Writers’ Podcast Will Examine Human Relationships with Self and Others

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Share Their New Books Which Focus on How Personality Affects Relationships, Self-Confidence, and Achievements

Nashville, TN, March 21, 2009—Writers in the Sky loves discovering the talents of new authors, especially when their writing provides insight. Wonderful books can entertain and promote self-reflection at the same time. The new releases featured in April’s series of podcast interviews provide such a perfect combination. WITS begins the month with an author who shares a collection of short stories that speak to heartache, new love, and the bonds of family. Next, is a discussion with a specialist in health and stress management who shares how to create a more balanced life. The podcasts continue with a touching new novel that explores the innocent experience of first love from a perspective of respect and humor. Ending the month of April listeners discover a teenage sleuth who teaches the readers about maintaining confidence and strength under the most difficult of circumstances.

On April 3, Sarah Moore will be interviewing Jeff Roberts about his new book entitled Little Stories. This book is a collection of short stories written by Mr. Roberts during his days as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa. The strength of his writing comes from his ability to capture the most heart-wrenching of emotions which most of us will experience at some point in our lives. While written as pieces of fiction, these stories contained within Little Stories read like the personal pages from a journal. The author will be discussing the inspiration he used to capture such raw emotion, his decision to place his student work into a published collection, and why he enjoys the short story format. Please visit the Outskirts Press Web site to learn more about Jeff Roberts and Little Stories.

The following Friday, April 10, will bring us an interview with Jay Greenfeld. He will be discussing his new book, My Choice My Life, which shares methods through which the readers can develop a greater sense of balance in key areas of their lives. The content is geared primarily towards a younger audience, with topics such as choosing healthy relationships, making smart decisions concerning alcohol and drugs, and succeeding in school or at that first job. Instead of simply providing a set of absolute answers, Greenfeld encourages his readers to reflect on their individual situations and use his advice as a springboard to determine solutions that make sense for them. My Choice My Life may be purchased at the Amazon Web site.

The series of interviews continues on April 17 with an author who uses the pen name Storyheart. In his new release, Across the Pond, Storyheart writes a story about the innocence and excitement accompanies first loves. When teenage boy Fred Squire is sent by his parents to visit family friends in America, he never imagined that he would meet the girl of his dreams in the very house in which he was staying. Storyheart allows their romance to unfold with a refreshing level of appropriateness for the age of his characters, but always in a way that is respectful of their genuine emotions. Along the way, he has some fun playing up the cultural and language differences that exist on both sides of the Atlantic. This novel rewards good decisions and the kindness that is displayed between the main characters. Interested readers can purchase Across the Pond at Amazon.

An interview with M. Carol Coffey on April 24 winds up the month as the author discusses her new novel, Zoe Lucky and the Green Gables Mystery. The young heroine of this book has recently moved into a new apartment complex at which frightening events keep occurring. She uses the strong will and determination that often can be found only in teenagers to pull together the clues in her surroundings and bring the lurking criminals to justice. Coffey uses her love of animals and personal affiliation with organizations that educate about birds to integrate the winged creatures into her plotline. From the parrot that recognizes the true character of those who walk into Zoe’s apartment to the crows with long memories that assist in locating the villains, the birds are essential to the story’s development. Readers may learn more about Ms. Coffey and Zoe Lucky and the Green Gables Mystery at the Outskirts Press website.

“As is our goal every time, we strive to provide our listeners with books and interviews that introduce interesting characters or insights into our own characters,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “I enjoy reaching the end of every interview with the feeling that I’ve learned something and, in many instances, made a new literary friend!”

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 (http://writersinthesky.com/). 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.

Turning Creative Juices From a Trickle into a Flood

By Suzanne Male

Creativity is an odd and fickle mistress. It seems to drop out of the ether at odd times — Incredible ideas, a unique observation, an entire novel or film idea, appearing seemingly out of nowhere and landing in your lap for writing cultivation.

It might seem like there’s no recipe for creativity. It certainly appears completely random — like you are sitting on a train staring out the window a la J.K. Rowling when the proverbial lightning strike hits, or at an Indian zoo like Yann Martel when the Life of Pi light bulb appeared over his head. Creative ideas can certainly land at unexpected times, but there are definitely ways we can summon the muse; encourage her close and turn a dry spell into abundance.

A quiet mind is a fertile field

Truly inspired ideas seem to come to a quiet mind. Very few authors get their inspiration while watching television, but the noise that gets in the way of a quiet mind can come as much from the inside as the outside.

The inner voice is a source of the constant, mostly negative or fearful, chatter in our heads. There are various ways you can tell it to be quiet: Proven methods include meditation, yoga, and journaling. You might also notice that the idea river runs smooth when you are on a holiday or break from work. Stress is a big creativity killer.

Stand near the already inspired

Some creative people are incredibly inspiring. They produce works that take your breath away and you walk away from the experience with a creative itch. It’s not the desire to emulate what they’ve done, but the desire to create something yourself; something equally inspiring.

One way to try to influence this is to experience art, or attend events that you know you will enjoy. It’s no use going to the ballet if such art bores you to tears. If you know the intense prose of Salman Rushdie novels inspire you, or the music of Leonard Cohen makes you feel creative, go there to get the itch.

Rules of engagement

One way to give creativity a boost is to get involved in life. Not just living, but ‘eating’ life. Develop a love of learning, be interested in life and in people, think about things, be passionate and open, and seek out experiences and immerse yourself in them.

Just write

Doing creative writing exercises is a very practical way of adding spark to your writing life. After all, one quintessential truth is the more you write, the more you open up to creativity and the more it flows. Merely concentrating on writing and being creative will bring more creativity.

Invite the muse to a party

There is a Biblical truth that says where two or three are gathered in God’s name that He is there in the midst of them. This works with the creativity muse too. If you gather with one or two friends who are creatively minded and talk ideas, the river will start to flow. The muse loves such events and blesses the party with inspiration.

Party is a good word to use. After all, when it comes to writing, this is the fun part. When your creativity is flowing it makes you feel alive, full of possibilities, positive and excited. It’s obviously the recipe for something amazing.

Suzanne Male is publisher at independent press Smink Works Books (http://www.sminkworks.com/) and is co-founder of the Writers’ Resource Centre (http://www.writersworld.com.au). She is author of the new book A Year of Writing Inspiration: a prompt a day for the creative writer, which contains 365 writing exercises to encourage inspiration and creativity, and generate story ideas.

Poetry Corner March 2009

In My Dreams

by Irene Brodsky, Author of Poetry Unplugged

I love him
He doesn't know it
My heart sings
He can't hear it
My hand reaches out
He will never feel it.

I have no right
to love him
as I do,
For I'm not free
I belong to another
What more can I say?

Maybe someday?
If things change,
he will come to me.
'Till then...
I'll cry myself to sleep
and see him in my dreams!

See Irene on YouTube!

Drink to Us

Raise a glass,
Raise a bottle,
Drain the keg if you please,
Run your engine full throttle
In the cool evening breeze.
Be a friend,
Be a partner,
Be the one that I trust.
Drink a toast to forever,
Drink to us.

I can recall all the good times we’ve known,
The million and one ways our friendship has grown,
The laughter, the tears, the frets and the fuss,
So let’s toast to ourselves,
Drink to us.

Raise a glass,
Raise a bottle,
Drain the keg if you please,
Run your engine full throttle
In the cool evening breeze.
Be a friend,
Be a partner,
Be the one that I trust.
Drink a toast to forever,
Drink to us.

Never say never, and always be true.
I can’t imagine a time without you.
We’re taking our time. There’s no need to rush.
Raise your glass one more time.
Drink to us.

Dennis S Martin
http://www.iwritesome.com
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/

A Conscious Painting

I Paint In Fragments
That Change
In Contrast

I Move From Canvas
To Canvas Expressing
The Desire
To Be A Conscious Painting
Of Inner Consciousness

The Ink Well
Of Acceptance Dries
In The Air
Of Separation

My Brush Dips
Itself in Blood
As Mental Enzymes
Turn Into Human Thoughts

Copied From Memory
Unique Mysteries Drizzle
My Outer Edges
With Magical Desires

Fresh Beliefs Become
A Colorful Vibration
Of Expression
And My Nucleus
Entertains
A Family Of Nuances
That Shade Themselves
In Dreams

An Art Form
Of Timeless Motion
Captures My Multiplicity
In Free Style
And I Rest
On A Easel
Of Eternity

http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/

From my 2009 Short Sleeves collection of Spirit Songs, which should be in print sometime this year.


Let Her Go

She comes to him in the dead of night.
In dreams that bring him to his knees.
He’s forty-five now and in the dream.
But she’s still seventeen.
So young, so fine, so free.

Then he’s awake and he’s shaking.
He knows she is dead to him.
But he’d trade his soul to the devil,
Just to bring her back again.
So young, so fine, so free.

She’s gone, Buddy, let her go.
Even if you found her, it wouldn’t be the same.
So hold that sweet woman beside you,
The one you sometimes call by that other one’s name.

They were just kids being kids.
Somehow it all went to hell.
They played for a long, long time.
Then their bubble burst; they fell.

Things that were funny, just got sad.
Times that were magic, went all bad.
He couldn’t look at her; she just cried.
They didn’t have the heart to try.

He wants to throw her out; he wants to close that door.
But she comes in the night, takes him back once more.
He’s forty-five now; in his heart, seventeen.
So young, so fine, so free.

She’s gone, Buddy, let her go.
Even if you found her, it wouldn’t be the same.
So love that good woman beside you.
The one you sometimes call by that other one’s name.

Jan Bossing © 2009 Joelton, TN

Pen Names: To Hide or Reveal – That’s the Question For Authors

By Scott Lorenz

A rich tradition has existed for hundreds of years for fiction writers to use pen names. The most famous pen name, of course, was Samuel Clemens writing under the name Mark Twain.

A lesser known use is Romance writer Nora Roberts who uses the pen name J.D. Robb when writing suspense novels.

“Alice in Wonderland” was authored by Lewis Carroll which was a pen name used by Charles Dodgson who had gained a considerable reputation as a mathematician and didn’t want to create confusion by writing fiction under his real name.

As a book marketing expert I have represented a long list of authors, some of whom have chosen to use pen names. Others have asked me about the wisdom of using a pen name. My general response is to advise against a pen name but there are good reasons not to sign a book with your real name.

Nora Roberts certainly has a marketable name. After all, her name has appeared on the NY Times Best Seller List for a combined 660 weeks – 100 weeks in the number one spot. Over 280 million copies of her books are in print, including 12 million copies sold in 2005 alone. So with a marketable name like that, why would Nora Roberts ever want to use a pen name? (By the way, Nora Roberts also is a pen name; the author was born Eleanor Marie Roberts).

In 1992 Putnam publishers asked Nora Roberts to come up with a second pen name because they could not keep up with the prolific writer’s romance novels let alone the new genre of romance suspense novels she wanted to write. So she took the initials J.D. from sons Jason and Dan and shortened Roberts to Robb. She also has written under the pen names Jill March and Sara Hardesty.

One of my clients served as a Navy Seal in the Iraq War and then returned to write a book on the war that was critical of Islam. To protect his personal safety and maintain security for his family, my client wrote under the pen name Chuck Bravedy. The author was concerned that extremists living in America would be offended and angered by his controversial book and come after him or his family.
The fact that Bravedy’s name was “not in the phone book” raised some attention from the Pentagon who called me to inquire about Chuck Bravedy because they did not have his name in their files. The Pentagon was concerned because they want to keep phonies from impersonating military officials.

One client I represented, who asked my advice about using a pen name, was a former CIA operative. He was concerned about the impact a pen name would have on promoting his book. He wondered whether radio and TV interviewers would be willing to use the pen name during an interview or would insist on using his birth name. Some CIA friends of my client also had published books and used their real names without problems. To cover his bases while he decided the former CIA officer went ahead and registered web domains under his real name and under his pen name. After talking with him about the options my client decided to use his real name.

I also have represented authors who used a pen name because they had a past they were not proud of and wanted to protect their family members and loved ones from public embarrassment.

From a marketing standpoint if your real life identify is associated with a business and you want the book to promote your business, or vice versa, then a pen name should not be used. But if you have success, and don’t want that success threatened by pursuing an avocation of writing, then a pen name would be in order. Pen names may create marketing challenges, most of which can be overcome, and so the marketing implications need to be examined before publishing.

Reasons for using a pen name include:

• To avoid embarrassment
• For personal safety or security
• If you write under more than one genre
• If your name is hard to pronounce or spell
• If your name is not marketable
• If your name conflicts with the name of another author
• To hide gender (a male writing in predominantly female genre)
• To avoid confusing readers if you are well known in another field

If you want to hide from the public and from people you work with or worked with, etc., than a pen name is fine. But, if it’s not important than why bother? So, my vote is to use your own name. Here are just a few points to ponder.

• Use real name if you are not trying to hide from anyone.
• Use real name to brand your name for speaking gigs or consulting assignments
• Use real name if you are planning to write a series of books
• Use real name so acquaintances can better locate your published works
• A real names builds trust and confidence amongst readers
• Its far easier to brand a real name than a pen name
• Expertise is validated by an individual’s real life experience
• Long-term loyalty with readers is easier to build with real name

If you want to brand your name for speaking gigs or for consulting engagements then use your own name. Furthermore if you are planning to write a series of books then using your own name makes the most sense to me.

Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm with a special knack for working with individuals and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz has handled public relations and marketing for numerous authors, doctors, lawyers, inventors and entrepreneurs. As a book marketing expert Lorenz is called upon by top execs and bestselling authors to promote their books. Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://westwindcos.com/book/ or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090.

Book with a View March 2009

Divine Intervention
Patricia Milner
Nightengale Press (2008)
U.S. $15.95
ISBN 1933449705
Reviewed by Yvonne Perry for WITS

I’m Thankful for Divine Intervention!

How would you like to be able to see, hear, and feel the spirit world and have no one believe you when you tell them? What if your own mother rejects you when, as a child, you mention your invisible playmates? Your friends make fun of you behind your back You might think you are a misfit. Such was the case with Patricia Milner whose psychic gifts began to manifest at a very young age.

Feeling like an outsider who didn’t belong with her family or schoolmates, Patricia sought refuge in the fields, gardens, and woods where she would be greeted by angels, guardians, animal spirits, and other light beings who encouraged and directed her through difficult times. Unable to turn off the divine voices that seemed to be everywhere, she finally became rebellious—especially toward those who picked on her for being different.

She faced many physical and emotional tragedies. If not for her daughter, born when she was only eighteen years old, life might have been too much to bear. It was this precious soul that kept Patricia moving to the next level of her spiritual development. Protecting little Angela led Patricia to escape her abusive marriage. One would think that all this trouble would have made Patricia crazy or bitter. She’s neither. Instead, she now uses her experience and her spiritual gifts to help others who are going through similar hardships.

All in all, I found the book a very interesting read. While my spiritual gifts are not nearly as developed as Patricia’s, I can relate to her experience and have no problem believing that what she experienced was real. We all have spirit guides that provide divine intervention. Some people just seem to acknowledge it more than others.

Savory Secrets of Dodi’s Home Cooking
Author: Howida (Dodi) Elhalogy
ISBN: 978-1-4327-2557-0
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Genre and Target Market: cooking, food, culture
Publication Date: 2008
Book Length in Pages: 84
Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

I always take a little time to skim through cookbooks while at my local bookstore. I like discovering new ingredients, or perhaps just new ways to use already familiar ingredients. I enjoy taking a moment to envision the great dinner parties I will host and the compliments I will receive on the unique and delicious menu I prepared. Above all, I love to stare at the beautiful pictures of the final product as created by the author. While my limited culinary skills may never allow for an exact visual replica of the dish as it’s intended, the colorful presentations provide something to which I can aspire. The new cookbook The Savory Secrets of Dodi’s Home Cooking by Howida “Dodi” Elhalogy exceeds all of my prerequisites for a great addition to anyone’s kitchen collection.

Mrs. Elhalogy grew up in an Egyptian village as the daughter of the province’s mayor. Since her family did a lot of entertaining on their large estate, Mrs. Elhalogy learned at a young age to prepare meals for special events and eventually mastered the art of Middle Eastern cooking. She decided to pull together her family’s recipes into this beautiful cookbook as a way of preserving a cultural tradition and of introducing a new audience to the amazing flavors and textures found in the dishes of the Middle East.

I was first struck by the beauty of the book. Mrs. Elhalogy uses rich colors of yellow and orange on the cover, along with a photo of garlic, onion and cilantro (I’m already sold … you cannot do better than those ingredients for a great-smelling kitchen!) to draw her readers into the culinary treasures inside. Once I turned the pages, I found page after page of beautiful pictures highlighting the table presentations that can be created with her recipes. When necessary, there were even “action photos” showing how to proceed correctly with certain steps in the recipe. I am a cook who hesitates to try a new recipe unless I can see the intended end product, so the pictures that accompanied each recipe were much appreciated.

The recipes themselves provided explicit step-by-step instructions. I have tried to work from other cookbooks that take certain steps in the process for granted, inevitably leading me to make a critical error. Not so with the recipes written by Dodi. The recipes develop methodically from the initial washing of ingredients to the necessary garnishes. I feel confident that, even though I would be working with some food that is unfamiliar to me, Dodi has provided enough instruction to ensure my success. And, just in case aspiring cooks of Middle Eastern cuisine still have some concern when working through her recipes, Dodi includes a glossary of some of the more unusual ingredients, along with their alternate names and descriptions. This component of the Helpful Hints section, along with the recipes’ Arabic translations on each page, provide an opportunity to learn about the individual foods while you are bringing them together for a meal.

As I read through each recipe, I was struck by an even greater opportunity that this book provides than just creating amazing food. A primary way of learning about a culture is through its traditional foods. I think back to “Culture Days” as a young child at school, when we would bring in a meal from the country of our choice. Learning about food opens the doors to other conversations, and this truth continues into adulthood. Why is a particular ingredient a staple of the diet in certain cultures? What are the most common cooking methods and why are they used? What are the standard customs practiced when eating a meal? I believe that by discussing these questions and other topics that may evolve from the conversation, we can gain greater appreciation and understanding for individuals from around the world. The recipes in The Savory Secrets of Dodi’s Home Cooking provide an excellent catalyst for just this purpose.

My husband and I have long considered Middle Eastern cuisine to be among our favorites. I already have tried several of the recipes, including the Tabula Salad and Koshary, to rave reviews around my dinner table. I look forward to wearing out the pages of The Savory Secrets of Dodi’s Home Cooking as I teach my own children the great Egyptian traditions that Dodi learned in her own youth and now, thankfully, shares with all of us. For those who are interested in expanding their culinary horizons, or perhaps simply want to enjoy the beauty of a well-planned cookbook, this offering by Howida “Dodi” Elhalogy is a must-have addition to your home library.


Compulsion
Author: Jennifer Chase
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3416-9
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)
Genre and Target Market: thriller; fiction; criminal psychology
Pages: 301
Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

There are certain types of books that are almost guaranteed to keep me turning the pages into the late hours of the night. The first is any novel that develops a compelling story of the complexities found in human relationships. Second, I love a great piece of historical fiction that places me in a previous moment in time. And, finally, I gravitate towards thrilling mysteries that are filled with breath-taking action and plot twists. For literary satisfaction on the last count, I am so excited to have discovered new author Jennifer Chase. Her first book, Compulsion, is a fascinating story of serial murderers, pedophiles, and the one amazing woman who is able to bring them all to justice. When a book contains these elements and is well-written, which Compulsion most certainly is, you have the recipe for an amazing read.

Author Jennifer Chase introduces us to the great character of Emily Stone. Working anonymously with her camera, computer, and trusted weapon at her constant disposal, Stone goes on the hunt for some of the most violent and deplorable criminals one can imagine. She uses her police background and natural ability to get inside the criminal mind to gather detailed, on-the-scene evidence. Then, she sends her information to the police and another villain is taken off the streets. When Stone’s identity is revealed to the latest killer on her radar screen, the fast-paced action that unfolds becomes the heart of the story and takes the reader on an amazing journey of heightened adrenaline and fear.

One of the greatest strengths in Chase’s writing is the careful unfolding of her characters’ personalities. The man known to the readers for most of Compulsion’s pages only as The Killer is first revealed through the gruesome crimes he commits. We learn of his brutal style of murder through the description of police on the scene. Further into the book, we are let into the mind of The Killer and the motivation behind his violent spree. Chase’s portrayal of a man sitting alone with his twisted thoughts brings the character into a more frightening focus. When the name and full story behind The Killer is finally revealed, the weight provided by the complete picture of this terrifying man is felt. The author employs this same development technique for her other characters, which adds an important element to the tension and sense of uncertainty. But don’t think that you are necessarily on the right track when learning more about a person in this novel. I found myself fooled by Chase’s convincing efforts to lead us down a path of assuming the guilt of an innocent person on more than one occasion.

Both the language and overall format of this book are evidence of Chase’s genuine talent in the genre of thrillers. For example, the tension and terror of the book escalates as The Killer and The Accomplice become more voracious in their need for prey. As they drive across the country with the intention of murdering Emily Stone, their need to commit violence at every step is overpowering. Readers can envision these men clenching their fists and tapping their feet with nervous energy and Chase reminds us at the close of every chapter in this climactic series of events that, “The Killers are coming.” It is a taunt that helps to create a sense of terrified anticipation. Each chapter is also quite short, often not more than three or four pages in length. This purposefully abrupt , snapshot approach jostles the reader from one event to the next, and is wonderful at generating the way that Emily Stone must feel when moving from one case to the next and not knowing who or what may be around the corner.

The new novel Compulsion by Jennifer Chase is a captivating thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page is read. The careful character development results in real, three-dimensional men and women, even if some of them are almost unimaginably horrifying. The plot, with its slowly revealed layers, is one that engages the readers immediately and takes them on quite an adventure. I was excited to read on Chase’s back cover that she is currently at work on the next book in the series. She can be certain that this new fan will be among the first to read the next installment. I believe that you, too, will find that Compulsion will leave you excited for more.

Poetry Unplugged
Author: Irene Brodsky
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3650-7
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)
Genre and Target Market: poetry; women; education
Pages: 55
Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

I am always eager to discover the expression that is shared by an artist through a chosen craft. Whether he is a composer who brought notes together to form a symphony centuries ago or a young poet who thoughtfully constructs her word patterns even before she knows how to tie her shoes, I love to get lost in such honest emotion. As a musician and a writer, I know that any moment or any object can inspire an outpouring of self. I have recently found a new poet named Irene Brodsky who shares much of her personal story in her just published collection of freestyle poetry entitled Poetry Unplugged. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Brodsky and have only had the opportunity for one phone conversation, but I feel that I have some sense of her background and what she holds so dear through her wonderful use of words.

Irene Brodsky, like most Americans across the country, felt a powerful need to express herself after the tragedy of September 11. As a resident of New York City, she had a front-seat perspective on that horrible day and found herself drawn to poetry has her chosen means of releasing her overwhelming emotions. She wrote a compelling piece of poetry entitled “The Tallest Twins” in which she portrays the World Trade towers as her close friends. This personification served as a less painful way of coping with the grief she was experiencing for her friends who worked in those buildings. The poem became the opening selection in Poetry Unplugged and serves as an appropriate and compelling introduction to the rest of her work.

Throughout the poems found in Brodsky’s Poetry Unplugged, one clear characteristic of the author becomes pleasantly apparent. She is a woman who does not have to search to find points of beauty and astonishment in her everyday surroundings, and she never takes this precious realization for granted. There are several poems that recall childhood memories from places like Howard Street or Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Her words in these selections create a nostalgic visual of a New York that, for the most part, exists only in the memory of those who lived through the era. What wonderful pieces these will be for her readers who look back at their own childhoods in New York with fondness. Ms. Brodsky also shows a love for the natural environment, with poems detailing her day spent with a doe, vacations to the Catskill Mountains, and even the simple appreciation for the beautiful color of an apple. When someone’s writing encourages me to take a second look at the ordinary grandeur that surrounds me, I am truly thankful.

Ms. Brodsky’s work also should serve as a source of encouragement for women who are considering a significant change in their life’s path. She chose to return to college at the age of fifty-five and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. There are several poems in Poetry Unplugged that share Ms. Brodsky’s sense of pride at this great accomplishment. Her poem “Graduation Day” encapsulates all of the strong emotions that anyone feels when achieving one of their life goals, from a sense of disbelief to new confidence to just a bit of sadness at saying goodbye to friends. I felt a particular connection to “Spring Has Sprung on the Quad,” with lines such as “Pictures have been taken, The Quad is all aflutter, A special day awaits!” I read this poem several times, and recalled wonderful visuals of my own graduation nearly fifteen years ago. Perhaps some of Ms. Brodsky’s readers will be inspired to create such memories for themselves!

I sat down with Irene Brodsky’s Poetry Unplugged as someone who has great appreciation for the written word, but hardly as a seasoned critic of poetry. I closed the collection of work as a fan of Ms. Brodsky’s use of language and the confident sense of self that gives her poetry both an inviting approach and a real sense of purpose. Her personal story, namely her decision to return to school later in life and now pass on her learned craft to new students, is a wonderful starting point to attract readers before even enjoying her first line of poetry. When readers discover that the quality of her art is such that they want to reread her words to themselves and others, they will hope that another book of poetry is in Ms. Brodsky’s future. Whether or not such a publication is forthcoming, I at least would love to grab a seat in her class one day and experience the contagious excitement she feels for poetry and simply for life.

More Than a Memory: Reflections of Viet Nam
Victor R. Volkman, Editor
Modern History Press (2008)
ISBN 9781932690644
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (11/08)

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) is the new kid on the block, or is it? Certainly, the diagnostic category may be new, but the emotionally tumultuous concoction behind it seems to have been around since the dawn of human consciousness. Victor Volkman has compiled a bundle of stories and poems from Viet Nam veterans who are struggling with PTSD, for decades now, after their involvement in combat. “More Than a Memory: Reflections of Viet Nam” is part of the Reflections of History series put out by Modern History Press. This short, 221-page paperback dossier places in the reader’s hand a bundle of firsthand accounts on the personally harrowing struggles of over 15 authors, in the form of narrative and verse.

The one major theme that gradually dawns on the reader is that almost every writer in “More Than a Memory” is rehearsing their battle with PTSD. From hyper-vigilance and anger to depression and self-medicating drug abuse, each participant bares their bleeding soul. Many of the accounts are about the gruesome events of combat, loss of friends, violent actions of fellow GIs under constant stress, individual fear, the absurdity of leadership decisions, and numerous regretful events that still feed on the writers’ psyches. These veteran combat soldiers and Marines bring out the grueling and gory death they lived through, in brusque and harsh detail. These are not sissies! These are men who need relief, who want release, and some of whom have finally found reprieve.

If there is any aspect that detracts from the theme of “More Than a Memory” it is the short piece promoting the left-leaning American Servicemen’s Union (ASU). With this article smack in the center of the book it taints the whole work. If the volume has not been pulled together to show the ‘rightness’ of the ASU, then this particular chapter deflects from the real theme of the manuscript. Either way, this section turns “More Than a Memory” in directions probably not intended by the editor or the writers.

Overall, this is an important resource for those professionals or family members trying to help combat veterans struggling with PTSD. It may also be a step closer to healing for those veterans wondering what is happening to them, who worry if they’re normal, and where might they go for help. I highly recommend “More Than a Memory.”

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Reviews and podcasts of children's books are available at Just One More Book. We have chosen to recommend these two books this month:

Kate and the Beanstalk is written by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Giselle Potter, and published by Simon & Schuster (ISBN: 0689825501). This refreshing departure from the boy-burglarizes-giant version of the giant beanstalk story has our girls swooning, roaring and cheering each and every time.

Nic Bishop's Frogs is a Cybils 2008-2009 Non-fiction Picture Book category winner authored and illustrated by Nic Bishop and published in 2008 by Scholastic (ISBN: 0439877555). This gorgeously photographed and casually narrated ramble through the often mind-boggling traits, anatomy, actions, stats, and abilities of the humble frog family will change your view of frogs forever.

Adversity Brings Blessings

By Peirette Simpson

In 1956, I survived the most catastrophic collision in history between two ocean liners: the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm. Fifty years later, I authored Alive on the Andrea Doria! The Greatest Sea the Rescue in History. By doing so, I became the first survivor in history to publish an all-inclusive book about one’s own shipwreck, including humanistic and scientific aspects. I wanted to portray the mystifying event that could have been another Titanic, yet contribute a work of historical significance.

Alive on the Andrea Doria has brought me unpredicted satisfaction as an author and as someone who believes in leaving a valuable legacy for mankind. I’m grateful for:

• Providing a legal defense and a vindication on behalf of my fellow Italians, who were unjustly blamed for the collision and sinking of the luxury Andrea Doria.
• Receiving a global award given by my native region: the Piedmont. The award recognizes patriotism and talent in piemontesi who have contributed works or projects highlighting culture, language, literature, and the arts.
• Selling world film rights to a Roman producer for the Italian version of my book, L’Ultima Notte dell’Andrea Doria.
• Receiving the Collegian Award from my alma mater, Wayne State University. It recognizes alumni who have made contributions in their field of study to the community at large.
• The New England Book Festival recognized Alive on the Andrea Doria for general excellence and the author's passion for telling a good story; and also for the potential of the work to reach a wider audience. The award was in the biography/autobiography category. (January 2009).
• Reaching the title of best seller in three categories of Amazon.com: maritime science, admiralty law, ships and shipwrecks.
• Being the keynote speaker at the American Library Association convention in Chicago. Having my legacy (my book) acknowledged in our libraries has been my dream!

If anyone is wondering if they can be a successful first-time author, my answer is ABSOLUTELY. It takes a lot of hard work to write a book, get it published, and keep up with its promotion. For me it’s been a gratifying journey. If you have a book in your heart, commit to putting your legacy in writing. Yvonne Perry’s Web site has a wealth of information and support to get you started.

Pierette Simpson is the first survivor in history to publish an all-inclusive book about one’s own shipwreck, including humanistic and scientist aspects. After publishing Alive on the Andrea Doria! The Greatest Sea Rescue in History, Pierette has been called to serve on several projects within the maritime world. She continues the Andrea Doria legacy by speaking about her book to national audiences. www.PieretteSimpson.com and www.PieretteSimpson.com/blog .

Calling for Submissions for WITS Newsletter April 2009!

It's time to submit your book reviews, articles, poems, and announcements about anything related to writing, editing, publishing, and book promotion.

If you wish to contribute anything to Writers in the Sky Newsletter for April 2009, please review the guidelines on our Web site: http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html.

Hurry, the deadline is March 24, 2009!!

To help us improve our newsletter, please select your favorite WITS feature at http://www.socialtoo.com/survey/view/620

I also want to let you know that my new eBook Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy is available at http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/get.link?linkid=1028702&subscriberid=24007944&campaignid=294815&linkurl=http://www.onlinepromotionmadeeasy.com/. You will find many free tips for book marketing on the site as well.

Yvonne Perry
Owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services

Author's Corner March 2009

Welcome to another issue of Writers in the Sky Newsletter. Our subscriber base continues to grow and our community is becoming even closer knit thanks to your participation in our Friday the thirteenth Poetry Chapbook. I’ve received some wonderful comments about the lovely e-book that our graphic designer, Jessica Dockter, put together with all the terrific poems you sent us. You may download the chapbook as a PDF from our Web site at http://writersinthesky.com/WITSChapbook09.html.

Last month, I mentioned that three of our five children are expecting babies, and that both my daughter Sareya, and my step-daughter-in-law Katie (the administrative assistant for WITS) are having boys. We now know that my daughter-in-law Amanda is also having a boy. But, wait! There’s more! My step-daughter Ryah just joined the baby club, which means four of our daughters are expecting babies this year! But, wait! There’s more! Sarah Moore, the author’s assistant for WITS, is due in August, which means she and Katie are helping WITS grow its future team members!

And, speaking of family, did either of your parents serve in the armed forces? Angela Grett and I are looking for people who were raised in military families to take our survey and give us input about your family dynamics. We plan to compile and use the answers to write a book to help unite civilian and military families with a better understanding of this unique culture. All answers will remain confidential.

Network with Us March 2009

Have you been by the official Black History Celebration blog and introduced your book? The 2009 Black History Literary Affair has kicked off, so make sure to leave full details about your book and business for the community at the Meet and Greet Center. Also, please add your comments to our first community discussion, Why is Celebrating Black History Important. There is a video showcasing five educators from ATL discussing Black History. Check it out and share your thoughts too! Tell your network to visit with us too. Don't forget to tell all your friends about the event and the blog http://profilesinblack.blogspot.com. This is a community event; all visitors are welcome to leave their messages and promote their business/books in the comments sections.
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My book, Alive on the Andrea Doria! The greatest sea rescue in history, has received honorable mention from the New England Book Festival. And, a movie producer in Rome has purchased the world rights to my book. Also, I’m going to Italy in May to receive an award from my fellow Italians, thanking me for vindicating my people from a historical injustice. In July, I will be the featured speaker for the American Library Association in Chicago. Thanks again and all the best to you and your team at wits. Your Web site looks outstanding!!!
Pierette Domenica Simpson
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"We are proud to have published Steven Clark Bradley's book, Patriot Acts, http://stevenclarkbradleyspatriotacts.blogspot.com/ especially in these times. Today, it is more important than ever for Americas to be aware of the dangers our country faces. Yes, this book is fictional. But, its premise is certainly a plausible one."

~ Arline Chase, publisherat Cambridge Books—a subsidiary of Write Words, Inc. dedicated to providing quality reading in both electronic and paper formats.

Today, America faces enemies that make the world of the Cold War seem like much brighter times. Islamic forces have declared Jihad on America causing the greatest threat to the life of the United States since World War II. In Patriot Acts, America finds itself under covert nuclear attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran which has linked up with radical American Militia groups. They have set aside their political and religious differences to carry out the widest attack to America in the nation's history. Colonel Fisher Harrison, the best trained Special Ops killer the military has, is the only one person who can effectively retaliate against their aggression. The only problem is that Colonel Fisher is in a federal prison, framed for a murder he did not commit by his former boss who is now the President of the United States of America. Take an amazing journey from Alaska to the Midwest and to the center of the Islamic Republic of Iran as two enemies unite to save the nation from two adversaries in league to bring the country to its knees. You will be amazed how close to home and to reality Patriot Acts could be!
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You might be interested in Scribal News Calendar filled with announcements about book signings, writing conferences and seminars, and podcasts related to the writing industry. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to sylmcclain@juno.com with “Subscribe Scribal News” in the subject line.
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Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power, coauthored by Chicken Soup for the Soul editor Susan M. Heim, recently received a 2009 Mom's Choice Award! This book offers practical and fun ways for parents to develop and nurture maximum brain power from the womb to baby’s first birthday. Read more at www.susanheim.com.
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Ever dream about getting wonderful trips with incredible people to exotic places for FREE? In my FREE e-book How to Make Travel Writing Work for You, I give you the fast track to achieving this goal. Go to my website www.LindaBallouAuthor.com. Enter your name and e-mail in the top right corner of homepage and magically the e-book will appear. While you are visiting, check out Wai-nani’s page. There are reviews, a first chapter and reader comments.

Linda Ballou, Adventure travel writer and author of Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawai’I www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
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Memphis hosts the newest writers' conference in the Midsouth this March 20-22. With a faculty of Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Darrell Award winning authors, editors and publishers this promises to be a cornucopia of writing and publishing wisdom. As a conference within a fantasy and science fiction fan convention, registration includes all the food, programming and fun genre fans are famous for. Where else can you enjoy vital workshops to further your writing career and creativity, all while watching Darth Vader and a winged fairy walk through the lobby?

Sponsored by MidSouthCon and Meadowhawk Press and featuring guest faculty including C.J. Cherryh, Mike Resnick, Jackie Gamber, and Ann and Jeff Vandermeer among many others, this conference welcomes and encourages writers of all genres. Sharpen your prose, broaden your horizons, or just share the camaraderie of fellow writers. This conference will not disappoint with a registration fee of only $40. More details at http://www.midsouthcon.org.
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Just One More Book! is a thrice-weekly podcast which promotes and celebrates literacy and great children's books. Each weekday morning, we take a few minutes out of our morning coffee ritual to discuss one of our many favorite children's books. We also feature weekly interviews with authors, illustrators and experts and enthusiasts in the areas of children's literature and literacy as well as listener-submitted book reviews.

Through this podcast and website, we are building a lively, interactive community linking children's book authors, illustrators, readers (parents, children, librarians, teachers and literacy activists) and publishers.

Busy parents and educators can now discover great read-aloud children's books while they are busy doing the many tasks that would otherwise rob them of the opportunity to research great children's books in more traditional ways.

Our guests have included celebrity authors such as Sheree Fitch, Rachna Gilmore, Jack Prelutsky, Daniel Pinkwater, Eve Bunting, Eva Ibbotson, Henry Winkler and Mary Ann Hoberman and celebrity illustrators such as Mo Willems, Bob Staake, Marc Brown, Oliver Jeffers, Simon James, Jane Ray, Wallace Edwards and Kevin Hawkes. We have also aimed the spotlight at interesting and lesser known authors and illustrators.

Episodes range in length from 5 to 25 minutes and can be played directly from our web page or downloaded to a portable mp3 player, such as an iPod, for listening on the go.

This podcast is powered by passion. We have no advertisers or sponsors. Our goals are to link children with great books and to help create happy memories for children and the adults that read to them…and to have fun!

The Just One More Book! Podcast has been recommended by the American Library Association as one of its American Library Association (ALA) - Great Websites for Kids and has been featured in Canadian Living Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Family Fun Magazine and such prestigious literary publications as School Library Journal, Books for Keeps, Canadian Children's Book News and Publishers Weekly. We are also regular contributors to ChildsLife, The Edge of the Forest and Parent Source online newsletters. Watch for us again in the February 2009 edition of Canadian Living Magazine.
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www.JustOneMoreBook.com "A podcast about the children's books we love and why we love them -- recorded in our favourite coffee shop"
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Did your parents serve in the armed forces? We are looking for people who were raised in military families to take our survey and give us input. All answers will remain confidential. http://tinyurl.com/clbrun
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Many thanks to Karen Pierce Gonzalez for mentioning WITS in her newsletter KPG E-News which features news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email How to Generate Media Visibility.
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Do you know anyone in the music industry who needs lyrics about 100 new songs? Please contact Dennis Martin. dsmartin49@comcast.net
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Discover The Copywriting Keys To Unleashing Your Social Media Marketing Success in 2009 & Beyond

No matter what your business, no matter what product, service or expertise you are selling, you need the right words to sell. Of course, in this “Web 2.0” world, there are so many places and platforms that need relevant and persuasive words – blogs, press releases, Squidoo lenses, articles, newsletters and bios/profiles for Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, to name a few.

Many successful marketers will tell you that copywriting – the ability to put what you are selling into words that actually sell – is the #1 most important skill to have in marketing. And this is true now more than ever.

My colleagues Craig Cannings of VAClassroom and Allison Nazarian of Get It In Writing have teamed up to present an amazing (and did I mention FREE?) webinar event on this very topic. In the world of social media, and social marketing in particular, your credibility, your visibility and your reputation are the measures of your success. And the key to being able to shine in social media lies in the words businesses use to have the conversations they are having.

Craig and Allison – and I – invite you to take advantage of this session: Discover The Key Copywriting Techniques For Unleashing Your Social Media Marketing Success in 2009 & Beyond. This is an event you don’t want to miss – the “secret weapon” so many successful marketers have and use can (and should) be yours too.

Discover The Key Copywriting Techniques For Unleashing Your Social Media Marketing Success in 2009 & Beyond.

What: Free Webinar Event

When: Thursday March 5, 5pm Eastern (2pm Pacific)

Who: You! This free webinar event and the Special Report are perfect for Solopreneurs, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, Coaches, Consultants, Freelancers, Copywriters, Virtual Assistants and Online Professionals.

Bonus: And when you sign up for this no-charge event, you will also receive Craig & Allison’s Special Report: Five Copywriting Strategies Guaranteed To Successfully Bring You, Your Brand & Your Business Into The New Kingdom.

How: Registration Page: CopywritingKingdom

Writers in the Sky Podcast Schedule for March 2009

Here is the schedule of guests who will be appearing on WITS podcast in March.

March 6

Shayn Cutino shares her book, The Anja Technique, the Art of Self Love with podcast host Yvonne Perry. Shayn is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, a member of the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists, the International Hypnosis Research Institute and the International Hypnosis Federation. She has discovered that the missing connection between each person and a productive life is the relationship they have with themselves. Shayn developed the Anja Technique to teach individuals how to love themselves and overcome the multitude of obstacles that attempt to block them from achieving a well rounded life.Purchase on Amazon.com.

March 13

Yvonne Perry will host the show and interview Patricia Milner as she discusses her book, Divine Intervention, and how her psychic gifts have affected all areas of her life. Patricia is an international psychic medium, Reiki master, spiritual teacher and trainer who has been psychic since birth. Her spiritual retreats guide people through life’s changes and challenges by helping them with their spiritual growth and development. She also uses her music and singing voice to create her own meditation music. Read more or purchase on Amazon.com

March 20

Jennifer Chase talks about her great fiction suspense thriller, Compulsion. Jennifer holds a bachelors in police forensics and a masters in criminology. Her curiosity in the psychological aspect of crime drives her to write. Sarah Moore will be the host for this show. Purchase Jennifer's book on Amazon.com.

March 27

Sarah Moore will interview Christina Sponias as she present her e-book, Craziness Prevention, which contains her own theory for interpreting dreams and teaches people how to solve problems based on guidance received from the unconscious mind. Christina continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche by simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation. Through her writing, she teaches you how to translate the exact meaning of your dreams so that you can find health, wisdom and happiness.

All Writers in the Sky Podcasts are available at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com.

Writers in the Sky E-zine March 2009

It's the first Tuesday of the month and the entire WITS E-zine has been published and emailed to those on our permission-based subscription list.

If you are reading this post right here on our blog, you may notice that we post the individual features/columns/sections of the e-zine in intervals over the course of the month. If you have subscribed to the RSS feed of our e-zine blog (which is a very good idea), you will get a notice whenever we post something on the e-zine blog.

However, if you just can't wait for the sections to go live, you can read the entire March 2009 e-zine now!

Twenty-two Tips on What to Wear For a TV Interview

by Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Communications

Recently one of my author clients was featured on FOX News Boston. Before he was interviewed on camera he was nervous but was able to recall the media training that we put him through a few weeks earlier. That, along with a pep talk, and he was good to go.

What about YOU? Are you ready to be interviewed by local or national TV? If you’ve not had media training, believe me it’s too late once you get the call. You may have to get in a car or on a plane within an hour’s notice. It’s too late to get the training then. That’s why you need to be prepared before you get the call.

My experience as a publicist has convinced me that one of the greatest concerns about being interviewed on television is what to wear. For radio or newspaper interviews, fashion doesn’t matter but how you appear is critical for TV. When my clients agree to media coaching, my first choice for them to work with is TJ Walker, CEO of Media Training Worldwide www.mediatrainingworldwide.com/

TJ Walker is one of the leading authorities on media training in the world. With more than 20 years of media training experience, Walker has trained thousands of CEOs, authors, and experts, including leading government officials in the United States, European Prime Ministers, and African diplomats.

Here’s a quick list of “What to Wear and Not Wear!” that TJ Walker and other media coaches have developed that I share with you now so you can look terrific for your TV interview.

1. Don’t wear white, black or red. White glows and becomes the most noticeable thing on the TV screen. Black is too harsh and can suck up all the light. Reds “bleed” on camera and are distracting.
2. Pastel shirts work well on TV.
3. The safest color on TV is blue.
4. Don’t wear dangly earrings. They distract.
5. Remove jewelry that moves, makes noise, or could hit your microphone.
6. Be wrinkle-free.
7. Don’t wear stripes, herringbone, small intricate designs, or flashy jewelry. They are hard for a TV camera to pick up on.
8. Don’t wear checks.
9. Dress in a simple, boring manner, unless you are a fashion designer.
10. TV viewers should focus on your face and what you say, not your clothes.
11. Men should have about an inch of their shirt cuff showing.
12. Avoid light colored pants.
13. Wear over-the-calf socks so your skin doesn’t show if you cross your legs.
14. Don't wear more than one ring per hand.
15. Women shouldn't wear short skirts if you want people to focus on your message.
16. If you wear a dark shirt, dark suit, and dark tie, you will look like you are auditioning to be a hit man on the “Sopranos.”
17. Vests look stuffy on TV.
18. Don’t wear stripes. They dance around on the screen and are distracting.
19. Avoid hair products that add shine.
20. No visible logos or companies or brands, except for your own company logo.
21. People shouldn’t judge you by your appearance, but they will.
22. If you do or wear anything distracting on TV, people will remember that and nothing you say.

Clothes are the major factor in controlling how you appear to viewers. While appearance is critical for success on television you also must be concerned about the words that come out of your mouth, the knowledge you display, and the self-confidence you demonstrate. Media coaches like TJ Walker and marketing experts like myself will make sure you are fully prepared for your big day!

The bottom line: RELAX, you’ll do fine. The butterflies you’re feeling are what will drive you to do your best! Remember, it’s not like they are going to ask you the square root of 656! They’re asking you about your book, your company, your story which you obviously know. Just follow these helpful tips and you’ll look as good as you sound.

Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with individuals and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz has handled public relations and marketing for numerous authors, doctors, lawyers, inventors and entrepreneurs. As a book marketing expert Lorenz is called upon by top execs and bestselling authors to promote their books. Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at www.westwindcos.com/book or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090.

Writers’ Podcast for March Will Examine the Many Amazing Powers of Our Minds

Writers in the Sky Podcast Guests Share Their New Books Concerning Hypnosis, Psychic Abilities, Criminal Mindsets, and Reading Our Dreams

Nashville, TN, February 25, 2009—The team members at Writers in the Sky just love it when our podcast guests, who are always wonderful, provide a cohesive theme to our month of interviews. This connection helps provide fluidity to our discussions and hopefully allows the listeners to build upon what they hear every week. In March, the four books that will be featured on our podcast each offer insight into the amazing complexity and power of the human mind. We will begin the month with an author who uses hypnosis to help people find love and self-acceptance. Next, we will speak with an author who has experience as a psychic and how she came to accept that gift. Our month continues with an interview about a new thriller novel, in which readers learn about both the criminal mind and the keen insights of those who protect and serve. Finally, we will close out March with a fascinating discussion about dream interpretation and how this skill can create a better life.

On March 6, Yvonne Perry will be interviewing Shayn Cutino about her new book The Anja Technique. Shayn is a certified clinical hypnotherapist who has discovered that the missing connection between each person and a productive life is the relationship they have with themselves. Shayn developed the Anja Technique to teach individuals how to love themselves and overcome the multitude of obstacles that attempt to block them from achieving a well rounded life. During her interview, Ms. Cutino will discuss her five-step process and how it can be used for the specific issues that are hindering your life. Purchase The Anja Technique through Amazon.

Our next interview, on March 13, also will be hosted by Yvonne and will feature the book Divine Intervention by Patricia Milner. The author will discuss how her psychic gifts have affected all areas of her life. Patricia is an international psychic medium, Reiki master, spiritual teacher and trainer who has been psychic since birth. Her spiritual retreats guide people through life’s changes and challenges by helping them with their spiritual growth and development. She also uses her music and singing voice to create her own meditation music. Divine Intervention can be purchased through Amazon.

Sarah Moore continues our month of interviews on March 20 when she discusses the novel Compulsion with new author Jennifer Chase. Ms. Chase uses her educational background in police forensics and criminology to bring amazing details to her thriller. In Compulsion, Chase creates Emily Stone, a woman who works anonymously to track pedophiles and killers and then bring them to justice. When Emily herself becomes the hunted one, the mind games increase with the tension. Chase found that her curiosity about the psychological aspects of crime inspired her desire to write, and that passion comes through in the characters she develops in her novel. During her interview, Chase will discuss the role that psychology plays in investigating crime scenes and how she unfolded the striking personalities in her novel. Please visit Outskirts Press to learn more about Compulsion and Jennifer Chase.

Our last interview of the month will be on March 27 and will feature Christina Sponias and a discussion of her new e-Book, Craziness Prevention. This book contains Sponias’ own theory for interpreting dreams and teaches people how to solve problems based on guidance received from the unconscious mind. Christina continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche by simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation. In her interview with Sarah Moore, Ms. Sponias will share how learning the techniques for translating the exact meaning of your dreams will allow you to find health, wisdom, and happiness. Please visit Christina Sponias’ website to learn more about the author and her publications.

“Once again, we are excited to offer our listeners an entertaining and thoughtful group of authors,” shares Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, which produces the podcast. “I look forward to the insight that each writer will offer into the amazing complexity of the human mind!”

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 (www.writersinthesky.com).

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.

Poetry Corner February 2009

Working the Room

Champagne glasses clink together,
Laughter fills the evening air,
Music set its subtle mood as
Fashion flashes everywhere.
In the middle of it all
You begin to weave your loom,
And I can only stand in awe
To watch you work the room.

There’s a sparkle in your eye
Meant for all the world to know,
Captured from a midnight sky,
Projected in its afterglow.
Lifting up your audience
Far beyond the waning moon,
Magic follows everywhere as you’re
Working the room.

Others try to steal your spotlight,
But they can’t compete.
They just fade into the background,
Left to worship at your feet.

You are every roving star
Filling up the nighttime sky,
Flaunting wings of fantasy;
Never mind the reason why.
Finding favor everywhere to
Chase away the gloom.
There’s a celebration as you’re
Working the room.

~ Dennis S Martin
http://www.iwritesome.com
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/

SCARS

There’s a little red spot on my left breast.
Where the biopsy needle went in.
There’s a long purple smile beside it,
Where the surgeon pulled back the skin.
And she scraped all the bad ole stuff right out.
I put my pants back on, and I went home with my doubts.
Did I take one hormone too many?
Should I have drunk more red wine?
Did I smoke too many cigarettes?
Which of these risks was mine?
I was number eight out of ten,
On the clinic dry erase board that day.
We all put our pants back on.
We all went home to wait.

And we all have scars no one else can see.
From pain we don’t want to remember.
They make us move in different ways,
Leave places that are tender.

My Ex signed by all the Xs on the paper.
His lawyer shoved the pen at me.
A judge can sign off on all this stuff.
But I know I’ll never be free.
Somewhere we lost the real-deal love.
I went home, all by myself, and asked the stars above.
Should I have given him a baby?
Would he have stayed home a little more?
Why did he have to correct my grammar?
Why did I scream when he walked out the door?
We were the third divorce case,
In his lawyer’s office that day.
We all put our coats back on.
And went our separate ways.

And we all have scars no one else can see.
From pain we don’t want to remember.
They make us move in different ways,
Leave places that are tender.

~ Jan Bossing © Joelton, TN 2007

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You Are Like the Light

You walked along the wrong path
For a very long time,
You stopped when you knew
You had crossed the line.

It took something very wrong
To make something very right,
Before you were in darkness
And now you're in the light.

You learned bad experiences
You almost lived in hell,
You learned possibilities
You were saved by the bell.

The "virus" I call the bell
Because it opened up your soul,
Before the world was over you
But now you're in control.

This time God really barked
He barked, but didn't bite,
It just scared you enough
To make you want to fight.

In your old path of life
You refused your way out,
But now you finally realized
What life is really about.

When you discovered your disease
You thought you were said and done,
Not realizing at all
Your life had just begun.

Now you're on the road
Now you must keep on living,
Testify your experiences
And heal by giving.

Enjoy your living life
Let go of all your fears,
Remember all the laughter
And forget about the tears.

Life can be very long
It can also be short,
Just have proof of innocence
When you reach heavens court.

Oh sister, you're in my heart
And this poem I had to write,
Before you were in darkness
But now you're in the light

I love you! I can't wait to see you again!
I miss you! But until then......

Written By Iris Erielle Foss for sister Maria before she died of AIDS

A Self

A Self
Is Found
In Each Belief
In Each Moment
In Each Experience

A Self
Is Energy
Completely Aglow
Fueled
By The Match
Of Consciousness

Burning At Different Intensities
The Flame
Of Each Self
Becomes A Candle
Within The Framework
Of Spontaneous Selves

The Self
Is A Reflection
Of Becoming
In The Awareness
Of The Wick
The Wax
The Candle
And The Light

From the 2008 Collection of Spirit Songs by Hal Manogue poet and author of Short Sleeves Insights and Short Sleeves A Book For Friends http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/

I Can Do It, Lord

I can be who you want me to be!
I need practice every day for the rest of my life,
But I know now that I can respond to you as you wish.
Please be merciful and kind to me.
Pay special attention to the ways I learn best and
Teach me according to my mind set.
Be as gentle as possible, I ask.

As for me, I bravely set myself to practice the lessons
You give me from day to day.

My testimony is:
The Lord and I are working together.
We have lots on our minds…much work to do
(work in my inner person, testimony to give others,
fruits of the Holy Spirit to bring forth,
many good works to accomplish).

I remain your faithful and loyal servant.
What's my next assignment?

~ Dianne Hansen, Bipolar blog Enjoying Your Health : http://enjoyingyourhealth.com

Sky

Rain falls from the sky
down on to the white desert of satin,
from a dark hazel emotion
as the devil smiles away his sorrow
in seing his angel fly,
saying he was never afraid of anything,
except the part where he became a memory
blurred out of the sky.

See how many times I write sky?
Is because Heaven is inexistent,
and I cannot speak of that which I cannot pray
... and I cannot pray to the sands of satin...
not while the rain falls from the hazel-colored sky.

Nostalgic

If you saw me, desire me
Like the moon desires the sun's sighs,
Like the clouds desire the touch of the rain.
Beautiful as the sunset,
Beautiful as the night sky,
You are far away...

I can't have the luxury of having you
Because I cannot have the luxury of having a soul,
That misses you,
That wants you,
That tells me just how empty is my existence without you.

How little poetic we become,
When we turn all mushy and nostalgic!

Yuvia Chairez. Born, raised, and currently living in the border town of Juarez, Mexico. Writer, Veterinarian, and Teacher, she has been published in several cultural magazines in Mexico (Fronteras, Armario, Tierra Adentro), as well as several poetry anthology books from various authors ("Ciudad de Cierto, Rio", "Voces de la Frontera", "Memorias del Encuentro de Poetras" -- all of them from Doble Helice Editorial). As a writer, she has won the David Alfaro Siqueiros Award given by the Chihuahua Culture Institute with her short story book, "De la Luna y Otros Vicios" (From the Moon and Other Vices). She currently works as an ESL Teacher at the North Regional University (URN). Web page: deviantart.com

The Seven Ps of Freelance Writing

by R.J. Medek

1. Performance – Performance in this case is not missing the deadline, writing your best and giving the customer what they asked for, and are willing to make any edits the client may ask for in a timely manner. If you want your brand to stand out, or be talked about in a positive light, doing what you said you would on time and the best work you can do will be your brand, and allow you to gradually negotiate for more money.

2. Presentation – Presentation is the overall look of the work done for your client. By that, means no typos, spelling errors, grammar errors, not following through with the guidelines set by the client. If you have any doubt as to what the client wants, ask before you start to make sure that you and the client or on the same page of the same book.

3. Professionalism – Professionalism is simple yet hard. Freelance writing is a job, just like working for someone. You must approach your client as your boss, because they are. The client offers you an assignment; you have to treat it as through your boss in a 9-5 job asked you to perform some task. You can do nothing less than your best effort to complete the assignment on time and to the client’s satisfaction.

4. Polish – Polish is not an easy task. Polish means to write and edit your piece of writing for grammar, typos, punctuation, or spelling errors and correct them. You need to do this within the time constraints, and guidelines given to you or negotiated with the client. When you take on a client’s assignment, polishing the piece has to be part of your time assessment when you tell the client how long it will take to complete the assignment.

5. Personal Contact – Personal contact is keeping the client informed how the assignment is coming along, if something came up, you need more time for research on a specific chart, technology, or whatever it is the assignment needs for completion. If say, you or a family member becomes ill and is taken to the hospital, this could cause a delay. Let the client know and ask for time or tell the client you will be unable to complete the assignment because of it. DO NOT leave your client hanging wondering where you and the piece are.

6. Persistence – When first starting out, your writing assignments may be few and far in between. If you give up easily, choose another profession. You have to keep writing and keep applying for jobs. Take this down time to update your resume, work on cover letters, read, write. Practice your chosen profession. Never let a day go by that you don’t write something or try to make a contact looking for writing jobs.

7. Patience – Patience is not the long suit of many. If you expect to make a ton of money from the start of your freelance writing career, you will be greatly disappointed. All of the hype that overnight you can become a great copywriter, or sell all kinds of eBooks, is just that, hype. It takes time to brand and market yourself. Like wines, it will happen when the time is right, and not before. There are places where you can write for free, like the church newsletter, something for the PTA, or your social club. These are good places to hone your skills, improve your writing, while giving you exposure to different types of writing, and people that may you’re your writing. You cannot be in a hurry with either your writing, or your writing career.

