Pump Up Your Book Chats with Michael Martel

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Michael Martel was barely eighteen when he walked into the Army recruiter’s office in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. He told him he wanted to see the world. He satisfied Michael’s wish and sent him to Berlin, Germany where he had a great time in the “Divided City.” There began his love of travel. All together he spent a total of thirteen years living in Germany, traveling around Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His Army career spanned just over twenty years. spending time as an infantryman, paratrooper and Green Beret.

After the Army he moved onto technology. He worked as a computer security expert keeping extremely sensitive information safe from hackers. He earned a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Information Technology and Business Management along the way.

Michael was recognized for his leadership, knowledge and ability to work with people. Very soon, he was moved into the executive ranks and led large business divisions.

Always on the lookout for a challenge, He discovered he had a gift for coaching. From the experiences, both in the military and in corporate world he has a lot to give back. His real world leadership experience combined with his technical education and skill give him an unique ability to work with other leaders to help them achieve success.

Throughout his life, he has done the hard stuff, experienced what works, and has the skills to get the job done, whatever it is.

Michael’s latest book is Get Er Done.

You can visit Michael Martel’s website at www.mikemartel.com. Connect with Michael at Facebook at www.facebook.com/michael.martel or Twitter at www.twitter.com/MichaelMartel.

PUYB: Thank you for this interview, Michael. Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I always thought I had a book inside of me. I was working with a coach and she asked if I had ever thought about it. I said yes and we decided to go for it.

PUYB: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

The hardest was just getting started. I spoke with a friend of mine that had already published a book and he suggested a good format that got me going.

PUYB: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I started writing blogs a little over two years ago. I found that I had a knack for taking my experiences and current events and using them as examples for showing people how to create results.

PUYB: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

I write several blogs. I do find that when I am on a writing project, concentrate primarily on that one. It is hard to write different projects at the same time.

PUYB: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

Use a format for your book, e.g. my Get Er Done: The Green Beret Guide to Productivity uses a story, discussion, action plan format.

PUYB: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I have been married to my beautiful wife for 22 years. We live in Washington State south of Seattle. My son just graduated from college. At the moment, we have a old Bernese Mountain Dog and two crazy cats.

PUYB: Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

My father died early. I grew up as a single child with my mother who struggled to make ends meet. We lived in a trailer park for the early part of my life. My entry into the military and later Special Forces was way to escape.

PUYB: What do you do to get away from it all?

I have traveled all over the world and one of my favorite places is still my home. I love going out on my patio in the early morning and watching the sun peek up over the trees.

PUYB: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

The first place I promoted my book was on Facebook which got a surprising high amount of traffic.

PUYB: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

I would thank my wife for being a military wife and enduring the months of separation while I was off having adventure. I would also thank her for her unwavering support for everything I choose to do.

PUYB: Thank you so much for this interview,Michael. We wish you luck!

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Maria Andrade, DEFIANCE AND REDEMPTION

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

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Laura Preble, ANNA INCOGNITO

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Jennifer Chase, FLOWERS ON HER GRAVE

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Miri Leshem-Pelly, SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR

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Shami Stovall, KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST

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Sharon House, BRIMSTONE AND WATER

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Michael Allan Scott, GREY DAZE

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Bacon Press Books

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T.M. Wallace, WINTERGARDEN

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Deborah Serani, DEPRESSION AND YOUR CHILD

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Mary Lawlor, FIGHTER PILOT'S DAUGHTER

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Lee Papa, TEMPLE OF ALL KNOWING

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Madeline Wynn, DAUGHTER OF THE FALLEN

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Mary Lawlor, FIGHTER PILOT'S DAUGHTER

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Lauren Carr, Best-Selling Mystery Author of Mac Faraday, and Lovers in Crime, Mysteries

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Monique Roy, ACROSS GREAT DIVIDES

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Kaylin McFarren, BURIED THREADS

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach