Author Q&A With Rob Tonkin
A California native, Rob started in Sacramento radio at the age of 14 and rose to lead the Marketing Factory, producing the two-decade-long Honda Civic Tour, which included The Black Eyed Peas, blink-182, and One Direction. Driven by childhood trauma, he sacrificed his true self to achieve success. His memoir “A**hole” documents his self-destruction and eventual redemption, sharing hard-won insights into authentic living. Meet Rob:
What inspires you to write? Southern California has been my home for most of my life, and I truly appreciate our beautiful coast, the relaxed outdoor lifestyle, and the generally laid-back, open attitude that characterizes the region. I find inspiration in people who are genuinely themselves, no matter their background. I’m deeply fascinated by the intricacies of human psychology, especially the profound connection between mental and physical well-being and the emotional impact it has on us all.
Kindness is a value I hold dear, although I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t always embodied it perfectly. There were times in my life when I had blind spots, unable to see the effect of my actions on others fully. Similarly, the negative narratives ingrained from childhood trauma often clouded my self-perception, obscuring the goodness within. While I once reacted to many situations with negativity, I’m grateful for the transformation I’ve undergone and continue to embrace as an ever-evolving work in progress, striving to live with more enlightenment.
You are an author, but is it your day job? If not, what fills your days? Being an author isn’t exactly a career I pursued; it feels more like something that found me. While I do write almost every day now, I’m retired from my “day job.” These days, I manage a few properties, make sure to get my daily dose of nature, and I’m always reading, staying informed, and enjoying various forms of entertainment.
What is your most recent book, and what inspired you to write it? My first and only book, A**hole: a memoir with wild stories of trauma, truths and transformation, is coming out on July 21, 2025. It was born out of a need to process some deep-seated pain. The stories just started pouring out, and I initially shared them with a couple of trusted friends. One is an author and quite intellectual, and the other has a long history in the newspaper and magazine world. Their encouragement gave me the nudge I needed to turn it into a book.
How do you hope your book uplifts those who read it? If readers find even a glimmer of inspiration or something relatable in my stories, that would be incredibly rewarding. If my experiences can serve as the spark that helps someone recognize the need for positive change in their own life, then all the effort I’ve put into sharing my story will have been worthwhile
What are you most excited about with this book? I’m curious to see how people react to it, both the positive and the negative aspects. I want to understand what resonates with readers and how it makes them feel, both about my experiences and about themselves.
How did writing a book help your career take off? This question doesn’t apply to my situation. Perhaps a new opportunity or two will arise from the book if it’s well-received; who knows?
Did you always want to be an author? No, definitely not. To be honest, the “author” label still feels a little surreal sometimes, but I’m settling into it.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry? Looking back on my career in entertainment marketing across various mediums, I’d advise people to pursue it with enthusiasm and maintain a positive outlook. Most importantly, understand your “why” and stay grounded. Build your career step by step, don’t rush the process.
How do you handle setbacks and criticism? I’ve learned to detach myself from the immediate sting of feedback. I remind myself that what others say often reflects their perspectives and experiences more than a direct judgment of me. I try to understand their point of view. Ultimately, I’ve set boundaries to stay true to myself and recognize what truly isn’t my burden to carry. At the same time, I’m always willing to improve myself.
Being an author today is like running a business. How do you manage all your publicity, social media and keep your engagement up with readers? You’ve hit the nail on the head – it feels that way! I’ve brought in some professional help to navigate this side of things. Books Forward is handling PR, and Logue Social is helping with social media. They’ve both been invaluable. I do enjoy connecting with people directly when I can, though. It’s still early days for me, so I’m hoping to share more insights as I gain experience. For now, I’m trying to keep my focus on the writing itself.
How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? I’m a fairly disciplined person. Once I commit to a goal or a way of thinking, I’m determined to see it through.
How do you structure your day and make time for writing? When I was in the thick of writing “A**hole,” I dedicated several hours each morning, when my mind was clearest, to just write without editing. Editing was something I tackled more sporadically throughout the day.
What do you find most fulfilling in the career that you’ve chosen? While writing is more of a passion than a traditional career for me at this stage, my former career in entertainment offered many avenues for creativity, and those were the moments I found most satisfying. It’s a similar feeling with writing. And in the entertainment world, it sometimes felt like the career chose me. The process of getting the words down on paper, refining my thoughts, and conducting the research that supports the stories is incredibly fulfilling.
What book uplifts you? That’s a tough one to pin down. I gravitate towards memoirs. I recently enjoyed reading Keith McNally’s I Regret Almost Everything, Bill Gates’ Source Code, and Mark Hoppus’ Fahrenheit 182. They all offered fascinating glimpses into their childhoods, and I always find it insightful to see how people interpret their early years.
Anything else you’d like to share with your readers? No matter what you’re doing in life, don’t forget to carve out time for fun. It’s essential.
Learn more about Rob and his backstory via his website.
Book and Image Courtesy of Books Forward and Munn Avenue Press
