Ann Harrison's Blog
January 24, 2024
Inspirational Journeys Presents: 5 Steps for Writing a Picture Book with Rosie J. Pova
In today’s YouTube video, I’d like to introduce you to my special guest who is a children’s book author and a writing coach, to tell us about her writing process, her picture book coaching, and her 5 steps for writing a picture book
Rosie J. Pova is a multi-published, award-winning children’s author and kid lit Writing Coach. She’s the creator of Picture Book Mastery System
that is proven to help emerging children’s writers advance their career and get closer to their publishing goals. Rosie’s latest picture book, Sunday Rain, was featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine. Her upcoming picture book, The School of Failure: A Story About Success will be released this spring in both China and the USA. Rosie also loves to visit schools and her interactive workshops empower students to unleash their creativity and grow in confidence through reading, writing, and creating. Teachers and librarians love Rosie for her bubbly, upbeat personality which captures students’ attention, encourages them to think creatively, and motivates them to pursue big dreams. She has been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and print media, and also speaks on women’s and moms topics, sharing her inspirational journey as an immigrant from Bulgaria. Find out more about Rosie’s online courses, mentorships, and her work by visiting her website: RosieJPova.com
Connect with Rosie at the following links:
Rosie J. Pova Children’s Author – Home (rosiejpova.com)
Rosie J. Pova (@rosiepova) • Instagram photos and videos
(20) Rosie J. Pova ?KidLit Workshops Host (@RosiePOV) / X (twitter.com)
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January 20, 2024
Inspirational Journeys Presents: The Moonies teach Children about the Solar Eclipse with Meg Jerit
This YouTube video is a fun conversation with my special guest Meg Jerit about her picture book. Ye discuss her #WritingProcess, #WritingTips and tips for experiencing the #SolarEclipse safely by using Eclipse Glasses. Join us for this fun and informative conversation and keep your note taking tools handy for any nuggets you capture along the way.
Meg Jerit (she/her) is an author, writer, and poet, specializing in Creative Nonfiction. Her most recent children’s book, “The Moonies: Journey to the Total Solar Eclipse” was written to educate youth on eclipses. The celestial characters are based on Meg’s real-life experiences, and missing the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse due to “cloud interference.” Jerit has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia College Chicago, and attended the Kenyon Review Summer Workshop in 2022. Jerit’s goal is to share her voice and writing with others to facilitate healing dialogues and explore the meanings of love and creativity. When not writing, reading, or teaching, Jerit is imagining a better future for her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, and/or exploring Austin with her partner and our two shepherds. Meg Jerit’s work and book have been seen on KXAN NBC Austin, CW Austin, Yahoo News, along with Memphis Voyager and others. https://www.megjerit.com/the-moonies
Meg’s featured book is entitled The Moonies:
Journey to the Total Solar Eclipse.
A misadventure in my family’s journey to see the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse transformed into a celestial journey for this intergalactic family. Follow the Moonies as they make the trek from Mars to Earth, and then to Austin, Texas, to witness this truly stellar event.
Purchase links:
Connect with Meg at the following links:
meg jerit (@megitate) • Instagram photos and videos
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January 8, 2024
Inspirational Journeys Presents: Interactive Picture Books with Rella B.
On today’s YouTube video, I speak with a guest who teaches children about movement and literacy through the art of storytelling. Listen in as she shares her love for creating fun and interactive picture books.
Rella B’s transformation from a career-focused adult to a passionate advocate for the magic of childhood has resonated with countless families worldwide. Her belief that work and play should be inseparable companions has shaped her mission to provide young readers with captivating tales that not only entertain but also instill valuable life lessons. Rella B’s stories are a reflection of her dedication to nurturing the spirit of curiosity, courage, and self-belief in children. Through her enchanting narratives, she invites children to venture on adventures where they can conquer fears, celebrate diversity, and embrace the power of their own imaginations. Rella B’s journey reminds us all that there’s no age limit on dreaming, exploring, and discovering the joy in everyday moments.
Connect with Rella at the following links:
Rella B Books – A community filled with books, learning, and fun!
Rella B (@rellabbooks) • Instagram photos and videos
Rella B | Children Book Author (@rellabbooks) | TikTok
(20) Rella B. (@RellaBBooks) / X (twitter.com)
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December 21, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Christmas Special with Juli Bohmer
In today’s YouTube video, my special guest Juli Bohmer and I talk about her latest picture book for early readers. Join us as she reads from her book and shares the story behind her children’s books.
Juli Bohmer, children’s book author, has 2 holiday books available on Amazon now. In Ten Little pumpkin’s hide-and-seek, early learners (ages 2-4) practice counting and rhyming in a game of pumkin hide and seek. In Santa’s reindeer hide-and-seek, young readers learn reindeer names in a reindeer game of hide and seek with Santa. Juli also has an adventure book coming out soon with Pegasus Publishing for young readers (4-8) that will keep kids on the edge of their seats before relaxing into a comforting ending.
Purchase Santa’s Reindeer Hide and Seek at the following link:
https://www.amazon.com/Santas-Reindeer-Hide-Seek-Bohmer/dp/B0CKGT45PJ
Follow Juli on Facebook and Instagram.
Subscribe to the 540 Writers Community for free, if you need some writing accountability, and you want to participate inwriting workshops. Visit:
https://540writerscommunity.com/
to sign up for the newsletter and search for 540 writers community on Facebook.
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December 6, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents: Writing Fiction to teach the Younger Generations about Jesus with Janet Fichter
In today’s YouTube video, my special guest and I talk about how she writes fiction to teach the younger generations about the kingdom of God. Join us as she reads aloud from the first book of her YA Fantasy series, and gives some practical tips to help authors craft their God inspired stories.
Janet Fichter writes to inspire readers to gain a broader, more spiritual perspective of life’s events. Having a long career in public education, she now enjoys writing narratives and thought-provoking essays to help kindle a passion for serving Christ. Janet is Author of a spiritual reflection guide, The Ministry of the Unveiled Face (published by Ambassador, International) and two young adult fantasies, Princess Tiara and the Crown of Virtues and Princess Tiara and the Battle for Fruitful (both published by At Jesus Feet Publishing). Janet also maintains an active blog (atjesusfeet.com) which contains her favorite non-fiction and poetry pieces. Janet’s Facebook page on prayer, Prayer Vigil, Jesus’ Sacre Coeur, offers written prayers for those called to intercede. Additionally, her writing has appeared in literary journals and poetry/story anthologies.
Janet’s featured YA fantasy titles include: Princess Tiara and the Crown of Virtues, and Princess Tiara and the Battle for Fruitful.
Descriptions:
For Crown of Virtues: Tiara, the youngest princess in the royal family of the Kingdom of Fruitful, is the only child yet to wear a crown. Her six older siblings all don regal crowns bearing unique gems symbolizing their personal virtue. Each prince and princess earned their precious stones through a test of character. Tiara must now earn her rightful role. At twelve years old, she loves exploring the kingdom’s natural riches, but has little interest in earning her gem or wearing a crown. Can she become a princess with purpose? What will Tiara’s virtue be? Perhaps a mysterious old woman who wears a glowing cape can help Tiara prove herself worthy of a crown? Come join Tiara on her delightful adventure celebrating virtues and blessings. For Battle for Fruitful: When an unexpected enemy force arrives in the Kingdom of Fruitful, Princess Tiara and her siblings must draw upon their virtues to confront the threat. A neighboring kingdom believes a hidden treasure of jewels exists inside Fruitful’s Cave of Stones. While her siblings ride with Fruitful’s soldiers, Princess Tiara journeys up an arduous trail seeking help from the Kingdom of Mysterious Peaks. She is accompanied by the Old One, an angelic guardian, who will guide her to the palace of the powerful Warrior King. Along the journey, Tiara encounters a supernatural world of mystical creatures and magical scenes. Meanwhile, the others ride frantically through the kingdom to warn villagers and confront the approaching militia. The lure of riches and the influence of a sinister general ignite betrayal and violence, leading to the desecration of sacred and cherished places in Fruitful. The conflict heightens at the mysterious Cave of Stones. What is hidden inside the cave? Will supernatural assistance from the Warrior King conquer the unknown enemy? Can Tiara and her family rise above those seeking to desecrate and destroy Fruitful? Experience this fantastic adventure as you journey with Tiara and her siblings to save their kingdom.
Purchase links:
https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Tiara-Battle-Fruitful-Spiritual/dp/B0CJXMB5H6
https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Tiara-Crown-Virtues-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0BLHQ11QS
Connect with Janet at the following links:
Website: www.atjesusfeet.com
Email: maggiedalene@aol.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JanetFichterAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetfichter
The post Inspirational Journeys Presents: Writing Fiction to teach the Younger Generations about Jesus with Janet Fichter appeared first on Ann Writes Inspiration.
December 1, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents: Teaching Children the joy of Learning with Lynn Katz
In today’s YouTube video, my special guest and I talk about her reason for writing Middle Grade fiction. As you’ve requested, I’ve asked her to do a read aloud to entice you to pick up her featured book.
Lynn Katz is a former teacher, curriculum writer, and school principal with a soft spot in her heart for toothless rescue dogs.
Lynn’s featured novel is entitled Chester and the Magic 8 Ball.
Twelve-year-old Georgia believes her toothless rescue dog is psychic. With a spin of a Magic 8 Ball, Chester predicts the future with a high degree of probability. He assures Georgia the “outlook is good” for her parents’ troubled marriage. Chester wows her math class by predicting heads or tails with every coin toss. But when the stakes are life or death, Georgia must learn the difference between magic and probability and find her own powers to increase the likelihood of a happy ending.
Purchase link:
https://www.amazon.com/Chester-Magic-Ball-Lynn-Katz/dp/1685131344
Connect with Lynn at the following links:
https://www.lynnkatzauthor.com
(19) Lynn Katz (@lynn_katz) / X (twitter.com)
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21288291.Lynn_Katz
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November 17, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents: King of Realms with Britt Asher
I reached out to todays special guest after reading the first book of her King of Realms series as part of the Hidden Gems ARC reader program. I fell in love with her dynamic characters and the fantasy world so much that I invited Brit Asher to share the story behind this series. Join us via the YouTube video or podcast episode as we talk all things fantasy for middle grade readers and their families. Don’t forget to have your journal or notebook handy, because there are some golden nuggets about publishing and marketing you writers will want to take advantage of.
Britt lives in the frigid wasteland known as Minnesota. While she hates the cold and snow, she appreciates the nice summers, the lack of lethal creepy crawlies, and the pretty forests and lakes. Outside of writing, she loves reading, high-speed walking, and high-speed walking while reading–yes, that’s a thing, and no, she hasn’t accidentally walked off a cliff (yet). One of her favorite places is Japan, where she lived for nearly three years and ate far too many sweet potatoes.
Britt’s featured book is King of Realms.
Description:
Varric has two weeks left to live. That’s the least of his problems.
Twelve-year-old Varric wants nothing more than to save his mom’s life. After all, it’s his fault she’s dying.
But when he breaks into a castle to steal a magical relic that might save her, the relic is stolen right out from under his nose. Even worse, he’s arrested for the theft. Unless he can find and return the missing relic within two weeks, he’ll be executed by a magical explosive on his wrist.
As if that weren’t bad enough, Varric discovers that the relic is actually a key to an ancient prison containing a malicious and powerful creature. Varric’s quest to save himself and his mom turns into a race to keep the prison locked and save all of humanity from destruction.
Purchase link:
https://books2read.com/kingofrealms/
Excerpt:
Murmuring erupted throughout the room, and everyone glared at Varric. To them, he was one of the worst things in the realms. Interlopers could freely hop from realm to realm. No one could stop them. As long as an Interloper had seen a place, they could teleport there. Interlopers throughout history assassinated monarchs, robbed people of their riches, and caused all sorts of mayhem. They’d become the villains of childhood fairytales.
“Enough.” The king rose from his seat. “You broke into my castle and attempted to steal our realm’s treasure. Furthermore, you’re an Interloper who now has permanent access to my throne room. We of Iloria have no tolerance for your kind here. Interloper, I sentence you to death.”
Connect with Britt at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/brittasherwrites/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/34374119.Britt_Asher
https://www.amazon.com/author/brittasher
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November 14, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents The Role of Love with Paul Zolman
In today’s YouTube video and podcast episode, my special guest describes the tool he created to teach children and adults to love one another as God loves us. Be journal to have your journal handy as you listen to this interesting conversation, because he shares a unique approach to outlining your book for plotters and plantsers alike.
Paul Zolman is the international bestselling author of the Role of Love, but the true author of love is God. In His wisdom, He placed us in a variety of circumstances that require us to find our way back to His pure love. So, what qualifies me to speak about love? My childhood experience of the opposite of love. From that austere beginning, and the distaste it formed inside me, I searched for and eventually created a method that transformed my life from anger to loving everyone. Growing up in a family of abuse, physical touch became my preferred love style, only because of the regularity. I could almost count on it. It was consistent. I came to think that was the way to express love. But deep inside, I knew that was a twisted belief. I wanted a better life for myself, which is why I created a paradigm shift that works. In this book, you’ll find what helped me move from a childhood boot camp of abuse to being a person who loves everyone and can find good about anyone in any circumstance. This is truly the role of love. I hope you join me.
Connect with Paul at the following links:
https://facebook.com/roleoflovedice
https://instagram.com/roleoflovedice/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/roleoflovedice
https://pinterest.com/roleoflovedice
https://tiktok.com/@roleoflovedice
https://twitter.com/roleoflovedice
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1kniwkoHIW9EA5Ojv7NuLA
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November 10, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents: The Intricacies of Worldbuilding with Shelly Mack
My special guest Shelly Mack and I talk about the intricacies of worldbuilding in today’s YouTube video and podcast episode. Sometimes worldbuilding can be difficult, yet it’s also fun to write, once you find fellow writers and editors to support you and give you feedback to help you find the joy of writing fantasy. Join our conversation and bring along your journal to capture any golden nuggets along the way.
Shelly Mack is an author of children’s books, including picture books and young adult fiction. From a toddler through to adulthood, books have been a permanent part of her day-to-day life. Her children and faith inspired her writing. Shelly wants to keep books alive in a world that needs escapism and wishes to bring joy to her readers through her books. As well as writing, she runs a ‘Meet the Author’ programme on Instagram, which has been a great addition to her author career. Shelly is a full-time writer living in Scotland with her husband, two girls and two cats.
Shelly’s latest novel is entitled Landis.
A world consumed by secrets. A group of friends with gifts they’ve yet to contol A luring darkness that will choose one to do its bidding. A visionary prince & a vengeful princess are divided by an impenetrable barrier. Benjamin must harness his newfound power to prevent Alunattra from piercing her way back through—lest she return to avenge & reclaim her throne. Welcome to Landis. Get ready to believe.
Purchase link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6NRB55L?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_7X5BRKTC5H6HE634BYG1
Connect with Shelly at the following link:
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November 7, 2023
Inspirational Journeys Presents: Heidi Gray McGill Returns with A Deeper Love
Heidi Gray McGill is back with a brand new novel. This isn’t her true debut, because she’s self-published several books in her author career. However, A Deeper Love is her first traditionally published book with Celebrate Lit Publishing. Join us via the YouTube video and podcast episode as we talk about her writing journey thus far, and her experience as a hybrid author.
Heidi infuses God’s love into her award-winning Christian fiction works.
Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into an awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are.
Heidi’s masterfully written words reach deep into the reader’s heart and offer healing through God’s Word.
McGill lives in a small town south of Charlotte, NC, with her husband of over thirty years. When not writing, Heidi loves playing with her grandsons, cooking, winning games, and exploring the world through books. Join Heidi on her latest adventures by visiting the blog on her website at https://heidigraymcgill.com/.
Heidi’s latest novel is entitled A Deeper Love.
I get paid to do my dream job, usually by wealthy men who thrive on adventure. But when their adrenaline rush is gone and vacation is over, Iâ€m still here, on a tropical island, with people who mostly leave me alone.
Except for this guy. Seriously, Dan is the last man I want to get involved with. If he got Decompression Illness, the doctors would likely call it Mercedes Bends. He’s privileged and entitled and would never leave his city life behind for the challenges of living on a remote Island. Don’t get me wrong—he’s prime shark bait, but I’m not ready to fall deeply in love with someone who won’t stay.
There’s no such thing as “going too deep” where spiritual things are concerned. But I’ll stay at the surface and snorkel rather than dive into the depths when it comes to relationships.
Purchase link:
Connect with Heidi at the following links:
https://www.amazon.com/author/heidigraymcgill
https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20851872.Heidi_Gray_McGill
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heidi-gray-mcgill?follow=true
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill
https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1
https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/
https://heidigraymcgill.com/blog/
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