The cursed items are powerful… But not as strong as their friendship.
Menda spent her whole childhood living a simple life in the village. A serene and happy existence surrounded by the love of her family and friends. But all changed on one perilous evening when the blight of the Dark Dragon emerged, raining fire down upon the people of her home.
In a chance encounter, a cursed coat binds to her as a power source saving the town by absorbing the fire of the dragon’s breath. Fulfilling her part of the deal, Menda’s life changes forever. After a separation and a reunion the two learn to become friends.
Together, they journey the land discovering other cursed items and finding opportunities for the mysterious artifact to find mighty attachments just like theirs…
An illustrated fantasy packed full of stories of cursed items that will entwine and wrap around the reader. For Young Adults, New Adults, and Adults. A low Fantasy tale with beautifully drawn illustrations not to be missed.
Grab your copy of “The Cursed Item Merchant” Now and find out how indestructible a friendship can be.
Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book is a short joyable read and the first written by the author. I particularly liked the world building aspects and how the main character, Menda, was covered by a curse coat which enabled her to save her village from the destruction of Dragon. She then brings us for a roller-coaster adventure where she saves many more others using her newfound power. I like how the author has woven the story to connect one characters with the others, making it an enjoyable read. It is a little over 200 pages and can be read within a few days. A fairly easy read. Highly recommended if you like Young Adult & Sorcery Fantasy
I have been writing and telling stories since I was in middle school, getting introduced to the idea from reading a friends first books. For many years my ADHD kept me jumping from project to project.
Last year I deiced to put all my focus into finishing one project and managed to do so. The plan now is to keep the record going with one book a year.
Why do you write? It’s a lot of fun and I like to figure out new ways to do old things.
What do you write about? I write any fantasy as long as I find the interesting at the time.
How long have you been writing? Since I was in middle school though I probably didn’t finish anything till I was in high school.
What writing are you most proud of? My first book. I have completed short stories but this is the first book I finished.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? My ADHD it’s hard to get motivation sometimes.
What books did you love growing up? Terry Pratchett discworld series and Robert Asprin Myth-series. i would read them over and over again.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? Marketing, I’m still trying to learn how to do it.
Do you find it hard to share your work? Finding a location yes, being able to do it no.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? Yes, my mom and sister were the first to read my finished book. Some of my friends were the first to buy it when it became available (they also asked for an autograph lol)
What else do you do, other than write? Crafts like cross-stitch and knitting, video games, reading manga. I have also been streaming for a few years now.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? I start with quick scenes on a watch that sends to my phone. I then move them to google doc and then either on my computer or phone which ever i have.
Do you see writing as a career? I do, though it takes a lot of work.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? Living comfortably off my books, paying all the bills on having enough to spend for fun once in a while.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? It is called “The Cursed Item Merchant”. It is the story about Menda who makes friends with a sentient coat named Calbas. They decide to then find cursed items and find them their perfect host (where the curse will help the host or at least not bother them) I wanted my first book to be a happy one. this was also just fun to write.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Reading manga and watching YouTube, or hanging with my rats.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? Depends on what I write but for this one happy.
Quinton Douglas Crawford is a freelance writer, author, teacher and organization leader with over fifteen years of professional experience. He takes part in many local cultural, social justice, environmental, and educational programs in and out of the country. He loves to contribute to the positive formation of a better present and future.
Author Live Chat with Fans Sunday: Real-Life Inspiring Stories The Global Situation 19th December 2021 8PM CST on Facebook page (International Book Promotion)
Where are you from?
I’m in Northern California (45 minutes east of San Francisco)
Why do you write?
I’m addicted to teaching and like the fact of creating a legacy.
What do you write about?
I write about what I care about
Do you have a specific writing style?
Not sure, but I prefer facts over fantasy
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Sometimes a health problem
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
“I Love what you did”
How long have you been writing?
Since 2000
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
On my 40th birthday
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I may take 1-2 days a week off to finish a chapter.
How long does it take to write a book?
Some take a year others take longer.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Building from a topic that is most dear to you works best for me.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
Writers’ block can slow anyone down
What do you think makes a good story?
Relevance
What does your family think of your writing?
Many have dimly expressed some excitement, but none seem to understand the financial potentials.
Do you see writing as a career?
No, I see it as a stress reliever and a possible financial help on the side.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
Yes, but I add that to my interviews.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was in my Bachelors Degree Program and had a long-standing applause for an essay presentation I did on the dangers of the “Disrespect for Nature”.
I am 45. I am a husband and father of 2 children. I am author and Businessman living in Hamburg Germany. I love helping people.
Describe yourself in five words
Impulsive, kind, courageous, a little intelligent but at the same time stubborn
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
My love for others.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
To overcome my fears, I go to the front of things.
I take a deep breath
I have a rule of 4-6-8. I take 4 seconds deep breath, release it out of my mouth 4 seconds. Repeat this for 6 seconds and 8 seconds. I tell myself that everything is fine and I pray.
What scares you the most?
Losing my mind
What makes you happiest?
Family, friends and success
Why do you write?
To help others understand how things work.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes. That is why I am with you
What motivates you to write?
Any writer that starts writing to get rich is most often disappointed. No, most writers write because it’s impossible NOT to write. The stories build up in your head and the developed characters come alive and won’t let you rest until you write down what they are telling you.
And I know that everybody has a story which will please someone else. So, I write mine.
What writing are you most proud of?
I am proud of the book I published right now on amazon.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
My family and friends are my first pride
What books did you love growing up?
The stories in the bible.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in Togo Africa and I am living now in Germany.
How did you develop your writing?
I like reading other books and get inspiration from them.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing
What marketing works for you?
It is not that easy to market a book but I have a team of people like you who work hard to let people know about what I am doing. What really works for me is facebook marketing.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
Yes. This is the crucial point that makes most writers doubt.
Is your family supportive?
Yes. Of course. They are my biggest fans and my main inspiration.
Do your friends support you?
Yes. Some of them read my books and give me their honest review.
What else do you do, other than write?
I am a businessman. I sell things online and consult other companies.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
When I was in Africa, to finance my studies, I sold insurance. When I arrived in Germany, to finance my studies and other things, I had worked as a cook’s helper.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
Business, accounting and marketing.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right here. I like to take advantage of the time that I am in a place. Because I can’t say why I’m here at this time.
Tell us about your family?
I am a husband and father of two children. I love them above all else.
How do you write – laptop, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
It depends where I am and I have the ideas. Sometimes I use pencil and paper. But most of the time I use a laptop.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
At least 6-7 hours
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
Yes. First of all my family, my lovely wife Sitsofe, my children Emefa and David. Also my brothers in Christ and friends Fojo, Narcisse, Jonathan, Yah-se, Nathalie, Serge, Ingolf, Marcel and Kaka
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
Success for me is when my audience or readers identify with my writing and can’t get rid of my books. Among other things, when the same books hit Amazon’s bestseller list, the same books can help a lot of people and my books will be cited by people for reference.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
Hum, I am now using Amazon KDP select. I will use fiverr gigs, use banner ads on blogs, use facebook groups, facebook ads etc.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
My new book “CONVERTING FEARS INTO CONFIDENCE” is an interview exposing the truth about cancer with an expert oncologist and hematologist Dr. Med. Thomas A. Walter.
When it comes to cancer, how can you segregate FACTS from MYTHS?
It doesn’t help to be bombarded with jargon and medical terms we are not familiar with.
With all the available information online, it can be confusing and stressful, especially for someone ill.
I, myself, faced cancer in 2013 and dealt with it successfully so I wrote this book or interview to help people that are sick of the disease of cancer and their family who are fighting to find reliable information online to get rid of the fears they are having and gain confidence.
This is my goal.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Hum, I never think about this before so I’ll give you the answer next time
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
Reading, enjoying playing with family and friends, watching movies and traveling.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing?
To get rid of the fears of cancer and gain confidence in this 21st century.
How will your words make them feel?
They will change their perspective on how they view it as a fatal disease and in fact listed as one of the leading causes of death in the world.
Many of our ideas about the world are based more on feelings than facts, sensibilities than science, and rage than reality. We gravitate toward ideas that make us feel comfortable in areas such as religion, politics, philosophy, social justice, love and sex, humanity, and morality. We avoid ideas that make us feel uncomfortable. This avoidance is a largely unconscious process that affects our judgment and gets in the way of our ability to reach rational and reasonable conclusions. By understanding how our mind works in this area, we can start embracing uncomfortable ideas and be better informed, be more understanding of others, and make better decisions in all areas of life.
Some uncomfortable ideas entertained in this book:
Political correctness can be harmful
Identity politics is a dangerous game
Morality is functionally democratic
Victims often do share some of the responsibility
God is a far more horrifying character than Satan
There is no such thing as freewill
Americans are manipulated into being pro-war
Non-whites can be racist, and women can be sexist
Some people do “choose to be gay”
Sometimes the bad guys win
Obese people are not perfect the way they are
It’s okay to find inappropriate jokes funny
Facts don’t care about feelings. Science isn’t concerned about sensibilities. And reality couldn’t care less about rage.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A bumpy ride indeed. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the content, it still manages to make one think critically about certain things, and that is always a good thing. What’s more, it is being presented in a non-threatening, clear, balanced, and objective way. A great way to tackle uncomfortable ideas.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Very eye-opening. Making us question the things that make them uncomfortable and why, is what we all need. Love it!”
