Inside Scoop Live!

Jessica Wohlgemuth is a country prairie girl who grew up on a little hobby farm passionate about animals. Her two favorite bunnies were named Flip and Flop. Oh, how she loved her soft fluffy pets! Now with nieces and nephew spending hours chasing their own bunnies, she couldn’t help but imagine what life would be like if bunnies lived in a sort of people world, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about Jessica Wohlgemuth and her work visit her Etsy shop: The Hidden Pine Tree
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Bop-It and No More Covid and the inspiration behind the story
Her debut in writing and illustrating
Growing up on a hobby farm
How her upbringing influenced her decision to use animals as her main characters
What's next for Jessica?
 
BOP-IT AND NO MORE COVID
Are you tired of living the COVID life? Find hope and cheer in this little book about a fuzzy little grey bunny named Bop-It. Read about how he and his friends learn to cope through the pandemic, finding fun in the new normal.

Daniel Lassell is the author of Spit (Wheelbarrow Books / Michigan State University Press, 2021), winner of the 2020 Wheelbarrow Books Emerging Poetry Prize selected by Gabrielle Calvocoressi, and winner of the 2021-22 Reader Views Gold Award for Poetry and the Inside Scoop Live Award for the Most Innovative Poetry Book. He is also the author of a chapbook, Ad Spot (Ethel Zine and Micro Press, 2021), and his poems have appeared in the Colorado Review, Cherry Tree, and Prairie Schooner, among others. He grew up in Kentucky, and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
To learn more about Daniel Lassell and his work, visit his website at http://www.daniel-lassell.com/
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
What sparked his initial interest in poetry
About "Spit" and his inspiration behind the collection
Using different poetic forms
Thoughts about how his idea of poetry has evolved
Poetry readings from "Spit"
What's next for Daniel Lassell?
 
SPIT
he first-ever poetry book set on a llama farm, Daniel Lassell’s debut collection, Spit, examines the roles we play in the act of belonging. It is a portrait of a boy living on a farm populated with chickens sung to sleep by lullaby,  captive wolves next door that attack a child, and a herd of llamas learning to survive despite coyotes and a chaotic family. The collection in part explores the role of the body in health and illness and one’s treatment of the earth and others. A theme of spirituality also weaves throughout the collection as the speaker treks into adulthood, yearning for peace amid the decline of his parents’ marriage. Driven by a “wish to visit / some landless landscape,” the  speaker eventually leaves his family’s farm, only to find that return is impossible. After losing the farm and the llama herd to his parents’ divorce, the speaker wrestles with the role of presence as it relates to healing, remarking, “I wish enough, / to have only // these memories I have.” Unflinching at every turn, the collection pushes the boundaries of “home” to arrive upon new meaning, definition, and purpose.

Julian Tryst is a fiction author from Canada who likes to observe the messed-up aspects of human nature and make stories out of them.
For more information about Julian and his work, visit his website at https://juliantryst.com/
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Garvey Feinstein: Hollywood Predator
Inspiration behind the story
Satire, erotica and writing about human nature
A reading from the book
Reader reaction to the story
Cover creation
What's next for Julian Tryst?
 
GARVEY FEINSTEIN: HOLLYWOOD PREDATOR
The story of the rise and fall of a lecherous and uncouth Hollywood mogul named Garvey. A man who sought clout and influence to remedy his past frustrations, and who ended up using and abusing those things mainly on members of the opposite sex.But alas for Garvey, such unfettered thirst for power and women was bound to leave a number of skeletons along his road, one of which could come back and haunt him in the least expected ways.
 

As an attorney and civil justice advocate, author Mark M. Bello draws upon over 40 years of courtroom experience in his Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series.
A Michigan native, Mark received his B.A. in English Literature from Oakland University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working extremely high-profile legal cases, Mark wanted to give the public a front-row glimpse of what victims face when standing up for justice.
Combining his legal experience and passion for justice with a creative writing style, Mark not only brings high-quality legal services to his clients, but captivating novels to his readers.
When Mark’s not writing legal and political novels, he writes and posts about fairness and justice in the civil justice system on his website, Legal Examiner and NotFakeNews. In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. Mark and his wife, Tobye, have four children and 8 grandchildren.
To learn more about Mark and his work visit www.markmbello.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Happy Jack Sad Jack and His Social Justice/Safety Series for Kids
Bullying
Talking about sensitive issues with kids
Working with an illustrator
Writing for Kids
Up next for Mark Bello - other books in the series
 
HAPPY JACK SAD JACK
Jack has always been a very happy little boy.
But when he starts kindergarten, he discovers he is different than the others. For the very first time, he is bullied—Happy Jack suddenly becomes Sad Jack.
What should Jack do? Should he tell an adult? His parents? Would his teacher or principal understand? What can they do to help?
As parents, we want certain things for our kids. Mainly, we want them to be happy. Can today’s kids celebrate their differences, or are they doomed to fight over them like generations before?
Jack’s school community learns an important lesson as attorney/author Mark M. Bello presents Jack’s compelling story in rhyme, beautifully and dramatically illustrated by Melinda Falgoust:
“People are different in color, shape, size.Ears, noses, mouths, and different shaped eyes.Different races, and genders—more, too.Christian or Buddhist, or Muslim or Jew.But there’s one thing in common we all have in this place.We are all valued members of this human race.”
Happy Jack Sad Jack: A Bullying Story is a must read for all children and one your child will never forget.
 

Kristin Bloch first began rhyming words together at a very young age. Soon these words expanded into poems and stories that enchanted family and friends. A compilation of those writings was recently released in her first book, Walk Through a Field of Flowers. Kristin works full time and has earned an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix. Kristin is also a certified personal trainer and certified Pilates instructor, teaching several classes each week. Scatter Seeds of Kindness is her second book.
 
You can Learn more about Kristin Bloch and her work on her website at KABlochauthor.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Scatter Seeds of Kindness and the inspiration behind the story.
Learning about the power behind words at an early age
Writing poetry vs. prose
The stages of life that most influence her work
Poetry reading
What's next for Kristin Bloch?
 
SCATTER SEEDS OF KINDNESS
Scatter Seeds of Kindness presents a new collection of poetry from K. A. Bloch, the author of Walk through a Field of Flowers. Her poetry explores a wide variety of themes, such as memories and how they impact our life, the passage of time, stereotypes within society, and bullying. She also includes fun and lighthearted poems designed to bring a smile to your face and shares her struggles with trying to practice kindness and not always succeeding. Sometimes raw and vulnerable, sometimes light and humorous, these verses encourage you to be kind not only to others but also to yourself. This poetry collection presents personal life experiences and thoughts set in verses and provides the inspiration or motivation behind each poem. Scatter seeds of kindness Wherever you may go. Reach deep inside your heart And scatter them to and fro. Scatter seeds of kindness And bring a few to share. You never know when you'll find the chance To show someone you care.
 
CONNECT WITH KRISTIN BLOCH:
WEBSITE: https://www.kablochauthor.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KABlochauthorINSTAGRAM: @kablochauthor TWITTER: @KABlochauthor 

As an attorney and civil justice advocate, author Mark M. Bello draws upon over 40 years of courtroom experience in his Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series.
A Michigan native, Mark received his B.A. in English Literature from Oakland University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working extremely high-profile legal cases, Mark wanted to give the public a front-row glimpse of what victims face when standing up for justice.
Combining his legal experience and passion for justice with a creative writing style, Mark not only brings high-quality legal services to his clients, but captivating novels to his readers.
When Mark’s not writing legal and political novels, he writes and posts about fairness and justice in the civil justice system on his website, Legal Examiner and NotFakeNews. In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. Mark and his wife, Tobye, have four children and 8 grandchildren.
To learn more about Mark and his work visit www.markmbello.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About You Have the Right to Remain Silent and the inspiration behind the story.
A departure from his signature work
Introducing a vibrant new character 
Incorporating his family cookbook into his latest thriller
About The Blake Lewin Family Cookbook of Traditional Jewish Recipes and his motivation for publishing.
Great food, great family stories.
 
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
Expect the unexpected in this whodunit legal crime thriller, the 8th installment of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series, featuring all your favorite series characters and one brash, exciting newcomer who gives Blake all he can handle."Zachary Blake has become one of the greatest leading men in a series in my own personal library. Considering I read too many books to name, that's saying something. With this latest and greatest suspense, I once again got to sit on the edge of my chair and enjoy Zack, his adventure, his need and passion to see justice served, and the charismatic cast that appears every time I pick one of these up. If You Have The Right to Remain Silent is representative of the quality of books coming in our future, 2022 is going to be one heck of a year for readers.” —Reader Views
 
THE BLAKE-LEWIN FAMILY COOKBOOK OF TRADITIONAL JEWISH RECIPES
Hi folks, Mark M. Bello, author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series here. Family, ethnic identity, holidays, and food are vital components of the Jewish experience. The delightful family recipes contained in this book have been handed down, l'dor v'dor—from generation to generation by precious family members from both sides of my family, some still with us, others of blessed memory. Somehow, despite tremendous adversity and tragedy, the Jews and Jewish family traditions have survived. Mitch pacha is important to me—I am who I am because of the influence and contributions of my family. My Jewish identity is also why I am so passionate about social justice—as you may have noticed, most Jewish holidays celebrate events in history when those in power tried to kill or harm the Jews. They failed, hence, holiday celebrations. Hopefully, these recipes will now endure, a lasting tribute to cherished family members and memories. I hope you enjoy this book, the delightful family stories woven between the delightful recipes, and the recipes themselves. If you happen to be Jewish, you will, no doubt, recognize many of these dishes. Perhaps your own family has created a special version of one or many. If you are not Jewish, hopefully the stories and recipes will, in some small way, help provide an better understanding of or connection to the Jewish experience. Either way, thanks for indulging my family memories as transmitted through my fictional character, Zachary Blake, Detroit's King of Justice. L'Chaim—To Life! Let's Eat!
 
CONNECT WITH MARK BELLO!
Website: https://www.markmbello.comFacebook: @markmbellobooksTwitter: @markmbelloInstagram: @markmbellobooks

Recently awarded a Gold Medal by Reader Views 2021-22 Literary Awards in the Mystery/Thriller category, writing started for Gary D. McGugan after a 40-year career in the world of business. He’s worked in supermarkets, sold appliances, distributed motorcycles, launched an automobile dealer network, and provided financing to help businesses grow. Every industry was very different from the other. Each company had a distinctive culture and character, but all were units of large corporations with operations around the globe. Travel has always been a large component of his business roles and he’s now visited more than 650 towns and cities in more than fifty countries for either business or leisure. Experts say we should write about things we know best. In Gary’s case, those subjects are business, travel, and people. As an author, his goal is to entertain readers around the world — one at a time.
For more information about Gary D. McGugan and his work visit https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About A Slippery Shadow and the inspiration behind the story
Character creation/development and readers' favorites
Surprising twists and turns
Travel and the influence of such in his work
Marketing and book sales via bookstore signings and meeting readers
Upcoming projects
 
A SLIPPERY SHADOW
Snatched from her private jet, crime-boss Fidelia Morales barely escapes with her life. Now she wants revenge. But her gang of criminals is thrown into chaos as dozens of key operatives suddenly disappear.Howard Knight—Fidelia’s former lover and accomplice in her latest heist—walks free from the same plane only to flee in a desperate quest to escape TheOrganization. He too is hounded by menacing encounters.Both become entangled with massive Multima Corporation led by SuzanneSimpson. Amid a global pandemic, this powerful CEO scrambles to fill crucialexecutive roles while dealing with bizarre threats and mysterious interference on three continents. All seem connected and threaten her empire.With breath-taking reach and bewildering influence, is it possible an unseenand elusive Shadow can pull strings to manipulate people, companies, criminalorganizations and governments?
 
CONNECT WITH GARY MCGUGAN!
Website:                     https://www.garydmcguganbooks.comMonthly Blog:           https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com/rendezvous-blogFacebook:                  https://www.facebook.com/gary.d.mcgugan.booksTwitter:                      https://twitter.com/GaryDMcGuganInstagram:                 https://www.instagram.com/authorgarydmcgugan

I grew up in Barnegat NJ, and had a Huck Finn childhood, surrounded by woods, streams, and meadows. In the 1950s, 1200 people lived there. I have two younger sisters, Laura and Liza, both now professionally accomplished, with kids and husbands. Our Dad, a merchant seaman for most of his life, had a small business raising lab mice for companies like Squibbs and Merck. He was an amazing story teller, a great little league coach, and a town character. Mom was from the mountain region of North Carolina. She graduated from college, was a teacher and taught us kids to read early.
Dad lost the business and returned to sea and we moved from Barnegat to a North Jersey suburb when I was 13.  I ran track and cross country at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. In 1969, I attended the University of Kansas on a small track scholarship, where I studied and graduated with a double major BA in Economics and History (and also met Liz, my ex-wife and now friend.)
We moved from Kansas to Salt Lake City, then to Eugene Oregon, where Liz and separated and divorced. During that time, I worked as a laborer, a forklift driver, landscaper, and other jobs while I wrote quite a few short stories, a couple of plays, and began my first novel about college life, (from which I incorporated large chunks into my SwiftPad Trilogy).  I taught myself land surveying and associated Civil Engineering, then worked in the field and in the office for Eugene Public Works.
I met Mary, and began to study Chinese at the University of Oregon, and then was invited by my language instructor and friend Qi Xinghua to teach English in Xian China.  After six months, Mary joined me. In 1986, we moved to Beijing where Mary studied Chinese and worked at the US Embassy's school and I taught at the Foreign Language Institute. Two years later, we returned to the US, broke, with son Zach on the way. I got a job in a Florida strip mall computer store.  On the job, and with self-study, I learned computer hardware, software, networking, IT security, ‘hacking’, and other associated technologies.
I changed jobs every few years, and wrote intermittently, mostly on my China novel “Farewell the Dragon”. Thirty years later I retired from IBM, and wrote “The SwiftPad Trilogy.”
 
For more information on Lee Barckmann and his work, visit www.barckwords.com. 
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Farewell the Dragon and the inspiration behind the story
Spending time and teaching in China
Incorporating a mystery and fiction inspired by real events
Book Awards
Reading and Reviewing Books
What's Next for Lee?
 
FAREWELL THE DRAGON
In Farewell the Dragon, Nate Scheutt, American, 35, is pulled into a politically charged murder investigation when he stumbles onto the bodies of two young Europeans on a prestigious Beijing university campus. Gradually Nate discovers the case is entwined with an international quest for a small stone tablet, (a stele) that might contain the key to ancient China's long-lost link with the West.
In the 1980's, old Beijing's walls and hutong alleyways were disappearing, victims of Deng Xiaoping's proclamation 致富光 荣!(To get rich is glorious!). While juggling teaching English, his business, (and women), Nate seeks refuge at the bar on the roof of the Friendship Hotel with a legation of self-imposed exiles from the both sides of the Cold War. There he enters a netherworld of sex, spies, strange religion and the hidden history of China's Cultural Revolution.

Jan Phillips' quest has taken her into and out of a religious convent, across the country on a Honda motorcycle, and around the world on a one-woman peace pilgrimage. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Livingkindness Foundation, which created a Learning Center in Nigeria and supports anti-racist creative projects by black women in the U.S.
Jan is the author of eleven award-winning books and a thought leader who bridges spiritual intelligence, evolutionary creativity, and social transformation. She has taught in over 25 countries, and has published work in the New York Times, Ms., Newsday, People, Parade Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Spirituality and Health, Science of Mind, National Catholic Reporter, Sun Magazine. Still on Fire: Field Notes from a Queer Mystic is her first memoir.
For more information about Jan Phillips and her work visit her website at www.janphillips.com.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About the book and her inspiration for writing it.
Being Gay. And Catholic. And Suicidal
Experiences in the Convent
Religion vs. Spirituality
Marginalization and Homophobia
What is a Queer Mystic?
What's next for Jan Phillips?
 
STILL ON FIRE: FIELD NOTES FROM A QUEER MYSTIC
Jan Phillips was a devoted Catholic who wanted nothing more than to be a nun and who joyously entered the convent at 18. Two years later, she was dismissed for “a disposition unsuited to religious life, with excessive and exclusive friendships.” She was lesbian. She had always known it. “It was being homosexual that made me want to kill myself [at 12]. As far as I knew, there was nothing worse than being queer. They were perverts, sinners, hated by God, hated by just about everyone. Lezzies, bull dykes, fags, queers, lesbos―all damned, and there I was, one of them.”
Still on Fire is a memoir of religious wounding and spiritual healing, of judgment and forgiveness, and of social activism in a world that is in our hands. Phillips traveled the globe on a one-woman peace pilgrimage, raised the consciousness of women, faced her privilege on a trip to India, and is working to dismantle structural racism. Her The Livingkindness Foundation supports schoolchildren in Nigeria. “Any spirituality that does not bring about more justice, more social awareness, more right action in the world is a lame and impotent excuse for faith … My action for justice is my spirituality.” Over the years, Phillips created a life of love, service, community, and prayer. She evolved her understanding of God and came to see herself―and all of us―as the light of the world. “Had I not been born gay … my heart would not have broken in half, would not have opened itself to Love Supreme, would not have been tenderized by life’s bitter pounding.” She tells the story of her life with humor and compassion, sharing her poetry, songs, and photos along the way.

The founder of Values of the Wise, Jason Merchey is also a philosophical thinker, master’s level psychologist, proponent of the research ideal, social critic, author / essayist / blogger, and a student of the tradition of arts and letters. Growing up Jewish in a suburb of Los Angeles, he grappled with sociocultural, familial, religious, psychological, and self motivation issues that led to much of the insight he has today. After junior college, he earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in psychology and social behavior from the University of California Irvine, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa for excellence in liberal scholarship. Jason went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology from California State University Fullerton. Having moved to San Diego, he obtained thousands hours of experience counseling clients of all types. It was in that capacity that Jason became intrigued by and began to study wisdom, values, and ethics.
The Values of the Wise™ website (www.ValuesoftheWise.com) and book series were born as ways to lead not only himself but also his clients to find the insight, consolation, and wisdom from great quotations representing our intellectual heritage.
Jason lives in the Hendersonville, NC area with his wife and pets. He has earned a graduate certificate in philosophy and ethics from Harvard University Extension.
Learn more about Jason Merchey and his work at www.ValuesoftheWise.com.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About the book - "Wisdom: A Very Valuable Virtue that Cannot be Bought"
What is wisdom?
Lack of wisdom and the consequences in America and around the world
Research, including 1,500 quotes referenced in Wisdom
Important takeaways
What's next for Jason Merchey?
 
WISDOM: A VERY VALUABLE VIRTUE THAT CANNOT BE BOUGHT
Wisdom is not for sale no matter how much money a person has! But it CAN be developed and improved. Improving your understanding of wisdom will certainly lead to living a better life!
This new book will help you live a life that harnesses the power of philosophy, critical thinking, and applied psychology. These things are not as complicated as they may seem and indeed have the potential to increase your wisdom. Greater wisdom leads to improved personal growth, happiness, and success.
 

B.A. Bellec’s debut novel, Someone’s Story, won the Reader Views Reader’s Choice Literary Award for Young Adult Book of the Year. Someone’s Story is a young adult coming-of-age book and has seen good support over Instagram, YouTube, and Goodreads. One of the aspects that makes Bellec’s projects unique is he includes musicians in his novels and then he actually produces the songs as his book goes through the editing stages.
Bellec was born in Richmond, BC, and raised in Langley, BC, before settling in Winnipeg, MB. His first adventure was a career in Finance, where he spent 15 years developing his business skills. His highest achievement was the Certified Payroll Manager designation. He currently still consults with businesses on their systems and processes. Over that period of time, he also attended Lights Film School where he started to nurture his early creative abilities. 
A self-starter always interested in research, he taught himself many of the aspects of storytelling through reading books, screenplays, and material online. Whenever he found an inspirational piece of art, he quickly went to the source to find the story behind the artist who created the work. It took many years after attending film school for him to finally combine his creative skills with his life experience and tell these stories he had been holding back. Some of his favorite creative people: Lukas Rossi, Justin Furstenfeld, Peter Jackson, Stephen Chbosky, J.K. Rowling, and Stephen King. 
During COVID-19, Bellec started a YouTube channel and was awarded a grant from The Canada Council for the Arts. He also pounded away on the keyboard to bring his second novel, Pulse, from his imagination to the page.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Pulse and writing in different genres
The creature
Cover art and working with Midnight Comics
Music and the original song, Perduto
Reader Views Literary Awards Sponsorship
and more...
 
Pulse is a multi-POV dystopian sci-fi horror thriller set in 2040, centered around a corporation, a creature, and a music festival. Think Fyre Festival, Black Mirror, and X-Files combined. The story deals with themes of capitalism, consumerism, business, politics, pandemics, climate change, activism, and technology while bouncing between a diverse group of characters sure to entertain almost anyone. The book is already being praised for its fantastic use of horror, engaging world-building, and genre-bending approach utilizing some screenplay-like formatting. This is the first entry in a new series with the sequel well underway. 
B.A. Bellec writes with a unique, modern, minimalistic approach. He is the author of Someone's Story, his award-winning debut novel called a masterpiece by multiple reviewers. Never afraid of a challenge, Bellec switched genres to bring you this dark vision that simmered in his mind for years. 
In addition to writing, Bellec also creates music. You can find it on his YouTube channel.
Follow him on social media or at www.babellec.com to stay in the loop on new projects.

Before devoting himself to writing, award-winning author Bruno Pirecki spent over two decades as a Nashville entertainment industry executive, specializing in strategic alliances and artist relations. A native of Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, he spent his formative years enjoying the beauty of the San Juan Islands and the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. He is a thirty-year resident of Franklin, Tennessee, and lives downtown with his wife, Jennifer; their three rescue cats; and one spoiled Rhodesian ridgeback.
Town Lawe, his debut novel, received the Gold/First Place award in the Adult Fiction category at the 2022 Feathered Quill Awards.
You can learn more about Bruno Pirecki on Instagram at @bruno.pirecki.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
His writing journey
About Town Lawe
Writing amazing characters
Representing minority groups in fiction
Being a visual writer
Editing and Research
What's next for Bruno Pirecki?
 
TOWN LAWE
“Our path is straight, yet it is made up of corners. It was designed this way, so the splendor unfolds only in glimpses.” So says Chilok, a tribal wise woman and mystic whom Townsend Lawe has known all his life. Town is a precocious boy growing up in Pole Pass, Idaho, a sleepy mountain hamlet rich in mining history, native lore, and secrets buried since its foundation. Accomplished in academics and the tribal traditions handed down from his ancestors, Town finds peace deep in the forest and in his schoolwork. But while away at college, he begins to explore the mysteries of his deceased mother’s past, and his sleuthing leads to a little-known off-campus institution in Princeton, New Jersey, where a shocking discovery exposes the sins of his hometown’s founding families. In the process, he experiences the wisdom of Chilok firsthand and opens an ancient truth that reveals a glimpse of what lies beyond . . .

Perry Martin’s career was in performing root cause failure analysis for the USAF performing “aircraft mishap investigations” and then for the private sector involving failures in high reliability equipment. His first book was Electronic Failure Analysis Handbook, published by McGraw Hill in 1999 and was a comprehensive overview of the use of root cause failure analysis in developing more reliable electronic equipment. “California Chrome Our Story” documents the development of a champion racehorse and more enlightened readers will ascertain how root cause failure analysis was used in this process.
To learn more about Perry Martin and California Chrome visit https://www.chromeourstory.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About the book and inspiration for writing California Chrome: Our Story.
Breeding Horses
Being involved in all aspects of being a racehorse owner.
Who are the Chromies
California Chrome and his charismatic charm
The process of the development of a champion racehorse
 
CALIFORNIA CHROME: OUR STORY
California Chrome - Our Story A compelling true story about family, life and love. Building a dream, and then getting swept away by the horse of a lifetime! The Martins had built a comfortable middle-class life, only to risk it all and push their finances to the limit in building Martin Testing Laboratories. After years of struggling, they made the business profitable through sheer will. Regaining their financial feet, you would think they would relax and enjoy their much earned success. Instead, they embark on the ride of a lifetime as the first horse they had ever bred, California Chrome, takes the world by storm and wins the Kentucky Derby! This book is an effort to clear the social media and internet fog surrounding California Chrome and to dispel the salacious gossip that in today's world passes for journalism. It is a clear-eyed look at the business of breeding and racing a champion racehorse, and all the thrills and heartaches that go along with it.

Gloria A. Swift immigrated to the United States in 1973 and served in the United States Army where she received many "firsts" in awards and recognition. Ms. Swift also served as the first female police officer on the Foster City Police Department. Those were the days when it was difficult for black women to integrate into a white, male-dominated profession.
Ms. Swift is a retired educator who holds multiple degrees and credentials in Education. 'Thank You, Ms. Swift - It's Not about As and Bs' was written to highlight the challenges teachers face when assigning students the grades they earned. Ms. Swift enjoys authoring real stories about real people. She does not shy away from the issues that affect human lives.
Ms. Gloria Swift spends her time commuting between the United States and Belize, where as a Director, she is actively involved in the non-profit organization established in honor of her parents, John and Adele Swift Development and Enrichment Center (JADE), providing for those who need food, financial assistance in education, and transportation. She also assists in the family's B&B in Belize. In her spare time, Ms. Swift visits countries around the world and soaks in the culture.
To learn more about Gloria Swift and her work visit her Amazon page at: https://www.amazon.com/author/gloriaswift
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Her writing journey
About "They Called Me Mama"
Farm animals vs. Pets
Returning to Belize and the farm after many years
Mama telling the story in first person
Life on the farm with Mama in charge
What's next for Gloria Swift?
 
THEY CALLED ME MAMA
It is not every day I say, “I enjoy time with critters.” I grew up on this farm decades ago. Then I left. Now I have returned. I enjoy working with the critters now more than ever. The sheep, turkeys, fowls, guinea hens, and dogs are unique. I spent time with one sheep whom I called Mama. She understood me. No matter where she was, when she heard my voice, she came running. Mama was spoiled, and she knew it. The flock treated her with respect. They never entered the pen in the evenings unless Mama was there to enter first. They assembled in front of the gate and waited for her. In the mornings, she led them out of the pen. There are times when Mama sneaked away from the flock and ate alone. When she was discovered missing, they ran all around the farm baaing and baaing. Mama heard them, but she never answered. When the flock found her, they surrounded her, but Mama continued eating. I observed a turkey hen training her first seven chicks. She stretched her neck in the air, called out a certain sound, and all the chicks crouched on the ground. After giving another signal, they got up.
Remarkable. As a child, I never observed these behaviors. They were critters who served a purpose. Now I get so involved that the loss of one haunts me for weeks even months. Mama told her own story, her observations and challenges. She was favored more than the others, and she knew it. Her story is a reminder that the day will come when each of us will leave our loved ones. We have to pass on the torch of life and hope for the best.

Bruce Thomas was raised in Farmington, Missouri, by two loving parents. Playing four sports in high school while playing in the band, singing and acting in a local play, he obtained a fantastic education and well-rounded childhood. After high school, Bruce was appointed to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After four years of strenuous physical and mental activities, he graduated in 1980 as a second lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. After graduation, Bruce set upon his real life's passion, flying. In the summer of 1980, he attended US Air Force pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. After an exhausting and rewarding year, Bruce received his silver pilot's wings. All three of his daughters were born at Vance Air Force Base during this part of his career while he was teaching other Air Force pilots how to fly jet aircraft. After five rewarding years, Bruce was qualified in the A-10 Warthog, a close air support, fighter aircraft. His first assignment was in the far north near Fairbank, Alaska. For the next twenty years, he flew the single-seat A-10 fighter in multiple wars and hotspots all over the world. During his military career, Bruce was stationed in six different states and six foreign countries, including Iraq and South Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas retired from the 303rd Fighter Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, in 2004. As his military career was drawing down, Bruce was blessed to receive an invitation to become a commercial airline pilot with Southwest Airlines. After six years, he was upgraded to captain on the Boeing 737 aircraft in 2006. In 2020, he retired from his second job at Southwest Airlines after a total of twenty years of exciting flying all over the USA. He now concentrates on relaxing and writing in Overland Park, Kansas. Bruce has been married to Vivian for twelve years. His five children and nine grandchildren are all blessed with good health and beautiful families. Bruce Thomas's first book, The Hope of the South, was published in 2018 and is available on all major outlets. Chaos Above the Sand, a prequel, is the second book in the Special Projects Unit series.
Learn more about Bruce Thomas and his work by visiting his website at https://www.brucethomasauthor.com/.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About "Chaos Above the Sand"
What is the SPU?
Character dynamics and development
Research, Traveling and Writing
Writing a Series
What's Next for Bruce Thomas?
CONNECT WITH BRUCE THOMAS!
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BruceThomas1957
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BruceThomasSPU2
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brucethomasauthor
 
 
CHAOS ABOVE THE SAND
Iran 2010. The Iranian High Council has decided that today is the day that their fighter pilots will attack. With a large group of fighter aircraft poised to cross the border into Iraq, the only thing standing in the Iranians way is Wild Bill Eddy's four F-15C aircraft. With lightning speed, the battle rages in the sky above Iraq. Iran's desire to control the Middle East sets this fast-paced, multilayered story in motion.
Germany, May 1944. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel has sent his most trusted representatives to steal vast treasures from Hitler's hidden storage location. Once these were obtained, they intend to use the horde to fund their escape from the war that has devastated Germany and made them lose faith with the Führer. A mix of attacks, setbacks, and terrible timing cause the treasures to be lost when the Allies attacked Normandy on June 6, 1944.
From the beginning, the Special Projects Unit is thrown into this thriller with traitors, spies, and patriotic soldiers. The SPU director, William "Wild Bill" Eddy, along with his best friend, Assistant Director Mark "Vector" Jones, race to solve the clues to who is supplying top secret information to the Iranians. With villains and traitors on every page, the SPU must decipher the clues and save the USA from a fast-approaching military defeat. Clues to the lost World War II treasure become mixed into the story of the building and hiding of the SPU. This yarn is the tale of the development and birth of the SPU.

