Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Guest Bloggers Invited to Visit Sharon Stanley Writes for Feature Opportunity




Guest Bloggers Invited to Visit Sharon Stanley Writes for Feature Opportunity
Build Your Platform through Guest Blogging

Sharon Stanley Writes blog offers visitors Ms. Stanley’s experiences in the road to publication and a bird's eye view of her life on a working farm. As freelance writers we all know the benefits of having blogs to interact with others via cyberspace. Topics can vary from your freelance writing career and services to freelance writing jobs to networking opportunities. The topics are endless. Follow your muse. It’s important  to continually look for ways to broaden your networking opportunities. Guest blogging is a terrific way to build your platform outside your normal audience. Reach out to your network of freelance writers and pitch a topic for a guest blogging spot. 

Sharon Stanley invites you to become a guest blogger at Sharon Stanley Writes and share your experiences in your road to publication and musings from your life.

Submission guidelines http://sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com/p/guest-blogger-guidelines.html

About Sharon Stanley…

Although Sharon Stanley has been writing for years, it was only after her youngest graduated high school that she got serious about it. She picked up her pencil and paper, joined the SCBWI and got busy. She has two picture books under contract and looks forward to seeing them published. Sharon lives with her husband, two grown boys, three dogs, three cats and lots and lots of cows on a working farm in Virginia. She enjoys all sorts of artistic and creative endeavors and blogs about her publishing journey and farm life at www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com. Her life is a crop circle of craziness that affords her a never-ending supply of subject matter for all the stories she writes.

See you in cyberspace!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Friday, July 27, 2012

Kindle Fire Contest Presented by Find Me a Job At Home


Visit Find Me a Job At Home blog http://findmeajobathome.com/how-to-get-a-kindle-for-free/ and enter at a chance to win a FREE Kindle Fire!  Contest rules from Find Me a Job At Home... 
I love to give people things. I’m the girl at Christmas who can’t wait to give presents!  If you keep coming back to visit me, you’ll discover giveaways are always popping up around here.
Win a Kindle Fire
That’s why I’m giving away a Kindle Fire. I want to welcome everyone to this new website and let you know how much it means to me that you’re here.


To be entered to win, use the Rafflecopter form below. It’s easy as can be.
Please note that I will verify entries.
What that means: For example, if you get an entry by saying you have blogged about the giveaway, you must leave the link to your post in order for it to count. If you gain an entry for linking to my giveaway, you must leave the link to the contest in your Rafflecopter entry. If you use an entry saying that you liked our Facebook page, we’ll verify that’s true using your name.
**Phony Facebook accounts that have been set up only to enter contests will be disqualified.**
I’d hate for you to go to the trouble to enter, only to have your entry be disqualified. Total bummer. Good luck everyone!!!

Good luck! 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Children’s Literature Network – The Benefits of Membership



Children’s Literature Network – The Benefits of Membership
Connecting you to the world of literature for children and teens

Expand your outreach as a children’s author through the Children’s Literature Network (CLN). The CLN is an independent information hub to help connect the wide variety of people who work in the children’s literature industry as well as those who are interested in children’s books on a more personal basis.

Connect with colleagues, illustrators, teachers, librarians, professors, book reviewers, publishers, parents and grandparents who are passionate about children’s literature. As a member of the CLN, you will…
  • Have access to the CLN online magazine, filled with topical, provocative, and inspirational articles.
  • Receiving breaking news and weekly email updates.
  • Attend member-only events and CLN conferences at the member rate.
  • Access to online databases aiding you in your own work.

My experience in expanding my network through the CLN has had and continues to have a positive impact on my writing career. 


Interested in membership? Visit the CLN at http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Terry Doherty of The Reading Tub® Interviews Donna McDine




Terry Doherty of The Reading Tub® Interviews Donna McDine
Turning a Page, Opening a World

The Reading Tub® is a non-profit literacy resource bringing reading home for families. The volunteer based organization provides the opportunity to discover great books to encourage children’s love of reading. Voted as a Family Friendly Site™, families are encouraged to explore The Reading Tub® through the author showcase, book reviews, the Family Bookshelf blog, and additional helpful resources.
Founder and Executive Director, Terry Doherty recently caught up with award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine to chat about her writing career and Author PR Services http://thereadingtub.com/displayAuthor.php?id=87.

Climb into the creative and inspiring mind of The Reading Tub® founder and executive director, Terry Doherty, through her interview by Brian Feinblum at Book Marketing Buzz. Beyond her helm at The Reading Tub®, Ms. Doherty is the Mom’s Choice Awards Director of New Media and Alumni Education. Visit http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/competition-everywhere-for-authors.html

Donna is an award-winning children's author, The Golden Pathway, an historical fiction story book about the Underground Railroad. Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Donna has four more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey A Sandy Grave, and Dee and Deb, Off They Go. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids and owner of Author PR Services.



About Terry Doherty…
Terry’s passion for writing spans her life-time. She began her first journal in 1971 on a cross-country family vacation, and hasn't stopped writing in 30 years! She spent nearly 20 years as a research analyst, supervisor and analytical program manager with the federal government. Each of these roles called on her extensive skills in research, analysis, writing, editing and interpersonal communication. In May 2002, Terry started her own consulting company that provides research and writing services. As the Senior Editor for Moms in Print, she offered reviews and detailed comments on EVERY manuscript submitted for consideration. In 2003 she launched the Reading Tub(r). What started as a hobby project became a full-fledged, accredited 501c3 in less than a year! She partners with other non-profits to provide at-risk readers with the tools they need to become successful students and citizens.

We look forward to your visit. Thank you! 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Author Interview - Janet K. Brown Visits Write What Inspires You with Donna McDine




Today, I’d like to introduce author Janet K. Brown. As many of my colleague friendships, Janet and I met online quite some time ago and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. It’s particularly enjoyable for me to watch friends go from aspiring to published authors. Janet welcome!

DMc: Janet, congratulations on the July 25 publication date of your inspirational young adult novel, Victoria and the Ghost. Please give us the synopsis.

JB: Yes, thank you, Donna, for having me here today. Here’s what happens in Victoria and the Ghost.
To VICTORIA PETERSON, life is a shopping mall where choices for the latest styles abound. Her party-loving, shop-aholic mother is her hero, and Victoria is Mom’s treasure.

Then, divorce fractures the mother/daughter relationship. While Mom remarries and climbs the social ladder, Dad turns his back on the corporate world for a small ranch in North Texas where he plans on Victoria and her sister helping him with cows, horses and crops. Would Victoria ever awake from this nightmare?
After three weeks of summer in the country, she ventures out to explore. Ending up in Clara cemetery, the only place with trees, she encounters strange, unexplainable happenings that peak her interest as well as her fear.

Her nearest neighbor initiates a friendship but changes moods as fast as the weather. One day, she is a friend, but the next, she gossips and fights. Still, she does introduce Victoria to a cowboy hunk, one of the few other teens who have entered Clara Cemetery alone.

The pastor’s wife at Clara tells Victoria the story of the ghost and advises her to pray before she trespasses.
Bound by their interest in the “ghost of Colonel Specht,” Victoria and the cowboy encourage each other and visit the ghost’s territory together.

Victoria assumes country life is temporary until her mother summons her back to Dallas, but she tries to fit in by taking riding lessons from her neighbor. This activity results in more and more tension and finally a big fight between the two girls. With his work on two ranches, Victoria’s cowboy hunk has little time for the bored city girl.

The first visit with Mom and the new stepfather ends with Victoria feeling left out and called a thief. A new stepsister seems to have replaced Victoria.

Finally comes the big date with the cowboy, but the night ends with Dad passed out and rushed to the hospital. Shaken and scared, Victoria faces the possibility of losing her father, too. 

School starts, and circumstances force Victoria to begin her sophomore year in strange surroundings.    
Days later, a lonely Victoria hikes to Clara to see the pastor’s wife, and discovers a note left on their church door threatening the building and the pastor. Because of their need for support, Victoria gives up an opportunity to visit her mother. Through overhearing a conversation and piecing together other information, Victoria detects a plot, but what can a fifteen-year-old almost-stranger do to save her friends?

The conflict escalates.

Victoria is forced to apologize to her teenaged nemesis.

The cowboy hunk accuses Victoria of  betrayal.

Can it get any worse?

DMc: What is your process in developing three-dimensional characters?

JB: I start with faces with which I’m familiar—someone I know, a film star, newsperson, whatever. I determine the main points of the plot. Then, I interview my main characters with questions such as: “What can you tell me about yourself that you don’t want anyone to know?” or “What scares you? And then, “What is your ethnic background?”

One main thing to remember is every good person has a flaw, and every villain has some good.

DMc: What type of research did you conduct for intertwining the living with the spirits of the beyond?

JB: Since my book happens in the historical ghost town of Clara, Texas, I researched the area today, and also how the town began.

Colonel Hermann Specht established the town. He was never in the German military, but his bearing and dress caused Texans in the 1860s to refer to him as “colonel.” He loved North Texas. In a few short years, he made an impact on the area. He named Clara for his beloved wife. When he lost her, he was bereft. His brother convinced him to visit them in Germany. While there, he became sick and then trapped by World War I. He died without ever returning to his adopted home.

Victoria came to Clara in present day, against her will, disappointed, and lonely. The sadness of Colonel Specht’s story calls out to a teenager in despair and proves that God uses the supernatural to heal today’s wounds.
    
DMc: What’s your current work-in-progress and where can readers find out more information about your writing career.

JB: My website includes devotions, nutritional and diet helps, and writing craft articles. I also post on my Facebook page what’s happening with my writing. I started with articles and short stories for both teens and adults. Find them in such periodicals as Live, Brio, Standard, the Gem, Cross and Quill, Christian Life, and Write What Inspires You.

Since I retired as a medical secretary six years ago, I’ve completed seven novels, mostly inspirational romance and women’s fiction. I sold my YA first.  May, 2012, I made a proposal to a publisher for a 365 daily devotion book for compulsive overeaters. He requested the full manuscript, so now I’m busy editing that to send.

Other than that, I’m working hard on another inspirational romance that I plan on pitching at ACFW conference in September. All my stories deal with compulsions or addictions where the only hope of healing is God.

DMc: A signature request I like to ask every author, illustrator, editor, etc., I interview is for the individual to share with us a tidbit from his or her live that the reader will find either humorous or surprising. Janet, can you please share one with us?

JB: I guess the obvious is about my own healing from God that is why I write what I do. I spent my adult life overweight, self-conscious, and depressed. When God healed me, he healed the inside and the out. I lost ninety-five pounds and quit biting my nails. That was visible, but the invisible part blows my mind. I’m amazed every day that I can even talk with people much less think about starting a writing career at this point in my life. God is awesome.

I love to hear from readers. Find me at:

Thanks again, Donna, for this opportunity.

Janet, thank you for the opportunity to interview you! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better and wish you all the best. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Best Summer Book - Sunstruck by Mayra Calvani




Just in time for your summer reading, Sunstruck hits the beaches! A fun, quirky, beach summer read ~ Twilight Times Books!

Synopsis:
Several strange mysteries are threaded through Daniella’s everyday life: her ex-husband, Ismael, has just opened an outlandish hotel for animal lovers that has her distraught; Ismael’s wife, a rich woman Daniella fondly refers to as ‘Lady Dracula’, has some gruesome ways to keep her skin looking young; Daniella’s mother is founding a revolutionary, feminist society called The Praying Mantises; the island’s national forest is being depleted of hallucinogenic mushrooms; meanwhile, young girls are disappearing and there’s a nut loose dressed as Zorro slashing the rear ends of women who wear miniskirts.  

Oppressed by all these eccentric characters, Daniella feels herself falling into an abyss. Then something terrible happens, making Daniella wake from her stupor and take charge of her life.

Gift with purchase offer…
Purchase Sunstruck http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LYYOWM and receive FREE download e-Book of Dark Lullaby. Email her publicist, Donna McDine donna@donnamcdine.com with your receipt of Sunstruck purchase and receive link to FREE Dark Lullaby e-Book through July 22, 2012. Of course, if you purchase Sunstruck through Barnes and Noble or OmniLit please email receipt to Ms. McDine.

What reviewers are saying…
“Dark and quirky humor coupled with quixotic characters adds to the surprising mix found in Sunstruck… I've never read a book remotely like it. Everything from the humorously weird to the acutely macabre can be found between these covers, and then some.” –Laurel Johnson, Midwest Book Review

"Sunstruck is like a nutty Whodunit with a little twist. Who really is in the Zorro costume? With all the crazy characters I caught myself pointing fingers again and again. A great read that will make you forget where you are, while you giggle yourself to complete oblivion from all the silliness." Autumn Blues Reviews

About the author: Award-winning author Mayra Calvani has penned over ten books for children and adults in genres ranging from picture books to satire to paranormal fantasy novels. She’s had over 300 articles, short stories, interviews and reviews published in magazines such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal  and Bloomsbury Review, among others. She has lived in America, Asia, the Middle East, and now lives in Brussels, Belgium.

Purchase info:

Title: Sunstruck
Author: Mayra Calvani
Author web site: http://www.mayracalvani.com/
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
url: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60619-024-2
Genre: Parody/Satire
Format: ebook in pdf, ePub, Kindle, Mobi, PRC, etc.
Release date: July 15, 2012
Price: $5.95
Pages: 160
Chapter excerpt: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/Sunstruck_ch1.html


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Author Interview: Donna L. Martin Visits Write What Inspires You!




Please welcome children's author, Donna L Martin to Write What Inspires You! A bit about Donna before you get to know her even better through her intriguing interview. Ms. Martin writes engaging children's books, middle grade adventures, and young adult novels. When Donna is not training for her Master Fifth Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo or helping run her martial arts school in Tennessee, she is working on her latest writing project. Donna is an active member of SCBWI Midsouth and participates in a variety of online writing communities including 12 X 12 in 2012, PiBoIdMo, WANAtribe, Linkedin, and Children's Book Hub Facebook groups. Without further ado, Donna welcome... 

Q: Donna, you write across the genre’s, what challenges do you come across in children’s picture books, middle grade and young adult?

A: Thank you, Donna, for allowing me the opportunity to stop by and chat with you for a bit. 

I’ve only been writing professionally for the past year and a half, so everything is a challenge for me these days.  But all kidding aside, I have discovered some differences between the genres.  I have to aware of my intended audience at all times so I can be sure my writer’s voice is distinctive for the particular type of book I am working on.  For example, my main character in a young adult novel should not take on the mannerisms of a nine year old. I also have to be aware of things like word count, vocabulary, and subject matter.  My picture books are usually less than 400 words, my middle grade novels run around 10, 000 words and my young adult novels run between 40,000 and 50,000 words so I try to make sure each word is perfect for advancing a particular storyline.  I don’t want to talk down to my audience, but I don’t want them to have to scramble for a dictionary to be able to read my books, either.  And finally, some subjects I just wouldn’t cover in a picture book or how I approach a certain subject may be handled differently in a middle book story versus a young adult one.

Q: You participated in the April 2012 A to Z Challenge and survived, how did you develop topics for each letter of the alphabet?

A: This was the first year I participated in the A to Z Challenge and I LOVED it!  I started out wanting to focus on basic ideas that would encourage writers.  That’s the theme of my blog so I felt it would be easy to keep up if I stay with the same idea.  But the more I thought about it, I didn’t want the challenge to be an easy one for me.  I was surfing the Internet a few weeks before the challenge began and came across a website that listed unusual words and their meanings.  That’s when I decided I wanted to do a “double-header” for my own personal challenge.  Every day I would choose an uncommon word from the website and show how it could relate to the writing life.  The second part of my daily post would then provide a “teaser” of a lesser-known children’s book beginning with the letter of that day’s challenge.  My readers loved it, and I was blessed to receive quite a few new followers over the course of that month due to my theme.  I can’t wait until next year!

Q: Please share your latest work-in-progress.

A: Well, I have a number of things I’m working on right now.  I’m participating in Julie Ledlund’s 12 X 12 in 2012 challenge where I complete a first draft of a picture book for each month of the year.  So far I have six finished PB drafts and hope to be able to finish another six before year’s end.  I also have a completed middle grade adventure novel called The Warriors Three that I am in the middle of editing, and I have two young adult novels I’m in different stages of completing.  Lacey’s Bridge is a mystery about halfway finished and Lunadar: Homeward Bound is young adult high fantasy.  I am focusing on Lunadar almost exclusively at the moment because an agent has recently said they wanted to see this story but it is not complete so I will be extremely busy the next few months with that manuscript!

Q: What inspired you to become a writer?

A: My childhood was filled with books.  My mother was a huge Zane Grey fan and encouraged me to start reading from a very early age.  I was the youngest of four siblings so I think I started reading my first book around four years old.  I was so fascinated with books that I even read a children’s picture book dictionary from cover to cover one summer.  My mother didn’t believe I had actually read the book so she quizzed me on definitions and I didn’t miss any.  I entered a writing contest at my local library one summer when I was about 10 years old and won first place.  The prize was a copy of Misty of Chincoteague.  By the time I finished reading that book I realized I want to be able to write stories like that one day.  I began writing poetry, was the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper, and even had a couple of poems and essays published by the time I was in my early twenties.  I think writing has always been in my blood, and now I find writing is as vital to my everyday life as breathing.  It is a means of escape, a comfort at the end of the day, and a chance to maybe one day influence the lives of others in a positive way!

