Author Name:
Iris Waichler, MSW
Your Website
Social Media Links:
https://x.com/IrisWaichler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iwaichler/
https://iriswaichler.substack.com/
Book Title:
Burned Out
Publication Date: May 29, 2026
Publisher: Manhattan Publishing Group
What is your book about?
First responders sacrifice so much for us. Through candid interviews with first responders and their family members she examines the physical and emotional toll this work takes. This book offers them ways to cope and resources to get the help they need.
What inspired you to write your book?
I had many conversations with a friend who was a firefighter for 30 years. He described the trauma he experienced. He suggested that a book might help his fellow first responders because he knew PTSD was very common for first responders.
Can you describe your writing process? How did you get your book written and how long did it take?
I needed to find first responders and family members by putting the word out to friends and families. Their candid interviews are a key component of the book. I also tapped into my experience as a medical social worker. I covered the emergency room for many years. It took me about. I did research to look at the specific types of physical and emotional trauma these firefighters, paramedics, and EMT’s experienced. It took me over a year to write.
What was your publishing process like? How did you publish your book and how long did it take?
I like working with hybrid publishers. I enjoy that model. I pitched 5 different companies and they all said yes. I chose Manhattan Publishing Group which is part of Mind Stir Media. They include marketing services which I appreciate. I signed with them in October 2025 and my book came out May 29, 2026.
How do you hope your book impacts the world?
I am hopeful that my book will help these first responders and their family members. They sacrifice so much for all of us. My research showed because of the nature of their work PTSD is not uncommon. They also suffer physical injuries. i want to give them hope, ways go cope, and resources they can tap into to heal and take care of themselves.
Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
My neighbor who was a firefighter for 30 years inspired me. I do a lot of work around grief. Joan Didion’s book The year of Magical Thinking was an incredible and honest examination of grief. I love the candid work Anderson Cooper does on grief with his podcast.
What’s next for you?
I will be doing podcasts on Burned Out and I also have expertise in caregiving so I write and do podcasts about that. My book, Role Reversal How to Take Care of Yourself and Your Aging Parents won 8 major book awards. I also have jumped into substack where I write essays about life lessons. I am enjoying that.
What advice would you offer fellow authors who are just getting started?
Be patient. The writing part is just one of the challenges. You need to educate yourself on the marketing aspects. That can be the hardest part of getting your book into the world. You also need to determine what type of publishing path you want to use. Do your research. Tap into online groups and places to learn about the art of writing. Find a support network.
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