Erin Ley, a Smithtown native, life coach and mother, recently published her first fiction novel. The best-seller, “WorkLuv,” now available on Amazon, follows the story of Keara York, a barista manager and mother, and Jason Gilmore, Mars Culture Strategist for the HALO Corporation. In the novel, HALO Corp is contracted by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to help bring people to Mars by the year 2030. However, no one ever said the pathway to the rust planet would be easy. As SpaceX’s Founder Elon Musk plainly states, “a bunch of people will probably die.”
One hurdle they face on this quest is how to build a sustainable culture on Mars. While many become caught up with how to sustain the biological components of life, there is a social and cultural component that Jason does not want to overlook. As Erik Swanson, speaker, author, and mastermind leader at Habitude Warrior International, notes, “We are rebuilding our corporate culture after the pandemic, and “WorkLuv” points to the pending 21st-century work community capable of greatness.”
Jason searches for someone to help complement this facet of the mission. As it turns out, he does not have to look far, as the aptly trained Keara works in the coffee shop located in Halo Corp’s Plaza. Though Keara possesses the wherewithal to help Halo Corp, she feels her contributions are insignificant to the STEM-heavy staff. Jason, on the other hand, faces familial pressures that test his abilities throughout the story.
In discussing how her lead characters are stretched and tested by their stressful situations, Ley notes that the “human element” is explored. Ley’s life coaching background allows her to depict characters overcoming self-doubt via realistic means of tension resolution. As fictional as her characters may be, they confront challenges with soberingly more authenticity than they would under the care of another writer.
The book can technically qualify for categorization in the “Historical Fiction” section, as it takes place immediately following the COVID-19 global pandemic. Many conversations at the onset of Ley’s story are eerily similar to ones you may have had with your own peers at the time. Even the method in which Keara works to build Halo Corp’s corporate culture is more blueprint than fable.
Had there been no pandemic at all, the book can stand on its own two feet as a work that speaks to the void existing in the technology-driven era. Amid these gizmos and gadgets we surround ourselves with, it becomes easy to overlook essential social needs. The same logic is applicable to any office environment, not just those with space as their endgame destination. Companies across the board struggle with building a sustainable culture and infrastructure; but by elevating the stakes – the survival of a space colony, to be exact – Ley establishes its importance. For if you remove the extreme setting, significance might simply be lost.
“WorkLuv” takes classic dilemmas and place them within a unique and constructive framework that has struck a positive nerve with audiences far and wide. To find out how the local author wraps up her fascinating tale, pick up a copy in either hardcover or eBook format on Amazon.
Ley is also promoting her 6-week “life on track” group coaching program designed to help interested parties better achieve their goals. In this system, one needs to maintain “crystal clear” goals and commitment to the pursuit. Simply envisioning with a broad brush is not enough, according to Ley. In addition, she is in the process of publishing another highly anticipated book in collaboration with Eric Swanson and scores of other authors.
