Interview with John E. Wade II, author of 'The Bipolar Millionaire'

I was born in Decatur, Alabama, grew up in Georgia and Mississippi, and have lived in New Orleans for many years. After high school, I attended the Air Force Academy for a few months until I received an honorable medical discharge resulting from a severe case of meningitis and my first experience with bipolar disorder. Eventually I enrolled at the University of Georgia, where I received a BBA and MA, was named the most outstanding senior accounting student, and served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society. I worked in accounting for nearly thirty years, in both the private sector and eventually for the federal government.

I began writing in 1998, and my first book-length work, Focus Investing, was purchased by John E. Wiley & Sons, but never published, because of changing market conditions. Still, I had discovered the joy of writing and have since produced many essays, blogs, and books. Deep Within My Heart is a published book containing many of my earliest essays.

My next book project was conceiving and compiling How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth, a collection of essays from 101 other individuals–from world leaders to Nobel and Pulitzer prize winners–about the ten elements of Heaven on Earth as I conceived of them at that time (peace, security, freedom, democracies, prosperity, racial harmony, spiritual harmony, ecological harmony, health, as well as moral purpose and meaning–at the urging of my local editor, Charlotte L. Piotrowski, who pushed for “gender equality,” I have sense added “gender harmony” to the list of ten elements). I am especially proud of this work and hope it inspires humankind for generations.

In 2012, Ronald Reagan’s Wisdom for the Twenty-First Century was published, which excerpts some of Reagan’s most insightful and articulate quotations from before, during, and even after his presidency, coupled with commentary highlighting the ways in which Reagan’s wisdom is as relevant as ever. Then, in 2014, Glimpses of Heaven on Earth, a book of inspiring quotations and insightful essays by four other co-authors and me, was published. This book won the 2014 Living Now Book Awards bronze metal in Social Activism/Charity. My most recent literary project is The Bipolar Millionaire, my deeply personal memoir.

In 2006, I founded the charity Soldiers of Love, which encourages and enables ordinary citizens to work toward a better world. Soldiers of Love partners with other charities with similar goals, both in the local New Orleans community and beyond. In 2011 I began producing the television series that also relates to the the goal of Heaven on Earth.

I am passionate about travel and have visited China, India, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Brazil, Argentina, much of Europe, Costa Rico, the Caribbean including Cuba, as well as much of North America. Some of these trips have been spiritual journeys and mission trips. I enjoy learning about other cultures and my travels inspire my writing and philanthropy. I am equally passionate about my adopted hometown. I enjoy New Orleans’ unique food, architecture, and music, as well as Saints football games. I also cheer on the Bulldogs–The University of Georgia, which I attended, and Mississippi State University, where the Davis Wade Stadium was named after my father.

For More Information

Visit John E. Wade’s website.
Connect with John on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book:

John E. Wade II, retired CPA, author, investor, television producer, and philanthropist, reveals in his memoir, The Bipolar Millionaire, his personal struggle with bipolar disorder and how he has

succeeded in living a balanced and blessed life, despite his mental illness.

Wade takes the reader through his family experiences, political aspirations and beliefs, spiritual journey, relationship trials and errors, all while battling mental illness.

Through his religious beliefs, personal perseverance, and the help of friends, family, and his mental health professionals, Wade lives an active, creative, and successful life.

His memoir doesn’t end with contentment at achieving a balance in his life, however. Instead, Wade expresses a determined vision for the future, aiming to assist humanity in what he describes as achieving heaven on earth through his writing, political and spiritual endeavors.

For More Information

The Bipolar Millionaire is available at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
Pick up your copy at the Sunbury Press store.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process. Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning? Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

The book begins with my first bipolar episode at the age of 17 in 1963 at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

An intellectual property attorney gave me the idea to write about my life struggle with bipolar disorder, and it has been a journey of 10 years writing it.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

Since it was an honest account of my own life, there was little research needed. But it still took a lot of reaching back into my memory to bring out interesting and pertinent facts.

My advice to other writers is simply to never stop writing.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

The publisher of this book is Sunbury Press and I found them during my search for independent presses I thought might be interested in my story.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

My first book, focus investing, was completed and under contract, but never published.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

Daniel Agatino and I are working on a Ronald Reagan book that I am hoping will be completed in the next few months.

Q: What’s your favorite place to hang out online?

I’ve recently begun using Twitter! It’s quite interesting!

Q: What’s your nightly ritual before retiring for the night?

I brush my teeth, say my prayers and take my bipolar medications before bedtime.

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?