by: Laura Hickey
Parents are desperately trying to lure their children away from video games and the TV for fear of obesity. Many children today are substituting good reads for TV remote and game controllers. Cindi Brown, a daycare owner expresses “Children who read at an early age seem more content with a good book and do not rely on TV and video games for entertainment as much as non-readers.”
Evelyn Petersen, author of 8 books for early childhood and parenting, a writer in newspapers for over 20 years, “Detroit Free Press” and “KRTN Wire” previously, as well as writing for weekly parenting columns for the “Nashville Tennesean”. Also has been published in “Children and Families" magazine comments “Many first grade teachers are noticing that children who stare at the TV screen for hours each day are often damaging the muscles in their eyes so they cannot “track” their eyes to left to right as you read.”
While many parents are often too busy to take time to read to their children, it is associated that “children who are read to, are children who read,” as commented by MaryAnn Kohl, author of over 15 books on creative art for children, and a columnist for many parenting magazines including Scholastic's “Let's Find Out.”
Early childhood reading is considered a key element in a child's success for their future. Sue Reszka has been teaching in preschools for 25 years and has found that “children that have the opportunity to experience books at a young age, have a much easier time when learning to read on their own. Reading to children at an early age helps them learn new words, relate the spoken word to the printed word, develop listening skills and an understanding of what words mean. Books let children experience whole new worlds, people, places and ideas. The greater the variety of experiences a child has, the greater the chances that he/she will succeed.”
While often children don't want to read books because their either consider to childish for their age or not entertaining enough, a current release from LH Publications and Productions has been found to entice readers of all ages while secretly unveiling a lesson or two in each story. Mysterious Chills and Thrills by author Laura Hickey is an anthology of spooky twists of fiction that weave the age old question of “what if” that many generations can apply to their own lives.
Mysterious Chills and Thrills shows promise to delight kids across the nation at a price to please parents. With book reviews such as “A young person's thriller written in their own language, 5 stars” and “Age appropriate for children six and up, these stories will have you chilled and thrilled!” from “Book Review Cafe”, Mysterious Chills and Thrills isn't your average sci-fi children's book. Funny, creepy and educational, it's a triple threat of a gem of a book for kids to start reading at a young age. This holiday season remember, good readers promote communication and SOLIDIFY important skills for life.
Mysterious Chills and Thrills can be bought as an e-book or paper back book at http://www.laurahickey.com for ages 9-12.
# # #
Laura Hickey is the author of the children's book Mysterious Chills and Thrills, along with many articles.
http://www.laurahickey.com
Obesity Isn’t The Only Problem With Today’s Youth Entertainm
Oh no! A Bad Book Review! Have no Fear, it's Not the End
by: Laura Hickey
When you get a bad book review
You've just been notified a review of your book has been posted. You're all excited and can't wait to see what has been written. You're clicking onto your book's page when...Oh no! They hated your book! This bad review is going to turn away customers from buying your book. Wait! This isn't the end of the world. Here's 3 tips to deal when you get a bad review.
1. You can't please everyone!
Example: One of my favorite authors is a bestseller but the author didn't receive such hot customer reviews.
Another example: I was reading some book reviews and one of the books had one of the worst ratings ever. I clicked the link with curiosity to find over 20 customers had reviewed the book and loved it. In life, you can't please everyone. Will a bad review discourage future customers? On to my next tip.
2. A bad review doesn't have to mean bad profit.
Not all customers look at a bad review as their only guide to buying. In fact, if your review is so awful, they may even buy the book to see if it's really as bad as the reviewer rated it. There's the saying that curiosity killed the cat, curiosity in this case could help you. Customers also realize that everyone has different tastes. Maybe the reviewer didn't like your book, but who's to say someone different won't? It may be bad publicity, but none the less it may help you. In fact, sometimes a customer may have read the bad review but only remembers your name and or the book's title.
3. If you're getting more than one bad review.
It's understandable if you're disappointed. It's expected, but do not allow yourself to become discouraged. If you've published an e-book and can easily edit your work, bad reviews can actually help your writing. Now don't go crazy and change everything! But if reviews are constantly pin pointing on one certain area, review your work and see if and how you could improve it. I know reviewing repeatedly can be hurtful but if it can help your e-book, isn't it worth considering? Also, don't start picking apart reviews right away, give yourself time to go over them. Picking apart your reviews the moment you receive them could prove fatal to your self esteem.
About the Author
Author of Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids.
Ten Short Stories to Tickle the Imagination.
"Spooky" "Awesome" "Unpredictable" Isn't it time you entered the world where shadows lurk and each page turn could be your doom...Get the ebook at CyberRead: https://cyberread.com/cr2/Shop/Details.php?product_id=12120
http://www.laurahickey.com
One Man One Mission
by: Amy Crawford
One Man One Mission
Amy Crawford
Michael Werner did it again. It’s as if he can’t get enough. Just when we thought he was in for the night, he turns around and starts over. So, what has Werner so enticed? The former co-founder of Info Source Inc., the twice-named Inc 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the US, has created his newest venture, DreamJobsToGo.Com. The ebook series keeps Werner close to both his publishing and technology roots, while fulfilling his desire to help others create a life worth living. “I’m about as pumped as anything I’ve ever been, and I’ve been in the publishing industry for over 25 years” says Werner. “I believe people do want to buy relevant and timely information, if it’s packaged nicely and offered at a fair price, over the Web.” The company has already experienced exponential increases since opening its cyber doors. The Dream Jobs series was launched in April 2001, with 10 titles under its belt. Plans are to have 57 released by the end of the summer.
DreamJobsToGo.com offers everything from how to break in as a freelance writer and making it as a private investigator to becoming an interior landscaper or a computer game designer. “Best of all,” says Dana Cassell, Series Editor, “We’ve attracted strictly been-there-done-that authors for each and every book, so the reader gets real, practical, experience-based information.”
Eldon Sarte, the company’s CTO, adds, “Because each title offers so many interactive links and web resources, we had to make the information available instantly – downloading the guide right into a PC in minutes.”
When asked what the company’s biggest hurdle has been, Werner responded, “The misconceptions people have to what an ebook actually is - many think it is a hand-held device.” In response to that consensus, Werner will offer a free guide on the site, so visitors can test the product format before purchasing. “Customers will view the freebie as a deciding factor for purchasing, I view it as closing the deal.” Werner anticipates that the link elements, subject content, and expert advice each book contains will solidify the sale.
An informal poll running on the site indicates that 75% of the world population is working in a field they don’t like, a percentage that appalls Werner. “That’s why I’m doing this.”
Ultimately, the company must be doing something right. It seems they have what people want. Last month’s best selling dream was “How to Get Free Books (and Maybe Even Get Paid) as a Book Reviewer.” Who knew? You did, Werner, you did.
About the Author
Amy Crawford is a writer who specializes in career and employment topics. She runs the free Dream Job Mentors discussion group at http://www.DreamJobsToGo.com.
Parental Involvement In Learning
by: Brent Sitton
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when parents become involved in their education. According to the National Institute for Literacy, when parents or other family members frequently read to children entering kindergarten, those children were at a distinct advantage over children whose families read to them less often.
The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study found that "Children who were read to at least three times a week by a family member were almost twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading than children who were read to less than three times a week." The study also found that, of children who were read to at least three times a week:
* 76 percent had mastered the letter-sound relationship at the beginning of words, compared to 64 percent of children who were read to fewer than three times a week,
* 57 percent had mastered the letter-sound relationship at the end of words, compared to 43 percent who were read to fewer than three times a week,
* 15 percent had sight- word recognition skills, compared to 8 percent who were read to fewer than three times a week, and
* 5 percent could understand words in context, compared to 2 percent who were read to fewer than three times a week.
The positive impact of parental involvement in learning doesn't end with kindergarten. Having a variety of reading materials available at home helps older children with reading proficiency. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that, among students in the fourth grade, "The 68% of students who had three or more different types of reading materials at home performed at the Proficient level, while students who had two or fewer types of reading material at home performed at the Basic level. Students who had 4 types of reading material at home performed the highest."
Similarly, students who discussed their studies and who talked about reading at home had greater reading proficiency than those who did not. And students of all ages who regularly saw parents and other family members reading at home were positively influenced.
In addition to having a variety of reading materials available at home, discussing reading, and setting a good example by reading, there are a number of ways that parents can create and nurture a home learning environment. Although the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) program from the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University is directed to teachers, it includes a number of excellent strategies that parents can implement to become active in their children's education.
Communicate: Regularly communicate with the teacher, either via parent-teacher conferences, weekly progress reviews, or homework reviews. Talk with the child, and have them share their schoolwork and school day experiences.
Volunteer: Volunteer to help out in the classroom or at other school activities.
Home Learning: Point out the links between schoolwork and real life situations. Go on family outings that reinforce the concepts being learned in school.
According to the National Education Association, parental involvement in learning is crucial. As evidence, they cite the following findings of research into parental involvement:
* When parents are involved in their children's education at home, they do better in school.
* And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school - and the schools they go to are better.
* The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from preschool through high school.
* A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level or cultural background.
* Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the home than in math or science.
* Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child's chance of reading success. Talking to children about books and stories read to them also supports reading achievement.
* When children and parents talk regularly about school, children perform better academically.
* Three kinds of parental involvement at home are consistently associated with higher student achievement: actively organizing and monitoring a child's time, helping with homework and discussing school matters.
* The earlier the parent involvement begins in a child's educational process, the more powerful the effects.
* Positive results of parental involvement include improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored confidence among parents in their children's schooling.
There are many ways that parents can become involved in their children's education - the important thing is to become and stay involved!
About the Author
Brent Sitton is the founder of http://www.DiscoveryJourney.com, which has Home Learning tools for parents. Children's Book Reviews include character trait examples and learning activities. http://www.discoveryjourney.com/homelearning.htm
Is America Ready for a Low-Carb Spiritu
Press Release
by:
What's behind the popularity of "The DaVinci Code" and "The Passion"? Are Americans ready for a change in their spiritual diet that will be just as pervasive as the low-carb revolution has been? That is the bold claim of author Phyllis Strupp in her new book, "The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert."
Scottsdale, AZ July 17, 2004 -- "Americans are waking up to the reality that spiritual flab is an even bigger problem today than body fat," she says. "And the 'bad carbs' that need to be curbed are fear, anxiety, greed, guilt, shame, and other negative emotions that threaten spiritual fitness. 'The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert,' helps people to do this."
In this new book, Ms. Strupp makes the case that America is in the midst of an unprecedented spiritual awakening that extends beyond the reach of organized religion. She comments, "We are entering a new era in American spirituality that will have a profound impact on how we live, relate, and work. Our economy, politics, and religion will never be the same. 'The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert,' reveals the silver lining behind the dark clouds of today's world."
L.A. Johnson of the Midwest Book Review writes:
"To paraphrase Thoreau, civilization has improved our houses but not the men who inhabit them. This richest country in the world boasts 44 million uninsured citizens; 10 million illegal immigrants; 9 million unemployed; and 4 million homeless souls. Something is wrong with this picture and Ms. Strupp makes a compelling argument in explanation."
(full review is available on Amazon.com)
Phyllis Strupp holds a B.A in History from Rutgers College, an MBA from Columbia University, and is a mentor of the Education for Ministry program of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
After a Roman Catholic upbringing, she shunned organized religion for over 20 years. She has been in the Episcopalian faith community since 1993. She has worked in the financial services industry since 1986. In March 1997, she moved to Carefree, Arizona with her husband Peter after living in Princeton, N.J. for 11 years.
"The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert," blends scientific fact, spiritual truths, and 56 stunning color photographs of the Sonoran Desert. The author has been a guest on several TV and radio programs around the U.S. Book excerpts and reviews can be viewed at: www.desertspirituality.com
To arrange an interview with the author please contact:
Arene Trimble
Sonoran Cross Press
8912 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 604
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
info@desertspirituality.com
Phone (480) 595-9878
About the author:
Publish Anything: The Saga of a PublishAmerica Author
By Lisa Maliga
My story is that an author who’d done online writing for such dot gones as Themestream, Written By Me, and The Vines, someone trying hard to have fiction, poetry and nonfiction in print for real, recommended PublishAmerica. She claimed it was a traditional book publisher. I was struck with their slogan, “We treat writers the old fashioned way – we pay them.” Wasn’t that what publishers were supposed to do?
But since my novel was just sitting on the DiskUs Publishing site and doing nothing but supplying me with enough money to buy a pair of skate laces every three months, I thought maybe it would have a better chance over at PublishAmerica where it would be available as a trade size paperback both on and off-line.
So this author, Ellen Du Bois, had a big thing on her Geocities site about books being available in brick & mortar bookstores & they’d have ISBN numbers and be online and all that stuff. Also had her full size book cover up so I sat there for 5 minutes waiting for the damn thing to appear. Not impressive, but she liked it. Ellen was a cheerleader for her book and sent reviews from a weekly community rag and she bulk e-mailed several pieces of correspondence during those heady days when her book was in prerelease, then release stage in the summer of ’03. I broke down and bought a copy from Amazon – took almost 3 weeks to get. And I struggled to read all 176 pages. Tripe. Clichés abounded. Spelling/grammatical errors weren’t there at least. But the writing was thin. The story moved too quickly. The main character was the most realistic as it was most likely based on the author. The dialogue was okay. The descriptions were minimal. Had there been a real editor, the book could’ve been very good. I wrote to Ellen and told her the positive things about the story, avoiding the negativities. She’d been an online correspondent for almost two years, yet after I didn’t review her book on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble she didn’t contact me. Almost a year later she sent me another e-mail – to promote a book of her poetry. I was just someone to sell a book to and she was only interested in the sale and hopefully a glowing write up.
A Future PublishAmerica Author
Since I’d already signed the contract with PublishAmerica, I wanted to cancel it after reading that trash. Now my book would be affiliated with a company that put out just about any piece of writing that came its way. I wasn’t expecting much what with my dealings with the extinct eNovel and RJ’s eBooks, along with a tiny eBook publisher named Crafts Across America where I wasn’t paid monthly as promised. And my novel and short story collection languished at DiskUs, home of the alleged Number One Best selling eBook author of all time, Leta Nolan Childers.
PublishAmerica sent me an author’s questionnaire where they asked for basic biographical information; cover art suggestions, and a long list of people who might want to read my forthcoming novel.
“Please prepare a list (names, and addresses,) of people who know you well enough to be interested in your success as a writer: personal friends, colleagues, relatives, etc., to receive a book announcement…Please limit your list and your labels to a maximum of 100 contacts. Also, please do not include businesses or organizations of any kind, including bookstores, media contacts, or government organizations. Include friends and associates only.”
The editing process of my manuscript took two weeks over the Christmas holidays. I was able to ascertain that the first few pages had been read as some minor alterations had been made, but no changes followed for another 50 or so pages. One of the errors that occurred was clearly the result of a spellchecker on the part of PublishAmerica as a question mark appeared after the end of a statement. I’d read of real authors receiving instructions to change chapters, alter endings, delete numerous pages, in other words, really struggle to rewrite a book. Why so much effort? Names. Reputation. The publisher wanted to put their name on the best quality book that they had invested in. The author wanted a book that was saleable but also well written and something they were proud of. PublishAmerica’s editing comprised neither ideal as all they did was put the computer program’s spelling/grammar checker into action.
My two free author’s copies arrived in early March and it was nice to see my trade paperback book in print sans a cheesy cover and stapled spine. ‘North of Sunset’ actually had decent looking stock cover art of a few silhouetted palm trees, a noticeable font, and a spine where the book title, publisher and author’s name was apparent. It would look good on bookstore shelves, I imagined.
Reviews – What Reviews?
What was Publish America doing to make sure my book was reviewed? Nothing. I decided to contact local daily and weekly newspapers by e-mailing a press release. The only responses I got were two e-mail autoresponders announcing the editors were on vacation.
I spent $40 on copies of my book’s galley and mailed them to three national newspapers and the Library Journal magazine. Then I phoned a book reviewer at the ‘San Diego Union-Tribune’ and asked if he’d be interested in reviewing my book but before I could even describe what it was about, he asked who my publisher was. I told him. “We don’t review books by that publisher,” he stated.
I called all the local bookstores and spoke to the managers and/ or community relations people about my book, including a couple of stores who were physically located on the street I’d written about. An independent bookstore owner told me that since PA didn’t have a return policy she was unable to stock my novel. Another said that I could sell my book on consignment. The chain stores of Borders and Barnes & Noble said my book would be available through Ingram if anyone chose to order it.
Tried getting PublishAmerica to send review copies out and it took them weeks to do so. Had to call and make sure on two occasions that the books had been mailed. Maybe quoting one of their enthusiastic promoters on the message board, a guy with a natural genius for marketing and the budget to back it up, got three books sent to reviewers.
Then I sent my book to Piers Anthony, noted sci-fi and fantasy author of more than 100 books. I’d been in touch with him since 2000 when I alerted him to the fact that eNovel was a rip-off. Although the action in his books usually took place in alternate time periods/universes, he didn’t mind reading a mainstream Hollywood novel. He did so. "North of Sunset by Lisa Maliga. She's the one listed in my Survey as I'm a Published Novelist Ha Ha! Ha!, a pertinent warning for starry-eyed aspiring writers. Her web site www.lisamaliga.com is worth checking similarly; she tells it as it is. If you took a few decades off my age and changed my gender, the result might resemble Lisa. North of Sunset is fun, about a Hollywood producer and his temporary secretary, showing a good deal of what I presume is reality. It is written with the omniscient viewpoint, which I dislike, but it held my interest regardless. "
I’d discovered through an upset PA author on the messageboards, which I read on occasion, that someone was complaining about PublishAmerica. Discovering the Absolute Write Background Check area I spent several hours reading, at the time, more than 40 pages of complaints about PublishAmerica. Authors not receiving books in time for booksignings that they set up themselves. Bookstore owners/managers refusing to stock their shelves with unedited PublishAmerica titles. Writers unable to get their books reviewed.
Doing a search on LexisNexis, the reputable online legal research system, for all PublishAmerica books receiving newspaper reviews, I saw that from July 2002 to June 2004, only 24 books had been reviewed nationally. Papers in Syracuse NY, Tulsa, OK, Fort Pierce, FL, Wilmington, NC and Lakeland, FL were represented. Only Salt Lake City’s ‘Deseret Morning News’, the ‘Tulsa World’, ‘Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’ and the suburban paper, the ‘Chicago Daily Herald’ were actually major newspapers. Evidently, the ‘New York Times’ or the ‘Los Angeles Times’ were not reviewing anything by PublishAmerica’s authors. According to the PublishAmerica site in the Facts and Figures section, “Fact #3: Again, unparalleled among all traditional book publishing companies, each day an average 15 times a PublishAmerica author appears in the news media, in newspapers, magazines, radio or TV.” Yet even mathematically challenged folks can determine that by using the LexisNexis search statistics, we learn that the average is a paltry once a month that a PublishAmerica book gets mentioned in a newspaper somewhere in the United States.
Editing – What’s That?
Here’s a gem of a post on the PublishAmerica message board: “When it came out in book form a month ago, my friends mentioned the editing problems in it, so a friend of mine with a masters in education went through it for me. It had close to a thousand editing errors in a 182-page book. So, have some who actually knows what literary content should be in a book, go through your book for you before you send the final draft back to PublishAmerica. Because the final draft, IS!, how the book will be when it comes out.”
I discovered that through the misspellings, grammatical errors, and general bad writing that just about anyone was publishable through the ‘traditional’ publisher located in Frederick, Maryland. Such postings as: “I too am not the best editor LOL! I did get my finished books. And when I met with a lady that is huge in the marketing field, she told me that my book at it's length of 132 pages needs to have chapters.” A couple of PublishAmerica authors discussed editing. “I felt like you did when I found errors, but then I realized, hey people read it for the story, not looking for mistakes in typo land! LOL Now I just keep on a keepin on!”
Sales Figures
Question: I’d really like to know how many copies I’ve sold.
Answer: Buy all of the books yourself and then count them.
No matter how naïve PublishAmerica authors appeared, they will eventually come to the realization that PublishAmerica isn’t really a traditional publisher, especially when those twice-yearly royalty checks arrived. Every few months or so PublishAmerica sent them an e-mail extolling their success, bragging about a big name author they’re negotiating with, or, more recently, doing a deal with the New York Times. On August 17th, an e-mail bearing the proud subject heading ‘Advertising Our Topsellers in the New York Times’ appeared in author’s online mailboxes.
PublishAmerica was well named in that they want to publish anyone in North America who has churned out a manuscript, regardless of quality. They claim to have anywhere from 9,000 to 12,000 “happy” authors and they want more and more of them as that obviously means more money for the greedy owners, namely Willem Meiner and Larry Clopper.
The PublishAmerica name and logo is seen as a joke to those in the media, bookstores and libraries. Books can’t be returned. All PublishAmerica titles lack the necessary CIP [Cataloging-in-Publication] data, which is necessary for libraries to order titles, and who wants to read unedited and overpriced tomes other than the author’s cronies? Oh yeah, and while PublishAmerica claims that they’re a ‘traditional publisher’ why on earth do they have in their main page keywords list the term ‘self publishing’ three times? And in their site’s description, they brag: “PublishAmerica, Inc., a traditional publisher, accepting and publishing manuscripts and books at NO CHARGE to the author. Royalties paid to writers, books sold in stores. Manuscript submissions by mail and online"
In the beginning of September I received a royalty check. To my surprise, I was not only able to afford to buy a pair of laces for my skates, I shelled out the $12 it cost to sharpen my blades. Who knew that this company would provide extra income enabling me to continue participating in my recreational skating hobby? But it cost me more than the $160 in author-bought books, the $40 for galleys, which were probably plunged into a recycling bin, the $87 color business cards, $20 press release -- and the countless hours building and rebuilding my website so people would happen across it and buy a book that was only available online--like any other eBook.
PublishAmerica allows the myth of being a ‘traditional’ publisher, a term not used before the advent of the Internet, to fester. The lie is perpetrated in those HTML source codes that search engine spider robots deliver; the future authors led to the promised realm of publishing, an internet web of woven myths fanning across cyberspace. PublishAmerica resembles most other ePublishing companies promising tales of bestselling books and authors. PublishAmerica is just another scam, just another future dot gone.
If you are a PublishAmerica author, or know of one, who is unhappily published and will tell your story, please contact:
Attn.: Beth Silverman
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 Saint Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
About the Author
Read and learn at Lisa's Library of Writing. Discover the diverse writings ranging from bath & body recipes to fiction, figure skating, herbal hints, and helpful publishing advice. This is the literary home of Lisa Maliga, owner of EverythingShea.com. Link to: http://www.lisamaliga.com
Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
by: Lisa M. Hendey
Book Review - Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
By Albert Haase
Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
Certain inspirational sayings and prayers transcend denominational lines, becoming part of the fabric of faith and inspiration for masses of believers seeking solace or comfort in difficult times. In Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi (Saint Anthony Messenger Press & Franciscan Communications, September 2004, paperback 84 pages) author Albert Haase, O.F.M. dissects the classic “Peace Prayer” which is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. In his enlightening introduction, Haase offers a brief history of the prayer, noting that it has been embraced by as a “prayer for all times and all peoples”, having been used by such notables as Margaret Thatcher at her inauguration and at the funerals of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Given today’s climate of political upheaval and war in so many areas of our world, contemplation of the Peace Prayer seems to be even more relevant than ever. This compact, twelve chapter book examines each phrase of the prayer in detail. Personal reflections and stories of individuals living out the aspects of the Prayer are offered and draw the reader into a closer understanding of what is meant by each simple expression. Each chapter ends with four reflective questions for individual or group consideration.
For individuals looking to truly live out the concept “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace”, Albert Haase’s book will become a treasured resource and invaluable prompt to both prayer and action. Groups looking for a concise study should enjoy gathering to read and contemplate the book as they examine how to become peacemakers in their own communities and in the world at large.
For more information on Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0867165723/catholicmomcom
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com, http://www.digitalcropper.com, and http://www.christincoloring.com, and an avid reader.
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com, http://www.digitalcropper.com, and http://www.christincoloring.com, and an avid reader.
Relationship Quiz - Copasetic, Caution, or Conundrum?
by: Slade Hartwell
This quiz is based on key areas of communication and intimacy in relationships. The easiest way to take the quiz is to print it, so that you can circle your responses and add up the results. Use the scale below to gauge the health of your relationship.
The questions are designed to assess the likelihood of your relationship being a success in the long term. Take the results seriously, but realize that no quiz can take into account everything that may important to you. Please do not feel completely discouraged if you don't score well. Instead, use what you learn from the questions, and let the results motivate you to identify patterns of negativity and areas needing improvement.
Please answer the following questions using the 3-point scale provided. Answer according to how often the experience occurs in your relationship to either you or your partner. For more honest results, take the test alone before comparing results.
1 = Never
2 = Sometimes
3 = Always
1 2 3We speak freely to each other and don't hold back feelings to avoid conflict.
1 2 3We show each other respect even when we argue.
1 2 3We settle disagreements by finding common ground and end with compromise.
1 2 3We are equal partners in the relationship.
1 2 3We have good talks. We share our feelings and opinions.
1 2 3We have girls/guys night out without jealousy becoming an issue.
1 2 3When we settle an argument, it stays settled and does not become a recurring problem.
1 2 3We can joke around with each other without one of us taking it the wrong way or getting upset.
1 2 3 We respect each other's opinions, feelings, and beliefs. We see eye-to-eye on most things.
1 2 3We like each other's choices in friends.
1 2 3We have good relationships with each other's families.
1 2 3Our fights do not escalate to the point of pushing and slapping.
1 2 3I feel fulfilled and not lonely in the relationship.
1 2 3We can argue without using threats of divorce or abandonment.
Now add up your points and assess your score:_______
36 to 42 "Copasetic"
If your score is in the 36 to 42 range, your relationship is in great shape. You are very fortunate to be in this category, so keep up the good work. You and your partner are a good match, and the likelihood of long-term success for your relationship is high. Everything may be copasetic now, but don't get complacent. Continue to be open, honest, and involved with each other.
26 to 35 "Caution"
If your score is in the 26 to 35 range, then the caution light is on. It's probably time to take a serious look at the direction your relationship is taking. There are obviously some very positive aspects of your relationship that are worth preserving and reinforcing. Your long-term success is in question now. It's time to work on those respect and communication issues. Take note of the questions that scored 1's and 2's and talk about them.
14 to 25 "Conundrum"
If your score is in the 14 to 25 range, as I'm sure you already know, your relationship is in peril. Your score indicates that there is very little chance for long-term success. Negative patterns of behavior are destroying your relationship and making you and your partner miserable. If you intend to continue the relationship, you must take immediate action Seek outside help if possible. The Internet is a good place to start. Visit a website that specializes in relationship building. Post your questions in a good relationships forum. You will find amazingly helpful people with similar experience and golden advice. Best of luck.
About the Author
Slade Hartwell, Webmaster at www.ezromantic.com
Romance Relationship Advice We offer tons of romance and relationship help such as: great articles, advice, love poems, book reviews, gift ideas, romantic travel guides, a relationships forum, and more.
REVIEW: TV Critic Reviews… “Higglytown Heroes”
by: Kristin Johnson
As aunt of a preschooler and an aspiring voiceover actress (I knew all those hours of watching Bugs Bunny would come in handy), I know all the kids’ shows as well as every kids’ DVD out there. My TV Critic column will be a regular family-fare guide to Kids’ TV.
In my opinion, there’s no better way celebrities can recoup their outrageous salaries than entertaining and sometimes educating kids. And They Might Be Giants get the “cooler than Elvis” vote for singing the theme song to one of Playhouse Disney’s newest hits, “Higglytown Heroes.”
For those of you not familiar with all things Higgly (an adjective used as much as “Smurfy” but not, thank Higgles, as a verb), the series centers on a small town and four tots named Eubie, Kip, and siblings Wayne and Twinkle. Think “South Park” with better art and no foul mouths. The strongest language is, “Aw, pickles,” usually uttered by Twinkle (pinker than Trista Rehn Sutter!) after her fanciful ideas for solving the kids’ dilemmas get gently punctured by Fran, a friendly squirrel voiced by Edie McClurg.
In each two-episode half-hour show, the Higgly Kids experience common, innocent childhood events such as finding a caterpillar, hosting a television party for the Happy Hairy Higgly Monster Primetime Special, losing a tooth, Kip’s Grandpa locked in the bathroom, or caring for an unhappy bird. The kids try to solve their problems, guided by Fran who is the voice of reason, helped by their loving families and the ever-enthusiastic oddly Bill and Ted-ish Pizza Guy…plus someone special. Then comes the inevitable song…
“Someone special, who could it be?
This job’s too big for you and me.
We need some help!
But never fear-o,
It looks like a job for a…Higglytown Hero!
A Higglytown Hero!”
Some of the heroes are natural choices, especially after September 11: Police Woman, Firefighter, etc. But how many of us think of sanitation workers, electricians, plumbers, gardeners, mail carriers (voiced by Kathie Lee Gifford) and farmers as heroes? Or a telephone operator (voiced by Cyndi Lauper)? Although the heroes have celebrity voices, the Higgly Kids discover that the real stars all around them are the people who solve problems every day.
Some of the dilemmas get a little ridiculous from an adult perspective. For example, when Kip climbs a tree to save a beloved neighborhood cat and her kittens, his friends help him. Why, when he gets stuck, can’t they help him back down? Ahem…when was the last time you tripped and panicked? You need help in your own life every day without thinking about it.
The beauty of “Higglytown Heroes” is that it celebrates working together, “having fun together,” and the Higgly Kids as well as their families never take for granted the Heroes in their lives. The Electrician (Lance Bass) gets invited to share in the “Higgly Monsters” TV party after repairing the circuitry for Kip’s house. The Fire Fighter (Donald Faison) who gets Kip out of the tree shares in a birthday party for the neighborhood cat. How many of us go out of our way to thank the people who make our lives easier? Sometimes we forget to see them as people with needs and feelings.
We even forget to see our own families as heroes. Kip’s Grandmama (voice of Betty White) knits the kids sweaters. Kip’s Mom acts like the soul of ‘50s domesticity, but gets rewarded when Kip and his friends make her a get-well card. Wayne’s Mom shows the kids a caterpillar and drives them to the beach.
Interestingly, Higgly families aren’t always nuclear families, something Disney portrays as normal without calling attention to it. Kip’s family is the closest, with twin sisters, a baby sister, a mom and dad (who operates a hot dog cart), and two grandparents who either live in Kip’s large house or visit constantly. Twinkle and Wayne’s mom seems to be a single parent (although all are African-American, no one has screamed racism yet), and Eubie is apparently being raised by his Southern-accented Aunt Millie and Uncle Zooter, with visits from his Southern-accented Grandpop (a farmer).
In many ways, Higglytown is idealized. No one really seems to worry about jobs, money or status. People go to the library, and a Librarian is a Higglytown Hero! The kids “work real hard” and take responsibility (gasp) by thinking up ways to help themselves and their families, and in each episode there are little moral lessons and advice (take care of your pets, don’t use too much electricity, make someone smile) to show the kids how they can grow up to be…Higglytown Heroes!
Cynics and naysayers will deride this as kiddie pablum. I call it a refreshing dose of reality and a tribute to the heroes all around us. The Disney animators are Higglytown Heroes for creating this show.
Copyright Kristin Johnson.
Kristin Johnson is co-author of the “highly recommended” Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com.
kristin@poemsforyou.com
Revised: Iron Lung : A True Life Story
by: Arthur Zulu
What does it seem like to live in an iron lung for over three decades? That was the lot of my friend as you will see in this story.
“Comfort don’t ever leave me,” she says to me as she struggles on her death bed. I hold her hands, trying to fight away tears from my eyes. Her struggle now becomes weaker and weaker. And then drawing a deep long breath, her eyes fixed on my face, she dies. The hospital attendants wheeled her away to the morgue. And I thought that the world had ended.
I was saddled with the task of breaking this news to her family of three. When I arrived, Job her husband had already seen it from my countenance.
“Is she dead?” was all that he managed to ask. I nodded in affirmation, and everyone burst into tears.
The news of Hope’s death spread quickly. She was not a princess. But even the heavens shook on the day that she passed on. Soon her Hollywood neighbors and the newsmen start pouring in. And before long the death of the woman who survived 37 years lying flat on her back in an iron lung—the longest record in human history—appeared in the newspapers and television. But how did I come to know her? you may ask.
I worked for Hope as an attendant being a nursing–school student. I was taken aback when I first saw this woman living inside a tank called a respirator. I don’t know, dear reader, if you have been privilege to see one of those early iron lungs. These contraptions were rounded tanks, about six feet long and three feet wide, fitted with gadgets. They were made to assist polio patients with paralyzed chest muscles.
Now, picture Hope in this tank. The whole of her body is inside the respirator except her head. To keep the cylinder airtight, a plastic collar and a metal bar were used to hold the collar tight to her collarbone. The air pressure inside the tanks was changed about 15 times a minute by a bellows below the tank. When the bellows expands, it withdraws air from the tank thus causing the patient’s chest to rise as air enters through the nose, mouth or both. But when the bellows contracts, it exerts pressure on the chest which makes the patient to exhale.
Hope could only move her head since her body was totally paralyzed from the neck to her feet (though she could still feel). She could not do any of the things that all of us take for granted. Like eating with her hands; using the toilets or bathroom; playing with her children; sleeping with her husband; or even scratching her body. Her only contact with the world is from a mirror placed above her respirator. This mirror reflected another mirror mounted on the wall on the opposite side across the room, which made it possible for her to see her front door and incoming visitors. And since the respirator could be seen through the large window at the front of her house in the busy street where she lived, she had plenty of them.
At first, I could not bring myself to ask her how she came into this. As time went by, however, we become familiar and talked freely together. Then one day when her husband came to see how she was doing, I asked the question directing it to no one in particular. I thought that her husband would provide the answer, but instead, it was Comfort that started her story.
“I know that you would ask me this one day, Comfort” she said. “I will tell you everything. I had a happy marriage with my husband, together with Paul our son and Endurance, our daughter. I like life, and we would always go on picnic to interesting places like the parks and beaches. The last holiday I had together with my husband and the children was twenty years ago in Switzerland.” Tears begin to swell in her eyes, and I quickly cleaned it up since she had no means to do so, while her husband looked away. I felt guilty in my heart for reminding her of the past.
“Thank you Comfort. As I was saying, my last holiday was in Switzerland. Or was it in Australia?” she asked her husband.
“You are right. We went Down Under before visiting the Alps. But why remember the past?” he replies. She continues as if she did not hear him.
“Then one black winter morning in 1948—thirty six years after I was born in Los Angles—I discovered that I was stricken with deadly polio.” She swallowed hard and continued. “Things got bad quickly. From flu to paralysis, and then to the hospital where I added up to several polio patients on the waiting list.” She wanted to scratch herself but since she could not do it herself, she called my attention to it, which I did. And then she resumed her story.
“Thanks again Comfort” she said. She is never tired of greeting. “I was afraid. I thought that I was going to die. For I had to lie on my back on the floor of the crowded hospital waiting for an iron lung. But it was long in coming. Breathing was hard. Then one day, I passed out. I did not know what happened afterward. Job will tell you the rest of the story.”
It was now the lot of her husband who has suffered financially and emotionally, to narrate the ordeal of his wife. He seemed hesitant at first. But a look by his wife was enough to prompt him to continue the story.
“When Hope fainted, I didn’t think that she would come back to life again. The doctors must have been some kind of magicians because after one week, my wife started to breathe again. And before long, she was placed in the next available respirator, much to our relief.
“These iron lungs were at first thought to be a temporary invention—helping patients to recover—and breathe on their own later. But we discovered that the opposite was the case. Because these breathing machines were to become the permanent homes of many polo sufferers
“Knowing this, I brought her home with the machine. And she has been living inside it for the past three decades” he ended and left the room, trying to hide his tears. I tried to fight back mine too. I was trying to really understand what it means to lie on one’s back in one spot for over thirty years.
“At first I was horrified at the thought,” Hope now continues. “But what would I do? I didn’t want to die. And some poet said that what cannot be cured, can be endured. So I decided to endure as far as God keeps me alive. Look at my husband and children. I should be caring for them. But what would I do now?” she asks rhetorically.
