February Podcasts Offer Opportunity for Self-Reflection and Soul Searching

Writers in the Sky February Podcasts to Feature Tools to Put Your Soul on the Page and Three Works of Fiction that Challenge Our Spiritual and Cultural Beliefs


Nashville, TN, January 29, 2010 – The Writers in the Sky podcast enters this traditional month of love by presenting interviews that focus on the beauty that exists within our own souls as well as in the connection we find with spirits beyond our world. February starts with a book that teaches its readers how to develop the creativity and wisdom offered by our souls through writing. The month continues with a novel that addresses the difficult issues of cultural identity and stereotypes through the emotional story of one family. The following week brings an emotionally raw look at one woman’s re-evaluation of the strengths of her spiritual beliefs. The month comes to a close with a work of fiction that reveals the very real impact of charismatic personalities on our lives.

On February 5, Janet Conner will be sharing her book, Writing Down Your Soul, when podcast host Yvonne Perry interviews her about the mysterious process of tapping into the higher wisdom of your soul through writing. This is more than journaling. It's not automatic writing; it's something totally different. Learn how to find out what your soul and divine guidance is trying to share with you. Janet will share how to write from theta brain waves that support creativity rather than beta waves associated with stress (where many people live their daily lives).

Yvonne Perry will interview Maxine Thompson on February 12 about her new novel Hostage of Lies, which is published by Urban Soul. The story is a vivid portrait of Reverend Godbolt's family and his forebears. The family's secrets set the stage for a profound and provocative debate about black identity and destiny in America's past and present. The novel deals with the issue of adoption which often runs counter to African American culture due to the history of children being sold away from their mothers.

The podcast series continues on February 19 when Sarah Moore welcomes author Wilson Awasu as he discusses his new book Kim’s Confessions. In this novel, the title character approaches her church and her faith with a sense of entitlement. She presents a long family history and active involvement in her congregation as her defenses for not questioning the strength of her relationship with God. However, her entire belief system is changed when she reluctantly attends a seminar called “Radical Growth.”

On February 26, Barbara Fifield will be joining the podcast for an interview about Lucifer Rising. This new release tells the story of a female reporter who profiles a local religious cult leader and ends up being drawn into a relationship with him. Even when she learns of his history of violence and adultery, she cannot seem to escape. Lucifer Rising combines aspects of a thriller, romance, and exploration of the paranormal. During the interview, Ms. Fifield will share how her previous profession contributed to the writing of her new book, why she wanted to tackle the controversial issue of cults, and what she has planned next for her readers.

“I am so excited to have a month of interviews in which we can focus on issues of spirituality and the power of examining the potential within our own souls,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “I hope that our listeners find something during our February interviews that will stay with them long after the month is over.”

About Writers in the Sky: Writers in the Sky blog, podcast, and newsletter is a three-fold production filled with information about writing, publishing, and book publicity created by Yvonne Perry as part of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services.

Listening to Writers in the Sky Podcast on a computer is easy. Go to http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/. On the right sidebar there is a list of archived shows. Click on the interview you would like to hear and it will open a post that has a link to the audio file.

The Green and Ethical Success Formula: This Book Could Change Your Life

* Nice guys don't finish last--they finish first
* Being a Green, eco-friendly business is *more* profitable
* Customers, suppliers, and even competitors can do a whole lot of your marketing for you

Do you believe in your heart that successful businesses can be Green and ethical? I certainly do! And part of the reason is a guy named Shel Horowitz. For years, Shel has been cheerfully spreading "heresies" like the three ideas above.

I've been following Shel for a while. He won an Apex Award for a book he wrote several years ago called Principled Profit, which was one of the first to challenge the conventional wisdom about the place of ethics and the environment in business success--and that self-published book was republished by mainstream publishers in both India and Mexico. An environmental activist since his teens, he even started an international movement around business ethics.

For Shel, these core principles aren't just something you have to do because it's the right thing, or simply to stay out of jail. They are actually the cornerstones of success--and many well-known companies prove him right every day, showing that you can make a profit and still hold your head up high.

Now I'm thrilled to let you know that Shel has teamed up with the legendary Jay Conrad Levinson, the "father of Guerrilla Marketing," to package all his wisdom about success with Green and ethical business practices in a brand new book, Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green: Winning Strategies to Improve Your Profits and Your Planet. This 236-page book, published by John Wiley & Sons, demonstrates that Green values, strong ethics, and a cooperative philosophy are cornerstones of success, and provides a roadmap on how to not only run your business in alignment with these values, but how to creatively harness the marketing advantages of that stance--often in ways that cost little or nothing to implement.

With examples of not only what to do right but also how not to do wrong ranging from solopreneurs to Fortune 100 companies (IBM, Apple, Ford, GM, Johnson & Johnson, and others), this remarkable book will help you increase and leverage your Green commitment, reach new markets, and slash your marketing costs.

You'll actually learn a whole new way to think about marketing, including

* Spreading the word at no cost through partner relationships with other businesses and nonprofits/not-for-profits

* Turning customers, suppliers, and even competitors into your sales ambassadors

* Getting coverage in newspapers, radio, TV, blogs, social media sites, and other media

* Creating REAL Green messages that can't be brought down by accusations of 'greenwashing'

See why the book went to press with more than 50 endorsements, including such marketing legends as Mark Joyner, Fern Reiss, Chris Brogan, and Michael Port--not to mention Green gurus like Joel Makower and Jacquelyn Ottman. Stephen M.R. Covey (author of The Speed of Trust) wrote the foreword.

Oh yes, Shel and Jay are practicing what they preach. One of their strategies is to partner with a charity, and they are donating a portion of the launch proceeds to Green America, the nation's leading green economy organization, helping people and businesses everywhere make the shift to a socially just and environmentally sustainable economy. Their programs guide consumers to find and make green choices, help green businesses emerge and thrive, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, and demand corporate accountability.

Please visit http://tinyurl.com/AFFGreenSH to purchase this book from your choice of retailer, with prices starting at $14.69 (list price is $21.95). Buying from this site qualifies you for a substantial bonus package, including two free months of membership in The Clean and Green Club (Shel's eco/ethical business membership program), a 20-minute consultation with a publicist, 70 tips on creating credibility, and more. I've put in a bonus, too.

Yvonne Perry

Yvonne and Barbara Have Gone to the Dogs!

We have looked to our dogs as the experts on how to live a good life: love unconditionally, forgive everyone, and make someone smile when they are sad!

Today author Barbara Techel will be my guest as we discuss her second book, Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.

Children and seniors who have special needs or disabilities will easily relate to this true story told from a therapy dog’s viewpoint. The second book in the series, tells how Frankie became a registered therapy dog and gives several personal accounts of her visits to the residents of Libby’s House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia www.libbyshouse.com

We all face challenges in life, but dealing with them is much easier when there’s support and understanding from significant others—even animals. Frankie is a dachshund who is paralyzed in her hind quarters as a result of an injury. But, she does not allow her physical challenges to limit her purpose or her gift of healing to others. Custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair (dog cart), Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog uses her disability to bring a message of hope and encouragement to young and old. The fact that she is in a wheelchair makes her a bit more unique as she helps people in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice identify on a deeper level. She has a challenge like many of them.

Frankie’s human mom and the book’s author, Barbara Techel, hoped for years to have a therapy dog and share the love that only a dog can bring. She wanted the dog to visit people who may not have animal contact on a regular basis. When Frankie was fitted for a doggie wheelchair, Barbara wrote the first book and started taking Frankie to local schools to entertain children Then, she realized Frankie would make a great therapy dog for adults as well as children.

Visiting Libby’s House once a month opened Barbara’s heart and eyes to realizing that people may not always understand what the elderly are going through, and all they want is someone to listen and spend time with them.

Because she is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities through her therapy dog work, Frankie was awarded the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame Companion and is the official mascot for National Disabled Pets Day. This little dog teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most—love.

Through Frankie’s example, Barbara hopes to encourage anyone facing a challenge.Having a disability does not mean we don’t have gifts to offer. Each of us can give back to the world in our own, unique way. Frankie’s volunteer work is a great way to prompt others to get involved in their own communities and find a way to be of service. Barbara says the rewards are beyond anything she could have ever imagined. www.joyfulpaws.com

Even though she and Frankie visit Libby’s House once a month, Barbara still enjoys sharing with children the messages in her books. In fact, she has found a new way to share Frankie’s story via Skype an Author Network whose mission is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual classroom visits. See http://tinyurl.com/SkypeBarbara to learn more.

Children are invited to follow Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog’s adventures on Frankie's Blog: http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com/. Adults will find more information about caring for special needs animals on Barbara’s blog at http://www.joyfulpaws.typepad.com/.

Start your own podcast with Audio Acrobat.

Yvonne Perry will be on Holistic Children Blog Talk Radio Tomorrow!

Saturday, January 30th, I will be doing a radio interview with Cathi Curen on her show, Holistic Children. I’ll be discussing my children’s art showcase and my book, The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children http://thesidseries.com/. Here is what Cathi wrote about my guest appearance.

Self-esteem is the foundation to experience oneself as being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life, and of feeling worthy of happiness. Our guest expert Yvonne Perry, author of The Sid Series has written a collection of holistic stories for children to help kids learn about inner guidance, being true to one’s self, caring for the body, overcoming fear, recycling, and other health-conscious topics. Through her work, Yvonne guides and nurtures these important life skills to instill a healthy sense of self-esteem. This unique collection of short stories is rooted in imagination and truth to expand our awareness and tell us something about our spiritual selves. The 12 stories deal with topics that children and many adults have a difficult time understanding and believing.

Nurturing Self-Esteem Through Story - Holistic Children on Blog Talk Radio http://ow.ly/XKGW

Coaching to Get a Book Deal Proposal

I wanted you to be one of the first ones to know about my good friend Stephanie Gunning's new private coaching program: Get a Book Deal™ Proposal Coaching.

If you enter the program, Stephanie will work with you one-on-one to:

• Hone your unique book concept
• Develop an actionable marketing plan
• Guide you through preparation of an industry-standard book proposal
• Offer a reading and critique on written drafts of the proposal sections
• Provide you with tools, support, and structure to accomplish your publishing goals
• Help you make the most out of the experience as possible,to achieve and receive your desired creative outcomes, and to feel a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and satisfaction that you have moved toward your full potential as an author

Read about the program details. . .

Stephanie is not like other publishing consultants you might have heard about. She doesn't make her clients wild promises about them being able to finish their book in a couple of hours. She knows it takes thought and planning. She can get you to a deal in two to three months, if you're ready to focus on your book!

Stephanie has been in the business for 25 years and has sat on both sides of the table--working as an in-house acquisitions editor, as a freelance editor, and as an author. She understands how to navigate the creative process and your publishing relationships. Stephanie is also wide awake spiritually.

Her clients and coauthors include bestselling authors like Gregg Braden (The God Code), Hale Dwoskin (The Sedona Method), and others you may have heard of, and she's well-liked by her colleagues because she's a straight shooter.

If 2010 is the year you plan to do a book, and you're ready to step up, you should seriously consider Get a Book Deal™ Proposal Coaching from Stephanie. Her clients have received contracts from companies you'd be proud to be connected with, including: Hay House, New World Library, McGraw-Hill, Jossey-Bass, Perigee, J.P. Tarcher, Health Communications Inc, Broadway Books

"Everybody needs someone to 'make them look good'. After working with me for more than a year on my first book proposal in 30 years, I had eight publishers within three weeks interested, and sold it within five weeks to the perfect publisher, New World Library. Stephanie's experience with book proposals and writing, her ability to polish my work for me, instead of just telling me to do it made this all possible. She's a writer's best friend, and a real gem!"  —Ernest Chu, author of Soul Currency: Investing Your Inner Wealth for Fulfillment and Abundance

Don’t let another year go by. Check out Get a Book Deal™ Proposal Coaching. Tell Stephanie I sent you!

Sincerely,

Yvonne Perry
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com 

We Did It! We’re Number One!

A few weeks ago I asked the Writers in the Sky community to support my WITS client and author friend, Allison Maslan in the launch of her new book, Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality. I want to thank each of you who bought her book and hope to encourage you to read it and put it into practice to make 2010 the best and most profitable and enjoyable year ever.

Here’s a note from Allison to thank you for your efforts that landed her at the top of the bestseller lists in three countries.

BECAUSE OF YOU...


My Book Hit #1 on Amazon US and Canada!

Yes. Together, we did it.

I am still spinning from last week's Blast Off book launch and touched so deeply by your incredible outpouring of support. As we watched the stats climb to #1 in two categories on Amazon US and Canada, and hit the best seller list in the UK, I was jumping up and down like a kid on her 5th birthday! The experience has been completely surreal. Literally, a dream come true.

I assure you that this would not have happened without you. I can write all day long, but if no one buys my book and reads it, my words will just sit on the page and not impact anyone.

http://myblastoff.com/booklaunch

After two years of intense dedication to my Blast Off! book, Workbook and Blastation Interactive Goal Setting and Life Coaching Software, software, it has been incredibly gratifying to get this phenomenal response. We often put our heart and soul into something, (and some blood, sweat and tears), and wonder if anything will come of it. So allow me be a mirror for you and know that if you stick with your dream, and give it the passion and effort it needs to grow, you will flourish in your personal life, your work, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is not about the money. It is not about the accolades. It is about the personal satisfaction you'll receive from giving your very best effort, regardless of the outcome. The rest is the cherry on top.

I just wanted to send you a giant heartfelt thank you. As I said before, the power of a group moves mountains, and in this case, Mount Everest shifted at least a mile! Now I cannot wait to hear your thoughts once you read my book, and hopefully lots of great personal and professional stories of change. Please send me a note. I truly hope Blast Off! lights a fire under your feet to take action and embrace your life goals and visions.

Here is what one reader just e-mailed me:

" I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful book! It is fantastic, inspirational and presented in a way that I think all readers will understand, regardless of their journey. I am sure your book will touch many people's lives." ~ Julie Santella

If you have not purchased my book, Blast Off!, yet, you can still receive the over 20 amazing bonus gifts until Friday, January 29th. The top authors and coaches that teamed up with me were so blown away by the response that it was not hard to twist their arms to extend their amazing offer a few more days. Just click this link below for your copy and valuable gifts.

http://www.myblastoff.com/booklaunch

PS. I am headed on a cross country book tour in February and March to Phoenix, Charlotte, New York City, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. Pass the word to your friends and relatives in those cities. Check my Facebook Fan Page and website for dates and event information. I will be back in San Diego in between each stop to take care of my wonderful homeopathic and coaching clients,... and my awesome husband!
Much love and gratitude,

Allison

Writing as a Marketing Tool Interview

Recently I was interviewed by Schall Adams of Girlfriend Mentors and I want to share the information with you! The subject, “Writing as a Marketing Tool” is very timely in the current economy. If you are like me and have decided NOT to participate in recession thinking, I’m sure you will find this interview packed full of tools that you can use to drive business your way and move your business forward.


Did you know that many successful companies started or grew in economic downturns? It’s true! And, and I am of the belief that if one person can do something, then we can all do it!

I shared information on these topics:

1. The types of writing you could and should use in your marketing: media releases, email, article marketing, blog writing, social media, web site text, books & eBooks, brochures, marketing materials, and bios.

2. How to get comfortable with all the writing? Specific tips and strategies for handling all the writing that must be done.

3. How to specifically use each type of writing as a marketing tool.

As you can see the information could significantly impact your marketing. With that in mind please accept this gift as my way of saying thanks for being a part of my business!

To access the interview, Girlfriend Mentors is providing you a 3-day pass to their site (no credit card needed) and you can use it whenever you choose. You’ll have three days from the first login. You are also welcome to access any of the other mentors on the site, read articles, participate in wisdom circles, download other interviews, and ask questions.

Here is your special link to access my interview and the entire Girlfriend Mentors site: http://tinyurl.com/GFInterview. Feel free to share this link with your girlfriends!

Yvonne Perry
Ghostwriter, Editor, Owner
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com/

PS: If you decide to become a Girlfriend Mentors member and join in the quest to create a worldwide sisterhood of highly developed women, please use this link: http://tinyurl.com/GFMentor

Author and Certified Therapy Dog Team Coming to WITS Podcast

My BBFs (that's best friends forever), Barbara and Frankie Techel, are coming to Writers in the Sky Podcast this Friday, January 29! We will be discussing their latest book Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.

This book is about a dachshund named Frankie who is paralyzed in her hind quarters. She has been fitted for a doggie wheelchair (dog cart) that helps her get around. It also helps people identify with her—especially children and elderly folks who are managing life with a disability.

In the book, the author tells how Frankie became a certified therapy dog when a friend recognized the gentle nature of the animal and how much she seemed to enjoy being around people and allowing them to pet her. Soon Barbara and Frankie started visiting a senior assisted living facility known as Libby’s House. There, she meets senior-aged residents who simply adore her.

Frankie tells her story from her own “doggie” point of view. I especially like this passage in the book:
As we stroll off the elevator, a man in a wheelchair comes rolling toward us.

“Oh, what do we have here?” He reaches down and strokes my fur. “You have wheels just like me, little pup. What happened?”

My mom told the kind man how I hurt my back and how my dog cart helps me walk. His eyes filled with tears. “That is so wonderful! How nice of you to come here to visit,” he says. “You just made my day!”

Mom lifts me onto Daniel’s lap. “You are so special, Frankie,” he says. I look up at him and notice his eyes are filling with tears. “I feel so sorry for her,” Daniel says sadly.

“You don’t need to feel sorry for Frankie,” Mom says. “Visiting you makes her very happy.”

“It does?” Daniel holds me close. “Frankie is perfect, unlike me. I am not perfect,” Daniel’s voice cracks.

“We think you are perfect just the way you are.” My mom reassures Daniel. I rest my head on his knee and raise my eyebrows. Daniel smiles and his whole face lights up.

It takes a lot of time, energy, love, and dedication to care for an animal that has special needs. Frankie’s owner (and the author of the Frankie stories), Barbara Techel, has to help Frankie move her bowels because she cannot feel when she needs to go. I admire this author. Not only does she happily meet Frankie’s needs, she allows Frankie to use her disability to bless others and teach the rest of us how to accept those who have a disability.

I highly recommend this book to children AND adults. We all need to have our heart strings tugged every now and then.

Purchase on Amazon.com

Yvonne Perry

Linking to Share the Love on Valentine's Day

In celebration of the Love we all are part of, I'd like to invite the readers of Writers in the Sky Blog and E-zine to "Link Up and Share the Love." It's a blog chain that I am forming as a special WITS community event.

What is a Blog Chain?

A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of every person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on one post they find interesting. When you leave a comment on the other eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your own blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.

By leaving your name and URL on another person's blog, you establish a link back to your blog. This works like a link exchange on Web sites, but you do not have to permanently feature a site in the valuable space needed for promoting your own goods or services. The comment is usually hidden on a blog, but the link is there indefinitely. The link helps you; the comment helps the other blogger.

You may sign up for my next blog chain by sending an email to katie at writersinthesky dot net. Notice how I posted my admin's email address here. You'll have to use your imagination to put the pieces together, but that makes you smarter than the spamming software that normally grabs exposed email addresses.

Happy blogging and Happy Valentine's Day. Let's link up and share the love!

Interview with U.P. Author R. A. Riekki

Join Writers in the Sky Podcast today as R. A. Riekki, the author of the novel, U.P., is interviewed by Amanda McCurley.


Born in Marquette, R.A. Riekki has studied writing at Central Michigan, Brandeis, Virginia, and Western Michigan. U.P. was nominated by John Casey for the Sewanee Writers' Series. Two producers are attached to turn U.P. into a film based off his screenplay. Riekki's screenplay Good Behavior is in-development with Three in One Films with Chris Kramer (two-time Leo Award nominee) scheduled to direct. His plays have been performed in seven states. He has published numerous fiction and poems and has been nominated for two Illinois Press Awards for journalism.

How I Self-published My Children’s Book

After self-publishing my first book in 2004, I knew what was involved when I started to publish my second book in 2005. I was willing to do the marketing legwork again, but I did not want to handle distribution. I had addressed hundreds of envelopes and made as many trips to the post office with my first book. At the time, the average self-published author could not get distribution through Ingram unless the book was printed by Lightning Source. This limitation made it difficult for authors to get their books into bookstores and on Amazon.com. Therefore, with my second book, I opted to go with Booksurge, a publish-on-demand affiliate of Amazon.com. I would have to sell it to them for 55 percent off the retail price, which means the author makes very little on the sale of one book. But, Amazon handled the distribution and added my book to Ingram’s catalogue where it could be ordered by any retail bookstore.

I had my third book published through Nightengale Press in 2007 and even though Nightengale is generous in the percentage of royalties they pay their authors, I knew I could make more per book or else offer the book at a lower price if I self published. This was important because The Sid Series is a full-color book inside and out, and books with a color interior cost more to print than black and white ones. The book publishing industry has changed a lot in the past six years and Lightning Source has recently started working directly with authors rather than publishers only.

In my research, I came across a self-publishing guru by the name of Morris Rosenthal. He informed me that publishers did not have to agree to Amazon’s 55-percent discount. He referred me to a book by Aaron Shepard titled Aiming At Amazon. From that book, I learned how to publish my own book, have it printed through Lightning Source, list it in Ingram’s catalog, and sell it on Amazon and offer it to bookstores for a short discount of 30 percent. This method put me in the driver’s seat as both the publisher and the author and completely removed the middle person. My profit margin is greater because the cost per book is lower and I’m not giving away any of my royalties to a publisher. Win-Win!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Yvonne Perry is the author of The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children. These 12 body-mind-spirit stories highlight unique lessons about love, acceptance, self-worth, caring for the body, diversity, facing fears, dealing with change, experiencing the death of a pet, using spiritual gifts, and psychic experiences today's children exhibit (see http://thesidseries.com/).

Yvonne is also a free-lance writer and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She and her team of ghostwriters are ready to assist you with writing and editing for books, Web text, business documents, resumes, bios, articles, and media releases. For more information about writing, networking, publishing, and book promotion, or to sign up for free email delivery of WITS newsletter, please visit http://www.writersinthesky.com/. New subscribers receive a free e-book Tips for Freelance Writing.

The Blast Off Book and Gifts Have Arrived!

