To read part 1, click here. To read part 2, click here. To read part 3, click here.
Cendrine Marrouat: As a self-published author, what are some of the challenges that you encounter?
Michael Everett: The learning curve! There are so many parts of the process and so many frustrations and setbacks that it really takes a lot of drive and desire to see it through. I decided to self-publish because I was in a hurry and I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to my message, both of which are the two biggest drawbacks that I perceived about working with a publisher. It takes a long time to get an agent, a publisher and a printer and you give up a lot of creative control by going that route.
Another challenge is that many critics, stores and distributers flat-out won't work with self-published authors because of the sheer amount of junk that self-published authors shove out into the system every year. You could have written the next Citizen Kane, and unless you work like crazy to promote and get it out in front of the right people, it will remain virtually ignored.
Financially, you have to carry the whole load yourself as well. There are no advances and no promotional budgets outside of the ones you set for yourself. All that said, I wouldn't change a thing. I have learned so much that as my career grows and I begin to work agents, publishers and speakers bureaus, I have been in the trenches! I know the terminology, practices and procedures and can provide input based on experience.
CM: Are you working on something new?
ME: Yes! I set a goal early on to write and publish a book a year for at least the next ten years. I spend half of each workday promoting my current work and the other half researching and writing the next one. I have partnered with someone who is a successful business coach to create a course for people who need help making that all-important midlife transition. It's one thing to start over when you're 25, but it's downright scary when you're 45 or 55!
Additionally, we have so much more baggage at this age in terms of ego, where we think we're supposed to be now versus where we actually are, and the responsibility of family members who are dependent on us. I have 65 books on my desk right now that cover all of the aspects of midlife, reinvention and career change and am in the process of assimilating and simplifying. We're really looking forward to creating and teaching a course that will address all of the concerns, cover all of the options and provide direction and resources to those who are facing that part of their lives.
CM: Where can people find more information on you and your book?
ME: The best place is my website - it's constantly evolving from a place that was originally "Hey! Look at me and buy my book!" to a resource page for people looking for help, answers and support. I also do my best to keep my calendar up to date so that people who are looking for me to share my outlook and optimism at their events have an easier time of it.
"Recessions End" is available as a book, either from my website or Amazon. It's available electronically from www.Kindle.com and I just finished recording the audiobook version which is downloadable from my website and should be up and running on iTunes by the time people read this. Bulk discounts are available for companies, groups, churches, etc. I'm also on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn.
I also did a free video series on YouTube that has been getting a lot of attention as well.
Also - if you are an author, speaker, blogger, economist, optimist, etc. please feel free to reach out! I'm always looking for new ideas and opportunities to take my message to the next level or help others do the same.
CM: Any last words?
ME: Two things. I am fiercely proud of my Canadian heritage. Last year, when I sat down in the chair to get my "midlife crisis" tattoo, I changed my mind at the last minute from a Phoenix rising up out of the ashes to a Canadian flag with the words "Made in Canada" surrounding it. The standard jokes that have come up from it are that my insurance card is now permanently affixed to my body, that it represents the struggle and oppression of "my people" and that I won't have to go to the time and trouble of sewing a Canadian flag on my bag if I ever decide to backpack across Europe.
Also - I just love the name Cendrine Marrouat! Every time I say it, either out loud or in my head, I feel for a brief moment as though I can speak French. Although I am fluent in Spanish, Italian and English and even lived in Paris for a year, the French language has always eluded me. Thank you for that.
End of the interview.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com
Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com
Twitter: @cendrinemedia
Facebook: writercendrinemarrouat
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