Meet Lucha Legends Founder and children’s book author Paul Barile.
Show Notes:
(00:24): The Inspiring World of Lucha Libre: A Conversation with Author Paul Barile
(03:28): The Endless Inspiration: Writing in Multiple Disciplines
(03:45): Genre Exploration: Uncovering the Power of Diverse Literary Worlds
(03:47): The Thrilling World of True Crime, Police Procedurals, and Captivating Memoirs
(03:54): Exploring Different Genres: Finding Writing Inspiration and Personal Favorites
(03:56): The Evolution of the Memoir Genre: From Literary Masterpieces to Pulp Fiction
(03:57): Author's Aplenty: Unveiling the Impressive Literary Portfolio
(03:59): The Author's Multi-Genre Journey: From Novels to Novelettes, Illustrated Books, and Screenplays
(04:21): Exclusive Interview: Unveiling the Author's Latest Masterpiece
(04:23): Introducing 'Hope Rises': The Latest Addition to the Lucha Legends Series
(04:28): The Power of Perspective: Unlocking New Insights from 'Deep Dive' with the Author
(04:31): Embracing Kindness and Diversity: Unlocking the Path to Success
(04:35): The Perils of Penning: Unraveling the Toughest Writing Challenges
(04:37): Carving Out Time: The Art of Finding Time to Write
(04:39): Upcoming Projects and Plans: A Glimpse into the Future
(04:40): Exploring New Exciting Chapters: Lucha Legends Book Five & Unveiling the Mighty Harriet Strong
(04:47): Destination Book Signing: Choosing the Perfect Location for Unforgettable Author Events
(04:50): Exploring the Thriving Lucha Scene in Los Angeles while Reconnecting with Family
(04:54): Unconventional Book Promotion: From Hidden Gems to Unexpected Adventures
(04:58): Unforgettable Lucha Libre Extravaganza: Wrestling Takes the Farm by Storm in Rockford, Illinois
(05:01): Insights and Regrets: Lessons from a Published Author
(05:05): Focusing on Writing, Letting the Publisher Take the Lead
(05:08): Unleashing Your Inner Author: Expert Tips for Aspiring Writers
(05:10): Discovering the Joy of Writing: Tips for Authentic Expression
(05:29): Exploring the Wisdom of Letters to a Young Poet: Unveiling the Essence of Creativity
(05:40): The Power of Words: Finding Inspiration in Literature and Personalized Messages
(05:57): The Joy of Expressing Through Writing
(06:03): Amazon's Book Recommendations and Inspiring Young Writers with Lucha Libre
(06:11): The Downsides of Being an Author: Unveiling the One Thing I Dislike
(06:14): Overcoming the Challenge of Limited Time and Abundance of Ideas
(06:16): The Key to Selling More Books: Successful Strategies From Top Authors
(06:18): The Second Book's Success Sparks an Interest in the First: A Look at the Series' Growing Popularity
(06:23): Uncovering the Best Locations for Adventure and Exploration
(06:25): Finding Me: Where to Connect and Explore
(06:33): Insights and Final Thoughts: A Recap of the Discussion
(06:35): Chasing My Writing Dreams: The Joy, Community, and Inspiration of Being a Writer
(06:53): Writer Spotlight: Paul Barile's Wrestling-Inspired Children's Adventure Stories
(07:11): PSI 45th Annual Poetry Contest: Showcasing Poetic Brilliance and Opportunities for Publication
(07:40): The Ultimate Book Launch Guide: Learn from a Master Marketer and Win Big!
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Bookends, a podcast about the books, chapters, and pages of our lives and the writers behind the stories we love. Today we will get to know children’s book author and Lucha Legends founder Paul Barile. If you want to get in on the fun by doing an author interview, answer the questions you can find at writerkat.com. Now, on with the show!
Welcome back, bookworms!
I'm your host WriterKat. I am doing a Q&A with children’s book author and Lucha Legends Founder Paul Barile. Paul says he is a Chicago guy through and through. He has a daughter who is making the world a better place. She is a clinical social worker director in LA. Paul has been writing his entire life. His hobbies include reading, Lucha Libre, playing bass guitar, writing songs, and singing (The Grudge Brothers). He also loves to experiment in the kitchen, so people are always buying him spices or cookbooks.
A lifelong wrestling fan, Paul Barile was introduced to Lucha Libre years ago and is now a student of Lucha Libre—not as a practitioner of the art form itself, but of all of the ancillary elements, including the pageantry and the storytelling, the characters, the sights, and the sounds, and of course the food.
Outside of Lucha Libre, Paul has also spent many years in the classroom teaching in the Headstart program, as well as a variety of after-school programs. In addition, Paul spent summers working in resident camps where his love of writing began to take hold.
Later while working as a tour guide, Paul honed his storytelling skills as he showed visitors the sights and sounds of Chicago. However, he continued to teach young people acting, improv, and filmmaking.
During this time, Paul’s passion for the Lucha began to grow, and when it collided with his passion for writing, Paul knew he had to do something. He chose to create a Lucha universe like no other. Paul is not satisfied with just writing a book or two about Luchadores. He is creating an entire series featuring many of the people who make Lucha Libre what it is.
The series includes books not just about the luchadors and luchadoras, but they are also about the referees, the ring announcers, and the other people who make up the magic of Lucha.