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Definitely a book that requires some time for the readers to read and reflect on many uncomfortable aspects of life. I certainly enjoyed reading this book and took time to ponder upon the questions summarized at the end of the book. Many of the ideas discussed are something I have questioned myself before and as we humans have biasness, these questions may not always have a truthful answer and we may also find ourselves conflicting what we said in the past just because we now think differently and therefore think what was not acceptable in the past can now be accepted. I think it is especially true when it comes to relationships and polyamarous relationships. It can be a very difficult subject to handle but while polyamarous relationships are certainly possible, I would question the level of fulfillment one gets out of relationships as a whole, when attention is divided between many parties involved. Likewise, the author has also mentioned that extreme feminism can cause people to question the reason behind the movement in the first place, which I agree. I think this book is worth reading from the perspective of a professional who wrote the book to encourage people to embrace different ideas.
After a year and a half of working on this personal project, I’m happy to finally reveal it to everyone. My first novel, Seven Doors to Salvation: A Tale of Darkness and Light, will arrive on December 13th, 2021, and it’ll be available to purchase exclusively on Amazon! I’ve worked hard on bringing this novel […]
“Rumpelstiltskin’s Rules for Making Your Farthings Grow is a charming introduction to investing! I have long felt that I should know more about the topic but have struggled to find resources that don’t confuse me or put me to sleep. This book solved both problems! It’s an engaging resource that has empowered me to be a better steward of my limited retirement funds.”
— Sally L. Bond, President & Senior Consultant, The Program Evaluation Group, LLC, Chapel Hill, NC
Ready to get a clue about investing and take charge of your financial future?
Before you sink a single dollar into the stock market, read Rumpelstiltskin’s Rules for Making Your Farthings Grow by Susan Laubach. It’s a fun, painless, and profitable introduction to the world of investing.
If terms like broker, bonds, and venture capital cause you to break out into a sweat, fear not! Laubach teaches through entertaining, colorful retellings of fables and fairy tales you already know by heart.
You’ll learn business and investing fundamentals right alongside The Three Little Pigs, Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks, and more.
How are stocks and bonds different?
What causes a stock price to go up or down?
Why are earnings per share critical to understand?
You’ll even learn an easy-to-apply “secret formula” to discover if a stock price is a good value—or not!
Investment concepts are broken down in easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember language. Rumpelstiltskin’s seven rules will provide a foundation for all your future investments. (They’ll also equip you to sniff out the foxes and wolves selling bad investments).
These “rules” are essential for investing, served with a smile, so you can laugh while learning.
A practical summary and study guide at the back of the book further reinforces your knowledge and provides a quick refresher whenever you need it.
With Susan Laubach as your storyteller and guide, you can be sure you’re in good hands. She is a former Wall Street stockbroker and financial educator. She’s taught several levels of investment education to students aged 18 to 74. Better Investing Magazine called Laubach’s previous book “the most-well rounded source of basic stock information and education.”
Look, if Baby Bear can grow up to be a successful stock broker, then you can learn to invest, too.
Time is money, and there’s no better time to learn about investing than right now. Make Rumpelstiltskin’s Rules for Making Your Farthings Grow your first—or next—investment in your financial future. The knowledge you’ll gain will pay dividends for the rest of your life.
Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
This is a great book for older children to understand the crucial concepts in finance when they are young as they would otherwise struggle to be interested in learning as they grow older. I still remember Robert Kiyosaki’s book The Rich Dad Poor Dad and that was the first exposure to financial intelligence we got growing up, and that too when we were young adults. A book like this would definitely interest young kids to start understanding money literacy and the wisdoms from the author can be passed on to them at an early age in life. I love how the author has incorporated fairy-tale-like stories to make the concepts simpler, so that the kids remain interested when learning all 7 rules in investing.
Bo was born in Connecticut where he lived until he was 21. He attended Bryant University where he paid his own way through by running a promotional business while also serving as a Resident Assistant.
At age 13, Bo started studying the martial arts. By Age 18, he earned his first degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate. Since his first black belt, he has also earned a second degree black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and continues to study several different styles. He is also passionate health and fitness.
Right after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Bo moved to Boulder, Colorado where after just five months, realized the “Rocky Mountain High” wasn’t for him. Missing his family, he moved back to Connecticut.
