I know what you’re thinking…. That’s a huge book.
Well, the thing I’m holding is a preview copy of our second book A Groundhog Career. The thing I’m standing next to is a poster we ordered for the book launch event on March 18th.
Writing a book is something of a marathon. The closest thing I can think of is doing a doctorate. The study, interviewing, writing, and obsession about detail is close to that. But it’s more fun. And hopefully gets read by a few more people!
Last week, we received advance author copies of the finished book. First sight of the completed product brings a euphoric feeling. Sort of like a cross between graduation and childhood birthday.
A Groundhog Career, as you know, was something we began working on in summer of 2023. We had a lull while we waited for the first book to ‘break’ (that’s author jargon). Helmut saw I was restless. So, he very wisely said… “well, why don’t we start work on book 2?’
We wrote the Groundhog Career story over 6 months and then put it to one side while we focused on publicizing A Career Carol. We came back to the book in the spring of 2024.
This coincided with forming a new publication partnership with Alison Jones and her team at Practical Inspiration Publishing. Ultimately, this had a big impact of the final form of the book. Alison’s inputs and coaching were very insightful. Never discount the subtle but profound influence of some well-timed ‘are you sure about that?’ and “or alternatively you could consider this.’
A Groundhog Career was probably finished in August of last year. As much as the manuscript was largely complete, the formatting and production process has its own timeframe.
And the product is so much the better for it.
Without doubt, the preview copies that arrived this week are the best Drs Schuster & Oxley produced books of all time.
OK… yes… it is the second book. But still, it sets a new standard. A Career Carol was a great first product. We were delighted with it. However, we think you will agree A Groundhog Career is better.
We are very excited to share the new book with the world. Not long now. The launch is less than a month away. We are planning a launch event in London for publication day. We have panel conversations, book readings, confetti, fireworks, ballon drops, clowns, dancing bears, a snake charmer, a reunion of the dance troupe Hot Gossip, and a secret announcement from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Some of the previous paragraph may not be true.
Lots of thanks to all the people who helped us to produce such a great book. We’ve mentioned Alison and her team. Andy Doodles Baker is tremendously talented and a lot of fun to work with.
However, without Sue Oxley, none of this would have happened. So, to Sue, undying love and gratitude.
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