A Very Famous Social Worker

by Greg Johnson

When Greg Johnson was interviewing for a job at a mental health center his interview was interrupted by a police officer with a naked woman in tow. "I was looking for an adventure," he says, "and this looked like it." In A Very Famous Social Worker the author recounts with insight and humor his experiences as a rookie social worker in West Virginia's Greenbrier Valley. His unlikely parade of clients include a preacher whose wildly rebellious children are threatening to bring down his ministry, a teenage underwear fetishist, a man obsessed with Dolly Parton, and a schizophrenic poet. He goes the extra mile, often literally, teaching a client to drive, transporting an inebriated musician to rehab, and navigating a winding country road with a three-tiered wedding cake. Engaging and entertaining, A Very Famous Social Worker sheds light on a profession practiced by 600,000 Americans that remains little known to the general public.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2011

About the author

Greg Johnson has been in publishing for more than 25 years. Before becoming a full-time literary agent in 1994, he wrote and published 20 works of nonfiction with traditional publishers, as well as being an editor for a teenage boys magazine for five years. In his years as an agent, he has personally represented more than 2,300 books and negotiated more than 1,800 contracts to over 85 publishing houses. These works include adult trade books (non-fiction and fiction), children’s books, specialty Bibles, movie options, video curricula, audio products, gift books and greeting cards.

While Greg’s stable of authors is near full, he will occasionally take on new authors and new projects. Along with representing a broad array of adult fiction, primarily in the Christian market, Greg works with pastors and speakers, male and female, who have important and compelling messages to author for their constituents. He has also carved a niche by representing military nonfiction/memoir for those who have served our country from WWII until today. Business books, health and humor rounds out what he is looking to acquire.

Greg is married to Becky and together they are parents of six adult children and seven grandchildren. They make their home near Denver, Colo.

~http://www.wordserveliterary.com/part...

Reviews

[Simmons51 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I was in my 20's again, after reading this book, I'd be tempted to become a social worker. As a novice social worker, the author's compassion and sense of humor inspired him to develop some novel approaches to his clients' problems. Very entertaining style of writing.

[Lilly]

I was reading this for some research on the Lilly family; seems like a good story but I got the info (insight) I needed from the little bit I read.

[Mary Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. The author recounts with insight and humor his experiences as a rookie social worker in rural West Virginia. Really entertaining. Made me cry a little and laugh a lot. If you work in the helping professions, or know someone who does, or want to learn a little about the life of a social worker, you will really like this book.

[AnonyMouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not current, set back in the 70's. If you know little about the field, than this might be a good start. If you know a lot about the field it is not worth your time. Cute, but lacks depth.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed. reading this book. It's very eye opening and inspiring. The way the stories were told was touching sometimes comical. Great read for anyone interested in this field.