About Countdown to Preparedness
Tell us about your book.
My latest book is Countdown to Preparedness. It is a non-fiction book geared toward both new and experienced preppers.
The book is set up similar to a college course in that each week there is a reading assignment and specific tasks to be completed, as well as small amounts of food or supplies to be purchased and an amount of water to store.
The goal is that if someone diligently completes each and every assigned task, at the end of the 52 week course they will be fully prepared to meet all of their own needs for a minimum of three months.
What inspired you to write Countdown to Preparedness?
This book arose out of a feature I ran on my Survival Weekly website throughout all of 2012. Each week, I’d post new assignments and such. It became very popular and several readers asked if I planned to turn it into a book.
Late in 2013, my editor at Ulysses Press and I took all of the material, revised everything, added some new topics, shined and polished it all up, then put it out on the market a couple of months ago.
The Writing Process:
How did you get interested in writing about preparedness?
I’ve always enjoyed writing and coupling that interest with my experience in disaster readiness just seemed to make sense. Write what you know, y’know?
Of all of my books, Countdown to Preparedness was probably the easiest to write, in that I’d originally posted the material over the course of an entire year. When it came time to collate it all into book format, the hardest part of the job (writing the material) had already been done. It only took a few weeks to revise and update what had been written.
What was the harderst part of writing your book?
The hardest part about writing Countdown to Preparedness was sitting down to divide up the food storage into easy to purchase segments for each week.
How did you come up with the title?
The title came very easy, given that the focus is truly a countdown to being prepared for disasters.
What kind of research did you do for the book?
There was minimal research to this book in that I already knew what I wanted to cover. One of the things I like about writing non-fiction is I don’t need to do as much research as a novelist might. I already know the material I’m presenting.
Do You Have Plans for Another Book?
I do have two more books on tap. This October, Urban Emergency Survival Plan will be coming out from Living Ready Books (part of F+W Media).
Then, in February of next year, Prepper’s Financial Guide will be coming from Ulysses Press.
Meet the Author – Jim Cobb
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
In addition to writing, speaking, and consulting on all matters related to disaster readiness, I am a licensed private investigator. I’ve worked in the investigative field for about 20 years now. During my time as a PI, I’ve worked a wide range of cases, from missing persons to homicide, process service to insurance liability.
I am happily married to an extremely intelligent, beautiful, and patient woman. We have three children, all boys, ranging from 9-14 years old.
So, what have you written?
The Prepper’s Complete Book of Disaster Readiness
Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide
A smattering of articles in magazines such as Boy’s Life and Countryside.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve always been an avid reader, beginning at a very young age. Writing came natural to me as an extension of my interest in books.
Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
Authors: Mike Mullin, Christopher Golden, Brian Keene, John D. McCann, Scott B. Williams, John Christopher, Kevin Hearne, and a couple dozen more that I can’t think of right now ;)
Books: I particularly enjoy the cheesy “men’s adventure” novels from the 1980s and early 90s that centered on post-apocalypse plots, such as:
- The Survivalist by Jerry and Sharon Ahern
- The Last Ranger by Craig Sargent
- The Warlord by Jason Frost
- Traveler by DB Drumm
I read a ton of books in a wide range of genres, though. I like a good horror novel as well as a compelling biography.
What books are you reading now?
I’m typically in the middle of a few different books at a time. Right now, I’m reading:
- Hawker #6 – Vegas Vengeance by Carl Ramm
- Age of Voodoo by James Lovegrove
- The Knowledge by Lewis Dartnell
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
To impart as much reliable, practical information as possible.
What are you working on now?
The manuscript for Prepper’s Financial Guide as well as a few untitled fiction projects.
Last Remarks:
How is this world a better place because of your book?
Well, I don’t know if the world is a better place because of my books but hopefully at least a few people are better prepared for life’s little curve balls after reading one or more of them.
Do you have anything specific that you want to share with my readers?
When it comes to prepping, don’t try to do it all at once. You’ll just get overwhelmed and burned out. But, do try to do at least one thing every single day that will push you further along the path of disaster readiness. – Jim Cobb
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
- Website: http://www.survivalweekly.com/ & http://www.disasterprepconsultants.com/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jimcobbsurvival/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SurvivalWeekly/
- Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Cobb/e/B009SCHMPC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1406944579&sr=8-2-ent
- Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7414596.Jim_Cobb/
- Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/survivalweekly/
And be sure to check out his latest book… Countdown to Preparedness
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