Dropping In

Her Lovage titles alone are so mouthwatering you just have to read them napkin in hand: A Diary: Marta's Fish Tacos; Metta, the Forest Through the Trees, Tarajia's Paris List; La Favorita, Sicilia; José Ignacio & Garzón, a guide; Last Supper – Shad Roe and much more. You'll surrender your pages, shut your laptop, and run to pack upon perusing Tarajia's travelogues: Men’s Journal, January 2018: West Texas Swing; Monocle Hotel Book: Hotel du Cap Eden Roc—the hotel as artist's studio; Food & Wine Magazine, July 2017: The Capri, Marfa; WSJ. Magazine, September 2017: Les Grands Verres Opens at Palais de Tokyo, Paris; T Magazine: In Marfa, Eating the Ancient Way; WSJ. Magazine, April 2016, The Iñaki Effect, Troutbeck 2020 Gift Guide, Departures: Two British Columbian Properties Emphasize Conservation, Departures, July 2019: Galleria Vik Milano; Departures: St. Regis Rome, Casting Light on a New Era, among other limitless and tantalising destinations. And of course, dining deliciously as a way of life occupies great mental, emotional, and creative space, not to mention social consciousness, thus; Soul of New York; PHAIDON Today's Special: 20 Leading Chefs Choose 100 Emerging Chefs, and future titles. You get the picture. If you want to keep a toe on the pulse of authentic lifestyle--at the intersection of climate awareness and palettes, daring do and wondrous adventures, Drop In with us as we speak with Tarajia Morrell, writer extraordinaire, mom of Viva, daughter to gustatory & oenological connoisseurs, friend to wine folk, farmers, growers, and cooks everywhere.

New York Times Bestseller will drop in with us to talk about the making of Fly Girl An entertaining and fascinating memoir of “gifted storyteller” (People) Ann Hood’s adventurous years as a TWA flight attendant named one of Spring 2022's Most Anticipated Books by Apple Books In 1978, in the tailwind of the Golden Age of air travel, flight attendants were the epitome of glamor and sophistication. Fresh out of college and hungry to experience the world, Ann Hood joined their ranks. She carved chateaubriand in the first-class cabin, found romance on layovers in London and Lisbon, and walked more than a million miles in high heels, smiling as she served thousands of passengers. She flew through the start of deregulation, an oil crisis, massive furloughs, and a labor strike. As the airline industry changed around her, Hood began to write—even drafting snatches of her first novel from the jump-seat. She reveals how the job empowered her, despite its roots in sexist standards. Packed with funny, moving, and shocking stories of life as a flight attendant, Fly Girl captures the nostalgia and magic of air travel at its height, and the thrill that remains with every takeoff. ? Flying into a bookstore near you on May 3rd, 2022! Pick up a copy and learn from a master how it's done. Ann will speak about publishing her memoir, revisiting memories, and how the airline industry changed not just itself, but her, into a self-confident, uber competent woman during the 1970's and to this day, informs her writing, her book tours and herself.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a website media business with affiliates to enhance our service to visitors. It is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Their goal is to offer assistance and guidance. IWSG wants to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support. Alex J. Cavanaugh, the founder, noticed a lot of blog posts from writers mentioning their doubts, concerns, and lack of confidence. He also saw the positive replies they received and realized that the writing community offered an abundance of support. Writers want to see other writers succeed, which is how he came up with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. This group would act as a form of therapy, letting writers post about situations where they need encouragement, or to offer words of encouragement to others if they have experience. On September 7, 2011, Alex launched the monthly blog posting of the IWSG and it has been going strong ever since. On the first Wednesday of every month IWSG shares thoughts about writing on our blogs. We also have an optional monthly question to assist with member's posts, which can be found on the Sign-Up page. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group has grown since conception. Over 150 people are a part of the blogging community that posts on the first Wednesday of every month, known as IWSG Day. The group has expanded beyond blogging into other forms. It has a Facebook Group with 4800+ members. Our free monthly newsletter, which has featured industry experts like Jane Friedman and Sandra Beckwith, has 600+ subscribers.We are on Instagram, Twitter, and it also has a Book Club. IWSG offers a free guide for writers: The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s Guide to Publishing and Beyond, plus our Guide to Writing for Profit. It has an annual anthology contest, which include titles such as Parallels: Felix Was Here, Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Voyagers: The Third Ghost, and Dark Matter: Artificial. They even have their own merchandise which include pens, magnets, and T-shirts! Alex and the nine other administrators are actively pushing the group to greater heights. Nothing is impossible when insecure writers band together. Drop in with us to find out how Insecure Writers Support can help you & your project! Facebook Group / Newsletter Twitter / Book Club / Instagram IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond and IWSG Writing for Profit Anthology: Parallels / Anthology: Hero Lost Anthology: Tick Tock / Anthology - Masquerade Anthology: Voyagers Anthology: Dark Matter IWSG Merchandise

Start with an idea and end as a novelist -- NaNoWriMo has a proven track record with creating authors! What Is NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel in thirty days. Now, each year on November 1, hundreds of thousands of people around the world begin to write, determined to end the month with 50,000 words of a brand new novel. They enter the month as elementary school teachers, mechanics, or stay-at-home parents. They leave novelists. NaNoWriMo officially became a nonprofit organization in 2006, and our programs support writing fluency and education. Our website hosts more than a million writers, serving as a social network with author profiles, personal project libraries, and writing buddies. NaNoWriMo tracks words for writers like Fitbit tracks steps, and hosts real-world writing events in cities from Mexico City, to Seoul, to Milwaukee with the help of 900+ volunteers in thousands of partnering libraries and community centers like… well, like nothing else. NaNoWriMo is internet-famous. It’s community-powered (hello, Wrimos!). It’s hosted authors drafting novels like Water for Elephants, WOOL, and Fangirl. It’s a teaching tool and curriculum taught in 5,920 classrooms, and NaNoWriMo’s programs run year-round. Whatever you thought NaNoWriMo is, it’s more than that. Drop in with us to find out how you can get writerly support, online or in your area, for your own project! Find your writing tribe at NaNoWriMo ~ it's adult educators for writers.

The Writers Happiness Movement is based on two unwavering beliefs: 1) Kindness, inclusion, and joy matter. 2) The written word is one of the most powerful ways to promote courage, empathy, and ferocity of the heart. The goal of the movement is to create more happiness for every writer while making the world a better place for all writers. Everything we offer is here to help you access more joy, more writing time, and more spaciousness for and around your writing and life. This includes free online writers’ retreats, free online yoga for writers, and micro-grants for writers, as well as a long-term vision of adding in large-scale programs such as bigger grants, residencies, and retirement homes for writers completely funded by the Writers Happiness Movement. This is all funded through an alternative economic structure rooted in kindness and inclusion, an economic sructure that is part of our little corner of how we change the world. The Writers Happiness Movement is meant to be both a revolution and a refuge. There’s nothing you have to do to be part of it, other than be who you are and write what you write. Whether you’ve been writing for decades, are just starting to think you might like to write, or are somewhere in between, the Writers Happiness Movement is here to remind you how important what you do actually is. Breathe. Write. Love. We’ve got your back. Writers Happiness Movement founder Lori R. Snyder is the author of The Circus at the End of the Sea Published by HarperCollins Publishers Available Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook A vibrant and enchanting debut novel about a lonely girl who discovers a magical street circus, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Rebecca Stead! Maddy Adriana knows that magic is real. All her life, her heart has pulled her towards things too perfect to be ordinary—not to mention her mysterious silver bracelet that never comes off. One day, the tug of her heart leads her to Il Circo delle Strade, the magical street circus hidden in plain sight among the canals and boardwalks of Venice Beach, California...and for the first time in her life, Maddy feels like she might belong. But the circus is in grave danger, and it seems only Maddy can help. Her journey will take her to the end of the sea, where she will have to confront the frightening side of magic as well as her own deepest fears if she is to save the place she hopes to call home. This unforgettable debut shows readers the magic of following your heart and finding where you belong. Lori will Drop In with us to talk about the two worlds of writing, all the myriad aspects of writer's support -- and the why's & how's of Happiness is a key component to writing well. Join us!

What happens when an author, Liz Keller Whitehurst, has written an exciting book, Messenger, that hasn't yet found its publishing home? The clock is ticking. The author gets itchy and she begins to wonder: Maybe there's another way? Liz has her book read and recorded professionally with gorgeous sound accompaniment, and releases it by episode as a series of podcasts. And the world starts to listen, and listen, and listen some more. Until our author realises that she has discovered a way that Messenger was perhaps meant to be released. Its widespread popularity translated to over a thousand downloads. And then, Warner Publishing had the wisdom to realize that many readers still want to hold a beautiful book in their hands, and that Messenger could be transformed once again. Hear Liz Whitehurst document the journey that has the publishing world's attention and has captivated the imagination of authors and readers everywhere. As Liz writes of her subject: A Slight Swerve That Changes Everything “You know that message everybody’s been waiting for their whole lives, as long as they can remember? They’ve looked for it in the mail, e-mail, text, letter, in every book or magazine they’ve ever read. On billboards. In others’ faces. Well, I bring that message. That’s my job. It’s up to me. That’s why I came.” From Messenger’s Composition Book, MESSENGER We'll find out how Liz created the slight swerve that changed everything for her; how she intuited what needed to be done, and how she did it. Delving into the query of if Messenger has more messages and how we'll find them, Drop In this week. Its a Godsend!

As the first hybrid publisher recipient of the 2019 Independent Publisher of the Year, She Writes Press, where Lauren Wise serves as Associate Publisher, is unique in the world of publishing because we’re neither traditional publishing, nor are they self-publishing. As an independent publisher, they bill themselves as a “third way” for authors, and they proudly occupy the gray zone, a much-needed alternative in a rapidly changing publishing landscape. Unlike self-publishing platforms that publish whatever comes through regardless of quality, SWP is a curated press that works with authors to ensure that their books will be well-received in the marketplace. Unlike traditional publishing houses, which buy the majority stake in your book but often don’t deliver when it comes to providing the editorial and marketing help you need, SWP gives authors an experienced editorial and production team, while allowing them to retain full ownership of their project and earnings. We have been called hybrid publishing, partnership publishing, and co-publishing, and all of these terms are representative of what She Writes Press does. WHAT IS HYBRID PUBLISHING? The hybrid publishing model of She Writes Press is unique in the world of publishing, not only because of its mission and built-in community of women writers and readers, and also because it offers a much-needed alternative in a rapidly changing publishing landscape. There is a big difference between hybrid, self-publishing, and vanity presses; most notably that our hybrid model has traditional distribution, manuscript vetting, and was involved in the creation of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) list of 9 criteria defining what it means to be a professional hybrid publisher. IBPA’s Hybrid Publisher Criteria Define a mission and vision for its publishing program. Vet submissions. Publish under its own imprint(s) and ISBNs. Publish to industry standards. Ensure editorial, design, and production quality. Pursue and manage a range of publishing rights. Provide distribution services. Demonstrate respectable sales. Pay authors a higher-than-standard royalty. 7 reasons authors love their hybrid formula: Expertise; Distribution; Reputation; Royalties; Curation; Celebrated; and Partnership Drop In w/ Lauren Wise, Associate Publisher at She Writes Press to answer your author questions about these important elements to publishing!

Bern, Switzerland—known for its narrow cobblestone streets, decorative fountains, and striking towers. Yet dark currents run through this charming medieval city and beyond, to the idyllic farmlands that surround it. After a rave on a hot summer’s night erupts into violent riots, a young man is found the next morning bludgeoned to death with a policeman’s club. Later that day, an elderly organic farmer turns up dead and drenched with pesticide. Seasoned detective Giuliana Linder is assigned to the first death, while her younger colleague Renzo Donatelli heads out to the countryside to investigate the second. Giuliana’s disappointment that they won’t be working together is tinged with relief. Her life is complicated enough without having to deal with the distractingly attractive Renzo. But when an unexpected discovery ties the two victims into a single case, Giuliana and Renzo are thrown together closer than ever before. Their investigation takes them down a dangerous path, threatening not only Giuliana’s marriage but also her assumptions about the police. To prevent the murderer from killing again, she’ll have to put her life on the line—and her principles. This debut mystery in the Polizei Bern series is a suspenseful detective story laced with romance. An inventive tale with a fascinating Swiss setting, it’s packed with enough surprises to keep you guessing till the end. Drop in with us to find out how Kim Hays wrote her first crime novel to much acclaim, how she'll turn it into a series, and turn her dream of writing a murder mystery into reality!

