About Reneau Peurifoy:
Reneau Peurifoy is a traditionally published author who is now an independent publisher. His first book, “Anxiety, Phobias & Panic,” published by Hachette, has sold over 200,000 copies and is in multiple languages. Peurifoy’s work has been embraced by many self-help groups and clinics addressing anxiety-related problems who have selected his books from among a host of others on the market as the basis for their programs. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the nation’s primary organization for anxiety-related problems, has invited Peurifoy to speak at eleven national conferences.
Peurifoy has a wide range of experience in front of groups and has appeared extensively on dozens of television and radio programs. Peurifoy’s warmth and comfortable manner generate a strong rapport with audiences. Because he believes so strongly in the material he has developed over his years as a therapist, teacher, and workshop leader, his excitement over sharing it is genuinely contagious.
Peurifoy was in private practice for twenty years as a marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety disorders. He retired from private practice in 2000 to teach at a local College in Sacramento, California. He has attended Fuller Theological Seminary and after retiring from teaching in 2015, he received a ministerial credential from the Church of God headquartered in Anderson, Indiana. He now is spending his time writing, speaking, and seeing people with anxiety-related problems as a pastoral counselor. He has also developed a YouTube channel that features videos on practical life skills.
What inspires you to write?
I enjoy teaching and helping others. There are few things more satisfying than seeing someone grasp something that was difficult or overcome a difficulty they had been struggling with. This is the goal of my writing: to provide quality material that others find useful.
Tell us about your writing process.
I usually start by making an outline of the topics I want to cover. I then sit at the computer and just write. Next, I print out what I’ve written and use scissors, tape and a pen to edit. I take my handiwork back to the computer and edit the file. I often throw out what I’ve written and start over. I also like to send first drafts to beta readers to get feedback. I go through this entire process two or three times before I’m ready to send my work to an editor.
What advice would you give other writers?
Develop a thick skin. Be willing to share your writing with lots of people and do not take their comments personally. If several are saying similar things, it means you need to rewrite. If it’s only one or two and you like what you’ve written, it’s probably fine as it is.
You cannot grow and improve in a bubble, you need to test your material in the real world. Be open to positive criticism. It’s also a good idea to interact with people who are positive and who have been successful at what you want to do.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I self-published my first book. After selling 50,000 copies, Warner Books (now Hachette) picked it up. That opened the door for my next two books. I now would like more control over the process so I’m returning to self-publishing.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
As in many other areas, technology is allowing individuals to take control of processes that were once only available to large companies. I think this opens up lots of opportunities and will result in more creativity.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Self-Help, Psychology, Christian,
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Reneau Peurifoy Home Page Link
Link To Reneau Peurifoy Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
