Nothing Like a Good Book

Michael N. Smith is the founder, executive producer and creative director of Beard Boy Productions, a southern California-based advertising production agency specializing in writing and producing television, video, radio, animation, AR/VR, and web content.

He has written and produced hundreds of humorous (and not-so-humorous) TV commercials, radio spots and corporate videos over the past 26 years for a gaggle of clients across our great land. He has also worked as a press aide and speechwriter for the New York State Assembly, a radio news reporter, and a public relations manager.

His work has garnered numerous honors, including Clio, ADDY, EFFIE, New York Art Directors and TELLY awards. He also created the popular cult comic book character, "Pete the P.O.'d Postal Worker."

He's penned features for National Lampoon, Men's Exercise, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Buffalo News, St. Petersburg Times, and San Antonio Express News. Mike kids’ history, but always with love. He lives with his wife, Debora, and son, Andrew, in California. 

You can find more information on Michael N. Smith at 100worstideas.com, on Facebook (Mike Smith, Beard Boy, and 100 Worst Ideas), on Instagram (Mike Smith, Beard Boy, 100 Worst Ideas) or on LinkedIn (Mike Smith, Beard Boy).

New Laugh-Out-Loud Audiobook Celebrates Humanity’s Historical, Hysterical Stinkin’ Thinkin’ and Its Impact on Us Today
Veteran entertainers bring you history like you’ve never heard it before

Orange County, CA - What if President McKinley had opted to wear a bullet proof vest and avoided assassination? What if Coke just changed its age-old formula as a devious way to increase sales? What if Burt Reynolds had said yes to the role of James Bond? These are all questions that Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum dare to ask in their new, laugh-out-loud audiobook, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History: Humanity’s Thundering Brainstorms Turned Blundering Brain Farts, with riotous results.

From skinny-dipping presidents to toxic tooth fillings to hit singing groups that can’t carry a tune, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is a celebration of humanity’s historical, hysterical stinkin' thinkin'—thundering brainstorms that turned into blundering brain farts—and the astonishing impact they carry to this day.

“We're big believers in the adage ‘those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it’,” says Smith. “With schools relegating history to the dull, boring memorization of ‘dead guys and dates’, it was time someone took a swing at making history human, identifiable, entertaining and memorable.”

"If you’re looking for a laugh-riot based on true great ideas turned epic failures, check this audiobook. History lessons were never so hard-to-believe and knee-slappin’ funny. You will laugh until it hurts.”

John Kelly, Detroit Free Press 5-stars

With decades of entertainment writing and production between them, Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum know how to deliver content that will have you in stitches—and you might actually learn something along the way as well! Narrated by the authors and a slew of other Hollywood voice actors, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is a media masterpiece and the perfect companion while commuting, summer travelling, exercising or simply relaxing after a long workday.

“While we do have higher aspirations of helping to reinvigorate an interest in history among students and adults, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is ultimately a schadenfreude book—taking glee in the misfortunes of others,” says Smith.

"Rib-achingly funny, and overflowing with eye-opening snippets of hindsight guaranteed to shock and awe!"

Susan Keefe, Midwest Book Review 5-stars

In a time when we all need a little laughter, Smith and Kasum teach us not to take the world too seriously and that sometimes it’s okay to laugh at ourselves.

“This book is for dads, grads, students, summer travelers, anyone who hears that Cliff-Claven-style, know-it-all yammering on at the end of the bar and longs to say, 'Oh, yeah? I can top that one,'” says Smith. “It’s designed to give you the ammo to unseat that inebriated windbag and rise to your proper place as the smartest, coolest, grooviest guy or girl in the room.”

100 of the Worst Ideas in History: Humanity’s Thundering Brainstorms Turned Blundering Brainfarts (audiobook) $13.08, ASIN B08YM561F5, Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum, available at Audible, Amazon and iTunes. Here’s a link to 3 audio clips for downloading: http://bit.ly/100WorstClips

Kenneth James Moore was born in 1949 in Tacoma, Washington. He graduated from Arizona State University and continued his education as a graduate student at Georgetown University. Political science and international relations were his calling.

