All Things Books and Publishing

After years of writing and editing for other's, seeing my name on their mastheads, I took a break in 2012 to become my mother's caregiver. When she crossed over two years later, I thought I could step back into the same path I'd walked for much of my career. Life threw me a curve.

In 2018, I joined other professionals to create bUneke. At bUneke (be unique), we provide a free, educational publication that highlights people doing amazing things to make our world better. Since then, we have featured more than 3,000 charities, philanthropic businesses, and individuals who are working today to change tomorrow.

I still write and edit as a freelancer, as time permits. bUneke is my passion and if you want to be a part of the movement, we welcome you to join us!

I published my first book in 2022, after working on it for 40 years. My second book was released in the spring of 2023, after only 90 days from the first thought to the last page. A third book was inspired by a conversation with another author.

Now, I am looking to rejoin the workforce and contribute to an organization that can make an impact on the world, rather than just my little corner of it.

Tonight's show is about a woman who never thought she would be a published author. She wrote many things and put them aside never dreaming that one day she would not only see her work in print, but she would touch the lives of people she never knew. That woman is my friend Peggy Engeler. She is the church secretary, retired secretary for a law firm, owns a fox red lab. And to add to that she is a woman of a certain age. We all know that age. The one when we think we are too old to do.... whatever it is we want to do. 

News flash we are never to old. 

So join me as I talk about Peggy and how she got started, the books she has released and how she is living her best life.

There are bodies piling up in Key West…. Serial Killer? The bodies showing up outside a famous drag bar….is that a clue or a coincidence? A book that delves into the Life of a Drag Queen and a marvelous “Who done it?” Clever! Let’s go into their world of Mascara and Stiletto Heels and observe. Who could be killing all these gay men and why? Yvonne Mason is the master, or mistress, of mystery in this rip roaring, fishnet stocking twisiting comedy mystery tale. This story could very well could have really happened as Yvonne Mason connects this story with some undisputed truth and history of NYC underworld and the “World Famous 82 Club”… it just might have happened, see for yourself…. Does the detective has a love/hate relationship with the Drag Queen or is it a lot less Hate and more Love than admitted? Exciting and Hilarious! Who will be next on the list of murder? The story is as seen through the main character’s eyes and what eyes they are! Lou the mild mannered detective by day and Lola a FABULOUS drag queen by night who can get into all kinds of trouble!! How her friends try to help her find the killer and catch the monster behind these unspeakable murders.I have been a Drag Queen for over 40 years and this is the first time I have been asked to collaborate on a book. Drag Queens are my speciality and I have worked in Cabaret shows since 1968 as well as extensively in Musical Theater, Television, Radio and Films. I really was excited and honored to help with the book and this book was an ultimate thrill for me.Thanks toYvonne Mason for her faith in me, and for having the insight to choose me to help her navigate this drag queen world. Thanks to Peter for his energy and Marvolous Wit…We will always be connected with this superb Book!

Vicky Lane

I write for AMR Publishing , aka Andrea Mile Rhoads. She puts out several Anthologies a year and I along with several other writers put together some of the best reading you will ever read. We have down thrillers, crime, romance, well not me, Christmas, you name it she puts it on. Usually she has a release party on Facebook and invites all to attend. Since I have revived the show, I thought it only befitting that we all come together and blow this little horror anthology out of the water here on Off The Chain. Yep, you will be able to call in and talk to your favorite author. There are five of us in the little jewel, T Elizabeth Guthrie, Pete Thorn, WS Greer, Virginia Johnson and me. 

This Show was set up a couple of weeks ago. Last night we lost our fearless leader Andrea Miles Rhoads. So in honor of her ..... the tribe will have this show for her. Yes, some of our authors will be live on the show and yes we will talk about The Locked Door. However, we also want to talk about Andrea and how she has impacted our lives. How we met her, how we have been on this journey with her and what she means to us a freind, publisher and go to person. A huge hole has been torn in the tapstry of our industry. One that will never be repaired. Fly high with the Angels my friend. You are already so missed

This episode centers on the Angels that dwell among us. Those special people that God has given us to protect, love and learn from. Many of you know them as "challenged". I prefer unique. We are all "challenged" in some form or another. None of us are perfect. Granted God had a perfect plan however, we as human managed to screw that one up big time. 

I have the honor of having one of those Angels in my life. His name is Stan and he survived and thrived in a time when that was not possible or probable. While we has a society have come a long way in the acceptance of those who are "challenged" we still have a long way to go. You see, some of those Angels are not born "challenged" some become that way after an illness, stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury or some other neurological damage. Because we as a rule do not know how to communicate or refuse to have the patience to allow them to communicate, we pass them off as unimportant. Shame on us. They are a gift to be cherished, loved and protected. 

Join me as I talk about how we as a society must change the way we treat our Angels. You will be surprised at the things you learn from the beautiful people if you only give them a chance. My brother taught me more than I can ever teach him. His story can be found in his book, Dreamcatcher Failure was Never an Option. 

Yes, the lines will be opened for call ins to tell your story.

They live amongst us. They work with us, they live in our communites and no matter what they always blame others for their bad decisions. They are always the victim. No matter if they start the confrontation. Nothing is ever their fault. 

I have run into this many times in my professional and private life. I was even married to one. Over the years I have learned how to deal with that type of personality.   I hope this show will help those of you who deal with this type of personality on a daily to understand there is no reasoning with them. They have no sense of ownership. So join me as I delve into the psychic of a Narcissist. No matter how much they blame you for their actions it is not your fault.

Winifred “Winnie” or “Freddie” Bush was born in North Dakota and is now a 6 ¾ year old who lives in Michigan. She has been writing stories for two years. Her first work in progress, a comic book, was a story that she lost and forgot what it was about. Her second work in progress, a short story, is about a girl named Glacier where the parents question if she is really their daughter because she is “different” from them. Winifred currently spends her days watching YouTube, drawing, writing, and eating ice when the snow comes outside. Winifred was a special cohost on a past episode, but now is our youngest special guest!

You can catch Winifred live on Off The Chain on 22 November 2022 at 8 pm EST to hear her thoughts on questions submitted by other indie artists and friends of the family. Tune in and listen to the perspective of a future creative indie child!

Miss Freddye began singing in church at a young age. The influences of church and her mother's love of blues music gave Miss Freddye the foundation to venture in the world of blues music in 1996. She joined BMW(Blues Music Works) under the direction Of "Big" Al Leavitt.

In 2002, Miss Freddye went on to form Blue Faze and several years later, Miss Freddye started two bands, Miss Freddye's Blues Band (electric blues) and Miss Freddye's Homecookin Band, (acoustic blues, classic rock, gospel.)Miss Freddye’s influences include  Koko Taylor, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith, and "Big" Al Leavitt.

She has won past blues competitions; 2008 West Virginia Blues Society for Best Blues and 2012 Blues Society Of Western PA Best Duo/Solo Act. Additionally, Miss Freddye was awarded the 2014 Star Award from the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center for her work with veterans. She was awarded the 2015 Freedom From Silence Award from the Center For Victims. Sge has won in the Iron City Rocks Awards for Best Blues Band in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Her self-released CD, "Lady Of The Blues" won for Best Album in 2017.

In 2018, Miss Freddye was nominated for two Blues Foundation Awards, one for Best Emerging Artist CD and The Koko Taylor Traditional Blues Female.

Her latest single, “Something To Believe In”  is from her forthcoming gospel/roots release, scheduled for 2022 release. 

You can find her on: www.facebook.com/missfreddye, www.twitter.com/@missfreddye17, Instagram-missfreddyesblues, http://www.missfreddye.com.

The eldest of five children, our guest was born May 17, 1951 in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in East Point, Georgia, they moved to Jackson County, Ga. until 2006 then moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida where they currently make their home. They are a licensed bounty hunter for the state of Georgia. Our guest has an Associates degree from Lanier Technical College in Criminal Justice and has been nominated for the prestigious GOAL award in 2005 which encompasses all of the technical colleges. This award is based not only on excellence in academics but also leadership, positive attitude and the willingness to excel in one's major. Our guest is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and The Florida Writer's Association - Group Leader for St Lucie County. Our guest is the author of several novels, a motivational speaker, and has appeared in several Blog Talk Radio Shows, to include creating several of their own.

With more than 21 years of military service, Joseph “Joe” Bogdan has a wide array of leadership experience in the engineering, communications, and social services career fields and has employed his skills at multiple assignments across the globe. Driven by his passion to help others reach their professional and personal goals, he continues to be a mentor to hundreds and is a sought-after speaker and instructor on a variety of topics to include resilience, management, and leadership.

He holds instructional certifications in multiple courses to include Franklin Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Shipley Communications’ Four Lenses, and is a Master Resiliency Trainer certified at The University of Pennsylvania.  He is a certified Leadership Coach, he holds an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Homeland Security from the University of Maryland University College and earned his graduate degree in Organizational Leadership at Brandman University where he is currently an adjunct professor of both undergraduate and graduate leadership studies.

Joe is also a co-founder of The Llama Leadership website and a host of the Llama Lounge podcast that explores topics on all things life, learning, and leadership.  You can reach out to Joe at the Llama Leadership website at www.llamaleadership.com, on his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jybogdan/, or by email at [email protected].