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THE A LIST
AUTHORS MAKING MARKS IN THE INDUSTRY From media exposure to large-scale competitions, these individuals are living proof that a burning passion coupled with a brilliant idea can take you places.
COVER STORY: Marvela Dawnay turns her painful ordeal into an inspirational story that garnered the much-coveted ForeWord Clarion five-star review.
I N SP AN I SH
BOOK CATALOG
I N SP AN I SH
Browse through and discover your next literary purchase from a wide array of titles from Authorhouse, Xlibris, Trafford, Palibrio and iUniverse.
Want to hone your craft? Do your research and sharpen your writing chops with these tips and tricks to help you write that masterpiece of a book.
If you’re a book enthusiast on the hunt for a new read, check out some of these book festivals and exhibits happening in the next few months.
Missed any big literary events? No worries. This page gives you all the information you need to make you feel as if you were there in the flesh.
e m o c l We Welcome to BOOKMAD, the new free magazine for all lovers of books and reading. If you’re an avid reader, an aspiring novelist or just want to selfpublish your story, this is the mag for you. And you can read BOOKMAD anywhere, any time - on your tablet or smartphone. If you’ve got the story in your head and haven’t got it together on paper yet, learn how many self-published authors have faced that battle and got their story published, plus learn from the many writing tips they disclose, all for free.
If you are looking for new books in your favorite genre, thrillers to fantasy to personal memoirs - they’re all here to buy and download!
THE
CONTRIBUTORS Phil Mounsey COPYWRITER
Maricel Alcantara COPYWRITER
Mireia Diaz COPYWRITER
Jeremy Scott COPYWRITER
Michael Burns COPYWRITER
So go on and enjoy this inaugural edition of BOOKMAD and be sure to look out for next month’s with more secrets of successful self-published authors, more writing tips and a whole new catalog of books to read and enjoy.
Happy Reading!
Thomas McKinley COPYWRITER
Salve Dinolan
CONTENT COORDINATOR
Dominic Genotiva DESIGNER
Take a little time and tell us how we’re doing.
Raymond Chin ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
COVER STORY | MARVELA DAWNAY
BREAKAWAY Getting Free from a Life of Manipulation and Abuse
Emotional manipulation occurs when one uses insidious or menacing means to control another person in order to gain advantage for themselves. It usually starts out subtly, in such a way that the victim will not even suspect any problem at all. However, as time progresses, the tactics of the manipulator become more outright and, more often than not, physically abusive. Despite this, such abusive tactics tend to give rise to feelings of codependence for the manipulator, so much so that the victim feels too frightened to break free. AuthorHouse author Marvela Dawnay is no stranger to this fear. Whilst going through her third divorce to Rolf, she found it hard to believe that Rolf had been able to manipulate her back into a relationship of abuse for the third time. It was then that Dawnay began to realize she had been manipulated into fear by a psychopath, and that there was always a pattern. There are masses of women in all corners of the globe suffering the same ill-treatment as Dawnay—who are also paralyzed with the fear of speaking out. Dawnay was inspired to write her book MANipulated Into Fear as she felt the need to share her story with others that may have been or who were going through the same ordeal she had endured. With the support from her friends and family, Joel Osteen’s words, Oprah Winfrey’s intuition, and Dr. Phil’s expertise, Dawnay found the strength and determination to write her successful book.
COVER STORY | MARVELA DAWNAY When Dawnay found what was needed to counter the cycle of abuse, she subsequently penned her story, MANipulated Into Fear, which rightfully deserves the praise it has received.
“If there is something that you want to write about, write it, especially if your story will relate to others and/or help them.” The hype surrounding MANipulated Into Fear would not have come about had it not been for the myriad of marketing strategies used by Dawnay: speaking at women’s groups to let them know about her book, as well as having copies available for purchase, putting up her website manipulatedintofear.com, handing out MANipulated Into Fear business cards and letting these people know that her book is about mental and physical abuse (which often begets similar stories of their own), giving away books to libraries in order for people to read and recommend to others, and visiting local bookstores in the hope they will stock her book. On top of this, she has also created MANipulated Into Fear pages on Facebook and Twitter. With a ForeWord Clarion five-star review, Dawnay is overjoyed at the encouragement she has received, not only for herself, but to fulfill her desire of helping those in similar situations. Many readers are continually asking Dawnay about her current situation in relation to Rolf and whether she has broken free for good this time. Inevitably, it inspired Dawnay to start writing again. The AuthorHouse community should feel privileged to know that Dawnay was kind enough to give us a sneak preview of her second book,
White Roses in a Dream. The initial chapters will be a sequel to MANipulated Into Fear, and the concluding chapters will change from nonfiction into fiction since “when one continues to live in fear, they must dream.” Dawnay, who is pleased with the outcome of her literary endeavor, extends this advice to aspiring authors, “Self-publishing is an investment in a product that you wish for readers to read. You have put a lot of time and effort into your book as if it were a business. Like with everything in life, you get what you pay for, and if you want excellent customer service and a great product, seek AuthorHouse for publishing. I had four companies that stated they would publish my book. My final decision was made when two authors in my area had published with AuthorHouse and were greatly satisfied.”
THE A LIST | JOHN KORTUM
JOHN KORTUM
talks about cutting-edge medical discovery on The Dr. Oz Show Xlibris author John Kortum may have discovered man’s untapped innate self-healing abilities in his book The Kortum Technique, recently featured by renowned medical and TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz on The Dr. Oz Show. “What if we could use our own intuition to diagnose and treat ourselves for diseases?” Dr. Oz asked his audience and TV viewers as he opened his daily show. This question is John Kortum’s book in a nutshell. The Xlibris author poses a challenge to us in the twenty-first century, heavily reliant on artificial medicine. “Dr. Oz’s Book Corner” says this about Kortum and his intuitive medicine discovery:
In 2001, John approached the health-care delivery system to formally test his abilities for identifying health imbalances in the human body. A study was designed, and scientific protocols were implemented by a clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University, an adjunct professor of physiology and biophysics at Georgetown University, and a gestalt therapist with a master’s of scrollable text
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“One man’s enduring curiosity leads to a cutting-edge medical assessment technique that is transforming healthcare delivery.”
John began investigating the human sensory system at a young age and made two remarkable discoveries. He found that our ordinary five senses have extraordinary capacities and the human body has an obvious and consistent way of communicating health information that can be accessed by looking at people.
Watch John Kortum as a guest on The Dr. Oz Show here.
THE A LIST | MYNE WHITMAN So What Made Whitman Choose the Romance Genre? As with many authors, the most natural writing flows when you are depicting something you are genuinely passionate about. Whitman is passionate about, well, passion. She is a “great believer in love” and considers herself “lucky to meet and marry the love of [her] life.” Her writing is a reflection of her real-life romance and a contrast between the “drizzling winter rains” of her present home and her “dreams of the long, hot days” in her native Nigeria.
MYNE WHITMAN
is living her dream
AuthorHouse published author Myne Whitman lives with her husband in America’s Pacific Northwest. She has certainly travelled a long way from her home in Enugu, Nigeria, to achieve her “childhood dream of spinning stories.” Whitman holds a master’s degree in public health research, but writing has always been her passion. She realized her dream of becoming a published author in December 2009, after selfpublishing her first book, A Heart to Mend, through AuthorHouse. It soon became apparent that she had made the right decision as today she is regarded as an inspiration to her fellow Nigerian writers.
An Inspiration to Her Fellow Nigerian Writers Whitman recognizes the difficulties facing Nigerian writers in gaining recognition for their work. Seeing her success, a number of aspiring Nigerian authors contacted her, asking for help and advice. Whitman’s response was to create Naija stories. Nigerian writers can join this community and connect with one another, agents, published authors, and the general public to find ways to gain their own recognition. “It was my way of saying to Nigerian writers and other writers that you’re not alone, you just have to keep writing, and one day your voice will be heard.” scrollable text
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National Award Winner Her popularity was rewarded with four Nigerian Blog Awards and validated with several weeks spent at the top of Amazon UK’s Kindle bestseller list.
“A Heart to Mend was an instant success, establishing Whitman as one of Nigeria’s most popular contemporary fiction writers in the romance genre.”
THE A LIST | VIVIAN DITZLER
VIVIAN DITZLER and “A Touch of Immortality”
“A Touch of Immortality received an honorable mention recently at the Hollywood Book Festival.” Vivian, a nurse who works with special-needs children, also travels the world with her husband (a member of the US Army). When asked about the self-publishing process, she had this to say: “When I decided to get my book published, the negatives and obstacles I faced were numerous. After attending a writing seminar, I learned about AuthorHouse. Self-publishing is a lot of work, yes, but you are part of the whole process; gratifying indeed! “My favorite part was designing the cover; the designing team was brilliant. When you finally put the face to your masterpiece, a very crucial step is considering the fact that people do judge the book by its cover. My hard work pays off, and I have no words to describe the feeling of accomplishment.”
Vivian Tells All: About Her Background, Her Writing Influences, and Her AwardWinning Book My name is Vivian Ditzler. I was born in Puerto Rico, and Spanish is my first language. Writing >>
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THE A LIST | CHARLES LEVY
EL VOLCÁN AuthorHouse author Charles L. Levy’s action novel, El Volcan, received honorable mentions at both the New York and Hollywood Book Festivals last year, and we’re very pleased that Charles had time to talk with us about himself, his writing, and his self-publishing experience. Who is the author behind the book? Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Charles L. Levy, MD, and I am a neurosurgeon in Ohio. I started writing this book when I was still a United States Marine Corps officer, before I decided to attend medical school. The book is based on experiences I had as a military advisor to the Armed Forces of El Salvador during the civil war there.
