Book Publishing Secrets with Harris Kern, Author of 'Going From Undisciplined to Self-Mastery: Five Simple Steps to Get You There'

Harris Kern is recognized as the foremost authority on providing practical guidance for solving management issues and challenges. He has devoted over 30 years helping professionals build competitive organizations. His client list reads like a who’s who of American and International Business. His client list includes Standard and Poor’s, GE, The Weather Channel, NEWS Corporation, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal (HACTL), among hundreds of other Fortune500 and Global 2000 companies. He pioneered theDiscipline Mentoring Program and Professional/Personal Growth Program (P²GP)and is the author of over 40 books, including his latest, Going From Undisciplined to Self-Mastery.

Learn more: Website / Amazon

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Author: I've been writing books for over 20 years and have a passion to help people become more efficient and productive by learning how to be more disciplined.

Is this your first book?

Author: No. I have written over 40 books - too many to list below. Most are posted on www.harriskern.com.

Did you self publish or go the traditional route?

Author: I published in a traditional manner with Koehler Books.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

Author: I started working with Prentice hall/Pearson in 1994. It was an incredible experience although, frustrating at times because like most large publishing houses they are slow and bureaucratic. On the flip side they do an awesome job producing a quality book in the end.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

Author: You need to have a lot of patience - they don't move quickly. They have no sense of urgency at all.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author: Yes. The traditional publishing method is the best way to go.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Author: Patience and perseverance. The publishing business works very slow - even after you finish writing your book prepare to wait a few years to actually see your book in print. It takes time to find the right agent who is interested in your work, then for them to trya and sell your work to a publisher.