Blog Archives
I Didn’t Know What to Say
![I Didn't Know What to Say: Being a Better Friend to Those Who Experience Loss by [David Knapp, Crystal Wacker Knapp]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511DnLtLl8L.jpg)
At first I thought David Knapp’s book was going to be a self-help book on grieving. A literary pat on the back, but I was pleasantly surprised to find so much more in this valuable resource. I Didn’t Know What to Say: Being a Better Friend to Those Who Experience Loss provides actionable advice, beyond sagely wisdom, as it applies to the loss of a loved one. It’s a literal how-to on loss and grief. And not just for people that have lost a loved one. What do you say to a friend that lost someone, or a casual acquaintance, or a stranger? Before this book, I certainly didn’t know what to say. David Knapp has given me, and readers, the skills we need to deal with loss and know what to say.
David Knapp shares his heartbreaking story in order for us to understand his point of view, his experience, but also that loss is something we all deal with, or will have to deal with. By narrating his experiences with grief, the reader is able to relate with David Knapp on a personal level. The style David Knapp uses to share his most intimate experience, his wording, the phrases he uses and warm tone in his book are some of the features that make the author excellent in his art. When David talks about a particular experience in his life, he is articulate, and makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. I Didn’t Know What to Say will help you understand the agony of the person experiencing loss, give you the tool to help them through difficult situations and make them comfortable to express themselves.
This is a book for anyone that knows someone who is experiencing loss; this could be a friendship, a professional relationship or someone much closer. The author gives you the right words to use. He guides the reader on what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, so as not to appear insensitive. By reading this book, you are able to go through bereavement in a better way and talk to mourners in a more humane manner. This is a critical book for anyone to read now as well, as surely we’ll experience loss at some point in our lives. It’s important to learn the skills now so that we are ready, and in that way, David Knapp’s book is essential reading.
Pages: 237 | ASIN: B0112SC9AC
Now What?: Managing a Sudden Transition in Your Career
![Now What?: Managing a Sudden Transition in Your Career by [Annella Metoyer]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/411DdzI+NpL.jpg)
Now What? Managing a Sudden Transition In Your Career is a book that will always be relevant to any ambitious professional. The information shared by the author, tips on how to grow your career and become the best in the team, and general life advice shared by the author make this book a gem. Annella Metoyer writes from experience. The guidance she gives is solid and objective. I enjoyed reading this book because the author addresses different professional groups and even shares tips on how to navigate the career world. From her book, I believe that a day spent with Annella Metoyer would help one make the right career choices.
While I expected career advice, I was pleasantly surprised to also find a discussion about technology and its impacts. As an individual whose career was directly affected by the changes that technology has brought, Annella had prudent words for those that are just starting out. One way of staying relevant is going the extra mile. The author talks about working hard, working smart and grabbing opportunities whenever they present themselves. The step by step approach shared by the author when getting into a career, making connections and knowing when to leave if possible will be helpful to many students as well as corporate employees.
Apart from her professional life, Annella also touched on her personal life. I enjoyed reading about the challenges she faced and how she handled every issue. This book is an enlightening book with expert advice from an experienced professional. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a career coach or mentor in the professional world.
With practical and actionable advice that you can put to use right away Now What? is a critical book that will ensure your success if you were recently let go from a job you thought was secure. This should be your first step to getting back on track.
Pages: 106 | ASIN: B091ZGC2TQ
I Wanted to ‘Close The Circle’
Chicken Nibbles teaches readers about chicken behavior through fun art that educates as well as it entertains. What inspired you to write this book?
In 2007, I published Chook Tails. I was caring for my wife and I drew cartoons to escape from the stress of caring full time. After my wife’s death in 2017, I was free to fulfil my desire to have a professional cartoonist redraw my book. I selected the best of the old and added a number of new cartoons. I wanted to ‘close the circle’. This book, like the last, is dedicated to my now ‘late’ wife.
The art in this book is wonderful. What was the art collaboration process like with award-winning cartoonist Mark Lynch?
The idea and caption for the cartoon was always mine. I would describe the scene that I had in my mind. Mark would then draw a draft cartoon and we would gradually refine the cartoon until I was satisfied with the finished product. That process usually took two or three drafts but occasionally I drove him ‘nuts’ with too many refinements.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about chicken behavior?
They can be contained behind a wire fence!
What was one of the most surprising things you have learned about chickens?
Keeping backyard chickens can have a positive impact on people’s lives. They can relieve stress, bring neighbours together and provide a good laugh with their antics.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Enchanted Forest Adventures
Amber Tambourine and the Land of Laugh-a-Lot follows a young girl into a wonderous land where she makes many friends, but she worried she wont’ be able to find her way back. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
As a child I lived in a house with a backyard that was all forest and farmland. I used to wander around back there and make up little adventures for myself and imaginary friends. So certainly that was an inspiration for Amber’s backyard enchanted forest adventures.