Q: A signature request I like to ask every author, illustrator, editor, etc., I interview is for the individual to share with us a tidbit from their lives that the reader will find either humorous or surprising.  Donna, can you please share one with us?

A: If it’s all right with you, I think I will share two things about myself that a lot of people wouldn’t realize if they had never met me before.  I am basically a rather shy, introverted person for the most part, but for the last twelve years I have helped run a martial arts school in my city where I currently hold the rank of Senior Certified TaeKwonDo Instructor and Fourth Degree Black Belt.  Oh yeah, I can also talk like Yoda from Star Wars! ;~)

Donna, that is so cool you can talk like Yoda from Star Wars. I love Star Wars. Thank you for visiting Write What Inspires You it’s a delight to get to know you better!

Visit Donna L. Martin:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Book Review: The Plumber and the Wishing Well ~ A Children's Christmas Story


 







Title: The Plumber and the Wishing Well: A Children’s Christmas Story
Written by: Liam Maher
Illustrated by: Gin May
Pages: 26
Ages: 4-10
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Hardcover ISBN: 9781616332693
Soft cover ISBN: 9781616332686
e-Book ISBN: 9781616332709
Published: June 2012

Christmas Eve morning arrives and the poor plumber’s anguish of not being able to provide presents to his family breaks his heart. His friend, Tupo Hoopoe feels the plumber’s pain and seeks advice from Oracle Owl. An unlikely suggestion bewilders Tupo Hoopoe, but knowing Oracle Owl is wise beyond compare he travels to “the centre of the wood.” What Tupo Hoopoe witnesses there is beyond comprehension. Astonished by the arrival of three “little people,” an elf, a fairy, and a leprechaun at the broken and hidden wishing well, an idea like non-other comes to mind.

What can three little people and wishing well have to do with helping the poor plumber? Why empathy for another’s plight. This unlikely grouping of a plumber, an elf, a fairy, and a leprechaun sets the pace for a heartwarming tale of compassion and honesty.

Liam Maher’s expert knack of the written word brings the world of fairy tales to life in a magical Christmas story to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Gin May’s alluring illustrations captures the magic beautifully. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Monday, July 16, 2012

Blog Talk Radio - Cyrus A. Webb Chats with Tina Games, Certified Creativity and Life Purpose Coach – July 16 – 10 am EST


Conversations LIVE Radio show host Cyrus Webb starts off your day with authors and books that are sure to inspire and motivate you. Join in on the conversation through the telephone or listen in through the Internet when he chats with certified creativity and life purpose coach, Tina Games.

Come join us on Monday, July 16 at 10 am EST for an inspiring and insightful interview while they chat about Ms. Games’ book, Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother’s Path to Self-Discovery. Have a question or comment for our host and/or guest, please dial-in 347-996-5499 or listen-in via http://www.blogtalkradio.com/breakfastwithbooks.

About Tina Games: As a certified creativity and life purpose coach, Tina is the "Moonlight Muse" for women who want to tap into the "full moon within" and claim their authentic self, both personally and professionally. Through her signature coaching program, based on the phases of the moon, Tina gently guides women from darkness to light as they create an authentic vision filled with purpose, passion and creative expression. Also certified as a journaling workshop facilitator, Tina leads virtual and in person workshops for mothers who want to explore their passion for journal writing, while expanding their personal support systems. She does this through her own online network, the "Journaling Moms Café". Tina serves on the Journal Council for the International Association for Journal Writing where she is joined by 30 other journaling experts worldwide. They offer a variety of articles, resources, webinars, and tele-classes on journal writing to association members.

Synopsis: In the book, Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother’s Path to Self-Discovery, the author shares her personal story of transformation and how it led her on a path of self-exploration. The book gives stories from other moms who embarked on similar journeys. Designed as a workbook with a journaling format, the book allows for personal reflection with many opportunities to answer the question, “I’m a mother, but who am I really?” Using a variety of creative methods, including journal writing and visual collage techniques, this book allows for personal reflection with many opportunities to answer the question, "I'm a mother, but who am I really?" Designed as a workbook with a journaling format, the author shares her personal story while weaving in stories from other mothers. She also introduces moon sign astrology and moon folklore to lay the foundation for a spiritual, moonlit journey toward an authentic life filled with purpose, passion and creative expression. Embark on an intimate adventure of self-exploration - and discover your full moon.


