What happens when 11 over-achievers get together to write and publish a book? Chronicle Editor Emeritus, co-author and editor of Maverick Entrapreneurs’ Million Dollar Strategies, Jerry Bel-lune explains how the book came about and why.

Q. What was the inspiration for this book?

A. All of us had read collaborative books. “The Chicken Soup for the Soul” series is probably the best known and most successful.

All of us knew each other, had shared our challenges and opportunities with each other. We decided putting some of our ideas and strategies into a book could help others become successful.

Q. How do you define a maverick entrepreneur?

A. There are two kinds of people – mavericks like us and saddle horses like those who refuse to adapt and grow as technology and other advances give us new weapons to compete.

Saddle horses depend on their owners to house them, feed them and tell them when and where to get up, go out to pasture and come back to the barn.

All that fences them in is one thin strand of wire and the expectation that they will be cared for.

Then there are mavericks who run free and live on the open range where every day is different and danger lurks behind every rock.

Mavericks remain alert at all times and on the lookout for opportunities and challenges. They don’t need anyone to feed them.

Tell them they can’t do something — that it’s stupid or impossible — and watch out. They will do it.

If you corral mavericks, they will do whatever it takes to break through any fence to gain their independence. They don’t want anything less — nor will they settle for anything less.

Q. What’s in the book that Chronicle readers might be interested in?

A. Each author has written a chapter, sharing strategies that made them successful.

When successful people willingly share their ideas, some people think, “My business is different. What you did won’t work for me.”

That’s nonsense. Your products and services may be differentbut strategiesthatwork in one business will work in others if you are willing to adapt them to your clients, patients’ and customers’ wants and needs.

Q. Can you give us a few examples of what you mean?

A. That’s easy. Here are what the authors share:

• Dentist Greg Wych writes about the kinds of advertising that professional practitioners waste a lot of money on vs. the direct response advertising that he uses.

His ads are about patients and their problems – not how great the dentist may be.

• Successful business owner and consultant Ann Elliott helps CEOs take their businesses to higher levels. In her chapter she shares how you can stay on your clients’ and prospects’ radar to generate more sales and profits.

• Successful dog trainer Geoff Ellinwood tells what it took for him to go from a failing business to success suing affordable technology that anyone could use.

• Business and life coach Suzanne Riley Whyte shows you how to live the life of an entrepreneurial maverick as she has on 2 continents.

• Faith-based entrepreneur Mike Ward shows how to build your prospects’ confidence and trust in you.

• Strategic coach Alysia Kehoe shows how to attract, coach and retain the 5 generations all of us are working with today.

• World Champion Public Speaker Michael Aun shows how he gets it all done with his own super-effective planning system.

• Sales entrepreneur Linda Sauls show how to find mentors and adopt their successful habits.

• Veteran trainer and foreign mission leader Chuck McCurry shows how nonprofits can become more entrepreneurial to carry out their core missions.

• Marketing and business referral expert Emily Wright shows how to boost your business by giving and receiving referrals.

In my chapter, I reveal 13 magic bullets to attract and retain your ideal clients.

We also close with a bonus strategy to help readers master the power of the Master Mind. This strategy helps you grow your business by forming your own personal board of advisers.

Q. Where can readers buy a copy of the book?

A. The electronic version is available at Amazon.com

For an autographed hardbound copy, call us at 803-359-7633.