This article is a little different than most of my posts. In it, I talk more about my book than a particular fatherhood/parenting topic. It’s not for those who already know me and my story to learn more. It’s for those who don’t know me, and also for those that do, to spread the word.
In my mind, ‘father’ is a noun and ‘dad’ is a verb. Through my book, “The Power of Dadhood: Become the Father Your Child Needs”, I strive to help more fathers to become dads through information, encouragement, and advice. There are many good books that talk about being a father, just like there are many fine books on cooking, or Lincoln, or finance. The focus of these books vary and books on fatherhood are no different. I’d like to discuss why my book is distinctive and why I need help in getting the word out.
What's different?
Most fatherhood books are targeted towards new dads. Other dad books are full of humorous and heartwarming stories. There are also books that have excellent advice on raising teens. The focus of my book, however, is not how to diaper a baby and it certainly isn’t a comedic masterpiece. It is, however, a heartwarming look at fatherhood and perfect for new dads—but they need to keep it nearby as their children grow. It is a book for all dads and all seasons, i.e. from birth to toddlers to teens to grand-parenting, emphasizing prevention of issues over correction of problems.
Beyond practical advice, “The Power of Dadhood” has a social consciousness and societal influence. The ‘power’ of ‘dadhood’ is the ability to save lives and build strong men and women! Dadhood also has the power to improve society, one child at a time. Fathers have a seminal impact on all aspects of our culture. Encouraging men to be involved dads and teaching them how to do this can have a cumulative positive impact on relieving poverty, crime, and mental health, but it also has to happen one father at a time. I try to point out this fact using eye-popping and horrendous social statistics of fatherless children. But I don’t stop there! The bulk of the book provides tools and suggestions for being an effective dad and a hero to his family.
Back Story
I am a former military officer and civilian engineer, never a professional writer or psychologist. I never exceled on essays in school nor did I spend much time on English or composition. This book was an arduous fifteen years of research, reflection, and taking notes on an issue I think has been seriously ignored. Organization was a challenge. Without the help of many editors, the first and most important being my daughter, April, my book would never have seen the light of day. I did this because I had something to say.
It was quite a break and semi-miracle to get a publisher. I had promised that I would do all I could to publicize my book. I, therefore, hired a publicist who did a great job getting me interviews regarding my book on TV and radio. After all, I was a first-time author without a name or platform in the area in which I had written. I knew it would be highly improbable that I could sell enough books to make up for the cost of the publicist. But profiting was not my goal. My goal was helping fathers to be dads.
I continued to try to find ways to get my book to those who could use its advice and message. This included Facebook ads, Google ads, guest articles on other blogs, an ad on a parenting website, and a couple of podcasts. The most time-consuming activity these days is this very blog. Along with my book, it is crucial in getting my message out--that being the importance of active fathers in the home. I enjoy the challenge of this blog and every time I publish an article I hope, ‘maybe this is the one that will catch the attention of a key individual or program’. The Power of Dadhood has received excellent reviews and, considering my lack of star quality, has done well. I have exceeded every dream and promise to myself to communicate what I have experienced and learned about the importance of fathers. But I can’t stop yet.
Healthy Families!
I want more discussion on how to make families healthy, the most obvious way in my mind is to first get fathers to be fathers. It’s not that there aren’t poor mothers, but that problem is a distant second. When families work together, when they communicate, teach, and support each other, all the other problems of our society diminish. My book doesn’t have to be the vehicle to do this, but it is the only vehicle over which I have any control. Lately, I’ve been gifting “The Power of Dadhood” to organizations and charities that work in the area of helping fathers and families. Sending it to key institutions for free is likely more effective than advertising.
A Request
Please do me this favor. It is no surprise that very few people know of my book. If you know an organization that works to help families and the sanctity of fatherhood, please let me know of them so I can share my book. I may have already communicated with them, but tell me anyway. Also, tell others, especially young parents, about my book. Loyal readers of this blog are already on board. I need more exposure and my best bet is a network that will mention or give it to friends and family. Donate it to a library or organization you support. In short, let’s get the conversation going and action towards solving this problem of missing and/or inept fathers, the root cause of so many other social issues.