I am pleased to present a WITS client, Allison Maslan, and her new book, Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams Into Reality. You may remember the interview I did with Allison on Writers in the Sky Podcast. ON TODAY ONLY, when you buy her book, you will receive more than 20 valuable and inspiring free bonus gifts from top authors and coaches (including myself!) that have teamed up with her to celebrate! You won’t believe how fantastic these gifts are. Take a look.

Allison has helped thousands of individuals break through their personal limits and reach their dreams. She is on a mission, and it has not changed since the day she started her practice 15 years ago. It is to help as many people as she can to reach their inner and outer potential. This book is her gift to you. Its message will reach far and wide to open hearts, instil courage, and create a belief that the seemingly impossible, is possible, in every single area of your life.

Need a better job? Want to change careers or find a soul mate? Don't miss your chance to get your hands on this amazing book and all the unbelievably empowering bonus gifts that you will receive absolutely free.

Finally, we can unlock the mystery of what’s holding you back from living the life you truly desire. Blast Off! helps you identify roadblocks in your life and carve out your new path to success and fulfillment, one step at a time! Take a look now.

Nurturing Self-Esteem Through Story - Holistic Children on Blog Talk Radio

On Saturday, January 30, I will be doing a radio interview with Cathi Curen on her show, Holistic Children. I’ll be discussing my children’s art showcase and my book, The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children http://thesidseries.com/. Here is what Cathi wrote about my guest appearance.

Self-esteem is the foundation to experience oneself as being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life, and of feeling worthy of happiness. Our guest expert Yvonne Perry, author of The Sid Series has written a collection of holistic stories for children to help kids learn about inner guidance, being true to one’s self, caring for the body, overcoming fear, recycling, and other health-conscious topics. Through her work, Yvonne guides and nurtures these important life skills to instill a healthy sense of self-esteem. This unique collection of short stories is rooted in imagination and truth to expand our awareness and tell us something about our spiritual selves. The 12 stories deal with topics that children and many adults have a difficult time understanding and believing.

Nurturing Self-Esteem Through Story - Holistic Children on Blog Talk Radio http://ow.ly/XKGW

Podcast Interview with Bestselling Author R. A. Reikki

We have both a guest author and a guest interviewer on our show this week. Amanda McCurley, the daughter-in-law of WITS owner Yvonne Perry, will be the host for guest author R.A. Riekki. They will discuss Riekki's novel, U.P.

U.P. was nominated by National Book Award winner John Casey for the Sewanee Writers' Series, and of U.P. Casey says, "I wish Kurt Vonnegut were alive to read U.P. He'd love it." The compliment has even more impact as Casey and Vonnegut were friends. Producer Steven Wiig (Milk, Into the Wild) is working on turning my novel into a film.Check out www.ghostroadpress.com for more info.

Born in Marquette, R.A. Riekki has studied writing at Central Michigan, Brandeis, Virginia, and Western Michigan. U.P. was nominated by John Casey for the Sewanee Writers' Series. Two producers are attached to turn U.P. into a film based off his screenplay. Riekki's screenplay Good Behavior is in-development with Three in One Films with Chris Kramer (two-time Leo Award nominee) scheduled to direct. His plays have been performed in seven states. He has published numerous fiction and poems and has been nominated for two Illinois Press Awards for journalism.

U.P. has been on Ghost Road's top ten bestseller list for the last 46 weeks. The book is available online on various sites--amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com, etc. and various bricks and mortar bookstores around the country.

Is Your Strive for Perfection Choking You?

By Allison Maslan

Are you living your life to the fullest at this moment in time? Do you have the life that you have always dreamed of? If so, congratulations! Meditate a few moments each day on the goodness that you have experienced from your great fortune. If your answer is no, it is never too late to start. So many people don't reach their goals because they want everything perfect before they move forward.

They are striving for perfection and it is killing them. They want a perfectly clean house, to say the perfect words, and to do perfect work at all times. What is the point of "perfect" anyway? Pressure filled expectations are a sure way to turn any goal into a ball and chain. Many people resist attempting new challenges or setting new goals because they are afraid they will not perform to their ridiculous level of expectation.

As a result, they give up before they ever begin. Then, the feelings of disappointment and failure set in. I started taking modern dance in my 30s. The room was full of young women and men that had been dancing since childhood. My mind was aghast as the dance instructor got in front of the class and proceeded to dance several eloquent steps that we were supposed to immediately mirror. I knew I was in trouble as the class was spinning one way and I was tripping the other way (Picture I Love Lucy and the Rockettes).

Through this experience, I learned to laugh at myself and let go of the notion of doing it perfectly. It was not possible for me to keep up with these experts; and attempting to do so was way too much pressure. Once the light bulb came on that I could do something for the fun of it, I relaxed about the outcome. And wouldn't you know it, I was able to perform in several dance presentations and I had a blast.

If you are not putting yourself out there, reaching toward what you really want because you are afraid of not being perfect, you are missing out on the juiciness of your life. It is the non-perfect part that will be most memorable and uniquely you.
~~~~~~~~
Allison Maslan, HHP, CCH is a homeopathic physician and the author of Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality. As a life and business coach, she helps people create a new business and the best chapter of their lives.

The exciting launch of her book, Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality is coming Tuesday, January 19. To find out how you can buy the book and receive more than 20 beautiful mind-body-spirit gifts during the launch, go to www.myblastoff.com/booklaunch.

Please Welcome Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty to WITS Podcast

My guest today is Mignon Fogarty also known as Grammar Girl! Mignon Fogarty is the creator of Grammar Girl and the founder and managing director of Quick and Dirty Tips. Prior to becoming a grammar guru, Mignon was a magazine and technical writer, and an entrepreneur and served as a senior editor and producer at a number of health and science Web sites. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Washington in Seattle and an M.S. in biology from Stanford University.

I’ve been listening to Grammar Girl podcast for about two years now and really enjoy the entertaining show that gives fun reminders about word usage and grammar. You may subscribe to Grammar Girl's podcast and newsletter at quickanddirtytips.com.

In today's WITS podcast, Grammar Girl will share why she started a podcast on grammar and how it took off to the success that led her to a two-book deal with Holt Paperbacks (a division of Macmillian) She has published two books: Grammar Girl’s and Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing and The Grammar Devotional.



Be sure to join us each Friday as we post a new show to this blog. This podcast is produced by Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, TN. We offer ghostwriting and editing for books, articles, bios, resumes, and marketing pieces.You may subscribe to our free monthly newsletter through our Website at writersinthesky.com

In love with writing,
Yvonne Perry

What POD would not want to help their published authors sell books?

Publish on demand companies get a percentage of the royalties from the books their clients (authors) sell, right? Writers in the Sky Newsletter is filled with articles, information, and marketing tips to help authors do just that. Outskirts Press, Published by Westview, and Nightengale Press (all PODs) send us their authors so we can help them effectively promote their books at an affordable price, which in the end benefits the POD.

What POD would not prefer to have authors bring them a well-written and edited book rather than a junk manuscript to publish? Both the author’s and the POD’s reputation is on the line. Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services works with the authors one-on-one as a mentor, writing coach, or editor by-the-hour to help authors improve their book before seeking publication. Better books make for better sales.

I encourage you to check out the content of Writers in the Sky Newsletter. The current issue as well as archived issues are accessed at http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html. "Network With Us" is a regular feature that allows anyone in the book industry to submit an announcement about an upcoming event, book release, short advertorial, or brag. This would definitely benefit PODs.

Our first issue of 2010 features an article about getting POD books into libraries as well as the following goodies:

Article: "Getting Books into Libraries"
WITS Podcast Schedule
Article: "Turning the Dream into a Manuscript"
Network With Us
Article: "To Pseudonym Or Not to Pseudonym"
This month's book reviews
Article: "Espresso Machine—In-store Book Printing"
Poems from our readers

Check it out January 2010 issue at http://writersinthesky.com/ezine/news-jan10.html

Calling for Submissions for February 2010 Ezine

It's time for me to start putting together the next fantastic and information-filled e-zine for February 2010. That means I need you to send me your articles, contest announcements, and brags to be included in the next issue. We have more than enough book reviews, but if I have room for them, I'll include them.

Read our guidelines for submittal here. Remember, the better your piece is written, the better attention and credibility it receives--and the less editing I have to do.

Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty on Writers in the Sky Podcast

Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, is coming to Writers in the Sky Podcast this Friday! Mark your calendars or subscribe to this blog so you don't miss it. You may also want to subscribe to Grammar Girl's podcast and newsletter at http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

Mignon Fogarty is the creator of Grammar Girl and the founder and managing director of Quick and Dirty Tips. A magazine writer, technical writer, and entrepreneur, she has served as a senior editor and producer at a number of health and science web sites. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Washington in Seattle and an M.S. in biology from Stanford University.

Mignon believes that learning is fun, and the vast rules of grammar are wonderful fodder for lifelong study. She strives to be a friendly guide in the writing world. Her arch enemy is the evil Grammar Maven who inspires terror in the untrained and is neither friendly nor helpful.

Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Covering the grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers, Grammar Girl makes complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules. Whether English is your first language or second language, Grammar Girl’s punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Mignon Fogarty is the creator and host of Grammar Girl. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

Free Webinar! Declare 2010 the Year of You, the Writer

If you are planning to write a book in 2010, you should know about my good friend Stephanie Gunning’s Get a Book Deal™ coaching program. As you know I am a great student of the spiritual practices that support creativity. Stephanie published Audacious Creativity, and drove it onto the Amazon bestseller list. She is a publishing strategist and former senior editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell with expertise in the categories of self-help, spirituality, alternative medicine, and new thought (though, frankly, she could edit anything—she’s really smart, and funny!). As a writer she is the coauthor/ghostwriter of 22 published books. Her editorial clients include major best-selling authors Gregg Braden, Hale Dwoskin, and Arielle Ford, among others. She’s mastered the art of transforming powerful ideas into marketable books and her program is designed to help writers, like you, get started on the road to success in as little as 60 to 90 days.

On Wednesday, January 13 at 8 ET/5 PT, Stephanie is leading a free webinar “Declare 2010 the Year of You, the Writer” (on the topic of How to Get the Year Started Off ‘Write’). If you want to attend, click this link to the free writing webinar.

Your Purpose and Destiny: Turn Your Passion into Prosperity

By Allison Maslan, CCH, HHP

Did you know that from age twenty-five to sixty-five, we spend 73,600 hours at our work? And that 87 percent of Americans dislike their jobs? That means that 87 percent of Americans spend 73,600 hours in their lifetime doing something they don’t like. What a massive loss that is! Because each part of our lives has an influence on every other part of our lives, this could make for a lot of unhappy people. Why is this? Could it be that so many people have settled because of fear or lack of direction when it comes to going after their dream career?

What is your purpose? Your destiny? Have you known for some time what you are meant to do for a career, but you just aren’t sure how to transfer it to real life? Are you still searching for that path you can call your very own? Everyone was blessed with certain gifts, talents and personality traits that can be transferred into a fulfilling, satisfying and financially prosperous line of work. Some people know from the get-go what they want to be when they grow up. Others, like me, find their purpose through an evolvement of life’s experiences and challenges. Either way, you come to find that it is perfectly right for you.

I truly believe that you have the full potential to pinpoint, develop and achieve your dream career. Yes, you! One of the things that really saddens me is when I see someone with such potential for greatness, who is not allowing themselves to step into it and fully own it. I can share with you the important do’s and don’ts and give you valuable tools and support; however, you need to be the one to take that first step.

As you set out to find your purpose, or first commit to living a life of purpose, what drives you may still feel a bit elusive. Many people have no idea if they have a real purpose on earth. Ask a friend randomly what their life purpose is, and they may take a long pause before answering, “Good question. I’m not sure.” Well, I’m here to tell you (and them) that you do have a purpose and it’s probably not as mysterious as you think. Most likely it’s right under your nose. Maybe your purpose is to feed hungry children, build a gigantic bridge, love your children, or just be in the moment. Your life purpose is most likely connected to the areas that create passion and meaning in your life. Here are some simple steps for accessing your life purpose.

• Get in touch with what really matters to you in the world and in your life. What do you get passionate talking about, reading or exploring? Before taking impulsive action steps toward a new career, business opportunity, or new relationship, ponder what gives you that inner surge of excitement. This could be the most important key for long-term staying power and success.

• Gather your thoughts and focus your energy toward these ideas. Find a way to involve yourself in this activity.

• Explore several possibilities before settling on one. However, if one really moves you, then go for it!

• Connect with other people on a regular basis who are passionate about these ideals or activities.

• See how you feel in this new arena. Does it stir your passionate energy? This is what we call “alignment,” or “being congruent.” When we are expressing our true inner thoughts, beliefs and ideals through external actions that match those thoughts, beliefs and ideals, we are operating in harmony rather than in conflict. The “practice-what-you-preach” philosophy.

• Not doing what you love could be very harmful to your health and your prosperity. Most people think that doing what you love is a luxury, so they settle for something they don’t enjoy. Someone who loves your career more than you do will no doubt perform the job better than you. This person will eventually be greatly rewarded because this work matters to them. Part of what you’ll get from being out of alignment in your work is dissatisfaction and burnout.

I know you can do it. After all, it’s your greatness I am talking about.

Allison Maslan, HHP, CCH is a homeopathic physician and the author of Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality. As a life and business coach, she helps people create a new business and the best chapter of their lives.

The exciting launch of the book Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality is coming Tuesday 19 January 2010. To find out how you can buy the book and receive over 20 beautiful mind-body-spirit gifts during the launch, go to www.myblastoff.com/booklaunch.

Denise and Rich Tuminello are Talking With Angels

Yvonne Perry's podcast guests today are Denise and Richard Tuminello. The couple will be discussing their mystical memoir/spiritual guidebook, Talking with Angels, which reveals the incredible power and potential of opening up to possibilities beyond the physical plane.

Denise and Rich have are very familiar with angelic communication. They have had many out-of-body experiences and expanded states of consciousness in what is known as Focus Levels, which occur on the Astral Plane. The couple first became aware of the possibility in 2004 at the Monroe Institute--an educational institution that explores profound states of expanded awareness that result in new approaches to ways of thinking and the experiences of being.

For those who aren't familiar with The Gateway Experience® Wave, I'll explain. The CDs provide an in-home training series that uses headphones and binaural beats to get the brain into hemispherical synchronization. Combined with verbal guidance and subtle sound effects (or music) the series teaches the development, exploration and application of expanded states of awareness. I've looked my house over for the set of tapes I once had. I can't find them or else I would start listening to them achieve a focused, whole-brain state of consciousness to help me solve problems, develop creativity, and obtain guidance. Here is a link to a free 20-minute hemispherical synchronization listening experience.

After developing a different overview and a changed perspective of their lives, Rich and Denise's lives took on a new significance, which they have discussed in their new book, Talking with Angels, published by Outskirts Press.

Talking with Angels is a practical, engaging book that chronicles how Rich went from spiritually unaware to replete with wisdom—all thanks to his communicating with angels. With their help, he unlocks his past lives, discovers healing powers and learns incredible secrets of the universe.

Part 1 of Talking with Angels explains the basics of how Rich’s life was changed—with techniques and strategies that can expand one’s own spiritual existence. In Part 2, he introduces readers to his spiritual companion, a medium named Denise. Together their lives are similarly changed by opening up to this new world. Through it all, the couple meets a group of angels and star beings who help them achieve whole new levels of consciousness.

Book Review for Voices of Sedona: A Spiritual Path to Serenity and Contentment

Book Title: Voices of Sedona: A Spiritual Path to Serenity and Contentment
Author: Lewis Tagliaferre
ISBN: 0-595-39367-5
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre and Target Market: self-help; theology; spirituality
Publication Date: 2006
Book Length in Pages: 317

Book Review by: Sarah Moore

When Lewis Tagliaferre approached me to write a review for his book Voices of Sedona: A Spiritual Path to Serenity and Contentment, I was automatically intrigued by the tagline for the publication. Tagliaferre offers the invitation to “Feel Good Inside No Matter What Happens Outside,” and that entreaty could not have arrived in my life at a better time. After talking with the author on the phone and learning more about his journey, I became even more convinced that his work was finding its way to me for a reason. Since our initial conversations, I have twice requested more time to complete my evaluation. This delay is not due to a lack of interest in the material. Instead, the five lessons and the amazing details that accompany each principle inspired extended reflection and a desire to read certain segments time and again.

