New Release Available - Hat Occasions Picture Book by Author Jillena Levine

Hat Occasions by Author Jillena Levine and Illustrator Dawn Phillips

Available for Purchase for $3.99 at Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

It's intended for the Beginner Readers Level (Pre-K-3rd Grades).

Day 38 - Illustrator Tour with Dawn Phillips - "Jognau, The Dreamer" New Release

"Jognau, the Dreamer"

Author Sylvia Rouss & Ambassador Asher Naim
Illustrator Dawn Phillips

Sylvia Rouss is privileged to write this story with Ambassador Asher Naim and to donate this story to support the work of the Scholarship Fund for Ethiopian Jews. She is the award winning author of the Sammy Spider series and an early childhood education teacher. Sylvia received the National Jewish Book award for the Littlest Pair and Sydney Taylor awards for Tali's Jerusalem Scrapbook, Sammy Spider's First Shavuot, and Sammy Spider's First Trip to Israel. With over 35 books in print, Sylvia Rouss is featured author and lecturer at book fairs throughout the United States and Israel.





You can learn more about Sylvia by visiting http://www.sylviarouss.com/?page_id=1517.

"Operation Solomon" was a secret rescue operation to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1991, the Ethiopian government was close to being toppled in a civil war that threatened the well-being of the sizable population of Ethiopian Jews. The operation set a world record for single-flight passenger load on May 24, 1991 and two babies were born during the flight.

Discover how Jognau's dreams reflect the choices his family make. If his family stays, with the hyena, they would live as outcasts in Ethiopia. If his family chose the gazelle, they would travel to other countries and never settle. If his family decides to fly with the eagle they would return to Israel, the place that is truly home.







Why was Jognau such a dreamer? Where did he dream? Who does he share his dreams with and how does it impact there lives?


You can find all the answers to these questions by visiting this website
http://www.sylviarouss.com/?page_id=1517

HERE YOU CAN VIEW THE VIDEO NARRATION OF THE STORY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAWN PHILLIPS PLUS YOU CAN GET THE BOOK AND COLORING BOOK DOWNLOADED FOR FREE.

We'd love to hear from you. Happy Reading!

Author Michelle Hall's 6 Day Virtual Book Tour

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Suzanne Lieurance

Email: suzannelieurance@hotmail.com

Website: http://writingforchildrencenter.com

Michelle Hall’s 6-day Virtual Book Tour hosted by the National Writing for Children Center kicks off Monday, February 14

Children’s author Michelle Hall is being showcased the entire month of February at the National Writing for Children Center. Part of this showcase includes a 6-day virtual book tour. Join Suzanne Lieurance, founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center, and the virtual book tour hosts as they welcome Michelle Hall for her exclusive tour that starts Monday, February 14.

Michelle Antoinette Hall, nee Grogan, was born in Barbados in the Caribbean, to Mr. and Mrs. Rudol Grogan. The younger of two children, Michelle left her island home and migrated to the United States in 1987. Michelle, always one to pursue goals that would make a difference in her community and country, joined the United States army and went to work giving back to this country she now called home. As an active duty soldier Michelle received an Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation medal and other rewards for her outstanding service.

Michelle has always loved writing and is the recipient of the Prometheus Muse of Fire trophy from the Famous Poets Society. Children’s stories are her favorites to write and this is her second published children’s story. Her first book Alyssa Says is named after her daughter an unexpected miracle and blessing.

Michelle currently resides in Texas with her husband and beautiful daughter Alyssa. Michelle still seeks out any ways in which she could give back to the community. In 2006 she started “The L.O.V.E. Center – Ladies of Victory Evolving” operated out of her home for preteens and teens teaching them skills and giving them tools to become virtuous women. She also counseled at the HOPE Pregnancy Center, and is continuing her studies in Social Work. Michelle believes that while you are here on earth you should give back in some way and daily she seeks to do that.

