By Lisa Oswald
Not many 20-year-olds can say that they are a published writer, but after just 14 months of writing, revising, publishing and marketing, Stacey Springob, a sophomore Professional Communication and Emerging Media student here at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, has released her first book, “What I’ve Learned From Never Having a Boyfriend.”
“One day, in the middle of my freshman year of college, the idea just hit me,” said Springob. “I wrote the book in my dorm room, revised it throughout the summer and fall and began the publishing process at the end of 2013.”
Springob has truthfully been living the dream this year. She has been in the National Student Exchange program, capitalizing on the opportunity to study in both Los Angeles and Wayne, NJ. Two years into college, Springob has traveled the country and attended TV shows such as The Ellen Degeneres Showand The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In less than a year, she’s seen stars like Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga in concert and even went to the American Music Awards.
“I think it’s crucial when you’re a teenager or in your twenties to take time to learn about yourself,” said Springob. “I’ve met too many people around my age who let one person hold them back from things like going to their dream college or traveling to another country so that was what motivated me to write my book. I think schools often avoid the topic of relationships when really it should be discussed more, so I decided I could be the voice for this subject. Since I’m the same age as my readers, we can relate to each other. My book is a conversation with my readers as much as it’s about what I’ve learned from being single my entire life.”
Springob already has more than 1,500 followers on social media, and she is determined to continue building her audience. On a regular basis, she posts videos, pictures, top 10 lists and related articles, which has helped her grab readers’ attention.
“I want my audience to be a community,” she said. “I want to create a place people can visit online and get advice from me or people the same age. We’re all growing up together, so we might as well learn from each other.”
Springob says she wants to become a youth speaker with her book, so her next steps will be to continue building her speaking business as well as her social media audience.
“What I’ve Learned From Never Having a Boyfriend”is now on sale at Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle editions. You can also follow her on Twitter @StaceySpringob.