We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anthony Damaschino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anthony below.

Anthony, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve always believed that everyone has a book in them. Each of us carries a story, a narrative, a lived experience worth sharing. The uniqueness of our lives and how we interpret them makes every person interesting. So, deciding to write a book wasn’t some grand, intimidating pursuit for me. It felt simple: all you need is a computer, your thoughts, and some sense of how to tell a compelling tale. The barriers to entry are minimal.

Writing my first two books wasn’t daunting. It followed a straightforward formula: Time + Research + Perseverance = A Book. Put in the hours, do the work, and you’ll have the word count needed to call yourself an author.

But that’s just the beginning. The hard part comes next—the editing, the formatting, the cover design, the publishing, the launching, and the relentless marketing. This is where the real work begins. Most authors write to help others, entertain, or share a message. But that promise of being read only gets fulfilled if your book finds an audience. And getting someone’s attention in today’s noisy, hyper-saturated world is more difficult than I ever imagined.

I was fortunate to begin my writing journey post-retirement, but I quickly realized that being an author is another full-time job. If I could go back and give my pre-published self one piece of advice, it would be this: start building your platform before the book is done. Market early. Connect with readers. Build an audience. Cultivate curiosity. That “industry-required” following makes a difference. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it makes it more likely.

Would I have pursued traditional publishing instead? Maybe. It’s a long, complicated, often frustrating road, but it can provide the reach and infrastructure indie authors must build from scratch. And yet, this isn’t a lament. It’s a celebration.

Publishing a book is more accessible than ever. Since typing those first words, I’ve learned what happens after the draft is done: beta readers, cover design, Canva, podcasting, Amazon ads, SEO, keywords, media spend, and more. I’ve had to become my publicist, creative team, PR firm, and financial strategist. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert at any of it, but I’ve grown into a book and media entrepreneur out of necessity.

Do I miss the simplicity of just writing? Absolutely. But I also recognize how far I’ve come, how much I’ve learned, and how much more I’m capable of because of it.
Next up: my debut fiction novel. A new chapter, this time with a deeper understanding of what it takes to bring a story into the world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Anthony Damaschino: an author, podcast host, and someone who, after a long career in Human Resources and corporate leadership, found a second act in storytelling and supporting others through life transitions. I spent years in executive roles within the life sciences and tech industries, leading teams across the globe. But when I stepped into retirement, I discovered a new calling: helping people navigate the emotional roller coaster of the Empty Nest phase.

That’s how my first book, The Empty Nest Blueprint, was born. The Empty Nest Blueprint for Single Parents quickly followed it. These books blend research, personal insight, and practical tools to help parents rediscover themselves when their children leave home. They’ve since won several national and international book awards, which I’m proud of, not for the recognition, but because they resonate with people who need them.

I also co-host a podcast called Dawnversations with Anthony, a lighthearted, thought-provoking variety show for grown-ups. We explore topics like love languages, nostalgia, and modern challenges with humor and honesty.

What sets me apart, I think, is that I approach this work as someone who’s lived through it. I didn’t just write from theory, I wrote from transition. I’ve sat in the quiet house. I’ve faced the question: “What now?” And I’ve built tools to help others survive that moment and thrive beyond it.

Now, I’m expanding into fiction with my debut psychological suspense novel. It’s a different kind of storytelling, deeper into imagination, but still rooted in emotional truth.

At the core of everything I create, books, podcasts, and talks, is one mission: to help people embrace change, reconnect with their sense of self, and find meaning in new chapters.

Whether you’re an Empty Nester, a curious reader, or someone figuring out what’s next, I want my work to meet you where you are and help you move forward with purpose.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

What’s a lesson I had to unlearn? Marketing a book is not like marketing a product.

Before becoming an author, I worked in Product Marketing. So when I published my first book, I naturally leaned on what I knew: build a brand, create a consistent visual identity, define the target audience, and craft punchy taglines. I treated my book like a product launch. I asked myself: What’s the brand voice? What’s the emotional tone? Who are the buyers? How do I keep the product at the top of my mind? For me, the buyers were Empty Nesters, and the product was my self-help book designed to guide them through that life transition.

I executed the plan with clean design, polished messaging, and posts showcasing the cover, quotes, and branding assets. But it didn’t work. Engagement was minimal. Sales weren’t moving. And I couldn’t understand why. I was following the playbook.

That’s when I realized something fundamental. A book isn’t a product. It’s a promise.
And a self-help book, especially, isn’t about the cover or the tagline. It’s about connection. It’s about reaching a reader who feels uncertain, overwhelmed, or in transition, and offering something that makes them feel seen and supported. You’re not offering a quick fix or impulse buy. You’re inviting someone into something more profound.

I had to shift my perspective completely. I wasn’t just launching a book. I was speaking to people who needed guidance. They didn’t want branding. They wanted to be understood. They wanted to know they weren’t alone.

So I stopped simply showing my book and started telling stories. I focused on the emotional journey of the reader. I shared my own experiences and the real reason I wrote the book. I began speaking to the heart of the struggle, not the product’s features.

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was this: successful book marketing is not about showcasing what you created. It’s about connecting with the person it was created for.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is knowing that my work helps people heal, even if the wounds aren’t visible.

Earlier in my career, I helped businesses run faster through enterprise software. It felt important at the time. Later, I moved into biotech, working on treatments for multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. I’ll never forget standing on our campus during Cancer Survivor Day, listening to people share how our work helped save their or their children’s lives. That moment changed everything. I realized that while software matters, there are bigger, more personal callings.

From there, I joined a medical device company focused on helping people regain their vision. It wasn’t just about sight but about restoring independence, joy, and a sense of dignity. Each step in my career brought me closer to the heart of human need.

So when I wrote a book for Empty Nesters, I knew I wasn’t curing illness or restoring eyesight. But I also understood that emotional pain is real. Many parents feel lost, disconnected, or unsure of what comes next when children leave home. I had the insight, research, and personal experience to help them rediscover themselves and their relationships. That, to me, was meaningful work.

The most rewarding moments don’t come from launch day celebrations or sales figures. They come quietly, through messages from readers. Someone will write, “Your book helped me feel like myself again,” or, “My partner and I finally had the conversation we’ve been avoiding for months.” Those moments matter more than anything else.

I may never develop a life-saving drug, but I have helped people rewrite the emotional story of their lives. And that feels like the most meaningful chapter I’ve ever participated in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anthonydamaschino.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonydama.author
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthonydamaschino
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonydamaschino
• Twitter: https://x.com/ADamaschin51914
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anthonydamaschino