For the past 10 years, Evan Werling has guest-lectured to high school and college students. He began to see that most of the students were letting life lead them instead of taking control of their own destinies.

He decided to write a book to inspire them, “The American Dream is Real,” “to overcome their past difficulties or challenges and pursue their own American Dream by taking control of their lives,” Werling said.

“My life has taught me that no matter what difficulties a young person has experienced thus far in their life, nearly every student can overcome those difficulties and ‘earn’ their own American dream, but it will not be free.”

“The American Dream is Real” places a “special emphasis on young women, rural and inner-city high school students,” Werling said, “all of whom face a more difficult challenge in pursuit of their American dream.

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“During my career, I am pleased to say that I hired many women and minorities into my executive teams and made sure they received fair and equitable treatment. My life was enriched by all of them, and I owe much of my success to these wonderful people. I will never forget their contributions.”

Q: Have you written other books?

A: I have written articles for nationally-published business magazines. In addition, I have developed entrepreneurship and personal strategic planning programs for high schools and colleges.

Q: What is your day job?

A: In retirement, I devote my time toward helping others, especially today’s youth, aspiring entrepreneurs and my terrific wife and her friends who spend seven days a week rescuing, saving and rehabilitating abused and abandoned puppies and kitties through our wonderful Brown County Humane Society. This is the best job I have ever had in my life!

Q: What are your connections to Brown County?

A: We have owned property for nearly 30 years in Brown County and have lived here for the past 12 years, during which I also help state and local officials when they request my assistance.

Q: What’s your writing ritual?

A: I work best from the quiet of my home office. “The American Dream is Real” was written based on real life experiences that came from my national and international business activities. It was inspired by spending many days and years in the classroom mentoring and speaking with high school and college students for free. I am not a writer of fiction or novels. I write about factual experiences, so that today’s youth can prepare for their own American dream, by developing their very own personal strategic plan.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: The last three books I read are all my favorite for different reasons. They were: “Life After Life” by Dr. Raymond Mood; “Life Before Life” by child psychiatrist Dr. James B. Tucker; and “Many Lives, Many Masters” by psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss. All consider themselves to be true scientists who needed proof before considering that there was a life beyond our present existence. Each has clearly documented that our spirits, or souls, do not die with our mortal bodies.

Q: Where can people by this book and for how much?

A: “The American Dream Is Real” can be purchased in paperback on Amazon.com. The price is $5.95, at cost, to make it affordable for all of today’s youth.

Q: Do you have any bookings or related events planned?

A: All of my events are directed toward high school and college markets. I am presently working with state legislators, high schools and colleges regarding incorporating this book into college/career planning, entrepreneurship and other classes.

Q: Anything else you’d like to say that I haven’t asked?

A: My book contains many examples of women and men who overcame huge difficulties in their youth to become highly educated and successful in their professional careers. Among those very successful women is my wife (“Angel” in the book) who was the first of her family to attend college. She worked as a waitress and paid for all of her college education at Indiana State University. During her career, she was named one of the top 10 women business entrepreneurs in America by Printing Impressions Magazine. This book is dedicated entirely toward helping today’s youth achieve their American dream regardless of how difficult their life has been thus far and regardless of the fact that they might be financially strapped as was I, Angel, and many of the other heroes mentioned in this book.