The FAQ Book

At 10.26 am today Sri Lanka time, I submitted the last batch of content to my editor for final proofreading. I can’t help but feel a huge sense of completion. The kind that makes you want to rush out of your hotel room and do a little chicken dance in front of all the kids at the poolside. Ever since I came back from US last October, I wanted to write a book but procrastination and self doubt got in the way. It was only in February this year that the book idea came back with a new found fervency. Credits go to my partner-in-crime, Andrew. After an email and a 53 page proposal from him, I was adamant to make it happen. And from the way things are going, it’s going to happen.

Like all great things, we faced a lot of challenges. The most obvious one is what to write. After a month of research and brainstorming, we decided to write a book on presentations. We even came up with a title for it. (From Kaboom to Kaching: Making Money Through Solid Presentations) Judging from the book cover you see on your top left, you know it stayed kaboom-ed and died a horrible death. And that was after writing 100 over pages. For a while, we thought we were done for. Until an ephipany hit us which led us to write the current book - The FAQ Book on Public Speaking.

And then there was a fallout between two of our co-writers. A clash of egos which led to one of them leaving eventually. Or perhaps it was just differences in opinion. Regardless, it was a tough time for me in particular since I was close to both of them. And that was on top of having to write the book, making friends with the online affiliates, brainstorming with our art designers, negotiating for competent publishers, drafting out contracts with our co-writers, researching on IP infringements and laying the groundwork for publicity. It doesn’t help that it was our first book too.

In spite of all that, Andrew and I knew it was worth every ounce of effort because it was for a greater cause. Each time I think about how you will benefit from the content, I get rejuvenated and recharged. It keeps me up all day answering question after question. I believe it is the same with my other co-writers, Irene and Kelvin.

Thought you would be interested to see where the book was created.

I spend most of time in this office at Hilton Residence, typing away. Even now.

Yes, it continues all the way to the night.

The office overlooks the Indian Ocean. Sometimes looking out at the sea can be quite therapeutic.

Here’s where I go to whenever I need a breath of fresh air and some inspiration. I will lugged my trusted mac down to one of the chairs and start writing. A good 40% of the book was done this way. The little man and women also perked me a lot. I got to share this particular scene with you. There were two toddlers, one about 3 and the other 5 playing at the shower. Apparently the elder sister was trying to bath her younger sister. Since they were too short to use the shower, they use the water at the tap instead. The elder sister will swallow a large mouthful of water and then start spitting it on her younger sister. First her hair, then her face, and then her hands. How adorable!

I will also like to take this opportunity to show my gratitude to the people who played a phenomenal role in making this book a reality. It’s true as Paulo Coelho says it in The Alchemist, “When you want something bad enough, the whole universe will conspire to help you achieve it.”

Thank you…

Mum for showing me unconditional love.
Dad for teaching me to be humble – always.
Sis for being my sky.
Terence Lin for introducing me to the world of public speaking.
Gean Chu for your unfailing support.
Sarah Ng for believing in me even when I don’t
Estee Teo for doing such a great job with the editing.
Swaran Kapur for your vote of confidence.
Irene Ang for having so much faith in me.
Darien and Darius for granting us the interview at BlogTalkRadio.
Gwendolyn for granting us the interview at SGentrepreneurs.
Huifen for granting us the interview at Business Times.
Jamie for taking the time to make us look good on Campus Life.
Vicki for designing such a sexy-licious book cover!
Dean for taking care of all the technical details – you make it easy for us.
Kelvin Lim for teaching me how to fly.
Wei for introducing me to the secret.
Doris Ng for being my number one fan!
Gabriel for always being there for us – don’t give up on your dream!
Baoxin and Simin for being our helpful assistants every step of the way.
Mrs Lee for being my teacher all these years – even now.
Ms Yang for encouraging me to be the best I can ever be.
Andre Khoo for taking me under his wing.
Tian Yan for your timely advice.
Andrew for being my partner-in-crime – we did it!
Myself for not giving up.

And lastly to YOU for being the reason why this book was created.

The best way for me to honor you is to continue writing great content. Let the FAQ Book on Public Speaking be a testament to that. Watch this space for annoucements. As of now, we have set the release of the ebook to be on Children’s Day (1st Oct). Be sure to get youself a copy!

With Love & Gratitude,

Eric Feng
Your Public Speaking Coach

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P.S: We have been getting quite a lot of publicity on the book project. First it was a radio interview with BlogTalkRadio. And just yesterday, we were interviewed on SGentrepreneurs. Very very thankful.

You will be reading more about us on Business Times (SG) at the Campus Life segment. Will inform you about it once it's out (Look out for the special one time offer!)

We will also be on the cover story of Bizness, a bi-monthly newsletter for entrepreneurs. Shall notify you when it’s out. Take care!