Your Voice Matters (YVM12)

I got word of a story from Rochester, NY, yesterday of a young woman named Paradise Williams. She’s a senior at Northwest College Preparatory High School and was the victim of bullying since middle school. She has issues with her weight, and was an easy target for kids looking to make themselves feel better by bringing someone else down. The article from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle states:

[She] masked the pain she felt being bullied because of her weight. On days when pretending was just too difficult, she played sick, staying home to avoid her classmates. When the feelings that festered inside her became too much, she attempted suicide.

Twelfth-grader Paradise Williams listens to members of Bullyproof, a group she created, during a meeting at Northwest College Preparatory High School in Rochester. / CARLOS ORTIZ / staff photographer for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Thankfully, she was unsuccessful, and while recovering in the hospital, she developed an idea to reach out and help other teens, like herself. At first, she made an anti-bullying video, showing flash cards describing her situation. Then she came up with the idea of an in-school support group, called Bullyproof. She’s now reaching out to administrators in other area schools in an effort to get similar programs started elsewhere.

“Just speak up,” she said. “Let your voice be heard.”

Let Paradise, and other teens like her, know that you are getting the message. Take a moment today and pay someone a compliment. Smile. Your voice matters, so use it wisely. Don’t degrade someone because they look or act differently than you. Instead, celebrate the variety. If we all looked and acted the same, this would be one really boring world to live in!

Giveaway Update

Entries continue to stream in for the Your Voice Matters Review Giveaway, but I want to see more! I understand, for the people that have entered already, the tendency is to try to keep it a secret. My chances will be better if no one knows about this! But, I believe in karma and the power of good deeds. Pass the opportunity along. Encourage someone to read who normally shies away from books. You may not get paid back in this contest, but those actions will come back to enrich your life. Here’s another sampling of the great reviews that have been submitted already (book links to Goodreads):

I think Nate Rocks the World is a great book. The authors name is Karen Toz and she is one of the best authors I have ever read. This book is a great book for all ages. Whether you’re reading it to someone or reading it by yourself you’ll love it. — from Sarah’s review of Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz

This was classic Gist. I love love love all her books and was so thrilled when I was finally able to read this one. I don’t think it’s as amazing as some of her other books, like Beguiled or Maid to Match, though. Although I loved Luke and Georgie, Luke wasn’t as romantic as I prefer my guy characters to be, and I didn’t like Georgie’s character as much as I’ve liked past Gist characters. She seemed too frivolous, childish, and impractical at times and as much I tried to get over it, it got on my nerves. — from Shelby’s review of Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

I get a big smile on my face when I see another review entry come in my email, so keep them coming and keep me smiling!

Fun Video Friday #30 (Mother’s Heart Book Birthday Edition)

In honor of the book birthday of Mother’s Heart, Book Three of the Mother-Earth Series, I thought we’d do a tribute to all the moms out there. Here is everything a mom says in a 24-hour period, condensed into about three minutes and set to the William Tell Overture!

 

Mother’s Heart available now in ebook from Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble

United we stand … divided we fall.

The cunning and powerful Mogritas and his allies, like a pride of ferocious lions, maneuver and toy with the citizens of Mother, before moving in for the kill.

Scattered across not one, but two worlds, Jenni and her classmates struggle to reunite for a final battle against the centuries-old shapeshifter. Can they band together in time? Or will old frictions and new threats tear them, and their adopted world, apart?

Ruin or salvation, the answers lie in Mother’s Heart.

eBook Edu-ma-cation

I’m continually surprised at how often I still hear, “Oh, I can’t read eBooks, I don’t have a reader.” So, I decided it’s time for an edu-ma-cation about ebooks and how everyone who has a computer, tablet, iPod, or smart phone can take advantage of all the great reads and deals out there in ebookland.

Formats/Sources

If you’re old enough to remember a time before CDs and DVDs, you might recall audio and video tapes. If not, just trust me on this and read on. When these things came out, there wasn’t just one type to choose from. Audio had 8-track, and later, cassette, while video had VHS and Betamax. It took a few years before the industries settled on cassettes and VHS. We’re in a similar struggle for dominance right now with ebook formats. Here’s a quick run down on who uses what:

.mobi – This is the format used on Amazon’s Kindle readers. Their devices are the only ones using it, although you can get .mobi files from other sites, notably Smashwords.