Intrigued? Want to learn more about Hall? Follow along on her virtual book tour. Here's the schedule:

Monday, February 14

“Meet the Author”

Host: Irene Roth – http://rothsinspiringbooksandproducts.wordpress.com

Tuesday, February 15

“The Writer’s Life”

Host: Donna McDine – http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

What's substance, and how does it effect Author Michelle Falli's writing?

Author Michelle Falli was inspired by all of the children who asked the notorious question of "What is a Belly Button?" She decided to talk with her middle-aged daughter Allie, at the age of 8 years old, to create children's book. This book assists with how to answer a young child's curious question. Yet, they'll continue to ask questions about EVERYTHING.

How proud are these characters of their "Belly Buttons"? The young boy and girl are proud enough to show their "Belly Buttons" throughout the entire book for all to see. Be sure to get a glimpse of the fun loving cartoon characters of her son, Brandon, daughter, Meghan Allison, dogs, and cats illustrated by Dawn Phillips in the following "Book Trailer Video”.

"The Belly Button Book" (Published in 2009) Available for Purchase.

You will find the vast majority of Authors are not just Authors. Author Michelle Falli is a proven fact of this theory. Why, you may ask?

Authors, who are starting out, discover they're not able to earn an income until they're established as a writer. Even those who are established as an Author can face uncertainty or stability for their published work. Don't ever let this discourage you from pursuing your dreams. Even if it means you still need to keep your day job.

What if you're faced with the struggle of a day job? Author Michelle, who teaches 6-12 grade English, has been an interim part-time substitute for the past three years. She hopes to find a full-time position as an English Teacher, and has been interviewing. Unfortunately, budget cuts have hurt teachers.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Author Michelle Falli was a RN Nurse for kids? Who would of thought, a nurse and teacher could share some similarities.

Michelle Falli received her Nursing Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ. Then it was watch out kids here comes RN Nurse Michelle. Can you guess what the kids would ask? You got it! What is a Belly Button? She would tell them a story as to why they have a belly button.

As a kid at heart and in spirit, she's been able to blend her enthusiasm towards education to teach high school aged kids about Family Life Skills (Sex Education) Health, and Nursing.

You might be surprised by how an RN Nurse and Teacher can go several directions at the same time. Next year, as a Global Volunteer, she plans visit an Orphanage in Romania to experience the joys of playing and teaching the children and provide them with medical care. She enjoyed the experience as a Volunteer of the Montana Indian Reservation with her eldest daughter.

Her nursing skills go beyond working with kids but as a spokesperson for Depression Bipolar Support Alliance and NAMI for Mental Health Advocacy. Her emphasis is towards teen depression and mental health, and she feels it's been under funded, misunderstood, and frankly there's no resources. You become more aware of such issues, if one's own family has personal experiences. For instances, the entire woman in her family has dealt with depression at some point, and her own personal experience of having a brain tumor, in 1998, which sent her into a depression.

When Michelle arrived to Virginia, in 2000, she saw the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program on Oprah, which inspired her to order a whole bunch of yellow ribbon cards. She became dedicated to the cause, and driven to make the community aware of suicide and preventions. Her mission was achieved by walking door to door with her three children (ages 1,3 and 5) handing out information. Not to mention, the time she invested by speaking with forty schools, staff development, and Superintendents. In 2001, a Suicide Prevention Program was implemented in the schools as a resource for youth.

She observed nurses like she over worked, underpaid, and under appreciated. Now, it's bled into education. Today teachers face budget cuts galore. It affects their resources for teaching and morale in the classrooms. Some teachers have lost the desire to teach. She feels it's important to step back a bit to old school, and get teachers out of burnout mode.

It was good-bye, Nurse Michelle and hello, English Teacher Mrs. Falli.

In 2007, she received her Master's Degree in Education from Shenandoah University, VA, and attended Seton Hall University, NJ, majored in English.

Mrs. Falli won't let those teachers who lack enjoyment and enthusiasm to teach bring her down. She's way too old and too enthusiastic towards teaching. Therefore, the kids benefit from all of the joy brought to the classroom. If kids see a teacher who wants to be there to teach thus they want to be there to learn.

