What you are about to read is ALL of my pain and misery, written down over the course of 5 years After Full-Time Active Duty service for our country.
You are going to read about all of the hurts that I obtained, both past and present: dealing with PTSD, struggling on to stay sane.
Like I said in the beginning, you are going to have to forgive me for my sins and while you read, if you feel the need to label me, then label me correctly — that “I Believe.”
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Banister – The New World (published by Outskirts Press, December 2014), by Kent Courtney.
In the mid-1700s, anyone who wanted to embrace the promise of the New World had to face leaving everything familiar behind, as well as enduring months of dangerous sea travel. Banister—The New World is an epic historical novel about Elizabeth and James, a young Irish-English couple who find the courage to travel to the American colonies. They take a Spanish ship into the unknown, with faith that they can make their way together. But fate has triumphs, tragedies, and adventures in store for them that they could never have imagined. Banister—The New World takes place against the gritty, thrilling backdrop of King George’s War and the early French and Indian Wars, putting James and Elizabeth among a cast of characters ranging from Benjamin Franklin to an Iroquois tribe, and throwing challenges at them that range from learning to live off the land to fending off Indian attacks. This gripping, richly written novel is a journey that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. Threaded through the pages of Banister – The New World there is a beautiful love story, exciting adventure, and an incredible story of survival, struggles for peace, and stories of wars that formed the great country we live in.
Kent Courtney is an Arizona native, born and raised in Camp Verde. His love for American and Arizona history, particularly “Old West” history, has inspired and informed his writing. Kent creates relevant, realistic historical fiction with real places and events woven into exciting storylines that are accessible and relevant to the modern reader. Kent continues to work full time as a Paramedic/Firefighter. Kent has a web page for his training company – EssentialSafetyTraining.com.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/banisterthenewworld for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Grandma’s Lullaby (published by Outskirts Press, January 2023), by Justine Pina.
A grandmother missing her grandbabies is comforted by a bedtime lullaby found in the night sky. The power of imagination helps the miles melt away in Grandma’s Lullaby—an adorable story of a grandmother’s love and longing to be near her grandchildren.
Justine Pina is a poet, songwriter, and devoted grandmother of three, who for many years lived on the opposite side of the country from her grandchildren. Their times of separation only fueled her desire and inspiration to figure out some way to connect with them when they weren’t together. Justine now resides in Los Angeles, California, where she spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/grandmaslullaby for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Celebrating the Seasons of Life (published by Outskirts Press, September 2022), by Jody R. Hill, Ph.D..
Do you know and practice the purpose of your life? Do you know the meaning of life in relation to God’s design specifically for you? Have you embraced the changes along your path as time, circumstances, and conditions change? Author Jody Hill helps the reader discover for themselves God’s plan in any and every season of life. Natural seasonal changes occur because the Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5° The tilt’s orientation with respect to the Sun does not vary during the year, so that in relation to where I live, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun in June (Summer Solstice) and away from the Sun in December (Winter Solstice). The other two seasons happen in September (Autumnal Equinox) and in March (Vernal Equinox). The seasons of life are about transformation and change in moving forward. Most often our lives transition effectively when we remain steady in orientation to God from one set of conditions to another. Every experience helps us to learn, mature, and become strong. Celebrating the Seasons of Life is a book that can help you discover your purpose and meaning in life. This book explores the natural cycles of life and how they play a key role in your personal growth. Come, celebrate the seasons of life!
Born in Ravenna, Ohio, Jody Hill received his call to ministry in 1977 at the age of 20, just six months after he began his walk with Christ. He is a graduate of Malone University, in Canton, Ohio and Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburg, Indiana. Jody Hill, Ph.D., is a pastor, chaplain and biblical counselor who has invested his entire career in equipping people to thrive in their Christian life. He has devoted many years studying the scripture, sharing the principles of God’s Word so that people find holistic benefit. Hill resides in Alliance, Ohio, where he currently works as the Director of Spiritual Care in the local hospital. He and his wife, Anne, have five adult children and thirteen grandchildren. Jody has traveled overseas to Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Jamaica. He has worked among the indigent in the United States and abroad. In addition to traveling, he enjoys wildlife, pencil drawing, water color painting and writing.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/celebratingtheseasonsoflife for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Tommy T-Rex Thankful Thanksgiving (published by Outskirts Press, November 2022), by Kasey Young.