From the book’s overview:
“A taciturn and moody young man, Lieutenant Peter Kane, USMC finds himself thrust squarely into the center of the violence and bloodshed of a Central American communist revolution...”
Do you have any particular literary influences that helped you develop your writing? I enjoy a wide variety of different types of literature, all of which have had some influence on my writing. For better or worse, however, I believe that my style is pretty much my own. Tell us about El Volcan. My book is an attempt to describe the experiences and thoughts of a military advisor during a civil war in Central America. It is set during the late ’80s/early ’90s “line in the sand” period of US foreign policy in a fictional Central American country, San Cristobal. The main character is a US Marine officer who becomes personally involved and embroiled in the conflict to the extent that he loses his >>
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THE A LIST | DAVID PERLSTEIN
iUniverse Star Author
DAVID PERLSTEIN Perlstein’s iUniverse book Slick! has made him one of Kirkus Reviews’ top 25 indie authors of 2012. With this recognition, Perlstein also deserves to be among iUniverse Star authors. With eighty years’ experience in the publishing industry, Kirkus Reviews is considered a reputable book review organization. The company caters to unpublished and self-published authors.
“Fame and fortune may escape me, but I can—and must— write with integrity.” David’s iUniverse star shines even more brightly with his thoughts on self-publishing. He basks in the creative and marketing freedom that independent publishing provides writers. Further, he asserts that being an indie doesn’t translate to poor writing. “The pressure to sell experienced by traditional publishing can distort a writer’s integrity. I don’t suggest that every publisher in New York always seeks to amp up titillation to move books. But agents and editors face bottom-line pressures, as do working writers. If a vapid story with vapid characters written in vapid prose has an audience, its author will find a home. Conversely, if agents and editors fear that a well-written book won’t find an audience, they’re not likely to offer a contract.
Perhaps any reader to come across this article would agree that the most moving of his insights would be his book-children analogy. “As for me, my books are like my children. I have three—adult children, that is. As a parent I ask, how do I want them to live? What values should scrollable text
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“What’s a writer to do? Distribution via print-on-demand or downloading offers welcome opportunities to maintain control. But it also demands responsibility. An independently published book is just as real as one published traditionally. The process does not excuse a writer from producing anything other than his or her best.”
David considers the satisfaction derived from writing more important than the acclaim, which he says most people are dying to have in pursuit of the American Dream. Some writers are fortunate to savor the success, while most don’t. They write nevertheless, and “toil on anonymity,” he adds.
THE A LIST | REBECCA BLOOM
REBECCA BLOOM: A Novelist Among Many Talents
From studying at a Parisian chef school, founding a fashion design company, to becoming executive editor for the Los Angeles Confidential magazine, she’s been there, done that and designed the T-shirt along the way. She’s also found the time to write three novels, which have been featured in the national media and have been well received by readers. Rebecca’s latest offering, Eat, Drink and Be Married, is published by iUniverse and is a happy romp through chick-lit heaven. How would you describe your book to new readers? Eat, Drink, and Be Married is about four best friends from college who come together for one of their destination weddings and the drama and hilarity that ensues when you mix sentimental moments, best friends, and lots of alcohol. All of the characters embark on an emotional journey that takes them all down the aisle towards selfdiscovery. How did you become engaged in writing your book? This is my third novel, and I wanted to branch out from my other two. The first, Girl Anatomy, was in the first person with really one main character. The second, Tangled Up in Daydreams, was a more traditional novel and less diary-like, but still really only had one main character, one main voice. I wanted to try writing something with a collective
voice, many different women experiencing different things but all coming together in a moment of time. Was it part of your dreams to become a published author? I never really thought about writing as a career, but I always kept a journal and wrote lots of mopey adolescent poetry. But when it happened when I was 25, it was a dream come true that I didn’t know I had. Where did you get the inspiration to write your book? I was inspired by my friends and what we were all experiencing at the weddings we were going to. The guests always have such a different experience than the couple walking down the aisle, whether someone is single and meeting someone for a romantic fling, or a married couple dealing with their own imperfect relationship amidst another making the leap. Real life intersects with huge doses of sentimentality, and big emotional notes are hit. I wanted to explore this cascade of different experiences. >>
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THE A LIST | DORIS WASHINGTON
DORIS WASHINGTON Gets Outstanding Leadership Award
Many Xlibris authors are making names not only for their writing talent but also for their philanthropic deeds. Xlibris author Doris Washington, who wrote her poetry book Faith, Hope & Love, published by Xlibris in 2008, is among our well-rounded self-published writers worthy of acknowledgment. The author-poet was awarded the Inspirational Leader Award 2013 at the Miracle Life Church (MLC), Harrisburg Pennsylvania, United States, on April 21, 2013. The award recognized her significant contributions, particularly her poems, as inspiration to her community and across the country. MLC nomination chairperson Trena Clark expressed admiration for and gratitude to Doris. “The Inspirational Leader Award is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for your outstanding leadership and community contribution in the sphere of your influence. Your efforts in contributing to the stability and success of our society must be celebrated. We applaud your stellar character, excellence and philanthropic good will,” Trena Clark noted.
“Xlibris author Doris Washington shows that her leadership skill is as rich as her poetry.”
Also a spiritual writer, disability advocate, and an entrepreneur, Doris wrote her poetry compilation following an accident that involved her son with autism and two police officers in 1993. This inspired her to educate police officers about autism through a statewide training program called Recognizing Special Needs. Her writing journey commenced thereon, with over 500 poems to date. She believes her poetry has brought her solace and healing as she became more attuned with her spirituality. Recently, Doris had her book signing for The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins at Barnes & Noble in Atlanta, Georgia.
THE A LIST | JILL CRISCUOLO
JILL CRISCUOLO: This Jill Isn’t Falling Down Such is the uniqueness of Trafford-published author Jill Criscuolo, who at a young age has already carved out a niche in the business as a brilliant singer-songwriter and a budding actress. Now, she can add “self-published author” to her lengthy list of accolades with the release of her inspirational illustrated children’s book entitled I Want To . . . The story revolves around the adventures of a young girl named Francesca, better known in the book through her nickname Frankie. Along with her teddy bear and her cat, Cosmo, she goes on several imaginative adventures that take her through themes of discovery, hope, self-worth, companionship, simplicity, and love.
“Rare is the woman who can focus and succeed in one realm of the entertainment business, much less three!” Ms. Criscuolo shares that she developed her writing skills by penning poems, which eventually led to songwriting and eventually pursuing her publishing dreams. “I decided to write my own book when I realized that my passion for writing could go in many directions other than writing songs. My whole life I wrote poems, so I realized one of the poems called ‘I Want To’ could be turned into a book, and that’s how I got to this beautiful new adventure.”
She divulged that aside from being inspired by her role models Dr. Seuss and Janet and Allan Albeerg, authors of the children’s book Jolly Postman, she was also motivated to write about the curiosity and inquisitiveness of children, a trait that she believes can lead them to set goals that they can achieve in the future. “My inspiration to write the book was sparked by the curiosity I observe in children. That motivated me to write this story from the heart. I see children every day saying ‘I want to do this’ and ‘I want to do that!’ So I wanted to show that no matter who or where you are, you can do anything if you use your imagination. The best part about an imagination is we all have that ability, so don’t go out looking for one. After reading this, a person will realize that all >>
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THE A LIST | STEVE SWATT
STEVE SWATT reveals the truth behind political reporting
For over two decades, Steve Swatt had been a political reporter for KCRA, Sacramento’s NBC affiliate, and he contributed to NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, and other public-affairs programs. He’s been recognized for his work and won several awards, including the Northern California Emmy Award. Using his experiences as an award-winning journalist, Steve has written a thrilling novel based around Sacramento politics, which is winning him yet more awards. Trafford Publishing interviewed Steve to find out more about his career, how it influenced his fiction writing, and what tactics he has employed to boost his book’s exposure. So what’s your book all about? What can readers expect to get from it? Fair, Balanced . . . and Dead is a fast-paced, entertaining political thriller set at the state capitol in Sacramento in which a TV political reporter tries to unearth the biggest political scandal since Watergate. It draws heavily on my experiences as a political reporter and, at times, is critical of the broadcast media’s approach to news and public affairs.
Primarily, Fair, Balanced . . . and Dead is a political thriller designed to entertain the reader. However, woven into the plot is a discussion of the news media’s disdain for important public policy coverage and their dependence on ratings. This obsession with ratings has turned local television into a popularity contest where being best and most responsible is not as important as being number one. In fact, local television is no longer in the newsgathering business—it is in the audience-gathering business. Did writing the book require much research? Although Fair, Balanced . . . and Dead is a novel, it is based on real-life scrollable text
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How did your real-life experiences as an awardwinning journalist help to shape the book? I spent twenty-five years as a journalist, mostly as a reporter covering state and national politics. As such, I produced approximately five thousand stories and have covered, in depth, some of the major political figures in modern US history, beginning with Ronald Reagan’s tenure as California governor. My experiences are the basis for the book. Fair, Balanced . . . and Dead takes the reader behind the scenes in the halls of political power and at a major television station to see how news stories are produced—not always in the public’s best interest.
“As a journalist, you’re taught to get the facts, make sure they’re accurate, and report them to the public.”
THE A LIST | BETTY COLLIER
B E T T Y C OLLI ER
wins a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Award Betty Collier received a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal 2013 for her book SHOWgrins, published by Xlibris earlier this year. Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews and Award Contest is considered the “fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet,” with over 300 professional reviewers. With her zeal and writing flair acknowledged, Betty proves that self-published writers indeed have something to say. Get to know more about the Xlibris author as she talks about her book, literary feat, reader reviews, and optimism. Pleasant surprises Here’s what she had to say about her experience: When I opened the e-mail that read, “Congratulations, Betty Collier! SHOWgrins is a 2013 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner!” I was flooded with the gamut of emotions that I had experienced for the past couple of years. It’s ironic that the e-mail came exactly two years to the date from when I first read the headlines that tennis star Venus Williams pulled out of the US Open because of Sjögren’s syndrome. With hands trembling, heart pounding, and tears flowing, I continued reading the e-mail announcement and realized the journey I had begun in 2011 was so much greater and deeper than anything I could have ever imagined. Readers’ thumbs-up, more life-changing realizations A book review by Eduardo Aduna for Readers’ Favorite aptly summarizes what’s inside the book: “A touching and inspiring collection of tales that give readers an idea of what Sjögren’s syndrome is and the impact it can have on those who have it. The author, Venus Williams, and the five women featured in this book have all had their lives changed due to an encounter with this strange medical condition. The book is easy to read, with a flowing narrative that fully shows >>
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SOPA DE LETRAS | FÉLIX J. FOJO
FÉLIX J. FOJO: “El sistema político de los Estados Unidos no es perfecto pero es perfectible”
Se confiesa como caso atípico y no es para menos. Médico, analista político y ante todo, apasionado de la historia de los Estados Unidos, el autor de Palibrio Félix F. Fojo se atreve con la novela de ficción política con una obra con remotos tintes de posibilidad pero en la cual, como él mismo afirma, “pesa más la imaginación”. Escrita después de las elecciones presidenciales norteamericanas de 2012 que motivaron algunas peticiones secesionistas, 2017. Crónicas de la Secesión pretende “exorcizar esos demonios” a la vez que “transmitir fe y optimismo en la capacidad de este país de seguir siendo un referente de la democracia”. Para ello, este autor originario de Cuba plantea en su libro publicado en español un escenario hipotético para las elecciones del 2016: la elección de una mujer afroamericana como presidenta. Esto desencadenará las tentativas desmembradoras de un grupo de influyentes políticos y militares que, en contra del nuevo rumbo que toma la dirección del país, preparan una refundación política separada del poder central.
“Es un género comparativamente poco utilizado pero que tiene obras verdaderamente antológicas, como 1984 de Orwell o Fatherland de Harris”, subraya el escritor. Y aunque reconoce que “mucho de lo narrado ha ocurrido antes bajo otras formas, tal fue el caso de la Guerra de Secesión norteamericana”, espera que sus narraciones no transciendan del estricto ámbito de la ficción: “Algo como lo que narro sería muy doloroso para nuestro país y no quiero que suceda”, aclara. Este entusiasta de la historia quiere con esta obra autopublicada ayudar a crear conciencia política entre sus conciudadanos mediante la “crítica constructiva” a un sistema político que, asegura, “es la clave de scrollable text
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Cultivar la historia alternativa Con este argumento, Fojo cultiva un género literario aún desconocido para muchos, la ucronía, también denominado novela histórica alternativa porque especula sobre acontecimientos históricos no sucedidos que, no obstante, hubieran podido acontecer.
“El sistema político de los Estados Unidos no es perfecto pero es perfectible”
SOPA DE LETRAS | JULIETA QUIÑONEZ
JULIETA QUIÑONEZ: “El juego de la vida no es eterno, hay que aprovecharlo al máximo” La vida era sueño para Calderón de la Barca y es juego para nuestra autora, Julieta Quiñonez, quien mantiene la libertad de acción del primero y agrega riesgo a la metáfora. Lo hace en su libro publicado con Palibrio, El juego de la vida, una obra donde exhorta a los lectores a vivir la vida en el presente, sacándole el máximo partido a cada momento.
“Todo se debe hacer con y por amor, esa es la energía más poderosa.” Aunque en principio no planteó el libro como un homenaje a la persona que le dio la vida, éste refleja, inevitablemente, las enseñanzas que su madre le transmitió a lo largo de su feliz existencia. Sabios consejos de vida que ahora quiere transmitir a su hijo a la vez que da salida a su férrea voluntad de escribir y publicar.
“Nuestro juego no es eterno, hay que aprovecharlo al máximo”, asegura Quiñonez. Por este motivo, invita a los lectores “a vivir la vida en el presente, hacerse responsables de sus acciones, no culpar a nadie de nuestros errores e invertir tiempo en lo que nos haga felices”. Después de una protocolaria definición del concepto de juego, la escritora aborda las diversas posibilidades que este modus vivendi puede reportar a quien lo escoge: existen los juegos peligrosos, las sorpresas que da el juego o los viajes a donde los juegos pueden conducirte, por citar algunas.
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Son diez los capítulos de este libro publicado en español que desgranan los diversos aspectos considerados indispensables por la autora en el camino a la felicidad a partir de un lenguaje que ella misma califica de “fácil de digerir”.
La receta, “con y por amor” Aspectos que culminan todos resumidos en un principio universal compartido por la autora: “Todo se debe hacer con y por amor, esa es la energía más poderosa”. Esta energía es según ella la receta a seguir para vivir el juego de la vida como ésta se merece, con absoluta libertad y plenitud.
Wi n n i n g T ips for aspiring authors B u i l d a s t urdy foundation f or y ou r b ook b y d oing y o u r h o m ew o rk . Research is a must for authors because it shows that you are informed and knowledgeable on a t opic and it gives you instant credibility to potential readers; and don’t think that research is only n ecessary for nonfiction authors. Fiction writers can benefit from doing their homework too. The g ood news is that when you are writing about a subject that you’re passionate about, researching c an be fun and rewarding.
How to U s e R esea r c h t o C r a ft a Better Book 1. Read. It’s a cliché that good readers make good writers, but it’s a cliché for a reason. Immersing y ourself in the words of authors writing about your topic or in your book’s genre will inspire y ou to write your own book. Plus, surveying what books are out there can help you write a b ook that fills (not falls into) the gaps in the marketplace. 2. Let the Research Lead You. As you’re delving into your topic, the information you find might surprise you. Don’t ignore; t ake advantage of this opportunity, and follow the research to its natural conclusion. K eeping your mind open will help you produce a more, well-rounded book, even if it’s not t he book you originally envisioned writing. 3. Make Notes. Write down anything and everything (including the source and location) that you may want t o include in your book. This will save you time as you write and help you properly cite the information. Always credit the original source when using another’s ideas or information, w hether a statistic, a theory, a song lyric or a quote.
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Fall 2014
September 4-6, 2014
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September 21, 2014 Queen’s Park Circle
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SPOTLIGHT
To Dare a Dream: A Salty Memoir
This adventure story and autobiography begins with the dream of a fourteen-year-old boy to build a fishing schooner and sail around the world. It starts with the collection of all possible money, then the purchase of secondhand hard pine from the old textile mills. Eleven years along in the construction, with the total support of his family, he quit his full-time job and took out a promissory note from the bank. Earle used a great deal of improvisation to keep the costs down. Despite that, the money was spent in one year. His chapters go on to mention the >>
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About the Author At fourteen, Earle Williams studied celestial navigation, naval architecture, and boatbuilding. He had a dream to build a boat and sail around the world! He graduated from Tabor Academy, attended Brown University, then moved to Cape Cod to establish a marine business. He married Dorothy Taylor, and they had two daughters; together, they worked through countless humorous ordeals to finish his lifelong dream!
SPOTLIGHT
Wake-Up Calls
As the new employee at Watson’s Flowers, seventeenyear-old Krista knows she has to concentrate on her job and not on the party she is missing at Bayside Beach on Lake Huron. But all she really wants is to have a summer romance with Jeff Wellington, a fellow student, golfer extraordinaire, and wellknown jerk. As Krista ignores Jeff’s rather unsavory reputation and immerses herself in lively summer boating and beach adventures with him, she also gets to know her coworkers— >>
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About the Author Connie Gaertner is a former c oowner of flower shops and greenhouses in Michigan. After spending many summers sailing a nd boating on Lake Huron, she n ow happily resides in Marco Island, Florida.
“A rarity among today’s YA offerings” (Kirkus Reviews) Four stars, ForeWord Reviews’ Clarion Review. “Teens who enjoy romance novels will thoroughly enjoy Wake-Up Calls” (ForeWord Reviews’ Clarion Review) “A realistic story with complex characters” (BlueInk Review)
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You Can Get There From Here
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Paul LeBlanc was born in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada. He became a hairdresser at eighteen, much to his family’s dismay. Then at twenty he moved to Toronto, where he found a job doing wigs. At twenty, feeling restless, he found himself in Europe. England was the change where he found out it took a hairstylist on every film. Then after getting back to Canada, he started to work at CBC before he found himself working on feature films like The Black Stallion. His career brought
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My friend Paul LeBlanc and I have had many wonderful adventures together over the years. I knew we were going to be friends when we first met on a film called Silence of the North in 1981. We were shooting in northern Canada in forty-below temperatures. I had a scene where I had to run out of my cabin because a bear was on the roof, and shoot the bear. Paul and I were inside the cabin, just the two of us, waiting for my cue. When the bear went on the roof, the rafters of the cabin started sagging, and the snow came pouring in. It looked like
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The Hidden Truth Behind Beautiful Smiles
We are often judged by how we look, and the first thing people notice is a smile. In The Hidden Truth Behind Beautiful Smiles, author Dr. Zack Zaibak tells how modern cosmetic dentistry can transform ordinary smiles into stunning, gorgeous ones.
