THE GREAT GATSBY IN THE HEADLINES -- $2.99 SALE ON THE GATSBY CODE

The Gatsby Code eBook just $2.99

When The Great Gatsby surges back into the news, we are reminded once again that America’s most shimmering and elusive novel still haunts the culture—class, ambition, desire, the fragile scaffolding of the American dream.

The Gatsby Code: A Century of Dreams and Disillusion by award-winning cultural historian Bob Batchelor

To celebrate the conversation (and help more readers join it), Tudor City Books has dropped the price of eBook to $2.99 on Amazon for a limited time.

If you’ve been meaning to revisit Gatsby’s world—or explore why the novel keeps gripping us a century on—now’s the moment. More than just a literary analysis or criticism, The Gatsby Code is a century-spanning cultural biography of a novel and its enigmatic protagonist. From Gatsby’s humble roots as James Gatz in North Dakota to his glittering rise and tragic fall in West Egg, Bob Batchelor decodes the psychological and sociological layers of Fitzgerald’s antihero and the America he both embraced and exposed.

Bob Batchelor has written a powerful study of The Great Gatsby and its ability to resist the erosion and forgetfulness of time...and discovers a Gatsby we had never seen before—wounded and alone. — Jerome Charyn, author of Maria La Divina, a novel of Maria Callas

Bottom line: Gatsby’s back in the conversation—jump in while the eBook is just $2.99. Get the The Gatsby Code eBook today!

Also in Book News: Stan Lee: A Life (Paperback) Out in Time for the Holidays!

Bloomsbury Academic has released the paperback, Expanded Centennial Edition of Stan Lee: A Life—a full portrait of Marvel’s tireless ambassador from Depression-era New York to global icon. Early praise called it “respectful, well-sourced…may be the best of the bunch” (Booklist) and “exceptionally well written…an extraordinary biography” (Midwest Book Review).

Stan Lee: A Life by Bob Batchelor, Foreword by Blink-182 and To The Stars* icon Tom DeLonge

Paperback details: 264 pages • ISBN-13: 979-8881808860 • List: $16.95
Order & save: Use code GLR BD8 at Bloomsbury.com for 20% off.

About Bob Batchelor

I write about the people and stories that shape American culture—icons who cross generations and mediums. I’ve published 16 books (and edited 19) on subjects ranging from The Great Gatsby and Mad Men to Jim Morrison and Prohibition kingpin George Remus. My work has appeared in or been featured by the New York Times, BBC, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, PBS, and NPR. I’m an Assistant Professor of Communication, Media, & Culture at Coastal Carolina University. More at bobbatchelor.com.

REPLAY ON-DEMAND -- "WRITE YOUR BOOK" WITH DONALD THOMPSON & BOB BATCHELOR

Get Your Book Project Started (or Finished) with Help From Experts!

Watch the on-demand replay of “Write Your Book,” which outlines the steps from brainstorming through publication.

For more information, check out the conversation I had with EY Entrepreneur of the Year honoree Donald Thompson. Then, see the recent livestream we recorded at https://youtu.be/tGiNRqWGh4Q?si=1wOaFvbLm4dV2KBe

We share expert insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives ready to turn their ideas into a published book. Whether you’re starting with a spark of inspiration or a rough outline, you’ll gain practical advice, motivation, and the tools you need to take the first step toward authorship.

DOUBT, FEAR, AND CONFUSION FOR MOST PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WRITE A BOOK

Roadblocks and Challenges Keep Many People from Writing Books. Overcome these Doubts and Get Your Project Off the Ground

Despite the clear benefits, many executives and senior leaders hesitate to write a book. The resistance is rarely about skill. The real challenge is often focused on fear, time, and clarity.

Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

These mental roadblocks often present themselves in familiar refrains:

• “I’m not a writer.”

• “I don’t have time.”

• “What if no one reads it?”

• “It’s too late to start.”

These objections are understandable, but often shortsighted. The truth is, you don’t need to be a professional writer. You need to be a professional with insight: someone who has seen, solved, and led through challenges worth learning from.

The BIG Secret…

You don’t have to be a writer to get your ideas into the body of knowledge. As a matter of fact, some publishing insiders estimate that upwards of 60 percent of bestsellers are actually ghostwritten. Therefore, the research and writing can be supported by expert collaborators. In other words, let a professional writer put their expertise to work for your ideas or storytelling.

What matters is your willingness to own your narrative. Savvy leaders never win by themselves, so don’t think that writing your book means holing up by yourself for a year, hovering over the keyboard, and slowly driving yourself bonkers.

 Teams make winning possible, so crafting your book with the best available resources should be your goal.

The greatest risk is not writing. Executives who stay silent lose control of their story. They allow competitors, markets, or algorithms to define their leadership brand. Worse, they miss the opportunity to document their unique thinking in a way that benefits their organization and inspires their team.

 “Leaders often underestimate how much their story can inspire others. That’s not ego—it’s impact.”
 —Kurt Merriweather, Vice President of Global Marketing, Workplace Options, and co-author, The Inclusive Leadership Handbook

Many people view writing a book as a personal win. That’s fine, since everyone will have different reasons for crafting their book. Here’s another way to look at it, though. Think of your book as a strategic tool for clarity, alignment, and growth.

Your book forces you to ask:

• What do I really believe?

• What do I want to be known for?

• How do I want to be remembered?

Answering those questions? That’s where great leadership begins.

For more information about writing your book, ghostwriting, or executive-level thought leadership, visit the team at ExecBrand Authority or email me directly: bob@bobbatchelor.com.

UNPACKING FAME, INFLUENCE, AND IDENTITY: WHY "THEORIES OF CELEBRITY BRANDING" MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

The intersection of identity, media, and influence isn’t simply noise or distraction—it’s a language. Learning how to decode that language is a critical skill for anyone navigating the modern media ecosystem.

“Theories of Celebrity Branding” — A podcast and university course, hosted by award-winning cultural historian Bob Batchelor

From red carpets to YouTube thumbnails, Super Bowl commercials to podcast interviews, we live in a world shaped by celebrity. We don’t just consume culture—we consume people: their stories, values, failures, and reinventions. This intersection of identity, media, and influence isn’t just noise or distraction—it’s a language. And learning how to decode that language is a critical skill for anyone navigating the modern media ecosystem.

Understanding the value of branding and branding history, I launched Theories of Celebrity Branding, a podcast and online (asynchronous) course designed to explore the cultural machinery behind fame, influence, and branding in the 21st century. Whether you are a college student preparing for a communications career or a seasoned marketer wrestling with the pace of change, this podcast series offers insights into how personal and public identities are built, managed, and monetized today. And, what better way to get at branding and celebrity than to analyze it in an online course.

A Podcast That Decodes the Culture of Celebrity

The podcast version of Theories of Celebrity Branding is not just a catchy way to deliver lectures in an online course —it’s a cultural myth lab.

Each episode explores big ideas about branding, storytelling, media evolution, and leadership through the lens of celebrity. But this isn’t about tabloids or gossip. The podcast focuses on examining why Taylor Swift’s rebranding worked, how Oprah Winfrey built generational trust, and what role AI is playing in shaping how we define identity, authorship, and authenticity.

We tackle topics like:

• The globalization of branding and how companies like Kimberly-Clark reframe messaging for global markets.

• The evolution of thought leadership and how public figures like Brené Brown and LeBron James use storytelling to build emotional resonance.

• The ethics of AI-generated content in a world of deepfakes and algorithmic curation.

• How creators like Cecilia Blomdahl or bands like The Hot Sardines use social platforms to craft global personal brands.

Each episode integrates academic theory with real-world experience—from advising C-suite leaders to writing bestselling books like Stan Lee: A Life, The Gatsby Code, and The Authentic Leader.

The result? A podcast that doesn’t just explain celebrity branding—it empowers you to understand your own story and how to share it effectively.

📚 A Course That Prepares Students for the Real World

While the podcast is open to everyone, it runs parallel to the course I teach at Coastal Carolina University in the Department of Communication, Media, and Culture, also named Theories of Celebrity Branding.

Offered both in summer and in Fall 2025, this class pushes students to think critically about fame, media, influence, and identity. It’s not just theory—it’s strategic communication, media literacy, popular culture, history, marketing, and career development rolled into one.

Students learn to analyze how influence is created and sustained—and how they can develop values-based personal brands of their own.

We dive deep into my EAT Model—Engage, Adapt, Transform—and use tools like ChatGPT and Canva AI to prototype messaging and audience engagement strategies.

Stan Lee: A Life by Bob Batchelor; Foreword by Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 and To The Stars

The course isn’t about using AI to replace creativity—instead we focus on enhancing creation while staying rooted in cultural awareness, storytelling, and human empathy.

Why This Podcast and Course Matters

If you’ve read my books—like The Authentic Leader, Stan Lee: A Life, or Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties—you know that I’m fascinated by how media, identity, and storytelling shape the modern world. This podcast and class bring those interests to life in real time.

“This podcast doesn’t just explain celebrity branding, it empowers you to understand your own story and how to share it effectively.”

— Bob Batchelor

Today, anyone with a smartphone can become a brand. But that means the ability to think critically about representation, influence, and authenticity is more important than ever.

This project gives students and listeners the tools to navigate—and lead—in this complex space.

What’s Next?

If you’re a student in my class—welcome. This podcast is your toolkit, guide, and creative prompt.

If you’re a communication professional, educator, marketer, or curious listener—Theories of Celebrity Branding will give you an insider view into how cultural identities are formed, challenged, and transformed.

👉 Listen now on Spotify
👉 Follow me on LinkedIn
👉 Explore upcoming courses at Coastal Carolina
👉 Learn more about me and my books

New episodes drop regularly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

🎧 Subscribe.
🧠 Think deeply.
📢 Tell your story.
🔥 Lead with purpose.

We’re just getting started.

WRITING TIPS TO BEGIN YOUR BOOK JOURNEY

Every author’s journey begins the same way: with a blank page and a glimmer of an idea. For aspiring nonfiction writers—and anyone who feels the tug of a story inside them—the hardest part is often starting. Whether you are a pop culture aficionado, would-be biographer, or someone drawn to capturing history, there is no perfect moment to begin your book.

You just start.

My own writing journey began in a high school newsroom, writing columns and dreaming of the bylines I might someday see in glossy magazines. I came of age in a college town (Slippery Rock, PA, home of Slippery Rock University) where professors and ideas swirled around me. Writing felt aspirational. A cherished teacher—Martha Campbell—rewarded my hard work with a sports column featuring my work: “Batchelor’s Bench.” I loved writing that column and holding our small high school newspaper in my hands.

As a college student, I sent essays to publications that were way out of my league. The rejections piled up, but the process enabled me to slowly build confidence with each reply—published or not. Every so often, there would be a kind note or something that looked like more than a stamped “rejection.” Those were glorious days!

About a decade later, by the time I wrote The 1900s (Greenwood, 2002), I approached it from a researcher’s mindset. I had yet to fully develop my narrative voice, let alone the courage to let it rise on the page. The 1900s, though, served as a foundation: meticulous research, structural discipline, and an unwavering commitment to learning during the writing process.

Photo by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash

If you’re just beginning your book journey, here are five essential tips drawn from my own experience:

1. Establish a Writing Rhythm That Works for You

Life is demanding. Your writing process should complement—not fight—your daily responsibilities. Consistency, not volume, builds momentum. Even 20 minutes a day adds up.

2. Start with a Strong Outline

Before I write a word, I create a detailed Table of Contents. For nonfiction, this map is critical. Think deeply about how you plan to open each chapter—those first lines carry a lot of weight.

3. Don’t Believe in Writer’s Block

Writing is work. Work requires discipline. When I feel creative fatigue, I don’t panic. Instead, I switch gears. Reading for pleasure, often on my Kindle, lets me absorb ideas passively and recharges my creative energy.

4. Let Your Curiosity Drive the Research

Even after I have started writing, I keep researching. Every new detail might unlock a better sentence, a sharper insight, or a deeper connection. Curiosity is your most sustainable writing fuel.

5. Experiment with Storytelling Techniques

In The Bourbon King, I explored a postmodern style in one chapter to capture the extravagance of George Remus’ legendary New Year’s Eve party. Creative nonfiction allows room for innovation…even in history-heavy narratives.

The Bourbon King by cultural historian Bob Batchelor

Most importantly, allow yourself time to grow. The voice you find in your first book might surprise you. It should.

To support your own writing journey, keep reading widely and learning from others. Books like The Bourbon King or Stan Lee: A Life can be models—narrative-driven nonfiction that brings culture, history, and people to vivid life. You can find these and other inspiring reads on Amazon and even save a bit with these offers.

Stan Lee: A Life by Bob Batchelor

So what are you waiting for? Open that document. Name your project.

Take the first step. Your book is waiting.

I use Amazon affiliate links on this site—mainly links to books or other cool things. And if you buy via my links, it supports the site with no extra cost to you. This is a contributed post and may contain affiliate links. I was compensated for this post, but reviewed it and regard the article as a natural fit for my readers.