Interview with Political Expert and Author Reb Bradley
Dorothy Thompson
December 01, 2008
Reb Bradley is a radio counselor, talk show host, writer and national conference speaker who has devoted his life his life to strengthening the modern Christian family. He conducts seminars and teaches extensively on issues related to marriage, fatherhood, child training and single Christian living.
Reb´s prior book, Child Training Tips: What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young has sold thousands of copies to parents anxious to give their children the best possible start in life. Reb and his wife Beverly are homeschoolers and live California. You can visit his website at www.familyministries.com.
Thank you for this interview, Reb. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book, Born Liberal, Raised Right: How to Rescue America from Moral Decline -- One Family at a Time, is all about?
The title of my new book Born Liberal, Raised Right makes it sound like a parenting book, but it is not. It is an analytical work that looks at social trends and political philosophies, and reveals how parents, by their style of parenting, create the character and worldview of each generation of adults.
Can you tell us what (or who) was the inspiration behind your book?
I wrote it because I listened to radio talk show hosts discuss society´s problems, but miss the root causes for those problems. As an instructor on raising children I felt like I could write a book that would expose the roots, and inspire people toward change.
Is this your first published book and if so, can you tell us your experiences in finding a publisher for it?
I have written and self-published several dozen books, booklets, and manuals over the last 20 years. I have always liked having total control over my projects, and this is the first book I have allowed a publisher to have. It is not easy to sign a contract when you know that they may insist on a title a change, or they may want to delete some content.
This journey for this book has been simple for me. In 1998 I ran into the publisher (a personal friend) at the local post office and mentioned to him some of my observations about the power parents have to shape a culture. He suggested I write the book. After 8 years of research, I wrote the first two chapters and sent them to him. He immediately started talking contract.
How has WND Books been to work with?
They are a GREAT bunch of people. Their hearts for the readers guide them more than their wallets.
Do you have an agent?
The publisher assigned me an agent to arrange radio and TV interviews.
Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time WND Books sent the contract and the time it was released?
I spent 8 years collecting data and formulating my thoughts, and then spent two years writing the text. I received the first draft of the contract in February 2008 and signed the final version in May. It was printed in October.
Do you have any words of inspiration for other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?
A book will only happen if you put the starting date on your calendar. My very first book was a result of collecting my thoughts on napkins, 3x5 cards, and memo recordings for 10 years. I finally set a day to start, and then sat down to organize all the cards into categories. I then typed them into a Word document, cutting and pasting them into sections. I organized those random thoughts into a reasonable flow and started writing an outline. As I completed sections I gave them to a trusted friend to critique -- my wife, usually. I took to heart her comments and went back to work. I have concluded that a dream will never come to pass if you wait for it to find you. You must chase it to make it happen.
What´s next for you?
If this book is a success, I have several other books to write. My next book will be on becoming the ultimate husband. After that I want to write one on healing broken relationships. I also have a sci-fi novel brewing.
Thank you for this interview, Reb. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?
I have two web sites: www.familyministries.com and www.rebbradley.net. The book is available on both sites, as well as on Amazon.
Reb´s prior book, Child Training Tips: What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young has sold thousands of copies to parents anxious to give their children the best possible start in life. Reb and his wife Beverly are homeschoolers and live California. You can visit his website at www.familyministries.com.
Thank you for this interview, Reb. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book, Born Liberal, Raised Right: How to Rescue America from Moral Decline -- One Family at a Time, is all about?
The title of my new book Born Liberal, Raised Right makes it sound like a parenting book, but it is not. It is an analytical work that looks at social trends and political philosophies, and reveals how parents, by their style of parenting, create the character and worldview of each generation of adults.
Can you tell us what (or who) was the inspiration behind your book?
I wrote it because I listened to radio talk show hosts discuss society´s problems, but miss the root causes for those problems. As an instructor on raising children I felt like I could write a book that would expose the roots, and inspire people toward change.
Is this your first published book and if so, can you tell us your experiences in finding a publisher for it?
I have written and self-published several dozen books, booklets, and manuals over the last 20 years. I have always liked having total control over my projects, and this is the first book I have allowed a publisher to have. It is not easy to sign a contract when you know that they may insist on a title a change, or they may want to delete some content.
This journey for this book has been simple for me. In 1998 I ran into the publisher (a personal friend) at the local post office and mentioned to him some of my observations about the power parents have to shape a culture. He suggested I write the book. After 8 years of research, I wrote the first two chapters and sent them to him. He immediately started talking contract.
How has WND Books been to work with?
They are a GREAT bunch of people. Their hearts for the readers guide them more than their wallets.
Do you have an agent?
The publisher assigned me an agent to arrange radio and TV interviews.
Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time WND Books sent the contract and the time it was released?
I spent 8 years collecting data and formulating my thoughts, and then spent two years writing the text. I received the first draft of the contract in February 2008 and signed the final version in May. It was printed in October.
Do you have any words of inspiration for other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?
A book will only happen if you put the starting date on your calendar. My very first book was a result of collecting my thoughts on napkins, 3x5 cards, and memo recordings for 10 years. I finally set a day to start, and then sat down to organize all the cards into categories. I then typed them into a Word document, cutting and pasting them into sections. I organized those random thoughts into a reasonable flow and started writing an outline. As I completed sections I gave them to a trusted friend to critique -- my wife, usually. I took to heart her comments and went back to work. I have concluded that a dream will never come to pass if you wait for it to find you. You must chase it to make it happen.
What´s next for you?
If this book is a success, I have several other books to write. My next book will be on becoming the ultimate husband. After that I want to write one on healing broken relationships. I also have a sci-fi novel brewing.
Thank you for this interview, Reb. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?
I have two web sites: www.familyministries.com and www.rebbradley.net. The book is available on both sites, as well as on Amazon.
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