During this time of year, many of us would most likely engaging in spring break activities. Instead of scrambling for our bathing suits, hats, sunscreens, and packing our bags, we find ourselves in a worldwide pandemic. I'm not taking this lightly and neither is my company Absolute Author Publishing House. All of our employees are now working from the comfort and safety of their homes and vowed to stay home unless absolutely necessary to obtain food or medical care. I pray that everyone who reads this adheres to the same. We as a world are in this together. From here on out, no matter what happens across the world, it will soon happen to you. We must all do our part.
Enough about me on my soapbox. I want to introduce you to an incredible book, "Out of My Comfort Zone" by Rebecca Camarena. Talk about perfect timing for a book as we all are facing coming out of comfort zones.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Out of My Comfort Zone: Stories of Courage, Perseverance and Victory Paperback – August 9, 2019
REBECCA CAMARENA
Tell your readers a
little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to
school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
It might be a big
world, but I’m a small-town valley girl from the San Fernando Valley, a suburb
north of Hollywood, California. It is the same valley that was and is home to
Hollywood actors. It’s a common sight to see film crews for television shows
and actors as you go about your day. In the 1980s Moon Zappa made it even more
famous in her song, Valley Girl and Tom Petty, in his song Free
Fallin’, released in 1989. I was born a generation before Moon Zappa, so I
was one of the original valley girls. I still live in the Valley and wouldn’t
consider living where I couldn’t get to the ocean or the mountains within an
hour.
What inspired you to
author this book?
I always wanted to
write an anthology book, but it was never possible if you weren’t a big-name
publisher. With the ease of technology and self-publishing, I was able to bring
a group of women together to author their stories.
Where
did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I wanted a cover that represented women getting out of their comfort zone. The beach is my happy place, and the woman on the cover standing on the pier throwing her hands in the air represents freedom from working for someone else, being able to do things for herself, and for those whose problems she solves.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
My grandmother was an author. In her late 70s, when she retired, she wrote a memoir and had it published for the family. She has been my biggest influence because of her dedication and determination that whatever she tried to do, she succeeded.
I wanted a cover that represented women getting out of their comfort zone. The beach is my happy place, and the woman on the cover standing on the pier throwing her hands in the air represents freedom from working for someone else, being able to do things for herself, and for those whose problems she solves.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
My grandmother was an author. In her late 70s, when she retired, she wrote a memoir and had it published for the family. She has been my biggest influence because of her dedication and determination that whatever she tried to do, she succeeded.
What
were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Designing the cover was a challenge. I used three designers and had input from a fourth, and there were several drafts and many revisions. Also, never try to get ten women to agree on anything. When the cover was completed, there was agreement from all the women. The woman standing on the pier throwing her arms open was the symbol that she was free from working for someone else and now was building her business that she could be proud of.
Tell your readers about your book.
My book is a compilation of stories from successful women in business. They share powerful stories and their rise to success. They stepped out of their comfort zone to excel in their business. They share the risks they took, how they sought out challenges and persevered in the face of adversity. By leaning into their passion and drive for success, they were able to change their lives. I hope that the exceptional women inspire you to push through and find your own success!
Who is your target audience, and why?
My target market is women, whether they’re running a business, working for someone else, or wanting to change or challenge themselves. The stories are inspirational, motivational, and speak to all women.
Designing the cover was a challenge. I used three designers and had input from a fourth, and there were several drafts and many revisions. Also, never try to get ten women to agree on anything. When the cover was completed, there was agreement from all the women. The woman standing on the pier throwing her arms open was the symbol that she was free from working for someone else and now was building her business that she could be proud of.
Tell your readers about your book.
My book is a compilation of stories from successful women in business. They share powerful stories and their rise to success. They stepped out of their comfort zone to excel in their business. They share the risks they took, how they sought out challenges and persevered in the face of adversity. By leaning into their passion and drive for success, they were able to change their lives. I hope that the exceptional women inspire you to push through and find your own success!
Who is your target audience, and why?
My target market is women, whether they’re running a business, working for someone else, or wanting to change or challenge themselves. The stories are inspirational, motivational, and speak to all women.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
My greatest success is obtaining my degree in English Literature. While I’ve had other successes, marriage, motherhood, and now being a grandmother, there’s nothing like returning to school as an adult and finishing what I started right out of high school. It’s my achievement, my accomplishment, and no one can take it away from me. Jobs will come and go, but my degree is for life. After I received my degree on that 8x11 certificate, I would look at it every few days to make sure the ink on it didn’t disappear.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
What sets me apart from other writers is that I have the experience of being a book writing coach. I work with my clients and help them overcome writer’s block, fear of writing, and publishing. The more I talked them through their fears, the more I could see myself in them. When my clients met their goal of being a published author, and grew as a writer, I was the one who was learning, absorbing, and adjusting my idea of what a writer is and how my words are just as important as the next writer. I teach from experience and write from the heart.
