Life is a fragile, unpredictable adventure. Yet all too often, we squander our twenty-four-hour days with complacency, fear, and petty fights, not appreciating that none of us are guaranteed another day. Michael Ford Jr. wrote 24: What Can Happen in a Day from his perspective as a 24-year firefighter and emergency medical technician, and as someone who knows all too well how we should treasure every moment in the day. From 24, readers will be motivated to overcome every fear, adversary, and obstacle to achieve healthy love, a vibrant life, and the understanding that anything can happen in a day.
Many people face adversities in their lives. It is what you do next after an adverse situation happens that makes the difference. Being single again does not have to be stressful. This book will show you options that have been tried and true and brought successful living for many.
When author Dawn DiRaimondo, PsyD, lost her brother in 2004, she found only one book on sibling loss. So, she wrote the book she wished she had then.
Surviving Sibling Loss: The Invisible Thread that Connects Us Through Life and Death is the gold standard of grief books, helping not only people who are grieving but also their therapists, partners, and friends better support their loved ones. The chapters are deliberately short and full of easy-to-find resources, and the book can be read cover to cover or picked up and put down again. This structure aids those who are struggling, who fatigue and lose focus easily under the weight of their grief.
Based on a true story, the following is about human relationships as we journey life’s path. Although set within a military backdrop, similar interpersonal relationships could just as easily have been experienced in a small company, small town, or even within a smaller department of a large corporation. War, over simplified, is a contest of wills. People skills are not common to all of us. We each can react quite differently to the same set of circumstances. Scientists tell us through DNA research that all human beings are 99.9% genetically alike. And yet, one of the things that makes us interesting is that our personalities can be so varied, and we react to the same circumstances quite differently. Tempest offers humor as well as frustration. It demonstrates the manipulation of power and the subtle grooming of people toward the will of those in authority controlling us.
Author Dr. Virgie Broussard Pradia is taking her latest book, Motivated by Dance: My Dream, Realized – A Memoir on tour – a Virtual Book Tour, that is, with Outskirts Press! Technology has created a wide variety of ways to reach audiences all over the world. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box, and nowadays you can market a self-published book in a variety of affordable and impactful ways. Virtual book tours, for example, are a great way to connect with readers from all corners of the globe, all from the comfort of your own home. Join Dr. Virgie Broussard Pradia and Motivated by Dance: My Dream, Realized – A Memoir as they appear in features and interviews (such as the one below) in the weeks and months ahead!
Luckily for us, Dr. Virgie Broussard Pradia was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Motivated by Dance: My Dream, Realized – A Memoir.
OP: Tell us a little bit about Motivated by Dance: My Dream, Realized – A Memoir. What is it about?
Dr. Virgie: It is about having to struggle as a young girl in a small town in South Louisiana the third of eleven children. It tells about how I struggled with living in poverty with an abusive alcoholic father. But I found joy in dancing. It is about my having to work in the cotton and pepper fields to earn money to buy the bare necessities of life. When not working, the joy of dancing motivated me to dream big. I dreamed of going to New York and performing on stage. My mother told me to stop dreaming of going to New York because it was far away, and I would never get there. I kept right on dreaming. She told me to find a nice young man and get married. I went to New York and later became the dance director at Grambling State University
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
Dr. Virgie: When I was in college, a priest said that I should write about my life, but I did not. I am not a writer; I am a dancer. Through the years many who knew part of my story encouraged me to write about my life. It took me many years to make the decision to pen it. I guess I was waiting for the right time.
OP: How did you get your book published?
Dr. Virgie: I wrote the story and a friend proofread it for me. Then I got an editor from Chicago to do the editing and decided to publish with Outskirts Press.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Dr. Virgie: Readers who are trying to reach their dreams. My story can inspire them to not lose sight of their dreams. It is a good read for young adults and up.
OP: What is special about your book?
Dr. Virgie: I would say my struggle and not giving up even though my mother could not see my dreams. It reveals what a person could do when they believe in themselves.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Dr. Virgie: I would say the culture that I grew up in. My parents spoke Creole and neither had a formal education background. My mother was a stay-at-home mom for a long time. My dad was a carpenter who could not read. My mother went to night school and got a certificate that said she had an eight-grade education. My mom and dad fought a lot. Especially when he drank gin on the weekend. They would have physical fights and sometimes we had to call the policeman.
OP: Have you published any other books?
Dr. Virgie: Yes, three books of poems. Poetry the Way I Did It; My Love Your Love Poetry of Love; and Remarkable Man, Five Poems Celebrating Men.
OP: Do you plan to publish more?
Dr. Virgie: Yes, everyone who read this one asked when the next one is coming out. They said I kept them hanging. Some even called to ask question about my story and what happened after Grambling.
OP: Thanks for your time, Dr. Virgie! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
There’s much more to Dr. Virgie Broussard Pradia than meets the eye, especially if you know her only as a dancer. She’s an author, poet, choreographer, photographer, painter, motivational speaker, athlete, coach, and teacher. She holds degrees from Grambling College, Cortland College, Grambling State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
Are you an author looking for help to market your self-published book?
LeAnn Shaw’s “The Attitude Influence: Creating a positive life by taking accountability, building connections, & discovering how attitude influences everything.” Discovering the attitude influence is the foundation for an extraordinary life. LeAnn Shaw shares more than a decade of research and observations about the attitudes most affecting our lives as well as her real-world experience for making our attitudes work for us rather than against us. You will discover ways to use the GREAT attitude toolbox – Gratitude, Relationships, Energy, Authenticity, & Thoughtfulness to strengthen the power of your attitude as well as strategies to capitalize on ways to influence your environments.
Sara Tula’s “Will I Fly Again?.” Poverty and desperation overwhelm a young woman, Sara, in her native country of Poland. A miraculous offer of going to the United States was her salvation but her dreams were not realized. She was betrayed and abused in her marriage. She is torn between two continents and two families. Then, a special person changes the entire course of her life.
Throughout the holiday season, we feature our authors who have taken advantage of the 2018 Holiday Marketing Bundle and the benefits of the New York Times Holiday Book Review co-op ad! Co-op ads provide authors effective exposure through a well-known, established publication with millions of dedicated book lovers!
The New York Times Holiday Edition features self-published author Upward Bright.
About the Author
Upward Bright is a life development initiative to show and remind each person that inspiration is rooted in and around you.
There Is a Lantern In Every Heart
Wherever you are in life, this book is a resource for you. There Is a Lantern in Every Heart is the first in a series written by the Upward Bright™ life development initiative, to show and remind each person that inspiration is rooted in and around you. This book offers you words and photos to which you could return anytime and as often as you’d like, especially to feel uplifted, refreshed, understood, and reconnected with yourself, people, nature, and life in general. There Is a Lantern in Every Heart centers around the human experience and relates to all. Each time you read this book, new insights and feelings of possibility could emerge for you.
Are you ready to publish your book and perhaps find yourself in the New York Times next year?
With the abundance of self-published authors, you have to come up with creative ways to market a self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.
Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, Nate Dinet, who is taking his latest book, Conquer Life, on tour – a virtual book tour, that is. He will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.
Luckily for us, Nate was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Conquer Life.
OP: Tell us a little bit about Conquer Life. What is it about?
Nate: Conquer Life is a guide designed to get the reader from whatever their current situation is in life, to their desired state. Meaning, this book gives insight on how to manage your life to achieve your dreams and goals. I put you in the driver’s seat and take the ambiguity out of getting things done so the only real question is, how bad do you want it? If you want to achieve your dream, this book will give you the tools to start your journey towards the desired state of life.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
Nate: I absolutely believe that everyone in the world can do anything they want to, if they want it bad enough. But I also know a lot of people (like me) struggle to get traction on working towards their dreams or goals. A lot of people I coach spend time spinning their wheels and don’t know how to start or can’t gain momentum because they succumb to self-criticism or are simply blocked by from the outside world: work, school or otherwise. I wanted to give people a “how-to” for achieving their dreams, with no strings attached. Thusly, if you want it bad enough but don’t know how to get from point A to point B thru Z, Conquer Life can help.
OP: How did you get your book published?
Nate: I used an awesome company called: Outskirts Press! They are a great self-publishing option for new authors. Everything is very streamlined, and the process is fantastic.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Nate: Although I definitely have a very candid and unique voice throughout the book, I think it can appeal to most everyone. But who I hope picks up the book is anyone who finds themselves in a weird “transition” point in their life. For those who are just out of college, but their first job isn’t anything close to what they thought it would be, or for those who know they are missing something in their life but don’t know what that something is exactly, I hope they find Conquer Life – or maybe Conquer Life finds them. Could be like a Jumanji situation where it seeks out readers. Though, I wouldn’t want any of those negative impacts that comes with that autonomous board game.
OP: What is special about your book?
Nate: My book is just enough information, just in time. You won’t find theoretical debates on the human condition in it. I designed the book to be a quick guide so that the reader can absorb what they need to so they can start enacting change in their life, right away. My book is also full of my unique sense of humor so hopefully I can get a couple laughs but more importantly my humor is there, so the reader knows I’m with them the entire way. I want readers to know that I will be their coach, I’m not some get rich quick guy spewing nonsense their direction. I love helping people, plain and simple and I think that theme is evident throughout the book.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Nate: Conquer Life takes proven methodologies that many of the most successful companies use to create new products and stay competitive in their market place and applies it on the micro scale for the individual. There are so many self-help books out there, but Conquer Life leverages the same foundational elements that make companies like Google, Microsoft, and John Deere (just to name a few) incredibly efficient. My book gives the reader what they need to operate in the most efficient way to achieve their dreams.
OP: Have you published any other books?
Nate: This is my first published work!
OP: Do you plan to publish more?
Nate: I am currently working on two separate books at the moment, a pseudo sequel to Conquer Life and a thriller novel. I’m targeting to get the first draft of each of the books complete by the end of 2018.
OP: Thanks for your time, Nate! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
My name is Nate Dinet, and I am in love with my beautiful wife, Caitlin, and the proud father of our adorable daughter, Mia. For several years I have acted as a coach for organizations, helping them change the way they operate to enhance their efficiency in developing new products. While working in this environment, I found myself applying the same principles I used to help the organizations in my personal life with outstanding results. Now my focus has shifted from helping enterprises to helping individuals. My approach in Conquer Life is to be your hands-on coach, and I hope you give me that chance by picking up my book!
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
Are you an author looking for help to market your self-published book?
With the abundance of self-published authors, you have to come up with creative ways to market a self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.
Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, Kal W. Rissman, who is taking his latest book, Knowledge to Power: Understanding and Overcoming Addiction, on tour – a virtual book tour, that is. He will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.
OP: Tell us a little bit about Knowledge to Power: Understanding and Overcoming Addiction. What is it about?
Kal: The book is about understanding addiction as a disease and giving direction to what can overcome this cunning, baffling and powerful illness.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
Kal: I have worked with addictions of all kinds for almost 40 years and have lots of practical experience in helping people with addictions. I wanted to get this information out to a wider audience to help more individuals and their families.
OP: How did you get your book published?
Kal: I self-published the book through Outskirts Press.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Kal: It is hard to imagine that there is anyone in our culture who would not be interested in a book on addictions, since it is our greatest health issue. I was speaking at a conference recently and asked if there was anyone in the audience who had never been affected by the disease of addiction with either themselves or with family and friends and nobody raised their hand. Everybody has some experience with the disease and yet it is so misunderstood.
OP: What is special about your book?
Kal: This book gives a clear understanding of the addictive illness but does it in a way that is very readable and interesting, because of the real life examples used from my experience.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Kal: This is a book that can be used by professionals and lay people alike. It does not use technical psychological terms to explain the disease or to explain what needs to be done about it. It is simple, yet profound.
OP: Have you published any other books?
Kal: Yes, I published a book on male-female relationships several years ago entitled, “A Farm Boy’s Guide to Love and Sex.” It is currently unavailable.
OP: Thanks for your time, Kal! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kal William Rissman has a unique background of broad education and experience in behavioral health coupled with farm boy common sense. He is a certified Master Addiction Counselor, Marriage and Family Life Counselor, Social Worker, Hospital Chaplain and ordained parish pastor of the ELCA. Past employment includes building construction, plumbing and life-guarding. He currently lives in the country and raises beef cattle as his hobby. He has worked with addictions his entire career.
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
Are you an author looking for help to market your self-published book?
