Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Phillip Reed, author of Idiots 'R Us.

Good day Phillip and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Phillip, please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.
 
Phillip:

I have been married for 19 years to a wonderful and supportive woman and we have a beautiful teenage daughter; I will be retiring to San Antonio, Texas after 24 years in the Navy and working to become a full time author.  My writing background only goes back to March 2005 when I published my first book, Deep Thoughts, which is a compilation of thoughts on different things from love, hate, racism and several other things that I felt compelled to put my thoughts out there.

Norm:

When did your passion for writing begin? What keeps you going?

Phillip:

When I was stationed in Hawaii in 2002, I hadn’t written anything prior to that and I began to write as a way of relaxing.  I had a lot of thoughts in my head that I wanted to share with other people.  What keeps me going is the support I get from the people who enjoy my writing!

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write Idiots 'R Us?

Phillip:

At the time there were a lot of people around me who were doing annoying things and there were so many people dealing with different annoying things and people; I wanted to show those people that they were not the only one dealing with annoying people and hopefully help those who were doing the annoying things to stop and show them the effect they are having on those around them.

Norm:

What is the underlying message or theme of your book?

Phillip:

For people to pay attention to the little things you do to other people and see how it affects people as a way of helping people do what is right by those people around them.

Norm:

How did you come up with all of the behavior patterns and actions you mention in your book? How long did it take you to jot them all down?

Phillip:

I thought of things that affected me or things that I noticed and then listened to people when they talked about how people around were doing things that annoyed them.  It only took two weeks to jot down all the annoying things that people do after listening and talking to people for about a month.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Phillip:

Not repeating the same habits, I made sure my editor had time to re-read and take out things that may have been repeated or similar.  It was a fun book to write and I enjoyed the process from start to finish.

Norm:

How do you intend to market your book?

Phillip:

Through book reviews such as yours, articles in the local papers, radio stations, TV’s and maybe a couple of book signings if the right person sees the books and wants me to come down and sign some books.

Norm:

Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?

Phillip:

I don’t have a favorite author, I try to read all different types of books and learn what I can from all of them.  I get my inspiration from talking to people and being able to help those around me.

Norm:

Although you are not leaving us just yet, how do you want the world to remember Phillip Reed?

Phillip:

As a person who always tried his best to help everyone and take care of those around him; also hoping all of my readers enjoyed my books or got something out of my words and were able to share what they learned with someone else, because my goal for everyone is we can all learn from one another regardless of race, religion, background, or status.

Norm:

What is next for Phillip Reed and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Phillip:

I am still working on the sequel to my first book, Deeper Thoughts and I have two more books in the editing process, Understanding people and Thoughts on Leadership.  I would like to thank all of my readers for the wonderful support with Deep Thoughts and all of the support I have been given so far with Idiots R Us, because without them none of this would be possible in making this book a best seller where it is destined to be.  I would also like to thank you for your wonderful review. 

Thanks once again and good luck with you book!