GIVEAWAY- Sensitivity 101

This is just a quick post to remind you all that the Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male Giveaway is in its final days closing Monday 29th March.

Don't forget to get your entry in to win a copy of the book. All you have to do is visit the post and tell us in a few words about the most thoughtful thing a man has done for you or, if you are a man, what the most thoughtful thing is that you have done for a woman.

http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaway.html

Happy Reading!

Author Interview; Philip Nork

Author Interview
Philip Nork

I recently read and reviewed Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male. Not only is this book a great read but it also teaches the reader alot of lifes most important lessons.

Once I had read the book I knew that I had to ask the author, Philip Nork, all about the book.

This is how the interview went;

A Bit About the Book...

This is a very personal story which reveals a lot about you and your younger years. Did you intend for this book to be seen as an autobiography, or was your intention to pass on a message through the use of your own experiences?

The intent was more to get two messages across. One is that no one ever sees you as you do. Trust in who you are because that is what really matters. The second is that there will be times in your life when you feel as though you are alone and no one understands you; however there is always a higher power watching over you, maybe even guiding you. I am not a religious person but do believe something is watching over us, and that even if you make mistakes, you’ll still be accepted by that Deity if you allow yourself to be.

In the book there is a list of 16 “lessons”. Are these “lessons” something which you structured for the book or is this list something you have been caring around, folded up, in your wallet for years?

They were more structured as the book came to me. I knew that certain people of my past had taught me lessons and as I began to outline the stories, the lessons came to me.

Throughout the book Joyce is really the only female character who voices a negative view of your “activities”. Since the book has been published, has it been met by any negative responses?

I have had only one negative response, which came from a lady who wouldn’t read the book because of the title saying it was sexist.

How long did it take you to write Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male?

Obviously the stories have been with me for a long time. The overall process of putting it on paper, editing and then publishing it took about 2 years. Most of this took place on my many business trips as a way to pass the nights in a hotel.

This is your first book, did you find the writing and publishing process at all daunting or intimidating?

I find writing a soothing way to relax, to remember old-times and to reconnect with my inner self. The publishing part was more difficult. I used a POD (print on demand) company because I needed this book done quickly for my 30th high school reunion. AuthorHouse gave me the opportunity to do that. I am now looking for a literary agent and a traditional publisher so that I can get it into more retail outlets. I caution new writers—do your homework—there are many scams out there just waiting to take your money. I found it better to rely on professionals, like my editor and others that I have met through the process, rather than searching on the internet and settling for whoever pops up. The only thing I would change, and will if an agent accepts me, is the title of the book. I think I can find a better one that more people can relate to—one that brings to life better the struggle a divorced child has as they search for the two desires all humans share: to be accepted and to be truly happy.


A Bit About the Author...

When you are not writing where would we find you?

Mostly at work or spending time with my ten year old son and my wife. I enjoy baseball and horse racing.

Who do you take your inspiration from? Do you have a role model?

I don’t have one particular role model. I find that everyone has something to offer to you, if you take the time to discover it.

Who is your favourite author?

As I get older I read less and less. Growing up I really enjoyed reading about “real” things and people, or least situations I could relate to and see myself maybe living out. I really wanted to see how all of us being so different could just get along.

What are you currently reading?

Right now I am not reading anything as I find more pleasure in the writing aspect rather than the reading.

If you could be any character from any story, who would you be and why?

I relate to Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His life wasn’t what he wanted it to be, yet he always looked on the brighter side and treated people with respect and understanding. In the end, he got what he wanted by being a sensitive and sharing human being as those around him, all who were selfish and only looked out for themselves, got what they deserved.

I notice on your website that you plan to publish Sensitivity 102: Choices this year. What can we expect from this book?

This will be a continuation of the life you read about in my first book. It will start just after the character celebrates his eighteenth birthday and goes until he passes away. It again will take pieces of my real life and then will weave some situations (some real and some made-up) and some more of the people that I have met and show the reader how the lessons I learned earlier affects the decisions that need to be made. Hopefully I will be able to again share laughs, tears and enjoyment as I hope the readers may learn even more about themselves in the process. I am sure the book’s title will change after my editor gets to it.

Anything you would like to add?

I want to thank you for reading and reviewing my book. I know how hard that sometimes is. Also I want budding writers to know that we all have a story to tell…just do it. Don’t worry about what others are saying or how they will look at you. Even if it never gets published, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. Then if and when it does, and people respond favorably, the feeling is even greater.

Thank you Philip!

To read my review of the book; Click Here
To Enter the Giveaway; Click Here

Happy Reading!

Book Giveaway

GIVEAWAY
Sensitivity 101
for the Heterosexual Male
By Philip Nork

Book Review
Author Interview

For your chance to win a copy of Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male tell us in a few words about the most thoughtful thing a man has done for you or, if you are a man, what the most thought thing is that you have done for a woman.

Don't forget to leave your name and email so I can contact you if you are our lucky winner.

If the comment section doesn't allow you to post your entry please email me your entry and I will post it on your behalf; nicoletrist@hotmail.com

Giveaway Closes; 11:59pm on Monday 29th March 2010.

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Yes Pretty Lady, I Can Make You Feel Good

Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male by Philip Nork
(Reviewed on Request)

Author Interview
Book Giveaway

Genre; Non-Fiction/Autobiography/Relationships
Publisher; AuthorHouse/USA/2009
Pages; 228

Plot; Phil is a young man dealing with the divorce of his parents, the absence of his Father and the death of his Grandmother. Disappointment and a lack of confidence lead Phil into a life behind the closed door of his bedroom, listening to country music, wondering what he has done and how he can fix his life.

It is through the bond of female friendships and the liberation offered by alter egos that Phil is able to break free of the bedroom and enter a world where he learns how to treat women and how to become a better man than all those men who have let him down.

But it is in this world that Phil is presented with the question of what is good and what is right.

My Thoughts; In my opinion, Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books. It gives the reader an insight into women, relationships and how to love yourself without the preaching tone of a self-help manual.

The title of this book may lead you to believe that it is for the eyes of the heterosexual male but as a heterosexual female I learnt just as many valuable lessons. This book may be aimed at the male reader and how that male reader can learn to gain the respect and acceptance of women, but to me it is also an insight into how to appreciate yourself as a woman and how to form valuable relationships.

This really is a great read. Not only do you get the education but you get the entertainment. This is an emotive book and at various points throughout this book you find yourself on the emotional roller coaster of tears, laughter and anger.

This book has also been well written. Alot of books like this are written in a purely one-sided format, but Nork has introduced the female opinion, which not only adds to the entertainment but adds to the message and understanding of the book. What I really liked about these female tid-bits is that they didn't always agree with Nork's assessment of situations. Phil may have been thinking one thing, but it was good to hear the woman's opinion of the same thing.

Another aspect of the writing which is well done is Nork's ability to elaborate on those things which we need to know and not to elaborate on things we don't. For example, Nork tells us about his sexual experiences and details all the emotions behind them and the feelings afterwards, but he does not disrespect the women by going into detail about their "performance", so to speak. I found this added class to what may be a touchy subject.

I am not a religious person at all, however I did not feel bombarded by Phil's religious dilemma, which is another aspect which Nork has approached successfully. He has conveyed the religious troubles which he faced without overdoing it, which means the book can appeal to a larger audience.

I do have one small negative thing to say though and it is in reference to the line, "yes pretty lady, I can make you feel good". I am surprised that no woman had a laugh at that line, because if a man said that to me it would be enough to make me stop, drop and roll around on the floor in fits of laughter. Phil, did that line really work for you?

I really would recommend this book to anyone because there is a lesson in there for everyone. One of the lessons which I really learnt is to accept people for the person on the inside, as alot of the women Phil meets are not at all like the person you may expect on face value.

I do think that, as the title states, this is an important read for any heterosexual male. I think that if more men read this there would less of a rift in the ever-ongoing "battle of the sexes" as Nork really has opened a window into the female mind.

Happy Reading!