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Zack Zaibak, MS, DDS, is a licensed general dentist in the state of Illinois and one of the top practitioners of advanced cosmetic dentistry in that state. Honored by the Consumer Research Council of America as one of America’s top dentists, Zaibak has the latest advanced training and certification in Lumineers, Invisalign, and laser surgery.
Dr. Zaibak, honored by the Consumers Research Council of America for the last five years as one of America’s top dentists, discusses important issues relating to dental health and improving your teeth, your smile, and your self-esteem. Dr. Zaibak has been featured on national and local media outlets, including ABC, WGN Superstation, Fox, and Univision and has served as an expert commentator for the Chicago Sun-Times. He is also a provider of cosmetic dental care to
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Requiem
About the Author
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Arkady Povzikov was born in Leningrad, in the former Soviet Union. After finishing high school and the industrial college, he served in the Soviet Army. He spent his spare time writing poems and short stories, searching for a plot where he could express his feelings and his views of life. His first book, Goodbye to the Nevsky, was published in Toronto in 1987. His second book, The Purpose, was published in Moscow in 2005. The third book, The Thirteenth Apostle, was published in 2008 in the United States and >>
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They were just good friends since high school, or so they thought . . . Mark Bishop, a young American writer, blames himself for not finding the courage to tell Bella about his love for her. But just as in high school, he is unsure that he is worthy of her affections. Bella Kaminski is a twenty-six-year-old Russian American beauty. She is a singer in a popular Russian restaurant where her impressive voice and charm leave her with no shortage of admirers wherever she goes. When, out of the blue, Mark learns that Bella has cancer, he is determined to help her and
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This Life’s Tempestuous Sea
In a weak moment, I have written a book. —Margaret Mitchell
About the Author
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This book is a multilayered creation that touches on a wide array of topics, many of them drawn from personal experiences. Indeed, you the lucky reader will be blessed with enough material for at least three books within one cover. Why would I want to write such a multi-themed book? It wasn’t my original intention. Maybe I’ve learned an important lesson and won’t do so next time. Like many older folks, I wanted to
Born in 1942, Douglas Charles Toland grew up in a semirural corner of northern Delaware. The third of three sons in a blue-collar family, he felt confined by the pressures of near-constant parental and sibling monitoring throughout childhood. Rarely confident in the adolescent social world as well, he found solace in nature and in his love for all living things. This book highlights many of his struggles with unrealistic expectations (including many of his own),
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Never Giving Up & Never Wanting To: A Caregiver’s Journey
About the Author
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Barry Tutor, author and caregiver, spent much of his professional life as a problem solver. He was a navy logistician, small-business consultant, and employment advisor. Tutor’s background involved helping the military, small-business owners, and individuals through identifying problems, designing methods for resolving a variety of issues, and analyzing the results of his recommendations and actions. Tutor’s skills in research, analysis, and problem solving were never more >>
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Like most people, Barry Tutor knew about Alzheimer’s disease. It causes old people to forget. When his relationship with this disease began, it highlighted how little he knew. Following his widowed mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he researched this disease to gain insight about his new role as her caregiver and decision maker. What he learned and experienced during her affliction still left him somewhat unprepared for what was yet to come. Sixteen months following his mother’s diagnosis, his dear wife and best friend was diagnosed with early-
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Glorious Incorporated
In the ongoing war between good and evil, many battles are fought on many fronts. Leaders emerge from the unlikeliest circumstances to tip the balance of power. The power of good is embodied in Jonah International, a powerful corporate entity whose only interest is in ensuring mankind’s power of choice and thwarting evil at every turn. The world is falling under an influence of darkness and is in desperate need of a defender to lead them into the light. The leaders at Jonah believe that the answers lie in Joshua Arden, a young man with a hard life whose destiny could change the face of humanity and faith forever. The choice to accept this responsibility is his own. How will he choose?
About the Author Glorious Incorporated is Steven Neil Moore’s first fictional novel. He currently works as a consultant but has always had a passion for music and reading. His foray into writing came at a time when the need for a creative outlet finally overshadowed all of the compelling reasons not to write. The inspiration for completing this work came from his family. With their support and a story to tell, Glorious Incorporated emerged. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and three children and is working on his second novel.
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The Write Thing: A Novel by Anthony Ramirez Matthew’s dream is to be a writer. Too bad he’s the only one who seems to see the potential in himself. During his senior year of high school, Matt is beginning to feel the pressures of his dreams closing in around him. Still, he has no idea how he should go about being a writer at all. That is, until his English teacher—the intolerable Ms. Castro—informs him that he will be tutoring a sophomore by the name of Lexi O’Reilly. Suddenly, Matthew finds something worth writing about. As his writing makes its way around the school, life begins throwing Matt for quite the loop. His new girlfriend has become distant, his friend Kat turns and runs at the very sight of him, and his >>
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Fiction
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One in a Million by Darnell Williams Uriah is a third grader who loves to look at the stars. One night before going to sleep, his mother comes in and tells him that he shines like the stars in the sky. But when Uriah wakes up, the day takes a turn for the worse. He stops believing that he is like a star and wonders what makes him so special if he is just one among a million.
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Winter’s Faith by Frank R. Jarnot This story depicts the adventures of a young man who was born into humble beginnings and was raised by his mother following his father’s death when he was only three years old. Being raised near Connecticut allowed him to learn the nature of the tides, ocean currents, and boats, which he enjoyed and studied in great detail. This young man eventually escaped his humble surroundings by volunteering to join the army during the Korean War and was quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant because of >>
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My Foundation by K.G. Valentine I wanted to take the time and thank all of you who stuck by me during my horrendous struggle. There have been so many people that I have come in contact with over the years, and I wanted to say I’m sorry for anything I might have done that offended or hurt you. Shortly after my husband and I met, he made a comment to me that I didn’t give much merit to until now: “Don’t complain about the things that you have the power to change.” And I now follow that advice in my new everyday >>
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Life Lessons from My Five-Year-Old: Recognizing the Moments That Matter by Kimber Lynne Life Lessons from My Five-Year-Old shares the journey Kimber Lynne took to remember what matters most in life. Her aha moment came when she realized that her young daughter could save her from herself and show her what really matters in life. Once she realized this, she began to enjoy the extraordinary moments that happen every day instead of trying to anticipate what the future might bring. It is through teaching her daughter—and being taught by her in return—that she has been able to change her view of life’s important moments, >>
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Ripping the Veil by Jan Smolders In a room of a posh hotel in Punta Cana, the jewel of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Silvia Herrera, takes a stand against ruthless Mafia-style extortion and violence.
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Moments earlier, she’d discovered another victim of the brutal syndicate she works for. It’s the third case she’s encountered in two weeks, and she knows that she must draw a line in the sand. Just days ago, one of her acquaintances was murdered for not paying the protection money the mob demanded. She knows that her bosses are a cruel gang of criminals in the >>
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Biography & Autobiography | Women Paperback Hardback E-Book
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Girl-Swag by Chloé Taylor Brown Girl-Swag is a transformational training concept that is filled with strategies that can help you get into action to do the following: • Uncover your authentic self and gain confidence • Transform your thoughts, dreams, and goals by making it happen and turning your ideas into reality • Make better decisions, communicate with others, build rapport, and use your resources more effectively • Allow others to get to know the real you >>
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Thou Shalt Not Suffer A Witch To Live? by Ashis Gupta This book is a scientific interpretation of the Bible. It is written in a form of questions that the readers are encouraged to answer. The writer himself gives his interpretation and challenges the readers to think through the logic provided in the author’s answers. There is a chapter on time, space and matter. The author proposes that there is a universal time by which the universe operates. If we can figure out that time and find a way to measure it, then we would be able to calculate the center of the universe where heaven is. This is an intriguing new concept. The readers may want to know how it works. >>
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Family & Relationships/Parent & Adult Child
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Available in Paperback, Hardback, E-Book
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Stand Up to Stress By Dr. Stanley Miller
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Emmanuel By Glen S. Hoffman Juvenile Fiction/Beginner Available in Paperback, E-Book
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Available in Paperback, Hardback, E-Book
PTSD and Me By Retired MSG Dennis James Williams
PASSIONS & SCANDALS By LEE FLACK
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SPOTTED AROUND TOWN
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2013 Author Solutions attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 20-21 at the University of Southern California campus. Hosting book signings for their self-published authors, more than 1,100 titles were on display in its gallery, and nearly 80 authors were on hand, signing free copies of their books. { Tap image to enlarge }
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Author Solutions at Miami Book Fair International 2013
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Author Solutions, LLC, the world leader in supported self-publishing, hosted more than 60 book signings at Miami Book Fair International last November 22– 24, 2013 at the campus of Miami-Dade College in Miami, Florida. With hundreds of thousands potential readers in attendance, Author Solutions’ presence at Miami Book Fair International provides its self-published authors excellent opportunity to exhibit and promote their works. Over the three days, 53 authors, whose book topics run the spectrum of genres, participated in 62 complimentary signings in booths. In addition to the book signings, more than 1,000 titles from Author Solutions’ imprints and partner imprints displayed in a gallery.
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Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara 2013
Mรกs de 700.000 asistentes, mรกs de 20.000 profesionales del sector editorial y cerca de 2.000 representantes de medios de comunicaciรณn acreditados a cubrir el evento literario de mayor renombre en la literatura hispana. En Palibrio les podemos ofrecer los servicios de marketing que gusten pero ya les avanzamos que, cuantitativa y cualitativamente, ninguno garantiza a su obra semejante visibilidad como la Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara.
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