Press Kit for Gary Friedman
Contact Information:
716-812-2093
www.garyfriedmanbooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/GaryFriedmanBooks/
Short Bio:
Gary Friedman has traveled a long road, interacting with people every step of the way. Gary makes contributions to the betterment of the world every day. Whether in his role as a non-profit volunteer, business owner, coach, counselor, federal employee, or author, it has always been important to Gary to leave the community a better place than when he found it. His home in Western New York has been the backdrop for most of the poignant work he has accomplished so far.
In each of his careers, Gary has made people a priority by observing, listening, and reaching out to those in need and those who need direction. He has authored a series of three inspirational novels, The Shepherd Chronicles, asserting that one man can make a difference, and frequently speaks to audiences promoting that message. Gary’s new novel, Stones and Glass Houses, demonstrates his intrigue with how humanity functions and interacts. His goal is to shake up the reader’s perspective and invoke curiosity and this book does not disappoint.
Enjoying his retirement from the Federal government, Gary spends his days enjoying time with family and friends, traveling and writing.
Speaker Bio:
Gary Friedman’s life-long experiences include business executive, personal counselor, coach and manager within the federal government. He has been an observer of human potential and the dynamics of communication throughout his careers. Gary has written three inspirational novels in The Shepherd Chronicles series, and recently released a fourth novel, Stones and Glass Houses, using his characters to demonstrate the impact of the promises people make and facing the crossroads they encounter with courage.
Books Authored by Gary Friedman
The Promise – Book One of The Shepherd Chronicles
The Promise is the first book of The Shepherd Chronicles trilogy. It tells the story of David, who quietly returns to his hometown after failing to establish his musical career in Nashville. He avoids all contacts from his past except for his mentor Jacob, who helps David rise to the top of Buffalo’s club scene. With new success and reconciliation with his family on the horizon, tragedy suddenly strikes, and David finds himself lying in an emergency room, nearing death. While on his death bed, David makes a promise that proves to be life altering. After a miraculous recovery, he finds himself being held to his promise. Thus begins a journey that will take David from New York to Georgia and back again, discovering that one man can make a difference, not only in the lives of others he encounters but in his own destiny.
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The Rules – Book Two of The Shepherd Chronicles
David Hynes is dutifully following the path laid out for him by a mysterious messenger. He now travels without a map, a star to follow, or a plan. Open to all possibilities, David is led only by the seed planted in his heart, nurtured by faith and a possible destiny. Armed with only a shepherd’s staff, David’s journey intersects with others who have either lost their way or have reached an impasse. As David ultimately discovers the rules that govern his journey through life, he becomes a symbol of hope and reassurance to all. But as his future waits, only time will tell if David will ever be able to find inner-peace and an important sign that will allow him to continue his mission. In this inspirational tale, a young man continues on his a quest to help humans in trouble, guided by his hero and by his heart.
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Crossroads – Book Three of The Shepherd Chronicles
David Hynes is torn between continuing on the path created for him by a mysterious messenger or supporting a grieving family and starting a life with his beloved, Peggy. After deciding to move forward on his journey, David strikes out once again to bring his message to those that have lost their way.
With his flock growing, David finds his way from national politics and battles with terrorists to rescuing an elderly man from a fate that does not belong to him. Along his path, he discovers the greater depth of his mission and a new mentor to guide his way. His mysterious messenger takes on a new form as David begins to define his future. Through it all, David proves that one man can make a difference not just for himself, but for every life he touches, while encouraging all of us to do the same.
In the conclusion to the Shepherd Chronicles trilogy, one man continues an inspirational quest to take the focus off himself and make a difference.
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Stones and Glass Houses
The intersection where truth collides with deception takes place in a hospital emergency room in Stones and Glass Houses. After 30 years of loneliness and excuses, two families are set free by the piercing alarm on a flat line monitor. As the trail of deceit unravels, five lives change forever because of the arrogance and weakness of a man who claimed to love them. Gary Friedman weaves a riveting tale that offers a bird’s eye view into the complexity of humanity and love that jumps off every turned page. How will they move on from the mangled heap of lies?
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Interview Questions
- Tell us a little bit about your journey, your background to this point in your life?
- What led you to writing so late along your journey?
- Do your characters come from real life experiences?
- Has writing this series changed your perspective on your life?
- Why are promises so important to your message?
- You talk a lot about leaders in your books. How would you define a leader?
- Family seems to have a central role in your stories. What role did family have in David’s journey and possibly your own?
- David identifies himself as a good listener. What is it that makes him such a good listener or anyone for that matter?
- How did you title each of your books?
- David has many encounters throughout the books. Which story had the greatest impact on you and why?
- You put a high value on David’s integrity. Why is that so important and does it define you as well?
- Prior to going on his own journey, David’s successes were limited. How did his journey change all that for him?
- Your characters demonstrate a variety of ways that transition can be managed. Can you explain the different reactions to transition in your newest novel, Stones and Glass Houses?
- You used bigamy as a storyline in your Stones and Glass Houses. That seems to be a rather interesting way to approach the topic of deciding what to do at a crossroad.
- Rumor has it that you relate most to the character Will in Stones and Glass Houses. Could you elaborate why?
Topics for Speaking Engagements
- Confronting our crossroads
- Parenting by ear
- Try pushing spaghetti – You can’t lead from behind!
- Standing out in the crowd – making a difference
- Listening with your heart and other organs
- Promises and crying babies
Speaking Engagements
November 14, 2019 Amherst Book Club
Media
FUN Facts about Gary
- My life’s journey has had more turns than the Indy 500
- My kids always looked up to me as a fountain of knowledge, until one day my 5 year-old daughter asked me, “Who is Richard Stanz? We talk about him every day in school.” I said “I have no idea. How do you talk about him?” She said, “You know, one republic for Richard Stanz.”
- I coached college women in soccer for 11 years.
- Courage is raising three teenagers on your own.
- I started and managed a 48 hour dance marathon and ended up with fewer breaks than the dancers.
