Why Write The Book?
A frequently asked question is, "Why did you write the book?" I wrote it primarily to capture the strategies, tactics, and overall reentry approach I had developed over the years, consolidating them into a single resource. It was essential to present the concepts and actions in the sequential order in which I typically used them, allowing readers to follow along step-by-step. I also added characters to liven up the "how-to" feel, making it more engaging and readable. Some were real people with changed names, while others were compilations based on actual individuals and events. I could have easily included twice as many characters.
The book-writing process was also important to me. I wanted to experience the whole circle, from compiling my notes to publishing an ebook and a paperback version. It took about twenty months in total.
I wrote the book for many reasons, some of which I'll explore further. But in essence, I wrote it to preserve the frameworks and methodologies I had developed, serving as reminders of the numerous situations I encountered and the amazing, fascinating people I met.
This Substack project is an extension of my book, delving deeper into the' why' behind it. Writing about my writing is a journey, often leading me to the edge of the rabbit hole. However, there are a couple of underlying reasons why. I wrote this book specifically for the underdogs, those who are facing challenges and are determined to overcome them. I also wanted to incorporate business concepts into job searching and advancing, which I felt was missing in the reentry process for background-challenged individuals. Understanding these reasons will help you, the reader, comprehend my perspective, both in terms of the book and in general.
For the underdog. I am drawn to the challenge of regrouping, taking on the odds, and finding success. Why is this? I don't know. It's just how I am. But I can say this: I am passionate about being part of making it happen, of seeing someone succeed from behind vs. adding more to an already full basket. I am, by nature, process-oriented, interested in more action and less drama, more step-mapping toward the objective, and less angst about the past or the future. This feature of my personality and approach fits the bill for reentry. It works.
Something’s missing. It suddenly occurred to me, why aren't business concepts such as organization, structure, marketing, and sales incorporated into job searching and advancement? Why aren't these basic, 101-level business strategies and tactics part of the reentry game plan for individuals with a challenging background? My journey from the social sciences and education sectors to the for-profit world and then back to working in reentry gave me a unique perspective. I had hands-on experience in both areas and could see what was missing. So, I decided to bridge this gap and rewrite my helper script, incorporating many business concepts.
Another reason was digits. By early 2008, when I returned to the reentry world, the transition from the old-school ways of paper to all things digital was underway. The internet, a novelty in the early-‘90s, had become much faster and more reliable. The same is true for cell phones. They were (now) everywhere and about to explode to the next level with the release of the first iPhone nine months prior. The point is this: job searching, in general, was undergoing a tectonic shift from how it had been to what it would become in the broadband/mobile phone era. This sea change created a new set of circumstances for reentering job seekers.
Here’s an excerpt from the book’s introduction referencing what I found early in 2008 when I began working at the Nevada Department of Corrections, Casa Grande reentry facility in Las Vegas:
The situation was crystal clear to me. If a background-challenged seeker was to have a shot at success, they would need a different approach.
I developed a method built around two critical concepts:
Digits are no friend to the background-challenged job seeker.
Using a strategy that is not dependent upon the digit can and will work.
This approach didn't just work; it really worked, and it continues to do so. The methodology I developed helping inmates and, in the years that followed, homeless and recovering clients reentering the workforce is what this book is about. Anyone with background snags and an inconsistent work history, for any reason, can use it effectively.
It’s a success story, not without irony. How interesting that lessons in people skills, rooted in a time well before cell phones and personal computers, would turn out to be just what's needed to counteract limits created by all things digital. Yet, that's exactly what I found.
I intend to present reentry ideas and concepts from the book, drilling into and expanding on them. To focus on practical ground-level strategies and tactics needed to progress, step by step, toward success. I will, however, take the liberty to move the discussion forward and upward, touching on personal, social, economic, and political factors that play a part in the reentry journey.
One more thing: why start on Substack? Here, too, there are a few reasons. To start with, I need to keep myself engaged. The second edition of Get Beyond Your Troubled Past is overdue. A lot has changed since 2015, and it needs updating. This Substack project will push me with the updating and other associated adventures. Additionally, I want to keep the many steps and tactics in the book out in the reentry eco-space. Some concepts, such as seeing yourself as a Free Agent or Delivering the Mail (telling a prospective employer you have baggage), come around frequently. Others, not so much. They are all important and worthy of equal airtime.
Please subscribe and pass the word. For the time being, my goal is to boost readership. The content is free. Over time, I will add a pledge button and a paid subscription. But for now, the mission is to add readers and connections by providing quality content.
Onward!