Why did you write this book?

This book is actually a journey - both mine and yours. The reader doesn't get to figure that out until deep into Part III of the book.  In Spring 2006, I started out to write a "Diary of a Semester," just to keep track of what I do each day (The first entry turned into Lesson 16 - Sometimes you need to suck it up and wing it). At this point though, it really wasn't a book since it was so disjointed. So I tossed the manuscript aside for a few months - a good thing to do with any first draft - and took a fresh look at with (with feedback from other writers and friends). What I discovered was that some of the best things I did in class might resonate with a general reading audience, if presented in an interesting way. My plan at that point was to extract funny or practical law and life lessons learned from a recovering attorney turned teacher. Two themes immediately jumped out at me: Law & Negotiation (Padding your Rubber Room - Part I of the book) and Justice & Education (Facing your Rubber Room - Part III of the book). I then noticed that there were hilarious or motivational life lessons in there that had nothing to do with law or education, so that became the Potpourri section (Organizing your Rubber Room - Part II). 

So why did I write this book? Originally, to see if I could document a college semester. To discover if I had anything to say to ANY audience beyond the walls of my classroom. And finally, to send a note of inspiration to my students and others in school or thinking about following their dreams.  Here's an excerpt from my Graduation Speech at the end of the book (don't skip to the back of the book to read it!! There's a surprise twist in there):

GRADUATION SPEECH excerpt: To quote Franklin D. Roosevelt, “We are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of our own minds.” Graduates, each of you must unlock your mind – your rubber room – and blaze a path built on reason and purpose. Life is too short to spend it bouncing around like a random and aimless ball in a game of Pong. And whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years young, it is never too late to test the boundaries of your dreams. .... Every one of you is special. Every one of you is a productive member of society. Every one of you is what inspires me – because... Every one of you has a story to tell. What will your next journey be?

IJF asks: What book(s) have been life changing for you?

Here is a collection of books which have had an influence over my teaching and writing styles (in no particular order):

The Pre-Historic History of the Far Side by Gary Larsen – funniest book I’ve ever read; Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe- best written book I’ve ever read; People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn – historical perspective written about those who never get to write the history books; Buffalo Creek Disaster by Gerald Stern – best book on corporate negligence and a lawyer’s effort to hold a mining company accountable for the deaths of several miners and family members. I use this book in the Intro to Law class. Before A Civil Action, there was Buffalo Creek Disaster; Ted Williams by Leigh Monteville & Rod Serling by Joel Engel – I love reading biographies of people who are no longer alive, so you get a perspective of their vibrancy in youth and the fragility of life toward the end; Bright Lights Big City by Jay McInerney- a wild and dizzying book written from the hip; Fire in the Streets: America in the 1960’s – by Milton Viorst – This book discusses a lot of the volatile issues facing America in a turbulent decade; The Fifties – by David Halberstam – This massive book offers political parallels to today, much like the movie, Good Night and Good Luck; The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne – A short story which reminds me to appreciate what you’ve got, and not obsess over trying to make a good thing perfect; Heaven is a Playground by Rick Telander – The best sports book ever written. I had the opportunity to interview this writer about the book; On Writing by Stephen King – The word master offers up an honest memoir and a lot of insight into his writing madness; How to Write a Screenplay in 21 Days by Vicky King & Four Screenplays by Syd Field – Any writer can learn a lot about structure from these studies on the screenwriting process.

IJF asks: Can you tell us your best fan encounter story?

I've been asked a few times: "Are you really in the Witness Protection Program?"

How did you come up with the number 44? Is there any significance to that number?

Originally, I had 41 Lessons. People seem to have a fascination with numbers: 100 Secrets; 10 Commandments; 101 Lessons; The Essential 55; Naked Gun 331/3. So I had to decide between 40 and pulling 3 more rabbits out of a hat. This is how executive decisions are made in the publishing world.

Are you working on a new book?

I've been tinkering with a book idea for teachers on lessons of humor and justice - stayed tuned

What question do you wish is asked of you in interviews yet never is?

Another great question! Surprisingly, people don't ask me about my childhood professional aspirations. Lesson 43 (Never crush anyone’s dreams) starts off: When I was a little kid, I dreamed about playing professional basketball. I played and played for hours. In third grade, we had to write an essay on what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wrote that I wanted to be 6’10” and play in Madison Square Garden. When the teacher handed back my paper, she laughed out loud and said “You can’t do that!

In the book The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch emphasizes the importance of living your childhood dreams. While I didn't become a professional basketball player, I did have a sports radio show where I got to meet and interview my sports heroes from childhood at events like The Joe DiMaggio Baseball Classic; The Dan Marino Golf Classic; and the Lipton Tennis Tournament. For a partial list of interviews and theme shows, visit: http://www.LoveOfTheGame.com .

What social media outlets do you use?

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, won't you be my friend... Blog: http://yourrubberroom.blogspot.com  -- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Perry_Binder  -- Facebook Group: http://tinyurl.com/c5ekas  -- LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/qsgb34

Do you feel that social media is essential to marketing your book? Does it ever get in the way?

I love social media and, yes, it is essential for a marketing plan. The more focused the tool is, the more effective it is. For example, my blog is geared mostly for teachers (Crazy Classroom - Unlocking Your Rubber Room) and my Facebook Group is set up just for Rubber Room readers. Twitter hasn't been that effective for me because I discuss too many diverse topics on that medium -- funny law cases, social media law, quirky things of the day and - oh yeah, the book! Social media never gets in the way for me though. I'm what gets in the way of SM sometimes.

What are your thoughts on the growing debate of ebook pricing?

This is getting interesting now that Kindle isn't the only major player in town (Nook, Sony, iPad). The e-book model is rapidly changing and it is foreign territory for publishers to be told what they need to charge. My Kindle price of $7.95 is below Amazon's $9.99 preferred ceiling, so it's not an issue for me. I'm a proponent of e-books so I'll be carefully watching this controversy unfold.