We recently had the chance to connect with Gregory Lang and have shared our conversation below.
Gregory, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I began a slow exit from full-time employment 18-months ago, and am now working just 12-hours a week. I plan to fully retire at the start of summer in 2026, but will reduce my hours even more between now and then. It has been an easy transition out of the CEO chair after serving in that capacity for more than a dozen years. I am blessed with a very capable successor who has made it possible for me to remain involved with an organization I helped build, but with much less responsibility. Gone are the 12-hour days! My mornings still begin at 5:00 AM, but today, I spend more time reading, writing, creating, and playing with my grandchildren. I hope to revitalize my writing career.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I wrote my first book in 1998, and it took me four years to find a publisher. When “Why a Daughter Needs a Dad” was finally in print and available in stores, it took off, eventually making its way to the New York Times Bestsellers List in its first year. That success lead to more titles that focused on family relationships, which includes 40+ titles today that collectively have sold nearly 7 million copies and made 21 appearances on the New York Times Bestsellers List. I expected to be a full-time author, but heard the call into ministry in 2011, and had to decide if I was going to market myself or the nonprofit organization. I chose to place writing on a backburner. While I have had a few titles published during the last decade, I have not been nearly as productive as I once was. Hopefully, I will rebuild my reading audience and find new success with the book ideas I carry around in my imagination.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I credit my father for instilling a strong work ethic in me. By the age of 30, he was supporting five children with what he could earn having only a high school education. Often, he worked two jobs to make ends meet. He seemed tireless, was always in motion, seizing every opportunity to improve our standard of living. After he retired, he went to a trade school and acquired new skills so he could continue to work. He loved being busy.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I mentioned that it took me four years to find a publisher who believed in my first book as much as I did. In that time, I received 62 rejection letters. I thought several times that I should accept defeat and stop trying to become an author, but somehow found the will to send one more query letter. I’m so glad I kept pursuing my dream.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My family. My writing career was focused on family relationships. I am intentional about spending time with my siblings and extended family. My wife and I host family gatherings very often. Some mornings we wake up to six relatives in our home. My greatest joy today comes from being a grandfather. I am so fortunate to live only 20-minutes away from them, and we see them as often as possible. With my new freedom in semi-retirement, I walk the oldest one to school one morning a week.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when in nature. My wife and I travel a great deal; we’ve been to 49 states and 57 of the national parks. I witness God’s handiwork when outdoors, especially under the stars when we are miles and miles from civilization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gregoryelang.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoryelang/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryelang/
- Twitter: https://x.com/GELangAuthor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregoryelang
Image Credits
Cindi Fortmann for the headshots.
