Speak Up Talk Radio: Recent Episodes
Speak Up Talk Radio
Speak Up Talk Radio is home to the Firebird Book Awards, author interviews, audiobook production, podcasts, and podcast production.
D.R. Berlin is an award-winning author, U.S. Army veteran, and General Surgeon with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Writing minor from MIT. A graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, her career in high-pressure environments fuels the pulse-pounding suspense and authentic detail in The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor....
With over three decades of experience, John O’Brien is a seasoned expert in guiding individuals through significant life transitions by offering practical and actionable strategies to navigate change with ease. He is a licensed psychologist in private practice specializing in grief, trauma, and addiction. He has offered numerous trainings to professional associations and businesses throughout...
Hi. I’m Ana. I was five when my family emigrated from Cuba to the U.S. in 1967. Ever since, I’ve been striving to honor my family’s story and Cuban American culture through storytelling. Currently, I’m at work on Radio Bemba, a full-length memoir about my family’s experience. In the past, my commentary has been featured in The...
Pearl Riter and Shell Riter were in 5th and 8th grade when the book was published in Jan 2024 and have burst on the literary scene with their debut novel, “Kingdoms in the Shadows: A Tale of Mystery, War, and Betrayal.” Their aim is to kindle the imaginations of readers by weaving tales...
Hi, I’m Muffy Walker, an author with a passion for crafting compelling fiction that educates and inspires. Through my stories, I aim to shed light on important topics, sparking meaningful conversations and fostering greater understanding. My journey to becoming an author has been shaped by a rich background in mental health advocacy. As...
I am an award-winning author born in Brooklyn, New York. I grew up in Tampa, Florida. I attended Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa and was a voracious reader from the time I was little, graduating quickly from books like The Phantom Tollbooth to authors such as Stephen King. I began writing young, including poetry and...
Jack Canfield, the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, calls Léonie Rosenstiel a cultural whistleblower. Léonie started out as an award-winning classical musician. She graduated from Barnard College, then from the Ph.D. program at Columbia University. Later she also earned degrees in counselling ministry (The New Seminary), Oriental medicine (Tri-State College), and public health (Walden University). ...
Thomas “Jared” Hayes graduated from the University of Ottawa with an MA in History. He currently lives in the Ottawa Valley and works in the Records and Information Management field. Since publishing his first book, “From Mill to Museum” in 2021, Jared has been working on a second book about Anglican Bishop John Strachan...
Author, blogger, senior model, financial executive and initiator of Loveable Light Born in Bussum, the Netherlands, I began writing in my youth. During the summer holidays I wrote short stories with my sister, Marianne. I began writing in earnest at a later age. Concerned about the current situation in this world, I started to write...
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research. She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering...
In 2020, my life as I knew it changed forever. Prior to this year, I had been my parent’s caregiver for nine years and helped them draw their last breaths. In 2019, my father passed at 95. One year later, my 90-year-old mother died, one day short of my father’s death date. They had lived...
John Russell has been a professional psychic for 50 years. He is a Psychic/Psychic Reader, a Medium, a Certified T.A.R.O.T. Master, a Paranormal Investigator, and now a published Author. Internationally known, he has provided psychic readings for clients in over 40 countries. For over 15 years he has been a popular featured guest, heard...
Farial English lives in a small rural community with her husband and two dogs. Several years ago, they moved from their home in a Chicago suburb to an old farm in upstate New York. Surrounded by woods and fallow fields, their dogs run free and Farial spends most of her time outdoors, planting and tending...
R.G. de Rouen is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut and writes fiction that inspires a love of reading with a pinch of humor along the way. Throughout his 25+ years as an elementary teacher throughout the world, he has also been an advocate of animal and nature protection which he...
Born in Bangkok, Somtow grew up in Europe and was educated at Eton and Cambridge. His first career was in music and in the 1970s he acquired a reputation as a revolutionary composer, the first to combine Thai and Western instruments in radical new sonorities. Conditions in the arts in the region at the...
Aurora Lothbrok was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. She began her lightsaber training at Michigan Tech, where she studied biology, and continued onward to the University of Iowa to study pharmacy. Her love of the outdoors and penchant for adventure took her north to Alaska, where she resides with her hubby, dog, and internet famous cats...
Bill DeBarba is a four-decade entrepreneur. He began the classic back- bedroom-office business, developing custom software for local companies. His company, BusinessWare Services, Inc. (BWSI), grew until he had a staff developing products and providing services to a base of loyal customers around the country. Over his 40 years of ownership and management, Bill DeBarba’s...
A graduate of The George Washington University, Marnie is an award-winning global marketing executive and author who writes about leadership, strategic planning, and empowerment. Marnie knew she wanted to be a writer at the age of thirteen. In Vote for You: Take Your Seat at the Table, the pandemic inspired her to chronicle her journey...
David is a poet, author, and literary scholar from Cleveland, Ohio. He was born 1992 in Norfolk, Virginia, but grew up in the suburb of Bedford. In 2014 he attended Cleveland State University and graduated with his bachelors in English. Grinnell specializes in Romanticism, the Gothic, and draws inspiration from vulnerability. He reflects and portrays...
Mark lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver, Colorado. He practiced commercial bankruptcy law for almost forty years before moving on in 2019 to write, volunteer, travel, and play music. He is the author of the following books in his award-winning 3J Legal Thriller Series, all set in Kansas City,...
Marieke Lexmond is an award-winning writer of fantasy novels. She has always been fascinated by magic, and loves exploring mystical worlds in her writing. Her books have won numerous awards, and have been praised by critics and readers alike. If you love fantasy, you’ll love Marieke Lexmond’s books. She is a master of world-building, and...
Enjoy CW Johnson and the winning book So I Walk: Poems, Songs, Legends and Lore of the Camino de Santiago – part poetry, part history, travelogue, and memoir. VISIT THE WEBSITE
A.S. Norris is a bit of an adventurer himself. As a Navy veteran, he has deployed on three tours to Asia and the western Pacific Ocean and taken several personal trips to Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, he has traveled over half of the United States and backpacked or camped in many of its...
Before becoming an award winning author, Nikki grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and went to college at one of the University of Wisconsin campuses. She moved to Florida for an internship where she worked at the “happiest place on earth” for a few years and also where she met her husband. ...
With his debut novel, “The Birth of a Spy Couple,” he introduced readers to the thrilling Rick and Katja series, blending adventure and intrigue to captivate audiences. The success of his first book was followed by the release of “33 or 9,” the second installment in the series. The third book, “Betrayal from Within,” takes the reader deeper into...
Mark Sabbas was born in Katonah, New York, and has always felt drawn to the transcendent, receiving his degree in philosophy from Bucknell University with an interest in metaphysics. Mark writes about the intersection of science and spirituality on his website, nothingtodoubt.org. He also mentors for the Aramis Creative Learning Center and has coauthored...
Gail Priest has a passion for women’s fiction. Her degrees and work in theatre and counseling psychology inspire her stories of healing from trauma and secrets within families. A dash of romance and her love of second chances are always in the mix. The settings of her novels are influenced by her time spent on...
Michael Morgan obtained his BS from Penn State University and his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Coupled with his educational background, he has over 15 years of work experience across companies such as Amazon, Walmart, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Chevron. His ability to build and maintain his network throughout his educational and career journey has...
Kathy is a semi-retired elementary school teacher, author, publisher, and speaker. She says – I’m writing to plant seeds through story. As a parent and former teacher, I understand the value of character education. My hope and prayer is that children and teens will enjoy my adventures and the growth of the characters while identifying...
Dr. Warrick is a distinguished Public Health Director and Assistant Professor of Biology at Juniata College. With a background in epidemiology and a passion for environmental and infectious disease public health, Dr. Warrick’s research focuses on understanding the impact of environmental factors on adverse health outcomes. She holds a Doctorate in Health Science...
Carl Cox is the CEO and founder of 40 Strategy. He is the author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategy, Host of the Measure Success Podcast, and the $4M Strategies™ mini-podcast. Carl has been an executive leader in seven organizations that have grown from 2x to 7x, with operations in four continents. Today,...
Dr. Garbelli is a specialist in acute internal medicine, a clinical director, and a Thriving Healthcare consultant. Having witnessed and experienced inefficiencies, frustrations, and struggles as a patient, a relative, and a provider, he uses these lessons as a powerful catalyst to provide medical thought leadership. By fostering successful collaboration between empowered physicians and healthcare stakeholders,...
MICHELLE LAYER RAHAL served as her church’s youth and family ministry director before devoting herself full time to writing for God’s kingdom purposes. She is passionate about spiritual formation and leads women, students, and the homeless in weekly Bible studies and annual retreats. The Indie-award-winning author of Straining Forward enjoys collecting “God-sighting” stories and publishes a monthly...
Stephen and Mary Weller live in Texas. They enjoy spending time in bookstores, participating in fan conventions, and attending concerts. They have three sons and one daughter. Stephen and Mary enjoy travel and volunteering with the community. In 2018, they traveled to Puerto Rico to help repair roofs damaged during Hurrican Maria. They still give...
“Twist, turn, and bend the truth. Now it’s fiction.” Fred Berri was born in the Bronx (Arthur Avenue), New York. After many years, his family moved to Yonkers, where he finished High School. After graduating, he relocated back to the Bronx with his mother and brother to Arthur Avenue, an area called Little Italy in...
Kathy is a semi-retired elementary school teacher, author, publisher, and speaker. She says – I’m writing to plant seeds through story. As a parent and former teacher, I understand the value of character education. My hope and prayer is that children and teens will enjoy my adventures and the growth of the characters, while...
Alfredo Botello is a screenwriter who has worked on projects ranging from the indie Sundance Global Short La Revolucion De Iguodala to the studio tent pole Fast and Furious 9. He is a Fulbright Fellow in architecture and a Nicholl Fellow in screenwriting. In addition to screenplays, he has written for The San Francisco Examiner Magazine, Metropolis, Diablo, Surface, The Utne...
Wytisha Williams-Merrill is a Mental Health Counselor/ LPC born in Louisiana. She is also a disabled United States Army Veteran and transformational speaker. She coined the word MindEmpowerment, inspired by the understanding that every challenge begins and ends with the mind. She created the character M.E. who is a white eagle with a crown and...
Gloria Mindock is the founding editor and Publisher of Červená Barva Press. She is the author of Grief Touched the Sky at Night (Forthcoming from Glass Lyre Press, 2023), ASH (Glass Lyre Press, 2021), I wish Francisco Franco Would Love Me (Nixes Mate Books, 2018), Whiteness of Bone (Glass Lyre Press, 2016), La Portile Raiului (Ars Longa Press, Romania, 2010) translated into the Romanian by...
Welcome to the Valuepreneurs community. I’m Steve Waddell, renowned thought leader, award-winning author of “Valuepreneurs,” and the architect behind the revolutionary Value-Driven Product Development process. This groundbreaking approach aims to boost entrepreneurs’ success in introducing new product ideas to the market, and I’m excited to share it with you. Fueled by my passion for...
Judy was raised in Michigan and currently lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband Gil and her senior cat Bailey. She also has two grown sons. She is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). After her retirement, Judy had the joyful job of working in a school children’s library. The award winning...
Born in southern rural Ontario, Pamela is an avid traveler and writer. Pamela also has a deep love for animals and enjoys helping rescue groups when she is able. She can often be found on the road to her next adventure with her dogs as co-pilots. With a passion for animals and weaving tails,...
Maria Imbalzano is an award-winning contemporary author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. Instead of drafting motions, legal memoranda, and briefs, although fascinating, she now spends her days creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys through her contemporary romance novels. A...
Scott Newman is an award-winning author and podcaster. He was formerly an Associate Editor at Quillette and graduated from Princeton University in 2021 with a degree in History. He has lived in Sydney, New York, Paris, Buenos Aires, and London. He currently resides in New York. VISIT THE WEBSITE
Larry A. Freeland is a third-generation military veteran. His father was an officer in the Army Air Corps/United States Air Force whose career spanned thirty years from World War II through the early stages of the Vietnam War. His grandfather was a World War I doughboy, and his two younger brothers were war veterans...
John Russell has been a professional psychic for 50 years. He is a Psychic/Psychic Reader, a Medium, a Certified T.A.R.O.T. Master, a Paranormal Investigator, and now a published Author. Internationally known, he has provided psychic readings for clients in over 40 countries. For over 15 years he has been a popular featured guest, heard...
Dr. Corinne Auman is a recognized gerontologist with over 20 years of experience working directly with older adults and their families and the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging She is a Nationally Certified Guardian, Certified Senior Advisor, and an Advanced Professional member of the Aging LifeCare Association. She received her Ph.D. from...
Monique de Maio is a trailblazing leader who has dedicated her life to helping women succeed in their personal and professional lives. The winning book is titled The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership and is the culmination of her decades-long experience as a businesswoman, entrepreneur,...
I have worked with students for over 30 years and have realized the importance of fathers. I was inspired to write this book to distill the insights I have gained in my work with students and their families. I have written about 5 principles that will help men explore how to be a dad that...
Carl Cox is the CEO and founder of 40 Strategy. He is the author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategy, and Host of the Measure Success podcast. Carl has been an executive leader in seven different organizations that have grown from 2x to 7x, with operations in four continents. Today, Carl is...
KJ Fieler (Kat) is known for her exceptional storytelling and captivating narratives. Among her many awards are: * Literary Titan Gold * Firebird Award for Women’s Issues and Weird Genre * 2023 Historical Fiction Company, 5-star Reader’s Choice and Silver Award for Fantasy * The 20th Annual “Best Book” Awards, Finalist * Reader’s Favorite, 5-star...
Shelley Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro – Hosts of Women Road Warriors Shelley M. Johnson is a seasoned journalist, broadcaster, multimedia producer, writer, marketer, and advocate for the progress of women. Shelley has worn many hats and brings insightful dialog to Women Road Warriors with a quirky sense of humor and unique perspectives. She also interviews many...
With the benefit of thirty-five years’ service, active and reserve, as a US Navy SEAL officer — two hot wars, one cold; first deployment, Vietnam; last deployment, Afghanistan — Crossland has found projecting his grasp of naval intrigue one hundred years into the past an enjoyable challenge. Captain Crossland has written internationally on the subject...
John is a licensed CPA who graduated with high honors from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. After graduation, John went on to become a licensed CPA. He worked 32 years in the Federal Government for the IRS, Customs, and Homeland Security. His roles and responsibilities...
My name is Shae’vada Pratcher, but I am known to many as Shae. I was born in Fairbanks, AK, but grew up in many states, being a military brat. I am co-founder and part-owner of Limitless Light Productions Studios LLC. I made a name for myself in relation to radio through my podcast segment,...
Miki Taylor is an award-winning travel advisor/agency owner (Taylor & Co. Travel) with over 14 years experience and has worked in the accounting industry for over 25 years and has always had that entrepreneurial spirit with a couple new businesses in the works. She has dreamed of writing children’s books and changing lives, but the...
Don Allen Holbrook, a distinguished economist and former certified economic developer, possesses an insightful perspective on how economic development can transform America and propel her to regain her global competitive edge. Holbrook’s authoritative voice on this subject has been showcased in numerous major magazines, where he shares his extensive knowledge and strategies for transforming economies....
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research. She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering the...
Betty enjoys traveling and has visited many places around the world. She especially loves the log cottage she bought in the remote woods of Finland, where she spent summers with her family and friends, telling fanciful stories of provincial trolls, shy moose, and impish fish. She lives half the year in Tucson, Arizona with her...
Amanda is the author of the historical action & adventure series A Country for Castoffs, which combines her family history with the larger historical context to educate and entertain a new generation of readers. She has been researching her family genealogy for decades and taught middle and high school history for over a dozen years. She...
Award-winning author M. C. Ryder has been composing stories, poems, and lyrics from the beginning of time when reading became a hobby. The sky is the limit, but she enjoys exploring off the beaten path both figuratively and literally. She resides in the Keystone State with a clowder of felines who rule the house....
I’ve been a college/high school English teacher, a technology CEO, and a real estate agent in the Dominican Republic selling beachfront property (even did a few HGTV shows), but now I’m following my lifelong dream of writing southern fiction novels. Join me (and my occasional blog about life and literature, “A Byrd’s-Eye View. VISIT THE...
Scott is Life is Too Short Guy. He lives every day with intense zest, enthusiasm, and excitement. He exudes energy. He has an infectious personality he uses to Make the World Happier One Smile at a Time.When not writing or speaking about LITSG, Scott is the Chairman and CEO of Invesque, a public real estate...
Amy Turner: I was born in Bronxville, New York, and spent my childhood summers by the ocean in Wainscott (Town of East Hampton), New York. In 1981, my husband Ed and I moved to East Hampton on a one-year “sabbatical” from our New York City law jobs and fell in love with its relatively...
As a poet, D’Janee writes about various topics pertaining to life and the world we live in. As an author, she writes material ranging from children’s books to young adult fiction. Her published books include Jimmy and the Teddy Bear, The Blizzard’s Secrets, and On the Run, the first book in the young adult...
Shawna James is an award-winning author & writer. Her debut novel “Despite the Devil” was released in audio, paperback, and hardcover in Spring 2021 as part of her “They Loved Collection” book series. She has received 5-Star awarded book reviews, including Readers Favorite, and is a winner of the Canada Book Awards, as she...
Kathy O’Shea has lived with migraines for 42 years and is a 33 year professor of English, who has combined these significant parts of her life into this literary anthology centered around five themes related to migraine. She is the winner the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and has two beloved golden retrievers...
In her home province of New Brunswick, Canada, Cheryl Gillespie, along with her cat Mattie, will often be found basking on the backyard deck beneath the warm sunshine, the very spot where many of the chapters for I Feel Your Stare were written. A childhood diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and associated blindness, coupled with physical...
Hope Gibbs grew up in rural Scottsville, Kentucky. As the daughter of an English teacher, she was raised to value the importance of good storytelling from an early age. Today, she’s an avid reader of women’s fiction. Drawn to multi-generational family sagas, relationship issues, and the complexities of being a woman, she translates those themes...
Before becoming an award winning author, Nikki grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and went to college at one of the University of Wisconsin campuses. She moved to Florida for an internship where she worked at the “happiest place on earth” for a few years and also where she met her husband. ...
Vy Lien has always been interested in human behavior and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at University of California, Riverside. She then obtained double graduate degrees and joined the medical field as a Physician Associate. Vy grew up as an only child to an exceptional single mother who set examples of how to face...
Nicole has been writing and telling stories since she was a young child. She divides her time between writing and working with TV, film, and commercials. Sometimes the projects mirror her current work in progress. She has worked closely with Candy Cain with Gemelli Films to create several of these stories and has worked as...
Ray Catania is a metaphysical teacher, master-certified life coach, and award-winning author. He believes that modern-day spirituality is best taught at the intersection of science and spirituality. He is passionate about helping others get unstuck, harness the power of their mind, and create their own reality. His first book, The Atheist and The Afterlife is...
Adam began his legal career as an associate at a law firm known for its work in the area of special education law, where he represented families whose children had a variety of special needs. Adam moved on from that position in 2009 to pursue his dream of establishing his own law practice, Law Offices...
Grace Sammon is an entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and author. She has started and managed two for-profit and two not-for-profit companies, and she has traveled to 35 states and eight foreign countries. Recognized in “Who’s Who in Education” and “Who’s Who in Literature,” Grace is utilizing skills built up over decades as she re-invents herself...
About The F.E.E.L Podcast and Host Melissa Crook The month that I turned 50 and was 2 weeks into our latest move to Lubbock, TX, I ended up in the ER twice over a 10 day period with various symptoms, including racing heart beat, sky high blood pressure, and a bladder control issue. After scores...
Cheri Strange proves God’s ability to transform a plain and ordinary wallflower into something completely unexpected. She did not set out to become a writer or a speaker, nor did she dream of getting a Ph.D. and becoming the mother to eight children. She fell in love with a God who met her where...
Nora D’Ecclesis is an American bestselling non-fiction author and Haiku poet. Her international #1 bestseller “The Retro Budget Prescription” held the top kindle book downloads in business/self help for over a year. Nora is a graduate of Kean University. She has a long history of presenting events, retreats and seminars focused on wellness and stress...
Marieke Lexmond reads tarot cards, loves food, photography, and travel. She has three sassy little dogs that she likes to take everywhere and have their own Instagram account @urbandogsquad. Her background in filmmaking enabled her to travel and live around the globe. Storytelling is in her blood, from saving her allowance from a very young age...
VALORIE M. ALLEN of Alberta, Canada, has spent the last 35 years working with environmental, population, and animal rights groups and was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Award for her efforts. She is a proud member of the Population Institute Canada. This experience and her many years in education revealed the dire need for her books...
June Gillam writes the Hillary Broome crime novel series, inspired by her obsession with what makes ordinary people mad enough to kill. A native of the Central Valley, June lives cradled between California’s Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevada mountains. She loves the company of writers and readers and was honored with a Jack London...
Before becoming an award winning author, Nikki grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and went to college at one of the University of Wisconsin campuses. She moved to Florida for an internship where she worked at the “happiest place on earth” for a few years and also where she met her husband. ...
Rebecca Dimyan is an award-winning writer, editor, and teacher. Her work has been publishedin national and international publications including Vox, the CT Post, YahooHealth, 34thParallel, Glassworks Magazine, The Mighty and many others. Her debut novel Waiting for Beirut was a finalist for the Fairfield Book Prize and is forthcoming from Running Wild Press. Her health and wellness memoir Chronic will be published summer...
Jeanette Watts is a dance instructor, writer, seamstress, actress, and very, very poor housekeeper. She loves writing historic fiction, but when she needed to write a dance textbook, she had to go off and do that. Partway through revising her next historic fiction, she got an idea for a modern comedy, and had to stop...
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research. She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering the...
Angela Greenman: Angela Greenman is an internationally recognized communications professional. Her intense career has spanned the spectrum from community relations in Chicago to US and world governments’ public communications on nuclear power. She has worked in sixteen countries including Brazil, China, France, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa. She has been an expert and lecturer...
E.T. Milligan is an accomplished speaker, author, and award-winning poet. A native of Leesville, Louisiana, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in News-Journalism from Northwestern State University in 1981 while being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Due to his outstanding performance as a cadet and a military officer, he was inducted into...
Rebecca is a multi-award-winning author of contemporary fiction with a purpose. She is a uniquely passionate person who lives to write compelling stories with urgent messages. Her characters are imperfect, relatable individuals who (usually) grow from their experiences—albeit sometimes slowly—however big or small their challenges may be. Her goal is to write believable characters with...
Peter Eliott melds his love of evocative writing with an intense interest in dark adventure stories. As a devotee of literary fiction, Peter renders exciting action stories in a highly vivid style. His earlier career in architecture and design informs his current novels, the Shadow Bidder Series, adding visual realism to the gritty urban setting....
Amy Rivers is an award-winning novelist, as well as the Director of Writing Heights Writers Association. She was named 2021 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project. Her psychological suspense novels incorporate important social issues with a focus on the complexities of human behavior. Her novel, STUMBLE & FALL, is the second...
Sherman Edward Ross is a retired biochemist. He has lived in Germany as well as numerous locations around the USA. He attended undergraduate and graduate universities in Colorado and Texas, receiving history, biology, and biochemistry degrees. He has been employed as a biochemist in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to writing Code...
Over the last 28 years Kelly Hudson has used her talents and education to custom-design a career, working with performers to become the best versions of themselves. Losing, Learning and Loving, the title of her recent book, is based on her experiences while serving as the Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine...
Donna lives in a small, Iowa town with her husband Marty; an ordained minister, who also does construction work and painting. A stage four cancer survivor, she started to write when, during treatments, she could do nothing else. After decades in management positions for large companies, she suddenly had nothing to manage and asked God...
Stephen and Mary Weller were born in Texas and decided it was a good place to live. Mary prefers the summer heat. Stephen prefers the winter cold. One of them compromised. Stephen is the author of two award-winning books: The Progressive Machine: Before We Called It Lean and The Progressive Hospital: A Lean Hope. Mary...
Howard Eisenberg, M.Sc. (Psych), M.D., is a Medical Doctor with postgraduate training in both Psychology and Psychiatry. He has been a Lecturer at the University of Toronto and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont. He is also the CEO of the international consultancy – Syntrek® Inc. On a more personal level,...
S.G. was born in a faraway land of castles, monarchies and fallen dictatorships, aka Hungary. Hollywood movies were forbidden under Soviet oppression during her childhood, but her dad smuggled them in anyway, risking his life so that his children could experience the magic and hope inherent in those stories. She watched rebellions unfold in...
George Hopkins is a former United States Marine Corps Sergeant who served on active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was Chairperson of English at a high school designated as a national school of excellence, and has taught at St. John’s University, Middlesex College, Columbia Teachers College and in Puerto Rico. He was twice named “Teacher of the...
Valerie Taylor is retired from a forty year career in marketing and is living the author life in Shelton, CT.
Financial services marketer, copywriter, editor, novelist, author are all words to describe Valerie. But being called Mimi by her granddaughter is what brings her the most joy these days. Born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, Valerie earned a B.S. Marketing degree and an MBA from Sacred Heart University, as well as a graduate certificate in health care administration from Simmons University in Boston. In her spare time, Valerie is a book reviewer with BookTrib.com; and a member of Westport Writers’ Workshop, Independent Book Publishers Association, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association. And she enjoys practicing tai chi and being an expert sports spectator.
With the recent publication of What’s Not True, the sequel to What’s Not Said, Valerie has firmly established herself as an award-winning author.
In the short year since its publication, What’s Not Said has been recognized in the U.S. and internationally. To name a few: In addition to winning multiple Firebird Book Award categories (Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Novel, Marriage, and Chick Lit), What’s Not Said was a 2020 Canadian Book Club Awards Finalist in Fiction and was recently named to the Long List for the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards for Romance Fiction.
The third and last book in the What’s Not series is a work-in-progress.
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LISTEN TO VALERIE'S INTERVIEW FOR WHAT'S NOT SAID
LISTEN TO VALERIE'S INTERVIEW FOR WHAT'S NOT TRUE
YOU ARE LISTENING TO VALERIE'S INTERVIEW FOR WHAT'S NOT LOST
Lucky At Bat is about a young boy named Jack, and his two rescue rats- Lucky and Gus-Gus. He discovers, through taking Lucky to Little League practice, that Lucky has a talent for baseball, and the little rat becomes the team's mascot and secret batting coach. This book follows the relationship between the two rat brothers, as well as the relationship between a boy and his pets. We see inter-team dynamics, as Jack befriends the other children on his softball team, and the rivalries that build between Jack's team, and the other teams in the league.
Tensions rise between Jack's team- The Bulldogs, and their main rivals- The Devil Rays. Danny, a boy on the Devil Rays, feels that having Lucky there is somehow cheating. Things come to a head, when a pitch thrown by Danny hits Lucky's carrier. Lucky and Jack feel that maybe a rat's place isn't at a ballpark, despite the fact that Lucky had been made an important part of the team.
It becomes up to Jack's teammates and Lucky's brother Gus-Gus to show both Lucky and Jack that they are special and important, and they should not give up on their dreams, no matter how big their dreams may be.
Written by mother and son, Lucky At Bat is written with Joseph Goldenberg. It is his first book, and is a sweet little Middle Grade chapter book for all ages. Featuring original illustrations by Erin Cutler. A portion of proceeds for all copies of Lucky At Bat will be going to Teeny Snoots Rat Rescue, helping small animals in need.
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LISTEN TO ALISSE and JOSEPH'S INTERVIEW
Deb Radcliff is the first investigative journalist to make cybercrime a beat. Since 1996, she has been embedded in the hacker and law enforcement communities learning their techniques, lifestyles, and philosophies that make them unique. Deb has won two Neal Awards for investigative reporting, and feels one of her crowning career moments was addressing engineering students and faculty at West Point Military Academy in 2001.
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Larry Freeland was born in Canton, Ohio. Since his father was an officer with the United States Air Force he grew up on many Air Force bases across this country. After graduating from High School at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, he attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in mathematics and a concentration in finance. He joined the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and a CH-47 helicopter pilot. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and various other military service medals.
Upon release from active duty in 1973, Larry returned to civilian life and pursued a career in the Financial Industry. During his professional career, he continued his education earning graduate degrees in Management and Banking. He worked for 29 years in the banking business with Trust Company of Georgia, Citizen and Southern Corporation, now Bank of America, and Wachovia, now Wells Fargo. After retiring from banking he worked as an independent financial consultant for 3 years in the Atlanta area and then worked as an instructor for 6 years with Lanier Technical College in their Management and Leadership Development Program.
Larry is now retired and lives in North Georgia with his wife Linda, a retired school teacher. They stay involved in various activities, most notably those associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Veterans related organizations. They also enjoy traveling together and spending as much time as possible with their two daughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters.
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LISTEN TO LARRY'S FIRST INTERVIEW – CHARIOTS IN THE SKY
YOU ARE LISTENING TO LARRY'S SECOND INTERVIEW – LEGACY OF HONOR THE PATRIARCH
Blogger and author Cheryl L. Eriksen has a master's degree in social work (MSW) and is a former equine assisted therapy facilitator. She also authored two training manuals for Eagala model equine assisted therapy facilitators.
While earning her MSW from Western Michigan University, Cheryl took a special interest in the effects of trauma on the developing brain, and she applied that learning, along with her personal experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, in her memoir, Follow Me, Friend.
Additionally, Cheryl has spent decades as an equine professional and extensively studied equine behavior and how it is influenced by what the human brings to the relationship. Through her work in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning, Cheryl has seen and experienced firsthand the healing power of the horse-human relationship. Her books (current and upcoming) and her blog, Peace Horse Journey, explore this powerful relationship.
When not writing, Cheryl works in multiple areas of the horse industry. She also volunteers at the Kentucky Horse Park and enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog, Boedy and her horse, Farletta.
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A native of São Paulo and mother to three children, Cristiana Pinciroli began her sports career as a high-performance professional water polo player. She captained the Brazilian team for 15 years, playing professionally for four years in Italy, her side winning the European Interclub Champions Cup for the first time. In her final appearance at the World Aquatics Championships in Perth, Australia in 1998, having scored the second-most goals in the tournament, she was recognized as among the seven best female water-polo players in the world.
While still playing water polo, Cristiana began a successful corporate career, gaining over 25 years’ experience as an executive and in people management, 23 of these years with leading Brazilian retail bank Itaú Unibanco.
In 2019, she founded WeTeam, a consultancy dedicated to combining the lessons learned from successful careers in sport and business with the study of positive psychology, with the goal of furthering the development and fulfilment of human potential through training, seminars and mentoring.
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You are listening to Cris's author interview
Matt Jardine is a fiction and non-fiction author, podcaster, entrepreneur and teacher.
He is a Londoner born and bred, but now travels the world writing and public speaking. He says that different countries, cultures and points of view help him get a better grasp of the things that drive and inspire humanity. They also inspire ideas for his writing.
Former tennis pro and coach to the Royal family, he has always followed his passion in life. After practising meditation and other Eastern arts for over 25 years, he developed a successful chain of Shiatsu clinics (Japanese therapeutic massage) before going on to build an award-winning Martial arts school to train up-and-coming combat athletes. He is also the host of the ‘Buddhist Millionaire Podcast’. The podcast is enjoyed by listeners in thirty countries around the world.
