Halo Publishing International

Importance of Family is Theme of New Children’s Book

2011-12-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

Author Tim Kloos recognizes the important role his family has played throughout his young life. His new children’s book, A Mishap (or Two), recently published through Halo Publishing International, stresses the important relationship between a father and a son in a fun, rhyming story readers will truly love.

“One of my hopes for the book is that it will inspire parents to be better parents,” Kloos said. Parents make mistakes sometimes, explained the author. “If the parents own up to their responsibility when things don’t go right, children learn how to do that too.” “I think that is an important lesson.” “And, we all need someone to encourage us along the way,” Kloos said.

Halo Publisher Lisa Umina said parents will enjoy reading A Mishap (or Two) with their children. “It is important for parents to develop the love of reading in children.” “This book is about the family relationship and that sometimes people make mistakes.” “I think sharing the message strengthens the family bond,” Umina said.

While in college at Cleveland State University, Kloos tutored grade school children through the America Reads program, a grassroots national campaign challenging every American to help all our children learn to read. Always searching for new books to share with his students, Kloos was inspired to write A Mishap (or Two). A meaningful tale the author describes as “Little House on the Prairie meets Dr. Seuss.”

Kloos said the book is a good bedtime story, one he hopes parents share often with their children. “I think one of the book’s strengths is that it uses the fun of rhyming but challenges readers beyond the "See Spot Run" reading level,” said the author.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Kloos grew up in the West Park neighborhood where he attended St. Mark’s Catholic grade school and became a 2001 graduate of St. Edward’s High School. He attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 2005 from Cleveland State University with a degree in Computer Science. One of four children, Kloos and a brother started their own company, Resonant Programming, which specializes in Web programming and computer consulting services including search engine optimization and Web site creation.

Kloos plans to promote his book at schools, libraries and area book stores.

To reach author Tim Kloos, call 216-759-3987 or e-mail author@amishaportwo.com. Information also is available at his Web site, www.amishaportwo.com. To order this book, visit www.halopublishing.com

Child’s Birth Inspires Book about Unbounded Love

2011-11-29T08:50:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the birth of her adopted son, Caleb, author Melissa Ivey Staehli wrote I Love You to the Moon, a new children’s book about unbounded love.

“I am so thankful and blessed that Caleb’s birth mother chose life for him. The love I have for my son is what inspires me to write,” Staehli said.

A simple, poetic lullaby, I Love You to the Moon is a book that any loved one can read to a young child to let them know how much they are loved.

“Born out of a mother’s love for her child, this book will bless both the reader and child,” said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina. “Sharing unbounded love with a child benefits our world forever.”

A native of the Akron, Ohio area, author Melissa Staehli grew up being close to her brother and four cousins, children of her mother’s twin. She attended Chapel Hill Christian elementary school where her husband, Jared, also was educated as a child. “Acquainted only” according to the writer, throughout school, the couple reconnected in their early twenties and married in 1993. Jared earns a living as a videographer/editor/producer and Melissa was employed as a nail technician when Caleb miraculously arrived in their lives.

“His birth mother generously decided to let a family adopt him,” Staehli explained, “and we had already started the adoption process through Korea, never knowing that a domestic adoption was meant to be.”

Staehli had written several poems over the years, including “one about God giving me a baby boy,” she said. I Love You to the Moon is basically another personal poem, one inspired by her faith in God and true love for her child, she said.

Staehli is available for book signings, readings and hopes to share her book throughout the community. She hopes to remind people “that we all should be thankful everyday of the year, because we have so many blessings.”

The author is working on her second book, Charlie’s Gingerbread House, also to be published by Halo Publishing International.

To reach author Melissa Staehli, call 330-322-6357 or e-mail melissa@joyfulbooks.com. To learn more about the book, or to order, please visit: www.ILoveYouToTheMoon.com or www.halopublishing.com

New Book Teaches Some Good Old Fashioned Manners

2011-11-28T15:55:00.001-08:00

Author Maryann B. Sawka says her new book about manners not only teach the rules for good behavior in a social setting, but also helps readers gain confidence and poise.

“Good Table Manners Made Easy teaches people of any age how to feel comfortable in a variety of social dining situations,” Sawka says.

An educator and mother of two girls, the author said she sees in our society a general “disregard for basic social kindness.” She embraces the notion that good manners are stylish and timely in every situation and founded Charming Manners, a training company that educates all ages seeking self confidence. “If you have confidence, you can handle many things.”

She developed Good Table Manners Made Easy because she wanted to offer a simple guide her students could refer to after completing class. The new book, published through Halo Publishing International, offers quick tips for all ages. It not only teaches the proper rules for civility, but offers an explanation as to why it is important for us to follow them.

“Maryann’s new book introduces good manners with a fun, engaging approach that makes the quest for knowledge an enjoyable experience,” said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina. “This easy-to-read book filled with helpful tips is an excellent resource for both children and adults who will benefit from the lessons for the rest of their lives,” Umina said.

Sawka, a native of Brownsville, Pa., a small town south of Pittsburgh, earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from the California University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in reading and literacy from Walden University. She and her husband, Eli, will soon celebrate their 10^th anniversary and have two children, Megan, 8, and Sarah, 4.

Sawka is promoting her new book through schools, libraries and other public venues and hopes to get Good Table Manners Made Easy into the hands of as many readers as possible.

“I think having good manners helps to build strong character, something we desperately need to see more in our society,” says the author.

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Children’s Book Series Inspires Lifelong Learning

2011-11-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

Experienced educator Molly Nero has created a series of stories to get children excited about learning.

“Learning is not just for school, it’s for life,” says Nero, author of Smarty Pig, soon to be released through Halo Publishing International. She hopes teachers will utilize Smarty Pig in their classrooms to inspire their students. “It is important to help children understand that learning to count and read is not just something we make them do at school, but lessons they will be applying throughout their lives.”

Smarty Pig is a story about a family of pigs who give up on school. One of the pigs, though, loves to learn. She creates games to help others practice skills eventually getting the family members to realize that learning can be fun and how important school really is to their future. Reaching out to young students, the pro-learning book is geared toward children in grades K-3.

“This book series will be valuable to teachers working to inspire learning in children,” said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina. “Molly knows from her own experience as a teacher how important it is to get children excited about school.”

First-grade teacher Barbara Walsh said Smarty Pig appeals to readers of all ages. “Parents and teachers love the positive message about learning,” Walsh said. “And kids love it because it’s fun.”

Nero said she wants children to understand that school is a good place, and it isn’t just about tests. Creative and experiential learning are essential to development, said the author. She said reading to her own children inspired her to write stories that will build self-esteem and help young students deal with issues at school.

A native of Arlington, Texas and the youngest in a family of seven children, Nero taught academics and music at the elementary school level after achieving her degree at the University of Texas. She also has experience as a musical theater performer. Nero recently relocated to Pennsylvania with her husband and two children, ages 9 and 15. She leads Shining Stars Musical Theater Camp, and also developed My Kids Art Forever.com, a business that creates unique gifts from children’s artwork.

Smarty Pig will be released in early 2012. To order the book, visit halopublishing.com. For additional information, visit smartypigbooks.com. To reach Molly Nero, call 412-722-4373 or e-mail mollynero@smartypigbooks.com.

Proud Business Educator Offers Tried and True Tips to Help Others Succeed

2011-11-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Professional business manager Douglas Bartley continues to educate another generation of leaders with his new book A How-To Manual on Human Resource Problems. A retired University of Texas professor, Bartley’s previously published text book, Job Evaluation: Wage & Salary Administration, was used by about 250 universities and business schools. He hopes his new business resource, available through Halo Publishing International, will be used in classrooms throughout the world to teach students how to succeed as managers, and also at companies, small and large, to assist them with improving their management techniques.

“In his new book, Douglas Bartley shares his expertise and success in improving company human resource and business management efforts,” said Publisher Lisa Umina. “A How-To Manual on Human Resource Problems will help businesses managers do a better job that will lead to a more successful operation, and teaches a new generation of managers to run companies efficiently and effectively,” Umina said.

Born in Pinkneyville, Illinois, a small town about 60 miles east of St. Louis, Bartley said he learned at a young age that he needed an education to succeed. He also learned early in life how to cope with sadness after both his twin brother and mother died in separate years. Bartley was raised by his aunt, who he said provided a very loving home. He went to college for two years before serving in the World War II as a navy officer. After the war, Bartley earned degrees in education and business at the University of Illinois and University of Pittsburgh, and spent much of his career managing various operations throughout the world for the Heinz Company. He later worked as a consultant in Human Resource and Factory Management for 35 different companies in 17 countries. Bartley said he earned good marks in college, was an accomplished athlete and worked two jobs most of his life. He also married his wife, Ruth, and they have two daughters and a son.

“I hope to share my expertise to help others succeed in business,” Bartley said. The author has been a regular contributor to professional trade journals throughout the United States and has received numerous awards for his work and contributions in education. Bartley now resides in Elmhurst, Illinois.

To reach this author, call 630-617-4887. To order A How-To Manual on Human Resource Problems, visit www.halopublishing.com.

Law Student Inspires Youth to Use Their Talents for Good

2011-11-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Law student Matthew Hebebrand’s passions include reading, storytelling and writing, and he plans to inspire other young people to find their own talents and use them to make the world a better place. His recently published book, The Undergrads, is about students with supernatural abilities and the life-impacting choices they make.

“The Undergrads highlights problems that take place on all college campuses and ways students can solve them,” Hebebrand said. “Starting college can be a scary experience.” In The Undergrads, 10 freshmen at the fictional Pine State University develop amazing abilities after being exposed to a science experiment gone wrong. When someone discovers the source of their powers, each student faces the choice whether or not to use them and begins to discover who they really are, as well as the true meaning of friendship.

“Their powers are metaphors for talents,” Hebebrand said. “It is important for each of us to recognize our talents, understand what we are capable of doing, embrace it and use it, preferably for the greater good.” “Parts of my personality are in all of the characters in The Undergrads,” he said.

Originally a writing project for an honors program class at Miami University where Hebebrand earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, The Undergrads is available through Halo Publishing International. “Halo Publishing International is proud to have a role in getting Matthew’s book into the hands of young people who are seeking inspiration and guidance to become productive, giving citizens of what has become a high-tech, fast paced world,” said Publisher Lisa Umina. “It is my hope that Matthew gets the chance to talk to high school and college age students about what they can do to make our world a better place,” Umina said.

Hebebrand said the college life experience is ripe for storytelling and a school campus is the perfect back drop for a story that readers relate to their own educational journeys. A 2009 graduate of Miami University and presently a Cleveland Marshall Law student in his final year of study, Hebebrand was selected to participate in an externship with Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court, the highest judicial position in the state. The author has made presentations to honors students at Miami University as well as students at his high school alma mater, Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. “I encourage people to look inside themselves and make a commitment to follow their dreams,” Hebebrand said.

