Sept. 17, 2019—Ratchet+Wrench columnist Mitch Schneider has announced his first novel Misfire: What to Do When Things Aren’t Running on All Cylinders. The book follows a small business owner’s journey from chaos and imminent failure to serenity and success. The book will publish on Oct. 1.
The main character, Kurt Kerrigan, has a contractor business that isn’t running the way it should, causing discord and stress at home. His journey begins when one of the few things he can depend on, his beloved Corvette, misfires—leading him to the most unconventional of automotive repair shops and its Mr. Miyagi-like owner.
Schneider understands the terrain better than most. For nearly 40 years, he has been a recognized leader in the automotive service industry as an entrepreneur, trade journalist and nationally sought speaker. He’s helped countless small business owners achieve success through his articles, speeches, videos and textbooks. Misfire is the culmination of his years of experience.
“The life and business lessons I embedded within the pages of Misfire aren’t some kind of New Age mysticism,” Schneider said. “They are real-world solutions to problems small business owners confront every day. The may sound and feel different, but they work!”
Misfire is filled with business lessons honed in the dojo that demonstrate how to bring patience, dedication, discipline, situational awareness, and good judgement to your business. Entrepreneurs will be able to identify what’s misfiring in their life and how to get things running on all cylinders again.
By bringing these relatable themes to life through storytelling, Schneider proves that practicing martial arts, running a business, and enjoying a rich, fulfilling life can be achieved through a life of discipline, determination and continuous learning.
In Misfire readers will learn:
- Mindfulness: The practice of clearing your mind in order to be present
- Reinvention: How to recognize a misfire, and what do to even if it defies conventional wisdom
- Problem Solving: The realization that every problem has a solution
- Situational Awareness: Appreciating that depending on where you find yourself, you may have to take a step back to move forward
In 2014, Schneider was diagnosed with Primary Myelofibrosis, an extremely rare bone cancer. He completed Misfire while under treatment at the City of Hope in Duarte, Calif. With the help of an 18-year-old donor and a 12-point Human Leukocyte Antigens match, Schneider underwent a stem cell/bone marrow transplant in April and continues his treatment and recovery.
