A brand-new MP3 audio introduction has been recorded and uploaded to “The Intrepid Way” website.

Some readers may not be clear what the book is about or what it was intended to be.  This MP3 audio Introduction should clarify what The Intrepid Way series is all about.

You can visit TheIntrepidWay.com to download the file there.  Or you can simply download the MP3 file here.

This article is one I have long thought I needed to write and clearly express my “official position” as to why I regard and identify myself as a Publisher more than I do as an Author.

First off, I have no negative feelings attached to the title of being an Author because it is something I have done many times. In fact, I am quite proud that I can include the title “Author” on my resume (or CV). I have obviously written, co-written, and edited many books and audio programs with several more in various stages of development.

However, I identify myself more as a Publisher because it is a larger scope of responsibility I take on than “simply” authoring books. In some ways, the Publisher title is less glamorous. I have to oversee the creation of a body of work whether or not I am the primary author or not. Up to this point, it so happens that I am the most prolific author in my publishing company simply because I have a lot to say and communicate, not because I am not willing to accept more titles from other authors.

I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that the body of work I bring into reality fit in consistently and congruently to the greater whole that represents Ascend Beyond Publishing. Every title must be congruent and synergistic to the greater whole. There is a “greater message and theme” that Ascend Beyond Publishing (ABP) represents. Ascend Beyond Publishing represents optimism, independence, entrepreneurism, strength, decisiveness, unedited truth, and personal responsibility.

Any author or work that does not fit in congruently with these attributes will not be able to be published under the ABP banner.

In the last 4.5 years Ascend Beyond Publishing has been in existence, 19 titles were created and developed. I expect the the number of titles will double in lesser time. As each title comes out, the body of work ABP stands for will continue to evolve and updated with the times.

My responsibility will continue to grow as Publisher. If I do my job well, I hope to make a larger positive impact in the world we live by serving my readership and students well.

Years ago when I decided I would become both a publisher and author, I knew if I stayed in the business long enough, I would eventually make someone unhappy.

One of the most important lessons I have learned in business is that when you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.  Everyone has to take a position in life.  Everyone has to make a stand regarding their convictions and beliefs.  Sometimes it is unpopular. This includes the work we all do and what we produce.

I have to admit, it is still easier for me to notice one negative comment and review of my books than a positive comment.  Fortunately, I receive more positive feedback than negative ones.  But the negative ones do stick out in my mind.

When I look at the negative feedback, I look to the tone of the comments and whether it was intended as being constructive or destructive.  I also look to see if someone looks for what is right about a book vs. what is wrong with a book.

The negative comments I have seen are split between constructive and destructive 40/60 with the destructive ones having an edge.  I can live with the fact that my work may not please everyone.  But I find it interesting how many of the destructive comments get personal and off-base they are.

Some people read more into my writings than are really there.  Others see very little in some of my writings when it is actually some of the most important stuff people need to know.

Case in point, “The Intrepid Way” was my first book written in 2003 and I consider it one of my most important works.  It is important because it represents my spirit and the message I am trying to share.  And yet, it has been the most criticized for a variety of reasons.  I actually thought about discontinuing the book once my print run was sold out.

But a funny thing happened.  It kept selling with no publicity.  Sales actually picked up in 2006 as I sold my last copies of the 2004 edition.  I actually ran out of copies to sell!  I had to turn some orders way.

“The Intrepid Way” is not one of my top sellers but it is a steady seller.  I took the increased sales as a sign that the book was not yet meant to be put to rest.  And so, during the Summer of 2006, I decided to update the book.  I not only decided to update the book but I vowed to not let the occasional negative and destructive comment derail me from being true to my work.  I renewed my comment to keep “The Intrepid Way” alive as long as people continued to show interest in my book.  There would be no more silly notions of discontinuing it.   That piece of work was simply too important to let some detractors take it away from me.

As a result, I believe I have grown some thicker skin over the years.  I have a greater level of confidence as I turn out some 6 to 8 titles per year.  I put a lot of thought, work, and passion to every title I release.  I make sure that each title serves a very particular purpose and delivers more than the price I charge for it.

I am happy that sales continue to gradually increase with little promotion and marketing.  One of these days, I am going to have to get more serious about promotion and marketing.  But the fact is, I have my hands full right now simply producing the number of titles I do per year.  At some point, I will slow down.  Last year was not the time.  This years is not the time. And certainly next year is not the time.

Part of my goals is achieving a level of production as an independent publisher and author that few authors can match.  Growing a thicker skin has been necessary to disregard the tired values and sensibilities I see in traditional publishing.  It has allowed me to be as true to my work and be as authentic as I can be.   I believe when you become authentic, people respond in a positive way.

Thanks to the naysayers and my critics.  They have helped inspire me to step up and produce in a way I probably never could if I didn’t have them.

Kirkus Discoveries recently reviewed my book “The Intrepid Way”.  I would say the review was mostly fair.  However, I would say that including details was not part of the agenda of this book.  There is no way any one book could contain all the details of everything I was explaining.  Because the subject matter challenges conventional wisdom in an extreme way, I was pleasantly surprised that the review was not worse.  Kirkus Discoveries is one of the book reviewer companies known for hard-hitting reviews.  The Intrepid Way appeared to get through relatively unscathed. 

An entrepreneur shares his formula for success.   

Chan (TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options, 2004, etc.), once an in-demand technology consultant, found his career path too limiting—like most professionals, his income was dependent upon how long and how hard he worked. He could charge higher consulting fees, but he could only work so many hours in a day. If he stopped working, his income would stop. To break free from this daily grind, he embarked on a new path, along which he developed the philosophy contained here. The fundamental principle of “The Intrepid Way” focuses on achieving personal freedom, which includes not only financial freedom, but also freedom of time. His strategy is based on income layers, which generate continuous income with little or no work or oversight required; many of the author’s revenue streams involve real estate and the Internet. Rather than outlining specific methods for creating income layers, however, Chan describes his own journey toward personal freedom, and how he can maintain the same level of success working as few as ten hours per week. He discusses the reactions of his friends and family to his decision to quit his job, and the emotional and intellectual support systems he had to create when others abandoned him. A thought-provoking introduction to an alternative way of conceiving wealth and work, The Intrepid Way meanders through the development of Chan’s philosophy and repeatedly rails against the narrow-minded people he’s encountered along the way. But readers will likely be disappointed that the author only briefly touches on a few concrete methods for creating wealth. To learn more, one must read his “TurnKey Investor” books. 

Lacks detail, but motivated self-starters may find a few nuggets of wisdom. 

ForeWord Clarion of ForeWord Magazine fame has granted us permission to reprint their recent review of my book, “The Intrepid Way - 2006 Revised Edition”.  They have given the book 4-stars out of a possible 5-star rating.  I was pleasantly surprised at their positive review given their normally stringent standards of reviewing books. 

For middle-class, white-collar workers, it’s almost required to dislike one’s job. The daily grind seems boring and spirit-crushing. It offers no mental stimulation or fulfillment, and it takes time away from family, friends and hobbies. A person stuck in such a job may not leave because he or she values the regular paycheck and insurance benefits. For years, unhappy workers have wondered how to find personal freedom to earn a living wage while working a reasonable amount of time.

To address this problem, Matthew Chan offers The Intrepid Way: How to Create the Freedom You Need to Live the Life You Want! The book may look like a get-rich-quick scheme, especially since its cover promises that the reader can “escape corporate America forever��? and “retire in five years.��? 

Appearances can be deceiving. The Intrepid Way is written by a man with bachelor and master’s degrees in business administration, a successful entrepreneur by the age of 29 who has authored a series of how-to manuals on smart investing. With his credentials and motivational attitude, Chan provides the reader with a well-organized primer for the beginning entrepreneur.

Chan begins his book with an overview of The Intrepid Way philosophy. He drives home his point with a simple equation. Personal freedom (the goal) consists of two things: monetary freedom and time freedom. Basically, Chan believes that savvy creation and management of “income streams” (rather than nest eggs or hoards) allow a person to spend less time earning money and more time enjoying life. Chan gives readers a step-by-step plan to do so, with sections covering the philosophy and creation of “income streams,” the entrepreneurial mindset, and the importance of business and personal support networks. The logical set-up of the book ensures that The Intrepid Way is easy to read and accessible. 

Although Chan discusses finance, investing and starting a business, his tone remains lively throughout, never dry or boring. Chan’s use of anecdotes makes the lessons more interesting. When talking about the go-getter spirit of staking one’s claim, he refers to the film Far and Away, starring Tom Cruise. Cruise’s character immigrated into the United States to participate in the land rush of the late 1800s. “Tom’s character, with great drama and heroism, did in fact succeed in placing a wooden stake on a piece of land…. I see so much opportunity in the world today, yet so few people are able or willing to put their stakes in the ground.”

The Intrepid Way is well-written, spirited and straightforward. Its motivational messages are interspersed with loads of practical advice. Whether the reader wants to quit the rat race entirely or just start some lucrative freelancing on the side, this book has useful pointers. 

Reviewed by Elizabeth Allen

The same folks who runs Shifting-Paradigms.com also run the MangroveRootGang.com Blog.  They had these comments to say about my book, “The Intrepid Way”:

   I wrote a short review in our Books/Audio section on the SP website. In essence, this is the quintessential book on what you need to know on passive income. Chan’s writing is easy to read, and he comes across as genuine and no-frills. You can buy this book by clicking on the link below. If you are serious about passive income, then read this book.-RY

Thanks to MRG blog for sharing their positive feedback on my book. 

You never know what you might find when you publish a book.  It appears the folks at Shifting-Paradigms.com like my book, “The Intrepid Way”.

 The original link is here.

The text of their review is shown below:

Matthew Chan does an incredible job of sharing his life changing experiences in The Intrepid Way. A specific guide that recounts his personal development of a passive income lifestyle. The book simply relays a practical illustration of what passive income is, how it can be achieved, and what benefits Chan has gained as a result of this dramatic life change. The perfect primer for those seeking a better way to make a living.

I thank them for recommending my book to others as a valuable resource.

This book review was done by G.A. Bixler on the 2004 edition of “The Intrepid Way”.  (There has since been a 2006 Revised Edition.)  I am grateful to the thoroughness of her review.

This may be the best self-help book that you ever read!  Unfortunately, for me, it came into my hands much too late, for I’ve already finished a life-long career.  Still, as I read the book, I found myself getting enthused and even exploring new ideas, just as I used to do!  Matthew Chan in The Intrepid Way: How to Create the Freedom You Need to Live the Life You Want may indeed inspire the necessary courage, may indeed help you determine whether you are brave enough to follow his guidance. You may have the entrepreneurial spirit and the courage that can result in your totally following his formula to success.  Maybe not!  Regardless, this is still a Must-Read book! Why?  Let me share my experience with this and other books by the author.

Matthew’s books are written as if he is talking directly to you.  He is the teacher. We are his students if we want to be.  He willingly has agreed to be our mentor and has indeed written his book as if he were right with you, discussing each topic, each issue.  Sometimes he’s enthusiastic, sometimes he’s brash, sometimes he may offend—but  always, he speaks what he feels is “truth” and he challenges you to consider and respond to those truths.

The Intrepid Way is based upon a formula.  A formula for Personal Freedom.

Personal Freedom = Monetary Freedom + Time Freedom

Matthew Chan has solid advice about the use of money, creating layers of income, etc.  He shares his fears when he risked taking the necessary step to follow his dream.  He shares his successes.  His guidance is specific and easy to follow, easy to understand.  In this and other books, he discusses his choice to become an entrepreneur.

What does that mean exactly?

Well, he quit his job!  He eliminated the stream of income that most of us use for our entire life.  He chose not to depend upon having a salary coming in every single month.  He chose Personal Freedom.

Without support from family, friends, or a salary, Matthew Chan worked hard to achieve his goal.  As you read his book, you may be interested in the way(s) he achieved monetary freedom.  He shares in detail about his work in real estate, writing, and selling on the Internet.  His thoughts and ideas are there for you to glean and develop to meet your own needs.

Aside from the money issue, which is very important to any goal, any dream, I’d like to share my personal story about why I believe this book is a must read.  Matthew Chan realized early enough in his life that he needed personal freedom and that had to include time freedom. Most of us learn from the past, from our family, from society—that we should plan to find a career for our future in order to bring in the necessary money from which we live.  Unfortunately, nobody shares that, in doing so, we may lose ourselves!

How did Matthew acquire his wisdom so early?  We don’t know. He probably doesn’t even know because it did not come to him through his family ties, or through his long-term higher education studies.  Perhaps he first subconsciously saw it.  Perhaps through one or more of his continuing education courses, he began to move early thoughts into his daily conscious.  Thankfully, for him and for those of us who read his book, we can also review and, hopefully, work to correct and save the rest of our life!

I speak from experience.  After 37 years of commitment and loyalty to one institution, I was given a letter that my position was eliminated.  Yes, there is a lot more to it than what I say here.  However, one of the reasons that I chose instead to retire early was that I had sufficient years and funds in a “mandatory” retirement program that allowed me to retire before I was 60.  Before that, however, I had had a medical leave of absence mandated on job burnout.  I had no other life other than work, even church was another time commitment that I felt had to be met.  I had indeed lost all time freedom and my personal freedom to the job.  When the doctor told me I had to choose between life and my job, there really was no choice in my mind.  I walked out and, in many ways, I continued to “walk out” for many years thereafter.

Now, the point I make is that through a mandatory retirement program and length of employment at one institution, I have the stream of income that is important to sustain basic life needs.  If I had had no retirement program, I would have been in a position many of you may be in if you were to also lose your job, your career!

Consider right now, that your personal freedom is not only important, it may be the only thing that keeps you from physical, mental, spiritual or emotional burnout.  Your job is NOT your life.  I know that now after a commitment of nearly 40 years to an institution that, in turn, had no commitment to me!  The Intrepid Way is an answer!  It may not be the only answer; i.e., there may be other ways than Chan suggests to ensure that you have the required monetary freedom.  That’s not really the point!  The point is to read between the lines.  Absorb what Chan shares with us, with you!  Let the book awaken thoughts that you have buried because you are doing the only thing you think is possible.  Remember The Intrepid Way only requires that you have courage. It requires the courage to seriously review your life and ensure it is the life you want to be living. Chan will be your teacher, your mentor, if you allow him.

G. A. Bixler
For IP Book Reviewers