Thank you, James.
This isn't the first time I've had a book published, but it is the first in the full tilt age of blogging. Net-net, there may still be a place for self-reflection, but there no longer seems to be cultural sanction for private self-reflection. So as long as you are here...
Signs of Success is about 21 days old and it's been an interesting three weeks. The big deal exposure so far has been a long feature in the New York Post by Brian Moore, and a very nice column written by Anita Bruzzese who does human resources columns for Gannett that appear in newspapers nationwide. I've been on a number of local market radio shows, mentioned in a few blogs, and flattered by the Midwest Review of Books, which called Signs of Success "an important mainstream business book."
While I have little control regarding the features positioning (so far, most are a bit apologetic for bringing up the subject of astrology), I have really enjoyed the interviews with the journalists. Chad Graham, a business writer for my hometown paper...the Arizona Republic...confessed that he had swiped a copy of the book off of a colleague's desk. After ascertaining that I had nailed the qualities of his Gemini business personality correctly, he went around reading other people their profiles.
"But you know, Steve," he said to me in totally right-on-point Gemini fashion, "I realized that the real value of this book is that you can use it to manipulate your boss."
Speaking of Gemini, the feedback that has most touched me to this point has come from an old friend who is anything but disposed towards astrological credulity. He's a career internal auditor for IBM, and when we recently payed a farewell visit to Shea Stadium, I sensed he was on the verge of outrage at my squandering talent and reputation on such a pursuit as an astrology book. A couple of days ago he called with a hint of admiration in his voice, pronouncing the book not only engaging but useful...high praise indeed.
Well, I guess that's it for right now. I haven't checked my Amazon ranking for about 45 seconds and they are probably out looking for me. Sorry about the so far deadly accuracy of the June business outlook, but astrologically there you are.
Keep those brains moving.
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