He now lives in the Middle East (Oman) with his wife and Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, writing novels. His debut novel, set in South West England deals with the subject of ‘Mind over matter medicine’. His 2nd, set in South Africa, deals with the complexities of peace and reconciliation in a time of violence and hate. The third looks into the tragedy of teenage suicide. The release dates are yet to be announced.
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You are listening to Matt's author interview for his award winning book
SONG FOR CINDISIWE
Karen is a multi-published author of Native American historical romances. She has been praised by reviewers and fans alike for bringing the historic American Indian culture to life, and she has been nominated for several different awards. Karen's great-grandmother was Choctaw Indian, and because of this, she is honored to be able to write stories that depict the Native American point of view.
All of her books concern the Native American culture, and says Karen, "With the power and passion of romance, I hope to bring about an awareness of the vital forces that helped shape the American Indian culture. There are some things that should never be forgotten."
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“OK Boomer” has become a dismissive act of ignoring a comment a Boomer says. Instead of feeling upset or put off by eye rolls, we are here to gently remind Millennials and Boomers we are all OK! Let’s laugh and lean in together.
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Relationships 1st Place
Slice of Life-Humor 1st Place
Lifestyle 2nd Place
- LGBTQ+ 1st Place
- Health and Wellness (General) 2nd Place
- Self Help 2nd Place
Cosmos (cos/they), aka Meenakshi, is an award-winning podcaster, medical doctor, a trauma-informed love, sex, relationship and empowerment coach and an author bringing more than two decades of experience to these conversations. Sublime Soul Surrender (SSS) is about breaking norms. We talk about all things labeled as taboo in society. One of the goals of SSS is to empower ourselves to have important and deep discussions about who we really are spiritually, sexually, emotionally and intellectually. What turns us on, what closets have we gone into and want to come out of and more!
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- Best Host
- Business Entrepreneurship 1st Place
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- Self Help 3rd Place
With over a third of our lives spent at work, not doing what we love for a living makes little sense. Yet so few do. When asked, eight out of ten people said that they would not return to their places of work if they were given a million pounds.
How do we then bridge the gap between the two extremes: happy but broke at one end, wealthy but miserable at the other? In modern times, is it really possible to enjoy meaningful, heart lifting work that also turns a decent wage or profit?
This is what we investigate.
Welcome to the Buddhist Millionaire Podcast.
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You are listening to Matt's Podcast Award Interview
Best Matt Quote: Life is determined by the questions you ask of it.
Mark lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver, Colorado. He schooled at Haverford College and Washburn University, and practiced commercial bankruptcy law for four decades before moving on in 2019 to write, photograph, volunteer, travel, and play music. He is the author of "And . . Just Like That – essays on a life before, during, and after the law" and three books in his 3J legal thriller series set in Kansas City and starring bankruptcy lawyer Josephina Jillian Jones: "Fresh Start," "Automatic Stay," and "Unfair Discrimination."
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- Diversity/Equity/Inclusion 1st Place
- Personal Journal 1st Place
- Mental Health 1st Place
- Inspiration/Motivation 2nd Place
- Psychology 2nd Place
First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.
That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.
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- Business Management 1st Place
- Coaching 1st Place
- News/Business News 1st Place
- Technology 1st Place
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- Psychology 1st Place
- Self Improvement 1st Place
- Social Sciences 1st Place
- Therapy 1st Place
- Health & Wellness (Mental Health) 2nd Place
Find Steve's Podcast
Do you struggle to understand the intricacies of therapy and counseling? Join licensed therapist, Steve Bisson, to discuss how therapy can benefit you, using straightforward and direct language, and special guests who have the same mindset. Each episode contains great information to help you think about therapy, and those who attend therapy, in a more down-to-earth matter.
Bibiana Krall, award-winning co-author of Wicked Mist (#3) and The Haunted Series, she is honored to be part of a creative collaboration that began during the pandemic and continues to flourish and grow. She’s a former international travel expert and luxury insider. Bibiana has lived the adventurous life she writes about in her novels, short stories and poetry, highlighting kickass, female protagonists in intuition-driven stories that utilize social narratives and explore the mysterious world. Enjoy twenty-eight titles on Amazon.
Winner of a Pay It Forward Scholarship from Wilkes University CW, Bibiana Krall has been called, ‘a lyrical maven and literary wordsmith.’ -via Goodreads.
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Veronica Cline Barton earned graduate degrees in both engineering and business and has had successful careers in the software and technology industries. Her lifelong love affair with British murder mysteries inspired her to embark on a literary career. She loves all things glamorous; royals, acting, fashion (emphasis on boots and crowns) and loads of yummy foods and cocktails.
She is currently writing the eighth cozy mystery tale in her My American Almost Royal Cousin Series; recently published book 3 in the Haunted Series, co-authored with Bibiana Krall; and released the second volume of holiday, cozy mystery stories on November 1st with the launch of A Novel Noel.
When she’s not traveling the world looking for inspiration, she lives in California with her husband, Bruce and their two cats, Daisy and Ebbie.
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Helen Starbuck is a third generation Colorado native who has spent her career working as a nurse in the main ORs of several suburban hospitals and a major children’s hospital in the Denver area.
She translated her experience and knowledge of OR nursing into a job as a clinical editor for an OR nursing journal. As a clinical editor, she helped nurse authors fine tune their articles and helped staff journalists understand the intricacies of surgery. The journalists, in turn, helped her understand the often puzzling aspects of the AMA style book—there's a rule for everything!
Helen likes stories about strong women and interesting men. She writes her mysteries from the perspective of an OR nurse and relies on her love of suspense and romance to write her standalone romantic suspense novels. Her theory is, if you don’t like life as it is, you can always write a different ending.
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My first published book was an account of my cancer journey, and a walk through my coming to faith titled ‘When All Else Fails'. I had always been told to write what I know, and at that time, this was all I knew. When that offering was well received I continued, but gravitated to Christian fiction. I have now written, and published many more books, fiction and non-fiction, and find that I love what I'm doing. I know I was born to write. It just took God a while to steer me in the right direction. In what direction is He steering you?
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LISTEN TO DONNA'S INTERVIEW
Mark Piggott, a native of Phillipsburg, N.J., enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1982, beginning a 23-year career. He served on four aircraft carriers and various duty stations as a Navy Journalist before he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from active duty in 2006.
His first novel, Forever Avalon, was published in 2009, followed by his second novel, The Dark Tides, in 2014. The Outlander War: Book Three of the Forever Avalon series from Austin Macauley Publishing was released in 2020. In 2021, he published the start of a new steampunk fantasy series with The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart from Lulu.com. At the end of 2021, Mark signed with Curious Corvid Publishing as one of their new authors for this small, independent publisher.
His novels have won a slew of awards over the past years. The Outlander War won second place for fantasy in the 2021 Firebird Book Awards, The Last Magus won first place for steampunk, and in 2022, Forever Avalon won second place for fantasy. Additionally, The Last Magus won the Grand Prize for Fiction in the 2022 Authors Marketing Guild Indie Book Awards.
His latest fantasy novella, The River of Souls, in collaboration with poet Ashley Valitutto, was published in 2022 through Curious Corvid Publishing. Coming in 2023, get ready to dive into a steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates and the next book in The Last Magus series, Dragonfire and Steel, and the fourth book in the Forever Avalon series, The Prometheus Engine!
He has a variety of short stories published, including two through The Publishing Room and through Curious Corvid Publishing in the Magpie Messenger and their upcoming anthology.
He and his wife, Georgiene, live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three children.
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Donna Welser retired from business and information technology management, after an amazing, thirty-two year long career working for UnitedHealth Group, Optum. She then pursued a master’s in labor and employment relations at Rutgers University, NJ. while also writing her first book. Donna considers herself an adventurer, apocaloptomist (hopes for the best, prepares for the worst), and world warrior focused on living her bucket list. She and her husband Mark, both previously widowed, took the plunge and married during the COVID pandemic, blending their family of two cats, three dogs, and a full tank of fish in addition to their two daughters, son, and extended families.
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LISTEN TO DONNA'S AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Wilma was born in Pennsylvania in 1964 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She began writing at the age of 10 to relieve the pain of her mother’s unrelenting abuse. When she began to receive help for the abuse, she searched for a book on mother-daughter sexual abuse from a daughter’s perspective. There were none available. She decided then, that if she could ever find the courage, she would write her personal memoir, for other daughters searching. She knew she wasn’t alone. This is her true account of the unspeakable abuse she suffered. Wilma continues to journal and to write nonfiction, poetry, fiction, and humor. She is a public speaker and lives in Arizona with her husband Greg, of forty years. Wilma enjoys coffee, reading, long walks and spending time with her family and friends. This is her first book.
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Dana Storino is an emerging neurodiverse writer, has been published in Wrytimes and has been a guest blogger for ADDitude.com. She also has a short story being featured in the upcoming July issue of Her View From Home. She has two short stories published in separate issues of Gliterary Literary and a poem in an upcoming issue of Poet’s Choice. Dana received her Bachelor of Art degree from Columbia College Chicago. She works full time for Chicago Public Schools as a SECA (special education classroom assistant). Her middle-grade book “The Golden Bee" is currently represented by Max Dobson of Maximus Literary. You can read some of her personal experiences with ADHD and life in general in her WordPress blog, “Oh Look, a Squirrel.” She’s a married mother of three humans, a spunky Dalmatian, Dolly and a cool cat, Bean.
LISTEN TO DANA'S AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Susan Rex Ryan is the award-winning author of Defend Your Life about the awesome health benefits of vitamin D including the potential prevention of chronic medical conditions including autism, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. Her health articles have been published on Hormones Matter (TM), the Lucine Health Sciences website, and in Choices Magazine. Sue has also been featured on recent radio shows where she discussed vitamin D’s benefits.
Sue Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Science degree from the U.S. military’s National War College. In addition, she has earned scores of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits from accredited U.S. medical programs approved by, inter alia, The American Academy of Family Physicians. Her professional memberships include the Vitamin D Council, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and the Independent Book Publishers Association.
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Texas author M.K. (Katie) Lever is a PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication, studying NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) discourse. Having served as a former Division 1 runner – she ran track and cross country for Western Kentucky University – she now is a freelance writer for LRT Sports and a sports consultant with a mission to aid future college athletes in navigating the NCAA. SURVIVING THE SECOND TIER is her debut novel.
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LISTEN TO M.K.'s AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Karen Gruber is an International #1 best-selling, award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and Leadership Development Coach for purpose-driven women entrepreneurs. Karen has helped hundreds of women get crystal clear on how to structure their soul-aligned business so they can magnetize their dream clients and earn explosive, consistent income. Karen’s clients create successful, authentic businesses that are fulfilling and financially rewarding.
Grounded in the Active Feminine Formula™ and focused on maximizing the potential of each woman’s zone of brilliance, Karen helps her clients overcome fear and release the limiting beliefs that keep them playing small so they can gain the courage to fully express their soul-driven purpose and create financial and soul-aligned success.
Committed to a vision of global women’s empowerment, Karen is a Feminine Power Certified Transformational Coach and Art of Feminine Presence teacher. Sharing her life with her husband Jim and daughter Jaymie, presenting her message to other women, and traveling the world brings her the greatest joy.
When Lions Roar is Karen’s debut fictional work. She is freakish about Christmas lights and loves to play Baccarat. To book Karen for speaking, bookclub, or coaching opportunities contact her at karen@karengrubercoaching.com
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Violet Lemay was a stage designer, a university art professor, and an editorial illustrator before arriving at her dream job: writing and illustrating books for kids. Violet has illustrated forty-four books, six of which she also wrote. Clients include HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Scholastic, duopress, ‘Magination Press, and Highlights. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Violet and her family are expatriates who have lived in New Zealand, China, and Malaysia. If she’s not at her desk drawing, she’s probably outside feeding the birds, who think she is Snow White. :o)
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LISTEN TO VIOLET'S AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Sparky Of Bunker Hill And The Cold Kid Case, a Firebird Book Award 1st Place Cozy Mystery winner, Author Academy Top Ten Best Mystery Finalist, and a Critters Readers’ Poll top finisher, is my latest novel, a humorous noir mystery that’s fun for middle-grade, YA, and adult readers.
Dozens of my short stories have appeared in webzines and print anthologies, including the popular Strangely Funny series, FAPA President’s Book Award Silver Medalist History And Mystery Oh My!, and Cern Zoo, British Fantasy Society nominee for best anthology. TV Monster is my children’s picture book I wrote and illustrated. My work has placed in numerous competitions, including the Writers Digest Screenplay Competition and Shriekfest Film Festival.
I am a member of Sisters in Crime, SCBWI: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, IWOSC: Independent Writers of Southern California, and W&PN: Writers and Publishers Network.
Los Angeles is where I write.
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LISTEN TO ROSALIND'S INTERVIEW
Tryn Rose Seley supports the lives of young children, those with special needs, and people living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. All her projects and offerings are designed to empower caregivers and the one they care for, including her book, "15 Minutes of Fame: One Photo Does Wonders to Bring You Both Back to Solid Ground" and her expressive arts class, Mindful Art. She plays guitar and appreciates the beautiful world we live in through gardening, bird-watching, and photography.
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LISTEN TO TRYN'S INTERVIEW
Pastor Phil Dvorak is the founder and president of Recovery Church Movement. He has served as a pastor, church planter, and as a ministry executive. However, his passion for those impacted by addiction is palpable.
He coauthored a 30-Day recovery guide with Dr. Paul Meier (founder of Meier Clinics) and Dr. Jared Pingleton (Vice President American Association of Christian Counselors). He is ordained by the Christian & Missionary Alliance and a licensed mental health counselor. Phil has personally served thousands of individuals. His treatment curriculums have been published and implemented by a number of treatment centers across the country.
He has a passion to see people recover from the disease of addiction and be a part of the solution to this crisis in our nation. He is a devoted husband, father, and servant leader. Phil and his wife Sara have five children.
For more information about Recovery Church. Visit www.Recovery.Church
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LISTEN TO PHIL'S INTERVIEW
ALSO $500 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Nicholas L. Chiarkas was the Director of Wisconsin's State Public Defender Agency for 22-years. Under his leadership, the agency received several awards for excellence. He was the founder of Justice Without Borders, was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a visiting lecturer in law at Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, Germany.
Previously Dr. Chiarkas served as the Deputy Chief Counsel & Research Director to the President's Commission on Organized Crime; Professor of Law; Professor of Criminology; a New York City Police Officer; and a US Army Paratrooper (101st ABN DIV).
Dr. Chiarkas received Doctorate and Master's degrees from Columbia University, a law degree from Temple University, a Master's and Bachelor's degree from John Jay College; And was a Pickett Fellow at Harvard University.
Dr. Chiarkas worked with Israel in establishing its first National Public Defender Agency; with Japan as it introduced a public defender system, with the Department of Justice in examining indigent defense, including New Orleans after Katrina; with NLADA in assessing defense services in Michigan, and Ohio. He was on the planning team for USDOJ's 2010 Symposium on Indigent defense in the U. S., in 2012 Dr. Chiarkas developed the public defender protocols for Afghanistan. In 2013 & 2015, he examined Delaware's & Indiana's justice system for The Sixth Amendment Center.
Dr. Chiarkas' is the author of the award-winning novel "Weepers." The sequel, "Nunzio's Way," will be out in late June 2022. He has also received awards for his poetry. His other publications include law books, books about Criminal Organizations, and several articles. He is a Wisconsin Writers Association Board Member.
Dr. Chiarkas grew up in the Al Smith projects on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where "Weepers" takes place. When he was in the fourth grade, his mother was told by the principal of PS-1, "Nick was unlikely ever to complete high school, so you must steer him toward a simple and secure vocation."
