In Careers By the People, you present the average workday through interviews from a broad spectrum of careers, offering advice and inspiration for high school and college graduates as well as those looking for change. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Careers By the People was written because I didn’t prepare for the workforce, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into, so my goal was to put my thoughts and ideas to paper to help the next generation with career choice and career readiness. I was a first-generation, low-income student which is deemed an FGLI. About 50% of college students are in this category. So, I wanted to tell my story and note what I should have done to prepare for the workforce, so they do not make the same mistakes.
My goal was simple; get a job that pays well. Selling technology pays well, but didn’t interest me, so I was bored to tears for years. I try to drive that message home when I speak to students, as many believe money equates to happiness, so I inform them that money is great, but also to enjoy your labor, hence why I write about career readiness, speak about it, produce YouTube videos about it and more.
What was your process for selecting the interviewees for this book?
Some of the process was a joy, such as reaching out to leaders in the industry I knew in the hopes they would tell their story about how they secured elite positions. Receiving those questionnaires was a big score. Others I connected with via professional associations. Another angle was through advertising in my college’s alumni network and magazine. Basically, any angle and way I could think of to ask workers to take 15-30 minutes to fill out a questionnaire about their occupation. Many were intrigued, and many couldn’t careless.
Did you learn anything during the course of your research that surprised you?
A lot. When it came to the questionnaires, I received some from former associates who I barely knew who answered the questions succinctly whereas close friends wouldn’t take the time to fill them out.
As for the workers themselves, the ones who took risks were happier or satisfied versus the risk-averse ones. One that stuck out was a clerk who truly disliked her job, and her responses, even after many edits, were hysterical.
Another curveball was when the professional truly disliked their occupation, and on one of the last questions asking if they would do the same career again, they said yes, which is mind-boggling.
Please understand that I had to review and edit a variety to find 101 nuggets of gold. Some questionnaires were “yes/no” for 90% of the questions. The goal was to determine what it was truly like to be an x, y, or z as the only person who knows about your job/career is you, so what’s it like to be an actuary?
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Careers By the People?
The questions. I hope anyone in school, the military, or changing careers views the questions and asks people in the industries that interest them the questions so they know what they are getting into instead of guessing “Yeah, I hear that it pays well, I will do that.” I want people to do a little homework on career choice before spending time and money on an occupation that won’t last 3 years, and then they are starting from the beginning again, trying something else.
The book is a fun read and offers suggestions and ideas to help you choose what profession is best for you.
Looking for advice on how to choose a career path? This dynamic approach goes straight to the source: asking real-world workers how they feel about their occupations.
After three decades in corporate America, Mike Wysocki wondered if the grass really was greener on the other side. So he put his background in sociology to work and spent years surveying industry veterans in a variety of occupations.
The responses were eye-opening: an honest, insider’s look at what workers say about their careers outside of the office.
Wysocki chose the 101 most powerful responses for the two-time award-winning Careers By the People to demystify the world of work with practical experience rather than theory. These industry profiles pair the practicality of guidance counselors with the storytelling of a networking event (without the small talk).
Told in a Q&A format, insightful answers to thought-provoking questions include: descriptions of a day-in-the-life of the profession they chose. truths about conflicts, co-workers, and management. common misconceptions, issues and what pitfalls to avoid. what’s fulfilling, what’s draining, and what’s worth it. With humor and authenticity that doesn’t hold punches, this career guidebook will help you narrow down career choices so you can determine what is best for you. All paths lead to retirement—which one are you on?
Careers By the People won a 2024 Bronze IPPY Award in the BEST FIRST BOOK – NON-FICTION – INFORMATIONAL Category as well as a 2025 Silver Axiom Award – Career.
It’s a great book for Careers & Technical Education as it views 101 occupations that break down into California CTE Career Pathways. In the book there are (4) in Agriculture and Natural Resources (7) Arts, Media, & Entertainment (1) Building & Construction Trades (14) Business & Finance (18) Education, Child Development, & Family Services (1) Energy, Environment, & Utilities (5) Engineering & Architecture (3) Fashion & Interior Design (10) Health Science & Medical Technology (3) Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation (5) Information & Communication Technologies (6) Manufacturing & Product Design (14) Marketing, Sales, & Services (6) Public Services (3) Transportation.
Since the book has been published, I have spoken at many high schools and colleges about career and career readiness such as Cal State Dominguez Hills, Boston University, UMass Amherst, Univ. of New Hampshire, Suffolk University, Hawaii Pacific University, Weymouth High School, Holbrook HS, New Milford HS, Randolph HS, Maui HS, Kapolei HS, University of Hawaii Maui College, University of the Pacific as well as many others.
