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It's A Book Thing Presents: An Author Interview with Lori A. Manns, author of Divine Downloads, Loriolgy: 33 Lessons On Life, Love & Leadership

Author’s Bio: Lori A. Manns is an award-winning marketing expert, sales coach and business strategist who works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more dream clients and grow revenue. In a word, Lori is a trailblazer who has excelled in the corporate arena, small business and philanthropy.  Lori is President of Quality Media Consultant Group, a consultancy firm specializing in media, marketing and sales solutions for optimal business growth and success. Lori is the founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn growth strategies and how to run a profitable business the soulful way. Prior to founding Quality Media Consultant Group, Lori worked as senior multi-media account manager for two major radio conglomerates in the United States: Cox Broadcasting and CBS Radio Group.

After leaving Corporate America in 2009, Lori decided to start a non-profit organization dedicated to children's health and wellness. In 2010, Lori founded Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to educate, activate, motivate and empower youth in the areas of academic achievement, fitness, nutrition and total wellness. One of the organization's main objectives is to help children develop healthy lifestyle habits so they are more likely to avoid obesity, diabetes and hypertension. 

Lori became a published author in 2019 when she pinned her debut book, Divine Downloads, Loriology: 33 Lessons On Life, Love & Leadership, a book that helps readers to navigate purpose while viewing growth through the lens of personal development and spiritual transformation. 

As an accomplished entrepreneur, Lori has been featured in Who's Who in Black Atlanta consecutively from 2011 to 2020. Lori is a member of the Dekalb Chamber of Commerce and the esteemed Forbes Coaches Council, where she is a regular content contributor for Forbes.com. Known as a leader in her industry, Lori regularly produces networking events and business workshops to educate entrepreneurs on business principles for success. Lori currently resides in Atlanta, GA. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Lori A. Manns: I felt a divine mandate to write about lessons that I had learned throughout my life and apply spiritual principles to help people navigate finding their purpose through setbacks and difficulty and learning how to grow through it mentally, spiritually and emotionally. 

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?

LAM: I just take a break from it and allow myself to be inspired by something as simple as a bubble bath or a walk in the park. I find that whenever you pause and give your mind a rest, you release the anxiety and pressure that you may feel to keep writing. Sometimes stepping away is the best thing that you can do for optimal writing. 

DL: Describe your writing process?

LAM: I start by writing an outline of the topic and main points that I want to expound on. Then I typically write out who I am writing the book for and what my purpose is for writing the book. I think about who will read it and what I want them to walk away feeling and thinking after they have read the book. After that, I fill in the blanks regarding everything that I believe will build upon my purpose and goals for writing the book in the first place. 

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

LAM: I think an interesting plot makes a good story for fiction books and for non-fiction books, authenticity makes a good story. As long as you stay true to yourself and write from the heart, I don't think you can go wrong with writing any type of book. 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

LAM: I can't say that I had any major challenges when I wrote the book other than discipline. I had to force myself to have weekends when all I did was write. Sometimes that was a challenge because I have so many other things going on. I am a full-time entrepreneur running a consulting business and I'm also a philanthropist running a non-profit organization. That said, between those two roles my days and nights are pretty busy, so finding time to write was my only challenge. 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

LAM: As an adult, I have been influenced by many books so it is very difficult for me to narrow my scope of influence down to just one book. There are three books that have stood out to me during my adult life. The first book is The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren, the second book is The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, and the third book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. 

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?

LAM: I believe the keys to marketing a book are the same for marketing any project. First you must consider who the target audience is, second you must consider what issue, need or pain point the book offers to the ideal reader, third you must consider the best medium to reach the ideal reader, fourth you must craft the best message to convince the prospective reader that they must purchase the book and why. Finally, you must have a compelling call to action that provides a strong incentive for the prospective reader to purchase your book. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

LAM: I would give them the following advice: 

  1. Decide what topic you want to write about. Make sure it’s something you are an expert on and passionate about.
  2. Determine who you are writing the book for. Be clear in what you want to leave your readers with. What will be their lesson or takeaway?
  3. Do your homework and research. Give proper credit to anyone or anything that you use to support your content.
  4. Stay the course and don’t give up. You might get writers block but don’t panic. It’s going to flow as long as you stay open to the process.
  5. Be yourself, be real and authentic. No one likes a pretentious person or author. 

DL: Can you share an excerpt from Divine Downloads, Loriology: 33 Lessons On Life, Love & Leadership?

LAM: Sure, this is from the Introduction on Lessons on Life: 

"Life is a gift. Every day is a brand-new gift to be embraced and unwrapped. To get the most out of life, I think you must wake up each morning believing that the ability to live another day is a blessing. It is so easy to take life for granted, to take the ability to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste for granted. What about the ability to walk and talk? Can you imagine not having those abilities? Just think if one day you woke up and did not have your five senses or other abilities, your life would be changed forever. For that reason, it is important to show gratitude for every day you are given." 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book?

LAM: They can find out more here: 

DL: It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

LAM: Thank you!



 

 

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