O'Neal Media Group Publicity News

: Author Explores Creative Ways To Encourage Reluctant Readers | Press Releases Online

2011-12-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

: Author Explores Creative Ways To Encourage Reluctant Readers | Press Releases Online

Born in The Land of the Tango: A Memoir about identity, family, and healing

2011-05-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

PublishAmerica is proud to announce the recent release of Jackie Audrey O'Neal's new book: Born in the Land of the Tango: A Memoir about Identity, Family, and Healing!

Here's what the author says about the book: Jackie Audrey O'Neal explores her cultural roots from the 16th century Basque country witch trials to her Afro-Indian roots. The book delves into identity politics and the author teaches individuals how she integrated her multi-cultural past to make the most out of life. The collection of life stories is drawn from the author's experiences and research.

We are offering you an opportunity to secure your personal copy of Jackie Audrey O'Neal’s exceptional book today. Please click here: http://www.publishamerica.net/product40096.html to secure your copy of the book*, then click Add to Cart. For an introductory discount of 20%, use this coupon code: Discount20.

Attention editors: articles on self-help, spirituality, addiction, seasonal

2011-04-21T18:17:00.000-04:00

Attention editors: articles on self-help, spirituality, addiction, seasonal :

An Easter Message For All Faiths

Every Day Can Be Mother's Day

Forgiveness: The Perfect Father's Day Gift

Do You Have A Sexual Addiction?

Take Responsibility For Your Life

Detach With Love

Ego Versus Spirit

Join the Human Race

Read full articles :http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/DavisAujourdhui

VBTC: Christmas Giveaway

2010-12-25T14:14:00.000-05:00

VBTC: Christmas Giveaway: "It's that time of year again when the weather starts to get colder, the snow starts to fall and we all start decorating our trees and ..."

Blue Sky Scrubs

2010-12-25T14:02:00.001-05:00

Color has the power to transform moods. Blue Sky Srubs has unique offerings for medical staff. http://www.blueskyscrubs.com

No matter what one's profession, having a fashion forward attitude adds to the enjoyment of being at work. For medical staff, who are under stress, wearing vibrantly colored "scrubs" certainly makes sense. http://www.blueskyscrubs.com

It's lovely to see any type of garment designed to reflect a seasonal theme, but for medical staff even more so. Most patients would prefer to see staff dressed in cheerful colors, rather than drab, austere ones.

Blue Sky Srubs is a truly unique idea that only benefits medical staff, but their patients as well. http://www.blueskyscrubs.com

A Conversation With Author, Dr. Joe Sivak, M.D.

2010-11-12T12:46:00.005-05:00

1.What led you to write your book and was there a pivotal event you can share with our readers?

It was a story that was within my psyche and my soul that was just dying to burst out onto paper. We all have a story inside of us. In the end we all have our own personal hell, our own struggles, that are no more or less exceptional than anybody else's. But I wanted my future generations to understand where they came from. Most off all, Alzheimer's disease is such a lousy process, it affects 5 million, and one of the worst parts about it, is the isolation is causes in families. I thought the book might actually help somebody and cut down on that isolation. It's hard for me to really imagine any huge endeavor without maybe benefiting someone, and that pushed me to finally get it done.

2.How do you approach the creative process ?

It seems to approach me, more than I approach it. When it does and I don't know what the predisposing factors are exactly, but it is a beautiful thing. When I have to find it, it is labor intensive, requires a ton of focus, and too many other things like responsibility and a certain exhaustion from expending energy and spirit in most other areas of life, compete strongly and usually beat the hell of the creative process I am trying to find.

3.Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?

No one is really discouraging, but the whole process of staying with it comes from within. Writing is deeply a intimate and an introspective process, no matter what genre, as far as not giving up, I think my parents taught me that. As the saying goes, "to thy own self be true"

4. Can you clarify the basic premise of your book?

It is a memoir that traces the process of Alzheimer's disease thought the eyes of a teenager and years later those same eyes as an adult and physician. It also covers some of the struggles it take to become a doctor that most people think they understand but don't, and a general commentary on health care, society, our aging population and a bunch of other sociological issues.

5.What do you hope to teach your readers?

Start treating the elderly with honor and respect they deserve. Start talking about Alzheimer's for real, even if it does not affect your family, you can't catch it by understanding it, and for those affected, you are not alone.

6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?

I like to travel, anywhere, exploring any new places, cultures, learning and absorbing. I like staring up at mountains, then of course wine tasting, tango, watching football, working out, reading.

7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?

Write because you love to write, because you need to write. Your writing be it fiction or memoir or whatever is a deeply personal and intimate look into your heart and psyche. Don't expect anybody else to see it that way. Selling books and giving a part of yourself and your toil and effort and creativity etc are two disconnected things. Don't give up if you truly need to have a published work, there are many ways to do that now more than ever. Most importantly, keep perfecting your craft of writing.

8. Do you have any plans for the future- work related and/or personal?

I am working on a novel about psychiatric residency.

9. Describe a typical day in your writing life.

Most days wishing I had the creative energy to put it together and longing to write, when I get it or it comes to me, sitting down, reviewing what I have, sometimes being inspired sometimes annoyed, and then moving on, thinking about my characters, looking for symmetry, and letting the story flow from my psyche through my hands to the keyboard and onto the screen. sometimes I like it, sometimes, it was more well meaning when it was still in my head.

10.Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing- your interests, an experience you want to share, something you are proud of / or have overcome

Well I pour out a lot of that in the memoir......

but I guess sometimes I feel really fulfilled, when I am out in nature for like more than a couple days, have not shaved, have no real contact with industrialized and digitalized civilization, connect with the campfire and the stars, then I feel really connected to the earth, and to humankind back through all the ages, sort of you conscious mind merging more easily with the collective unconscious, and that is a pretty fulfilling thing.

Book Info:

The true life account of a young man living with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a parent. The disease was diagnosed in his mother when the author was seventeen years old in 1979, long before Alzheimer's disease was a household term.

The book candidly traces with graphic detailed description and dialogue the course of the fatal illness.
The emotional issues of such pivotal events as the loss of autonomy of driving a car and entry into a nursing home are experienced through the eyes of a young son. From a concurrent viewpoint Alzheimer's is explained with the wisdom of a 21st century physician who has personally experienced the emotional anguish, and thus the fact-based journey is a truly unique dual-perspective Alzheimer's memoir. The story juxtaposes the active uphill battle to become a doctor set against the backdrop of
the passive helpless struggle of losing a parent to the disease.

The narrative provides explicit commentary on the modern plight of the physician and the global connection family members of an Alzheimer's victim painstakingly share. The unusual, seldom before elicited insights of the dual-perspective vigorously address universal issues such as coping, hope, futility, humiliation and societal bias toward the disease throughout the text.

About Joe Sivak:

Joseph J. Sivak MD is a board certified adult psychiatrist with twenty years of experience in direct patient care. He has taught and lectured in the United States and internationally in the areas of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood disorders, and chronic suicidal ideation. He completed medical school at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and Residency Training at the University of Rochester. Dr. Sivak has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Alzheimer's Association and the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross and hosted a weekly mental health Radio Program for eight years on KUWS- Wisconsin Public Radio. Currently Dr. Sivak serves on the legislative committee of
the Minnesota Medical Association, is a assistant professor at the University of
Minnesota-Duluth College of Pharmacy and is in full time private psychiatric in Duluth.

Practical ideas for putting dreams into action

2010-11-03T13:54:00.004-04:00

Book Review

I enjoyed the book's structure which is comprised of fascinating epigrams, refelctions, as well as insightful, and practical exercises whereby the reader can put ideas into practice. This format, it seems to me allows the reader to convert any abstracts presented, into real life experience. As a result of the concrete nature of the exercises, the reader can wrap his or her head around the concept of "dreaming bigger," more easily around their mental planes.

Wise teaches the reader to vigorously pursue their full potential in a most down to earth way. The author presents case studies which further illustrate how dreaming big is within the reach of every person.

This book is ideal for persons who want more creativity and inspiration to come into their lives, and are willing to invest time to work through the detailed exercises.

Wise has also provided an array of free resources that the reader can access via internet download, hence giving the book added value.

To learn more about Julie Wise, visit: http://www.juliewiseconsulting.com or click on the blog title above to be taken to her webpage.

Julie Wise: An Interview:

1.What led you to write your book(s) and was there a pivotal event you can share?

Last December, I was in the midst of writing a book about a three-month journey I'd taken in Ireland in 2008. Suddenly the idea for Dream BIGGER came to me and wouldn't let go. It insisted on taking center stage, showed me the title, structure and contest, and all I had to do was commit to writing every day. Three months later, the draft was done.

2.How do you approach the creative process when you decide to write?
I like to ease myself into writing each day. I rarely start before 10 a.m., and then I focus on writing for 2 to 4 hours. I keep a special file on my laptop that serves as a journal for each book I work on. The first step is to write an entry in the journal. It might be about how I'm feeling about a particular stage in the writing, or ideas for the next section, or even admitting that I'm drawing a blank. The process of writing down some thoughts there seems to open the door to a productive writing session on the book. When I finish writing for the day, I go back to the journal and add some comments about how it went. That provides closure, and then I generally take a walk or go and do something physical to get myself back into the world around me.

3.Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?
My father was my earliest influence. He encouraged my love of reading (it helped that he owned a bookstore!), and he was always writing - humorous poetry, short anecdotes, a newspaper column. Even though I have written throughout my life, I saw it more as a creative outlet. I wrote poetry, short stories, had a newspaper column and was a newspaper editor for a number of years. I even wrote two books that I set on a shelf. It was only when I came back from Ireland that I decided to take my writing seriously and actively pursue it. Being a published author was a dream I'd had since childhood. And dreams are like that - they never let go of us even when we try to ignore them!

4. Can you explain the premise of your book?

I believe that we all have dreams, things we’d like to do, be or have in our lives. As we become adults, we often set these dreams aside because they don’t seem “practical” or “realistic” and we focus on getting jobs to pay the bills. Sometimes we reach for our dream and things don’t work out, so we give up. There’s a price to pay for not living our dreams – we become unhappy and frustrated and wonder what happened to the person we used to be. I wrote this book because I know there’s a better way! By acknowledging our dreams and taking steps each day toward achieving them, we connect with who we really are, life becomes more enjoyable and we’re a lot more fun to be around!

5.What have been some of your high and low points in being a writer, and in the process of promoting your book?
High points: the writing itself (always my favorite part); choosing the cover; the moment of holding the printed book in my hands for the first time; the book launch; and all the wonderful feedback from readers and reviewers, complete strangers whose lives have been changed by reading the book; finding it on Amazon for the first time, and getting my first review.
Low points: the l-o-n-g process of getting the book from draft to print (although in my case it did go quite quickly - it just seemed like forever to me!); the challenge of getting into bookstores (getting it online is the easy part); not knowing which of the myriad steps will lead to the breakthrough in marketing and sales.

6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?
I'm betwixt and between right now. I've always been a dancer (flamenco for the last six years), and now I'm looking for something new. I'm doing more cycling, sailing and cross country skiing this year, and considering trying my hand at pottery. I'm always reinventing myself, and I think that's what keeps life exciting.

7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?

Write about what excites you, whether it’s in a blog, a journal, emails or newsletter. Read and notice how your favorite authors write. By writing you’ll develop your style, and by reading you’ll learn more about what captures a reader’s attention. Creative writing courses can be helpful. I also belonged to an editing circle for a few years. We’d meet once a month, share ten pages of whatever we were working on at the time, and give each other constructive feedback on our material. Being with other writers occasionally can help keep you motivated, since writing is a solitary profession.

Above all, live life fully. Then you’ll have far richer experiences to share with your readers.

8. Do you have any plans for the future- work related and/or personal?
I'm continuing to promote my coaching business (working with people to create the life of their dreams), and getting back into writing the book on my journey through Ireland. Promoting Dream BIGGER continues to take up the majority of my time at the moment, along with the related contest - the Dream BIGGER Reinvention Challenge. I set that up to encourage people to voice their dreams, either through a video or written story, and I'm offering great prizes that will help the winner make his/her dream a reality. People can find out more at http://www.dreambiggercontest.com The contest only runs til November 29, so time is of the essence!

10.Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing- your interests, an experience you want to
share, something you are proud of / or have overcome
I'm particularly proud of my two children because they are both living the life of their dreams. After they graduated from university, they set off to see the world, and are continuing to do so. My son has been teaching English to young children in Hong Kong for four years, after cycling across Canada by himself, travelling by freighter from Vancouver to Korea, and flying from Seoul to Hong Kong, and finding a job within a week of arriving. My daughter is currently in Australia, after taking a summer job on a Greek Island leading horseback tours, travelling through eastern Europe, living and working in the UK, and travelling around New Zealand and Tasmania. Both of them keep their lives simple, work to save enough money to do more travelling, and love every minute of every day. How many of us can say that about our lives?

2010-10-01T11:30:00.002-04:00

Betty Collier, author interview, Living Inside The Testimony

1. What led you to write your book(s) and was there a pivotal event you can
share?
I wrote the book after being divinely inspired by the Lord to share my testimony with
others. The book is obviously based on my faith, and I wrote it well aware that not everyone would share my faith, but I am sharing my faith with anyone who chooses to believe. I never wanted to be an author, and if you had asked me prior to January 2009 if I would ever write a book, my answer would have immediately been "absolutely not," and that would have been the end of the discussion. I've never had a desire to write a book, so you're likely wondering why I wrote it and why I am trying to share it with others now. Perhaps my honesty will make you wonder if the book is even worth purchasing. However, this one thing I do know...I am an author. I became one overnight, and in fact, I know the exact night it happened. It was after midnight when January 9, 2009 turned into January 10th, the night I dreamed about this book. I am confident that if you allow me to share my journey with you, you will understand perfectly, but only if you have the faith to believe.

2. How do you approach the creative process?
I simply started in front of a blank computer screen and began typing. Because my book is a journey through time from when I was in middle school up until the time my husband and our 2 children moved into our dream home, I simply wrote from my heart based on things that have occurred in my past. I believe my urgency and obsession with writing the book allowed me to complete it very quickly. It only took one month to write, but that is because I was totally and utterly consumed and obsessed with getting all of my thoughts and ideas down on paper. I had suddenly realized that I did have a story to tell, so I stayed up until 2:00 AM for a month sitting at the computer screen to tell my story.

3. Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?
Since my faith is what made me become an author overnight, it is that same faith
that encourages me to share my journey with others.

4. Can you explain the basic premise of your book?
My story comes from an everyday person who realized how God’s amazing love and
abundant blessings have always surrounded my life. Because of that realization, I am
sharing my life inside the testimony while helping others realize they too live inside
testimonies meant to encourage and inspire others.

It's like watching a Lifetime Movie...You'll go to bed and dream about the real-life characters
in the book...It's a beautiful, heartfelt love story...It's funny, amusing, and entertaining...
It's very emotional and inspirational...You'll laugh on one page and cry on the next...

5. What do you hope to teach your readers?
My purpose is simply to encourage and inspire readers to discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others, but I have been just as encouraged and inspired by readers comments. It confirms my original belief that the Lord wanted me to share my journey of faith. As one reader told me, "It's like being on a roller coaster. I didn't know what to expect next. I was laughing on one page and crying on the next...This book is a masterpiece! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been truly blessed."

6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?
On the back of the book, I wrote that I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, nurse, author, and child of the King. That summarizes my life and everything else that I am involved in. Of course my family is my number one priority on this
earth. I have been married to the absolute love of my life for 24 years, and we have 2 boys, ages 16 and 11. That in itself is a full-time job, just keeping up with the 3 of them. I am also a full-time RN; I work as a nurse case manager during the day, and share the journey inside my testimony as an author whenever I can - morning, noon, and night.

7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?
All of us have something to share with others, and if we would simply take the time to begin the writing process and stay committed to it, we could all write something to share.

8. Do you have any plans for the future- work related and/or personal?
My plans are simply to share my journey with others, and I will go wherever this book takes me in order to do that. This is only the beginning. Although I had no prior plans to write a book, after literally becoming an author overnight, I know that this is something that I will never give up now. I am passionate about my story, and it’s my desire to reach as many people as I can to inspire and encourage them. There is more to come, but I will have to wait on divine inspiration to figure out what that is.

9. Describe a typical day in your writing life.
Because I have so many other “job titles,” writing became a way of life after-hours. If I had waited until I actually had time to write, it never would have happened. So I made time each and every day, and squeezed in time whenever I could, ensuring that I wrote something each day. I believe I am probably one of the most sleep-deprived people you will ever meet, but when you are consumed and obsessed to write and share your story, you cannot sleep anyway.

10. Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing- your interests, an experience you want to share, something you are proud of / or have overcome.
My greatest accomplishment is that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I am committed to doing the work that he has called me to do. My greatest joy and satisfaction comes from the life I share with my husband and our two children. And if you read my book, you will discover there are a tremendous number of things that I can share with you, things that I believe will help inspire and encourage you. A luxury to me is to find time on a Saturday afternoon to watch a Lifetime movie. I believe if you use one of your Saturday afternoons to read this book, you will feel like you have watched a Lifetime movie.

Living Inside The Testimony is a collection of anecdotes compiled by author Betty Collier. In reading these stories, you will share in her journey and experience the inspiration, faith, hope, humor, romance, and love she experienced. The stories in Living Inside The Testimony revolve around Betty’s experiences with her family, friends, and other individuals who have contributed, often unknowingly, to the path God has chosen for her. You will hear the story of how Betty fell in love at age fourteen (with her future husband), about her husband’s near-death experience with emergency brain surgery a week before high school graduation, their experiences in New York a week prior to 9/11, and the frustrating ordeal she and her husband overcame when trying to build their dream home.

Betty attributes her success and her great love to God, and she shares with readers how God has orchestrated her life’s path every step of the way. Betty’s prayer is that you will see and feel Proverbs 3:5-6 come alive and speak to your heart as you take a walk with her, inside her testimony. She hopes you enjoy the journey and discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others.

BIO

Betty Collier is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, nurse, author, and child of the King. Married to William Collier since 1986, they live in Bartlett, Tennessee, with their sons, Jordan William and Brandon William.

Book Giveawy: Be the first to leave a comment on Betty's fanpage and win a free copy of her book: www.facebook.com/livinginsidethetestimony

website links

http://livinginsidethetestimony.com

http://www.facebook.com/livinginsidethetestimony

http://twitter.com/BettyCollier

book trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9R57Q3H954&feature=channel

Where is the book sold? (not sure if you need all these sites or not) Of course the main 2 are Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com

barnesandnoble.com
amazon.com
booksamillion.com
cokesbury.com
lifewaystores.com
crossbooks.com
parable.com
christianbookstore.net
promiseangels.com
infibeam.com

Dreamshield :An Interview with Alysa Braceau

2010-09-16T21:43:00.001-04:00

1.What led you to write your book(s) and was there a pivotal event you can share?

Meeting a “man of Knowledge’ who taught me the art of mastering conscious dreaming and suggested sharing this knowledge.

2.How do you approach the creative process when you decide to write?

My book is non-fiction and I didn’t work with an outline or anything before I started, so the writing-process went quite organically. During the years that Running Deer, my dreaming teacher, taught me the art of mastering conscious dreaming, I carefully recorded my personal experiences which has finally led to this book.

3.Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?

The Art of Dreaming is one of the teachings of Totality I write about. My dreaming teacher, Vidar explained there are four practices that guide the apprentice into the totality: the art of dreaming, stalking, hunting and the art of the warrior. He said: “Gradually you will learn to master all of them, but because you are a dreamer the art of dreaming is the most important one for you. On the way to the totality you will learn to master your dreaming, which means that ordinary dreams will come to a halt and will be replaced by the dreaming of the spirit. Ordinary dreams come to a stop, disappear because they are primitive, and take up too much energy. As you master your dreaming, you will have medicine dreams and visions that guide you into the totality.” More about that you will read in my first book.

To answer your question: my learning process continues and my second book will be about the art of stalking, as I explained, one of the next teachings of Totality.

4. Can you explain the premise of your book?

The premise is usually an open question in the form of ‘what would happen if… ?’

The premise of my book is about finding the totality of the Self. Here the question is ‘what would happen if you find the Totality of The Self.’ What else in life is there except for this material reality because there is also a dreaming reality. In my book I explain more about these separate realities and finding the Totality of the Self.

5.What have been some of your high and low points in being a writer, and in the process of promoting your book?

I explained before that the writing process was organic(non fiction) and because of that I guess I didn’t t know low or high levels. I loved writing this book. But it wasn’t always easy to transform my experience into words. However, I managed:)

About promoting the book: every independent writer knows that it is a lot of work, and you have to make the right decisions to promote your book and sometimes that’s difficult. But I trust that there are people interested in the topic of conscious dreaming, shamanism and the sorcerer’s world and that my book finds the way to the right audience.

6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?

I’m doing different things at the moment: I am a (freelance) journalist and publisher and besides that I have a healing practice and I give workshops about the Art of Dreaming. And of course I write, but not full time, so you can call that variety:)

I write throughout the week because I love it and make time for it in the evenings and also a few hours in the weekends.

7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?

Go for it!

8. Do you have any plans for the future- work related and/or personal?

I am exploring other worlds and I want to share that with ‘the world’ and because there is a lot more to explore in my perception, and my plan is to continue that process! But it is not only about knowledge, it’s also about wisdom. I can be very impulsive but that’s not always very wise, so my plan is to take it easy from time to time.

9. Describe a typical day in your writing life.

When I once start a ‘writing project’ I really want to continue, but I need to build in some stops. So I start the day (after breakfast) taking a walk in the dunes where the fresh air and the beautiful nature gives me new inspiration. When I come home I make a pot of coffee for myself and writing starts at about 10 o’clock. I take a short lunch after about three hours and continue to let’s say five o’ clock. I prefer non-stop writing but that’s impossible, however, after diner and after bringing my daughter to bed, I usually start writing a few more hours. I just love it!

10.Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing- your interests, an experience you want to share, something you are proud of / or have overcome.

My book is also a memoir and that is why I would love to share an excerpt with you and your visitors about something I’m very proud of during my apprenticeship, especially because I survived this ordeal:). I cite this one from my book after I took magic mushrooms in a special ceremony which is presented to those who are following the teachings of Totality. One of the features of this ceremony is experiencing an intellectual death and letting go your fears to be able to travel into the unknown and to reach the totality of the Self and finally discover you are the creator of your own reality:

‘My life has been scattered in hundred thousand pieces. My life, I have complained and nagged about it so many times, but I would die to return to it. From a distance I see myself lying motionless on my right side and finally realize I am dead. I have always been curious about how it would be and now I have come this far. Now I know your spirit just continues living. From a distance I watch my past life. I had a wonderful life, but I just did not see it and what was I worrying about? The worst thing is the fact that my daughter has a future without a mother. I feel guilty. What a way to say goodbye.

I have lost my physical body, but some way or other I have the sense that my torso has been turned and my legs are somewhere behind my head and I wonder how to get it back in shape. Slowly it dawns on me that I have left the world and ended up in the second reality.

My life passes by like a circus, only now I count my blessings.

Now there is nothing left but me and the extremely dull everlasting present. Only now I understand the meaning of the often heard expression ‘it doesn’t matter who you are or what

you do as long as you are happy and you mean something to others.’ No matter how small. It seemed a sort of platitude and a cliché, but it is true. I look back on a life in which I was very busy, fretted about the tiniest details and lashed out at everything.’

Synopsis

This autobiographical adventure is about a journalist who meets the enigmatic sorcerer, Running Deer, and her initiation into the sorcerer's world and mastering conscious dreaming. This book, that follows in the traditions of Carlos Castaneda and others, takes the reader through the magic realms of the unknown and gives a new approach to the traditional training of women sorcerers. It takes place not in some fantasy world, but in a contemporary society, and addresses the things we face on a daily basis in our everyday lives.

Bio: Alysa Braceau, Dreamshield

I live in the Netherlands (Europe) and I’m a mother of a 6-year old daughter. I've studied social work and the last ten years I have worked as a (freelance) journalist and publisher. Besides that I have a healing practice and I give workshops about the Art of Dreaming.

The Sorcerer’s Dream is my first book. The theme of the passed years have been the sorcerers tradition and mastering conscious dreaming. I have carefully recorded my personal experiences which has finally led to this first book.

And here’s a short pitch on where to buy my book, my web site, blog, etc.

The Sorcerer’s dream, an initiation into the sorcerer’s world and mastering conscious dreaming. Buy it at:

http://www.booklocker.com/books/4654.html

The book can be ordered on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Dream-Dreamshield-Alysa-Braceau/dp/1609101561 and everywhere they sell books

Please visit my website: http://www.dreamshield.nl

Blog: http://dreamshield.wordpress.com

The Benefits Of Public Relations To Society

2010-09-12T11:49:00.001-04:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

The Benefits Of Public Relations To Society

View more presentations from jackie57.

Shopping Made Easy

2010-08-30T14:37:00.001-04:00

Shopping has always been one of my passions. Someone very wise once said, if you want to instantly lift your spirits, buy a new hat! Of course, if you don't have a milliner in your local area, you can check online Become.com

On Become.com you will find a variety of goods as well fantastic daily deals you won't be able to live without. Whether you love electronics, jewelry, or automotive products, you'll find what you're looking for by a simple click of a mouse.

I'm a book lover, and one of my favorite publishers, is Hay House. Become.com offers many Hay House titles at a generous discount through great coupons. Another marvelous feature are the monthly giveaways. I think a shopping spree is definitely in the cards today.

2010-08-25T14:32:00.002-04:00

Generating News
**************************************************

Newsrooms across the country are on the lookout
for:

- How about the latest back to school gadgets and
supplies? What about eco-friendly products like
stainless steel lunchboxes? What will the average
family spend this school shopping season?

- 3D mania. What’s with all the 3D movies? Reports
say excessive 3D watching can make you sick: can
cause nausea, dizziness etc. Is that true? What do
you do about that? What the heck is excessive?

- Piggy backing off of hot movies is always a
great way to pitch. The new Drew Barrymore movie
on long-distance relationships is coming out.
Pitch newsrooms the pros and cons of long-distance
relationship. Throw in some stats on how often
soldiers get to see their families. Great story.

Reprinted from "ShawneTV Guide," a free ezine
that generates news stories and conversations that
grow your business, career and non-profit.
Subscribe and receive a free gift at www.ShawneTV.com.
© Copyright 2010 Shawne Duperon, ShawneTV Inc.

2010-08-06T12:42:00.002-04:00

In light of the upcoming film, EAT, PRAY,LOVE many Americans will be inspired to pursue a spiritual journey. Jackie O'Neal, author of WOMAN PRIEST can teach your audience how to deepen their spiritual journeys along the way.

O'Neal has been featured on numerous media outlets including The J.P. Godsey Show, The Press of Atlantic City, The Huffington Post, USA Today.com, and NPR.

O'Neal says: "What is most important is that each of us are on our own individual spiritual journey, have the freedom to explore and even question the tenets of our faith without being labeled a heretic by others. Not to take this road of exploration will impede our spiritual growth, and the guilt imposed on us by others will do little to bring us to enlightenment."

"Although I've written a book that encompasses spirituality, I was not always a spiritual person. I wrote my book Woman Priest in order to share aspects of my journey as a minister in the church, and commentary on world affairs, I believe the faith communities and individuals should be aware of, in terms of helping alleviate some of the suffering in our world."

"Traumatic events can cause event the most religious person to question faith, doctrine, and dogma. After my grown son's unexpected passing, I felt drawn to re-define spirituality for my life as part of the grief process. Most of the dogma and doctrine most of us have been taught via our religious institutions, are nothing more than man- made ideas."

O'Neal can talk about:

*Spirituality: What is the difference between being spiritual and being pious in the religious sense?
*Stages of Spirituality: Non-Church Go-ers Can Be Spiritual And More Evolved Than The Average Church Go-er
* Why You Don't Have To Be A Christian To Be "Saved"

Website: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Woman_Priest
Book page: http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Audrey-ONeal-S.T.M./e/B003LFJYBM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Bio:

Jackie O'Neal made history as the first woman at an Episcopal parish to be nominated for the priesthood and can inspire women to follow their passions and career goals especially in male dominated cultures.

Jackie O'Neal has been regular contributor to award-winning The Press of Atlantic City, The New York Amsterdam News , The Huffington Post, USA Today.com among others. She holds an M.F.A. in Poetry and Fiction from the renowned, Sarah Lawrence College. In addition, she holds a Masters Degree in Sacred Theology from Agape Seminary. O'Neal taught Developmental Writing as a Senior adjunct professor at Atlantic Cape Community College where she was nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award 2007.

Originally from New York, O'Neal taught at York College of the City University of New York. Currently, she is an ordained priest and the only woman in 126 years to be nominated for the priesthood at her parish, The Church of the Ascension in Atlantic City, N.J. Her work includes being part of a chaplain's team at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center,and collaborating with international ministries in the developing nations. She has been married for over a decade to Mason O'Neal, a retired NYC investigator.

2010-07-16T16:14:00.004-04:00

My essay about why I write will be part of the world's first representative survey of what makes writers tick. As in: really tick.

I joined my narrative voice to a thousand authors answered who responded to four simple questions:

*Why did you write?
*How did it change your life?
*How did it change the life of others?
*What about people who can't read?

I'm thrilled to share this news and let you know what an impact it will make on literacy-with each copy sold of Why We Wrote a donation will be made to the Get Caught Reading campaign of the Association of American Publishers, of which PublishAmerica is a long-standing member.

"In four volumes of this book, writers who over the years joined almost fifty thousand other PublishAmerica writers to become a published author, open a thousand windows into their minds and hearts.

Together they issue a uniquely inspiring message of dreams, drive, and determination.

Over the span of only one decade, PublishAmerica's authors have touched a million lives, and then some. They are the ABC's most effective advocates. What they're saying is that America's readers and writers can, and do, change a world."

-Willem Meiners, co-founder of PublishAmerica

Pre-order your copy: http://www.publishamerica.net/product95074.html

2010-07-15T12:41:00.001-04:00

What You Must Know About Marketing Self-Published Books

I can provide self-published authors tools and techniques to sell more books.

I've advised self-published authors about how to sell their books in bulk to corporations, book clubs, and book stores, libraries, the value of hiring a publicist and more.

Schedule a 60 minute consultation: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Appointments

Jackie O'Neal

onealmedia@live.com

2010-06-18T11:18:00.001-04:00

The plight of Afghan women

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's recent visit to the United States was in the news, but stories about the reality of life for Afghan women have been missing. Through my support of MADRE (www.madre.org), I recently heard the story of Wahida, an Afghan woman who was only 13 when her family sold her into marriage to a man more than three times her age.

For nearly 20 years, she suffered terrible physical abuse. Then, when her husband accused her of infidelity, she was thrown in prison by a court system that sees women as less than full human beings.

She was granted a pardon only after four years. After her release from prison, she found relief in a women's shelter supported in part by MADRE's Afghan Women's Survival Fund.

This is the type of story we must remember - of courageous Afghan women demanding their rights. As Afghan people work to build their future, it will depend on the bravery of women like Wahida and the support we in the United States can extend to them.

Source: The Press of Atlantic City, July 18, 2010

BEHAVIOR: Creating Productive Summer Experiences For An ADHD Child

2010-06-16T14:29:00.003-04:00

BEHAVIOR: Creating Productive Summer Experiences For An ADHD Child

Karen K. Lowry,RN and author of The Seventh Inning Sit: A Journey of ADHD, based in Medford, NJ can discuss ways parents can ensure a productive summer for children with ADHD, in light of the end of the academic year. “First, it’s important to incorporate consistent bed times into the structure of the day. Some children have co-existing disorders of anxiety which does impact going to sleep and staying asleep. The cycle of not enough sleep, and oppositional behavior appear to correlate. The academic component must be reinforced for every child in the summer ,due to the potential for regression. Only 30% of children with ADHD have no co-existing disorders. So in order to encourage the reading and math that is assigned by many schools to do over the summer, again structure comes into play. Choices are important for children when you are reinforcing academic activities that they would rather ignore.” News Contact: Jackie O’Neal ,onealmedia@live.com , +609 334 8621

2010-05-29T08:55:00.001-04:00

My publisher asked me a series of questions related to how my book Woman Priest: A Collection of Spiritual Reflections And Commentary On Today's Issues changed my life.
The content is intended for a forthcoming anthology,subtitled: Why We Write: How Books Changed The Lives Of Published Authors And Their Readers.

1. What made you write your book?

I wrote my book Woman Priest to share my spiritual journey as a candidate for the Episcopal priesthood. The story, I felt needed to be told as it was unique, in the sense that I was the first woman in 126 years at a historic Episcopal parish to be nominated for the priesthood. By the time, I arrived on the scene, women had been ordained for over thirty years. I wanted my readers to know that women have the physical, emotional, and spiritual stamina to do ministry, and as a woman, there were several obstacles placed in my path, I was able to overcome. The process of ordination is complex and hierarchical- some might say even archaic. I was a witness to some of the indignities and triumphs- who best to tell such a story?

2. How did your book change your life?

I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment after publishing my book, and being recognized as a spiritual leader. I felt more energized than ever before through the process of marketing my book. It changed my life in the sense that I'm busier than ever. The message I'm eager to share with the public about spirituality has catapulted me into an engaging, inspiring literary world. Had I not written and published my book, I'd have less credibility in my field of endeavor. I think the most rewarding part of writing my book was being able to reveal to the reader, the many magnificent people I met at my parish and abroad. Coming in contact with talented, charitable individuals the way I did, in my day to day parish work, taught me the value of community, and that every person has gifts to share with others.

3. How did it change the lives of others?

People of all faiths have told me they loved my book and were inspired by how true to my beliefs I am. They have been touched by how much my book celebrates faith and humanity, and helps them realize a woman can be an effective leader, even in a male dominated culture.

4. What would you say to someone who can't read?

I would encourage them to find a literacy program and work on overcoming illiteracy. There are wonderful volunteers willing to teach reading skills at every library in every community. Take advantage of it because reading is one of life's greatest pleasures that expands the mind and soul. Knowledge is power.

To learn more, visit: http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Audrey-ONeal-S.T.M./e/B003LFJYBM/ref=n...

Environment: The Value of Renewable Energy

2010-05-04T20:26:00.002-04:00

Environment: The Value of Renewable Energy

Diane Tegarden, environmental journalist and author based in Los Angeles, CA can discuss the benefits of using renewable energy in preventing future environmental dilemmas like the the Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling explosion.

"When we use fuel sources like coal, oil or gasoline, we are using outdated, inefficient, dangerous technology that can be replaced by biofuels, ocean energy conversion, wave energy conversion and wind power. It takes the same amount of money to invest in the newer, cleaner ways to generate fuel and electrical energy as we are spending on traditionally generated power." News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, jackieoneal@helloworld.com
Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.firewalkerpublications.com/

Disability Issues Explored

2010-04-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

Recently, Vicki Niswander of WEFT 90.1 FM in Champaign, IL interviewed author, Chris Tatevosian about his self-help memoir Life Interrupted- It's Not All About Me. He discussed ways to combat the frustrations that accompany living with a chronic illness. At the same time, he offers encouragement to caregivers living with a loved one with a disabling illness. He helps the audience come to terms with the notion of clear communication as the best tool to foster understanding.

Tatevosian draws upon his personal experience with remarkable candor and the interview is worth listening to.

Host, Vicki Niswander is the parent of an adult daughter with a disability. In addition, she's active in a myriad of advocacy orgnaizations in her local area.

Listen to the interview here: http://www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com/radiointerviews.htm

Best-Selling Author Reveals Truth About the Dangers of Cyber Strangers

2010-03-11T16:15:00.002-05:00

SYDNEY, March 11 /O'Neal Media Group/ -- It takes literary skill to bring out the humanity of an evil protagonist. "This is always a challenge. Take Hannibal Lecter. If Hopkins had not given him a fierce intelligence and a grizzly pitch black sense of humor, no one would have liked him," says Shane Briant, author of thriller, Worst Nightmares (Vanguard Press). ISBN 978-1-59315-514-8

"He was, after all, almost an insane beast at times. Yet somehow the writing made the audience want him to escape. So, for me, I imbue my darkest characters with a sense of humor maybe, or give them one facet of their soul, albeit a very small one, where they love or care for someone or something living, be it a human, animal or an orchid," Briant adds.

What is it precisely about the dark side of human nature that makes perfect raw material for compelling stories?

Briant says, "People like to know they are safe, that those they love are safe. That they will never die. But they love to be thrilled by watching others tread the tightrope of life. It's fun to see James Bond fight it out because they can live out their personal fantasies. They love seeing Hannibal Lecter eat body parts of living people because it makes the hairs stand up on the backs of their necks. After all, they are safe. And they know it's a story. But I'd go further. People are drawn to terrible disasters and accidents where REAL people are dying because it's not them! It's someone else. It thrills some deep dark part of their psyche!"

Worst Nightmares tells the story of successful writer, Dermot Nolan, the writer's block that plagues him, the temptation to plagiarize an unsolicited manuscript that unexpectedly falls into his lap, and the horrific episodes that ensue.

Through his research, Briant delved into Internet addiction and the dangers of hooking up on the Internet with cyber strangers. According to a Stanford University School of Medicine study, one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic Internet use.

Briant will be in the U.S. on tour from April 6 - May 24, 2010 and available for media interviews.

Review copies and interviews upon request. For more information, visit: http://www.bmoca.com

O'Neal Media Group http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Shane Briant

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=94185

CONTACT: Jackie O'Neal, +1-609-334-8621, jackieoneal@helloworld.com, for Shane Briant

reBlog from publishingtalk.eu: Small and Mighty

2010-02-25T18:43:00.001-05:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

The worst financial crisis in a century, an international banking collapse and global recession: it is enough to make a publisher cry all the way to the bank. But there is a flip side to the doom and gloom: It is possible to thrive — not just survive — in an economic downturn, especially if you are small, flexible and smart.publishingtalk.eu, Small and Mighty, Feb 2010

You should read the whole article.

Attachment Parenting In A Detached World

2010-02-12T13:55:00.001-05:00

How Parents In Crisis Can Practice Nurturing And Strengthen The Family

Attachment Parenting In A Detached World

Our nation faces serious challenges such as child abuse, anti-social behavior and juvenile crime. In many cases, these problems can be traced to a traumatic childhood and failure of parenting. Parker explores how a more nurturing parenting method can contribute to healthier, happier children, stronger families and a safer society.

According to The Children’s Defense Fund, “ Every day in America four children are killed by abuse or neglect,five children or teens commit suicide
192 children are arrested for violent crimes.” Further, The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,760 child fatalities in 2007. This translates to a rate of 2.35 children per 100,000 children in the general population. NCANDS defines "child fatality" as the death of a child caused by an injury resulting from abuse or neglect, or where abuse or neglect was a contributing factor.

In 2003, the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, within the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched a Child Abuse Prevention Initiative to raise awareness of the issue in a much more visible and comprehensive way than ever before. The Prevention Initiative is an opportunity for individuals and groups across the country to work together to strengthen families and communities. Increasingly, this effort focuses on promoting protective factors that enhance the capacity of parents, caregivers, and communities to protect, nurture, and promote the healthy development of children.

Lysa Parker, co-founder of Attachment Parenting International, and co-author of Attached At The Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles For Raising Connected And Compassionate Children will address ways parents can practice nurturing, and thereby strengthen families and communities. It's the only baby book you'll ever need.

On Friday Feb, 13, 2010 at noon at Barnes And Noble in Sacramento, Barnes and Noble Booksellers , 1725 Arden Way,Sacramento, CA 95815 ,tel: (916) 565-0166 .

Barnes and Noble will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Sacramento Crisis Nursery, an organization that provides emotional and material support to parents in crisis, and helps to improve their parenting skills.

Lysa Parker says, "Our book (and our organization Attachment Parenting International) provides a blueprint for childcare providers to build and strengthen the parent-child attachment relationship. The book summarizes the crises many children and families are in right now in our country and describes the fundamentals of the emotional needs of children that must be addressed if we are to stem the tide of child abuse, and deep-rooted social problems. Crisis Nurseries is providing a valuable service to stressed out parents who don’t have the emotional or material resources to support them in parenting. Not only are they providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children but the parents as well, with counseling and training to help them be better parents."

Attachment Parenting International Fact Sheet: http://www.attachmentparenting.org/about/about.php

Lysa Parker, Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jHXYecyn0

Lysa Parker, Video Clip: "Don't Pick Up The Baby- You'll Spoil it"-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVB9UpSRpIg

Sacramento Crisis Nursery: http://www.crisisnurseries.org/

Child Abuse And Neglect Fact Sheet: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.cfm

Suggested Interview Questions:

Contact: Jackie O’Neal

O’Neal Media Group

jackieoneal@helloworld.com

609-334-8621

Suggested Interview Questions

1. What are some of the common myths and misunderstandings that our society perpetuates when it comes to raising children?

2. One popular parenting adage is “Don’t pick up the baby, you’ll spoil it.” Do you find that to be true?

3. There are thousands of parenting books on the market, how is your book different than other parenting books on the market?

4. You’re the cofounder (with your coauthor) of Attachment Parenting International, a nonprofit organization- what is the mission of your organization and why do you believe it is important to parents and professionals?

5. Can you clarify for our audience some of the basic principles of parenting and key ways parents can nurture their children to build stronger connections?