As a child I was also obsessed with “magical otherworlds” as I call them – like when Dorothy went to the Land of Oz…or in the movie “Brigadoon” where a magical village only appears for one day every 100 years. The Land of Laugh-a-Lot is a “magical otherworld” I created based on these inspirations.
This seemed like a fun book to write. What scene was the most fun to write and illustrate?
I loved creating the look and feel of Laugh-a-Lot – it is a very colorful and vibrant place with lots of interesting characters, so definitely the scene where she first encounters this magical place is my favorite.
What do you hope young readers take away from your book?
In the book, Amber and her family have just moved to a new house and she has left her old life and friends behind. It is at its core a book about transitions in a child’s life, but I hope that it will impart the message that although change can be hard and scary, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is possible to move on, and sometimes life will take you in new and exciting directions you never thought possible.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have so many ideas whirling around in my head for future Amber Tambourine books, so that is a possibility. Still in the process of figuring it all out at the moment, but I just kind of go where the inspiration takes me – that for me is the fun of writing!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
I Loved That Cat’s Tenacity
Birds Fly, A Cat Tries is a wordless picture book that follows an adventurous tabby who tries to take flight. What was the inspiration for the wordless idea behind your story?
I enjoy finding ways to help children understand the importance of working together and never giving up in many of my stories – to keep trying no matter the obstacles that are placed in front of us. As a child, our family had a pet cat named Buttercotton. He was an orange Tabby, and this cat loved to hide behind furniture and jump out and try and scare us. He always found a different hiding spot and was forever improving on his scare tactics. I loved that cat’s tenacity.
I find this book to be wonderfully educational for children to insert their own dialogue. Was that the intention or was there a different educational aspect your aimed for?
Wordless picture books are my favorite to work on because I know that children can find many different educational aspects within the story without even knowing that the author has designed the plot with specific educational elements. With their unique ability to imagine the world in so many different ways, children can sense and feel so much within the story of a wordless picture book. And even though my intention, for all my wordless and near wordless picture books, is for children to insert their own dialogue into the story and use their imagination, I always design my picture books to have some kind of positive influence.
I loved the art in this book. What was the funniest scene for you to draw, and what were some sources of inspiration?
That is a difficult question for me to answer. There really isn’t any particular scene that wasn’t fun to draw. I did however enjoy creating the elephant at the end of the story. She went through many variations in order for me to find the right look on her face. As for my source of inspiration, well, I was no different than most children when growing up and wanted to jump off the roof of our house holding an umbrella and float down to the ground. Did I try taking the great plunge? No. But I did think about doing it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on two new picture books right now. The Lost and Lonely Tumbleweed, which will be published in June 2022. It is another story about never giving up and to keep on trying, no matter what. Although, The Lost and Lonely Tumbleweed has a lot of words in it. The other book I am working on is titled, Never Was A Grump Grumpier. It will be available in June of 2023, and it is a story about the choices we make in life, particularly the not-so-good choices where we have to accept the consequences that come with the choices we make.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
An Important Message For Children
A Stranger in the Clearing follows a golden retriever that discovers a unique deer hiding in the woods and they both realize there is more to the deer than meets the eye. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My inspiration came while I was driving down the road one evening, I saw what I thought was a goat playing in the field with a group of deer. I almost ran off the road watching it. I quickly looked it up when I got home and found that it was a piebald deer. I wondered what it must be like to be a spotted white deer out in the woods, being so different and visible. I had started writing stories for my students to help them understand science terminology, and knew that writing about Pi, in terms of mutation and adaptation, would help them remember the vocabulary. The surprise was the natural moral lesson that came out in the writing process. The lesson that it’s not the color of your skin that makes you special, but your actions to do something for others that makes you the most prized animal in your community.
The art in the book is vivid and colorful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Marcela Werkema?
Marcela is AMAZING. She lives in Brazil, and considering the language and environmental differences, it’s simply incredible what she has done with my illustration suggestions. The idea behind the book was to draw the reader in with 3-D like illustrations that popped off the page. As an animator she realized that my request was also important because books now compete with technology, and today’s children what fast moving literature.
She is so talented, learning what all the animals looked like from photos I sent and suggestions I made. Parents quickly buy the book once they turn the pages and see the stunning artwork.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There is not doubt that the main theme focuses on “loving yourself” and “doing something good for others.” I believe this is an important message for children to learn at an early age so that it gets embedded into their psyche. In this volatile world where parents are not able to guide their child throughout their day to make good choices, it helps the child to be reminded through good literature what to do. This book couldn’t have come out at a better time in this tumultuous world.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Thank you for asking! My next book is currently at the publisher and it’s called A New Home For Grayce. The story is about Grayce the Groundhog who keeps getting displaced by humans as they develop roads, homes and golf courses. Like so many children today, especially foster children and military children, they must move to new homes more than most. So I wanted to show these children that even though they may have to move a lot, they will always find friends if they put themselves out there. And one day, they just might find their forever home. What is so exciting about this new book is the illustrator. Chad Thompson worked as an animator for Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios in the movies Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear. He graciously stepped in for Mercela Werkema when Covid hit Brazil so hard. It is amazing how he has captured Mercela’s style of illustrations while incorporating his own to make A New Home for Grayce just as special as the first two books in the In the Woods Series. The book will be out this holiday season.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Chicken Nibbles
![Chicken Nibbles: Cartoons About Backyard Chickens by [Alan Corbett]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wB-GPHaRL.jpg)
Chicken Nibbles (Cartoons about Backyard Chickens) by Alan Corbett provides a humorous look at the behavior of backyard chickens, with comic panels drawn by Cartoonist Mark Lynch. Readers familiar with chickens will recognize common behavior found in hens and roosters that they might have experienced first-hand, and readers new to chickens will learn many funny and unexpected facts about these unique barn yard animals. From aggressive roosters protecting their flock to hens maintaining their pecking order, these cartoons are sure to inspire laughter and bring a smile to the reader’s face.
This was a fun and interesting book, and I enjoyed reading it. Before each cartoon, there was information about common chicken behavior or chicken-related words, and these fun facts were used as the basis for the cartoons. Most of the cartoons were self-explanatory, but there were a few cases where certain Australian terms were used and some additional explanation was helpful to ensure that non Australian readers would be able to understand the joke. The cartoons in this book had a professional appearance, and I liked the artist’s use of bright colors and the individual personalities shown in the chickens’ expressions. My favorite cartoon was the chickens “playing chicken” with rebellious hens sporting a tattoo and piercings and taking a selfie in the face of danger. Many of the cartoons were taken from an earlier book written and illustrated by the author of this book, and it was interesting to compare the two drawings and see the differences between this version and the original cartoons. While most of the cartoons can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, there were a few that are not suitable for young children.
Although the cartoons varied and I did not feel that any of them should have been excluded, there was a bit of repetition in some of the facts. This could have been eliminated by changing the format of the book, so that a specific fact had multiple cartoons following it, rather than a page of information or explanation preceding every cartoon. But these are minor points in an otherwise wonderful book that I highly recommend.
Chicken Nibbles is a unique educational book that teaches readers about chickens in a fun and humorous way that will surely delight and educate readers of any age.
Pages: 116 | ASIN: B08ZKNRHQ4
The Amazon Self Publisher: How to Sell More Books on Amazon
![The Amazon Self Publisher: How to Sell More Books on Amazon by [Dale L. Roberts, Julie Broad]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N-mzFCaXL.jpg)
Save yourself some time and heartache and read this book before going out and promoting your book. Especially if you are a first-time author. When I published my first book I went out and tried to tell the world about it. Long story short, I did everything wrong. Everything that author Dale Roberts tells you specifically not to do in his book The Amazon Self Publisher. It took me months to learn these lessons the hard way. Lesson’s that Dale details in his book. You’ll learn what works, what not to do, and where to spend time doing your research.
What I like most about this book is how personable it is. There are plenty of tips and tricks and practical advice all throughout this book, but what we also get is personal stories from Dale about his own publishing experiences. All of the stories provide more context or real-world examples of the ideas we’re exploring in each chapter. This reminds me of Stephen Kings book On Writing, where we are given great advice along with personal stories to create something that is way more valuable then either on their own. Where Stephen King’s On Writing will tell you how to write a book, Dale Robert’s book will tell you how to set that book up for success when you publish.
The Amazon Self Publisher is a collection of Dale’s three books in his Amazon Self Publisher series, and is a distillation of the ideas he shares on his YouTube channel. This is a fantastic starting point for new authors, or authors struggling to figure out how Amazon Keywords work, how to get reviews, and how to promote their book. While I would have appreciated more depth to some of the topics, and more actionable tips, everything that is presented is perfect to get struggling authors off the ground and put them on a level playing field with other successful indie authors.
The Amazon Self Publisher gives readers an understanding of the Amazon platform along with strategies to promote your book on that platform, and to be successful outside of it as well. This is a fantastic resource for authors and anyone that wants insight into selling a product on Amazon.
Pages: 303 | ASIN: B08TF8GB83
LITERARY TITAN 