There is football, a balloon parade and lots of delicious food. But something terrible happens when a dinosaur guest tries to steal the turkey platter. Will the feast be ruined? Join Tommy T-Rex and his pals as they have their meal saved by an unlikely friend. Who will it be?
Kasey Young lives in NH with her husband, two small boys, and a cat, Acadia, who thinks she’s a dog. Kasey is a former middle school science teacher and marine biologist. She is currently watching, playing or reading facts about various dinosaurs and will one day know how to pronounce Huehuecanauthtlus. She wrote this book for her boys to enjoy and hopes your family will too.
Visit for https://outskirtspress.com/tommytrex formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for The 10 Little Indians (published by Outskirts Press, July 2021), by Dickson Lane & Alex Oleksij.
Steven R. Lindahl 4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting, how-to book for screenwriters
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2022
This book is an interesting, how-to book for screenwriters. It could also be appreciated by film fans who want to look closer at the work they enjoy since it uses well-known films to emphasize points the authors are making. The writing is straightforward and easy to comprehend.
One of the points the writers made that I liked was that “The Best Screen Comedy is not ‘Funny’ (as much as Unexpected).” That’s something I can use in my writing and there are plenty of other examples where there is overlap between formats.
I recommend this book to anyone trying to write screenplays, especially someone just starting.
Claire H.
Someone gave me this book. He thought it would interest me since I love movies so much. Once, I got into it, I began to realize what made some of my favorite classic movies so special—John Ford westerns, The African Queen, The Great Lebowski, Butch and the Kid. I now see movies with very different eyes and a deeper appreciation for all it takes to make movies. Wow!
Richard A.
The book was given away at a book group event. What I found particularly interesting was the Introduction, describing how many “armies of armies” are needed to make a movie, and how expensive even one day of filming can be. The “Side by Side by Side” chapter, which compared really great movies next to ones that suck was really interesting too. I even checked “Ishtar” out of the library to see if it was as bad as it has been portrayed. It was! (I am so glad I did not have to pay for that POS!)
Emily J.
I am an aspiring independent filmmaker. The chapter on “Location Economics” was spot-on! What was described in that chapter was almost exactly what happened on one of my first film shoots where I was on the Second Unit camera team, almost verbatim! To this day, no one has screened it. I can’t even use it for my “reel.” I wish I had read this book before working on that film. It would have made my life so much easier to navigate. It is a great resource for cinema professionals and movie lovers alike. It really is.
Jake B.
I like that there was a reference to other good books about writing screenplays. That was cool. These guys sure have seen a lot of movies! OMG!
Steven L.
A straightforward clearly articulated reference book about movies and screenplays.
Maggie W.
Yep. This is what my brother, an award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer, goes through every day. If people are going to be in this business, they need to know this stuff.
Dickson is a screenwriter, playwright, author, stage, and screen actor. Like Alex, Dickson has spent many years on the road with national tours and regional theaters. He has narrated many audio books. Formerly he was also a film critic in New York City. His play, And She Was There is currently on the Regional Theater Circuit. In his “other life” he is a Certified Technical Trainer and Instructional Designer. Alex has been a film maven since childhood and a discerning student of film for most of his adult life. After graduating from college with a degree history and archaeology, Alex then spent 20 years crisscrossing the country as a professional actor. Now the office manager for a Manhattan law firm, he is the author of three other non-fiction works: The Girl from Clark Street (a memoir of his family), and two books on British history, The Island Crown and The Throne of the World.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/10littleindians for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for You’re Special (published by Outskirts Press, December 2022), by Katherine Thomas Leurck.
Have you ever seen a wheelchair bound person with a smile bigger than you’ve smiled all week? Or a child with Down syndrome who is in a perpetual good mood, and you wonder, What’s the magic? Those moments are what make this daily devotional quite different. It is inspired by the words and actions of beautiful individuals with exceptionalities. The voices heard from the pages of this book include children with autism, Down syndrome, and cognition delay, to name a few. The language is simple, pure, refreshingly honest and reflects the author’s experience with this remarkable community which, some consider to be angels among us. This book is one of the first of its kind because it provides children with exceptionalities a limitless platform to teach and inspire. While often this community is encouraged to “change” or “improve,” they are quite perfect just as they are. Chances are if you interact with them, you will walk away in awe of their grounded trust in themselves and others, free of expectations. You will likely have a better day as a result of the interaction. At the center of this book is Drew, who is chronologically 22 years old but intellectually about 7. Every day, Drew passes out handmade rainbows that state, “You’re Special.”His mission is to remind everyone of their inner beauty that makes each individual special and unique. Let’s be eager students of individuals with exceptionalities and their unique experience. They have so much to share, and we have so much to gain! It’s where “special” meets truth—and in truth, there is wisdom. Enjoy your 365 days of reflections and embrace Drew’s purposeful words: “You’re Special.”
Katherine Leurck admits that raising a child with exceptionalities is not easy. She considers it a journey from understanding, to accepting, and finally celebrating such a beautiful child from God. Her intent with this book is to share the voices, perspectives, and inspiration of children with exceptionalities, which has taught her so much. Katherine lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband David and their three children, Andrew, Alexandra, and Audrey who are all so exceptional in their own unique way.
Visit for https://outskirtspress.com/yourespecial formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for LIFE – The Best Teacher Ever (published by Outskirts Press, March 2022), by Stephen C. P. Green.
The life we live is made up of the consistent thoughts and actions we exercise each day. An education must never be passive, boring, or totally dependent upon outside events or people. Take control of your learning, growth, and development. Respect the education you receive from your teachers but then continue your learning, applying a more personal application. This book guides you through a supplemental curriculum that will expand your mind, body, and spirit far beyond the classroom. Use these suggestions to enhance your experiences in life in ways most school systems aren’t equipped to offer. Be excited to learn. Be bold and brave to imagine. Be determined to focus. Be interested and curious to engage. Live to learn. Learn to live.
Stephen C.P. Green is a graduate of Howard University. He has lived in Los Angeles for thirty years. After working briefly in the entertainment industry, he started teaching at the age of 28. While studying for his teaching credential, he earned his master’s degree in Cross Cultural Teaching. Mr. Green has worked at Lillian Street Elementary (LAUSD) for twenty-five years. There he met his wife, Angelica Alvarado, who teaches as well. The students, parents, and coworkers at Lillian Street inspired his first published book, Chances, Choices, and Changes (2016). They were also the inspiration and motivation for this book.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/LIFE_TheBestTeacherEver for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Greg and Doc, Two Souls Surrounded by Badlands, Part II Makoshika (published by Outskirts Press, December 2022), by Gregory Hagenston.
From the chronologically bound pages of Dr. R. W. Hiatt’s Makoshika dossier, an optometrist’s avocation unfolds. Sink yourself into the years from 1956 to 1965 and join Doc Hiatt in his journey through the badlands. Along for the ride is Greg, a boy thirty years younger than his optometrist, Dr. Hiatt, and whose youthful adventures weave in and out of the unfolding story of Makoshika.
Greg Hagenston was born in Glendive, Montana. His firsthand Makoshika experiences and close personal relationship with his mentor, Dr. Hiatt, created the foundation for this book. Greg and his wife of 50 years, Evelyn, live in a historic old house nestled in the badlands with Makoshika State Park bordering their 30 acre triangular shaped property on two sides.
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Announcing the Self Publishing News premiere of the book video trailer for Promises (published by Outskirts Press, November 2022), by MP Kollman.
It isn’t in his nature to break a promise even if given to someone who doesn’t deserve it. But when he retires from the Bureau of Drug Enforcement, is he still bound by that promise? To not go after Lucias Chandler as long as he remains with the Bureau. He thinks not.
Samantha assumes her husband is on assignment until she discovers he has absconded with half a million dollars. His boss, Jeff Hand further confounds her with the news of Kevin’s retirement. Later, they both arrive at the same conclusion of where he’s gone. And why. An assignment possibly more precarious than any other. Less than two weeks later, Samantha suddenly collapses from a pain not her own; all those present know the worst has happened. But is Kevin alive or dead? And where is he?
Promises is the sixth in the seven-book crime/adventure Brothers series: Brothers (1995), Sequela (2012), Honeymoon and Moirai (2021), and The Accident (2022). MP Kollman has also published Skin Deep (2016), a romance unrelated to the series. MP was raised on a dairy farm in central Minnesota. She began writing in grade school for her own enjoyment—whisking her on adventures far from the family farm. After graduating, she moved to Wisconsin, where she married and now has two adult children and three grandchildren. MP recently retired from a full-time job, which allows her to dedicate more time to her writing.
Visit https://outskirtspress.com/promiseskollman for formats, editions, pricing, and availability.
