Ascot Media Group Blog
Welcome to the Ascot Media Group BLOG! Visit our main website at www.ascotmedia.com

Posts Tagged ‘memoir’

Outrageous Tales of the Human Experience Provide Perfect Escape

Outrageous Tales of the Human Experience Provide Perfect Escape

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From a high-speed chase to winning the lottery to marrying a psychopath, TC Blackwell holds nothing back in Hypothetically The Craziest Sh%T I’ve Ever Done!?!, her bumpy ride down a memory lane pockmarked by unexpected — and often extraordinary — circumstances.

“Imagine if you compiled every story that made your friends say, ‘No way,’ or, ‘I’d have to see it to believe it,’” Blackwell said.

Hypothetically is for anyone with embarrassing stories locked away in a dark closet who just wants to laugh at someone else’s misfortune for a change, she added.

“This laugh out loud memoir is for everyone who wished life came with an instruction manual. If you come across one, will you share it?” Blackwell joked.

Stranger than fiction but seemingly too outrageous to be real, Hypothetically immerses readers in Blackwell’s entertaining (if sometimes highly stressful) life. Along the way, she offers words of wisdom to help others dodge similar unfortunate circumstances. Ultimately, her tales serve as potent reminders that everyone has skeletons in their closets.

“Are you too self-conscious to share your past humiliations? Even … hypothetically?” Blackwell asked. “If so, this book is for you!”

About the Author

TC Blackwell specializes in crafting funny adventures with a heaping dose of romance. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice and shares an incredibly unique passion for helping young adults bridge the literacy gap.

She is a fitness guru and lives in Minnesota. In theory she is working on her next novel. In reality she is possibly at the local gym or watching a comedy movie.

For more information, please visit www.tcblackwell.com, or connect with the author on Instagram (t.c.blackwell), Facebook (tcblackwellauthor) and Twitter (@tcblackwell1).

Hypothetically The Craziest Sh%t I’ve Ever Done!?!
Publisher: Black Gravity Press
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8697391525
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and many other online retailers

Trish Stevens
Sandy Chapman
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Learn How to Overcome Introverted Tendencies and Thrive in the Workplace

Learn How to Overcome Introverted Tendencies and Thrive in the Workplace

(This press release may be reprinted in part or in entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To thrive in any industry where success hinges heavily on the ability to build relationships, business professionals must know how to navigate large networking events, start conversations, cultivate connections and grow their reach — all of which can sound overwhelming, if not impossible, for those who are shy or introverted.

Despite struggling with crippling shyness for most of her life, Monica Parkin is a successful entrepreneur and keynote speaker who has a wide circle of friends and business associates. How did a self-described socially awkward introvert become such a people person?

“Well, the answer is that you can evolve,” Parkin says. “I was making myself crazy with all the social cues I did not understand and wondered why this comes so naturally to some people but was so impossibly hard for me. Today, I love the opportunity to go to events, meet people, hear people’s stories and build relationships. I can have the best of both worlds now, and so can you.”

To help others overcome anxiety in both their professional and personal lives, Parkin shares her refreshingly relatable, actionable approach in her ground-breaking new book, Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales.

Part memoir, part instruction guide, Overcoming Awkward reveals Parkin’s private struggles, shared with candid honesty and vulnerability. Her “one step at a time” approach, punctuated with personal anecdotes and humor, is easy to follow and implement.

In Overcoming Awkward, readers will learn:

  • How to overcome social fears;
  • How to build relationships effortlessly;
  • Effective social media marketing;
  • How to sow seeds for organic growth;
  • How to win over angry clients;
  • How to expand their comfort zone;
  • The value of expert mentorship;
  • And so much more.

“This is the definitive guide you’ve been waiting for,” Parkin adds. “Gone is the advice to introverts that they must learn to take on a persona that is light years away from who they really are. You will finally be free to just be you and will discover that your vibe attracts your tribe.”

Monica Parkin is a licensed mortgage broker and successful serial entrepreneur. She is an award-winning international speaker and the host of the Juggling without Balls podcast. She is also a self-professed introvert and crazy goat lady who lives on a small farm with an assortment of furry creatures. She loves to hear feedback from readers and looks forward to opportunities to speak on topics that empower others to feel more connected, confident and successful.