David L. Savage grew up as an Air Force brat in West Texas with a deep and rich scouting background beginning in Cub Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and earning the bronze, silver and gold palms, then establishing and leading a high adventure Explorer Post before heading to Texas A&M University to study engineering.  The summer after graduating from Texas A&M, he worked as a backpacking guide, or Ranger, at Philmont Scout Ranch and Explorer Base in Cimarron, New Mexico.
David has a passion for history and geopolitics, which he has enriched through global job-related travel and extensive reading.  He and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for eighteen years and live in Katy, Texas. They blended their families and raised four children, now grown.
He has written hundreds of poems and was the official Roaster-in-Chief at many company promotion and retirement events, all in verse.  His rich sense of humor has been displayed as an amateur at the Comedy Workshop in Houston and winning the Star Search contest in Chicago back in the late eighties.  He also was the U.S. Regional Winner of the Tall Tales Contest for Toastmasters International in that same time period.
David has been a lifelong backpacker and outdoorsman and has been blessed to have a group of five older advisors who, along with David, call themselves “The Sixpack.”  They have backpacked for twenty-five years together to provide some of the rich and humorous stories he shares throughout his memoir, The Savage Path.
Learn More about David and his work by visiting his website at www.thesavagepath.com
Topics of Conversation
About "The Savage Path: A Memoir of Modern Masculinity"
Inspiration for writing the book
What is Modern Masculinity?
David's radio show/podcast: "Wrestling with the Inner Man"
Advice for young men
What's next for David L. Savage?
The Savage Path: A Memoir of Modern Masculinity
This book is one humble man's memoir describing his journey through life with its successes, failures, friendships, and family. Using humility and humor to highlight hard-won wisdom, David invites you to sit by his campfire, feel its warmth, and let it draw you into the intimate storytelling environment that only its flickering flame and the expansive night sky can provide. It is a sacred place where we share tall tails, triumphs, and tragedies. Through it all, we engage in the pursuit of authentic manhood and positive, healthy masculinity.
CONNECT WITH DAVID L. SAVAGE!
Website: www.thesavagepath.comEmail: dsavage4@comcast.netLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/DavidLSavageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidlsavage/

A writer with a BA in English, a minor in Japanese, an art degree in animation, and an MBA in International Management, certificate in Social Engineering and multiple awards for articles on Net Neutrality, Privacy, LGBT Youth Homelessness, Cybersecurity and Cyberbullying, Natsuya Uesugi is writing his dream of showcasing fictional minority characters in positions of power.
Of Mixed Multi-cultural heritage (Indigenous, Asian, French, Scottish, Dutch, African-American), he sees life through the lens of challenge, marginalization, personal power and systemic marginalization. With ADHD on the Autism Spectrum and Transgender as a QPoC minority voice often silenced and invisible in mainstream literature, film, and manga, Natsuya focuses on bringing stories of empowerment, truth, triumph, and hope against insurmountable odds.
Using fiction, fantasy, and yaoi to spread his positive message, he writes to encourage LGBT, non-gender conforming, and neurodivergent young people to live their truth and dare to be their genuine selves. His stories, lauded for bringing visibility for featuring Queer People of Colour, his writing showcases the power of a multicultural viewpoint daring to pen diverse, real world fiction that fosters the complex aesthetic and art of #OwnVoices realness, beauty,and truth.
To learn more about Natsuya Uesugi DuBois visit his websites at: https://natsukoarts.com/ and https://www.grydscaen.com/.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About the Grydscaen series
Natsuya’s diverse writing portfolio
The multiple award-winning grydscaen anime web series
Passions outside of writing
The invisibility of many groups in mainstream literature, film and manga and the importance of representation of those groups in the Indie World.
What’s next for Natsuya Uesugi DuBois?
GRYDSCAEN: DARK
A clandestine meet occurs in the Echelons under cover of darkness where Top Secret intel on the stock market changes hands. The insider tip gets the gothic hacker Jester engaged in a high tech game. Parliament votes to lower harsh stock market regulations fueling the Corporation's bottom line, a payoff from ministers who were propped up by illegal corporate campaign donations. Ordered by Jester, the teenage hacker Rom infiltrates the largest high volume brokerage house causing wild gyrations in trading. When Jester triggers an insidious stock market payload all hell breaks loose threatening the pristine City. Will Zoon, the leader of the Triumvirate, get roped into the fray? Can Raven, the government hacker, put the cryptic clues together before the market crashes? Find out in grydscaen: dark. Whose side are you on?
FIRST LOOK!! EXCLUSIVE CONCEPT SKETCH
17 year old Amiael Saren Aiken from book 3 of the "grydscaen: Prophet Trilogy."
FOLLOW NATSUYA UESUGI DUBOIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13136335/

B.A. Bellec’s debut novel, Someone’s Story, won the Reader Views Reader’s Choice Literary Award for Young Adult Book of the Year. Someone’s Story is a young adult coming-of-age book and has seen good support over Instagram, YouTube, and Goodreads. One of the aspects that makes Bellec’s projects unique is he includes musicians in his novels and then he actually produces the songs as his book goes through the editing stages.
Bellec was born in Richmond, BC, and raised in Langley, BC, before settling in Winnipeg, MB. His first adventure was a career in Finance, where he spent 15 years developing his business skills. His highest achievement was the Certified Payroll Manager designation. He currently still consults with businesses on their systems and processes. Over that period of time, he also attended Lights Film School where he started to nurture his early creative abilities. 
A self-starter always interested in research, he taught himself many of the aspects of storytelling through reading books, screenplays, and material online. Whenever he found an inspirational piece of art, he quickly went to the source to find the story behind the artist who created the work. It took many years after attending film school for him to finally combine his creative skills with his life experience and tell these stories he had been holding back. Some of his favorite creative people: Lukas Rossi, Justin Furstenfeld, Peter Jackson, Stephen Chbosky, J.K. Rowling, and Stephen King. 
During COVID-19, Bellec started a YouTube channel and was awarded a grant from The Canada Council for the Arts. He also pounded away on the keyboard to bring his second novel, Pulse, from his imagination to the page. He can’t wait to release that book along with the new songs that will go with it!
For more information about B.A. Bellec and his works visit his website at www.babellec.com.
Topics of Conversation
About Someone's Story and the inspiration behind the book.
Putting your story out and the editing process
Publishing during a pandemic
Creating an anonymous character as the lead protagonist
Incorporating Music into the story
Marketing during a pandemic
Blonde roast anyone?
What's next for BA Bellec?
CONNECT WITH B.A. BELLEC!
Website: https://babellec.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BABellecsProductionStudioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ba_bellec Twitter: https://twitter.com/b_bellec Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babellec
 
 

Jolly Walker Bittick grew up in Sequim, Washington and served in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2009. He is a freelance writer, avid historian, and passionate outdoorsman who has traveled extensively over the course of his life. He draws inspiration and literary prowess from his experiences in numerous career fields and a multitude of social environments. From his time in retail, military, sales, and civil service, as well as his time living in rural, suburban, and urban environments, Jolly has developed a unique literary brand that encompasses numerous aspects of contemporary society.
To learn more about Jolly Walker Bittick and his work, visit his website at https://jollywalkerbittick.com/
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Cape Henry House and the inspiration behind the story
Fictionalizing a story based on true events
Working with an illustrators and others to bring the best story forward
What he likes to read and authors who inspire him
Advice to aspiring authors
What's next for Jolly Walker Bittick?
 
CAPE HENRY HOUSE
Based on a true story, Cape Henry House is a coming of age epoch about a ragtag group of sailors and their partying adventures from a bygone era, as told by former Petty Officer Third Class Bosner. When two of his best friends move into a house off base, they believe it will be a place to relax and have a few beers. For three weeks in early 2008, it's a place to roar and have a few kegs! From bars and diners, to dance floors and strip clubs, Cape Henry House proves to be the focal point where everyone convenes. Through laughter, mayhem, drinking, and drama, the group discovers a deeper camaraderie that sees them off as some are sent overseas, others find love, and all are left with lasting memories to cherish for a lifetime!
 
CONNECT WITH JOLLY WALKER BITTICK!
Website: https://jollywalkerbittick.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JollyWalkerBittickTwitter: https://twitter.com/RealJollyWalkerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollywalkerbittick/

Dr. Calvin James began his creative journey when he was nineteen. He taught himself how to play guitar, started writing music, and founded a record company, Climax Records, Inc. in 2001. He released his first album, “City” in 2004. Around 2011, he took an interest in writing and gradually shifted his focus away from music to writing children’s stories. Once he finished graduate school in 2018, he decided to share all the music and stories he had written and founded Calvin James Creates in 2019. The mission statement of his company is to share children’s stories, novels, and music that promote the values of truth, kindness, friendship, love, and hope. The first two music videos released under the Calvin James Creates brand were “Hurricane” on October 16th, 2020 and “Listless Christmas” on December 4th, 2020. The first children’s book that will be released is “The Colored Water Fountain” on December 1st, 2021.
To learn more about Dr. Calvin James and his works, visit his website at https://calvinjamescreates.com/. 
Topics of Conversation
Creating a series for children about social issues from a different perspective
Building a world outside our reality to show how crazy the concept of judging someone by their skin color is
Diversity in children's books
Favorite books and inspiration
Music, Children's Books and Novels
What's next?
THE COLORED WATER FOUNTAIN
In a world that has been remade by a great flood, humans wake to find they are immortal children with no memory of the past. Animals are caretakers of the world; growing old and wise with no knowledge of times before. And yet, some things from the world that was... remain. When Asher and Adeline discover a sign that reads, 'Colored' Water Fountain, they set out on a quest to uncover the meaning.
 CONNECT WITH DR. CALVIN JAMES!
 Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CalvinJamesCreates
 Twitter @CalJamesCreates
 YouTube Channel: Calvin James Creates
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvinjamescreates/
 Read the Review of The Colored Water Fountain