.epub – This is the format most other readers use, or at least can use. Nook, Apple, Kobo, Sony, and most of the standalone apps like Adobe Digital Editions use this format.

.pdf – Many ebooks are available as basic .pdfs. Books available at Smashwords have this as an option along with a plethora of others, such as .rtf and plain text.

Turning Your Computer/Mobile Device Into an Ereader

Each of the major ereader manufacturers have apps available to allow you to read ebooks you buy on your phone, tablet, or computer. Most are free. Pictured to the right is Amazon’s Kindle app for iPhone. You can search for your preferred ereader (Kindle, Nook, etc.) wherever you get other apps for your particular device. Download and ta-da! You now have an ereader!

Understand that I still love physical books. I have a room in my basement full of them. But, I’m quickly becoming a big fan of ebooks. I can have literally dozens of books in the palm of my hand at any time. And I can change the type style and size of the display to my liking. I picked up a paperback I’d been reading shortly after trying out my new ereader and I was shocked at the difference! I wondered how in the world I’d been reading such small, crammed type all these years.

So, no more excuses people! Give an ebook a try! It won’t cost you a dime. Download your free reader app, then download A Measure of Disorder for free as well!

My Books

A Measure of Disorder (FREE at all of these links) — Smashwords (all formats)  •  Barnes & Noble (Nook)  •  Apple (iBooks)  •  Amazon (Kindle)  •  Kobo

A Cure for Chaos — Smashwords (all formats)  •  Barnes & Noble (Nook)  •  Apple (iBooks)  •  Amazon (Kindle)  •  Kobo

Mother’s Heart — Smashwords (all formats)  •  Amazon (Kindle)

The Mother-Earth Series Omnibus (all three books in one volume!) — Smashwords (all formats)  •  Barnes & Noble (Nook)  •  Amazon (Kindle)

For a sneak peek at a new project, go to Wattpad and check out Tales of Uncertainty.

Your Voice Matters (YVM11)

The giveaway has been going for less than a week and we already have some great reviews posted! Awesome job guys! Today I thought I’d put some snippets up so you can see some of the fantastic teen reviewing that’s going on out there. Have a look (book links are from GoodReads):

… There were some twists and turns.  When Petra and Emmerich team up together, the reader is led to believe something horrible is going to happen.  And even though it does happen, the specific events still keep you on  your toes.  It is a believable plot and does start off on the slow side.  But after the first chapter or two, the rest of it flies by. — from Rachel at the LA Young Adult Fiction Examiner, reviewing The Clockwork Giant, by Brooke Johnson

… In a swamp of young adult novels that sometimes center around overly-used plots, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU SOMEONE ELSE brings something new to the table. It was refreshing to read something so original, something that delved into interesting themes that I haven’t seen covered in any other book. After all, it’s not like books about premature marriage are crowding the shelves (unless they are and I’ve just never seen them). — from Izzy at My Words Ate Me blog, reviewing I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

… To prove the youth’s obsession with fashion instead of history will hinder their future, he uses this hypothetical example: “If a student interviews for an internship wearing the hippest garments but can’t name a single eighteenth-century artist, the curators will pass.” Not sure why this imaginary student would even go in for the internship in the first place without doing a bit of research beforehand. While fashion might not get you an internship, Wikipedia and Google might. Trust me, I was the girl who crammed the history of the company off the Web I was applying to in high school. — from Lilian on GoodReads, reviewing The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future by Mark Bauerlein

Just in this small sampling there is a wide variety of reading material and some excellent commentary. Bravo everyone! I encourage you to click the links and read the full reviews.

Remember, your voice only matters if you use it. So, get out there on the wide world of the Internet and post a book review! Then enter the YVM Giveaway for your chance at a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet! What have you got to lose?

And, if you’re looking for a book to read, I’ve got one for you for free!
<<<<<<<<< Right over there … A Measure of Disorder, Book One of the Mother-Earth Series is available at Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and the Apple iTunes store — all free! It’s even on Wattpad, which is a fun place to check out if you like to interact with other young readers or have some of your own writing to share.

Fun Video Friday #29

I’ve always been a big fan of Beaker from the Muppet Show. Here he is demonstrating some not-so-fireproof paper. And don’t forget to check out the Your Voice Matters Review Giveaway! You could win a Kindle Fire or a Nook Tablet, just by expressing your opinion.