BLOG

Win a Free E-book

I’m delighted to announce that Just Keep Climbing has been awarded bronze in the Self Help Category by Reader Views. You can read about the award below, but to celebrate, I’m giving away an e-book version free!

The book reflects on my climb of Mount Kilimanjaro with our son in 2009, and the lessons I have applied to my life since. It also includes the inspirational stories of eight individuals facing their own challenges.

I’ll send a copy of the e-book to the person who provides the best true inspirational story in the comments below. It can be your story or that of someone you know. Not only could you win a copy of Just Keep Climbing, but you will inspire others.

According to their website, the Reader Views Literary Awards program recognizes “the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. Our awards program is recognized industry-wide as a top awards program for independent authors.”

“Simply written and well edited, this is a must-have read.” – ReaderViews

Find the book at your favorite retailer: https://mybook.to/justkeepclimbing

Don’t forget to add your inspirational story in the comments by March 31, 2024 for your chance to win a copy.

The Authors Show Interview

My interview on The Authors Show, in which we discuss my inspirational book Just Keep Climbing, is now live.

The interview is available on major podcast platforms like Spotify, Pandora, IHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others.

Alternatively, you can just listen to it here.

Discussion on the inspirational Just Keep Climbing.

An Inspirational Person Indeed!

Elisa Magagna, one of the inspirational people featured in Just Keep Climbing. sent me a video recently after receiving a copy of the book. We have known each other through social media for a few years and I have followed her journey through Stage Four cancer. She has always amazed me with her positivity and resilience as she battles this horrible disease. I don’t think anyone could handle it better and Elisa was one of the first people I contacted when I decided to write the book. She doesn’t consider herself inspirational but check out her video and tell me what you think.

Available for Pre-order

Life is littered with obstacles like a strategy game where the opponent tosses roadblocks in front of us every step of the way.

But life isn’t a game. Sometimes we give ourselves challenges. Other times we are handed challenges by the bad choices we make. Then there are challenges that are thrown in front of us that no one asked for. Through them all, the only way forward is to just keep climbing.

In Just Keep Climbing, award-winning author Barry Finlay weaves together an enjoyable and exciting tapestry from the stories of eight inspirational and ordinary people doing extraordinary things to face and overcome their challenges. The stories are honest, raw, and emotional, but most of all, uplifting, as each climbs their metaphorical mountain. Finlay knits his own life-changing challenge and lessons learned from climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son into the mix to create an inspirational read.

This is a must read no matter the size of the mountains you are facing. The stories will make you realize that every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.

Order your copy for delivery on September 9, 2023 at

https://storyoriginapp.com/universalbooklinks/7e2ef5f8-339b-11ee-8eca-c7ab7a58a699

Writing Update – July 27, 2023

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, mostly because I’ve been working on my inspirational book, Just Keep Climbing: Inspirational Stories for Overcoming Challenges and Living Life. It’s nearing completion and I’m very proud of the outcome. Eight people generously shared their inspirational stories with me and I can’t thank them enough.

So, where is it? Well, here’s part of it.

Here’s what’s going to happen. The cover will be revealed in a few days on July 31. In the meantime, take a guess at what’s under the shaded area based on the title.

The e-book goes on presale August 1. Then, on September 9, Just Keep Climbing will be launched to the world. I can’t wait to share it with you.

This is a departure for sure from my mystery and thriller titles but since everyone needs a little inspiration from time to time, I thought Jake Scott could take a little break. He’ll be back in the spring.

In the meantime, watch for the presale of Just Keep Climbing, grab your copy (to be delivered September 9) and read some amazing stories.

Writing Update – May 17, 2023

I have been busy writing away during the last two months. Work is progressing on my inspirational book, Just Keep Climbing. Based on my motto, “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing,” the book features eight stories by amazing people who generously shared their journeys with me. Among them are a woman who changed her career from a salaried executive to writing full time, a woman who struggled with obesity until she became a champion body builder, two recovered drug addicts, a delightfully positive woman with stage four melanoma, and a family living in the middle of a conflict in Cameroon. Each is amazingly inspirational in their own way. They are going through the draft manuscript now. Publication is expected in the late summer or early fall.

In the meantime, Jake Scott has not been forgotten. Watch for a new Jake Scott mystery in the spring.