Life is… Simple!

ImpossibleThe last few weeks have been crazy busy! You see I thought organizing a concert would be easy… Simple… Pffft! I was of the belief it was just weddings that were crazy, but this is a whole new level! The biggest wedding I had to arrange involved 70 guests and though time consuming it became kind of fun.

This however is becoming a whole different animal! I spoke to one of my funders and we talked about venues two weeks ago and how I had the choice of three places… The Hammerstein, Below 54 club, which is just off Broadway or a yacht. I explained of how the Below 54 Club seated 150 people, of what a wonderful cozy place it is but I was cut down_ immediately with a “Good grief girl, I can fill a church with a 150 people on a Sunday!” Hmmm Okaaay…

Hammerstein Ballroom

Hammerstein Ballroom

The Hammerstein holds 1,600 and the yacht 1,200 people, simple huh? In the real world it’s like organizing a wedding with1,600-1,200 guests… See? Simple! He wants me to book the Hammerstein and so the yacht it is! On an evening in June with the full moon glinting over the East River from Near South Sea Street Port;-D

One of the decks on the yacht

One of the decks on the yacht

Oh and then there’s the guest line up. I have worked in some Rock, a little Hip Hop, some comedy and lastly a couple of guest speakers. Of course all well known to everyone. I’m also working with a charity and I have an organization to make donations to from the ticket sales. Then we are also working on a Pay per View version of it online for $5.99 so there’s a production crew for it and of course merchandise of T-shirts with a coupon for a Kindle down load of A Broken Ring, hats, CD‘s, posters… As I was saying… Simple! Oh yes I forgot there’s the PR company for radio and newspapers… So yes as I was saying… Simple!

If you think it’s just me going a little crazy here I’m not alone! See I told Hubby he has a 3 song set too! Hahaha! You  should’ve seen his face! From playing at the local open mic night to let’s say 20-30 people to playing in front of 1,200. Guess who’s panicking now! We just have to get him into a studio to polish him up with a producer…

Oh and by the way, we have to move again. The road floods weekly, ants absolutely love sharing this place with us, it’s drafty cold, the landlord won’t replace the washer/dryer, the fuse box hasn’t been replaced since Sandy so we keep thinking the place could go “Pooft!” up in an electrical fireball and smoke any day because it’s so corroded from the salt water flooding from the tidal surge.

Our flooded road after a normal high tide

Our flooded road after a normal high tide

You can imagine my surprise then when on finally letting my head hit the pillow on Tuesday night at 1am to wake up at 2am from a nightmare. It included ghost like zombies, they were pretty in fact almost ethereal but nonetheless zombies and they didn’t bite you to turn you into one… No! These evil crazy things just had to touch you! I woke up at the point where one was a cat with white eyes staring at me! I woke up and freaked because my bad, black puddy cat was standing staring at me in the dark! Seriously?! I told myself to calm down think of happy things and go back to sleep. I did but I ended up back in the same bloody dream again! This happened all night, needless to say I was exhausted on Wednesday and dragged myself around all day thinking about how I had “Stuff” to do still. Today I woke up more refreshed and did no work, no writing until now with this post and a little catch up on Facebook. I think the nightmares were a way of telling me to slow down a little… Simple. Yes I do like that word a lot lately. It seems to help keep everything on track and … Well… Simple!

I sometimes tell myself I must be crazy but the support I’m getting is amazing and uplifting and at the end of the day it really is all about spreading the word about violence and abuse, assault and rape. Letting people know they are not alone, that it effects everyone, black, white, straight, gay, women, men and children. Violence doesn’t discriminate but we can heal. We can transform and  become amazing!

In fact I’ve already started creating some cool things in my CafePress shop! Please check them out and let me know what you think. Just click on the picture below. Thank you for all your support and I hope your having an amazing week!

Transformation from Abuse

Transformation from Abuse

The reveal! Transformation from Abuse

I just wanted to share with you the new logo for the concert and show I am putting together.

It wouldn’t be so amazing if I hadn’t had the wonderful help from an amazing artist, Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now. Her artwork is one of a kind and will be applauding her everywhere I go and raising a glass of vino to her! Susan… Salute!!! :-)

I chose a scarab beetle because it represents transformations (i.e. Healing from Abuse) and the Egyptians believed it was the ‘Protector of the written word’ and purple is the color of the Domestic Violence Ribbon.

It’s going to be on T-Shirts, caps and banners etc!!

So here it is… The big reveal! Ta-Dah!

I hope you love it too!!!

Transformation from Abuse

International Women’s Day

Of course, I had to post today!

A quick simple straight to the point post for a Friday which is International Women’s Day!

Dedicated to all the women around the world… the brave, the strong, the mothers, daughters, sisters.

To the ones who stand tall through adversity, who survive against all the odds put against them!

This day is dedicated to you!

International Women's Day

Transformation from Abuse.. My new online show!

Yes! You read it right! I’m going to be a talk show host on an online show!… Okay now that you have finished laughing, you can pick yourself up off the floor… Thank you!

You see… I was offered several different opportunities one being a book tour but when I thought about it_ most of my book sales have been Kindle sales. I’m still waiting for Nook to approve it and I’m having difficulties with Kobo but I’ll sort it out when I can. Kindle though has been wonderful, in fact I love it! You pay and BAM!! The book is there! How cool is that?

I sat down down and thought how crazy a book tour would be when just about everything I do is online! Therefore an opportunity online would seem to be the most fun way to go and VIOLA! It slam dunked it’s way right into my lap. Now those of you who have followed me know that I like to involve as many people as I can into a good thing… Spread the happiness, so to speak!

So here we go!

Transformation from Abuse - The new online show!

Transformation from Abuse – The new online show!

I am going to be hosting an online show called Transformation from Abuse. It will be aired worldwide as the internet is… Well.. Worldwide! Haha! Oh boy, can you tell I’m tired!

It will air twice weekly from NYC and will have a Twitter feed so the at home audience can ask questions in ‘real time’. There will be a set with a sofa, myself and a fully trained psychologist. Each episode we will have a different guest from celebrities, politicians, victims, survivors, doctors, advocacy groups… to be honest the list is endless!

We are then going to take it on the road! State to State, Coast to Coast! (This is where Claire fulfills one of her bucket list items… a t-shirt from every State! hee-hee). We will be meeting and introducing people from all around the country who is involved in abuse issues.

I hear you “Not my bag!” Your saying well not the case as there will be humor mixed in as well as some amazing healing techniques incorporating mind and body!!

To launch this wonderful show we are going to have an awesome concert! Yes! Here in NYC! Very R&B, very soulful!

On this night we are going to sell t-shirts with the logo on it, not only that but each t-shirt comes with a coupon of a free download of A Broken Ring!!!

Susan Cooper

Susan Cooper

Now one of the coolest things to all of this is the logo… Which I’m not releasing yet but you know it’s going to be awesome when I tell you Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now has been involved! Oh yeah baby! I have an original Susan Cooper graphic!!  Awesome!! Oh? You want a clue? It’s purple!! And no it’s not a ribbon! Fooled you!

Actually, on a serious note… It is fast becoming an amazing adventure more than I could have hoped for. It is becoming much more than the book… It is now becoming a whole new animal… One of healing, one of getting the word out there about abuse, one of letting people know they are not alone, giving a voice to people who are normally too scared to speak out as they can remain anonymous with an ‘Escape Button” on the site. A way of bringing communities and people together. I want people to come away from watching the show feeling empowered, inspired and totally uplifted! It will be about us, about ‘We the people!’ together, making a difference in this world as best we can!

Here is the video I have put together, as I updated my Indiegogo Campaign to incorporate the show as every little bit helps!

Now before you watch it think about this! There is a slide who someone put together for me and I have done so much reading and writing lately that I became word blind and missed a couple of grammatical mistakes. Thankfully, Sharla Shults found them for me but before I correct it I thought it might be fun to hold a little competition! First one to comment and say where they are will win a free Kindle Copy of A Broken Ring! Ta-Dah!!

So with out further ado here it is! And please every dollar, penny, pound… gold sovereign will help the show if you could take a minute to visit my Indiegogo Campaign here. I thank you most humbly!

Author Interview with Sharla Shults

I’m so happy to present to you Sharla Shults and her new book Awakenings. She is an amazing poet and loves the historical little facts that some of us may not know.

Sharla has also been kind enough to offer her book as a Kindle Giveaway to one lucky commenter! Yippee!! :-)

Sharla and I met through this wonderful world of blogging. Her blog is Awakenings

Please provide a brief synopsis of your book.

             Title: Awakenings from Then ’til Now

Genre: Historical Poetry

Awakenings from Then ’til Now is reflective of America’s history over a span of five centuries (17th – 21st centuries). It is written in poetic verse for the nature of history itself is extremely poignant. Within its pages are accounts of extreme sacrifice and heart-rending emotion from the time the first immigrants set foot on the shores of America to present day.

We seek to find knowledge that identifies who we are. Ignorance of the past leaves us naïve in the present and stagnant in our images of the future. In an endeavor for each reader to identify from whence he or she came with an understanding of tremendous sacrifice, intermittent reflection pages afford a time for personal connections. Whisperings from the past activate this time inciting discovery and inquiry directing energies toward understanding one’s America heritage.

Poetry is the icon of freedom, but freedom is not free. The cost of freedom is priceless with payments being made every day through undying devotion and sacrifice. Readers are invited to indulge themselves in the reading of historical events presented with poetic finesse. It is America’s story, it is their story.

What is the ‘back story’ to your book cover and title?

           There is an immediate need for a wake-up call ensuring the principles and honor upon which America was built remain steadfast. Thus, the title: Awakenings from Then ’til Now. Our life’s blood stems from our fathers whose fathers’ fathers lived and died to make this country free. And, their mothers endured pain and suffering beyond our imagination. Thus, the book cover, which is depictive of quilting reflective of each person not as isolated individual but a thread binding together with countless other threads to create a rich and colorful tapestry of life.

Awakenings

Click on the book to be taken to Awakenings on Amazon

What made you want to become a writer? (What was you motivation and inspiration?)

Through the years leading up to the publication of my first book in 2004, I never envisioned myself as a writer. I was a loving wife and mother devoted to family (still that today!), mathematician and educator, content on teaching and working in various arenas with youth in middle and high school. I enjoyed writing little poetic notes and wrote my first poem to my husband (Jim) on his birthday in 2004. That was the beginning! From there, I began to challenge my students: creating curriculum that went outside the basic equation into the realm of creativity. Have you ever been given a poetic math challenge? My students were given just that: a challenge where imagination reigned and creativity soared. As a result of that unusual beginning, I am now on the verge of publishing my third book…WOW! Number three! As I look back to my writing’s inception, I realize more and more what a gift I have been blessed to share with others. It comes by way of poetry: a way of transcending the boundaries of conscious thought where, like my students, imagination reigns and creativity soars. 188

Did you employ an editor for the storyline, proofreading or editing?

I did not employ an editor since this service was furnished by my publisher.

Are you self-published or traditional/ Why did you choose to publish this way?

I had two manuscripts accepted by a traditional publisher. My knowledge of independent publishing was non-existent at that time.

Sharla Shults

Sharla Shults

Do you have any hints or tips that you have found in marketing?

Distributors and bookstores respond to demand. There will almost certainly be hiccups in supply from time to time. A book may disappear and reappear on certain sites from release date on, depending upon whether or not the distributor has books in stock. This is normal. It can be frustrating, but it is a normal part of a new book’s life.

What was your most amazing moment in writing your book?

There were actually several. Since my book is of a historical nature, it required quite a lot of research. In doing so, I expanded my own knowledge back beyond just the surface of knowing an event happened. I learned why it happened and the impact it had on making America what it is today.

If your novel was to be made into a movie which actor would you like to play the leading role?

Since my writing reflects poetry, inspirational and historical, I would not categorize it as movie material. However, within the poetic writings of Awakenings is story after story that has already made it to the silver screen or perhaps is in future movie making. There is a lot of warmth and compassion within the writings of Awakenings and begs the question, “What story has ever been written or produced without some connection to the past with words of a poetic nature?”

If the occasion ever arose for an actor to read or recite some of the poetic writing, it would have to be someone with a strong voice capable of showing extreme emotion, happiness, sorrow, joy, pain, sacrifice: maybe Gary Sinese.

Is there a sequel forthcoming or any new book in the works?

Yes, there are actually two more to complete a total of five volumes of poetry. The fourth volume is catnipoflife: Observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest! The fifth is Reminiscent of Chocolate: Nourishment for the mind, body and soul with whispers of yesteryear! This last volume is to be co-authored by my husband, Jim. He is the chef!

Do you have an inspirational, motivating or funny anecdote you would like to share?

“An invincible spirit lies in the whisperings of past events. Within surmounting challenges are whispers that keep the heartstrings taut, the mind sharp, and the soul forever nourished.”

You can find Sharla at:

Blog: Awakenings

Facebook: Sharla Shults

Amazon: Awakenings

The Gargie Award? Who little me? Thank you!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Lily Wight who so kindly thought of me as she stood on the red carpet of the Gargie Awards!

I have to say I truly thought my award days were over having been caught uo with everything that’s happening lately, which is a little crazy to say the least!

I feel so humble that she thought of me!… Little me!

What a coincidence! I look a little like this week too!! :-)))

What a coincidence! I look a little like this week too!! :-) ))

It gives me great pleasure to pass this onto some of the most awesome bloggers I know!

Finding Our Way Now

JusticeForRaymond

Walking4Air

1800ukillme

ThelastsongIheard

ShapeDaily

JJefferson

ForeverPoetic

SubtleKate

Balsillie & Associates

KatyKins

Congratulations!!! :-D

About the Gargie Award

My Little Angel!

A little while ago I used to post my husband’s poetry, which he kept telling me were actually songs but isn’t it sort of the same thing just one is set to music and the other well… Not! lol

Finally he sat down and worked out how to record them. Last week he invited me into his little musical den and played a song he had recorded, telling me he had written it for me! I have to tell you I can be pretty critical but I loved it, the haunting tones. It’s just Vin completely! I secretly sent it to a friend who passed it to a producer friend and now it looks like he’s got to write songs to go with my books! When I told him he acted a little shy… but I know better!! lol ;-)

I really hope you like it too!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Next week I’ll be sharing another awesome Author on Wednesday

AND

I have a secret I have been working on to tell you too!!!

Author Interview with Sandee Harrris

I’m so delighted to post my second Author Interview with Sandee Harris… I freaking love this author!  She writes about things no-one ever discusses on the dark side and each time turns a twist that will have you giggling! We both share a love of cakes and the Brothers Grimm and weirdywolves…. Oh yes! That is a grammatically correct in my dictionary! ;-)

She also even wrote about me in such a shining light that I think I have a lot to live up to! That Bitch Sandy and A Broken Ring.

Sandee threw an Author Evening in a cafe in New York City. She invited me but due to personal commitments and getting ready for Sandy to hit us two days later I was unable to make it, something I will kick myself over and over for! Can you imagine? Sandy reading from Mean Spirited Tales followed by a showing of the original Night of the Living Dead! How awesome for Halloween.

Please provide a brief synopsis of your book.

Mean-Spirited Tales is a collection of short stories for those unafraid to look… Includes the tale of a sadist, a beheading, liver paté, alcoholism, and a slow rotting from the inside out — with three homages to death metal, one featuring Helen, a pseudo French Canadian gremlin, and Delia, her loyal half-sister from a non demonic paternal figure…

What is the ‘back story’ to your book cover and title?

I realized that I had a collection of short stories with a stream of bile and dark humor running through it, and came up with Mean-Spirited Tales.  I also thought this would be a clever marketing tool, and it reminded me of a Monty Python episode.

Mean Spirited Tales by Sandee Harris

Mean Spirited Tales by Sandee Harris

Click on the book cover to be taken to Mean Spirited Tales Amazon Kindle site

What made you want to become a writer? What was you motivation and inspiration?

I loved reading when I was a child and started writing stories very young.  I liked the idea of creating a world with words.  As an adult I thought of being a writer as a spiritual quest where you would try to reach people viscerally in the communion of existence.

Did you employ and editor for the storyline, proofreading or editing?

Nope.  And I certainly should have, but it wasn’t in my quote unquote — budget.  One of the stories in Mean-Spirited Tales, “Night Terrors,” had been published in a literary journal with very little changes by the magazine’s senior editor, so I thought I could do a good job of editing myself, especially since I’ve had editing projects on different jobs.

But this is a mistake, because it’s impossible for you to look at your own work from a distance.  If I embark on another writing project I will employ an editor.

Are you self-published or traditional/ Why did you choose to publish this way?

As mentioned earlier, I am self-published.  I would never have done this before because it was considered cheesy, or the avenue one takes when their work is sub par.  But in the last few years it has become more reputable and a force that the traditional publishing houses have to reckon with, so I jumped in.

Do you have any hints or tips that you have found in marketing?

I’m a really poor marketer, which is part of the drudgery of being self-published.  I’ve done basic things, activated a Face Book account, started a blog and bought an ad on Goodreads.  I know I’m still not doing as much as I could possibly do.  I had a reading at a café which was also helpful.

What was your most amazing moment in writing your book?

The stories in my book had been written over a period of 20 some odd years.  I guess what would slightly resemble an amazing moment would be when I read the first proof copy of my book and found it engaging.  I felt like I had put together something that people would enjoy.

Sandee Harris

Sandee Harris

If your novel was to be made into a movie which actor would you like to play the leading role?

My book is a collection of short stories so there isn’t one main character.  There are a lot of female protagonists.  I would choose women from local arty theaters, some unknown New York City actors, to play the leads.  I like the underground.  I always see my stories as independent movies with unknown actors.

Is there a sequel forthcoming or any new book in the works?

No sequel to this collection, but I do have a novel.  I might send that to the editors then shop it around.  I don’t think I’ll publish this one myself.

Do you have an inspirational, motivating or funny anecdote you would like to share?

While my book is darkly humorous in spots, I don’t have anything funny to share but my inspirational tip is to pursue your goal to be a writer no matter how many times you’re rejected by agents or literary journals.  Just continue writing if it’s something that satisfies a part of who you are.

You can find out more about Sandee on these links:

- Hard copy version:  Mean-Spirited-Tales-Ms-Sandee-Harris

- Kindle version:  Mean-Spirited-Tales-Sandee-Harris-ebook

- Sandee Harris’ blog:  1800ukillme.wordpress.com

- Mean-Spirited Tales Face Book page:  www.facebook.com/MeanSpiritedTales

I really hope you visit her links, they are a real treat!!

Author Interview with Susan Cooper and D.R.E.A.M. Catchers

I recently wrote of how it was my 1st anniversary of blogging here, Happy Birthday to me and you! and how I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made it a success. In this post I promised you wonderful Author Interviews and today is the first one :-)

It is my absolute pleasure to post today introduce you to Susan Cooper! Susan has been a wonderful follower and has now become a wonderful friend too. Her artwork is also amazing as her recipes and posts on wine. Recently she published a new book called D.R.E.A.M. Catchers with Cheryl Therrien of Geek Girl USA

Susan has kindly offered to also do a Giveaway to 3 lucky people! Leave a comment to be entered into the draw:-)

Susan Cooper

What is the brief synopsis of your book?

“D.R.E.A.M. Catcher’s” is modeled after the  ‘One Minute Manager’ concept.  The book is meant to give a reader a very simple guide to figure out what their dreams may mean. You won’t have to read a lot of extensive boring stuff to get an idea of what your dreams may mean.  You can do this by locating each of your dream symbols, combining them to gain an insight as to a dream’s meaning.

Susan Cooper

Susan Cooper

What is the ‘back story’ to your book cover and title?

It all started with blog comment that lead to a discussion with Cheryl Therrien the co-author. We both discovered our mutual interest and knowledge about dream interpretations.  One thing led to another, and there we were creating our book on dreams interpretation.

The cover concept and the idea was a natural because of what a Dream Catcher is meant to do. So it made since that I create the image and book cover with a Dream Catcher as the main symbol.

DREAM Catchers Book Cover

DREAM Catchers Book Cover

Click on the book cover to be taken to Amazon to buy!

What made you want to become a writer? (What was you motivation and inspiration?)

Becoming a writer was more of an accident then having a desire.  Because I am dyslexic, it really never occurred to me that I could write and that what I would write could or would be appreciated by others.  I have always been an oral storyteller.  It was how I taught (teach) a lesson to an audience. I have found that I can write the stories I tell (with the help of a proof reader and other editing tools), and that others enjoy them.  All this has been a great surprise to me.

Did you employ and editor for the storyline, proofreading or editing?

We didn’t with D.R.E.A.M. Catcher’s, but I have since hired an editor to help with my upcoming book of short stories and illustrations.

Are you self-published or traditional/ Why did you choose to publish this way?

We are self-published.  It was, quite simply, easier and faster to do.

Do you have any hints or tips that you have found in marketing?

Because of my marketing background it had a pretty good idea what we needed to do.  We took the grass roots approach through email marketing, Social Media sharing, offering the book to other authors or venders to review and book giveaways.  Because it’s our first book ever, we were aware it would be slow going.  By keeping the peddle to the metal in our promotional efforts, we are confident the results will come.

What was your most amazing moment in writing your book?

I had to laugh, but the true answer is that I was actually doing it.  It is truly hard for me to describe my surprise that I found my self engaged in the process and published it to boot.

Susan hard at work! :-)

Susan hard at work! :-)

If your novel was to be made into a movie which actor would you like to play the leading role?

I‘m not sure that this book would make for good movie material, but it would be fun to see Merle Streep interpreting a dream, don’t you think?

Is there a sequel forthcoming or any new book in the works?

Yes.  We have been in discussions regarding the next book and planned to publish a more advance dream interpretation in the next 6 months.  The sequel to this book will be for individuals who want more in-depth information regarding their dreams.

Do you have an inspirational, motivating or funny anecdote you would like to share?

Because I now find myself actually writing on a regular basis, is proof that there is no greater obstacle then our own self-doubts.  My favorite quote comes to mind “Success is often missed because it’s dresses in overalls and looks like work”.

Flowers in Vase by Susan Cooper

Flowers in Vase by Susan Cooper

You can find Susan easily at:

Blog: http://www.findingourwaynow.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/findingourwaynow
Twitter: @SusanPCooper
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/116549944149630341827/about
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/susancooper/

Thank you Susan for sharing with us!

The ‘Historic’ storm called Nemo

We prepped like crazy, just like all good “We’ve all just been through Sandy” Long Islanders and braced for what was termed as a “‘Historic” Nor’easter storm.

Well_  Boston and Massachusetts were slammed instead… The Weather Channel said we were in it’s path of horrendous winds and snow. I have to say the winds weren’t too bad and we only managed 2 feet of snow! ;-( ( Hey I’m from Yorkshire! We are used to getting a normal snow fall of between 2-4 ft with drifts!)

The really good thing was… We kept power! Hurray!

I did take a video but for some reason unknown to me You Tube’s page won’t load for me, therefore no embed code so in the meantime I’ll share some piccies of this morning with you of how our little road looked. Hope you like ‘em ;-)

Nemo 065

Nemo 067

Nemo 071

Nemo 074

Nemo 080

Brrr! Hope all who were in the track of this storm stayed safe, dry and warm.

My heart goes out to all those people who did lose power.