Careers By the People was published to help students with career choice and career readiness. It’s a story of Wysocki, a first-generation low-income average student that makes it out of college unprepared for the real world and the obstacles that one faces. Thirty plus years later, the book is out. Each person was asked 20+ questions and the majority had 5+ years’ experience. Moreover, Hollands Occupational Themes is incorporated as the chapters with modern day terminology. It entices the reader with history and humor.
The website, http://www.careersbythepeople.com, has an excerpt to download, videos of the reasons for the book, the full list of endorsements, interviews, book reviews, YouTube Channel with over 80 videos about career readiness, a speaking engagement at Hawaii Pacific University etc…
Be Recognized is a step-by-step guide that lays out a clear path for experts who want to build authority, grow their business, and embrace AI rather than fear it so that they can stand out in the crowd. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book had to be written! Jenn and I saw this huge shift happening right before our eyes. AI was exploding, and people were either running toward it with curiosity or running away in fear. We thought, what if we could show experts how to embrace it? Because let’s face it: if you’re not standing out, you’re blending in, and no one gets discovered by hiding in the shadows.
We’ve helped hundreds of authors build their brands through books, but this time, we wanted to take it up a notch. We wanted to empower entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, and business owners to not only be seen but to be recognized as the authority in their space. And AI, when used right, can supercharge that.
AI has a negative reputation, particularly in the creative and publishing industries. What advice do you have to help those hesitant to use AI recognize its value, the direction this technology is taking, and how it can add value to their industry and business?
AI is not here to replace your voice. It’s here to amplify it. The way we look at it is this: AI is a tool, just like your laptop, just like your phone. It’s how you use it that matters.
I always say, imagine having a research assistant, an idea bouncer, a content booster, all available 24/7. That’s AI! And in publishing? It helps with brainstorming, outlines, editing, and even marketing strategies. But the soul of your book, your brand, your story, that’s all you. AI just helps you get it out there faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
So my advice? Don’t ignore it. Leverage it. Learn to work with it and let it enhance your creativity, not replace it.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
There were so many, but a few key ones stand out. First, visibility is everything. You can’t be in business if no one knows you exist. So we really hammer in on how to build your personal brand strategically, through publishing, speaking, and showing up online consistently.
Second, authenticity beats perfection. AI can help polish and scale your message, but your story, your voice, that’s what makes the difference. And finally, we wanted to show that being a thought leader isn’t reserved for celebrities. You can start right where you are with the knowledge you already have. You just need the right engine, and that’s what we give you in this book.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published?
If there’s one thing, it’s this: you already have everything inside you to be recognized. You don’t need to wait for someone to discover you. You have a story, expertise, and value the world is waiting for. The only thing you need is a system to shine, and that’s what this book gives you.
I want every reader to walk away feeling inspired, equipped, and empowered to show up as the authority they are. And when you combine that with the tools of today, like AI and publishing, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
#1 International Bestseller Dominate your niche. Automate your growth. Become the authority.
In a world where AI is reshaping every industry at lightning speed, standing still is not an option. Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published is the ultimate playbook for business owners, CEOs, consultants, and thought leaders ready to rise above the noise and lead with unstoppable momentum.
Authors Melanie Johnson and Jenn Foster, trailblazers in digital marketing and authority publishing, pull back the curtain on how high-level experts are using AI not just to survive, but to scale, sell, and succeed faster than ever before. This isn’t a book about future trends or theory. It’s a step-by-step execution plan to: Position yourself as a Category King in your industry Build an AI-powered content machine that never sleeps Automate customer engagement, sales, and visibility Turn a single book into a lead-generating empire Launch high-ticket offers with authority and ease Future-proof your brand with intelligent systems that scale
Whether you’re just AI-curious or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, this book meets you where you are and takes you where you need to go. The strategies inside have already helped countless entrepreneurs go from overlooked to iconic.If you’re ready to stop dabbling and start dominating, Be Recognized is your blueprint to become the face of your field in the AI age.
The old game is over. It’s time to build your authority engine and own your future.