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LISTEN TO NICK'S WEEPERS INTERVIEW #1
YOU ARE LISTENING TO NICK'S NUNZIO'S WAY INTERVIEW #2
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning author, publisher, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research.
She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering the world-wide effort to legitimate fiction as a research practice. A prolific author, Dr. Leavy has published over 40 books.
She has earned critical and commercial success in both nonfiction and fiction, and her work has been translated into numerous languages. Dr. Leavy’s works have garnered a slew of book awards including USA Best Book Awards, Independent Press Awards, International Impact Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, International Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, and American Fiction Awards.
Recently, Celestial Bodies: The Tess Lee and Jack Miller Novels was the 2022 Firebird Awards first-place winner for Romance.
On the academic side, Dr. Leavy earned her Ph.D. in Sociology at Boston College in 2002. She was a tenured Associate Professor of Sociology at Stonehill College from 2002-2012 where she also served as Founding Director of the Gender Studies Program and the Chairperson of the Sociology & Criminology Department. Dr. Leavy previously taught at Boston College, Northeastern University, and Curry College. In 2012 Dr. Leavy left academia to focus her full-time efforts on her work as an author and public intellectual.
Dr. Leavy serves on the advisory board for the Arts and Humanities in Medicine Program at The University of Maine.
In addition to her own writing, Dr. Leavy is widely recognized for her pioneering work creating innovative publishing opportunities for other scholars and artists, through the ten book series for which she has served as creator and series editor over the course of her career for Oxford University Press, Guilford Press, and Brill/Sense. The Social Fictions series she created, for which she served as editor for 10 years, is the first and only academic book series to solely publish full-length literary works. The ground-breaking series received global attention, earned a national creativity award, and produced many award-winning and best-selling titles under Dr. Leavy’s tenure as editor and creative visionary. In 2021 she launched Paper Stars Press, her own publishing imprint.
A vocal advocate of public scholarship, Dr. Leavy has appeared on national news, radio, and is regularly quoted by the print and online news media (for example, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today). She is also routinely interviewed about her work by popular and scholarly media. She has blogged for The Huffington Post, The Creativity Post, We Are the Real Deal, and other outlets.
Dr. Leavy has received numerous career awards. In recognition of her significant contributions to the discipline of sociology The New England Sociological Association named Dr. Leavy the 2010 New England Sociologist of the Year. Dr. Leavy received a 2014 Special Achievement Award from the American Creativity Association which honors creativity and innovation in every field. The Special Achievement award recognizes her extraordinary work advancing arts-based research and the ground-breaking Social Fictions series. Arts-based scholars from all over the world, including many of the Social Fictions authors, sent in letters of support calling Dr. Leavy “a visionary” and the Social Fictions series “a watershed moment in the academy.”
In 2015 Dr. Leavy was announced as the youngest recipient of the Special Career Award given by the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. The award recognizes her entire body of work, and particularly honors her advancement of qualitative and arts-based research. In that same year Dr.
Book Award Pro has partnered with the Firebird Book Awards and has donated $1500 to share with one winner in each of our next 4 quarter competitions.
That's a $375 cash prize for the next 4 contests.
What does Book Award Pro do for authors?
If you have entered or have considered entering a book award contest, you know that it takes lots of time to research the contest, fill out forms, email back and forth, and hope you did everything correctly.
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Take a listen to our short but highly informative conversation with Hannah Jacobson, Founder of Book Award Pro.
I am an International Speaker, Author, Consultant, and Facilitator with a focus on emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership development. I am an expert in enhancing personal effectiveness, understanding behaviour styles, developing inspirational leadership, and strengthening communication for maximum impact and influence.
I am a Master Practitioner of Genos International Emotional Intelligence Programs and certified in DISC ADVANCED® Behavioural Profile Systems and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™ Methodology. I am also the author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling book: "How to be a BADASS: Navigating Your Road to Self-Mastery."
I lead custom-designed programs and masterclasses for corporations with proven results in enhancing leadership, communication, culture shift, conflict resolution, and significantly improved workplace health and safety.
I am an award-winning thought leader and expert media commentator and have gained global recognition as a keynote presenter, facilitator, and MC. I speak frequently on the topics of self-mastery, emotional intelligence, nonverbal communication, resilience and wellbeing, and leadership development.
Outside of work, I am a competitive endurance runner and a student of Kyokushin karate.
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John Layne is an International Multi-Award Winning Author, screenwriter, and actor. He is also a retired police detective. He holds multiple college degrees, including a Bachelor's Degree in History and Psychology, and a Masters's Degree in Management. His professional writing career began in the sports industry, where he wrote articles for national magazines and online publications. His theatrical influences include John Wayne, James Stewart, Clint Eastwood, and Tom Hanks, and directors John Ford, Henry Hathaway, and Howard Hawks. He drew literary inspiration from Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey, Robert B. Parker, and C. J. Box. His passion for history and the classic Western genre inspired him to write short stories on the Old West and three novels to date: "Gunslingers A Story of the Old West," "Red River Reunion," and "Return to Canyon Creek." John is a member of the Writer's Guild, Western Writers of America, Wyoming Writers Association, and the Oklahoma Writers Federation.
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Listen to John's first interview 2021
Interview 1
You are listening to John's second interview 2022
Winona Howe grew up in Oakdale, California where she listened to her grandmother’s stories of pre-1900 ranch life in Nevada, played in the barn and climbed trees. These activities were far preferable to practicing the piano and cleaning her room, duties she tried to avoid.
Like many writers, Winona was an avid reader as a child. When her family visited friends and relatives, she would head straight for their bookcases, hoping to find something to read–and she usually did. Everyone seemed to own a set of Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, but she also dipped into Charles Dickens and Sir Walter Scott. Reading during these visits was wonderful and exciting, but it also rescued her from having to sit still and listen to what she considered boring, adult conversations.
After finishing college, Winona married and moved to Massachusetts; she lived for several years in New Hampshire and Arkansas before returning to California. She has lived happily in Riverside ever since.
After Winona’s children were in school, she returned to school herself, completing a PhD in English literature. Her focus was Victorian literature, which allowed her to once again spend long hours reading Charles Dickens, along with his friend and fellow author, Wilkie Collins. For years, she taught literature in the college classroom, transmitting her love of books to her students.
Travel and roses might compete with reading and writing for Winona’s affection. She and her husband garden together at home and are travel companions on the road. Most important, however, is spending time with their children and grandchildren—and sometimes that’s on the road, as well.
Some random facts about me:
- I can’t decide on a favorite place we have traveled to. They’re all wonderful, but in different ways.
- I hated reading animal books when I was a kid, because the animals always died. I loved animals, though, so I read the sad books anyway.
- I could never learn to roller skate or water ski.
- I’m the middle child of three—a brother 5 years older and a brother 5 years younger— well, make that 4 years and 9 months older and 4 years and 9 months younger.
- I can tell when the temperature is 0°F or below, just not how far below.
- I played the flute in high school band and, for a couple of years, with a local semi-pro orchestra. We were described as semi-pro because we got paid gas money—I got $5 per concert because I played 2nd flute.
- I met my future husband on a train in Chicago when we were both 17.
- As a kid, I would go barefoot all summer, only putting on shoes for church.
- Although I love flowers, I hate getting dirt under my fingernails. Of course, I wear gardening gloves, but they never do a good enough job of keeping the dirt out.
- I am a member of the Four Thousand Footer Club—look it up!
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Award-winning author Lukman Clark lives with his wife, Dr. Linda Strahan, and two cats in Riverside, California. He works as a fulltime writer and gardener in his own backyard. Long ago, Lukman earned his BA in Communications/English Lit and an MBA in International Marketing. From there he went on to executive positions in banking, finance & investment, petroleum equipment manufacture, art museum management, farmers markets management, and nonprofit strategy & fundraising consulting.
Following completion of Egyptian Elegies, Lukman began writing his debut novel, THE ALEXANDRIA SCROLLS. Once started, however, the project turned into a trilogy that just would not let go of him. Written in a Magical Realism/Visionary Fiction mode the novels deal with reincarnation, the bardo and development of the soul transcending time and geography.
Based on Book One of the trilogy, Lukman presented the results of his research into the legend of Hypatia of Alexandria at the 2018 Hawaii International Conference on Arts & Humanities.
De’Vannon Hubert is the author of Sex, Drugs and Jesus, a memoir about his struggles with
drug addiction, drug dealing, homelessness, serving in the Armed Forces, contracting HIV and HEP B, and rejection from his church for his sexuality.
De’Vannon is also the host of the Sex, Drugs and Jesus Podcast and is the owner of DownUnder Apparel – A lingerie and sportswear store for men and women. Aside from this, De'Vannon is an Honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force and a graduate of both Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. He also graduated from the Medical Training College of Baton Rouge and is a Licensed Massage Therapist. De’Vannon’s story is one of surviving the social outskirts and finding one’s way back to a balanced path.
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Beth SKMorris is the author of three poetry books: IN FLORIDA (2010),
NOWHERE TO BE FOUND (2014) and the recently released IN THE AFTERMATH- 9/11 THROUGH A VOLUNTEER’S EYES commemorating the 20th anniversary in September 2021; a Pinnacle award winner, Firebird Book Award winner, and Eric Hoffer finalist. IN THE AFTERMATH is now included in the Poetry of 9/11 archive at the Library of Congress.
Her poems have appeared in Artemis, Avocet, Broadkill Review, Crosswinds, High Shelf, Pank, Poetica and Songs of Eretz among others. Beth holds Masters degrees in Speech Science, English Language & Literature, and a Ph.D in Speech, Language, & Hearing Science. She is a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Center and Poets House in New York and the Academy of American Poets.
Title: In the Aftermath-9/11Through a Volunteer's Eyes
email: bethsabard@aol.com
Phone: 561-504-0378
website: www.bethsabard.info
www.PoeticaPublishing.com (for signed copies)
Amazon Books- by author's name Beth SKMorris
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44_qDw-8T4o
The book also available as a donation to: NYC Fire Museum (contact the museum shop at 212-691-1303 or www.nycfiremuseum.org) or the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum- 212-312-8800 or info@9/11memorial.org to get connected with the museum store
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Having been diagnosed with cancer twice, with the second time being a terminal diagnosis in 2016, I promised myself that if I lived 5 years, I would write a book and share how I outlived my diagnosis.
According to the statistics on my cancer type, salivary duct carcinoma, I had a 20 percent chance of surviving five years, with most people dying in the first three.
Well, it’s 2022 and as an exceptional survivor, here I am publishing the book I promised.
In addition to giving back to the hospital that saved my life by donating a portion of the book’s profits to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in Toronto, Canada, I also wanted to leave a legacy for my two children, Ethan and Hila.
I offer readers emotional connection through a style that is transparent, honest, and relatable. With survival being the central theme, I delve into many aspects, including the things I did to best position myself to outlive my terminal diagnosis in 2016 and attain my current state of radical remission. Many cancer patients are desperate for all sorts of information from learning about their disease and treatments all the way through to managing their emotions. My main goals for the book are to address the desire of cancer patients and their families to consume accurate information that serve to inspire, teach, and offer practical steps to help them live longer and better.
Cancer patients and their families understand all too well that cancer and its impact are scary. I take readers through a journey involving many aspects of cancer that have been woven into my own life’s story. Through sharing in ways that expose emotional vulnerability, my overarching goal is for readers to connect with me and take what they need from my story and apply it to their own life.
Publishing On the Other Side of TERMINAL represents a pinnacle in my life. Out of necessity, which itself was rooted in misguided emotional protection, I was generally private and rather guarded with the details of my medical problems. Coming to terms with it took a lot of work and at points, I didn’t think that I had the capacity to have conversations with family and friends about the terminal nature of my disease. However, after much introspection fuelled by the psychological work at The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, I am now able to share and help others. It wasn’t easy but I did it. For some readers, they too will find themselves in a deep and dark place and I hope that my book offers them hope to reach for the light. I’m just a normal person who has been dealt some pretty bad cards for the past 30 years. And if I could come out of the dark and experience the freedom that comes along with the process, then you can too. I know you can and I’m going to do my best to help you get there.
I value each reader who chooses to read On the Other Side of TERMINAL because they have chosen to spend part of their life connecting with me to improve their own life touched by cancer. But for me, the act of connecting is a two-way street. So, I invite everyone to share their own story back with me so that I may learn and grow from them in return. I am considering putting together a compilation of what are certain to be incredibly inspirational stories of cancer survival in a future book. Please send your story to allen@AllenChankowsky.com
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Donna lives in a small, Iowa town with her husband Marty; an ordained minister, who also does construction work and painting. A stage four cancer survivor, she started to write when, during treatments, she could do nothing else. After decades in management positions for large companies, she suddenly had nothing to manage and asked God to guide her to a new purpose. A beneficiary of many miracles, and grateful to be alive in order to learn more of Jesus, she now knows her purpose is to write for His glory and she joyfully shares the Gospel of Grace with anyone who will listen. A licensed pastor, Donna speaks at churches, women’s groups and other Christian events. She and her husband have raised a blended family of six children, twenty-six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Their lives have been filled with unique challenges and wonderful blessings as they’ve discovered more of God’s exquisite love, in a lost and broken world.
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Martha Thompson, an ordained Prophetess, has been walking with the Lord all her life. Prophetess is a two-time winner for her first book called Behind The Prophetess’ Mask. As God raises her as a Bold Soldier, God uses her mightily as an Intercessor for the Kingdom of God. Her story gives you the hope desperately needed for transformation in your life to fight the good fight, be courageous and bold for the kingdom of God.
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I’m Roger Wilson-Crane and whilst I was born in Harpenden I was raised in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, so hopefully, I would be described as an honorary Yorkshireman.
My passion for writing has always been with me, stemming from writing and directing a school play at the tender age of 14. This enthusiasm resurfaced in late 2019 when I decided to take a reduced role in my company, giving me more time to write the stories that had been whirling around my head for over 20 years.
In addition to being the obligatory bookworm, I have always been interested in the creation of film, TV, and theatre. I enjoy studying scripts and listening to different writers on how they develop their styles and develop stories and characters.
I have also enjoyed the odd venture into amateur dramatics, playing lead roles in productions across Yorkshire and beyond, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys & Dolls and The Full Monty, the latter culminating in a NODA nomination for best actor.
My debut novel, Certified, was published in August 2021. It became an Amazon best seller and is the 2021 Mark Twain GRAND PRIZE Winner, International CIBA book awards, plus the 2022 Bronze Medal Winner, Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards, both in the humour and comedy category. I am currently working on my second novel, A Life Retrieved, to be published in 2023.
I am honoured to be involved in a private Facebook dog group where I research and write personal memorials for all those wonderful canines that have sadly passed over the rainbow bridge.
My monthly blog, Man in a Mirror, is a wry and sometimes nostalgic look at life, focusing on the weird and wonderful things we can all relate to.
I am hugely proud of my 21-year-old daughter Holly, who has grown up in a world of live theatre, comedy, and music. She has just completed her degree at Leeds Beckett University, studying Physical Education and focusing on dance and is ready for the next chapter in her life.
I settled in South Yorkshire 25 years ago and live with my wife Victoria, who finally inspired me to follow my dreams and become an author.
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Freelance Writer • Blogger • Wife • Mother • Friend • Wayfinder • Personal Note Writer • Virginian • Birder • Alto • Guitar Player • Christian/Episcopalian • Bank Board Chairman • Community Activist • W4EHC • Connector • Encourager
Rooted in the land and the countryside
Born and raised on a cattle farm, Elizabeth grew up connected to the land and the four seasons of the Virginia Piedmont region in Fauquier County. Her undergraduate degree in Biology came from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, where she was nurtured as a woman and a community leader.
