Sha Givens

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Through the Storm” is a story of love, triumph and betrayal. A mother and daughter strive to find peace in their broken relationship while secrets from their past tear them further apart.

Tell us about your background:

     After college I worked with youth in self-esteem education programs educating them on goal-setting. I started a motivational speaking company years later that was designed to empower students, employees and business owners. The challenge of starting a school in Kenya with no money helped me understand the power of perseverance. I am willing to work hard, use my talents and gifts in every effort to make an unforgettable impact on readers and viewers everywhere. I will use this gift to spread messages that are positive and through provoking in order to make the world a better place.
 

Butch Holcombe
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Everybody’s South of Somewhere” is a twisted look at America seen through the eyes of a southerner. It is based on true life experiences and can be best summed up in one word: Awfullydamnedfunny.

 Tell us about your background:

     I attended college for engineering but instead become a machinist. After 20 years, I quit my steady job to concentrate on my writing, as well as a national magazine I started called “American Digger.” I also run an antiques business. My goal is to share my writing with more of the world…God help them.

     Rather than waxing poetically let me list: I have neither small children nor day job, so I can travel. I’m not a drinker, so I’d be sober for the tapings much of the time. I’m a writer, which I feel is a big bonus for potential contestants. I’ve been to big cities before, so I won’t embarrass myself or others. I’ve been on camera before, so I won’t require repeated takes due to looking doe-eyed and slack-jawed into the lens. I’m used to speaking engagements, so I can talk coherently to more than one person at a time. I will write for food; ‘nuff said.

 

Jo Kelly

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “The Truth About Being an Extra: How to Become a Background Actor” is about helping new people get a foot in the door of “show biz’ the right way. The book tells the truth about all the sharks in Hollywood, where they swim and how to find the good guys. The purpose of this book is to help all new people trying to break into “show business.”

Tell us about your background:

     While working for a PR firm, I met and married the veteran actor Jack Kelly, who starred with James Garner in the TV series “Maverick.” Jack died in 1993.

     I have been a background actor for 25 years. I was terrified at the thought of getting up in front of a group of strangers to teach them something. However, I had spent so much time and money and worked so hard, I knew that I had to try, even if I failed. The great Babe Ruth once said, “Don’t let the fear of failure get in your way.”

     I explained what it was like to work on a set, what to expect, wardrobe and what “camera ready” meant. I explain which agencies to register with that will book you for work. The seminar went so well, some of the people actually paid me extra to help them get registered.

     Now, I’ve written a book and produced an audio and set up a web site so people all over the world who want to come to Hollywood to break into the business can avoid the pitfalls and disappointments I encountered. I did it the hard way, but I can show you how to do it the right way and have fun doing it.

 

Anne Woods
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     My book is “The Obstacle is You!” Identifying and Healing Your Life Wound.” Although we have all acquired many battle scars in life, we each have one particularly deep wound that dominates our behavior. It is also the key to our purpose in life.

Tell us about your background:

     I have used this topic in business consulting sessions and it has been very effective. I own my own consulting firm, have been vice president of finance and have a CPA and bachelors degree. I have the potential to be very successful as a writer and speaker. I’ve been successful before in other industries, and I know how I did it. As a writer, I have good ideas and the skills to communicate them. Perhaps, more importantly, I really want to help people and communicate with them.
 

Tennille Knoop

 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

      "Some People Just Shouldn’t Marry" is about a newlywed couple who quickly regret getting married. Heartbroken, angry and frustrated the two try to hold on to something that just isn’t there.

 Tell us about your background:

    I graduated with an English degree. I have been an at-risk teacher for the past three years and recently stopped teaching, gave up my career and started writing full-time. I know I’m destined for something great. There isn’t a thing I can’t do when I put my heart into it. My personality is magnetic, electric and full of flavor. I’m constantly involved in new projects, new ideas, new essays, etc.
 

Donna Christensen-Pacini

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Emma’s Love Letters” is literary fiction. It contains a love story, a tribute to artist Vincent Van Gogh and features Guitars Not Guns. My book will appeal to people all over the world, especially people with humanitarian hearts.

Tell us about your background:

     I co-own with my husband a creative arts company, A Starry Night Productions, that promotes local creative artists and their works. We also sponsor community benefits concerts. I love my novel. Everyone who has read it loves it. In my novel, I want to draw attention to a wonderful non-profit music program called Guitars Not Guns. I have written an excellent novel. I am inspired and inspiring. I can take action. I can work alone or with a group. I am quick thinking, smart, honest and fair. I am patient. I listen to others. Everyone who visits my website finds my novel very interesting and wants to read it. I am also proud of being an excellent and devoted mother/wife and of being an excellent writer.
 

Michael Stearns

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Just Another YoYo Contest” is a memoir. My journey winds its way humorously through sex, drugs and jazz beginning into an extensive career as a film and television actor. Later I enjoyed careers as top-producing stockbroker and real estate executive. My rise and fall and rise-again life as been described as Forrest Gump with brains. The story’s message is wholesome with a positive influence on readers looking for encouragement.

Tell us about your background:

     After a 10 year stint on the road as a musician with Harry James, Les Brown, Billy Eckstine, Perez Prado and others, I pursued a career as an actor. With over 50 movie and TV titles to my credit, I decided to try business and went into real estate. Concluding a successful career as a RE broker, I switched to stocks and bonds. Eventually retiring from investment banking at 47, I had plenty of time to try my hand at a myriad of retirement jobs from school teacher, bus driver, entrepreneur, fisherman and mentor. You’ll look for a long time before you find someone with as many interesting life experiences as I have. I have “antique” value. Let’s face it. How many people can say they’ve rubbed shoulders with Mae West, taught Marvin Gaye how to ride a motorcycle, played cards with Helen Hayes, shot golf with Billy Eckstine and was introduced to Christianity by way of a beautiful pair of legs. My story is an actual example of how one man has been naïve enough to exclude the possibility of failure in his life.
 

Dr. Letitia Wright
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Tales from the Wright Place” is things successful business woman were told that changed their careers, personal lives or businesses, when they were at crucial periods. This is for women business owners.

Tell us about your background:

     I host a television show called “The Wright Place.” I am a chiropractic physician. I support literacy. I have done substantial work in creating a platform.
 

James Goodlett

 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

      “Creating God” and “The Theory of Alien Intervention” is about the necessity for an alien race to create human shells (bodies) for their souls, in order for the souls to communicate in the physical.

 Tell us about your background:

    Worked in hospitality industry and owned my own business. I am very creative and driven. I have no journalistic background and am almost 50, thus proving that no obstacles can stand in your way, so long as you have the desire, and the three P’s: Persistence, Passion and Patience. One goal is to change the way the world thinks about our fellow man, regardless of race or religion.
 

Stacey Kannenberg

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     Title is “Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten.” We think we have the solution to “no child left behind.” One book for parents, teachers and kids that has all the information children are required to know. We are winners of the “2005 Adding Wisdom Award” from Parents-to-Parents and selected as a Top 15 Product for Parents by Orca Communications.

Tell us about your background:

     We are Cedar Valley Publishing, two moms inspired by Oprah to make a difference. Our idea is simple: one book for each grade that helps parents, kids and teachers with the core curriculum for that grade. It would be an excellent way for us to get exposure to increase our sales and to create Cedar Valley Publishing Foundation. We already donate 10% of all profits to literacy programs.
 

Patrick Hardy
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     I love allegories. So my story will fit in that genre. It is about a college town that, for some reason, starts to look more and more like the college and less and less like an independent township. The themes are deep about college-town relationships and the dance that goes on there. It will be exaggerated and with some interesting twists at the end as to why the mayor has disappeared.

 Tell us about your background:

     I graduated top of my class in multiple majors. I came from hard-working people. I am a black belt, an All-American, a US Debate Champion and an award-winning political scientist and historian. I am an extrovert with introverted properties. I love to give public presentations and lectures. I love to be dramatic and keep audiences guessing with interest and curiosity. I love to travel, meet new people, mingle at book festivals and entertain people as both a verbal storyteller and written storyteller. I have been a voracious reader since a kid. My curiosity is limitless. I want to make sure my manuscripts are well constructed narratives that I can be proud to market to people. It’s all on my shoulders, and I take that seriously. Even though I love going out, I can also love the isolation and solitude of my computer.
 

Emma Bowen Meyer

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     My book is called “Fiery Dark Secret.” It is a suspense novel about a woman who runs a shelter for battered women and is sickened by the abuse she witnesses. After her home is burned down, she decided to take the law into her own hands and go after one of the abusers.

Tell us about your background:

     After college I taught junior high math for four years until I became pregnant with my first child. I quit work to take care of him and the two that came right after him. I have been a stay-at-home mom for eight years, writing in my spare time. I already have a finished product that was released in April of 2005. I am flexible, easy-going, quick-witted and good at working with people. I can accomplish many things in a short period of time. I will be donating half of my profits from the sale of this book to a children’s home.
 

Toni Maguire
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “The Yuckiest Cat” is a children’s picture story book about a silly old buffoonish cat, a black and white Sylvester type, who is just a slob. He meets the love of his life and has to mend his ways in order to try to win her fair paw — hmmmm — can it be done? Hmmmmm?

Tell us about your background:

     I was raised in a small Midwestern town. Attended school in one-room school house, eight grades, one teacher, you do the math. I had a 30 year airline sales and marketing career. I am chairperson of Monday Morning Writers’ Group. I love my stories so much that I want to share them with the world, whether or not the world wants me to be sharing. Writing is my passion. I feel very good about writing for children and especially because my stories are conflict-free. Many a night when I was a child I wept late into the night because my mother had read a bedtime story “Bambi” to me. It’s beyond me why anyone in his or her right mind would read a bedtime story like that to a child. My stories are humorous and fun. It gives me a high to think of children laughing, giggling and sighing when their parents read them my “Yuckiest Cat.”
 

Robi Malone

 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

      “Wings” is a children’s novel about a young boy who finds dinosaur eggs and tries to hatch them. “Buried Secrets” is a mystery/murder about a mother who is murdered. Her wayward daughter sets out to solve it.

 Tell us about your background:

     I graduated with a BA in English and creative writing (in my 40s). My goal is to get published in the areas of mystery and children’s novels. I desire to leave a positive mark in this life without hurting others. I grew up in a dysfunctional family. By doing so, I learned how not to raise my family. I broke the mold by not repeating the past. I am also hearing impaired and battle this. I am passionate about my writing. I believe that I can use issues, such as the sexual abuse in “Buried Secrets,” to speak out against injustices.
 

April Hayes

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Dr. Desire” is about a nice, small town, young woman who falls prey to a rock star who tries to destroy her life as he uses mind manipulation, vampire-like soul stealing and astral projection while she desperately tries to hold on to her sanity.

Tell us about your background:

I worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). I then became co-owner in a local theater before deciding to become a Realtor. I have raised my son as a single mother. I am a fun, outgoing person who likes new experiences. I feel my book will be entertaining and worth the time it takes to read it.
 

Bungy Hedley Hartshorn
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     Title is “View from the Top of the Mast.” It is an autobiography of crewing on sailboats in my early days. It includes younger life, interesting folks met, life right on the rocky beaches above Los Angeles Harbor, Hollywood during WWII, lots of oddities of history that are long forgotten.

 Tell us about your background

     I was raise on Pacific Ocean and sailed from the age of 12. Instead of college, I opted for crewing on sailboats through out the Pacific, etc. Divorced and had tourist shop in “Cowboy Capital,” managed two 500 acre resort ranches. I lived in Hawaii, California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Connecticut and Texas. 
 

Joel Kelley

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Sweet Adeline Evans” is about a professional woman who works her way up through Corporate American. She turns a male dominated company into 98% female executives and president and CEO. She is reunited with the love of her life after 15 years. She couldn’t have him then and can’t have him now.

Tell us about your background:

     I am a story teller. Once I do my research and development on a topic, I can run with it. My imagination is my best quality for this profession. I feel I have several “great” story lines to pursue. I have been in advertising sales, magazine editor, production manager and general manager.
 

Ken Dwight
 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

     “Safe Computing with the Virus Doctor: How to Stop Viruses, Squash Worms and Smash Trojan Horses” is about computer viruses, spyware, spam and other forms of malevolent software (malware). The book focuses on prevention and recognizing symptoms of infection. This book is for average computer users who are connected to the Internet and use email.

Tell us about your background:

     Computer professional since 1966, when hired as a programmer trainee on a mainframe computer system. After working my way through various job responsibilities in the information technology department of four large corporations, I founded my computer consulting practice in 1972. I believe everyone benefits from the success of any one individual. And this show has the potential to raise the consciousness and education of many prospective authors.
 

Heather Ramsey

 

What is your book, writing or book idea about?

      “Birds of a Feather” is about a teacher who spends three years in a new town attempting to forge ahead from a formidable past. All the while, she teaches her students the value of believing in themselves through the hidden lessons in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and an old lullaby with the same winged friend.

 Tell us about your background:

     I was raised in New England in the private school arena with my five siblings. My father taught English at our school while my mother stayed home and raised us. I went on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in English, education and a minor in computer science. I am a high school English teacher who writes on the side. Life is about patience, intentions, thought (and its influences) and modeling these qualities.