Sunday, May 31, 2015

Timothy Green Beckley, Author of The UFO Repeaters

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Timothy Green Beckley is a UFO expert and the author of "The UFO Repeaters - Seeing Is Believing - The Camera Doesn't Lie." Check out our earlier interview with Beckley about celebrity UFO sightings.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Was raised in a haunted house and had my first of three UFO sightings at the age of ten.

I have edited over 30 newsstand magazines including UFO Universe which was published for 11 Years. I have been on such shows as UFO Hunters, Mysteries In The National Parks/Travel Channel, William Shatner's Weird Or What? Coast to Coast AM. I have my own pod cast Unraveling The Secrets and Mr UFOs Secret Files YouTube channel. Am editor of the print edition of the Conspiracy Journal and am head of Inner Light Publications, with over 200 titles.

Describe your book in a few sentences.
OVER 100 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED UFO PHOTOS!
ARE THEY THE CHOSEN?

Here are well documented cases of those rare individuals who claim an to have experienced an ongoing series of encounters with UFO occupants – and have the uncanny ability to take remarkable photos of their craft on an ongoing basis. – Some showing the aliens themselves!

“UFO Repeaters: Seeing Is Believing! The Camera Doesn't Lie” offers a wonderful opportunity to see and ponder dozens of new photos taken by a tiny segment of humanity -- those who the UFO occupants have selected to reveal themselves to on a one to one basis over a long period of time.
ufo expert, ufo author, alien expert
Author/UFO expert Timothy Green Beckley

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Fans of the X-Files, Close Encounters, Ancient Aliens, UFO Hunters, and a host of podcasts devoted to UFOs and the Paranormal.

What inspired you to create a book that features photos from UFO repeaters?

I have been listening to their accounts for years and feel that most of these individuals have had credible experiences which the vast majority show no interest in listening to. We offer a  sympathetic ear.

Many of the individuals in your book have the ability to “call down” UFOS. Can you elaborate a bit on this phenomenon?
Uusually it starts with a sighting of a UFO along a dark road and ends with a telepathic message  that they have been "selected" for a close encounter. They are contacted initially and told to go ut and to bring their camera, and it turns out they are able to snap away and capture some of the most remarkable and bizarre sights in the unknown universe.

One of the questions you ask in the book is: Do the aliens keep track of their “Chosen Ones”? Can you explain to readers why it is important to answer this question?

There are certain people who because of genetics or blood type seem to be more responsibe to contacts the aliens who have been appearing in the heavens since the beginning of recorded times. Some of the UFO Repeaters actually claim to be "Walk-Ins" who have taken over the bodies of humans or have been reincarnated here. Its a heady tale, but we need to listen to see what they have to say and examine the photos they have taken -- some are remarkable.

How did you track down the various UFO repeaters featured in the book?

Since I have been writing on this topic since the 1960s, editing magazines on the subject,and appearing in public most of the repeaters find me, I don't have to go out of my way to track them down. For example, Marc Brinkerhoff who lives in NYC I have known for years and he take pictures of UFOs over Central Park and outside his apartment window.

What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
I confirmed that this is a world wide phenomena. We have UFO sighters from just about
every country you can name. Some of the best videos were taken by a UFO repeater in Turkey. The UFO coming in from over the coast line has been witnessed by dozens of individuals. Its not a secret any longer!

How do you think reading your book will impact people?

I think it will convince some who are not familiar with the topic that much that it is a legitimate subject for scientific evaluation. Others will just be enticed by some very entertaining -- spacy - tales of the strange and unknown.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
We put out maybe 3 or 4 new titles every month. We have a book on celebrities such as Jackie Gleason, and David Bowie who have undergone UFO sightings and know that we are not alone. People from all walks of life can have such experiences.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

There are over 100 never before published UFO pictures. We are talking about
nuts and bolts vehicles -- NOT just lights in the sky!

Relevant Links

Timothy Green Beckley, Author of Shirley MacLaine Meets The Pleiadians

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Timothy Green Beckley is the author of  "Shirley MacLaine Meets The Pleiadians - UFO Experiences of Celebrities, Rock Stars And The Rich And Famous."

Describe your book in a few sentences.
They may be rich and famous, travel the globe, and have a bevy of Twitter groupies, but when it comes to having encountered "bogies from out of the blue" -- and sometimes even their humanoid occupants -- the A-listers are positively NOT in a class by themselves. They stand alongside the millions of ordinary folks from every walk of life who know that UFOs MUST BE REAL . . . because they have seen them with their own eyes.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Not only those who watch TV shows like Ancient Aliens, UFO Hunters and Hangar 1, but anyone who is into the celebrity culture. Fans of TMZ, Inside Edition, People magazine, who may not be familiar with the fact that UFOs are no laughing matter to a lot of A-Listers, including sports figures, rock and rap stars, presidents, movie actors and actresses.

What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about celebrities and their UFO beliefs?
Some people might think that some celebrities have made up their sightings just to get attention and publicity And yes that would sometimes  be the case. But some of the celebrities I have met like Muhammad Ali have followed the subject for years. In "the champ's" case it is part of his religious beliefs.Most fans of The Honeymooners probably don't realize that Jackie Gleason had a huge occult and UFO library. In fact, he purchased one of the first books I wrote on the subject and it now in the University of Miami with his entire collection of hundreds of books on the paranormal and flying saucers. This book give a first person account of how Gleason says he went with President Nixon one night to an undisclosed location on a military based and was shown the bodies of aliens from the UFO crash at Roswell that were being "kept on ice" to preserve them. We want to know -- where are these bodies now?

Without giving too much away, can you tell us a bit about Shirley Maclaine's UFO beliefs?
Her beliefs are to a large extent based upon her own personal UFO sightings as well as her world travels. She says she has looked up at the night sky and on numerous occasions have seen space ships moving and darting about across the heavens. She thinks that they are intelligently controlled devices that have been visiting her for centuries and that their pilots are friendly and not here to do us any harm. She also had various mystical experiences while in Peru. And here is the kicker -- Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich's had a UFO sighting while staying with Shirley.

tim beckley, robert fripp ufo, king crimson guitarist, robert fripp guitar
From the 1970s -- The author Tim Beckley during a special meditation and skywatch with King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp to try and "bring down" a UFO.
 
Can you elaborate on the story of William Shatner encountering a UFO in the California desert?
Good old Bill has back tracked on this one. When I met him back stage of Dick Clark's Ten Thousand Dollar pyramid show "Captain Kirk" told me a hair raising story of being in Death Valley when his bike fell over on top of him in the 110 degree heat. Looking up he saw a UFO glittering overhead. He followed the UFO to safety. He told a number of journalists the same story. Now he says he made it up for publicity. Could be -- we all know that Bill manages to get himself into the thick of things -- so why not a UFO sighting? Originally I wrote it up for one of the tabloids. He wasn't given a lie detector test or anything. It was a pop culture type of story. Now he could also think its more fashionable to deny the incident. By the way I was on the last season of William Shatner's Weird or What? program filmed up in Toronto. I had a chance to "get him back," but that story is in the book. 

In the book, you cover David Bowie's involvement with witches and demonic possession, as well as tales of a crashed UFO. Can you tell us a bit about the research you did on this topic?
I first met David when he came to the U.S. on his first tour. Much of the information came from a mutual friend. The late Walli Elmlark called herself "the White Witch of New York." She used to hang out and lecture at our metaphysical center that I ran in Greenwich Village in the 60s and 70s. She knew alot of the rock stars because she worked for a popular music magazine and was very appealing to the eye. As a teenager Bowie had edited a UFO newsletter in the U.K and had numerous sightings. I think he thought they were more time travelers than coming here from outer space. When he got too tied up with drugs he went to Walli who tried to rid his "personal space" of witches and demons he thought was trying to steal his sperm. It's a complex story. It's all in the book. Readers can easily order a copy from Amazon, print or Kindle edition.
 
What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
Well you have to remember that the stories were collected over a period of time. I think the common thread is that UFOs have become such a fixture in pop culture that it's not embarrassing any more to admit that you have seen a UFO even if you are on the A-list. Some of the celebrities are down right serious about this. I have appeared with May Pang several times on radio and tv while she spoke about the night she and John Lennon had their famous UFO sighting over Manhattan. They had just ordered pizza and John was in his birthday suit on the balcony when a multi colored UFO came flying toward them. It's in the book!

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
Make them look up more? Be on the alert for "alien invaders." Or hell...at least be entertained.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
We have a book coming out on how to use an ordinary deck of cards to tell your fortune and to create spells. Its actually put together by psychic Maria D'Andrea and is part of our ongoing Occult Series at Inner Light Publications. Also another book on how to read the minds of others and a couple of conspiracy books.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It's colorful. Lots of photos of their favorite celebrities. Some real cliff hangers. A conversation piece. Tell your friends. Support our little publishing company that has been publishing books since 1964. That's over fifty years. We must be doing something right!
 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Barry Helguson, Independent Mortgage Broker

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Barry Helguson is an Independent Mortgage Broker with the City Mortgage Advisor team.

Hi Barry, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what kind of services the City Mortgage Advisor team can provide to people in Bournemouth and Dorset in the UK? 
Thanks for the interview opportunity! We are an independent mortgage broker company and are able to give our clients access to the best deals on mortgages around the UK. Because we are independent it means we are not tied into any particular lender, so can always shop around for people who want to buy a new property.  We work with all of the mortgage companies in the UK.

What areas do you cover in the United Kingdom?
Well, whilst our office is based in Bournemouth which is in the county of Dorset, we are actually able to help anyone around the UK. We find though that when working as a mortgage broker is best to be able to offer a face to face service so most of our clients will be in Dorset and use us as their Bournemouth mortgage broker.  You can see the full list of local areas that we cover on the side bar of our website on www.citymortgageadvisor.co.uk.

The Bournemouth City Mortgage Advisor team is not tied into one particular group of suppliers. What is the advantage of this?
It simply means that unlike most mortgage brokers we are independent.  Because of that we can search through every single offer to suit the circumstances of our customers.  They won’t get pushed towards a certain mortgage supplier and will benefit from only ever getting the best available mortgage rates to suit them and their situation.

Describe an initial meeting when someone is coming to you for your mortgage broker services in your Bournemouth office.
Firstly they will be asked to fill out a contact sheet.  This lets us know more about their financial circumstances and what they want from a mortgage.  Based on that we will then get them into a typical 30 minute meeting with one of our Bournemouth mortgage brokers.  Once that initial meeting is over, our mortgage brokers will get out there and start searching for the best deal for them.
 
How do you ensure your advisors are constantly up to date with the very latest packages and rates available through the UK housing market?
We have a database system that pulls live data from all the mortgage lenders and banks in the UK.  This means that our mortgage brokers in the Bournemouth office have the very latest information available at their fingertips when it’s needed.
 
What are some reasons clients should choose you for mortgage advice and brokering in the Bournemouth area?
We are a friendly team with over 20 years of experience in the mortgage market.  Not only that but we all live in Bournemouth and attended the local University.  This means we have a knowledge of the local housing market which I think is key when working with a mortgage broker.
 
Could you tell us about the Help to Buy Scheme in Bournemouth and how it helps first time buyers get onto the property ladder?
So glad you asked! Help to Buy lets those people who wouldn’t normally be able to get onto the housing market due to not having any property equity do so, but with a much lower deposit than normal buyers.  People can come to us with a small initial deposit and we will get them into the Help to Buy Scheme and show them the available properties they could potentially buy.  The Help to Buy Scheme is funded by the Government and it’s a great idea.  More information is available on our website.

For someone interested in getting in touch with the City Mortgage Advisor team, how do they contact you?
As with most companies in this day and age, our website should be the first port of call.  It has everything you would want to know about us including all of the best contact details for getting in touch.

Iain Reading, Author of Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

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Today we are interviewing Iain Reading, author of Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
It was the creepiest sound that Kitty Hawk had ever heard. A spine-tinglingly sinister disembodied voice. Which is strange, because the Kitty Hawk books are pretty grounded in the real world of real-life events, places and histories.  So what on Earth could this be?

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think that pretty much anyone from 10 to 100 can enjoy the Kitty Hawk books.  But particularly anyone who has an interest in learning more about this big world of ours and traveling to new and exciting places (and falling into a few adventures and mysteries along the way).

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, Kitty Hawk.

Kitty Hawk is a cross between Nancy Drew and Amelia Earhart.  She's a pilot.  She has her own plane.  And she wants to see the world.  What better way to do that than to head out on her own, flying and having the most amazing adventures you can imagine.

What drew you to set your story in Western Canada and Alaska?
Western Canada is where I grew up, so it makes for a perfect place for Kitty Hawk to grow up and have her first adventures.  But she doesn't stay there long.  Just the first book.  After that she's off and flying around the world, from one amazing place to the next.

One of the unique things about your book is that it references lots of real locations and historical events. Why was it important for you to include these in your story?
I have always been interested in things like this.  I love travel and seeing new places, so it was easy for me to imagine a character who loved the same thing.  I also love learning about cultures and history and all the little bits of trivia that go with it, so it only made sense to incorporate all of these passions of mine into the stories.  The trick is always to find the story that hits all the things that I am interested in.

Is there an author that has influenced your writing style?
I always loved the books of Carl Sagan and Paul Theroux, but I am not sure anything in their writing style particularly influenced mine.  But their love of the world and finding out about definitely inspired and influenced me.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I have to admit (don't tell anyone) that I am not the biggest fan of going over edits when they come back from my editor.  Sometimes I just want to hit "accept all" and move on with my life.

What can readers expect from book 2 in the series?
The second book is one of my favourites.  The plot and pacing are a bit quicker and it takes our heroine down to the Florida Keys, which is about as far as you can get in climate from Alaska and the Yukon.  Once there Kitty Hawk (of course) finds herself drawn into a mystery and she visits some AMAZING places, like Fort Jefferson – which is a place that everyone should visit, and if you can't then at least Google it because once you do you won't believe your eyes.

How many books do you have planned for the series?

The plan is to have a total of thirteen books in the series.  I have just finished book number five and even though I meant to work on something else next, I am lately finding myself drawn into writing the next Kitty Hawk book instead.  Egypt and the pyramids.  Need I say more?

Relevant Links

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Gunnar Skollingsberg, Author of Don't Cry, Pappa

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Gunnar Skollingsberg is the author of the autobiography/memoir Don't Cry, Pappa.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am semi-retired.  My professional career – when I lived in the U.S. – was in the field of education (20+ years as a school teacher and 20 years as a school psychologist).  I now work part-time teaching English in a Norwegian public school.

Describe Don't Cry, Pappa in a few sentences.

Gunnar is the youngest son of an immigrant family who grows up with feelings of loneliness and alienation, eventually leading to depression.  After becoming a father, Gunnar has finally found his purpose in life: to love his little child.  Two years later, this child dies in an automobile accident, plunging Gunnar back into depression.  Years later, after reconstructing a new relationship and family, a second child dies from drowning.  Dealing with feelings of anger, injustice, and retribution, Gunnar eventually adopts a new purpose in life: to lighten other children’s lives through laughter.  He does this in the memory of his two departed children – he believes that they would want him to stop crying for them and to bring something positive into other children’s lives.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading your book?
Besides the general reader’s interest in a moving and inspirational memoir, there are three groups that would specifically benefit from this book.  Those parents and family members who have lost children through death will learn that they are not alone (and they are not going crazy) – that they can survive through this horror.  This book will also assist therapists and mental health professionals to gain insight into the feelings and issues of those of their clients who are dealing with death and grief issues of family members.  Finally, friends and acquaintances of those who have lost children can use this book to try to understand at least something of what their friends are going through.

Author Gunnar Skollingsberg

What inspired you to write a book about your struggle with depression?
Although depression is not the main theme of the book, it is a major element.  From the time when I was a child – and into my young adulthood – I thought that I alone experienced depression, that everyone else was happy and contented with their lives.  Now, I realize that all of us experience depression of various degrees at many points throughout our lives – this is something we can all relate to.  I describe my own struggles with this often debilitating condition (as well as those techniques I use to combat it) in hopes that it will benefit others in this struggle.

In your book, you write about getting close to ending your life to escape the pain. What gave you the strength to keep moving forward?
There were two such points.  When one’s depression reaches the point of being suicidal, the mind is in a very dark place and does not think logically; that is a very dangerous time.  There are two different ways that I eventually got past these points.  The specific circumstances and methods are difficult to explain here, although they are described in detail in the book.

What do you hope readers take away from reading this book?

I think readers can gain several things from this book, including knowledge and understanding of the grieving process, daily appreciation for children (theirs as well as others’), and possibly a desire to develop their own ‘mission in life’ to make children’s lives brighter and happier.

You’ve refocused your life to bring happiness to children. Was this something you were always interested in or did this desire emerge later in your life?

The best sound in the world (to me) is the sound of children’s laughter, and I’ve always enjoyed making my own children laugh.  Some time after my second child died, I determined to make it a point in my life to bring happiness and laughter to other children.  I then embarked (as much as I could) on an unofficial goal to make children laugh at the schools where I worked.

Do you have any plans to write additional books?

This first book was about one part of my personal life.  I’m now working on a book that taps my professional training and experience.  It will be a practical guide for parents, tutors, and teachers to use to teach effectively, and how to help the student/child learn efficiently.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

People who have read my book have given me feedback that it is emotional and powerful.  If you choose to read it, I hope you will feel the same emotions that I put into it.

