As a military veteran, there are stories I have not shared before. After losing a dear Army veteran friend to suicide and learning about the high rate of suicides amongst military veterans, I realized WE needed a place to talk. A place to let the world know who we are, how we suffer and what we need to become whole again. I hope to make this a weekly segment.

Yuriy was born in Russia in and started writing poetry, songs and performing on stage while in his first college He emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1998 and spent 11 years in New York where he took a hiatus before moving to San Antonio in 2009. In 2010, Yuriy started to write and perform in English. He regularly attended open mic events and read poems at local radio stations. To his surprise, he received quite a warm reception from the people of San Antonio.

Returning to poetry was quite therapeutic and challenging, as English is not his native language. However, the revived passion for writing, spoken word and acting made this “cross-over” happen.

I believe the term social network isn't what it claims. Of course, we virtually socialize with people we may not have ever had an opportunity to meet, especially those in other countries. However, when was the last time you actually took time to meet your social network FRIENDS in  person? When was the last time you actually talked to a social networking friend on the phone? Let's just talk about how REAL social networking is these days.

Being a woman veteran is difficult, especially if you are a woman veteran who has suffered some type of trauma while on active duty. Many of us have not had the opportunity to share our stories because we have not truly dealt with the trauma and the issues caused by this trauma. I’m hoping to enlist some of my fellow women veterans to courageously begin telling our stories.

During my hiatus, renewal occurred regardless if I wanted it to. I found myself reassessing my purpose, what I was truly put on this earth to do. I discovered more of what I was NOT to do, which made room for what I WAS to do.  I will share more after these brief announcements.

Story Night for Kids – I will read the old classic stories at bedtime such as

Amelia BadeliaMother Goose RhymesCurious GeorgeClifford the Big Red Dog

My children’s books:

Elijah’s Great RacePrincess Onyx Precious GemsMicah’s Grumpy DayRex The Nerdy Centipede,

As well as

children’s stories from other indie authors.

What’s going to make it more fun is kids will be able to send me an email requesting their favorite story to be read. If you have children, they can send their requests to [email protected]. All stories must be for ages up to 10 years old.

If you are an indie author of children’s books, and would like me to read it on air, send a print copy to: Queen of the Pen Books™, Attn: Clarissa Burton, P.O. Box 68221, Schaumburg, IL 60168

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Ebooks will not be accepted.

Story Night for Kids – I will read the old classic stories at bedtime such as

Amelia BadeliaMother Goose RhymesCurious GeorgeClifford the Big Red Dog

My children’s books:

Elijah’s Great RacePrincess Onyx Precious GemsMicah’s Grumpy DayRex The Nerdy Centipede,

As well as

children’s stories from other indie authors.

What’s going to make it more fun is kids will be able to send me an email requesting their favorite story to be read. If you have children, they can send their requests to [email protected]. All stories must be for ages up to 10 years old.

If you are an indie author of children’s books, and would like me to read it on air, send a print copy to: Queen of the Pen Books™, Attn: Clarissa Burton, P.O. Box 68221, Schaumburg, IL 60168

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Ebooks will not be accepted.

Story Night for Kids – I will read the old classic stories at bedtime such as

Amelia BadeliaMother Goose RhymesCurious GeorgeClifford the Big Red Dog

My children’s books:

Elijah’s Great RacePrincess Onyx Precious GemsMicah’s Grumpy DayRex The Nerdy Centipede,

As well as

children’s stories from other indie authors.

What’s going to make it more fun is kids will be able to send me an email requesting their favorite story to be read. If you have children, they can send their requests to [email protected]. All stories must be for ages up to 10 years old.

If you are an indie author of children’s books, and would like me to read it on air, send a print copy to: Queen of the Pen Books™, Attn: Clarissa Burton, P.O. Box 68221, Schaumburg, IL 60168

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Ebooks will not be accepted.

Story Night for Kids – I will read the old classic stories at bedtime such as

Amelia BadeliaMother Goose RhymesCurious GeorgeClifford the Big Red Dog

My children’s books:

Elijah’s Great RacePrincess Onyx Precious GemsMicah’s Grumpy DayRex The Nerdy Centipede,

As well as

children’s stories from other indie authors.

What’s going to make it more fun is kids will be able to send me an email requesting their favorite story to be read. If you have children, they can send their requests to [email protected]. All stories must be for ages up to 10 years old.

If you are an indie author of children’s books, and would like me to read it on air, send a print copy to: Queen of the Pen Books™, Attn: Clarissa Burton, P.O. Box 68221, Schaumburg, IL 60168

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Ebooks will not be accepted.

Story Night for Kids – I will read the old classic stories at bedtime such as

Amelia BadeliaMother Goose RhymesCurious GeorgeClifford the Big Red Dog

My children’s books:

Elijah’s Great RacePrincess Onyx Precious GemsMicah’s Grumpy DayRex The Nerdy Centipede,

As well as

children’s stories from other indie authors.

What’s going to make it more fun is kids will be able to send me an email requesting their favorite story to be read. If you have children, they can send their requests to [email protected]. All stories must be for ages up to 10 years old.

If you are an indie author of children’s books, and would like me to read it on air, send a print copy to: Queen of the Pen Books™, Attn: Clarissa Burton, P.O. Box 68221, Schaumburg, IL 60168

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Ebooks will not be accepted.