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Gruber Media - Author, Writing Coach, Consultant
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Books•Full Moon over Koh Phangan•Koh Phangan

Full House for “Full Moon” Book Launch at Orion

February 16, 2022 by briangruber No Comments
Thanks to Orion’s Daliah Barkan, Ari Barkan, and team for launching Koh Phangan’s first full-length nonfiction book on what people seek and find on our magic island. A well-appointed full house thanks to Nadia Villaverde with readings from Daliah, Michal Ora, and Charlie Solares. Also the “unveling” of the original abstract painting by Panyavee Adler that illuminates the book’s cover.
 
Uniformly excellent reviews for Full Moon over Koh Phangan: What Adventurers, Dancers, and Freaks Seek and Find on Thailand’s Magic Island are already coming in during launch week. Book excerpts will be published on Conscious Community, Medium.com, and Sharon Kahati‘s Phanganist.com. You can purchase the ebook for only $4.95, priced for easy access and enjoyment.

https://amzn.to/3B75ssb

An early review from Tim Cutting:
 
“Multi faceted book, multi faceted island Koh Phangan is the Thai island of the notorious/beloved full moon parties. But of course it is so much more. In this book Gruber gives us the perspectives of 25 people who know the island well, many of them since the early days of the full moon festivals. And although the focus of the book is on the party culture, the stories told by them include the historical, social and cultural background that provided the fertile ground in which that culture germinated and flourished. Gruber’s long experience as interviewer and journalist has given him the skills to bring authenticity to the wide variety of voices found in these pages. I happen to know one of them quite well and can hear the tones, inflexions, and speech patterns, and even see the facial expressions they use, in the written word. I am also familiar enough with the hippies, travellers and ravers who populate these stories to recognise a remarkable feat of writing that Gruber has achieved here. Some of his respondents show a profound understanding of the spiritual searches that have been and are ongoing in this community, whilst others have lost their way either temporarily or into one or other of the many rabbit holes that beset those on this journey. And you can take your pick as to whom you find yourself resonating with! A wonderful read, and, in my opinion, an important social document. Recommended!”
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Books•Full Moon over Koh Phangan•Koh Phangan

My Fifth Book FULL MOON OVER KOH PHANGAN is Published

February 14, 2022 by briangruber No Comments

This first-ever full-length nonfiction book on Koh Phangan’s characters, communities, and magnetic appeal is an oral history, with stories gathered from 25 diverse perspectives.

This first edition will be an ebook, available for $4.95 at https://amzn.to/3B75ssb. Later this year an expanded edition will be published in print and ebook formats, with stories from Phangan’s neighborhoods, temples, beaches, waterfalls, and iconic landmarks.

What attracts Phangan’s eclectic range of adventurers? What makes this island so uniquely interesting and attractive to visitors seeking a new life, transcendence, restoration or, simply, a memorable, gorgeous respite from the world? There are many beautiful islands and tropical beaches. But there seems a special dose of magic in the island’s coves and mountains. People come for three weeks, then stay 13 years.

These 25 longtime residents share their answers to those questions.

Participants in the book include:
Gill Beddows, The Sanctuary
Joe Cummings, Lonely Planet Thailand
Daliah and Ari Barkan, Orion Healing Centre
Phra Olarn, Buddhist monk, Loyfa resort owner
Nathan Parker, Why Nam beach
Hinch, Twisted Village. Chaloklum
Prapan Daewwanich, Koh Phangan Phuiyaiban (village chief)
Robin Vos, Bubba’s Roastery
Ara Willeke, Haad Khontee
Sarana Kursakul, Coral Bungalows
Nattakit Libprapakorn, Sand & Tan
Karine and Melanie, L’Alcove
John Fitton, EcoThailand
Charlie Solares, SAGE Land and House
Suriyan Boonya, nephew of monk who established Phangan’s national park
Michal Ora, founder, Green Gallery Srithanu
Robert Van Dam, Jam Bar
Jintamard Sinlapaprommard, eco activist
Tomas Krocka, Safari Boat
Michael Doyle, The Sanctuary
Marc Guede, Kupu Kupu resort, Echo Beach
Sahajo
Oliver Benjamin, The Tao of the Dude
Joe Ling, Ling Sabai Bungalows
Yuval “Fluke” Birman, Wonderland Healing Center

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Koh Phangan•Writers of Koh Phangan

Writer Night to Resume 28 November at Orion

sand scribes
December 3, 2021 by briangruber No Comments
Writers of Koh Phangan kicks off Year 5 of Write Night on 28 December 7pm at Orion’s Wellness Lounge. In addition to hundreds of tall tales, hundreds of hours of literary toolkit development, and innumerable new friendships, our island tradition has spawned books, blogs, poetry collections, and refreshed writing avocations.
 
Write Night is always free. Half the group are commonly non-native speakers, very few are professional writers, all come with the conviction that storytelling is our birthright.
 
Please join us. Our hosts, Orion proprietor Daliah Barkan and detox nutritionist MariaRoza Rainboe, offered us the cozier, writing-friendly Wellness Lounge, right behind the Beach Shala. Nine comfy bean bags are surrounded by chairs, hammocks, and other seating options for a quieter, more intimate creative space, easily allowing for 10-20 writers.
 
We will also have our very own Tom Vater back on the island to lead our weekly creative toolkit session. Welcome back to the asylum, Tom!
 
We will go back to our original 7pm start time with no competition from evening yoga classes.
 
Facilitator Brian Gruber will have a new slate of author videos ready to roll.
 
If you have written a letter or posted your views on the web, you are a writer. And if you have made the journey to Koh Phangan, you surely have stories to tell. No experience necessary. All writing levels welcomed.
 
Time to tell some stories.
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Books•Coaching•Writers of Koh Phangan•Writing Coaching

Writing Client Satyama Ratna Lasby Launches “The Tao of Tantric Yoga” at Phangan Event

May 26, 2021 by briangruber No Comments
I’m privileged to co-host a conversation with writing client Satyama Ratna Lasby launching her book, freshly published on the Amazon platform. Below is the invite.
———-
 
Join us for a celebration of LOVE this Wednesday, May 26th from 3-7pm at Buddha Cafe for the book launch of Satyama’s new release:
 
“The Tao of Tantric Yoga”
 
We are happy to invite the community of Koh Phangan to drop in with great consciousness for on-the-spot tantric exercises to go with the theme of the book and for a visit.
 
You are also invited for
? snacks,
? a raffle
? a reading by the author, some background of the process on KPG.
? a special invitation to a Tantric Yoga masterclass with Satyama will be given to those attending the book launch, so you can experience this style of yoga, her teachings, and get a glimpse into some of the topics she introduces in the book.
? to purchase the book in paperback form signed for 500THB
 
Entrance: 200THB
 
Buy the eBook on the following link:
https://www.amazon.ca/Tao…/dp/B094H2386Y/ref=sr_1_1…
 
And join the FB group: Open to Bliss for those who like to be happy, do yoga meditate and love.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/opentobliss
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Koh Phangan

CNN Does a Feature on My Home Koh Phangan (I’m Quoted)

March 30, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

CNN’s Bangkok-based Hunter Forgan did a thoughtful long-form piece on the economic and social prospects for my home island of Koh Phangan, Thailand this week. He and photographer Aidan Dockery stopped by my house for an extended afternoon feed. My dear Supansa Boonmatum whipped up a feast, which Hunter said was the best Thai meal he had had for weeks. Of course it was. 

Here is an excerpt, with my short quote. 

 

“There’s Far More to Koh Phangan than the party”
 
While a “same, same, but just slightly different” attitude appears to prevail (for now at least) in Haad Rin, Koh Phangan as a whole has witnessed a more nuanced evolution in recent times.
 
The party has, in the past, tended to define the entire island, with many regarding it as a feral wild child, especially in comparison with more polished Thai tourist destinations like Phuket or Koh Samui.
 
A blissed-out counter-culture-friendly vibe remains. But the island has broadened its appeal beyond backpackers to attract high net worth holidaymakers, families, yogis attracted by a vibrant wellness community centered on the village of Sri Thanu, digital entrepreneurs and Bangkokians seeking refuge from city life.
 
“The image of the island presented by the Full Moon Party is potent,” admits island-based author and writing coach Brian Gruber, one of the administrators of the Koh Phangan Conscious Community Facebook page, an online hub for island-relevant events, information and discussion with over 50,000 active members.
 
“But I think that the message that there’s far more to Koh Phangan than the party has been filtering through for a while.”
 
The economic pain caused by the pandemic has, of course, been acute for many people. But in some ways, Koh Phangan appears to be not just surviving but thriving.
 
 
Hunter promises to pick up my bar tab next time I am in Bangkok. 
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Koh Phangan•Phangan Forum

First PHANGAN Forum Event Slated for Earth Day, April 22 at Jaran’s

by briangruber No Comments

I launched Koh Phangan’s public forum Phangan Forum in February after getting 500 responses to a post.  On Earth Day, 22 April, 2021, we will hold our first program, a 3-hour event at Jaran’s.

We will use the TED format, all talks under 18 minutes, focused on one brilliant idea, artfully presented. A license application to TED for a TEDxKoh Phangan event in July is pending. 

The theme of the event is focused on Koh Phangan’s ecological future:

How do we help keep our gorgeous island protected, pristine, and unpolluted? What are the rich eco-initiatives deserving attention and support? How do we live a life contributing to rather than despoiling Phangan’s natural beauty? Who are the eco-heroes doing the work, and how might we participate?

For more on Phangan Forum, go to our Facebook page, 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/phanganforum

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Koh Phangan

Panel on the Myanmar Coup Set for March 6 at Karma Kafe on Koh Phangan

March 5, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

I will be moderating a panel with three Myanmar political activists at Karma Kafe in Srithanu, Koh Phangan Saturday night, March 6, at 8pm. I will share my experiences holding a “writeshop” with a social justice project in Yangon, and leading a tour of NGO initiatives in country with senior EU reporters (including forums on journalism and the rule of law), in conjunction with the European Journalism Centre. 

We will also host a presentation by the Amnesty International campaign leader for Myanmar. 

The event is being put on by the restaurant’s proprietor, Brogan Dinsdale, and Roxy Nagarwalla. 

Please join us! The event will conclude with specific ways to support the Myanmar community on the island and their efforts to restore democracy back home. 

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Koh Phangan•Writing Coaching

Aaron Wexler Continues to Rock His Podcast in Advance of New Book

January 12, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

I have been privileged to work with Aaron Wexler on his new book, a fascinating guide for young athletes seeking inspiration and a balanced life. While coaching Aaron, he started a podcast which has had marvelous success. Check it out. And thanks Aaron for the shoutout. The complete interview can be found on Shout Out LA. Here are excerpts.

Within The Game Podcast is all about learning about what tools others use to stay inspired, and how you can best relate the information back to your own life. For me, the work has been 2 fold: researching and learning about my guests to be best prepared for our episodes, as well as implementing what I learn from each guest into my own life. During this process, I have found that I am becoming more inspired in my own life, more creative, more focused, and I flat out am having more fun with my journey as a writer and business owner. Looking back on my journey, I am most proud of the relationships I have created and grown. I love connecting with other people, especially those who’s stories’ really inspire me. I am proud of knowing that I am making a positive impact on my community with the content I am putting out by sharing their stories. I am also proud of the questions my writing coach Brian Gruber and I came up with because they are truly unique & eccentric, especially for athletes, coaches, and entrepreneurs!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my writing coach, Brian Gruber (grubermedia.com)! I met Brian in Thailand at a yoga ashram, and after taking a creative writing workshop led by him, I signed up for his coaching services. Brian has been with me every step of the way in the writing process of my forthcoming book, as well as in the creation and structure of my podcast. I can’t thank him enough and highly recommend him for anyone looking for help with their own book or idea for a book! I would also like to give a shoutout to my team of editors Olley Thorpe & Garette Shaun of DAF Global (dafglobal.co.uk). Olley has been instrumental in helping me setup a vision for my podcast and coaching me through the nuts and bolts of its operations, and Garette is an absolute pro when it comes to editing.

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Brian Gruber is an author, writing coach, and marketing consultant living on the Thai island of Koh Phangan. He has spent 40 years studying, leading, and founding new media companies and projects.

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