If you expect kids to read, then you need to determine their interests because they read only what they like as too adults. She's found that teen boys read the graphic novels and teen girls who love fashion magazines let them read about fashion. What truly matters is they're engaged in a book.

Today, student's writing has become more about testing and accuracy. Instead, She believes students need to feel free to be creative. This way they're welling to step outside their box to express themselves in writing, journals, songs, poetry, and they feel less judged therefore they flourish. As a teacher, she's determined by requesting the students to write a grammatically perfect paper and creative paper, in the end they'll have a nice mixture to chose from for their final exam critiques.

You'd have to admit; if you're an English Teacher it's a natural progression to write.

Mrs. Falli has always had a passion to write. Creative writing was her favorite course in college. Her creative tendencies love to sprout new ideas to write. As she writes her new ideas down it frees and relaxes her mind. She is not limited to writing stories. She writes articles, sermons, songs, and special memories of her kids for them to later recall.

Wow, you'd have to say her creative juices are stuck in overdrive 24/7. What amazing ideas flow from her mind as she hikes, quite solitude, and personal experiences. She has too many ideas but not enough time to write. But, she shares her ideas with other authors. What about a fabulous Novel idea? Oh yes, she has it kept under wraps from some of us.

It's understandable as to why you've limited to time to write. Yet, it's wonderful to share with your readers you've two children's books published.

Author Michelle Falli has published a children's book, "Shhhh Don't Tell Mommy", it's everything her mother didn't tell her about having kids of her own, birth to age 10. Currently, working on the sequel "Shhhh Don't Tell Daddy either" the teen years, but it's a lot bigger with lots of resources, and expect to be completed in a few more years once eldest is in college. She mentioned working on "Shades of Blue" which is her life and her experiences with depression.

Here are some interesting tid-bits about Author Michelle Falli.

Author Michelle Falli resides in Round Hill, VA, with husband Peter of 19 years and three teenagers with a home in Jupiter, FL. She was born and raised in NJ, and loves anything outside such as; beach pool, hiking, biking, and reading.

She has quite a lengthy bookshelf of read books.

She loves a good book, if it teaches a lesson. She enjoys learning about their ethnical cultures ways of life, their religions, and the Middle Eastern. Here's too name a few of her collection; Author Phillipa Gregory, she writes historical fiction on monarchy royal courts, "The Other Bolyn Girl", "The White Queen", "Bolyn Girl", "Wildeacre", and "Constant Princess". She's also obsessed with the Appalachian Trail, "Blind Courage" and "Half the Sky".

Author Michelle Falli has brought forth a life of substance to her writing as a Kid's Nurse, English Teacher, Volunteer, Book Reader, and so much more. Her books were written for her children so they would have a story to pass down to the next generations. As her grandma "MA", left with her stories, business newsletters, and memories of the BEST stories told. She died at the age of 99, bless her soul. With a family of writers and storytellers the gene will continue as too the memories. Author Michelle Falli's two favorite quotes, "be the change you wish to see in the world", Mahatma Ghandi, and this quote represents herself, "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional". What a wonderful outlook on life she shares.

Come aboard, The Red Candy Caboose! Read about the stories and history of trains with Story-teller and Author Lando Brown

What if Rail Road Tracks and Trains could talk? What history they could share?

Come aboard, The Red Candy Caboose! You'll be inspired as "Story-teller" and "Author" Lando Brown shares stories about the history of trains. He's a whistle of information coming down the tracks.

Author Lando Brown lives with his wife in Santa Fe, NM. It's a wonderful place that stimulates the creative side of everyone. They're semi-retired with a total of seven children between the two of them and two grandchildren. Casey (adopted from China) is one of the grandchildren and provided part of the inspiration for "Red Candy Caboose." Aubrey is our second grandchild and has provided the foundation for "Aubrie's Magic Slide."

He attended a college for two years then received training for Methods and Work Standards Engineering at General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. Over the years, he has taken between 60-100 courses such as; law, real-estate, marketing, behavioral science, history, and an array of subjects which captivated his interest at different times in his life.