Her faith in God kept her going through the years. She was a very devout Christian and she believed that her suffering was only for a time. She explained that it was the rebellion of our first parents—Adam and Eve—in the garden of Eden that is responsible for the present suffering in the world. She spoke of a time when God’s Kingdom would rule, and she would ask me to read the bible book of Revelation chapter 21 verse 4 which says “And he [God] will wipe out every tears from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
She says that at that time, the paradise, which Adam and Eve lost, would be regained. She would direct me to read what Jesus Christ told a thief at Luke 23:43. “And he said to him: ‘Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise.” And she firmly believed that if she dies, she will be resurrected to live again, pointing out what Jesus told Lazarus’s sister, Martha at John 11 verse 25 which reads: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me even though he dies will come to life.’ ”
I must confess that I was not a Christian when I started working for her. She was the one that preached to me and converted me to Christianity. And that was what she did to numerous other curious passersby and strangers who came to see her. Instead of being encouraged, she was the one that encouraged her sympathizers; and her faith in the Bible made many to become Christians. She was always praying to God in behalf of herself and others; and despite her condition, she was full of compassion for people. In fact, her courage inspired all who knew her.
Her two children were always with us too. How sad they always look, not being able to hug their mum. But she always told them to look toward the bright future. Of them all, it was her little dog Mercy that added a touch of drama to the whole thing. She would sit there all day long, barking at and biting the machine, which held her owner prisoner thus preventing them from playing together. At these times, I would always have a hard time trying to quieten the dog and preventing her from damaging the iron lung. Sometimes, I wonder how foolish the dog is; trying to destroy the iron lung—the preserver of her owner. I also wonder what Hope thinks of euthanasia. I never mentioned the subject though.
Hope’s only regret is in not being present at the wedding ceremonies of her two children. For she was in the respirator when the two teenagers became adults, married and had children. She only saw the wedding pictures. Looking back, I think that it was actually a paradox that in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood—the entertainment capital of the world—one woman in the same city, was having all the troubles in the world. What am I going to relate? Is it the ordeal of washing her once a week? Or the task of knowing which part of her body to scratch? Come to think of what it takes to even feed her. Yet, she endured. And I did not give up on attending to her needs.
In fact, it could be said of her that she is a cat with nine lives. Because on top of this, she had an emergency appendectomy without anesthetic when her appendix burst, endured cancer, had major surgeries and chronic skin disorders.
But there is a time for every affair under the heaven. Even a time to live and a time to die. So, one day she went for her seventh surgery. And after that she was removed from the Iron lung for the first time in 37 years, attached to a modern respirator using her tracheotomy, and placed on a hospital bed. She was not getting enough air. Fear gripped her. She knew she was going to die.
Three days later as she struggled for life, she spoke her last words to me: “Comfort, don’t ever leave me.” I nodded. I was holding her. I didn’t want to cry. Then she died. Tears flowed freely. After one week, she was buried in the city cemetery. Wreaths of flowers covered her grave which was marked with the words: “Here lies one who waits upon the lord.” Darkness falls on the cemetery. And we go home to mourn our beloved Hope.
Twenty years have passed now. I have since then grown from a lady to a married woman with a family. Perhaps she has been forgotten. But I still visit the grave yard on every anniversary of her death to lay wreaths of flowers on her tomb.
Today is another anniversary of her death. And I take a bouquet of flowers to lay on my friend’s tomb. As I enter the cemetery, I raise my eyes toward the gate and I see the words of Solomon at Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 2: THE GREATEST VANITY! EVERYTHING IS VANITY.
I walk in to see the vanities of life in this cemetery for all kinds of people. On my left the tomb of an American war veteran who fell in battle in Vietnam. (Some old soldiers question why their comrade should be buried there). I move on and I see the tomb of an Indian ancestor from the lineage of Crazy Horse. (Native American Indians do not understand how he came to be interred in this cemetery). A little further lays a black slave from the family tree of Olauduah Equiano, called the man with the loud voice. And immediately after that is the burial place of a long time state governor (Nobody remember his name now).
I walk ahead to the marked tomb with the epitaph: HERE LIES ONE WHO WAITS UPON THE LORD. I lay my wreath of flowers on Hope’s tomb and sit to think of this loved one who suffered and died, waiting for the Lord. As I sit, I remember everything: the Iron lung, Hope’s strong faith, her husband Job (he is very old now), her children Paul and Endurance (they now have grand children), and Mercy the barking doggie (it barked herself to death one week after Hope’s funeral). I remember the bible says that we are like a mist that appears for a while and then disappears. I remember Shakespeare said that life is like a stage and we are mere players. My friend has played her part. We will all play our part.
I was awoken from my meditation by a flash of lightning and the roaring of the thunder. I looked up. It was going to rain. I gather myself and kiss goodbye to Hope as I hurry home. As I go, I remember her last words and I was ashamed that I was leaving my friend. On my way, I walk pass the tombs of the governor, the slave, the Indian and the war veteran—all vanities. I step outside the cemetery, look back and see those words again: THE GREATEST VANITY! EVERTHING IS VANITY. But I remember Hope used to talk of a bright future in paradise where sickness and suffering will be gone. I was encouraged. So life may not be in vain after all.
She took ill one black winter morning. My resolve now is to be faithful to God so that I will meet my friend during the resurrection in the coming new world. Them one bright summer evening we would gladly hold hands together as we walk through the gardens of paradise. And I will say to her: “I’m here, Hope. You see, I never left you.”
(EXCERPTED FROM THE BOOK, “IRON LUNG,” TO BE PUBLISHED SOON. IF YOU ENJOYED READING THE STORY AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TOWARD ITS PUBLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR.)
ARTHUR ZULU is an editor, book reviewer, and author of Chasing Shadows! and How to Write a Best-seller.
For his works and free helps for writers, goto:
http://controversialwriter.tripod.com
mailto: controversialwriter@yahoo.com
Web search: Arthur Zulu
About the Author
The story of a woman who spent over 30 years in an iron lung.
Revised: We are Going to Live on Mars
by: ARTHUR ZULU
Good news is hard to come by these days. But alas there is one. Man will soon be living on the red planet Mars.
The Journey started on a good foot. The space rocket Spirit successfully landed on the planet. It began photographing and digging up Mars and sending messages back to the earth that will soon be vacated. And there is back slapping and clicking of glasses as we drink our wines. And we pray for Spirit and her sister rocket, Opportunity, to discover water (we need it badly) and perhaps some damned microorganisms hidden in rocks.
That is the first phase of this Martian expedition. The next stage will be a manned flight by two dare-devil astronauts, who will be willing to make history by taking the two-month long trip. In order to make the trip exciting, the astronauts would first have to set camp on the moon. Yes, they would really have to take off from the moon to Mars. (This is not fiction.) And then after several successful flights and mapping of Mars, model houses would have to be built ahead of the Martian exodus. But why you may ask, are we migrating to Mars?
The first reason is that terrorists have taken over this “ hell" of a place called earth, and nobody is safe anymore. Even if you were living on the tallest building or hiding in a cave. Cave? That is the worst. Because all the terrorists are now living under the mountains and spider holes in the bushes far from the prying eyes of cameras and secret agents.
The other reason is that there is so much crime on this earth. Think of the murderers, the robbers, and the rapists. Too many guns! Too many bad people. Someone has either been murdered, robbed or raped as you read this. If that person is not you, give glory to God.
Additionally, this earth has been polluted beyond any saying of it. The seas have been turned into sewers, toxic wastes dot the land, while fog have taken over the atmosphere. So you can see that this earth is no longer safe for habitation.
Religious fundamentalists are not even helping matters. These preachers of hate encourage their followers to go about with knives hidden under their robes and bombs strapped to their waists with the intent to kill the 'infidels' and get a one-way ticket to heaven. And since there are so many heaven lovers, the ‘infidels' who are dwelling on earth have no place to hide. So these are the reasons why we must all vacate earth and go to live on Mars.
But make no mistake about it. It will be easier for a camel to pass through the needle's eye than for you to get visa to Mars. Because there would be physical, mental, and moral security checks since no social psychopath would be needed on Mars.
First, you would be photographed and finger printed. Then you would be required to pass through a machine that would search even your insides for weapon possession. And then psychiatrists would have to examine your brain for mental fitness. Meanwhile, the Interpol is double checking your past for any hint of crime record.
If you pass all of these, you would then go to the moon for space travel orientation and survival drills. The course is rigorous because it includes how to survive on zero gravity, survival without oxygen, and how to survive below freezing point. If you pass that, then you have to think of how to pay your ticket fee to Mars. Because the amount is equal the annual budget of poor nations. And because we are not going to turn to spirits and fly to Mars.
Since Mars is a very cold place, departure to the planet will be in this order. Those who live in the polar regions-- the coldest spots on earth -- will have the opportunity to go first. In that case, Greenlanders and Netherlanders in the north, and the Australians and New Zealanders down under, would make up the first settlement in Mars. ‘Lucky' folks. The Europeans and Americans would follow. Of course the Africans who are sun- friendly, would bring the rear. Pity them. They are always coming last
When the good people would have been ‘spirited' to Mars, a rocket would be sent back to earth with five to burn the terrorists, the murderers, the robbers, and the religious fanatics. (Since they are not with us, they are against us.)
