My Second Book is Coming...

Happy Tuesday #Jontourage,

Welcome to my first-ever blog post, the “Classy Gent Chronicles”.  Thank you for supporting me and taking the time to read this.  But you didn’t come here for a fancy introduction so here we go…..

Yes, the rumors are true!!! I am writing my second book titled “Growing Gents”.  At this time, I am waiting to reveal certain things about the book like the cover concept.  However, there is a lot I can share with you.  I already gave you the title of the book but I can also tell you it is a children’s book and it will be released this summer.  My ideal release date is a my birthday so mark your calendars for July 26 (yes, I do accept gift cards to Red Lobster).

Now to answer the question you want to know, why am I writing another book?  I got the idea from an experience I had at a book signing last summer.  My current book “Master of Ceremonies: A Male’s Guide for a Successful Life” is a self-help book for young males (ages 13-25).  When I would be at book signings, many potential customers would say “I would buy the book, but I have younger children (under age eight)”.   So then it hit me, what if I write the prequel to my first book?  Although it’s not a fictional book, my current book tells young males how to be successful in the world as adult.  My children’s book will teach young boys how to be gentlemen.  My thought process is that now I will have two products that will help more males out since I am covering a larger age range now.  

Being an author has been a life-changing experience for me.  Having the opportunity to be on the radio and television plus appearing in magazines, bookstores, videos, and websites has been blessing.  I absolutely love being an author.  From the financial benefits to the social aspect, my life has truly change and I hope I have changed the lives of those I have met as well.  I’m actually kind of upset the vision to write a book didn’t hit me earlier in life.
Here are five ways being an author changed my life/perspective:

1. You never know who is watching.
2. Support is not always financial.
3. Writing a book is a business.  Learn to return voicemails, emails, and all business inquiries even if the answer is “no thank you!”
4. Publishing a book doesn’t make you a best-seller. Sometimes you may see less than 10% of the sales, reviews, and deals, etc. you thought you would see.  With stronger advertising, you can increase that.
5. Success is not overnight!  Be ready for long nights and early mornings.

Moral of the story:  You may wake up an average Joe one day, but when life gives you a new calling, sometimes you have to answer it.  It may confuse you but just run with it, you never know what will happen.  In 2015, no one could have ever told me that in July 2017, my second book would be published...

Remember, in order to live out your dreams, you have to think it, feel it, live it!  Until next time, stay classy...