He sparked an interest in writing, as a result of a small newspaper doing a human interest story on his business and himself. The article was so inaccurate he wouldn't have know it was about himself except for his name. So he requested to write about their next subject and the newspaper agreed. For the next year, he wrote weekly human interest stories about people in his community.

Lando and his wife lived fifteen years on Maui, HI. Before they moved back to Santa Fe, NM, in 2007, he wrote a Maui Travel Guide for the tourists. An individual associated with "Chicken Soup For The Soul" happened to read the book, called, and asked if he would be a contributing author for their next edition.

"The Red Candy Caboose" is his first children's book or family book as he likes to call it. Current release date is December 1, 2009 and later the same month expect the "Red Candy Caboose Coloring Book".

Of course, there's a story to share as to why he wrote "The Red Candy Caboose". It seemed to be an ideal way to bridge generational gaps and allow families to participate in discovering the fun of trains. Also, as a story teller on the Santa Fe Southern. he noticed most of his stories were aimed at what he called the AARP group, people who enjoyed passive entertainment. Frequently, he would have two and three generations from the same family aboard the train. Our train doesn't offer rides in the caboose, but every day people would ask if they could see the inside of the caboose. After researching the early history of the caboose, he started to share this information during his caboose tours. These stories seemed to appeal to all ages. He then decided to ask the president of his company if he could offer a Caboose Club. Where children could come on a weekly basis to hear stories about trains. The Caboose Club was a non-rolling venue which offered a back drop for families and children to be an interactive part of the story. He did test readings and the response was overwhelming. His notes along with the beautiful art provided by Dawn Phillips provided "The Red Candy Caboose."

One might ask, why a story teller on a train? On July 28, 2007, they moved back to Santa Fe, NM after the sale of their business in Maui, HI. He was terrified of the thought of not having a career or job. On August 1st of that year he took a job on the Santa Fe Southern Railway as a car attendant and bar tender. He immediately noticed people wanted stories and information about Santa Fe and New Mexico as they took the 18 mile ride out to Lamy, NM. History has been a hobby and interest of his since a teen. Also, how he had been trained his entire life for this job. What a privilege to share stories of the American West with people who visited from all over the world. Up until "The Red Candy Caboose" his story telling travels were limited to the short trips to Lamy, NM on the Santa Fe Southern Railway. He found there to be over 300 tourists trains and train museums in North America.

Starting January 2010, he will make visits to as many of these locations to help each location start a "Caboose Club" for children, similar to the one already in existence at the Sacramento, CA Railroad Museum. Caboose clubs are intended to acquaint children and their families with trains by readers and authors sharing both classic and newly published stories.

Author Lando Brown has ridden on antique steam trains and enjoyed learning about their place in history. The day he saw the new sleek New Mexico Rail Runner Express pull into Santa Fe on it's maiden run his heart pounded and he knew this would be a part of history which will alter the course of transportation in the state of New Mexico. If a small State like this could make it happen, then why not everywhere. His interest in trains started much like the "The Red Candy Caboose" story. He lived by a railroad track where the most exciting part of his day was when the train passed. Lando Brown and his friends dug fox holes in the sides of the hills where the trains passed. They would jump out hoping to scare the engineer. Instead, they got big smiles and waves for their efforts.

Over the years, Author Lando Brown has read about the heartbreaks many writers encounter after the submission of their stories to hundreds of publishers. Only to receive hundreds of rejection letters in return. He doesn't know about other writers, but if he tried being a writer for the sole purpose of earning money his career would end on the day it started. In doing research on children's books he discovered they rarely sell more than 2,000 copies. Mainstream publishers normally pay royalties of about 11%, so it doesn't take much math to figure out a children's book author will be lucky to get any more than 25 cents an hour for the work they have produced. On the other side of the equation; if you do something you really love then the joy is shared by others, and anything on the side of positive cash flow is a bonus. Since he has limited experience and success as a writer he was always driven by need. His first newspaper series was a need to create stories he felt were an honest portrayal of people within the foundation of his community.

The Maui Travel Guide was a result of notes he kept from questions frequently asked by visitors to the Island and making the information easily accessible.

"Chicken Soup for the Soul" requested a human interest story about surviving cancer. He wrote about a dear friend who fought and won that battle. The friend's name was Esther and the
story was called "the Esther Bunny Lives Here."

There's a January 2010 release date for "Tracking Tales that Haunt Us". This is a copulation of train ghost stories, many of which are based on true characters that once lived in the southwest.

Second children's book is due to released in Spring of 2010, "Aubrey's Magic Slide".

There's immediate inventory available for "The Red Candy Caboose" through the book's website: www.redcandycaboose.com and www.amazon.com.
Distribution will start December 2009 and will focus on railroad depot and train museum gift shops. General distribution to book stores is anticipated for the spring of 2010.

Be sure to visit the interactive website www.redcandycaboose.com. Buttons on the home page will take viewers to links to railroads, pages where they can post their favorite caboose pictures, ability to listen to a partial reading, enter their train log for the annual train log contest and order 'Red Candy Caboose" products.

There will be additional merchandise available for purchase.
Readers are encouraged to buy related merchandise from a depot or gift shop close to them. In the event they're unable to visit a depot or gift shop they can still purchase items via the internet. Such items as: RCC night light, caboose pins, clothing, post cards, and games.

You're welcome to view some of the illustrations for the story and the You Tube Book Trailer at www.rdchildrensbooks.com.

"The Golden Pathway" by Donna Mc. Dine

Congrats, to Donna Mc. Dine an Award Winning Children's Author, on her FIRST Story Book.

Cruise on over to Donna's Blog: www.goldenpathway.blogspot.com and read more about the book and her biography.

Discover how to make a "Dream" become a "Reality" with Author Tanya Anchors.

Author Tanya Anchors is a private Home Health Care worker who works with special needs and the elderly since she was 16 years old. Currently, a student at Eastern Oregon University studying under Anthropology and Sociology Department. Also, enhanced her writing skills to pursue opportunities in personal interests. She would like very much to work with language, culture, and environmental preservation.

Author Tanya Anchors conveys the message, "That we all have dreams to aspire to0. It's healthy to dream". Her children's book Jimmy and His Amazing Flying Truck contributes her message to the readers.

Jimmy is a little boy who has an adventurous dream that he flies in his toy freight line truck. He becomes a hero and...you will have to read the book, to discover the rest of the story.

Her decision to write this book developed when her daughter asked her to tell a story while they rode in her dad's (Jimmy's) freight line truck. This was what fell out of her mouth, so she wrote it down, in 2003. It has awaited submission.


You'll notice a touch of "Green" amongst the pictures in this book. At the time, Author Tanya Anchors and Illustrator Dawn Phillips worked together on the illustrations it was Election Time. Everyone became more aware of the importance of a "Greener Earth". Ideas popped in her head and felt it was necessary to place into a book.

It will be our children who inherit what we make for them today. While big freight liner trucks are not fuel efficient she believes the new fuel cell technology will help them in the future.

You may recognize one of the characters within the book. When Tanya was asked about an opportunity to meet the president and what she would tell him. She replied, "Gosh, I have a long list. I will try to keep it short, Mr. President. These are defining and inspirational times. I just felt it was the right thing to do."

Jimmy and His Amazing Flying Truck, is her first book and would like to write another book. Also, has some of her daughters stories printed too.

You can locate Author Tanya Anchors at http:\\www.myspace.com/tsongbirdtsongbird

Available SOON for Purchase at:
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com
www.xlibris.com

"Oh No, Glasses for Me?"

I've had the privilege to work with Author Kaleena Ma on "Glasses for Me?, Oh, No!". At this time, I'd love to share with you, my readers, another side of Kaleena, such as her interests and experiences.

Kaleena Ma was an Anthropology Major from Franklin and Marshall College, in Lancaster, PA. During this time, Kaleena took an undergraduate level "Creative Writing Course" which resulted in a life long passion to write.

Kaleena was inspired by her favorite author's work, "Lord of the Rings".

She even became part of the "Lord of the Rings" community online. Where Kaleena contributed fictional stories, as she meet friends in the venue who shared the same passion for everything about the "Lord of the Rings."

If asked, Kaleena would consider herself a "Hobbit Character". She believes they may be small yet courageous, and they have such a big heart. You can't judge anyone by how they look and it's demonstrated by what the hobbits did to change and save Middle-Earth in "Tolkien's Lord of the Rings".

The reason behind her decision to write the children's book, "Glasses for Me? Oh, No!", was she recognized a need to keep her customers entertained as they wait for the Optometrist at the Optical Store. Also, to provide a children's book which addresses the concerns of kids such as; their first pair of glasses and why it's necessary to wear glasses.

Kaleena enjoys to write, read, spend time with family, music and sports. Her favorite book of all time, "The Lord of the Rings".

"Glasses for Me? Oh, No!", was Kaleena's first children's book to be published. She was most challenged by the publishing process and how slight errors can set you back in cost. She was rewarded by the outcome of her byline and available for purchase worldwide.

"Glasses for Me? Oh, No!", it's available for purchase at www.authorhouse.com, www.amazon.com, and www.bn.com today.

Be sure to visit her You Tube Book Trailer, located in the Video Bar on the side.

The Exciting Moments of Author Bernard Kowalski

Bernard Kowalski is

a Stockbroker as well as an Author.

He's blessed with two wonderful children Robert who is 36 years.

Alexis who is now 26 years old and about to have a baby of her own. He's anxious for the arrival of his first grandchild. Alexis was born in the Virgin Islands where her mother and I owned a restaurant/nightclub.

Bernard always did well in English. As a teenager, he always wrote stories. His moment arrived for him to shine, when one of his stories was published, in a School Magazine. Another was the birth of his son.

His daughter Alexis inspired him to write children's books. She literally started reading at the age of three years old. When they ran out of books to read around the house Bernard would create stories of his own. His stories would make her laugh and have a positive impact.

What's funny about "Alexis and Ralph the Dragon", is he wrote the children's book 23 years ago. It was typed on an old Underwood Typewriter his grandfather left him. He believed it had merit and submitted it to Publishers. Unfortunately, it got rejected. So, it went back into a shoe box and every few years he would resubmit the story. A year ago, Bernard submitted the story via Internet and got more rejections. Then he found Dawn Phillips, an illustrator, and she believed it provided a unique creative twinkle. At last, the illustrations and the story came together and the children's book was accepted by Publishamerica.

Bernard finds his best writing moments to be around an audience or a child. He tends to create a story for them on the spot. If it's received well and he gets a laugh out, then he commits the story to paper.

Bernard has really come to love the big Fella...lol. So much he views himself as the animated character, "Ralph the Dragon".

He finds the acceptance by a Publisher to be his challenge. It took several years for his story to be accepted. He encourages everyone to "NOT GIVE UP".

He believes the reward is the outcome of the book in print for everyone to read all over the world. Also, to see how Dawn Phillips brought the illustrations to life.

Bernard's next children's book will be "Alexis and Ralph the Dragon Meet the Boy Who Ate Spaghetti".

Be sure to visit Bernard at Myspace, Jasonsnetwork, and Facebook.

When he's not at work or writing Bernard loves to meditate on the beach, read a lot of Wayne Dyer and Chopra, and of course Dr. Seuss.

"Alexis and Ralph the Dragon", his first children's book published.

Available for purchase at Publishamerica, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Borders.

Bernard would be happy to sign every one.

April's Featured Interview with Michelle Nelson

This month's featured interview with Michelle Nelson will put you into a tailspin. How did she go from writing on a park bench to Scandal Reporters, and publishing her first children's book, "Curly Top"?







Michelle has always maintained a journal but back then it wasn't called a "Journal" (lol). She would rather sit on a park bench and write then play with friends.

Who would have thought her days on the park bench would turn her focus to Scandal Reporters. But it did, after the Monica Lewinsky scandal. What Michelle remembered the most about the scandal was how the Pope was in Cuba, and so were all the Reporters. What an historical moment in time! Word spread fast about Monica, and the Pope was left alone, as fast as you could turn a page. All the Reporters fled back to the United States to cover the Monica Story. She felt so let down, and dejected by the Presidential Scandal to the point she could not work within this environment. At this point, she decided to work in the corporate world.

Education has been extremely important to Michelle. She has achieved a BA in Journalism. With her passion to learn more about dialogues, mix of ideas, and perspectives she wrote a few chapters for her novel. They were so well received, she received a standing ovation in an English College course, and was overwhelmed with written and verbal feedback from 13 Students and the Instructor of the writing course in New York. The Instructor prodded the class to offer at least one critical critique and yet, no one could. Her Instructor felt her work was superb!

With so much left unknown, Michelle has decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Risk Management with emphasis on Business.

As a Grandmother, Michelle was inspired by her granddaughter to write her first children's book, "Curly Top". Her granddaughter has curly hair and really h-a-t-e-s it! One day, her granddaughter watched as Michelle gave her daughter, who has kinky hair, a perm. Her granddaughter saw the hairstyle of the model on the box and went into a tailspin. She wanted her hair to look just like it! This went on for months. Finally, one day, she had a meltdown which was caught on tape by Michelle, as she cried and went to everyone in the house individually! She told the same story over and over with tears. Right then, Michelle knew she had to stop her "Great American Novel" and write about what she'd witnessed.

Michelle found the most challenging part of her book being published was finding an Illustrator who gets her idea. The reward of the final product was well worth it!

"Curly Top," can be purchased at her website www.houseofwalkerpublishing.com and www.lightningsource.com. Michelle plans to publish another children's book this year, "I'm Tellin Nana".

Michelle is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators and New York Center for Independent Publishing.

Here's the inside scoop on Michelle. When she's engrossed in a project, and feels in the zone or like the most powerful story ever is about to spew itself onto blank pages. She has to take a shower! For some reason, water solidifies those words and then she's able to put it on paper. You'd have to wonder how many showers she may take in a day sometimes.

When Michelle is not in the shower, she enjoys singing, writing, reading, walking, and swimming (although I can't swim!). Here is one of Michelle's favorite books "I know why the Caged Birds Sing, Eat, Pray, and Love."

Learning the Ropes of Publishing with Author Doris Sweeney

Doris discovered what she didn't learn in grade school wouldn't discourage her from what she would learn from her journey as a writer.

Doris's journey as a writer began as a child inspired to write, the journey continued through junior High School, and Creative Writing courses at the College Level under Lucille Clifton.

Doris even has a few poems "created" as the "muse hit me" on napkins and other assorted kinds of papers.

Doris's children and experiences of teaching at the elementary school inspired her to write children's books.

As a child, Doris wrote poetry, but wrote "Teddy", in the early 1990's and tucked him away since, there wasn't any offers of publication from "traditional" publishers.

A few years later, Doris discovered the world of Self- Publishing and had the additional finances to pursue it. She brought "Teddy" out of hiding. The sight of "Teddy" in print for the first time, even though, it wasn't the final version, was such a rewarding part of self-publishing for Doris.

The "reward" came with "challenges". Doris dealt with communication barriers with the publisher. It's a very long and complicated process to get published but this will not stop her from publishing again. Doris still plans to learn the ropes of publishing while also finding the time to write.

Doris's published books are available for purchase at Xlibris Publishing www.xlibrispublishing.com; "The Life and Times of Teddy, the Bear: II (title not finalized) and "The Alliterative Alphabet" (still in the works and almost ready to be illustrated).

Doris enjoys the following "Hobbies" in her spare time, photography, cooking, writing, and traveling. Favorite Books of Doris consist of multiple genres, "The Giving Tree," "Where the sidewalk ends," "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," "The Biology of Success," anything Seuss, and anything Sci-Fi- - especially the 2001 books.