Inside Scoop Live!

Paul Sturm actually started writing poems as a teenager, attempting to impress young ladies, though to no avail except for a smile or two. Many years later, the author worked in a high pressure career prompting him to escape by reading and writing for the fun of it. The author's amusing sense of humor provided the perfect backdrop for his hilarious books.
Another important aspect of his writing could be gleaned from an episode of 'The Twilight Zone' titled "Walking the Distance." In that episode, a traveling executive has car trouble on a country road. The man walks to the small town nearby where he was born and discovers himself as a boy once more. The author, in a manner, revels in writing amusing tales of his youth growing up in a small town, allowing him to be a spirited boy once more.
Paul has a B.S. degree from the College of William and Mary, an M.B.A. degree from the University of South Florida, and is a Certified Public Accountant, a CPA. The author spent 2 years at the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, Inc., before accepting an offer from Computer Sciences Corporation, where he became a Vice President of Finance in 1986. The author enjoyed 37 exciting and adventurous years at Computer Sciences Corporation, including several overseas assignments in Malaysia, India, and Europe.
The author has written 3 amusing, entertaining, and fun-loving books, including 'My Favorite Girlfriend,' 'Golfing Adventures with Frankie, the Witty Caddie,' and 'More Golfing Adventures with Frankie, the Witty Caddie.'
Paul is married and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren, and lives just outside of Washington, D.C., in a Virginia suburb.
You can learn more about Paul Sturm and his work at https://www.paulsturmauthor.com/ 
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About his books
Writing memoir
The role of humor in his writing and in his life
Surprising things he learned along the way
What people are saying about Pauls Books
CONNECT WITH PAUL STURM!
Website is http://www.paulsturmauthor.com.
Facebook URL is: https://www.facebook.com/paulsturmauthor/
LinkedIn URL is; http://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sturm-a41487190
Instagram URL is: https://www.instagram.com/paulsturmauthor/
Amazon URL for "My Favorite Girlfriend" is:  https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08DBZPM1W
Amazon URL for "Golfing Adventures with Frankie, the Witty Caddie" is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DG2XMH9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2
Amazon URL for "More Golfing Adventures with Frankie, the Witty Caddie" is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08S3HLYJT/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1
 
 

Mark Shaiken lives with his wife Loren and their dog Emily in Denver, CO. He schooled at Haverford College and Washburn University, and practiced commercial bankruptcy law for several decades before moving on in 2019 to write, volunteer and play music.
In addition to his latest legal thriller, "Automatic Stay," he is the author of "And . . Just Like That - essays on a life before, during, and after the law" and "Fresh Start," a legal mystery.  Mark is currently working on his book, "Unfair Discrimination." 
You can learn more about mark and his work at markshaikenauthor.com
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
Mark's author journey
Writing fiction and non-fiction
Developing and mapping out a legal thriller series
Writing authentic characters
What people are saying about Automatic Stay
What's next for Mark Shaiken?
 
AUTOMATIC STAY
In Automatic Stay, 3J and Pascale are back and file bankruptcy cases for six Kansas City jazz clubs that have somehow managed to survive the Covid pandemic. Now they must battle an unknown enemy who runs an anonymous disinformation campaign on social media to try to put the clubs out of business. Will they be able to stop the campaign in time to save the clubs and keep jazz alive in the city?
 
CONNECT WITH MARK SHAIKEN!
Website: htttp://markshaikenauthor.com 
Author's page: htttp://markshaikenauthor.com
YouTube book trailer: https://youtu.be/KyJSXZNCRaY
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-shaiken-author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Shaiken-Author/100070831924501/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkShaiken    

Books have been a part of Marilynn Wood’s world for as long as she can remember. She was influenced by her maternal grandmother, a teacher, who exposed her to reading and writing at an early age. She wrote her first story in first grade and caught the literary bug, though it would be many years later for her dream to become an author was realized. 
What started as a book about the socio-economic problems on our planet took a turn to SciFi when a UFO experience caused her to wonder about beings from another planet and how they would regard us and the way we treat one another. During the creation of her debut novel, Exit to Morvana, Wood realized her deepest wish was for our planet to achieve Utopia, claiming victory over all the upheavals we’ve been through. Marilynn believes we have all the potential to succeed, but it’s up to us to choose the right path.
Marilynn Wood resides in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, in the Canadian province of British Columbia, where she is currently working on her second novel.
To learn more about Marilynn Wood and her work visit www.morvana.ca.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
The author's writing journey and her decision to become an author.
About Exit to Morvana
Inspiration behind the story.
Writing a series.
The most surprising thing she learned while writing Exit to Morvana and the one thing she wishes she'd known before she started out!
What's next for Marilynn Wood?
 
EXIT TO MORVANA
Do the painful disappointments in life make you wonder "Where is the exit door on this planet? Consider the tale of over worked, lonely Samantha who one day meets a mysterious Alien while visiting a metaphysical book store. He offers to take her to Morvana, a planet in the Andromeda galaxy where the people have such long life spans they are virtually immortal. The Morvanian civilization has suffered through all the trials and tribulations that planet Earth has and overcome them. This has resulted in a near perfect Utopian planet. The only catch is, Samantha must agree to leave Earth and everything she knows -- forever. If you had such an opportunity, would you go?
 
 

In his role as President of Propheta Lucro Management Consultants, Paul Sacco develops and delivers leadership development programs that enable people to create, verify and decide ideas for strategy, innovation, and complex problem-solving. He is also the author of Strategy Quest – The Executive Guide for Finding Business Opportunities.
Paul is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he earned both a B.A.Sc. and an MBA. He is also a certified MBTI Practitioner. Paul's volunteer experience includes mentoring MBA students and participating as a director on non-profit boards.
Residing in Calgary, Alberta, Paul, and his wife Juli enjoy golf, music, tropical vacations, theatre and hiking with their dog, Kali.
To learn more about Paul Sacco and his work visit https://paul-sacco.com/ and https://prophetalucro.com/
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Strategy Quest and the inspiration for writing the book.
What is a strategic mindset?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test and its significance to the strategic mindset
Sears and Amazon
Propheta Lucro Management Colsultants
What's next for Paul Sacco?
Strategy Quest: The Executive Guide to Finding Business Opportunities
Are you a business executive in need of strategic opportunities? Using an entirely new method, Strategy Quest will guide you every step of the way. With Strategy Quest you will learn to set strategic goals, create an original vision, and judge whether it represents a strategic opportunity.
Stop copying your competitors or following trends. The only way to beat the competition is to find unique strategic opportunities. Get started on your Strategy Quest today. Combining knowledge from leadership, business, strategy, psychology, philosophy, art, neuroscience and history, Strategy Quest will pave your way to competitive success. Whether your business is B2C or B2B and your customers are internal or external, Strategy Quest will help your business win!
 
CONNECT WITH PAUL SACCO
www.prophetalucro.com
www.paul-sacco.com
Paul-Sacco.com
https://www.facebook.com/paulsaccoauthor
https://www.facebook.com/PLIdeas
linkedin.com/in/paulsacco
https://www.linkedin.com/company/propheta-lucro-management-consulting
https://twitter.com/prophetalucro

Julie Broad, founder of the self-publishing services firm Book Launchers and Amazon Overall #1 Best-Selling Author, knows what it takes to successfully self-publish a book. Her popular YouTube channel, BookLaunchers.TV, embodies the hashtag of #noboringbooks helping nonfiction authors write and market books people want to read.
Julie’s titles include More than Cashflow, which topped Amazon, The New Brand You, and her latest book, Self-Publish & Succeed. A recognized real estate investor, successful entrepreneur, and notable speaker, Julie also received the Top 20 under 40 Award for her business and community contributions. She’s been speaking on stages across Canada and the US since 2009, sharing her strategies to write a book that builds your business and have more impact and influence with your brand. 
An expert on writing a book with marketing in mind, Julie teaches the best approaches to get results, make an impact, and ultimately, make more money. Julie always leaves people inspired, excited, and with clear steps to take action immediately. Her advice for authors and investors has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, Yahoo! Business, CTV, the Toronto Sun, Medium.com and many local and national TV shows. 
Born and raised in Canada, Julie currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. When she’s not busy with Book Launchers or her family, you’ll find her at CrossFit or playing poker.
To learn more about Julie and her work, visit https://juliebroad.com/ and https://booklaunchers.com/
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Writing a book people will want to read using the Self-Publish and Succeed method.
The importance of your book title, subtitle and chapter titles!
Do the prep work
Should all non-fiction authors narrate their audiobooks?
About BookLaunchers.com
What's next for Julie Broad?
 
SELF-PUBLISH & SUCCEED
You can write a book—anyone can. But if you want to write a book that people will want or even need to read, it’s not as simple as sitting down to write. In fact, that’s one of the biggest mistakes unsuccessful authors make.Writing a book can be one of the smartest moves for your business success. But you need more than a message and writing skills to create an impressive book that readers will love. You also need a plan to market, sell, and leverage your book into a new level of leadership within your industry to reach your professional goals.In Self-Publish & Succeed, trusted best-selling author and entrepreneur Julie Broad shows you that writing a successful nonfiction book starts long before you craft your first chapter. To write a book that boosts your brand, generates a profit, and makes you an influencer in your industry, you need the #noboringbooks way.
 
CONNECT WITH JULIE BROAD AND BOOK LAUNCHERS!
https://www.facebook.com/booklaunchers/https://twitter.com/BookLaunchershttps://www.instagram.com/booklaunchers/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKx1lFOj7qGseYruGokKVjghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebroad/https://www.linkedin.com/company/book-launchers/
 

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.