Relevant Links

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Kathryn Long, Author of A Deadly Deed Grows

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Today we are interviewing Kathryn Long as part of the blog tour for her romantic suspense novel A Deadly Deed Grows blog tour.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am what you may call a “late bloomer” when it comes to writing novels. I started getting published when I was around 50, though I’d been writing as a hobby almost all my life. A couple years ago I retired from teaching reading and writing to teens with mild disabilities. It was a true challenge, but very rewarding. I’m married to a wonderful man and have three talented and beautiful grown children. I enjoy having the freedom to write all day and still have time for other things, too.

Describe the premise of your romantic suspense novel, A Deadly Deed Grows.
Though the suspense of the story – Mira and Sean taking down the bad guy and saving a dear friend’s home – is at the forefront, I’d like to think it’s about love. The spark and excitement of new love between Mira and Sean; the forever devotion of love between Claire and her deceased husband Charles; and the ends people will go to in protecting that love or finding justice for love.

Who do you think would most appreciate A Deadly Deed Grows?
I think women of all ages, mostly, but anyone who enjoys a wholesome suspense or mystery story. And of course those readers who have a soft heart for a love story.

What inspired you to write about people standing up to an unscrupulous land developer?

It goes back to all those night time soap operas I loved to watch and still do! To name a few, the villainous J.R. in Dallas, or the money hungry Graysons in Revenge. It’s always about money or the unending greed of it that seems to drive these villains, and I’m all about taking them down!

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, Mira Stanley.

Mira is a hard-driven and passionate soul who gives her all to anything she attempts. She’s somewhat scarred from a relationship gone sour in her past, but fills that void with working on her career as a lawyer. However, her scruples and emotions show a refreshing side to the stereotype of “lawyer”. When she has a mission -- in this case, saving Claire’s home from the unscrupulous land developer, Bradley Lane – she’ll let nothing stop her.

How would describe the relationship between Mira Stanley and Sean Thorndale?
Tenuous and complicated, to say the least! In the beginning Mira doesn’t know whether or not to trust Sean. When she stumbles upon certain evidence, she suspects Sean is “sleeping with the enemy”, but her attraction to him constantly has her doubting her suspicions and hoping he’s one of the good guys. Sean is immediately attracted to Mira, but there complications that get in the way. He is torn between what he should do and he wants to do, and whether to confess all this to Mira.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first poem when I was seven :). However, I didn’t write more seriously until I reached my teens. As an outlet and for pure pleasure I continued into my adult years. It wasn’t until the publishing world became more accessible through internet and email, that I decided to write and submit my first novel – OKLAHOMA’S GOLD. I’ve been on a roll ever since, from self-publishing my cozy mystery Lilly M. series to indie publications for DYING TO DREAM and A DEADLY DEED GROWS.

How have you evolved as a writer since when you first started?
Hopefully, I’ve improved! I have read most every book on writing and publishing that I could get my hands on to help along the way. However, I’d say just continuing to write one book after another is what really helps.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?

Oh my, there are so many! Mystery and suspense have always been my favorite choices to read as well as to write. Starting with Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt when I was in my teens, then later on Stephen King, James Patterson, James Lee Burke, Janet Evanovich, and the list goes on. All of these have influenced my writing style, I believe.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
God willing, I would like to keep writing mysteries and eventually land a contract with a bigger publisher, which means finding an agent. That’s always been my goal. But no matter what, to keep writing and share my stories with readers is what I’d like.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?

I’ve already written another mystery that takes place in northwest Pennsylvania amidst the Allegheny Forest, near the Kinzua Reservoir. Our family has a cabin in the area and I’ve been vacationing there since I was a little tike. The story has many Native American elements to it, which is something I’ve always enjoyed researching. I plan to create a series (already started book two) and I’m currently pitching it to agents. We’ll see how it goes.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about A Deadly Deed Grows?
Ah yes, the setting … the story takes place along the Florida Panhandle with such locales as Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas. My husband and I first vacationed there in 2008. We’ve been back twice more and love the cape. Many of the sites mentioned such as the Sunset Coastal Grill restaurant are real and places we’ve visited. The first trip inspired me to use the place as a setting in one of my stories.

More Information

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Justin White, Co-Founder of Selery Fulfillment

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Justin White is the co-founder of Selery Fulfillment.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
What is Selery Fulfillment:  We’re a personalized order fulfillment service for online sellers. We handle the entire back-end process, which includes, warehousing, packaging and shipping.

Do you help mainly eBay customers?
The majority of our customers sell their items on multiple platforms with the biggest being eBay and Amazon.

What’s the benefit of using your service?
The main thing is we greatly reduce the cost of warehouse space and shipping for businesses. Also, we’re a huge convenience for our customers. They don’t have to worry about buying boxes, hiring people and purchasing postage. Plus, we’ve seen the majority of our customers increase sales after joining us because they can focus on sales and don’t have to worry about the hassles of shipping and returns.

For someone who doesn’t know the best website to sell the item on, does Selery choose the ideal site?

It depends. Ebay and Amazon are generally the best places to start. If the item is used, clothing, unique, or a collectible, we usually sell it on eBay. Selling fees on eBay tend to be lower than Amazon.  If the item is new and has a UPC it’s probably better to list on Amazon. Etsy is great if you make your own handmade goods and Craigslist is great for larger items like furniture.

If you have a similar product that you sell on a regular basis, you shouldn’t limit yourself to one site. You should sell on eBay, Amazon and your own website. Sell on as many platforms as you can.

How does the pricing work?
Pricing starts at $59.95/month for storage and $2.50 for each order (which includes packaging materials and boxes).

How does Selery receive the orders from the seller?
Their marketplace store is directly linked to our ShipStation account. What does that mean? When an item in their store sells, we’re notified instantaneously via ShipStation, and that item will be shipped out within 24 hours.

Thank you so much!

Relevant Links
http://www.seleryfulfillment.com

K.P. Smith, Author of Growing Pains | Kendra's Diaries

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K.P. Smith is the author of the inspirational fiction/YA novel Growing Pains | Kendra's Diaries.

Tell us a bit about yourself. 
I love to read (of course). I’m “addicted” to my two fav “s” soaps (daytime and nighttime) and sports.  I recently added another “s” social media. I’m mostly active on twitter but also do Facebook . I’m slowly getting into Instagram and Google+. It’s fun meeting and chatting with people online with similar and sometimes not so similar ideas and interests.

I also love movies. I live in New Orleans. It’s festival time here so I’m enjoying all the different festivals with great music and food!

By day I’m work in the insurance industry which I’ve worked for 18 years. I have two wonderful sons 13 and 15 which keep me beyond busy. I take life as it comes day by day and try to make the best of it!

Describe the plot of your new book, Kendra’s Diaries, in a few sentences.
Kendra’s Diaries is the beginning of Kendra’s growing up journey. She’s in that “limbo” place where you aren’t a kid anymore but not really an adult yet. She has to deal with her family as well as her own personal challenges (school, friends, boys). The story is about her own internal fortitude that keeps her pressing toward making her dreams come true no matter what.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
It’s geared toward young adults ages 12-16 so I would say that is my primary audience. But it’s been a pleasant surprise to get feedback from “seasoned” readers closer to my age whom have enjoyed Growing Pains; Kendra’s Diaries as well.
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Author K.P. Smith
What inspired you to write a series about growing up?
Whether we realize or acknowledge it a lot who we are who we become good or bad can be traced back to our childhood. It’s only 18 years of our life but literally can charter the course of our lives. Some of our experiences are good some bad and others downright awful.

I want to celebrate the good while at the same time showing the bad and awful happens but you can still chart a good course for your life.

Growing up can be tough no matter your race, gender, economic status, etc, etc. I remember some of my tougher times. I want the youth to know we’ve all gone through them and come out on the other side and we are better for it. And they will too!

Yes growing up can be tough but you can still have fun and enjoy it as well! I aspire to entertain as well as inspire and encourage.

I know from my own sons “talking” to them can somethings go in one ear and come out the other. But I’m hopeful through my writing to have many teaching moments to help them through the process.

Tell us about your main character, Kendra Foster.
Kendra has a lot maybe too much going on for a girl her age. She’s been trying to make cheerleader forever. She’s been trying to get the boy she likes, Jamie, attention for forever and a day. She has her high school picked out but due to her parents financial situation she needs some help to go. If that isn’t enough her home life is in shambles. Her parents don’t get along. Her mom is keeping secrets from her father. Her daddy and her maternal grandparents don’t get along but no one will tell her why.

Her plate is full to say the least. She’s just trying to keep it all together.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
It might sound cliché but it’s so true. It’s not what happens in our lives that defines it but how we react to it. And in alot of cases how we move passed it.

One of my favorite phrases is Keep it Moving no matter what just keep moving; you will get to the other side.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?

Oh a lot. I recently sent the second book, New Beginnings, to my editor. It was in such better shape than Kendra’s Diaries when it was sent to the editor. I made it a point to make my sure it was.

When writing Kendra’s Diaries I developed a bad habit of telling myself don’t worry about “ that” we will deal with it later. And when later did come it made the process much more difficult because there were so many changes to be done. It took more time on the back end than if I would have taken time to do it right on the front end.

I’m also so much more organized in my thoughts and how I put them on paper. For my second book I started outlining what I wanted to happen in each chapter before writing it. I’m just starting the third book tentatively titled Decisions. For the first time I wrote down what I wanted to happen to the characters in the book. I’m sure somethings will change but it has given me such a solid foundation to start with.

Just like anything else in life my writing style continues to change, evolve and grow.

Have you ever had writer's block?
Yes, but never for a long period of time. I know people say just write even if you don’t feel like it. But I have to at least “feel it”. I might not actually “feel “ like writing but I have to “feel” the writing. For me if there is no “feeling” then I won’t produce anything worth reading.

Good news is I “feel” the writing more than not so I’m good.

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper?
I do have a system;

1)    I write my chapter outline by hand on paper.
2)    Write the chapter out by hand on paper
3)    Then I type the chapter on my computer.
4)    Once I’m done with all the chapters I print out the manuscript.
5)    I edit, rewrite and make corrections.
6)    Once I’m done give one more reread then it’s off to the editor.

Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the next book in the series?
New Beginnings is just that. Kendra starts high school. There is the transition of a new school meeting new people. Kendra is trying to find her place. This proves to be challenging but very rewarding. There are also new beginnings for the other characters as well.

As with Kendra’s Diaries Kendra’s family has its own element of drama. And Kendra is always trying to stay neutral and not take sides. She still has to deal with her parents and the rest of her family. Just like the Kendra’s Diaries; Kendra’s plate is full.

We introduced new characters and storylines. More than anything throughout the entire series I want to keep things fresh and interesting.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Right before New Beginnings comes out this summer, I’ll be offering Kendra’s Diaries for free so keep checking my website www.iamkpsmith.com for further details.

I know you will enjoy it and when you do spread the word and come back for New Beginnings, Decisions and Senior Year!!

An excerpt from Growing Pains | Kendra's Diaries:
As I stood in front of the mirror, my mind went back to my first cheerleading tryout two years ago. I was in sixth grade then—that was the youngest a girl could be to try out for cheerleading. I barely slept the night before. All day, I couldn’t concentrate in class. I kept rehearsing and practicing—in my head—every single cheer, over and over again.
 
When it was time for tryouts, all of the girls waited in the locker room. Everyone tried to appear calm, but I knew everyone was just as nervous as I was. For some, it was their last year at the school, the last year to try and make it. For others, like me, it was not our last chance, but we still wanted to make it as much as they did. 

There was not much conversation. There were some nervous glances, some girls looking around, trying to size up their competition. Some people were in the corner getting in one final practice session. We could hear the cheerleaders in the gym, with music, gearing up the crowd and getting them ready. All of us could feel the excitement, the adrenaline, all the way in the locker room.


As the minutes passed, the knots in my stomach felt tighter and tighter. When it was time, we all ran out onto the gym floor and were greeted by the screaming crowd. My heart was beating so hard and fast that it felt like it was going to come out of my chest. I took my place on the gym floor and looked around. I made it; after six years—I made it. I was there. I looked up into the bleachers and saw my best friend, Katrina, right where she said she would be. She gave me the thumbs up sign and I smiled broadly at her. Lord knows, my insides were a mess, but I was ready, prepared, and confident.
 

My confidence served me well. The first few cheers were great. As each minute passed, my insides calmed down and I went into a “zone.” I could see and hear the crowd, but I was transported to another place. I was at home in my backyard. No one else was there but me. We finished our last cheer together and the gym exploded in applause. I looked up at Katrina and she was smiling, jumping up and clapping, letting me know I had done well.
 

We went back into the locker room to wait. Then came the hard part—the part that separated the average from the good, and the good from the great. It was time to do our cheers individually. If I thought the knots were bad before, they were nothing compared to what I felt as I waited in the locker room for my turn.
 

There was silence in the locker room—no conversation and little movement. Some girls had their head down, some were pacing the floor. I elected to sit with my hands folded, praying to God. I prayed so hard I didn’t hear my name called at first. Then across the intercom I heard the second call for Kendra Foster. I popped up and hurried out.
 

There I was in the middle of the floor with hundreds of pairs of eyes on me. I took a quick look at Katrina again. She smiled at me, but I could see she was just as nervous as I was. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began. The first cheer went off without a hitch. It could have been better, but it was still pretty good. One of the requirements was that everyone had to do a spread eagle, which meant I had to jump up, do a split in the air and land on my feet. No problem for me, I have been practicing this for months, right? I thought. I chose to do the spread eagle in the middle of my second cheer.
 

I am not exactly sure how it happened, if I tripped on my shoe laces or maybe there was a wet spot on the floor. Maybe I was just clumsy. All I know is when I came down from the spread eagle, instead of landing on my feet, I landed flat on my face with a loud thud. As my face slapped onto the hard gym floor, I heard hundreds of gasps. The pain in my head was instantaneous and severe. Even though I didn’t want to, I had to lift my head to make sure I could move it. There they were all those pairs of eyes on me, some in horror, some in fear, some with pity and, of course, some laughing, but all bearing down on me.
 

My face was hot with shame, and tears blinded my vision. I jumped to my feet to get out of there, but my body would not cooperate. My legs came out from beneath me and I went down. The next thing I knew, there were people everywhere, feeling my head, asking me my name, asking me how many fingers I could see. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. I had to sit in the middle of the gym floor with all this commotion. I managed to meet Katrina’s eyes. She looked so worried. I smiled to try and reassure her.
 

They finally felt comfortable enough to move me and asked if I could make it to the office. They wanted to call my mom to come and get me. I quickly nodded my head “yes.” I was ready to get outta there. When I got up, the crowd cheered and that made me feel a little better.
 

My mom almost passed out when she got there and saw the gigantic knot on my forehead. A few hours and several x-rays later, the doctor gave me the “all clear” sign. He told my mom, “Keep a close eye on her for the next few days, but I expect her to be fine.”
 

Fine? I will never be fine again.
 

On the way home I closed my eyes and leaned against the seat. It wasn’t long before my mom tried to make me feel better.
 

“Kendra what you have just experienced is terrible and I won’t even try to make like it isn’t. At your age this must seem like the end of the world, but it’s not. Now, when you go back to school tomorrow—”
 

Tomorrow? She is making me go back to school tomorrow? I was thinking more along the lines of dropping out.
 

“—hold your head up. You can always try out again next year.”
 

Next year? How can I even think about that? All I could think about was going back to school and having all those eyes on me again.
 

“Don’t be a quitter. Life will bring about many difficult situations and the last thing you want to do is start quitting when things get hard. This is a painful but important choice you’ll have to make. The most important lesson for you to learn from this is that life is about choices and we have to live with the consequences of the choices we make.”
 

I never told anyone, not even Katrina, but all through the next summer I practiced every day. But when the first day of tryout practice came, I chickened out at the last minute. My mom was right. I’ve had to live with that choice.
 

By not trying out, I thought I took the easy way out, but it turned out to be the hard way. It was hard to look at the cheerleaders, longing to be one of them: wanting to do it, preparing to do it, saying I would do it. But fear stepped in. The fear spoke to me. It told me, you can’t do it. You will fail. The fear haunted me and stopped me. Yes, the fear was always, always there.
 

I looked at my reflection again in the mirror, this time talking back to myself.
 

“Kendra, you have to forget all that. That was two years ago. You have to focus on today. This is it; this is your last chance.”
 

I refused to live in regret. Trying out was not just about being a cheerleader—it was also about me. It was about truly facing myself and, most importantly, facing my fear.
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Saturday, May 9, 2015

Allie Burke, Author of Nowhere Train

allie burke, allie burke author, nowhere train, nowhere train book, zombie fiction, young adult zombie

As part of a blog tour with Enchanted Book Promotions, today we're interviewing Allie Burke, author of the young adult novel Nowhere Train, volume 1 in The Enders series.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m an author, blogger, and mental health activist. My favorite genre to read is YA and I love animals.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Post-apocalypse, Jett and her family navigate the zombie waters of the world in an effort to find a safe haven away from their enemies.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Fans of new adult romance and fans of zombie fiction.

When did the idea for this series first come to you?

It came to me while I was eating pizza at my favorite restaurant about a year ago.

Protagonist Jetilyn Fournier is someone who has been through a lot. What keeps her moving forward?
The love she has for her family and her will to help them survive. Jett is quite selfless.

Each author seems to give his or her own spin on zombies. Without giving too much away, can you describe the zombies in your book?
The zombies in my book were never humans.
 
Nowhere Train is described as “two parts hippie and one part magic.” Can you elaborate a bit on this?
The hippie refers to Jett and her family—the Holistics, known as Holies—and the magic refers to Chris’s (Jett’s best friend) background.

Who was your favorite character to write?

Devlin.

Can you describe the creative process for this novel, from the initial idea to the finished manuscript?
I don’t really have a creative process other than to sit on it while my brain works out all the details and sit down and write obsessively for a few weeks.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?

Sarah Addison Allen and Maggie Stiefvater.

What do you have in mind for your next project?

My next project is Prius, volume two of The Enders.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?

That it’s very much a Romeo and Juliet story. If Romeo had a brother.

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Friday, May 8, 2015

Paul James Nolan, Author of The Forsaken Queen

forsaken queen, paul james nolan, paul nolan, castle book, castle mystery, castle adventure
Paul James Nolan is the author of the historical fiction/adventure novel The Forsaken Queen.
 
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m half part teacher and half part writer, living near Winchester, UK. For years, I have enjoyed reading books to my classes and own children, often changing the endings when I prefer my own. I have a real passion for history: the little free time I have I spend visiting historical buildings, reading historical books and watching historical dramas. You could say (and some do) that I spend more time in the past than in the present!

I have also written a couple of school plays (with historical links of course) that can be purchased at www.easyprimaryschoolplays.com.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.

A security guard at Hampton Court is badly injured. No-one believes his account of being attacked by a ghost except three school-children, each of them avid historians. A school visit to the Tudor palace provides the children with the opportunity to investigate but what they find there is far greater than any of them could have imagined. Their discovery sets in motion a chain of events that takes them into the deepest recesses of some of England’s greatest castles. They find a Queen Forsaken; only their bravery and determination can redeem her.

Who do you think would most appreciate The Forsaken Queen?

The book will appeal to anyone who loves a good adventure or mystery and anyone who likes to be scared (a little).  If readers enjoy deepening their understanding of the past, then they will like it all the better. I wrote the book with the 11+ market in mind but adults have really taken to it too!

What inspired you to write a book about someone who searches the Great Castles of London and discovers the truth isn’t what he thought it would be?

I took a group of schoolchildren to Hampton Court. There, in the chapel, an attendant told us the amazing story that the heart of Jane Seymour (Henry VIII’s 3rd wife) is buried beneath the chapel. We weren’t sure whether to believe him but at that moment, a story was born.

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, Henry Taylor.
Things aren’t going so well for Henry. He’s being bullied at school by Maddisson Manners and her moronic mob; singled out for being a loner and a book worm. The fact that he lives with his father above their little historical bookshop doesn’t help either. He sees so little of his father who spends most of his time reenacting battles in full regalia. He has only one friend of note: Dominique, until that is, a new boy Simeon arrives at school. After his arrival, Henry changes forever. 

How did you do research on the castles that Henry visits?
By visiting them! I have been lucky enough to visit Hampton Court, Windsor Castle and The Tower of London many times. In fact, I have visited Hampton Court so many times, that when I have spoken to the schoolchildren, tourists have mistaken me for a guide and joined our group! Other than that, I have topped up my knowledge by reading a plethora of books and watching countless documentaries. My readers will feel like they are in the castle with the characters.

What are some of the interesting things you discovered while doing research on the castles?

Other than the story about Jane Seymour’s heart, I think the most amazing story has to involve our present Queen, and the vaults of St. George’s chapel at Windsor Castle. The remains of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are locked away in a vault away from the public. However, when the Queen is hosting dignitaries at the castle, she often takes them for a private tour of the tombs! Isn’t that cool! Of course - this too I have woven into the story!

How long have you been writing?
About 3 years. For years before that I wrote with my classes, modelling stories but I have been writing my own stories for three years. It took nearly two years to write The Forsaken Queen.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?

To begin with, I wrote what I wanted to read but I soon learnt that I have to adapt my own style and control my own preferences to ensure that my writing appeals to as many people as possible. I have also learnt to tone done my descriptions – sometimes a door can be just a door!

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?

It can be quite lonely – a far cry from teaching a bunch of children! As I write historical fiction, sometimes I am very keen to end the research and just get writing. I usually research the time-period for about 3 months.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My new book, Demons of Dunkirk is due for released this month (May 2015) to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the heroic evacuation from Northern France in the summer of 1940.  

It’s about a Conscientious Objector from WWI who wants to redeem his tarnished reputation by rescuing stranded soldiers from the beaches. It’s aimed at the teen market and I think it’s a thrilling read.

The book is now available to purchase in many places – give it a Google!
I am currently writing a book set in the Bronze Age. It has a title but I can’t tell you yet!

I also have a sequel in mind for the Forsaken Queen – if there is a strong enough cry for it!

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Lots but I’ll keep it short. Life in Henry VIII’s court was precarious; the fortunes of those closest to him changed with the blowing of the wind. The Forsaken Queen explores the real possibility that more than two of his Queens met a deadly end... Have a read and see if you agree!

An excerpt from The Forsaken Queen:
The figure turned: black cloak billowing. The hood stared straight at them. Into them. Through them. Three mouths opened but no words escaped, cold air scraping over their dry throats. Pressed back by fear, the children felt the wood of the door behind them, trapping them. Slowly, the hooded figure slid nearer, bringing forth a lavender wave. Held out in front of her, in black-gloved hand, flickered a taper of light, flame flecks dancing of the marbled floor. Above lamented Tudor Rose pennants, blood drops’ crying upon the children’s socks. Gradually, the gloved-hand retracted, its grip released on the flickering candle. But the flame didn’t fall to the ground, instead it hovered ahead of the figure, its flame growing brighter. Now a second hand joined the first, either side of the hood and slowly they began to part and fall, gradually revealing the face beneath. Breath vacuumed from Henry’s rigid body, squeezed from his motionless mouth, for he instantly recognized the haunting, pale face, staring back at him, through hollowed, deathly eyes. 

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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Erin Kurt, B.Ed. and Laara Exsnar, B.Ed, RHN, Children's Book Authors

celia and cedric, good childrens books, snacks for kids, read & bake

Erin Kurt, B.Ed. and Laara Exsnar, B.Ed, RHN are the authors of The Yummy Adventures of Celia and Cedric: A Read & Bake Series.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My mother and I have joined forces to write these fun, adventurous stories featuring our little characters, Celia and Cedric. Me, a former school teacher, and my mom, a retired school teacher and now nutritionist, have a passion for families, health and yummy food.  We've combined our expertise and created this Read & Bake Series that we hope will bring families continuous hours of fun and enjoyment!

Describe your new children’s book series in a few sentences.
This NEW, unique children’s book series links adventure, positive character traits and nutritious snacks for kids. The series is called, The Yummy Adventures of Celia and Cedric: A Read & Bake Series.

Our endearing characters  go on fun adventures that always have them needing to make or bake a nutritious, delicious snack - which we call Nutrilicious™! The recipe for each snack is provided at the back of the book so kids can re-create the exact recipe with their moms and dads.

Who do you think would most appreciate this series?
We recommend this book series for children aged 3-8.  We’ve tested the books on these ages, both boys and girls, and all just loved them! One reviewer said that these are some of the best pre-school and picture books for children she's seen in a while.  And, a few school teachers have already started to use them in their classrooms. They've shared with us that the children consistently ask for our books. It just thrills us!

celia and cedric, good childrens books, snacks for kids, read & bake
What inspired you and co-author Laara Exsnar to write a series about characters who go on adventures and bake nutritious, delicious snacks?
 After I had my first child, my mother and I were sitting on the sofa chatting and she mentioned she wanted to write a cookbook for kids so she could include all the delicious and nutritious snacks she had compiled over the years.  I told her that it was always my dream to write books for kids too.

After chatting for a while I remembered that when I was a school teacher I used to take any book that had food within the storyline and find a recipe to match it.  Then I’d turn the making of that recipe into different extension activities for the children, whether it be Math, Science or Health.  At the end of the school year, my students would often mention that one of their favourite memories of our year together was the making of those yummy recipes.

After remembering this, I had a light bulb moment and said, “Mom, what if we create our own children’s book series where we have two friends going on adventures and always needing to make or bake something based on that adventure.  She loved the idea.

Right then and there we brainstormed the adventures and matched one of her snack recipes to suit. I still have that brainstorming sheet!

Each of your books includes a recipe for a snack the characters enjoy so kids can re-create the snacks with their parents. How did you come up with the recipes? 
Mom has literally been making and baking yummy, nutritious food since I was young.  The Dirt Balls, featured in the Book Eat Dirt Balls, for instance was something she made when I was a child.  Mom is a kid at heart, so she is constantly emailing me a new snack recipe she developed.  In fact, just the other day I received a new cookie recipe from her!

Is there a recipe that you’re particularly fond of?
Well, the Dirt Balls are something I make on a regular basis, which my kids also love.  However they often ask for the Green Dragon Drink and I love that as well.  It makes me feel wonderful and it also comforts me when I see my kids drinking it and getting all those incredible nutrients!  That being said, mom's cookie recipe, which we MUST write a future story about is my absolute favourite.  I will make a quick batch of these after dinner and by bedtime they're usually all gone.  They are THAT good - but also healthy!

Do you have a favorite character to write?
Mom's very drawn to Celia. And for some reason I'm drawn to Cedric - but both feel like our own children.  We adore them!

Are there any children’s book authors who have influenced your writing style?
Because my specialty as a school teacher was Literacy, I read loads of books.  Actually my favourite thing to do is read stories to children.  So, I've been influenced by loads of authors.  As well, I have seen what kinds of stories my students and children tended to request over and over again.  If I had to mention a few though, I'd say, Paulette Bourgeois, writer of the Franklin series, Robert Munsch, and C.S. Lewis.

Can you tell us a bit about the creative process of creating this book, from the initial idea to the finished book?
Mom and I usually decide which recipe we want to focus on then we discuss what kind of situation our characters would have to be in in order to make or bake it.  We go back and forth with a couple of ideas and then I usually write the story and send it to her to add her ideas.  Mom has such a playful connection to kids, so she always has great ideas to add.

celia and cedric, good childrens books, snacks for kids, read & bake
How many books are planned in the series? How far along are you with them?
We plan to write and release continuously as we have so many recipes and cute story ideas to share.  Currently, we have brainstormed 20 stories, so we'll be going for a good while.

We decided to launch the series with 3 books.  It just didn't feel right to us, to offer 1 and then make kids wait for more.  We wanted them to love the first one and have immediate access to more.  These three will keep them busy for a while, but we'll soon be working on the 4th book, which we hope to release at the end of this year.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
We want the lives of kids and parents to be enriched by these books, so we plan to send them surprises on a consistent basis.  For example, we already have downloadable activity sheets on our website (http://www.celiaandcedric.com) that are based on the books.  So, not only can parents and children read the books and bake together, but they can also continue bonding with these fun and educational activity sheets!

Mom and I have also filmed ourselves making or baking some of the recipes and plan to do a whole lot more.  My kids are excited to get in on the action too,  so they want to help me make a video, and I also plan to send audios and videos of me reading the stories, since this is something I so enjoy doing.

To get all of these extra surprises parents just have to enter their name and email address at the top of our website. (http://www.celiaandcedric.com)

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