A part of that magic is the touchstone of family because family is important in the culture of Lucha Libre. So much so that Paul has witnessed Luchadores blessing babies before a match. In his books, Paul draws parallels to Lucha Libre in the way he depicts the family passing traditions on to younger members. Many famous wrestlers take their names from their famous fathers.
As a driver for a local Lucha Libre federation, Paul has carried many great Luchadores from airports to shows. He has met some of the biggest Luchadores and Luchadoras working today.
Paul’s own legacy in the Lucha world is his nephew, the translator of his books from English to Spanish. In his quest to follow this family-oriented sport, Paul has seen Lucha Libre in five states and two countries. While in Mexico, Paul reiterates the family tie by bringing his sister and his nephew to the matches there. Stateside, he is also always introducing people to the storytelling and deeply held traditions of Lucha Libre.
Paul’s repertoire of all things Lucha includes writing dual-language books and creating Lucha Libre coloring books. He also teaches writing to adults in his spare time.
Welcome to Bookends, Paul. Wow! I didn’t know about the world of Lucha Libre before now. Fascinating. What else inspires you to write?
Everything I see inspires me. It might be a poem, or it might be an essay. I carry a small pad of paper and two matching pens in my pocket all the time. You never know what is around the next corner. I write in multiple disciplines, so everything is an inspiration.
What is your favorite genre to read?
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be true crime, but I do love a good police procedural book. I also love a well-written memoir.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Memoir or pulp.
How many books have you written?
That’s a trick question. I am in the midst of a 7-book deal with Lexographic Press at lexographicpress.com
I am currently writing book five. I have also written a traditional novel for lexo. I have written a couple of novelettes. I have two illustrated books of poetry. I have one screenplay that will be produced when the strike is over. The finished products are all at Amazon.
What is the most recent book you have published?
This past spring, my publisher released “Hope Rises” from the Lucha Legends series.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Be kind, and don’t give up on your dreams. Diversity is the gateway to success.
What is the most challenging part of writing?
Finding time to write.
What are you working on next?
Book five of the lucha legends series and a new project about a mid-century female superhero named Harriet Strong.
If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Los Angeles. Great Lucha scene, plus I could visit my daughter.
Where is the most exciting or unusual place you promoted your book?
Huge outdoor Lucha show on a farm in Rockford, Illinois.
What is one thing you wish you had known before publishing your book?
I don’t think about it. I just write and let the publisher do his thing.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Find the joy in writing. If there is no joy, don’t write. Read everything. If you don’t like to read, your writing will show. Make attainable goals. Don’t sit down to write a novel. Sit down to tell a story. Read “Letters to a Young Poet” by Rilke. Above all, be yourself.
Letters to a Young Poet, Yes! That book is an excellent resource for creatives. I love Rilke's quote from the book, "Can you avow you would die if you were forbidden to write."
What is your favorite quote?
There is someone in your corner. That was all my father needed to write on a birthday card he once gave me. My favorite literary quote is, Reading is inhaling. Writing is exhaling. I have the second part of that tattooed on me.
Writing is exhaling. I love that.
What is one thing you love about being an author?
When Amazon recommends my books to me. Also, when I get to talk to elementary school kids about writing and lucha libre.
What is one thing you dislike about being an author?
Not enough time and too many ideas.
What has helped you sell the most books?
When the second book in the series came out – it caught on, and people went back and started buying the first book.
Where can we find you?
The best ways to find me are on Instagram at word dude and on Facebook under my name—also lucha-legends dot com and lexographicpress.com.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I dreamed of being a writer my entire life. I still have a job until the books take off, but I am writing, and I love writing. I find joy in it, and it has put me in rooms with the smartest and most beautiful people you can imagine. The community of writers that I have found is truly amazing and inspiring people. God bless!
Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us, Paul Barile. And thank you, listeners, for tuning in. If you are into wrestling or are in the market for fun and creative children’s adventure stories, check out Paul Barile’s books!
Now, on to the news for poets and writers.
Poets! Have you sent in your poems for the PSI 45th Annual Poetry Contest? You can win money and publication for your poems. This contest has not one or two but a whopping 32 categories for you. Enter one or all for the same low fee of ten dollars for PSI members or fifteen for non-members. You have until September 1st, 2023, to share your poetic brilliance with the world. To get all the details, visit poetrysocietyofIndiana.org.
Indie Authors! If you want to see how a master marketer does a book launch, join me and about 200,000 (!) other curious creatives on Saturday, August 19th at 12 p.m. Eastern Time for Alex Hormozi's book launch of $100M Leads. It's free, and he's giving gifts to everyone who shows up for his virtual book launch. To sign up, please use my referral link at booklaunch.XYZ, so I can win a one-on-one interview with him that I will share with you!
If you're an author with a book release on the horizon or want to participate in a Q&A interview, visit writerkat.com for the author interview questions.
If you want to support this show and lots of other upcoming author interviews and book launches, please subscribe at indieauthors.substack.com.
Alright, bookworms, that’s it for today. Visit writerkat.com for links to all my writerly projects and social media. Until next time, keep reading, keep writing, and remember; every story has the power to change lives!
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That's a wrap for this episode of the Bookends Podcast. Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed getting to know Paul Barile. Please subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. We'll be back soon with more great conversations about books and authors. In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy those special moments between the bookends of your life.
Until next time, happy reading!
BE14: Q&A with Paul Barile