Up there in Mars, there would be no terrorist, because no one is allowed to carry guns. Except the governors of Mars who made the Martian dream a reality. And in an atmosphere of peace, we recline on the red planet and drink our red wines -- made in Mars of course.
Many years after, the story would be told to our grand-children of how a certain earth was destroyed. And they would look down from Mars and pity former planet earth. But I fear that after our generation is gone, some terrorists would spring up from Mars, and our grandchildren, sorry, opporunity children, would destroy the planet and head for Jupiter, and pass on the story to their grandchildren.
Now let the journey begin.
ARTHUR ZULU an editor and book reviewer, is the author of the controversial book, CHASING SHADOWS!: A Dream. (A book that reveals the terrorists' master plan to finally set the world on fire!)
For a copy of the book and FREE excerpt, goto:
http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/21013
For contacts, mailto:
mostcontroversialwriter@yahoo.com
ARTHUR ZULU an editor and book reviewer, is the author of the controversial book, CHASING SHADOWS!: A Dream. (A book that reveals the terrorists' master plan to finally set the world on fire!)
For a copy of the book and FREE excerpt, goto:
http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/21013
For contacts, mailto:
mostcontroversialwriter@yahoo.com
Ronald Reagan: Hero or Villain?
by: Arthur Zulu
D-e-a-t-h. The mention of that five-letter word instills fear into many. Only a few mortals could dare death like the poet John Donne. When his beloved brother died, he wrote death these damning lines: Death do not be proud/ Though some have called thee mighty and dreadful/ But thou art not so/ Nor yet canst thou kill me/ and Death shall be no more/ Death thou shalt die.
The poet was audacious. However, one year after writing his poem, Death killed John Donne. So, "Pale Death, with impartial step, knocks at the poor man's cottage and the palaces of kings" says Horace. Because man likes deceiving himself and because man does not want to think that he ever dies, he has crafted euphemisms to describe death. Like kicking the bucket. Going to the great beyond. Answering the call to glory.
So Ronald Reagan has joined his ancestors (to use another euphemism). And encomiums are pouring in. One of such is from George Bush: "Reagan is a hero. He brought peace to the world." It is good to say kind things about the dead, so that when we die, the living will say good things about us too. Everyone wants to be remembered at death for his virtues, not his vices. It was for this reason that Solomon, the wise man said: "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."
Other graveside orators in some settings have however tried to strike balance. Consider Mark Antony's funeral discourse for Julius Caesar; "Friends, Romans lend me your ears. . . I have come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. . . The evil that men do lives after them. So let it be with Caesar." You may give the speech any interpretation that suits you. Meanwhile, let us exit the Shakespearean stage and enter the real world.
I am suffering from memory lapse these days. Who started the star wars program? What about the telepathic guided missiles initiative? Who befriended Saddam Hussein and trained Osama bin Laden? Who tolerated Botha and Mugabe? I cannot remember exactly. All I can ell is that during Reagan's regime, it seemed that the world would go up in flames the next moment. Leaders of rogue states wet their undies. Ask Muammar Ghadaffi. Or is it Momar Qadaffi? Gorbachev, yes, I mean the gentleman from Russia saw Roman Catholic ‘hell fire.' And the freedom fighters, no, I want a better word—terrorists—yes, the terrorists ran into caves.
But this compliment about Reagan bringing peace to the world is what I do not understand. Is this the new world order? Hear William Pfaff: "The new world order has arrived. It is well and truly new, consecrating invasion, aggression and ethnic purge as acceptable international conduct." In the words of Dr. Walker Percy, we have been in "a state of suspended animation" since World War I. It is no wonder that Helmut Schmidt, former German Chancellor said, "we have never governed [the world] in total peace."
Now, the threat of a nuclear ‘Armageddon' is more imminent. (The Doomsday clock is getting closer to midnight.) The once frightened ‘terrorists' are out from their hideouts and are plotting the end of the world. And despite two prayers for peace at Assissi Italy (never mind the pope and his prayerful multitudes), twelve wars are going on around the world this hour. It is for this reason that ‘The Daily Yomiuri' says that "the balance between peace and war is becoming ever more precarious."
But it seems that all of us drank the waters of River Lethe and suddenly forgot the past. Hear this earlier statement of George Bush: "The new world could, in time be as menacing as the old." Where then is the peace that Reagan brought to the world? Contradiction most foul! I did not however forget everything when I drank that water of oblivion. Because I know that there is no peace in the world but pieces of peace. (No pun intended.)
I could dare any living man the poison of my pen. But not the dead. Because I do not want a poor poet who does not know his lines to indite an inglorious epitaph on my tombstone when I too pass to the great beyond. (I want to write a book titled "The Praise Singers.") What amazes me however is the transience of power and the vanity of life. Today a great ruler is ordering the sacking of a sovereign nation, and the next day he is gone. Like a mist. Or sparrow.
Here I am reminded of the great king, Oxymandias, who ruled a mighty empire. The mention of his name made his subjects and people of surrounding lands shiver. In order to affirm his supremacy on minions, King Oxymandias had his great statute erected on a busy trade route for all passersby and posted these words below: "This is Oxymandias. Lord of lords and king of kings." So, lily-livered men would pass and gaze in awe at the gigantic image of Oxymandias from a safe distance. But after many years, the mighty king answered the call to glory and his great image collapsed from the effect of the elements leaving only a pair of impotent legs. When lesser mortals who had dreaded this image passed along the road, they now ventured close and mocked at the pair of legs above the inscription that reads: "This is Oxymandias. Lord of lords and king of kings."
But accursed is he that mocks the dead. Because death is tolling his unwelcome bell at his door. The American humorist Mark Twain said it all: "In this world nothing is certain than death and taxes." The good thing about death is that the dead pays no tax. (Sorry, some Church priests tax the dead.)
So the best thing about dying is that the dead is free from terrorist attacks. If therefore Ronald Reagan waged war against violence (or was violent) because he feared the evil when he was alive, he does not need to worry about terror anymore. As to whether he was a hero or villain, leave History—or Posterity—to judge. The words of American statesman, Patrick Henry, however make me uncomfortable. He said: "I know not of a better way to judge the future than by the present." So is the world peaceful today? Or is it still at war?
I am not a composer of verses. But I venture these lines for the former president:
Sleep well the great communicator
Sleep well lord of lords and king of kings
My dear cowboy, sleep well
Our beloved Ronnie Reagan, sleep well
ARTHUR ZULU, an editor and book reviewer, is the author of the controversial book, CHASING SHADOWS! (A book that reveals the terrorists' master plan to finally set the world on fire!)
Goto: http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/21013
mailto: mostcontroversialwriter@yahoo.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arthur Zulu is the author of CHASING SHADOWS!
SCAM Alert: 3 Tactics of SCAM Sportsbooks
by: SportsbookReview.com
Online Sportsbook scams are a multimillion-dollar business. Over the last 5 years we've seen players lose millions of dollars, not because their bets lost, but because they sent money to scam sportsbooks.
Don't be the next victim. Be aware of these common scam tactics to protect your money.
1. New Sportsbook with Large Bonuses (25%, 40% or more) - this is a very common tactic of new operations that don't know what they are doing. They open a new sportsbook (especially around football season) and offer large bonuses to getp players to sign-up. Their business model is flawed from the beginning and will eventually lead to financial troubles, slow/no-pay disputes and eventual shutdown.
Beware of offers that combine High Bonuses with Reduced Juice. Also, be wary of Lines that are out of wack. Obscure or soft lines can only mean one of two things: a lack of volume or that the book itself is gambling on events.
Remember: If a promotion looks too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Telemarketing or Cold-Calling - is a sign of desperation that the book may be getting ready to run for the hills. Scam telemarketers will use a variety of tactics to get their hands on your money. Some try to bully you, while others will charm you. In many cases it is a single high-pressure call or other pressure tactics requiring immediate decisions (usually to make a deposit). Watch out for anything that sounds fishy.
Remember: If a promotion over the phone does interest you, insist written information be sent to you before agreeing to make the deposit.
3. Outright SCAM Sportsbooks - usually open up right around football season. This type of scam operation is know as the deposit-only sportsbook because they do whatever it takes to get you to deposit your money with no intention of ever making pay-outs.
The easiest way to spot a fake is to look for an address or phone number. If the site lists a phone number, call it and ask for their address. If they do not readily give you a valid address, consider them suspect and do further research before making a deposit. These rogue operations often use large bonuses, spam email and other shady tactics to lure players.
Remember: In this completely unregulated industry, you have to do extra research because there are no safety nets and you are the only one responsible for your funds.
About the Author
This SCAM Alert has been brought to you by SportsbookReview.com. Sportsbook Review rates every known sportsbook and issues SCAM Alerts to help you protect your money. Before you even think about sending money offshore, check the SBR SCAM Alert and the Rating Guide. Free Special Report "No-Nonsense Advice on How to Spot a SCAM Sportsbook" at http://sportsbookreview.com/downloads/9.aspx
Secrets To Successful Publishing
by: Geela
Have you ever wondered what would it take to compete successfully with the “big guys” like Simon & Schuster and even get to the top of the heap? If there is such thing as a magic formula for success, then the story of Geela, the author of the bestseller book THE AMERICAN DREAM can certainly make a believer out of you too. Mastering the art of the possible is at the heart of Geela’s brand new book where her message is that the possible always exceeds the impossible.
It’s a sobering fact that no one not even the “big guys” (the large publishing houses) are immune to the risk of failing and even going out of business and not so much because of lack of resources but rather lack of innovation, high vision and keeping up with inevitable change. In fact, too many companies take the complacent approach of “one-size-fits-all” to marketing and promotion with a worn out attitude of “business as usual” and “we’re the best, you’re the rest” that stifles innovative thinking (thinking outside the box) so essential for surviving and thriving in a very competitive and dynamic industry where change is the norm and maintaining success is the exception.
It’s been Geela’s experience as a self-supported and self-published author, that greater degrees of success can be achieved by any publishing company regardless of their size or circumstances simply by implementing the following principles for success that worked for her company GLOBAL VISION MEDIA:
1. It’s not your aptitude but your attitude – a winning attitude can mean the difference between success and failure. Success is a matter of perception and an equal opportunity employer. You are as successful as you make up your mind to be. So don’t be afraid to aim high. Let the story of The Little Engine That Could and David and Goliath inspire you. While some people thought that Goliath was too big to hit, David thought he was too big to miss.
2. Recognize that dreams and aspirations for success have no expiration date – these are self-imposed artificial deadlines that are silent killers of creativity and motivation.
3. What determines your level of success or level of failure is not lack of resources but rather lack of creativity (resourcefulness), high vision and faith (remember, quitters never win and winners never quit).
4. No matter what you were brainwashed to believe, never underestimate your own power to write your own life script and command control of your destiny by either finding a way or making a way. Also when you understand the difference between making things happen vs. letting things happen, you will generate whatever is necessary for you to reach your destination even when all the odds are against you. You no longer have to wait or be at the mercy of traditional distribution and bookstores as they hide your book between competitive titles on their shelves. Your fate is in your hands and all that your hands need to do is to take advantage of the awesome power of modern technology which is now available to the “little guy” as well in order to compete successfully and even surpass the “big guys.” Any self-made successful person will tell you that indeed anything is possible especially to those who believe.
5. Apply the Kaleidoscope approach to your marketing and promotion efforts – although there are finite number of pieces, infinite number of combinations and possibilities can be created simply by rearranging them. You are limited only by your own imagination and will.
6. Don’t use the Christopher Columbus method of planning your business if you are serious about reaching your destination of smooth sailing into a new world of success with glory. By failing to plan properly, you plan to fail by default. The power of strategic planning backed by a solid infrastructure cannot be overstated – it’s what makes or breaks regardless of the quality of your product (book). A synergetic plan in place will serve as a compass to guide your actions, evaluate your performance and run your business more profitably.
7. A good marketing plan requires the dexterity of a circus juggler mainly because of factors such as the different life-cycle stage of each title at any given time. In Geela’s particular case, as a self-contained, it was and still is a unique multi-faceted situation with multiple projects going on simultaneously, involving a brand new book, a music album and putting together an all-star benefit concert with major music producers as part of Geela’s nonprofit organization, ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD (dedicated to promoting world peace focusing on children’s issues), since Geela is an established singer/songwriter with many albums, awards and rave reviews, a visionary author and a long time peace and children’s activist. She is the founder of the nonprofit organization, ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD, a co-founder of a successful record label, GLOBAL VISION RECORDS in addition to being a co-fonder of an up and coming independent publishing company, GLOBAL VISION BOOKS/MEDIA. To make life even more exciting, Geela is also a wife and a dedicated mom.
8. Capitalize on any talents you might have to make up for perceived lack of sales and/or financial resources (initially when you are starting out). Geela’s situation is unique by all standards. Hers is a multi-faceted situation (music/book/nonprofit organization) which greatly enhanced the success of her efforts.
9. Broaden your marketing and promotional parameters and capabilities to include a multi-level marketing and promotion by reaching out to different audiences from ethnic to military and other untapped markets. In Geela’s case, because of her unique background, as an immigrant from Israel who was born in Iran, with a universal appeal, she capitalized on that fact to reach broader audiences that include ethnic, minorities, women and immigrants.
10. Your infrastructure needs to be built on a solid foundation which includes everything from an innovative strategic marketing plan to a coordinated program which includes the following elements:
* A comprehensive marketing and promotional plan including assorted advertising mix in key places in addition to a national media campaign
* Cutting edge on-line marketing and promotion with your own user friendly website (links, pop up banner, affiliate program, ezine newsletter, direct response with a compelling sales letter, article submission, media e-mail blast to keep your name in front of the media with different press releases, sample of products, plenty of endorsements, media room, useful information, strong search engines, just to name a few)
* Sales forecast
* Financial plans
* Secure advanced endorsements for your book from world-renowned personalities, the media, book reviewers and best selling authors to establish credibility
* Distribution
* Fulfillment center with your own toll-free number. In Geela’s case she chose a number that’s easy to remember for her radio interviews (800) 99GEELA
* Create an outstanding press kit with useful information in addition to promotional and fun material such as posters, bookmarks, double sided glossy flyers and more
* Marketing and promotion plans also for pursuing the non-bookstore markets (special sales/premiums/incentive) as well as sub-rights and foreign rights including film rights, especially like in the case of Geela, if your book is slanted towards a movie – these are most lucrative sources for substantial revenues and profitability since you bypass the middlemen, massive discounts and have reduced returns.
* Since no man is an island and likewise success is never a one-man show, it’s essential to have a marketing support system, a Dream-Team if you will, which is made up of top notch like-minded people who share your vision, faith in the project and level of commitment to making it a huge success. The more harmony and camaraderie the better information and creative ideas can be generated to help move your project forward, and combat those inevitable “marketing fatigue” while keeping you motivated.
* To become a magnet of success and total prosperity live by the motto: “when I help others win - I win.”
* Author personal appearances, speaking engagements and other innovative forms of promotion such as running for an office (at least for a day...) and/or trying to break the Guineas book of records (well, at least in theory you can make the attempt...). Once again, you are limited only by your imagination.
11. In order to get a head start on your promotional campaign consider using a direct response that can help put your title on the best seller list at least on Amazon.com by doing a massive and highly targeted e-mail blast. This alone can open many doors for you and help you reach your destination so much faster and ... in style too.
12. Apply the old-fashioned yet proven method of making up for lack of financial resources the size of the “big guys” with OPM but not the traditional Other People’s Money, but rather Other People’s Minds, by networking, sharing up to date information, developing and nurturing partnerships while conducting massive research. Remember, knowledge is power that provides you the winning edge. It’s cost free and it creates additional opportunities for growth while instantly becoming a success and prosperity magnet.
13. Strive to provide the highest quality in product and service and always go the extra mile, remember, the seed of money is service.
In the final analysis, it’s the quality of the book that will ultimately dictate the longevity and the level of success of any marketing and promotional campaign. Geela’s highly praised book THE AMERICAN DREAM offers something very special that everybody wants...hope and direction. In fact, through her Principles For Successful Living, Geela is revolutionizing the conventional wisdom of achieving success, total prosperity and even global unity. And that’s something that will always be in demand and never go out of style. Geela’s fascinating personal story of triumph over adversity and winning against all odds best captures the true spirit of the American Dream which was based on perspiration, innovation, risk and reward. Of-course some might think her tremendous success story (which took her only twenty years to achieve) is only a result of luck or talent or ... whatever. But perhaps a better definition of luck needs to be when preparation meets opportunity. After all, if you know where you are going, chances are you will get there, and if not, then you’ll end up on the road to nowhere. Now that’s something to write about...
Copyright © 2004, Geela
Author of “The American Dream”
http://www.Geela.com
Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book “THE AMERICAN DREAM,” her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com.
Simple Tips for Creating a Good Book Poster
by: Laura Hickey
Posters can be a great and inexpensive way to promote your book. But don't rush right out until you know the key items to include on your poster.
The Title and Author's name
Make sure to have a bigger font than the rest of your poster to bring attention to the title and author of the book. This may be the only aspect of the poster they remember.
ISBN, Where to Purchase, Price, Pages and Cover
Be up front with where customers can purchase your book. Including the ISBN number can also help with searching for your book on line. Many times a customer will look for the price and become annoyed at having to search for it and how many pages the book contains. When having your book cover on your poster, you want it to be as clear and sharp as possible.
The Facts
Be straight forward on what your book is about. Mystery may entice a reader, but clear facts are more likely to progress to a sell if your content is what the customer is looking for.
Reviews
It's a good idea to show blurbs of your favorable book reviews both customer and editorial.
Optional Items
A photo of yourself- Sometimes customers feel better buying with a face in mind, but this sometimes can backfire.
Table of Contents- This part may become very long on your posters so perhaps partial view of the TOC would be best.
Contact/Homepage- Your customers may have questions, please keep in mind that this could lead to spam. Directing others to your homepage would be a better option. Treat your e-mail as if it were your phone number.
Don't forget to make sure your poster is printed on good quality paper with rich ink. Good luck!