In Voices of Sedona, Lewis Tagliaferre shares the five principles of Theofatalism®, a philosophy that was shared with him during various trips to the beautiful part of Arizona that we all have seen captured in photographs. During each visit, the author received teachings from guides who were channeled into his subconscious through the spirit of Sedona M. Schnebly, the wife of the town’s founder and its namesake. I know that Sedona has long been known for its spiritual offerings, but I will admit to some skepticism upon hearing about the author’s claimed method for developing the principles he shares in his book. Five spirit teachers came to you at the behest of a woman who passed away a half-century earlier? However, as the material unfolded and the meaning behind each principle was explained, I became more and more convinced that Lewis Tagliaferre has an important message to share.

Voices of Sedona is beautifully written in a style that is captivating in both its emotion and logic. Tagliaferre, who began this journey of spiritual exploration following the untimely death of his wife from cancer, is a talented writer who carefully uses language to share his story without it ever becoming cumbersome or without direction. And, he finds wonderful ways to integrate relevant information from the worlds of religion, current events, history, and other fields of study in a way that makes the material engaging to as wide of an audience as possible. From the life of Mike Tyson to the distribution of wealth in our country to the proverbs offered in Buddhism, Tagliaferre ties together so many distinct points of reference into a comprehensive philosophy that makes sense for everyone.

As the book reaches its conclusion, the author encourages his readers to join together and teach the five principles he shares with others. Voices of Sedona is a reference book that is meant to be reviewed, discussed, and hopefully marked up with notes and underlining. Combined with the ongoing essays that are published on his blog, Tagliaferre has developed a comprehensive work of study for those who are ready to learn. Acknowledging the idea that we are right where we are meant to be and embracing the role we were given to play in the universe, just two of the concepts that are revealed in Voices of Sedona, has quickly become an important act of ongoing practice for me. I strongly believe that other readers will find the same significance to the text as I have and I look forward to seeing how the philosophy shared in Voices of Sedona multiplies in its effect as the book’s audience continues to grow.

Please visit the Amazon website to purchase Voices of Sedona.

Yvonne Perry and Carol Denbow discuss the pros and cons about writing a book series. They specifically answer the following questions:

1. When one writes a series of books, do they write them all at once?
2. Is it considerably more expensive to publish a series at one time, or can it actually save you money in the long run?
3. If a writer is considering a book series, should she complete and publish one book at a time, or write and publish them all at once?

See http://abookinside.blogspot.com to read the entire interview.

January 2010 Issue of Writers in the Sky Newsletter

It's here! The new year and our first issue of WITS Newsletter for 2010. This issue features the following goodies:

Article: "Getting Books into Libraries"

WITS Podcast Schedule

Article: "Turning the Dream into a Manuscript"

Network With Us

Article: "To Pseudonym Or Not to Pseudonym"

This month's book reviews

Article: "Espresso Machine—In-store Book Printing"

Poems from our readers

Check it out at http://writersinthesky.com/ezine/news-jan10.html

Talking With Angels on WITS Podcast

On Friday, January 8, 2010 Denise and Richard Tuminello will be Yvonne Perry's guest on Writers in the Sky Podcast.

The couple will be sharing their new book, Talking With Angels, a practical, engaging book that chronicles how Rich went from being spiritually unaware to replete with wisdom—all thanks to his communicating with angels. With their help, he unlocks his past lives, discovers healing powers and learns incredible secrets of the universe.

Part 1 of Talking with Angels explains the basics of how Rich’s life was changed—with techniques and strategies that can expand one’s own spiritual existence. In Part 2, he introduces readers to his spiritual companion, a medium named Denise. Together their lives are similarly changed by opening up to this new world. Through it all, the couple meets a group of angels and star beings who help them achieve whole new levels of consciousness.

Denise Hunter-Tuminello has been seeing spirit and having precognitive dreams and visions since she was young.  She has studied mediumship and spirituality under renowned teachers from the Arthur Findlay College in Stanstead, England. She became a Reiki Master/Teacher in 2004 and an ordained minister in 2005. Denise has been a member of the Journey Within Spiritualist Church for 13 years where she served on their board of directors. As an aspirant of their ministry, she is a demonstrating medium and healer.

Richard Tuminello has been a member of The Journey Within Spiritualist Church for many years. Rich is a member of The Monroe Institute in Virginia and has taken the Gateway, Remote Viewing, and the Manifestation Creation2 courses. He belongs to the International Remote Viewing Association and holds a bachelors degree in biology from the William Paterson College in NJ.

The Sid Series is now available on four online sites

The Sid Series is a collection of body-mind-spirit stories that focus on life skills such as overcoming fear, helping others, being true to one’s self, following inner guidance, caring for the body, having self-worth, appreciating diversity, dealing with change, accepting death, being environmentally conscious, and using spiritual gifts. http://thesidseries.com/


The Sid Series is now available on four online sites. If you have written a review for the book, you can follow these links to add it to these reader communities.

Barnes and Noble http://ow.ly/KuJ4 .Click on "read customer reviews" to post a book review.

htp://ow.ly/KuJtd is the link to The Sid Series on Shelfari.

This is for Goodreads: http://ow.ly/KuJh

Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/AmazonSidSeries 

Don't forget to tell your children and grandkids about The Sid Series Art Showcase for Children!

Author K. L. Lewis Kicks Off a New Year of Podcast Interviews

Please spend part of your New Year's Day with WITS as we begin another year of podcasts with authors and others in the writing and publishing industry. Today, author's assistant Sarah Moore sits down with author K. L. Lewis to discuss her new book Kendra's Pearl. This novel details the turbulent relationship between a mother and daughter. Following the death of Kendra's father when she was a young girl, her mother becomes increasingly abusive and takes out her rage and resentment on her daughter. Will Kendra find a way to break this cycle of abuse that her mother has set as the example?

During the interview, Ms. Lewis will be discussing why she selected such an emotional topic for her first novel, what the writing process was like for her, and the message that she hopes readers will take away from Kendra's Pearl.

Click here to listen... to the entire interview.

Please visit the Amazon website to purchase Kendra's Pearl. You may learn more about author K. L. Lewis and her writing by visiting her website or her blog.