Interview with Barbora Knobova, author of Tales for Delicious Girls

Barbora Knobova is a writer, relationship coach and expert in Delicious Life. A world traveler, she is one of those rare world citizens who live everywhere and nowhere. Barbora is a firm believer in female friendship, loyalty and bonding. She writes hilarious, sharp-witted, caustically apt, ironic, moving, true books for strong, independent, smart, fearless women. Barbora has also written several self-improvement books and teaches women about the importance of self-love in relationships and life in general. Barbora speaks eight languages and has found her home away from home in New York, London and Milan. She is always on the move, accompanied by her beagle Brinkley, the nasty dog from Tales for Delicious Girls. You can visit her website at www.barboraknobova.com.

Welcome to Pump Up Your Online Book Promotion, Barbora. Can we begin by having you tell us what Tales for Delicious Girls about and why you wrote it?

Tales for Delicious Girls is a humorous, ironic book about men and women and about female friendship. It deals with dating and relationship mishaps and funny situations that actually happened, no matter how incredible it may seem. Its main purpose is to entertain but when you read it you realize the book also shows women that the relationship they have with themselves is much more important than their relationship with men and other people who surround them. It helps them love themselves more, appreciate and respect themselves.

Tales for Delicious Girls is a self-improvement book for women. Why did you choose this genre to write? Did you choose it or did it choose you?

The choice was mutual. I was inspired by my own life and experience, and by all the wonderful women I know, love and respect. I'm a coach and I work primarily with women. Every day I see that no matter how strong we are, how educated we are, how great our career is, sometimes we just get lost in the complicated web of relationships. I wrote Tales for Delicious Girls because I would like every woman to see herself as the pillar of her own life, her best friend. I would like every woman to truly love herself. I hope that my book makes women laugh and also helps them deal with any personal and relationship issues they may have.

In regards to promotion, what have you been doing to promote your book online?

I've become very passionate about online marketing and I love its endless possibilities. I love touring the Internet with Pump Up Your Book, it is absolutely amazing and effective, and I've been enjoying it so much. I've tried several social sites and Facebook and Twitter have turned out to be the best fit. I also have several book trailers and my own YouTube channel. I write and distribute press releases, I'm always on the lookout for new reviewers. I love BlogTalk Radio, I've been on several shows with wonderful hosts and I'm starting my own show (Delicious Radio) on BlogTalk Radio this Sunday. I blog regularly and I find article marketing very useful and effective. I'm still learning and I'm really enjoying it. Having a book means having a small business.

Of all the promotional items (bookmarks, press kits, etc…) you have used to promote your book, which one was used most effectively?

I have bookmarks, postcards, press kits, but what I really love are business cards. I had special business cards printed, with the ISBN, title, author, publisher, cover and a short synopsis. I give them away when I go shopping, in restaurants, at the post office, at airports, I put them into envelopes when I send letters or bills. All my friends and family are giving them away too. It's fun and you meet many interesting people.

Do you feel that the Internet has opened doors for authors who never dreamed they’d ever see a publishing contract and how has it influenced you in regards to your own publishing journey?

As I said, the possibilites of the Internet are absolutely amazing. You can write, publish, distribute and promote your book from the comfort of your home, while sitting in your jammies on your favorite sofa and sipping tea. Isn't it fabulous? The internet has opened a brand new world to me and I wouldn't have it any other way!

If you were in the middle of Manhattan and you wanted to call attention to your book, what would you do and what would you say?

I live in New York so it's really funny to imagine that. I would probably gather Barb's Eleven - a group of wonderful, empowered women who radiate self-love and self-confidence, and we would give away samples of my book, postcards and bookmarks while dancing and singing Beyoncé's Single Ladies. Ha! How cool is that? Guerilla marketing, anyone?

If you could trade places with any author just for a day, who would it be and why?

Emily Giffin. I love her books and I'd like to know what it's like to be a bestselling chick-lit author.

Lastly, how do you determine your book’s success?

Every day I get wonderful, encouraging e-mails from my readers and fans who tell me how my book has changed their life and helped them find self-love and self-confidence. This is the biggest success an author can ever have.

Thank you for coming, Barbora! Can you tell us where everyone can pick up a copy of Tales for Delicious Girls?

Sure, Tales for Delicious Girls is widely available online, at Amazon and other retailers, and also in bookstores. You can purchase it also from my websites (paperback and e-book) http://www.barbora-knobova.com and http://www.DeliciousPath.com. And remember: Be Delicious - Love your life and yourself.

2 Books + 1 T-Shirt Giveaway Today at Pump Up Your Book!

We've got three giveaways going on at Pump Up Your Book today!

Kaylin McFarren, author of the women's fiction novel, Flaherty's Crossing, will be giving away a t-shirt at Pump Up Your Book

Judi Moreo will be giving away a copy of her book, Life Choices, at Examiner

Misa Ramirez will be giving away a copy of her book, Hasta la Vista, Lola!, at Jen's Book Talk
Good luck everyone!

Interview with Jay Slosar, author of The Culture of Excess

Jay Slosar, Ph.D., is the author of a provocative new book The Culture of Excess: How Americans Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success (ABC-CLIO, LLC, November 2009). For the past quarter-century he has run a successful private practice as a licensed psychologist and has provided direct clinical and consulting services in a variety of diverse settings. Currently, Dr. Slosar is also an adjunct assistant professor at Chapman University in Orange County, California. He also provides forensic evaluations from court referrals, specializing in evaluating teenagers.

Dr. Slosar has worked and consulted for many companies and organizations, including: Health and Human Services Group, Young Life Enrichment Program, Family Solutions, Western Youth Services, Villa Millard Facility, and the Dawson Education Foundation. The services provided included: counseling, psychological evaluations, program design, staff training, and conflict resolution.

He also has served as the administrative clinician for a federal contract in the delivery of an employee assistance program for federal law enforcement employees and their families. Over six years, he was responsible for all clinical and administrative needs for an $8 million federal contract which included providing training/education workshops in the areas of stress management, trauma response, supervisory management, domestic violence, and workplace violence. He co-directed the critical incident response services for operational and non-operational traumas. He has completed certification in critical incident response training from the American Red Cross and the National Organization for Victim’s Assistance.

Dr. Slosar has written and published professional materials and articles, including a staff training manual for residential treatment services. He has also presented a paper at the FBI Quantico training facility on perfectionism and its relationship to suicide in law enforcement personnel.

Since 1985 he has taught in both the psychology department and the health services department at Chapman University as an adjunct assistant associate professor.

He was the president of the Orange County Psychological Association in 2004 and is a past board member of the California Coalition of Ethical Mental Health Care, a San Francisco-based group that promotes the ethics and integrity of mental health-care delivery services. Dr. Slosar was on the board of directors for the California Psychological Association in 2006 and 2007. He is also a Board Member of the California Association of Psychology Providers (CAPP).

Dr. Slosar received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, earned his Master’s Degree from Wichita State University, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Jacksonville University. He resides in Newport Beach, California. For more information, please consult www.cultureofexcess.com.

Welcome to Pump Up Your Online Book Promotion, Jay ! Can we begin by having you tell us what The Culture of Excess is about and why you wrote it?

The book provides a psychological explanation of how we as a nation grapple with self-control and how we can develop a new and healthier generation. I point out that our fast-and-loose approach to money is actually a symptom of a more widespread pattern of excessive behavior. We live in a culture where the drive to succeed and the fear of missing out manifests not only in self-entitled corporate fraud, but in everything from sharp rises in obesity and cosmetic medical procedures to equally troubling increases in eating disorders, panic attacks, and outbreaks of uncontrollable rage. The underlying psychological factor focused upon that leads to declining self-control and excess is the increasing levels of cultural narcissism. The cultural factors that contribute are the speed of technology, technology coupled with media, and extreme capitalism.

I wrote the book as I noticed changes in patients in my private practice that parallel changes in our culture. The premise is that culture trumps personality, and that these powerful cultural factors are changing the way we develop.

The Culture of Excess is a non-fiction book. Why did you choose this genre to write? Did you choose it or did it choose you?

I am a Psychologist, so this genre was most comfortable and easiest. The content is what I am passionate about and which I enjoy. It is not work, but is enjoyable to me. I have been thinking and discussing these issues for ten years.

In regards to promotion, what have you been doing to promote your book online?

E Mails to everyone I know, Linked In, Facebook and blogging. Used a press release issued through the web. Developed a web page.

Of all the promotional items (bookmarks, press kits, etc…) you have used to promote your book, which one was used most effectively?

My personal contact with all groups/organizations and professionals I have been involved with. In other words – your network. This is also where the internet is so helpful and expedient.

Do you feel that the Internet has opened doors for authors who never dreamed they’d ever see a publishing contract and how has it influenced you in regards to your own publishing journey?

Yes it opens doors but I think mostly for PR and marketing. You still have to have something timely, substantial and interesting. For me, the struggle was getting a contract from a publisher. I did not want to just use the internet or a self published work. You can put something out and say you are published, but it still may not attract much attention.

If you were in the middle of Manhattan and you wanted to call attention to your book, what would you do and what would you say?

I would announce the Title—the title has always led people to respond affirmatively. After that, its an easy sell, to explain the factors and rationale for the book.

If you could trade places with any author just for a day, who would it be and why?

Probably Richard Florida, as he has developed such an incredible authoritative network of professionals and sources for data integration.

Lastly, how do you determine your book’s success?

This is my first book, so I view it as a platform. I want to make the platform as solid as possible for a second book that would have an agent and a major publisher.

Thank you for coming, Jay! Can you tell us where everyone can pick up a copy of The Culture of Excess?

Yes through my website at www.cultureofexcess.com and Amazon and Barnes Noble.com or directly from the publisher at http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=112245

MOONLIGHT FALLS Book Giveaway today!

Vincent Zandri, author of the thriller novel MOONLIGHT FALLS, will be stopping off today at Pump Up Your Book to answer any questions you might have about him or his book!

Leave a comment between now and Feb. 19 to become eligible.

The winner will be selected on Feb. 22 and announced on the main blog.

To enter, click here: http://tinyurl. com/yf5u7m9!

Judi Moreo & friends to give away copy of book at Pump Up Your Book

Judi Moreo & friends will be at Pump Up Your Book on Monday, February 8 from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., answering any questions you may have about their motivational anthology, Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Turning Point International) .






Leave a question or comment (along with your email address) between now and Friday, February 19 at that link and you may win a free copy of her book!

The lucky winner will be announced on February 22.

ONLY THOSE LEAVING EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTEST.

Thank you and good luck!

Click here!