About the author:
About the Author: Laura Hickey is an up and coming author. Her work includes Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids and a co-writer position for the TV pilot, Officially Lush. You can read more free articles by Ms. Hickey on her homepage:
http://www.laurahickey.com
Six Tips for your Writing Journey
by: Laura Hickey
Tips for your writing journey
So, you'd like to be a writer? Congrats! Writing not only is a great way to express yourself, but can provide an income. Keep in mind not all writers make a fortune, some still cant quit their day job. Below are some tips to start your writing journey.
1.Start Writing
Okay, so this tip is obvious. For some, it's a question of what to write about, for others how to write. Write how and what you want. What kind of books do you like to read? Fiction, Mystery, science fiction, how to books? How about articles, reports, maybe you're interested in journalism. Whatever the case may be, to get your creative juices flowing, start writing! Don't worry about how it sounds, grammar or other mistakes, you can go back to fix these.
2.Join online and offline groups/message boards and chats
If you already know what you want to write about, consider joining writer groups at your local library, or online groups, along with message boards and chats. It's a great way to network with other writers and published authors. It's also a good place to share your work and receive feedback. Many places online are free to join, some require a membership which usually consist of a user name, e-mail address and password for your user name. Some request more information such as a name, address and sometimes phone number.
3.The Library
You've probably heard about some books that writers refer to, this could be writer markets, e-book publishing, self publishing and generally how to improve your writing. But what do you do when you can't afford to buy these books from your local bookstore or online? A trip to your library is the key. Many libraries carry writer resource books, which if you have a library card, are free. If you're living out of the area, the library may require a fee for membership. The book you're looking for may not always be at your local library, however libraries borrow from other libraries in and out of state. The method of receiving outside books is called Inter-Library Loan. Later on, if you find the book to be a great resource, you may be able to purchase a used copy online.
4.Researching
The Internet is also another good resource for information. Keep in mind that not every resource you find online is going to be an honest good resource. It will take time to sort out which websites are useful. Most information is free, so you can sit back and research in the comfort of your home. If you don't have a computer with Internet access, check your local library and see if you can use one of theirs.
5.Workshops
Workshops taught by experts is a great way to learn from the professionals, but only if you can afford it! Make sure the topic of the workshop is based around your interest. For instance, if you love fiction..it wouldn't be a good idea to go to a workshop based only on non-fiction. It's a good idea to register early to ensure a spot at the event. Bring a new legal pad, plus a few writing tools to take notes.
6.Contests
After writing a while, you may want to enter contests. Some require an entry fee. I suggest staying away from the entry fee contests until you've entered some other free ones. That way you can get a feel for how contests work. Spend some time writing and re-writing your entries. If you've written your entry in 5 or so minutes, the judges will notice it immediately. You wouldn't want a reputation for sloppy work.
There you are, 6 tips to get you started on your journey to writing. Good Luck!
About the Author
About the Author- Laura Hickey is the author of the children's book Mysterious Chills and Thrills- 10 short stories to tickle the imagination. It may be purchased at http://www.laurahickey.com
Access Laura's press kit...interviews, read book reviews for Mysterious Chills and Thrills, PR's and more.
So That's What God is Like
by: Lisa M. Hendey
Children’s Book Review – So That’s What God is Like!
By Lisa M. Hendey
Sometimes teaching our children about God can feel like a daunting task. So That’s What God Is Like! (Kregel Publications, May 2004) tells the story of Temba, a curious young African boy, who spends the day trying to learn about God. Author Leanne Hardy’s life experience as a missionary rings through in this story. The story presented in this book is a heartwarming tale of one boy's quest to learn about God. His wise Granny shares with him the meaning of God's existence by using images that have relevance to his everyday life. The book's incredible illustrations make it a treasure that will be a great addition to your family's library. Our children's book reviewer gave this book 5 stars and said "Everyone should read this book because everyone should know what God is like."
So That’s What God Is Like! is available by visiting
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825427827/catholicmomcom
Copyright 2004 Lisa M. Hendey
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christincoloring.com and an avid reader.
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christincoloring.com and an avid reader.
Someone I Love Died By Suicide
by: Joan Bramsch
Someone I Love Died By Suicide
by Doreen Cammarata
This month marks the "National Suicide Survivor Day". November 17, 2001 is set aside to recognize all those who have endured the grief surrounding the suicide of a loved one. I would like to dedicate my first column to my mom. November 14th was her birthday and she died by suicide 15 years ago.
As a survivor myself, I reflect upon how much my life has changed and developed since my mom's death. An adolescent when her death occurred, my life was ultimately shaped into becoming a resource and support for individuals challenged by depression, suicide, grief and various types ofloss.
In my training as a counselor I focused on my own personal and professional growth in the field of grief counseling. I learned that education is a reciprocal process. My greatest teachers have been the numerous students that I worked with in an alternative high school dropout retrieval program as well as the many young children I worked with at a local hospice program. While teaching at a university I am fortunate to have been touched by so many caring professional counselors, nurses and social workers who have attended my classes as well as by the resourceful professors who gave me my foundation of training.
During this specific time of recognition for suicide survivors, conferences will meet throughout the country to educate and bring survivors together. You can access a "Live Webcast" on Saturday, November 17th from noon to 1:30p.m. by visiting the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention website: www.afsp.org. This organization provides research, bibliographies, updated articles and much more. For more information you can contact them directly at (212) 363-3500.
In my work facilitating suicide support groups I encourage survivors to share what they find as the key differences in grieving a suicide. Most survivors express intensified shock, anger and guilt in coping with the death of their special person.
I could identify with these feelings. Although I was only 17 when my mom died by suicide, I experienced extreme guilt in my grief. I believed that "if only" I had done something different, I could have saved her. I eventually came to terms with the fact that there was nothing I could have done to stop what had occurred. Like many survivors I too beat myself up with the "what if's" for quite some time.
Not all survivors experience guilt and anger but that tends to be a prominent theme for most. Anger can be felt in various ways. It is commonly directed at the individual who died. When in touch with this type of anger, many survivors tend to reflect on the struggles their loved one endured and then ultimately feel guilt ridden once again. For some, anger is directed at surviving loved ones in a blaming fashion. Encouraging survivors to express their anger as well as their other feelings in a therapeutic environment will have positive long-term effects.
It is crucial to be aware of the accentuated duration and intensity of grief following a suicide. Most individuals take years to recover from the devastation of this event. It is estimated that someone grieving a sudden loss will take three times the average amount of time to heal from the death. Being sensitive to the amount of time and the extreme emotions that a survivor will feel during his grief is one way that you can assist in the healing process. Another way to help a survivor is by allowing him to tell and retell the specifics surrounding the death.
Depending on the relationship between the survivor and deceased, the death may alter the existing person's life in numerous ways. If the survivor is a child, there most likely will be vast differences in the way he experiences life following the death. For an adult, specifically a spouse, adapting to an entirely new role is only one of the many challenges that widowhood will bring. No matter what the age of the survivor there is a forced new way of life. The grieving individual will now adapt a whole new perception of what his world will be as well as his trust in the natural progression of life.
When informing loved one's about the death, honesty is best. Small lies only become larger lies. A survivor spared the truth to be protected will end up re-grieving the death of their loved one when the truth is unfolded. This can occur even many years after the actual date of the death. Remember to always disclose age appropriate details after carefully determining the maturation of the survivor. However, know the consequences of dishonesty and consult with trained professional in communicating the truth.
Validating and commemorating the life of a loved one is extremely beneficial in the healing process. Apparent simplistic gestures like planting a tree or creating a memory box can be quite empowering. As a personal way of validating my mother's life as well as her death, I created "Someone I Love Died By Suicide: A story for child survivors and those who care for them." I designed this book after years of research and working in the field. It is appropriate for all ages and is the only book available to read directly with children survivors. More information is available about my book on my website: http://www.griefguidance.com.
In closing, I share my knowledge and my book with you as a way of trying to reach all those who have been devastated by the suicide of a loved one. Please join me and take this opportunity to recognize the numerous suicide survivors in our communities.
Read The Book Review Here ..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Someone I Love Died by Suicide: A story for child survivors and those who care for them". This book is one of only a few books available today that is specifically designed to be read to children survivors.
About The Author...
Doreen T. Cammarata, MS, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is currently an adjunct instructor at Florida Atlantic University educating graduate students and professionals on grief counseling issues. She has had eight years of university experience as an assistant instructor in addition to her full time work experiences as a school counselor for at-risk youth and as a grief and bereavement specialist working with adults and children at a local hospice program. She is also on the board and serves as the Program Chairperson for the Palm Beach County, Florida ADEC Chapter.
An equally important credential is that Doreen Cammarata is a suicide survivor. Doreen’s mother suffered from depression. During Doreen’s adolescence, her mother died by suicide. Consequently, Doreen understands personally as well as professionally the need to address this issue. Visit her site. http://www.griefguidance.com
READ MORE HERE:
http://joanbramsch.com/counseling/suicide.shtml
About the Author
JOAN BRAMSCH is a family person, educator, writer and E-publisher. Her articles appear internationally in print and online. Six of her best-selling adult novels - near one million copies - have worldwide distribution. Her
Empowered Parenting Ezine serves 1000 parents around the globe.
http://www.JoanBramsch.com mailto:hijoan@joanbramsch.com
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