Picking up where Reviving Ophelia left off sixteen years ago, this book is a contemporary look at the big issues adolescent girls face in the 21st Century, and how a generation of parents is as ill-equipped to deal with them as the daughters themselves.
Nothing since Reviving Ophelia (and the dozens of copycats that came after) has garnered widespread attention or addressed on a large scale the tremendous responsibility and challenges of raising girls. But that was sixteen years ago. When Big Issues Happen to Little Girls (HCI Books– $14.95), provides new help for a whole new generation of parents.
It is not another book on “raising girls,” or the psychology of girls, or of eating disorders, and body issues. We know those are symptoms and coping mechanisms of greater things, and When Big Issues Happen to Little Girls poses the question: Why are our girls not able to cope?
This book answers that question by introducing and explaining the concept that today’s young girls are facing adult-sized issues that are not only beyond their own level of emotional, intellectual, and physical capacities but beyond those of their own parents. The problem is not only that our girls are immersed in adult-sized conflicts, but the adults who love them are ill-equipped to deal with them or help the child deal with them. This is where the main mission of the book comes in and the uniqueness to the market is offered.
When Gen-Xers were growing up their parents were worried about things like kidnappings and how to answer embarrassing questions about oral sex, or about bisexuality or homosexuality, or helping their child deal with divorce. Now, such questions, issues, and rites of passage would be a parental dream!
While they might not have been “ready” to have the sex talk, they were equipped to have it nonetheless. But with issues that have arisen faster than you can say tweet, now grown-up Gen- X parents can’t keep up with the tutorials that are required to stay current and understand what their girls are faced with. They literally don’t know how to handle the new problems or the psychological and emotional repercussions that come with them, how serious they really are, and more important, where to start.
We need new guidelines. Enter Erin A. Munroe, LMHC, who has been counseling adolescents for more than a decade and sees children, adolescents, and families experiencing a range of issues–including trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorders, adjustment disorders, and more. Because her specialty is trauma and anxiety, Munroe is in a unique position to help parents understand how girls cope and react to stressors and adult-sized problems today, so they can be active and effective participants in their daughters’ reality. But what is most valuable is Munroe’s identification of common denominators that can shed light on our girls’ coping styles in a broad sense. Therefore, she is the perfect person to teach parents what to do when, inevitably, big issues happen to little girls.
Erin Munroe, LMHC, is the author of the upcoming From Stressing Out to Chilling Out: The Anxiety Workbook for Girls (Fairview Press, 2010). She is also the author of the newly-published The Everything Guide to Step-parenting: Practical, Reassuring Advice for Creating Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships (Adams Media, 2009, with credited technical reviewer Irene Levine, Ph.D.).
Currently, Erin works as a licensed mental health counselor at the South Boston Community Health Center. She sees children, adolescents, and families experiencing a range of issues—including trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorders, adjustment disorders, and more. Erin’s position at the health center started as a part-time position in their confidential teen clinic, where Erin still provides counseling and support to teenagers struggling with everything from college applications to talking to their parents about pregnancy.
Erin has worked in the mental health field since 2001. She has worked with adolescents in schools as a licensed school guidance counselor and adjustment counselor, and outside of school as a licensed mental health counselor. She dedicated herself to the field after working with a program whose goal was to reunite families whose children had been taken away due to abuse and neglect.
Erin attended Boston University where she earned her graduate degree in mental health counseling and behavioral medicine. As an undergraduate, Erin attended the College of the Holy Cross, where she majored in English and completed significant coursework in deaf studies. Erin also provides trainings in self-care, relaxation, life balance, and identifying and managing mental illness in the classroom.
Available online and at bookstores or to order directly from the publisher, contact: (800) 441-5569 or http://www.hcibooks.com .
With Rise Again (Simon and Schuster), veteran Hollywood writer, artist, and designer Ben Tripp raises the bar for horror and science fiction alike. With an uncertain future ahead of us, Tripp goes for the jugular with a worst-case scenario that is hard to beat.
Tripp’s twenty-year career as an artist, writer, and designer who has worked with major entertainment companies and motion picture studios and traveled the globe has prepared him to both entertain and challenge readers. He is one of the world’s leading public experience conceptualists, with an international portfolio of projects ranging from urban master planning to theme parks. His expertise in crowd dynamics allows a realistic portrayal of what could really happen if the dead rose again!
Vast corporate experience and knowledge gained from diverse career travels culminate in his unique worldview, which offers an unusual balance between entertainment and spectacle. Understanding that entertainment does not necessarily require the sacrifice of quality writing, Ben Tripp keeps thrilled readers turning page after page.
Cory Doctorow, BoingBoing: “…Tripp raises the stakes so high that the book becomes nearly impossible to put down…”
Jessica Moyer, Booklist: “…Tripp’s debut is a thrilling page-turner that will delight fans of zombie fiction and post-apocalyptic stories, including Charlie Huston’s Sleepless and Justin Cronin’s The Passage…”
Harriet Klausner, Alternative Worlds: “…George Romero will love Rise Again… a zombie thriller that would make a terrific action movie due to a strong cast of starring characters… “
Melissa, reviewer at Books & Things:“…The ending is haunting and may keep you awake…”
Rock, Killingboxx:“…Rise Again has much to offer the discriminating horror reader… character development, intelligent detail, and a fast paced story-line that one cannot fathom putting down…”
Starred Review, Library Journal: “…The final sentence takes it to another level…”
Los Angeles Magazine, Reading List Top Pick, October 2010
Lavanya Karthik, Bookpleasures: “…a hero as compelling as they come, all damage and daring, with a strong maternal instinct that keeps her on the trail of an elusive redemption…”
Any New Books? Staff Pick, New Horror
Bookswim Springboard Author Award winner
Amy Phelps, News & Sentinel: “…a great thrill ride of a story…”
There is no telling the chaos that would result from an announcement that someone discovered a formula that would enable us to replace fossil fuels. Every nation would want to get their hands on it – there would be no end to the lengths they would go to in order to get control of the secret that would make them the most powerful nation on earth!
No Urn for the Ashes (Bayfire Press Publishing) is an outstanding novel by Alison Sawyer Current. It is the perfect blend of adventure, thrills, compassion and grief, and the author’s choice of her dynamic characters reflects an incredible insight into human nature.
Tennyson Garland is the genius behind the discovery of this formula and he knew he must keep it a secret. After this brilliant scientist and his young daughter tragically die in a fire at their isolated mountain cabin, his widow realizes there are evil forces at work that will stop at nothing to control the world with this discovery. Eight years pass and Taylor is in the midst of a failing marriage, still suffering the loss of her first husband and child, and finds herself having to deal with the past once again. She gets caught up in the treachery of Kevin Levine, the former colleague of her first husband who was always left behind in the wake of Tennyson’s brilliance. The drama that follows leads her to believe that her daughter may actually be alive!
In this suspense-filled, page-turning story readers get transported to Nicaragua and on to Mexico when a new struggle arises – with the prize being the greatest discovery of modern times. We follow Taylor in her search for her long-lost child as she deals not only with the past, but with the return of her absent father who is tortured by his own demons, and the mysterious stranger who was hired by him but who may represent an even greater threat than even Levine’s insatiable ambition for control! Readers share Taylor’s warm relationship with Ruby, her dearest friend and most intimate confidant, and the uneasy and emotion-packed truce with Patricia, the mother by adoption of a girl named Emma – who may well turn out to be Taylor’s long-lost child, Rebecca.
No Urn for the Ashes is action-packed to the very end. For more information on either the book or its creative author, please visit Bay Fire Press
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TIP SHEET:
Midwest Book Review: “Unlocking the key to a discovery, which could potentially change the world, has its downside. Taylor loses her husband … and her daughter in a bizarre fire. Now eight years later as her second marriage is dissolving, Kevin, who was Taylor’s former colleague …surfaces and sparks the almost unimaginable: Taylor’s daughter may not be dead after all and her husband did not accidentally die, he was murdered. As all the plots unfold readers bear witness to Taylor’s emotional journey as she attempts to make sense of her past and how to deal with the dilemmas of the present. In this brilliant novel, author Alison Sawyer Current will delight mystery readers and those who enjoy moving character studies.”
Anita Finley, Boomer Magazine: “This is a compassionate, heart-rending tale of loss, grief, and hope set against the backdrop of a struggle to control the fate of the world’s future. No Urn for the Ashes offers a unique blend of adventure and psychological insight.”
Dr. Alan Beck is a practicing physician and the author of A Faithful Proposal (IGI Publishing), a hilarious read from beginning to end that exemplifies his personal frustration over the lack of common sense in our world today. It is a fast and fun read, laced with dark humor, that is a much-needed tonic for the general public who need to ‘take a break’ from the harsh reality of unemployment, healthcare, corrupt elected officials, global warming – any one of the issues facing them in this complex world we live in.
The star of A Faithful Proposal is Brooks McRump, ex-CEO of Bonanza insurance companies, who sets his sights on taking over all religions. He joins forces with retired psychiatrist and his former COO, Steve Kopfklopper, and they use the internet in a bid to revolutionize religions in order to acquire them all. They go so far as to hold Religious Idol contents and tackily advertise the number of prayers transmitted on gleaming white arches of a sports stadium. At Faith Mountain guests get an education and a ‘virtual tour’ of religious history that comes compete with a parachute ride down the mountain to Heaven and Hell, where they meet founders of all religions and witness historical moments in religious history.
Luring high profile religious leaders to their ranks with ‘executive perks’ increases the number of new centers and attracts media attention, that results in a live interview with Larry King. Along the way, they recruit Rifle Rae Virgin as a new leader, who succeeds in uniting the newer faith counselors in testing the souls of the founding fathers of Faith America. When the founders become obsessed with their own success and this causes envy to surface among the counselors, they get wined and dined in Florida as a means to placate them and bring everyone back together. While in Florida they meet a fascinating old Indian Chief named Big Bear who shares many surprising visions with them. Impervious to the corporate giants, fate ultimately descends to restrain the greed and ambitions of the Faith America Board who undergo a revival, and true faith and family values emerge at the end to save the day!
Dr. Beck’s novel blends compelling messages with comical wit, and his description of his novel as ‘A manic ride through the irritable bowels of our healthcare system, with a darkly funny descent into the sclerotic heart of contemporary religions, and a Prozac-induced mock homage to corporate and individual greed’ says it perfectly! Please visit this creative writer’s website at www.afaithfulproposal.com.
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TIP SHEET:
Charles Ashbacher wrote a five star review for Amazon entitled “Subtle, intelligent satire of a great many things:’ “If you can think of an incongruity of modern life not lampooned in this book then you probably were not paying close enough attention… Using puns, wordplay and slightly veiled references, the author has created a very amusing story. The premise is that Brooks McRump, a disgraced former CEO of an insurance company, is looking for other green pastures…he decides to create a massive corporate organization that will enfold all the major religions. With his associates, McRump plans to create a giant religious theme park where his organization can merge and acquire all religions. There is the segment where J. C., an old pro from Plains, Georgia appears…hears them in Heaven and yells back at them with a Southern twang to follow the yellow slick road…eating peanuts constantly, continuously passing heavenly wind, and quotes loudly from the Bible. J. C. is of course former American president Jimmy Carter…and when a ship with passengers runs aground…two rescue boats, Bailout #1 and the Stimulus Package, rush out to help the passengers…This is great stuff, although there will be many people that would take offense at some aspect of the satire, at least the parts that refer to what they believe.”
After collecting literally hundreds of vintage tales of Hollywood legends over the years, Stephen Schochet not only wrote a book that everyone could enjoy on the glamorous, and not so glamorous, stories of Hollywood icons, but also created audiobooks. As explained in an interview with Reuters, this entrepreneur told two kinds of stories on his tour bus; origin stories – telling how things we take for granted came to be, and funny anecdotes. He not only read a lot of books to find his material, but also tried to meet people who were connected to the famous – like housekeepers – that he could garner some tidbits from! His book is a special blend of biography, history and legends and covers scandalous yarns on some of Hollywood’s greatest characters – from Shirley Temple and Lucille Ball to Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney and Michael Jackson.
Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies! (Hollywood Publishing) is packed with wild and wonderful short tales on many famous stars, movies and directors – anyone who has been a part of the world’s most fascinating and unpredictable industry!
Schochet is also the author and narrator of two audiobooks. The first is Tales of Hollywood which started as a way to highlight the origins of how famous things in Hollywood began, combined with humorous tales about the stars – for which he masterfully provided background music and sound effects to add realism. The second project, Fascinating Walt Disney, was a huge hit – telling stories of how Walt created Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, Snow White and all his endearing characters, causing the host of one radio show to dub Schochet ‘The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard.’
The author covers the gamut when it comes to situational stories; from the one about a bus full of tourists at Universal Studies who were viewing the famous motel from the movie Psycho and who screamed in terror as a tall man, dressed in drag, carrying a large knife and looking remarkably like Norman Bates, charged the tram with a convincing maniacal expression– only to find out it was actor Jim Carrey having some fun – to the story of how Walt Disney overprotected his two daughters from the limelight in fear of their being kidnapped, to the point that when one daughter found out from a classmate that her father was THE Walt Disney, she went home and asked for his autograph!
Hollywood Stories truly has something for everyone. It is a thoroughly entertaining book that features a remarkable cast of Hollywood’s legendary characters and icons and is jam-packed with surprising and funny tales with often unpredictable endings. No matter which page the book is opened on, there will be some fascinating part of Hollywood history to be savored!
Stephen Schochet is willing to do in-studio interviews as well as on location at famous Hollywood sights, such as Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Chateau Marmont Hotel, etc.; places that will serve as the perfect backdrop to some of his best stories.
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TIP SHEET:
Jan Wahl, KRON TV San Francisco: “A wild, fun ride through Tinsel Town, past and present!”
The Midwest Book Review:“Hollywood Stories is packed from cover to cover with fascinating tales.”
