Ahoy dear book readers and enthusiasts in the San Diego area! No – you don’t have to travel to an island for this amazing upcoming Treasure Island Book Festival! Now featuring over 70 authors! Plus, it’s FREE! For the entire Family too! Well, shiver me timbers!
Poster for the Treasure Island Book Festival
On Saturday, October 12, from 10 am – 5 pm (Pacific Time) at the San Marcos Community Center, (3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA), join in the fun at the “Treasure Island Book Festival”. Led by local CEO and young adult Author, Tanya Ross of “Once Upon a Book Fair” (“Where stories for all ages come to life”) and a variety of authors and other team members. Get ready for a fun-filled day!
Once Upon a Book Fair 2024 is a literary celebration that immerses authors and readers in the adventures found at the turn of every page. Meet new authors, discover new books, get autographs.
UPDATED 10/10/2024:
Here is a podcast interview on the Spotlight on the Community Podcast with Guests “Once Upon a Book Fair” CEO Tanya Ross and Author Jolie Tunnell interviewed by Host Drew Schlosberg and Co-host Kristen Fogle:
Once Upon a Book Fair…
…encourages literacy …showcases multiple genres, something for everyone …inspires youth …shines a spotlight on local writers …provides a rare meet and greet with published authors …draws people together and celebrates diversity …validates San Diego’s public library programs …creates a unique cultural community event …supports small business …has education, inspiration, and imagination all in one fabulous place!
More about the Treasure Island Book Fair:
The festival itself is free. There will be food vendor(s) at the event, including a taco truck (outside), a non-alcoholic “Bar” with Mocktails and soft drinks (inside), and a coffee/pancake/ice cream vendor (inside).
A festival might not be complete without a Cosplay contest too!- It’s a community dress-up party! Whether one dresses in character garb or even as a pirate – let your Cosplay character chime in!
Are you saying “ARRRR” to yourself yet? The theme of this year’s event is Treasure Island, where pirates and scavenger hunts abound!
There will be prizes given away such as books, merchandise, art and more! Plus author panels!
Q & A with Tanya Ross, Young Adult Author and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Left to right: Tanya Ross, Author and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: How did Once Upon a Book Fair get started?
TR: An author friend of mine and I put our heads together one day a couple of years ago because there were no book fairs up in the North County of San Diego. We wanted to give local authors a chance to come together in a place outside of San Diego proper where the fees for a table would be affordable. We launched our brainchild the first year (2022) in Grape Day Park with 25 authors and the assistance of the Escondido Public Library. Once we saw we could do it, we went forward.
SJF: Is Once Upon a Book Fair a non-profit?
TR: On its own–not yet. It’s possible it will be eventually. This year for the first time it is a certified business with the city of Escondido. Right now it’s not fiscally possible to launch it as a non-profit. That being said, it is not a money-making venture for me. We will most likely break even with the expenses. It’s more of a passion project than a capital raising venture. I don’t want to make money on the backs of other authors.
SJF: Do you do this alone?
TR: No. Even though I am the CEO, I have a wonderful committee of ten other authors who help me with ideas and implementation. We meet monthly to discuss how we’re doing with the progress of each unique assignment. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.
SJF: Why should people attend?
TR: You should attend if you love books! We’ll have over 70 authors to discover, chat with, and celebrate. We’ll have activities for kids, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and author panels. Everyone who attends can come in costume (cosplay), and we’ll have a couple of contests for the best outfits. There will be food and beverages! Our theme is Treasure Island, so pirates will be about.
SJF: How do I find it?
TR: The fair will be at the San Marcos Community Center, right where the library and city hall are: 3 Civic Center Drive in San Marcos. It’s an all day event, from 10 until 5.
SJF: Is there a cost?
TR: The fair is FREE.
SJF: Will you be there with your own books?
TR: Yes! I can’t wait to share my award-winning dystopian Tranquility Series with those who attend. My characters are waiting in the wings for you!
SJF: How can people get involved?
TR: We are under the non-profit umbrella of a group called Fractured Atlas, so you may donate to us through that organization. The best part is that donating to them benefits us and allows you to write off your donation while advertising your products. Write to me at tanyarossauthor@gmail.com for more information.
SPEAKERS include:
Bryan Cantrell, an award-winning writer of novels, screenplays, and comics as well as being and executive producer of feature films is our 12:00 speaker. Bryan also is an entrepreneur owning brands in fashion, beauty and the outdoor industry. He was on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2018 with his business partner pitching their Radiate Portable Campfire securing a deal with Shark, Robert Herjavec. He now resides in California with his family pursuing a love of writing, surfing and skateboarding. He’ll be sharing amazing pirate lore and all the good stuff about his latest novel, Pirates of the Wild West, A Time Travel Sea Adventure with a Western Twist, all about the infamous pirates of the Caribbean who meet secretly on Blackbeard’s prized ship. A time vortex whisks them away to the year 1873.
and…
Bestselling author Cathy Scott, a Los Angeles Times and New York Times bestselling author, veteran crime writer, investigative journalist, will be in person for our 1 p.m. slot. She will discuss her career as a reporter for local San Diego newspapers to writing true crime books such as: The Murder of Biggie Smalls,The Killing of Tupac Shakur, Murder of a Mafia Daughter,Freeway Rick Ross, and The Millionaire’s Wife.
Update! As of September 27, 2024, the proposed Author line-up includes:
I am so honored and thrilled to announce a new poetry book that I am a part of (Editing, Formatting, Publishing w/ SJF Communications) ~ It has truly been a pleasure as I gained insight into my late “cousin” Janine’s gift of writing poetry and illustrating.
It is called “THE CRY OF THE SEAGULL: JANINE’S SEA OF EMOTIONS”.
Janine Hamel Lettera was a NJ Kindergarten teacher who sadly passed away in 1999 at the age of 40. Janine was a talented poet and created visual art. Her first book “My First Day of School” was published posthumously in 2012.
Throughout the years, Janine’s Mom Carol discovered Janine’s emotional and poignant poetry and art and recently forwarded it to her Goddaughter Susan J. Farese. Susan edited, formatted and published THE CRY OF THE SEAGULL: JANINE’S SEA OF EMOTIONS in 2023 to celebrate and honor Janine and her body of work.
Themes include Love; Breaking Up; Nature; Loss, Death & Grief; Hope; People; and Mom. There is also a beautiful tribute poem at the end from Janine’s best friend Barbara.
A great gift idea for anyone!
It is available as an ebook on Amazon now and soon will be as a paperback. Stay tuned for more information. Please spread the word about Janine’s talent and her poignant words and visual pieces.
LINKS:
Here’s the paperback link for THE CRY OF THE SEAGULL: JANINE’S SEA OF EMOTIONS https://amzn.to/3X0hjnT
Here is the ebook link for THE CRY OF THE SEAGULL: JANINE’S SEA OF EMOTIONS https://amzn.to/3XmL0zP
Time has flown since the late 1970’s when I proudly received my Nursing “cap” and “pin” at the Nightingale Ceremony at Widener University and graduating as an RN with my BSN – flashing forward eight years later when I received my Masters in Nursing at Seton Hall University! A lifetime ago, but still in my heart.
Since it is National Nurses Week May 6-12, 2022, I would like to recognize nurses and applaud them for all they do!!!
BRAVO!!!!! A heartfelt THANK YOU!
My nursing career is quite diversified. In nursing, I have worked in a variety of military and civilian clinical nursing roles (med-surg, intensive care, emergency room, recovery room, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery step- down) as well as in nursing education/staff development, administration, research and consulting and coaching/mentoring roles.
Although I am in public relations now, I stay licensed as an RN and update my license every two years with mandatory continuing education.
I also still utilize my “nursing process” when working with my PR clients – I assess, plan, implement and evaluate. I use my keen intuition and “knowing”. I make “rounds” whether in person, in the media, on the internet, etc. I am vigilant with each client to provide personalized “care” for their publicity plan and needs.
Nursing, though, remains in my heart!
The pandemic certainly has made nurses very stressed, overworked, anxious, depressed, suffering burnout, PTSD and more. Nurses give (and give) and yet are human as well and have a major need for validation, respect, encouragement and they also need to spend time on their own self care.
Nurses also need credible focused media attention – to educate the media, politicians, health care interdisciplinary colleagues and the general public! (This is one of my passions – to recognize as well as strengthen the inclusion of and positive image of nursing in the media)!
That’s one of the reasons why I published the 2nd edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring in 2021. Pouring my heart out in poetry is just one creative, therapeutic, cathartic avenue to share my stories as a seasoned nurse.
I sincerely also hope that nurses find their creative passion – whether it is a visual art, writing/journaling, cooking, exercise, comedy, photography, theatre, filmmaking, crafting, etc. – get the picture???
If you are a nurse or know a nurse in your family, circle of friends or community etc., please THANK them especially this day, week, month (and forever).
As I mention in my poem “A Formula for Success” –
“When it’s all said and done, there’s no profession as diverse,
as the ART and the SCIENCE of being a NURSE”!
Feel free to leave a comment, share this post, subscribe, and/or get in touch!
Nurses Unite! Let's show the world in all its entirety Our uniqueness, our strength
Let's proclaim our vision And lifetime mission; To foster health and wellness on the reality continuum
Let's boast that it is us who can reform health! With our own Body of knowledge, Identity, Empowerment and self-governance ...
We are not the Handmaidens Battle-axes Angels of mercy or Playthings as portrayed on the latest greeting card or daytime soap opera or evening sitcom...
I dare us to show the world the unparalleled significant differences we've made in leaps and bounds... For years and years
Let's share our compassion, empathy, humor, innovation, how we love life and support each other
Nurses, I dare us to unite!!!
by
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN in Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2021)
SHARING THE CARING
Let's open up our hearts and share the caring
Merge visions, ink and syllables so daring...
Life's fragile, short and sweet,
Grasp rhythm, pace, and beat
Catharsis of emotions we've been wearing.
We've seen it all, the panic, pain, and fears
Of newborns to centenarians in years
From birth to life's demise
Our "knowing" makes us wise
Yet…Prose as catalyst releases tears...
Brave and famous poets we need not be
but writing from the heart, that sets us free
Through poems we tell our stories
Share pain, grief, caring, glories
Regardless of our nursing specialty.
No need to build the walls to hide
The memories we've buried deep inside
It's good to let it go, allowing words to flow
Stand back and let the power be your guide.
by
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
in
Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2021)
Over the past year, since the book was published I have been having such a wonderful time doing interviews and author events and thank everyone for their support, including purchases and reviews!
NOTE: Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications had a great discussion about Nursing, Poetry, Intuition, Creativity and more on the The Nurse Keith Show Podcast with Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC https://nursekeith.com/episode337/.
Keith is a Nurse Career Coach | Podcaster | Freelance Writer | Speaker | Blogger | Influencer – He helps nurses and healthcare professionals create inspired lives and careers!
Here is the information along with the podcast link and show notes:
On episode 337 of The Nurse Keith Show nursing and healthcare career podcast, Keith interviews nurse poet Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications regarding her original book of poetry, “Poetic Expressions in Nursing…Sharing the Caring”, and how poetry and nursing are a natural and inspiring combination for the sharing of stories, feelings, memories, and experiences.
Poetic Expressions in Nursing | The Nurse Keith Show, EPS 337
Susan J. Farese and Jeff Zevely; Photo by Scott Hall
It’s not every day that you (or your book) are featured in a segment with Jeff Zevely of the Zevely Zone on CBS 8 and the CW San Diego (KFMB)!
That’s right! Many thanks to Feature Reporter Jeff Zevely and Photojournalist Scott Hall. Jeff interviewed me about “Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring” (and the hour flew by)!
We discussed my time (eons ago) as a military nurse, glimpsed at several of my ‘vintage’ photos and I had a chance to read some of my poetry from the book.
Here is the clip:
To purchase Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring as an eBook, paperback or Audiobook, here are the links:
Promo for “Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring”
“When it’s all said and done, there’s no profession as diverse, as the art and the science of being a nurse” -Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
“Nursing is an incredibly enriching yet stressful profession and besides being a science, it is truly an art. This second edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring is dedicated to all nurses – past, present, and future. It is a celebration of nursing and a tribute to nurses, especially during this unexpected, unprecedented pandemic. Covid-19 took its toll on nurses during 2020 and hopefully the impact of stress and burnout will be lessened with time and the arts. Poetry can be a therapeutic and cathartic tool for nurses and other caring professions to deal with the angst, stressors or joys that accompany the profession“. – Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
Originally published in 1993, Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring now has a 2nd edition and is available online (eBook and paperback, and audiobook).
Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2nd Edition) by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications
Here is the description of the book:
This exciting collection of freeform poetry with over 40 poems by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, is a sharing of both professional and personal thoughts and feelings. Susan is a strong advocate of the creative use of poetry to express the wonderment, frustration, dedication, and the love of nurses for their profession and their patients.
Included is a tribute poem to nurses by Mohan Chilukuri, MD and a bonus section of several of Susan’s Haiku Poems with her nature photography.
Susan invites you to share the passion and the traditions of nursing, and to explore the heart of the professional practice of nursing…sharing and caring.
Susan J. (Felice) Farese, MSN, RN, a native of NJ, received her Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree from Widener University and Masters of Science (MSN) from Seton Hall University. Her diversified nursing career includes military and civilian nursing within inpatient outpatient and academic settings- including experience as a clinician, educator, administrator, consultant, and nurse entrepreneur.
E-Book – extended DISCOUNTED price on Kindle eBook: $0.99!
Paperback is also available ($10.99):
Audiobook (narrated by Susan):
Ask me about discounts and giveaways! Please feel free to like, comment and share. Help me to get the word out to nursing community! Nurse have been stressed out and burned out since the pandemic.
Happy Nurses Week 2021 to Nurses: past, present, future and those who support them!
“When it’s all said and done, there’s no profession as diverse, as the art and the science of being a nurse” -Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
One week of celebration, however is not enough! It has indeed been a ‘different’ year. Who would have thought that a pandemic was looming? The stress and burnout for nurses has seemed unsurmountable at times this past year. I am hopeful for nurses to feel resilient and thrive as people receive vaccinations and stay vigilant in social distancing, handwashing, being sensible, etc. We are all too important to take life (and nurses) for granted.
“Nursing is an incredibly enriching yet stressful profession and besides being a science, it is truly an art. This second edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring is dedicated to all nurses – past, present, and future. It is a celebration of nursing and a tribute to nurses, especially during this unexpected, unprecedented pandemic. Covid-19 took its toll on nurses during 2020 and hopefully the impact of stress and burnout will be lessened with time and the arts. Poetry can be a therapeutic and cathartic tool for nurses and other caring professions to deal with the angst, stressors or joys that accompany the profession.” – Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
Nurses should be celebrated for all they have done for patients and their families.
Originally published in 1993, my book Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring now has a 2nd edition and is available online (eBook and paperback, and soon to be available as an audiobook).
Special promotion for Nurses Week: the eBook of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring (2nd Edition) by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications ~ has a DISCOUNTED price on Kindle eBook: $0.99 for Nurses Week and might be extended!
This exciting collection of freeform poetry with over 40 poems by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, is a sharing of both professional and personal thoughts and feelings. Susan is a strong advocate of the creative use of poetry to express the wonderment, frustration, dedication, and the love of nurses for their profession and their patients.
Included is a tribute poem to nurses by Mohan Chilukuri, MD and a bonus section of several of Susan’s Haiku Poems with her nature photography.
Susan invites you to share the passion and the traditions of nursing, and to explore the heart of the professional practice of nursing…sharing and caring.
Susan J. (Felice) Farese, MSN, RN, a native of NJ, received her Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree from Widener University and Masters of Science (MSN) from Seton Hall University. Her diversified nursing career includes military and civilian nursing within inpatient outpatient and academic settings- including experience as a clinician, educator, administrator, consultant, and nurse entrepreneur.
SJF: Why/How did you decide to write Journeys with Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media?
BJ: People kept asking me, after I mentioned that I was retired, “what do you do or what did you?” I always answered, “I’m a writer”. Many would follow with “What have you written?”
I had been toying with a few paragraphs, so then I started saying, “I’m semi-retired, working on a memoir.”
Here is an example of letting imagination be partly driven by external forces. These fans of Jimmy Carter and Walter Cronkite, though dying off, provided a platform for my story. I didn’t mean to be at the center of American political and cultural life but a journalist can have that serendipity.
If you have modern information technology and talented colleagues, a first draft of your story can be whipped up in about two years including finding a solid publisher with a stable of intelligent editors and designers. Subsequent drafts will benefit from trusted advance readers, including some who think the completed final first draft needs more substance, except for the brilliant energy-oriented lawyer who noted a lack of rigor—He said the book could be divided into three parts: an analysis of the Carter Presidency, a study of modern telecommunications policy & the Presidency and my friends and others I had encountered. Though not denying my right to name names, he was quite obviously miffed at being left out. Go back to the drawing board!, he counseled.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha! moments) while writing your memoir? If so, please explain.
BJ: While writing, the concept of “flow” seemed to kick in as I was very comfortable remembering earlier life-episodes. In fact, one post-publication reader asked if I had used a “diary” with notes because details seemed to flow as I wrote. This discovery of useful memory was a pleasant surprise.
SJF: How did you decide on the title and decide to find a publishing company vs. self-publishing??
BJ: As loyal readers will attest, here is the book and I take full responsibility for factual errors. The solid publisher, John Koehler, wanted to use the Carter cover in part for marketing. I had no better idea.
SJF: Tell us about your background in the media and in politics
BJ: After graduate school (M.S., Journalism, Graduate School, Columbia University), I was hired as an Intern/Writer at NBC News and after a few months in the Newsroom at NYC Headquarters was assigned as Writer/Editor in Washington, DC. Their top stars, such as David Brinkley and Nancy Dickerson would present their copy for radio news (“hourlies) and television inserts. Left their own styles but occasionally did find factual errors which they were always glad to correct. During this period was often assigned as field producer at Capitol Hill gallery and back-up at other news making locations in DC. After accepting an overnight assignment monitoring audio feeds from NASA early Apollo Program came to attention of CBS news team covering moon landing effort and was hired as Associate Producer there. Subsequently became Producer (for Walter Cronkite) in coverage of Apollo 11. After ten years in broadcast journalism was asked by Jimmy Carter to help as Television Advisor in his nascent presidential campaign.
Barry Jagoda with President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office – Courtesy Photo – Barry Jagoda
SJF: Tell us about your role in politics as Presidential media advisor
BJ: Carter wanted help understanding role of TV in presidential nominating politics and general election, though he was not interested in someone who would change his style and manner of presentation. After I said I would only advise him of effect of his words on news coverage, by networks and major print publications, he said I could be helpful and told senior media advisor, Jody Powell, to invite me aboard the campaign. After the successful election of 1976 I was named Special Assistant to the President, serving in the White House focusing on media and cultural relations. Eventually I had a philosophical difference with top campaign advisors (including powerful candidate spouse, Rosalynn Carter) who thought my work was giving Carter “overexposure” instead of focusing on a few cardinal issues. Moving to the National Security Council, I served there for seven months, but did not participate in Carter’s 1980 unsuccessful re-election campaign.
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
BJ: My parents, both immigrants from Eastern Europe (part of the massive inflow between 1880 and 1920) were hard working and successful. Mother, who spoke no English upon arrival in USA from Ukraine, quickly mastered elementary and secondary education and went on to receive a medical degree (pediatric chiropody) from Case/Western Reserve University. Father, a serial entrepreneur, had a grocery business in affluent part of otherwise industrial Youngstown, Ohio. After being forced to move to warmer climes (first Phoenix, then Houston) he started small markets catering to shift workers from emerging petrochemical plants. They settled in post-WWII GI bungalows near stores. Eventually parents moved to districts of Houston where schooling was an improvement. This had a profound effect on me, as I moved forward with classmates in journalism and debate at one of Houston’s top high schools, Bellaire. For college, though accepted at some top private universities, enrolled at cost-effective University of Texas.
Karen and Barry Jagoda – Courtesy Photo
SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?
BJ: A re-written book might include more information on differences between legitimate media and fake expressions, particularly in an election year. Thus, I would try to provide more analysis of difference between legitimate media and fake social media, especially from my experience and perspective from years of work in journalism and, more recently, in use of legitimate social media.
SJF: A brief history of your education, media and political positions/teaching appointments published articles, etc.
BJ: After graduate school, I was hired by NBC News, then CBS News to cover science and politics of moon landing. This evolved into coverage of the Watergate scandals for which I shared in an Emmy Award.
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
BJ: When I have a chance to relax, I enjoy the sports of golf and squash racquets.
SJF: Anything you’d like to mention about Watergate? Kennedy in Texas? Apollo? Emmy award?
BJ: From my memoir one can see a photo of the Emmy Award, press credentials for President Kennedy’s fatal trip to Texas in 1963 and photos signed by Apollo astronauts reflecting on my coverage of those events.
SJF: Where can we find you on the web? Website, social media etc.
BJ: I maintain a website (BarryJagoda.com) where those photos are easily accessible. Less useful for my expression is the Twitter account and the Linked-In that are available in my name. The best way I communicate with others is through email, where I am readily available via <Barry@barryjagoda.com>.
SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic? Stress management tools?
BJ: When I anticipate a sense of stress or anxiety upcoming (mainly due to the Covid-19 Pandemic) I find “breathing exercise” to be a regular source of relief.
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
BJ: The Pandemic has forced me to be very careful about meeting with or encountering others without following the recommended tools of mask wearing, social distancing and trying to stay at home as much as possible.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
BJ: I am reminded about these safety measures—and other common-sense applications—by my spouse, Karen Jagoda, who is a role model and an inspiration.
SJF: Favorite quotes?
BJ: At some point I favored the expression “practice makes perfect,” but in maturity I have chosen a variation, “practice makes improvement.” A short way of pointing to the inspiration I’ve had from Karen is by attention to the words in dedication to her of this book: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
SJF: Who would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your book?
BJ: In addition to a long lunch to discuss the memoir with President and Mrs. Carter, it would be useful to compare notes with Professor Douglas Brinkley and other scholars who have given serious thought to their lives, including accomplishments and shortcomings.
SJF: Life hurdles? Successes?
BJ: After formal education I realized my shortcomings in mathematics and computational sciences, but was gratified to have gained skills in public speaking and general social interaction.
SJF: Three significant/pivotal moments in your life?
BJ: My parents favored extreme “left-wing” social change and when I realized that often brought more trouble than success, I became more moderate in political opinion. After choosing journalism as a career approach I left behind advocacy but later, pivotally, realized one could combine fact seeking with moderate political expression.
SJF: Fears?
BJ: I fear unchecked governmental power and, simultaneously I worry about a failure to use the levers of government to seek improvement in the general human condition.
SJF: Recurring dreams/ Usual dreams?
BJ: From time-to-time I worry about human catastrophes, such as earth quakes, and a general failure to act in ways that will modify the harmful effects of climate change. The weakness of humanity to observe and address problems sometimes leads me to have nightmares, mostly overcome in a startling awaking.
SJF: Strongest asset? What would you like to work on/improve?
BJ: I am a good listener but would like to improve on that trait. And, moving too fast—simulating the speed of light—makes one see less brightly!
SJF: Where/How do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
BJ: Though I try to see how I can give back to my fellows, and to the general community, this is an area that requires concentration and improvement.
SJF: Any regrets in life?
BJ: Being readily more selfless by focusing on helping my fellow man is a real shortcoming that, I try to remind myself, needs focus and hard work.
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
BJ: The younger generation seems even more self-oriented that my own group of “baby boomers” and pre-boomers.
SJF: Funny/humorous (appropriate) stories in media or politics?
BJ: The book, Presidential Campaigns, by Professor Paul F. Boller cites hundreds of laugh-filled moments in politics, including several where I am the butt of the situation. I heartily recommend this volume for many hours of humor.
SJF: How do you handle loss?
BJ: Loss is often the result of misfortune and, therefore, should not be taken personally, though this awareness may only mitigate the pain.
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
BJ: I have traveled the world as a journalist and political assistant, including having more than just a passing stop or two. Longer stays, of course, always been more informative and rewarding. These days, while desk bound by the Pandemic, I think of going back to some places I’ve enjoyed the most—particularly the Hawaiian Islands and the Adriatic coast and islands—but to more intriguing locations including Madagascar and New Zealand. Having the responsibility to share in the caring of a very active canine, a Mini Schnauzer named Timothy, is probably as much of a snag for travel as anything else.
SJF: What has been the most valuable lesson in your life?
BJ: The most valuable lesson I’ve had would be learning to appreciate the many qualities that others can bring when and where I frequently fall short.
SJF: Many thanks Barry, such a pleasure to learn more about you.
Book Details: Journeys With Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media
The book is available at Amazon and wherever books are sold:
Here is a bit of information about both books (along with a holiday discount on eBooks for both) followed by our Q & A.
Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans is author Sherrie Miranda’s prequel to her page-turner, debut thriller, Secrets and Lies in El Salvador.
Shelly Dalton Smith is a naïve, twenty-three-year-old from Upstate New York who moves to New Orleans in 1980 to prepare for a photo project in war-torn El Salvador.
Shelly arrives in New Orleans, broken and traumatized and therefore unable to trust her own instincts. New Orleans represents the fresh start Shelly needs, but she soon finds that almost everyone in New Orleans harbors a secret. She’s unprepared for life in “The Big Easy,” and her world is turned upside down as she navigates “the city that care forgot.”
With fast-paced chapters and beautifully detailed conversations and descriptions, we see New Orleans through Shelly’s innocent eyes as she realizes the sheltered life she had lived was a lie. She experiences sexism and witnesses racism, police brutality, FBI visits, death threats, and two people’s captivity by her former boss.
Through her misadventures and exciting plot twists, Shelly focuses on fighting injustice, ultimately finding her authentic voice as an empowered adult. When she finally leaves New Orleans, she is forever changed. The novel is a wild ride through the underbelly of 1980s New Orleans and is filled with quirky characters, sinister abusers, and thrilling secrets and revelations.
Secrets and Lies in El Salvador(2015 sequel to Sherrie Miranda’s Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans) is the story of an American woman in war-torn El Salvador. It exposes death and destruction at every turn, but also validates the power of love, and embodies the gift of hope.
In a conscious effort to heal from recent trauma and her mother’s lies about her closest relations, Shelly Dalton Smith travels to war-torn El Salvador. Unwittingly used by someone she trusts to implement a mission too dangerous for anyone to complete, she captures shots of her host family, and listens to their secrets and lies, which reveal her mother’s deception is not so different from that of others, including her own.
Witnessing the death of an American journalist and listening to harrowing accounts of refugees who watched the massacre of their families, tears Shelly apart. So she turns to an American fighting with the guerrillas. He teaches her a passion for living she has never known. When he dies in combat, Shelly can no longer bear the pain, and wonders whether it is possible to accomplish her mission.
Sherrie Miranda and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Why/How did you decide to write Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans?
SM: I always knew I wanted to write this story, but I also knew it would be difficult because I lived in NOLA for 7 years. I could not put everything I wanted in it, but I knew it was an important and timely story. So, I got the support I needed to help me figure out what the story would look like.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha! moments) while researching the book? If so, please explain.
SM: I didn’t really research except for a training on police forensics that I never actually used.
SJF: How did you decide on the title #CIINO and decide to self-publish??
SM: I decided the title early on to help me focus on that part of the story.
Self-publishing was the only option for me. I sent out about 35 queries for my debut novel and I got one response. I realized that even if I got an agent, that did not guarantee a publisher & I was noticing that people were waiting years to get published if ever.
SJF: Tell us about your background that led to you writing the book.
Sherrie Miranda. Photo credit: Tony Alcaraz
SM: Most of what happens in the story actually happened to me or to my friends. The book is about a time in this country and New Orleans, in particular, when we were trying to stop the slaughter of innocent people in El Salvador. But, our government had us labeled as the bad guys. They wanted to shut us up & shut us down. It is not unlike what’s been happening these last four years.
SJF: Did you take any writing classes or utilize other resources for writers?
SM:Marni Freedman was an amazing help to me. When I finally figured out she was local, I did a coaching session with her. I had been stuck for a long time, but she helped me figure out the shape of my story and what it needed to work. I took her memoir certification class and things finally started falling into place. I also got editing help from Tracy J Jones, Marni’s best friend and her editor and co-chair of her memoir course. Marni and Tracy are supportive in ways few instructors are. They are very careful not to break your spirit. They come from a place of pure love. If it weren’t for these two women, I believe I’d still be stuck!
SJF: Can you give us information on your background in teaching – Subjects? Creative writing/ESL etc.?
SM: Although I taught Art, Health, English Literature and even History, I loved teaching ESL. It was a privilege to have students from all over the world and to be their introduction to this country. I learned so much from these young people and they inspired me to tell my story.
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
SM: I was born in Pennsylvania, in hunting & fishing territory. Fortunately my parents moved us to Upstate NY so I could start school there. The area I was from in PA was economically depressed & I am grateful we got out of there because it taught me to dare to go out in the world & try new things.
SJF: If you had to write the book(s) over again, would you change anything?
SM: No, I wouldn’t change much. It took me 5 years to write this 2nd novel & I got a lot of support & suggestions from fellow authors. The book is exactly what I want it to be.
SJF: If you had to interview your character Shelly in CIINO, what would you ask her?
SM: I would ask her: how did you change from before you went to New Orleans to when you left?
SJF: Please explain, in first person now, Sherrie…this is interesting!
SM: I didn’t realize how big an issue sexism is in this country & in the world. I didn’t know that 1 in 4 women get raped or molested in their lifetime. Also 1 in 5 males are raped or molested. New Orleans forced me to look at the hard reality – #MeToo
I didn’t know the depth of racism in this country. Nor did I realize how it permeates every part of the lives of people of color. Knowing the experiences of POC changed me forever. #BlackLivesMatter
SJF: A brief history of your education, positions/teaching appointments published articles, etc.
SM: I studied Art, then Photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), but I was on academic probation, mainly because I kept asking professors to let me do a photo project, but being on a trimester schedule did not allow me the time to go back & finish another class when I had a full load each semester.
In New Orleans, I finally got back in school, but it took another four years to finish because my transfer courses did not count the full 3 units. Also, again, I studied Art, then pre-nursing, then finally switched to Drama & Communications.
I was a much better student at University of New Orleans (UNO) so I was able to pull my GPA up to a 3.4. I was friends with professors at UNO, whereas at RIT, the professors were not friendly toward me.
I also received my teaching credential through SDSU and my MFA in Creative Writing from National University (with a 4.0 GPA)!
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
SM: I love to garden. It’s kind of addicting. Sometimes I lose several hours when I get out there & play in the dirt. Also, we have a historical home, so we love to shop for art & furniture from the 1930s when our home was built.
I love movies and good TV shows, and reading, of course. I love a good story that is well developed.
I also love to travel. Angelo and I mostly travel in the U.S., but I’ve been to several European countries and a few Latin Countries. I hope to figure out how to incorporate those trips into my writing eventually.
SJF: Anything you would like to mention about Crimes and Impunity in New Orleans (#CIINO) and Secrets and Lies in El Salvador (#SLIES)?
SM: There are stories that come from my heart. The people of New Orleans are very unique and memorable. Salvadorans are the most generous people as a group that I’ve ever met despite decades of the government & landowners fighting its own people. Also, my husband wrote the music for the trailers. Angelo is a musician in two local bands:: Local Upfront, 70-80 cover songs, and the South Bay Band, a jam band.
SJF: Where can we find you on the web? Website, social media etc.
SJF: How have you been coping with life since Covid-19? Any stress management tools?
Sherrie Miranda and Angelo Miranda. Photo credit: SJF Communications
SM: Mostly, it’s been good for me. I had an excuse to stay home & finish CIINO. Angelo had a few outside music gigs so that helped ease the loneliness. Plus, I have a couple of friends who have been mostly isolated so we were able to do a few get togethers with them.
But, I have to admit it’s starting to get to me now. Plus, I’ve been staying up too late & sleeping late. If I ever get back to subbing, I’m going to be in trouble trying to get up at 6 a.m.
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
SM: I’ve come to realize that I’m an introvert so it’s been easier on me than most people. Also, since I haven’t been around a lot of people (esp. teens), I’ve managed to stay healthy for more than a year.
Professionally, though, I would have gone to the La Jolla Writer’s Conference & probably done some events at several bookstores so that’s been difficult. But people have more time to read so I’ve seen a lot more interest in this book because of having an online presence.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
SM: First, my dad, was always an inspiration because he believed in me. The rest of my family doesn’t feel the same about him. I guess I was a Daddy’s girl like my mom always said.
There have been women who have inspired me most of my life. Some I knew, like my Spanish professor who is now writing books too. And some I didn’t know, like Susan Meiselas whose photography in Central America inspired me to be an anti-war activist, and Carolina Forché, who showed me the power of writer as witness to atrocities and injustice.
SJF: What are you working on next? Another sequel?
SM: Yes, When Shelly comes back from El Salvador with her husband (and pregnant)! She’s going to have a blond haired, blue-eyed baby that is obviously not Juan Jr.’s! I’m not really working on it right now. Just in my head. I need to work with Marni before I start writing. She believes in having a firm plan before starting to write. Otherwise you risk getting stuck in the middle & maybe never finishing. Since this happened to me both times, I’m going to follow her advice.
SJF: Favorite quotes?
SM: “I don’t like to write; I love having written.” Dorothy Parker
“You simply sit down to a typewriter, open your veins and bleed.” Ernest Hemingway
“The lesson will be repeated until it is learned.” Buddha
SJF: Who (celebrity) would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your book?
SM: Martin Sheen. I sent him a copy of SLIES and he sent me a thank you card. I wish I had heard from him after he read it. I’m going to send CIINO to him too.
SJF: Life hurdles? Successes?
SM: I was always going two steps forward, one step back. I was a country girl trying to be a city girl. I was never prepared for what I was trying to do. In the end though, that has made me a better writer so it all happened for a reason.
SJF: Three significant/pivotal moments in your life?
Divorcing my first husband and starting college.
Traveling around Europe (several times)
Moving to LA – that was hard too, but I learned a lot there. It’s where I became spiritual, after 9/11.
SJF: Fears?
SM: Oh, I’m filled with fears. But I just decide to go ahead & try it anyway.
SJF: Recurring dreams/ Usual dreams?
SM: When I was a kid, I dreamed my family and I traveled to other planets. I often dream I’ve got an out of control classroom of students.
SJF: Strongest asset? What would you like to work on/improve?
SM: I think my openess has allowed me to have experiences that most Americans don’t ever get to have. I need to work on being fearless and I really need to stop procrastinating. I also need to stop spending so much time on the internet. It’s the worst addiction there is.
SJF: Where/How do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
SM: Teaching has been very rewarding in that respect. Before I became a teacher, I was an antiwar activist and I continue to try to raise awareness on political issues that are important to me.
I also worked with the homeless when I first moved to San Diego.
SJF: Any regrets in life?
SM: I don’t really believe in regrets. I never had a child, but I have had many loving people in my life. I believe “Everything happens for a reason.” If I had had a child, I wouldn’t have been able to travel and wouldn’t have ended up in a place where I could marry my husband.
I put myself through a lot of unnecessary difficulties with men mostly, but I finally know who I am and what I want so it all worked out in the end.
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
SM: Young people are more aware of the dire issues that face us. I trust that they will make the world a better place, a more fair & equal place.
SJF: Funny/humorous (appropriate) stories?
SM: Oh, when I went to RIT in my mid-twenties, I had a really hard time with this one professor’s class. When I asked him for help, he said I didn’t belong in his class. But when I tried to drop the class, he insisted I see the school psychologist first. The psychologist thought it was the professor who had a problem, not me. But, I just told the professor that yes, I had seen the psychologist. He finally signed off on me dropping his class.
SJF: How do you handle loss?
SM: Better than I thought I would. My mom’s death was heartbreaking. I felt I could have been a better daughter (though she insisted I was a perfect child!). I cried for weeks when she died. But I got messages from her.
My dad was the guy I worried about dying since I was 13 years old. I think I must have sensed that something was wrong. So many times I cried about him dying someday, but when the day finally came, I just felt relief that he was out of the miserable situation he ended up in.
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
SM: I’ve traveled a lot. First Europe, then El Salvador, Cuba, Brazil. Then West coast, including Canada & Mexico. Then East coast, including Montreal.
But I want to visit Pittsburgh and Philly and the New England states. I also want to see more of Europe, especially Ireland, Wales & Scotland.
I would travel more, but Angelo (my husband) doesn’t like to be away from his pianos.
SJF: Thank you very much Sherrie, and best wishes with your writing and looking forward to reading more of your upcoming books!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan J. Farese SJF Communications 408-398-5940 sjfcommunications@gmail.com
NEW MEMOIR FROM AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST BARRY JAGODA:
Journeys with Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media
San Diego, CA (December 1, 2020) La Jolla Author Barry Jagoda is thrilled to announce his memoir, Journeys with Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media, published by Koehler Books.
The book reveals deep knowledge of elections, traditional and new media, and the importance of seeking new journeys throughout one’s life.
Assistant to Jimmy Carter, Emmy-winning producer for CBS coverage of the first man on the moon and the Watergate scandal, and public affairs expert Barry Jagoda writes of his dramatic roots and rise from Texas to New York City and Washington DC, becoming a noted authority on the powerful use of new and legacy media. According to Theodore H. White, the “secret weapon” for Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, “understanding the process of television news coverage was essential for winning the White House. . . . Barry Jagoda brought that dimension to the Carter campaign.”
This modern history describes effective use of media tools in politics, business development and brand promotion, and includes practical tips on the use of media to promote candidates and defeat others in 2020.
Quote from the Author: “Nearly half of this memoir takes place in the Southland, mostly happy and productive times in Los Angeles and the rest of California. Reviewers and readers will benefit from sharing these experiences.”
– Barry Jagoda
About the Author:
Barry Jagoda was television advisor to Governor Jimmy Carter and White House special assistant to the president. He was also an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer at NBC News and CBS News, including working with Walter Cronkite as producer for the Apollo 11 moon landing and for Watergate coverage. Jagoda is an authority on the transition from traditional media to the digital world that now challenges candidates, elected officials and international thought leaders. Barry Jagoda earned a BA in American studies at the University of Texas, Austin, and an MS from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. With Texas roots, and after many years in New York and Washington DC, Jagoda now lives in San Diego and continues to be a campaign media advisor and media publicist for high technology companies. He is also a contributing writer for Times of SanDiego.com.
PRAISE FOR Journeys with Jimmy Carter and Other Adventures in Media:
“Heartfelt, beautifully written memoir about the fast lane of American journalism and politics. Highly recommended.”
– Douglas Brinkley Katherine Tsanoff Brown Chair in Humanities and Professor of History, Rice University, Author of Cronkite and The Unfinished Presidency, among others
“Barry Jagoda’s memoir is timely: in the course of relating his insider’s experiences working in the White House of Jimmy Carter, it vividly reminds us that a position of high office does not have to preclude competence and principled behavior.”
-Elizabeth Blackburn, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine; President Emerita, Salk Institute; Professor Emerita, Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco
“Presidencies all have their own unique stories.Working in the White House advising the world’s most powerful leader can be exhilarating, infuriating, addictive, troubling, useful and harmful. There are few who have experienced those episodes as an insider. Barry Jagoda is both a scholar and practitioner of media and politics. His experience and insight offer a unique view into Jimmy Carter’s presidency told like no other.”
– Cyrus Krohn, Former Publisher of Slate Magazine, worked for Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush
“In high school, there was one guy who also seemed to be in the action. If things were happening he knew just how to get to it. If we had the term “energizer bunny” back then, that would describe Barry Jagoda. So none of us in our graduating class of more than 1000 could have been surprised when Barry went on to be accomplished in his field of communications, including working in the Jimmy Carter White House. Barry just came out with his memoir and it’s the perfect read right now! I especially appreciated his point of view about President Carter, a president I’ve always had mixed feelings about.”
-Debbie Israel, Amazon Review
“A great read, and what a saga! From scruffy blue collar Houston to the high reaches of the White House. Along the way a history of the last half of the last century, 1950 to current times, much of that history made here. Life lived at Mach 5 speed in a constant bolstering of First Amendment free press freedoms. This story will inspire the young and give the old something new to admire. It’s a gift to the generations.”
-Library Nerd, Amazon Review
“Absolutely fabulous read for EVERYONE no matter your political persuasion! So thought provoking at this time in our history when intolerance, divisiveness and bitterness have pushed aside what should matter to us ALL. One may not entirely agree with the author’s personal views; however, there is no denying that this book is a MUST READ for us all.”
Did you know the synthetic B-vitamins found in supplements cannot be absorbed well or easily converted into the bioactive forms our cells actually use? Even other vitamins can’t work well if there is not enough of the naturally occurring B forms called vitamers. For example, without B vitamers, taking vitamin D won’t prevent osteoporosis. Learn how the naturally occurring vitamers DO work and Why, and start on your pathway to healthy living and longevity today!
Your Vitamins are Obsolete explains:
Why vitamer B deficiencies make your vaccines less effective.
How taking B vitamers assists vegans and vegetarians in maximizing their dietary benefits, in some cases even increasing fertility.
Why regular use of B vitamers can decrease your appetite for red meat, promoting personal and environmental health.
How including B vitamers in your diet reduces chronic inflammation, leading to improved health and longevity.
Q & A: Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications and Sheldon Blake Zablow, M.D., Nutritional Psychiatrist and Author
SBZ: I prescribed the bioactive forms of B12 and folate to a very sick patient and she immediately got well. I had no idea why, so I started the research to find out how her body chemistry improved.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha moments) while researching the book? If so, please explain.
SBZ: Two moments. First was that as physicians, we were misinformed that the body can store water soluble B vitamins. The second was that there is a connection between a deficiency of these B vitamins and the onset of chronic inflammation that leads to most illnesses.
SJF: How did you decide on the title Your Vitamins Are Obsolete and decide to find a publishing company vs self-publishing?
SBZ: I choose this title to specifically summarize the book—all our multivitamin supplements have not kept up with the changes in our processed food and the pollutants that now surround us. I actually chose a hybrid publisher so a lot of it has been self-published in the sense that I had to do all the re-writes and organizing the pictures.
SJF: Tell us about your background that led to you discovering the association with Vitamin B-12 and folate deficiencies leading to inflammation and ultimately a variety of diseases
SBZ: My background is as an adult and child psychiatrist which means I see a lot of people with mental and physical problems. When I started prescribing these vitamins, the patients started reporting a reduction in their symptoms that were consistent with a reduction in their inflammation levels.
SJF: What is your role as a Nutritional Psychiatrist?
SBZ: This is a new area of medicine. It can be defined as using food, supplements, vitamins, exercise, meditation, etc. in conjunction with standard psychiatric medications to optimize the potential of the treatment to reduce both mental and physical challenges.
SJF Tell us about your upbringing, geographically, personally etc.
SBZ: I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and attended college and medical school at the University of Virginia. I had never really been out of Virginia until I started my medical training in Atlanta and then moved on to Boston. I had an older brother that served in the military as did my father. My mother worked as an administrator and my father ran a small furniture store.
SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?
SBZ: I would include the information I’ve put on my website about the connection between COVID and a deficiency of the B vitamins that can worsen outcomes.
SJF: A brief history of your education, professor positions/teaching appointments published articles, etc.
SBZ: I went to the University of Virginia for undergraduate and medical school, then moved on to Emory University for an internship in pediatrics. From there I went to Boston University for Adult Psychiatry training and then onto Boston Children’s Hospital to study Child Psychiatry through Harvard Medical School. Since moving to San Diego in 1982 I have volunteered as an instructor of Child Psychiatry at UCSD and have received two teaching awards.
SJF: What are your personal pastimes/hobbies/interests/passions?
SBZ: I have always enjoyed teaching and patient education opportunities through talks and writing. Years ago, I taught judo and wrestling but the more my body complained, the more I turned toward daily walks, weight resistance training and passive stretching. My passion is science and learning about new discoveries in any field.
SBZ: It reviews some complex biology in less complex ways. I tell people that it is hard to hit the right balance when explaining but they should approach the book with the idea that they do not have to read every word to understand the basics.
SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic? Stress management tools?
SBZ: The most important action that I mention in the book is to use your entire stress reduction toolbox which consists of exercise, proper diet, proper sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, psychotherapy (when indicated), prescribed medication (when indicated), supplements and of course B vitamins. The more stress the more you use the tools you have.
SJF: How has the Covid-19 affected you personally/professionally?
SBZ: I had a bad heart attack several years ago that puts me into a high-risk category so I have been following the basic advice of always wearing a mask, distancing and isolating as I can. I have also been trying to perfect my mother’s Toll House cookie recipe.
SJF: Role models or persons that inspire you in your life?
SBZ: My hero is Janusz Korczak (pediatrician/child psychiatrist) who was the Dr. Seuss of Europe and medical director of orphanages before he volunteered to run the orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto. He was martyred along with all his children.
SJF: Favorite quotes
SBZ: From the book: “Homo sapiens: a tiny twig on an improbable branch of a contingent limb on a fortunate tree.” Stephen Jay Gould
SJF: Who (celebrity) would you like to have lunch or dinner with to discuss your book?
SBZ: Arianna Huffington because of her interest in natural ways to improve mental and physical performance and how this can benefit the world.
SJF: Life hurdles? Successes?
SBZ: The main hurdles for me are the same as for others with the premature loss of a loved one (my brother through medical misdiagnosis) and health challenges (a near-fatal heart attack at 59 years). My successes have been the return of mental health in my patients after long hard work by both of us.
SJF: Three significant/pivotal moments in your life?
SBZ: The first two are above and the third is missing a plane flight that ended in the death of most of its passengers.
SJF: Fears?
SBZ: The only one that comes to mind is a fear of mandolin slicers. I have to wear a cut resistance glove and insist that anyone who uses one around me needs to also.
SJF: Recurring dreams/ Usual dreams?
SBZ: I am a very heavy sleeper, so I don’t remember my dreams other than the death- resolution dreams that have occurred after the losses of a loved one.
SJF: Strongest asset? What would you like to work on/improve?
SBZ: My strongest asset is my ability to focus forward when stresses increase. I have to work harder on not letting the focus forwarding make me miss out on the here and now.
SJF: Where/how do you ‘give back’ to your community/communities?
SBZ: I give back through my work with my patients by helping them improve their communication skills with the people in their lives and by teaching and writing about science, nutritional psychiatry, and parenting.
SJF: Any regrets in life?
SBZ: I never got that screenplay produced and I have not made it to Japan yet.
SJF: What qualities should the younger generations aspire to that you think are important in this day and age?
SBZ: Life is a process and to make the most of it, try to make choices that give you more choices while keeping in mind that most choices are not right or wrong – just different directions to go.
SJF: Funny/humorous (appropriate) stories (Psychiatry? Medical stories, etc)?
SBZ: I was talking to a father about his son’s school performance and he said his son could do better because high intelligence runs in the family. He said that many of his relatives were members of that high IQ organization—Menses.
SJF: Funny! and PUNNY too!
SJF: How do you handle loss?
SBZ: I turn toward those that know me the best and love me as I am with all my limitations.
SJF: Where have you traveled and where would you like to travel once Covid-19 is OVER???
Thrilled to announce our new SJF Communications Author Clients: Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance, which is the second of four books in the Guts, Grit & The Grind books on Men’s Mental Health/Wellness!
Second of Four Innovative Books on Men’s Mental Health
Announces Launch August 16th:
Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual –
Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance
The Stories, Science and Strategy to Help Men Build and Maintain a Life Worth Living
DENVER (August 6, 2020) — Today United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) announces the publication of the second book in a series to help support men’s mental health, “Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance” edited by Sally Spencer-Thomas Psy.D., Sarah Gaer, MA and Frank King and published by BDI Publishers. The book officially launches on August 16, 2020 with pre-orders available now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Guts, Grit & The Grind Book Series Editors (Left to Right):
Increasingly, guys are embracing the fact that mental health is an important part of men’s health. This self-help book gives men the tools to increase the psychological hardiness they need to face tough times. Readers will be inspired by stories of resilience and transformation.
A blend of a “Chicken Soup for the Man’s Soul,” and a therapist’s workbook, Guts, Grit & The Grind is a collection of men’s stories of coping with trauma, addiction, depression and more. The format is like an automobile owner’s manual, using car metaphors many men can relate to in “preventative maintenance.”
“As a former NFL player, I know what happens when tough guys try to power their way through emotional challenges. It just doesn’t work,” says Dwight Hollier, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts and current Senior Associate Athletics Director for the University of North Carolina. Guts, Grit & The Grind gives men another pathway through their pain.”
“When life gets stressful, the first things to go are often those ‘non-urgent and important’ parts of our lives — the things that keep us well,” said Sally Spencer-Thomas, psychologist and co-editor, “This book reminds guys to keep these action steps front and center.”
“Many books are written by remarkable people, but Guts, Grit, & The Grind is a collection of essays from regular guys who have remarkable wisdom they’ve gained through lived experiences or professional expertise,” says Peter Dudley, one of the storytellers in the series.
”I hope these books show that the unwritten rules of manhood aren’t actually rules, and that strength comes not from bearing the unbearable but from sharing the unsharable. The vulnerability in these essays makes mental health approachable and discussable. I hope it gives people in distress a light in the fog.”
“The difference between hard times and unbearable times is often believing you are alone in your pain,” said Sarah Gaer, co-editor of Guts, Grit & The Grind. “By walking alongside our courageous storytellers, readers feel the healing power of men sharing their experiences and lessons learned.”
“Being from the South, an area of the US where people take great joy in sharing oral history, as entertainment, as well as education, I understand the power of storytelling, especially among men,” reflects co-editor and comedian Frank King. “Guts, Grit & The Grind has tapped that power, featuring stories of the struggles of men, by men, for men, emphasizing most importantly, how these men are coping.”
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sean Adam, Bart Andrews, Ph.D., Dr. Dennis Archambault, Johnnie Calloway, Peter Dudley, Efrem Epstein, Brendan Fitzgerald, Glenn Freezeman, Guy Giard, Mark Jon Gottschalk, Dwight Hollier, Gabe Howard, Einar Jensen, Paul Lavalee, John Marx, Jerry Meddock Jr., Rick Strait, Joe Williams.
CHAPTERS of Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance include:Chapter 1: Find Your “Classic Car Club” Community; Chapter 2: Family is Your Pit Crew; Chapter 3: Friends Refuel Us; Chapter 4: Tune Up with Total Wellness; Chapter 5: Making Meaning and Zen Motorcycle Maintenance.
United Suicide Survivors International is an independent international organization that serves as a home for people who have experienced suicide loss, suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts and feelings, and their friends and families — collectively known as people with lived experience with suicide. Our goal is to leverage their expertise for large scale change. For more information, visit http://www.unitesurvivors.org or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The poem ‘A Light Dimmed’ by Susan J. Farese is included in the 2019-2020 San Diego Poetry Annual which is now available for purchase at a discounted rate of $15 plus shipping.
Excited to announce that my poem (in Haiku format), ‘A Light Dimmed’ about my Aunt Pam, who sadly passed away 6 months ago, is published in the Veterans section of the 2019-2020 San Diego Poetry Annual (page 294).
This is the second year that my poetry has appeared in the San Diego Poetry Annual anthology. Last year my poem ‘Flashbacked Life’ was included and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the many live poetry readings and presentations around the San Diego area. Unfortunately, all public readings for the 2019-2020 anthology are now on hold due to the current situation with Coronavirus/Covid-19.
Meet Chi Varnado – Author of ‘The Dance Centre Presents Giselle’
We had a great time last week with our client Chi Varnado, Author of the newly released middle grade novel The Dance Centre Presents Giselle. Chi gave two excellent presentations at the Pine Valley Library – one with several charter school students from Pine Valley and the other combined with members of the Pine Valley community including dance teacher, Katy Gradillas and several of her dance students performing ballet and gymnastics.
But first, a little about Chi Varnado:
Ramona resident Chi Varnado is passionate about helping children view their own creativity as valuable. As a writer, former dance studio owner/teacher, choreographer, and educator, she advocates art for the sake of art – the reward being intrinsic and untethered from extrinsic reward. Varnado saw a lack in the literary market for books about dance which did not focus on competitiveness and high drama. Children want to read about what they love, so she took on the task to help fill the void to keep the story of “dance as art” alive—so began the first novel in her new series, The Dance Centre Presents Giselle, which is now available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and can be ordered at book stores.
Chi Varnado – Photo by SJF Communications
Varnado is currently a substitute teacher, a tutor, and an Airbnb host. She offers half-hour school and library presentations for second through sixth grade (including middle school for libraries) featuring an engaging power point followed by a short creative writing workshop. Students become highly motivated to write when Chi, as an author, uses her books and impromptu “popcorn stories” to foster their own spontaneous writing. She is also available to sell her books at books fairs or dance studios as a fundraiser.
Books by Chi Varnado Photo courtesy of Chi Varnado
Miss
Chi, as the kids refer to her, holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from San Diego
State University, and both an elementary multiple subjects and secondary
credentials. Her writing has appeared in The
San Diego Reader, Patch.com and several newspapers and she’s been
interviewed on television and radio. Her memoir, A CANYON TRILOGY: Life
Before, During and After the Cedar Fire, was a finalist in the San Diego
Book Awards and has garnered many accolades. The Tale of Broken Tail, a
children’s picture book, is also available where books are sold.
Varnado knows, firsthand, that active kids need a venue to channel their energy and interests in a positive and wholesome way that they can feel good about. These issues are folded into her presentations so that everyone can feel included.
Since there was some time between Miss Chi’s presentations, we had the chance to do quick Q & A. interview:
Q & A
Author Chi Varnado & Susan J. Farese
Photos from Chi Varnado’s Presentations at the Pine Valley Library
SF: Why did you choose to write about the ballet, Giselle,
in this first book of the series The
Dance Centre Presents?
CV: Giselle is one of my favorite ballets of all time.
SJF: Tell us the purpose of why you wrote a book series
for middle graders?
CV: I didn’t think
there were enough books for kids who want to read about dance, especially a
series focusing on the art and camaraderie of dance. So, I thought – why not
write one myself, since I had a dance studio and taught for thirty-seven years.
SJF: How did you come up with the idea of
‘Dancespirations’ on Instagram and Facebook?
CV: It just hit me
one day out of the blue. I thought it would be a fun way to offer bite-sized
quips about dance.
SJF: Why did you start dancing in the first place?
CV: I had ‘ants in my pants’ so I started to dance! Well –
actually, I was in constant motion as a child and, fortunately, both my Mom and
Grandmother recognized this and enrolled me in ballet.
SJF: What’s different about your approach to dance?
CV: I like the idea of dance for the sake of art and
expression, without the need for awards from competitions.
SJF: And the book?
CV: In The Dance
Centre Presents Giselle, readers will find friends they can relate to and
feel at home with, whether or not they are dancers themselves.
SJF: So, can you give us the storyline?
CV: When the
prima ballerina at The Dance Centre mysteriously vanishes, Randi unexpectedly
lands the lead and learns that the world of ballet is not always as glamorous
as it appears onstage. She harbors severe self-doubts about her abilities to
rise to the honor of her new role. And when she begins her pas de deux training
with a boy, new and conflicting feelings and emotions surface which send her
spiraling into panic mode. All the while, Deanne seizes opportunities to
undermine her at every pirouette. Randi struggles to maintain her crucial
focus, but what will happen if she doesn’t?
SJF: Where can we find you on the web and social media?