Thank you!
In my mind, ‘father’ is a noun and ‘dad’ is a verb. Through my book, “The Power of Dadhood: Become the Father Your Child Needs”, I strive to help more fathers to become dads through information, encouragement, and advice. There are many good books that talk about being a father, just like there are many fine books on cooking, or Lincoln, or finance. The focus of these books vary and books on fatherhood are no different. I’d like to discuss why my book is distinctive and why I need help in getting the word out.
What's different?
Most fatherhood books are targeted towards new dads. Other dad books are full of humorous and heartwarming stories. There are also books that have excellent advice on raising teens. The focus of my book, however, is not how to diaper a baby and it certainly isn’t a comedic masterpiece. It is, however, a heartwarming look at fatherhood and perfect for new dads—but they need to keep it nearby as their children grow. It is a book for all dads and all seasons, i.e. from birth to toddlers to teens to grand-parenting, emphasizing prevention of issues over correction of problems.
Beyond practical advice, “The Power of Dadhood” has a social consciousness and societal influence. The ‘power’ of ‘dadhood’ is the ability to save lives and build strong men and women! Dadhood also has the power to improve society, one child at a time. Fathers have a seminal impact on all aspects of our culture. Encouraging men to be involved dads and teaching them how to do this can have a cumulative positive impact on relieving poverty, crime, and mental health, but it also has to happen one father at a time. I try to point out this fact using eye-popping and horrendous social statistics of fatherless children. But I don’t stop there! The bulk of the book provides tools and suggestions for being an effective dad and a hero to his family.
Back Story
I am a former military officer and civilian engineer, never a professional writer or psychologist. I never exceled on essays in school nor did I spend much time on English or composition. This book was an arduous fifteen years of research, reflection, and taking notes on an issue I think has been seriously ignored. Organization was a challenge. Without the help of many editors, the first and most important being my daughter, April, my book would never have seen the light of day. I did this because I had something to say.
It was quite a break and semi-miracle to get a publisher. I had promised that I would do all I could to publicize my book. I, therefore, hired a publicist who did a great job getting me interviews regarding my book on TV and radio. After all, I was a first-time author without a name or platform in the area in which I had written. I knew it would be highly improbable that I could sell enough books to make up for the cost of the publicist. But profiting was not my goal. My goal was helping fathers to be dads.
I continued to try to find ways to get my book to those who could use its advice and message. This included Facebook ads, Google ads, guest articles on other blogs, an ad on a parenting website, and a couple of podcasts. The most time-consuming activity these days is this very blog. Along with my book, it is crucial in getting my message out--that being the importance of active fathers in the home. I enjoy the challenge of this blog and every time I publish an article I hope, ‘maybe this is the one that will catch the attention of a key individual or program’. The Power of Dadhood has received excellent reviews and, considering my lack of star quality, has done well. I have exceeded every dream and promise to myself to communicate what I have experienced and learned about the importance of fathers. But I can’t stop yet.
Healthy Families!
I want more discussion on how to make families healthy, the most obvious way in my mind is to first get fathers to be fathers. It’s not that there aren’t poor mothers, but that problem is a distant second. When families work together, when they communicate, teach, and support each other, all the other problems of our society diminish. My book doesn’t have to be the vehicle to do this, but it is the only vehicle over which I have any control. Lately, I’ve been gifting “The Power of Dadhood” to organizations and charities that work in the area of helping fathers and families. Sending it to key institutions for free is likely more effective than advertising.
A Request
Please do me this favor. It is no surprise that very few people know of my book. If you know an organization that works to help families and the sanctity of fatherhood, please let me know of them so I can share my book. I may have already communicated with them, but tell me anyway. Also, tell others, especially young parents, about my book. Loyal readers of this blog are already on board. I need more exposure and my best bet is a network that will mention or give it to friends and family. Donate it to a library or organization you support. In short, let’s get the conversation going and action towards solving this problem of missing and/or inept fathers, the root cause of so many other social issues.
Thank you!
