First Chapter Plus is the e-Magazine where readers connect with Indie Authors and their work
First Chapter Plus by I Have Something To Say Press
Roadmap to Being a Podcaster by Susan Violante
Barefoot Librarian Corner
Interview with Jo-Ann Vega Author of “Wolf Woman & Other Poems” by Sheri Hoyte
Women, Celebrate the women in your life!
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Editor’s Note
Born and raised in Venezuela of Italian immigrants, Susan completed a BA in Political Science and Business Adminis- tration before moving to the US . Although she built a ca- reer as a Business Analyst/Accountant, she also kept herself active as a freelance writer in the US; publishing articles, poetry, children’s stories, and illustrations since 1996. She published her first book in 2009, and released her revised edition: Innocent War: Behind An Immigrant’s Past – Book 1 in 2011. Her picture book: Tuma: The Tribe’s Little Prin- cess was published in early 2013 under her own label. Currently, Susan Violante is the Managing Editor/CEO/ Partner of I Have Something to Say Press and Book By Book Publicity, Author, Reviewer, Publicist and Publisher. She re- sides in Austin, TX with her husband Michel and her dogs, Canela, Karina, and Nutela. Susan is mother of two adult daughters, Arianna and Nicolette, and caregiver to her fa- ther. She enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, painting, writ- ing, gardening, and any outdoor activity. Susan Violante - Managing Editor
Women, Celebrate the women in your life! As a young girl I had more male friends than female. There was no specific reason for this except that I enjoyed boy’s games more than girls ' games. I enjoyed climb- ing trees, skateboarding, soccer, and any other outdoor adventure opportunity. I was not a ' girly girl ' and had no patience for chit chat, fashion, or anything else that required relating to my feminine aptitudes except for crafts and reading. As I grew up, I became one of the guys and had only few female friends which I am still close to. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I realized how important it was to be a woman and how much I needed other women in my life. Women are the agent of change in the world. As mothers they have influenced humanity’s consciousness. As wives they have influence d politics, economics, and culture through the past centuries. As active members of modern society women have been catalysts of chance in business, legislation, moral standards, and all other aspects of civilization. Women are strong, wise, versatile, emotional, intuitive, practical, relentless, firm, sweet, kind, evil, disciplined, comforting,…in short, women are what is needed at any moment and circumstance. I am proud to be a woman. I am proud of all the women I have met throughout my life. This month celebrate the women in yours!
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Table of
Contents Page 02 Editor’s Note - Women, Celebrate the women in your life!
Page 11 Book Reviews of the Month P age 17 Roadmap to Being a Brand by Susan Violante
P age 25 Interview with Jo-Ann Vega Author of “Wolf Woman & Other Poems” P age 22 This article is “priceless” - in Steve Jobs’ own words…by Janice Miller
Page29 ISL Podcast of the Month
P age 31 Book Videos
P age 39 Make Every Day a Celebration of Inclusive Love by Barefoot Librarian
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Featured Books and Authors
Lynne Armstrong-Jones
Lynne Armstrong-Jones, like many au- thors, feels that she’s been writing all her life! When she started sending manuscripts to major publishers and agents, though, finances interfered, and she went back to full-time work. Since then, she’s been mak- ing up for lost time! On the Trail of the Unseen is the third of her five-book fantasy series.
For more information about Lynne visit www.lynnearmstrongjones.com
Synopsis: Although Nico is a skilled swordsman, even he can’t fight plague, so he is forced to leave and flee northward with his family, leaving his sorcery friends to try to help the panicked people. One sor- ceress remains behind in the Tower, searching for a cure. But what she does could prove disastrous.
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On the Trail of the Unseen
By Lynne Armstrong-Jones
Friesen Press (2022)
ISBN 9781039121652
Tradeback - 337 pages - $7.06
Fiction - Fantasy
View on Amazon
**
L ynne Armstrong-Jones is an amazing fantasy writer who knows how to create unique plots ... Her characters are colorful and complex. —Reader Views A smart, gripping, and skillfully constructed novel of fantasy ... A definite winner. — The Prairies Book Review
READ FIRST CHAPTER
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L.E. DeLano Featured Books and Authors
L.E. DeLano comes equipped with a “use- less” Theatre degree that has opened doors for her in numerous ways. Though mostly raised in New Mexico, she now lives in Pennsylvania with two adventurous kids and two ridiculous cats. L.E.’s 2021 novel, BLUE, was named a 2021 SPARK Award winner by The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a 2021- 22 Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult in the Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards, a 2021 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in Young Adult Fiction, a 2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite – Teen, and was named 2021-22 Teen/YA Book of the Year by Reader Views Kids. Her debut novel, TRAVELER, was a Keystone State Read- ing Association (KSRA) Secondary Book Awards Finalist for 2018-2019.
For more information about L.E. visit www.ledelano.com
Synopsis: Blue’s older brother was involved in a car accident that killed the father of her class- mate, Maya, and now Maya has returned to school determined to make Blue’s life a living hell in the aftermath. When Maya’s taunts push Blue to retaliate, they find themselves forced into a project meant to foster cooperation. Blue learns about Maya—and her own sense of privilege—when revealed secrets cast a new perspective on everything in Blue’s world.
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Blue
By L.E. DeLano
Gaze Publishing (2021)
ISBN 9781736473108
Tradeback - 233 pages - $10.99
View on Amazon
Fiction - Young Adult (age 16+)
**
B lue by L.E. Delano is an intense and completely engrossing YA novel about perspective . . . a must read for teens and anyone else who enjoys a great fictional story. — Paige Lovitt Reader Views Kids O verall: 10.00 out of 10. DeLano has an excellent ear for teens' idiomatic speech. This is a fast- paced novel focused more on feelings and the social world of teens . . . An easy read for its intended audience. — BookLife Prize
*Reader Views Kids Award for Best Teen/ Young Adult Book of the Year
READ FIRST CHAPTER
WATCH BOOK VIDEO
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I Have Something To Say Press was founded in 2013 and has been an unseen force behind Book by Book Publicity since then. Our mission is to promote the sharing of life les- sons through story telling by focusing our publishing efforts to produce a high-quality product, as well as publishing in- dependent authors to help them develop marketable books with the current available tools. Our program is based on providing options to writers. We offer affordable Print On Demand Publishing Packages; An a La Carte publishing ser- vices menu and the opportunity to win publication through an annual manuscript contest which will open in 2023.
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La Clave By Marjorie L. Anderson
La Clave shares the author’s financial knowledge and experience to help teens get a head start in life. The book presents readers with basic financial knowledge and life changing know-how tips on how to manage money to make the most of their income to build a successful future. But Anderson does not stop there, she also teaches young people to invest in their com- munities by buying local products and donating to help others. La Clave is the Spanish translation of Marjorie L. Anderson’s Reader Views Award winner “The Key. ” I Have something To Say Press (2021, 2022) - ISBN: 9780985430825 Nonfiction - Spanish/YA-Teen- Tradeback - 100 pages - $16.00
View on Amazon
READ First Chapter
Becoming an Angel of Change
By Bineta Ngom
Through a collection of inspirational stories, Bineta Ngom details her journey exploring her life’s purpose, helping others in need. From her beginnings as an eight-year-old philanthropist in Senegal, to her adult life establishing outreach programs in the United States, readers will be inspired to discover their strength, uniqueness, and purpose in her recent memoir “Becoming an Angel of Change.” I Have Something To Say Press (2021,2022) - ISBN 9781647751784 Nonfiction - Memoir / Self-Help-Tradeback - 186 pages - $16.00
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
Mr. McCoodle Shares a Secret
By Melissa Kerry Bookwrangler (2021) - ISBN 9781736603123 Fiction - Children/Early Reader (4-8yrs old)-
Hardcover -
25 pages - $15.99
Mr. McCoodle encourages children to identify their feelings and to discover different possibilities for expressing emotions. It is the story of a man who has feelings that he has a challenging time identifying and expressing. He eventu- ally recognizes his feelings through the help of a fish friend. He identifies his emotions and is able to feel his feelings while joining his friend on a ride.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
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READER VIEWS BOOK OF THE MONTH
“ I love a good cozy mystery and this au- thor has hit a home run inin what is going to be a fabulous new series...”
The Final Steps: A Harbor Springs Cozy Legal Mystery
By Mark M. Bello
ISBN 978-1956595093 9 Grand Publications (2023)
Fiction - Cozy Mystery Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (02/2023) T he Final Steps: A Harbor Springs Cozy Legal Mystery is a new book by mystery author Mark M. Bello. In this new outing, Mr. Bello has left Zachary Blake behind
what is going to be a fabulous new series. I loved it! and is taking a leap into the world of cozy mysteries. I love a good cozy mystery and this author has hit a home run inin what is going to be a fabulous new series. I loved it! In The Final Steps, we are introduced to a wonderful new character, Judge Rosaline Maxwell. Rosaline is now retired, but she used to be a lawyer and then became a circuit court judge before leaving her old life behind and focusing on her writing. She now has a beautiful home in Michigan, many great friends, an incredible new book to her credit… basically the perfect life. Rosaline is asked to speak about her new book at the local college where her best friend, Tyler Guthrie, is president. Sounds perfect, right? At the college, Rosaline is introduced to Professor Kevin Johnstone and is immediately struck by the animosity between him and Tyler. Of course, next thing you know, Kevin is dead at the bottom of a staircase and Tyler has been arrested for his murder. Know- ing her friend as well as she does, Rosaline is positive he is innocent and is determined to prove it. Along the way Rosaline deals with a lead detective who believes strongly in Tyler’s guilt, a young woman who announces herself as Rosaline’s biggest fan, a very angry widow, an informant who does not want to be identified, and a bunch of anonymous death threats. So much for a simple and enjoyable retirement. Is Tyler guilty or is there still a killer on the campus looking for another victim? I guess you will have to read the book to get the answer to these questions, but it will be well worth the time; I assure you. Read complete review or visit www.readerviews.com.
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READER VIEWS KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
“I didn’t want to finish because I was enjoying it too much!”
Dream-Shifter
Lois Wickstrom
ISBN 978-1954519411 Gripper Products/Look Under Rocks (2022)
Fiction - Young Reader - Ages 8 To 12
Reviewed by Leigh Kimberly Zoby Reader Views (02/2023)
D ream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom is an intriguing tale about Gwendolyn, a young preteen who can change forms as she dreams. Being a dream-shifter is a unique ability that allows Gwendolyn to gain the resemblance and traits of animals she dreams about as long as she remains asleep. The only catch is if she does not successfully shift back to her human form before awakening, she is stuck in whatever animal form she dreamed. One night after her family went to bed, a fire broke out inside her home. The blaring fire alarms caused Gwendolyn to suddenly wake up before she had the chance to shift back into her human form. So now Gwendolyn is homeless and must fig- ure out a way to survive as a full-grown elk during hunting season...“Dream-Shifter” by Lois Wickstrom is a fast-paced adventure geared toward older elementary and middle school-age children. The chapter length is perfect to keep students’ attention while re- maining engaged. The writing style is simple to follow and inviting, so it will not intimidate independent readers. Imagery bounds off the pages as Gwendolyn the elk breaks through the imagination of a child into real-life issues. Suspense-filled adventure fills the pages of this story as it unfolds into a fascinating fantasy children’s book. “Dream-Shifter” is a creative chapter book that will keep its reader turning pages as they learn problem-solv- ing skills and Gwendolyn’s fate.
Read complete review or visit www.readerviews.com.
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Featured Books and Authors
Conor Mitchell
Conor Mitchell was born in October of 1994 and raised in the suburbs just out- side of Baltimore, MD. Growing up, he had gained a fascination with photog- raphy and videography. In 2007, while visiting his uncle in Palo Alto, CA, Conor experienced the city of San Francisco for the very first time. From the minute he got on the plane back to Baltimore, he never stopped talking about his plan to eventually move back to the city he fell in love with after only one visit. Conor started his own YouTube channel, Dragon Rider Network, in October of 2008, dedicated to discussing technology news and tech product reviews. In Sep- tember of 2018, nearly 11 years after his first visit to the city, he would travel 3000 miles over four days by train to his new home of San Francisco, CA.
For more information about Conor visit www.lockdownsf.square- space.com/
Although Conor was unsure what he was so drawn to the city for expressly, he knew he had a purpose of serving, and San Francisco was the key to this pur- pose. With all he had experienced with COVID-19 and the last several months of his time in the city, documenting one of the most historical times in world history could very well have been his calling. On March 16th, 2020, San Fran- cisco announced that it would be instituting a Shelter-In-Place to help combat the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first major metro- politan area in California and the United States to enact such an action. Yet, throughout those first 100 days, Conor Mitchell, a photographer and videogra- pher living in downtown San Francisco, found himself alone in the city he had called home for just 18 months. Taking as many pictures as he could, Conor curated a collection of photos in this book to best illustrate what a total lockdown in one of the most famous cit- ies in the world looked like.
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Lockdown
By Conor Mitchell
Outskirts Press (2021)
ISBN 9781977241160
Tradeback - 84 pages - $29.95
View on Amazon
NonFiction -Photography / Photojournalismold)
**
Synopsis: On March 16th, 2020, San Francis- co announced that it would be instituting a Shel- ter-In-Place to help combat the spread of the on- going COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first major metropolitan area in California and the United States to enact such an action. Yet, throughout those first 100 days, Conor Mitchell, a photogra- pher and videographer living in downtown San Francisco, found himself alone in the city he had called home for just 18 months. Taking as many pictures as he could, Conor curated a collection of photos in this book to best illustrate what a total lockdown in one of the most famous cities in the world looked like. But the street would not stay quiet for long. Aside from the pandemic itself, San Francisco was one of many cities that hosted a string of protests that swept through the country fueled by the death of George Floyd. As a result, the city saw empty city streets become filled with protestors and even scenes of civil unrest. Conor hopes these photos will act as a force for change.
* Overall Best Non- Fiction Bronze Winner
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Marcus A. Nannini Featured Books and Authors
Mr. Nannini began his writing career when he published his own newspaper in the sixth grade and charged 25 cents per school quarter for the privilege of reading the only hand-written copy of each edition. The newspaper was a modest success. During his under- graduate years, he was a paid newspaper reporter and worked three semesters as the Research Assistant to journalism professor Richard Stocks Carlson, Ph.D. Nannini’s newspaper reporting paid for his senior year of undergrad. Carlson advised him to always write as if his readers have an 8th-grade education or less, something he took with a grain of salt.
For more information about Marcus visit www.chameleonsthebook.com/ midnight-flight-to-nuremberg/
A riveting and detailed military memoir, "Midnight Flight to Nuremberg: The Capture of the Nazi who put Adolf Hitler into Power" is an extraordinary and recommended addition to community, college, and university library World War II biographies. —Midwest Book Review N annini, author of Left for Dead at Nijmegen, takes flight in this gripping account of courage in the air, the story of pilot Harry E. Watson, who flew 27 combat missions in World War II and was the recipient of seven Battle Stars and three Air Medals. Nannini, who interviewed First Lieutenant Watson extensively, opens this vivid account in the thick of the war, with the tense tale of Watson. — Book Life
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Midnight Flight To Nuremberg
Air World, An Imprint Of Pen & Sword Books (2021)
By Marcus A. Nannini
ISBN 9781526792730
Hardcover - 224 pages - $32.95
Nonfiction - Biography
View on Amazon
**
Synopsis: This is the story of an American C-47 ‘Dakota’ pilot who earned three Air Med- als, seven Battle Stars and flew twenty-seven combat missions during the Second World War. Around midnight, in early April 1945, he was sent on a secret mission to fly to a point near Nuremberg, which was behind enemy lines at the time. It was necessary for him to locate an empty meadow in the dark, land, load a party of US soldiers and their cap- tives, and then take-off again. He pulled it off. Among those prisoners was Franz von Pap- pen, the man who had persuaded President Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Von Papen had been seized at his own home by First Lieutenant Thomas McKinley and his men from the US 194th Glider Infantry Regiment.
* Gold Winner: Overall Best Non-Fiction
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ROADMAP TO BEING A PODCASTE So you finally became a published author of multiple books, start. In my opinion, the best way to launch your brand is to difficult. However, there are few things you need to figure ou
1 Define and develop a Concept or topic - This concept needs to relate to your brand. What are your books about? What did you intend to achieve with your publications? What topic is so im- portant to you that you dedicated your work toit through your brand.
2 Develop the form show - How long just you or will you ha interview experts on t Wull it have ads or mu target audience are yo Did you come up with be used as a keyword, versation topic?
6 Practice and Test - Produce test pilot and get feedback. This is also a way to get your fans to help you out and sub- scribe!
5 Research Software and Find and Learn how to use ware and equipment for your needs and budget.
* Finally, publicize, launch, and make it fun to see it grow!
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ER s, and now want to become a brand but don’t know where to o start your a podcast. Starting your own podcast is not that ut.
3 Research platforms to set up and list podcast.- Will you record podcast online or will you use a sound studio and record it on site? Will you and co-hosts or guests meet in person or will they record remote? Where will you list your your show once its been edted and posted on the webpage?
mat of your podcast g will it be. Will it be ave a cohost? Will you the topic of the day? usical breaks? What ou hoping to engage? h a title? Can the title , hashtag, or quick con-
d Equipment- e the best soft- r podcast show
4 Your Design -Design and create Logo, Website and cover art that matches your podcast as well as your brand.
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Frederick Reynolds Featured Books and Authors
Frederick Douglass Reynolds is a retired LA County Sheriff’s homicide sergeant. He was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan before join- ing the US Marine Corps in 1979. After a brief stint in Okinawa, Japan, he finished out his military career in southern Califor- nia and ultimately became a police officer with the Compton police department. He worked there from 1985 until 2000 and then transferred to the sheriff’s department where he worked an additional seventeen years, retiring in 2017 with over seventy- five commendations. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Carolyn, and their daughter Lauren and young son, Desmond. They have six other adult children and nine grandchildren.
For more information about Frederick visit www.authorfrederickreynolds. com
Synopsis: This book is far more than just “cop stories”; it is a looking glass into life in ways that had not been thought of before. , The author set out on a path of destruction, living on the streets, dealing with drugs and gangs, and even ending up in jail before an unlikely career as a police officer in Compton, California. As a Black man who found himself on both sides of the law, the author offers a truly unique perspective to readers, showing the intricacies of how society works in different ways for different situations. No matter what someone’s gender, race, or political views are, any reader will be able to take these life experiences and learn the reality of racism and policing in America through the author’s lenses.
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Black, White, And Gray All Over
By Frederick Reynolds
Mindstirmedia (2021)
ISBN 9781638485216
Tradeback - 395 pages - $16.99
Nonfiction - Memoir / Law Enforcement / Black / African
View on Amazon
**
A n intimate, sharply written account of one cop's perseverance in a broken system...Get it. —Kirkus Review A worthwhile, eye-opening read! — Book Excellence
* Silver Winner: Overall Best Non-Fiction
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HELLO THERE!
WONDERING WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM DOING HERE. LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF. BUT FIRST I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT KNOW... lt's been said that reading is a gift thatjust keeps on giving. lt's like cardio for your brain, building muscle that keeps you learning, entertained, and mentally healthy. lf you already know that, do you know this? Reading can change a person. That's a fact! Reading can increase your knowledge, inspire new ways of being, reduce stress, and be your silent best friend. That'sjust for starters. lt can also be an amazing self-development tool. and that brings me to answer the questions, who I am and what I am doing here. As a new editorial contributor to First Chapter Plus e-magazine, and a certified personal and professional coach, I would like to share my perspective, answer any questions you may have or write about topics of interest to you.
Set up a complimentary discovery call at janice@janicemillercoach.com
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THIS ARTICLE IS “PRICELESS” - IN STEVE JOBS’ OWN WORDS…
In 2011 Steve Jobs of Apple died at the age of 56 from pancreatic #cancer, leaving a fortune of 7 billion dollars - these are some of his last words: “At this moment, lying in bed sick and remembering all my life, I realize that all the recogni- tion and wealth I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death... I have the money to hire the best at whatever task it is, but it is not possible to hire someone to carry my illness... Money can get you all sorts of material things, but there is one thing that cannot be bought: “life.” As I grew older, I realized that a $300 watch and a $3,000,000 watch show the same time. With a $150,000 car and a $15,000,000 car we can reach the same destination. That a $150 wine or a $1500 wine generates the same “hangover”, that in a 300 square me - ter house, or in a 3000 one, loneliness is the same. True happiness does not come from material things, it comes from the affection that our loved ones give us... So, I hope you understand that when you have friends or someone to talk to, it’s true happiness... Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, and then, when they grow up, they will know the value of things, not the price.” - Steve Jobs
Janice Miller is a Co-active certified coach and former corporate leader, part- nering with Fortune 400 clients to develop and produce communications and marketing. A master in the art of resilience, she works with people to discover where they are, where they want to be and how to get them there. Her approach focuses on empowering insight and practical action. Shifting your present reality by leveraging your unrealized assets and dismantling your limitations. The pur- pose is to create changes that are sustainable. Interested in learning more?
For more information about Janice and her work visit janicemillercoach.com
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Suzanne Simonetti Featured Books and Authors
Suzanne Simonetti grew up in the New York suburbs just outside of the city. Af- ter earning a BS in market- ing, she spent several years writing press releases, until she left her corporate job to focus on her passion for crafting fiction. She lives on Cape May Harbor with her husband. The Sound of Wings is her first novel.
For more information about Suzanne visit www.suzannesimonetti.com
Synopsis: A gripping, touch- ing, and memorable prtrait of three women rising above painful pasts to seize present opportunities and of friend- ships that grow, despite differ- ences, to sustain and inspire. The novel is set on Cape May Island.
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The Sound of Wings
She Writes Press (2021)
By Suzanne Simonetti
ASIN B08F2BJP1N
e-Book - 296 pages - $8.69
View on Amazon
Fiction - Novel / Women
**
A story world so completely alive with characters so real, I can feel them breathing behind me. —Caroline Leavitt New York Times best-selling author R eminiscent of Alice Hoffman in its elegant unfolding and sheer magic of its storytelling.. — Mary Morris award-winning author
* Silver Winner: Overall Best Fiction
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WATCH BOOK VIDEO
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INTERVIEW WITH JO-ANN VEGA AUTHOR “WOLF WOMAN & OTHER POEMS”
“...Wolf W narrative Flight ...”
and In Remembrance. Awaken, a poem, is scheduled to appear in Wild Librarian Press’ Anthology [2023].
Jo-Ann Vega lives with her life partner and canine companion.
J o-Ann Vega is a published author and dynamic speaker with 30 years of ex- perience designing, presenting, and eval- uating learning programs for academic, business, and community groups. She has twenty years of experience as an adjunct, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on management and leadership. She wrote a column on career manage- ment for EEO Bimonthly, a national mag- azine, for five years. She is the author of Navigating the New Job Market; and co- author of Workforce 2000: A Challenge for Business & Education. She has 10 years of experience delivering ancestry and history programs as part of a University Lifelong Learning Institute and to community members. She incorpo- rated what she learned about history and the Italian character into her memoir. She inaugurated a Celebrating Italian Ameri- cans Series program at a local library two years ago. Recent publications include Wolf Woman & Other Poems [2022]; Moments in Flight: A Memoir [2021]. Lifewriting essays, Ser- endipity, and Empathy in the Time of Covid [Volume 21 and Volume 22 of Story Circle Network’s Annual Real Women Write An- thology, 2021-2022]. Several poems pub- lished: Musings, Then & Now, Awaken,
What is Wolf Woman & Other Poems about? AWolf Woman is a poetic memoir; a curated collection of 50 poems I’ve written over 50 years of my life journey, organized by life stage. An educator and lifelong learner, I included a preview of each section to place the poems in context. Part 1: becoming/discovery; rites of passage Part 2: unfurling my wings; taking risks Part 3: awakenings; cronehood What inspired you to write this book? I released my memoir as I recovered from a life-threatening illness during the height of COVID hospitalizations and deaths; a story for another day. The positive feedback I received, in tandem with my recovery, moved me to take more chances, eat the fear, and release my most personal musings to the world. I started to submit poems and personal essays and several were or will be published in anthologies. It was then that I decided to publish Wolf Woman where I illuminate and confront human emotions with intensity and honesty. I love the title! What is the significance behind it? Wolf Woman marks my initiation into cronehood and anchors the collection.
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R OF
By Sheri Hoyte
Woman completes and fills in the e arc presented in Moments in
Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Pinkola Estes made a deep impression on me. I understand this is your debut poetry collection and Wolf Woman & Other Poems was a work in progress over a number of years. How did your collection develop? Writing has been a lifeline for me. I write poems to understand, start conversations, and for special occasions. Over the years, my collection grew. As I prepared my memoir, I began to organize and select poems. This sparked creative embers and resulted in a number of new poems. Is Wolf Woman & Other Poems a companion book to your memoir, Moments in Flight? How so? Wolf Woman completes and fills in the narrative arc presented in Moments in Flight, and can stand alone or be a companion piece. Do you have a favorite from your collection? Which one is it and why? The four poems (I figured out the source of my tension headaches, It seemed as though the weather was conspiring, You were a private man, and You’ve been gone a year) I wrote for my cousin who succumbed from AIDS in 1983, before the age of thirty, during a time of sanctioned homophobia. His loss pushed me out of my comfort zone, ushered in a re- examination of my life, and prompted me to dream, reach for more, and take chances.
Read the complete interview with Jo-Ann Vega
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Ari Loeb Featured Books and Authors
Ari Loeb spent much of his life traveling as a circus artist. Now he lives in Los Angeles and works as a stuntman, spe- cializing in creature horror such as Zombieland, Fear The Walking Dead, and the Resi- dent Evil video games. He also writes books.
For more information about Ari visit www.ariloeb.com
Synopsis: College student Jimmy Jo- hannsen returns to his small home- town, only to find it’s been overrun with death, chaos and strange ru- mors. Now with his shocked, hayseed mother under his arm, Jimmy must defend himself against a storm of horrors, as well as the town’s dwin- dling survivors, who’s history adds up to a deadly sum of guns, conspira- cy, and bad blood. Welcome to Thun- der, Arizona – a small town with a big nuclear secret.
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Thunder, AZ
By Ari Loeb
Abandoned House (2021)
ISBN 9781736993934
Tradeback - 186 pages - $16.00
View on Amazon
Fiction - Horror / SciFi
**
A cracked carnival of a book - pendulum rides, freak shows, and the best damn shooting gallery. You'll gasp, grin, and line up for more. —Kirkus Review E ngrossing... Complete annihilation... An unforgettable tale tnat hasn't been told before. — Paige Lovitt Reader Views
2021-2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Winner in the Horror category and The Jack Eadon Memorial Award.
READ FIRST CHAPTER
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INSIDE SCOOP LIVE
PODCAST OF THE MONTH
FIdelis O. Mkparu is a Nigerian immigrant to the US, and in this novel, he sets out to speak to his experiences and those of his fellow immigrants. He is a professor of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University and a senior attending cardiol- ogist at Aultman Hospital and Mercy Medical Cen- ter in Canton, Ohio. Previously, he was a Spaulding fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital at Har- vard Medical School. His preceding novels include Love’s Affliction and Tears Before Exaltation (Colo- rado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Awards Winner, Literary & Contemporary Fiction 2018). Visit FIdelis O. Mkparu at: www.fidelismkparu.com to stay in the loop on new to stay in the loop on new projects.
FIdelis O. Mkparu
Listen to Podcast
Topics of Conversation
• About Soulful Return and the inspiration behind the story/ • Writing a fictional accounting versus a memoir or biography • Reconnecting with his family, homeland and soul • The struggle of immigrants • Growth as a writer • What's next for Fidelis Mkparu?
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The Lone Sailboat - Navigating in Political Waters By Edward Korczynski
Like an American Chesterton, Ed Korczynski has taken a hard look at our cur- rent moral environment, compared it to the one within which he grew up in the 1950s and 60s, and asked himself “What the heck happened?” In answer to the issues he raises, Korczynski proposes solutions inspired by his Catholic up- bringing that have been effective throughout the Church’s 2,000-year history. Outskirts Press (2021) - ISBN: 9781977243478 NonFiction - Religion/Christian Living - 80 pages - Tradeback - $16.95
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A Boy Named Malachi
Mal was only six when he found he was not welcome to join his friends in their white school. He was shocked. Sad and confused, Malachi looked for answers. One Saturday, while planting pansies, he looked up to see Julie, a very serious little blonde six-year-old. They both agreed the flowers looked like kitten faces. And there began his friendship of many years with her whole family..... the one which gave birth to this book. By Ruth Broek Outskirts Press (2022) - ISBN 9781977247223 NonFiction-Memoir - Family - 234 pages - Tradeback - $19.95
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A Collection of Tiny Stories - Diminutive Tales from the Tip of My Imagination
By CK Sobey Outskirts Press (2022) - ISBN: 9781737506133 Fiction-Short Stories - Tradeback - 63 pages - $17.95
A Collection of Tiny Stories: Diminutive Tales from the Tip of My Imagination presents prose and art that represent an inspirational celebration of the spirit, gathering “tiny” works “born out of moments of whimsy, mystery, and long- ing.” Add “and magic” to that list, because CK Sobey’s works employ a magical element that gather tales both fantastic and reflective into three sections: “In- spiring Odysseys,” “From the Heart,” and “Fanciful.”
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“Sometimes we need a little bit more than an endorsement, book review or book cover to get a feeling for the story and decide on whether to purchase or not a title”
BOOK VIDEOS
F or me, the little something is a book video. A book video not only brings to life the main story or topic for the reader, it can also portray a feeling on who the Author is and what mes- sage he or she wants to share. Below are some things I get from book videos that help make the decision to read the book but also gives me insight on its contents, improving in many cases, my reading experience. • The images – unlike movie trailers which use previews from the movie, the book video images could be off putting when reading the story, as the characters looks and settings will be a combined result of the descrip- tions, and the readers’ imagination. But images that do not mess with such specifics and instead reflect the mes- sage, topic, or plot are perfect as a pre- view of a book, because it helps us to visualize in a short time the content of the book. • Background music and narra- tor’s voice – The sound allows the possible reader to feel the mood of the story. Is it thrilling? Mysterious? Ro- mantic? • Finally, but not least is the script of the slides or voice narration. Here is where we learn what the book is all about, and other information like endorsements, Author website, and where to get the book.
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The Crown of Sammuramat
By Mel Weiser
Fiction-Thriller - Tradeback - 304 pages - $22.95 Outskirts Press (2022) - ISBN: 9781977250513
Nothing is more satisfying than a book snaring attention in its first pages until its final words. In pitting the mysteries of Ancient Assyria against the forces of contemporary America, this book carries a reader breathtakingly from a shock- ing opening to a glorious and gratifying conclusion. Enlightening. Imaginative. Hypnotic. A reading experience bringing smiles of satisfaction long after it has been put on a shelf. “The Crown Of Sammuramat”, a thriller to be remembered.
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Khuda Buksh - The Pioneer of Life Insurance in Bangla desh
By Muhammad Obaidur Rahim
Fulton Books (2022) - ISBN: 9781637108758
This is the story of a wizard of insurance whose work spanned about four decades in three countries from 1935 to 1973. During his life time he popularized life insurance in Bangladesh and became a legend. After his death in 1974, he was lost in history. But his son Muhammad Rahim, an US immigrant and a retired engineer, researched on his father’s life. The book may interest people studying leadership of a role model leader. NonFiction-Business/Memoir- Tradeback - 360 pages - $24.95
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Movin’ and Groovin’ - A Saga of Calamity By Oakley Taylor Outskirts Press (2022) - ISBN: 9781977250513 NonFiction-Memoir - Tradeback - 344 pages - $23.95
In 1973, a young woman embarked on a westward venture to unknown destinations. From the beginning, her plans go awry as she learns how vola- tile the world could be. This story is a tale of resurrection. From the depths of loneliness and the hardship of destitution, came hidden strengths. In- spired by the kindness of strangers and guided by blind faith lies hope for light at the end of a dark and dreary tunnel.
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Featured Books and Authors
Imani Lewis
Imani Lewis is a multi-award winning and national best sell- ing author of multiple genres. She enjoys reading to her babies and creating worlds that others can relate to.
Check out more titles by Imani Lewis at manitheauthor.com
Synopsis: Hello & Goodnight gives you a look at a day in the life of a toddler, through the eyes of a tod- dler! Engaging you with fun rhymes, beautiful imagery, and adorable hu- mor, Hello & Goodnight is sure to become a bedtime favorite.
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HELLO AND GOODNIGHT
Red Beetle Publishing, LLC (2021)
By Imani Lewis
ISBN 9781734517088
Tradeback - 34 pages - $11.99
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Fiction - Preaschool/Early Reader
**
A delightful story that will appeal to little ones, their parents, and their grandparents, and I highly recommend it as a must-have in every little home library.
— Sheri Hoyte Reader Views
* Reader Views Kids Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year
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Wally Jones Featured Books and Authors
Wally Jones is a first-time author. He is also fully dyslexic. It wasn’t until his late twenties, and after dozens of tests for physical disabilities and learning disorders, that it was discovered he was missing the fundamental ability to en- code and decode word phonics. Read- ing and writing simply wasn’t possible for him. He subsequently spent many years building a comprehensive Sight Vocabulary and is now considered to be fully compensated. However, dys- lexia still causes him many problems. Though he continues to struggle with reading and writing, Sam the Chosen serves as testament that all challenges can be overcome.
For more information about Wally- visit www.theprophecystoryline.com
Synopsis: The attacks changed everything. Life would never be the same. So much carnage, and yet the enemy was never seen. Not even once. The truth is, humanity had no chance. You can’t fight what you can’t see. Sam tries to return to a normal life after the attacks end, but constant reminders and paranoia feed the need for protection at all times. The desire to run, that internal voice trig- gering the urgency to escape this harsh world, is very real. Now an ill-fated camping trip will show Samantha just how deep the peril goes. Swept up in a new reality, she gains a deeper understanding of the way the world operates. For Sam, there is no returning to her old life. Sam is now Chosen.
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Sam the Chosen
By Wally Jones
Koehler Books (2021)
ISBN 9781646634545
Tradeback - 271 pages - $19.99
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Fiction - Fantasy/Epic
**
A n entertaining, well-crafted debut that challenges planet. —Kirkus Review W ally Jones respects his readers and know how to take us to the conflict in his opening paragraph. Sam the Chosen is a page- turner, taking its readers to a time and place humankind's stewardship of the
they will never forget. — Mary Ellen/Gavin Literary Agent
* 2021-2022 Reader Views Literary Awards Overall Gold Prize Winner * Winner in the Fantasy category * B.A. Bellec’s Production Studio Marketing Package * The Author Marketing Experts Award for Best Debut Fiction * Best Southesast Region -Regional Award Winner * Best North America - Global Award Winner
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MAKE EVERY DAY A CELEBRATION OF INCLUSIVE LOVE BY BAREFOOT LIBRARIAN
I hate that holidays seem to designate a season where specific attributes should be celebrated. For instance, Thanksgiving is the season to feel grateful. Christmas is the season to remember those with less than us and give to them so they, too, can celebrate the holiday. New Year’s is when we should all rethink our lives and set goals to improve. And February brings Valentine’s Day and the season to celebrate love, mainly romantic love. II have expressed this opinion before, but gratitude, generosity, empathy, set- ting goals to be better humans, celebrat- ing love, etc., should never be limited to a specific time of year. These are all at- tributes we should embrace and incor- porate into our lives all year. But today, I want to focus on love since that is what the retail world is pushing us to celebrate this month. You might be asking, what does this have to do with children’s lit- erature? Hang it in there; I will get there. Valentine’s Day can be a difficult day for children (and adults). The emphasis is on having a romantic partner to cele- brate your love with. So first, I think we must teach children that love of any kind should be celebrated – and that it should be celebrated all year long! Love can be
so many things. We love our pets, friends, family, homes, bodies, home- towns, ourselves, etc., and of course, books! Children’s literature is full of examples of all these types of love. However, love of all types is under siege now, and we must defend and embrace it all year long. When love looks different, it is attacked. Books for children depicting love out- side of the male/female relationship are being banned. Love is an emotion, a celebration, and love is love! Children need to feel safe to express their love. School librarians are facing challeng- ing times that limit their ability to pro- vide children access to books that teach them to love themselves and whom- ever they want. It is incumbent upon bookstores, public libraries, educators, and parents to ensure these books are available to children outside the school environment. And as you read this ar- ticle, Valentine’s Day has just passed. However, let’s not limit our celebration of love to what some consider “accept- able” love, and let’s not limit our cel- ebration of love just to February.
Eve Panzer reviews books for Reader Views Kids as well as her own business, Barefoot Librarian. Monthly she publishes the Barefoot Librar- ian Newsletter. She sells children’s books published by Barefoot Books and Usborne Books & More at book fairs, educational conferences, com- munity events, and online. She earned her Masters in Library and Infor- mation Science from the University of Texas in Austin and worked as a school librarian before retiring to start her own business. barefootlibrarian.com
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I Love You Too Author: Ziggy Marley Illustrator: Ag Jatkowska Publisher: Akashic Books (2014) ISBN: 9781617753107 Children-1-3 years old-Hardcover - $14.83
W ords from the song by Ziggy Marley, inspired by his daughter. Diverse characters and animals depict all kinds of love – family, friends, animals, insects, and even the love of our planet Earth. Pictures are cheerful, playful, and full of bright colors. The refrain, “I love you too!” repeats throughout the book.
Luna Loves Library Day
Author: Joseph Coehlo Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers Publisher: Kane Miller Books / EDC Publishing (2018) Children-3 - 8 years old-Hardcover - $18.95 ISBN: 9781610676755 T his book combines the love of books with love within a family.
Even though Luna’s parents are divorced, she knows that both her parents love her – as is explained in a story within the story featuring fairytale creatures. In addition, an element of diversity is brought in as Luna’s parents are biracial.
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Amy Pflueger Featured Books and Authors
I am a Best-Selling and Award-Winning author, and is a proud mother of two totally awesome boys who both have autism. I have a bachelor’s degree in business, and I am an autism self advo- cate who loves learning about autism and supporting autism organizations. I advocate for kids with autism to be heard, valued and understood. My mis- sion through this book is to encourage self belief and resilience, to embrace different abilities, and to empower kids with autism to reach their full potential no matter what challenges they have.
For more information about Amy visit www.ausome-able.com. T his book shows us how to embrace our own uniqueness, talents, and interests, empowering those that read it to feel super! Perfect for kids beginning school, full of new faces, to those well versed in making new friends, this is a read perfect for helping our little ones understand more about themselves and the talents of everyone around them. —Jill Rey Reader Views T his is such a powerful resource. As a pediatric occupational therapist myself, I find this book to be important for parents, students, teachers and the team that a child has around them. We so often get lost in what a child cannot do, and need to stop and remember all the beautiful powers each unique and individual child has. Love the incorporation of all the calming strategies! — Amazon Customer Review
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This Is Me! I am who I’m meant to be!
By Amy Pflueger
Independently Published (2021)
ISBN 9798519247504
Tradeback - 30 pages - $9.99
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Nonfiction - Children/ Early Reader-8
**
Synopsis: This book explains au- tism though the lens of an autis- tic child in a special way inviting people to visit their unique world, to help people understand more about autism and the reasons be- hind their unique behaviors, to embrace differences and to raise acceptance. This story is to em- power kids with autism to believe in themselves and reach their full potential no matter what challeng- es they have; encouraging them to be confident in being who they are - because they are who they’re meant to be!
*Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Book Written/Illustrated by an Author/Illustrator Age 18 and Under.
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