At Summit Press Publishers, we’re thrilled to celebrate our author Michael Feeley and his groundbreaking book The Next Act, which recently earned a Silver Award in the Publication – Book category at the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards. This recognition validates what we’ve known all along: Michael’s work is transforming lives and challenging outdated assumptions about career transitions later in life.

Breaking the Age Barrier in Career Change
Michael Feeley’s mission is both simple and revolutionary: to prove that your professional shelf life hasn’t expired, no matter what your birth certificate says. As Seth Godin notes in his praise for the book, “The system wants you to believe your shelf life has expired. It’s waiting for you to shrink, to become invisible, to quietly fade away. Michael Feeley is here to help you see that this isn’t true.”
Feeley speaks from experience. His own journey from professional actor to corporate recruiter to sought-after life coach demonstrates the very principles he teaches. He understands the unique challenges facing mature professionals: the fear of starting over, concerns about age discrimination, and the overwhelming question of “What if I fail?”

A Guide That Goes Beyond Surface Solutions
What sets The Next Act apart from other career guides is its holistic approach. As entrepreneur Andrew Ingkavet observes, “While many books offered helpful advice, their perspectives were often limited to just one part of the elephant. The Next Act addresses the whole elephant—understanding that all business challenges are, at their core, personal ones.”
The book tackles the complete landscape of career transition, from identifying transferable skills to overcoming psychological barriers. It’s designed specifically for professionals standing at career crossroads—whether facing downsizing, feeling undervalued, or simply yearning for more meaningful work.

Real Tools for Real Change
Emmy Award-winning journalist Laura Meagher praises the book’s practical approach: “Jargon-free, it is the least ‘coachy’ book I’ve encountered on the subject. Feeley shares his experiences of reinventing himself professionally and personally as well as examples of the journeys of some of his worldwide clients.”

The book provides actionable strategies for:
Leveraging transferable skills effectively
Exploring new career paths while maintaining current employment
Updating resumes and interview approaches for today’s market
Turning decades of experience into competitive advantages

Industry Recognition Validates the Message
The MUSE Creative Awards recognition comes at a perfect time. As we face an aging workforce and changing employment landscape, The Next Act offers timely wisdom. Lou Adler, CEO of Performance Based Hiring Learning Systems, notes how Feeley’s approach “aligns seamlessly with Performance-based Hiring principles, helping professionals articulate their value through measurable achievements.”
The book’s impact extends beyond individual readers. Award-winning author Louise Karch calls it “a heartfelt and practical guide” where “the stories are moving, the exercises insightful, and the encouragement a balm for the soul of any job seeker.”

Your Next Chapter Awaits
Dr. Nadine Kelly, M.D., captures the book’s essence perfectly: “Michael invites us to lean into our gifts and talents to find work that matters well into our golden years.” This isn’t about settling for less or accepting diminished opportunities—it’s about recognizing that your most meaningful work might still lie ahead.
As we celebrate this well-deserved recognition for The Next Act, we’re reminded of Michael Feeley’s core message: your skills are more valuable than you know, your experience matters more than you think, and your next act might indeed be your best one yet.

The Next Act proves that career reinvention isn’t just possible at any age—it can be your greatest professional triumph.