6. Are you saying that parents have to follow each principle in order to do it right? Many parents work and might feel that can’t possibly follow your advice, what would you say to those parents?

7. Does your book address child abuse prevention? What are some of the findings?

8. What support do you recommend parents get when they find themselves in a crisis situation?

9. In uncertain economic times, is it more difficult to meet the emotional needs of children?

10. What are some of the challenges that parents face in our society, even in the best of times?

11. What can we do as a society to better support parents and families?

12. Is there a non-threatening way to suggest a parent seek counseling and parenting skills sessions?

For more information go to www.attachedattheheartbook.com. To request a review copy or to schedule an interview, contact Jackie O’Neal, O’Neal Media Group, jackieoneal@helloworld.com or 609-334-8621

THE AUTHORS

Barbara Nicholson is co-founder of Attachment Parenting International (API). For fifteen years she served as President of the Board of Directors of API. She has a Masters of Education degree specializing in learning disabilities and has been a breastfeeding and parent support group facilitator for over 27 years.

Lysa Parker received her bachelor’s in education and her master’s degree in human development and family studies. She earned her designation of Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) from the National Council on Family Relations in 2004. As cofounder of Attachment Parenting International, she served as the executive director for thirteen years.

Attachment Parenting International (API) was founded in 1994 to network with parents, professionals and like-minded organizations around the world. API’s mission is to educate and support all parents in raising secure, joyful and empathic children in order to strengthen families and create a more compassionate world. More information about Attachment Parenting International can be found at www.attachmentparenting.org.

Book Details And Testimonials:

Attached at the Heart:

8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children

PRAISE FOR ATTACHED AT THE HEART

"Trust me. This is the only baby book you'll ever need! It's amazing, heartwarming, and completely user-friendly. Just add your heart!"

Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause and Women's Bodies, and Women's Wisdom

"In my mind no two people anywhere on the planet have worked and sacrificed more than Barbara and Lysa to promote healthy and happy attachment relationships between mothers, fathers and their infants. Their book provides careful and accurate if not cautious recommendations about infants and their caregivers that closely follow more balanced scientific findings and not simply, those that support their own personal philosophies or political agendas, a description accurately applied to more traditional medical authoritative associations.

I recommend their book without hesitation and with much enthusiasm."

James J.McKenna, Ph.D. Edmund P.Joyce C.S.C. Chair in Anthropology, and Director, Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory, University of Notre Dame

“This is a wise and nurturing book for parents, helping them nurture their children according to their emotional and developmental needs. A much needed guide to attuned parenting. I highly recommend it.”

Harville Hendrix, PhD, co-author with Helen LaKelly Hunt of Giving the Love that Heals: A Guide for Parents

“Here’s the book that not only answers your questions about attachment parenting but includes the research that backs it up. Attached at the Heart is a gift for all of us looking for practical information on how to strengthen the emotional connections in our families, a powerful and undeniable influence towards achieving a compassionate world.”

Marian Tompson, Cofounder, La Leche League International Founder and president AnotherLook at breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS

"Simple changes in the way you parent can make a huge difference in your child's confidence, resilience and ability to love. Attached at the Heart is thoroughly loving, compelling and supportive-packed with practical, good-sense advice to help you to strengthen and deepen your child's humanity...every single day."

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, creator of the book/DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block

“Attached at the Heart is a breathtaking wake-up call for parents and children everywhere. With stunning acuity, scientific insight, and a rare passion, authors Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker unlock the keys to creating compassionate, connected families. The result is that there is truly no other parenting book that covers as much crucial ground as deeply, accessibly, and comprehensively as this one. The gift is that they have succeeded in writing a revolutionary book that offers a shining light for parents, and a huge impetus for positive, lasting change.”

Lu Hanessian, author of acclaimed memoir Let the Baby Drive: Navigating the Road of New Motherhood, former NBC anchor, syndicated columnist, and parent educator

“Attachment parenting has worked so well for our family and I'm thrilled that more and more people are becoming familiar with the idea. Attached at the Heart will help parents become acquainted with parenting principles to ensure connected, confident children and provide them with tools they can use in every relationship or endeavor in their lives as adults. I have seen the benefits with my own children and I hope you will find some words of wisdom and useful techniques in this wonderful book.”

Melora Hardin, Plays “Jan” in the hit NBC show, The Office

“Attached at the Heart is the first book to present attachment theory in an accessible and contemporary way. Its 8 Principles are critical guideposts by which parents can light their way to a healthy relationship with their children.

Peggy O'Mara, Editor and Publisher, Mothering

“No two babies are born the same—they come with no instructions and no guarantee, and yet parents are expected to raise perfect children every time! Parents have to rely on their instincts, but human instincts are intensely colored by our own childhood experiences of being raised—for better or for worse.

To make raising children even more confusing, there is a bewildering array of conflicting information for parents, the media feeds off stories of family drama and distress, and cultural change during the past thirty years has been so extensive that many family values are often seen as being old-fashioned or outdated. So how do parents cope with the greatest challenge of their lives? How do parents raise children to flourish in the world that they will inherit?

Raising healthy children to become healthy adults requires parents to give babies, toddlers, and small children a prodigious amount of time and appropriate attention. Attachment parenting is not a soft option—yes, it can bring lasting joy, strong family bonds, and immense satisfaction, but, like any worthwhile undertaking, it requires knowledge, commitment, and support to achieve a positive result. Attachment parenting is in many ways the practical application of my father’s theory.

In Attached at the Heart, Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker have gathered from around the world an astonishing array of carefully selected information about parenting babies and toddlers. This thought-provoking anthology has been intelligently organized into “eight principles” that guide readers on a journey of discovery—sometimes reassuring and sometimes a reality check! The authors have managed to précis academic research findings with a light touch and merge them with years of personal experience and of helping countless parents through Attachment Parenting International (API). The depth of knowledge presented in Attached at the Heart allows readers to draw their own conclusions about how best to apply the information to their own personal circumstances.”

Sir Richard Bowlby, Bt, Son of Dr. John Bowlby

“This is really quite a remarkable book. It’s a veritable encyclopedia of attachment parenting. Hard to think of any area not covered, and hard to find any reference that’s missing. The style is clear and from beginning to end suffused with the warmth and gentleness of the authors. Attached at the Heart will serve as a comprehensive reference resource for attachment parenting parents who want to support their choices with the wide-ranging research that’s out there, but hard to find in one place.”

Elliott Barker, MD, Forensic Psychiatrist, Founder, Canadian Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (CSPCC)

“Attached at the Heart communicates an enormous spectrum of information that is valuable and inspirational to parents and professionals. It defines Attachment Parenting in the most comprehensive and profound way. Attached at the Heart is an indispensable primer for any new parent.”

Isabelle Fox, PhD, Author of Being There: The Benefits of a Stay-at-Home Parent

"Sometimes, we parents lose sight of just how important we are. Attached at the Heart is a loving reminder of how crucial mothers and fathers are to children--and to the human story. Nicholson and Parker have put together an accessible, to-the-point, and inspiring manual that offers practical ways to foster a sense of the sacred in the work of raising children."

Enola Aird, Director, The Motherhood Project, Visiting Scholar, Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, MA

Attached at the Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children

October, 2009 / Paperback / $23.95 / ISBN – 9781935278863

E-book / $6.00 / ISBN – 9781935278870

Ready To use Quotes:

Lysa Parker, Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), is co-founder of Attachment Parenting International, a nonprofit organization that helps create local support groups and publishes educational and research materials for parents and professionals, and holds a master's degree in human development and family studies. Parker can discuss key issues related to the emotionally difficult process of adopting Haitian children: "As devastating as the earthquake has been on the Haitian people, the trauma is only magnified for the hundreds of thousands of children who are newly orphaned and the orphaned children who have been waiting years to be adopted into loving homes. The early years of a child's development sets the foundation for adulthood behavior, for good and bad. A humanitarian disaster of epic proportions will leave generations of lost children if agencies and governments don't
respond quickly to allow them to go to families who are opening their hearts and their homes." Parker is based in Madison, Ala. News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, jackieoneal@helloworld.com Phone: +1-609 334 8621 Web site: http://www.attachmentparenting.org

State Department officials update the current status of relief efforts in Haiti.

2010-02-02T20:54:00.000-05:00

Summary: USAID Administrator Raj Shah and State Department Counselor Cheryl Mills brief the Press on the Way Forward in Haiti.

2010-01-29T12:39:00.001-05:00

Line Brunet, CLC, MFDC, MSLC hosts Family Focus on Blog Talk Radio every Thursday at 10am PST/1pm EST. Listen in for valuable tips, information and inspiration from expert guests. This is the show that keeps all family members and caregivers up to date on all things that help families thrive!

Interview With O'Neal Media Group:

1.What are you trying to achieve as a broadcaster? Why is this important?

A: I am trying to empower people by providing knowledge on various topics and help those that have the information to give by inviting them to be guests on my show. The reason I am so passionate about this is that I feel that the more information someone has, the more equipped they are to make decisions in and about their lives.

2.How long have you been in broadcasting?

I have been doing my show for approximately 9 months. Several factors played into my becoming a broadcaster such as an old friend and fellow broadcaster as well as a former teacher of mine.

3.Describe any highs and or lows about working in media- personally or as part of your organisation as a whole?

The best part of this work is meeting all of the interesting people and learning something new all the time. It's the connecting with people whether they are guests or listeners. The lows are the organizing and sourcing out of guests.

4.If you could have anyone in to interview, who would it be ?

If I could interview anyone it would have to be Tony Robbins because he is an inspiration to me. To me he was the original motivator for people and as a Life Coach, it is inspiring to know what he has accomplished.

5.Is there anything unique to how you are doing things? What's your approach?

This is something I am working on all of the time to develop. I'm very new to broadcasting so right now I can't say there is anything utterly unique about my methods. I try to broadcast my shows each month according to themes, such as Heart Month or Spiritual Awareness Month etc. As well I try to promote my guests locally despite the fact that they are spread out all over N. America because the information they provided knows no boundaries.

6.Tell us a key frustration working in your field?

My frustration used to be finding guests. However, that is no longer a problem and now I have a wait list.

7.Tell us something about you outside of work.

I'm married and have a son. I'm a former Legal Assistant turned Master Certified Life, Family and Spiritual Coach with a passion for supporting families in all aspects which is the reason for my radio show. I love laughing and learning and am extremely determined and passionate.

8.Where are you located? Geographically, what area(s) do you cover/help?

I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and I am able to help people with my show and my coaching all over the world.

9.Explain the type of segments you enjoy doing the most and the type of guests that you are looking for.

I really enjoy the segments geared towards health because it's extremely valuable and there is a lot of conflicting information out there and I am very careful to have reputable guests in that field. I also enjoy inspiring guests. Basically any guests that can offer value to today's families is the kind of guest I'm looking for.

10.What do you love the most about your work in media?

All the people I am met, the connections I've made and the knowledge I've gained.

Website: www.HorizonsLifeCoaching.com

Radio: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/FamilyFocusCoach

Jackie Audrey O'Neal | FiledBy

2010-01-07T12:01:00.001-05:00

Jackie Audrey O'Neal | FiledBy

Posted using ShareThis

Do you want more exposure for your book in 2010?

2009-12-31T14:41:00.001-05:00

Do you want more exposure for your book in 2010? Working with a publicist may be the answer for you.

You may ask: How can a publicist help me?

Working with a publicist, is vital to the growth of one's book promotion. Busy authors need to devote time each day to their publicity efforts, in order to keep their profiles and online presence high.

But very often authors lack the time for self-promotion and may not have access to media contacts, research or the expertise to create a well targeted communications plan. And they may lack an understanding of all the public relations functions that "work together as a team" so to speak, to keep you focused.

I can be of help, as my mind is trained in thinking strategically to meet your goals and objectives via a communications plan, and have the skills to execute it flawlessly. Of course, you will need to communicate "where you want to go", that is the direction you want to take, and the guidance you will get from me, will be invaluable to help take you there.

The best asset I can offer you, is the ability to plan every detail of your book promotion. My company, O'Neal Media Group, has designed several packages to meet every budget: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/PR_Packages

Clients that have hired me as their publicist, say I deliver value and enhance market recognition, increase visibility, and meet specific public relations goals, and most important of all- get results by focusing enthusiastically on client needs while delivering 110% because I walk many extra miles to assist you achieve your goals through strategic planning and creation of a comprehensive communications plan.

A change catalyst, hands-on doer, advocate and storyteller, clients who have worked with me also affirm I'm diligent and fearless, representing their interests in the utmost professional manner.

Organizations that have hired me to write feature stories point out my ability to filter through developments often going back months, connect with the parties involved (for the most part, located across the world), and produce a heartwarming and vivid story is impressive.

My news stories have been published on various online platforms, most notably, on the Huffington Post. Clients say my writing talent has expanded and strengthened their voice in the community.

As a publicist, Jackie O'Neal believes strongly in ethical business practices in public relations, and knows there is a myth circulating about "anyone off the street", being able to do PR.

" Those con artists who propagate such a myth, don't understand the first thing about the art and science of public relations. And they tarnish our profession, and the way the public perceives it. It will be evidenced when you ask them to pull together a communications audit."

"People tend to bandy about the term public relations, and lead unsuspecting individuals to think it's all about publicity. In point of fact, public relations encompasses eleven distinct functions. A trained, educated publicist can enlighten you about the different functions ,and help you identify which ones you need to pursue, for the success of your particular campaign."

Jackie O'Neal holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the renowned Sarah Lawrence College Graduate Writing program. As a journalist, her articles have been featured in The New York Amsterdam News, The Huffington Post, USA Today.com, the NPR blog,Examiner.com, The Press of Atlantic City, Mar Magazine, and others. Her commentary has been featured on NPR.

She is also an APR (Accreditation In Public Relations) candidate with The Public Relations Society of America.

Ready to get started or still have questions? Contact me to discuss enrolling as a client, or to learn more: jackieoneal@helloworld.com

Happy Marriages Equals Good Business

2009-11-19T13:40:00.002-05:00

The Value of Gratitude

2009-11-12T11:43:00.002-05:00

A study showed the vital role gratitude plays in our physical and mental well-being. Dr. Robert Emmons and Dr. Michael McCollough focus on gratitude as an emotion.

Further, Emmons and McCollough showed, is "that gratitude can be taught and learned, practiced and applied. Gratitude implies that we recognize the help we get from others. No matter how much we do for ourselves, we can remain aware and acknowledge whenever someone else has helped us."

Dr. Beth Erickson can explain recent research on gratitude to the average person, and discuss how the process of gratitude can benefit individuals in terms of healthy adjustment, and overall mental and physical well-being.

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, many persons prefer to count their blessings rather than lament the present day economic woes. They realize that doing so, can actually have significant benefits. And it is possible to be happy despite a negative climate.

Dr. Beth Erickson can also clarify for your listeners/readers how to:

*Shift thinking to cultivate a more positive attitude

*Understand the benefits of optimism for everyday life

News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, O'Neal Media Group, jackieoneal@helloworld.com, + 609 334 8621 http://www.drbetherickson.com

Violence Against Women

2009-10-30T12:35:00.001-04:00

Violence Against Women

By Jackie O'Neal

Women are significantly more likely than men to be injured during an assault: 31.5 percent of female rape victims, compared with 16.1 percent of male rape victims, reported being injured during their most recent rape; 39.0 percent of female physical assault victims, compared with 24.8 percent of male physical assault victims, reported being injured during their most recent physical assault, a National Institute of Justice report, Full Report of the Prevalence , Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women by Patricia Tjaden and Nancy Thoennes revealed in 2000, based on survey results.

The researchers noted a total of 8,000 women and 8,005 men age 18 and older were interviewed using a computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system.

Tjaden and Thonnes went on to affirm the risk of injury increases among female rape and physical assault victims when their assailant is a current or former intimate: Women who were raped or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend, or date were significantly more likely than women who were raped or physically assaulted by other types of perpetrators to report being injured during their most recent rape or physical assault.

Based on their survey, the researchers noted approximately one-third of injured female rape and physical assault victims receive medical treatment: 35.6 percent of the women injured during their most recent rape and 30.2 percent of the women injured during their most recent physical assault received medical treatment. Results from the survey indicate that 1 of 9 Americans—female and male alike—has been beaten since age 18. Results also indicate that 1 of 18 U.S. women and 1 of 8 U.S. men has been threatened with a gun since becoming an adult, while 1 of 43 U.S. women and 1 of 20 U.S. men has had a gun used on them.

Injury risk factors during rape were also taken into consideration, and the researchers noted the results that indicate that women who were raped as adults were significantly more likely to incur an injury (other than the rape itself) if they were raped by a current or former intimate partner; if their perpetrator threatened to harm or kill them or someone close to them at the time of the rape; if their perpetrator used a gun, knife, or other weapon during the rape; if the rape was completed; and if their perpetrator used drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the rape. The variable most likely to predict injury among adult female rape victims was whether the perpetrator threatened to harm or kill the victim or someone close to the victim at the time of the rape.

According to The Centers For Disease Control Each year, about 50,000 violent deaths occur in this country. Violent deaths, including homicides and suicides, cost the United States more than $52 billion in medical care and lost productivity every year.

Tjaden and Thonnes went on to note statistics estimate 2.1 million U.S. women who are raped and/or physically assaulted annually. Because some rape and physical assault victims experience multiple victimizations per year, an estimated 876,000 rapes and 5.9 million physical assaults, or 6.8 million rapes and physical assaults combined, are committed against U.S. women annually. Given the pervasiveness of rape and physical assault among American women, violence against women should be treated as a major criminal justice and public health concern.

The researchers pointed out that the annual rape victimization estimates are based on responses from only 24 women and should therefore be viewed with caution.

Further, the researchers asserted stalking is more prevalent than previously thought: 8.1 percent of surveyed women and 2.2 percent of surveyed men reported being stalked at some time in their life; 1.0 percent of women surveyed and 0.4 percent of men surveyed reported being stalked in the 12 months preceding the survey. Approximately 1 million women and 371,000 men are stalked annually in the United States. Based on U.S. Census estimates of the number of women and men in the country, one out of every 12 U.S. women (8.2 million) has been stalked at some time in her life, and one out

of every 45 U.S. men (2 million) has been stalked at some time in his life.

Leslie Bowman, author of Self-defense For Survival : The Road to Empowerment said she hopes her book will encourage women to become pro-active about their personal safety. "Women have all sorts of excuses for not learning to defend themselves. Among them are not having enough time, not being in good shape physically, having various medical conditions, not wanting to learn martial arts, and the worst of all-it can't happen to me. Sometimes people become victims of violent acts no matter how careful or aware of potential danger they may be. In cases like this, self-defense survival strategies can save a life. The prevention strategies and self-defense survival techniques in this book are suitable for women and children of all ages. With education and awareness, you can increase your self-confidence and learn to prevent and avoid potential violence attacks, " she said.

Leslie Bowman is a full time instructional designer and online professor in Education, Technology, Sociology, English, Communications, and Criminal Justice. She has 15 years of elementary public school teaching experience and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate college and university courses for the past ten years.

Bowman also has several years of experience in the private security industry focusing on child abuse and domestic investigations, retail asset protection, and violence prevention/threat assessment related to school and personal safety.

When asked what prompted her to write the book, Bowman said she was working in the private security industry and taking self defense classes, hence she received a trainer certificate and began teaching children, teens, and adults about personal safety.

Bowman envisions her book may impact her readers strongly enough that they will consider taking self-defense training. "I hope that after reading my book, people will be more aware of the potential dangers in their surroundings."

Bowman said she trained for two years in self-defense tactics as part of the process of researching the content for her book. She admits when she embarked on writing the book, there was an overall message she wanted to convey to her audience. "Be aware, trust your instincts, be prepared, and be safe," she said.

A Fascination For Lost Treasure

2009-10-28T14:16:00.001-04:00

Jessa Lee Scott is the pen name for mother-daughter writers from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Texas, Jessa Scott moved to Virginia after she was married, and lived in a variety of regions in Virginia.

When asked to describe the key issues of her book,Winds of Gold Scott said that according to legend, Thomas Jefferson Beale and twenty-nine Virginians left Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1817 to hunt on the Western plains. "They found gold and silver north of Santa Fe, and two loads were taken back to Virginia to be buried in Bedford County. Each shipment was to be hidden until all of the treasure was transported and could be divided among the men in the party," she said.

"During his second trip to Lynchburg in 1822, Beale left a letter and three coded messages with Robert Morris, an innkeeper in Lynchburg, with instructions that Morris should read the papers and act accordingly if Beale didn't return within ten years. When Beale failed to reappear, Morris and others subsequently attempted to break the codes."

Scott said that while she was living in Bedford, Virginia, the mystery surrounding the legend of Beale’s treasure appealed her imagination, and she undertook writing a fictional account depicting what might have happened to the treasure.

"This book has it all: suspense, mystery, adventure, and romance. It's perfect for summer vacation reading and winter reading in a cozy chair by the fireplace," she said.
She said as she embarked on the project, the key message she wanted to transmit to her readers was an inspirational one. "Dreams can come true and treasure can be found," she said.

Scott traveled extensively throughout the United States as part of the labor intensive research process and said that her knowledge in American history "provides authenticity for this fictional account of the lost treasure."

Synopsis of book
Kyndra Bailey inherits Faircliffe Plantation and is caught in an intricate web of secrets and deception when her brother disappears and her uncle spends her inheritance. With the loss of Faircliffe looming, Kyndra is forced to ask for help from handsome and mysterious Tyler Andrews. From antebellum Richmond to the Santa Fe Trail, Kyndra and Tyler are entangled in danger, adventure, and passion as they search for Kyndra’s brother and a fortune in gold, silver, and jewels. Knowing that Tyler must return to Texas and Kyndra will return to her beloved Faircliffe, their love seems doomed from the start. Yet as the clues draw them ever deeper into the mystery of Beale’s Treasure, their passion cannot be denied. The treasure may be lost forever but will Kyndra and Tyler be lost to each other forever or is their love strong enough to keep them together?
http://www.jessaleescott.com/index.html

Meet Linda Richardson

2009-10-20T13:56:00.004-04:00

Retiring from military life in September 2003, she received a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology in Psychology from the University of Maryland at College Park. "I retired from the U.S. Army in Sep 2003. I served my country for over 21 years. I have a Master in Social Work, I'm a licensed Social Worker for the state of Georgia, and I also have two Bachelors one in Sociology and one in Psychology. I basically love being of service to others."

Linda Richardson, author of How Well Are We Playing This Game Called Life: What We Are Not being Told About Our Birthright From A Universal, Scientific, And Individual Perspective said she first thought about writing a book back in 2000 after reading the trilogy Conversations with God by Neale Walsh. "After reading these books several times I had an epiphany about our life and the way we are living it in "this game called life." From that point on, I started visualizing how we could play a better game called life"

Apart from her life as a writer, Richardson is an entrepreneur and launched a business in June 2009. "RiMaLi Inc. RiMali means The Gift of Life and the company has several subsidiary functions. First, as an online school-- School of First Thought that offers general guidance, and counseling techniques for personal growth and development. Secondly, I created a new form of therapy; I'm using the techniques to design therapeutic electronic video games that will assist people with health issues. Thirdly, I have created an independent subsidiary -RiMaLi Creative Images- Small Business to the World, whereby I will offer independent assistance to creative small businesses that wish to contribute something to the world."

She is best known by individuals who have worked with her,as being open-minded and having a mind like a parachute.Why parachute? "Someone once said that a mind can only function best when like a parachute it is open. Linda's mind - open, embracing and landing heavy, weighty and serious issues gently. Her greatest assets are those things that we cannot see, but we know are fully deployed to give us the Linda we know today - her heart and mind."

Individuals who have worked with Linda have also said she is a "unique person with a way about herself that is positively contagious and everyone she meets benefits from their encounter with her".

To Learn More, Visit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Linda_Richardson

BEHAVIOR: The Impact of Marital Problems on Worker Productivity.

2009-10-19T14:48:00.002-04:00

Topic:

BEHAVIOR: The Impact of Marital Problems on Worker Productivity.

Statistics estimate 6 billion dollars in revenue is lost by American business, as a result of decreased worker productivity stemming from marriage and relationship problems.

Summary:

Dr. Beth Erickson, Ph.D., speaker and author based in Edina, Minn., can discuss worker productivity in light of Emotional Wellness Month (October):
"Businesses need to realize that marriage and divorce affect their bottom lines. Not only will people in a happy marriage be better, more productive workers, but also, they will be able to enjoy the safety and security of knowing someone is in their corners and their family is taken care of. This means they have the free attention to focus on other, more creative pursuits. All of this makes them better employees."

She affirmed the workplace and family life cannot be separated. One influences the other in diverse ways. "It's applicable to family. If a person is disengaged at home, they will be disengaged in the workplace," she said. She often invites her listeners on web talk radio "Relationships 101" to refer a co-worker, or supervisor who appears to perpetuate a toxic work culture, to therefore re-shape their approach to work and family life via a consultation. "Examine yourself and see where you can make a contribution in the workplace every day, and realize that everyone can make a difference," she said.

News Contact: Jackie O'Neal,
jackieoneal@helloworld.com Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.drbetherickson.com

Guest Logistics:

Dr. Beth Erickson lives in Minnesota 1 mile from an NBC affiliate CNN uses
and also close to ABC and NBC in the Twin Cities. Her patients are
used to her media placements so she can re-arrange her schedule at a
moment's notice. I'd be delighted to coordinate an interview

TV Clip:

http://www.drbetherickson.com/Press_Room.html

Dr. Beth is the host of "Relationships 101" on www.webtalkradio.net and a psychotherapist for 30 years. She is a great expert who can offer your audience practical tips on love, health, and family

Italian Celebrity Chef Says 'Every Day Can Be Festive'

2009-10-16T12:46:00.003-04:00

Maria Liberati, celebrity chef, is recognized as an expert in Italian cuisine and culture in the U.S. and abroad. Interestingly, she began her career as a model, and said transitioning from modeling to cooking was a natural progression. She said she observed the connection between food and the stylish trends of the Europeans while traveling there on modeling assignments. "There is a presentation aspect that involves color in the dishes with all the fresh ingredients," she said.

Her latest book, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions is a companion to her first book, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking.Consisting of 140 holiday recipes, it also offers wine paring tips, and the author's holiday anecdotes from time spent in Italy.

When asked to describe the premise of her book, Liberati said it is a cookbook designed to help the reader acknowledge that every day can be celebrated, not just holidays- in terms, of food, of course."I have included recipes that are festive but easy enough to cook for even a novice cook but special for anyone at any level to want to experience. there are some traditional recipes that I have 'tweaked' and some new ones. The Holidays covered are Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve, the Epiphany (A holiday for children with kid friendly recipes), Valentine's Day, Carnevale. Even if your family traditionally celebrates other Holidays you can experience these Holidays through the recipes and stories here," she said.

What follows is an interview with Maria Liberati,in which she discusses the inspiration for the book, the take-away she hopes readers will enjoy, and family members that have influenced her writing process.

What prompted you to write the book?

"I live in both Italy and the USA and spend many a Holiday in Italy. Holidays are a lot different in Italy than in the USA and are much less commercial, they are more about the food, family and friends that you share the occasions with than the material gifts you receive. So I wanted people to be able to experience that in some way in their own homes here in the US. That is why I have also included short stories about Holidays in Italy. They can experience the food and special recipes through the easy ,traditional recipes, but it was also necessary to include the short stories to give the full experience and people that are armchair travelers and those that don't like to cook can also enjoy the book."

Is there a key person or group that has inspired you in the process of writing?

"Besides my grandparents and aunts and mother who began my early interests in the culinary arts, I get my inspiration from the mountain town that I live in in Italy and where my great grandparents had their vineyard. No fast food restaurants there and a special occasion can be going for a walk to get artisan made cheese at a special cheese store or a freshly baked pastry at the local bakery. These were the sentiments that my grandparents when they came to the USA-making something simple into something special. So I used this as my inspiration for a Holiday book. Holidays are a time when people seem to only be concerned about what kind of material gifts they are getting but there are so many other ways to enjoy the Holidays and make them stress free and make them a time to be thankful for what you have already!"

As you embarked on writing your book, what was the overall message you wanted to convey to your audience?

"First of all, that you can make any meal into a special occasion with a special meal and don't have to wait for a Holiday to cook these recipes/menus. *Holidays should not be about the material gifts we receive but about the other gifts that we take for granted- having food on the table and friends and family and others to share the food with. These are the real gifts to be thankful for!"

Australian Author Driven To Penetrate American Publishing Market

2009-10-09T12:22:00.001-04:00

Professor David Carter of The University of Queensland, in Australia wrote, "While a number of high profile Australian writers are now located in the US and/or routinely have American publishers, little is known currently about the history of the publishing relationship between Australian authors/Australian books and American publishers. What is known at present has largely been the by-product of work on an individual author or oeuvre, for example through biographies or collections of letters for figures such as Christina Stead, Patrick White or Henry Handel Richardson. But the scattered information that is retrievable suggests the existence of a much wider and more significant field of relationships between Australian writers and American publishers and hence the need for substantial research on the dynamics of American publication."

Prof. David Carter went on to point out in his research, America Publishes Australia: Australian Books and American Publishers, 1890-2005:
"The role of American publishers was not confined to popular fiction. Martin Boyd first published The Montforts in the USA in 1928, under the title The Madeleine Heritage, and his subsequent novels were all published simultaneously in Britain and the USA. Lucinda Brayford was a Book Society choice and a best-seller. Barnard Eldershaw’s A House is Built was also published simultaneously in both countries, in 1929, and reviewed favourably in the New York Times (Hetherington). Norman Lindsay published five novels abroad during the 1930s (Holt), first in New York and shortly afterwards in London, at a time when his books were banned or thought likely to be banned in Australia (and so were neglected by local booksellers). W. W. Norton published American editions of Prichard’s Coonardoo and Haxby’s Circus, or Fay’s Circus as the American edition was titled, the latter in a version significantly different from the UK edition. Prichard herself preferred the US edition, but Australian publishers have always reprinted the UK version and the American is largely unknown (Hetherington). Norton published Henry Handel Richardson’s Ultima Thule which was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection in 1929, resulting in sales of over 100,000 copies (Ackland); plus the omnibus edition of Richardson’s The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney (1941), a Readers’ Book Club edition with a preface by Sinclair Lewis, in a print run of 75,000 (Probyn & Steele). Eleanor Dark’s The Timeless Land was first published in New York in the same year, and was another Book-of-the-Month Club selection, as was G. B. Lancaster’s Pageant: A Novel of Tasmania, first published in New York in 1933 (Sturm). More recently, Malouf’s An Imaginary Life (1978) and Child’s Play (1981) were first published in the USA, while Grenville’s Lilian’s Story owes its final, now standard, form to its American edition."

Australian author, Shane Briant said he was prompted to write his thriller Worst Nightmares as a result of his drive to penetrate the American market. "I was determined to have a thriller published in the biggest market in the world – America. And also the U.K. Hitherto, I had had five novels published in Australia," he said.

Briant previously had five thriller published in Australia, in addition to being an actor with a plethora of credits under his belt. "I had had a great career as a film actor, having starred in over 30 feature films worldwide since 1972, and had had five thrillers published in Australia, where I now live. But none had been taken up in America or the U.K. – the biggest English-speaking markets in the world. So I thought carefully about who my target readers might be, and what they might find intriguing. I knew I’d have to come up with a totally engrossing, fast-paced and original story. Personally, I love very dark and disturbing thrillers in the vein of Jeffrey Deaver and Thomas Harris, so I was delighted when New York Times best selling author Katherine Neville read my novel and drew that exact parallel. As did a great many other reviewers," he said.

He said the premise of his current book,Worst Nightmares "explores the concept of how one initial small error of moral judgment on the part of a best selling novelist is slowly compounded by circumstance, resulting in total calamity, as the domino effect kicks in."

Briant, an individual who appreciates literary masterpieces said he was inspired by classic Russian novelists. "Those that have inspired me most would be all the classic Russian novelists of the golden era. Dostoevsky, Gogol, Gorky, Turgenev, Tolstoy. They were, for me, the finest thriller writers that I have read. Since that time, John Le Carre and Martin Cruz Smith have influenced my thinking most. And Deaver, Berry, Tom Rob Smith, Connelly and Crais," he said.

He said he envisions his readers will be impacted by the confrontational nature of his book, but at the same time, he hopes to stimulate his reader's thought process, so they can interact with the ideas of the book. "Although essentially I hope my book will be a thrilling, and at times a hugely confronting read, I hope that it will be in some ways thought-provoking. I hope the reader will ask himself ‘Would I have done as Dermot Nolan did?’ ‘Could I have been driven by despair to have acted improperly?’ Because I tried to make Nolan’s plight totally real and his actions almost excusable. I also would like to think that they will be asking themselves ‘Is it possible that there are those walking the streets who I would never imagine could be would-be killers? People who seem to behave perfectly normally, yet when darkness falls, they reveal the sinister side," he said.

As Briant embarked on crafting his novel, he considered the overall message he wanted to convey to his readers. "When I started writing I wanted to suggest that there are many people ‘out there’ with some very dark thoughts. I explore how people deal with this side of their nature – for we all have such a dark side that we keep in check. Often we are unaware of this side to our personality until we hit real adversity. Only then will we understand our full psyche – when we ‘hit the wall.’ It’s very easy for those of us in modern society who enjoy an untroubled life to judge those that are panicked by adversity and do things they shouldn’t," he said.

Briant's background in acting has sensitized him to understanding the value of being a consummate researcher, in order to be able to portray emotional truth." Research is paramount to a convincing novel. I researched psychosis in great depth. I talked to criminologists and detectives to make my dark character as real as possible. And as for locations, I walk the very streets, eat the food in any restaurants I describe, feel the heat and experience the essential flavors of the city I am writing about," he said.

Visit Shane Briant online: http://www.bmoca.com/praise.html

Learn about Shane Briant's body of work as an actor: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0108470/)

Book Explores The Pain, Joy, Defeat of Battling Drug Addiction

2009-10-07T13:57:00.003-04:00

Written by Jackie O'Neal

According to research conducted by Joan F. Epstein and Joseph C. Gfroerer on heroin abuse in the United States, "numerous reports have suggested a rise in heroin use in recent years, which has been attributed to young people who are smoking or sniffing rather than injecting. The purity of heroin has increased to a level that makes smoking and sniffing feasible. The increased purity and concern about AIDS may be causing the shift from injecting to smoking and sniffing among heroin users."

The authors went on to affirm the data they presented come from a variety of sources. One source is the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG), a network of researchers from major metropolitan areas of the United States and selected foreign countries who meet semiannually to discuss the current epidemiology of drug abuse. It provides ongoing community level surveillance of drug abuse though the collection and analysis of epidemiological and ethnographic research data.

Another source, "Pulse Check", a series of qualitative interviews with ethnographers, treatment professionals and law enforcement agencies which provide a quick and subjective picture of what is happening in drug abuse across the country. The authors described heroin use and effects in detail and pointed out, "A narcotic derived from the opium poppy, heroin was originally developed as a substitute for morphine in an effort to deal with morphine’s addiction problem. However, it was quickly recognized that heroin is even more addictive than morphine. As a result the drug was made illegal. Produced in Mexico and Asia, heroin is reported to be widely available throughout the U.S. At the street level, heroin is "cut" with a variety of substances, leading to variation in purity over time and in different areas."

Their research noted estimates of the purity of heroin have shown substantial increases between 1984 and 1995.

In terms of the effects of heroin, the authors wrote: "When injected, sniffed or smoked, heroin binds with opiate receptors found in many regions of the brain. The result is intense euphoria, often referred to as a rush. The rush lasts only briefly and is followed by a couple of hours of a relaxed, contented state. In large doses, heroin can reduce or eliminate respiration. Withdrawal symptoms include: nausea, dysphoria, muscle aches, lacrimation or rhinorrhea, pupillary dilation, piloerection or sweating, diarrhea, yawning, fever, and insomnia."

Further, Joan F. Epstein and Joseph C. Gfroerer examined the trends in heroin use, its increase in use, and consequences. The authors went on to note, "Data suggest that there has been a rise in heroin use in recent years and that this rise has occurred among younger persons who are smoking or sniffing heroin rather than injecting. Some indicators exhibit an overall rise in heroin use, some display a rise in heroin use among youth, college students, and adolescents in small metropolitan areas and others suggest that new users tend to smoke or sniff rather than inject. In addition, there is some evidence that the time between first use of marijuana and first use of heroin is decreasing. "

Jerry Seper writing for THE WASHINGTON TIMES pointed out that "heroin use in the United States increased substantially during the past decade, with more than a million people nationwide believed to be addicted to the drug, according to Rogelio E. Guevara, the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief of operations."

Statistics estimate there are believed to be at least 700,000 people in the United States who need heroin addiction treatment but are not receiving it.

Dr. Barbara Sinor, in her book, Addiction: What's Really Going On? Inside A Heroin Treatment Program explores the struggles faced by individuals working to free themselves of drug addiction. " The book follows approximately ten years in the life of a drug counselor (my friend and colleague) working in a methadone treatment facility located in southern California. It accurately portrays the lives of her clients' struggles of trying to be free from heroin and other drugs. It contains powerful true stories woven together to form a tapestry filled with pain, joy, defeat, and success. It also unravels the questions relating to the use of methadone, detoxification from heroin and methadone, how our society has fallen into it's drug use, and what's really going on in "the life" of those with an addiction," she said.

She said her colleague,Deborah McCloskey who passed away in 2006,asked her to compile notes, and that prompted the writing of the book. "She shared notes with me over several years, in a book format. We worked together until her death and I am honored that I was able to complete this potent book which brings a "gritty and gripping look as the reader enters the lives of those who are like crabs trying to get out of a barrel," she said.

When asked how she envisioned the book would impact readers, Dr. Sinor said: "The field of addiction is a short step from childhood abuse and this issue has been my focus for most of my counseling career. My books Gifts From the Child Within and An Inspirational Guide for the Recovering Soul both surround the topic of healing and recovery from painful past childhood abuse, incest, negative programing, and PTSD issues. With evidence that a large percentage of child abusers were addicted to a substance at the time of the abuse and the fact that many adults who were abused in childhood became drug addicts and/or alcoholics, it is clear the two topics are tightly connected."

"Because this book surrounds the life of Deborah, not my own, I can only relay what I know of her intention to share her story and those of her clients with the public. Deborah wanted the public to become more aware of our nation's addiction population and what was really going on surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. She was torn between realizing most of her clients were content to stay on methadone even though she struggled to teach them they could be free of all drugs. She wanted the public to be aware of the real life of those addicted to any drug and/or alcohol and felt there was a better way to help those addicted and their children. Her message is to educate, understand, and have compassion for those caught in the trap of addiction."

The process of researching material for the book included interviews with recovering addicts and drug counselors. "My research consisted of educating myself with the issues surrounding heroin addiction and the use of methadone. I studied and talked with counselors, active and recovering addicts, and other professionals in the addiction field to gather my information. The data and statistics were taken from national agencies and governmental data banks online. Most of my contribution to this book is found in the Introduction and the Epilogue, however, I interjected much of the technical information throughout the book. The Foreword is written by Mark Parrino, the President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence which states this book, "...effectively captures the dynamic activity within the OTP and demonstrates the incredible relationship between the patients and the caregivers," she said.

Website: www.DrSinor.com
Blog: www.drsinor.wordpress.com

How Parents And Children Confront The Dangers of The Digital World

2009-10-03T13:21:00.004-04:00

How Parents And Children Confront The Dangers of The Digital World
By Jackie O'Neal

Jennifer Wong, author of No Bullies Allowed noted "bullying behavior can assume a wide range of actions;" Wong went on to point out, "Unfortunately, the advent of new forms of communication technology has added to the list of ways in which children and youths can be victimized by others." In terms of cyber-bullying alone, statistics estimate, 42 percent of children have been bullied while online and one in four report it happening more than once. Further, 58 percent of school age kids report not revealing online harassment to their parents, or other adults.

Dr. Uma Gupta, in an article Can Internet Babies Coo? pointed out the devastating impact of cyber-bullying. Gupta pointed out," Cyber-bullying is the use of any and all forms of digital media such as instant messaging, blogs, websites, emails, chat rooms, and cell phones with the sole intent to cause harm. This may include intent to humiliate, threaten, embarrass, cause emotional distress, reputation loss, demand submission, perpetuate hate, and distort the identities and motives of others."

Gupta explained that the anonymity inherent in the process of cyber-stalking makes the experience even more insidious."In an unsupervised digital world, with few laws and no boundaries, where identities are fluid and fiction becomes fact overnight, cyber-bullying is an exciting game for digital predators. While in face-to-face bullying the identity of the bully is known, in cyber-bullying the identity of the bully is often masked or anonymous. Bullying is restricted to a geographic location whereas cyber-bullying is a drama played out on a world-wide stage with free and ready access to anyone, anywhere, at any time to watch or participate in the process. In an unsupervised digital world, with few laws and no boundaries, where identities are fluid and fiction becomes fact overnight, cyber-harassment is an exciting game for digital predators."

In terms of Internet pornography, more than 11 million teens report viewing pornography online. According to the Pew Research Center, "most Americans say parents are primarily to blame when children are exposed to explicit sex or graphic violence."

The Pew survey reported, fully 79% say inadequate parental supervision rather than inadequate laws is mostly responsible for children being exposed to that sort of offensive material; there are no significant political or religious differences on this point. And by more than ten-to-one (86%-8%), the public believes that parents, rather than the entertainment industry, bear the most responsibility for keeping children from seeing sex and violence in TV and movies."

The research conducted by Pew also revealed that parents are fraught with worries over what their own children are being exposed to in the media, but they praised the tools that help them "make entertainment choices for their families." Further, the research conducted by Pew demonstrated "roughly six-in-ten parents (62%) say there is enough information available to help them decide whether movies, TV, video games and music lyrics are appropriate. Majorities of parents also say they have at least a fair amount of trust in ratings for TV, movies and video games, as well as advisory labels for music. In addition, roughly half of parents who go online (51%) say they have a filtering system to prevent access to pornography over the web."

Danielle Tiano, author of Temptation of A Generation recognizes the dangers of, as Dr. Uma Gupta put it, "an unsupervised digital world." Her book series, she said offers empowerment for both parents and children to keep the channels of communication open.The book series, focuses on the potential dangers of today’s most popular technologies; Cyber Bullying, Social Networking, Cell Phone/Texting, and Internet Pornography. Based in Southern California, Tiano has been involved in charitable endeavors, most recently including Miller’s Children’s Hospital, The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and The Karen Child Family Foundation.

In the following interview, Tiano discusses her book series and approach to the creative process.

1.What led you to write your book(s) and was there a pivotal event you can share?

There are many circumstances that bring children to use technology in the wrong ways. This has lead to children going down the wrong path in this technological age. I wanted to give back and help in an area that needed to be brought to light. Every parent, and every person that I have talked to about the series has been affected by technology and it's dangers in one way or another. Parents and teens need to be educated of the potential dangers of today’s popular technologies.

2.How do you approach the creative process when you decide to write?

I sit outside, usually by the ocean as it inspires me. I like to be surrounded by nature. I also enjoy writing at night when the rest of the world is sleeping, as my creative energy flows better with no interruptions. I have to birth the characters first, create a hero, and then I let it flow. It is like a puzzle that continues to grow into a completed piece of work. I absolutely love the process, and watching it unfold into a magic page that jumps out at you.

3.Are there any influentials in your life that have encouraged you to stay the course as an author?

Yes, there are hundreds of authors I have read and respected, presently and in my youth, that have helped me in my journey. I love stories, the ones you hear, read and watch. Everyone has a story to be told. Children also inspire me as their constant curiosity swallows my every need to write.

4. Can you explain the premise of your book?

I wrote the Temptation Series to give parents a tool to open communication with their children, and to empower children to realize they are not alone in the obstacles of this technology driven world. The series focuses on the potential dangers of today’s most popular technologies; Cyber Bullying, Social Networking, Cell Phone/Texting, and Internet Pornography.

5.What have been some of your high and low points in being a writer, and in the process of promoting your book?

The low points are driving sales, and making parents understand that the books and their subject matter are a necessity, an investment in their children's socially healthy development.

The high points are everything else! Having a parent hug me and tell me how much I helped their entire family. A letter or thank you card I get from a child or a school on how I impacted their life. Hearing myself on the radio or seeing myself on television, being interviewed, helping others. Seeing a child sit on a parents lap while they are being read my words, that is the best!!!! Having a child relate to one of the characters so they no longer feel alone.

6. Apart from writing, what other endeavors, or hobbies are you involved in?

Building a solid marriage. Working with charities. Volunteering myself for children's story times. Staying active outdoors as I love all sports. I have to do something active every day to keep a balance. I used to race (snow ski professionally). I love to learn and grow most of all. Every day I try to pick up a new skill or learn something new. Mental stimulation is very important to me!

7. What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a writer?

Do your research, read as many books as you can, and take writing classes. Pick a subject and run with it, and take criticism lightly. Be sure to learn patience because being a writer is a lot more work than you think!

8. Do you have any plans for the future-work related and/or personal?

My future endeavors will continue to focus on a child's growth and their continued success in life. I hope to author many more books in my future, to let kids know they are not alone.

9. Describe a typical day in you're writing life.

Absolute focused alone time. You need space and quiet time with no interruptions. As a writer you have to find or create an environment that works for you. A typical day is a lot of coffee and none stop writing with no distractions. Everything else needs to go on the side lines or you will not get anywhere with your story.

10.Tell us something about yourself outside of the job of writing. For example, your interests, an experience you want to
share, something you are proud of.

I am a solution based woman. I am most proud of all the people I have helped and brought together throughout the years. I have impacted many different lives. This is definitely my biggest accomplishment!

Coping with Disabiilty and Loss

2009-10-01T21:25:00.001-04:00

Coping with Disabiilty and Loss

Shared via AddThis

Miami Playgirl centerfold Stefan Pinto profiled in Yahoo! Hot Jobs ‘The Power of the Pen’

2009-09-30T14:19:00.003-04:00

My article "The Power of The Pen" ran on The Miami Herald.com :

Stefan Pinto, a Playgirl centerfold and budding actor from Miami (recently moved to Los Angeles), is featured – for his writing abilities -- in a Yahoo! Hot Jobs article, The Power of the Pen: Writing Careers for English Majors:

By Jackie O'Neal, ClassesUSA.com

Experts agree that writing skills are in demand across a range of industries, which means that English majors may hold the key that unlocks a host of job opportunities.

According to Mary Titus, professor of English and director of the Center For Integrative Studies at St. Olaf College, "English majors are ideal employees in any career, especially where well-crafted, intentional language use is crucial to influential, successful communication."

A Way With Words

From corporate communications to grant writing to public relations, English majors can gain an edge on the competition. Just ask Stefan Pinto, who leveraged his English degree to propel him to a career as a writer for Merck pharmaceuticals. As an English major from St. John's University, he stood out among other candidates, and was recruited even before he graduated.

To read the complete article, http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/09/miami-model-stefan-pinto-profiled-in-yahoo-hot-jobs-the-power-of-the-pen-writing-careers-for-english-majors.html

Media Connections Lab- A Space To Get Noticed And Stay Noticed

2009-09-18T16:26:00.004-04:00

Media Connections Lab has been operating for two short weeks, and our members are already giving us rave reviews:

Ken Hudnall, the host of The Ken Hudnall Show on Blog Talk Radio.com after joining Media Connections Lab,received attention on USA Today.com that ran
the feature "Radio Host Leaps From Terrestrial Radio To Internet." As a result of the national media coverage, Ken reported his listening audience on The Ken Hudnall Show, increased by 20,000 within a few days.

Author,Sharon Shefali Gupta says:

"A big thank you for the wonderful book trailer you did for TOOFANI DAYS, VALENTINE NIGHTS. My sister Kareena, who lives in Spokane, also joined your Media Connections yesterday, and so did my epublisher in London, Torquil Riley-Smith. They're both very impressed with your site. I look forward to a long and fruitful association with your agency."

Linda Richardson, author of How Well Are We Playing This Game Called Life is awaiting the release of her new book, and needed a feature story and book trailer to get some intense buzz going. Media Connections Lab wrote a distributed a feature "Retired Army Veteran Pursues Life-Long Learning," and she received coverage on several influential blogs like The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.com. Linda says, "Thanks Jackie, for revealing such a creative piece on me. I love you for it!"

Jackie O'Neal, creator on Media Connections Lab captured the imagination of Internet Voices Radio producer, Lillian Cauldwell, and was booked or Sept. 29,2009 to discuss
how authors and Radio/TV hosts can meet online without spending a dime.

http://www.internetvoicesradio.com

Erica Miner, award-winning author of Four Ever Friends and Travels With My Lovers needed a book trailer to promote on Facebook. Media Connections Lab got right to work, and she said: "Wow, the video you created is amazing. I love it. I can't wait to share it with my Facebook crowd."

Erica Miner
http://www.ericaminer.com
http://mymediaconnections.ning.com/video/erica-miner

Several radio talk show hosts agreed to be interviewed by Media Connections Lab to share their insight on what they look for in guests.
"Inside The Mind Of Radio Talk Show Hosts"
The feature story ran on USA Today.com San Francisco pages

Chris Tatevosian, author of Life Interrupted says:

"I am an author who views the Media Connection Lab as a valuable tool for promoting books like my self-help memoir Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me. The book I have written to help those in similar situations deal more positively with distresses to one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability."
-Chris M Tatevosian

Aurea McGarry, host of PBS Live Your Legacy TV reports what happened as a result of the new book trailer created by Media Connections Lab:

"I thought I would share this with everyone. An Amazon book reviewer contacted me last week and wanted to do an online interview with me about my book titled "I Won't Survive, I'll Thrive." Which is available on Amazon and all the online book stores. So if you click the attachment below you can read his interview he had with me. If you like it, please feel free to forward it along to others. I wrote it to give people hope in love, life, faith, business and in Miracles. Most of you know about one of my miracles which is that I should not be able to speak above a faint whisper after my cancer surgery removed the left nerve to my vocal chord in 1999, along with many other vital organs. But I am speaking and doing it for a living on radio, TV and now as a national traveling trainer and Platinum Director with Trump Network."
-Aurea Mcgarry, Live Your Legacy TV (PBS)

CLICK POSTING HERE....
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/1160/1/Meet-...

Anita Wills needed some fresh book promotion, so Media Connections Lab wrote and distributed a feature story "Genealogy Serves As Catalyst For Book On African-American Issues," and created a book trailer. These were packaged in a social media campaign whereby the feature story received hundreds of views the first day it was published. Anita Wills says: "Dear Jackie, This video is amazing, and took my breathe away. You breathed new life into my project. I cannot wait to share this video with my family and friends."
Anita Wills

Louise Uwacu, founder of POSITIVISION, and author of Nightmare of a POSITIVISION needed to promote her charitable endeavor nationally. Media Connections Lab wrote and released a feature story on her organization. USA Today.com and other outlets ran the story. Lousie says: "I saw your work and the piece and the trailer, it is all so well-done, and so good. I appreciate the coverage. Thank you for keeping it authentic."
Louise Uwacu, Author & Speaker
POSitivisionary* C.E.O.

With a POSITIVISION*, success is our only option www.onepositivision.com

Author, Bill Joyce sees writing as an adventure, and he wanted to raise his profile. so Media Connections Lab interviewed hin for a feature story. Bill Joyce says:
"Thank you Jackie. I appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. I will continue to watch and see how this new adventure shapes up."

Bill Joyce, President
Vision Management

More to come! For more information, Google: Media Connections Lab

Writer With MS Says Disability Should Not Mean Inability

2009-09-12T19:35:00.005-04:00

Chris Tatevosian grew up in Holliston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Holliston High School Class of 1979, Chris attended college in Vermont where he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1980. Upon graduation from Johnson State College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry, Tatevosian was employed by a fortune 100 pharmaceutical and nutritional company for seven years as a quality assurance chemical analyst.. During this period Chris received a graduate degree in adult education, from Trinity College. During the early '90s Tatevosian sought employment as an environmental chemist/staff scientist ultimately working as a corporate occupational safety and health coordinator. CMS continuing to worsen, Chris' marriage of ten years ended in 2002. Divorced with one stepson who lives in Vermont.

Having since remarried, Chris and his wife Jane now reside in Southern New England. Tatevosian is presently working on his second book likely to be released in 2010. My second project is a children’s book, says Chris, which is intended to help kids who have parents who have been diagnosed and deal daily with multiple sclerosis. It is my intention to help children to understand that which is going on within the household.

Chris Tatevosian, is the author of Life Interrupted-It's Not All About Me. While in college in Vermont, in 1980, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He affirms the pivotal event that led him to write the book involved the aftermath of a bitter divorce, and his need to share his experience of living with MS with others.

"My divorce was bitter and my ex-wife’s lawyer embellished so much, that I wanted friends and family to know the truth. That’s when God intervened and helped me to realize that He was allowing me to write a book to help not one, but perhaps millions of people around the world who may be undergoing a similar situation. A situation of overwhelming gloom, lack of purpose, and loneliness," he said.

He also said writing the book appeared to be somewhat of a human miracle.

"I am severely disabled as a result of my MS and the physical and mental acts of writing a book were surely impossible. Understand, I am legally blind.I have limited use and control of my hands and fingers and I suffer with severe cognitive issues," he said.

A deeply religious man, who also speaks at local churches, libraries, and health care settings, he's convinced that a higher power had a hand in the success of his book.

"You can't tell me that God wasn't invoked. I have been sharing the good news of Christ via my book and testimony at churches, prayer breakfast, hospitals, health clinics, libraries, coffee houses, bookstores and more. Anywhere people will listen-- response,and interest has been fantastic. The more discussions I facilitate,and numerous support groups with which I meet, the more shocked I become at the prevalence of this problem . The problem related to and resulting from the stress and hardships introduced to one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability. my My book Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me has been featured by evangelist Rhonda White on the Eagle Network's Authors and Speakers of Excellence web site where it was featured as June's book of the month," he said.

Tatevosian said he doesn't believe a devastating illness should be a reason for someone to become emotionally dysfunctional, and harbor what he terms, "the poor me attitude."

" When you read my story, perhaps you will identify with the same behaviors. It could have been any chronic illness or disability and anybody’s relationship, but my intention is still the same.My goal is to help others in a similar situation recognize and eliminate the growth of the relationship-destroying "Poor Me Attitude”. he said.

"Without intervention and change, the loss of one’s self-worth leads to an increase in anxiety, depression, anger, and loneliness, which can ultimately lead to the destruction of your relationship if those feelings are left to grow. The “Poor Me Attitude," as I refer to it, is really nothing more than a controlling attitude that started out with me unconsciously using my weakness, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy to get what I needed. Because I felt so weak, alone, and inadequate, I would frequently lash out over trivial things. You can become oblivious to the needs of everyone around you as a result of falling into the depressing, hurtful downward spiral of the “Poor Me Attitude.” No one knows this better than me. I just wish I had someone to slap me upside the head and yell, “Chris, Snap out of it! It’s not all about you," he said.

Despite his disability, Tatevosian is active as a broadcaster, columnist, and speaker. He said he pursues many different endeavors with a passion. His show "Winning Life through Pain"airs Tuesdays at 2 PM www.RSDcoachlive.com (1-347- 324-5661) The radio show airs Eastern Time. Tatevosian also is a featured columnist for MSfocus magazine here in the U.S. and Pathways magazine in the UK.

Like many authors, Tatevosian said promoting his book as an independent writer has been more challenging than the writing process.

"After my book was released approximately one year ago, www.Lifeinterruptednolonger.com I have struggled on the Internet with the process of promoting and marketing my book. I find that because the Internet affords us with endless promotional and marketing opportunities,it is simple to spend the entire day working on one opportunity after another eventually terminated by my inability to complete the task due to my lack of technological understanding or abilities. It can be a long arduous process, but one that also provides the answers as one becomes more familiar with the technology," he said.

He said most of his future plans will include marketing his book and writing a new one. "In between book signings, facilitating group discussions on topic, giving and preparing for interviews and the like, I am working on my second book. This book, a children's book, is being written to help children understand what is going on and why within the family unit as a result of life being interrupted by a chronic illness or disability involving their parents. I'm hoping to have this book released in late 2010 or early 2011," he said.

Tatevosian admits to being a sort of nocturnal writer, and one who sometimes relies on a tape recorder to capture his thoughts.

"Believe it,or not most of my writing takes place during the middle of the night. Ninety percent of Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me was written or conceived between midnight and 5 AM. When I'm trying to sleep, even in the middle of the night,I find myself having to speak my thoughts into a small handheld tape recorder to be entered into the computer the following day. When the writing juices are flowing you have to go with the flow, he said.

Apart from writing, he said he's active in his church, and also educates others on being pro-active about their chronic illness.

"I have designed and facilitate a course at my congregational church here in Massachusetts entitled "Life Interrupted" , helping others in similar situations deal more positively with the stress put on one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness,or disability," he said.

Our Pitch Landed Another Print Placement

2009-09-02T14:18:00.006-04:00

Our latest editorial print placement on ClassesUSA.com:

The Power of the Pen: Writing Careers for English Majors

ClassesUSA.com

by Jackie O'Neal, ClassesUSA.com

To Read full text click on the Title above.

Experts agree that writing skills are in demand across a range of industries, which means that English majors may hold the key that unlocks a host of job opportunities.
According to Mary Titus, professor of English and director of the Center For Integrative Studies at St. Olaf College, "English majors are ideal employees in any career, especially where well-crafted, intentional language use is crucial to influential, successful communication."

A Way With Words

From corporate communications to grant writing to public relations, English majors can gain an edge on the competition. Just ask Stefan Pinto, who leveraged his English degree to propel him to a career as a writer for Merck pharmaceuticals. As an English major from St. John's University, he stood out among other candidates, and was recruited even before he graduated.

The job prospects for Stefan's fellow English majors who can write about specialized topics are encouraging. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for writers and editors in the health industry who hold specialized degrees in English will continue to grow by 10 percent through 2016, with opportunities most abundant for technical writers.

Problem Solving via Public Relations

Many English majors utilize their college degrees by penetrating the public relations industry, expected to grow by 18 percent through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Editing Services Offered By O'Neal Media Group

2009-08-27T00:32:00.004-04:00

O'Neal Media Group Clients:
We have edited both fiction and non-fiction manuscripts. Our projects have ranged from manuscripts on business topics, short fiction,novels, and contemporary history.

O'Neal Media Group Editorial Process:
Together, we discuss appropriate timelines, projected schedules, goals for your work, and the method of reporting (Annotations on your manuscript amplified, if you prefer by a phone consultation) You send us your manuscript as a Google document that can be shared. We annotate your manuscript. and elaborate on any written notes.

The Product:
Thoroughly annotated manuscript segments, suggesting changes, for example in organization,style, tone, point of view, grammar etc. This can be followed by a consultation and discussion of the specific and general notes either by audio file or phone consultation.

The Fees:
$70 an hour for copy editing and consultation. Note there is no charge for the initial consultation by phone.

The Terms:
You make a deposit of $140 for a two-hour editing. You evaluate our editorial response to your writing and decide to continue, or not. You will be billed with each returned manuscript. Payment is due upon receipt of returned manuscript. Editing fees may be paid by check or paypal. Our paypal e-mail is jonealarts@juno.com

Our Credentials And Experience:
Jackie O'Neal holds an M.F.A. in Fiction and Poetry from the renowned Sarah Lawrence College Writing Program. Her editorial talents were instrumental in the critical success of The Editor's Manual: Editing Prose As A Professional, Soleil Press. In addition, O'Neal has been teaching writing courses at the college level for the past ten years. In 2007, she was nominated for An Excellence In Teaching Award from Atlantic Cape Community College in N.J.

Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of students and writers improve their writing skills, and polish their manuscripts.

I've just found a great FREE way to produce screencasts using Twitter

2009-08-21T13:36:00.000-04:00

I've just found a great FREE way to produce screencasts using Twitter

Read Our Free PR Tips On Women's Marketing Forum

2009-08-20T20:47:00.009-04:00

O'Neal Media Group shares free PR tips on Women's Marketing Forum:
http://www.womensmarketingforum.com

Check out our Twitter mentions and PR tips:
Ways Online Video Can Keep Your Profile High Today:

Tips On How To Use Online Video To Increase Visibility http://bit.ly/18Gn2G from @onealmediagroup

Media Relations:
Fool-proof Ways To Correspond With Journalists http://bit.ly/YpRBw PR tips from @onealmediagroup

When You Think Your Media Coverage Isn't Enough- Think Again! http://www.womensmarketingforum.com/blogs/jackie57/when-you-start-think-your-media-coverage-isnt-enough-think-again

SEO:

Bring Potential Customers To Your Doorstep With SEO
http://bit.ly/wZpTq Tips and free tool recommendations from @onealmediagroup

There a PR Firms And There Are PR Firms:

Qualities To Look For In A PR Consultant That Can Make A Difference In Yr Company's Success
http://bit.ly/cHva8 by @onealmediagroup

The Power of The Editorial:

How To Get Exposure For Your Business Via the Op-Ed
http://bit.ly/13R9di More top PR tips from @onealmediagroup

Free Marketing Tool You Can Use To Reach Your Target Audiences Today:

Great free resource for creating videos from photos - great for marketing!
http://bit.ly/cr3oe Thanks to @onealmediagroup for sharing

Media Relations Tips You Can Use Today To Get Coverage:

What is a Pitch Letter? http://bit.ly/19PdyW More handy PR tips from @onealmediagroup

Don't Let Your Comapny's News End Up In The Circular File:

5 Tips to Make Your Press Release Brilliant http://bit.ly/3ayFWM Great info from @onealmediagroup

Ways To Be More Productive:

Outsourcing – Get Help from Everyone http://bit.ly/Y6dLN More great small business tips from @onealmediagroup

Need to link to this page? Use this short address:
http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Read_Our_Free_PR_Tips_On_Womens_Marketing_Forum

Animoto.com

2009-08-14T17:39:00.001-04:00

Our Feature Story In The Huffington Post Today

2009-08-14T17:05:00.003-04:00

Our feature story for SLINT-Uganda ran in The Huffington Post Today which has 6 million readers and growing :

"Empowering Butikiro, Uganda To Secure Sustainability" by Jackie O'Neal

Read the full story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/08/14/empowering-butikiro-ugand_ws_259906.html

Animoto.com

2009-08-07T16:23:00.001-04:00

Commentary On Health Care Reform

2009-08-06T12:55:00.004-04:00

HEALTH CARE REFORM

House Democrats unveiled draft legislation they said would cover virtually all of the nation's nearly 50 million uninsured, but they won't reveal how they intend to pay for their plan until later.

Republicans have criticized the plan, saying it will force tens of millions of Americans to lose their current health care coverage. The insurance industry said it has fundamental problems with the plan, but stopped short of declaring outright opposition to the overhaul. (Source: PR Newswire)

O'Neal Media Group's expert can comment:

Dr. Beth Erickson, Ph.D., speaker and author of "Marriage Isn't for
Sissies" and "Longing for Dad: Father Loss and its Impact," in light of
health care reform:

"People in unhappy marriages cost American businesses $6.8 billion dollars a year in absenteeism; preabsenteeism; higher health care costs; and more depression, anxiety, domestic violence and chemical dependency. In these tumultuous economic times, problems that are left unattended become costly to businesses' bottom lines, as well as individuals' and families' emotional health and success.

These could be addressed before people become statistics, if everyone had access to adequate health care. Health care should not be just the province of the privileged or those employed in big-enough businesses that provide health care coverage." Erickson is located in of Edina, Minn.

News Contact:
Jackie O'Neal, onealmedia@live.com Phone: +1-609-334-8621

Animoto.com

2009-08-03T21:15:00.001-04:00

A Life-Changing Diagnosis: Grieving and Managing the Losses

2009-07-31T11:56:00.006-04:00

As health care reform is debated on Capitol Hill, and Congress is hard at work drafting legislation to reform the U.S. health care system, health-related concerns will be on America's mind.

Many people feel utterly alone when they are handed news of a life-threatening medical diagnosis. Some may feel they do not want to burden their loved ones with overwhelming news. It is not easy to be sick particularly when inevitably routines will be disrupted, we do not really know what is wrong with our bodies, or when and
if we will recover.

Dr. Beth Erickson, psychotherapist with three decades of clinical experience is prepared to address on-air, all types of questions about how to cope with a devastating illness, and provide anonymity to your audience.

Dr. Erickson will share critical keys to learn how to triumph over illness rather than feel victimized by it.

She will teach your audience how to:

- Figure out what can and cannot be controlled
-Have the courage to change what you can, and develop the wisdom to know the difference

Review Dr. Beth Erickson's press kit, visit:http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Dr._Beth_Erickson

In addition, Chicago- based Matrix Media president, Brad Saul will discuss his personal story of being diagnosed with MS in 1990, and how he triumphed. He will teach your listeners why disability does not have to mean inability.

Dr. Beth Erickson is also the host of "Relatioships 101" produced by Matrix Media. Brad Saul, president of Matrix Media discovered Dr. Beth Erickson to be a major radio talent. Together, they are a dynamic team.

You will see your ratings soar, and your audience riveted.

About Brad Saul:

Brad Saul is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Media, a multi media company which focuses on radio entertainment with recent projects including “Animal Planet Radio,” “The HGTV Design Minute,” and “Travel Channel Radio.” In addition, Matrix has launched two new radio networks over the past 12 months. The first network is UBC Radio Network and the second is EBN Radio Network. With over 30 years of experience in radio entertainment, Mr. Saul has pioneered a number of broadcast firsts. He introduced many innovative concepts to radio such as home shopping, NBA Radio Network, in flight audio and video advertising, the first radio station in an amusement park and more than 50 shows in syndication. He holds a BS and MA in radio, television and film from Northwestern University. Within the last 18 months, Matrix has launched two internet talk radio portals, and Saul has become a frequent commentator on internet radio and the future of terrestrial radio and radio advertising.

Visit Matric Media online: http://www.matrixmediainc.com

To book Dr. Beth Erickson and Brad Saul, please Jackie O'Neal
O'Neal Media Group, onealmedia@live.com. 609 334-8621

Artist Helps Children In Newark Explore Theatre Arts - Black Business Space - The Black Business Social Network

2009-07-24T20:29:00.001-04:00

Artist Helps Children In Newark Explore Theatre Arts - Black Business Space - The Black Business Social Network

Shared via AddThis

Arrow Hospital: Serving The Health Needs Of The Most Vulnerable

2009-07-15T19:39:00.008-04:00

The Kayole-Soweto community on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya has an estimated population of over 798,000. The majority of these persons live below the poverty level, and earn less than a dollar a day due to the economic climate.

The Kayole-Soweto slum region has been vulnerable to disease as a result of being used as an area to discard garbage, hence the spread of disease in the community. Malaria, Typhoid, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS- all pose major threats to the livelihood of the community as a whole.

Despite these conditions, Arrow Hospital recruits volunteer doctors to help serve urgent health needs that plague the region. From HIV/AIDS to Malaria and other life-threatening infectious diseases, Arrow Hospital doctors work tirelessly to treat 110-150 patients a week. Arrow Hospital's mission is to improve pre-natal health care, reduce infant mortality, and to give the public access to quality healthcare and education.

O'Neal Media Group has added Arrow Hospital to our roster of pro-bono projects in the developing nations. We are offering help in developing/revising a strategic plan through 2012, and other PR tasks.

We invite our clients and friends to get involved in supporting the work of Arrow Hospital http://www.arrowwebhospital.org by doing one, or all of the following:

Arrow Web Hospital has a group on Facebook. Consider joining the group there and inviting some of your friends to show your support for the hospital. The group is located here:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33819491864&ref=ts

You can also follow the hospital blog via Facebook with Networked Blogs:

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/friends_of_arrow_web_hospital...

3. Friends of Arrow Web Hospital is a Google Blog site where all the current news and updates are posted about the hospital. You can follow us there and recommend the blog to your friends. The blog is located here:

www.arrowwebhospital.blogspot.com

4. Consider promoting the hospital blog and/or website in your email signature. The hospital website is located at www.arrowwebhospital.org

How A Publicist Can Pin-Point, Solve, And Prevent Problems As Added Value To CEOs

2009-07-14T12:54:00.005-04:00

For Immediate Release
O'Neal Media Group
News Contact: Jackie O'Neal (PRSA)
+1 609 334-8621

How A Publicist Can Pin-Point, Solve, And Prevent Problems As Added Value To CEOs

(Atlantic City, NJ) According to the Public Relations Society of America, PR's role as a communications link is vital in problem solving and prevention.

Most companies can benefit from public relations services as part of their ongoing business plan.

Here are five facts to consider:

-Resolving conflicts may require modifying many opinions including those held by the PR firm and the client

-Patterns of communication in the future may revolve around smaller groups

-The random benefits of PR activities not directly tied to corporate interests will increase

-New methods of research will be especially relevant to situations where opinions change rapidly

-PR can help companies develop alliances, and build collaborative ventures which often can ensure the success of business launches and new programs

Jackie O'Neal, founder of O'Neal Media Group says, "There is a misconception about the role of publicists- an idea that anyone can take on the practice. We imagine a person with a phone attached to their ear as an appendage, and a person who over-uses adjectives while misleading the public."

"But public relations offers several functions, and one of the most important is the capacity it has to help executives overcome isolation, whereby the PR practitioner can tune management in to new trends, statistics and media opportunities they may otherwise miss out on. This ability requires a significant amount of training and expertise gained by experience."

O'Neal points out that apart from being able to identify new markets, new products, and new methods more readily, publicists can also help to protect the present position when an organization is under attack.

"Historically, we have the Proctor and Gamble case to draw from-- when the company did not suffer from declining sales, or stock values during the tampon debacle largely due to their expert PR handling of the problem: communicating the company's position," she says.

Notes to Editors:

1. O'Neal Media Group serves non-profits and entrepreneurs by providing public relations services. Most clients are non-profits, authors, small business, and some are non -governmental agencies in the developing world. As long as potential clients are engaged in serving others through charitable endeavors, or in other ways, the company is open to representing them,but are selective since Jackie O'Neal realizes most clients have long-term goals they want to bring to fruition. O'Neal Media Group ensures client's missions are in alignment, because the firm expects to be working closely on projects over an extended period of time.

2. Jackie O'Neal can be reached via phone 609 334-8621 and e-mail jackieoneal@helloworld.com

3. Jackie O'Neal is also fluent in Spanish, and welcomes inquiries from ethnic media.

PARENTING: The Importance of Building Strong Bonds with Children.

2009-07-08T20:55:00.000-04:00

PARENTING: The Importance of Building Strong Bonds with Children.

Lysa Parker, co-author, with Barbara Nicholson, of "Attached At The Heart: 8 Proven Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children," said the death of Michael Jackson has renewed public interest in his child-rearing practices: "A musical icon living in the shadow of being accused of child molestation, for which he was acquitted, and having survived abuse himself, Jackson was clearly committed to giving his children a normal, loving childhood and meeting their emotional needs. It's important for parents to build strong bonds with their children, advising them to trust their instincts and listen to their hearts. When it's two in the morning and your baby is crying, you don't question whether or not to respond -- you just do it, or if your baby cries and wants to be held, you pick her up without worrying if you'll spoil her. Imagine if you were on a deserted island and had to depend on your own innate knowledge and skills as a parent without all the cultural influences.
You would become quickly attuned to your baby's needs and do what comes naturally."

News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, jackieoneal@helloworld.com Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.attachedattheheartbook.com and http://www.attachmentparenting.org

Get Your Insight Featured in National Media Today

2009-07-03T14:27:00.008-04:00

What is continuous media exposure worth to you and your business?

Get Your Insight Featured in National Media.

O'Neal Media Group will write and distribute a US1 media advisory to thousands of busy journalists seeking your expertise today. One of the best ways to get quoted by the media, is to follow the news cycle, and tie your expertise to breaking news stories.

We monitor the latest studies and surveys in your industry, to keep you ahead of the pack.

Visit The Link Below And Fill Out A Brief Intake Form To Let Us Know About Your Needs:

http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/User/User-contact.asp

Note a client sample below:

Nonprofits are facing financial anxiety — but battling through it, according to a new survey released by Johns Hopkins University.

The survey found that 80 percent of nonprofit organizations are experiencing fiscal stress and close to 40 percent of them reported the stress is “severe” or “very severe.”

Samantha Gray, Executive Director of Attachment Parenting International, says: "Attachment Parenting International has definitely not been left out of the negative economic impact on nonprofit budgets."

"We are taking steps to cope by reaching out to additional new donors who are interested in programs that benefit children’s wellbeing. API is also adding to its membership benefits and creating complementary programs that generate income."

"At the same time, API recognizes that families are faced with their own
financial challenges so we have chosen not to raise the price of our already low membership price, and Support Group meetings remain free of charge."

Attachment Parenting International

Nurturing Children for a Compassionate World

www.attachmentparenting.org

For media interviews, contact, Jackie o'Neal, O'Neal Media Group, 609 334-8621, onealmedia@live.com or jackieoneal@helloworld.com

From North Dakota to Siberia, Fifth Generation Farmer Creates Jobs And Shares Knowledge

2009-06-30T13:38:00.006-04:00

In my profession, I'm constantly meeting endlessly fascinating people. I wanted to share my conversation with Stephanie Stober of FlaxUSA, and how her company is providing jobs in a small, rural community.
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Stephanie Stober praises the benefits of flax seed. She's a fifth generation grower on the family farm, and knows the average person can mix flax seeds to salads, soups, cereal, juices. or baked goods for a nutritous meal, or snack.

"Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and fiber," she said.

Not short on motivation, Stober finds her work rewarding. In these uncertain economic times, her business is able to provide jobs in her small community.

"We are able to employ people who normally would have to drive 30, or more miles to find work, since the local grocery store closed. Creating jobs is a great assest, " she said.

Stober has a history of being community-minded. "I had the opportunity to travel to Siberia to help educate farmers on different ideas for income in 1992," she said.

Her time in Siberia may not only have produced more enlightened farmers, but also anecdotes.

"I have to tell you about my experience in Siberia, a Trans- Siberian railroad train took off without me, and I was running behind the train in the middle of nowhere in Siberia. I went off to get food, and the train whistle blew one time, and the wheels started moving. the hostess had pulled up the steps and shut the door, mind you, I'm in the last car of the train. No placed to board, I was literally running alongside, and my friends were trying to reach out to grab me, but suddenly all I saw was the back of the train," she said.

She recounts that someone on the train spotted her, and the train screeched to a halt. "I heard the screech of the brakes, and all I could say was the only word I knew in Russian, speciba- thank you," she said,

Based near Goodrich, North Dakota, Stober said she's been operating her company, Flax USA, Inc. since 2001.

Her role is to market flax products nationally and abroad. Stober covers a broad geographic region: USA, Canada, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and the Fiji Islands.

Asked to what is unique about her company, she said flax is one of the richest plant sourcse of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids and rated as one of the top 8 "super foods."

As a serial entrepreneur, Stober said she's been self-employed since 1979, first as an independent Mary Kay sales director, and later raising exotic animals for fifteen years. "Chinese Shar Pei dogs, fainting goats, pot belly pigs, minature sheep, donkeys, cattle, as well as Emu, and Icelandic horses, just to name a few," she said. Stober said she shipped the animals all over the nation "to help others make use of their farm life with an added income."

She describes Goodrich as being in "the middle of nowhere," and that she has to travel three miles to contact the nearest neighbor, six miles to reach the epicenter of the main town, but she has not let location thwart her business plans. "Location is not always the important thing. Have a dream and do all you can to make it come alive," she said.

"Goodrich, which is 6 miles away, is about a town of 100. We still have our own school,. Our daughter Jessica will be a high school senior next year, and there and eight in her class, which is the biggest class in many years. Most classes are 2-6 people. The whole school K-12 is about 40 kids! Great quality education. Great place to raise a family and affordable housing," she said.

Her enterprise may be one of the most renowned entities in Goodrich, apart from the Avon lady.

"Rosie Gries, the famous Avon lady was on Johnny Carson ,and on Jay Leno. She was a consultant for 50 years, Avon awarded her with a car, and she kept selling till almost 100 years old," she said.

Stober explained her family originally established the farm in 1901, and she and her husband, John now run the day to day operations.

Stober started down the path of making her dream to grow and market flax seed a reality, via craft and garden shows. "I started selling one on one to customers by educating them on the benefits of flax seed," she said.

She admits there have been struggles along the way, but the family has been resilient. "I love the challenge of being creative, being my own boss, and opportunity to grow a business," she said.

Asked her definition of success, she said keeping fear at bay. "Don't be afraid to try, because the biggest failure is never to have tried at all."

.

O'Neal Media Group Op-Ed

2009-06-25T17:40:00.009-04:00

O'Neal Media Group takes a stand on many current issues in the news, and encourages its clients to follow suit. The company's editorial "Is The Atheist Movement Gaining Ground?" ran on USA Today on June 24th.

Jerry Falwell Article Page - USATODAY.com - Jun 24-Is The Atheist Movement Gaining Ground?
Much has been said about how atheism has over the years reached a level of unprecedented prominence . ...

http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Religion+and+beliefs/Leaders,+Experts/Jerry+Falwell/02cRc60fVB2W7/1.

Jackie O'Neal, head of O'Neal Media Group says: "In our profession, it's important that when you recognize a trend in your industry, it's vital to speak out about it, and let the media know. A great vehicle to be able to do is an Op-Ed piece. That way you position yourself as an expert, and when reporters, or bloggers see your editorial piece, they'll be open to possibly considering you as a source in the future. The trend you identify can also be outside of your industry, on an issue you are passionate about. As the author, Jill Lubin once wisely said: "Give the media all you've got! By so doing, your visibility grows far and wide."

If you would like O'Neal Media Group to assist you in developing editorial content, please let us know about issues you would like to cover. All our content is syndicated.

Contact: Jackie O'Neal
e-mail: jackieoneal@helloworld.com
Telephone: (609) 334-8621

Importance of Healthy and Ecologically Sustainable Food Systems

2009-06-18T13:57:00.004-04:00

O'Neal Media Group is proud to announce our collaboration with new client, EarthTHRIVE Initiative, and today's national distribution media advisory:

Health: Importance of Healthy and Ecologically Sustainable Food Systems

Marv Lyons, founder of EarthTHRIVE Initiative, a San Diego-based non-profit with global concern for worldwide health and well-being, commends the American Medical Association's Sustainable Food policy for taking a leading position in educating the health care community and the public about the importance of healthy and ecologically sustainable food systems: "It's vitally important to help the public understand and take a strong position in speaking out for real, live, nourishing foods. While it is true that food is the best medicine, it only works when the food itself is live and healthy. Unfortunately, food in America has become a giant industry, more focused on profits than quality for a healthy population. Packaging labels notwithstanding, the bulk of easily accessible and heavily marketed products that predominate on the shelves of most markets have minimal nutritional value and contribute to the general obesity.

The measures the AMA proposes to educate the health care community and the public about the importance of healthy and ecologically sustainable food systems are important to help the public understand the relationship between healthy slow food grown nearby by growers committed to quality and personal health and well-being."

News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, jackieoneal@helloworld.com Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.earththrive.org

Why Governments Need To Invest In The Education OF Girls In Developing Nations

2009-06-16T14:20:00.003-04:00

According to a new report issued by the International Labour Office (ILO) for the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, the global financial crisis could push an increasing number of children, particularly girls, into child labour.”
The ILO report, entitled Give Girls a Chance: Tackling child labour, a key to the future (Note 1), notes that while recent global estimates indicate the number of children involved in child labour has been falling, the financial crisis threatens to erode this progress.

The most relevant point made in the report is “the importance of investing in the education of girls as an effective way of tackling poverty. “

Based on the International Labour Office’s research “educated girls are more likely to earn more as adults, marry later in life, have fewer and healthier children and have decision-making power within the household.”
The United Nations Population Fund,State of the World Population, 1990 confirms that when a girl in the developing world recieves seven or more years of education, she marries four years later, and has 2.2 fewer children.

The report asserted the danger of girls being forced into child labor is linked to evidence that in many countries families give preference to boys when making decisions on education of children. It further elaborates that because of the increase in poverty as result of the economic crisis, poor families with several children, may be forced to decide which children can remain in school
Girls are particularly at risk in cultures that place a higher value on education of male children.

Statistics estimate that more than one quarter of the population in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa are girls and young women ages 10-24. (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.)

Michele Jankanish, Director of the ILO International Program wrote: “ The opportunities or lack of opportunities that girls are afforded early in life may well determine their future and that of future generations. Girls have the right to grow and develop free of child labour and girls have the right to education. We must give girls a chance to make these rights a reality.”

Further evidence of why girls in developing nations are at risk was revealed in the report based on statistics that estimate 100 million girls between 5 and 17 years old are believed to be involved in child labor worldwide. Of these more than half (53 million) are estimated to be engaged in hazardous work.

Especially alarming is the fact that girls constitute a large proportion of the children engaged in some of the most dangerous forms of child labour, including forced and bonded labour and prostitution.

Another factor contributing to the vulnerability of girls in developing nations, is the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, according to the report: “The spread of HIV/AIDS has a major impact on girls as they are often forced to take on additional responsibilities inside and outside the household.”

The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS estimates that 75 percent of 15-24- year olds living with HIV/AIDS in Africa are female, up from 62 percent in 2001.

Written by Jackie O'Neal

An Ugandan Pastor Offers Hope To The Disabled And Incarcerated

2009-06-13T14:16:00.011-04:00

In sub-saharan Africa, Uganda is scarred by political corruption, , conflict, and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

Despite the many political and economic tribulations in Uganda, Pastor Paul Bulenzi, founder of Beam of Hope For The Disadvantaged (htttp://www.behod.org) continues to keep his mission of educating disabled street orphans in Jinja, a priority. For the most part, Pastor Paul single-handedly manages the day to day affairs of the non-governmental agency, but he also relies on volunteers to help him provide moral support and supplies to the disabled HIV/AIDS orphans that depend on BEHOD.

Jinja lies in the south east of Uganda, 54 miles north east of the capital, Kampala. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, near to the source of the White Nile river. The city is the chief town of Jinja District, and is considered the capital of the Kingdom of Busoga.

Pastor Paul Bulenzi, 38, operates an educational facility and provides training for disabled street orphans whereby they can learn computer skills, tailoring, and carpentry. These valuable job skills not only ensure a better economic future for his students,but also teach them self-reliance. Pastor Paul said many of his students have never attended school.

BEHOD has grown since its early beginnings and expanded its operations to include a school in Kajansi, 7 kilometers from Jinja. Pastor Paul remains hopeful about the impact the school will make on local disabled children.

Last year, a college in the Netherlands based in Utrecht, donated several computers, so that the students could begin training. The transfer of the computers from Utrecht to Jinja was complicated and replete with red tape. In the end, the shipment took five months to arrive safely, and made an impact on the students. “The students have really benefited from learning how to use a computer, and has helped them come out of their cocoons because now they have friends at the center,” he said.

Through Pastor Paul’s affiliation with the Netherlands based Nabuur.com, an organization that matches virtual volunteers with non-governmental agencies in the developing nations, Beam Of Hope For the Disadvantaged connected with a group of volunteers from Utecht who traveled to Jinja to assist Pastor Paul Bulenzi with urgent needs.

Not only did the Dutch volunteers work energetically painting and making repairs, but they also brought a healthy dose of motivation. “It was great for the students to share the workload with friends from a developed nation. For example, Kyra, 26, painted tirelessly while in her wheelchair,” he said.

On the phone, the sound of Pastor Paul Bulezi’s voice appears to project clarity and energy, obviously emanating from the soul of a man who is dedicated to the less fortunate in Jinja. He explains that what accounts for the large numbers of disabled street orphans in Jinja is a combination of the effects of war, the prevalence of polio, and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS. Statistics estimate that 940,000 persons in Uganda are living with HIV/AIDS.

Pastor Paul Bulenzi’s work is purely voluntary, and in an uncertain economic climate, he faces challenges in becoming self-sustaining. “ I have had to work as a taxi driver to support and feed the people that come to the educational facility in Jinja. Now that all commodities and prices have increased, I’m facing a difficult time in sustaining the project,” he said.

He explained that the teachers who train the students must be paid, and have become increasingly expensive. In addition, the relatives who bring the disabled students to the center appear to abandon them. “The relatives don’t bother coming back to see how they are doing. Some still mistreat the disabled, and don’t know how to handle them, he said.

Pastor Paul said there are episodes when young girls are sexually abused by male cohorts. “Once the girls become pregnant, the men deny all responsibility, abandon both the mother and child,and these children also end up in my hands,” he said.
Part of Pastor Paul’s social work includes doing outreach to prisoners in Ugandan jails. He describes the conditions in the prisons as deplorable. “The jails were built to accommodate a small number of inmates, but now they have become overcrowded. The prisoners are exposed to poor sanitation, and receive very poor nutrition,” he said.

He explained that the wheels of the legal system move at an alarmingly slow pace with capital offences taking 2-4 years before going before a tribunal.
“But the prison authorities have done a great job by allowing outsiders to do outreach to the prisoners. It’s given us an opportunity to counsel and encourage inmates,” he said.

Asked what advice he would give to persons who might want to use their own reources to help improve the quality of life for the less fortunate, he’s clear they should follow through. “They should do it with all their hearts knowing that their support is going to the right people,”he said.

One grave concern travelers to Uganda may have is that malaria infection poses a health risk in sub-Saharan Africa, but there are precautions visitors can take when visiting Jinja. Pastor Paul lost a member of his staff as a result of malaria infection,and realizes the cost of malaria medicine in Uganda is prohibitive, thereby many Ugandans, like his staff member, Mustafa, die of the infectious disease. “First of all, visitors should protect their health by taking medicine, and also stay in hotels that have access to good sanitation, and mosquito nets. Visitors can also consider bringing mosquito nets to those who cannot affford them,” he said.
Efforts are being made to distribute mosquito nets to the needy. Pastor Paul said through a U.S. contact -- www.mosquitocurtains.com -- two 40 pound boxes with nets are available to be shipped from the US to Uganda, and to be divided amongst a number of NABUUR projects. Recent tries to get the nets shipped for free, haven't succeeded yet.

For the most part, Pastor Paul has recruited volunteers through word of mouth, but is still finding it a challenge to connect with benefactors abroad. “Different people who believe in our mission talk to others who have a heart to serve people with disabilities, and they work with us. But we still need more volunteers and sponsors,” he said.

For more information, visit: www.behod.org

Listen to O'Neal Media Group's commentary on the future of newspapers on NPR

2009-06-11T20:52:00.007-04:00

Listen to O'Neal Media Group's commentary on the future of newspapers on NPR 51% The Women's Perspective (WAMC, Albany, N.Y.) Host and Producer: Susan Barnett:
(To Listen To The Segment, Click on the title in bold next to the arrow.)

"And finally, a consideration of the future of America's struggling newspapers. Jackie O'Neal is head of the O'Neal Media Group. "

2:05 Newspaper O'Neal

Jackie O'Neal leads the O'Neal Media Group in New Jersey.

If you have a burning issue you'd like to share with us on breaking news items, women's issues, humanitarian crisis, the economic crisis, religon, or world news, let us know. You may find your insight quoted in one of our commentaries, or features.
Contact us: jackieoneal@helloworld.com

Media Outlets We Publish Features In Regularly:

GroundReport -Top Rating- 5 Stars

Women's Online Magazine

ASSIST News Service- syndicated

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online

What People Are Saying About Our Feature Articles:

We love your work! RT @onealmediagroup publishing articles with @GroundReport: http://tinyurl.com/nzj8drabout 3 hours ago from web

Dear Jackie,

I am a board member of Arts to Grow and I wanted to send you a quick note to express our gratitude for your efforts on behalf of this wonderful organization. I hope I will have the pleasure of meeting you, perhaps at the next ATG Gala.

The article really captures the ATG experience and benefits to the children. So again, thank you so much!

Best regards,

Sophie Lechner
Arts To Grow
http://www.artstogrow.org

Volunteer Award Winner Will Start Academic Career At New York University: An Interview with James Kwee

2009-06-10T19:01:00.002-04:00

Volunteer Award Winner Will Start Academic Career At New York University: An Interview with James Kwee
By Jackie O’Neal

The United Way Volunteer Center of Greater Chattanooga affirmed James Kwee exemplifies all the enviable qualities a youth volunteer should posess: a sense of dedication to service, the willingness and energy to take on responsibility on behalf of the needy, and a positvie attitude to help motivate others.

He was recently selected as the winner of the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. His meritorious work included spearheading a local initiative to start a Cheerful Givers pilot program in Chattanooga.

Cheerful Givers, an organization based in Michigan, provides birthday gift bags for children living in homeless shelter whose special day would otherwise go unacknowledged. The program can be replicated in other communities.

To date, the organization has provided 300,000 gift bags to needy children.
In the following interview, James discusses his motivation for being a volunteer, and how volunteering has enriched his life.

For those who thrive on the intrinsic value and rewards of reaching out to those less fortunate, Jame’s insights will clarify how productive volunteer work can be.

Tell us something about a key person/founder behind the
group/organization- you volunteer for, what did they do before, what was their motivation, their other interests in recruiting you as a volunteer?

Well, ultimately, there is the founder, Robin Maynard Steele to thank. She was the person who first thought of the idea and took action, upon touring a food shelf without any birthday gifts for children.

What are you trying to achieve via volunteering? Why is this important to you?
I think volunteering is all about being able to get involved in the community and be able to help out and give back. I just want to be able to make a difference in people or their lives, no matter how small or seemingly trivial the difference may be. Sometimes it’s just about being someone’s friend and offering them support and just being a positive influence on them—letting them know there are people out there that care. That’s really important to me and what I ultimately want to achieve. Being able to be a positive role model to children and making them smile and laugh is also an amazing feeling.

For me, personally, Karen Kitchel, the president of Cheerful Givers, has been a big factor and driving force of why I volunteer with Cheerful Givers. I have yet to meet her, but she’s always been an email away from me. Whenever I had questions or comments, she would always respond back extremely quickly. I feel that he is truly there for the volunteers and takes the time to personally connect with them.
Also, a big deciding factor in my volunteering with Cheerful Givers was their birthday gift mission; knowing that I would have an excuse to shop in toy stores was a big plus.

If you could have anyone in to help, who would it be (famous, or
someone you know)?

The first person that comes to my mind is Angelina Jolie. I think she’s a beautiful, amazing actress and her humanitarian efforts and charity work are very admirable. She’s a great example to the rest of Hollywood.
I would love to have her help out in the Cheerful Givers’ cause because it would be sure to gather a lot of publicity and media attention for us, which would be a huge help in spreading the word and getting our message across the nation.
Is there anything unique to how you are doing things? What’s your approach?
I’m not really sure that I’m exceptionally unique in the way I do things. I try to get the word out and gain publicity for Cheerful Givers as much as possible.
With birthday bags, we will sometimes do themes with them. I know recently we had a pirate themed bag. The gift bag was shaped like a treasure chest and inside, a pirate toy and many other pirate themed goodies. Another cool one that comes to mind is Thomas the Train. We had a Thomas bag, and inside a big Thomas stuffed toy (Almost said animal, but then remembered he’s a train), Thomas book, Thomas birthday card (for the parents to sign and give to their child), and other things. I think it’s really fun to do themes with bags and we try to whenever it’s possible. We also make sure the gifts look nice—like something we would give a friend or acquaintance.
Tell us a key frustration working in your field?
Well, I’m a student so I don’t really work in a career field, so I’ll assume you’re talking about my volunteering. There really aren’t many (if any) frustrations working/volunteering with Cheerful Givers, except for maybe finding boxes to transport the birthday bags.

In my other volunteering activities there are a few frustrations, but I won’t go into them as to keep this mainly about my volunteer work with Cheerful Givers.
Tell us something about you outside of volunteer work.
I love hockey. Here in the South, that easily makes me a minority. I’ve been playing inline (or roller) hockey since I was about 7.

I’m also a big fan of politics. I love debates, although the bad thing with political debates (often escalating into an argument) is that neither side ever admits defeat.

Where are you located? Geographically, what area(s) do you cover/help?
I am located in Chattanooga, TN. (Technically, I live in Rocky Face, Georgia, but I practically live in Chattanooga and consider myself a Chattanoogan.) Our Cheerful Gives pilot program here covers the Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN areas, as well as Northwest Georgia.

Explain two things you really need (other than cash).
For Cheerful Givers, I would love more national publicity. I would be very excited to see it spread nationally and become well-known across the country.
I would also love for my pilot program here in Chattanooga, to increase its participating charity list. I would love to have a good 15-20 charities participating in it. Right now, I think we are trying to find 10 by the end of the year.

Expert Offers Practical Tips On Love, Health, And Family

2009-06-01T13:13:00.003-04:00

Dr. Beth is the host of "Relationships 101" on www.webtalkradio.net
and a psychotherapist for 30 years. She is a great expert who can offer your audience practical tips on love, health, and family.

Dr. Beth Erickson lives in Minnesota 1 mile from an NBC affiliate CNN uses
and also close to ABC and NBC in the Twin Cities. Her patients are
used to her media placements so she can re-arrange her schedule at a
moment's notice. I'd be delighted to coordinate an interview.

TV Clip: http://www.drbetherickson.com/Press_Room.html

Helpful links: Online press kit, and Book information:

Link to Press Kit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Dr._Beth_Erickson

Book page: http://www.drbetherickson.com/Products.html

Here are Five Story ideas laden with insights that will keep your audiences riveted:

Health:

How To Live On Purpose, Not Just the Absence of Disease

Eight thousand baby boomers turn sixty every day. They must choose
whether to spend the rest of their lives living or dying, even if they
are not consciously aware of this dilemma. It is up to each individual
to choose to have a health span commensurate with this extended life
span. Dr. Beth provides tools to help audiences choose to connect with
their inner fountain of youth, claim their wisdom, transmit their
legacy, and age without fear.

Ten Tools For Tapping Your Inner Fountain of Youth

One hundred years ago, life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years,
compared to 77.6 years in 2005. Skills not usually developed in
earlier decades are needed now to thrive and age vitally in these
bonus decades. What is more, the depth of questions is different now,
centering around surveying accomplishments, reshaping one’s purpose,
leaving a legacy, and facing death. Dr. Beth will teach the ten most
important tools to maximize and thrive in these unprecedented years.

Love:

Why Marriage Isn’t For Sissies: 7 Simple Keys To Unlocking The Best Part Of Your Life:

Dr. Beth helps couples navigate through potentially stormy relationships, identify their most destructive enemies, and overcome the battle- renewed and re-nvigorated via simple therapeutic approaches. Dr. Erickson can teach your audience how to have qualitatively different conversations with their spouses and themselves so they can enjoy the best part of their married lives.

“Attracting the Love You Want”

When single women concentrate on making themselves attractive to potential mates,
they place themselves in a passive position where they must wish for lovers to find them. Instead, Dr. Beth urges women to learn to actively attract a partner. Her guest, Kim Mylles, shares the charming story of the strategies she deliberately employed to find “Mr. Mylles,” while Dr. Beth shares her own story of how she met
her husband. If you’re single and interested in being in a relationship, you won’t want to miss the wise counsel of two women who have been highly successful in their careers and are now in their love lives.

“Secrets to a Long and Vital Marriage

Mat and his best friend since third grade, Jason Miller, were two bachelors in their twenties when they decided to study what makes long and successful marriages. Mat particularly was curious because his parents had divorced. So they traveled the country in a rented RV, interviewing couples who had been happily married for 40 or more years. What they found from their conversations, as couples’ stories unfolded, were the main ingredients of longevity in marriages. Some of the couples’ stories may surprise you. And some may warm your heart. And all will provide the anatomy of everlasting love.

“How Lesbian Love Is Like Heterosexual Love”

It is human nature to think of people who are different from oneself as being weird and even wrong. And while, of course, there are some significant differences between ethnic groups, generations, and heterosexual and homosexual relationships, there are also some significant similarities as well. And yet many people continue to focus on the differences. In this conversation, Dr. Beth, Dr. Joni, and Esther will discuss the similarities in homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

Family:

How To Bounce Back From Father Loss
Far from being disposable and optional as some believe, knowledge of
and contact with their birth father is essential for children’s
healthy development. Yet, far too many children experience a dad who
is not there even when he is home. Worse yet, others’ information
about who their father is distorted in the midst of divorce wars. Dr.
Beth will discuss the ways that relationships with both father and
mother are essential to the development of a child’s self-image and
what happens when that knowledge is missing.

When Dick and Jane Grow Up: Fathers, Sons, and Daughters
Boys get anointed man enough by their fathers, and girls get a safe
place to practice being a woman. What happens in adulthood when
children are deprived of a healthy relationship with their birth
father? That loss often sits like a lost Atlantis sunken in their
entrails. The relationships they create usually are highly
conflictual. Their parenting often goes from one extreme of smothering
to the other of emotional neglect. Dr. Beth will discuss emotional
sequellae of father loss and suggest strategies for its prevention.

TIGERLILY FOUNDATION FOUNDER WILL APPEAR ON THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW ON MAY 25, 2009.

2009-05-21T12:57:00.003-04:00

TIGERLILY FOUNDATION
11654 Plaza America Drive suite 725
 Reston, VA 20190
(888) 580-6253
Maimah Karmo president & founder 
e-mail: maimah@tigerlilyfoundation.org

or

O'Neal Media Group
http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com
jackieoneal@helloworld.com
(609) 334-8621

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2009

Contact: Maimah Karmo

Tigerlily Foundation, www.tigerlilyfoundation.org

(888) 580-6253 / Maimah@tigerlilyfoundation.org

TIGERLILY FOUNDATION FOUNDER WILL APPEAR ON THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW ON MAY 25, 2009.

(RESTON, VA) Mark your calendar for 4:00, May 25th when the Founder of the Tigerlily Foundation, a non-profit breast foundation dedicated to educating, empowering and lending financial and emotional support to young women with breast cancer, will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

On May 25, 2009, the founder of Tigerlily Foundation, Maimah Karmo will appear as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, sharing her experience with breast cancer and how it changed her life.

During the taping of the segment, Ms. Karmo shared the stage with actress Christina Applegate, Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Christina Applegate’s oncologist, Dr. Philomena McAndrew to talk about breast cancer, coping, survivorship and its aftermath.

The show covers Ms. Karmo’s personal journey with breast cancer, Ms. Applegate’s decision to have a double mastectomy, and Ms. Brinker’s success in creating the largest breast cancer foundation globally.

In addition to sharing her personal story, Ms. Karmo commented on how friends, family and loved ones can assist others going through breast cancer treatment and recovery. She also stressed the importance of having a sense of responsibility for others and implementing preventative practices as a way to eradicate the disease.

Ms. Karmo talked about the Tigerlily Foundation, and its focus on educating, advocating for, empowering and supporting young women affected by breast cancer. She created Tigerlily Foundation with the primary focus of educating women under 40 about the disease and providing chemotherapy buddy support, meetings for survivors, financial assistance, beauty and pampering services and free mammograms to young women.

As young women who have been touched by this disease, Ms. Karmo and Ms. Applegate represented younger women, who are at more risk than women over 40, because they have more aggressive breast cancers and higher mortality rates. Ms. Karmo has been working to bring more awareness to this issue, through Tigerlily Foundation.

Questions about Maimah Karmo, Tigerlily Foundation or the show? Contact Tigerlily’s President and Founder Maimah Karmo at info@tigerlilyfoundation.org, 888-580-6253.
About the Tigerlily Foundation
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in young women ages 15-54. More than 250,000 women age 40 and under in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lives, and more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed next year. Further, younger women often have more aggressive breast cancers and higher mortality rates.
Tigerlily Foundation’s mission is to educate, advocate for, empower and provide hands-on support to young women affected by breast cancer. The bulk of our funds go directly toward women in treatment who are struggling to pay their medical and household bills due the disruption that cancer has caused. We also provide meals and buddy support for women undergoing chemotherapy, and offer beauty and pampering services to women in treatment.
About Maimah Karmo
Author and activist Maimah Karmo is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at 32, when her daughter was only three years old. Determined to live to see her baby grow into a beautiful adult, Maimah harnessed her strength, relied on her mother for support, and made a promise to herself that if she lived that she’d do everything she could to help other young women with breast cancer. She founded the Tigerlily Foundation in 2006, and gave it its name because this beautiful flower represents beauty, strength and transformation. “Tigerlilies bloom and survive in all seasons — just like young women who are battling, and surviving, breast cancer,” she says. “My goal is to empower women struggling with this disease so they have the confidence that they can fight and win their battle, then turn around and help others who are experiencing the same things.” For more information, visit www.tigerlilyfoundation.org.

300,000 BIRTHDAY SMILES

2009-05-20T12:33:00.002-04:00

300,000 BIRTHDAY SMILES

Nonprofit organization, Cheerful Givers, reached a milestone this week when employees at the Ecolab headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota filled the 300,000th birthday gift bag with toys. The organization began in 1994 when founder, Robin Maynard-Steele, visited a food shelf and realized how many parents were often looking for a can of food to give their child as a birthday gift. During that first year, 700 children received toy-filled birthday bags, and with the help of thousands of volunteers and donors, they have been able to dramatically increase the number of families they reach each year.

Ecolab is one of many corporations where employees gather to assemble gift bags with toys, and they were honored to be chosen for hosting the milestone event. 150 birthday bags were created and then delivered to the Neighborhood House in St. Paul where children were thrilled to receive them.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.cheerfulgivers.org

2009-05-16T15:22:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attachment Parenting International
Rita Brhel, Editor Samantha Gray, Executive Director
editor@attachmentparenting.org samantha@attachmentparenting.org
402-841-8734 423-956-3525

Parenting Organization Explores the Importance of Sharing Birth Stories
Attachment Parenting International gives birth to new magazine

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 13, 2009) — Attachment Parenting International (API) is helping mothers – and fathers – learn the importance of sharing their children’s birth stories in its debut of The Attached Family, a new magazine for families practicing Attachment Parenting.
Attachment Parenting is an approach to child-rearing that promotes strong emotional bonds between parents and their children through sensitivity and responsiveness to children’s emotional, as well as physical, needs – reducing the risk of mental illness, substance and alcohol abuse, juvenile delinquency, and other unhealthy behaviors that face today’s society.
The Attached Family is a contemporary take on API’s longtime quarterly newsletter, formerly The Journal of API, and is the print extension of the informational website, TheAttachedFamily.com, which was launched during API’s 2008 Attachment Parenting Month in October. This new magazine comes at a pivotal time for API as the organization celebrates its 15th anniversary and the release of Co-founders Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker’s book, Attached at the Heart.
This first issue of The Attached Family centers on the power of the birth story – to empower parents to tell their birth stories both as a way to educate parents-to-be and to allow those parents to heal from their disappointing experiences, as well as to encourage a safe, accepting atmosphere for all women to share their birth stories whether they gave birth at home or in a hospital, with or without interventions.
“The topic was largely influenced by the number of women who came forth to share their experiences with childbirth that were less than ideal and even some that have left deep emotional scars years later,” says Rita Brhel, editor of The Attached Family, mother of two in Nebraska.
“As an attachment parent, they so strongly want the best for their children and that includes as natural a birth experience as possible. But, when complications arise and interventions are needed, those hopes and expectations can be shattered,” Brhel continues. “Through this issue of The Attached Family, I wanted to help API be able to reach out to these parents, to show them acceptance and empathy, and to help them in their journey of parenthood.”
The centerpiece of this issue is an article written by API member Tamara Parnay, a mother of two in The Netherlands, in which she challenges readers to take back the wisdom and control of giving birth by first cultivating an empathetic environment in which to share their stories.
“Even the most informed people can run into unplanned – and sometimes serious – complications during the birth process,” Parnay writes. “By no means is it justifiable for anyone to be made to feel negatively about whatever birthing options they choose, or for whatever birthing experience they have had.”
A collection of carefully selected readers’ birth stories follows, illustrating the variety of birth experiences that attachment-minded parents have experienced, from a homebirth and unmedicated hospital birth, to a birth where the mother chose pain relief and a birth that ended up in a Cesarean and how these women made peace with their choices. (API advocates for expectant parents to be as informed as possible about childbirth and to choose assisted births with as few interventions as possible.) And to show that this topic of birth stories isn’t limited to only the mother, Editor Rita Brhel interviews her husband about his feelings surrounding the medically complicated births of their two children.
This first issue of The Attached Family includes a variety of special features, such as an extensive list of resources exploring birth, reaction to the American Medical Association’s 2008 resolution against homebirth, a Q&A with API’s cofounders regarding writing a birth plan for a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, a free drawing for a birthing skirt and nursing pads, and more.
As with past issues of API’s Journal, this issue of The Attached Family continues online at TheAttachedFamily.com with new-release book reviews, more readers’ birth stories, and articles about how childbirth interventions affect early mother-baby bonding and how Attachment Parenting can help new mothers as well as their babies.
“I’m quite pleased with this first issue of The Attached Family and how it ties into TheAttachedFamily.com, which is a great resource for parents of children of all ages and in all types of family situations,” Brhel says. “In future issues, I only see The Attached Family and TheAttachedFamily.com integrating more with each other, which is only appropriate for being print and online extensions of one another.”
The Attached Family is among the many benefits of API membership and is available four times each year, with two bonus issues in 2009 to celebrate API’s 15th Anniversary. Readers choose to receive the magazine either as a glossy covered, black-and-white print copy delivered by postal mail, or as a printable, color PDF with hyperlinks on all ads available through a download link sent via e-mail. For more information, visit www.attachmentparenting.org.

Attachment Parenting is based in the practice of nurturing methods that create strong emotional bonds, also known as secure attachment, between children and their parent(s). This style of parenting encourages responsiveness to children’s emotional needs, enabling children to develop trust that their needs will be met. As a result, this strong attachment helps children develop the capacity for secure, empathetic, peaceful, and enduring relationships that follow them into adulthood.

Attachment Parenting International (API) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit member organization founded in 1994 to network with parents, professionals and like-minded organizations around the world. API’s mission is to educate and support all parents in raising secure, joyful and empathic children in order to strengthen families and create a more compassionate world. In addition to providing assistance in forming Attachment Parenting support groups, API functions as a clearinghouse providing educational materials, research information, consultative, referral and speaker services to promote Attachment Parenting concepts.

API board and advisory board members include such noted parenting authors as Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears, R.N., co-sleeping specialist Dr. James McKenna, Lu Hanessian of LetTheBabyDrive.com, Alice Miller, and Jan Hunt of the Natural Child Project, among others.

More information about Attachment Parenting International can be found at www.attachmentparenting.org.

###

NYC Theatre Artist Draws Inspiration From Teaching Inner-City Children

2009-05-14T17:11:00.013-04:00

NYC Theatre Artist Draws Inspiration From Teaching Inner-City Children
By Jackie O'Neal

Patricia Runice is a teaching artist with Arts to Grow, a New Jersey based non-profit that provides inner-city children in New York exposure to the visual, literary and performing arts by partnering with local public schools and community-based organizations.

As uncertain economic times continue to impact arts related programs in NYC, in Brooklyn at IS 171,children are busy at work writing an original theatre production thanks to Arts To Grow that is focused on enriching the lives of students in the public schools and bringing creativity and excitement that would otherwise be absent. The arts have always been integral in enhancing the learning process in academic subjects.

A musician friend prompted Patricia to help him out with a production. "A friend of mine who was a teaching artist ) needed some assistance working on a musical with 3-5 graders in an after school setting. I had previously taught theatre camps during the summer at various professional summer stock theatres, and I thought this would be a rewarding way to supplement my income from acting and directing," she said.

Others have asked Patricia to describe her qualifications and training, and she is eager to share her insight, as well as pride in her work. " I believe you need a degree in the discipline you are teaching, professional working experience in the discipline you are teaching, and you need to show an aptitude for working with children. When I tell people I am a teaching artist, I always receive interested and positive responses. I am proud to say what I do, " she said.

Patricia's typical day as a teaching artist is a flurry of activity, and so she schedules her own "prep" time to get prepared for the busy day ahead. The structure of the class includes checking in with the students, and setting the day's agenda. She realizes young children need room to ventilate about things, and she addresses that need. "I give them each a turn to ‘get something off their chest’—as actors we need to leave our troubles at the door, so to speak, so I give them a chance to air their daily grievance, in preparation to work," she said.

After the children have settled in, a series of breathing, diction, and voice warm-ups follow along with ensemble exercises which include theatre games that according to Runice,help maintain a sense of trust within the group. "Also, as we move on in the class, the exercises get more specific to the story we are telling. Exercises also focus on stage presence, stage movement, telling the story through behavior and gesture, creating character and relationships," she said.

Rehearsal includes run-throughs of the project at hand, "Aqua Net," and adaptation of the musical "Hairspray." During rehearsal, we stage the show, rehearse, fix what needs fixing, and run through it again. If time allows, we play a short game as a reward for hard work . And finally, the children participate in a closing circle -where we come together as a group for a class cheer celebrating our ensemble and good work," she said.

When people observe Patricia in the classroom, they may assume she is a certified teacher, but she is clear the influence she brings with her are distinct from those of a regular teacher. "What separates me from a certified teacher is that I am a professional artist; meaning I not only have a foot in ‘academia’ but I practice what I preach. I am able to bring examples from my own personal stage experiences, directly into my classroom. On many occasions I am going right from class to a rehearsal or performance, which is great to share with my children. I can give them fresh first hand accounts of exactly what we are working on. They are performing, and I am performing. We are connected that way. In those moments we become ‘colleagues’ sharing war stories. That is special for them, and something they wouldn’t necessarily get from another teacher. Also, as young artists, they can see what it is to truly ‘work’ in the field. I believe that in today’s world, children are ‘fame’ oriented and see that as the be all, end all of success. It's important for them to see that one can have a working, ‘realistic’ career in the arts," she said.

As a teaching artist in the public schools, Patricia will be the first to admit the experience is full of both highs and lows, and yet she takes on a healthy perspective about it, and embraces the highs and lows as a way to grow. "It's always a high to see students perform and feel good about themselves. Or in class, if they overcome an obstacle or grow as an artist, the way their face beams when they know they’ve accomplished something is always so heartwarming. There are lows on days when the class, for whatever reason--sunny day, too much sugar-- just can’t focus. It can be daunting when you feel like you just can’t inspire them. But that’s also the challenge, and the fun, because often on the fly, you find out ‘tricks’ that can bring them back to you. And then you’re that much stronger because you have that in your arsenal," she said.

Life outside of the classroom has also been hectic for Patricia. Apart from planning her wedding to a fellow actor, she will also be performing and producing. "Planning a wedding feels like producing my own show-- which it kind of is! We are planning the wedding for this time next year. Speaking of producing, my theatre company, Regroup Theatre, has been on a hiatus for a year and a half, but plans are in the works to resurrect it, finally. And I have two plays coming up this summer, ‘Play it Again, Sam’ and ‘Crimes of the Heart," she said.

When asked what she would say to someone embarking on becoming a teaching artist, Patricia is honest that the job is demanding. " I would say its an incredibly rewarding experience and a great way to supplement your artistic career. However, I would caution that it’s a lot of work…more than just a ‘day job’…you need to have a commitment to children, and patience," she said.

since June 2007. As the news editor of Women’s Online Magazine she came in contact with entrepreneurs from a variety of industries that were eager to keep their profiles high in the marketplace. She launched O’Neal Media Group, a public relations consultancy that works with small business and non-profits.

© 2009. This article was excerpted with permission from Jackie O’Neal http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com. Permission to reprint is granted by the author. All reprints must state, “Reprinted with permission by Jackie O’Neal from http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com. Originally published in www.WomensOnlineMagazine.com, May 2009.

NYC Theatre Artist Draws Inspiration From Teaching Inner-City Children
By Jackie O’Neal

Patricia Runcie is a teaching artist with Arts to Grow, a New Jersey based non-profit that provides inner-city children in New York exposure to the visual, literary and performing arts by partnering with local public schools and community-based organizations.

As uncertain economic times continue to impact arts related programs in NYC, in Brooklyn at IS 171,children are busy at work writing an original theatre production thanks to Arts To Grow that is focused on enriching the lives of disciplines into the public schools to bring creativity and excitement that would otherwise be absent.inner-city school children ages 5-18. The arts have always been integral in enhancing the learning process in academic subjects. Arts To Grow sends teaching artists like Patricia Runice into the public schools to bring creativity and excitement that would otherwise be absent.

A musician friend who was already working as a teaching artist with Arts To Grow prompted Patricia to help him out with a production. "A friend of mine who was a teaching artist ) needed some assistance working on a musical with 3-5 graders in an after school setting. I had previously taught theatre camps during the summer at various professional summer stock theatres, and I thought this would be a rewarding way to supplement my income from acting and directing," she said.

Others have asked Patricia to describe her qualifications and training, and she is eager to share her insight, as well as pride in her work. " I believe you need a degree in the discipline you are teaching, professional working experience in the discipline you are teaching, and you need to show an aptitude for working with children. When I tell people I am a teaching artist, I always receive interested and positive responses. I am proud to say what I do, " she said.

Patricia's typical day as a teaching artist is a flurry of activity, and so she schedules her own "prep" time to get prepared for the busy day ahead. The structure of the class includes checking in with the students, and setting the day's agenda. She realizes young children need room to ventilate about things, and she addresses that need. "I give them each a turn to ‘get something off their chest’—as actors we need to leave our troubles at the door, so to speak, so I give them a chance to air their daily grievance, in preparation to work," she said.

After the children have settled in, a series of breathing, diction, and voice warm-ups follow along with ensemble exercises which include theatre games that according to Runice,help maintain a sense of trust within the group. "Also, as we move on in the class, the exercises get more specific to the story we are telling. Exercises also focus on stage presence, stage movement, telling the story through behavior and gesture, creating character and relationships," she said.

Rehearsal includes run-throughs of the project at hand, "Aqua Net," and adaptation of the musical "Hairspray." During rehearsal, we stage the show, rehearse, fix what needs fixing, and run through it again. If time allows, we play a short game as a reward for hard work . And finally, the children participate in a closing circle -where we come together as a group for a class cheer celebrating our ensemble and good work," she said.

When people observe Patricia in the classroom, they may assume she is a certified teacher, but she is clear the influence she brings with her are distinct from those of a regular teacher. "What separates me from a certified teacher is that I am a professional artist; meaning I not only have a foot in ‘academia’ but I practice what I preach. I am able to bring examples from my own personal stage experiences, directly into my classroom. On many occasions I am going right from class to a rehearsal or performance, which is great to share with my children. I can give them fresh first hand accounts of exactly what we are working on. They are performing, and I am performing. We are connected that way. In those moments we become ‘colleagues’ sharing war stories. That is special for them, and something they wouldn’t necessarily get from another teacher. Also, as young artists, they can see what it is to truly ‘work’ in the field. I believe that in today’s world, children are ‘fame’ oriented and see that as the be all, end all of success. It's important for them to see that one can have a working, ‘realistic’ career in the arts," she said.

As a teaching artist in the public schools, Patricia will be the first to admit the experience is full of both highs and lows, and yet she takes on a healthy perspective about it, and embraces the highs and lows as a way to grow. "It's always a high to see students perform and feel good about themselves. Or in class, if they overcome an obstacle or grow as an artist, the way their face beams when they know they’ve accomplished something is always so heartwarming. There are lows on days when the class, for whatever reason--sunny day, too much sugar-- just can’t focus. It can be daunting when you feel like you just can’t inspire them. But that’s also the challenge, and the fun, because often on the fly, you find out ‘tricks’ that can bring them back to you. And then you’re that much stronger because you have that in your arsenal," she said.

Life outside of the classroom has also been hectic for Patricia. Apart from planning her wedding to a fellow actor, she will also be performing and producing. "Planning a wedding feels like producing my own show-- which it kind of is! We are planning the wedding for this time next year. Speaking of producing, my theatre company, Regroup Theatre, has been on a hiatus for a year and a half, but plans are in the works to resurrect it, finally. And I have two plays coming up this summer, ‘Play it Again, Sam’ and ‘Crimes of the Heart," she said.

When asked what she would say to someone embarking on becoming a teaching artist, Patricia is honest that the job is demanding. " I would say its an incredibly rewarding experience and a great way to supplement your artistic career. However, I would caution that it’s a lot of work…more than just a ‘day job’…you need to have a commitment to children, and patience," she said.

About the Author:
Jackie O’Neal has been a part of Women’s Online Magazine’s editorial department since June 2007. As the news editor of Women’s Online Magazine she came in contact with entrepreneurs from a variety of industries that were eager to keep their profiles high in the marketplace. She launched O’Neal Media Group, a public relations consultancy that works with small business and non-profits.
© 2009. This article was excerpted with permission from Jackie O’Neal http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com. Permission to reprint is granted by the author. All reprints must state, “Reprinted with permission by Jackie O’Neal from http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com. Originally published in www.WomensOnlineMagazine.com, May 2009.

The Tigerlily Foundation

2009-05-13T13:59:00.005-04:00

O'Neal Media Group is proud to represent The Tigerlily Foundation

Fearless Female and Lover of Life, Maimah Karmo is the founder and Executive Director of Tigerlily Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor.

The Tigerlily Foundation's mission is to advocate for, educate, empower and provide hands-on support for young women affected by breast cancer.

Here is a link to her inspiring story:

http://tigerlilyfoundation.org/story.html

Tigerlily Foundation programs provide chemotherapy buddy support, connection for surviviors, funds for people in need of financial aid, beauty and pampering services to women undergoing treatment and breast cancer support for young women.

I'd be delighted to coordinate an interview.

To Book Maimah Karmo, Contact: Jackie O'Neal, O'Neal Media Group, 609 334-8621

Jackie O'Neal

http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com

Email: jackieoneal@helloworld.com

Phone: 609 334 8621

Email: jackieoneal@helloworld.com
Phone: 609 334 8621

Bio:
The Tigerlily Foundation's mission is to advocate for, educate, empower and provide hands-on support for young women affected by breast cancer. Tigerlily Foundation programs provide chemotherapy buddy support, connection for surviviors, funds for people in need of financial aid, beauty and pampering services to women undergoing treatment and breat cancer support for young women. Maimah Karmo is the founder and Executive Director of Tigerlily Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor.

O'Neal Media Group

Office phone 609 334 8621

How To Teach Empathy To Children

2009-05-02T11:42:00.004-04:00

As you practice nurture empathy as a parent, via modeling the behavior, children learn to see empathy and nurturing, as a norm. Nurture empathy hepls children to think of others, and teaches them that others have needs.

To Book Attachment Parenting International:
Contact: Jackie O'Neal
jackieoneal@helloworld.com

Link to Press kit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Attachment_Parenting_International

Helpful links:

Eight Principles of Parenting: http://attachmentparenting.org/principles/principles.php

About the Book, "Attached At The Heart" : http://attachedattheheart.attachmentparenting.org/about/

Expert Profile: Barbara Nicholson
Attachment Parenting International

Registered Category:Non-Profit, Parenting
Online Press Kit:http://www.onealmediagroup.presskit247.com
Email: onealmedia@live.com
Phone: 609 334 8621

Address:
API P.O. Box 4615 Alpharetta GA 30023
Alpharetta , GA 30023
USA
Bio:
Barbara Nicholson, MEd
API Founder

Barbara Nicholson holds a master's degree in Education, specializing in learning disabilities. She has volunteered for over 20 years with La Leche League International, an educational and support organization for breastfeeding mothers. She is also trained as a facilitator in the Nurturing Parenting Program. Ms. Nicholson co-founded Attachment Parenting International in 1994.

She has spoken to a variety of groups -- including parent educators, psychology students, conference attendees, and juvenile probation officers -- about parenting as a prevention model for societal violence. Ms. Nicholson continues to work closely with API on fundraising and has served on the development committee for the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) Program at Vanderbilt University. Barbara is the mother of four adult sons and resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lysa Parker, MS, CFLE

API Founder & Director Emeritus ParentsLifeLine.com

Lysa Parker has a master's degree in Human Development and Family Studies, is a Certified Family Life Educator (C.F.L.E.), and is a trained facilitator for the Nurturing Parenting Program. Ms. Parker is the co-founder of API and served as the Executive Director from 1994 to 2007. She managed program development and public relations and continues to speak to various groups and conferences about parenting as a prevention model for societal violence.

With a bachelor's degree in Education, specializing in special education, she taught in California, Tennessee, and Alabama during her 20-year career, working with children with multiple handicaps and/or learning disabilities. Other experience includes several years of volunteer work with La Leche League International, a nonprofit organization that provides breastfeeding education and support, and as an API Support Group Leader.

She is the mother of two adult sons and an adult stepdaughter and grandmother to twin grandsons. She lives with her husband in Madison, Alabama. Lysa Parker is available for private consultations, personal parent coaching sessions, workshops, and speaking engagements. Visit her web site to learn more

Samantha Gray

Attachment Parenting International's Executive Director and Business Management Coordinator, Samantha Gray, works with API's staff, Board of Directors and Business Management Team members to ensure that our organization is continuing to meet the mission and vision of API. She also ensures that all aspects of our organization are running efficiently and effectively.

She welcomes comments and concerns about API or information that you might not be able to address with another staff member.

Attachment Parenting International

2009-04-30T14:49:00.007-04:00

Parenting is a rewarding and challenging job. Some have said that the endeavor "takes a village" in order to be successful. After having raised 4 sons in New York City, I personally couldn't agree more. Luckily, I enjoyed the benefit of my having my husband, Mason, a retired family therapist, at my side to encourage me along the way. I'm proud to announce we've added Attachment Parenting International to our roster of new clients and you can expect to see the latest publicity news about their work in the coming weeks.

Cheers For Cheerful Givers

2009-04-29T14:04:00.003-04:00

Star Tribune (South Extra Section) includes the following photo (in black & white) and caption:

Some Cheers for the Cheerful Givers

Gov. Tim Pawlenty honored Eagan-based nonprofit Cheerful Givers by proclaiming April 4 as “Cheerful Givers Day” in Minnesota. Volunteers, local celebrities and guests celebrated at “The Great Minnesota Birthday Party” held at the Mall of America. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness and funds for the charity, which provides toy-filled birthday gift bags for less fortunate children. Pictured, from left are Matt Blair, former Minnesota Viking, Maria Kitchel, volunteer, and John Turner, former Minnesota Viking. Visit www.cheerfulgivers.org for more information or to make a donation.

Do You Recognize The Early Warning Signs of Anniversary Reactions?

2009-04-29T11:59:00.001-04:00

As Memorial Day draws near, whether you are a survivor or mourner, remembering lost loved ones will inevitably be on your mind.

As the author of Longing for Dad: Father Loss and Its Impact (Health Communications, Inc.) , she observes that although grief may have subsided after the loss of a loved one, it appears to rear its “ugly head” during key events even after one has made progress.

Here is a link to a recent press release: http://onealmedia.wordpress.com/do-you-recognize-the-early-warning-signs-of-anniversary-reactionsdr-beths-advice-to-john-travolta-and-family/

Press Kit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Dr._Beth_Erickson

To Book Dr. Beth, Contact Jackie O'Neal jackieoneal@helloworld.com
609 334 8621

Keeping The Arts Alive In Uncertain Economic Times

2009-04-29T11:44:00.002-04:00

As uncertain economic times continue to impact arts related programs in NYC, in Brooklyn at IS 171, children are busy at work writing an original theatre production thanks to a non-profit, Arts To Grow that believes in enriching the lives of inner-city school children. The arts have always been integral in enhancing the learning process in academic subjects. Arts To Grow sends teaching artisits from a variety of disciplines into the public schools to bring creativity and excitement that would otherwise be absent as a result of budget cuts.

Link to press release: http://onealmedia.wordpress.com/cypress-hills-local-development-corporation-teams-up-with-arts-to-grow/

Link to Online Press Kit: http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com/Arts_To_Grow