For more information, please visit https://www.monicaparkin.ca/.

Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8773835998
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and Goodreads

Trish Stevens
Michelle Collins
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Overcoming Awkward Aims to Help Introverts Thrive in the Workplace

Overcoming Awkward Aims to Help Introverts Thrive in the Workplace

(This press release may be reprinted in part or in entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Some people are electrified by the idea of business networking events, cold-calling and striking up conversations with total strangers. But for introverts, new people, new places and new challenges can trigger a knee-jerk reaction to run and hide.

To thrive in any industry where success hinges heavily on an ability to build relationships, an introvert must break free from crippling shyness and social anxiety. Here to help is bona fide introvert master marketer Monica Parkin.

In her ground-breaking new book, Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales, Parkin shares actionable strategies to create connections, build relationships, and establish loyal, repeat customers.

“How did a shy, socially awkward introvert like me turn into a master relationship builder?” Parkin asks. “Well, the answer is that you can evolve. … I was making myself crazy with all the social cues I did not understand and wondered why this comes so naturally to some people but was so impossibly hard for me. Today, I love the opportunity to go to events, meet people, hear people’s stories and build relationships. I can have the best of both worlds now, and so can you.”

Part memoir, part instruction guide, Overcoming Awkward reveals Parkin’s private struggles, shared with candid honesty and vulnerability. Her “one step at a time” approach, punctuated with personal anecdotes and humor, is easy to follow and implement.

In Overcoming Awkward, readers will learn:

  • How to overcome social fears;
  • How to build relationships effortlessly;
  • Effective social media marketing;
  • How to sow seeds for organic growth;
  • How to win over angry clients;
  • How to expand their comfort zone;
  • The value of expert mentorship;
  • And so much more.

“This is the definitive guide you’ve been waiting for,” Parkin adds. “Gone is the advice to introverts that they must learn to take on a persona that is light years away from who they really are. You will finally be free to just be you and will discover that your vibe attracts your tribe.”

Monica Parkin is a licensed mortgage broker and successful serial entrepreneur. She is an award-winning international speaker and the host of the Juggling without Balls podcast. She is also a self-professed introvert and crazy goat lady who lives on a small farm with an assortment of furry creatures. She loves to hear feedback from readers and looks forward to opportunities to speak on topics that empower others to feel more connected, confident and successful.

For more information, please visit https://www.monicaparkin.ca/.

Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8773835998
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and Goodreads

Trish Stevens
Andrea Harding
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Faith Journey Includes the Good, the Bad and the Proof that God Hears Our Prayers

Faith Journey Includes the Good, the Bad and the Proof that God Hears Our Prayers

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christine Schat sat down and wrote the truth about her life even though some of it was messy. As a teenager, she lived by her own rules, became pregnant, married young, divorced and married again. She made choices that led to the tragic death of her husband and the heartbreak of a prodigal son. She had welcomed Jesus into her life at an early age, but had repeatedly veered off course. Every time she repented, she found God’s forgiveness and mercy to be always available, always complete. This is her compelling story.

The Tree of Faith, God Wants to Answer YOUR Prayer is Schat’s deeply personal memoir recounting true stories that range from dealing with regret to letting go of guilt and letting go of shame. There were many life events that prompted Schat to seek God’s will and to ask for His help. Did God always show up in exactly the way she expected Him to? No. Were her prayers answered as quickly as she’d hoped? No. But ultimately, she recognized the constant thread of God’s love that was woven throughout her life despite her sins.

Schat’s style is easy and conversational, and laced with touches of humor. She shares the moments, thoughts and experiences that led her to a most astonishing realization in the face of adversity.

She discovered that the seed of faith planted in her at birth by the Creator could grow easily in the healthy soil of a humble heart. By spiritually cultivating that seed with life-giving prayer and sonshine, her small seedling grew into a magnificently strong, fruit-bearing tree of faith, deeply rooted and stable. She then knew, that living with Christ, everything is possible.

In The Tree of Faith, readers will discover the age-old secret to obliterating fear, guilt and shame; the personal way God answers questions; strength through adversity and the power of letting go; the unique key to turning life around; and the growing faith that looks past the impossible. Along the way, readers are invited to get involved through chapter questions.

Schat shares the good and the bad of her faith journey, with personal stories and a wealth of wisdom gleaned over decades that can give readers hope that God hears their prayers.

“Now is the time to look to the Light, renew your faith and expect God to answer your prayers!” Schat said.

Author Christine Schat is a UCLA graduate and the former owner of Fort Bragg Bakery. She loves to smile, laugh and share her stories. She currently lives in Southern California but loves to travel the country visiting family and friends. She is especially fond of her grandchildren and has been nicknamed Gram-cracker. But her greatest joy is experiencing God’s answered prayers.

The Tree of Faith, God Wants to Answer YOUR Prayer
Publisher: Made for More Enterprises, LLC
ISBN-13: ‎979-8735214540
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Emily Tucker
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Renowned Photographer and Teacher Reveals Life-Threatening — and Life-Changing — Ordeals

Renowned Photographer and Teacher Reveals Life-Threatening — and Life-Changing — Ordeals

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deanne Burch made her mark as an internationally renowned photographer who taught and lectured through the United States and Canada, but few know that during her younger days, she survived an ordeal that changed her life forever. She decided to tell the whole story in a new memoir, Journey Through Fire and Ice: Shattered Dreams Above the Arctic Circle.

At the age of 23, Burch accompanied her husband, Ernest “Tiger” Burch, to the Inuit village of Kivalina, Alaska, a barrier island 23 miles above the Arctic Circle. Tiger was conducting a study of the natives, but Deanne, a naïve city girl, was completely unprepared for what she was about to experience.

In Kivalina, she lived on the edge of two worlds — the one she left behind and the one where she reluctantly participated in all aspects of the women’s lives. Skinning seals, cleaning and drying fish, and cutting beluga and caribou to store became her way of life. Plumbing, running water and electricity were not available. Loneliness was a constant companion until a few women befriended her.

During a span of six days, Deanne and Tiger narrowly escaped death during a camping trip, and Tiger suffered severe burns from a fire in their house. He spent three months in the hospital receiving treatment for seared lungs and horrific burns on his face and hands. His lungs never recovered from this ordeal.

When he was finally released from the hospital, he returned to the village with Deanne to complete the study. The life-threatening and harrowing experiences in Alaska transformed Deanne into a woman of strength who learned how to embrace challenge.

Over 50 years later, she remembers that young girl who left on an unknown journey that will live in her heart forever.

Author Deanne Burch was born and raised in Canada and attended the University of Toronto, obtaining B.A. degrees in liberal arts and social work. After the Alaska journey, she and her husband eventually settled in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, where they lived until his death.

Deanne spent 30 years as a professional international photographer who taught and lectured in the U.S. and Canada. She published several articles in photography magazines and journals. Since retiring in 2014, she devoted herself to writing short stories and children’s stories. Journey Through Fire and Ice: Shattered Dreams Above the Arctic Circle was published in March 2021.

For more information, please visit www.Deanneburch.com.

Journey Through Fire and Ice: Shattered Dreams Above the Arctic Circle
Publisher: Authority Publishing
ISBN-10: ‏1949642593
ISBN-13: ‎978-1949642599
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Jean Lungren
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Make Big Things Happen: Find Your ‘Yes’

Make Big Things Happen: Find Your ‘Yes’

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Marie Pizano is an example of how you can overcome challenges to live with passion and purpose, and realize your ambitions. Her story can help empower and motivate others to find their Yes.” — Jack Canfield, Award-winning Author and Life Coach

Marie Pizano was once told that she makes coffee nervous, and for good reason. She has a bottomless well of energy that propels her forward no matter what forces are at work to hold her back.

“I’m generally prepared to jump off the cliff — with my stilettos on — and land on solid ground before I take off and go,” she says in her inspirational memoir, From Barefoot to Stilettos: Finding My Yes.

Her story is one of a woman who seeks purpose-driven endeavors that create change and redefine expectations. As the CEO and founder of MVP3 Entertainment Group, she used her expansive vision to launch a groundbreaking multipurpose complex in Memphis by partnering with Darnell Stitts of ATWEC Technologies to form MVP3 Studios & Partners, LLC. She also partnered with Melissa Harville-Lebron, the first African-American woman to own a NASCAR team, and they are joining forces for the upcoming NASCAR series.

But she is not all-business. She is also an impassioned community activist who spent the better part of 2020 advocating for a Tennessee amendment requiring divorcing parents to become educated on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — before being granted a divorce.

Giving back to the community and empowering others to rise up have been her driving forces since she could afford her first pair of stilettos. Finding My Yes is Pizano’s way of sharing the trials she endured and the triumphs she celebrated through humorous and heartfelt vignettes that elucidate simple but powerful life lessons. Ultimately, she hopes to encourage readers to ignore the haters, bolster their moral backbones, and ultimately, find their own “yes.”

“I believe that the universe gives back what you put out there, but I also believe that no matter how positive you are or how much you mediate or pray, some things are just out of your control,” Pizano says. “Sometimes things just happen, and sometimes life is just not fair. Regardless, you cannot give up.”

About the Author
Born and raised in Chicago, Marie Valentina Pizano moved to Memphis in 1999. She has served on the boards of the International Children’s Foundation, the Women’s Foundation for Greater Memphis and The Commission on Missing & Exploited Children. She was co-founder of the Tiara Tea Society, chairperson for Go Red for Women and created “ROCK FOR HOPE” for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

She is a devoted mother of two and very passionate about film, music and community. The author, producer, radio/TV host and speaker is building her life and her company, MVP3 Entertainment Group, on truth and integrity.

From Barefoot to Stilettos is being made into a TV series, with Karyme Lozano (best known as an award-winning actress from Mexico) on board as writer. Pizano donates 10 percent of her book sales to charities that raise awareness and funding for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking: Amanda’s Way (www.AmandasWay.org) and Thistle & Bee (www.ThistleandBee.org); and she is working with www.Rotary-FYI.com to educate the public on ACEs.

For more information, visit http://mariepizano.com/ or www.FromBarefootToStilettos.com.

From Barefoot to Stilettos, Finding My Yes
Publisher: WaterSide Publishing
ISBN-10: 194763755X
ISBN-13: 978-1947637559
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Teresa Hinojosa
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
832.569.5773 Direct
281.333.3507 Phone
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

To Live or Maybe Not Takes Readers On Adventurous Ride With Musician Gary Revel

To Live or Maybe Not Takes Readers On Adventurous Ride With Musician Gary Revel

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Musician and historian Gary Revel fully expects readers to say, “No way this could be true,” as they peruse the pages of his colorful memoir, To Live or Maybe Not.

“Don’t worry, I feel the same way when I remember some things I have done in my life,” he quips in the book’s prologue.

Part coming-of-age and part adventurous road trip, To Live or Maybe Not begins in Florala, Alabama, near the Florida state line in 1949. Readers who experienced the nomadic, hippie culture of the ’60s and ’70s will be overcome with nostalgia, as Revel takes a long, winding stroll down a memory lane paved with colorful characters and unforgettable situations. We follow Revel through his unusual upbringing, his high school days and his US Navy service during Vietnam.

Most people associate Revel with his accomplishments in the music industry, and it was after his honorable discharge from the Navy that he found himself in Hollywood, California, where his music career blossomed. He eventually traveled back across the country to New York City, Memphis and Nashville. Revel includes entertaining anecdotes from his music career and his pivot toward family life before his life took yet another turn and he began his investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

To Live or Maybe Not leaves off with Revel and his family back in Hollywood. It’s the end of the book but the beginning of more adventures and books to come.

Author Gary Revel was born in Florala, Alabama. After his parents divorced when he was just 5, music became a trusted companion, and he formed his first band when he was 15. After a long career in music, Revel found himself investigating the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in association with the US Government’s House Select Committee on Assassinations. Revel continues to release and distribute music via his Jongleur Music company as well as develop motion pictures via his Jongleur Pictures company. He is also the author of My Angel from Heaven, Milestones, Grempk and Don’t Stop Dancing: Stranger Than Fiction, his investigation into the life of Michael Jackson.

For more information, please visit http://garyrevel.com/.

To Live or Maybe Not
Publisher: Jongleur Books
ISBN-13: 978-1097923304
ISBN-10: 1097923304
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Julie Vaughn
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone
800.854.2207 Fax

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail