“Writing books for children is a marathon, not a sprint.” So claims children’s author, Simon Rose. With quite a few children’s books published and in circulation, the author knows the amount of time and effort that goes into writing a book. And the work never...

It’s not easy making a living as a writer. Gone are the days when book royalties alone would constitute a substantial income. Unless you’re one of those writers who can instantly make it to the top as a best seller and keep your books on...

The famous bard, Shakespeare, knew how to make a candid point in very few words. “A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, sums up the need to be short and to the point, or, quite frankly,...

There is nothing better than a good story to sweep one’s imagination away to another world. But these stories originated somewhere and there are always some interesting tangents that a reader can pursue based on a good story. Teachers are always looking for new and...

Once a book is written, edited and published, the work is by no means complete. Authors have to be very resourceful in how they promote their work. This doesn’t have to be a burden. Some parts of self-promotion can be quite enjoyable. For example, a...

Exploring the Fantasy Realm: Magic in Stories for Children and Young Adults is small in size, but packs in a lot of information about writing in the fantasy genre. Included in the book are examples from fantasy books, including fairy tales, children’s stories, and YA...

Dreams of Tamar: A Tale of Rejection, Redemption, Restoration, and Faith Volume 1 by Darlene Pryor is listed as Christian fiction, a story that will appeal to women who have suffered a lot because of love, one with a promise of hope. A woman with...

Kurtis Matthew Russell is quick – and I might add, courageous – to tell us his goal for writing this poetry collection: 155 the Poet, Whimsy. He maintains that greatness is an accomplishment attainable by all. Shakespeare, the greatest of the great, authored 154 sonnets....

Poetry from the Field: Monday Road Poetry Volume II is Gina McKnight’s second poetry collection and draws on the natural beauty that is around us to inspire and invigorate your senses, with the inclusion of Tamara Rymer’s illustrations helping to do so. McKnight often utilizes...

Killer Review by MK Scott is a fun, cozy murder mystery. Donna Tollhouse is a middle-aged, part-time private nurse, and the proud and very busy owner of The Painted Lady Inn. With the help of her brother, Daniel, his wife Maria, and a young live-in...

What does it feel like to be in constant contact with the pain and misery of others, to touch the brokenness and fragility of another human being — the strangers, the homeless people brought straight from the gutters of life, the ones glued to their...

Magora: The Golden Maple Tree by talented author Marc Remus is the second book in the Magora children’s fantasy series and is, quite frankly, utterly magical. Twelve-year-old Holly O’Flanigan alternates between ‘the real world’ of Donkleywood, where she lives in a mansion with her foster...

Christmas Puzzles: Minkie Monster Saves Christmas is a puzzle and game book for pre-school children, written and illustrated by Ceri Clark. Minkie Monster has special plans for his holiday trip. He's going to meet Santa Claus, but when Minkie arrives at the North Pole, he's...

Defender: A Scottish-American Fairy Tale by Travis L. Salisbury and Janet C. Smyth is a powerful blend of romance and adventure, a beautifully written story with compelling characters, a strong storyline featuring unexpected leaps of faith and sudden surprises, and an endearing sense of suspense,...

Up North, Down South: City Folk Meet Country Folk by Katina L. Rankin is a wonderful children's book about a family's fun-filled travel to a place they never visited before. The author takes readers on an unforgettable journey to Mississippi, while addressing common labels attached...

Dotty and the Chimney Thief is a children’s book written by Emma Warner-Reed. Whilst in Skype chat with her best friend, Sylvia, Dotty Parsons is aggrieved to discover that one of her best friends, Joe, has disappeared. In trying to consult with her Great Uncle...

Progenitor by Sherri Moorer is the first book in the Earthside Trilogy and can most definitely be considered science fiction. Progenitor will appeal most to young adult females who enjoy science fiction; male readers may also enjoy the book, but with a female main character,...

The Chronicles of Heloise and Grimple by Sean Gibson is a clever and quirky adventure. It centers on Heloise, a sarcastic, clever half-elf, who makes a living as a bard and adventurer. And her partner, Grimple, a hill giant under an inconvenient enchantment, which gets...

Five Moons: Zep Tepi by Bill Parker is the sixth book in Bill Parker’s Five Moons series and takes place in a futuristic world where humans and androids work alongside one another and space travel has become the new norm. When a medical emergency arises...

Come on a meditation adventure with Lolli in Lolli & The Lollipop: Meditation Adventures For Kids by Elena Paige. Are you feeling sad, misunderstood, or angry? Did you have a bad day? Lolli understands. She doesn't want you to feel bad, so she has invited...