it out of respect for the victims of tyranny and terror – who the Left tries to push into realms of invisibility. The Left’s priority is to wipe out the memory of the victims of adversarial regimes so it can keep its own agenda in place.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

If people want to arm themselves with knowledge to see more clearly the insidious forces that want to take our freedoms away, they need to read this book.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

People just need to have a passion for freedom and to be interested in preserving it.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

My creativity is sparked by my yearning to fight for the truth. I don’t think I can give tips to spark others’ creativity. This is something that must come from within. If anything, you have to rest. You can’t create properly when fatigued.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

Sometimes a project seems so large that you don’t know how you will overcome it. The key is to go step by step.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Everyone is different. In my case, it was personal. Communism killed millions of my people. It killed members of my family. I wanted to expose the Left for its veneration of the killers that led that system, and other systems.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Nothing really unusual. Just the standard interviews and reviews.

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

I am the best person to write this topic because I come from a tyranny and know what freedom and despotism are. I have dedicated my whole life to analyzing the leftist mindset.

NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

If a potential reader thinks that my book wouldn’t interest them then I would tell them they will never see the world in the same way if they did read it. My book unlocks the mystery of why leftists worship regimes under which they themselves would be killed.

NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

United in Hate solves the mystery of why believers in the West venerate regimes and ideologies under which they themselves would be extinguished.

NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

The Obama administration is planning to give $900 million to Hamas. Why would you fund a Nazi organization? My book shows how this is just another continuation of the Left’s romance with tyranny and death.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

United in Hate rips the mask off of the Left. The Left loves to portray itself as humanitarian and for social justice. My book reveals that the Left is vicious and has blood on its hands.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

www.Frontpagemag.com

http://www.amazon.com/United-Hate-Romance-Tyranny-Terror/dp/1935071602