Author Kenneth Moore
Mentored by a former professor who was a Cold War counter-intelligence officer, Ken spent a year long stint as a volunteer alongside Admiral Bobby Inman, the Director of the National Security Agency during its reconstruction phase. Ken and his wife Patricia moved to Southern California, where Ken worked at Beverly Hills Securities as a commercial loan officer. He quickly moved to the investment banking side of the house and was able to retire at 45. In 1994, Ken was the victim of a horrific automobile accident. Rehabilitation consumed every moment of the next four years as he relearned how to talk, walk, and swallow solid foods. Ken was haunted by a promise he had made to his mother at age eight, pledging to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of her youngest brother during WWII, Lt. Billy Weber, a B-29 Bomber pilot. His journey to the Pacific theater lead him to write the books The Hunt for the Life of Riley and Pieces of Wood. Learn more about Ken at kennethjamesmoore.com. Watch the book trailer here:

https://bit.ly/BookTrailerPiecesOfWood Learn more about Ken at kennethjamesmoore.com. Watch the book trailer here: https://bit.ly/BookTrailerPiecesOfWood A world-class story from a world-class author and adventurer.

Hurricane Audrey 63rd Anniversary
On the 63rd Anniversary of Hurricane Audrey A New Novel Depicts the Deadly Storm’s Fury:
Early Thursday:
A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!

Cameron, Louisiana — A rich and sweeping fictional memoir, told through the voice of 12-year-old Walt LaCour, as he struggles to find himself and learn his true identity amid the backdrop of a terrifying and deadly Hurricane Audrey on the Cajun bayou in post-World War II Louisiana. June 27th marked the 63rd anniversary of one of the most devastating tropical storms to hit the coastal United States. “Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!” tells the story of a boy’s mostly idyllic life interrupted by the wrath of Mother Nature. Author Linda S. Cunningham was 9 years old during Hurricane Audrey and her father was the director of civil defense for the local parish. Based on her recollections, she delivers a powerful and moving portrait of the days and events leading up to and following the cataclysmic storm. Twelve-year-old Walt LaCour has a happy, adventurous existence in the Cajun-French area of Cameron, Louisiana, where the way of life is filled with joie de vivre.

About Linda S. Cunningham:
author-linda-cunninghamLinda S. Cunningham grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she experienced firsthand accounts of the 1957 Hurricane Audrey that killed nearly 500 people in Cameron, Louisiana. She and her family watched the devastation from their picture window when the hurricane hit. Her father served as Director of Civil defense for Calcasieu Parish, and she heard many survival stories and saw the coroner’s pictures that lend authenticity to the novel. Ms. Cunningham has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. She also has a B.S. and M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She has won awards for screenwriting. She currently resides in Kingwood, Texas. Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle! ISBN-10: 1098304802, ISBN-13: 978-1098304805, BookBaby, 2020. Paperback $15.99, Kindle, $9.49, 290 pages. Available on Amazon. The book trailer is the following: http://bit.ly/BookTrailerEarlyThursday http://www.Facebook.comLindaCunninghamEarlyThursday www.amazon.com Linda S. Cunningham Early Thursday

About Norman Bacal After founding the Toronto office of Heenan Blaikie in 1989, Bacal went on to build and lead the law firm for fifteen years, in which time it became one of Canada’s leading firms and employed more than 1100 people. At the pinnacle of his career, he was among the world’s leading entertainment attorneys, representing major studios and helping finance Canadian films, television programs, and a number of Hollywood films.  Take Charge removes the guesswork for today’s graduates and professionals who want tried and true advice to help them build skills, gain experience, and enjoy success. With career lessons from Bacal and more than twenty other successful professionals and leaders, Take Charge is an essential manual for graduates, young professionals, and those who mentor them.  Norman Bacal, in his clear and insightful book, Take Charge, faces these questions and challenges young professionals to build the skills which will empower them toward professional success.   “You can float along, hoping everything works out, or you can take charge of your future beginning right now. There are tools you need to survive and thrive,” says Bacal.  “Only you can be in charge of your future and the moves you make to increase your experience,” shares Bacal, “and more importantly, to experience your relevance.” “If you’re struggling with how to move forward in your career, regardless of whether you’re in business or almost any other field, this book…is full of realistic action steps that show how to do just that.” “The final nail to hammer home is this: your career is entirely in your hands,” reminds Bacal. “Do not let anyone convince you otherwise. Keep an eye open for opportunity, don’t be afraid to take risks, and realize that fear is the only thing holding you back from reaching your full potential.”  Take Charge: The Skills That Drive Professional Success (ebook) $7.88, ISBN 978-1988387215   (Paperback) $12.85, 2021, Iguana Books, 203 pages, available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble.