The Launch Network

The novel: Mr. Nice Guy

Purchase Here: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Nice-Guy-Jennifer-Miller/dp/1250189888

Release date: October 16, St. Martin's Press

In Brief: Each week, two writers named Lucas and Carmen are tasked with a excruciatingly public, often humiliating task: They must sleep together, and then critically review each other’s sexual performance in a magazine. This is about what happens when people are honest about the thing nobody’s ever totally honest about. The novel is written by two people who, as it so happens, have also slept together—married couple Jason Feifer (editor in chief, Entrepreneur magazine) and Jennifer Miller (novelist, The Year of the Gadfly). Which is to say, yes, a writer couple wrote about a writer couple with a very… complicated relationship.

Details about us / working together:

• For Entrepreneur, Jason commissioned a survey of 1,007 people from SurveyMonkey Audience, asking them if they’ve worked with close friends, family, or spouses. 87% said yes, and 78% said it was a good experience. They also identified some of the most important ways to make it work, including: having distinct roles and responsibilities, allowing for constructive criticism, and setting aside nonword time to spend together. Good data to talk about for the show!

• Jen and I met on OKCupid. She said yes to a date because I used a semicolon correctly in my first message to her. (That would feature prominently later: The New York Times wrote about our wedding, and its lede was “It all began with a semicolon.”)

• We’ve always been comfortable working together. One of our first big challenges while dating was when Jen asked me to edit her first novel. Definitely a make-or-break moment for an early relationship. (I said yes; we survived, and it was published.)

• The idea for Mr. Nice Guy started with me in my 20s. A sex columnist had reached out to me asking for writing advice, and we started up a correspondence. That sparked the idea: What would happen if two people had to regularly have sex and then review each other?

• I tried to write the novel for years, but failed each time. I’m a non-fiction guy. I just didn’t know how to do fiction. But then I married a novelist. After Jen sold her most recent novel a few years ago, she asked me what I thought her next project should be. “You should write my novel, because I’m never going to do it,” I said. “We should do it together,” she said. And so, it began.

• It took us three years to write—plotting over dinner, during vacations, writing on nights and weekends and early mornings. We split up the actual writing: Jen wrote the majority of the story, I wrote the columns and some selected scenes, and then we edited each other’s work.

• The book-marketing and selling process always turns Jen into an anxious wreck. She says the only reason she’s holding it together this time is because she wrote it with me.

John Clauson grew up believing he was the son of an IBM salesman. Though the family moved often and John s father, Wallace Clauson, rarely spoke of his work, his family never questioned him nor seemed to notice the inconsistencies and oddities apparent in their daily life. Only decades later, while in his mid-30s, did John finally learn the truth from his father as he was dying of cancer. For over forty years, being an IBM salesman was just a cover. Wallace's real job was with IBM s covert Federal Systems Group where, as a mathematical and mechanical savant, he took his orders from the Department of Defense and was charged with ensuring America's arsenal of nuclear missiles hit their targets. Over the span of three days, as he and his father built a backyard fence, John learned his father's hidden story how Wallace Clauson has been recruited from an Iowa farm due to an error in a high school textbook. He learned of a meeting with Einstein, and about his father's role in the Cold War, and NASA and Iranian missiles. Stunned into silence and left to question the entire fabric of his youth, John wanted only to forget his father's words. In fact, for the next fifteen years, he never spoke about what his father had confessed over that weekend. But he couldn t truly forget. Upon his father's death, John was given his father's workbench, which contained a hidden packet of business cards Wallace's final plea to have his story told. Thus the journey toward discovering the extraordinary clandestine life and career of Wallace Clauson began. Missileman is the story of that journey. It is the true account of how Wallace Clauson kept his real work hidden from his family and his neighbors for fifty years. Moving every few years, even living for a period Zurich, Switzerland, Clauson led a life full of anxiety and suspicion. Missileman tells how Clauson would always check flight manifests before flying and would be the last one on the plane to make sure no unregistered passenger had embarked. How he always backed into his driveway to ensure a quick getaway if necessary. How he had his son s car fitted with a GPS transmitter in the 1970s! How in Switzerland they lived in a house with a secret passageway leading to an underground meeting room. And how the family was always watched by multiple agents to ensure their safety. Missileman is a story of intrigue and wonder and discovery as son John Clauson reveals how his father, a stealth government agent working against the Russians during the Cold War, somehow managed to maintain a double life and keep his family safe and sheltered from the many dangers inherent in his secret life as a missileman.

The Inventors Launchpad Network – Is proud to present Tuttle Innovation, Co-Hosted by Warren Tuttle and Carmine Denisco. Warren has served as President of the Board of Directors for the UIA since 2010, and is a prolific speaker at inventor clubs and industry tradeshows, where he shares his his extensive knowledge and expertise to help educate aspiring inventors, patent holders and product developers.  Warren wants to educate inventors using stories from the industries most influential people.

Tammy Rant: Founder. Mother of two. Lover of dogs. Career saleswoman who once poured wine for Oprah. Tammy was shocked to find no easy way to carry her babies comfortably, so she created her own solution with TushBaby.

A tech-savvy creative thinker.

Madhu is in her element working side by side with CEOs and businesses crafting legal solutions that fit the needs, vision and values of today’s growing companies. She is particularly interested in the emerging intersections of technology, new media and business law and enjoys helping companies navigate the front lines of these fast-developing areas.

A natural teacher and connector.

Madhu holds a number of community positions that allow her to share her knowledge and passion with others. Madhu is Adjunct Faculty Lead at the Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic at Seattle University School of Business and School of Law and President of the Women’s Business Exchange.

Since starting her solo practice, MK Singh Law, in 2009, Madhu has worked to pioneer a nontraditional approach to legal support that emphasizes efficiency, agility and hands-on collaboration. Today, as the founder and Chief Legal Officer of Foundry Law Group, Madhu fosters a unique innovative work environment that empowers both the team and our clients’ teams to achieve their fullest potential.

The Inventors Launchpad Network – Is proud to present Go Big, Go Bold, Co-Hosted by J.D. Houvener, Registered USPTO Patent Attorney of Bold IP and Carmine Denisco, Managing Partner with Inventors Launchpad. His background in business and experience as an engineer and patent attorney empowers him to clearly communicate to a broad range of inventors about their immediate and long-term needs for patenting in order to protect assets, leverage opportunities, and limit liabilities. If you have any questions on the legal side of your invention then this podcast is sure to help!

www.boldip.com

This Podcast is brought to you by the Inventors Launchpad Network.

www.inventorslaunchpad.com

The Inventors Launchpad Network – Is proud to present The One Pitch With Jared and Karina show, Co-Hosted by Karina and Jared Rabin Inventors of the Hang-O-Matic and Carmine Denisco, Managing Partner with Inventors Launchpad.  Karina serves as a partner in the business and manages Hang-O-Matic’s sales, distribution and marketing departments. Since helping bring the company to market in 2014, Karina has helped sell more than 300,000 units. Her tenacious and go-getter attitude have landed Hang-O-Matic on the shelves of industry giants such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Hobby Lobby. Now, Karina and Jared want to teach YOU how to pitch your product and get it selling!

www.thepitchwithjaredandkarina.com

Mike DeLazzer is a serial entrepreneur who has started over 8 companies In 2006 he was inducted into the Chicago Entrepreneur Hall of Fame for his work as founder of GetAMovie Inc. which later became Redbox. Redbox has since become the largest video rental company in the world, with over 45,000 locations in the U.S. and revenues approaching $2 billion. Building on past success in the DVD kiosk industry, Mike co-founded New Retail LTD. In 2009 he was given a lifetime achievement award from the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization for his work in supporting entrepreneurship globally.

The Inventors Launchpad – Roadmap to Success Series is presented by Inventors Launchpad in beautiful Tampa Bay, FL and hosted by Carmine Denisco. Carmine is an accomplished Author, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Co-founder/Managing Partner of Inventors Launchpad. Along with his business partner Rick Valderrama has changed the face of the invention industry and look forward to helping inventors from all over the world move their ideas forward. For more information please visit www.inventorslaunchpad.com

The Inventors Launchpad – Roadmap to Success Series is presented by Inventors Launchpad in beautiful Tampa Bay, FL and hosted by Carmine Denisco. Carmine is an accomplished Author, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Co-founder/Managing Partner of Inventors Launchpad. Along with his business partner Rick Valderrama has changed the face of the invention industry and look forward to helping inventors from all over the world move their ideas forward. For more information please visit www.inventorslaunchpad.com

At least $17 million. That is what my Bunch O Balloons patent has cost so far. It could grow to $50 million. Yes, we are talking about water balloons, not smartphones.