We look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Guardian Angel Kids Ezine Announces 2013 Theme List and Submission Guidelines



Guardian Angel Kids Ezine Announces 2013 Theme List and Submission Guidelines

Guardian Angel Kids Ezine expands the Guardian Angel Publishing (book publisher) mission and is an advertisement free location designed for a healthy and safe entertainment for children. We invite you to view our 2013 Theme List and get your creative juices flowing and write an original short story, non-fiction article, and/or poetry ideas around the 2013 Guardian Angel Kids Theme List.
January 2013 - Sewing – submission deadline - November 1, 2012
February 2013 - Imagination – submission deadline - December 1, 2012

March 2013 - Nutrition – submission deadline - January 1, 2013

April 2013 - Libraries – submission deadline - February 1, 2013

May 2013 - Circus – submission deadline - March 1, 2013

June 2013 – Confidence – submission deadline - April 1, 2013

July 2013 – Ice Cream – submission deadline - May 1, 2013

August 2013 - Aviation – submission deadline - June 1, 2013

September 2013 – Anti-bullying – submission deadline - July 1, 2013

October 2013 - Farming – submission deadline - August 1, 2013

November 2013 - Magic – submission deadline - September 1, 2013

December 2013 – Gratitude: Pass It Forward – submission deadline - October 1, 2013

YOUNG MUSES/CHILDREN SUBMISSIONS
Guardian Angel Kids accepts submissions from children up to 12. Topics and guidelines are the same as adult submissions below, including payment.

Fiction
Up to 500 words. Picture stories: adventure, animal, humorous, multicultural, nature/environment, problem-solving, sports. Character driven stories that children will be able to relate to.

articles
Up to 500 words. Articles may include activities, animals, arts/crafts, concept, cooking, math, nature/environment, problem-solving, science.

Parent/Teacher articles
Up to 700 words. Articles on parenting, teaching, reading, writing, and relating to the mission of the Guardian Angel Kids website.

Poetry
Kid-oriented poetry. Poems must be well written with no forced rhyme and roll off the tongue.
Our themes also tie into the Guardian Angel Publishing books, so be sure to check out the many books published each year at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com.

Please visit Guardian Angel Kids to read and adhere to our full submission guidelines at http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions2013.htm.

October, November and December 2012 issues are open for submissions. View themes and submission guidelines http://guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions2012.htm.

Thank you for your time and interest.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Book Review: ABCs of Health and Safety by Melissa Abramovitz
































Title:  ABC’s of Health and Safety
Written by:  Melissa Abramovitz
Illustrated by: Alexander Morris
Ages: 4-8
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Print ISBN:  9781616332761
e-Book ISBN: 9781616332778
Published: June 2012
Print Price: $9.95
e-Book Price: $5.00

Explore the words and advice of health and safety through Melissa’s Abramovitz’s beautiful rhyme. The real life age appropriate examples bring forth an easy and enjoyable experience to share both at home and school and at the same time learning the alphabet.


“B is for Beach Behavior
Nobody should swim alone!
Be sure to have a buddy
And stay in a safe swim zone.”

The eye catching illustrations created by Alexander Morris provide a perfect combination to capture the attention of the youngest readers. Curl up with your child and let the conversation flow as you read the ABCs of Health and Safety for Ms. Abramovitz’s expert knack pulls children in from the onset.

To learn more about Melissa Abramovitz’s well accomplished writing career visit, www.melissaabramovitz.com.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Guest Author Joseph Sottile Visits with Donna McDine at Write What Inspires You



I am pleased to host Joseph "Silly" Sottile on the second day of his Working Writer's Club virtual book tour. Joe and I first met at the NY Eastern SCBWI Conference three years ago. Wow, how time flies. We were introduced by mutual friend and author, Lori Calabrese and we've stayed in contact ever since.

Please welcome Joe as his writing life...

A typical day for me writing is totally atypical. In my heart of hearts, I know that writers should write every day, regardless of the quality of first drafts. Nonetheless, I write when the Muse encourages me, no matter the time of day or circumstances. Most of the time "I have to write," which means that the thoughts that are cascading in my head need to pour out like a man in a barrel going over Niagara Falls. When the Muse strikes I splash those thoughts on a small yellow pad or a big yellow pad with pencil in hand. Or I flood my laptop with whatever is roaring through my mind, disregarding correct spelling or lifeboats. I just want to make it to the island of self-knowledge and awareness, hoping that others will enjoy my findings.

The act of writing defines who I am, and what I want to learn more about.  I can stay up hours and hours, and feel no pain from sitting at a desk hour after hour or from the comfort of my recliner, while my fingertips rain on the keyboard. It's all about getting my thoughts on paper or the screen. Unfortunately, I usually see my first drafts as splendid fish ready and willing to swim upstream.  I love the birth of a poem or essay. Part of me can't believe that I wrote "all of that"!  I don't know if that sounds silly to you, but Robert did say, "No surprises for the writer, no surprises for the reader." I am consistently surprised by what I write, and I find that extremely pleasurable. That's the good news.

The bad news is that I know that I have to revise and revise if I want to publish my thoughts. And as I've grown older, I have accepted revisions and feedback much more gracefully. That's why writer's groups and workshops are so important to the development of a writer. One must do whatever one can to master the tide of rejection.

One of my favorite places to write is on Oak Island in North Carolina. The Atlantic Ocean is only two blocks away from our rented beach house. And when I sit on the back deck or in the sunroom with my trusty laptop, I can see clearly the coastal inlet and watch the birds soar, especially the pelicans.

Sometimes I listen to classical music for the benefit of my Muse, and I marvel at the flight of a nearby pelican, and I have only one wish. I wish for the next segment of time that I can throw myself into writing with the same gusto that a pelican dives for food below the surface of the water. I hope you take a bite out of my books.

Thank you, Donna McDine, for hosting me today. I hope you visit the book tour tomorrow. The URL where Virtual Book Tour will be posted: www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com.

Joe, it's been a pleasure hosting you and wishing you all the very best! 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Friday, July 6, 2012

Book Review: One Large Peanut Butter Sandwich to Go by Linda Derkez

    


Title:                           One Large Peanut Butter Sandwich to Go
Written by:  Linda Derkez
Illustrated by: David Fielding
Ages: Toddlers-6
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Print ISBN:  9781616332803
e-Book ISBN: 9781616332815
Published: June 2012
Print Price: $9.95
e-Book Price: $5.00

Scotty’s insatiable appetite and habit of wandering his house and beyond while eating causes a trail of crumbs. At first it seems easier for Mom to allow the freedom of wandering until the mess gets out of control. Using the what if scenario to her advantage, Mom shares examples of what may happen to Scotty’s sandwich during his travels beyond the confines of their home. What ensues is a hilarious imagined adventure.

What becomes of Scotty and his tendency to wander while eating? Does he lose sight of satisfying his hunger with his adventures? Whether you like peanut butter or not the youngest of readers will enjoy the antics of Scotty and the stories that pop out of the imagination. David Fielding’s eye catching and humorous illustrations brings the story of One Large Peanut Butter Sandwich To Go to life.

Visit Ms. Derkez and learn more about her accomplished writing career http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/linda.html 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July



God bless America 
And keep us safe and free,
Safe from "all our enemies"
Wherever they may be.
For enemies are forces
That often dwell within,
Things that seem so harmless
Become a major sin.
Little acts of selfishness
Grow into lust and greed,
And make the love of power
Our idol and our creed.
For all our wealth and progress
Are as worthless as can be,
Without the faith that made us great
And kept our nation free.
And while it's hard to understand
The complexities of war,
Each one of us must realize
That we are fighting for
The principles of freedom
And the decency of man,
But all of this much be achieved
According to God's plan.
So help us as Americans
To search deep down inside,
And discover if the things we do
Are always justified.
And teach us to walk humbly
And closer in Thy ways,
And give us faith and courage
And put purpose in our days.
And make each one of us aware
That each must do his part,
For in the individual is where peace
Must have its start.
For a better world to live in
Where all are safe and free,
Must start with faith and hope
And love deep in the heart of "Me."
~ Helen Steiner Rice



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Monday, July 2, 2012

Award-winning Author and Guest Blogger - Sarah McLaughlin



Please welcome award-winning author and guest blogger, Sarah McLaughlin as she chat about Hope for the Future: Why I Believe Better Parenting Can Save the World!


Welcome Sarah! I'm in the midst of reading your book and can't wait to write my book review and share with others. 



Hope for the Future
Why I Believe Better Parenting Can Save the World
By Sarah MacLaughlin, Award-winning Author of What Not To Say: 
Tools for Talking with Young Children


My obsession with parenting actually began as fascination with babies. From the time I was old enough to hold one, I LOVED babies. I was captured by their innocence and joyful delight. I ended up being the oldest of seven. I was labeled a “little mother” from my preschool days. I am a caretaker from way back—always wanting to grow up fast so I could do a better job of it.

But, maybe growing up fast wasn’t the best plan. No one’s childhood is perfect, and I had my share of chaos and hardship. I also had plenty of laughter and fun. My parents failed and succeeded—overall doing a good-enough job. Yes, I turned out okay, but this doesn’t mean I received the best guidance. I’m fairly sure that we are still working on figuring out what kind of parenting might create an environment for optimal human development. I know we’re getting closer!

I was interested to see several writers on this blog tour take note of the epigraph in my book, a home-hitting quote from fellow parenting educator and friend, Pam Leo: “Let’s raise kids who don’t have to recover from their childhoods.” It strikes a chord, doesn’t it? Why do so many of us feel we have to “recover” from the upbringing we’ve received? Maybe some things should change? The “old story” tells us that we must teach children, through unpleasant experiences, or through losing something they desire, how to behave well. But this is faulty thinking because children always learn from example. They learn by watching us: what we do and what we say. We don’t need to always instruct them how to behave, because we are always showing them with our own behavior. I am extremely encouraged to see so many other advocates of this shift in parenting. We can move from a place of coercion to one of collaboration.

Part of the evolution of parenting is amazing new brain research that we can draw on. New scientific findings about how babies develop, and how children grow and learn are fascinating additions to the general theories of parenting. There are many voices (Carrie at Early Parenting, Rebecca at Consciously Parenting, and Annie and PhD in Parenting come to mind) growing louder about this paradigm shift in parenting. That change from a controlling, authority-based, behavioral approach to a cooperative, relationship-based approach can only help humankind—this is why I persevere in my quest to support parents in discovering their true heart in parenting.

In our broader world, we are also (hopefully) moving from an individualistic viewpoint that holds financial success and material wealth in the highest regard, to a community-minded view that reveres cooperation and emotionally honest problem-solving. This change is slow-going, but it is worth the effort. Small people deserve mindful parenting. They deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

To paraphrase Genevieve at The Way of the Peaceful Parent: she suggests that we approach problems from the perspective that there is a conflict because one or more people are upset. From this place we trust a child’s inherent goodness. We believe that through honest, authentic, but sensitive sharing of feelings, difficulties can be resolved. The aim is to sort it out together.

And so I imagine that someday children will be honored and parents will be supported. No one will be labeling behavior “bad,” or insisting that children be “taught a lesson.” Parental leave will be standard, parenting education plentiful. Lack of resources for families will not be tolerated. I envision two people talking: “Remember when people didn’t really respect children or realize they need to be listened to? Remember spanking and time-outs? Remember when people lost their jobs unless they went back to work when their children were babies?—Wasn’t that insane?”

I remain ever hopeful because educated people once believed the earth was flat.

Resources Mentioned in This Post

I'd love to hear what you think about the evolution of parenting and parenting education!

Special Giveaway!
Please comment on this post about what makes you hopeful about the evolution of parenting and parenting education. Your comment enters you in the eBook Giveaway -- to win an ebook copy of What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children, in the format of your choice: PDF, epub, or Kindle format. Sarah will be giving away one copy at each blog stop and will announce it on the comments of this post tomorrow. Be sure to leave your email so we can contact you in case you're the winner!

Other stops and opportunities to win during this Blog Tour are listed on Sarah's blog here: http://sarahsbalancingact.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html.

Also, you can enter at Sarah's site for the Grand Prize Giveaway: a Kindle Touch. Winner will be announced at the end of the tour after July 15th. Go here to enter: http://sarahsbalancingact.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html


Sarah MacLaughlin
About The Author
Sarah MacLaughlin has worked with children and families for over twenty years. With a background in early childhood education, she has previously been both a preschool teacher and nanny. Sarah is currently a licensed social worker at The Opportunity Alliance in South Portland, Maine, and works as the resource coordinator in therapeutic foster care. She serves on the board of Birth Roots, and writes the "Parenting Toolbox" column for a local parenting newspaper, Parent & Family. Sarah teaches classes and workshops locally, and consults with families everywhere. She considers it her life's work to to promote happy, well-adjusted people in the future by increasing awareness of how children are spoken to today. She is mom to a young son who gives her plenty of opportunities to take her own advice about What Not to Say. More information about Sarah and her work can be found at her site: http://www.saramaclaughlin.com


Sarah, thank you for visiting Write What Inspires You! Your article and insights are inspiring! Good luck and keep up the great work. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist