FIRST CHAPTER PLUS The Holidays And Loss 2021 Are You Ready? Here We Come! 2021Visual Boards COVID-19 Family Feuds Run A Virtual Book Tour Barefoot Librarian Corner Dear Bookcase... Inside Scoop Live Podcast of the Month
T C
A
B
L
E
O
N
T
E
O N
T
F S
Editor’s Note -2021 Are You Ready? Here We Come! Page 4 Featured Books and Authors Page 3 The Holidays And Loss Page 6 2021 Visual Boards Page 7 Dear Bookcase... Page 10 Interview with Don Gutteridge Author of “Lily Fairchild” Page16 Indie Books! Page 20 Book Videos Page 18 Barefoot Librarian Corner Page 24 Inside Scoop Live Podcast of the Month Page 23 More Indie Books Page 28 Run A Virtual Book Tour By Marika Flatt Page 26 COVID-19 Family Feuds Page 30
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Table of Contents - Featured Books and Authors
20
Flow by Yaminah Futch Do you know what you are made of? Are you aware of the ability to feel energy? To get the most out of this experience you must value and respect how this universe operates.
8 Judy Prescott Marshall Author of Still Crazy Judy Prescott Marshall is a writer, interior designer, blogger, and lover of everything outdoors. She writes women’s commercial fiction. She enjoys writing about women facing life’s many challenges. She earned her certificate - Write Your First Novel - from Michigan State University. Judy is represented by Black Hawk Literary Agency...
3
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Editor’s Note Born and raised in Venezuela of Italian immigrants, Susan completed a BA in Political Science and Business Administration before moving to the US . Although she built a career as a Business Analyst/Accountant, she also kept herself active as a freelance writer in the US; publishing articles, poetry, children’s stories, and illustrations since 1996. She published her first book in 2009, and released her revised edition: Innocent War: Behind An Immigrant’s Past – Book 1 in 2011. Her picture book: Tuma: The Tribe’s Little Princess was published in early 2013 under her own label. Currently, Susan Violante is the Managing Editor/CEO/ Partner of I Have Something to Say Press and Book By Book Publicity, Author, Reviewer, Publicist and Publisher. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband Michel and her dogs, Canela, Karina, and Nutela. Susan is mother of two adult daughters, Arianna and Nicolette, and caregiver to her father. She enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, painting, writing, gardening, and any outdoor activity.
listings https://www.firstchapterplus.com/contact subscriptions www.firstchapterplus.com email admin@firstchapterplus.com
Please consider the environment before printing this e-magazine * First Chapter Plus is a monthly e-Magazine which includes the First Chapters, book videos, and podcasts of recently published books and back lists books. It is distributed to libraries, book stores, media, readers, reviewers, and bloggers; It also offers content of value to our audience.
creative director/graphic designer Susan Violante © Copyright 2020 First Chapter Plus eco-friendly information First Chapter Plus e-magazine is environment conscious, and has gone 100% green.
Published by Book By Book Publicity 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd. - Ste 145-178 Austin, Texas 78750. www.bookbybookpublicity.com
4
2021 Are You Ready? Here We Come!
Y
eah, I know...how can I sound so energetive and positive after 2020? Well, protein shakes and steroids! No seriously, what other option is there? We must pull ourselves up because no one else will do it for us; and if there is soething worse than than trying to keep yourself positive through 2020, is dragging this mood to 2021! We, as an earthling MUST get over this pandemic situation and make the most of it if we are going to survive it. Below are some tips on keeping yourself positive, hopeful and energetic. * Focus on the Finish Line - The best way to keep you moving forward is keep you eye on the finish line. It's a given that sometimes challenges pop up, delaying our timeline to reaching our goals . Don't let these challenges win...keep going until you make it! * Be Creative and Safe - Humans are not wired for isolation, but we must keep ourselves and families safe and the virus contriled. By being creative we can find a middle ground. For example, small groups social distanced hike, or back yard - social distanced barbaque, Reading at a park on a beautiful day, virtual cooking together hour...you get my point. * If you lost your job - create work opportunities - I am one of the lucky ones, but know many that have been let go from thei jobs. Don't despair! file unemployment and keep your job hinting on, but also reach to neighbors and friends and offer yourself to walk dogs, house sit, grocery shopping...etc. $20 here and there can come a long way when you are out of work. It has been a difficult year for all, but to make it better we need to stick together, be positive, and keep healthy! Lets go to 2021 with with this in mind and create a better year! Susan Violante Editor
The Holidays And Loss by Susan Violante
D
uring a year filled with anger and loss, I lost my mother through cancer, and almost lost my father through a heart attack two months later. I am now sitting in front of my computer working on the December issue still figuring out how on earth am I going to fake being OK, peaceful, and happy…I have always been an open book, when it comes to what I feel, and think. Not because I want to but because I cannot help it. It just shows, and this year I really need some joy in this home. So, I decided to put it out here in the same way we wish upon a star or write our wish on ‘Santa’s” letter…How can I wish for my mom to come back? How can I wish for the sadness, and worrying to go away? As I think about my own sorrows, the thought of so many dying this year of Corona, on top all other diseases and tragic accidents and other deaths that happen in a year. How many wishes for loved ones to come back will there be during this holiday?
It is a haunting thought to imagine a merry holiday ignoring the enormous amount of pain currently in the world, and I realized that instead of wishing it away, my loss, the world’s loss needs to be acknowledged not ignored. So this little note is just that…an acknowledgement of the pain felt by so many for loosing a loved one, a job, a life style, a touch… This pain will be our companion this Holiday…and that is Okay. No need to pretend it is not there, just embrace it, know it, share it and have the best holiday you can. hether alone in isolation or with family make or get yourself something special to eat and pause as you enjoy the moment to share it with those who are not there silently in your mind and in your heart. Because with pain and loss comes appreciation of what and who we still have close; appreciation of the sweet moments the holidays have brought to us in the past, and that must be celebrated.
W
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
2
2021Visual Boards
020 has been such a challenging year, and most of us have been living each day in a state of shock. But it is time to snap out of it! Vision Boards might be just what we need to help us visualize our 2021 goals, and steps needed to achieve them. It is also a mindful exercise to figure out what we want for ourselves, how to move forward after losing a job, and organize scatter ideas in our brain. Visual Boards can be digital (like a Pinterest board), or a handmade collage with magazine cut-outs to represent mood, ideas, wishes, and dreams. It really does not matter how they look; what matters is that they are accessible always to remind us where we want to go in our lives, and what we need to do to get there. They can be minimalistic or all out there! It is up to you.. This holiday week, why not sit down by yourself, or with your family and make a craft day out of it? It will give you a feeling of accomplishment to visit with yourself and get your ideas and aspirations out of your brain and onto the board where they are easy to see, and keep you motivate it. Creating a vision board with loved ones in your household is also a perfect way to connect in a deeper level, as everyone shares what their dreams for the future are. Connecting whether in person with those in your household or virtually with other loved ones to create a vision boards will also alleviate the grim isolation this year and lift your spirit as you allow yourself to dream again. Finally, by keeping your goals, dreams, and aspiration visual every day, you stand a better chance on manifesting them in your life. How do I know this? The new First Chapter Plus e-Magazine was part of my 2019-2020 Boards! I can’t wait to begin my 2020-2021 board!
7
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Featured Authors Judy Prescott Marshall Judy’s a writer, interior designer, blogger, and lover of everything outdoors. She writes women’s commercial fiction. She enjoys writing about women facing life’s many challenges. She earned her certificate - Write Your First Novel - from Michigan State University. Judy is represented by Black Hawk Literary Agency. A life spent reading books. From biographies, tales of adventure, self-help, inspirational, and books on writing, she is never without a book. As a child, what delighted Judy most was reading under a shade tree, near a street lamp or in her room with a flashlight. To say she loves books is an understatement. Books have always been her passion, destination and her closest friend. She still loves to hold them in her hands. When she is not writing or reading, Judy makes time to meander through her gardens, go hiking with her husband on their one-hundred acre property and kayak down the majestic Ten Mile River. Judy lives in Dutchess County, New York with her husband, David.
A strong, loving and passionate wife discovers a handwritten note that has the power to either destroy her or make her stronger yet.
8
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Still Crazy By Judy Prescott Marshall Judy Prescott Marshall (2021) ISBN 9780991027330 Hard Cover - 315 pages - $24.99 Fiction - Women’s/Novel
I
t guides women and men together. Love is a golden gift! — Ellen Levine Editorial Consultant to Hearst Magazines
D
eftly scripted by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of entertaining and narrative driven storytelling that will swiftly engage and keep the reader's total attention — James Cox Editor-in-Chief, Midwest book Review, Small Press Bookwatch
Read First Chapter Here
View on Amazon Here
9
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
DEAR BO OKCASE, THANKS FOR GET TING ME THROUGH QUARANTINE
W
hile I was unemployed, I had a lot of free time on my hands. I used that time to explore the piles of unread books scattered across my bedroom. Reading has always been a coping mechanism of mine, and so it wasn’t a surprise to me when I turned to it amidst the stress and uncertainty we have faced during the quarantines and shutdowns as they first began to sweep across the world. Reading gets me through the rocky patches, and I think that we can all agree 2020 has been more than a little rocky. From the end of March until June, when my place of employment reopened, it was one of my crutches. My reading tastes have definitely changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t even really look at a plague narrative anymore, let alone reread one. At the same time, it’s weird reading books that take place in a pandemic-free world. As both a childcare worker and someone in a high-risk group, I take the advised safety precautions very seriously. Honestly, I expect it will be very difficult for both myself and many other people to “go back to normal.” Even reading about large social gatherings or something as simple as a normal school day in a book makes me uncomfortable now. The pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, including seemingly innocent things like our reading tastes. Reading is still an easy and important escape during these times, even if we can’t continue to read the same kinds of books that we enjoyed before. Lately, I’ve been turning to some of my old favorites, like J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Reading those books is like having lunch with a friend you haven’t seen in a long time, as the world crashes down around you outside the restaurant. They’re helping get through each day of now being an essential worker amidst the pandemic.
10
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the United States again, and my state breaking its own record of highest reported cases in a day on essentially a weekly basis, I expect another shut-down is just around the corner. Going into it this time, I’m significantly more prepared. With the stress that is sure to accompany it, I’m even more grateful to have books to turn to for comfort.
What are some things that have been comforting you during the shutdowns and quarantines? By Skyler Boudreau
11
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Featured Authors Patrick T. Finegan Patrick Finegan was born during the latter half of the Eisenhower Administration and graduated during the Carter and Reagan Administrations from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Law School and Graduate School of Business. He worked thirty-some years in law, finance, consulting and risk management. He has a wife and grown daughter and has lived in the New York metropolitan area his entire professional life – most of it in the same residential cooperative..
What lies beneath the façade of a storied Manhattan residential complex? The cream of New York’s elite lives in a co-op overlooking Central Park – quietly until a bus sideswipes a neighbor. This triggers a series of increasingly bizarre investigations that expose the inhabitants to unrelenting media scrutiny. Winner of nearly twenty respected book awards. Cooperative Lives “is a fascinating slice-of-life that rings true even as it attempts the fantastic.” – Michael Radon, US Review of Books.
Watch Book Video Here
12
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Cooperative Lives By Patrick T. Finegan Fiction - Literary Novel Two Skates Publishing LLC (2019) ISBN 9781733902526 Hard Cover - 474 pages - $29.99
P
atrick Finegan’s luscious novel Cooperative Lives follows characters whose lives change when they are brought into close proximity with each other through a series of coincidences, accidents, and international espionage... Ambitious and sophisticated, Cooperative Lives is a diverse and gorgeous tapestry of character studies and is a pure delight to read. — Wendy Hinman Foreword Clarion Reviews
H
appenstance, serendipity and luck dominate as the lives of characters crash against one another like pinballs in Patrick Finegan’s Cooperative Lives. A novel that perfectly captures the unscripted events and coincidence of real life, where you can do your utmost best, and it’s never quite good enough... A powerful, chic and evocative read, Cooperative Lives proves a superb début for Finegan and a must-read for discerning readers of top-notch literary fiction. — BookViral Reviews
Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
READER VIEWS B O OK OF THE MONTH Under Fire By Peter van der Walt Fiction - Novel Rowdy Parrot, Ltd. (2019) ISBN 9781090377371 Reviewed by Mark Sneed for Reader Views (11/20)
W
hen I began reading “Under Fire” by Peter van der Walt I was immediately skeptical. There was a lot to unpack. The retirement of Paul Draker, the main character, to a sleepy town seems pretty normal, at face-value. Paul is gay and a former Combat Rescue Officer living in the woods in Fairbridge, a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with a bunch of issues. Draker is only trying to live out his life peacefully when things begin to turn ugly Fairbridge.
TPeter van der Walt has a way of writing that holds the reader’s attention. It is fast-paced and lively. At times, the writing reminded me of Thomas Harris, when he wrote “Silence of the Lambs.” There was this uneasiness in the book and as I was reading I kept waiting for something terrible to happen. And happen it did. The novel revolves around a rising mega church and its charismatic evangelical preacher in a surprisingly sizeable LGBTQ community. For a while there is an uneasy peace between the two unlikely communities and it is the unease that holds the novel together. Something is always just about to happen. So, when the clash of the two cultures in the small town happens it is not surprising. What is surprising is the extent. The novelist weaves an interesting tale. This is one of those “it could happen” kind of reads. As I read I was continually thinking that this represents the hypocrisy of Christianity in the nation. Love your neighbor? Brotherly love? Have these things just become bumper stickers with no belief or compassion or empathy behind the words in the nation? I truly enjoyed reading Under Fire by Peter van der Walt. It made me think about the injustices faced by the LGBTQ community, but more importantly all minorities in the nation and the need for people to stand up to injustice. 5 stars. To read more book reviews visit www.readerviews.com.
14
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
READER VIEWS KIDS B O OK OF THE MONTH Flibbertigibbety Words: Young Shakespeare Chases Inspirationn By Donna Guthrie, illustrated by Asa Gilland Early/Young Reader - Ages 5-12 Page Street Kids (2020) ISBN 9781645670629 Book Review by Brighton (age 5) for Reader Views Kids (11/2020)
F
libbertigibbety Words by Donna Guthrie is a good book. It is about a boy named William who chases words all around interesting places. He can’t catch them but he meets many interesting people as he runs around. He meets three witches and twins and all sorts of people. Each page has a lot of words and they are written in very pretty and interesting ways. In the end, a man gives William an old-fashioned pen and paper and he begins writing words down. I liked this book. There is so much to see and the illustrations are so beautiful. second book by Margaret J. McMaster about a girl named Phoebe Sproule. Since I read the first book in the series last year, I was excited to see what kinds of situations Phoebe would get drawn into next. In this story Phoebe goes on vacation with her Grandma Sylvie to visit her family in Nashville. Her cousins Rachel and Baxter live on Cedar Hill Plantation and it’s Phoebe’s first visit. Additional comments by Jill Farris (Brighton’s homeschool teacher): I adored this book. Each page is full of quotes and characters from different Shakespearean plays. The calligraphy and illustrations are beautifully crafted. The dialogue of the characters contains words and phrases believed to be invented by Shakespeare. These phrases, combined with the illustrations of characters from his plays, made the turning of each page feel as though we were on a delightful treasure hunt. Brighton, who is five and not familiar with Shakespeare, missed the point of the words but loved the illustrations.
I ordered a copy of this book for my 15-year-old son who is currently enthralled with MacBeth because each page is full of so much Shakespearean fun. The illustrations are, obviously, targeting kindergartners through early Elementary aged children but the dialogue, quotes and quips will only be fully appreciated by children who are thoroughly acquainted with Shakespeare and his writing. For a child familiar with Shakespeare, age 10-12 year-olds may, especially, appreciate this book. Truly a wonderful find. For more kids book reviews by kids visit www.readerviewskids.com.
15
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
INTERVIEW WITH DON GUTTERIDGE AUTHOR OF “LILY FAIRCHILD”
D
on Gutteridge serves as managing editor for American Church Union Publishing and holds a BA in English literature from San Francisco State University, Cum Laude. He has published seventy-one books: poetry, fiction and scholarly works in literary criticism and pedagogical theory and practice. He has published twenty-two novels, including the twelve-volume Marc Edwards mystery series, and thirty-eight books of poetry, one of which, Coppermine, was short-listed for the 1973 Governor-General's Award. In 1970 he won the UWO President's Medal for the best periodical poem of that year, “Death at Quebec.” Don lives in London, Ontario. Hi Don, thank you for joining us today at Reader Views! What is your latest novel, “Lily Fairchild” about? This historical novel tells the story of a pioneer woman living in frontier Ontario in the latter half of the first 16
century and the first half of the twentieth. Lily is witness to and influenced by the great historical events of that period: the clearing of the forests, the coming of the railroads, the Riel Rebellions, the discovery of oil, the Great War and the flu pandemic of 1918. It is a story of struggle, survival and eventually triumph. What inspired you to write this story? Two things: I’ve always wanted to write about the early history of Point Edward, my native village, Point Edward, Ontario, and secondly I wished to write a story from a woman’s perspective.Our reviewer said of “Lily Fairchild” that it’s, “…more than just a historical novel. It's a studied character piece.” Tell us a bit about Lily? Lily comes straight out of my imagination. She is representative of the struggles and sacrifices of most women of those times. What makes her memorable is
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
her spunk, her spirit, her commitment to love. What are some of the issues Lily encountered in the 1800s that women of today still face? How does Lily appeal to the 21st century woman? Woman were still chattels, extensions of their men in addition to the backbreaking struggle to survive. I think modern women would like Lily’s pluck and her profound insight into her fellow humans. What were some hurdles you faced when writing from the perspective of the opposite sex and how did you handle those challenges? Once I got the tale started, the rest was easy. Events occurred and I just shut my eyes and imagined through Lily’s eyes. I wrote the story rapidly and confidently. What are the ethics of writing historical fiction? You try to be historically accurate, either literally or in the spirit of. You’ve written a staggering number of books – over 70! When did you first learn about the power of language and the written word? Miss Macdonald, my grade three
teacher, praised my first story and I was off! Your writing style is poetic and graceful and, as you have written several volumes of poetry, you have an obvious love for the genre. What inspired your interest in poetry? I really did not start writing poetry until university where I studied the greats: Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley and Coleridge. I was inspired by the Romantic poets in particular. You also have a mystery series! Did you know you were going to start a series when you wrote the first book or did the series develop over time? That interest developed after I had read 500 mysteries in my middle age. What does your writing schedule look like? Do you write every day? When I was writing fiction, I used to try and write every morning. If nothing came, I went and did something else. Write quickly in great bursts. Read the Complete Interview with Don Gutteridge s Here. By Sheri Hoyte
17
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
B O OK VIDEOS The best way to check out a book!
S
ometimes we need a little bit more than an
endorsement, book review or book cover to get a feeling for the story and decide on whether to purchase or not a title. For me, the little something is a book video. A book video not only brings to life the main story or topic for the reader, it can also portray a feeling on who the Author is and what message he or she wants to share. Below are some things I get from book videos that help make the decision to read the book but also gives me insight on its contents, improving in many cases, my reading experience. • The images – unlike movie trailers which use previews from the movie, the book video images could be off putting when reading the story, as the characters looks and settings will be a combined result of the descriptions, and the readers’ imagination. But images that do not mess with such specifics and instead reflect the message, topic, or plot are perfect as a preview of a book, because it helps us to visualize in a short time the content of the book. • Background music and narrator’s voice – The sound allows the possible reader to feel the mood of the story. Is it thrilling? Mysterious? Romantic? • Finally, but not least is the script of the slides or voice narration. Here is where we learn what the book is all about, and other information like endorsements, Author website, and where to get the book. What is awesome about book videos is that we get all the above information in one minute or less! Check out some book videos we included here by clicking on the cover!
18
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Book Videos on this page were provided by https://www. youtube.com/user/ReaderViews - For information on how to place your bookvideo here email us at admin@firstchapterplus.com
19
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Angel Encounters
By Mari Jane Schoonover Outskirts Press (2018) - ISBN 9781478760306 Tradeback - 151 pages - $19.95 Disappearing and reappearing tools; Windows found shut when they were left open; The rocking of an empty chair; Knowing everyone is safe; Arriving minutes after a double-murder; Escaping death sent for the wrong reason; Popping a tire on a blackened night; Helping a Mom keep her children; The faith of a child, the courage given from prayer, and the feeling of chills will permeate each stop on this journey of a personal walk with God.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
Flow
By Yaminah Futch Outskirts Press (2020) - ISBN 9781977225320 Tradeback - 279 pages - $21.95 You are here to experience yourself. Are you flowing with the universe to receive your desires? Are you enjoying this place we call home? It is here for you to enjoy. Do you know what you are made of? Are you aware of the ability to feel energy? To get the most out of this experience you must value and respect how this universe operates.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
The Shadow Angel: Genesis
By Robert Canter Outskirts Press (2020) - ISBN 9781977227980 Tradeback - 227 pages - $18.95 Monsters are real. Though most of the world lives in a state of blissful ignorance, there are things that go bump in the night. The only thing that stands between mankind and the monsters that plague the Earth is Daniel Adrian Angeleschu, The Shadow Angel. His soul locked in perpetual servitude, Danny has served as the Vatican’s greatest monster hunter for five hundred years. Now his mission brings him to South Bend, Indiana.prosperity of the 1920s.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
Art for Art’s Sake. The Art and Life of Florence McNeil Hardy By Laurence M. Hardy Outskirts Press (2020) - ISBN 9781977226884 Tradeback - 316 pages - $32.95
A passion for life and learning exemplified the short career of one of the best American portrait artists of recent times. This book follows the life and history of Florence McNeil Hardy.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon 20
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
The New Era of The Booming 1920s And Its Aftermath By George A. Schade, Jr. Outskirts Press (2019) - ISBN 9781977203724 Tradeback - 249 pages - $14.95
A financial writer describes events and forces impacting national and global markets, renders an opinion as to their future direction, and offers advice. The 1920s saw the rise of financial writers who explained the booming stock market in what came to be called a “New Era,” in which expectations were that no shadows darken the horizon. President Calvin Coolidge immortalized the catchphrase for the prosperity of the 1920s.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
Innocent War, Revised Edition
By Susan Violante Outskirts Press (2011) - ISBN 9781432770471 Tradeback - 233 pages - $19.95 Based on the taped memoirs Susan Violante received from her Italian Immigrant father, Nino; Innocent War’s story ( Hollywood Book Festival 2009 Honoralbe Mention) is a boy’s adventure showing a child’s point of view through the war’s hardships, dangers, and tragedies of WWII, combined with his own humor, innocence, and awakening as he grows up. WWII through and Italian 10 year old boy’s eyes!
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
Breaking Open: Free Love and Family Secrets from the Notebook of a Misfit Wife By Melinda Banks Melinda Banks (2020) - ISBN 9781087899305 Tradeback - 242 pages - $16.95
In this humorous, philosophical, and erotic memoir, Melinda Banks takes the reader on an unforgettable ride through her life as a minivan mom turned polyamorous seeker, inspired by one lover after another to reclaim her sexy, vibrant body and reignite her passion. Told through essays, poetry, and journal entries, Breaking Open fearlessly answers questions of ethics and love addiction with a powerful, self-affirming manifesto.
READ First Chapter
View on Amazon
21
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
22
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
INSIDE SCO OP LIVE POD CAST OF THE MONTH Dr. Randy Overbeck is a veteran educator who has
served children as a teacher and school leader. For more than three decades, his educational experiences and responsibilities ranged from coach and yearbook advisor to principal and superintendent, and he’s lived the roles of many of the characters in his stories. An accomplished writer, he has been published in trade journals, professional texts and newspapers, as well as in fiction, now with his third published novel. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren. To learn more about Randy Overbeck and his work visit authorrandyoverbeck.com.
Click Here To Listen to Podcast
Topics of Conversation • The paranormal world and believing in ghosts • Choosing a new location for each mystery • Writing in a different time period • Favorite part of research process • Centering your mysteries around a social justice issue
23
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
BAREFO OT LIBRARIA N CORNER Eve Panzer reviews books for Reader Views Kids as well as her own business, Barefoot Librarian. Monthly she publishes the Barefoot Librarian Newsletter. She sells children’s books published by Barefoot Books and Usborne Books & More at book fairs, educational conferences, community events, and online. She earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas in Austin and worked as a school librarian before retiring to start her own business. www.barefootlibrarian.com Eve Panzer
People of Color Resources
Again, this month, I am discussing diversity in children's literature. I recently read a blog post on how important it is for children of color to see themselves in the books they read. It was written by Mijha Godfrey, a Black woman who owns Jambo Books, …a book subscription service for children aged 0–13, where all the books feature lead characters who are children of color. Her post eloquently and expertly addresses this issue, and I urge you to read it. One such resource that I recently learned about is Eyeseeme bookstore in Missouri. Their mission "…is to be a resource to parents, teachers, and schools in providing the very best children's books on the market that promote positive images and stories about African American culture and history. As a tool to help increase literacy, African American children will benefit by seeing themselves respectfully represented in the literature they read. Non-African American children will benefit by helping to dispel negative and inaccurate stereotypical images of people of color and that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations." Another resource is Colour of Us, founded by an adoptive mother of two black girls. Her article on the website, "Why are multicultural children's books so important?" explains the need for children of color to see themselves in books. As a social worker, she "…witnessed and first-hand dealt with the self-esteem issues children of color experience growing up in white-dominated communities." She also believes "…that all children should be exposed to multicultural children's books in order to learn to respect people of all races and cultures." Books are organized by ethnicity (African, Asian, Hispanic, and Diverse) and age (Infants through high school). We must be vigilant in our process to provide authentic and accurate diverse materials. It is essential to rely on resources that are knowledgeable and reputable. It is incumbent upon librarians, educators, and booksellers to seek out these resources and demand that publishers provide more of these titles. To quote Maya Angelou, "It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength." And they need books to help them do this! Wishing happy reading and good health during the holiday season, Eve Barefoot Librarian
24
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
THE BAREFO OT LIBRARIAN B O OKS OF THE MONTH Children of the World
By Kate DePalma and Tessa Strickland - Illustrated by David Dean Published by Barefoot Books (2019) - ISBN 978-1782853329 Age 3 to 10 - Tradeback - 64 pages - 16.99 This book takes a unique approach to comparing children’s ways of life around the world. The book poses questions for children to answer for themselves while also depicting how children in other countries might answer the question. While the body of the book introduces topics in an open-ended way, the endnotes give the reader a closer look at the illustrations and provide factual details on these subjects. The questions posed cover a wide range of topics. “Do you have a special place?” ”What would you do if you had the chance?” “What’s your name? Does it have a meaning?” ?” “The topic of clothing opens with this statement: “What you wear depends on where you live and how you spend your time.” There is a time for play, which helps us learn. There is a time to work and help your family. spend your time.” There is a time for play, which helps us learn. There is a time to work and help your family. The book explores the topic of food, starting with the universal belief - we all need good food. However, the reader is warned, “What tastes good to you may taste strange to someone else.” The book reassures children by letting them know “Feelings come and go like weather. Everyone feels curious or silly or scared sometimes.” The book ends on an uplifting note. “We all have love to give.” And “Every life is a story. It is easier to understand someone when you know their story.” These positive statements and the book’s format help children explore themselves and others in a non-judgmental way. This book is an essential treasure for every home, classroom, and library.
Let’s Celebrate! Special Days Around the World By Kate DePalma- Illustrated by Martina Peluso Published by Barefoot Books (2019) ISBN 9781782858348
Age 4 to 10 - Tradeback - 40 pages - $8.99 We are in the midst of the holiday season in the U.S. What better time than now to learn about holidays celebrated worldwide throughout the year. Again, Barefoot Books weds colorful, warm, and engaging illustrations with rhythmic, rhyming words to produce an outstanding contribution to diverse children’s literature. The reader travels around the world to celebrate holidays from Japan, China, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Sweden, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, India, and the United States. he text is sparse, but the illustrations and the endnotes provide details to satisfy but not overwhelm curious minds. Pronunciations of the holidays are provided and a calendar showing how these holidays are dispersed throughout the year. Many of the holidays may be new to children – and adults. Among them are Matariki in New Zealand, Nowruz in Iran, and Inti Raymi in Peru. However, because the U.S. is so culturally diverse, some holidays may be familiar to us – Carnaval (like our Mardi Gras), Passover, Dia de Muertos, and Diwali. There are many layers to this timely book, making it a great resource to share with a broad range of age groups. It is a useful springboard for researching various cultures around the world and helping children realize that these cultures are all represented within our own U.S. citizenry
25
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
RUN A VIRTUAL BO OK TOUR BY MARIKA FL AT T
V
Article Published before by Reader Views
irtual book tours, or what we call “VBTs,” have become an industry standard for generating media buzz following the release of a book. In the simplest terms, VBTs allow you to get the word out about your book without going anywhere or even talking to anyone. What is awesome about them is that because there is no travel involved, it’s not strenuous like a physical book tour, and everything is at your fingertips. The idea is that you are getting book bloggers, podcasters, Amazon and Goodreads reviewers, bookstagrammers (people who talk about books on Instagram), and the occasional influencer who doesn’t charge, to talk about your book. This gives a nice digital buzz going about your book, which raises your presence and awareness online, ideally all within that first week of publication. Below are few steps to get you started with
your virtual book tour:
• Choose the date to run it Virtual book tours usually happen within a five to six-day span around your publication date. So, if your publication date is Tuesday, October 20th, then your virtual book tour would typically run the week before through Monday 19th. But, if you have already published your book, you can base your virtual book tour around a special date or awareness month that relates to your book’s topic. The key is to strategize the timing of your virtual book tour. A timely date will give potential outlets a call to action, which will make them much more likely to come on board.
• Get your Outlets Donate to organizations who are fighting the good fight, or use your time to call your local representative and senator to make your voice heard. This holiday season is not the time to let up on our social causes.
• Pitch
Once you have figured out who you are going to reach out to, It’s imperative that you write your virtual book tour pitch to make it sound like something that people will want to get involved with. Let them know that you have resources available for them that will make it very easy for them to join. Keep in mind that this is just a hobby for a lot of these people. This is likely not their full-time job. So, you really have to make it as easy as possible for them to say yes and get on board. Ideally, they will commit to a certain day of the week during your virtual book tour. In your pitch, you want to provide a menu of offerings for them to use. Here are a few things that you should always include: Press materials that can be turned into a review An electronic copy of your book that you can send so that they can do their own review An offer to send them a physical copy of your book A prewritten Q&A (think pre-written interview) for them to post An excerpt from your book
26
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Put all these documents together in a Dropbox, which will make it very easy for them to access through a simple link which you will send to them as they commit. Remember to send reminders the during the weeks before the tour and make sure they have all they need.
• Follow up DYou will likely have people who don’t end up posting on the day that they said they would post. Life happens, and that’s OK. Just follow up with them ask nicely when their link will be up. But for the most part, you’ll get 100% followthrough eventually. It’s very important to engage with everyone who participates, and that means responding to their audience. Make sure you follow their social media platforms and respond to comments when they pop up. Also, share the links to the blog posts or podcasts on your social media platforms. If you do your part, it will make it a win-win for you and the outlet.
• Say Thank You Remember to say “thank you” to everyone who participates in your virtual book tour. It’s always a nice thing to do the week after your tour concludes. If you have any statistics that you can share with outlets on visitors to your site or number of books sold, include those in your thank-you email. The goal is to build a lasting relationship with these bloggers, podcasters, and reviewers so that you can reach out to them in the future for coverage. A genuine “thank you” always helps.
If you want to learn more about DIY check out the Author to Influencer Accelerator, our DIY membership community for authors who want to take a hands-on approach to marketing their books. Click Here
Marika Flatt was hired as a “baby book publicist” in 1997 upon graduating cum laude from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communications. After taking over the management of that boutique literary firm in just a few short years, she & her husband, Doug, launched PR by the Book in 2002, capitalizing on her love of media & books. Marika has been a regular speaker in the book industry since the late ’90s for organizations such as: Digital Book World, IBPA’s Publishing University, Book Expo America, and Writers League of Texas, among others.
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Featured Authors Erica M. Elliott, M.D. Erica Elliott, M.D., specializes in both family practice and environmental medicine, with a busy private practice in Santa Fe. Dr. Elliott is also an author and public speaker. She has given weeklong workshops at both Omega and Esalen Institutes and is co-author of the book, “Prescriptions for a Healthy House.” Dr. Elliott is often referred to as “The Medical Detective” since she attracts people from all parts of the country and even abroad who have mysterious and puzzling medical problems that have not responded to mainstream medical care. Dr. Elliott is often .
referred to as “The Medical Detective” since she attracts people from all parts of the country and even abroad who have mysterious and puzzling medical problems that have not responded to mainstream medical care.
This is the true story of a young Anglo woman, Erica Elliott, who comes to the Navajo Reservation in 1971 as a newly minted schoolteacher, knowing nothing about her students or their culture. After several blunders and misunderstandings, and beset by loneliness and despair, Erica makes a determined effort to overcome the barriers of language and culture. From the moment she begins learning the Navajo language, the people open their hearts and homes to her, inviting her into a mystical world that most people don’t know exists, a world that profoundly impacts the rest of her life. Years later she returns as a medical doctor to serve the Navajo People. This book is a page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.
28
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert By Erica M. Elliott, M.D. NonFiction - Biography/Memoir Balboa Press (2019) ISBN 9781982220983 Tradeback - 202 pages - $14.99
T
his book is sorely needed at this moment in America, when divisive voices incessantly warn us of the other, the foreigner, those who “are not like us... Mystery and Medicine in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People reveals how diversity and inclusiveness can enrich our own society — a lesson on which our future may depend. — Larry Dossey, MD author of “One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters
S
uch an inspiring, life-affirming, yet tough tale, woven through with a strong drive to realize her life path. Beautifully written. Elliott is an exciting new voice.. — Natalie Goldbert author of “Writing Down the Bones.
Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
COVID-19 FAMILY FEUDS
A
s if it was not enough with the political divide in this country, there is also a family divide due to Covid-19. I understand that we are all entitled to our opinions but when our views crash with the views of our loved ones, we must find a way to compromise. Most of us have compromised more than once, whether by agreeing to disagree or avoiding the topic at all costs. But how can we compromise when the topic is a life-or-death situation, and the views of others can put you at risk? This has been the biggest challenge COVID-19 brought to families in 2020; a challenge that many of us are dealing with right now, especially the ones with adult and young adults within their households. This Holiday season is not like all others as new cases, and deaths multiply by the minute. It is difficult if not impossible to be jolly while the dilemma to wear a mask or not is inexplicably still a thing…creating family feuds between siblings, parents and children, and other relatives, as both extremes of fear and oblivion crash and desires of seeing each other are shattered.
everyone’s companion while we worry for our loved ones…especially the ones with the opposite point of view, and wonder if arguing made them safer or reckless, and whether our views has kept us healthy or just lonesome… Look, it is impossible for everyone to react to situations like the pandemic in the same way. But we must keep together even if apart, to get us through this. It is not easy to see your children disagreeing on how to approach COVID, I know because that is where I am now, and as I keep mimicking Switzerland during WWII to keep the argument to the minimum, I pray that none of them catch Corona and that we remain supporting each other. I hope everyone stay safe as we finally let go of 2020 and wish for all healing, love and a better 2021 filled with hope. by Susan Violante
So here we are in the middle of this chaos whether in isolation or not, loneliness becomes 30
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS
31
FIRST CHAPTER PLUS Connecting readers to Indie books www.firstchapterplus.com
Published by I Have Something to Say Presss e-magazine . December 2020 volume 11 . issue 12
