Pump Up Your Book Chats with Devin Thorpe Author of Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom

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Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom Book Tour

Devin D. Thorpe, author of Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom: A Financial Planning Guide for Latter-day Saint Families, lives in China and teaches business at a local University on behalf of Brigham Young University. Previously, Devin’s 25 year career in business, included seven years running an investment banking firm as well as other corporate finance positions. He served an LDS Mission in Argentina. He earned an MBA from Cornell University after earning a BS in Finance from the University of Utah. More information is available at Devin’s blog: bw4bk.tumblr.com; follow @devinthorpe on Twitter; like Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom on Facebook.

Thank you for this interview, Devin. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: Yes, I started writing at a very young age, almost forty years ago. My first published piece was a short article in the Salt Lake Tribune co-written with a friend when we were just ten years old. Though I admire those who can write great fiction, from my youth I’ve always been a non-fiction writer.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: The new publishing environment in which many authors are self-published is exhilarating. We no longer have to wait for publishers to tell us whether or not our ideas or our expression of them are good enough; instead, we can ask readers. As a person with a 25-year business career, I find the publishing business to be challenging and exciting. I love it!

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: My wonderful wife has given me permission to pursue a full-time writing career. I consider this a sacred privilege. I owe her so much that I find myself working harder than I ever have worked writing and, yes, promoting my work.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: It has been my good fortune to have traveled around the world and I’m presently living in China. My pastime is photography. Whether shooting a man-made wonder like the Eiffel Tower or natural wonders like the rivers and mountains of China, I take tens of thousands of pictures every year trying to get that perfect shot (emphasis on trying).

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I’d be right where I am: seated next to my wife on the sofa at home.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: My wife.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I’ve found that I can only write sitting on my bed, where I have absolute peace and quiet.

Do you have any pets?

A: Nope.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: I peaked at a height of 5’6” many years ago; I’m now shorter than 5’5” tall. At the rate I’m shrinking, my wife will be taller than I am within five years!

What’s on your to do list today?

A: Having spent the day teaching, I’m pushing off grading papers (again) to do this interview.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: The principles in the book about saving and preparing for the future would help him to plan over the long span of time to leave the island. Although it would not likely have helped him get off the island sooner, I’d like to think it would have helped him take the long view, thereby avoiding the depression that caused him to think about killing himself.

You just got word that your book has received the 2012 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: (This question isn’t so much “fun” as “funny,” but not wishing to be a bad sport…) This recognition says little about me or my writing and everything about how important financial planning for Mormon families really is; LDS families face unique financial planning challenges and deserve a good resource to help them face those challenges. It is impossible to recognize appropriately all those who helped make this book a success, but certainly my readers and my wife deserve the lion’s share of my appreciation.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in June via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: The message of Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom will help Mormon families to accomplish their goals of service to others, self-reliance and tithing their income to the Church. Life is full of challenges; this book makes some of life’s biggest challenges a little easier. Of course, while I’m living in China, no other sort of book tour is possible!

Thank you for this interview, Devin. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thank you for all of your help!

About Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom

Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom is a simple, practical guide to help LDS families organize their personal financial plans to meet their unique goals. The book provides simple answers to questions like:

How much should I be saving each month for my son’s mission?
How much should I be saving each month for my children’s college education?
How can I save enough to be able to retire while I’m healthy enough to serve a mission?

Avoiding tips on pinching pennies, the book focuses on opportunities to save thousands or tens of thousands of dollars by making smart moves with big decisions, like home and car purchases.

Mormon families will appreciate the gospel-centered, scripture-based focus on putting tithing at the center of a financial plan. Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom will help prepare families to enjoy the benefits of their labor while simultaneously contributing to the growth of Church.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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