MANA's New Release: "Superstorm Sandy: In the Eyes of the Children" Now Available

Seven months before a tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, Superstorm Sandy destroyed parts of New Jersey and New York on October 29, 2012. Now, a new book has been released that describes the storm from the children's perspective. 

Superstorm Sandy: In the Eyes of the Children, is a collection of essays from children who witnessed the destruction firsthand and felt – and some are still feeling – the devastating affects of the storm. Some residents are just now moving back into their rebuilt homes, while thousands of others are still homeless because their homes cannot be rebuilt or are still under reconstruction. 

In their essays, the children describe what they were doing before the storm hit,  the sights and sounds of the storm, how their homes were lost, and the pain and hearbreak they felt because of the storm. One student asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to "restore the shore." (Update: The Jersey Shore reopened Memorial Date weekend).

While many New York and New Jersey residents are trying to get their lives back on track, the emotional, psychological, and physical scars still remain from the storm, which flooded thousands of homes and caused dozens of death. 

The Bugle Calls

By Captain Adrian D. Massey
(For CPT Terrance Wright,  1LT Jeremy Wolfe, and our Fallen Comrades

Having been a witness at the windows of your soul, where we shared goals, dreams and life stories, 
I listened to you speaking of wanting to marry and have children. 
I watched your silent faith speak volumes. 
Having been even prepared for war, 
no one is prepared to lose a friend and comrade like this. 
Although your journey shortened, 
a Solider's soul never dies.
A flag is folded for you, 
and the bugle's tone vibrates
similar to your spirit in the air; 
it never ceases, always plays.
You are remembered and respected
as I pray for you, having been a witness
at the windows of your soul.
Tears run sharply down my face and theirs, 
my hand goes sharply up,
fingers to the corner of my right brow.
Young paratrooper, you are remembered.

Excerpt from A Solider's Poetic Response: A Slice of His Life. To purchase, visit http://www.marketingnewauthors.com/a-soldiers-poetic.html

Happy Memorial Day from MANA

Top Ten Writing Rules From Famous Writers

Produced by Lyra Communications, this video of the Top Ten Writing Rules from famous writers will inspire your writing and your love for the craft.

May is ALS Awareness Month

May is ALS Awareness month and The ALS Association will mark the month with a call to action to "Create a world without ALS. Speak up now to give hope."

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects a person's nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The ALS Association supports global research and advocacy for those facing the challenges of the disease.

According to its most recent website traffic statistics, The ALS Association finds that more and more people are visiting www.alsa.org looking for information about the disease, its symptoms, diagnoses and treatments. This month, The ALS Association will work to turn that interest into action through an online and social media campaign around the shared vision to create a world without ALS.

"We typically see a spike in our web traffic when someone very visible is connected to ALS," Jane H. Gilbert, President and CEO of The ALS Association, said in a prepared statement. "But those spikes are now built upon a solid stream of daily visitors. During this year's ALS Awareness Month, we want to funnel that interest into action to encourage people to get involved in the fight against this devastating disease."

This year, MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA) is getting involved by committing 10% of most of its sales to The ALS Association. Also, MANA is also using its Sunriser blog to raise awareness of ALS with its MANA Blog Continuing Short Story. For every 20 posts on the MANA Blog Continuing Short Story, MANA will donate $10 to The ALS Association. So, it's not too late to submit your comments to the MANA Blog Continuing Short Story.

Do You Know The Difference Between Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing?

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What You Will Learn From Parenting Books

By Kum Martin 

For many first time parents, the birth of child is truly bewildering. They do not know how to look after the child or what is right or wrong. As the child grows up, the parents are again at a loss how to inculcate values and beliefs into the child. Of course, this is true for all parents. Parenting, most probably, is the most challenging task in the world. So, if a parent can lay his or her hands on a good parenting book, many of the issues can be handled by taking guidance from these resources.

Usually parenting books are written by men and women who are parents themselves. They take their personal experience into consideration and try to present their point of view. Even sociologists and psychologists pen down parenting books. These books are available in a vast number of topics and discuss each one either individually or collectively. Reading these books, parents will be better equipped to handle different parenting situations and also be able to guide their kids towards happiness and righteousness, and become into self-confident individuals.

The books act as a guide and tell parents how important it is for them to spend quality and meaningful time with their kids; how to nurture the parent-kid relationship so that it blossoms; how to encourage kids to give their best in any given situation; and how to handle discipline. At the same time, it is important for parents to use these parenting books as a guideline rather than something that is etched on stone. The books are mere aids that help parents, and parents should be smart enough to realize that they may have to change according to the situation present in their lives. 

Nonetheless, parenting guides offer different parenting situations and you will find practically all situations in these books. So, you will never be at a loss on how to handle things if you read a parenting guide and try and learn from someone else's experience.

Kum Martin is an online leading expert in parenting. He also offers top quality articles like: Autism Alternative Treatments, Down Syndrome Facts

Article Source: What You Will Learn From Parenting Books

Raising An Avid Reader

By Amanda C Smathers 

Pride filled my heart and tears came to my eyes as I walked out of the parent/teacher conference. My three year old is growing up. Her daycare teacher told us that her favorite past time was to sit in the library section of the classroom with her best friend and take turns reading and pretending to be teachers. As a former teacher of eight years, I was delighted that her passion is books and I know this is not by chance.

My husband and I are both avid readers. He reads two magazines a week and I love reading a book or on the iPad before bed. When I was a kid I'd spend hours lost in a book. It would be nothing to spend the entire weekend reading a novel from cover to cover. As an adult, I miss that freedom of reading. I still find time to read but no longer can I forget my responsibilities.

Allow your children to catch you reading a book or magazine. It shows them that you value books and you enjoy reading. They will follow your example. When they are babies read out loud to them the Reader's Digest or your favorite author. Use an upbeat voice and it won't matter if you are reading a children's book or the latest detective novel.

MANA To Hold Publishing Workshops in the Flint, MI area

If you live in the Flint, MI area, and want information on how to become a published author, then consider attending one of two workshops sponsored by MANA.

The first workshop takes place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Pages Bookstore, 132 W. Second St. in Flint. The second workshop is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 15.

The constant changes in today's publishing industry, it is important for authors, especially first-time authors, to choose the best publishing method that will work for them, according to MANA representative Fairy C. Hayes-Scott. 

"Authors need to consider every aspect available to them in the publishing industry," said Hayes-Scott, the featured workshop presenter. "They may benefit from traditional publishing as opposed to self-publishing, depending on the type of work that they had written. Unfortunately, some authors are not aware what they are involving themselves in when they are seeking for a company to publishing their book or when they decide to self-publish their own book. 

While the workshops will focus on writers who want to self-publish, much of the information will apply to those who want a traditional publisher. The workshops will also cover the little discussed issue of “how to sell those books” after they are shipped to the home and packed in a storage area.

Cost: Early Registration (until May 10): $50. After May 10: $75. Registration fee is non-refundable. 

Whatever you want to know about becoming published, these workshops will provide in the information. For more information, contact MANA at info@marketingnewauthors.com or call us at 734-975-0028.

Seeking More Comments For MANA's Blog Continuing Short Story

MANA's Blog Continuing Short Story has been well-received by our readers and we're seeking more comments. Because of the previous contributors, MANA has been able to donate funds to the ALS Association. Thanks to all who have made this possible by contributing to the short story.

The purpose of the Continuing Short Story is not only to offer a venue for readers to show their creativity but also to raise awareness of, and funds for,  the ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects a person's nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The ALS Association supports global research and advocacy for those facing the challenges of the disease. 


In 2013, MANA is committing 10% of most of its sales to the ALS Association. In addition, for every 20 posts on the MANA Blog Continuing Short Story, we will donate $10. 

You can still contribute to the short story, which features the saga of Mallory, Mea and Damon, who are now on the run for their lives in New York City. Mea has just learned that her parents were British operatives working with the Secret Service. Is Damon, the man Mea loves, really the man she believes that he is? Who is he? You can decide by reading the story and writing a continuation to the drama. 

You can contribute as many times as you want. No more than five sentences per post are needed. Of course, more are fine. 

So, start posting today to continue the story!