Join Robert Boich, author of the self-help book, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! (iUniverse), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in May 2010 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!
About Robert Boich
Robert Boich was born in Phoenix Arizona. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, and a law degree from Ohio northern University. He also holds an LLM in taxation from Boston University. The author is currently working on his second book, a novel, based on World War I and the battle of Verdun. In his free time, Boich enjoys golfing, skiing, reading and traveling. He is married with four children and practices law in Ohio. His latest book is Excuse me, Your Life is Waiting! which you can find out more on his website at www.rwboich.com.
The Interview
Could you please tell us a little about your book?
I wrote, Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting! to help individuals who are struggling with a substance abuse problem bridge the gap between active addiction and early sobriety. The story is a non-fiction narrative based on my journaling efforts during the first six months of sobriety.
Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?
Yes, in fact the idea for the book was from one of my counselors in rehab. He felt that the ideas and situations I was writing about in my journal, and discussing in my group meetings would be able to help other addicts and alcoholics.
Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?
I wanted to do something that could help individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Of course my family was very excited about the project; but my most enthusiastic supporter would have to be an old childhood friend. We went through high school and college together, and have both struggled with some of the same demons over the years. I think that he bought ten or twelve copies and distributed them to some of our old friends, as well as a handful of people I don’t know.
Your biggest critic?
ME.
In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?
Absolutely! There’s nothing like going through the editing process to help hone one’s skills as a writer.
What is the most important thing in your life right now?
My sobriety and my family.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on my second book, a novel, based on World War One and the Battle of Verdun.
What are some of your long term goals?
It would be nice to produce a work that can stand the test of time, both critically and financially. Though, if I had to choose one, I would opt for the critical acclaim.
What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?
At this point in my short career I would definitely have to say that having my first book garner the Best Regional Book of the Year Honors in the Reader Views Literary Awards Program is my proudest achievement.
What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?
I wanted to appeal to the new comer in recovery, so I’ve kept the materials simple and easy to relate to. Early sobriety is a difficult time and there are a lot of changes going on in the alcoholic/addict’s life and in their everyday routines. I try and illustrate certain concepts and utilize some everyday situations where these new ideas and tools can be implemented.
Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what ways
Yes, for starters, it’s been more than three years since my last drink, or recreational drug use; and I’m also celebrating one year without a cigarette this month. There’s no doubt that I am a more focused and reliable person now than I was in my old life. Writing is a good example. I can think of two occasions during the past ten or twelve years before I got sober, where I began working on a book and quit. Something always got in the way. It wasn’t until I cleaned up my act that I realized the problem was me.
Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?
I like to answer this question because it surprises people a lot of the time. For the most part I do not regret my past mistakes, because without making them I would never have hit my bottom. The principals and tools that I have acquired in sobriety have enriched my life, and made me a better person.
What is your favorite past-time?
Travel, especially overseas.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Yes I would like to thank Review From Here for their interest in my story, and the opportunity to do this interview. I also want to thank Dorothy Thompson, and Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours for all of her help in marketing my story; and lastly, a special thank you to Irene Watson and the Reader Views Literary Award Program. I am also more than happy to answer any questions. I can be reached on my website at http://www.rwboich.com/
Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! by Robert Boich (click on cover to purchase)
About Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting
Making a resolution to address an alcohol or substance abuse issue is only the beginning. The real work begins when the alcoholic or addict acknowledges that something has to be done. As one counselor put it, “An addict only has to change one thing: everything.” More than mere abstinence or simply eliminating certain people and places from one’s daily routine, a successful recovery requires a brand-new approach in dealing with life. In this compelling, intimate narrative, Boich shares his struggles, and insights encountered during his first six months in recovery.
Read the Excerpt!
One of the first things I learned was that I was looking at things backwards; fix my substance abuse problems, and my life would fix itself. It seemed to make sense at the time. It goes back to the abstinence versus sobriety issue I mentioned earlier. It’s true, abstinence, definitely improved my life. I could see a difference in myself after a couple of weeks. The problem with this approach is that I was still the same person. I had to look at the bigger picture. One of my new friends explained it to me like this. “The man I was drank. The man I was will drink again. I have to change the man.”That statement echoed the sentiments of one of my counselors, the same one who encouraged me to write this book. He told me that in order to stay sober, I only had to change one thing. Everything!
Read what critics have to say about Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting!
“I applaud Robert Boich for his honesty, thoughts, for getting this published and most of all, for getting clean and sober…”
Chew & Digest Books
“I have to admit that when I got this book I thought it was just geared for the person that has an addiction but it ended up being so much more for me and I was just a person wanting to learn about it. I honestly have to say I have learned something from every chapter of this book…”
DK’s Book Reviews
Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting Tour Schedule
Monday, May 3
Interviewed at Examiner
Tuesday, May 4
Interviewed at Beyond the Books
Wednesday, May 5
Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, May 6
Book Review l Interview l Book Giveaway at DK’s Book Reviews
“I have to admit that when I got this book I thought it was just geared for the person that has an addiction but it ended up being so much more for me…”
Guest blogging at Blogging Authors
Friday, May 7
Book reviewed at Chew & Digest Books
“I applaud Robert Boich for his honesty, thoughts, for getting this published and most of all, for getting clean and sober…”
Monday, May 10
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Tuesday, May 11
Guest blogging at Night Owl Reviews
Wednesday, May 12
Guest blogging at The Book Connection
Thursday, May 13
Book reviewed at Simply Stacie
Friday, May 14
Interview & book giveaway at Literarily Speaking
Monday, May 17
Guest blogging at The Writer’s Life
Book spotlight at A Book Blogger’s Diary
Tuesday, May 18
Interviewed at Review From Here
Wednesday, May 19
Interview & book giveaway at Pump Up Your Book
Thursday, May 20
Interviewed on A Book and a Chat Radio Show
Friday, May 21
Interviewed on Book Marketing Buzz
Monday, May 24
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn
Tuesday, May 25
Interviewed at Divine Caroline
Wednesday, May 26
Book reviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Thursday, May 27
Book reviewed and interviewed at Chrissy’s World of Books
Friday, May 28
Interviewed at Working Writers
Related posts:
- Robert “Doc” Gowdy, author of “The Cassandra Prophesy” Book Spotlight
- “Young Guns” by Robert Tuchman book spotlight
- Interview with Stephanie Rose Bird, author of “The Big Book of Soul”
- Pump Up Your Book Promotion Announces May ’10 Authors on Virtual Book Tour
- Interview with Graham Parke, author of “No Hope for Gomez!”
Recent Comments