To schedule an interview or author appearance with Matthew Hebebrand, e-mail him at matthewhebebrand@gmail.com or call (440) 665-2115. To order this book or get in touch with publisher Lisa Umina, visit Halo Publishing International at www.halopublishing.com.

Counselor Teaches Resiliency is Mind Over Matter

2011-10-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

High school counselor and former special education teacher, Kasey Kellem knows a lot about facing life challenges. Her new book series, Mind Over Matter, teaches young children how to be resilient to them. “Everyone faces tumultuous times in their lives,” Kellem said. The Cleveland area conselor said she hopes her books will teach children they can get through their gut-wrenching, stressful troubles using a mind over matter technique that is within everyone.

Kellem’s goal is to get the book into the hands of as many children under age six as possible to introduce them to five concepts of resiliency. In order to overcome challenges, the author said, one must “believe, dream, love, relax and laugh.” If they learn these things early on, they will be able to use them the rest of their lives to overcome the many challenges that will come their way, she explained. The first book in her Mind Over Matter series is Believe.

Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina is pleased to publish Kellem’s inspiring series of books. “This series is something that will help children throughout their entire lives,” Umina said.

Kellem said she grew up in a “traditional nuclear family” that included her mom and dad and three sisters in Fairview Park, Ohio. She attended Magnificat High School and earned her bachelor’s degree at Baldwin Wallace College and master’s degree in Special Education at Kent State University. She also has an Educational Specialist Degree in counseling. While growing up, Kellem said she played sports and percussion instruments in the band, and was pretty much the class clown. She knew then that laughter helps people get through some rotten times.

The Normandy High School counselor has devoted her life to helping thousands of children facing adversity how to be resilient. She has spent 22 years in education, 10 as a special education teacher and the past 12 as a high school counselor.

Kellem also is devoted to her husband, Craig, and two step children, Jessica and Joe, as well as her siblings, father and students. The Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) series is dedicated to Kellem’s late mother, who taught the author how to be resilient.

To order your personalized copy of Believe, visit halopublishing.com.

Uncommon $ense Story Motivates Readers to Change Their Lives

2011-09-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

“If you’re not growing, you’re going.”

This is the mantra of Darryl Turner, author of Uncommon $ense, a story about the human struggle with change. Turner said his main character, “Charlie,” is on the brink of failure, but instead becomes successful when he accepts the mentoring of a younger co-worker. The author, an international motivational speaker, sales trainer, and CEO of The Darryl Turner Corporation, said the book was “inspired by the thousands of Charlies my team and I have had the privilege to help over the last two decades.”

“My book is on how we struggle to deal with and process change. It’s a confidential personal struggle,” Turner said. “The topic for the book comes from personal experience,” he said.
“I wrote about what I know and what I help people overcome everyday.”

Turner offers a look at what we need to do to truly change our lives and how to accomplish our goals. He now shares these lessons and strategies he learned creating a multi-million dollar professional development company that teaches other businesses how to achieve corporate growth.

“The goal is to inspire people emotionally to take steps they would not normally take,” Turner said. “Adapting to a model not of your own is tough.” Uncommon $ense is about what people go through, Turner explained. “It’s a 100 percent real life accurate story. People can relate to the characters.” And when they have finished Uncommon $ense, the author said, readers will have a “significant call to action.”

“Don’t settle for common sense and average results,” Turner said, “set your sights much higher. Set them toward acquiring Uncommon $ense.”

Turner said he gained inspiration to write the book from his Christian faith and pastor Glen Berteau, who penned the forward for Uncommon $ense. The author and his wife of 29 years, Darlene, have four children ages 26, 20, 18 and 5. He has published numerous business related articles.

To order Turner’s new book, visit www.halopublishing.com. For information about the author, visit www.DarrylTurnerSeminars.com or www.DarrylTurnerCorp.com. His podcasts are available on iTunes.

Amy Winehouse’s “Personal Painter” Releases Art I Love Book includes Sam Shaker’s work along with instruction for developing artists

2011-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

United States and London – September 06, 2011 – Artist, jazz club owner, and celebrity confidant Sam Shaker’s first book, Art I Love, is a rarity in its category – an art book that tells a readable, engaging story.

Part autobiography, part instructional guide, and part historical account, Art I Love (2012, Hola Publishing International, an Imprint of Halo Publishing International), chronicles Shaker’s development from Parisian street artist to recognition as Europe’s premier creator of commissioned celebrity portraits. His subjects have included the late Amy Winehouse (who called Shaker her “second dad”), actor Kevin Spacey, singer/songwriter Adele, and model Kate Moss.

Shaker describes Art I Love as, “approachable for newbies, academic enough for students, and serious enough for history buffs interested in the cultures of Paris and Spain and how these cultures were influenced by artists of various periods.”

Art I Love is the product of decades of diligent work and the culmination of an improbable journey to professional recognition. A self-described “huge Picasso fan,” Shaker studied art and graphic design at the Leonard da Vinci Academy, and was awarded a diploma in Fine Arts. Soon after, he left his native Cairo for Paris to pursue a career as an artist. After years of sporadic success – and nearly starving to death – he left art behind, albeit temporarily, to launch and operate Jazz After Dark, which would eventually become a successful music club in London’s Soho district.

It was at Jazz After Dark that an encounter with Kate Moss spurred Shaker to create again. She commissioned him to paint her portrait, the London media took notice, and Shaker had quickly established his reputation as a specialist in celebrity portraits. Many of these works are reproduced in Art I Love.

Shaker met Amy Winehouse long before the singer achieved international superstardom. “She came to my club, and the admission charge was £3. She said she didn't have £3, so I told her she could pay me next time,” he recalls. The unlikely friendship blossomed in the years that followed. “She was creative, kind, talented and a very genuine person. She loved art, music, and writing. She never forgot her friends and people like me who gave her a helping hand in her career. She was very loyal to me and never commissioned any other artist to paint her portrait.”

Art I Love also offers a wealth of practical instruction for art students. Techniques, based on Shaker’s own learning experiences, are provided in regard to planning a painting, selecting appropriate materials, working from live subjects versus working from photos, and addressing the nuances in skin tones, shading, facial proportions and similar challenges encountered by the developing artist.

About Sam Shaker

Sam Shaker was born in Cairo, Egypt and studied art at the Leonard da Vinci Academy. The father of three grown children, he owns and operates Jazz After Dark, a popular London music club and art gallery.

A prolific portrait painter, Shaker’s recent subjects have included Prince William and Kate Middleton, The Beatles, Kate Moss, Kevin Spacey, Pete Doherty, Adele, Mark Ronson and many others.

About Hola Publishing

Since 2002, Halo Publishing International (HPI) has produced more than 200 titles in adult fiction and non-fiction, children’s, inspirational, sports and recreation, and other categories. Hola Publishing International is Halo’s imprint company.

New Release: You Are My Bon Bon by Lisa M. Umina

2011-08-26T02:32:00.000-07:00

You Are My Bon Bon by Lisa M. Umina. This is a heartfelt and moving story about the personal feelings between you and those you care about and love. A perfect gift to show a loved one you are thinking about them. The book’s beautiful illustrations capture touching memories and cause one to reflect on all the special moments in life and smile. Available exclusively at www.halopublishing.com

New Tool for Working Women Struggling with Society’s Plan to “Have it All”

2011-08-26T01:54:00.000-07:00

Feeling overworked and overcommitted? If so you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Forbes Magazine and Bump.com, 92 percent of working moms say they feel overwhelmed by work, home and parenting responsibilities.

Many women find themselves misguided about the sense of fulfillment they expected after achieving what they thought was expected of them. “Instead of feeling excited and overjoyed by my accomplishments, having it all left me exhausted and detached,” said JJ DiGeronimo, author of The Working Woman’s GPS, a book she wrote to guide women toward a self led plan which often “deviates from society’s plan.”

She interviewed dozens of women while putting The Working Woman’s GPS together. The book showcases a range of struggles, triumphs and evolutions by women, including Leah, a former director of communications who has decided her current profession was not meeting her needs to do something meaningful with a purpose. “At the end of the day, I want to say that I’ve done something for me. I’m contributing to this big picture idea,” said Leah.

She also interviewed Crickett, 59 yrs old, a mother of two who had held many jobs during her working career, then ended up finding fulfillment when she became an entrepreneur. The author weaves the women’s stories throughout the text, using them as examples to illustrate how the reader can rewrite their own plan to “have it ALL.”

The key points DiGeronimo wants people to take away from her book:

1) The importance of taking a personal inventory to determine what you like doing best and who and what you migrate toward;

2) How to examine what is and isn’t working in your life;

3) How to make small changes that give women the energy and confidence they need to make more effective choices once they understand the landscape.

4) How to execute a new plan that makes the most sense.

Maria, 26, a manager in supply chain management said she came to a realization after she took the inventory in the book. She discovered that her “assets, skills, and talents are not aligned” with her current job.

“It made it apparent that sometimes I grasped onto people and jobs because I was scared and often held on too long. These inventories make it so objective. It is now more visible that I need to make use of my special gifts,” she said. Maria made small changes and is now in the process of adjusting existing choices and making new ones to move her life towards one of inspiration.

Sarah, 34, has been in healthcare for the past 13 years. During her interview for the book she was asked if the “Plan to have it All” was working for her. “No,” she said. “I choose to put more of my time and energy into work, whether it be worrying about it or putting time into it. Most of my choices are between family and work and I put less time into myself. I don’t feel balanced with myself.”

“If you too are in a life that leaves you wanting more, making adjustments is critical to your journey, but you can only make those changes if you know what energizes you and thus what direction you should be moving in. The Working Woman’s GPS provides you the roadmap to get from where you are to where you need to go” said DiGeronimo.

This book is already getting the interest of many women’s meetings and diversity programs. DiGeronimo is scheduled to appear at several women’s conferences where she looks forward to sharing stories, exercises and advice with women who have worked towards the “PLAN” to have it All and are now LOST in their own journeys.

Beating Cancer: Today’s Heroes Celebrates Survivors

2011-08-26T01:49:00.000-07:00

Almost twenty years after losing his four year-old nephew to an aggressive brain tumor, first-time author John Voso Jr. is honoring Richie White’s memory by compiling stories with decidedly happy endings. Today’s Heroes: Surviving with Style (2011, Halo Publishing International), chronicles the emotional struggles, temporary setbacks, gradual improvements, and ultimate triumphs of 23 cancer survivors, aged 15 to 85.

Richie’s parents, Linda and Rich White, established the Richie White Pediatric Fund for the purpose of "Making Children Smile." The Fund has sponsored 15 summer picnics and 18 Christmas parties for pediatric oncology patients at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. True to its mission, the Fund has entertained and purchased gifts for more than 2,000 children to date.

John was moved to write Today’s Heroes – a six year undertaking – after being emotionally touched by people he met at the Fund’s events.

“These are their stories, not mine,” says John. “They are inspiring, and really magnify the old adage, ‘one day at a time!’”

The survivors John profiles are long on battle-tested optimism, refreshing humor, savvy advice, and genuine gratitude, and noticeably short on self-pity. Among those telling their stories, readers will meet:

Benjamin Reed, 26, a first-year resident at the Cleveland Clinic after graduating from medical school last year - 18 years after successful treatment for a form of brain cancer.

Matt Cordy, 22, a University of Toledo student and bone cancer survivor. He aspires to run his own foundation one day to “help others in tough times.” Since a knee replacement operation, he jokingly explains away his surgical scar with a story of surviving a “shark attack while surfing.”

Michelle Torchia Kynkor, 52, a three-time cancer survivor. When told she had thyroid cancer – she had already beaten Hodgkin’s disease and breast cancer – Michelle and her husband Bobby laughed.

Children’s Book Author Offers Comfort to Grieving Families

2011-08-26T01:42:00.000-07:00

Bringing comfort to families grieving the death of a beloved pet is the goal of Bailey’s Heartstrings, written by Joy Chicatelli, a caring animal lover who grew up on a small farm in Holmes County, Ohio.

The new author was inspired to write the story while dealing with a personal experience involving her dog, Louis, who needed weekly chemotherapy treatments. “During Louis’ treatments I met many parents who talked about having to explain the eventual death of a pet to their children. I wanted to create a positive and comforting way to help them explain this difficult life experience,” Chicatelli said.

“I love to write, and as an attorney, I do it all the time,” said the former corporate executive, assistant prosecuting attorney and law firm partner. “But, I wanted to challenge myself, explore creative writing, and publish a children’s book.”

Bailey’s Heartstrings is a story about a dog that wakes up and finds herself in a beautiful meadow filled with flowers, a bubbling stream and a rainbow that never goes away. The animal is no longer sick and can run and play with many other dogs.

Readers will join Bailey as she travels from the Rainbow Meadow back to visit her human family in order to bring them wonderful surprises that cheer them up in her absence. Bailey also helps her family find a new dog in an animal shelter.

A portion of the proceeds from Bailey’s Heartstrings, published in May by Halo Publishing International, will be donated to animal rescue, a cause Chicatelli works for constantly. The author hopes to raise money and awareness for animal rescue so that people will know the many ways, other than adoption and donations, that they can help pets affected by disasters and other compromising situations, she said.

Chicatelli has her own law practice in Akron, Ohio and concentrates in Family Law. She dedicates a substantial portion of her practice to the representation of survivors of violent crimes and sexual assault, many of whom are children. For nearly a decade, she has consistently ranked as one of the top three Ohio attorneys assisting survivors.

She also has three Dogue de Bordeaux dogs that compete in shows and recently earned her first AKC Championship.

Chicatelli is a graduate of West Holmes High School, the University of Akron, Malone College and Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

To order Bailey’s Heartstrings, visit www.halopublishing.com. To contact Chicatelli, send an email to chicatellilaw@gmail.com.

Skillful Beliefs Take Christian Coach and Author to African Nation

2011-08-26T01:39:00.000-07:00

Although a faithful Christian with immense love for God, author Christina Tammen never pictured herself visiting Africa as many fellow missionaries of His word are called to do. But, that is the exact continent she found herself on this summer, coaching and sharing her story C.H.U.M.P. Produced through Halo Publishing Inc., C.H.U.M.P. is a series of books designed to help people develop effective strategies to defend the mind against doubt and fear.

“My trips to the cities Gulu and Kampala in Uganda were unbelievable and the impact on me and the men I coached has not stopped thanks to FACEBOOK and Skype,” Tammen said.

An African player described Tammen’s C.H.U.M.P. as “an amazing book.” “It not only addresses the tactics in volleyball games but also the psyche/soul.” “Before Coach Tammen came, the team was more disintegrated because we did not take responsibility toward one another.” Today, Tammen is happy to report the team is on their first winning streak!

A high school World Cultures and World History teacher since 2000, Tammen has been coaching volleyball since 1995. Born in Iowa, where her grandpa still has his farm, she spent her childhood in Aurora, IL, and now teaches there. Self-described as a “natural counselor,” she teaches, in addition to history facts, that faith, patience, forgiveness, believing and hoping are all skills to be mastered. “The absence of faith, affects the way we view ourselves and then limits what we can accomplish,” Tammen said.

The educator believes each person can cultivate the talents hidden deep inside by becoming aware of their inner conversations. Tammen uses the power of storytelling as a coach, teacher and sports counselor to go beyond the academics and skill development of her students and athletes. Over time, she said, her stories developed into a series of books that distinguish between viewing character as a trait versus believing it is a skill.

The Naperville, Ill. resident earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Secondary Education at Illinois’ North Central College and a master’s degree in Psychology--sports psychology from Capella University. Tammen is active in the Invisible Children movement to help end the capture of young men to fight as soldiers in Uganda and the Congo. The Invisible Children Club she co-sponsors has raised about $50,000. She also is involved in Athletes in Action and shared the message of C.H.U.M.P. through out Israel.

For more information about C.H.U.M.P., author Christina Tammen you can visit Halopublishing.com or OnlineTeamCoaching.com.

Halo Publishing International Expands Author Services

2011-03-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

New Publishing Options Include eBooks and Spanish Translations

Halo Publishing International authors now have the opportunity to offer their original work as an eBook or Spanish language publication. For nearly a decade, Halo Publishing International has been helping authors throughout the world launch their original books. This year, the company is expanding to offer creative clients these two new services.

Halo Publishing International is an independently owned publishing company dedicated to helping individual writers self-publish books. More than a publishing company, Halo (Helping Authors Launch Originals) is a community that passionately believes in its authors and their messages. With offices in the United States and Mexico, the company specializes in designing, producing, publishing, and marketing books for independent authors.

Beginning April 15th, Halo will introduce the production of eBooks for fiction books to be available on Kindle and ePub readers. Halo’s new imprint company, Hola Publishing Internacional, will publish Spanish language books and eBooks. Authors interested in producing a book in Spanish can get assistance with translation, production, printing and distribution. Hola Publishing Internacional will work with Vibra TV, located in Mexico City, to produce Spanish commercials that will introduce the new line of books.

“Halo is dedicated to providing the best available self-publishing resources and keeping up with new technology, which allows authors to present in a better modern way,” said Halo Publisher Lisa Umina. “We are making these changes in order to better serve our authors.”

“Trying to become a published author can be a difficult and lonely process, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Umina, an award-winning author herself. “The Halo Team has developed a dynamic approach to publishing. We are committed to ensuring that our authors retain the rights to their work and guide them, step-by-step, through the publishing process.”

During the past 10 years, Halo has established itself as a leader in the self-publishing industry and has helped countless authors realize their dreams while bringing the best of self-published books to a worldwide audience.

Visit Halopublishing.com or call 877-705-9647 for information.

Book Sparks Conversaton About Skin Color and Making a Difference

2011-03-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

“An array of colors is supposed to be beautiful, something to be appreciated,” says author Scott Labuda. “You don’t see a painter using only yellow, for example, when he creates something,” he said, “but, when it comes to different skin colors, misunderstandings often occur which creates many problems.”

And so, with his soon to be released book, The Color of People, Labuda hopes to spread a message that all skin tones together make a beautiful world and that each person is unique, just the way they are supposed to be.

“I learned at an early age that I was a story teller and this is a story I have been anxious to tell,” Labuda said.

A native of Seven Hills, Ohio, the author graduated from Trinity High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from John Carroll University. After college, Labuda worked with disadvantaged youths at Covenant House in New York City and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago. He also lived in several other cities, including Los Angeles, before moving back to Ohio in 2002.

Labuda said The Color of People is a simple book with a simple message. “The color of one’s skin is neither arbitrary nor accidental. It is, instead, part of God’s perfect plan. Each of us is born with the perfect color of skin, selected for us alone, by God Himself,” Labuda said, “I hope to spark conversation among people about how they look at themselves and others. I want people to know that they can make a difference.”

Labuda is a member of Mensa International and the Screen Actors Guild. He currently owns and operates an extraordinary smoothie bistro in Strongsville, Ohio, which he founded with his brothers. Labuda is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys snow skiing, rollerblading, motorcycling and working out.

To order The Color of People, visit Halo Publishing International at www.halopublishing.com

Story of Mother’s Struggle Reminds Other Parents They Are Not Alone

2011-02-22T09:21:00.000-08:00

Life’s journey is all about climbing hills and navigating valleys and most people struggle, according to author Shirley Rappach.

“But, everyone thinks they are alone,” she said. “My book lets them know they are not.” Single Parents – You are Not Alone is a book Rappach created from her personal journals, but her “voice” speaks to other parents who have had similar experiences.

“The journey of a single parent is hard, and sometimes almost impossible to endure. I wanted to share some of my experiences as an example for people everywhere, whether a single parent or not, to know that no one is alone. I hope that my voice in unity with others will awaken the world to the plight of single parents.”

The only daughter in a family of four children, Rappach grew up in Vienna, Ohio, located in Trumbull County near the Pennsylvania border, and graduated from Mathews High School in 1977. By 1985, she had two daughters with her first husband and had lived in several different states including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida where he found work as a tradesman painter. That year, the couple split up and the girls spent every other weekend with their father, she said.

After the divorce, Rappach became involved with another man who she moved to Arizona with after her mother died. She had a daughter with him, but that relationship also ended. When her baby was only seven months old, the dad exited their lives and the mother of three returned home after living in Arizona for six years, to be close to her family who, gratefully, provided a lot of help to the single parent. Rappach was journaling her experiences and struggles, which she admits included a lot of “unhealthy choices” and some alcohol and drug use. Eventually, she started seeking another way of living.

“I started going to church, because my way wasn’t working,” Rappach said. “I just started praying because I didn’t know what to do.”

While living in Arizona, she had a leadership role in a singles ministry, “Thirty Something,” where she saw a broad spectrum of issues facing the life of a singles. She also served in a leadership capacity with “Complete in Him Ministries”, a Cleveland group that reaches out to single parents and the divorced. In the summer of 2009, when she attended “The Fest,” an annual Northern Ohio Christian festival, Rappach learned about self-publishing and found a way to share her “voice” with others.

A proud grandmother of three, the author and her husband of about one year live in Wickliffe, with her youngest daughter, now 17. The family worships at the Community of the Holy Spirit church in Willoughby. Rappach is a legal assistant for a Beachwood law firm and an Avon products representative. She prays that Single Parents – You are Not Alone will offer hope to other parents who feel lost and alone.

To schedule an interview with Shirley Rappach, call her at 440-364-1851. To order Single Parents – You are Not Alone, visit Halo Publishing International at www.halopublishing.com.

Selling Your Book Before It’s in Your Hands

2011-02-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

When is the best time to sell your book? The second your book is in the printing process. Pre-selling your book is a must and an important marketing strategy, especially for self-published authors. If you’re not a New York Times best-selling author or celebrity, then the success of your book is a marathon, not a sprint. This means you must talk repeatedly and consistently about your book over a long period of time.

Everyone gets the general concept behind marketing…Advertise. However, it does not do any good for a product to have a big “to-do” when it is released and then just drops off the face of the earth and out of the minds of the consumers. Your book is a product and in order for people to buy the product, they need to know it exists before its release date. So, how do you make your book sell even prior to its launch date? By email marketing.

An email marketing campaign allows you to reach quickly and inexpensively a huge market—hundreds, thousands or even millions of people. Email advertisements work like a spider web. They can be boundless, giving you more possibilities and bigger sales. By personally broadcasting your email advertisement to your own list and on social networking sites, it can increase the popularity of your book and these virtual connections, just like word of mouth, forward your advertisement without hesitation, causing an increase to your book’s exposure to books lovers and reading enthusiasts across the internet, further expanding its popularity.

You may want to order only 100 books, but if you send the email advertisement designed by Halo, you can gain more book sales and add to your original book order. Authors have gained over $2,000 in prepublication orders before their book was in their hands. Email advertisements can be talked about and attract discussions about your book, further expanding its popularity. By increasing your book’s exposure, you can vastly increase book sales and awareness about your published work. Furthermore, these email advertisements link to the Halo online bookstore, where the consumers can read more about the book and learn how they can purchase it—a highly effective tool that helps drive traffic to the book and you the author.

Email advertisements have become a highly effective, multi-dimensional book marketing tool in today’s competitive prepub sales. According to the 2008 Channel Preference Survey, 66% of their consumers made a purchase because of an email advertisement. Consumers prefer email more than 3-to-1 for marketing communications.

Halo’s prepublication announcement is the most important step to launching your book campaign and prepub sells.

How to Set Marketing Goals

2011-02-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

Every author knows you need a marketing budget big or small. However, have you brainstormed any marketing goals? Chances are you haven’t. This is one key step many authors forget about when putting together their marketing plan. Your marketing goals are part of your marketing plan and deal with many different elements you wish to tackle in promoting your book.

The first step is to brainstorm what you really want to get out of your marketing plan over the next few months and even year. I’m sure big book sales is number one on your mind, but how are you going to achieve this? You will want to have several goals in mind, but you may start out slowly with one overall goal that builds to the next goal and the next and so on.

The second step is to make your goals achievable. This means making your goals realistic and attainable. If you have a goal to be on the New York Best-sellers list in six months, you may want to rethink how you will reach this goal. Okay, maybe you don’t have that goal written down, but you do want to make sure you haven’t unconsciously set a goal you will have a hard time achieving even if you had the means and time to do so.

By breaking your goals down into small, realistic goals set against a reasonable timeline, you will have a greater chance at success. These smaller goals will build and help you achieve your bigger goals such as becoming a New York Best-selling author or selling 2,000 copies of your book in the first year.

The third step is making sure your marketing goals fit into your overall marketing goal and plan. A great way to do this is by writing down your goals in a pyramid outline. Place your main marketing goal at the very top and then write what you will need to do to achieve it, followed by what you will need to achieve those goals, etc. For example, your overall goal might be to sell 2,000 copies of your book this year. This might seem a bit challenging, however, the goals under this one might be to sell 40 copies a week and have 2 book signings a month. Under these goals, you will list four more goals and on and on; until you have smaller more attainable goals.

The last step is to believe in your abilities. You either are in the process of publishing or have successfully published a book, which means you believe in your talents as a writer and your book. Now you need to believe enough in yourself as a marketer and salesman. Success hugely depends on only one person…YOU and that means you can do what it takes to achieve your marketing goals. Self-doubt is your biggest adversity on your road to success. Don’t lose focus of your goals because of a set back or self-doubt. The best way to keep your eye on your marketing goals is to list them on a piece of paper that you can post somewhere you’ll see it every day. This can be next to your computer, bathroom mirror or where you will see them weekly, daily and hourly. There is nothing like a visual reminder to keep you on track.

Lastly, here are some goals to help get you started.

Target book reviewers by sending (snail mail or via email) a cover image with a brief description, contact information and bio.
Send my book information to the highly anticipated monthly e-catalog, The Critic’s Bookshelf.
Contact local libraries and get involved in their author nights or reading to children program.
Get my book more visibility with important book buyers through programs like the monthly Review Direct newsletter. (Note: This is sent to nearly 40,000 librarians and approx. 3,200 independent bookstores.)
I will seek non-traditional markets such as corporations, consumer product companies and other organizations that tie-in with my book’s topic(s).
Seek and maintain relationships with traditional markets like bookstore owners and librarians.
Talk with peers and research successful book marketers to fashion my own marketing plan after them.
Determine my overall marketing budget for six months to a year and allocate dollars to programs that will reach the most important target readership/market; e.g., libraries, bookstores, reviewers, media, book shows, networking, etc.
Attract new customers by opening new sales channels through eBooks sales such as on ePub and Kindle.

Successful Author Says Passionate Marketing is Key

2011-02-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Author Donna Scott-Nusrala knows what it takes not only to write delightful, educational, award-winning children’s books but how to get customers to buy them.

To promote her work, she manages an aggressive schedule that includes book signings (37 during November and December) and classroom visits; soliciting small store owners and places where parents take their children; and was successful at securing at a mall kiosk. Donna even traveled to New York City to market her books and met the Amazing Kreskin who wrote reviews of her work.

The hard work, and she will tell you it takes a lot of perseverance to be successful, is paying off. “But, you certainly have to sell yourself,” said the former teacher who has, so far, published three books including The Metric Family; Twinkle Toes; and Gazillions, Bunches, Oodles and Tons. “You’ve got to network, and follow through is essential,” Donna said.

For 16 years, Donna was a middle school math and science teacher in the Euclid, Ohio public school district. “I loved teaching, especially sixth grade. I always said I could close the door and be 12 years old again.” But, when her third son was born 11 years ago, she decided to stay home. Several years later, Donna began writing when she realized how much she missed teaching. “It was my way of connecting to kids in the classroom again,” she said. “And now my books keep me in the schools.” Her dream is to bring her appreciation for science together with her love of writing fiction for children.

To learn more about her newfound career, she enrolled in some writing workshops, joined groups and associations for authors and began to focus on being a children’s book writer using many of the talents that made her successful when she was teaching. She actually developed The Metric Family while she was an educator and needed to connect her students to a foreign measuring system. “One of my students told me I should make it a book,” she said. Once written and published, she took the metric system picture book to a national teachers’ conference to get some reaction. “They loved it.” Donna recently developed a kit for teachers to use along with the book in their classrooms and she tried it out at a school.

At first, she went the “traditional” route of contacting publishing houses and said she had a couple of “nibbles.” Then she found Halo Publishing. “Halo Publishing offers a variety of services to help you with marketing your books,” she said. “Unlike other self-publishing companies who may leave you on your own, Halo offers several options and also personal consultation.”

And while these services are extremely beneficial to authors, each writer has to push their work and they need to be passionate about it, Donna said. “If it is your passion, you will do it.” “I tell people all the time, never give up on a dream.”

Donna Scott-Nusrala grew up in Euclid, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University, where she earned a masters degree. She lives in Gates Mills, Ohio with her husband, Patrick, and three children, Aaron, 19, Dillon, 16, and Adam, 11. She promotes her books at Halopublishing.com and Amopublishing.com, her motto is “Stories I Love.”

E-Readers With Color Open Door for Pictures

2011-01-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

E-Readers With Color Open Door for Pictures

By JULIE BOSMAN

Published: December 15, 2010

REPRINTS

Millions of consumers have embraced black-and-white e-readers like the Kindle for reading simple novels or nonfiction — but books with color illustrations have generally remained better read in print.

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“Olivia Goes to Venice” by Ian Falconer on an iPad. This ability to show two pages as one image is not available on all devices.

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Now publishers are making headway in converting their enormous libraries of illustrated titles to e-books, hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Apple iPad and the Nook Color and their ability to showcase books with color photographs and illustrations.

Apple said Tuesday that it was set to make a major push into illustrated books on Wednesday, introducing more than 100 titles to its iBookstore, an assortment of children’s books, photography books and cookbooks.

Some of the most popular children’s picture books of all time will be available, including some of the “Olivia” picture books, published by Simon & Schuster. Other titles are “Ad Hoc at Home,” a lavish cookbook by the chef Thomas Keller; “Beginnings,” by the photographer Anne Geddes; and “In the National Parks,” a photograph collection byAnsel Adams.

Publishers have been eager to sell illustrated books in digital form, particularly picture books for children, since they could eventually become a significant additional source of revenue.

Simon & Schuster said its children’s picture books on the Apple list, which also include “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, “Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Hide!” by Candace Fleming and “When Dinosaurs Came With Everything” by Elise Broach, would be its first to be published in the iBook store.

Jon Anderson, the publisher of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, said the publishing house had been “itching to do it since e-books became possible,” but there were always limitations because the books were in color.

“It finally gives us the opportunity to have our picture books join the e-book revolution,” Mr. Anderson said in an interview. “It gives us a great opportunity to monetize our content in a way that we previously haven’t been able to.”

He said that by early 2011, the company hoped to release picture e-books at the same time as the print versions, which is standard practice now for trade books and their digital counterparts.

The iPad and the Nook Color are two of the newest devices that have opened up possibilities for publishers who are converting their illustrated books into e-books, but industry experts have predicted that more devices will become available.

Many iPad users, seeing the potential for the device to be used as an educational tool, have been clamoring for digital children’s books to be available in greater numbers.

But converting image-heavy books into digital form has not been easy. Authors are careful to monitor how their work appears on a screen, and publishers have struggled to replicate the experience of reading a print book.

Other publishers whose books will be featured in the iBookstore include HarperCollins,Disney Publishing, the Hachette Book Group, Macmillan and Workman Publishing, Apple said.

The prices of e-books with pictures be generally in line with print prices.

Some of the books released Wednesday for Apple devices like the iPad are exclusive to the iBookstore, while others are available through other digital book retailers. But some features, including the ability to view two consecutive pages as one uninterrupted image, are not available through reading applications from Kindle and Nook for Apple devices. Books available in the Nook Store are readable on the Nook Color, an e-reader that Barnes & Noble began selling in October for $249.

The titles published by HarperCollins, including books in the “Amelia Bedelia” and “Fancy Nancy” series, have been available on the Nook Color for about a month. They are the first picture books the publisher has made available digitally.

Some publishers have also had success breaking into the digital space by turning books into applications for mobile devices. Disney Publishing says it has reached one million downloads of its book apps, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Disney princesses and characters from “Toy Story.”

The Undergrads Inspires Each of Us to Use Our Talents

2011-01-21T11:13:00.001-08:00

Law student Matthew Hebebrand has long been a lover of books (especially comics), storytelling and writing, so for him to now be a published author is not really surprising to his friends and family.

“I write all the time,” said the 2009 Miami University alumnus who recently released The Undergrads. Originally a writing project for an honors program class at his Oxford, Ohio, college, Hebebrand’s book about a group of students with supernatural abilities and the life-impacting choices they make is available through Halo Publishing International.

Hebebrand said the college life experience is ripe for storytelling and a school campus is the perfect back drop for a story that readers relate to their own educational journeys.

“The Undergrads highlights problems that take place on all college campuses and ways students can solve them,” said the author.

Starting college can be a scary experience, Hebebrand explained. In The Undergrads, 10 freshmen at the fictional Pine State University develop amazing abilities after being exposed to a science experiment gone wrong. When someone else discovers the source of their powers, each student faces a choice about using them and they begin to discover who they really are and the true meaning of friendship.

During the past several years, Hebebrand has had opinion pieces published in student newspapers and online. A 2005 graduate of Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio, he plans to return to the school and give a presentation about his book.

“I encourage people to look inside themselves and make a commitment to follow their dreams,” Hebebrand said.

The oldest of Michael and Maria Hebebrand’s three sons, the author grew up in North Royalton, Ohio, near Cleveland. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami where he majored in political science and minored in Italian. He studied abroad in Italy, his mother’s native country. He attends the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law while working part-time for the Ziccarelli & Martello law firm.

To order The Undergrads, visit Halo Publishing International at www.halopublishing.com

International Acclaim Awarded to Struggling Author Who Found God

2010-11-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Halo Publishing Author Greg Long earned a Moonbeam Award Gold Medal for his inspirational children’s book, Today I Found God, released in July, 2010. The book, illustrated by Nathan Wondrak, earned the recognition in the “Religion/Spirituality” category. Long will be recognized at a medal ceremony to be held Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Traverse City Children’s Book Festival in Michigan.

The Moonbeam Awards were created by Jenkins Group, a Michigan-based book marketing firm, to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their authors, illustrators and publishers. This year, more than 800 entries were submitted and medals will go to a diverse group from 34 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces and two overseas countries. The books are judged by panels of youth educators, librarians, book sellers and book reviewers of all ages.

Long said he is proud and honored to receive the award for what he calls a “powerful story,” written at a time when he was struggling personally. “The main message of the book is that God is always with you,” Long said.

The author’s inspiration for Today I Found God, his first book, came to him after he and his wife, Sean Marie, both lost their jobs in the television news industry. The couple was expecting their first child, Douglas, now 14 months old, and they were forced to sell their house in Columbus, Ohio, and move back home with Sean Marie’s parents. Long said he was frustrated and angry and began asking God, “why” his life was spiraling downward. Suddenly, he recognized what he called an “awakening moment,” and in about two days, he wrote an enlightening story about a boy who looks for God and finds that he always is there.

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Long met Sean Marie at the Colorado Institute of Art. The family now lives in Thousand Oaks, California, where they began the Laugh-a-Long Christian Ministry. Their goal is to create original children’s books that teach kids how to be responsible, charitable, and spiritual. For information about the Long family’s ministry, visit laughalongbooks.com.

To order Today I Found God, visit Halo Publishing International at www.halopublishing.com.

Baby with Limb Deficiency Inspires Unique Book

2010-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Amazed by the capabilities of her physically disabled daughter, author Libbi Chilia created Imagine… Amazing Me, a book featuring simple, yet inspiring photos of children engaged in a variety of activities despite having limb and extremity differences. This book disbands any misconceptions about people with disabilities. “I feel my book reaches out to all people and teaches about physical diversities,” Chilia said.

Her daughter, Sami, now 6 years old, was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a rare, non-hereditary birth defect that affects the pelvis, particularly the hip bone and the proximal femur. Chilia said she looked for books featuring children with similar disabilities to read to her little girl. When she found absolutely nothing on store or library book shelves, she decided to create one herself and began gathering photos of children from across the United States and Canada through online support groups she joined after her daughter was born.

Meanwhile, Sami was starting to walk and get into everything and Chilia was inspired by what the toddler was able to do. The loving mom said she wanted Sami to see children like herself and for other people to see just how amazing children with limb differences are. “I thought to myself, this can be very powerful. So I prayed about it and I wrote it. Well, actually, God wrote it. It was not my plan to be an author. I was going to be a little teacher….. a little mom.”

Since publishing her book, the middle school special education teacher has received emotional responses from both parents and children inspired by her book. Recently, she received a letter from a mom who came across the book while still pregnant. Devastated by the news her baby was to be born with a limb difference, the expectant mother said Chilia’s book gave her light in one of her darkest hours and provided her with hope and inspiration.

“It is these letters that show me how much this book was needed,” Chilia said. “I even received a letter from a mom who visited one of the websites listed in my book which led to her daughter being diagnosed. These letters come from people who, while I don’t know how they were led to my book, I am so thankful that they were because they show me the reason I wrote the book continues to be carried on. It is truly a blessing.”

Chilia grew up in Parma Heights, Ohio where she now lives with her husband of 17 years, Tony, and three children, Nick, 11, Nate, 7, and Sami. She previously taught seventh grade math and recently earned her masters degree at Cleveland State University. The author has made school appearances with her book and has been featured on television and in the local newspaper. Copies of Imagine…Amazing Me were purchased by the Cleveland Clinic, Mary Freebed Center for Limb Differences in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Shriners Hospital in Erie, Pa. to give to families of children with limb differences. The Cuyahoga County Regional Library system also purchased copies to feature at various branches throughout the Greater Cleveland area. To order Imagine…Amazing Me by Libbi Chilia please visit: www.imagineamazingme.com

ECONOMIC RECOVERY: DOWN AND OUT PROFESSIONAL CIRCUS CLOWN FINDS SUCCESS IN A BOOK

2010-09-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Greg Long proves anyone can make a comeback in this tough economy with the release of his new children's picture book. Long and his book, "Today I Found God", are featured in the Central Coast Book and Author Festival in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, October 19, 2010.

Thousand Oaks, CA 09/13/10 Greg Long, a former professional circus clown (we have pictures), is managing to find success-- but how?

Let's face it, times are tough. Greg Long knows this personally and can share his story with viewers-- Not only did he lose his job, his wife lost her job too...and she was pregnant at the time. Greg Long took control of their lives by self-publishing one of his books.

With the latest advances in communication and technology, today it's inexpensive to self-publish your own book, and now it's easier than ever to get listed in the big online bookstores like amazon.com- so everyone worldwide has access to your books. Big corporate bookstores and large publishing houses are reporting a drastic decline in profits- but self-publishers are teaming up with independent book stores to generate excitement and make money in these tough times. Now is the time to self-publish. As the giant corporations downsize, the little guys are stepping in and fulfilling the needs of the marketplace. Hey, if a clown can be successful -- anyone can!

Long is sharing success secrets to getting a book sold with inspiring authors. Long's book, Today I Found God, is listed with major on-line retailers includingAmazon.com and Parable.com, as well as his own website- laughalongbooks.com. He's been featured on radio and TV in CA, CO, ID, OH and TX- and he just wrapped up a a whirlwind ten-day book tour that landed him some national media coverage.

Long will be at the Central Coast Book and Author Festival this Sunday, October 19th at the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza from 10am until 4pm. At 11am on the reading stage, Greg Long will be going back to his circus clown roots and will perform his Rhyme Tyme Laboratory show as the "Wacky Word-o-logist" and then he will read his latest book, Today I Found God. Find out for why critics are hailing Long as the "Christian Dr. Seuss."

You can check out the book trailer for Today I Found God by Greg Long at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2u8b3gs1wY

For more information about Greg Long or his website, go to: laughalongbooks.com.

Cancer Patient Inspired Story about Living

2010-09-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Author Kim Nottingham was working as an oncology nurse in a Northeast Ohio hospital when a patient quietly grabbed her attention with a story about life. This interaction represents one of the most memorable moments in her nursing career.

The young woman told the RN she had experienced so much personal tragedy that when faced with cancer, she felt her life wasn't worth living enough to seek treatment. Instead, she held fast to her secret and allowed her disease to progress. As the caring nurse listened intently, the patient reflected on the consequences of that decision because, like a cruel twist of fate, her situation had unexpectedly changed. The woman said after enduring years of an unhealthy marital relationship, she found true love that could bring her joy for a "lifetime," one she had, by choice, severely limited.

"And yet, she still had this hopefulness," Nottingham said, "even though she faced the possibility of dying and the fact that she had a part in it."

While the RN spent only a short amount of time with the patient, it was the woman's gracefulness and peace amidst a heartbreaking struggle to survive that inspired Nottingham to write The Path That Led Me Here.

"I 've found taking the time to really listen and connect to patients is enlightening," Nottingham said. "We all have different people who are placed in our path for a reason. My life and career was blessed by this patient, and my hope is that others will be touched by the story as much as I was."

Now a wound care nurse for Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio, Nottingham said she continues to actively listen to patients and recognizes she has an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life each time she goes to work. "I love the nurturing of bedside nursing," she said. "Those connections with patients balance the challenges of the nursing profession."

She also finds nurturing in anything creative, including cooking, gardening and her writing. The author recently raised money for the Salvation Army by donating a portion of the proceeds from book sales during a presentation at her church. While working on a new novel, she is promoting The Path That Led Me Here hoping to offer inspiration to the many people facing a sense of hopelessness. She is speaking in November during a meeting of the Summa Hospital Women's Board in Akron.

Nottingham is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is currently in her sixteenth year of her career and comes from a family of nurses including her mom, aunt, and a cousin. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, and lived throughout the Buckeye state in communities where her father was hired as a school administrator. She currently resides in Stow, Ohio with her husband and two children.

Her inspirational, fiction novel is available in paperback at all online book retailers. Autographed copies are available for purchase through her publisher, Halo Publishing International www.halopublishing.com. The novel can be viewed on Facebook and at www.thepaththatledmehere.com.

Open Communication Calms Fears of Growing Up

2010-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

New children’s book author, Debbie Berger, recently published My Visit to the Land of Childhood, a heartwarming tale about an adult who helps a boy deal with his anxiety over leaving behind his childhood. The Ohio-based mother of two feels she may have gotten the inspiration for writing the book from her role in helping her sons grow from children to adults. “My sons and I have a very close and open relationship,” stated the author, “because I’ve always wanted them to feel comfortable being able to come to me with anything that was on their minds.” My Visit to the Land of Childhood promotes this type of open and unguarded conversation between adults and children, the kind of dialog that calms fears and encourages an all-around sense of security and mental well-being. Berger hopes the book will allow kids to realize that it isn’t so bad to grow up along with revealing to them different ways of expressing themselves. “My main message with the book is that I want children to learn to trust in the fact that there are adults to help them overcome hurdles and deal with any obstacle that comes along.”

