NEW BOOK RELEASE by Mike Rothmiller - The Great Chief Sitting Bull

 

FIND THIS BOOK ON AMAZON HERE

This personal writing journal includes the biography and cover photograph of Chief Sitting Bull. It also includes 150 lined pages for your writing, remembrances, and notes. It is an ideal gift for students, friends and those interested in the history of Native Americans.

Mike has created several of these notebooks, each with a famous Native American’s biography, with the majority of the book dedicated to dreamers and writers who will write their own stories on the lined pages.

From the book:

“Sitting Bull was born in what is now South Dakota around 1831, the son of Hunkpapa Teton, generally known as Jumping Bull. He was scarcely ten years old when he went on his first buffalo hunt, and at 14, with a war party against Crow Indians, counted his first coup . . .”

You can find this notebook on Amazon and other outlets

About the author:

“Mike Rothmiller is a New York Times Bestselling author, historian, a former cop, and an Army medic. He’s a former TV Reporter, an award-winning documentary television producer, and television host for ESPN, PBS, and other international television markets. His nonfiction book, My Hero, Military, Kids Write About Their Moms and Dads (St. Martin’s Press) received international acclaim and is the only book to have forwards written by three living Presidents and General Norman Schwarzkopf. Additionally, he’s been a corporate President/CEO and directed three divisions of Sony Electronics EMCS-America, and he briefed the President of the United States. Readers of his books include; three Presidents, former First Lady Laura Bush, the late Charlton Heston, and Queen Elizabeth II.” Find out more about Mike HERE 

Cover reveal - ANGEL BRAVE - Azura Chronicles Book 3 - by Vijaya Schartz - Coming this October

I'm so excited. Here is the official cover for my October 1, 2021 release, ANGEL BRAVE, Azura Chronicles Book 3, courtesy of Michelle Lee, who designs the covers for my Canadian publisher, BWL Publishing. It's a sci-fi romance, paranormal adventure. 

If you want to catch up with this award-winning series, you can find the first two books Angel Mine & Angel Fierce 30% off at Smashwords HERE And Angel Mine is 99cts on Amazon kindle HERE - Also available in paperback.

 

New Release: Summer! Time to Search for Food, A Story about Trumpeter Swans - Barbara Renner (Author) & Rita Goldner (Illustrator)

 

Find this book on Amazon HERE

It's time for Pen and Cob Swan to teach their young cygnets how to feed underwater, but little Cygie doesn't like to get his face wet because the water stings his nose. He decides to explore on his own, but instead of finding food, he finds danger. Will Cygie ever find something to eat in time to calm his growling stomach?

Children ages 3-8 and readers of all ages will discover interesting facts about the beautiful Trumpeter Swans and even listen to an actual Trumpeter Swan call by scanning a QR Code.

Review Quote: "What a wonderful swan family! Cygie's adventure reminds us that families help each other learn so many important lessons in life and also take care of each other." Nancy Fischer, Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge 

Find this book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target and other outlets. 

About the author:

Known as Jane-of-All-Trades, Barbara has worn many hats in her lifetime, from bookkeeping to banking to teaching. She loves to travel too, and “Oh, the places she has been” range from Tahiti to New Zealand to Iceland to Ireland to Greece. And she’s not done yet. So many places to go! Isn’t every English teacher’s dream to write the next great American novel when they retire? Barbara had the same dream, except she decided to write children’s picture books. Her Informational Fiction books contain interesting facts, sounds, and themes of kindness and friendship. Barbara developed an innovative way to have children listen to actual animal sounds in her books. QR Codes are not just for advertising! Find out more about Barbara on her website, www.rennerwrites.com

Warrior Women Part 3 - 16th Century to today - by Vijaya Schartz

 

Find Vijaya's novels at BWL Publishing HERE and on her website HERE

Amina, Warrior Queen of Zaria (1588-1589)

Amina was queen in a part of Nigeria now known as Zaria, where women could inherit the throne on an even keel with men. Many city states dominated trans-Saharan trade after the collapse of the Songhai Empire to the west. At the age of sixteen, Amina became the heir apparent. Although her mother’s reign was known for peace and prosperity, Amina immersed herself in military skills from the women warriors of her tribe.

Three months after her ascent to the throne, Amina started her conquests to expand her domain and open safe trade routes. She remained a warrior queen for 34 years until her death.

India during the Raj (British occupation): Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796 AD)

Queen of Sivaganga from 1780 to 1790, Velu Nachiyar was the first female freedom fighter against the British. Also known as Veeramangai (brave woman), she was trained in martial arts, horse riding and archery. She was also fluent in French, English and Urdu. 

After her husband was killed by the British army, she took refuge with Haider Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, then she launched her attack. When her daughter was martyred in the fight against the British, the queen formed a women’s army and named it after her daughter. Her fearlessness and gallantry on the battlefield are still remembered today.

Nakano Takeko, last female Samurai of Japan

The last Samurai warrior woman, Nakano Takeko, was recorded in the 19th century. During the Battle of Aizu, she led a corps of female Samurai against the Emperor's forces. She fought with a naginata, the traditional weapon of choice for Japanese women warriors.

Takeko was leading a charge against the imperial troops when she took a bullet to the chest. Knowing she would die, the 21-year-old warrior ordered her sister Yuko to cut off her head and hide it from the enemy. Yuko did as asked, and Nakano Takeko's head was buried under a tree.

The struggle of 20th Century women to be accepted in the military.

I remember when I was a teenager, learning that the Israeli military accepted women in their ranks. Not wearing skirts and typing reports in an office, but in combat gear on the front lines. I was fascinated.

First Israeli women in the military

Since then, after much hesitancy concerning the battlefield, the US military is training women for combat. They are now fighter pilots, foot soldiers, Marines, and much more.

US Fighter pilots

US Navy Seals

But this is a phenomenon happening around the world. We see battalions of fighting Amazons in Russia, women soldiers in Africa, in India, in the middle east. The women have risen and are taking control of their own lives, to defend their freedom, their rights, their land, or their family.

Warrior Women of Kenya

Women in India's Military Police

Russia's battalion of Amazons

Kurdish women fighting ISIS

If you like strong heroines with a warrior slant, check out my books. In my novels, they are bounty hunters, law-enforcement officers, Avenging Angels, soldiers, starship captains, Amazons, and warrior queens. They are often in charge, and playing an important role in their society. Sometimes, they rescue the hero, and they are definitely his equal.

I especially recommend these to lift your warrior spirits. Book 1, Angel Mine is 99cts in kindle, Book 2, Angel Fierce, is an award-winner, and Book 3, Angel Brave, is coming in October.

There is a planet out in the universe, emitting a strange turquoise glow. A long time ago Azura refused to join the Trade Alliance. The Alliance sent their military fleet to destroy the Azurans, but their powerful supernatural abilities spread fear even among the fiercest Devil Dogs. Since then, records have been erased. Rumors and legends all but died. Azura is strictly forbidden, and the daring few who venture beyond the warning space beacons are never seen again...

Happy Reading

Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB

Unique Publishing Program Inspires Student Creativity

 Educators know that students take pride in seeing their literary works on the classroom bulletin board. Imagine then the quantum leap in students’ self-confidence when their writing projects are published in book form. School Express Press, a division of Story Monsters LLC, is helping schools make that a reality by taking students’ works and publishing them. 

Former educator and Story Monsters president, Linda F. Radke, has more than three decades of experience in the book publishing industry. “Over the years,” she says, “we’ve had the honor of producing several books by first-time authors, many of them students, and some as young as 7 years old. I’ve seen looks on their faces when they hold books that they authored in their hands for the first time. The whole experience is priceless.” 

School Express Press builds on this idea by offering teachers and librarians the opportunity to have their students’ writing projects, individually or entire classrooms, professionally published. “I know firsthand how this can bolster students’ self-esteem,” says Radke, “and how it can strengthen their interest in writing throughout the rest of their academic careers and beyond.” Teachers across the country concur. 

“I cannot begin to express how thankful my students and I are for your support and guidance … as we embarked on our school’s first student-directed publication of academic work,” says Keith Brayman, a social studies teacher at River Bluff High School in Lexington, S.C. “We cannot wait to work with you all again.” 

Lisa Moore, a teacher at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, echoes Brayman’s comments. “We received our published book … and are beyond thrilled. We wanted you to know how appreciative we are for all your many tireless hours of help, encouragement and professionalism that made this publication possible.” 

The process is simple. With step-by-step guidance from School Express Press, schools prepare print-ready files that include cover design, layout, editing and typesetting. Then, for a one-time set-up fee and the cost of printing and shipping, School Express Press will deliver a minimum 25 books to the school. “Most jobs are completed within just three to four weeks of receiving the print-ready files,” says Radke. 

To learn more about how your school can benefit from School Express Press, call (480) 940-8182
Email linda@storymonsters.com
Or visit www.schoolexpresspress.com. 

The Inevitable Author - Nurturing the Garden - by Kathleen Cook

 

Kathleen Cook is a free-lance editor and the author of twenty-one books. A former copy writer/editor for Demand Studios, she also served as the Fictional Religion Editor for the ODP (Open Directory Project). She is currently the Arizona Authors Association newsletter editor. Contact Katy at: faerland@yahoo.com

Ah summer! After planting thirty tomato seedlings this morning, I came inside and started on this column. The fresh air still in my lungs, I marveled at how fortunate I am to be able to do the things I do, both in my garden and in this organization.

I think of the Arizona Authors Association as a garden, in a way. Two years ago, we were restarting from nearly the ground up, once again. It wasn't easy, trying to convince long-term members to keep sending in their membership fees when our legs were still shaky. We had to convince them that we were on the right track again, and working our way towards our former glory. Luckily, many of them stuck with us during the bad times and now enjoy the revitalized association that we have always loved. It reminds me of the year there was a bad storm and destroyed nearly my entire garden of precious seedlings. I had to salvage what I could from what was left. Miraculously, a few plants survived and wound up being the best ones I'd ever had, beautiful, healthy and bountiful. The AAA has bounded back in the same way

We have so many things planned for the future! The association purchased an upgraded membership in Zoom because of the pandemic, but we discovered that more people attend the Zoom workshops than we had in our library-based workshops before the pandemic. Fantastic! We can now bring top-notch workshop presenters to you in your own home. The next presenter is Donis Casey, a brilliant writer and a wonderful teacher. I'm going to attend her workshop on June 5th, coming up in just a few days! Will you?

In July, Toby (Heathcotte) and I will be hosting another Zoom book fair, and Jane Ruby will be joining us! The last one was so much fun that we just had to do it again. It's open to the public to attend, but only members may showcase their books. I'd love to meet you there, and best of all, it's FREE! Come on; I’m sure you have a book gathering dust that you’d love to tell us about. I’d love to hear about it!

I’m also hurrying to dust off a book or two for the 2021 Arizona Authors Literary Contest. The DEADLINE IS LOOMING! We’ve got THIS MONTH to get in our books, folks, so let’s make sure that Jane Ruby, our Contest Coordinator, has as many books as my garden has seedlings! With our new Oldie But Goldie category and a renewed interest in the contest in general, this may be our best year ever. 

Remember, too, that there are critiques available for all unpublished contest entries, for an additional fee. I spent many years as an editor, and I know that the price of the critiques is very low in comparison to professional reviews. If you aren’t sure whether your unpublished entry is good, why not try it anyway and ask for a review? You may receive valuable advice that will help you to win next year’s contest. 

While I am sad that we have lost a few good members, I’m so grateful to all the ones that we’ve retained, as well as the new ones that keep joining. That’s how it is in a garden, even a flourishing one like ours. I want you to know that you fit perfectly in this lovely garden we call the Arizona Authors Association, and that each of you are valued and beautiful.

So many more things will happen in the future. With our professional Zoom membership, be on the lookout for more workshops, more book fairs, more of everything! What would you like to see the Arizona Authors Association do in the future? Write to me or Toby and tell us! We’d love to hear from you and we’d certainly take your ideas and suggestions under consideration.

Well, I’m off again to plant some huckleberries. What will you plant today, either in a garden, in a notebook, or in that new book you’re writing? Keep it up; stick with it, and never let adversity cause you to despair. Eventually, we all grow and thrive and learn! Let’s keep doing all three together, and thank you so much for being a part of this wonderful association!