Delaware at Christmas is a richly illustrated tour of how one small state has celebrated the holiday across four centuries. Author Dave Tabler moves from early Scandinavian and Dutch settlers to later British, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Black, and Hispanic communities and shows how each group brought its own Christmas customs into Delaware life. The book then shifts to 19th-century practices like eggnog, sleigh bells, mumming, and plum pudding, before moving into the Victorian period with holly-wreath factories, Christmas seals, and toy trains. Finally, it lands in the late 20th and 21st centuries with house tours, IBM punch-card wreaths, handbell choirs, Kwanzaa, and even Christmas in July, then closes with a reflective postscript on technology and sustainability. The structure feels like a guided walk through time, with short thematic chapters, archival photographs, and clear, accessible explanations that keep the focus on place, people, and memory.
I found the writing warm, steady, and very readable. The tone stays careful and professional, yet it feels like a neighbor telling stories over coffee, not a distant professor. I appreciated the way Tabler anchors each chapter in a concrete detail, such as the Sankta Lucia procession at Old Swedes Church, the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Wilmington’s Little Italy, or the oplatek bread on Polish Christmas Eve, and then pulls back to show how that custom grew from older roots. The references to specific churches, festivals, and streets gave me a sense of real neighborhoods, real people, real weather in December. The short chapter format keeps the pace brisk, and I rarely felt bogged down, although now and then I wished for a touch more narrative glue between topics, especially when the book jumps from one ethnic group to another in quick succession. Overall, though, the style carries a lot of research without feeling heavy, and that balance impressed me.
Emotionally, the book hit me in a quiet but lasting way. It is worth noting that Tabler does not treat Christmas as a simple feel-good backdrop; he lets harder stories in, such as Antebellum Black Christmas and the rise of independent Black churches, and he gives those sections space and dignity instead of pushing them to the margins. At the same time, there is a playful curiosity in chapters on holly wreath factories, punch-card decorations, and Christmas savings clubs, and I caught myself grinning at the sheer oddity of some of those details.
The closing pages, with their focus on Delawareans adapting to online services, digital cards, and greener holiday habits, felt surprisingly tender; they invite the reader to think about their own family rituals and how those might change, or already have changed, over time. I finished the book with a mix of nostalgia, respect, and a little itch to go hunt down a local church festival and hear handbells in person.
I would recommend Delaware at Christmas to readers who love regional history, to Delaware locals and expats who want to see their home through a festive lens, and to anyone who collects books on Christmas customs and folk traditions. It will likely appeal to genealogists, church groups, and teachers who need strong, specific examples of how culture, faith, and migration shape a holiday over time. If you enjoy dipping into short, well-researched vignettes that together build a larger picture, this will be a very satisfying read.
Seasons of Life and Love is a wide-ranging collection of poems that moves through weather, memory, loss, longing, regret, and joy as if each emotion were its own season. The book ties nature to human feeling in simple, steady language. Storms mimic sorrow. Sunlight lifts the spirit. Quiet evenings bring reflection. The poet uses these images to guide the reader through moments of love, heartbreak, aging, family, and the slow unraveling and rebuilding that we all face. It is a gentle collection, and it lingers on the enduring hope that tomorrow may feel lighter than today.
I found myself pulled in by how honest the poems felt. The writing is plain and open. I kept thinking how the poet reaches for everyday scenes and somehow makes them feel personal. A shift in weather becomes a shift in the heart. A walk at dusk feels like a confession. Sometimes the rhymes tighten the lines in a way that made me smile. Other times they made the sadness feel sharper. I liked that the book never hid from pain. It met it head-on, almost with a kind of calm acceptance. I felt the weight of past loves, old mistakes, and long memories, and I found myself slowing down to take it in.
I also enjoyed the way the poet moves from the small to the big and back again. One poem sits quietly with a single moment. Another sweeps across years in only a few lines. The tone stays warm even when the subject turns dark. There were points where the sentiment leaned a bit heavy, but I could tell it came from a real place. The emotional sincerity is the glue of the book. I liked how the speaker often steps back to reflect on the choices they made. Those moments felt tender, sometimes even vulnerable. I could feel the author trying to make sense of life as it rushes by.
I feel that Seasons of Life and Love is written for readers who want poetry that speaks plainly yet feels deeply. It will appeal to anyone who loves nature imagery, reflections on love and time, or poems that read like diary entries set to rhythm. If you want something gentle, emotional, and rooted in real human experience, this poetry collection will be a good fit for you.
When I finished The Arts Council, a satirical novel by Dolly Gray Landon, I felt like I’d been dropped into a carnival mirror version of the arts world. The book follows Honorée Oinkbladder, a gifted young artist raised inside a family business that quietly manufactures the physical tokens of achievement for institutions everywhere. Through her eyes, we watch a small city’s arts ecosystem twist itself into a tangle of ego, corruption, favoritism, and theatrical self-importance. Her tense rivalry with Modesty Greedance unfolds against a backdrop of inflated awards, misused donor funds, and a once-noble arts council that has drifted far from its original ideals. The result is a story that sits squarely in the literary satire genre, though it often reads like a character-driven dramedy with teeth.
The writing is lush, verbose in a way that feels deliberate, like Landon wants the excess itself to be part of the joke. There are long, winding sentences loaded with wordplay and invented terms, and then sudden needle pricks of clarity. It’s funny, but also strange, because the humor is threaded through moments that cut close to the bone: the way Honorée hides her beauty so she won’t attract the wrong kind of attention, or the way Modesty relies on spectacle instead of craft because spectacle is what the system rewards. The satire bites hardest when the book peels back the arts council’s history, revealing how a once-merit-driven institution slowly rotted after a leadership collapse. The contrast between past ideals and current dysfunction is one of the book’s most memorable tensions.
What I liked most was how much the novel asks us to think about value. Who gets to decide what counts as art. Who benefits from the illusion of fairness. Who learns to play the game and who refuses. Even the absurd elements feel purposeful: Honorée’s family literally manufactures the symbols that feed inflated egos, yet they see through them more clearly than anyone else. That irony gives the book a reflective core I didn’t expect. The novel also manages to be playful without losing its edge. It mocks the arts world, yes, but it also mourns what the arts can become when honesty gives way to self-interest. I found myself chuckling at one page and nodding in recognition on the next.
The Arts Council is a bold, brainy satire with a lot on its mind. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy literary fiction that doesn’t mind being a little unruly, especially anyone curious about the messy intersection of art, ego, and institutions. If you like stories that mix humor with critique and aren’t afraid of dense, stylized prose, this one will keep you thinking. For readers who enjoy sharp, offbeat takes on creative culture, it’s a fascinating ride.
BLOATER follows a neurosurgeon devastated by his wife’s sudden death who experiences a psychological collapse and makes it his mission to enact justice on the world by killing off sinners. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I felt it would be interesting to weave a tale of retribution for those who use social media platforms to spew hate and prejudice upon innocents. My intention was to create a deranged vigilante to exact vengeance. I spent many years in the operating theater as a surgical device representative for several Fortune 500 medical manufacturers, so a medical setting felt comfortable.
Dr. Jeremiah Nowak is a fascinating character, watching him transform and justify his killings. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
I endeavored to subtly display Nowak’s increasing obsession with killing, and the satisfaction he derived from it. My favorite scene to write was the finale, where we witness his lust for mutilation and murder, but then ride along as it all comes apart.
I felt that BLOATER delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
Yes. It was important for me to help the reader understand that although trolling in social media is hurtful and can be harmful, it pales in comparison to a maniacal quest for blood.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am writing a sequel that delves into another Camby and Lanquist investigation. I hope to complete the book by March of 2026. My original plan was to develop a series of three novels for the duo, but I am open to more depending upon the response from your readership.
⭐ THE MOST TERRIFYING VIGILANTE SINCE HANNIBAL LECTER ⭐When neurosurgeon Dr. Jeremiah Randolph Nowak loses his wife in a sudden, brutal accident, something in him breaks—quietly, cleanly, and without repair.
The man who once repaired the human brain begins to dissect the human soul… one sinner at a time. His victims don’t just disappear.
They float—bloated, ballooned, grotesquely smiling—left drifting like obscene warnings across the city skyline.
Each murder is a flawless surgical performance. Each body a message carved in flesh. Each kill more daring than the last. And Nowak tells himself it isn’t vengeance. It’s justice.
Coffee, Murder, and a Scone follows a sarcastic, introverted mystic who starts having vivid visions of a dangerously handsome man, murdered women, and her own death. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration came from a dream. It was vivid enough that I kept thinking about it while I went through the day. I decided it would make a great start to a novel. I tossed out the first few chapters the next day and then left it for a while. It wasn’t until last year that I came back and finished it. I have to admit the scene where Violet physically encounters the malevolent spirit of Steven’s ancestor was close to an experience I had with the supernatural. It wasn’t pleasant. I can only hope that I was able to encompass that feeling in the scene enough that others can understand what it was like.
I found Violet Blueblade to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
I fashioned Violet after myself. Admittedly, all my female main characters exhibit some part of my traits or personality. With Violet, I used my self-doubt, sarcasm, and introverted personality in the hopes that it would bring levity to the scenes and characters. I hoped the character Violet could show that even in the darkest moments, you can find the light and hold on until the storm passes.
Violet is happy with her routine and life of avoiding people, but her visions and her niece’s emerging powers change things. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
No, I feel there are always more than one. Life is filled with ups and downs and things that require us to make decisions. We may not notice our decision in the moment, but those moments are what change our lives. Some events will be joyous or fun, and others will be traumatic or depressing, but it is how we face those moments and the decisions we make that change our lives. Sometimes the changes are for the better and sometimes for the worse, but in the end, we are not who we are without them.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
Originally, I wrote this book as a standalone. I had this idea that kept itching, and I needed to get it out of my mind by putting it on paper. As I was writing, I found I had more fun than I did with any other story or novel I have written. I don’t tend to write like most other authors. I don’t map out the story ahead of time, create outlines, or any of that. I create a character in my head and let that character show me where the story goes. I felt that this story bombed, but after having a few of my close friends and relatives read it, they begged me to write it so that it could become a series. I have a feeling that Violet and Steven will be investigating another mystery in the near future.
Violet is no ordinary woman; in her small town, she’s known as a witch. Haunted by unsettling visions, she must navigate her nieces’ emerging powers, a shocking murder, and Steven’s relentless quest for true love. Can she uncover the truth behind the crime before it’s too late?
Steven has lost three wives under mysterious circumstances, and now he seems intent on making Violet his next. But is he seeking a partner—or a victim? As Violet delves into his past, will her visions reveal the innocence he claims, or will the specter of his past prove more dangerous than she ever imagined?
The Secret of Spirit Lake follows a 14-year-old who has her life uprooted and finds herself experiencing haunting events in her family’s new Victorian lake home. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else, and I actually thought it would be great to move somewhere new where no one knew me. So I decided to write a book exploring the journey of a teenage girl who does just that. The house where I grew up was over 200 years old, and several family members claimed it was haunted, although I never saw or heard anything, and I am actually pretty skeptical when it comes to ghosts. But I find the possibility intriguing enough that it found its way into my story. Also, I moved to a lake in Virginia when I retired, and I wanted to write a story set at a lake.
What is it that draws you to write books for teens and young adult readers?
For the past eight years, I have been volunteering for an organization called Childhelp, which serves children who have been abused and/or neglected. Over that period, I have run several book clubs with some of the older girls, aged 11-14. Having read many young adult books with them, I gained some insight into what types of plots and characters appeal to them. I also have three grown daughters, and I remember the types of books they liked to read as teenagers. I have always wanted to write, and teenagers, especially girls, seemed like a natural target audience for me.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was interested in how both Amy and Penny face the different challenges that life throws at them, and how they mature as a result. How teenagers deal with hardship. The importance of friends and relationships, even with a ghost.
I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
I am not planning to write a sequel to The Secret of Spirit Lake, because I am not sure where I could go with it. But I am working on a book tentatively titled Glo-kids, which is about teenagers who discover that they are half-alien. They can transform into energy, and they need to fight an evil energy being. It is currently in the editing process, and I am now thinking about a sequel. Writing young adult novels is fun!
In a haunted Victorian home, two girls from different eras uncover a chilling mystery. As Amy navigates her new life and Penny fights for survival, their paths intertwine through a ghostly nanny, leading to friendship, courage, and the truth behind a tragic past.
Set against the backdrop of a picturesque North Carolina lake, The Secret of Spirit Lake weaves the tales of Amy and Penny, two young girls separated by time yet connected by fate. In 2023, Amy moves into the old Victorian house with her family, feeling lost and resentful of her new life. The transition is daunting, especially with her parents uprooting her from her childhood home and friends. As she grapples with her feelings of isolation, Amy discovers the tower bedroom, where whispers of the past linger.
Eighty-five years earlier, Penny faces her own challenges as a young nanny after losing her parents in a devastating fire. Orphaned and placed with distant relatives, she suspects their intentions are less than noble. Struggling to protect the children in her care, Penny’s resilience shines through as she navigates her new reality.
The connection between Amy and Penny deepens when they encounter Sally, the ghostly nanny who haunts the tower. Sally’s tragic story unfolds, revealing dark secrets and a shared history of loss. As Amy and her friends delve into the mystery surrounding Sally’s past, they uncover the truth about Penny’s fate and the injustices she faced.
Through courage and friendship, both girls embark on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately finding strength in their shared experiences. The Secret of Spirit Lake is a haunting tale of resilience, love, and the bonds that transcend time.
LITERARY TITAN 