How can this be? Because the patent grant issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office means nothing to infringers like Telebrands and Walmart. They simply ignore the patent and rush to take over the market with their knock-offs (Balloon Bonanza in 2015, Battle Balloons in 2016, and Easy Einstein Balloons in 2017). Then they use those revenues to hire attorneys and experts to say the patent is invalid. If the patent owner lacks deep pockets or good lawyers, his patent will not survive. If he does have access to infinite funds, he has about a 5 percent chance of survival thanks to the America Invents Act(AIA) and the USPTO’s implementation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Fortunately, sales of the original Bunch O Balloons have been sufficient to maintain the legal fight. Zuru, the exclusive licensee of my patents, has done an outstanding job producing, marketing and distributing the original Bunch O Balloons. They have cooperated in defending the challenges to the patents brought by the infringers. We have mountains of objective indicia of non-obviousness, including recognition as best selling toy and an admission of copying by the infringer: “[t]his is only the first proto so assume this will have 37 filler rods and balloons…exactly like the original ‘Bunch of Balloons.’” Every fact is in our favor. It is the most cut and dry patent infringement case imaginable. But the outcome is uncertain due to the deteriorated condition of our patent system.

The Inventors Launchpad Network – Is proud to present Tuttle Innovation, Co-Hosted by Warren Tuttle and Carmine Denisco. Warren has served as President of the Board of Directors for the UIA since 2010, and is a prolific speaker at inventor clubs and industry tradeshows, where he shares his his extensive knowledge and expertise to help educate aspiring inventors, patent holders and product developers.  Warren wants to educate inventors using stories from the industries most influential people.

World’s only custom fit water floats!

 H2Ohs-Connex by FLOATEEZ Brands is the World’s ONLY custom fit water float! You can build fun structures and connect our floats for hours of fun! H2Ohs-Connex stands alone from all other flotation devices featuring INNOVATIVE oval construction and an inter-connecting expandable design. H2Ohs-Connex is designed to be an affordable, functional, expandable water float without any dangerous parts, ropes, plastic connectors or hassles. H2Ohs-Connex is the ULTIMATE new way of interacting in or around any body of water!

https://floateez.com

If you invent products or have a start-up that's ready for retail, the Get Retail Ready podcast is THE place to hear stories and gain knowledge with the Get Retail Ready guy Jim DeBetta!   Jim is a renowned retail selling expert having sold over 100 million dollars worth of products to the world's leading retailers!  Knowing the ins and outs of preparing to and selling to major retailers takes knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm.   Join us each week to get the inside scoop on how to make YOUR invention a success!

www.weknowbusiness.info

The Inventors Launchpad – Roadmap to Success Series is presented by Inventors Launchpad in beautiful Tampa Bay, FL and hosted by Carmine Denisco. Carmine is an accomplished Author, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Co-founder/Managing Partner of Inventors Launchpad.  Along with his business partner Rick Valderrama has changed the face of the invention industry and look forward to helping inventors from all over the world move their ideas forward. For more information please visit www.inventorslaunchpad.com

Gene Quinn is a US Patent Attorney, Editor and primary author of IPWatchdog.com, which he founded in 1999. Gene writes about patent law, p

Gene Quinn is a US Patent Attorney, Editor and primary author of IPWatchdog.com, which he founded in 1999. Gene writes about patent law, patent and innovation policy, proposed legislation, rule making, software patents and more.

In 2017, Mr. Quinn was recognized by IAM Magazine as one of the top IP strategists in the world. Regarded as an expert on software patentability and U.S. patent procedure, Mr. Quinn regularly advises attorneys and clients on patent matters, litigation strategy and appeals.

The Inventors Launchpad Network – Is proud to present Tuttle Innovation, Co-Hosted by Warren Tuttle and Carmine Denisco. Warren has served as President of the Board of Directors for the UIA since 2010, and is a prolific speaker at inventor clubs and industry tradeshows, where he shares his his extensive knowledge and expertise to help educate aspiring inventors, patent holders and product developers.  Warren wants to educate inventors using stories from the industries most influential people.