R J Medak is a freelance writer with 300 articles written. He has over 40 book reviews written and posted to Amazon and Barnes and Noble. He maintains a blog at http://rjmedak.wordpress.com/about/.

Book with a View February 2009

My Name is Michael

Author: P. J. Thomas

ISBN: 978-1-4327-3306-3

Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)

Genre and Target Market: fiction; China; human rights

Pages: 56

Reviewed by Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

Sometimes I find it difficult to review a book when its message is so powerful and its potential to have a lasting impact on everyone who reads its pages is of great consequence. Will I do justice to what is being conveyed? How can I effectively capture the feelings I had when reading the book and the way its characters still enter my thoughts? These concerns sat with me as I reflected on the new release My Name is Michael by P.J. Thomas. This short book of fifty-six pages tells the fictional story of a child beggar in China, but the personal research done by the author in learning about this forgotten segment of Chinese society is horrifically real. I am confident that you will, as I did, become gripped by this book and read it in one sitting. Then, you will want to pass the novel onto your friends so that you can have others with which to share a discussion about this unforgettable story.

Michael is a young boy in modern China who earned his beloved school name from an American teacher who tells the kids about the beauty and liberty in the United States. Tragically, in short time, Michael would be kidnapped and come to know a life which held no semblance of comfort or freedom. He is taken to the home of Mama Chang, who plays host to enslaved child beggars. Michael is quickly taken to The Butcher for procedures that, as graphically described, are revolting and provide physical results that make him a more sympathetic character to passersby. Despite these unimaginable circumstances, Michael never loses his ability to love, befriend, or place the needs of others above his own. My Name is Michael is an amazing testimony to the innocence and truth in children that endures in the face of the harshest abuse and dimmest future.

P.J. Thomas reminds us in the prologue that his book is a work of fiction, but he also acknowledges the reality in which his story is based. I must admit that I had no idea about the sinister practice of stealing children, disfiguring them, and then placing them on the streets to earn spare change. Luckily, though, the story of Michael and other boys like him has found a powerful voice. Thomas spent two years in China learning about its people and, when he took notice of the many children with deformed bodies, he managed to find a few people who were not terrified to share what they knew. The resulting book is a beautifully crafted piece of art. Each chapter heading, such as “A Cry for Help” and “Return to the Butcher” prepares us for another moment in which we will catch our breaths or become enraged. The use of stark words and phrases throughout the text creates a powerful image of emptiness. There is no room for flowery language in the world that Michael knows.

In addition to the power of his words, Thomas lays out the book in a way that captures and maintains a reader’s attention. Starting with the front cover sketch of a young boy who has lost both legs holding a bruised, abandoned baby, Thomas includes the occasional artwork to make his already stark images even more clear. By seeing the visual interpretation of The Butcher or Mama Chang’s face, the reader must face the concept of these unspeakably horrible people actually being human. Each chapter is also formatted to be short and feel almost abrupt. We are let into snapshots of Michael’s life and the reader gets whisked away after a few quick pages, effectively recreating the uncertainty and lack of peace in Michael’s life. Whether or not that was the author’s intention, this style choice definitely heightened the reading experience for me.

My Name is Michael is an important new novel that should be read by government officials, social activists and individuals who have concerns for children in any part of the world. As the character in the book known only as “The American” tells Michael when recording his life to that point, “When people read your story they will become outraged and speak out.” This is not a book that will make you feel good or that simply should be another check mark on your desired reading list. However, it is an expertly-written piece of fiction that is rooted in truths that will be, and should be, difficult to forget. My hope is that My Name is Michael becomes one important way in which information about the atrocity of child beggars is shared and action can be taken.

********************

The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude

Author: Davis Aujourd’hui

ISBN: 978-1-4327-3047-5

Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)

Genre: fiction, humor, social commentary

Pages: 155

Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

When I reflect on the fictional nuns who have found their way into our collective consciousness through television and movies over the last fifty years, there seems to be the common thread of a dichotomous personality. These pious women are portrayed as kind-hearted servants of God and their communities, but also mischievous humans who are quite capable of less-than-holy behavior. Maria from The Sound of Music cared about those VonTrapp children, but she was known to be late to afternoon prayers. Sally Field was charming as The Flying Nun, but her unorthodox methods often had the Reverend Mother up in arms. And, of course, Whoopi Goldberg used her habit to hide from the mob during her turn as a nun in Sister Act. Davis Aujourd’hui adds another Sister to the roll call of memorable nuns in his new book The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. With her alcohol-filled crucifix and Marlboro smoke signals sent straight to heaven as prayers, this sister will undoubtedly captivate your attention and have you turning the pages.

Sister Mary Olga speaks to the readers directly, with each of the chapters reading like the script from a classic radio broadcast. I doubt that many of the nun’s stories would have passed FCC scrutiny, however! She draws us in with opening remarks which immediately command our attention, like “T.L.I.A.M.G, my dears!” (the acronym standing for The Lord is a Mighty God) or “Now!” Then, she proceeds to share important lessons in Advanced Holiness using some of the residents of Bucksnort, Wisconsin, home of the Have a Heart convent, as the fodder for her tales. Readers of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude’s wise and unique perspective will quickly learn that no one is without a fascinating story to his or her name. Although you may never have discovered a body in the process of cremation as you tried to bake a cake or bore offspring who made inappropriate digestive noises while playing Baby Jesus in the annual Christmas pageant, I know that you will be able to relate to the flaws discussed by Sister Mary, albeit exaggerated, that are common to the human condition. Mr. Aujourd’hui’s inspired storytelling and fun use of words make each of these revelations all the more memorable.

Even while creating a hilarious cast of characters and series of events in which they are players, Aujourd’hui presents his readers with a serious commentary on the importance of tolerance and refraining from judgment. Through Sister Mary Olga Fortitude, he introduces us to people who are often considered outcasts in traditionally accepted society, from transgendered nuns and prostitutes to gay cowboys and morbidly obese women. While sharing their stories and secrets, Sister reminds us not to be critical of the unusual personalities we meet as the book unfolds. And, as reinforcement, she repeatedly confesses to her own shortcomings in terms of lust, gossip, and alcohol. The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude is a laugh-out-loud interpretation of the Golden Rule.

To further the point of the dangers to be found in judgment and narrow-mindedness, Aujourd’hui creates a group of women who are known as the Bunheads United Now organization (BUN). These ladies are known for their tight pulled-back hairstyle, which Sister Mary Olga points out is a hindrance to unimpeded brain functions. They are critical of anyone who does not fit the acceptable mold of behavior and they create superficial, seemingly perfect demeanors to hide their most personal doubts and insecurities. The leader of the BUN brigade, appropriately named Priscilla Bunhead, ends up on the receiving end of some vengeful scissors. Readers who have felt judged for their lifestyle or decisions will likely take some satisfaction out of this particularly amusing moment in the book.

The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude is a new release by Davis Aujourd’hui that presents a sharp and irreverent look at humanity. Offered through the lens of an unforgettable nun who knows everybody’s business but refrains from placing judgments (well, most of the time!), this novel is wonderful in its personality development and colorful language. And, as is promised on the book jacket, I am thrilled that more “misadventures” await those who quickly will become loyal readers. I have no doubt that Sister Mary Olga Fortitude has many more secrets to share and life lessons to teach, and I plan to be sitting in the front row.

********************

Tuey’s Course

Author: James Ross

ISBN: 978-1-4363-8994-5

Publisher: Xlibris 2008

Genre: fiction, human drama, race relations

Pages: 286

Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)

I always enjoy the opportunity to review more than one work by the same author. I am able to see the evolution of his writing as well as develop a better sense of what he is trying to accomplish through the sharing of his stories and characters. Tuey’s Course is the third book by author James Ross, with his previous publications, Lifetime Loser and Finish Line on the bookshelves last year and earlier this year, respectively. The Prairie Winds Golf Course serves as the consistent backdrop for all three novels, but each book takes its readers on a completely unique journey. In his first book, Ross unveiled a captivating story of crime and shady business dealings. Next, he shared the coming-of-age of two teenage boys who learn important life lessons from their ailing mentor. Now, in Tuey’s Course, Ross challenges us in his brutally honest portrayal of race, class and political power structures. Those who have enjoyed Ross’ attention to creating rich detail and fascinating characters in his previous works, as well as readers who are discovering Ross for the first time with Tuey’s Course, will not be disappointed in this new release that makes you think and may even make you angry.

Tuey’s Course focuses on WeWildapheet Ulisees O’Tweety (known as Tuey) and his struggles to make an honest living while fighting the corrupt elected officials in his town who seem determined to thwart his efforts at every turn. Tuey diligently attends every council meeting and sometimes uses unusual methods to convey his frustration with the city’s establishment. In sharing the details of Tuey’s life and his standing on the socioeconomic ladder, Ross makes a bigger statement about the impact that race and money has on the voice a person enjoys in our society. And, he shows that the desperation eventually reached by the poor and the overlooked can lead to tragic results. Ross continues his practice of interweaving multiple plot lines by including a referee who throws football games in return for a payout, a gay priest who flies to Vegas for the weekend with his lover at the expense of a crooked banker, and a developer who is willing to commit crimes in order to get the land that he desires. All of these characters, as well as the golf course regulars we have come to know in Ross’ previous books, come into contact with Tuey to create a novel that manages to be both layered and cohesive in its storylines.

As was the case in Finish Line, Ross employs racial stereotypes when writing the dialect and creating the background stories of his characters. Tuey speaks with the vernacular of an African-American in a way that may have been more common during the period in which Ross’ distant relative, Mark Twain, was sharing his candid views on American society. The ethnic neighborhoods described by Ross are blatant in their names, as the Asian residents live in Little Chang Hai and the Arabs live in an area called the Sand Dunes. The popular rapper has a ridiculous name, the Asian investor is short and shifty, and the always-drunk pilot and a couple of his cohorts at the golf course have no hesitation in using derogatory slurs. Every ethnic label is exposed and exaggerated in Tuey’s Course. Upon my initial reading, I will admit that the language made me uncomfortable. I was concerned that, by taking this writing style to extremes, Ross was simply perpetuating unfair racial views that still exist in our country. Upon further reflection and after reading the conclusion of the book; however, I realize that Ross’ intention was to evoke emotion from his reading audience. Tuey’s Course is not a light read meant for casual summertime reading at the beach. You will be forced to examine your own reaction to the character portrayals and think about where our society places different groups of people.

James Ross succeeds in creating yet another thoughtful and detailed book in Tuey’s Course. He provides an important and unique voice to the works of fiction that are making statements as to who we are as people. I believe that readers likely will have varying reactions to the characters in Tuey’s Course, which will make for great conversation. And, it appears that Ross is not done with his writing endeavors. A serial killer who makes random appearances through news reports in both Finish Line and Tuey’s Course is still a mystery. Is this a teaser from Ross, or just a secondary plot to throw us off-track? Time will tell. For now, I recommend that you grab a copy of Tuey’s Course and prepare to react!

**************

Saffron Dreams

Shaila Abdullah

Modern History Press (2009)

ISBN 9781932690736

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (01/09)

Arissa Illahi, a Pakistani woman living in New York, has it all - a loving husband, the freedom to pursue the work she enjoys, good friends, understanding family and a child on the way. Then one fateful morning her life shatters – the World Trade Center in NYC collapses in a terrorist attack, and takes with it Faizan, Arissa’s husband. Arissa’s world will never be the same. Not only has she lost her soulmate, her beloved husband and the father of the unborn child, but she suddenly finds herself in a world where she is perceived as an enemy just for being a Muslim.

There are books that are beautiful simply because they are so positive and pleasant. And there are those that manage to be beautiful in spite of the pain and the suffering and the heartbreak contained within. Shaila Abdullah’s Saffron Dreams is both. Her writing is mesmerizing. On one hand it feels like a classically cut diamond – precise, sparkling, blindingly beautiful, but also incredibly sharp. On the other hand her writing reminds me of a dish I’ve often had traveling in India – a thali. Yes, I am very well aware of the fact that the author is Pakistani and not Indian, but many of the foods she mentioned in the book reminded me a lot of India, and that is probably why I thought of thali. Thali is usually a round metal tray with many compartments, each containing a different item, such as rice, dhal, different vegetables and curries, chutney, yoghurt and something sweet to finish. Each of those items complements or contrasts the others to perfection, and together they are some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. This is the way I feel about Saffron Dreams. It was comforting, it was funny, it was spicy; and then heartbreaking, full of despair, filled with hope, amazingly fresh and vibrant and satisfying. Following Arissa’s story makes the reader realize how little most of us know and understand the world of Muslims, and how incredibly wrong so many of our perceptions are.

If you are looking for a tender love story, you’ll find it here. If you are curious about how people live, love and laugh in another culture, you are in for a treat. If you want to read about overcoming challenges, your wish will be granted. If it is simply beauty that you are searching for, you’ll find it in abundance in Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah. This is a book I would highly recommend to anybody who loves beautifully written and intelligent contemporary prose, especially to the readers who are curious and open minded, and to those who enjoy stories with strong female characters.

**************

Taking the Sea: Perilous Waters, Sunken Ships, and the True Story of the Legendary Wrecker Captains

Dennis M. Powers

AMACOM

ISBN 9780814413531

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/08)

Taking the Sea is the fourth in Dennis M. Powers’ celebrated maritime narratives. Research on his book Sentinel of the Seas triggered Powers’ curiosity about the ships used during the building of the St. George Reef Lighthouse, and about the colorful Captain Thomas P. H. Whitelaw and other master wreckers. The book describes an era when shipping was the dominant form of transportation throughout the world. Powers writes about the courage, achievement, risks and the challenges these men faced.

Powers delved into the records of maritime museums, libraries, newspapers, and magazine articles to bring together the facts for the stories for this project. He supplemented this information with interviews and genealogical records.

The account begins in 1863 when, as a sixteen-year-old seaman, Tom Whitelaw, arrived in San Francisco. The book covers his career of over sixty years. Powers documents detailed descriptions of Whitelaw’s most memorable salvaging projects, including: The Rosecrans, the Respigerdo, the Umatilla, the Dumbarton, and the Blaimore.

Tom’s grandson Ken shared intimate insights into the family life of his grandparents and of his personal career with Whitelaw & Company.

Articles in the Literary Digest, American Magazine, Popular Mechanics, and Sunset Magazine all have featured various aspects of Whitelaw’s story. His divers made 17,000 dives while Whitelaw’s salvage operations saved over 289 ships.

In addition to Thomas P. H. Whitelaw, Powers includes stories of other colorful divers and wreckers, like Dynamite Johnny, Martin Lund, T. A. Scott, William E. Chapman, and Israel J. Merritt. He tells of wrecking and salvaging phenomenon’s from the Bering Sea and the coast of Alaska, up and down the western coastline of Canada and United Sates and on the East Coast from Canada to the waters of the Florida Keys, and the islands of the Bahamas. I especially enjoyed the story of a ghost ship, the City of Columbus.

Detailed background on Maritime Law and its evolution include specific judgments, appeals, and settlements between, Ship Owners, Insurance Companies, and the Wreckers.

An amazing collection of photographs dramatically reinforce Powers’ narrative. The scope of his selected bibliography gives evidence of the background reading and specific research that has gone into the preparation of this book and which so deftly qualify Powers to compile this chronicle.

Powers’ writing is imaginative, informative, and motivational. He is a gifted story teller. His descriptions are strong and powerful. He paints word pictures of wave explosions, ferocious storm conditions, and the devastating loss of lives. I could almost feel the tension of the octopus gripping my leg, squeezing my arm, and throttling my throat in an underwater wrestling match.

Taking the Sea by Dennis M. Powers will be enjoyed by anyone understanding the call of the deep, lured by maritime adventure, and tales of an almost forgotten era in history when Spanish galleons, steam schooners, and tall-masted sailing ships gave fortitude to commerce and industry.

*************************

How to Make Colleges Want You Insider Secrets for tipping the Admission odds in your Favor

Author: Mike Moyer

ISBN: 978-14022-1367-0

Pages: 152 $12.95 Soft Cover

Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. (2008) Non-Fiction

Whether you are a freshman or a senior in high school, this book is an eye-opener for you! Mike Moyer tells you the way to dramatically increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice. In How to Make Colleges Want You, he provides fresh approaches to getting your college application out of the maybe or no stacks, to the yes we want you stack. The book also contains references to Mike’s Web site: http://www.collegepeas.com/ where additional information and additions to the chapters are contained.

Mike tells you what he did to get accepted to the college of his choice by describing his unusual activity of raising homing pigeons while in high school. He took a homing pigeon to his first interview with the admissions counselor and sent a message to himself from the counselor! This NTA (non-teenage activity) got him recognized as special.

Getting into a competitive college requires a lot more than grades or regular school activities; it is a question of planning. Moyer makes suggestions to accomplish the goal of getting into a prestigious college with his inside secrets. A few are, attending a community college for a year or two to obtain better grades, transfer in to fill one of the vacancies left by someone who has moved on, and start in mid-year instead of competing with the freshman entry class.

Consider there are 43,000 high schools and an equal number of valedictorians who apply to highly competitive colleges. Their applications are your competition for admission to these colleges and even with good grades, you still are not in their strata. The techniques in this book are designed to raise your chances for admission by 10 to 20 per cent. When you apply Mike’s ideas during your high school years, the odds are even better.

Mike Moyer is unique, as he not only provides this fairly inexpensive blue print for success, he lectures at high schools giving students a great heads-up on obtaining admission to choice schools. He has a highly informative lecture on CD which is available at his Web site: http://www.collegepeas.com/. As a bonus, Mike offers a 25% discount to readers of this column who want to learn more. Enter the code “CLARK” for the discount.

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Books by Yvonne Perry

Walk-ins Among Us ~ Open Your Personal Portal to Cosmic Awareness

If you have had a strange spiritual experience, you will find comfort and information to help make sense of it in this eye-opening book, written by a walk-in to help others understand the soul exchange process and how to integrate higher vibrations that clear energy imprints that are not aligned with love, light, and joy. Learn how to stay centered and actively involved in your personal ascension process as you discover your mission, purpose, and role on Earth.

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How to embrace multidimensional frequencies, lessen physical and emotional symptoms of rapid spiritual ascension, and tips to make the ascension process easier and quicker.

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This book provides the comfort and answers you are looking for to help you process the stages of death and the natural dying process. Topics include insight on hospice and palliative care, signs to look for when death is near, euthanasia and end-of-life decisions, how to deal with the imminent death of a loved one and what to do to help someone peacefully transition to the afterlife. There's even a surprisingly fresh and unexpected look at suicide and the phenomena known as soul exchange or walk-ins.

The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children

This collection of body-mind-spirit stories highlights unique lessons about love, acceptance, self-worth, caring for the body, diversity, facing fears, dealing with change, the death of a pet, using spiritual gifts, and understanding mystical gifts most children exhibit.

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