Enter the world of your local Indie bookseller and find yourself again! Bookstores have become a hub in your community, a place to browse, to sit a spell, to have a conversation. And there's more fun to be had in an Indie bookstore, where salespeople actually talk! What does it mean to be an Indie bookseller? How do trends affect book buying, book writing and book reading? Should anyone follow trends? What about the rare finds in the used book section? Can anyone trust the shelf headings or is a conversation with a knowledgeable bookseller the most meaningful interaction you've had in a while? Traveling? or traveling through books. It's possible to be transported through your imagination. And if you find yourself in NOLA? By all means stop in. If not? Tune into Book Banter, hosted by our guest Rayna Nielsen from your phone, laptop or device! Blue Cypress Books is a local, woman-owned, New Orleans bookstore and has been a warm and welcoming place to find high-quality used and new books since 2008. BCB is an inclusive and welcoming place where we speak our minds and invite open conversations. We pride ourselves on our selection and believe that anyone who walks in the door will be able to find something they will want to take home. With a focus on modern literature, New Orleans writers and subjects, children’s books, science fiction, foreign language and more, we have carefully cultivated our selection. And, of course, if you don’t see something you are looking for, we are happy to order it for you. Our courteous and knowledgeable staff are always happy to make recommendations for you (and we know what we’re talking about). We are proud members of the American Booksellers Association and the Southern Independent Booksellers Association, and we are consistently rated as a top bookstore in New Orleans. We look forward to seeing you soon! Drop In with us and enter the legendary Garden District of New Orleans and beyond!

Please join us for a conversation with a New York Times Bestselling author to talk novel writing, editing, coaching and getting your book published! Emily Colin’s debut novel, THE MEMORY THIEF, was a New York Times bestseller and a Target Emerging Authors Pick. She is also the author of THE DREAM KEEPER’S DAUGHTER (Ballantine Books). Her young adult titles include the anthology WICKED SOUTH: SECRETS AND LIES and the Seven Sins series, both from Blue Crow Publishing, as well as the anthology UNBOUND: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION, LOVE, AND MONSTERS (Five Points Press), which was a Suspense Magazine “Best of” 2021 pick as well as a 2021 Foreword INDIES Award finalist. SWORD OF THE SEVEN SINS, the first book in her Seven Sins series, was a Foreword INDIES Award finalist, the YA fiction winner of the North Carolina Indie Author Project, and was shortlisted for the 2021 Manly Wade Wellman Award for North Carolina Science Fiction and Fantasy. SIEGE OF THE SEVEN SINS is a 2021 Foreword Indies finalist as well. Emily’s diverse life experience includes organizing a Coney Island tattoo and piercing show, hauling fish at a dolphin research center, roaming New York City as an itinerant teenage violinist, helping launch two small publishing companies, and working to facilitate community engagement in the arts. Currently, she finds joy in teaching classes for the Writers Workshop at Authors Publish and working as a freelance editor. Originally from Brooklyn, Emily lives in coastal North Carolina with her family. She loves chocolate, is addicted to tiramisu, and dislikes anything containing beans. You can find her trying to do yoga, with her nose buried in a book, or getting dragged down the block by her over-enthusiastic dog, Moo. Visit her at www.emilycolin.com, on IG at @emily_colin, or get a free short story at emilycolinnews.com. Drop In with Emily this week!

This week on Dropping In, we have Scottish author Michael Miller. He began writing his debut book, The Reborn King, when he was 10. In 2015 he renewed his writing efforts and released The Reborn King in November of that year. Since then he has sold over 200,000 books, hit numerous Amazon bestselling charts. He has worked at Bloomsbury Publishing and co-founded the digital publisher Portal Books. His new award-winning series, Songs of Chaos, begins a new type of dragon rider epic fans of Eragon, How to Train Your Dragon, and Pern are sure to love. Join us Friday! 11 am EST Michael R. Miller in conversation with his fans about his books, fantasy, and what they all might mean. Also, how does one build a career out of such an outright passion? How could you ask for more? A little bit abut his writing from Michael's Homepage; HELLO FANTASY FANS! My goal has always been to write the books I’d want to read - to take the best of what’s been done before and spin it into something new. My hope is to write stories that take you in and spark your own imagination as my favourite reads did for me. Drop in with us to hear Michael speak about his works!

Elysse helps authors determine the most effective promotional path for their book releases, and for crafting their brand. Prior to joining the Books Forward team, Elysse worked as a content strategist in the nonprofit sector. She is also a seasoned book blogger and social media influencer, amassing a following of more than ten thousand avid readers who value her savvy book recommendations. She was even a trusted reviewer for Books Forward authors and championed the company’s talented writers before joining the Books Forward family. Dreams really do come true (for us and Elysse!) as she landed a job with Books Forward and turned her passion into a full-time career. She lives in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, Nick, and their yellow lab, Murphy. In case you didn't know .... A Content Strategist, or Content Marketing Specialist, is responsible for working with a team of Content Creators to come up with unique content ideas for publication across online or digital platforms. www.indeed.com Every book benefits from a unique and tailor made content strategy. Why not engage one who has respect as a social media influencer and a book blogger with valued recommendations? Elysse comes equipped with an array of tools, resources, critical thinking and creativity to position your book, whether traditionally published or hybrid published, or another venue. Let's talk to her about the possibilities! Drop in with us ~

Ever wonder why great books, favourite stories, or even quirky blogs go unnoticed even though they're so wonderful? With the number of books being published annually now exceeding one million, which Bowker points out breaks down to 2,700 per day, how can any one author expect visibility? The answer is in the publicist. Jenn Vance and her team at Books Forward, are one of the top and certainly the most beloved publicists working in the communication arts today. If you've written a book that you want readers to read and enjoy, engage in this conversation with Jenn to find out the reasons why, and why not to hire a publicist, and when. You might be surprised by the answers. Everything from audiobooks to podcasts need a boost to be seen and heard. Is your social media profile serving you well? What is the right criteria to choose a publicist? How do you choose the areas in which you want to market? What is the process for entering competitions to win literary awards? Beyond this book, how can you connect to a community that will continue to support you and your creative efforts and offer a forum to contribute and exchange ideas for the long term? “I would like to rave about the job Jennifer is doing for me. I am beyond pleased and impressed. She is getting gigs for me and is super responsive and encouraging. I just love a ‘can do’ attitude.” – Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt, author of the irreverent, laugh-out-loud Move on Motherf*cker: Live, Laugh, and Let Sh*t Go Find out how to differentiate and get yourself connected with Jenn Vance, our resident marketing expert. It will be time well spent, and, it's free! Drop In with us this week!

You've always wanted to publish a book. Now it's written. Where do you turn for an expert publisher? Jen Hutchison has been an author. She knows the journey and can show you the way. By way of background: Jen is a very dynamic and capable 60 something year old, who has succeeded at a number of careers. But in 2012, her world imploded when her 31 year old son Raif died of an accidental drug overdose. ‘Motherling' is her story of how she walked the 800km Camino de Santiago through France and Spain with his ashes as she attempted to come to terms with his death. It’s a beautiful read, you’ll find yourself laughing and crying, and she has received staggering feedback from other ‘ motherlings’ (the word she has adopted for women who have lost a child) who have identified so keenly with her book and taken enormous strength from it. Many women are happily going quietly into retirement in their late 60s, not Jen, instead she launched publishing services house, Journeys to Words Publishing, working with mature age writers to hone their craft. When she’s not publisher and editor at Journeys to Words Publishing, Jen is completing a Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT. She’s passionate about writing, writers and good reads and this little company is the fulfilment of a dream. ? She has found her tribe. Along her journey to words, Jen has engaged with and learned her craft from some of the best writers and teachers on offer – Patti Miller, Anne Manne, Toni Jordan, Tracy O’Shaughnessy, Stuart Horwitz and Kate Ryan. They have become her mentors and friends. Drop In with Jen to discover what makes the promise of a good read come true and potentially, how to make your own publishing dreams come true!

If your dream is to publish a book? In this episode we'll address essential questions: Should you hire an agent for your book, the book you're almost finished writing, or the book that's been in your hard drive forever? You decide, but with education from the experts. April Eberhardt of https://aprileberhardt.com will talk us through the process, the pitfalls and the magnificent summits of hiring an agent to represent you. She'll also talk writers conferences, the value of workshopping, all the various ways to become a published author and much, much more! April Eberhardt, a literary change agent and author advocate, is passionate about helping authors be published in the most effective and satisfying way. After 25 years as a corporate strategist and management consultant, Ms. Eberhardt joined the literary world, where she saw strategic opportunity to play a role in the changing world of publishing. Ms. Eberhardt advises and assists authors worldwide as they choose the best pathway to publication for their work, be it indie or traditional, digital or print. She represents authors traditionally, and also provides guidance to those who wish to explore non-traditional paths to publication. She serves as a consultant to new publishing startups, serves on the Advisory Council for The American Library in Paris, and is a reader for the Best American Short Stories series published annually by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Ms. Eberhardt represents clients worldwide, and speaks regularly at literary conferences in the U.S. and abroad. She will be presenting virtually at the following conferences in 2021: San Miguel Writers' Conference; Stanford Continuing Studies Program; Geneva Writer’s Group Conference; Paris Writers’ Workshop; and James River Writers' Conference, Richmond, VA. Each summer April Eberhardt offers writers' retreats at a private chateau in Chateau-du-Loir, France for small groups of carefully selected authors. You can learn more about it here. We currently are accepting applications for Summer 2022. What is the right course for you to publish? We'll help you decide. Drop in with us!

Update and Refresh for 2022: What is your life's purpose? Wouldn't you like to know what makes relationships work according to the stars -- in a way that enables us to know ourselves better? Ahead of Valentine's Day, we talk with Brian Hill, Humanistic Astrologer, about finding love within ourselves and in the world, and making relationships work. Most traditional seekers have historically wanted to know what will happen and how it can be avoided if it's unpleasant. Isn't it more meaningful and sustainable long-term, and in-depth, to understand our essential characteristics? The goal is to discover our innate potential and life purpose. That is the essence of Humanistic Astrology and the core of the work that Brian delves into with us. It's a big picture view and Brian Hill will break it down for us. We'll talk about the effects of the pandemic, our changing sense of destiny, our need to make meaning out of life, and the more pressing issue of discovering our life purpose. With so many people re-examining their work, their careers and its rewards, their worldly contributions and innermost desires, this is a conversation that you won't want to miss. Find your peace and purpose now. Drop in with Brian Hill, and drop us a line with any questions or comments on your mind!

The Shoebox Effect Marcie Keithley's shoebox contained a secret, one she kept for decades, one released when her shoebox was unexpectedly revealed in a moment of grief. A flood of memories and emotions were unleashed when the lid was knocked off. No longer able to deny what she had sequestered away in her closet and in her spirit, the revelation created challenges for Marcie, but it also did something positively unexpected. Releasing the truth began a cascade that resulted in a freedom Marcie did not know was possible. The Shoebox Effect gives you the steps you need to face your truths, heal your past and find the freedom you deeply desire. You’ll see how you can transform your pain into purpose and fortitude so you can embrace and live to your fullest potential. As a result, Marcie Keithley is a co - founder of this organisation NAAP, that can help unlock your potential if you are part of the adoption mosaic. OUR STORYThe roots of the National Association of Adoptees & Parents began in 2009 when Pam Kroskie and Marcie Keithley joined forces in an effort to unseal Indiana’s closed adoption records. In 2015, Hoosiers for Equal Access to Records (HEAR) a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, was formed dedicated to educating legislators and the public about the importance of original birth certificate (OBC) access for adult adoptees, and mobilizing those touched by adoption to stand up for their rights. In 2016, upon the passage of SEA91, HEAR formed Indiana Adoptee Network, Inc. (IAN) a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization when it became clear that the education/awareness of state’s lawmakers and the general public around adult adoptee matters was limited. Over the course of four years, IAN was able to build a nationwide network allowing them to impact education, attitudes, and legislation through their alliance with other nonprofit organizations, annual conferences, newsletters, social media, and webinars. #Author #LifeStoryCoach | Host of #AdoptionHappyHour #PersonalDevelopmentJunkie #DoodleMom #ShoeBoxSherpa

Have you ever wondered what goes into the making of tennis champions like Serena, Venus, and Naomi? The answer would surprise you. Tennis presents obstacles to people of color, starting with proximity to tennis courts. Are there public tennis courts in neighborhoods around New York City, Chicago, Houston, Miami? Drop in with author Cecil Harris to find out the intricacies both personal and systemic of navigating the tennis circuit. Different Strokes chronicles the rise of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, as well as other champions of color, closely examining how African Americans are collectively faring in tennis, on the court and off. Despite the success of the Williams sisters and the election of former pro player Katrina Adams as the U.S. Tennis Association’s first Black president, top Black players still receive racist messages via social media and sometimes in public. The reality is that while significant progress has been made in the sport, much work remains before anything resembling equality is achieved. The days of tennis as a country club sport for the aristocracy have long passed, as have the pre-Open era days when black players faced long odds just to be invited to the four Grand Slam events. An entire generation of sports fans has grown up seeing Venus and Serena Williams as the gold standard in American professional tennis. Although the Williams sisters have done more than any other players to make tennis accessible to a diverse population, it’s not as if the tennis revolution is over. When you watch tennis next, take a close look at the umpire, the person sitting in the high chair of authority at courtside. Look at the tournament referee and the tournament director, the officials who run the tournament. In those seats of power and influence, blacks are still woefully underrepresented. Take a tour behind the scenes with Cecil Harris in this pre-recorded episode of Dropping In. Right now, Cecil has his keen eye trained on the Australian Open and what happens next!

This is one searing story that will surprise you with the resourcefulness, faith, determination, and ultimately, the will to survive and thrive of the author, Angela Howard. Although none of what happened to her should happen to any child, she overcame her childhood to become a loving mother of two and a mentor to many through her work with PTSD-ACED. Now, an accomplished author, Angela is a testament to the human spirit, to resilience, and to finding a way through the dark. Drop in with us to understand the human toll of child abuse and neglect and how those affected by it can find hope and light with their mental health issues and physical manifestations. It's important to find role models in this and Angela is one. Angela Howard grew up in rural Mississippi and was the only person in her immediate family to attend college. She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and further certifications in medical case management and life care planning. Angela has begun a new journey as a motivational speaker to bring increased awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women and those who have suffered adverse childhood experiences (ACES). She is the founder of the PTSD-ACED Foundation, providing valuable resources to educators, healthcare professionals, and those who have endured ACEs. She resides in Memphis, Tennessee. Sin Child marks her debut as an author. As a first time author of Sin Child, Angela Howard is the founder of PTSD-ACED Foundation, Inc. Angela is a registered nurse and has worked in the medical field for the past 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and certifications in Life Care Planning and Medical Case Management. She is highly impacted by the adverse effects of PTSD secondary to ACEs. She herself has overcome extreme adverse childhood experiences with the highest ACE score of 10. Angela’s health has been adversely affected as she suffers from multiple autoimmune disorders. Angela’s desire is to bring increased awareness of ACEs by educating those in the medical and educational fields.

Dr. Gary Reiss holds an LCSW, PhD., and is a certified trainer in Process-oriented Psychology. Drop in with us to learn how you can benefit from Getting Off the Wheel; A Process-Oriented Psychology Approach to Personal and World Liberation! I live in the country near Eugene, Oregon with my partner Sage Emery. My daughter Eliana is working on her doctorate in child clinical psychology. My work includes my private practice, teaching Process Work and writing books. When I am not working I love being active including running, skiing, biking, and camping as well as having time to meditate, practice Akido and especially enjoy the time for laughter and fun with family and friends.I am particularly interested in applying World Work in situations of ethnic conflict, and as an alternative to war and violence. I have always considered World Work a spiritual path, and am researching moments of oneness and the use of sentient methods in the midst of great tension and violence. My work has often taken me into working with not only countries in crisis, but organizations of all kinds. I especially focus on preventing violence, and avoiding burnout, as part of organizational life. I also have been writing on connections between Coma Work, World Work, and Process Oriented Family Therapy, and am about to begin my next book on Coma Work. My main focus has been on developing this method of family therapy; on working with people in coma and recovering from head injuries; on work with the psychology of body symptoms; and on conflict resolution. Gary has a private practice in Eugene and Portland, Oregon, has been Director of Rivers Way Community Clinic in Portland for 20 years, and teaches Process oriented Psychology worldwide, now actively teaching in 17 countries. He is a senior faculty member at the Process Work Institute, and brings 40 plus years’ experience to his work. His specialties include family therapy, sex therapy, working with coma patients, Worldwork in hot spots in the world, organizational development, and integrating Process Work with different spiritual traditions. He has published 10 books including The Dance of Sex; Dreaming Money: and Families that Dream Together. His latest book is Love, Power, and Wisdom. “Gary Reiss is a deep teacher. He has a wizardry about him, in that he is able to tap into many levels of consciousness at once. He is acutely aware of the students, consistently responding to us with a very direct and unique brand of sensitivity. Gary has a way of teaching through personal experience and story that paints a picture and invites us into a world of symbolism and metaphor. He has a great sense of humor, a lightness that creates a surprisingly colorful, fun atmosphere in which to learn about difficult topics. He is also a very physical person, which helps us connect more deeply to an inner awareness of our own bodies. I always feel at ease when I’m around Gary, knowing I am welcome and valued in his class.” – Student