Confessions of a Self-Help Writer

A funny, audacious, and devastating work of fiction loosely based on factual events. Some readers laughed, some cried, some were disgusted, and other’s felt they had gazed into the eyes of God. As much a comedy as a tragedy, “Confessions stands out to as a piece of unique literature that should be remembered for its originality as much as for its actual relevance as a mantra for living life in today’s harsh reality.” AJ Klatch

D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, MBR (Midwest Book Review) wrote, “Add to this dose of autobiography a series of revelations that systematically show how darkness enters a common man's soul and how it twists motivation to ultimately foster deceptive practices and you have a satisfying blend of autobiography, journal entries, and insights into not just one man's obsession, but the psychological trappings of the self-help industry as a whole. Eye-opening (even eye-popping, at points) and involving, Confessions of a Self-Help Writer reads like a thriller but is true life confession at its best.”

Everyone has a friend that can't be counted on. Someone who will never take you to the airport, remember your birthday or pay back that $40 you lent them for gas money. In the case of Michael Enzo, he's all those things, plus he's more likely to punch your Mom in the face than show up anywhere sober. At that truth alone you may have made your judgment of him and you wouldn't be wrong. His pension for drugs, booze and prostitution is matched by none. He's experienced every kind of joy, pain and emotion by living fast, loose and irresponsibly. He's made all the mistakes that would ruin most people. However, the funny thing is that Enzo has saved more people through his over 108-self-help books than Mother Teresa and Gandhi combined. If the writer inside him was his own person he'd be the kind of friend you think fondly of when overcoming the worst life has to offer. You'd thank him for giving you the hope to persevere.
"Confessions of a Self Help Writer: The Journal of Michael Enzo," is a glimpse into the psyche of one of the world's most profound advisors. A man who has broken every promise he has ever made, yet has somehow tricked the unknowing public into thinking he is someone to revere. Author, Benjamin DeHaven, a professed "former friend" of Enzo hopes to shed some light on the reality behind this mysterious self-help guru. Through excerpts from Enzo's books and pages taken directly from his personal journal we the reader discover a Quixotic adventurer who admits freely to both lurid depravity and emotional complexity. This journal may be the only evidence on earth that proves many of the tales, fables and legends that this enigmatic entity left behind. Unfortunately until Enzo resurfaces it may be easier to assume that even his personal journal is deceitful. He lied to everyone else in his life, so it's reasonable to think he lied to himself too. Benjamin DeHaven publishes excerpts from this journal knowing full well that he is risking the foulest of vengeance by outing the Enzo lies.
Who is Michael Enzo? You certainly haven't heard of him. As previously mentioned he has written over 108-self-help books. That's more published work than Agatha Christie, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. As DeHaven writes, only 54 of these books are directly attributed to Enzo. Almost his entire canon was published under the names of movie stars, politicians and business leaders. There are rumors abound that no less than 2 of the world's ten wealthiest men are said to have used Enzo as a ghost-writer. In my extensive research, I couldn't find a single person who willingly admitted to knowing Enzo, let alone that he wrote a book for them. I feel it imperative to opine that to me many of those people were obviously lying. Conversely, in interviews with readers of Enzo's many books, I encountered glowing remarks. Many of whom attribute their status in life to his words. None of those readers cared for a minute that the famous names appearing on their books were not the actual portents of such sage advice.
What did Enzo write about in his journal? If you've been helped by any of his books then you probably don't want to find out. If you want to know the truth (or his version of it) then you'll get a glimpse of someone most easily classified as a psychopath. Enzo wrote self-help books purely for profit. Hypocrite isn't a strong enough word to describe him. Michael recounts drug deals, catastrophic gambling losses, molestation of Virginia Ham, defiling the bathroom habits of cats and dogs alike, abandoning friends in need, sympathizing with underage prostitutes, supernatural proclivities in dorm rooms and the deaths of the closest of friends, some of whom he didn't even know. The confession that is most upsetting is that he would fall back on his tremendous talent, writing self-help, only as a last act to pay his debtors and ridiculous lifestyle.
Benjamin DeHaven is also a recurring character in Enzo's stories and it's easy to understand why the two are no longer friends. Research tells me the two scribes were business partners, several times over, with all enterprises ending badly for DeHaven. They may have been each other's sponsor at various times via multiple incarnations of anonymous meetings. Their bond is so close that they even shared the same love for a woman named, Susan, who may or may not have been a porn star. DeHaven shares his own perspective of the Enzo years and at times seems to be admitting some responsibility for his counterpart's bad behavior. However, he claims his goal in releasing this journal is to destroy any positive connotations of the Enzo name. Frankly, DeHaven is often times shown in a very negative light, which to me adds a much needed layer of credibility to such a fantastical story.
In conclusion, the confessions of both, Michael Enzo and Benjamin DeHaven, leave me wondering just how close these two actually were. I can't tell if DeHaven truly wants to ruin any remaining good name Enzo may have or if he's actually doing it out of love, reaching out to the one person who is still lost. Michael Enzo, wherever you are, pick up a self help book and give it a read. Who knows, you may have written it.

PalookaMA Entertainment, Mark Amos