Driven by knowledge and passion, Austin Collins came to Argyle Fox Publishing with a desire to provide the next generation with financial education. His accessible workbook, Your Real-Life Playbook, offers just that.
Keep reading to learn more about Austin’s background, his goals for Your Real-Life Playbook, and the next book he has up his sleeve.
Let’s get started learning about you. Who is Austin Collins?
I am a husband and father of two, currently residing in Tennessee. I graduated from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
During college, I completed an internship with Northwestern Mutual, where I became licensed in life and health insurance and gained early exposure to personal finance, risk management, and long-term financial planning.
For the past fourteen years, I have worked in industrial automation, primarily within the automotive industry. In addition to my career, I have a strong passion for real estate. I obtained my real estate license and have experience with rental properties, home flips, new construction for resale, and assisting family and friends with buying and selling homes.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and pursuing a wide range of hobbies.
Tell us a bit about Your Real-Life Playbook. What is it about and what inspired you to write your book?
Your Real-Life Playbook is an interactive workbook designed to help students understand how money, decisions, and lifestyle choices connect in the real world. While working through the book, you build a realistic life simulation so you can see what your choices look like before they become permanent.
As a husband and father of two, I became increasingly aware of how little practical financial education students receive before entering adulthood. I wanted to create something to bridge that gap and give students a hands-on way to understand money, decisions, and the long-term impact of everyday choices.
Who is your target audience, and what do you hope readers get out of your book?
My primary audience is students ages thirteen to eighteen, specifically eighth through twelfth grade. While college students may still find value in this, the goal is to getthis into students’ hands before they make major decisions about college and career paths.
This book is designed to help students start asking the right questions early and understand the financial impact of their decisions before they make them.
The American Dream is still very much attainable for the next generation—but now more than ever, it requires making smart decisions early. Too many students today are pushed into a system of trial and error that leads to costly mistakes and long-term financial consequences. Your Real-Life Playbook was created to change that.
Now that your book is published, how will you measure whether it’s a success? What is your goal for your book?
I would love to see this book in the hands of every high school student. But even if it only makes a small impact on the people around me and those I’m able to reach, I would consider it a success. My goal is to promote it in every way I can, especially within my community. Anything beyond that is just a bonus.
What are you doing to market your book and let folks know it is available?
I am currently promoting the book through social media, and you can follow Your Real-Life Playbook on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
You can also visit austincollinsauthor.com, where you’ll find direct links to purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Tertulia.
In addition, I will be hosting workshops at local schools and churches in my community.
What feedback have you received so far on your book?
I’ve had so many people tell me, “I wish I had something like this when I was younger.” The feedback—especially from homeschool families—has been incredibly encouraging, and many have shared that it makes a great graduation gift.
It’s also been a valuable resource for parents who want to be actively involved in planning and having meaningful discussions with their kids. It turns something that can feel overwhelming into a chance to sit down, dream, and plan for the future together.
What did you learn about the publishing experience that surprised you?
Honestly, it’s much easier than most people think, especially if you partner with the right publisher. This was my first book, and I knew nothing about the publishing process going in.
I think a lot of people let the unknown stop them from ever pursuing their dream. But that’s a mistake.
Focus on doing the hard part—writing the book—and find a publisher who can help guide you through everything else.
What would you say to other writers who have a useful story they’re considering publishing but aren’t sure whether they should make it happen?
Don’t let the unknown hold you back from something you’re unfamiliar with. Focus on writing the book. The rest of the process is something a good publisher can guide you through.
Just make sure you find a publisher you connect with—someone who understands your vision and believes in your dream.
Do you have another book up your sleeve? If so, can you give us a sneak preview of what it’s about and when you plan to present it to the world?
I do have another book that I’ve been working on for many years. It’s in the Christian genre and is titled What Happened at the Cross?
Many people are familiar with Easter and have heard the phrase, “He died on the cross for our sins,” but what does that truly mean?
Do you really understand what happened at the cross and why it changes everything?
This book dives into those questions and aims to bring clarity and deeper understanding to something many have heard, but few fully grasp.
I don’t have a release date planned yet, but stay tuned.
Is there anything else the world should know about you or your writing?
I write about the things I’m passionate about, the ideas I can’t get out of my mind and the topics I feel people need to hear. I write because I believe the information I’ve learned can have a life-changing impact on others. Many of the things I write about have already impacted my life in a powerful way, and my hope is that they do the same for my readers.
Here’s to readers being positively affected by your work. Thanks again, and here’s to success!