Writer's Voices

In today’s fast moving, media entrench culture, kids are forced to deal with situations their parents never had to face. In their new book “From Santa To Sexting: Helping Your Child Safely Navigate Middle School and Shape the Choices that Last a Lifetime”, Dr. Brenda Hunter and Kristen Blair, tackle difficult topics, such as media, experimentation with sex, alcohol, and prescription drugs, self-destructive behavior, cyber-bullying, and more, with honesty and courage. The book features interviews with experts, parents, and the kids themselves, providing a useful guide to concerned parents to help navigate this critical time in their children’s lives.

For 10 years, Deborah Halverson edited children’s books before starting to write herself. She is the author of teen novels “Honk If You Hate Me” and “Big Mouth”. Her most recent book, “Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies”, gives aspiring writers for young adults writing exercises, tips, and more. She has also written three books in a forthcoming series for struggling readers and a picture book about Santa Claus to be released. Deborah has a master’s degree in American literature and a fascination with pop culture. She is also the founder of the writers’ advice website DearEditor.com. Deborah currently lives with her husband and triplet sons in San Diego.

Dan Buettner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Zones and the author of “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest”. In 2004, Dan worked with National Geographic and some of the world’s top longevity experts to identify places around the world where people lived measurably better. That research provided the basis for “The Blue Zones” book. “Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way” uses a similar approach to find the areas with the happiest people.

Don’t miss out on this very inspirational Writers’ Voices! Allan Lokos, the founder and guiding teacher of New York City’s Community Meditation Center, has written “Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living”. In our fast paced, ever changing culture, patience is often our most needed, but least cultivated virtue. Allan’s book lays out a helpful and compelling path to deeper patience. Drawing on his many years as a Buddhist practitioner and teacher, as well as interviews with people who have had their patience dramatically tested, this book provides a realistic approach to becoming calmer and happier with one’s self, in relationships, at work, and with the world.

Author, speaker, and consultant, Seth Braun discusses his new book, “Indestructible Success: Creativity, Leadership and The Art of Small Business”, and shares about his passion for helping others reach their fullest potential. In his book, Seth lays out a blueprint for both inner and outer success. His book explains how to build your mind, heart and actions so that you can live your dreams and make the world a better place. Seth lives with his family in Fairfield, IA and also enjoys gardening, playing music, and chocolate.

Author, speaker, and teacher, Melissa Tosetti founded the online magazine, The Savvy Life, and, with coauthor Kevin Gibbons, wrote the book “Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living” (Morgan James Publishing 2011). Her book explores ways the reader can save money, so you have more to spend in the areas that are important to each individual. Melissa teaches courses on savvy living in the San Francisco Bay area and at Chabot College in Hayward, California. She also teaches Kung Fu and Fearless Fitness classes. Her hobbies include traveling with her family, horseback riding, gardening, and cooking.

Current Fairfield resident, World War II veteran, and co-director of Operation Warrior Wellness, Jerry Yellin is the author of four books, including his most recent, “The Blackened Canteen”. In this interview he will discuss “The Resilient Warrior: Healing the Hidden Wounds of War”, which describes the pain of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome experienced by returning

Philosopher Robert Sessions, author of “Becoming Real: Authenticity in an Age of Distractions”, believes that our modern culture makes it very difficult for us to develop a coherent identity. His book, filled with quotes and examples from ancient wisdom to modern politics, uses personal stories and philosophical musings to discuss the way everyday distractions keep us from being ourselves. Robert is Professor of Philosophy & Humanities at Kirkwood Community College.

We have a very special Writers’ Voices interview with author and activist, Frances Moore Lappé. “Diet For A Small Planet”, her first book, sold millions of copies and has received praise from around the world. She has since authored 17 other books, including her newest “EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World We Want”. She is the co-founder of Small Planet Institute and Food First. Gourmet Magazine named her one of 25 people (including Thomas Jefferson, Upton Sinclair, and Julia Child), who have changed the way America eats. Frances is passing through Iowa on her current book tour.

Cheryl Fusco Johnson welcomes children’s author Dori Butler and her publicist Michelle Bayuk. Dori is the author of many children’s books and stories. Her book “The Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy” won the 2011 Edgar Award. Dori has been “ghostwriter” for ten Sweet Valley Twins and Boxcar Children books.

With 20 years experience in children’s publishing, Michelle F. Bayuk has been Director of Marketing at Albert Whitman & Company since February of 2009. Previously Michelle was Marketing Director for the Children’s Book Council. She’s worked at many publishing houses, including Millbrook Press and Scholastic.