Diversion Press

An Interview with Meanderings Poets

2011-12-11T21:52:00.000-06:00

Diversion Press re-visits an interview with poets of Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse.

This interview first appeared on our blog July 20, 2009.

In celebrating the release of Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse,our first poetry anthology, we asked our poets a few questions aboutinspiration and writing. Here are their answers:

What inspires you to write yourpoetry?

“I am inspired by anything that emotionally and intellectually attract myfive senses,” Richard Eric Johnson.

"I'm inspired to write when I think about the timelessness of thecraft. Poetry is an essential component to human life, dating back to the verybeginnings of recorded history, and such a large span of time is bothintimidating and inspiring. So, I write because of the poetic tradition,because of all that has come before, and that, hopefully, has yet to beproduced," Matthew Henningsen.

“Other poets inspire me as well as images and experiences from everydaylife,” Cecilia Milanes.

“I write whenever the moment grabs me - most often while I am observing,listening or reading something or someone. I am mostly inspired by others' art,nature and human experiences throughout life - my own and those of others.Human experiences are so transferrable and almost every reader can relate to apoem, or interpret a poem in a way that resonates with their own experiences,”Nadine Stanford.

“My writing is inspired by my life. Everything I write is based on myinteractions with the world and people around me,” Erika K. Lueker-Tarango.

“I don’t actually consider myself a poet. I’ve written very few poems. Itwas an interest in exploring a new medium,” Bill Mesce.

“There is nothing more inspirational for writing than going to a poetryreading or conference and being surrounded by other who are as in love withlanguage as you are. For subject matter, I look to my backyard, my dogs, myfamily and anything else that I can spend time with. Sometimes I’ll immersemyself in a subject (like tomatoes, monkeys, trees) and see where that goes,”Allison Wilkins.

“It's in the genes; my family is made up of passionate readers and committedwriters,” Nancy Carroll.

“I’m a suburban guy. Born & raised in suburban Long Island; I’veraised my family here as well. My poetry reflects those experiences and values.I find inspiration in family, especially my children, in growing up in asuburban area--sidewalks and lawns--and in the growing older, with all thatentails,” Tony Iovino.

“Extremes of emotions, joy, sadness, anger trigger much of my writing. Agorgeous nature scene or a great injustice, either spectrum excites my desireto write,” Jane Herschlag.

“What inspires me to write my poetry is the clarity I find from expressingmy feelings and thoughts through evocative, direct and clear images and thenthe intimacy it can create when shared with others,” Mary Oliver.

“Poetry offers me a unique format to make an impact in about two dozenlines. I strive for poems that deliver a message that is clear andunmistakable. I have something to say and I think the reader is entitled to myopinion. And the fewer words the better. Every word counts,” Steven C. Levi.

“I spent many years working as a healer, and I think that I view poetry insome ways as a form of healing work. I love telling stories, and I loveentertaining. I also love to play with sounds and words. Sometimes I write justbecause a phrase or a sound or an image is stuck in my head and I have to getit out before it drills a hole through my brain,” Kristen McHenry.

“My adult poetry is inspired by emotions. Hard times. Happy Times. Sadnessor Grief. Love. Poetry is a way for me to work out my feelings. My children’spoetry is inspired by what else? Children. Sometimes they say the craziestthings. Their words become the kernel for a rhyming picture book or a simplestanza for a children’s magazine,” Gail Krause.

“The world around me, my personal life, eavesdropping, my dreams and thebooks I read,” Jeff Williams.

“I am inspired by several things, especially nature in its beauty andugliness as well as the existential horror of living in a country likeNigeria,” Adeshina Afolayan.

Is there a season or time of yearthat you are able to write more poetry?

“There is no particular time,” Cecilia Milanes.

“Not really. I am equally inspired by rain and snow - as one year living inMaine last year can attest to - as I am by sunshine and fine weather (I am nowliving in Dubai),” Nadine Stanford.

“I find that I write more in the fall and spring. They are seasons ofchange, tumultuous times between the warmth of summer and the harsh cold ofwinter. They are unpredictable seasons, when you are never sure if you need araincoat or a silk fan. Also, the change of these seasons is tied to so manymemories. The turning leafs reminds me of my college days and the buddingflowers reminds of a childhood spent exploring,” Erika K. Lueker-Tarango.

“Because I am a professor, I have more time to write in the summer, althoughI try to make time each week during the semester to dedicate to writing. I findI write the best poems in the winter. I think it’s because I’m a fan of coldweather,” Allison Wilkins.

“I am always looking for ideas for poems so there is no season or time oryear that is best. Truth is stranger than fiction and Ifind irony and poeticfodder in the newspapers, magazines, in what colleagues say and, of course,political speeches,” Steven C. Levi.

“I write more in the winter months (I live in Minnesota), because in summermy soul needs the outdoor air and sunshine,” Nancy Carroll.

“I write in spurts. I find that life events–births, funerals, weddings,birthdays, graduations– churn ideas and emotions, and lead me to write more,”Tony Iovino.

“A particularly chaotic time in my life can cause me to write feverishly, orcause me to withdraw from my passion of writing, but generally, the seasons donot influence my output,” Jane Herschlag.

“So far, I've been inspired during all four seasons, for different reasonsand with different moods,” Mary Oliver.

“I don't have one season that I write more than others; my writing tends toflux more with what's going on at my fairly demanding job. However, I love theFall, and feel the most inspired during that time. I need darkness and quiet towrite, so the noise and heat of summer is hard on my muse sometimes,”KristenMcHenry.

“No, not really,” Jeff Williams.

“I find it easier to write poems in the last three months of the year,Halloween through Christmas. Holidays are big inspirations,” Gail Krause.

“Poetry for me usually results from terrible inspiration any time,” AdeshinaAfolayan

How many poems do you write per year?

“It varies,” Cecilia Milanes.

“In the year to date, I have written more than 300 poems,” Nadine Stanford.

“I write every day. Sometimes it’s a line here or there, a stanza scribbledinto a notebook. These will often become the puzzle pieces of my larger works.In terms of clean, polished, finished pieces? I write about fifteen a year,”Erika K. Lueker-Tarango.

“I’ve only written a handful of poems over some 30-odd years as a writer.I’m in awe of people who write poetry regularly,” Bill Mesce.

“I’ve never thought to count. I’d guess more than 10 and less than 20. Andthat would include real poems, ones that are revised over and over again, notbad drafts or writing exercises,” Allison Wilkins.

“I am new to poetry, (I usually write short fiction or essays); writing itseriously only the past three years,” Nancy Carroll.

“About 20 to 30, though many don’t make it past two or three lines,” TonyIovino

“Since I run a peer workshop twice monthly I am disciplined to produce, andwrite between 100-150 poems per year,” Jane Herschlag.

“I've only been writing for two years and have written about three hundredpoems so far, at a fairly steady pace. I assume I won't keep up at this rate,but I guess I have a lot of expressing to catch up on!” Mary Oliver.

“I probably average a poem a week. Of these only about ten are good andthree are very good and one, maybe, is great. But my great poems are reallythose I have re-worked over and over again. There is no short-cut to quality,”Steven C. Levi.

“I tend to be very slow to consider a piece finished. Sometimes I'll work onone poem for months, although I'm always writing other poems at the same time,and experimenting with new ideas. Right now, I am in a poetry eliminationcompetition called "Project Verse", and I'm learning to producedecent poetry very quickly, as we have less than a week to get our work up bythe deadline. So, that's getting me a poem a week for now, until they kick meoff the island! Outside of that, I'm happy to average twenty four good poemsper year...about two a month,” Kristen McHenry.

“I'm trying to get back into writing poetry. At present, I maybe write twoor three poems a year, but when I was actively writing poetry some 16 years agoI would write two to three poems a week and maybe one of those would be akeeper or something that I would choose to edit and revise. Hopefully I willget back to those days soon,” Jeff Williams.

“I write approximately 35-40 poems a year,” Gail Krause.

“An average of four or five,” Adeshina Afolayan.

What advice would you give to new poets?

“Never get discouraged,” Richard Eric Johnson.

“Write everyday, even if only for a half hour,” Cecilia Milanes.

“Listen to what you hear. Be brazen. Share your art. Believe in yourself,”Nadine Stanford.

“Write daily. Write hourly if you can. I have a stack of small notebooksthat are tucked into purses, backpacks, pockets, so that I am never withoutsomewhere to collect my thoughts. Also, read daily. Find poets you like, poetsyou don’t like, poets you think you might like and read the heck out of theirworks. Go back and read Ovid, dive into literary journals to discover someonewho just published their first poem,” Erika K. Lueker-Tarango.

“Voraciously read all the poetry – from narrative to experimental - you canget your hands on. Support the presses with your subscriptions to theirjournals/books. Then you help those who publish work and you familiarizeyourself with what is going on in the writing world. And then write regularly.You can’t be a writer if you don’t write! The only way that you will develop asa writer is to read and write. And be patient,” Allison Wilkins.

“I was stimulated by a professional poet who is also a college professor andis outstanding in both areas - Ms. Deborah Keenan at Hamline University in St.Paul, MN; and continual encouragement and support from my writer friends,”Nancy Carroll.

“Go to readings and listen to other poets. You'll hear some very goodpoetry, and some very bad poetry. It’s like a free creative writing class. Andthen, ass in seat and write. Finally, edit, edit, edit,” Tony Iovino.

“I would suggest that new poets spend lots of time critiquing, and havingtheir work critiqued by other poets. The old idea that teaching teaches theteacher, is very accurate; one learns as one pays close attention to andanalyzes the work of others. I find that my work is dramatically improved afterbeing workshopped by writers whose skills I admire. To me, revision is likeplaying in a sandbox, reshaping, redesigning my work. It is almost meditative,”Jane Herschlag.

“The best advice I can give to new poets is to make your best poems great.No great poem ever started that way. They blossomed through a labor of love.There is not a dime in poetry so there is no reason to join the rush for fameand fortune. Take your time. Rewrite. Rethink. Rewrite. And ignore people whothink you are ‘different’ because you write poetry,” Steven C. Levi

“Read as much as poetry as you can. Read "Writing Down the Bones"by Natalie Goldberg. Look for a trustworthy mentor, but be very discerning. Trymastering a few types of formal verse. What you learn from that discipline willpay huge dividends down the road, even if you only want to write free verse,”Kristen McHenry.

“Write regularly, even if it is only one or two hours a week. Set aside aspecific time and write, write and write. Also, read. Read lots of poetry, beaware of what is out there and what other poets are doing. Make writing poetryand reading poetry a discipline. You cannot write too much and you cannot readtoo much and you do not have to keep everything you write,” Jeff Williams.

“Don’t force the rhyme. If it flows from your mind fast, it usually works.If you must ponder the meter and rhythm or search for a “good” matching word,it usually doesn’t,” Gail Krause.

“Write, don't edit too much and have fun. Don't be afraid to share,” MaryOliver.

“Listen to your muse!” Adeshina Afolayan.

In your opinion who historically is the most influential poet toyou?

“I have been deeply inspired by Jack Kerouac, Leonard Cohen, and a host oftraditional German poets. It helps immensely to be fluent in at least oneforeign language and experience another culture's poetic insights,” RichardEric Johnson.

“I think that Pablo Neruda is most historically influential because he'sinfluenced all the poets I admire,” Cecilia Milanes.

"I'll always be attracted to T.S. Eliot. His verse, dealing so heavilywith the concept of time, with the movement of human history, will always sounda chord. His "Four Quartets" is undoubtedly one of the most importantliterary works of the 20th century,” Matthew Henningsen.

“Rainer Maria Rilke (translated into English) has been the most influentialpoet for me,” Nadine Stanford

“Historically, it’s Byron. But not for his work, but his life. There issomething amazing in the idea of being free and young and reckless. Of beinglost in your own romanticism and ending up the Quixote of your own story. PlusI have unwittingly fallen in love with a series of Byronic Heroes, many of whomhave found their way into my poems and stories,” Erika K. Lueker-Tarango.

“For me personally, Sylvia Plath is the most influential poet. A closesecond is Elizabeth Bishop,” Allison Wilkins.

“There is no one; though I fell in love with Shakespeare in high school,”Nancy Carroll.

“J R Turek. She is a local poet-activist here on Long Island. She has urgedme, and countless others, to write and really enjoy poetry,” Tony Iovino.

“Edna St. Vincent Millay and Sharon Olds were my first inspirers. Milletsability to soar, and Olds’ attention to minute detail were crafts that I knew Ihad to incorporate in my work if I wanted my poetry to move others,” JaneHerschlag.

“Ferlinghetti, Homer, Shakespeare, Coleridge, Harte, Guthrie,” Steven C.Levi

“To me personally, it was Anne Sexton. I credit her with saving my life. Ithink that she broke down a lot of barriers and taboos for women, and opened upa whole new territory for us,” Kristen McHenry.

“There is no one most influential poet for me. Certainly Walt Whitman is oneI would mention and in reality all of the Prophets of the world's religionswere first and foremost great poets and their influence is undeniable. In termsof recent poets, the historically remembered I have to include Jorie Graham,Joy Harjo, W.S. Merwin and Marvin Bell. In terms of poets I have known or met (the personal historical) and who influenced me and gave me personal inspirationthere is Michael Fitzgerald, Roger White, William Stafford and Jim Simmerman,”Jeff Williams.

Don't forget that we are currenlty accepting poetry for our new anthologyand contest. Check out this blog and our website http://www.diversionpress.com/ fordetails.

If you need to purchase a copy of Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse,click here.

A Closer Look at Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse

2011-12-10T20:40:00.000-06:00

Diversion Press

Presents

Meanderings

A Collection of Poetic Verse

Meanderings: ACollection of Poetic Verse (Diversion Press, distributed by Ingram, $9.95;Publication Date July 5, 2009) combines the work of an array of first timepublished and seasoned poets. This collection is for a general readership andincludes the winners from the Diversion Press annual poetry contest. There issomething for everyone in this anthology.

Within the 136 pages ofthe anthology you will find poems from over 40 poets including the five winnersof the 2008 Diversion Press Poetry contest: 1st “Richard” by Steven Levi, 2nd“The Shepherd Protects” by Deborah Finkelstein, and 3rd “Answering a Call froman Unknown Caller” by Allison Wilkins. Our two honorable mention poems went to“For the Love of the Game” by Erika K. Lueker-Tarango and “Miss America” byKristen McHenry. Meanderings purposefully does not have a table ofcontents in the hopes that readers will meander through the entire book.

Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse Diversion Press, Poetry Anthology
Distributed by Ingram and returnable
ISBN: 978-1-935290-02-5
Paperback, 136 pages, $9.95
Publication Date: July 5, 2009

Meanderings list of poems and poets:

Meanderings: A Collection ofPoetic Verse

Table of Contents

“Madeline’s First Poem”Madeline Thompson
“Richard” Steven Levi
“The Shepherd Protects”Deborah Finkelstein
“Answering a Call froman Uknown Caller” Allison Wiklins
“For Love of the Game”Erika K. Lueker-Tarango
“Miss America” KristenMcHenry
“Military Jacket” JoeMoffett
“Burnet Park Zoo”Katharyn Howd Machan
“Once Upon A Time”Paula Burkhart
“Storms” Angie Mingari
“Explaining” AllisonWilkins
“Without A Thought” NayyarShabbir Ahmad
“In Sleep’s Oasis (forJudith)” Michael Shorb
“Memories of a DeadStranger” Jerome Teelucksingh
“The poet” Jaume Munoz
“Sweet Hibernation”Christa A. Bergerson
“Summer, 1968” TonyIovino
“She decided” JaumeMunoz
“Cacophony at Dawn”Holly S. Boker
“Spill Forth YourHeaven, a prayer for rain” June Avant
“Elephants, Tigers,Lions, Giraffes, Crocodiles, Hippos, Snakes etc.” Cecilia Rodriquez Milanés
“An Untitled Love Songfor an Untitled Time” Matthew Henningsen
“I Just Wanted To”Sandy Feinstein
“Circular Logic”Jennifer Coates
“Beyond Sleighs &Saddle Shoes” Cherise Wyneken
“What I Remember” BillMesce, Jr.
“Summers on WoodbridgeLake” Stephanie Mack
“Where & When?”Tony Iovino
“Target” Stephanie Mack
“Lightening” NayyarShabbir Ahmad
“Good Morning” IvanGreenberg
“Southern Rails…” KarenDevaney
“Baggage” KristenMcHenry
“Immigrant Sense”Giuseppe M. Fazari
“The Mailbox That WasBroken” Natasha Pomakoy
“A Voice” A.F. Eidsness
“Whose feet are theseanyway?” Jennifer Coates
“Wasteless” Deborah A.Belle
“All I wanted was aquiet cup of tea” Erika K. Luiker-Tarango
“Haiku Breakfast” HollyS. Boker
“One Big Database” IvanGreenberg
“Hijacked,” JenniferCoates
“Snow” StephanieKajpust
“Unspoken” NayyarShabbir Ahmad
“I’ve Got a Place” A.F.Eidsness
“Taking Freedom”Stephanie Kajpust
“Folded Fingers” NadineStanford
“Stinging Praises”Deborah A. Belle
“Beauchamp Point”Nadine Standford
“Elusive Kernel” JeffWilliams
“Where Do They Hide theUntold Stories” Jeff Williams
“(In)dependence Daze”John Walker Davis
“Simple Regrets”Antonio Thompson
“Service Station” JohnWalker Davis
“Curing Memory” AllisonWilkins
“Hard Work” JeffWilliams
“My Golden Lady” GayleC. Krause
“The Table” John WalkerDavis
“The Falling Clouds ofProvence” Matthew Henningsen
“Phantom Father” GayleC. Krause
“Snake Charming”Richard Eric Johnson
“No Passports Requiredfor Boarding” Matthew Henningsen
“Here There EverywhereThen Now” Jayne Fenton Keane
“Billy” Sandy Feinstein
“Roundabout” PaulHandley
“The Trap Ease” RichardEric Johnson
“Let Come the GentleRain” Bill Mesce, Jr.
“Oh Mr. Willow” ChristaA. Bergerson
“Frenzied Forsythia”Jane Herschlag
“Garden of Hope Letter#2” Dena Hawes
“Deception” NayyarShabbir Ahmad
“Precious Memories”Jerome Teelucksingh
“Perennials” CheriseWyneken
“Ode to Echinacea”Deborah Finkelstein
“Scorched Memories”Renata Bur
“Obese Bumblebee” JaneHerschlag
“Olympic Torch in SanFrancisco” Michael Shorb
“Holey Stories” TonyIovino
“You won’t do it” JaumeMunoz
“Too Bad” Steven Levi
“Reunion” CheriseWyneken
“If you Miss Me” NancyLanthier Carroll
“A Red Balloon”BarbaraR. Vance
“Kudzu” Joe Moffett
“Grocery Store Romance”June Avant
“Choose Bravely” NancyLanthier Carroll
“Lost Love” CeciliaRodriguez Milanés
“Fell Apart” NathanielO’ Reilly
“Salvation” PaulaBurkhart
“First Steps” AngieMingari
“The Fence” AmyThompson

A Closer Look at People Poetry

2011-12-08T20:57:00.000-06:00

Diversion Press

Presents

People Poetry:

By People, For People, and Sometimes About People

People Poetry is thesecond poetry collection published by Diversion Press, following up on thesuccess of the first anthology, Meanderings:A Collection of Poetic Verse. PeoplePoetry includes over sixty poems by over sixty different poets. You will findwriting by the beginner poet as well as the seasoned writer. I bet you won't beable to tell which is which! This collection is by People, for People, and sometimesabout People. It's People Poetry!

In People Poetry nomore than one poem per poet was selected. This allowed a wide variety of poets to be included. People Poetry was not only a poetrycollection, but also a poetry contest.

Several entries stoodout and are our contest winners. Congratulations!

1st Place--FrancisDiClemente for "St. Peter's Cemetery"
We love a surpriseending!

2nd Place--JeremyHockett for "The Me I Never Was..."
What a great poem!

3rd Place--KirstenCrase for "Glue for a Broken Teacup"
Who hasn't beenbroken?

Honorable Mention--VickyGilpin for "Everyone Said You Were Perfect"

HonorableMention--Linda Loegel for "Las Vegas"

People Poetry: By People, For People, and Sometimes About People
Published by Diversion Press
ISBN: 978-1-935290-19-3
$9.95, 88 pages, paperback
www.diversionpress.com
www.diversionpress.blogspot.com
diversionpress@yahoo.com

People Poetry
Table of Contents

Hominy Cherilyn Fienen
Mariners harbor Karl Madden
Pick me, pick me! William J. Joel
Requiem Alan N. Webber
I said that I didn’t want to have another birthday Amy Thompson
Intaglio Landscape 13 x 12 (planting tulips) Jason Haladyn
Mixed Marriage Betty Mermelstein
My Head Anthony Statile
Planning Ahead Ellen Friedman
Sunday Times Amanda Graham
Poisoned! Madeline Thompson
Addiction Johnathan L. Carter
The Nature of Contradiction Pauline Ada Uwakweh
Time Suanna H. Davis
Human Zoo Giuseppe M. Fazari
March Aspen Deborah Finkelstein
hodie mihi, cras tibi Ming Hwa Ting
Ode to an asparagus peeler Heather McMahon
Summer’s End Nathanael O’Reilly
A Memory As I Turn Twenty-Seven Anne Valente
Life is Silent… Prince Jacon
Las Vegas Linda Loegel
St. Peter’s Cemetery Francis DiClemente
Craving Tofu Joseph Robert White
At Age 36 Louis E. Bourgeois
The Last Chestnut Jonathan Steinklein
Damsel Without Distress Kathleen Kimball
UNTITLED Elizaveta Provorova
The Me I Never Was… Jeremy Hockett
At the Blue Mosque Scott H. Boyd
2nd Avenue Genevieve Joyner
A Poem About My Family Brian Behnken
The Tall Oak Nathan Andrew Wilson
Second-year cub Jean Maria Arrigo
Dinner at Eight Jennifer Coates
The beggars: a reply to a coldsociety Jerome Teelucksingh
4am Michael Oliver
Antipasto Christa A. Bergerson
Barometric Time Rebecca Peabody
An Ice Valley Miha Pintaric
Pencil Cup Colleen Anderson
Glue for a Broken Tea Cup Kirsten Crase
On visiting the grave of the gypsy queen James Kelley
Search Himadri Roy
The Birds Now Sing Wendy A. Sarti
Gingerbread Lady (Version 2) Michael Lee Johnson
Threads Irena Praitis
The Reckoning’ Richard Eric Johnson
A Questionnaire for Determining Those Deserving of Care Kristen McHenry
Hunter Gatherers Herb Herschlag
My Mandy Lois Carlson
Alone Karen Devaney
Life’s Lights Candace Saunders
Untitled Steven C. Levi
Bonsoir, Madame Recamier Matthew Henningsen
A Clean Sweep Kathleen Bullock
Excavations Pam Laskin
Everyone Said You Were Perfect Vicky Gilpin
Gratuitous Filler Antonio Thompson
Strip Mine Susan DeVan
The Common Public Jamie Taylor
You called me “Sir” Adeshina Afolayan
Confused Articulation Lisa M. Hase
Untitled Serena Guarracino
so it seems Austen Roye
In the space between Karissa Jekel
Snap Brianna Thompson

Diversion Press Celebrates Poetry

2011-12-07T21:13:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Diversion Press celebration of poetry.

Over the coming days Diversion Press will feature blogs about poetry, poets, a giveaway, and a call for new poetry.

Stay tuned to the Diversion Press Blog for details.

Be sure to Follow the blog and check out our winter sale.

Giveaways

2011-12-06T16:53:00.001-06:00

Readers,

Don't forget our two winter giveaways. We only have two entries, we know that there are more readers out there.

Look above on the tabs for the Winter Giveaway tab for details.

Then, just Follow the blog and post a response and you are entered. The books would make a great addition to your library or a gift for someone this holiday.

Pam Laskin and Visitation Rites appearing in Brooklyn at the Perch Bar and Cafe in Park Slope

2011-11-30T16:13:00.000-06:00

---A DECEMBER LITERARY EVENT---

LASKIN * Di IORIO * BOCK

CELEBRATE THEIR EXTRAORDINARY DEBUT NOVELS

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 AT 7:30 pm

Perch Bar and Café in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Pamela Laskin, Visitation Rites, Lyn Di Iorio, Outside the Bones, and Caroline Bock, LIE, will read from their new novels on Thursday, December 1st at 7:30 pm Perch Bar and Café in Park Slope 365 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

ALL INVITED! FREE EVENT! CELEBRATE WITH US!

COMPLIMENTARY WINE AND TREATS FOR ALL

A VERY SPECIAL LITERARY EVENING

See Visitation Rites on Amazon here

Giveaways

2011-11-30T15:55:00.001-06:00

Readers,

Don't forget we having two giveaways for the winter. Go to our giveaways page for detals here or just scroll down through the blog.

Also, we are having our huge winter sale, so be sure to check that out.

If you have any questions, please email us.

Thanks.

Poetry for review

2011-11-28T20:21:00.001-06:00

Diversion Press is seeking reviewers for our poetry anthologies. We would love to see our books featured on your blog, in print, and on Amazon.

If you are interested, please contact us at diversionpress@yahoo.com

Our books are:

Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse
See it at Amazon

AND

People Poetry: By People, For People, and Sometimes About People

See it at Amazon

Winter Giveaway 2: What will you do for the winter holidays?

2011-11-27T17:05:00.000-06:00

What will you do for the winter holidays?

Diversion Press would liked to get a conversation started about what people plan to do, or normally do, for the winter holidays. Please share your stories.

We are also going to giveaway a free book to someone just for posting a comment. Go to the bottom of this message and click the Comment Button

Prize:

The winner will have their choice of one of the following of our recently published books:
People Poetry
Notary Public Enemy
Visitation Rights

Rules:

You must post and Follow the Blog.
Free books are shipped to U.S. addresses only.
We will announce the winner on our blog, please check back.
You can only win once.

Winners will be randomly using Randomizer.org.
The winner will be announced at noon on central time December 12.
Please check back.

All responses must be approved before being posted, so please make sure that you use appropriate language.

Thanks!

Winter Giveaway 1: What did you do for Black Friday?

2011-11-25T16:55:00.001-06:00

What did you do for Black Friday?
Diversion Press would like to get a conversation started about what people did for Black Friday. Share your horror stories, bargain stories, or stay at home stories.

We are also going to giveaway a free book to someone just for posting a comment. Go to the bottom of this message and click the Comment Button.

Thank you and Happy Black Friday!

Prize:
The winner will have their choice of one of the following of our recently published books:
People Poetry
Notary Public Enemy
Visitation Rights

Rules:
You must post and Follow the Blog.
Free books are shipped to U.S. addresses only.
We will announce the winner on our blog, please check back.
You can only win once.
Winners will be randomly using Randomizer.org.
All responses must be approved before being posted, so please make sure that you use appropriate language.
Winner will be announced at noon central time on December 12.

2011-11-25T15:58:00.001-06:00

Diversion Press Winter Sale—now through the end of 2011!
*These are the lowest prices we have offered on our our catalog.

Orders received on or before December 10, will be shipped no later than December 12th. Orders received after December 10 will be filled and shipped as they are placed.

German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German Prisoners of War in Kentucky $12.00

Notary Public Enemy $8.00

Far Corners $8.00

The Darling Rebels $8.00

Urban Falcon $8.00

Ellabug $8.00

In the Shadow of the Big Apple $7.00

Wanderland $7.00

I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here $8.00

Broomsticks $6.00

Halloween Kentucky Style $6.00

One Woman’s Life $8.00

If You Don’t Like Worms Keep Your Mouth Shut $8.00

Visitation Rights $7.00

Dakota: A Work in Progress $7.00

Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse $5.00

People Poetry: By People, For People, and Sometimes About People $5.00

Shipping Options
If you are interested in ordering books, e-mail us diversionpress@yahoo.com and we will send you PayPal invoice or you can mail a check or money order to PO Box 3930, Clarksville, TN 37040.

*Bubble Wrapped Mailer/Media Mail: $3.00 for 1-3 books or 1-2 larger books.
*USPS small flat rate priority box: $5.20 (if it fits it ships)
*USPS medium flat rate priority box: $10.95 (if it fits it ships)

Shipping prices are good only for U.S. orders.
Please Email to pay using PayPal

Diversionpress@yahoo.com
Diversion Press, Inc.
PO Box 3930
Clarksville, TN 37040

To view all of our books or other information
www.diversionpress.com
www.diversionpress.blogspot.com
http://www.diversionpress.com/diversion_press_books

The page for this sale is located at:
http://diversionpress.blogspot.com/p/winter-sale.html

Diversion Press Authors and Poets

2011-11-25T15:35:00.001-06:00

Dear Diversion Press Authors and Poets.

If you have a contracted book with Diversion Press, whether published yet or not, or had a poem in one of our two anthologies, you should have received a letter via E-mail from us today. If you did not and would like to get that letter please send us your new contact information and/or check your spam filter to ensure that our letter got through.

Thanks!

Diversion Press

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T12:42:00.001-06:00

Happy Thankgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

From Diversion Press

Far Corners

2011-11-17T22:47:00.001-06:00

Far Corners by Kathleen Bullock is a great read for Christmas or the winter.

Once upon a Christmas Eve, the Brooks children, Matt, Jan and Willie, stumble through a portal in time and find themselves, along with their run-down old home, transported back to 1747, Colonial Virginia. A ghost has been haunting their house, which had once been a traveler's inn, for well over 260 years. Adventure and danger await the children as they try to free the elderly ghost by reuniting her with her son - but they only have until midnight to accomplish their mission. If they don't bring James Danbury back to the Inn before the deadline, the children may be trapped forever in the past. The setting and characters of the story show the complex world that existed in Colonial America in the era before the Revolutionary War, and readers will find some historical surprises!

You can view the Youtube book trailer here.

And you can visit Kathleen's webpage here.

Finally, order from Amazon here.

You may also order directly from Diversion Press. Just send us an Email at diversionpress AT yahoo.com

Diversion Press Books

2011-11-17T22:45:00.001-06:00

Dear readers,

If you are looking for Christmas or holiday gifts be sure to check out the Diversion Press catalog. All of our books are available through Amazon, other online retailers, and can be ordered through any bookstore. You may also direct order them through us. Visit our webpage at www.diversionpress.com and keep following our blog www.diversionpress.blogspot.com.

You may email us with any questions, to order, or to submit materials at diversionpress AT yahoo.com

Decatur Book Festival Updates

2011-09-02T17:39:00.001-05:00

Diversion Press

Booth 618
Decatur Festival of Books
September 2 and 3, 2011

Events and Pricing

Author Events: Saturday and Sunday Signings

Tony Iovino Notary Public Enemy

Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker Broomsticks

Antonio Thompson German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German Prisoners of War in Kentucky, 1942-1946
Hourly Giveaways

Special Event Pricing

German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German Prisoners of War In Kentucky by Antonio Thompson $15

One Woman’s Life by Irena Pratis $15

An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food by Adrianne Hunter $10

I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here by Ryan Nemeth $10

Ellabug by Gregory Turner-Rahmen $10

Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino $10

Wanderland by Robert Bresloff $10

The Darling Rebels by Siobhan Nichols $10

Urban Falcon by Jennifer Caloyeras $10

If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel $10

Halloween Kentucky Style by Charles Suddeth $9

Visitation Rights by Pamela Laskin $9

In the Shadow of the Big Apple by Tom Piantanida $9

Broomsticks by Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker $9

Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse $8

People Poetry $8

Far Corners by Kathleen Bullock $5

Visitation Rites by Pamela Laskin, $9.95, 118 pages paperback, contemporary young

adult.

Visitation Rites is a contemporary coming of age story. Pati must live with a mother who suffers from mental illness. When her father leaves her mother and marries again, Pati is given a second chance at a normal life, including a new stepmother, new home, and even new friends. One thing stands in the way of Pati's perfect new world, the visitation rites of her biological mother. Each week Pati must meet her mother, even if it means lying to her new friend Jayne. Pati will soon learn that Jayne is more like her than she ever imagined.

Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino, $14.95, 260 pages paperback, legal, mystery, thriller

Peter De Stio is a fallen star litigator, his marriage, family, and partnership in a premiere Long Island law firm long gone, settling uneasily into a quiet post-rehab life until scandal erupts thrusting him back into a world he thought he had left forever. Fake deeds have been filed and mortgages taken on a former client's properties. Millions of dollars are missing, and conspirators are turning up dead. The only lead is Peter's signature and notary stamp, which appear on the forged documents. His solitude shattered, he must defend himself against accusations of murder and fraud, a disbarment proceeding and a civil suit. His new life threatened, he is reluctantly forced to rely on old skills and the help a network of young lawyers, the old friends and clients still willing to talk to him and twin toddler nephews to find the truth about who he is, and the path to redemption.

German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German Prisoners of War in Kentucky, 1942-1946, by Antonio Thompson, history, 324 pages, paperback, $24.95

Dr. Antonio S. Thompson's work describes the story of Kentucky's housing of nearly 10,000 German prisoners of war during World War II. Who knew that while American boys were away at war, the enemy was housed right in our own backyards. Learn how these men lived, played, worked, and even helped the labor starved home front in Kentucky counties.

“Thoroughly researched and well documented, the book may focus exclusively on Kentucky but is an excellent springboard to further study of a neglected topic.” The Library Journal.

“The well-researched German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass is a welcome addition to the growing canon of World War II studies on German prisoners of war incarcerated in the United States. The chapter on Nazi/Anti-Nazi conflicts is of particular value because this subject has received so little attention. Few Americans know that their government executed fourteen German POWs for murdering fellow prisoners. Even less has been written about short-handed camp commanders who allowed ardent Nazi prisoners to threaten and physically maim progressive fellow prisoners, all in the name of order,” Dr. Lewis Carlson, Ph.D., author of We Were Each Other's Prisoners: An Oral History Of World War II American And German Prisoners Of War.

Broomsticks by Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker, children’s, 66 pages, $9.95

Pocky McGuire has no idea why she is different. No one else in her family can levitate books or freeze and angry dog in his tracks. She felt alone in the world until one day she met a strange boy with a goatee. Unlike Pocky, Stamp had no doubt who he was. He was raised by witches and he was a witch. Upon meeting Stamp, Pocky hoped to befriend her magical counterpart and learn a few tricks of the trade. Stamp, however, wanted no part of anything or anyone mortal, including Pocky. Will it take magic to bring these two kindred spirits together? The real magic of Broomsticks is not about the witchcraft! It is about the magic found in a special friendship and the magic of being yourself!

Don’t Forget to Stop By Booth 618 and register for our Free Hourly Giveaways.

Decatur Book Festival

2011-09-02T10:42:00.001-05:00

The Decatur Book Festival is happening on September 3 and September 4 just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Please visit the Diversion Press Booth at Booth Number 618.

We will have authors Antonio Thompson signing German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass; Tony Iovino signing Notary Public Enemy; and Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker signing Broomsticks.

There will be special book pricing for the fair and also hourly giveaways.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Decatur Festival of Books.

Link to the AJC Decatur Book Festival here

Signing Schedule to follow soon.

New Release from Diversion Press: NOTARY PUBLIC ENEMY By Tony Iovino

2011-08-15T21:23:00.000-05:00

NOW AVAILABLE

Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino is the most recent publication from Diversion Press.

Join us in celebrating this new author and his first book.

Submissions

2011-07-15T23:51:00.000-05:00

Do you have a new book?

Please send submissions to the Acquistions Editor via Email. Keep the information in the body of the Email and refer to any attachments that you send (in WORD).

We are not interested in books on religion, or against religion. We are not interested in gore, offensive material, or anything that puts children in a bad light.

We also do not publish, at this time, books of poetry or short stories by one author.

We are intersted in your works of non-fiction, history, slice-of-life, biography, memoirs.

We are also looking at books for middle grade readers.

Check out our website for complete submission guidelines and for other books that we have published.

http://www.diversionpress.com/

Summer is a Great Time to Read

2011-07-14T23:51:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a great way to beat the summer heat? Read! Diversion Press has something for everyone. Ellabug for your child, Halloween Kentucky Style and Broomsticks for your elementary school reader, Far Corners and In the Shadow of the Big Apple for your middle schooler, Urban Falcon and Darling Rebels for your high schooler, and I Can Make Out with Any Girl Here for your college student. Don't worry, adults will find something too--from German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass to One Woman's Life to If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut. Trying to beat the dog days of summer? Try Dakota: A Work in Progress. Looking for a good, mystery adventure novel--try Notary Public Enemy. Having a baby or know someone who is? Pick up a copy of An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food. Interested in poetry? Try our new People Poetry or meander through Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse. Have a great summer and stay cool with Diversion Press!

Notary Public Enemy

2011-07-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

Forthcoming from Diversion Press

Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino

Coming Soon from Diversion Press

ISBN: 978-1-935290-20-9

302 pages

$14.95

Broomsticks and the Schulz Museum

2011-07-12T23:10:00.001-05:00

IT'S AN HONOR, CHARLIE BROWN!

Everyone at Diversion Press will be doing the happy Snoopy dance this September as one of their own is honored at the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

Diversion Press author and illustrator, Sean McHugh, has been invited to take part in The Cartoonist-in Residence Program at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. McHugh will be Cartoonist of the Month in September of 2011.

Jessica Ruskin, Education Director of the museum, invited McHugh after reading a newspaper article about Broomsticks, the children's book from Diversion Press that McHugh illustrated and co-authored with Katie McHugh Parker. In the article, McHugh mentioned what an impact Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, had on his work and his life.

Founded in 2004 by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and the Northern California chapter of the National Cartoonist Society, The Cartoonist-in-Residence (CIR) Program helps fulfill the mission of "building an understanding of professional cartoonists and cartoon art."

" I am thrilled that Sean has been given this opportunity!" says Broomsticks co-author,Katie McHugh Parker. "Not only will this be a chance to showcase Broomsticks on the west coast, but it will also be a major milestone in the career of a most-deserving cartoonist."

To mark the occasion, Diversion Press has given special permission to McHugh and Parker's hometown newspaper, The Ledger independent, to publish twenty of the original Broomsticks comic strips from which the Diversion Press book was originated.

"This is another dream come true," says McHugh, "and I am so grateful to Diversion Press and The Ledger Independent for making this trip possible!"

McHugh will be at the museum on Saturday, September 10th from 1 to 3 PM. He will be showing examples of his work, discussing how he and Parker turned his comic strip into a children's book for Diversion Press, and will be promoting the release of their second DP book, Broomsticks:The Halloween Spirit!

The event will be followed by a Broomsticks book signing!

Decatur Book Festival

2011-07-11T23:40:00.000-05:00

Diversion Press will be at the Decatur Book Festival
Labor Day Weekend 2011

Click HERE for more details

Broomsticks Art Contest Results are here

2011-07-10T22:12:00.000-05:00

Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker, the co-authors of Broomsticks, recently held an art contest for kids between 6 and 12. The aspiring artists were asked to draw Stamp, Pocky, or any other character from Broomsticks, the magical children's book series from Diversion Press.

"Twenty-nine kids entered from around the globe, including Scotland," McHugh said. "It was a tough job narrowing it down to four winners. They were all so darned great!"

"I was amazed at the talent demonstrated in the entries!" said Parker. "What impressed me the most was how well the personalities and spirit of the characters were captured in the drawings, while maintaining originality."

The winners were:

Olivia, age 9, Vanceburg, Ky.

Paco, age 10, Tollesboro, Ky.

Rebecca, age 10, Scotland

Alex, age 12, Mays Lick, Ky.

The talented winners received a copy of Broomsticks signed with a personal note of thanks from McHugh and Parker. Winners also received a congratulatory certificate.

McHugh and Parker would like to thank all the kids who entered. Each and every artist really kicked some creative magic!

Diversion Press gets listed

2011-07-09T13:15:00.002-05:00

Diversion Press was just featured on the blog The Write Path.

Feel free to stop by and look by clicking here and thanks to Dorine Write.

Adrianne Hunter to sign books on Saturday

2011-07-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

Adrianne Hunter, author of An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food, will be signing books on Saturday July 9, from 1-4 p.m. at Everybody Reads, 2019 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912.

See a recent review of her book on the Blog Rave and Review by clicking here

Bill Rosencrans, author of Dakota: A Work In Progress, reads at Altamont Elementary School

2011-07-07T14:02:00.000-05:00

Bill Rosencrans, author of Dakota: A Work In Progress, read to students at Altamont Elementary School on June 22, 2011.

From Bill:

“I had a great time today at Altamont Elementary School today reading short stories from Dakota: A Work in Progress to Cynthia Flanigan's fourth grade class. They were a exceptional group of students, and I could see that there are many budding authors there that are eager to share their stories about their dog with the rest of the world, as I did. A huge thank you goes out to Jeff Jensen and Cynthia Flanigan for the invitation.”

Ryan Nemeth, author of I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here, and Florida Championship Wrestling

2011-07-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

Ryan Nemeth, author of I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here gets plugged by Florida Championship Wrestling.

Click here to follow the link

Linda Loegel and If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut

2011-07-05T13:00:00.005-05:00

Linda Loegel, author of If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut, has been pretty busy lately.

In addition to being part of our Blog Tour, Linda signed copies of her book at the Alpine, CA, library on Apri 28 (photo below).

Linda also had a great review of her book by The Midwest Book Review. Below is the full text of that review:

Reviewer's Bookwatch: May 2011

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575

Greenspan's Bookshelf

If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut

Linda Loegel
Diversion Press
diversionpress@yahoo.com
9781935290179, $9.95, http://www.diversionpress.com/

A simpler time that is almost alien to the modern day. "If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut" is a memoir from Linda Loegel reflecting on the simpler small town life in Springfield, Vermont. Poignant, simple, and reflecting the endless curiosity of youth and a time long gone past, "If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut" is a simple and thoughtful read with plenty of wisdom and youthful spirit.

Able Greenspan

Reviewer

And Linda also had her poem, "Las Vegas" as an Honorable Mention in People Poetry: A Collection of Poems by People, for People, and Sometimes about People

Congratulations Linda!

Happy 4th of July from Diversion Press

2011-07-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Diversion Press wishes everyone a safe and happy 4th of JULY!

The 2011 Decatur Book Festival

2011-07-03T13:00:00.001-05:00

The 2011 Decatur Book Festival
Click here for details

BLOG TOUR THANKS

2011-07-02T13:00:00.001-05:00

Our BLOG TOUR was a huge success. We want to thank all of our authors, hosts, and readers for making this a great time.

We are listing the hosts blogs below, if you get an opportunity please visit their sites.

Here is the link to all of the reviews and interviews: BLOG TOUR DIRECTORY

If your link is missing from above or the list below, please contact us and we will fix it.

Our hosts

Write for a Reader
http://writeforareader.blogspot.com/

Tammy’s Book Parlor
http://tammybookparlor.blogspot.com/

An Abundance of Books
http://abundanceofbooks.blogspot.com/

Lisa’s World of Books
http://www.lisasworldofbooks.com/

Better Read Than Dead
http://bibliophagista.blogspot.com/

Buried in Books
http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/

A Cozy Reader’s Corner Reviews
http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com/

The Story Behind the Book
http://thestorybehindthebook.wordpress.com/

The Australian Bookshelf
http://australianbookshelf.wordpress.com/

Tales From the Bayou
http://ritamonette.blogspot.com/

Book Him Danno
http://bookhimdanno.blogspot.com/

Rave and Review
http://www.raveandreview.com/

The O.W.L.
http://owlforya.blogspot.com/

The Bookish Dame
http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/

Peggy’s Pet Palace
http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/

Allison’s Book Bag
http://allisonsbookbag.wordpress.com/

Welcome to July

2011-07-01T13:00:00.001-05:00

This July we have a lot in store for you from Diversion Press.

If you are not a blog FOLLOWER now is a good time.

Diversion Press keeps some traditions alive-we still sign contracts with a quill pen by candlelight.

Block Party Wrap Up

2011-05-15T20:17:00.000-05:00

The Diversion Press Blog Tour Event has been great! We do not have enough entries yet for our giveaways, but will leave the posts up for more comments through the end of May and will award prizes if we have the minimum number of entries at that time. Thank you again to all involved! We appreciate your participation and support. Keep checking back on the blog for more information about Tony Iovino's Notary Public Enemy and After Dark, the horror and ghost anthology.

People Poetry Contest Winners

2011-05-15T17:48:00.000-05:00

After delicious meal and yummy dessert, it is time to announce some winners. People Poetry was not only a poetry collection, but also a poetry contest. We would like to say thank you to all of our poets. Each poem was read carefully. Although we liked two or even three poems from some poets, People Poetry only has one poem from a single poet. This allows a wide variety of poets to be included.

Several entries stood out and are our contest winners. Congratulations!

1st Place--Francis DiClemente for "St. Peter's Cemetary"
We love a surprise ending!

2nd Place--Jeremy Hockett for "The Me I Never Was..."
What a great poem!

3rd Place--Kirsten Crase for "Glue for a Broken Teacup"
Who hasn't been broken?

Honorable Mention--Viky Gilpin for "Everyone Said You Were Perfect"

Honorable Mention--Linda Loegel for "Las Vegas"

Diversion Press is Excited to Announce People Poetry

2011-05-15T13:45:00.000-05:00

People Poetry is the second poetry collection published by Diversion Press, following up on the success of the first anthology, Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse. People Poetry includes over sixty poems by over sixty different poets. This collection is by People, for People, and sometimes about People. It's People Poetry!

People Poetry ~~$9.95~~ Now $7.00

Buy People Poetry and get any other book at 20% off!

To Order:

E-mail us at diversionpress@yahoo.com with your address and your order. We will send you an invoice by PayPay with the cost including shipping.

Welcome to the Diversion Press Block Party!

2011-05-15T12:59:00.001-05:00

Today is the last day of the Diversion Press Blog Tour Event. It has been great--full of ups and downs. This past week, Blogger has been down, so no new posts could be added. Certainly, this caused some problems for our blog tour. However, we hosted most of our great authors and were very fortunate to have many great blog hosts that featured our books and authors.

Throughout the day we will be recapping our blog tour and answering all those pressing questions that you might have! Many of our authors will be here too! So, have a burning question ask away and fire up that BBQ! What's your favorite food to eat or drink to drink at a block party?

Interview with Robert Bresloff, Author of Wanderland

2011-05-13T16:42:00.001-05:00

What inspired you to write Wanderland?
I had read an article about Gavin Menzies' book, 1421 The Year China Discovered The World in, I believe it was U.S. Today Magazine. In the article, the writer explored Menzies' theory that the Chinese may have discovered America in 1421. The article was so well written that I ran right out and bought the book. Whether the Chinese really discovered the New World or not doesn’t really matter, but Gavin Menzies’ data proved quite thought provoking. What if the Chinese did discover the New World seventy years before Columbus—what a great story it would make. So, I set to work on Wanderland, using the data from Mr. Menzies' research to create a story based on possible events combing fictional and real historical figures.

What is the setting for the book?
In 1421 the Ming Dynasty ruled the vast empire of China. Unknown to many, the Ming Dynasty possessed an immense fleet of ships that traveled to and traded with most of the known world at the time. To build these ships they needed lumber, and lots of it, even to the point of invading neighboring countries to obtain this needed treasure. The book starts in what we now know as Viet Nam, China, what is now India into the Atlantic and ends in the Blue Caribbean Sea.

Who are the main characters of the book?
The two main fictional characters are the ship’s wizards, Master Waan and his thirteen year old apprentice Chen, who is the main protagonist. Ship’s wizards are different than what you would think of when you think of a wizard. Unlike, say, Harry Potter, Chen carries no wand or speaks incantations. Ship’s wizards are more cerebral. Their minds can interpret any civilized language and can feel the presence of an enemy from far away. They possess an uncanny intuition, but as their powers grow, as in the case of the much older Master Waan interesting spells can be cast.

Can you tell us something about them?
Chen is an orphan saved from certain death by Master Waan. The boy has no idea why Master Waan was there just in time to save him and absolutely no idea that he was destined to become a wizard. Master Waan was the last of the ship’s wizards and a great favorite of the Ming Dynasty’s greatest Admiral and supreme commander Zheng He.

What challenges do you think face young adult authors?
Coming up with stories and characters that engage boys to read. Most boys are reluctant readers. Thanks to Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia and others, boys have started to read again. One of the most common compliments that I receive is from teachers and librarians thanking me for concentrating on that segment of the market. Now, that being said, I always include a character in my books for the girls to enjoy as well. As a matter of fact, my biggest fan is a ten year old young lady. Another obstacle is the competition from self published authors. Many writers think writing for kids is easier than writing regular fiction and they self publish. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with self publishing, but it does change the landscape for trade publisher authors. Libraries and bookstores are inundated with requests for book signings from self published authors leaving the contacts unreceptive to any author’s approach.

What advice can you give to aspiring writers?
First, of course, keep writing. No matter how bad you think the first draft is, it’s okay, the first draft should be bad. The importantly thing is to get you creative ideas down before you forget them. You know, while the juices are still flowing. Then once you’ve finished your fifth draft, start on your sixth. Don’t submit until you are perfectly happy with your final draft. Then once you start submitting, don’t give up. Just because your work is rejected doesn’t mean it’s bad, you may not have hit the publisher that is the right fit for your manuscript. I believe Diversion Press was my 35th submission on Wanderland. I never gave up!

What is the best part of being a published author?
Besides Wanderland I have work with another publisher. Between the two books, I am having a ball. I have done some book signings, TV and newspaper interviews and school appearances. I love taking questions from the kids, that’s the most fun. Kids say the darndest things. Last week I was at a middle school and the first question was “Are you rich?” I’m looking forward to a very busy second half of 2011.

What question would you like to leave up for our readers to answer?
If you wrote a book, what would you write about?

BLOGGER was down

2011-05-13T16:29:00.002-05:00

Hi Readers,

We are sorry to report to you that blogger was down for the past couple of days. Thus, our blog tour was interrupted. We will be updating the blog today.

Thank you for reading and commenting on our tour.

Don't forget that we want to give away free books, all you have to do is comment on and Follow the blog.

Diversion Press Robert Bresloff, author of Wanderland

2011-05-12T12:48:00.000-05:00

When the army of the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di had invaded neighboring Annam, Chen, a thirteen year old boy was saved by a mysterious old man as the invading Chinese destroyed his village and killed his family. The old man turned out to be, Master Waan, a Ship's Wizard in the service of the great Chinese admiral Zheng He. Master Waan was on his way to meet the admiral's fleet that was to set sail upon his arrival. Though Chen thought the old man odd, he knew that his only chance for survival-to accompany Master Waan to China. As the wizard's apprentice, Chen sailed with the fleet, a gigantic armada made up of great Chinese Treasure Ships in search of what Chen believed to be magical place referred to only as Wanderland. He soon learned that it was no coincidence Master Waan had appeared at the village just in time to save his life. It was Chen's destiny to find Wanderland.

Review snippets:

"The author of this novel does a wonderful job of enhancing the reader's imagination which appears to be missing in so many books of today." John Beeson

"The author's attention to detail, use of appropriate nautical and navigational vocabulary, language of the period, Chinese names and historical references, and masterful choice of Chinese quotes at the beginning of each chapter all combine to allow us to participate in the action and outcomes of this exciting story." Nancy W. Cook

Diversion Press Welcomes Siobhan Nichols, Author of The Darling Rebels

2011-05-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

We ask Siobhan, our youngest author, about The Darling Rebels and being an author and college student. Read her interview below.

How has being an author affected your college life?

It's made me cooler to other students and more respected by teachers. I've been blindingly average my whole life, but being an author in my early twenties has definitely given me an edge.

Are you often asked for advice on writing and publishing?
I do get that a lot, yes. People I don't know will message me on Facebook, asking about the publishing process. I also get asked for my "writer's input" a lot.

What advice can you give aspiring authors?
Don't give up. Treat it like it's your job. Put your heart and soul into it. Have lots of different age groups critique it before you send it out.

How did you choose your setting for your book?
It seemed like the only place where something like the story could happen.

Who are the main characters?
Charlotte Abrams, Jack Camden, Adam Miller, and Lucy Richardson

Can you tell us about them?
They are seventeen-year-old best friends, who simultaneously save and destroy each other. Charlotte is a Southern belle with an untamable wild streak and a huge heart. Jack is a runaway who is as terrified of his love for Charlotte as he is of his past. Adam is a white knight and a troublemaker; he's also the catalyst for most of the emotional drama that the characters go through. Finally, Lucy is the 'everyman's girl'; most people relate to her insecurity from her best friend and boyfriend.

What inspired their creation?
You'd have to ask them. They just appeared in my head one day and now they won't leave. They don't even pay rent.

Are you working on anything new?
No, I think one book was enough.

I'm kidding. Last night, I was working on a book about a girl who learns to fly. But I change my mind all the time about what I want the next book I release to be.

Have you attended any signings or speaking engagements for your book? Can you tell us about them?
I spoke to a group of aspiring writers at my local library about the writing and publication process. And I was so incredibly nervous because I didn't want to disappoint them or give them bad information. Luckily, there was another, more-experienced author there, so that helped out a lot.

What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The best is getting to create worlds and have things go your way in them. Getting to live vicariously through your characters. The worst is the crippling self-doubt and the eating habits that form from that stress.

What question would you like to leave up for our readers to respond?
Should I or should I not go for my Masters in Creative Writing? Explain.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T04:28:00.000-05:00

Don't Forget that today is Mother's Day.

Diversion Press Welcomes Irena Praitis, author of One Woman's Life

2011-05-07T00:11:00.001-05:00

Diversion Press is pleased to present One Woman's Life--
the remarkalbe story about Ona Kartanas

Ona Kartanas has lived through extraordinary circumstances. Born in Lithuania during World War I she was orphaned at an early age and struggled to find her way in life. She experienced the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania during World War II, was interrogated at gunpoint on more than one occasion, lived in displaced persons camps in Germany after the war, and immigrated to Colombia, South America. Eventually she and her family immigrated to the United States. This book offers a series of prose vignettes that chronicle her story of loss, war, displacement, poverty, and struggle. Ona's life highlights the strength of the human spirit and the human capacity to not only survive, but to triumph.

One Woman’s Life is a remarkable story about your grandmother. How did you collect the information for this book?

I'd heard stories about my grandmother my whole life. After a trip to Lithuania in 1994, where my grandmother told even more about her life, I felt strongly that someone needed to collect her stories. In 2004 I sat down with her to interview her about her life. My grandmother, my mother, my father and I all sat around my grandmother's kitchen table. I asked a question, my grandmother responded in Lithuanian, my mother translated my grandmother's response into English, I typed my mom's translation into my laptop, and my father filmed the interviews. In 2008, I finally had a sense of how I wanted to write out the information I'd received during the interviews. That's when I started transforming the transcripts into the book.

What was your grandmother’s reaction to the book?
She loves it! As I was working on it, I sent her the first twenty pages and asked her opinion. She responded with an "it looks great, don't worry about anything, just keep going" answer. So I kept writing. She told me that while she read the book even more of her memories came back to her.

What is your favorite story in One Woman’s Life?
Wow, it's hard to say. I like the story of my grandmother's endurance after my grandfather left forSwitzerland in the middle of the war, and I also really like the story of my grandmother chasing the man off the farm in Colombia. I admire her strength of will at those moments.

Is there a message to be learned from this book?
Love is an essential element of survival. Power and action are admired, but it's really love that keeps a person and a family going through difficulty.

What other things are you writing? Is history a departure from your normal writing area?
I've never written a book like this before, so yes, this book was a departure for me. Mostly, I write poetry. I have a book of translated poems (translated from Lithuanian into English) set for publication later this year. The poet is a Lithuanian writer, Sonata Paliulyte, who currently resides in Vilnius. The book is co-translated with Kerry Shawn Keys. I also have drafted a book of poems about the Lithuania of my grandmother's childhood.

What question or comment would you like to leave up for blog readers?
I very much like your question from above: Is there a message you learned from this book? I'm curious to hear what readers take away from the book when they've read it.

Diversion Press Welcomes Pamela Laskin, Author of DP's Newest Book--Visitation Rites

2011-05-06T00:57:00.002-05:00

Diversion Press is Pleased to Announce the Newest Edition to the DP Catalog--Visitation Rites by Pamela Laskin!

Visitation Rites is a contemporary coming of age story. Pati must live with a mother who suffers from mental illness. When her father leaves her mother and marries again, Pati is given a second chance at a normal life, including a new stepmother, new home, and even new friends. One thing stands in the way of Pati's perfect new world, the visitation rites of her biological mother. Each week Pati must meet her mother, even if it means lying to her new friend Jayne. Pati will soon learn that Jayne is more like her than she ever imagined.

Congratulations on the release of your book. You do a great job on the character development in Visitation Rites. Can you comment on how you developed the characters and give any advice to those who are working on character development?

Character is where one must begin (after the writer has established a motivation). Since I teach creative writing, too, I always tell my students characters are multi-dimensional, so it should not just be what they think and how they feel, but what does the character wear; what is inside his or her refrigerator; closet ; what does this character do in his or her spare time; most importantly, though, how does this character interact with other characters? Is there a difference between what's inside and the outside "charade?"

You tackle serious issues in Visitation Rites. Do you think that children today deal with more serious issues or is it just that people are more aware of these issues?
There have always been serious issues in children's lives, but the culture and the times demanded "silencing" some of these issues. For example, Judy Blume, as a children's author, tackled serious issues such as divorce; death; addiction; mental illness, and these issues were tackled decades ago, but her books were banned at one time. These days publishers are much more willing to accept the fact that children have very complex lives, and that they want to read about their lives and their issues. Adolescent readers do not want to read about fluff.

What inspired you to write about mental disease and what research did you do to understand what the patient and their families are enduring?
Mental illness has always been a popular topic in my writing, since I have a mother who is mentally ill. My first published picture book, A WISH UPON A STAR, was about the awful feelings a young girl hoarded inside of her because of her mentally ill mother. Writing children's literature has helped me to exorcise my demons.

I have done some research on the topic as well, but more of what is in the book, VISITATION RITES, is drawn from personal experience. I understand the pain that children in these families confront daily.

What do you want readers to take away from this book?
I want readers to feel that just because there are issues within their family(and it may be a different issue: a down's syndrome sibling, for example), that they need not feel that they have to keep it such a secret. I hope my readers will feel the possibility of opening up their deep and dark closet to a good friend, and to understand how important it is not to bury feelings and also to build a bridge of trust.

One of our other authors, Kathleen Bullock (Far Corners) was a former student of yours. It must have been exciting to see that she is using what she learned in your class.
I am so excited that Kathleen's book has been published. She was an outstanding student in my children's writing class, but what is so exciting for me is that I always encourage students to submit their work and try to get published, and Kathleen has actually done this with great success.

Tell us about your teaching job and also your work at the writing center?
I no longer work at the Writing Center at City College, but as a full time lecturer, I teach three classes a semester, and generally half of them are creative writing classes. My fall classes always include undergraduate and graduate children's writing. I am bowled-over to see how many young people are interested in the genre and how much talent there is out there. In addition, I am the Director of The Poetry Outreach Center at The City College, one of the largest outreach centers in the Northeast. I mentor graduate students to go out to public schools, many in under-served communities, and teach poetry. This culminates in the NYC Poetry Festival, which is May 17th, and ultimately the young poets will have their work published in POETRY IN PERFORMANCE. This year's featured guest poet in Cornelius Eady.

Are you working on anything new?
I am working on a picture book series for ages 4-8, where potatoes are the main character. It begins with an alphabet book, POTATO PICNIC. This has been completed, there are five books in the series and I am currently looking for a publisher. I am also working on an anthology of essays about women and shoes, where I am one of the editors: IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES: a multi-cultural collection of women's reflections on the shoes they wear. Finally, I am writing poetry, since I always write poetry, and I love to do this.

Do you have a question or comment that you would like to leave for blog readers?
My comment for blog writers is PERSEVERE as writers. Seven years ago a poetry collection of mine was published, which had been completed twenty years previously. I never give up on a project I believe in. Never give up on your passion; this is my final comment. Publication is great; it is the final reward. But it is all about the writing, first and foremost; you must enjoy the process.

Diversion Press Welcomes Tom Piantanida, author of In the Shadow of the Big Apple

2011-05-04T23:53:00.001-05:00

We caught up with Tom Piantanida, author of In the Shadow of the Big Apple to talk about his book. Tom is semi-retired, working as a consultant to medical instrument companies in northern California. Many of his stories involve his alter ego, Kenny, who grew up in an Italian ghetto across the river from NYC, where the local pool was known as Mussolini's Bathtub and its turbid water instantly turned all bathing suits the color of Italian battleships. During his career in biomedical research, Dr. Piantanida wrote numerous technical articles and book chapters; only after early retirement did he concentrate on writing fiction. Since then, Dr. Piantanida received Honorable Mention in 2005 from the Writer's Digest for his short stories and has recently been published in The First Line, Today's Feature, Skive Magazine, Silver Thoughts, Demon Minds, and The Front Porch. During his six year tenure as Editor of the Racing Drivers' Club Newsletter, he published a monthly column, in addition to submitting stories under the Spoonerismic pseudonym, A. Mack Barker. When he is not tinkering with custom and special-interest cars, he is building model trains, or pursuing motorsports.The main character in your book is Kenny. How did you develop the Kenny character? Kenny is an amalgamation of kids I knew while growing up in Union City, NJ. Of course, some of the adventures are autobiographical with literary license. That is, the stories have a kernel of truth, but were embellished to provide more interest. If you think of Kenny as my alter ego, you would not be far wrong.

What is the setting for In the Shadow of the Big Apple?
Kenny's home base is 28th Street, Union City, NJ, and most of the local action takes place on that street and the two closest cross streets - Bergenline Avenue and Central venue. Bergenline Avenue is the most interesting street in the stories because it is lined by the car barns, Caputo's Fish Market, Vincent Giuliani's Italian Grocery Store, and Reguzzi's Produce Stand. Columbia Park, where Kenny and two friends were apprehended for setting a fire was a defunct amusement park that Kenny's dad and others of his generation passed some time decades earlier. The park was actually beyond Kenny's territorial limit, being across Hudson County Boulevard, which was one of the main thoroughfares in Union City.

Palisades Amusement Park was actually in the town of Palisades Park, NJ. It was poised on the edge of the New Jersey palisades, overlooking Manhattan. The huge PALISADES AMUSEMENT PARK was clearly visible from the West Side of Manhattan. I only recently learned that the management of the amusement park knew all about the private entrance the Kenny and other kids used, and they had told their security force to turn a blind eye to kids sneaking into the park.

The Highlands is a real town on the "Jersey Shore." In fact, the movie Jersey Girl with Ben Affleck, George Carlin, and Liv Tyler was set there. After a few summer vacations - always the last two weeks in August - at Keensburg (another Jersey Shore town), my family settled into a pattern of renting from Captain Brown in the Highlands. The family would stay either in the Big House or The Boat House, but always at Captain Brown's. When the excitement of a carousel waned as Kenny got older, the family vacationed in Seaside Beach, NJ where there was a boardwalk and a huge amusement park.

What can I say about 42nd Street in Manhattan that hasn't already been said? In Kenny's time, the street was lined by movie theater that showed first-run films and businesses that sold a wide variety of inexpensive items, particularly binoculars, pocket radios, and switchblade knives. These business perennially displayed "Going Out Of Business" signs. Sandwiched between the businesses and the theaters were Grant's, where you could buy a great hotdog, and Hubert's Museum that featured a flea circus, among more exotic fare. The museum was at the rear of a penny arcade, and had a downstairs where the actual fleas circus and other acts could be found.

McDougall's Camp is based on a real camp that I attended near Sparta, NJ. And, as the story suggests, an "association" of which my parents were members, sponsored the trip. The camp was about as decrepit as described in the story, right down to the chlorine and gypsum-laden pool. And, incidentally, while I was at camp, my family did move out of Union City. I found them, though.

Which Kenny story is your favorite?
I think my favorite story is about the Highlands, because there are so many fond memories of summers spent there. I am particularly pleased that an illustration from the Highlands graces the rear cover of the book. It is the only photo I have of Uncle Ben, who was my grandmother's "boarder" (a polite term used in the early 20th Century for a cohabitant of the opposite gender), and who I loved as the grandfather I never had. My fondest memory of the Highlands is chronicled in the story. It was not until many years later that I learned that because my dad had been laid off at work, the only way we could afford a vacation was if we lived off the sea, which we certainly did that year.

Who are the other important characters in Kenny's life?Two of Kenny's closest friends were his two male cousins, one six months younger and the other a year younger than Kenny. The three cousins were a physical contrast. Kenny was of average build, if small; the next younger cousin, Max, (AKA Crisco, because he was "fat in the can") was taller than Kenny whether he was standing up or lying down; and the youngest cousin was rail thin and was called JJ Candybody by his father because he seemingly survived on candy, refusing to eat whatever his mother prepared. The cousins were very attuned to each other, so if one started a prank, the others joined in immediately.

If you had to convince someone to pick up a copy in two sentences, what would you say?
Wow!! Two sentences to convince someone to buy my book. Could one of them mention my cousin Guido, the Enforcer? No, I guess not. I don't know whether comparison is permitted, but if so, I like to compare my writing to that of Jean Shepherd, who wrote such books as WANDA HICKEY'S NIGHT OF GOLDEN MEMORIES (and other Disasters), and IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS PAY CASH. Jean, who was my inspiration, had a zany talk show on WOR in NYC in the early 60's. He also morphed many of his stories into a film that has become a classic: A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Okay, try this: Experience what was like to grow up in an Italian ghetto in the mid-fifties with street-wise friends destined to dichotomize into cops and criminals.

Will there be more Kenny stories?You have not heard the last of Kenny. In fact, I have self-published two other books about Kenny. KENNY'S KEMPS is a collection of short stories about Kenny's adventures as an older adolescent. Most of the stories involve cars and girls, which were the two intertwined themes in Kenny's life. DAVIES LAKE EPISODES is a novel that expands the cars-and-girls theme, while documenting adventures and misadventures at a summer resort where Kenny worked, and in Kenny's high school. Both were published by Lulu.com, and are available on Amazon.com.

Diversion Press Welcomes Jennifer Caloyeras, Author of Urban Falcon

2011-05-02T22:25:00.001-05:00

Join us to chat with Jennifer Caloyeras about her young adult book, Urban Falcon.

This is not how it was supposed be. Evan was all set to finish his high school years at Elbow Creek High, pursuing his passion for photography in the small town where he grew up. But mid-junior year, his Dad's job forced the family to move to Lincoln Heights, a booming metropolis - a city one could get lost in. Now his best friend Denny won't even talk to him and something suspicious is going on with his Mom. When Evan's worst fears are confirmed, he starts acting out in ways he never thought possible. Caught between who he used to be and the possibility of who he could become, he's thrown into a world of dating, out of control parties and family drama. Evan Falcon learns more about himself than he ever though possible.

What advice can you give aspiring YA writers?

Read. Read. Read. Know what’s out there. Don’t try to imitate it, but find your own voice within it so you’re actually joining the YA genre conversation in some way.

In the time since your book was first released, do you see a change in the trend of the YA field? If so, what is your opinion of it?
I’ve attended a lot of book conferences, festivals and fairs over the past year and a half (since the release of my book) and I have seen a couple of shifts, it seems, in the industry.

Fantasy fiction has been big over the past few years with Twilight and then the Hunger Games to name two of the most successful book series. But I think the pendulum is swinging back the other way now, away from fantasy and towards more realistic portrayals of teens. (An agent at a recent conference specifically said, “If it has a vampire in it, I won’t even look at it!”)

Also, I think there’s a real push to regain some boy readership back, which means a push for excellent boy-oriented fiction.

It’s an exciting time to be writing YA! I think it used to be thought of as this inferior genre and now it’s looked at as an equal to “adult” fiction. In fact, much of the audience for young adult fiction seems to be adults who want to look back, in a safe way, at what it’s like to be a teen again.

Would you consider Evan Falcon to be your average teen? What makes him similar to other teens and what makes him unique?
I guess Evan is “average” in the sense that he’s full of insecurities and has this slightly rebellious side. He’s on that eternal teenage quest to “find” himself and part of that journey is trying on different selves – the rebel, the lover, the silent sufferer. He negotiates these different sides of himself throughout the book. I’d like to think of him as a sensitive male teen, which I think might make him more unique than other, more stereotypical portrayals of teenage boys in realistic fiction. He sometimes over-thinks / over-analyzes his situation. I also think that deep down he’s a good kid. He doesn’t have any glaring social or emotional problems, but even the best kids sometimes find themselves in trouble.

What inspired you to develop the Urban Falcon characters? Are the characters based on people that you know or are the completely fictional or a mix?
This is definitely a piece of fiction! (I’d hate for anyone who knows me to try and read themselves into the text) – that being said, everyone I’ve ever met kind of enters this storage space in my writing vocabulary that I can pull quirks/traits from. I spent a long time developing the characters in the book – listening them and getting to know them so that they would translate as three-dimensional on the page.

What is the best and worst part of being a published author?
The best part is the idea that people are reading my work! That’s just so thrilling – equally thrilling – even a year and a half later! I don’t know that there is a worst part – maybe the pressure that comes with a second manuscript? Writing without a publication past is very liberating – there’s no standard to measure myself against, but now I’ve raised the bar for myself and I want to be able to make each proceeding work that much stronger.

Are you working on any new projects?
I tend to write multiple things at once. I think I do this because I am prone to restlessness. I have a completed manuscript of adult short fiction (Which, consequently was part of my graduate thesis for my MFA in creative writing which I completed in the spring of 2010.) I have recently finished a draft of a second young adult novel and I am writing my first non-fiction book proposal that involves cooking – one of my favorite hobbies!

Do you have any book signing stories that you would like to share?
The signings have all been a great experience and a wonderful way to connect with my audience! I used to be a singer / songwriter in my 20’s and I would get so nervous before I took the stage to sing and play – it makes getting up there and reading a passage from my novel seem easy – I don’t have to worry about wrong notes or forgetting my lyrics!! I was especially proud to be invited to speak at California State University, Los Angeles where I received my MA in English literature in 2004. It was a thrill to lead a discussion about young adult fiction in a room full of my English professors and current creative writing students.

What outlets have you found to be the most or least helpful in marketing your book? What suggestions do you have for other authors to help with marketing their books?
I think the Internet it the most amazing tool for marketing. It’s been a learning curve – but I feel as though I’ve learned so much. There are tons of bloggers willing and eager to read and review your book, conduct interviews, enter a discussion about writing and reading. The literary world online is full of energy and forward momentum. It’s such a phenomenal way to connect.

I also learned that there are many exciting writing contests for published (and unpublished) writers. Urban Falcon was recently a runner up in the Hollywood Book Festival in 2010!

Outlets like Facebook and Twitter certainly help to get the word out. I think people especially love to learn more about the person behind the book. I think that in the past, writers were a bit more of a mystery…only coming out once a book was finished and ready to be promoted. But now, writers can connect with their audience during the creative process.

I had these glossy postcards made for the book when it was published. I always carry them in my purse with me. I like to leave them at various locations, especially when I travel….hotel bathrooms, restaurant tables, gas stations. You never know who might pick them up and check the book out!

QUESTION FOR BLOGGERS:
Who were you in high school? Who were you perceived to be versus who you felt you were?

People Poetry

2011-05-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

People Poetry is the second poetry collection published by Diversion Press, following up on the success of the first anthology, Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse.

People Poetry includes over sixty poems by over sixty different poets. You will find writing by the beginner poet as well as the seasoned writer. I bet you won't be able to tell which is which! This collection is by People, for People, and sometimes about People. It's People Poetry!

ISBN: 978-1-935290-19-3

Pages 88
$9.95

Stay tuned to our blog to find out more about this poetry collection, who won, how you can get a copy, and how you can get a poem in our next collection.

BLOG TOUR Update, Directory, and Free Books

2011-05-01T19:11:00.000-05:00

This is just a reminder that the Diversion Press Blog Tour is going strong.
You can visit our homepage http://www.diversionpress.com/ to download the full calendar with links. You can visit http://diversionpress.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-directory.html%20for for links to all the previous stops. We have many more stops still coming to the DP Blog and the blogs of those hosting our authors.

Please stop by and FOLLOW our blog and do leave a comment. Our authors have been responding to comments left by readers.

Also, we are giving away copies of most of the books and one big giveaway, but you must leave comments and be a Follower of the blog to win. Details on the giveaways are here http://diversionpress.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-giveaways.html

We hope to see you on the blog!

Sincerely,

The Diversion Press Team

Recent storms

2011-05-01T19:05:00.000-05:00

The last days have seen severe weather hit Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Locally there have been thunder storms, repeated tornado watches and warnings, and flood warnings. Recently there have been lots of school closings, thousands of power outages, houses that have been damaged or destroyed, and loss of life. With the high volume of rain now there is concern of flash floods and that the Cumberland River will overflow. Just last year this river overflowed causing cities along its banks to become flooded and the famous scenes of Nashville being underwater.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost property and loved ones.

Diversion Press Welcome Adrianne Hunter, Author of An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food

2011-04-30T10:08:00.004-05:00

We sat down with Adrianne Hunter and asked her about her book, An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food. This book is a must have for any new or expectant mother! Who doesn't want the best possible food for their child? Plus, everyone could stand to save a little money! This book is jam packed with beautiful pictures and easy directions. You don't need expensive equipment or a War and Peace novel about baby food to be able to make it for your baby. Follow Adrianne's easy to follow guide and you will be an expert in no time and can get back to being with your baby and sleeping!

What inspired you to write this book?
When it was time to start thinking about starting my son on baby food, I started to do the math in my head and realized how much money it actually was to buy pre-made baby food from the store and I was shocked by how much other ingredients went into them. We were going through a tough time, financially, so I was trying to find any way possible to save us money. After doing a lot of research on the subject, I was very excited to see how much money I could save our family simply by making Will’s food as opposed to buying it pre-made. It was great to know exactly what my baby was eating as I would be making everything myself.

I was the only person amongst my friends or family who made homemade baby food, and I began to get so many questions about it that I thought to myself that perhaps other mothers out there would want this same information. So, one day I just decided to write a book for other mothers out there. I wanted to share the basic essentials on how to make homemade baby food, a resource I had a hard time finding but wished I had. My goal was to write an easy to follow recipe book with all of my lessons learned and tips in one place.

How hard was it for you to sit down and put together the book?
Writing the book came easy to me because I knew exactly what I wanted to say, but finding the time was difficult because I was working full time and taking care of a rambunctious toddler. I didn’t have much free time, needless to say.

What advice can you give to someone who is thinking about writing a book or is in the process of writing?
To be honest, writing a book was never on my “list of things to do.” But I began to feel a passion for this and felt inspired to write. My advice is to just go w/ your inspiration and write what you’re passionate about so your writing is truly heartfelt.

Also, I would say to be persistent. It is hard being an unknown, first time author. If you truly want to write and be published, keep on trying and sending your manuscript out to publishers. I think I received several rejections before Diversion Press believed in my book as much as I did.

What can you tell a reader about the book that will make them want to pick up a copy?
This book gives simple, straight-forward instructions on how to make baby food and has all of the wonderful recipes that my son loved to eat. Every other book that I found on this topic went into too many details about science and nutrition and only focused one chapter on baby food with the rest of the book focusing on toddlers. Many websites I searched were very overwhelming to me as a new mother as they had an enormous amount of information to read through. This book is a step-by-step guide providing the essentials on what to make, how to make it, and when to make it as your baby grows with useful tips along the way.

What advice do you have for new (or seasoned) mothers who might be considering making their own baby food?
It’s not as scary as you may think it would be! It’s actually pretty easy as long as you know the basics. Once you have the basics, you can get as fancy as you like or just keep it simple. All you need is a little time and a little knowledge, and the rest is easy. This book will gives all the tools you need without all the extra stuff.

How with your second child did you use the book?

I will have to admit that I have used my own book SEVERAL times w/ Eliza. It's amazing how fast my memory faded! I have used the reference chart the most to help me know what foods to serve for the appropriate age.

How did that work out?

To be honest, I found my book quite helpful - it is exactly the type of book I was searching for when Will was a baby. Although, by the look on Eliza's face in the attached picture, it seems she is not too confident in my cooking skills - I can assure you that she loves her food! Her favorite meal was also Will's favorite: banana and pumpkin.

How much money can someone save making homemade baby food?

Making your own baby food can save a lot of money. Below is an exert from the first chapter where I discussed some estimated cost savings. Store Bought Baby Food

Homemade Baby Food
1 oz of Bananas = $0.23
1 oz of Bananas = $0.01
1 oz of Peas = $0.23
1 oz of Peas = $0.04
1 oz of Sweet Potatoes = $0.23
1 oz of Sweet Potatoes = $0.04
1 oz of Applesauce = $0.23
1 oz of Applesauce = $0.03

Now, looking at the store prices, they don’t seem too bad, but if you keep multiplying these prices over and over, serving after serving, it definitely adds up over the months. For example, if you bought a jar of bananas (a typical jar is two ounces) for one meal a day, every day of the week, that is a total of $3.18 a week. Homemade bananas would equal $0.14 for a week. So, by making one serving of bananas, you are already seeing a savings of 12.5 percent over buying one serving.

Keep in mind that is only one meal a day. After a while, you will be feeding your baby three times a day not to mention that your baby will be growing, therefore needing larger amounts of food. So, the cost will only go higher and higher …

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?

The best part of being a publisher author is the pride I feel in myself. It's quite an accomplishment to have a published book; it's not something that everyone in the world can do. It's just a really cool thought to know that I'm "out there"!

I think the worst part is being an unknown author and trying to get the word out about my book. It's not as easy as people think. All my cowokers keep asking me why I'm still working there when I'm probably making millions on my book - but it's not like The Today Show just calls every single author to come and interview with them about their book. :) The other worst part is the fear of people not liking my book. I put in so much work and feel so passionate about it that if someone were to write a bad review, I'd be really upset! Fortunately, all of my reviews so far have been very positive!

What would you like potential readers to know?

I just want potential readers to know that this book is truly a passion of mine. I was a mother looking for some guidance and couldn't find it - so I solved the problem myself in hopes to be a help to others!

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?

Do you have any humorous stories about your own attempts to make baby food and/or your baby's reaction to your cooking?

The first time I made bananas for Eliza, I added way too much water to the mix. I ended having to go back to the store to buy more bananas to help even up the consistency. I think I ended up using about 20 bananas! (generally I use about 4-5) Needless to say she was eating that first batch of bananas for a good solid 2 months! After that episode, I grabbed a copy of my own book to reference for future!

Diversion Press Welcomes Antonio Thompson, Author of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass

2011-04-26T00:22:00.012-05:00

Camp Sketch done by German POW

Antonio Thompson is the author of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass. He has his Ph.D. in Foreign Policy from the University of Kentucky and is an Assistant Professor of History.

For every 20 comments on Dr. Thompson's Diversion Press tour stop, we will be giving away a personalized, signed copy of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass.

We sat down with Antonio to find out more about his research and German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass.

Why did you choose to research this topic and how long have you researching this field?

When I was working towards my Master’s Degree, I needed to find a unique thesis topic. I knew that I wanted to work on World War II, but I wasn’t sure what aspect exactly. Before class, a professor was chatting with us. He mentioned that German POWs were transported through Kentucky. A light went on, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Your book contains a wide range of materials from numerous sources. Where did you conduct research for this book and how did you know to look in those places?
The sources come from primary and secondary accounts. I looked through state and local archives in several states. While this book is focused on Kentucky, my other POW research has focused on other states, individual camps, individual POWs, and the entire nation.

Fort Knox, Kentucky Canteen

I also visited numerous camps to look through their records. I found very good material at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. My best sources, however, came from the Americans and Germans that I interviewed. I have been fortunate to speak to many former American soldiers, guards, farmers and co-workers of the POWs, and a good number of POWs as well.

One source often led to another. Someone I would interview would have a photo, a document, or a friend who was also involved.

You have interviewed numerous people for this project. Can you tell us about this experience?
I should first say that I love to interview people. The World War II generation is fascinating. One of the most common comments that I got from those that I interviewed when I started this project was surprise that someone in their mid-20s was so interested. I seem to get it a bit less now that I am in my mid-30s, but I still do. I am happy to interview people, and in fact, I have about 30 people that I need to contact. If you are one of them I am sorry, this has been a busy semester!

Antonio Thompson, Walter Mathis (US Veteran),
Howard Tromp (Former German POW/US Veteran)

Some of the German veterans that I interviewed were very guarded, or were at first. One Kentucky woman said that they did not employ Germans because her family was German and found it repulsive. She didn’t want me to use her name in the book.

Other former German soldiers are quite talkative and tell some great stories. I think that what surprised me was that many of the POWs were just soldiers and simply young men. If you are not sure about that, read the accounts of these guys escaping looking for beer or to meet women or about how they pretended not to understand English so that they could eavesdrop on GI conversations and swipe documents from the trash. If you find it interesting to read about, imagine hearing it first hand!

You talk about German POWs returning to live in the US after the war. Did they just never go home or if they did go home, why did you find that they wanted to return to the US? During the war we held about 371,000 Germans and they were all required to go home after the war was over. Only one POW never left the U.S., and he was an escapee that remained “at large” working as a tennis and ski instructor until he turned himself in in 1985.

A lot of POWs found that they had discovered something as prisoners of war in the U.S. and returned later to visit or to live. It is hard to put a definition on what exactly the reasons for returning were, since each POW might have their own reason. One, for instance, returned to the U.S. permanently because his daughter married an American soldier, another because there seemed to be more opportunity for work, and a third because he enjoyed the freedom and democratic ideals. Some of this actually ties into the next question.

POW drawn sketch

German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass discusses the excellent treatment of German POWs during WWII. What did the US learn from this experience and can any of these lessons be applied today? This is a question that in many ways frames my study. World War II was a brutal war; we fought enemies that were often unkind on the battlefield, in taking surrenders, and in the treatment of prisoners. I think it is not overstating that the Axis powers had global designs, which also sets World War II apart from other conflicts.

We signed the Geneva Convention of 1929 stipulating rules for the treatment of the captured enemy. We did not take that obligation lightly and went above and beyond what was required. I spend time discussing this good treatment in all of my works on U.S. handling of POWs in WWII.

This good treatment sets an example that despite the nature of World War II a captured enemy can be treated with humanity and dignity. I argue that we probably have never treated prisoners of war as good as here. Of course it pays us back. During the war the good treatment led to the POWs writing letters home, which in turn helped convince other soldiers that America treated POWs well leading in some cases to more surrenders. After the war many of the Germans either worked for the occupation government in post-war Germany or came back here to live or visit. Of course, we also were playing into the Cold War world of East and West Germany.

You have done numerous speaking engagements. What types of groups have you spoken to and what advice can you give to the new author who might not have as much speaking experience? Do you have a standard talk or do you tailor your talk to the group or some of both?
I just spoke to my daughter’s 4th grade class and talked for 15 minutes about what I do as a historian, what I write about, and what education you need. Handing out pennies to help them remember Abraham Lincoln got them a lot more excited than German POWs, the 8-12 years of college required to get a Ph.D., or my talk about what I do.

I love to speak to groups though. I have given formal talks to the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of the Confederacy, the history faculty at USMA West Point, local history groups, guest lectured on my topic at my college and been an invited speaker to several others.

I always give at least a quick overview of the POW program to provide a foundation, but typically I try to give a different talk each time. Some of the stories are so interesting or important that overlap is going to happen, but I also want to vary my talks.

POWs boarding train

What are you working on now? Do you have other books or projects?
I have a couple of published articles and a second book that came out in the fall of 2010 from the University of Tennessee Press titled Men In German Uniform. I am also working with a colleague and friend, Dr. Christos Frentzos, on The Routledge Handbook of U.S. Military and Diplomatic History Since 1865 and am proud to say that my Ph.D. advisor and mentor, Dr. George Herring will be contributing. I am also looking for a publisher for a book about the life Howard T., who served in the Luftwaffe and the USAF.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
I like being a published author. I like doing book signings and talking to people. I don’t like having to push my book. I’ve had people come talk to me about other people’s books, about their taxes, and even ask me if I worked at the store at book signings. Once I got up to stretch my legs and lost my seat, the only one at the table with my pen, water, and books.

What would you like potential readers to know?
This is the best book about German POWs in Kentucky. Yes, it is the only one as well, but it is one of my favorite two books that I have written and I think you will like it.

POW mess hall

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?
You can discover great, interesting, and important historical things right in your own town. Is there anything that happened, big or small, in your area, that others living there don’t know about?

Diversion Press Welcomes Charles Suddeth

2011-04-25T00:50:00.004-05:00

Charles Suddeth's book Halloween Kentucky Style is the perfect fun Halloween read. Pick up a copy now for your middle grade reader or for a trip down memory lane.

About Halloween Kentucky Style
In 1959, two eleven-year-old boys try to trick two girls, but the trick’s on them when they tangle with a homeless man and a nine-year-old neighbor. Halloween Kentucky Style is a 14,000-word mix of action, humor, and nostalgia for middle readers. This story has no violence but plenty of Halloween frights. Additionally, it also deals with teasing and telling the truth in a gentle way.

Charles Suddeth Biography
I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my two cats, Binks and Wendy. I am a graduate of Michigan State University. I have done graduate work at Michigan State University, the University of Louisville, and Spalding University. I belong to the Midsouth SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and Green River Writers. I like to hang out at the nearby Tom Sawyer State Park, where I walk, write, and watch the deer.

For more information visit http://www.ctsuddeth.com/

When did you begin writing middle grade novels?

I started seven or eight years ago, but just because I enjoyed writing stories. A children’s librarian encouraged me to write for publication, so here I am.
Charles is available to answer questions. Leave a comment or question for him below.

Why did you choose Kentucky as your backdrop?

Half my family is from Kentucky, and they had told me countless stories about the past, so I could write about it more easily than other states. A horse figures in the story, and Kentucky is the horse state. Most of Kentucky is still rural, and in 1959 it was even more rural.

Can you tell us about the characters in the book?

First of all, they are not me, not consciously. Not even Mike. And I didn’t use anyone from childhood as a model. They are people with strengths and weaknesses, even the homeless man. Everybody deserves dignity.

There is a picture of a horse on the cover. How does that fit with the book?

A horse is important to the end of the story, so the horse makes it special. Without the horse, it would be just another Halloween story.

What is one thing that you would like potential readers to know about your book?

I have written this book so young readers (and their parents) can have fun reading it. I believe that above everything else, reading should be fun.

What is the best and worst thing about being a published author?

The best thing is that your writing is validated—someone else appreciates your writing enough to read it. The worst thing about being published is the danger of resting on your accomplishments. You need to keep growing as an author and as a person.

What advice do you have for aspiring middle grade novelists?

I am not the first one to say this, but you need to enjoy writing your novel, or kids will not enjoy reading it. And don’t be in a hurry. Take the time to craft a good story, and take even more time to edit and refine it.

You are a member of a writer's group. Can you tell us about it?

I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). The Midsouth division includes about 300 members in Kentucky and Tennessee. They have workshops, retreats, critique groups, and bulletins to help writers and illustrators. I am also a member of Green River Writers, who are primarily adult writers, but they’re patient with me.

Do you have any other books in the works?

I have written a follow-up book, Winter Olympics Kentucky Style. Another publisher is reviewing my picture book manuscript, James the Pirate. My critique group is helping me edit One Summer’s Day, a Civil War story about a twelve-year-old boy.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses? My question is: Do you think that kids in 2011 are different from kids in 1959?

LIVE EVENT

2011-04-21T13:58:00.000-05:00

Blog Readers,

Don't forget that Gregory Turner-Rahman is on the BLOG live today to answer your questions as they come in.

His interview and the comment box are in the post just below this one.

Diversion Press Welcomes Gregory Turner-Rahman

2011-04-21T00:29:00.012-05:00

What influenced you to write Ellabug?

When my eldest daughter was very young she entered a daycare after many years of being taken care of at home by family. The poor kid had spent so much time with her paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather, me, my sister, and my wife's sister that she had a rather vast set of influences. My wife and I were in school and too poor to afford daycare but were very fortunate to have family that helped raise Aneesa. The mix of cultures (my wife's family is from Bangladesh and England, my family is English, Czech and Sicilian) had come together in this beautiful kid but that she had a hard time initially relating to the others in her class. It was heartbreaking as a parent to see the other little girls exclude her because they didn't really understand her background, her uniqueness. I worried that as she got older she'd be ashamed of those things that made her unique. But it all worked out and I am happy to say that she is a big, happy, well-adjusted tweenager with a thick skin and wicked sense of humor.

What is the message in Ellabug?
Our families make us who we are and regardless of what others think, we should celebrate and enjoy the craziness and uniqueness that makes us!

Tell us about the main character and the other characters that she encounters.
Ellabug is a rough and tumble kind of kid. She is curious and headstrong. Her family annoys her but deep down she knows they are harmless and fun loving creatures. The ants, though, are very different. To her they seem like they have got it all together. They are organized, orderly, and, ultimately, very focused on their work - everything that Ellabug's family is not.

In creating the characters I tried to create visual clues that'd let the reader 'get it' quickly. Her boots imply her rugged individualism. The ants are the antithesis of Ellabug and are therefore modeled on a stereotypical image of German performance artists. I saw them as somewhat stern and very alike, in their neo-beat black turtlenecks. The other characters in the family - the supporting cast - are all rendered in a scruffy yet (hopefully) lovable manner. I wanted them to be the visual equivalents of well-loved, well-worn stuffed animals.

The illustrations are beautiful! Were you formally trained as an illustrator?
I have been cartooning much of my life. But I am formally trained as an industrial designer and architect - both professions require gratuitous amounts of drawing and sketching. I started taking illustration seriously just a few years ago. After receiving some attention for a drawing I did for the New Yorker, my co-workers at the University of Idaho, who prior saw me as a serious, theory-drenched bookworm, were very positive and encouraged me to pursue it more vigorously. I love all forms of visual storytelling and I see how all my education and training have lead to this current obsession with illustration.

A lot of readers don’t know about your incredibly cute Youtube video. How difficult was it to create that and what has been the response to it?
I did some 3D animation in architecture school so I understood how it should work but this was really my first attempt at 2D animation. I took the original drawings and in the computer application Photoshop made multiple layers of certain parts then moved them in a crude, stop motion kind of way. Photoshop is not really meant for animation and it took forever to create with fairly mediocre results. I have since invested in actual animation software. I can't wait to do another video.

As far as reception, there have been over 650 views of the Ellabug trailer. For a YouTube video that doesn't include adorable (real) animals being tickled or extreme ironing, I think it has done well and serves its purpose.

My kids want me to add that they did the voiceovers and that my direction and the thousands of takes it took were not too damaging to their self-esteem (see what I mean about a wicked sense of humor).

Bonus feature! Here's an experiment that didn't make the final cut of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdqAJbpaYoc

(Note from Diversion Press: After you play the experiment video over and over and stop laughing, the next video is the actual Ellabug video. Check it out!)

Do you focus mostly on children’s books or do you write other genres?
I am an academic in my other life so I write about my fascinating (*stifles a yawn*) research on creative communities. I am currently writing a book chapter on authorship in the digital realm, for example. With that said, I prefer visual storytelling. This summer I hope to get traction on a possible web comic or graphic novel and another children's book project.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
Best part: Seeing the book on the shelf at a bookstore or at the library next to my heroes and childhood favorites.

Worst part: not having the time to travel and properly promote the book. I have enjoyed the few readings and school visits that I’ve done. The story resonates with kids and adults alike so it usually leads to good conversations.

What would you like potential readers to know?
About Ellabug: Readers can submit drawings of themselves and their family as animals. I like to post them on the Ellabug blog. You can see a few at:

http://ellabug-thebook.blogspot.com/

They are very funny. One boy drew his mother as an atom. Another made himself as a cockroach!

About writing and children's books: have fun and write because you want to tell a story – not because you want recognition or wealth.

About stuff in general: don't eat from tin cans that are warped, buckled, or from a company called Botulism Farms.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?
I am curious as to how many in your audience have Kindles, Nooks, and other e-readers.

Diversion Press Welcomes Kathleen Bullock, author of Far Corners

2011-04-20T08:00:00.006-05:00

How did you come up with the idea for Far Corners?
It began when I had the idea of writing a ghost story without the scare and gore. I felt that if there really were ghosts, there would have to be a really good reason for hanging on Earth. I tried to create that in the character of Lady Catherine and her desperate need to make peace with her son.

Can you tell us about the transformation to the past in this book and the ghostly figures that the main characters encounter?
Several readers have wondered if the children were descendents of Lady Catherine or the Danburys, and I've left that deliberately ambiguous. I let the ring be the token that transports them to the past on that one night only. Mary the maid dropped it presumably and it lay in a crevice until the children found it on the one day it mattered.

What was your influence in developing these characters?
I love history, American History, and I found that era before the Revolutionary War to be full of exciting characters and events. The whole country was wide open to immigrants from every part of the globe. And I couldn't help throwing in George Washington as a cameo. He actually spent time surveying his cousin's landholdings during those years.

How did you come up with the idea for the title Far Corners?
The title was a tough one. After many 'working' titles, and dozens of ideas, I chose the name of the Inn. My idea being that the Far Corners Inn was exactly that, in those days, situated right on the edge of the Ohio wilderness.

This book is set on Christmas Eve. Is it a Christmas book?
Yes. It is much more a Christmas Book, than Halloween. My characters (though crude and cruel) are not scary.

Is there a takeaway message from your book?
Several, I hope. One, of course, is the devotion of family; the mother for her son and her willingness to travel to a wild place to correct an injustice, and then there's the bond between the Brooks siblings that grows more evident as their ordeal evolves. I'd like to think independence of thought and self-worth are other themes. Serena, Tom, and even Carrie the farm girl, are independent souls, even under terrible circumstances. Another theme is about the way history changes and horrible things are righted.

Who is the target audience for this book?
Good readers, ten and up, particularly those in Middle School.

What makes your book unique in reaching that audience?
Teachers! Teachers read to their students regularly and they are always looking for good books.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
So far, there are no worse parts (except for money.) Writing is theraputic on so many levels. It can be done at home in your nightgown. One world after another opens up for you, and always there's the secret hope that someone, somewhere is reading your book at that moment.

What would you like potential readers to know?
I'd love young readers to know that nothing on film, or TV, can match the pleasure of reading. The reader himself peoples the world he reads about, and nothing can match the uniqueness of that.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?
I'd love to know how many adults still find pleasure reading so-called novels for children and young adults. I believe more adults indulge in the wonderful fantasy there, even if secretly, than one expects. I'd love to hear from anyone who wants to recommend a great kid's book! I'll start by recommending the "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale.

In addition to Far Corners, Kathleen has published several other books. For more information about these and Far Corners, visit Kathleen Bullock's website at:
www.kathleenbullock.com

Spotlight on Kathleen Bullock: Her Biography

2011-04-20T00:01:00.002-05:00

I was born in San Francisco and grew up in the Bay Area, the oldest of ten children. My parents bought a rundown, crumbling sort of spooky old house near San Carlos that was reputed to belong to the first governor of California – as his stable! It was also supposed to be haunted by wife of one of the previous owners who had been struck down by a Model-T. However, no ghost in his right mind would dare to materialize at our house.

With a large family like ours, one can imagine the chaos. The five boys were all smack in the middle, full of spit and fire (literally, my youngest brother set the detached garage and several ancient trees on fire playing some kind of chicken poker with lighted matches. Don’t ask.).

One of the anomalies about our house was the Sunday evening blackouts. We figured that the City lowered the wattage grid on that day, but whatever the reason, as my father made a fuse run, we children would gather in the dark and tell stories. I think that’s where my love of spinning a spellbinding yarn began.

Art was big in our family, too. I can’t think of a single brother or sister who isn’t artistic, musical, or dramatic.

I studied art in college, and planned to be an art teacher until a prospective employer at Sunsett Magazine told me I’d get a better education BEING an artist, than studying to be one. He said artists work at it, and all the rest teach. A little harsh, I think, but I got the job. My year at Sunsett was indeed an education. I left to marry, but learning the basics of book design has never left me.

I’ve lived in Oregon for well over 35 years. My three kids were born here. And when my fabulous, beautiful, funny husband passed away, I found myself raising teens and a preteen alone. The results have been mixed. (Just kidding.)

What I knew for sure was that I needed a job. I began my own graphic arts business and ran it for ten years, but my real love was writing and illustrating for children. I was lucky enough to be picked by Simon & Schuster for a new children’s imprint. My first book was It Chanced To Rain. I sold five picture books to them, had a ball, and would have written and illustrated books forever. Unfortunately, I needed a more secure job. I found one working with good friends at an educational publisher, and my illustrated books sort of fell by the wayside. In my spare time, however, I did begin to study the art of writing.

My first completed novel turned out to be Far Corners. I feel privileged to have found a wonderful, young publisher in Diversion. My day job is very intense, full of deadlines, re-dos, and weeks of panic when it’s catalog or book convention time. I love my work but it leaves little time for much else.

Nevertheless, I keep writing.

A blatant self-promotion bid: my second novel, the YA fantasy The End of Dominion will be out this year, and I’m hoping to sell two more novels in the young reader genre.

Blog Tour Updates

2011-04-19T15:04:00.000-05:00

Readers,

Although today is a quiet day at Diversion Press, head over to these stops and support Charles Suddeth and Antonio Thompson

April 19

Write for a Reader hosts Charles Suddeth, author of Halloween Kentucky Style

Tammy’s Book Parlor hosts Antonio Thompson, author of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass

Don’t forget to FOLLOW our Blog and that we are giving away books based on the number of comments we get on the Blog. Go to the top of the Blog and see the Giveaway Page for more details.

Also the full calendar is on the Diversion Press homepage, http://www.diversionpress.com/

Keep those comments coming in and we will post them during the entire tour. Our authors will keep responding to them.

Here is our next day of events:

April 20

An Abundance of Books hosts Robert Bresloff, author of Wanderland

Diversion Press hosts Kathleen Bullock, author of Far Corners

Lisa’s World of Books hosts Ryan Nemeth, author of I Can Make Out with Any Girl Here

Far Corners Giveaway Starts

Diversion Press Welcomes Ryan Nemeth, author of I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here

2011-04-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

Where did you get the idea for this book?

I was inspired by looking back on my day's as a college student...which I did while I was still a college student. I just thought that college was such a weird world to live in-- it has very little to do with real life, in many ways. I thought it would be funny and interesting to explore that world with this story.

Your book is different from a lot of the other books published by DP and this was a reason that we developed the Yellow Snow line. I guess you could say that in some ways, your book has body slammed the DP reader population. J Any comments on that?
I am happy to hear that it stands out! I never want to write anything that blends in or seems too much like anything else. Woo hoo! But, body slams hurt, so I am sorry for that.

Speaking of body slammed, we heard a rumor that you and your book have been making a splash in the world of wrestling. Is there any truth to this gossip?
Canadian professional wrestler Lance Storm, a former WWE champion, read my book and posted a positive review of it on his website. I was excited that it made him laugh, because as wrestling fans know, he can be quite serious sometimes... Also, http://www.dolphziggler.com/ did an interview with me about the book. That was cool, because Ziggler recently became World Champion, and I think reading my book probably had something to do with it!

As for me, the last few months have been very busy and exciting: I was offered a developmental contract with WWE and am currently training in their developmental system (Florida Championship Wrestling) in Tampa, FL. Hopefully my writing career and my sports entertainment career will blossom together!

Is there a take away message in this book?
I think Donny, the character in the book, makes a lot of foolish decisions and doesn't completely think things through, and he faces consequences for that. You know how we can learn from others' mistakes? Well, Donny is a perfect example of that. The main thing I want readers to learn is that setting fetal pigs on fire will NEVER lead to a good outcome.

This book obviously would be a good read for college students or those thinking about college. Any college advice? Any life advice?
Before you go to college, you should definitely get a copy of my book. Maybe 2 or 3, in case you lose it. Enjoy college because it will be over before you know it, and you will probably realize too late that life after college is quite lame.

Yellow Snow is a new imprint for Diversion Press and your book is the first on this imprint. What kind of books do you envision that would pair nicely with your book under this imprint?
Unique books that stand out. Books that may make you uncomfortable while at the same time entertaining you.

How did you develop the characters for the book?
I took people I knew and changed them, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in big ways. But everything in it is somewhat based on or drawn from reality.

What is one major challenge that you faced when writing this book?
I was writing it while finishing grad school, so I regularly put writing in front of studying. Staying focused on my school work was a big challenge, because writing the book was just so much fun!

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
The best part is looking at a copy of the book and seeing your name on it. That is really awesome. It's something no one can ever take away-- that book was published. You can't unpublish it! The worst part? When people want free copies, or want to buy copies from me. I wrote it, I don't sell them!

What would you like potential readers to know?
You can do anything. You really can. I have been told "you won't make it" or "you can't do that" so many times that it doesn't even mean anything to me anymore. But I got this book published. I mean you can really do anything as long as you work hard for it. I know that sounds simple and unoriginal-- but it's true!

Donny led us to believe that he will be continuing school at Kuhlman. Will we be reading about Donny’s second year in college?
You just have to wait and see! I am working on something new... I'm just not going to tell you what it is yet, though.

Diversion Press Welcomes Bill Rosencrans, Author of Dakota: A Work in Progress

2011-04-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Diversion Press talked with Bill Rosencrans about his book, Dakota: A Work in Progress and of course, about Dakota. Below is what we learned.

How old is Dakota now?

Dakota is now five years old. It’s hard to believe. Like the old saying goes “Time flies when you’re having fun.” He still seems like a pup to me. I see to it that he squeezes as much fun as he can out of each and every day, and in turn, I have as much fun as he does. We’re inseparable.

Has he calmed now or is he still active?
No, he hasn’t really calmed down much at all. Aside from the fact that he no longer runs along the top of the couch coming dangerously close to knocking a large painting with a heavy frame off the wall and on to the heads of our guests sitting there, he is still very active. All of the other dogs in the neighborhood, which are mostly golden retrievers, gravitate toward him because he is so much fun to be around. Friends of mine told me that they can’t mention Dakota’s name in their house without their two goldens going bonkers. So, they refer to Dakota as “D” in their conversations. Dog owners have told me how their dogs pull them on their leash, wanting to come to the house to see if Dakota is home and wants to come out and play (including a Jack Russell and a twelve-inch hound). I’ve found Harper, my next door neighbor’s golden retriever, at my front door numerous times. I open the front door and in he comes, and out the back door the two of them go. Dakota then begins running laps around the yard. It’s the excitement of having a friend stopping by to see him that sets him off. It’s kind of like seeing a space shuttle taking off from Cape Canaveral.

Is he still getting into trouble?
Dakota is always in trouble. During the winter he’ll steal the gloves off your hand if you stop to pet him. He almost strangled Penny (a girl in her twenties who is a friend of the family) when he grabbed hold of the scarf she had tied around her neck and began pulling on it like he was in a tug-of-war. She was turning purple, and I couldn’t get the scarf out of his mouth. I actually began thinking “How in the world am I going to explain Penny’s death to Brett (her husband).

Where is Dakota’s favorite place to go?
That’s a toss-up. He loves going to Pet Smart, naturally. The girl at the counter loves Dakota, and consequently allows him to devour the entire supply of treats she keeps in a bowl on the counter alongside the register. But, Dakota also loves going to the bank. His head is next to mine, with his eyes locked on the teller at the drive-thru window, who sends a biscuit his way along with our transaction. He makes sure that she sees him - all the while panting in my ear, and drooling on my pant leg.

Who are his favorite people to be around?
Dakota loves children, being a child at heart himself. When he sees a gang of little kids laughing and playing he wants desperately to go to them. I have to keep telling him ‘Turn around. Pay attention to where you’re going.” He has walked into parked cars with his head turned around while walking forward, watching children at play.

Does he have any dog friends?
Dakota has more friends than I do. Six golden retrievers – Harper, Jackson, Rosie (whom Dakota is currently in love with) Cinnamon (who lives around the corner), and Teddy Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Harry likes boxing with Dakota while Ted watches. Ted’s a little up in the years.

Which story do people seem to like the most when you give talks?
Children like “Thief !” That was the short story where Dakota devoured the roast beef sandwich I left sitting on the counter-top while I was outside cooking a portabella mushroom on the grill. The adults seemed to enjoy the book in its entirety. Below is an e-mail from a woman who bought numerous copies of the book to give as a gift during the holiday season.

I have to tell you about some good friends of ours who received "Dakota" from us for Christmas.

Kathy, the wife, started reading the book before Jon, the husband. They have always had "Dakota" kinds of dogs during their 30+ year marriage. All of their children are now out of the house working or at college. Recently they adopted a very young, frisky, and "not so bright" female named Quinna. Well, when Jon returned from work one night Kathy read a chapter out loud to him. He laughed out loud and asked Kathy to read another chapter. And that's how they read the whole book. Kathy read it aloud to Jon while he had Quinna on his lap - a couple chapters each night. We got the funniest thank you card describing the entire process. They described every detail - including getting Quiinna into her "coat" to go outside for a "potty break" during one of the chapters.

Another couple we gave the book to have a 13 year old special needs daughter (their youngest) and after reading the book themselves, they read the book to her aloud. Now she has been trying to read it aloud to them, because Dakota is "just like" their dog, Sasha. Nathalie's interest level has been so high, her ability to read the book has been remarkable.

So do thank your husband for me...Everyone has truly enjoyed their experience with the book! Not to mention that I have been given great accolades for being the best gift giver ever!! It will certainly be hard to maintain that reputation, unless of course book 2 comes out for the next holiday season.

Can you share a story about Dakota that isn’t in the book?
Dakota nudged me with his nose waking me out of a sound sleep. I had no idea what time it was. All I knew was that I was dead tired and hoping that I wouldn’t have to pet his head, then hold his paw, pet his head again, then hold his other paw, for hours and hours. I wanted to get back to sleep. He then stood with his front paws on the frame of the bed looking down at me. It was then that he did the strangest thing. He did the Martian Mind Meld - a mind reading tactic that My Favorite Martian employed. My Favorite Martian was a TV show I used to watch when I was a kid – it obviously left a lasting impression upon me. I use the Martian Mind Meld on Dakota all the time, and now in the middle of the night he was doing the same thing to me. He put his forehead to mine and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I glanced at the clock on the VCR and saw that it was a quarter to four in the morning. Dakota got down off the bed, curled up on the floor, and went to sleep. Dakota didn’t need to read my mind to know how much I love him. I tell him so every five minutes, but sometimes the words alone are not enough, which is why we have The Martian Mind Meld.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
The best part of being a published author is going to book signings and seeing for yourself the joy that you were able to bring into someone else’s life with your words. The worst part? There isn’t any.

What would you like potential readers to know?
I would like for my readers to know that this not a book about pet-care or how to train your dog. Far from it. Dakota will leave you laughing out loud – and there is no sad ending like Marley. It is appropriate for all ages, and it makes a great gift book.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?
Yes. Did you get your copy of Dakota: A Work in Progress yet? Buy it. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Giveaways and Comments

2011-04-16T21:17:00.000-05:00

Readers don't forget that we are giving away a number of free books. Our giveaways include If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut and Broomsticks.

Bill Rosencrans is appearing tomorrow and we are giving away a copy of his book, Dakota: A Work in Progress.

We also have a Big Blog Tour Giveaway.

Just look at the top of the blog for the giveaway page to find a list of all of the free books and directions. You must be a blog Follower and a U.S. resident.

Also, even though some of the authors have already visited the DP blog, you can still comment and they will continue to answer your questions. Many have stops on other blogs as well.

Stay tuned readers and authors. You are what makes this event great!

Tour UPDATES and Directions

2011-04-16T19:00:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone,

We just wanted to drop a note to say: WOW! What a great start to the blog tour.

We don't want to interrupt this, but we do want to provide what may be some helpful directions for everyone.

The full TOUR Calendar is on our website http://www.diversionpress.com/
It is listed as Version 1 (a standard calendar) and Version 2 (a broken down list of stops)
Both have the stops linked, so it is a great way to keep up with the entire tour at all the stops.
The links are current, and will be updated so that you can click on them and go directly to that posting.

Please do FOLLOW our Blog and comment on the appeareances. The Comment box is always at the bottomn of the current post.

Finally, FREE STUFF. We are giving away lots of free stuff. We will announce these on certain days throughout the tour. Those days are also listed on the calendar AND listed on our blog at the top click BLOG TOUR Giveaways for the list of giveaways only. Once the giveaway is active, we will link to that blog post from this page.

Finally, we are opening a page called The Blog Tour, which will have all the information that you need to follow the tour.

Diversion Press Welcomes Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker, Authors of Broomsticks.

2011-04-16T00:01:00.024-05:00

Sean and Katie--Living on the Air in Cincinnati!

The book is called Broomsticks, but what is it about?
It's about two extraordinary nine-year olds from completely different backgrounds who develop a special friendship based on the one thing they have in common....magic!

Can you tell us about the characters?
Pocky: On the outside, she's your average , sweet, level-headed girl-next-door who has a talent for writing which lands her at Asher School For Gifted Children. However, there is one thing that separates her from her classmates.... she's magic! Only she has no idea why. Raised by her ordinary mortal grandmother, Pocky has a lot of questions about her background that nobody can seem to answer. Feeling alone in the world, it is a breath of fresh air when she meets Stamp.

Stamp

Stamp: Anything but average, Stamp is a full-blooded witch and proud of it! This goatee-sporting, Shakespeare quoting nine-year old doesn't mind standing out a little as he has broken away from his family's traditions to attend a mortal school to study acting. Although excited to meet someone of his kind at Asher, he is quick to dismiss Pocky upon finding out that she has been raised by mortals. He has been somewhat mislead to believe many stereotypes about mortals. When he realizes that Pocky does not have any prejudices against him, he has a change of heart, which he has difficulty showing, then the real magic begins. He suddenly takes pride in showing Pocky how to manage her craft. In turn, he finds out there is a lot left to learn about mortals. ( But don't expect him to admit that!)

Pocky

Blevins: Stamp's quiet, observant familiar can say a lot with just a look! He can also shapeshift and will appear in many forms throughout the story.

Maggie Gumm: Pocky's roommate and friend... the groovy, quirky, somewhat paranoid daydream believer.

Brooklyn Meadows: Pocky and Maggie's no-nonsense friend who provides a nice balance to the two.

Rick Parker: Maggie's crush... the "school blonde-haired boy" who ultimately is a bully.

Mrs. Wheeler: One of the only two adult characters in the story. She is the glue that holds the gang together.

Grandma McGuire: Pocky's Grandma... the epitome of what a grandmother should be.

Is there a takeaway message from your book?
Don't judge a book by it's cover and don't be afraid to be yourself!

How did the Elizabeth Montgomery statue get a copy of your book?
That awesome photo was sent to us by Peter Alachi, a Broomsticks fan who lives in Salem. Peter also wrote a wonderful review of Broomsticks which he posted on Amazon.com. We are so grateful to Peter and everyone who took the time to post a review on Amazon.

You got an endorsement from Erin Murphy, tell us about that?
Erin is a sweetheart! As many of you know, she played Tabitha on the TV classic, Bewitched. I (Sean) first came in contact with Erin in 1996 when I designed a logo for her website. Years later, I wrote to her about Broomsticks and asked her if she'd mind taking a look at it. Well, she not only read the first book, but she also read the yet-to-be released second Broomsticks story and the synopsis for our third story. She loved the books and sent us a wonderful quote that now graces the back cover of Broomsticks. Keep in mind, she did all of this before we even had a publisher. Like I said, Erin's a sweetheart.!

Your books are now available in Salem, Massachussetts, can you comment?
WOO-HOO!!! How's that for a comment? But seriously, we are thrilled by the news! To be honest, we don't even know where in Salem that they are available. We sent out press releases and "how-to" order forms to every bookstore, gift shop, and witch museum shop in the Salem/Boston area. When you spend ten years looking for a publisher, you do a lot of marketing research. We learned that if you sign with a smaller publisher, you should concentrate on your hometown area unless there's a place or event that goes along with the theme of your book. Well, besides our hometown of Maysville, Kentucky, we could think of no better place than Salem to promote a book about a couple of witches. We have several Salem fans in our Broomstick Fan club on Facebook. Gosh, we even have a fan in Australia! We are so grateful for the support!

You told us about an art contest and giveaway? Can you tell us how this will work, where we can find more information, and if all the entries will be posted?
Yes! Thanks for mentioning it. We're really excited about it! We wanted to do something that kids could have fun doing and maybe spark their interest in the book. It's for kids between the ages of 5-12. All they have to do is draw a picture of Stamp & Pocky and mail it in. The winners will receive a signed copy of the book and will post the winners on our website, blog, and facebook page. Details and rules can be found on our blog. http://www.broomsticksbooks.blogspot.com/

What has the local response been to your book?
Phenomenal! For our first signing, we had people lined up outside the door and the store sold their entire inventory within 30 minutes! We had to get our personal inventory to sell it too! After that sold out...we had people lining up to place orders. It was great! After that, we had 3 more successful sell-out signings! We were in the newspaper, on the radio, and on TV. We did a reading at the local library. I (Katie) spoke at a women's club luncheon before it was even published. People are still asking about it and where they can get it. We are overwhelmed by the continued support we receive from our hometown, Maysville, Kentucky. We hope every new author out there is lucky enough to have a hometown like Maysville. We are truly Blessed.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?
The best part is the sense of accomplishment after years of trying and finally getting to introduce the world to our characters and our story! The kids we talk to blow us away! They are really into the book and ask us countless questions about the characters. Some even dressed as Stamp & Pocky for Halloween last year! Knowing that you've added a little fun and magic to someone's childhood... Nothing beats that! The worst part: There is no bad part of being a published author!

What would you like potential readers to know? Comparisons to Harry Potter are inevitable, but we'd like potential readers to know that, although we love Harry, Stamp & Pocky have very different adventures that deal with more down to earth problems that ordinary kids deal with everyday. We'd also like them to know that even though our first story deals with bullying and bigotry, Broomsticks still has all the fun, magic, humor, and escapism that you would hope to find in a book about two little witches.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?

Left to Right--Antonio Thompson, Amy, Thompson, Sean McHugh, Katie McHugh Parker, and Charles Suddeth
The Diversion Press Gang in Maysville, Kentucky.

Yes. Besides Harry Potter and a handful of other books like Broomsticks, do you think children's books today are becoming too reality-based and message-heavy? And what children's books helped you escape into a world of fantasy and magic as a child?

Diversion Press welcomes Linda Loegel, author of If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut

2011-04-15T00:26:00.000-05:00

We are going to get our BLOG TOUR started with one of our newest authors, Linda Loegel. Loegel’s book, If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut, was recently published by Diversion Press. It is available directly through the press, Amazon.com, or other online and retail locations. After you read through our interview with Linda and view the photographs that she provided, please take a minute and provide a comment or two in the comment section.

What is your favorite story from the book?

My Mom was making sandwiches for a picnic with our neighbors. I asked her what kind she was making and she said, "Tuna fish and egg salad." Being a very finicky eater, I said, "I'll make my own jam sandwiches!" Mom thought I swore and turned and snapped my lips without skipping a beat, thinking I had use a swear word. When I told her I said "jam," I was Queen for the Day because she felt so bad.

What is your best childhood experience?

There are so many! But I would have to say going for walks with my Dad and Donnie. Dad would point out various wildflowers, then he would make us each a basket out of fallen birch bark and we would gather berries and put them in the basket. Tied for best would also be Donnie and I playing at Dad's work bench, nailing pieces of wood together to make ships.

Can you tell us a story that was not included in the book?

My Aunt Alna (Dad's sister) and Uncle Nelson lived on a farm in Woodstock, VT. We would go visit them, usually at Thanksgiving or Christmas. My first memories of visiting them were before they had an indoor bathroom. They had a privy, a two-holer, attached to the house, in a shed just outside the kitchen door. That was the only house I've ever known that didn't have a bathroom. The book included stories about Donnie and Cookie, what was their response to the book?

Cookie: I was elated to be written about; it's fun to read about yourself. The experience as a fresh air child enriched my life and exposed me to a different way of life. I found that people are really not that different regardless of race or color. I found a new family that I'm still in touch with.

Donnie: Sometimes my ears perked up, but mostly you were very fair and honest about everything. It was pretty equal as to which one of us did what to whom. I notice you didn't put in the time you ratted on me to Dad! I loved that your book brought back so many beautiful memories, memories that only we could share. The last paragraph in the book sums our family up completely.

Is there any advice you can give for today’s children—things to do that don’t require today’s technology?

Read. Don't be afraid to be alone with your thoughts. Get outside and play ball. Go for walks. Ride a bike.

What is the title based on?

My sister played a trick on me. We were walking down a steep hill one day and she said, "Let's play a game." I worshipped my older sister, so if she wanted to play a game with me, I was all for it. She then said, "Close your eyes." I closed my eyes. She said, "Open your mouth." I opened my mouth. What I didn't know, was that there was a worm hanging from a tree in direct line with my mouth. She had seen it and I hadn't. I was spitting out worm for a long time afterwards.

What do you want potential readers to know about your book?

That there was a simpler time in life, before tv, computers, faxes, and cell phones. A time when you could keep your doors unlocked, when kids played outside, when parents were parents and not pals or play date arrangers. That the little events that happen when we are kids help shape who we are as adults.

What are the best and worst parts of being a published author?

The best part is knowing that what was once an idea in my head was given life and grew into a book that people can now hold and read and, hopefully, will make them smile. I haven't found a worst part yet.

What would you like potential readers to know?

That some people actually do have happy childhoods with a stable and loving family. You don't have to live with Mommy Dearest in order to write a book. We all have a book within us. Also, I have a second book out at the moment called "Bumps Along the Way," about a 10,000 mile trip my husband and I took with all its highs (God's exquisite handiwork--Bryce, Zion, Niagara Falls, etc. etc.) and lows (two trips to the hospital, a fishing trip from hell, and a motel from hell). The book is available through www.lulu.com.

Is there a question that you would like to leave up for comments or responses?

Can you relate to some of the events in the book?

What events in your childhood helped to shape who you are as an adult?

Thank you Linda. We are sure that our readers will leave you some comments and respond to your questions. Don't forget that we are giving away up to 2 copies of Linda's book, 1 for each 20 unique comments.

The Big Blog Tour Giveaway

2011-04-14T23:40:00.000-05:00

Begins on April 15 and ends May 15.

To be eligible to win you MUST
*Be a blog FOLLOWER
*Live in the U.S.
*Comment on the author appearances on the DP BLOG.

For this giveaway only posts made on an author visit will count (not other giveaways, calls for submissions, or announcing new anthology releases)

Linda Loegel will be our first author, so the first comment made on her stop will be number 1. We will continue with each new author until we finish the tour on May 15.

We will generate a random number from all the comments received at the end and then use randomizer to pick a number.

We will then count up beginning with the first comment on Linda Loegel’s author page and continuing through each new author, going in order of appearance, until we get to that number.

The more comments that you make the better chance you have of winning.

*Prize-1 winner will get one 1 copy of each of the following books (7 books total)

Urban Falcon
Dakota: A Work In Progress
German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass:
Housing German Prisoners of War in Kentucky, 1942-1946
If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut
Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse
People Poetry (our new poetry collection)
Galley copy of Far Corners
Diversion Press Bag of Books Bag

We will also be giving away single book copies. Visit the Diversion Press blog and comment on an author's stop. We will randomly choose one commentor from each author's stop comments to win that author's book. The same rules as above apply.

Also, you can win only once!

All winners will be announced at the Diversion Press block party on May 15! Good luck!

THE BLOG TOUR IS HERE

2011-04-14T22:42:00.000-05:00

This IS the Diversion Press Event.

It will run from April 15-May 15

What you can expect

*Nearly non-stop hosting, interviews and comments on our blog

*Comments being open on the DP blog 24/7 (with moderation of course)

*Numerous blogs hosting our authors during the stop

*Several new book releases being announced

*Giveaways throughout the 4 weeks

*Several new calls for submissions

*A calendar to help keep track of it all

*Did we mention Giveaways?

What you NEED to do

*Follow our blog, follow our host blogs

*Sign up for the giveaways

*Visit all the stops, comment regularly, check for responses

*Tell friends, family, colleagues, neighbors . . . just tell everyone

*Let’s have FUN!!!

Thanks to everyone who is involved and all of you who will be involved

Sincerely,
The DP TEAM

Speaking of comments, you can start by commenting here

Blog Tour and Diversion Press Event

2011-04-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

We have been very busy organizing the blog tour and Diversion Press Event.

Stay tuned for the final schedule.

If you are interested in hosting an author or reviewing a book during the event, contact us ASAP. We can still fit you into the schedule.

The first giveaway has ended

2011-03-31T21:51:00.000-05:00

Our first giveaway of a copy of If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut has ended.

We used Randomizer.org to generate the winner and that winner was number 3-Terry.

Terry we will contact you to get your address and send you a copy of If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut.

To everyone that entered thank you!

There will be more giveaways very soon, so stay tuned.

Blog Update, Anniversary Event, Blog Tour

2011-03-31T21:40:00.000-05:00

We are hard at work organizing the Diversion Press 3rd Anniversary Event April 15-May 15.

The event will include new calls for submissions, author interviews, book reviews, a Diversion Press wide blog tour, live comments and questions and answers with our authors and editors, four new releases, a book sale, and several giveaways.

Please follow our blog and stay tuned for more details.

If you are a blog host or a book reviewer and would like to take part in this event, please email us as soon as possible so we can schedule you---Diversionpress (AT) yahoo.com

Free Books

2011-03-21T08:33:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to be eligible to win free books you must become a Follower and then follow the directions to enter the giveaways.

Currently we have a copy of Linda Logel's If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut as a giveaway, but other books will be offered soon.

Coming soon is our Anniversary Event (April and May 2011)-we will be giving away copies of our upcoming releases including our new Horror and Poetry Anthology.

Official Release of If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut and FREE BOOKS

2011-03-15T23:02:00.001-05:00

To celebrate our new book If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel we are sponsoring a giveaway.

The rules are simple.

1. You must FOLLOW this blog. We should be able to see your picture or avatar down at the bottom right of our blog.

2. You must COMMENT on the giveaway page telling us what piece of technology has had the most impact in your life and why. Also, point us to which of our FOLLOWERS on the blog that you are.

3. Wait until the deadline is up, we will randomly select one of our FOLLOWERS who posted as the winner.

4. The winner MUST also live in the U.S.

It's that simple, and yes, anyone that has authored a short story, poem, or book is eligible, as are your friends and family, so sign everyone up.

We will give away one book a week for four weeks.

This current giveaway will end on March 22.

Click here to go to the DP Giveaway Page and enter

The Anniversary Event

2011-03-14T23:27:00.000-05:00

The Anniversary Event

Diversion Press will be celebrating its third anniversary and we will be celebrating from April 15 to May 15.

During that period we will be releasing four new books: Visitation Rights by Pamela Laskin; Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino; After Dark: A Collection of Haunting Tales; and People Poetry a new poetry anthology.

We will have pre-release sales and a big sale during that period.

There will be a press wide virtual blog tour featuring many of our authors at our blog and other blogs being interviewed and talking about different aspects of their books and creativity.

There will also be numerous giveaways throughout the month, including copies of most of our books and DP bags, but you must be a FOLLOWER of the blog to be eligible.

More details on this event will be announced soon.
If you have questions or want to host one of our authors for a blog tour stop, please email us at diversionpress
@yahoo.com

People Poetry, our second poetry anthology nears publication date

2011-03-14T23:23:00.000-05:00

People Poetry: A Collection of Poems by People, for People, and Sometimes about People will be published this Spring. This is our second poetry anthology and features dozens of poems from dozens of poets. Besides getting great poetry, this anthology featured no more than one poem per poet.

Just some of the poems that will be in the anthology include:

“My Head” by Anthony Statile
“Planning Ahead” by Ellen Friedman
“Sunday Times” by Amanda Graham
“Addiction” by Johnathan L. Carter
“The Nature of Contradiction” by Pauline Ada Uwakweh

Stay tuned to the blog for more details, release date, and FOLLOW for a chance to win upcoming giveaways.

Wanderland gets reviewed

2011-03-10T11:30:00.000-06:00

Wanderland, by Robert Bresloff, gets a great review on Amazon.com.

Bresloff, the author of several young adult works, according to the review “does it again” and his “attention to detail . . . masterful choice of Chinese quotes . . . all combine to allow us to participate in the action and outcomes of this exciting story.”

See the full review at Amazon.com--follow the link below

http://www.amazon.com/Wanderland-Robert-Bresloff/dp/1935290118/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299778038&sr=1-1
If you have not had a chance to pick up Wanderland, this is a great opportunity to do so. Bresloff does a great job of combining fantasy, adventure, and magic, with history, exploration and Chinese culture.

From the book description:

When the army of the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di had invaded neighboring Annam, Chen, a thirteen year old boy was saved by a mysterious old man as the invading Chinese destroyed his village and killed his family. The old man turned out to be, Master Waan, a Ship's Wizard in the service of the great Chinese admiral Zheng He. Master Waan was on his way to meet the admiral's fleet that was to set sail upon his arrival. Though Chen thought the old man odd, he knew that his only chance for survival-to accompany Master Waan to China. As the wizard's apprentice, Chen sailed with the fleet, a gigantic armada made up of great Chinese Treasure Ships in search of what Chen believed to be magical place referred to only as Wanderland. He soon learned that it was no coincidence Master Waan had appeared at the village just in time to save his life. It was Chen's destiny to find Wanderland.

If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel nears release date and GIVEAWAY copies

2011-03-08T21:24:00.000-06:00

The official release date for If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel approaches. The official date is March 15.

We will be giving away a number of free copies of the book to celebrate its release. In order to be eligible you must FOLLOW our blog. More details are forthcoming soon on this. In the meantime, please pass this along to anyone who may be interested in the book. We will be hosting many more giveaways in the near future.

About If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut:

There was a time, before TV, computers, and Gameboys, when kids in their pajamas would curl up on the floor on a Saturday morning in front of the radio, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, listening spellbound to shows like Let's Pretend. A time when parents were parents and not play date arrangers, taxi drivers, or pals. Kids were expected to find their own entertainment, respect their elders, and enjoy their childhood. Author Linda Loegel and her sister, Donna, grew up in the early 1940s. War may have been ravaging the rest of the world, but in the small peaceful town of Springfield, Vermont, on a little street called Rita Street, they enjoyed life to the fullest. Although it was a time of black-out curtains, ration books, and air raid alerts, the girls were too busy trying to get each other in trouble to pay much attention to world affairs. And when a feisty little black girl from the Bronx was added to the mix as part of the New York Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund, everyone learned something about acceptance. If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut is about the values, love and laughter of one family in one moment of time past. Readers over 55 will be able to relate to the book because it will call up precious memories of their own childhood. Younger readers will be introduced to a much simpler way of life, before television, computers and cell phones.

An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food Gets Reviewed and a GIVEAWAY

2011-03-08T21:17:00.000-06:00

An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food gets reviewed

The website SW Boston Macaroni Kid just reviewed a copy of Adrianne Hunter’s An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food.

From the review “This book was a great resource for me to have as I made shopping lists or went through my refrigerator in the evening to make dinner. When I didn’t have the energy to figure out what combinations of food would be good for Grace, I used Hunter’s book.”

To see the rest of the review click here

http://swboston.macaronikid.com/article/92493/a-mom-friendly-baby-food-cookbook

ALSO, they are giving away their review copy, to find out more details go to the review site, linked above and enter.

Diversion Press Supports Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

2011-03-05T19:01:00.000-06:00

April 9 marks the date for this reading event. We will be cheering along the readers that are participating in this 24 hour activity. During our designated cheering times, we will be giving away books and welcoming our new visitors/followers to the Diversion Press blog. Check out the website below for more information or to sign up. Some of our staff might also attempt to participate in this event. Is there a half read-a-thon?

http://24hourreadathon.com/

An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food is featured on Mom's Website

2011-03-03T21:33:00.000-06:00

Adrianne Hunter's An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food has received great reviews on Amazon and was also featured on the Moms Like Me website. Follow the link below to read all about it. If you know someone who is having a baby or has a baby and would like to choose the very best option for their baby, tell them to check out this easy to follow guide to making baby food. Better yet, buy a copy and give it to them as gift.

Moms Like Me Website

After Dark: A Collection of Haunting Tales

2011-03-01T22:28:00.000-06:00

After Dark: A Collection of Haunting Tales

The much anticipated horror anthology nears its release date. The book will be available this spring and we will announce the exact date on this blog.

It is going to be a great collection, packed with 24 short stories. From the Lovecraftian “The Shadow Over Lynchburg” by Casey Clabough to the lighter fare of Vicky Gilpin’s werewolf complaints “Posted to a Tree.” This anthology has it all, the supernatural, the creepy, and the purported to be true like Terry Weber’s “Monroe Ghost.”

Also included are “Turkey Shoot” by Tom Lavagnino, “The Empty House” by Tony Eccles, “A Friendly Shadow,” by Candace Saunders and “The House With Many Eyes” by N.S. Mariner.

Christa Bergerson, featured in Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse, even provided two scary poems.

This is going to be a great book. It is packed with over 20 short stories.
We can’t wait until the book is released and we hope you will join us by curling up with a copy, but make sure that you check the closets and under the bed before you get too comfortable.

Broomsticks gets a great review

2011-03-01T14:01:00.000-06:00

Recently Broomsticks was reviewed by Martha Ramirez at Bookpleasures.com.

From the review “Broomsticks will take you on an unforgettable, magical journey. It's a children's story about a special friendship and a magic you find in just being yourself. An engaging story guaranteed to charm you.”

Congrats to Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh-Parker.

Thanks to Martha Ramirez and Bookpleasures.com for the review.

See the full reviews here:
Bookpleasures
Martha Ramirez

Antonio Thompson gives talk at WKU and Barnes and Noble on German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass

2011-02-27T12:31:00.001-06:00

Antonio Thompson braved the cold weather and icy roads to make a trip to Bowling Green, KY on February 10, 2011.

He talked as a guest of Western Kentucky University libraries and Barnes and Noble about his book German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass.

After the talk there was a signing.

The link to the WKU Library blog is here: Antonio Thompson speaks on German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass

News News News

2011-02-27T12:19:00.000-06:00

There are a lot of exciting things going on at Diversion Press. Stay tuned to this blog or follow it.

New books are going to be released in March and April.

We are still looking for blogs to host our blog tour, email us at diversionpress @ yahoo.com if you are interested.

We also need reviewers for our books.

Forthcoming: If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel

2011-01-25T16:28:00.000-06:00

A forthcoming release from Diversion Press

If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut

By Linda Loegel

There was a time, before TV, computers, and Gameboys, when kids in their pajamas would curl up on the floor on a Saturday morning in front of the radio, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, listening spellbound to shows like Let's Pretend. A time when parents were parents and not play date arrangers, taxi drivers, or pals. Kids were expected to find their own entertainment, respect their elders, and enjoy their childhood. Author Linda Loegel and her sister, Donna, grew up in the early 1940s. War may have been ravaging the rest of the world, but in the small peaceful town of Springfield, Vermont, on a little street called Rita Street, they enjoyed life to the fullest. Although it was a time of black-out curtains, ration books, and air raid alerts, the girls were too busy trying to get each other in trouble to pay much attention to world affairs. And when a feisty little black girl from the Bronx was added to the mix as part of the New York Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund, everyone learned something about acceptance. If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut is about the values, love and laughter of one family in one moment of time past. Readers over 55 will be able to relate to the book because it will call up precious memories of their own childhood. Younger readers will be introduced to a much simpler way of life, before television, computers and cell phones.

If You Don't Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut

Paperback, 144 pages, $9.95

ISBN: 9781935290179

COMING SOON

Keep an eye on the blog and website for release details

http://www.diversionpress.com/

BLOG TOURS and GUEST BLOGGING

2011-01-23T16:04:00.001-06:00

Diversion Press is seeking Bloggers that would be willing to host our authors and our editors/press for Blog Tours or Guest Blogging.

If you are interested and willing to do so please contact us at diversionpress @ yahoo.com

Additionally, we would be interested in adding content to our blog about writing style, writing life, and all things publishing/writing. If you have an idea send it to us at the above email address.

One Woman's Life and a Special Holiday Surprise

2011-01-21T00:04:00.000-06:00

Irena Praitis, author of One Woman's Life, surprised her grandmother with a copy of her latest book this past December. This might not seem like such a big deal. Most grandmothers love to support their grandchildren, right? What was different about this surprise is the picture on the cover and the words inside. One Woman's Life is the remarkable story of Ona Kartanas (Irena's grandmother) and the cover image shows Ona's smiling face. The picture below, taken by A. Praitis, the author's father, shows Ona discovering her own life story in book form. What a special holiday surprise! Thank you to Irena for sharing this moment with all of us!

Ellabug

2011-01-21T00:02:00.000-06:00

Ellabug by Gregory Turner-Rahmen is a wonderful story about families and diversity. If you haven't picked up a copy of Ellabug yet, follow this link and watch the Ellabug video to see why you and your children will love Ellabug

Reviews and Reviewers Needed

2011-01-19T23:38:00.000-06:00

We are always looking for places and people to review our books.

If you know of a journal, newspaper, or other outlet for a book review or of someone who may be interested in reviewing and placing on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and other online places, please let us know.

One Woman's Life, by Irena Praitis-A New Release by Diversion Press

2011-01-18T22:58:00.000-06:00

One Woman's Life by Irena Praitis is an incredible non-fiction history book that traces the life of Ona Kartanas through the Soviet and Nazi occupation and beyond.

One Woman's Life by Irena Praitis

Ona Kartanas has lived through extraordinary circumstances. Born in Lithuania during World War I she was orphaned at an early age and struggled to find her way in life. She experienced the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania during World War II, was interrogated at gunpoint on more than one occasion, lived in displaced persons camps in Germany after the war, and immigrated to Colombia, South America. Eventually she and her family immigrated to the United States. This book offers a series of prose vignettes that chronicle her story of loss, war, displacement, poverty, and struggle. Ona's life highlights the strength of the human spirit and the human capacity to not only survive, but to triumph.

One Woman's Life, by Irena Praitis
History, Non-Fiction, $17.95
Perfect Bound/Paperback, 230 pages
ISBN: 978-1-935290-15-5
Available NOW

To order contact Diversion Press at diversionpress@yahoo.com or follow the amazon.com link below

Far Corners by Kathleen Bullock

2011-01-18T22:51:00.000-06:00

Far Corners is one of our newest releases. This is an excellent addition to the Diversion Press catalog and to a young adult library.

Far Corners

By Kathleen Bullock

On Christmas Eve, Jan Brooks and her brothers, Matt and Willie, stumble through a portal in time and find themselves transported back to 1747, Colonial Virginia. They meet a ghost who has been haunting their house for well over 260 years. Adventure and danger await the children as they try to reunite the earthbound spirit with the son she once banished – but they only have until midnight to accomplish this mission. If they don’t bring James Danbury back to the Inn before the deadline, the children may be trapped forever in the past. An authentic cast of characters and an historical setting depict the diversity and complexity of Colonial America in the era before the Revolutionary War. As the plot twists, readers can expect some surprises!

Far Corners, by Kathleen Bullock
Young Adult
Paperback, 180 pages, $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-935290-04-9
Available NOW

To order contact Diversion Press at diversionpress@yahoo.com or amazon.com-follow the link: Far Corners

Welcome to 2011

2011-01-18T22:44:00.000-06:00

Yes, it is late, but welcome to 2011

We are going to have a great year at Diversion Press.

Many new books are coming out.

New anthologies will be started.

We will be attending more book fairs.

And we are inviting all of you to submit materials, review our books, and get involved with Diversion Press.

Diversion Press authors keep sending us updates and we will keep posting them.

Bookstores, colleges, academic and community groups, our authors and editors would love to come speak about their work and sign books.

Send us an Email at diversionpress@yahoo.com

Busy Press

2010-12-14T14:07:00.000-06:00

Busy Press

Diversion Press, not yet three years old, also has a busy fall. Diversion Press attended two conventions. The first was the Annual Trigg County Women’s Show Event in November and then we attended sixth annual Festival of Books at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Maysville, Kentucky on Saturday December 11, 2010.

In the last months we released Broomsticks by Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker, Halloween Kentucky Style by Charles Suddeth, Wanderland by Robert Bresloff, and An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food by Adrianne Hunter.

This week we are releasing One Woman’s Life by Irena Pratis and Far Corners by Kathleen Bullock.

We also created a new imprint, Yellow Snow, and Ryan Nemeth, and his book I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here, is the first author on that label.

Finally we have just finished our poetry contest and are putting the book together now, winners will be announced soon. The horror anthology, After Dark: A Collection of Haunting Tales, is also ready for publication. In addition we have two more books nearing their release date, Visitation Rights by Pamela Laskin and If You Don’t Like Worms, Keep Your Mouth Shut by Linda Loegel. All four of these books will be available early in the new year.

Speaking of 2011 . . . we have some more big plans for next year. We are planning even more author and press events. A new focus on both academic books and poetry books—single author poetry books! Throughout 2011 we will also have several new books coming out, including Notary Public Enemy by Tony Iovino, Grounded by Thomas Earl Allen, and a novel by Candace Saunders.

Busy Authors

2010-12-14T14:04:00.000-06:00

Busy Authors

Diversion Press Authors stayed busy this fall with all of their signing and speaking engagements. Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker continue to sell out signings of Broomsticks, Charles Suddeth, author of Halloween Kentucky Style, attended his first book signing, Antonio Thompson gave several lectures and book signings of German Jackboots, and Ryan Nemeth’s I Can Make Out With Any Girl Here makes its mark as one of our best sellers.

JOIN US for the 6th Annual Festival of Books-authors signing-Maysville, Kentucky

2010-12-05T22:49:00.000-06:00

Join us for the 6th Annual Festival of Books, Saturday December 11, 10-3, at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Maysville, Kentucky.

Diversion Press will be in attendance.
We will have table display of our books.
We will have copies of ALL of our books with us.

More importantly-
We will have 4 of our authors there to sign books.

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS PURCHASES

Charles Suddeth will be signing copies of Halloween Kentucky Style
Katie McHugh Parker and Sean McHugh will be signing copies of Broomsticks
and
Antonio Thompson will be signing copies of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German POWs in Kentucky 1942-1946.

We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions please email us at diversionpress@yahoo.com
Keep an eye here on the blog and the website for all the latest developments.

New Release just in time for Halloween, Halloween Kentucky Style by Charles Suddeth

2010-10-24T20:32:00.000-05:00

Halloween Kentucky Style

For Halloween 1959, Mike and Timmy try to trick their cousins, Alice and Rose. The trick is on them when a homeless man and their nine-year-old neighbor team up to give them a Halloween scare that they will never forget.

By Charles Suddeth
ISBN: 978-1-935290-16-2
64 Pages, Paper, Childrens, $9.95

Broomsticks Authors have a Magical Signing

2010-10-23T18:39:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Katie McHugh Parker and Sean McHugh on their magical book signing today! They signed over 150 books at Where Art Thou gallery and even ran out of copies. For those who made it today--enjoy your books. For those who missed it or got there too late, see Katie and Sean on October 30 in Maysville at the museum during Halloween trick-or-treating! Don't miss out on Broomsticks--one of the best treats this Halloween!

Broomsticks Authors Signing Today

2010-10-23T11:54:00.000-05:00

I hope that you didn't miss Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker on WXIX FOX 19 Morning News yesterday!

Fly over to see them today October 23 signing books at Where Art Thou in Maysville, KY 2-4.

Can't make it today?
They will be kicking some magic next week--Saturday, October 30--at KY Gateway Museum Center in Maysville 10 AM - Noon during the Trick-or-Treat at downtown businesses. Stop by, buy a book, and get it signed for your witch fan!

Antonio Thompson, author of German Jackboots, speaks at Senate Chambers in Nashville, TN

2010-10-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Antonio Thompson

Antonio, author of German Jackboots on Kentucky Bluegrass: Housing German POWs in Kentucky, 1942-1946 (Diversion Press, 2008) just had his second book published. The University of Tennessee Press will be releasing Men In German Uniform: Axis POWs in America this month.

On Friday October 8, 2010 Antonio was one of the keynote speakers at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, Tennessee. Antonio lectured at 4 p.m. in the Senate Chambers to a standing room only crowd.

Antonio, who just finished a visiting professorship teaching military history at West Point, is currently working hard on finishing his third book which is under contract with Routledge.

We will sign, read, and introduce ourselves, our press, and authors to your group

2010-10-13T18:39:00.000-05:00

BOOKSTORES, Colleges, Community Groups, High Schools

Our authors and editors would love to come and talk to you about the publishing business, about being a writer, how to submit stories, books, and poems, and sign books. Our press would be happy to set up a display table to sell and showcase our books and talk to you about getting published.

If you are interested, please contact us!

diversionpress@yahoo.com

THE BIG NEWS

2010-10-13T18:36:00.001-05:00

The Big News around here is that we are about to have 4 MORE books coming out:

Broomsticks by Katie McHugh Parker and Sean McHugh

Halloween Kentucky Style by Charles Suddeth

Far Corners by Kathleen Bullock

And

After Dark: A Collection of Haunting Tales our horror anthology with over 20 selections.

KEEP POSTED TO THIS BLOG to learn more.

Interview with Adrianne Hunter about An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food

2010-10-10T16:01:00.001-05:00

We interviewed our newest author Adrianne Hunter about her book An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food.

What inspired you to write this book?

When it was time to start my son on baby food, I did the math in my head and realized how much money it actually was to buy pre-made baby food from the store. I was shocked by how much other ingredients went into them. We were going through a tough time, financially, so I was trying to find any way possible to save us money. After doing a lot of research on the subject, I was very excited to see how much money I could save our family simply by making Will’s food as opposed to buying it pre-made. It was great to know exactly what my baby was eating.

I was the only person amongst my friends or family who made baby food, and I began to get so many questions about it. I thought to myself that perhaps other mothers out there would want this same information. I wanted to share the basic essentials on how to make homemade baby food, a resource I had a hard time finding but wished I had. My goal was to write an easy to follow recipe book with all of my lessons learned and tips in one place.

How hard was it for you to sit down and put together the book?

Writing the book came easy to me because I knew exactly what I wanted to say, but finding the time was difficult because I was working full time and taking care of a rambunctious toddler. I didn’t have much free time, needless to say.

What advice can you give to someone who is thinking about writing a book or is in the process of writing?

To be honest, writing a book was never on my “list of things to do.” But I began to feel a passion for this and felt inspired to write. My advice is to just go with your inspiration and write what you’re passionate about so your writing is truly heartfelt.

Also, I would say to be persistent. It is hard being an unknown, first time author. If you truly want to write and be published, keep on trying and sending your manuscript out to publishers. I think I received several rejections before Diversion Press believed in my book as much as I did.

What can you tell a reader about the book that will make them want to pick up a copy?

This book gives simple, straight-forward instructions on how to make baby food and has all of the wonderful recipes that my son loved to eat. Every other book that I found on this topic went into too many details about science and nutrition and only focused one chapter on baby food with the rest of the book focusing on toddlers. Many websites I searched were very overwhelming to me as a new mother as they had an enormous amount of information to read through. This book is a step-by-step guide providing the essentials on what to make, how to make it, and when to make it as your baby grows with useful tips along the way.

What advice do you have for new (or seasoned) mothers who might be considering making their own baby food?

It’s not as scary as you may think it would be! It’s actually pretty easy as long as you know the basics. Once you have the basics, you can get as fancy as you like or just keep it simple. All you need is a little time and a little knowledge, and the rest is easy. This book will gives all the tools you need without all the extra stuff.

What are your plans/scheduled events where we might meet you and get a signed copy?

Nothing set in stone yet, but I am currently working to get some events scheduled, which I will post to my blog page http://adriannehunter.wordpress.com.

Any other comments that you would like to be included?

It’s been a while since I actually made baby food; my son is now four years old. We just had our second baby, a little girl. I am excited to use my own book as a refresher on how I did it the first time!!

To purchase a copy please follow this link
An Easy Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food

Broomsticks authors to appear on television

2010-10-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

Katie McHugh Parker and Sean McHugh the creators of Broomsticks will appear on WXIX-TV 19 FOX Morning News in Cincinnati on October 22, 2010.

Tune in to watch the interview and of course fly over to their website for additional information www.broomsticksbooks.com