Tim Sika, Host of the radio show Celluloid dreams on KSJS in San Jose: “The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard.”
Understanding that all great artists never get the recognition or reward their craft deserves was the inspiration for Lisa A. Miles to write This Fantastic Struggle: The Life & Art of Esther Phillips. This biography but unique cultural essay creatively weaves together a fascinating, multi-faceted story from graphic long-hand letters, interviews with aging bohemians and from art work– giving readers an absorbing glimpse at just what it means to be an artist.
Raised in Pittsburgh by a family that could not appreciate her artistic identity, Esther Phillips headed to Greenwich Village in the 1930s and never looked back. Though she achieved early critical success, she would find herself institutionalized for over six years as a result of starvation and stress; fortunately, correspondence with close friends kept her art alive. When she returned to the Village, her struggles continued and she gradually fades into obscurity once again– but not before stating she lived the best possible life. This Fantastic Struggle is a remarkable story written to educate and captivate general audience.
Lisa A. Miles’ Resurrecting Allegheny City: The Land, Structures & People of Pittsburgh’s North Side was sponsored by the PA Historic & Museum Commission and tells the tale of Allegheny City, forcibly annexed by the City of Pittsburgh one hundred years ago. Allegheny’s identity remains indelible to land owners today, and Lisa paints a portrait of a place from earliest time through modern transformation– connecting the history of this lost city to the work of every current resident, employer and visitor. Resurrecting Allegheny City was written to educate and entertain general audience of ways to stimulate their communities via history.
Lisa Miles has been interviewed on NPR and East Coast radio, as well as television across Pennsylvania. Besides being a highly praised author, she is also sought-after as a teacher and keynote speaker on a variety of cross-disciplinary creative and entrepreneurial topics.
Especially unique is that Lisa Miles is also a musician and conceptual artist who writes original music with classical and punk influences. She composes and performs on acoustic/electric violin and mandolin, collaborating with film, theater and movement artists. Her music, as well as performance piece Presence (on ‘finding authentic self’) are heard and viewed on her site. Lisa has gotten funding from Meet the Composer and the Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music and looks forward to her national upcoming release on the PARMA recording label.
Please visit Lisa’s website at www.lisamilesviolin.com to learn more about her body of interconnected work. She is an extremely talented woman who would make for an engaging interview!
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TIP SHEET: On This Fantastic Struggle:
Robert Henkes, author of American Women Painters of the 30’s and 40’s: “A remarkable book…both educational and provocative…(it) will arouse attention.”
On Resurrecting Allegheny:
Jerry Ellis, PA State Archives: “What is true of personal papers is equally true of those of a community…Miles has opened the trunk…like papers in the attic, (it) resurrects this partly forgotten city, progressive in its era, and deserved of remembrance.”
On Lisa’s Original Music:
Bill O’Driscoll, Pittsburgh City Paper: “Original compositions for solo electric violin and mandolin [that are] ‘intense, edgy and ethereal’… drawing on both indie-rock and classical influences…, [they’ll] send your night off on a different tack.”
Anne LeBaron:“Compositions inventive and richly textured… Lisa possesses the motivation and energy to continually realize her visions.”
Written and directed by David Sebastian Bach, who has over half a century of experience in show business, Pageants Can Be Murder provides a unique forum for audiences and cast to mingle. Taking place (Tuesday through Saturday) at the Alexis Park Resort, 375 E. Harmon in Las Vegas, NV, Pageants Can Be Murder stuns us with a bevy of gorgeous women, a world-class international cast and a four-course gourmet meal, all to overwhelm the senses of theatergoers in a lethally hilarious and family-friendly production.
Pageants Can Be Murder takes the audience on the ride of their life with non-stop, side-splitting laughter, delicious food, beautiful women, and an unsolved mystery that tantalizes the imagination the minute the theater lights are dimmed.
The antics of this unbelievably talented and sexy cast of outrageously funny characters thrill audiences and leave them in stitches. According to Bach, there are a number of elements that set this production apart from anything else that has ever been staged in Vegas. Jeffrey has appeared on numerous radio shows across the nation including Lorri Allen on Family Net Atlanta, Joey Reynolds on WOR New York, Bulldog and the Dude in Ocean City, Rhett Palmer on WZTA Vero Beach, Ray Read on KCMO Kansas City, Phyllis Hall on KXLO Lewistown, Larry Steele on WPUL Daytona Beach, John Cohn on WSBC Chicago, Frankie Boyer on WXBR Boston, Reverend Hudson on WJSS Baltimore, Harry Douglas on the Horne Radio Network and Jason Spiess on KFGO Fargo.
Jeffrey Taylor is the founder of Jeffrey Taylor Group, a holding company for Jeffrey’s various operating businesses. For more information please visit: http://jeffreytaylorpressroom.com
