Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

EPISODE 437 - Katherine Blessan - Novelist, Short Story Writer and Screenwriter - stories that touch on social issues

Katherine Blessan is a novelist, short story writer and screenwriter. She loves to write stories that touch on social issues and explore the space where cultures cross.

As well as writing, she is is one of the directors of a start-up social enterprise called Kaleido Arts for Wellbeing CIC and is a creative writing tutor. Katherine is married to Blessan – yes, her surname is his first name! – and they travel widely and love to meet new people. Katherine lives with her family in Sheffield, UK.

If you would like to get in touch with Katherine about any aspect of writing  feel free to use any of the social media contact links and sign up below to her newsletter. Katherine is open to collaborating on writing projects of interest and leading creative writing workshops.

https://www.katherineblessan.com/

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BONUS - November is Coming - 30 Episodes in 30 Days - National Podcast Post Month NaPodPoMo

In 2007, 50 podcasters participated in the first ever National Podcast Post Month aka NaPodPoMo. Created by Jennifer Navarrete as an answer for an audio version to other 30 day challenges happening in the month of November.

NaPodPoMo is a month long event along the same vein as National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo. The difference? Well, instead of writing a 50,000 word novel, you podcast every day for 30 days from November 1st-30th.

Use any platform you desire. From full production studio to iPhone app and just about anything in between. The goal of NaPodPoMo is to use the challenge of podcasting daily as a form of podcasting bootcamp.

https://napodpomo.org/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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EPISODE 436 - Donna Keeley - Paranormal Mystery Books Based on History, Research and Haunted Locations

About the author
Donna Keeley has been writing for years but is only recently getting her works to print. A long-time science fiction and fantasy fan, along with historical novels and mysteries, Donna enjoys crafting stories that are complete in a single volume. Her Paranormal Mystery Series features real, haunted locations and uses the documented ghosts as part of the fictional mystery story.

A resident of San Diego County since 1986, Donna has embraced the culture and history of the region, which is reflected in the first Paranormal Mystery book, "Having a Whaley of a Time". The story features the ghosts of the famous Whaley House and appeals to mystery readers, lovers of ghost stories, and cats. Upcoming locations for stories include the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, and Loretta Lynn’s haunted plantation in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

https://www.facebook.com/ParanormalMysteryBooks

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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Episode 435 - Amy True - From Swoony Romance Novels to Young Adult Historical Novel

Amy Trueblood grew up in Southern California only ten minutes from Disneyland which sparked an early interest in storytelling.

Her debut YA Historical novel, NOTHING BUT SKY was a Junior Library Guild selection and was called, “An action-packed first novel exploring the post-World War I époque with visceral period detail” by Publishers Weekly. Her second novel, ACROSS A BROKEN SHORE, also a JLG selection, was named a Best Feminist Book in Children’s Literature by the American Library Association. It also won the Gold Medal for Historical Fiction in both the Independent Publisher Book Awards and Moonbeam Children’s Awards.

Under the name Amy True, she writes swoony romance novels with both heat and heart. The first book in her new Ivy Falls series, Meet Me in Ivy Falls, debuts this summer with another book following in late fall.

Now living in Arizona, Amy spends most of her time trying to stay out of the sizzling heat which means hiding in cool little coffee shops, sipping on her favorite iced tea, and dreaming up her next novel.

Amy also writes as Amy True

Book 1: Ivy Falls Series

In the gorgeous small town of Ivy Falls, Torran is putting all her passion into building her new career in house restoration, trying desperately to help the town keep its identity and charm. She has no time for love but when her childhood sweetheart, Beck, comes back to town and outbids her on her dream house at auction, sparks fly. This man broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?

For Beck, Ivy Falls means trauma and loss. He knows his sudden departure hurt Torran badly but there are things she doesn’t know. He never intended to return to Ivy Falls so why is he there, bidding on his childhood home? His feelings for Torran are as strong as ever but Torran means Ivy Falls and Beck can’t go back there. Can he find a way to heal his past and find his future?

https://www.amytruebloodauthor.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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Episode 434 - Hannah Wolfram - Book Coach, Ghost Writer, and Soul Book Author

H.M. Wolfram is a freelance ghostwriter, nonprofit & business grant writer, book & course editor, and trauma-informed book coach. She is an introvert, though she still enjoys good food, good friends, and good conversation every now and then. Her dog is the center of her world.

In her free time, she enjoys reading tarot, spending time in libraries and bookstores, and learning anything and everything that seems interesting.

She has worked with individuals from all different backgrounds and circumstances, allowing her to create a safe space for all of her clients in which they can feel valued, respected, and heard. She is especially passionate about helping disabled and neurodivergent individuals through her business; as a disabled and Autistic woman, she knows how often disabled/ND people are forced to question their validity in a society that is simply not built for them. By working to mitigate some of the barriers that exist in writing and publishing, Hannah hopes to help disabled/ND people’s stories to “take up more space” in the literary landscape.

https://hmwolfram.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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Episode 433 - Lincoln Rawlins - Soar To New Heights and Sprout New Ideas with our Young Author Guest

Meet the author, Lincoln.

Own your copy of the book about which Treehouse series author Andy Griffiths declared, “I love a good villain and how much more villainous can you get than Shade Man.”

Reading his story out to a crowd of over 100 people was an experience Lincoln will never forget, but it became much more than that single event.

The story of hope, teamwork, and combatting negative with positive and kindness came to life through his main character, Sprout, and the seed for what became Sprout’s Idea began to grow.

Lincoln is proof that anyone can harness the power of story to make a difference in the world.

It is his hope that anyone who reads Sprout’s Idea will be more conscious of the words they speak and their actions around others.

Meet the illustrator, Cara.

Cara is an illustrator and book designer who lives in her little house in Sydney, with her loving husband and two gorgeous dogs.

Bringing stories to life is Cara’s passion, she has done it in many different forms. From skating with Disney on Ice with your favourite Disney friends, to working with The Wiggles to bring their joy to the world, and designing books with Scholastic Australia.

Cara has had the privilege to be a storyteller and enjoys working with independent authors to illustrate their imaginings and help them tell their tales.

Read more about Linclon here
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2022/08/11/meet-the-coasts-eight-year-old-author/

Linclon's site
https://www.sproutsidea.com

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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Episode 432 - Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane - Ignite Your Passion and Write Your Book, Ghost Writing and Coaching

I am a qualified journalist who has written for a number of newspapers, magazines and e-zines and am what you would call a jack of all trades.

I ‘published’ my first book when I was in my final year of primary school. It was aptly called School Journal Part 4 Number 2 and had a strong ocean theme, with short stories, articles and poetry about sea life. It featured a cardboard cover that held stapled paper pages and this was the first and only time I have ever accompanied my words with illustrations (and for good reason…).

An avid bookworm beforehand, this project earned me an A++ and provided the initial spark for a future career in writing.

Rain, hail, or shine, they always received their papers and being in the land of the long white cloud, it often meant arriving home from deliveries soaked-through.

Fast forward to today and I have been a professional storyteller since 2007. My first era was as a qualified print media journalist. My second era as an award-winning nonfiction book ghostwriter and writing mentor began in 2018.

Since then, I have had the privilege of assisting people of all ages and all walks of life to showcase their expertise or share their incredible life stories in books that are changing the world. I have helped each and every one of them move through the perceived challenges that prevent many from taking the first steps to authorship.

Helping people to find their spark and become brave enough to share it with the world is my fuel. Guiding people to find their voice and share their message in a powerful way that connects and transforms is my why. Processing large volumes of information and a lifetime worth of stories is my passion. Providing guidance and structured order to the myriad ideas buzzing around in the mind of an aspiring author is my gift.

Making ghostwriting clients feel safe during my interviews (and knowing which questions to prompt them with) is my superpower.

Whether it’s ‘How to make $1 million’ or ‘My journey through breast cancer’, every book has the potential to resonate deeply with people if it is crafted in the right way and written from the heart.

I look forward to supporting you in any way you need to get the story off your heart and into the world, where it can serve, change lives, inspire, educate and even give your bank account a healthy boost!

https://www.roxannewriter.com.au/
https://www.roxannewriter.com.au/shop/books/

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 431 - Kathy Bolte - Ringo's Rainbow Journey, A Memoir of Our Border Collie's Return to His Soul Family

Kathy Bolte is an International Yoga Teacher, Mantra Meditation Teacher, Kīrtan Musician, Retreat Leader, and facilitator of Women’s Wisdom Circles. She is a featured writer for Elephant Journal, an online publication dedicated to the mindful life.

An avid mountain biker, Kathy hits the bike trails of Southern California at least twice a week. She loves working with her two Border Collies in the extraordinarily fun and challenging sport of dog agility. She lives in Riverside, California with her husband, their three dogs, and their 19-year-old cat.

Book: Ringo's Rainbow Journey: A Memoir of Our Border Collie's Return to His Soul Family - Kathy’s husband, George, yearned for a Border Collie. This is the story of the birth and life of their beloved Ringo, the transition out of his body and rebirth as little Nina, a female Border Collie.

As Ringo, and their matriarchal cat, Solo, faced health challenges and moved toward their end-of-life, Kathy and George were referred to Amanda Reister, a gifted pet communicator, to learn how best to care for their aging pets. Suddenly, everything changed.

The conversations they’ve had with each of their pets, through Amanda, were nothing short of miraculous and completely changed their paradigm. The wisdom, joy, and depth of understanding revealed caused them to view each pet as the uniquely wise being they truly are. It was Ringo, who urged Kathy to write his memoir. Through Amanda he shared his important life lessons for us humans.

Bodies come and go, but the Soul is eternal. Gender fluidity is natural and normal. Soul Families are real. Return to them if you can. And the most important lesson of all, which is to simply love one another.

https://www.ringosrainbowjourney.com/

Yoga website:
http://www.kathybolteyoga.com/

Link to my writing:
https://linktr.ee/KathyBolte

Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.bolte.3/
https://www.instagram.com/kathybolte/?hl=en

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@kirtangirl

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Episode 431 - Kathy Bolte - Ringo's Rainbow Journey, A Memoir of Our Border Collie's Return to His Soul Family

Kathy Bolte is an International Yoga Teacher, Mantra Meditation Teacher, Kīrtan Musician, Retreat Leader, and facilitator of Women’s Wisdom Circles. She is a featured writer for Elephant Journal, an online publication dedicated to the mindful life.

An avid mountain biker, Kathy hits the bike trails of Southern California at least twice a week. She loves working with her two Border Collies in the extraordinarily fun and challenging sport of dog agility. She lives in Riverside, California with her husband, their three dogs, and their 19-year-old cat.

Book: Ringo's Rainbow Journey: A Memoir of Our Border Collie's Return to His Soul Family - Kathy’s husband, George, yearned for a Border Collie. This is the story of the birth and life of their beloved Ringo, the transition out of his body and rebirth as little Nina, a female Border Collie.

As Ringo, and their matriarchal cat, Solo, faced health challenges and moved toward their end-of-life, Kathy and George were referred to Amanda Reister, a gifted pet communicator, to learn how best to care for their aging pets. Suddenly, everything changed.

The conversations they’ve had with each of their pets, through Amanda, were nothing short of miraculous and completely changed their paradigm. The wisdom, joy, and depth of understanding revealed caused them to view each pet as the uniquely wise being they truly are. It was Ringo, who urged Kathy to write his memoir. Through Amanda he shared his important life lessons for us humans.

Bodies come and go, but the Soul is eternal. Gender fluidity is natural and normal. Soul Families are real. Return to them if you can. And the most important lesson of all, which is to simply love one another.

https://www.ringosrainbowjourney.com/

Yoga website:

http://www.kathybolteyoga.com/

Link to my writing:

https://linktr.ee/KathyBolte

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/kathy.bolte.3/

https://www.instagram.com/kathybolte/?hl=en

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@kirtangirl

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 430 - Brian Heilig - Breathe, Eat, Poop & Grow, awe-inspiring saga their son's micro-preemie birth in Mexico

Author Born From Son’s Traumatic Birth
Brian Heilig and his wife Diana had to deliver their first baby at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia while living in Cancún, Mexico. Grayson was only 12” long and weighed 1.6 pounds. Little did Brian know this dramatic event would also birth a joy for writing.

About Brian
Alongside his wife Diana and their two sons, Grayson and Nathan, Brian resides in the vibrant community of Orlando, where their story continues to inspire and uplift countless individuals. With a passion for connecting with audiences both online and offline, Brian eagerly shares his insights and experiences through speaking engagements, captivating listeners with his genuine warmth and relatable charm. Follow Brian's journey and engage with his profound narrative here and connect with him on social media for a deeper exploration of the human spirit and the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding.

Book: Breathe, Eat, Poop & Grow: Our Micro-Preemie Journey
In the pages of our book, every word bears the weight of a journey that transcends mere storytelling. It's a testament to resilience, love, and the indomitable human spirit. Through the tumultuous corridors of uncertainty, our narrative unveils the harrowing yet awe-inspiring saga of our son's micro-preemie birth in Mexico. Each page breathes with the raw emotions of fear, hope, and relentless determination as we navigated the labyrinth of medical challenges to safeguard his fragile life. It's a poignant chronicle of the sacrifices made, the tears shed, and the miracles witnessed in the pursuit of one tiny heartbeat. Within these chapters lie the echoes of countless sleepless nights, the whispered prayers, and the unwavering faith that carried us through the darkest hours. This book is not just a memoir; it's a lifeline of hope, a beacon of light for anyone facing their own trials. To those who dare to delve into its pages, may you find solace, inspiration, and a renewed belief in the power of love to conquer all odds.

*Please Note: All net proceeds from the book sales are going toward putting incubators into Mexican hospitals, we will call them G-Units, after our beloved son, Grayson.

https://amzn.to/3XXbNUv
https://brianheilig.com/

Support the show

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca