Tag: Psychology

Author Geraldine K. Piorkowski, Ph.D is taking her latest book, Beyond Pipe Dreams and Platitudes: Insights on Love, Luck, and Narcissism from a Longtime Psychologist on tour – a Virtual Book Tour, that is, with Outskirts Press! Technology has created a wide variety of ways to reach audiences all over the world. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box, and nowadays you can market a self-published book in a variety of affordable and impactful ways. Virtual book tours, for example, are a great way to connect with readers from all corners of the globe, all from the comfort of your own home. Join Geraldine K. Piorkowski, Ph. D and Beyond Pipe Dreams and Platitudes: Insights on Love, Luck, and Narcissism from a Longtime Psychologist as they appear in features and interviews (such as the one below) in the weeks and months ahead!

Luckily for us, Geraldine K. Piorkowski, Ph.D was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Beyond Pipe Dreams and Platitudes: Insights on Love, Luck, and Narcissism from a Longtime Psychologist.

OP: Tell us a little bit about Beyond Pipe Dreams and Platitudes: Insights on Love, Luck, and Narcissism from a Longtime Psychologist. What is it about?

Geraldine:  It is a compilation of eight essays that addresses the question as to what I learned working as a clinical psychologist with people from all walks of life for over 50 years. I discovered that while people are fundamentally the same in terms of needs, hopes, dreams, defenses, and fears, there are many psychological realities that run counter to the common beliefs of present-day Americans regarding such qualities as positive thinking, anger, romantic love, vulnerability, control of others, luck, or chance, healthy vs. unhealthy narcissism, empathy and healthy religion.

OP: Why did you decide to write this story?

Geraldine:  I felt popular culture leads Americans astray when it comes to important psychological realities that they need to be aware of. For example, positive thinking is often not the best way of getting through a difficult situation and trying to control others is often a total waste of time. In addition, so much of life is determined by luck or chance, and not talent or hard work.

OP: How did you get your book published?

Geraldine: It was self-published through Outskirts Press.

OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?

Geraldine: According to one reviewer, all kinds: young adults, middle aged ones, parents, and senior citizens who are interested in what makes people tick.

OP: What is special about your book?  

Geraldine:  The book is very readable and relatable to the average reader. In addition, it covers a broad range of psychological topics not covered in any other book written for the lay reader. More importantly, it seeks to debunk “sacred cow” concepts in the American culture, such as the power of positive thinking, the unlimited power of romantic love, the notion that all varieties of anger are equally destructive, and that all narcissism is unfortunate.

OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

Geraldine: As one book reviewer said, “I fell in love with the author’s writing style. It was soothing and expository. Also, I loved how practical and relatable the book was.” Another reviewer said, “This book is pithy — it gets to the point about many issues that the general public may wonder about. It is refreshing, direct, and HONEST about our potential strengths and struggles in life, touching upon some of the dilemmas in our current culture. — It has one of the best explanations for empathy I have every read—beautifully, simply defined.”

OP: Have you published any other books?

Geraldine: Yes, two others. Too Close For Comfort: Exploring the Risks of Intimacy was published in 1994 by Insight Books (Plenum Press) and Adult Children of Divorce: Confused Love Seekers was published in 2008 by Praeger Publishers.

OP: Do you plan to publish more?

Geraldine: I’m not sure.

OP: Thanks for your time, Geraldine! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Geraldine K. Piorkowski is a retired clinical psychologist who received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Since then, she has worked in a variety of academic and clinical settings for over fifty years. Besides holding the position of Chair of the Psychology Department at Roosevelt University, Chicago, she was also on the faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago; the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark and the Northwestern Medical School in Chicago. In addition, she was director of the counseling centers at two large, urban universities in Chicago. She is the author of many psychological articles and two books on romantic love: Too Close for Comfort: Exploring the Risks of Intimacy and Adult Children of Divorce: Confused Love Seekers. Currently, she is on the local Board of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and lives in Chicago with her husband of 61 years.

For more information or to contact the author, visit https://www.outskirtspress.com/BEYONDPIPEDREAMSANDPLATITUDES

This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.

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