While getting her Master’s degree in Human Anatomy at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, she met her husband, Dr. John Cottrell, Jr. After he finished his specialty training in Internal Medicine, they moved back to Virginia for him to open his practice in the Woodstock, the county seat of Shenandoah County in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
Family and community
Elizabeth immersed herself in community work, and she and Dr. John started their family of two, a daughter and a son, now grown and off doing amazing things with families of their own, including two grandsons. During their years in school, Elizabeth served on the Board of Trustees of her college as well as on several other nonprofit boards. She was appointed to the Shenandoah County School Board and served for nine years.
Professional writing life and passions
A combination of entrepreneurial leanings and a desire to help defray college costs led her back to the workforce as a technical writer and later to the opening of her own desktop publishing business in 1990. RiverwoodWriter, LLC now offers primarily freelance writing and editing services to individual and small business clients. She has led spiritual writing retreats and supports a group called Faithful Writers. She currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of First Bank/First National Corporation and is passionate about her work with the Shenandoah Community Foundation and the Moore Educational Trust. She is also a personal note-writing evangelist and welcomes like-minded enthusiasts to join her Facebook group called “The Art of the Heartspoken Note.”
“Here I am today,” she says, “old enough to retire, but still feeling strongly called to use my writing to encourage others and help them discover the keys that unlock their heartspoken life. I’m living proof that you’re never too old to learn new things! We are blessed to live at the edge of a pine woods on the north fork of the Shenandoah River. John and I love to walk, watch the birds, and travel to visit our children and grandchildren.”
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Michael R. Schultheiss is a lifelong daydreamer. He has been escaping into other worlds since he was a boy.
His early influences include Tolkien, Terry Brooks, and David Eddings on the fantasy side of things, and Ray Bradbury and H.G. Wells for science fiction.
Over time, he graduated to George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Alec Hutson, Jim Butcher, Steven Erikson, and R. Scott Bakker.
In addition to fantasy and science fiction, he is a lifelong history buff. His obsessions include the Roman Empire, Medieval Europe, Persia (ancient and medieval), the early Islamic world, the Ottoman Empire, and Early Modern Europe.
He grew up in the Sierra foothills around Grass Valley, California. He spent much of his childhood either reading or chasing insects, lizards, and snakes.
Michael currently lives in Oregon with his wife, Beka, and their puppy Oswald. He likes to read multiple books at the same time – usually at least one historical non-fiction and a couple of novels.
At any time, there’s a good chance he’s plotting his next novel.
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Marcie's debut novel, Em’s Awful Good Fortune, is based on her experiences living overseas as a tagalong wife. Her play Girls Together Always—a collection of coming-of-age stories about “growing up girl”—won the ENCORE! Producer’s Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Maxfield lives in Los Angeles where she volunteers for WriteGirl, a non-profit organization that mentors underserved youth through creative writing. She is married with two kids, a French bulldog, and two rescue cats named Hunky and Dory.
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Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning author, publisher, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research.
She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering the world-wide effort to legitimate fiction as a research practice. A prolific author, Dr. Leavy has published over 40 books.
She has earned critical and commercial success in both nonfiction and fiction, and her work has been translated into numerous languages. Dr. Leavy’s works have garnered a slew of book awards including USA Best Book Awards, Independent Press Awards, International Impact Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, International Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, and American Fiction Awards.
Recently, Celestial Bodies: The Tess Lee and Jack Miller Novels was the 2022 Firebird Awards first-place winner for Romance.
On the academic side, Dr. Leavy earned her Ph.D. in Sociology at Boston College in 2002. She was a tenured Associate Professor of Sociology at Stonehill College from 2002-2012 where she also served as Founding Director of the Gender Studies Program and the Chairperson of the Sociology & Criminology Department. Dr. Leavy previously taught at Boston College, Northeastern University, and Curry College. In 2012 Dr. Leavy left academia to focus her full-time efforts on her work as an author and public intellectual.
Dr. Leavy serves on the advisory board for the Arts and Humanities in Medicine Program at The University of Maine.
In addition to her own writing, Dr. Leavy is widely recognized for her pioneering work creating innovative publishing opportunities for other scholars and artists, through the ten book series for which she has served as creator and series editor over the course of her career for Oxford University Press, Guilford Press, and Brill/Sense. The Social Fictions series she created, for which she served as editor for 10 years, is the first and only academic book series to solely publish full-length literary works. The ground-breaking series received global attention, earned a national creativity award, and produced many award-winning and best-selling titles under Dr. Leavy’s tenure as editor and creative visionary. In 2021 she launched Paper Stars Press, her own publishing imprint.
A vocal advocate of public scholarship, Dr. Leavy has appeared on national news, radio, and is regularly quoted by the print and online news media (for example, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today). She is also routinely interviewed about her work by popular and scholarly media. She has blogged for The Huffington Post, The Creativity Post, We Are the Real Deal, and other outlets.
Dr. Leavy has received numerous career awards. In recognition of her significant contributions to the discipline of sociology The New England Sociological Association named Dr. Leavy the 2010 New England Sociologist of the Year. Dr. Leavy received a 2014 Special Achievement Award from the American Creativity Association which honors creativity and innovation in every field. The Special Achievement award recognizes her extraordinary work advancing arts-based research and the ground-breaking Social Fictions series. Arts-based scholars from all over the world, including many of the Social Fictions authors, sent in letters of support calling Dr. Leavy “a visionary” and the Social Fictions series “a watershed moment in the academy.”
In 2015 Dr. Leavy was announced as the youngest recipient of the Special Career Award given by the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. The award recognizes her entire body of work, and particularly honors her advancement of qualitative and arts-based research. In that same year Dr.
Kyomi O’Connor moved to the States from Japan in February 1990 to work as a post-doctoral researcher at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. Soon, she fell in love with her husband-to-be, Patrick. Their journey together led them to change their careers, move to San Diego, and practice Buddhism. They grew spiritually together, and became leaders in their Buddhist community and inseparable partners through the many hardships they faced together. Patrick fell ill in the summer of 2013 with the diagnosis of stage IV metastatic melanoma in the brain, and passed away three years later on July 4, 2016. After his death, writing helped Kyomi rediscover light in her life. These days, she spends her time writing (she’s an active writer online at Medium), practicing yoga and Qi Gong, cooking, traveling, and taking photographs. Kyomi lives in San Diego with her two cats, Tommy and Omi.
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As a graduate from the U.S.A.F. Academy class of 1993, Sebastian went on to serve a tour of active duty, followed by tours in the Air National Guard and Reserve service. He retired in 2016. Throughout his military career, he integrated his imaginative inspirations, exploiting his creativity to find innovative solutions to the challenges in various assignments and literary projects. An avid science fiction fan, he honed his craft by taking inspiration and sketching imaginative storylines throughout his various tours of duty. After completing master's degrees from National University in software engineering, business administration, program administration and public administration, he decided to augment his career in public service by releasing the first title. When not writing, he can be found enjoying family and his furry canine friends, exploring the great outdoors, or reviewing cutting-edge innovations or discoveries in science and technology.
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I was raised in Unicoi County, surrounded by the traditions and dialect of the area. I embraced the regional stories, mountain views, culture-except sweet tea and unannounced visits-and sought to correct the misconceptions about the local people and the town stories that turned into rumors.
I reside in Erwin, Tennessee, with my children and husband. I have hiked the section of the Appalachian Trail near my home, visited many of the caves and other mountain trails in the area, and am fascinated by their enigmatic appeal.
I like reading, writing, and any reasonable music. Most of all, I enjoy sharing stories and adventures with my children and making memories through their experiences.
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Carmen María Navarro has worked in marketing and brand story telling in top 500 companies since graduating with her MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2004. She serves on the Board of Center for Human Services, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth and eliminating youth homelessness.
Carmen María is a stepmom of four, a biological mom of two, and a foster mom of a few children who she loves, sometimes at a distance. With her memoir, Fostering: A Memoir of Courage and Hope, she endeavors to bring awareness to the issues surrounding the foster care system and share her passion for protecting vulnerable youth.
She enjoys dancing, especially tango, food and wine, and traveling.
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I started writing poetry in college as a way to deal with troubling emotions and traumatic memories from my childhood. In graduate school, I was more courageous, and I wrote scenes from memory, trying to recapture the mood of much of my life with a mentally ill parent. During the day, I taught high schoolers about literature; in the evening, I studied and wrote, eventually amassing more than 200,000 words about my journey from homelessness and foster care to safety and love. Those words, critiqued, edited, and rewritten countless times, have come to shape the memoir I am proud to share with the world.
I write about love, loss, and the consequences of trauma, with an emphasis on healing and hope. Currently, I work in the publishing industry, helping others achieve their dreams of putting amazing stories into readers’ hands.
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Since establishing his company, TALENT, in 1986, Tony has written hundreds of television and radio commercials and collateral pieces as part of multimedia advertising campaigns, conducted national media relations programs, conceived and developed successful promotional events, and won several awards at many levels, including the prestigious International Newspaper Marketing Association Award in 2005 for direct-response marketing. Tony's work has been frequently published in newspapers and magazines. Past subjects have included food, wine, destination travel, general business, and celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Kirk Douglas, Scott Eastwood and Playboy's 2015 Playmate of the Year, Dani Mathers, among others. Additionally, Tony's versatile voice has been heard on television and radio commercials, industrial videos, feature films, and in venues from London to Los Angeles at major sporting events, including the volleyball competitions of the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games. Tony was born in Chicago, raised in Denver, and is a graduate of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M. He has resided in the San Diego area since 1981.
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Rebecca Johnston graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors in English and Modern European History in 2015, and in 2017 she graduated with her Masters in English from the University of Texas at Tyler. Currently Rebecca is pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Exeter while also serving as the Vice President of the Florida Hemingway Society. She has had academic articles published both nationally and internationally, and she has received research grants from the Hemingway Society and the JFK Library in Boston. Rebecca is an English Professor at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, while living nearby on an island off the coast of Florida.
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After studying journalism at Texas A&M University, Jody was a television news reporter and anchor in Bryan-College Station Texas; Charleston South Carolina; and San Antonio Texas. In addition to writing, her other passion is advocating for people with special needs. She met her son, Marius, while reporting on Romania’s orphanages post-communism and saw firsthand the effects of the lack of nurturing and nutrition on the young orphans. For several years Jody served on the board of directors of North Texas Special Needs Assistance Partners (SNAP), a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live the fullest lives possible in their communities. Jody lives near Fort Worth with her husband. The Lives of Diamond Bessie is her first novel.
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Mikael Carlson is an award-winning political fiction author, including a silver medal from Readers' Favorite and National Indie Excellence, American Fiction, Lyra, and Global E-book Awards. He was named one of the ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ by The Authors Show in 2018.
Mikael is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and retired Army National Guardsman. He conducted over 50 airborne operations following the completion of jump school at Fort Benning in 1998, and trained on several occasions with the British Airborne, earning British Parachutist wings. Mikael participated in several international jump competitions and traveled to Arnhem for an anniversary jump celebrating the Allied sacrifice during Operation Market Garden in World War II.
He graduated with a Master of Arts in American History in 2010 and a B.S. in International Business from Marist College in 1996. An avid traveler and unabashed political junkie, you can find him at www.mikaelcarlson.com.
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Pete grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before joining the Army out of high school. After a couple enlisted years, he switched gears and decided to go the officer route. He graduated from West Point four years later and subsequently spent five years as an Army Transportation Officer. He eventually moved back to Green Bay with his wife and first child to pursue life in the corporate world. The next several years turned out to be quite life changing.
Pete was blessed with two more children during that time, but those wonderful events were sandwiched between the losses of his mom, brother-in-law, and dad. Those deaths served as a catalyst toward an awakening of sorts. A lot of growth and healing led to a need to do something he was passionate about, something that resonated deeply, something that spoke to his soul. Writing had been nothing more than a pipe dream for a long time, but it suddenly became the thing that called to him the most.
So, he quit his job and moved to Costa Rica with his wife and three children in January 2020 to pursue that dream. It wasn't the smoothest of starts to his writing career, however. Pete's mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly just three weeks later, and that was then followed by the world shutting down. But through it all, he finally managed to complete his first book (Journey to Elani).
He's now in Florida and his passion for writing and world creation is as high as ever. He has already begun work on his next writing project, in the genre that drew him to want to write. The Return of Abaddon, the first book in his epic fantasy series, The Scars of Hiraeth, was released in March of 2022 and won First Place in the Firebird Book Awards in three categories (Fantasy, Magical Realism, and Metaphysical Fantasy).
Look for the second book, A Surprising Ally, late in the year.
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My goal as an author is to encourage and entertain my readers. In 2011, I began writing nonfiction, but my fictional writing started in 2016 while facilitating a novel-writing class with my students. The voices wouldn't stop talking! Vivid characters and their dialogue exploded, and writing their stories was my only relief. My psychiatrist friend assured me, "Kelda, you aren't crazy for hearing voices; you're a writer." That's all the confirmation I needed.
I grew up a military kid, and after many more moves, my husband and I made our home in south Louisiana. Our community has been a fantastic place to raise our children and allow our lives to be deeply rooted. We have four children and all the adventures parenting offers. My passions for young people began early, and I have always had the opportunity to work with children of all ages, from the very young to the young at heart. My background is in elementary education with a masters in elementary counseling. Faith and education are genuinely my driving forces.
We have homeschooled our children through graduation, and I have the privilege to influence other families and encourage their decisions to homeschool their children. For the past decade, I have worked weekly with students, tutoring a variety of subjects. I tutor a lot of math, literally hours and hours of algebra! Maybe writing is my brain's attempt to compensate and regain territory claimed by logic, fractions, and variables. I do tell "math world" stories to help explain complicated math rules and remind them not to break the rules. Through church, community involvement, and teaching, I am entrusted with mentoring the next generation. I may not have birthed them, but I claim them as my own.
When I'm not writing, I listen to audiobooks and watch movies, so many movies! Audiobooks allow me to learn and experience words while my hands are busy. I've always sewn and done handwork. Knitting, quilting, and crochet are my current crafts of choice while playing great music in the background like a soundtrack. Writing is a compulsion that occurs amid the chaos of life and dogs and constant interruptions.
Life is filled with opportunities to love. Be embraced!
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Larry Freeland was born in Canton, Ohio. Since his father was an officer with the United States Air Force he grew up on many Air Force bases across this country. After graduating from High School at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, he attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in mathematics and a concentration in finance. He joined the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and a CH-47 helicopter pilot. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and various other military service medals.
Upon release from active duty in 1973, Larry returned to civilian life and pursued a career in the Financial Industry. During his professional career, he continued his education earning graduate degrees in Management and Banking. He worked for 29 years in the banking business with Trust Company of Georgia, Citizen and Southern Corporation, now Bank of America, and Wachovia, now Wells Fargo. After retiring from banking he worked as an independent financial consultant for 3 years in the Atlanta area and then worked as an instructor for 6 years with Lanier Technical College in their Management and Leadership Development Program.
Larry is now retired and lives in North Georgia with his wife Linda, a retired school teacher. They stay involved in various activities, most notably those associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Veterans related organizations. They also enjoy traveling together and spending as much time as possible with their two daughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters.
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Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a multi-award winning children’s author of eight books : My Life at Sweetbrier–A Life Changed by Horses, Charlie the Horse, Charlene the Star, Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes, Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog, A Tractor Named Wilbur and Un Tractor Llamado Wilbur and Wilbur’s new Home. Many of her fictional books are beautifully illustrated by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj who also designed Deanie’s covers. Wilbur’s new Home is wonderfully jointly illustrated by Wanda L. Urabazo and Holly Humphrys-Bajaj. The series of Charlene the Star books is told by the animal characters.
Deanie’s writing has earned the coveted Mom’s Choice Awards for My Life at Sweetbrier and A Tractor Named Wilbur. Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes won the Reserve Champion Winnie Award at the Equus Film Festival in Children’s Fiction. In that same contest, My Life at Sweetbrier won the Winnie Award in Equine English Biography. Other accolades include the Feathered Quill Silver Medal, Readers Favorites silver medals, and New Apple Solo (Gold) Medal, among others.
Deanie believes the message that perseverance is the key to accomplishing amazing things and has made it her mission to share this message, one that can benefit every child. Through her inspiring, real life and fictional works, children learn that anything is possible when they refuse to give up on their dreams. Deanie knows from her own life experience that we can attain much more than we ever imagined possible by never quitting.
Deanie’s stories remind readers that tenacity is the key to success. She shares proof that obstacles can be overcome. With the goal of being a positive role model for generations of children, Deanie loves to write entertaining stories that emphasize values that build self-esteem and confidence in young readers. She works tirelessly to create stories that appeal to children in an engaging manner.
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Dr. Arlene McCain is a board-certified family physician who is committed to partnering with individuals as they discern personal motivations for healthy change and passionately supports their inspired progress towards a thriving life. She has a whole health perspective that honors body, mind, and spirit. Arlene earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and minor in theology from Georgetown University. She graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School and served as chief resident at EVMS-Portsmouth Family Medicine. She became one of the first nationally board-certified health and wellness coaches (NBC-HWC) in the nation. Using holistic therapies, she holds space for spiritual transformation. As a result of her dedication to these diverse modalities, she creates a safe and sacred space in which health and healing can emerge.
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Anita Dickason is a retired police officer with a total of twenty-seven years of law enforcement experience, twenty-two with Dallas PD. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics officer, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer and first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT team.
Awards
Law Enforcement Professional Achievement Award—The Texas House of Representatives
Officer of the Year—Texas Women in Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year—International Association of Women in Police
Runner-up Officer of the Year—Dallas Police Department
Officer of the Month—Dallas Police Department
Multiple Police Commendations, Certificates of Merit and citizen/business commendations from the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas community.
Instructor Certifications
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Defensive Tactics
Police Batons
Spontaneous Knife Defense
Field Sobriety Procedures
Drug Recognition Expert program
Advanced Accident Investigation
Anita is a Past President of Texas Women in Law Enforcement, and Past Treasurer for the International Association of Women in Police. She served as an adjunct instructor for Texas A&M University and Sam Houston University.
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Mark Canniff has always had a deep fascination with the paranormal. Having been the witness to strange and supernatural events since the tender age of six, he has dedicated his writing to exploring these odd occurrences and sharing his experiences. After suffering through harrowing sexual abuse at a young age, Mark uses his stories as a therapeutic outlet to share his passion for the supernatural while healing from his past.
Mark hopes to inspire and entertain his readers, offering them a profound glimpse into the unseen world of ghosts and spirits, beginning with his book, Dream, Recurring. He channels his past trauma as a unique way to express himself, practice forgiveness, grow, and let go of the pain.
When not writing, Mark enjoys spending time as an amateur photographer, practicing Reiki, and working in his job in the Aviation Industry. He also hopes to turn his novel into a screenplay. Mark was born in Seattle, Washington, where he spent most of his childhood. His teenage years and young adult life were in England. He resides in Washington State with the love of his life, Lisa, and their fur pups. Their son lives less than an hour away.
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I am Daughter of the Most High King. Cherished and loved by My Heavenly Father. Protected and adored by My Heavenly Husband. Yeshua.
Best-Seller on Amazon Published Author/Certified Inspirational/Motivational Speaker/Women's Group Leader/Ministry Healing Broken Women
A mother of two amazing adult children, gramma of 6 beautiful grandchildren. A survivor of, and with a brain tumor, 4 year survivor of Breast Cancer.
Love to attend Street Rod/Hot Rod shows. Love NASCAR and drag races. My favorite thing to do is to be outdoors in my yard working and caring for the beautiful home God has given me to use to help others.
The book “Prayers To A Heavenly Father”, came about during the journey that God has taken me on. Doing work through a recovery program after a divorce, I began writing prayers out through the 12 step program created by Dr. Doug Weiss. Thus, it led to writing them out into a book. My newest book “Honoring My Heavenly Father” God gave me the title before I even finished writing the first book. I love how the Holy Spirit works if we will just listen to Him. This book is now printed and that has been because God brought Daniel Gomez of Gomez Enterprises into my life through His leading.
Tonni Lea is a writer at heart. Always loved following my Grandma Gladys footsteps. When I was young I would always write poems. When my youngest granddaughter had heart surgery, I wrote a story about her journey, The Miracle Girl.
I give all Praise and Honor to my Heavenly Father. He takes all the broken pieces and He puts them back to together His way. He has given me a heart to encourage and help broken women. As God puts them back together, He will lead them to others so they can encourage them. It is how Our Father’s does His greatest work, through our Brokenness.
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At age eight, Deborah S. Greenhut announced her ambition to become an author. Her mother replied, “Become a teacher instead to make a living.” Crestfallen, ten-year-old Deborah perfected her skill with a spangled baton to twirl solo as her school’s mascot. A one-time concert-pianist-in-training, Deborah longed to trade up for a conductor’s baton, but that career path seemed closed to women in the 1960s. After earning her B.A. in English from Middlebury College then a PhD from Rutgers University, she pursued her original dream by becoming a writer, a teacher, and, later, a dean. Her poems and cultural reviews have appeared in print and online at www.oobr.com , medium.com , and Red Booth Review. Her way-off Broadway production of Difficult Subjects, was selected for the Best Plays of the Strawberry Festival, Volume 2. A multi-genre work, How I Live. With Terror, developed as an artist-in-residence at 92 Street Y/Makor, appeared in www.Zeek.net. In 2017, she received the Princemere Poetry Prize. The Hoarder’s Wife is her first novel. Deborah now lives in a clean house in New Jersey where she can focus on making art in a room of her own.
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Geraldine Brown Giomblanco is the best-selling, multi-award-winning author and a captivating, inspirational speaker. A former Vice President and thirty-year veteran as a strategic planner and marketing professional. She was born and raised in Westchester County, NY. Geraldine and her husband now make their home in Montauk, NY, and Naples, FL. ‘The Compass Rose’ screenplay, written by DGA director Ante Novakovic is based on her Memoir ‘Geraldina & the Compass Rose.’
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Eli left Austin and moved to Albuquerque with hopes to join the Art Therapy Program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) but much to her disappointment learned the program was to be discontinued. Instead, she pursued a MS in Health Education Health Promotion Program and blended her interest in the arts with health. Eli met her husband in this program and married at the end of her studies.
After graduating she worked for UNM’s Employee Health Promotion Program and successfully initiated the first Art for Health class for staff, an open art studio designed to reduce stress. At the same time she worked as an artist in the Arts in Medicine Program at UNM’s trauma hospital with nurses, therapists, and doctors to help support caretakers with the arts, music and massage. After 2 years Eli became a manager in this program and helped the program grow in popularity.
Throughout her studies and work, Eli was her mother and fathers primary in home caretaker for over 15 years and was blessed to be able to witness a peaceful passing for both and heal all past hurts. Eli is committed in sowing the seeds to inspire arts involvement of all styles as a therapeutic practice in our daily lives. It was a lifetime goal to write Frida and Me to encourage the use of art for healing trauma. Working professionally as Eli Weintraub Maurx, she can be contacted through her website at www.eliweintraubmaurx.com
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GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF 2022's First Quarter Book Awards
To get a free chapter of the book – visit THE WEBSITE
JULIE SCOLNIK is a concert flutist and the founding artistic director of Mistral Music, a chamber music series which since 1997 has been known for its virtuosic artists, imaginative programming, and the personal rapport she establishes with her audiences. Since her treatment and recovery from breast cancer in 2005, Scolnik has found ways to play and organize benefit concerts which raise funds for support for underserved women with the disease. She lives in Boston with her husband, physicist Michael Brower, and her two cats, Daphne and Chloë. They have two adult children, also musicians: pianist Sophie Scolnik-Brower and cellist Sasha Scolnik-Brower. The three of them perform frequently together. Ms. Scolnik has released two solo CDs, one entitled ‘Salut d'Amour & Other Songs of Love,' with her daughter, and the other, "Bejeweled: Short Concert Gems" with harp. She will release the complete Bach flute Sonatas with her daughter in the fall of 2022.
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Born and raised in Oakland, CA Natasha learned the importance of resilience at a young age. As a teen, she struggled with homelessness, addiction and a suicide attempt. By her early 20’s she was determined to turn her life around. With faith, hard work and a radical shift in mindset she created the life of her dreams. She opened Shear Passion Hair Salon at 25 years old, which is still successfully running today. She continued to conquer life, one fun challenge at a time, while helping other women do the same. Natasha is a 2x bestselling author, Certified Coach, NLP Practitioner and founder of Manifesting Miracles. Whether providing free haircuts in homeless shelters or creating amazing results through her coaching- Natasha’s mission is to have a positive impact on everyone she encounters.
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Jacqueline Shortell-McSweeney is a proud member of Sisters in Crime, Women’s National Book Association and Honorary Member of Women Make Movies and Suffolk Bar Association.
Jacqueline Shortell-McSweeney writes only when inspired, or when her Muse, Noreen, stands over her with a metaphorical rolling pin. At other times, she has worked as a producer for Women Make Movies (Where WHY WOMEN STAY was produced and directed.); a video artist at Henry St. Settlement; first union woman grip on the East Coast, and then, as a lawyer, in hopes she could sue some of those responsible for her Me-Too moments in the union. Finally, as an attorney for Women’s Venture Fund, Ms. Shortell-McSweeney worked with women entrepreneurs to help build their businesses. Now retired to her writing desk, Shortell-McSweeney has been published in eight anthologies, the latest being BEAT GENERATION. Her detective story, DR. ALTMAN AND THE CONCUBINES, is recently published in bookstores. Now, The Muse wants to see her continue with her thriller, THE PLAYGIRL MURDERS, and her poetry. Most important, she is to spend precious time with her loving family.
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Firebird book award winner David Petrovic talks about the book co-authored with his mom, Sandy. A powerful conversation!
Steve is a multi-award winning and international selling author. He is the creator of the Polish Dragon P. I. series and was born in the Slavic Village area of Cleveland, Ohio where many of his stories take place. He is a member of the Private Eye Writers of America. He has wanted to be an author since elementary school while reading books like White Fang and Call of the Wild by Jack London. He spends his retirement time writing short stories on a variety of subjects he hopes his readers will enjoy.
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Wendy Sanford grew up in an upper-middle-class white suburban family in Princeton, New Jersey. During the socially turbulent time of the 1970s, she became a feminist, a lesbian, and a Quaker. A founding member of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Wendy co authored and edited many versions of Our Bodies, Ourselves, the women's health and sexuality classic. In her fifties, she began to reckon with her own white skin and the benefits that came to her through being white. Her memoir, These Walls Between Us: A Memoir of Friendship Across Race and Class came out in October of 2021. Wendy is grandmother to three young women. She lives in Cambridge, MA, with Polly Attwood, her spouse of forty-two years.
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ALSO $500 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
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Mary Lou Wells is an award-winning author of poetry, non-fiction, and a semi-fiction dark fantasy epic series. In 2021 she won a Firebird Book Award in the Series category for the second installment of the Annals of Aeternum series with Spear of Destiny: Finding Bucephalus, the sequel to Spear of Chaos: Legend of the Undead, her debut novel.
Mary Lou's first non-fiction book, The Illustrated Guide to the Morab Horse, has won acclaim in the horse industry for her thorough research into Arabian, Morab, and Morgan horses. Readers claim that it is the most important book of historical significance to Morgan horses since J. Battell founded the Morgan Horse Register in the early years of American independence. Mary Lou is a former horse breeder, graphic artist, and manager at a medical transcription company. She was the senior editor of The Morab Horse magazine for a year and has also written for The Caney Creek Sampler and The Horse magazine.
Mary Lou lives in Tennesse with three kids, their dog, and writing buddy Twilight. She spends time with her soulmate, best friend, and biggest fan who loves to contribute ideas to her stories.
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Meg Nocero, a magical manifester, is a former federal prosecutor, a TEDx inspirational speaker, a transformational coach, and the award-winning author of The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit & Inner Bliss and Sparkle & Shine: 108 M.A.N.T.R.A.s to Brighten Your Day and Lighten Your Way. After she was brought on stage in Miami with Oprah Winfrey in 2014, she was inspired to manifest the life of her dreams and founded Butterflies & Bliss LLC and S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc., a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to young innovative leaders in her community. She holds a BA in Spanish from Boston College, an MA in International Affairs from the University of Miami, a JD from St. Thomas University School of Law, and a Happiness Certificate with the Happiness Studies Academy. She is also a Certified Federal Law Enforcement Instructor/Mentor and a Love Button Global Movement Ambassador. In addition to being named Miz CEO Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, Nocero appeared on CNN Español with Ismael Cala, BookCon, and hosts her own YouTube channel and a podcast called Manifesting with Meg: Conversations with Extraordinary People.
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Robert Gainey is a born and raised Floridian, despite his best efforts. While enrolled at Florida State University and studying English (a language spoken in several small countries), Robert began volunteering for the campus medical response team, opening up a great new passion in his life. Following graduation, he pursued further training through paramedic and firefighting programs, going on to become a full time professional firefighter in the State of Florida. He currently lives and works in Northeast Florida with his wife and dogs, who make sure he gets walked regularly. Robert writes near-fetched fantasy novels inspired by the madness and courage found in everyday events.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RNGainey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertngainey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIntangibleAsset
Website: https://www.robertgainey.com/
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095GNZJCN
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S.G. was born in a faraway land of castles, monarchies and fallen dictatorships, aka Hungary. Hollywood movies were forbidden under Soviet oppression during her childhood, but her dad smuggled them in anyway, risking his life so that his children could experience the
magic and hope inherent in those stories.
She watched rebellions unfold in real time. Journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean for love.
She ended up in sunny California, where she is living her dream — writing stories and annoying family members.
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Prior to Gary Lee Miller beginning his writing career, he was a successful businessman and entrepreneur.
Miller’s writing is rooted in life experiences and people who have crossed his paths in his life’s journey. He draws on his ability to translate his observations into very relatable stories by readers.
Gary lives in “the Scenic City of the South” Chattanooga, Tennessee and has two adult daughters and one granddaughter who live close by. You might recognize him from his roles acting in movies and TV; he is listed here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5136329/
Visit his website at: GaryLeeMillerBooks.com
To contact Gary, email: gmiller@gmiller.biz
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Joni Iraci is a retired Registered Nurse who, after raising three children, returned to college to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She earned a BFA in liberal studies with a concentration in literature and creative writing. She then earned an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University in her 60’s and published “Reinventing Jenna Rose,” shortly thereafter. Her second novel is currently under consideration with several traditional publishers. The third is in progress. Several short stories can be found in online literary journals.
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Kiel Barnekov forged his career as an information technology executive pioneering innovative airline and airport technology projects for over 30 years. Mr. Barnekov chaired the Airport Council International – North America Information Technology Committee. Channeling his grandmother (and fellow author), Fleur Conkling, Sheperds of Destiny is the first novel in his reality bending series.
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Caitlin Billings lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a thriving therapy practice specializing in complex trauma. She is working on her second book.
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Deborah Wynne began writing as a young girl, filling dog-eared spiral notebooks with whimsical stories and terrible poetry. A University of Colorado alumna, Ms. Wynne entered the workforce listening to the advice of her parents who said, “Get a good government job.” She subsequently had two distinctly different careers in municipal government before becoming a private sector consultant.
Unlike other authors that have long lists of interesting hobbies, Ms. Wynne claims to have left such things in her past in order to focus on writing and creating the perfect cup of coffee. Using music as her inspirational backdrop, she tends to listen to her favorite artists in repetitive loops—Neil Diamond, Imagine Dragons, Frank Sinatra. Her writing marathons allow her to live vicariously through her characters and stories which bear no recognizable similarity to her real life. Ms. Wynne is married and lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. She has two grown daughters and four grandchildren.
Prior to Ms.Wynne published two books. Her debut novel, Opening Act (Book One of the Pirouettes and Promises Series ) is a 2021 Winner of the Firebird Book Award for Contemporary fiction as well as a 2021 Winner of the Firebird Book Award for New Fiction. She also released Intermission—the sequel to Opening Act (Book Two of the Pirouettes and Promises Series). Encore, the third installment in the Pirouettes and Promises Series , is scheduled for release in the near future. One of her very short stories was included in VSS365 Anthology: Volume One 2019. Currently, she is working on Cassie’s Woods, a conspiracy thriller. The Original Wife is the third book by award-winning author Deborah Wynne released in September 2021.
Follow Ms. Wynne:
deborahwynneauthor.com
Twitter – @WynneDeb
Facebook – @Deborah Wynne Author
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When Eleanor was 21, just out of college, and on her way to her first job—teaching English in Japan—she learned that she had an aunt who had married a man from China and lived in China 40 years. At the time China was closed to the West, so no one knew if her aunt was still alive. Eleanor was determined to find out—and, one day, to tell her story. When Nixon and Mao opened the doors, Eleanor’s Aunt Grace returned to the US. Eleanor soon met her and lived with her aunt the last year of her life. Eleanor has just published a novel Dragonfly Dreams, set in China during WWII, based on the true story of how her aunt’s family with three children survived the Japanese occupation and avoided being sent to an internment camp. Eleanor’s earlier book, Grace in China, tells about her aunt’s 40 years in China and will be republished this August by New South Books. Eleanor has worked in Japan, traveled around the world by herself before she was 25, lived in San Francisco and New York, and currently lives in Chattanooga, TN.
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Donna lives in a small, Iowa town with her husband Marty; an ordained minister, who also does construction work and painting. A stage four cancer survivor, she started to write when, during treatments, she could do nothing else. After decades in management positions for large companies, she suddenly had nothing to manage and asked God to guide her to a new purpose. A beneficiary of many miracles, and grateful to be alive in order to learn more of Jesus, she now knows her purpose is to write for His glory and she joyfully shares the Gospel of Grace with anyone who will listen. A licensed pastor, Donna speaks at churches, women's groups and other Christian events. She and her husband have raised a blended family of six children, twenty-four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Their lives have been filled with unique challenges and wonderful blessings as they've discovered more of God's exquisite love, in a lost and broken world.
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Diane Wald’s novel Gillyflower was published in April 2019 by She Writes Press, and won first place in the novella category from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, first place in the novella category from American Book Fest, first place in Fiction: Novella from International Book Awards, and a bronze medal from Reader’s Favorite. You can read more about Gillyflower at www.gillyflowernovel.com. Since 1966, Diane has published more than 250 poems in literary magazines. She is the recipient of a two-year fellowship in poetry from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and has been awarded the Grolier Poetry Prize, The Denny Award, The Open Voice Award, and the Anne Halley Award. She also received a state grant from the Massachusetts Council on the Arts. She has published four chapbooks and won the Green Lake Chapbook Award from Owl Creek Press. An electronic chapbook (Improvisations on Titles of Works by Jean Dubuffet) appears on the Mudlark website. Her four full-length poetry collections are Lucid Suitcase , The Yellow Hotel, Wonderbender, and The Warhol Pillows. My Famous Brain is her second novel.
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F. Coe Sherrard Jr, a former United States Navy aviator and longtime businessperson retired and living in Edinburg, Virginia. Born in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Coe grew up in the farming community of Rising Sun, Maryland, and graduated from Western Maryland College (now called McDaniel College) in 1971. During college, he adopted the pen name, E. A. Coe, while writing humorous parodies of prose encountered during a semester of Early American literature. Coe left WMC with a degree in Economics and a wife (Jean) and reported to Pensacola, Florida for naval flight training.
During the latter years of the Viet Nam Conflict, Coe flew carrier-based logistical support aircraft serving the East-Coast carrier fleet. At the conclusion of the Viet Nam hostilities, Coe remained in the Naval Reserve, flying E-2C (Hawkeye) airborne early warning aircraft. He retired with the rank of Commander in 1991.
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Adam is a motivational keynote speaker on topics ranging from foster care, child welfare, youth homelessness, and trauma-informed care. As a product of the foster care system who broke the cycle, he empowers audiences to uplift at-promise youth by tapping into community resources to convert the potential in our youth toward positive outcomes. He serves on his local school board and as Vice President of the West Virginia CASA Association board. Adam is also a multi-genre author of books such as his autobiography, Broken Child Mended Man, and the children’s book, Love Will Find Your Home, with more to come. Currently, Adam is working on multiple writing projects including works of fiction, non-fiction, and more children’s books. Adam is also a podcast host for Fostering Success – a show dedicated to encouraging and empowering people toward their definition of success. During his downtime, he enjoys writing, reading, exploring new foods and drinks, traveling, and spending time with his wife and three children.
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Amy Schisler is a novelist, poet, children’s book author, spiritual writer, blogger, reader, and avid traveler with years of professional experience in all manner of writing-related endeavors. Whether she’s writing novels filled with faith and inspiration, books that children will love, or her weekly blog devoted to family life and faith, she loves connecting and resonating with her readers. Amy’s first novel, A Place to Call Home, a romantic suspense, debuted in 2014, and her much-loved Chincoteague Island Trilogy has won numerous literary awards.
Amy lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, Ken, their daughters, Katie and Morgan (and sometimes their daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Anthony), and their dog, Rosie. When she’s not writing, Amy can usually be found on a boat in the Chesapeake Bay or hiking in the Rocky Mountains, most often with a good book in her hand.
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Like life, my writing is a work in progress. With many incomplete stories, chapter books and novels outlined and partial completed, A.G. Sullivan has recently finished his first young adult novel, The Katzenstein Kids and the Eye of Horus. Read all about them under "My Work"
Since the age of 8, A.G. Sullivan has been writing and telling stories and letting his imagine unfold in the form of thought, art, architecture, poetry and literature. Over the years he would start and stop a number of story ideas in the hopes of someday getting to the joy of writing. Upon turning age 50, and under the pen name A.G. Sullivan, he finally reached the place in his life were writing can now fill his uninhibited ambitions.
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Bob Zeidman created the field of software forensics and founded Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation to develop and sell software forensics tools. He is the founder of Zeidman Consulting, an engineering consulting company that has worked on over 245 major litigations involving billions of dollars of disputed intellectual property. His cases have included ConnectU versus. Facebook, on which the Oscar-winning movie The Social Network is based, and Oracle versus. Google that went up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
He is the inventor of the famous Silicon Valley Napkin novelty item on display at the Computer History Museum. He is also a high-stakes poker player, and his latest tech venture is Good Beat Poker, a new way to play and watch poker online.
Bob has been writing regular articles for The Epoch Times, The American Spectator, RealClearPolitics, Political Vanguard, and white rose magazine. The author of four award-winning novels, he earned an Opus Magnum Discovery Award from the Hollywood Film Festival for his novel Horror Flick, where he got to walk the red carpet with Hollywood celebrities.
His latest novel is Animal Lab, a modern update to George Orwell’s Animal Farm. It is a warning about the possible coming collapse of American society and along with it, American principles, values, and freedoms—torches that have lit the path for the advancement of the human condition for over two centuries and that must not be allowed to be extinguished.
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Ames Sheldon is the lead author and associate editor of the monumental reference work Women's History Sources: A Guide to Archives and Manuscript Collections in the United States, which taught her to love writing about the history of women in America. She is the author of two award-winning historical novels with strong female protagonists. Eleanor's Wars won the 2016 Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. The sequel, Don't Put the Boats Away, won the Family Saga category in the 2020 American Fiction Awards, and was a finalist in the 2020 International Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and the 2019 Best Book Awards. Sheldon comes from a family of ardent supporters of reproductive rights for women.
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Chandra Moyer is a speaker, author, life coach, and decorated former Army officer. For three decades, she has empowered women through coaching, conferences, healing retreats, and workshops. She is the recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for her child trafficking prevention work. Chandra is the author of the novel I Met Her Before and the memoir Tragically Taken.
A survivor of incest and complex trauma, Chandra has overcome insurmountable challenges to become the woman she is today. After her recovery, she became a healer, leading others out of the darkness and into the light. As an ordained minister, she launched a ministry to help other abused women.
Chandra shares her story to inspire women to overcome obstacles to be the best version of themselves. She is passionate about social justice and helping others find freedom through hope and truth.
A wanderlust at heart, Chandra has traveled broadly to over 40 states and 20 nations. Meeting people from all over the world is the most rewarding part of her travels. A mother of three adult children, she loves spending time with her growing family and grandbabies. Chandra lives in Suffolk, VA, with her husband TP and fur baby Nyla.
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Scott delves into his recent Firebird award winning book - The Night Before the Morning After
Shelby Wagner – MA, BMus and BA
Author of Award-Winning, “Learning to Dance in the Rain II – Surviving Grief, Internet Dating and Romance Scams.
Careers include: Elementary music teacher, church organist, choir director, entrepreneur and published, award-winning author.
Shelby always thought she would write a book ‘someday’. Her writing career began in 4th grade when she wrote a play. Terribly shy as a youngster, she timidly told her teacher she had written a play and she almost fainted when the teacher asked her to read it to the class. Trembling, she began reading her play aloud and soon decided it needed more work. As she returned to her seat, she felt embarrassed, but knew she would not give up. One thing Shelby discovered from the experience was that, despite her nervousness, she liked being in front of the class.
Shelby was a natural born leader and when the neighbor children gathered in her yard to play, she would organize talent shows and guess who would be director of the show? You are right if you said Shelby. Other activities such as playing school or store, and Shelby was always the teacher or store owner.
Shelby loved to sing and began piano lessons at the age of eleven or twelve. She was accompanying the children’s choir at 15, and the adult choir at 16 as the new church organist. Shelby was to be church organist and/or choir director in numerous churches in Oakland County, as well as Tennessee and continues to this day in St. Joseph County, Michigan where she currently resides. She and a fellow retired music teacher play duets now for community events and local senior centers. St. Joseph and Branch Counties.
Shelby first became a published author in December of 2018, revised and updated it and re-published it December 10, 2020.
“Learning to Dance in the Rain II” recently was awarded the 2021 Living Now Book Awards’ Silver Medal in the “Relationships/Marriage” category, and recently was notified of a second win in the 2021 Firebird Book Awards in the “Grief” Category. She has been nominated for three other awards to be decided in the coming months. Congratulations, Shelby, on the “wins” and good luck with the other nominations.
Shelby is listed in the 1990-1991 Edition of Marquis Who’s Who in the Midwest.
While teaching, Shelby was a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Michigan and National Music Teachers Association, and the Michigan Piano Teachers Association.
She is a current member of ISFP, International Society of Female Professionals and Sturgis Writers’ Mill, and plays piano duets with fellow retired music teacher, Linda Rehmeyer of Colon, MI.
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Gary Corcoran – The product of an Irish/Italian family, Gary was transplanted as a boy from the clapboard New England of his youth to the cookie cutter, stucco subdivisions that began to litter the disappearing ranches and orange groves south of Los Angeles in the 1960s.
True to his rebellious nature and the folk music/coffee house idealism that helped shape his early worldview, Gary chose to resist the Vietnam War, was a man without a country for several years and can count incarceration in a Mexican prison as one of his many colorful experiences during that era.
The author of eight previous novels, Gary’s rough and tumble early experiences animate all of his literary works, from his Michael Devlin crime series to his special forces adventures to his tales of romance. Gary is currently working on a sequel to Afghan’s Lipstick Warriors and expects to publish it by the end of 2021.
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Bibiana is a small-town girl from the Midwest who left home and traveled the world. She resides with her family in a historic village on the outskirts of Savannah, Georgia. She made a nest, created a family and built a career with a passion for culture, travel and private aviation. She earned an M.A. in Fiction and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. Bibiana writes novels, poetry, short stories (25 titles on Amazon and counting) and is currently working on a screenplay adaptation. Bibiana is concerned about social justice and is a Deep Center Writing Fellow and a published poet.
Bibiana is available for speaking engagements, interviews, readings and appearances. She is also happy to speak to groups via telephone, Zoom, Facetime or Skype.
Winner of a Pay It Forward Scholarship from Wilkes University CW, Bibiana Krall has been called a, “Lyrical maven and a literary wordsmith.” (Goodreads) Learn more about Bibiana’s books, watch cinematic book trailers. Become Literati and subscribe to her writing free blog at https://WWW.BIBIANAKRALL.COM
YouTube: Bibiana Krall Books | Barefoot Films
Amazon Author Page www.amazon.com/author/bibianakrall
Follow Twitter: @Bibiana1Krall
Follow Instagram: @bibianakrall
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Listen to "Bibiana Krall Speaks Up About Writing, Inspiration, and Her Books" on Spreaker.
A lifelong reader and lover of the written word, Cynthia Hamilton turned to writing in 2000 as a means of coping with a debilitating illness. Since then, she has written 13 books, 11 of which are available on Amazon. In addition to THE MADELINE DAWKINS MYSTERY SERIES, she writes general fiction and some memoir (FINDING RUTH and ONCE UPON A LYME…A TALE OF TWO JOURNEYS).
The Madeline Dawkins Series has really captured her imagination. Madeline’s dual careers as private investigator and event planner to the Santa Barbara elite keep her on her toes, sometimes overlapping, as seen in the latest book, HOUSES OF DECEPTION. Release date for Book 7—OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY—is spring 2022. All of the books in the series can be read as standalones.
In a recent interview on SPEAK UP TALK RADIO with host Pat Rullo, Cynthia shares where she found the inspiration for her novels. You can listen to the interview by clicking the link below:
Cynthia Hamilton Speaks Up About Her Book FINDING RUTH
Website: http://cynthiahamiltonbooks.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/434917.Cynthia_Hamilton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCynthiaH
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y3sguv7m
LISTEN TO CYNTHIA'S INTERVIEW
Stephen D'Angelo is a business executive with more than 30 years of experience in the software technology industry leading high-performing global organizations. Through his extensive business success, he has a keen awareness of the critical success principles everyone should follow to live a happy, healthy, and successful life. Stephen is a proponent of what he calls Spiritual Leadership which is something everyone, regardless of their chosen field, can execute to achieve greater success and happiness. In A Single Day of Peace, Stephen explores:
- What does it mean to align your spiritual self with your professional self?
- Why are business professionals, executives, and top performers more stressed and lost than ever?
- How can we all align the various aspects of our lives to achieve success, personal fulfillment, and the ultimate goal . . . happiness?
- We have always been told there is no manual for life. Well now there is, with a distinct roadmap that will guide readers to happiness, peace, and a life of fulfillment.
Many of us struggle with the meaning of life. We no longer have to seek the answers to these age old questions from the world around us, but can instead rely on our own strengths, our own wisdom, our own mindset, and our own power to create the life that we deserve, a life that is fulfilling, stable, and aligned with our core values and life goals.
A Single Day of Peace provides direction for anyone seeking self-improvement, spiritual and emotional growth, motivation, and a more fulfilling existence. This work first captivates the reader by embarking on a fictional journey between two seemingly opposite worlds of business and spirituality. The protagonist demonstrates how the values and qualities needed to live a meaningful life do not come from the rules and societal norms instilled by either world, but rather a series of defined guiding principles that the author clearly lays out in an easy to follow format.
Stephen goes beyond the story and also offers readers a definitive plan, a 50 day guide that will help bridge the gap between the life you are living and the life you deserve to lead. Actionable advice such as approaching failure with focus on growth rather than fear, the importance of being a lifelong learner, and embracing change rather than rejecting it will guide readers to live their lives to the fullest.
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Author Cynthia Hamilton’s ten published works include fiction, mystery and memoir. Her latest release is Houses of Deception, book 6 in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series.
Finding Ruth was inspired by a photograph of her mother taken in 1949 while moving her into an Alzheimer’s facility. It was written as a means to discover who her mother was as a person in her own right, outside her role as Mom. It was sometimes a difficult journey into the past, but it gave her new perspective and appreciation for all her mother had been through and how strong she had been to survive all her heartache.
You can find more about the author on Amazon and Goodreads and at her website:
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Award-Winning Author Anita Dickason is a twenty-two-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics detective, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer and the first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT team. Her fictional works are suspense/thrillers, and her plots are drawn from her extensive law enforcement knowledge and experience.
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D.R. Meyers / C.A. Staff began her writing career in 2014 when she self-published September's Child. After multiple literary agents refused her book, D.R. Meyers taught herself how to become an independent author. In 2014, independent authors were a relatively new thing. There was Create Space, and that is where D.R. Meyers taught herself.D.R. Meyers first published September's Child as C.A. Staff. In 2014, since then she has found her biological family.
I can be contacted via my website which is drmeyers.net I can also be connected to via email. carolstaff1963@gmail.com
My books can be found at https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07JKHHJPP
21 Things You Need To Know About Me:
- What book have you gifted the most? Why?
I have gifted Spirit Bond the most. Spirit Bond is my first audiobook. Jessica Caruso did a fantastic job narrating this book. My daddy also wants his story heard.
- What is the one productivity tool you use every day? Why?
I use my cell phone the most. In particular, I use my notepad to write more than I use my phone to talk. My phone is always near me.
- What word do you misspell most often?
This is hilarious! I write a lot using my phone. My smart phone thinks it knows what I want to say, but it almost always corrects the word chicken to children. So every time I ask my husband to pick up Walmart chicken, my phone corrects it to children! Our conversation would look like this, " Hunny, can you pick up Walmart children for supper tonight?" He always says, " I don't think I can do that!"
- What three things do you do to be a successful writer?
The most important thing I do as a successful writer is I write from my heart. Then I write simply. I want everyone to understand my words. Not just educated people. The third thing I do is I respond to every person who sends me emails or connects with me about my books.
- What are the titles of the last two books you have read?
The most recent book I read was Kid of the King by Elain Elizabeth Presley. She is my cousin. Very interesting book! The other last two books I read were from another cousin. She was adopted as well. Akin to the Truth and After the Truth are written by Paige Strickland.
- What is your favorite word?
I don't know if I have a favorite word. If I did, it would be Awesome!
- What do you use more often – a dictionary or a thesaurus?
I use a dictionary the most.
- What would you name the autobiography of your life?
September's Child
- What is your ‘go to' munchie or drink while writing?
Oh, this one is easy. Chocolate and coffee are my go to munchies and drink.
- Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
I don't think a picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures do not show everything. For instance, I have a grade school picture of myself. I'm wearing a turtleneck. The turtleneck is covering the bruises on my neck. The picture is an adorable image of me smiling. The picture hides not just my bruises, but the pain inside of me.
- What animal are you most similar to, and why?
One of my grandsons has a Native American father. He has given me the Arctic Wolf as my spirit animal. He did that because of my resilience.
- How would your best friend describe you?
My best friend would describe me as crazy. Then she would say, but I love her so much!
- What keeps you up at night?
Allyna Robinson Hughley. Allyna is family oriented and the 11th of 13 children. During her childhood she became engulfed in reading books and began motivating people with her writing. Allyna has been married for 28 years and has 2 sons.
In 1992, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Allyna also served in the United States Army Reserve for 20 years. She was a Personnel Records Specialist and retired as an E-7, Sergeant First Class, in 2005. She is currently employed with the Department of Defense as a Lead Information Technology Application Administrator. She manages a team which designs and maintains IT systems that support military personnel and their families worldwide.
Allyna is a member of the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She serves as the Hospitality Chair and commits herself to promoting academic excellence and providing assistance to those in need. She participates in food and clothing drives, feeding the homeless, community cleanup programs, voter registration campaigns, and more.
Allyna is a newcomer to the literary arts arena. In January 2021, she self published her first children’s book titled Gifts Are Given With Love. Her new book is partially dedicated to her two sons. Parenting them encouraged her to share her writing with the world. Allyna believes in empowering and uplifting the young community. She hopes her creative writing will inspire children to laugh, dream, and be the best version of themselves.
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Terry Grahl is the Founder, Visionary and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers. Terry is on a mission to not only bring women and children in long-term shelters dignity, but also to inspire everyone to dream while they are awake, follow their heart and find their voice. At Enchanted Makeovers, Terry leads the team which transform long term shelter facilities into a place of peace and possibility by providing sacred sewing rooms, bedroom transformations and delivering our handmade projects made by the community such as, Capes for Kids, The Doll Adoption program and The Traveling Pillowcase project.
Terry is also a wife, mother to four wonderful adult children, a storyteller, a person who went through homelessness as a child and a flea market fanatic who loves to rescue grandmas old treasures and use them for a greater purpose.
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The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) defines psychological abuse as trauma to the victim caused by verbal abuse, acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics. In “Sorrow to Shero,” Dr. Jeannita Bussle gives an honest look inside her experiences. When the unimaginable occurs, she shares how she was able to forgive and heal. Additionally, Dr. Bussle discusses the hard life lessons she has learned as a result of tragedy. This powerful memoir is a must read for anyone in need of hope. Although “Sorrow to Shero” shines a light on psychological abuse and the importance of mental health, it is also a vivid reminder that God always makes a way out of no way.
Dr. Jeannita Bussle has been a public-school educator for over fifteen years. Her expertise includes STEM education, socio-emotional learning, and college and career readiness. Dr. Bussle’s passion is to give others hope and empowerment by sharing her testimony. She believes that one reason God allows us to experience obstacles is so we may help others make it through.
Her education includes a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership K-12 and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Tennessee State University. Dr. Bussle is the proud mom of two amazing children. Being a mother is her first priority and greatest accomplishment.
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Adele M. Gill is a retired RN/BSN, a board certified Disability Analyst (ABDA), Chaplain, author of The Inspiration Café blog, and 4 books including her new inspirational, self-help book, How to Go From Broken to Blest ~ A 6 -Step Study Guide to wholeness and living the blessed life through Biblical principles and complete trust in Jesus – based on her previous book ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ written with Dr. Verna Benner Carson. Adele is a tireless mental health advocate living in Maryland. She can be reached via email at frombrokentoblest@gmail.com or visit www.theinspirationcafeblog.net
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LISTEN TO INTERVIEW 1
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW 2 – NOW PLAYING
Ken Farmer didn’t write his first full novel until he was sixty-nine years of age. He often wonders what the hell took him so long. At age seventy-eight…he’s currently working on novel number thirty-four. Ken spent thirty years raising cattle and quarter horses in Texas and forty-five years as a professional actor (after a stint in the Marine Corps). Those years gave him a background for storytelling…or as he has been known to say, “I’ve always been a bit of a bull—t artist, so writing novels kind of came naturally once it occurred to me I could put my stories down on paper.”
Ken’s writing style has been likened to a combination of Louis L’Amour and Terry C. Johnston with an occasional Hitchcockian twist…now that’s a combination.
In addition to his love for writing fiction, he likes to teach acting, voice-over, and writing workshops. His favorite expression is: “Just tell the damn story.”
Writing has become Ken’s second life: he has been a Marine, played collegiate football, been a Texas wildcatter, cattle and horse rancher, professional film and TV actor and director, and now…a novelist. Who knew?
Ken Farmer’s dialogue flows like a beautiful western river…it’s the gold standard…Carole Beers
VISIT THE AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/Ken-Farmer/e/B0057OT3Y – Amazon Author page
https://www.facebook.com/KenFarmerAuthor/ – FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2106909899538576/ – FaceBook Fandom Page
Joni lives in the beautiful mountains in New Jersey on the East Coast of the United States, works to save our Earth’s environment and biodiversity and loves life with Rio and Romeo. This is Joni’s first book, more to come!
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PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Maria Papalia-Meier is a fighter. Maria may have been KO'd, and down for the count, but she proved them wrong. Her book, titled, I am a Runner is about surviving sepsis, a coma, and amputation. Maria has a BBA with an emphasis in Human Resources, and has worked for Fed-Ex for twenty years. As an athlete she has many accomplishments. Before her battle with the river of death she competed and ran in multiple 5K’s.
She was told she'd never run again. She proved the naysayers wrong. Her athletic accomplishments include running in a 5K, and a 1/2 Marathon. I am a Runner – the Memoirs of a Sepsis Survivor is available in print and e-book.
PURCHASE THE BOOK
DR AUDREY TANG – Since taking the stage to play a chicken at the age of 3, Audrey knew that drama gave her something special. Working at it meant she could develop the emotional agility to get everything she wanted. Combining her Equity membership with degrees in Psychology, Law, and Teaching followed by her PhD focused on training customer-facing professionals, and number of management positions – she knows how important soft skills are. Plus, she can tell you how exactly to refine them.
She published some of that knowledge in her book BE A GREAT MANAGER NOW grabbing the top spot of "Business Book of the Month" in WH Smith Travel – now translated into Russian and Chinese. The rest she keeps for the talks and workshops…let's not spoil the surprises! Audrey is a FIRO-B and NLP Practitioner, and has Chartership with the British Psychological Society. She is the resident psychologist on The Chrissy B Show (My Channel, Sky203)….and you might catch her and the CLICK Arts team occasionally revisiting their theatrical roots. audrey@clickproductions.co.uk
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What book have you gifted the most? Why?
Mine! Actually, there is a bit of truth to this as there was a real novelty value…but now most of my friends and family have bought a copy. At one point I wanted to gift the book to a presenter interviewing me, but I’d run out of my own copies – I managed to buy one last minute from a friend (at slightly more than RRP – I insisted – as neither of us had change!)
Otherwise – I always recommend Oliver James’ “They f*** you up, your mum and dad” as it’s a wonderful read about parental scripts and how we can still choose our own path, even if there are obstacles to overcome first.
What is the one productivity tool you use every day? Why?
I’m quite “old school” – so it’s the “To Do” list. I like crossing things out. I also sometimes write them on post-it notes so that I don’t have to re-write when I turn a page in my diary. I also tend to keep post-its by my bed so that I can write thoughts down at night if I need to – just so I don’t have to keep focusing on them to remember them.
What word do you misspell most often?
If using spell-check – then “form” instead of “from”…but otherwise it’s “focused” – for some reason I keep wanting to add an extra “s”.
What three things do you do to be a successful writer?
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WRITE!! It’s not about getting it spot on right away – but about getting it “on”. It’s much easier to edit or make changes later, or even look at it and try something completely different…but at least you know the first choice didn’t work. Also, I never delete old writing – I save it as I can often find a place to use it later on.
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READ – I read a lot. It’s great to see how others explain things, or to grasp their take on concepts. There’s so much information accessible to us now (although you have to be a little discerning!)
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TEACH – as a non-fiction writer with a huge focus on the practical, I will often have taught the sessions which form the basis of my chapters. That way I can tell if the theory makes sense and if the exercises are going to work.
What are the titles of the last two books you have read?
“Gateway to Perakanan Culture” by Catherine GS Lim – my grandparents were Baba-Nyonya (or “Perakanan”) and I never really spent the time learning about their history; and “Skin in the Game” by Taleb – I loved “Black Swan”.
What is your favorite word?
YES!
What do you use more often – a dictionary or a thesaurus?
I use a thesaurus. I’m generally good with meanings, but I like nuance in expression…plus I don’t like using the same keyword twice in a sentenc...
Adele M. Gill is a retired RN/BSN, a board certified Disability Analyst (ABDA), Chaplain, author of The Inspiration Café blog, and 3 books including her new inspirational, self-help book, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ written with Dr. Verna Benner Carson. Adele is a tireless mental health advocate living in Maryland. She can be reached via email at adelemgill@gmail.com or visit www.theinspirationcafeblog.net
VISIT THE WEBSITE
Jim Giammatteo is the author of many books of varied genres and that’s how he likes it. He has books in the mystery genre; fantasy; science fiction; grammar; careers; animals; children's books; and children's grammar books. Also a book on How to Survive a Stroke and another one titled Uneducated.
When Jim isn’t writing, he’s helping his wife take care of the animals on their sanctuary. And since our last conversation and interview he has written and published 20 books. To listen to his first interview – visit this page.
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Why are more young people fighting brain cancer? Can we look to our current environment? Pat shares an article by Devra Davis an American epidemiologist that sheds some light on this serious problem. And – a special author spotlight with P.M. DeVuono – an educator from Planet Reality who shares his thoughts about schools, education and his book ‘What Happened to David'. He's a teacher who looks at things differently and who is bold enough (or crazy) enough to speak and write about what he has seen. And finally – Bob and Rush-elle meet again to play Shocking News From Around the World – the Geopathic Stress Edition.
John Darling ~ Since May of 1976, John has written and published many short stories, poems, and magazine articles. His lone play, Stage Directions, has been produced in the United States, Canada, and most recently at the Soho Theatre in London, England on October 3, 2012. Most of his publications have been short stories and articles, though he has had some poetry in print. Many of his short fiction stories have been collected in two books.
On Borrowed Time contains eleven different mysteries revolving around his anti-hero, Detective Anderson and his colleagues. The Angel and The Bear is an eclectic collection of mixed genres from hard edged science fiction in Saving Abraham to romance in The Right Note to YA literature in Jennifer Rising.
You're the Who?: A guide to classic band name origins + rock connections!, is a collection of short articles which tell how rock bands and singers chose their stage names while also showing Rock Connections between performers. He also co-authored a cookbook with his late grandmother, Loretta Duffy. Grandma’s Favorite Recipes is a cookbook made up of his late grandmother's favorite recipes which she hand wrote over the course of 70 years.
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21 Things You Should Know About This Author
What book have you gifted the most?
That is easy: The Last Juror by John Grisham which I can get for $2 a copy, often brand new, from a local library volunteer gift store. So far I have given away 27 copies and I still have a few more in my stock. Why? Simply because it is the best book I have ever read. It has so many layers to it, so many stories interwoven, and so many emotions from laughter to tears in it.
What is the one productivity tool you use every day?
I wish I could say that I write every day like I used to but I don’t, however when I do write it is usually a cathartic event; I have words and ideas that I have been collecting while NOT writing and they just have to come out.
What word do you misspell most often?
Recieve
What three things do you do to be a successful writer?
Be curious, ask questions, think of alternative answers.
What are the titles of the last two books you have read?
James Patterson’s 9th Judgment, John Jakes’s Savannah
What is your favorite word?
Peace
What do you use more often – a dictionary or a thesaurus?
Thesaurus
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
My Way or No Way
What is your ‘go to’ munchie or drink while writing?
Southern Comfort on the rocks
Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
I was looking at an elaborate sketch one day with a friend and said that I wish I could draw like that. She said, that since I write, I could do it in words. She was right.
What animal are you most similar to and why?
Dogs, all dogs. I can be friendly or fierce depending on your attitude.
How would your best friend describe you?
Intelligent (don’t ask me why)
What keeps you up at night? (and don’t say howling dogs)
The thought that all that mankind has worked for over the centuries could be destroyed by the act on ONE single human. That is not right.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Get married. I like the bride I have had for 37 years. No need to change now.
If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare?
Frozen lasagna and cookies from my grandma’s cook book.
What is the best compliment you have received?
I wrote a very short work called Dream Lovers about two people who ...