Berger has been a writer and poet for as long as she can remember and even recalls receiving recognition from grade-school teachers on some of her early poetry projects. However, it was only as an adult did she realize her true talent in poetry and decided to pursue a lifelong dream of writing and publishing her own book. “I wrote My Visit to the Land of Childhood some time ago,” admitted the author, “but it took me over a year to refine it and get it just right.” Berger’s book is unique in that it not only reveals an important message, but it also introduces children to poetry. “The entire book is written in verse,” stated Berger, “as I feel it is beneficial to introduce poetry to children at a young age.”

My Visit to the Land of Childhood offers a journey back in time for adults as well as a window into what adulthood has in store for children. “I hope the book will promote children’s imaginations and that they get excited about what life has in store for them,” stated Berger. “Also, I want readers to realize that even though they grow up, the kid inside them still exists. With a little imagination they can return to childhood for a visit.” Along with writing poetry, Debbie Berger enjoys swimming, reading, working out, and still being a mom. The author resides in Cleveland, Ohio and has two sons, Cory (27) and Cole (21).

To order My Visit to the Land of Childhood please contact www.halopublishing.com.

How to Publish Your Book

2010-08-11T12:25:00.001-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Children’s Book Author Donates Portion of Proceeds

2010-07-28T07:39:00.001-07:00

Team Fox member Sandi Bloomberg is a prolific poet, essayist, and author of short stories. She is also a successful children’s book author. Her new book, Brett and the Magic Super Heroes, illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, is available, along with her other books, at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Sandi is generously donating ten percent of all her children’s book sales to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

This is a great way to buy books for the kids in your life while also contributing to the Foundation! You can read more about Sandi on her Web site at www.sandibloomberg.com and to purchase her books www.halopublishing.com

The First Children's Book to Give an Important Step in Bringing to Light the Effects of Sibling Separation

2010-07-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

New children's book identifies the importance of keeping ongoing connections between siblings separated due to foster care and adoption

MINNEAPOLIS, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In "Life sure feels different living in a separate house from my brother" (ISBN 978-1-935268-51-2, $11.95, Halo Publishing International), Pamela and Camela Rollins have created a true-to-life story of how Camela, separated from her brother, reminisces on the simple things: reading books together, watching movies, going swimming and even waking up in the morning to her brother's precious smile. She discovers the most important lesson - that her love for her brother and his love for her can never be separated.

This children's book contains a terrific story, a foster care/adoption guide for families along with beautiful pictures.

The timing and importance of this rare book cannot be overstated.

Laurie Kramer, a University of Illinois researcher, says a parent's influence on a child's development shouldn't be underestimated - neither should a sibling's.

About the Authors

Pamela Rollins is a dedicated wife and mother of eight wonderful children. Four are adopted. Through the inspiration of her youngest adopted daughter, Camela, she wrote "Life sure feels different living in a separate house from my brother."

Camela Rollins is a five-year-old little girl who loves to read, compete in pageants and visit her brother every chance she gets

To purchase your copy, please visit www.halopublishing.com

Children Get Inspired to Consider Future Career Paths

2010-07-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

“How many nine-year-olds say they want to be a lawyer when they grow up?” asked award-winning children’s book author, Karean L. Chapman, when referring to her daughter Shayna’s quite ambitious goals for the future. Chapman’s soon-to-be-released book, Who Me? What Should I Be?, is an amusing tale of self-discovery, gender equality and imagination. The vividly illustrated story depicts endearing animal characters performing various job functions in a context just right for young readers. “I published the book because I loved how the story sparked further interest in children to think about their futures and go after their passions and dreams,” stated the California-based author. Inspired by her own children’s ambitious natures, Chapman wrote Who Me What Should I Be? with the hopes of instilling a desire and motivation in all young children in order to guide them towards successful futures. The author’s mission in writing the book is to motivate young readers and allow them to consider the opportunities and choices they have as they grow up. “I want to encourage children to realize the abundance of career opportunities they have before them,” stated the author, “because I feel it will help them appreciate the value of their education and develop goals early in life.”

Hollywood’s Book Festival recently awarded Chapman honorable mention recognition for her first book, The Adventures of Northern the Moose and a Dragon Named Zeus, a tale about two whimsical characters that take a journey through self-discovery, compromise and teamwork during the course of a thrilling adventure filled with surprises along the way. The competition focuses on celebrating books that deserve acknowledgment for the film, television game and multimedia communities and is aimed to spotlight literature worthy of further consideration by the talent-hungry pipeline of the entertainment industry. The story-telling ability of the author and the potential of the work to be translated into other forms of media were the criteria used during the judging process. Being a first-time author, Chapman was thrilled to have her book recognized and is looking forward to speaking at the award ceremony being held at the historic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on Friday, July 23.

Karean L. Chapman grew up in Ottawa, Canada and moved to Northern California as a teenager. An author and graphic designer, she currently resides in South Orange County California with her husband, John and the two inspirations for her books, daughters, Mikayla (12) and Shayna (9).

To order Chapman’s books, please visit www.halopublishing.com.

Halo Publishing International, 5549 Canal Road, Valley View, OH 44125

Halo Publishing International Embraces Its Uniqueness

2010-07-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

“We are the Jerry McGuire of the self publishing world,’’ says Christine Folgmann, Publishing Consultant at Halo Publishing International, self publishing experts. “We are a very special boutique-style publishing house with the goal of helping our clients become successful in the production and marketing of their self published books.” Being unique gives Halo Publishing the luxury of providing personalized service and attention. “We form long-term relationships with our authors, something you cannot do at a production-oriented, high-volume publishing company.” What sets Halo Publishing International apart from big publishing houses is its focus on customer service. “We’re unique in that we truly care about our authors and especially their missions and will hold their hand through the entire process,” stated publisher Lisa Umina. “Often when an author sets out to self publish they are completely overwhelmed by the process,” commented Umina. “At Halo our main objective is to help authors overcome their fears and give them the confidence to fulfill their dreams of publishing their own book.” Having offices in USA and Mexico has been instrumental in helping to promote the company’s goal of publishing more bilingual books.

Self publishing itself is quickly becoming mainstream. Self publishing is rapidly shedding its stigma as vanity publishing. "It used to be that a book author who wasn’t an A-lister didn’t stand a chance in selling their book," says Ms. Folgmann. Today, getting noticed is a lot easier thanks to the internet. Websites, blogs, social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, video marketing and newswire services have leveled the playing field. "If you are browsing books on Amazon, it doesn't really matter whether the book is coming from a traditional publisher or a self publisher. You're just reading reviews and looking for something that catches your interest," explains Ms. Folgmann.

In fact, many believe that because of the availability and ease of book marketing through the internet, as well as mega distributors like Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, self-publishing could mark a sea change in publishing. In any case, Halo Publishing International is positioning itself to be a one-stop shop for self published authors. Halo will use social media resources to brand the author through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube.com to effectively promote the author and their books.

Halo Publishing International opened its doors in 2002 when Lisa Umina, the owner and founder, set out on a mission to publish her own book. Lisa decided to create HPI in order to help others realize their publishing dream as well. The company’s mission is to strengthen the movement of words across the international borders in order to benefit cultures and society as a whole. Though the company has specialized in children’s, novels and bilingual books, it hopes to broaden its reach in the future by expanding into e-books and publishing the work of medical, scholastic and business professionals. To learn more about self publishing, please visit www.halopublishing.com

Award-winning Director and Famous Weathercaster Join Forces to Teach Children Weather Safety

2010-07-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

New children’s book author, Vicki Stracensky recently paired up with well-known weathercaster, Dick Goddard, to create Wise on Weather, a book that teaches children weather terms and safety. Stracensky hopes the book will inspire kids to read, but also to laugh, communicate and learn weather safety tactics. One of the longest active members of the American Meteorological Society and award-winning weathercaster, Dick Goddard, is the illustrator for Wise on Weather. A little known fact about Goddard is that, before becoming a well-known meteorologist, he passed up a chance to interview at Walt Disney Studios in California for an illustrator position. It was because of this and Goddard’s popularity and well-known compassion and generosity towards animals that Stracensky was so thrilled when he agreed to create the drawings for her book. Wise on Weather packs a punch with a multifaceted array of weather-related information for children. It opens with a catchy, rhythmic poem, which then leads into a seasonal safety guide offering tips on staying protected and comfortable during each season of the year. The book finishes with a comprehensive list of weather related terms and their meanings. The definition portion of the book also includes quotes by kids where each term is defined in children’s own words based on what they perceive is the meaning. An example is the weather term drizzle being defined in kids’ terms as “what you do to put chocolate on ice cream.” This offers a lighthearted, humorous air to the section that blends well with the more serious textbook definitions.

Wise on Weather was written based on Stracensky’s WOW acronym, which stands for Weather, Opportunity and Wisdom. “The weather information offers a wealth of information for toddlers and children, the opportunity stands for our chance to give back to our community and the wisdom is helping children by sharing weather safety tips to help keep them out of harm’s way,” stated Stracensky. The former college athlete and first-time author who was nicknamed “Rambo” by her team-mates for her assertiveness and fervor in going after her goals, Stracensky became passionate about doing all she could to help children. This happened after going through a traumatic period when one of her sons was hospitalized. “Just like Whitney Houston’s song says, I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. That has become my goal,” stated the ambitious mother of four. “I’ve been so blessed and just want the chance to give something back.” As a compliment to Stracensky’s mission to help kids is her illustrator, Goddard’s long time passion for helping animals. A dedicated animal advocate, he also hopes to help the community by donating a portion of the proceeds from Wise on Weather to aid animal organizations.

Vicki Stracensky is a multiple Emmy award winning/nominated director at Fox 8 in Cleveland, Ohio and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Florida Atlantic University. She grew up in Parma and Seven Hills and currently resides in Medina, Ohio with her husband, John, and their four children Matthew (8), Daniel (7), Mollie (6) and Evan (4). Stracensky plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from her book to Cleveland’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. To order Wise on Weather, please visit www.halopublishing.com.

Halo Publishing International is leading the charge in educating self published writers on how to market their self published books.

2010-07-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

09-July-2010 – Valley View, OH, July 13, 2010 -- Halo Publishing International, ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) a company devoted to assisting authors self publish their books, is happy to announce its new publishing consultant, Christine Folgmann to our Halo Team. Christine's expertise in marketing will assist upcoming Halo Author's in their expansion nationally and internationally. Folgmann specializes in showing authors how to use social media and newswire for the world-wide promotion of their books.

Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) is leading the charge in educating self published writers on how to market their self published books. Halo Publishing International believes that if a writer is going to go to the trouble to write a book, they should be aware of the importance ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) of marketing their book through all possible means. "It’s like the amazing singer who only sings in the shower, explains Lisa Umina the publisher." Self published writers can list their books internationally on such mega-sites as Amazon.com, Target.com, Barnes and Noble, and more. Their book will be available to be ordered at over 40,000 wholesalers, retailers, and booksellers in over 100 countries. Despite having this kind of distribution, at their disposal no one is going to know the book exists if it is not marketed. Amazon has millions of books listed on their website. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

In the current environment, that equates to participating actively and regularly in social media. Halo Publishing International emphasizes to its clients that in order to succeed as a self publisher, one must embrace social media as a very effective ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) way of promoting themselves. In recent years, it has become obvious that social media is not a fad. It is a way of communicating products and services to a targeted audience that has become used to and expects news and products to come to them, not the other way around. Through social media, self published authors can tailor their messages to their audience and post them to their Facebook, Twitter and blog accounts. In contrast, mainstream media buys are not targeted to a specific audience. This makes them extremely expensive and out of financial reach for the self published writer.

Press Contact:
Christine Folgmann
Halo Publishing International LLC
5549 Canal Road
Valley View, OH 44125
877-705-9647
christine@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

Camillus mom writes book about son learning to cope with losing arm

2010-07-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Camillus, NY -- Scotty Fura, 7, of Camillus, couldn't put down his new book, "One Handed Catch," by M.J. Auch. He interrupted his mother to read passages out loud. He ran upstairs to show paragraphs to his sister and then took the book to his bedroom to continue reading by himself. Follow story at http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2010/07/camillus_mom_writes_book_about_son_learning_to_cope_with_losing_arm.html

Halo is near to it's milestone of 100 books!

2010-04-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce today, we signed our 75th author, Debbie Berger author of My Visit to the Land of Childhood releasing this summer 2010. Congratulations Debbie!

Phone call

2010-04-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

A 75 year old woman called me and told me she is ready to publish her book. I asked her how long has it been since she wanted to publish. She replied, "since she was 25." I had to ask..."what took so long or better yet, what the heck was so darn important more than your dream?"...she answered a sigh, NOTHING now that I look back.

The Way of the Toddler - ENDORSED BY JOE VITALE!

2010-02-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

I am both honored and humbled as a publisher to congratulate Leta Hamilton, author of The Way of the Toddler. She thought totally out of the box and into motion pictures for a way to promote her recently book published by Halo Publishing International.

Joe Vitale who was recently seen in the movie, "The Secret." called Leta today to congratulate her on her book and thanked her for sending him a recent autographed copy!

May this story be an inspiration to all writers and published authors.

Vivacious Child Amputee Proves If There is a Will, There is Always a Way

2010-01-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

When observing Scotty Fura’s outgoing demeanor and contagious smile, it is easy to overlook the six-year-old’s missing limb. In fact, the Stonehedge Elementary school first-grader, nicknamed “the mayor” by friends and classmates due to his warm, welcoming personality, is quite independent and has learned to do nearly everything his friends can do, despite the fact that he only has a left arm. It was her son’s innovativeness in figuring out how to do everyday tasks and his remarkable ability to ignore his own difference and embrace life that inspired his mom, Jennifer Fura, to write and publish the book, Scotty’s Way. “Very simply,” stated the first-time author, “Scotty’s Way is about how my son, often without guidance or outside help, has figured out how to accomplish so many things.” Fura admits she wishes she had had a book such as hers several years ago when Scotty first became an amputee as a way to give hope to her son and her family of him having a normal life. “When Scotty first had his accident at the age of two and a half, his father and I had no idea at that time what lay ahead of him in life,” stated Fura. Scotty’s Way is unique in that there aren’t many children’s books available that address coping with disabilities, specifically amputation. “My goal in publishing the book was to get Scotty’s story out there in order to give encouragement and hope to other parents with children living with limb differences,” said Fura. “It is also a fun book that I think all kids, amputee or not, will enjoy reading or having read to them.” The book is a lighthearted, entertaining narrative about Scotty, who speaks in first person throughout the story, as he cheerfully describes his inventive ways of making his world work.

Jennifer Fura’s favorite hobby is scrap-booking and Scotty’s Way began as an extension of her desire to document events in her children’s lives. “I was constantly amazed at all the things Scotty figured out how to do on his own and I just began jotting things down on notebook paper because I wanted him to be able to read it someday and know how proud I was of him,” admitted Fura. Soon her notes grew into something she knew she wanted to share. Fura’s mission with Scotty’s Way is to present her son as no different than any other young boy and also as an example that no matter what the obstacles, there is always a way to figure things out. “I want kids to read the book, smile and think; ‘Wow, that’s pretty neat! Look what this kid did with one arm. Just think of what I could accomplish’,” stated Fura. The author believes having the will and fortitude to overcome obstacles can be applied to many different aspects of life and feels her son’s story offers the perfect example to illuminate this concept. An excerpt from Scotty’s Way reads, “Whatever comes along, I know one thing for sure: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. I will always try, no matter what it is. I will just have to figure out my own way to do it.”

As a way to give back to her community, Fura has hired three art students from West Genesee High School in Camillus, New York, where the author is an alumna, to illustrate Scotty’s Way.

Jennifer Fura was born, raised and currently resides in Syracuse, New York. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Oswego State University where she met her husband, Scott. Jennifer volunteers as one of the VP on her son’s PTA and holds a part-time job which allows her the opportunity to keep up with the social calendars of her two lively kids, Scotty (6) and Carly (4). To order Scotty’s Way, please visit www.halopublishing.com.

Milo Finds His Best Friend at OneTrueMedia.com

2009-11-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Imagine...Amazing Me! at OneTrueMedia.com

2009-11-15T04:31:00.001-08:00

by Libbi Chilia

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Spiration of Love at OneTrueMedia.com

2009-11-15T04:30:00.001-08:00

Spiration of Love by Victoria Pisano

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Author Secrets Revealed on 95.5 The Fish

2009-11-05T05:42:00.000-08:00

You’re a writer. You have ideas that you know will help and inspire others, and the ability to express yourself. Perhaps, you even have a complete manuscript, or a first draft. Now what?

Stay tuned this coming week on 95.5 THE FISH: November 9th, 11th, 13th & 14th between the hours of 3pm-7pm and Saturday 12pm to 5pm. HPI Authors share their secrets on how they published their very successful books. Featured authors: Libbi Chilia author of Imagine...Amazing Me!, Jungle Bob Tuma author of BobTails, Victoria Pisano author of Spiration of Love & Natalie Friedl author of Help Me Pray Today.

2009-10-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

Beginning on Monday, November 2, her Seattle-based radio show that airs on the I’m Thankful™ Network, in addition to being offered via web cast on the Internet, will become a part of CBS and CBS RADIO, broadcasting to several large, key markets throughout the country. Sue’s mission with her family-oriented radio show, as was with her book, is to facilitate positive growth and change by promoting open and effective communication. I’m Thankful™ was a book written in a free form journal format with the sole purpose of promoting the sharing of thoughts, the revealing of emotions and the encouragement of self-expression.

Lundquist’s unique radio program is a direct extension of this same philosophy. Sue’s program on Alternative Talk 1150AM is the only show of it’s kind in the Seattle market. “I hope to be a trailblazer for the radio,” states Lundquist. “My intention is to create compassion and offer a safe, maintenance tool via the radio for myself and others regarding family dynamics (however this may look in your life), on parenting, contribution, health, wealth, mind, body and spirit.”

Superheroes Rescue Children from Confusion of Learning Metric System

2009-10-14T07:59:00.001-07:00

Helping students to learn, but most importantly, visualize and retain the concepts of the metric system was the goal that author, Donna Scott-Nusrala set out to accomplish when publishing her first children’s book.
The Morphing Metric Family takes a dull subject and makes it fun and interesting. “U.S. students have struggled with learning metric measurement for some time, proven by poor results on standardized tests.” stated the former-teacher. “Educators, as well, have been challenged with conveying relevance. Many textbooks are so dry and present the information in a manner that doesn’t clearly show the logic.” Scott-Nusrala believes that using estimation, learning the logic and progression of metrics along with repetition are absolutely key to increasing the likelihood of retention. Scott-Nusrala’s new book, The Morphing Metric Family, does all of this and more.

A math and science instructor for 16 years, Scott-Nusrala came up with idea of using a family of superheroes to represent the different units of metric measure when she was faced with teaching metric concepts to her own students. “When I was reviewing the metric material that I needed to teach, I realized that I wasn’t retaining it. I knew I needed to come up with a creative method that my students could get their arms around,” revealed the author. Using the concept of the family unit to make it relevant, a family of superheroes was born and began to evolve in her classroom. Not only are the characters different sizes and named after the varying units, but there are common examples that give the reader a reference by which to remember and relate measurement to every-day life. For example, a kilogram is the mass of a textbook and a centimeter is the width of a finger. “There is no other book out there that presents the metric system in such a clear, concise, visual manner,” added Scott-Nusrala. “My book teaches the names of metric units of measure, abbreviations, order, estimates benchmarks for size and shows several measuring tools.”

The author admits the book’s first concepts began years ago when she started teaching. In 2006, she started the book and has spent the past few years revising and refining it. “This book was quite challenging to write,” admits the author, “because not only was I dealing with a complex, dry subject to begin with but then it also had to be concise. Rhyming was the most difficult part, but that made it succinct.” The Morphing Metric Family is only one of twelve complete manuscripts written by Scott-Nusrala. “I chose this particular book to publish because of the positive feedback I have gotten on it from students, educators and publishers. I definitely feel there is a need out there for it.” In fact, the President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Henry Kepner, recently stressed the importance of students learning and becoming comfortable with the metric system (NTCM News Bulletin May/June 2009). “I feel my book directly addresses many of the recommendations talked about in his letter,” added the author. “The Morphing Metric Family will help kids of all ages learn and retain the metric system. There is an emphasis on the importance of learning foreign languages in schools. Metrics is the global language of measurement. It crosses most areas of business. As our society becomes more global, it will be necessary to become fluent in metric measurement. They younger we can get kids familiar with it, the better.”

Donna Scott-Nusrala has a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Science Education. She has received several teaching awards including the Crystal Apple award from Cleveland’s Plain Dealer Newspaper and special recognition from the Ohio State Senate. The author currently resides in Ohio with her husband, Patrick and their three sons Aaron (18), Dillon (15) and Adam (9). Donna’s son, Aaron, was the Graphics Editor for her book.

To order The Morphing Metric Family please visit www.halopublishing.com.

A Child’s Uplifting Views of Death Serve as An Inspiration for All

2009-10-14T07:57:00.001-07:00

Hunter George Ballas is a five-year old kindergartner whose creativity and intuition were the foundations upon which his mom, Cary Jane Ballas, based her new book. “Finlay’s Garden; An Intuitive Look into Death and the Miracle of Life” is a loving tale about how their family worked through the grieving process after losing a child from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The book is a heartwarming, as well as uplifting, story of love, grief and acceptance. The author states that, without a doubt, her kids are what helped her get through her son, Finlay’s, death. “Children are so accepting and are very resilient,” explains Ballas. “They’re able to use their imaginations and see things that we, as adults, don’t see.” The writer continues, “Often when adults are faced with hardships they just shut down and stop talking, and this is probably the worst thing they can do. I’ve found that I teach my kids the small lessons in life, and they definitely teach me the big lessons.” Ballas was so moved by the positive reinforcements about death expressed to her from her children, especially Hunter who was the closest in age to Finlay, that she was inspired to create a book to attempt to help others in the same situation.

Ballas’s mission in writing “Finlay’s Garden” is to reach out to families who are trying to cope with the loss of a child in order to promote conversation and open communication so that feelings can be expressed. In fact, this is exactly what happened in Ballas’s own family when the book was written. “The book sparked conversation about Finlay’s death between myself, my husband and our three children, remarks Ballas. All three children have been able to express their feelings, and it has truly been a positive experience for our family.” Ballas began writing “Finlay’s Garden” after listening to her son, Hunter, talk about his brother’s death. “I did a lot of research, looking for a book about the grieving process that would be easily understood by children, and there just simply wasn’t a lot out there,” states the first time author.

The story of “Finlay’s Garden” is written in simple, easy-to-understand terms about a boy who takes a positive, lighthearted approach to dealing with loss. The narrative centers on a beautiful, heart-shaped garden with a blossoming cherry tree in the middle where the boy goes to connect with his late brother. Ballas’s hope in writing the book is to help families deal with death and let them know they still have the ability to remain close to people they’ve lost. Although the book deals with death in a gentle way for children, Ballas believes the story appeals to and can help those in all age groups. She hopes the book will be timeless, will promote peace, understanding and inspiration and will act as a catalyst to inspire readers to talk to each other about their grief. Cary Jane Ballas grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and has a degree in Social Work from DeSales University. She currently resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, Bryan, and their three children, Quinlan, Hunter and Cabry. To order “Finlay’s Garden; An Intuitive Look into Death and the Miracle of Life”, please visit www.halopublishing.com.

Hogar Dulce Hogar Children Enjoy a Special McHappy Day

2009-08-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

Who would think an event at McDonald's, Happy Meals, a playground and a specail visit from Mexico's famous wrestler, Marco Corleone would turn out to be a day the children will never forget?!

Every child that attended received an autograph from Corleone, an autograph book and photograph, by International author Lisa Umina and school supplies. This was our first of many planned events. Especially when asked by one of the children,"So when is Marco coming to our house?" Marco promised he would visit and bring his Xbox. We are going to hold him to his word. You can count on that.

About Hogar Dulce Hogar
Hogar Dulce Hogar (Home Sweet Home) Foundation houses around 70 displaced children, all twelve and under. The children that arrive here come from the streets, battered women’s shelters, temporary shelters for the homeless and shelters for women with terminal illnesses.

The orphanage provides shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, education, medical attention and recreational activities for these children, but faces many challenges. Because it cannot accommodate older kids, children are put on the street once they pass age 12. Hogar Dulce Hogar is in the process of trying to build a property for these older children so that they can continue to have a safe refuge off the streets.

A special thank you to: Lisa Deeb, Tricia Pohlman, The "Tias" and Marco Corleone

Inspiring young readers to make our world a better place are common themes among Halo Publishing International authors.

2009-07-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

Independent local writers of such works as “Gracelynn Goes To School,” “Help Me Pray Today,” “Spiration of Love,” “Remembering ‘D’” and “Milo and the Green Wagon” will share their important messages this year during the ninth annual Catholic Family FEST, Aug. 9 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, Ohio. The daylong gathering and celebration of faith and family embraces solid values and promotes dignity and respect among all people.

Halo Publishing International encourages its authors to foster personal growth while making a difference in our society and several published writers will be available during the FEST to talk about their books and what inspired the stories. The loving, giving and caring “Milo” character from Halo Founder Lisa Umina’s books will make a special appearance. Halo author “Jungle” Bob Tuma also will perform a live animal presentation.

FEST organizers say the event, expected to draw nearly 30,000 Christians, is about inspiring the next generation of leaders and active members of both the local and spiritual communities, a mission Halo Publishing International supports. Umina, a Cleveland area native, said the company’s authors are committed to spreading their hopeful messages and thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of a large recognized spiritual event designed to do just that.

“Jungle” Bob Tuma, who penned “Bob Tails,” and other Halo authors attending the Fest include Natalie Friedl, “Help Me Pray Today;” Victoria Pisano, “Straight Street to Heaven” and “Spiration of Love;” Kristen Wygle, “Gracelynn Goes To School;” Crista Stewart, “The Little Frog;” Debra Cavanaugh, “Max and Morgan’s ABC’s,;” The “D” Team, “Remembering “D”;” and Danielle Schillero, “God is With Me.” Biographical information about these authors and descriptions of their books are available at www.halopublishing.com. Interviews can be arranged by calling (216) 255-6756 or (877) 705-9647.

Halo Publishing International was established in 2002 as a full capacity publishing house and has been contributing to the success of many new and up-and-coming authors ever since. Their offices in USA and Mexico specialize in designing, producing, publishing and marketing books for independent authors. HPI offers writers around the world the highest level of professional publishing services and their mission is to broaden the base of children’s literature as they specialize in publishing books for pre-school through elementary-aged children and inspirational books for all ages.

Getting Back to Basics with a Shovel, a Bucket and a Vivid Imagination

2009-06-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Amy Fulton finds joy in the simple things in life and hopes to pass along this valuable trait to readers with her newly released book, Going to the Pond. The book, written for children in pre-school through the second grade, is an uplifting tale of a young boy who delights in spending time with his Mom, frolicking in the water and making all different kinds of fun discoveries throughout his day. Amy is passionate about getting children outdoors so they can learn and grow and she hopes that kids who read her book will want to put down their video games and go outside. “My ambition is to get people to find the time to take a walk outdoors with their kids, to go exploring in their own back yard, and just discover!” states the first time author. Fulton’s Going to the Pond is an enchantingly illustrated story about getting back to basics by enjoying a simple day at the pond with a shovel, a bucket and a vivid imagination. Visit www.halopublishing.com for more details.

A Tool that Offers Inspiration and Hope

2009-06-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

Megan Prescott spent nearly half her life working through a bereavement process after abruptly losing both her mom and brother within a month of one another when she was at a young age. At the end of her long, sorrowful journey emerged Squirrel and Oak: A Book of Hope, a narrative in which the first-time author hopes will be used as an inspiration and lifeline for children of all ages who are saying goodbye to someone they love and are deep in their own bereavement process. “My desire is that after reading the book, young readers will breathe a sigh of relief,” says Prescott, “and be able to experience a moment of peace, comfort and hope.” Squirrel and Oak is a story about love, loss, confusion, renewal and hopefulness. It explains the death process in a heartwarming, safe way that young children as well as adults will understand and relate to. Megan’s hope is that Squirrel and Oak will allow those trapped in a state of darkness to realize that there is light on the other side if they can just work through their sorrow and move past it.

HPI Presents Libbi Chilia, You Make a Difference Award

2009-06-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

Halo Publishing International is pleased to present Libbi Chilia the HPI You Make a Difference! Award. This award is presented not only to honor Libbi’s unbelievable courage as the parent of a child with a limb difference, but also celebrates the incredibly capable and vibrant children photographed in Imagine…Amazing Me!

Libbi’s daughter, Sami, was born with a limb difference. In an effort to show Sami there are others just like her, Libbi searched for an appropriate children’s book but came up empty handed. Instead of throwing in the towel, she decided to write a book for Sami on her own. Braced with the determination to teach others about children with limb differences and to promote tolerance, diversity and compassion, Libbi embarked upon a photographic labor of love entitled Imagine…Amazing Me!

The book lovingly shows children with limb differences from both Canada and the United States participating in things many take for granted, like sports, dancing and playing musical instruments. It portrays children with disabilities in a positive light by visually showing they can do anything.

Libbi and all of the children featured in Imagine…Amazing Me! have created change for both those with and without limb differences by providing a forum for understanding and hope. Therefore, it is with pleasure and inspired awe that this HPI You Make a Difference! Award is granted to Libbi Chilia.

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES CAN BECOME SAFER PLACES WHEN STUDENTS LEARN TO A.C.T. AGAINST BULLYING

2008-11-05T07:38:00.001-08:00

Young people can learn that Action Changes Things in their lives and Halo Publishing International Author Lisa Umina and her caring and lovable book character Milo are on a mission to show them how.

Roughly one in three students in grades 7-12 report having been bullied at school, according to a statistics gathered by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. And it’s not just on the playground, the hallway or the locker room in schools today. Bullies are using the latest technology – Internet postings, e-mails and text messages – to intimidate their victims.

School should be a place where young people feel safe while making friends and learning the skills they need for a positive future. Lisa and Milo want to visit your school to teach students how to ACT AGAINST BULLYING.

During a school assembly, Lisa and Milo will talk about what a bully is – someone who verbally, physically or psychologically abuses someone. And there will be discussion about a bully’s intimidation tactics, including hitting, pushing, name-calling and threatening.

Students will learn they have the power to make positive changes. Lisa and Milo will offer tips on what young people can do to stop bullies from hurting others. Through role playing activities and discussion, students will learn that their actions truly will make a difference when they do something and stand up to a bully.

They’ll be asked to make a pledge to – Act Brave. Talk to someone. Talk about it. Get a buddy. And, each student will receive an ACT Mission Club Card that reinforces the actions they can take.

The children can participate in poster contest, sponsored by Halo Publishing International during each school visit, and possibly win a $50 gift certificate. They will be asked to create a poster showing how to handle a situation involving a bully. HPI will print 50 of the winning posters and submit an announcement about its creator to the local newspaper, as well as post it on the company’s website.

Lisa Umina, owner of Halo Publishing International, not only publishes books but also enjoys a successful career as an author, motivational speaker, missionary and literary consultant. Umina´s publishing company continues to flourish by strengthening the movement of words across the international borders in order to benefit cultures and society as a whole. She has been interviewed by countless newspapers, radio and TV and has traveled the world to teach children about their purpose and how religion can positively influence their lives.

If you would like Lisa and Milo to visit your school so that children can learn how to ACT Against Bullying, schedule an assembly today or get more information by calling 216-255-6756, or visiting halopublishing.com.

Halo Publishing Brings Your Creations to Life...

2008-11-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

HPI offers authors around the world the highest level of professional publishing services. Our office in USA and Mexico specialize in designing, producing, publishing and marketing books for independent authors. If you have a love for children's publishing and you´re interested in publishing your book with HPI. We are not only your publisher...we are your partner!

We are currently accepting manuscripts for review. Reporting time is 4 to 6 weeks.