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The Success Guidebook Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino Author Interview, On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino shares what inspired her to write The Success Guidebook and how she helps her readers achieve more in life.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino about her life and career, what inspired her to write her new book, The Success Guidebook, and the work that went into it.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino. I am the author of the bestselling, five-time award-winning book, The Change Guidebook: How to Align Your Heart, Truths, and Energy to Find Success in All Areas of Your Life and The Success Guidebook – How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You. I am also the author of PERCOLATE – Let Your Best Self Filter Through. My books focus on helping individuals navigate change and achieve success by developing a growth mindset, self-awareness, and resilience.
In 2008, I closed the door to my office to think about my life. When I opened it, I walked through, leaving behind an almost two-decade career in the financial services industry in order to open the doors for The Best Ever You Network.
The Best Ever You Network is now a revolutionary multimedia brand and platform with millions of fans and followers around the world. I am a tireless champion of others and believe in the need for the individual light within to raise the collaborative power of us and we.
I have multiple life-threatening food allergies (Anaphylaxis) to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish and was featured on the cover of MedicAlert Magazine, which was mailed to over one million people. I wear a MedicAlert for Anaphylaxis as I have multiple, life-threatening food allergies. I serve on the board of Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (“FAACT”) as a spokesperson. In 2020, I teamed up with bestselling children’s book author Sally Huss to create the bestselling children’s books A Lesson for Every Child: Learning About Food Allergies and Dream Big with Food Allergies.
Readers of all ages of my books in the self-help and children’s book genres will find that my work often focuses on positive change and personal growth offering valuable lessons in resilience and kindness for all.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a young child. My teachers in grade school always encouraged me to write. That said, I didn’t write my first book until 2014 when my father has his first stroke. Much of my work helps us all deal with change and dealing with loss and my dad, James F. Hamilton was much of the inspiration for my first book and deepened my understanding of life’s challenges and the importance of resilience.
When did you take a step to start writing?
My father was in a stroke rehabilitation facility. We didn’t know whether he would ever fully recover the use of his eyesight, speech, or hearing. There were some extremely dicey moments with fevers and extreme weakness. One day a nurse came into his room and told my dad it was time to get him ready for a speech therapy session. My dad passed away in 2018, but at this point he was 6’4” and at least 280 pounds and in very rough shape. It took several nurses to get him ready to go to a session in another area of the facility.
He would teach us all a new code that day. In that session, the nurse asked him to say the first word that came to mind when she said a letter of the alphabet. She started with A, and he looked over at us, rolled his eyes and the simplicity of this exercise and rattled off the word “Aardvark.” He was basically saying to us all: “Do you think I am so debilitated that I’ve lost my mind, too?”
The next words were benevolence, courage, determination, excellent, a choice swear word that I’ve changed to faith, gratitude, and so on….
It was an incredible moment and was the foundation for the book Percolate.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
I signed for PERCOLATE in 2012 with Hay House and the book was released worldwide on April 14, 2014.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
I am signed with Heath Communications Inc and have written two books with them called The Change Guidebook – How to Align You Heart, Truths, and Energy to Find Success in All Areas of Your Life and The Success Guidebook – How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You. The Success Guidebook was just released in June 2024. Generally, when you are traditionally published, it takes one or two years for the books to be released once you sign the contract. It’s a great process where you get to work with an incredible team of people, especially at HCI, to bring your book to life.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write The Success Guidebook?
My work emphasizes positivity, adaptability, and taking action to overcome challenges and find success. My writing is a real and practical, accessible approach that encourages readers to embrace change as an opportunity for personal transformation. Through my writing, coaching, and speaking engagements, I aim to inspire people to be their best and live authentically.
My approach aligns well with modern self-help philosophies that encourage taking control of one’s life through mindful action and persistence.
My latest book, The Success Guidebook helps readers shift the focus from external achievements to personal fulfilment and growth. Instead of adhering to conventional measures like wealth, status, or power, the book encourages individuals to create their own unique definition of success based on their values, goals, and passions.
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Success Guidebook?
The Success Guidebook has over twenty key contributing stories within the pages. Coordinating the people and receiving and editing the stories took a significant amount of time. We had over 300 submissions to be included in the book and I read each one and interviewed many people for the book to be included. Ultimately, I feel the contributors we have are meant to be. They book flows beautifully with stories included from people like Jesse Cole of The Savannah Bananas, Head Baseball Coach Edwin Thompson from Georgetown University, Ambassador Lisa Gable, Actress Tina Sloan, and many more.
What was your research process for The Success Guidebook?
My research comes from human experiences in person, from The Best Ever You Network, my life, my family and so forth. The books are masterclasses in navigating change, redefining success and have over 40 people you can network with to grow your personal and professional worlds.
How did you plan the structure of The Success Guidebook?
The structure of The Change Guidebook and The Success Guidebook came to be from guidance from Dr. Harley Rotbart. He helped considerably with The Change Guidebook, and we kept the structure for The Success Guidebook. Both books have ten chapters, narrative from me, two contributor stories and two exercises in each chapter. The entire book is also a masterclass with a certification available.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Success Guidebook need?
My books are professionally edited by HCI. My editor Christine Belleris did a beautiful job with my books. My books always need a significant amount of editing and drafts to get them into the final published book. It’s a really fun process. I always suggest people read each word of their book into audiobook format before publishing, as it catches errors, typos and making sure your voice is heard properly in the genre of self-help.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?
Write. That seems to be the biggest stumbling block. We aren’t entitled to time and every moment of your life matters, so if it is important to you, then align your energy properly to find the time to write. I find people are also afraid to make editing mistakes and typos as they are writing. I say let your dreams fly and those mistakes fly too. It can all be edited. Start writing.
One little trick I have is a visualization technique. Grab 30 pages of blank white printer paper and staple them together on the left in three places so you can turn the pages like a book. Write, draw, etc… on these pages to start to formulate your ideas.
Also, people have a hard time visualizing the end product of their own book. Mark up a cover and wrap it around your favorite book so your title and name are showing on the cover, and it looks and feels like your book.
You’ve got this!
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I would love to continue writing more guidebooks with HCI. I’m 55 and feel like we have 1-3 more guidebooks to write on various topics and I’d love to have them as my partner in doing so. They are an incredible team that has become my family.
And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I am so proud of my books. My intention was to write books that I felt were worth your time and energy to read and implement in your life. It is so rewarding to hear from people and see people at book signings who love the books. Those smiles and heartfelt encounters mean everything.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3zpVGop
Apple Audiobook: https://apple.co/3XA3GMV
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3XlMoSn
Paperback: https://amzn.to/47oeWiO
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ZlXeKO
https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Elizabeth-Hamilton-Guarino/187979471
https://www.elizabethguarino.com
https://www.twitter.com/besteveryou
https://www.facebook.com/elizabethhamiltong
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethguarino_official
Tik Tok: ElizabethHamiltonGuarino
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