The EQ Intervention: Shaping a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning was the overall Third Place non-fiction winner of the 2020 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Adam Saenz.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The EQ Intervention: Shaping a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning. Published January 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Emotional intelligence could save your life. Literally.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
America’s youth are living in a world that can be characterized as volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. As a result, we are seeing sharp increases in the frequency, duration and intensity of mental health-related symptoms. Broadly speaking, mental health providers cannot meet the growing demand for services. The good news is that just as one does not need to be a thoracic surgeon to perform potentially life-saving CPR, one does not need to be a licensed mental health professional to help children and adolescents who are struggling. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an empirically-validated approach to helping children and adolescents. Adults who develop their SEL skills (also called “emotional intelligence” or “EQ”) report increased professional efficacy and sustainability; they become living interventions for struggling youth by modeling self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills. The EQ Intervention is a how-to guide for adults working with youth, and it charts the work Dr. Saenz and his clinical and research teams have conducted in schools across the country.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My outpatient clinical team of 25 doctoral and masters level practitioners realized several years ago that we could not meet the growing need for services in our community (a reality for most communities in the U.S.). As a result of the lack of outpatient resources, our schools are becoming the front lines of mental health intervention. I was inspired to write the book to empower educators with practical tool kit that would keep them centered, anchored, effective and sustainable as they work with students in need. 
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book will be helpful to anyone with a desire to help children and adolescents who are struggling with emotional issues.
Is this the first you’ve written?
No, I’ve also written The Power of a Teacher and Relationships That Work.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a licensed psychologist in private practice, and I consult with the Department of Athletics at Texas A&M University.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Generally, not much. With each of my books, I blocked off a three-month window to produce the initial manuscript.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Best part is retaining rights. Hardest part is competing with authors in my field who are endorsed with major publisher budgets.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
No. I went with one on my second book, and won’t do it again. Lost way too much control of the process, content and earnings.