In 1994, Bo met his wife-to-be, Kim, at the bar “Archie Moore’s,” which is where they got the name for their first dog, Archie, which is where he got the name for his business. Bo and Kim moved to Boston, Massachusetts shortly after they met, got married, and been living in the Boston area happily ever since, with their dog, and two children.
For updates on Bo’s latest projects, visit BoBennett.com.
1. Why did you write the book? What was your motivation behind it?
I wrote this book because I noticed a disturbing trend: a vocal minority started to have tremendous influence over both individuals, our institutions, and businesses. This group deemed themselves the arbiters of political correctness and social justice. To even question these people is social and professional suicide. Even our academic institutions have swept aside the scientific method and scholarly debate in fear of the repercussions for disagreeing with these false gods and their rhetoric. The “uncomfortable idea” that the critical thinking community used to relish has now become the idea that should not be questioned—at least not publicly. This is a major societal problem that needs to be solved.
2. Who do you see as your main audience for this book and what do you hope they will get from reading your book?
This is the ironic part, or perhaps the challenge that I have as the author. The book does not cater to any one ideology. The political left and right will find things they agree with as well as things they disagree with. The religious and non-religious will be offended. Those with conservative values and more progressive values will be upset by something in this book. The question is, can the readers suspend their ideological zeal in favor of reason?
3. Why do you think you are the right person to write this book? How do you think your qualifications or experience make this a better book?
I have a PhD in social psychology. Although what we see happening with facts being denied and non-dangerous opposing views being silenced can be explained by multiple disciplinaries, social psychology offers the greatest insight, as well as solutions. Plus, I am generally indifferent about these topics, which allows my reason to prevail where others who are passionate about these topics allow their emotions to interfere with reason, leading to poor conclusions.
4. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
No. I am not embarrassed nor ashamed about any views I hold, especially the ideas I write about in this book. I don’t even share my views on the topics—I simply present the arguments that many people are afraid to present. Many of these arguments I don’t agree with, but I do present them.
5. Were there any topics you left out of the book because you were afraid of the consequences?
Yes and no. I wrote the first edition back in 2016 before the U.S. presidential election. I wrote an article about no matter who wins, we should support him or her (Trump was running against Clinton). After Trump won, I was so turned off by his behavior and his apparent disregard for honesty, that I removed the article from the book. Then about a year later, I put the article back in, realizing that what I wrote did not mean we need to agree with whoever is in office; just that we need to give the a fair shot, and avoid buying into the media rhetoric.
6. The book’s latest edition has just been published in November of 2021, five years after the first edition. Have you received any blowback from writing about such controversial and taboo topics?
I get the occasional “unfriending,” nasty comment, and one-star rating on my book because I offended someone. The university where I used to teach as an adjunct professor never invited me back. I can’t be sure it was because of this book, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.
Susan Laubach, PhD has had a distinguished career as an author, playwright, actress and educator. She has written nine books, including The Whole Kitt & Caboodle: A Painless Journey to Investment Enlightenment, which was called “the best basic book on investing available” by the National Association of Investment Clubs, and endorsed by Economics America, as well as the National Council on Economic Education. Her plays have been performed throughout the Northeast, including at venues such as Women at Work, MamaDrama, and EAT’s Sola Voce Festival. As a member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the League of Professional Theatre Women (LTTW), and Dramatists Guild Fund treasurer and board member, she has appeared in many plays, television and film. She has also been a popular guest on CNN-FM and CNBC’s Morning Business Show, and The Money Club.
A mother of five children, including two sets of twins, she later rose through the ranks to become the first female vice president at the oldest investment bank in the U.S., Alex, Brown & Sons – but not before her fifteen-year stint teaching investing to over a thousand students. She earned her doctorate from the University of Virginia, and later taught at the College of Notre Dame.
1. Why did you write the book? What was your motivation behind it?
I wrote the book as a series of cautionary tales because I saw a great need for them among potential and even long-time investors. My motivation was to address that need in a way that would encourage confidence and enable readers to remember the “rules” because of the story structure.
2. Who do you see as your main audience for this book and what do you hope they will get from reading your book?
My main audience is the cohort of folks who want to invest but aren’t sure if they should. This includes people who find themselves with money from an inheritance or divorce but are scared to get started investing for fear of losing $$. as well as all Gens, X, Y, Z who think trading or penny stocks will make them rich overnight. Wrong.
3. How do you see this book being relevant today?
With so many opportunities to lose money in flaky securities or overpriced securities, this book is more relevant than ever. It is, however, “wintergreen” in that the “rules” will never be irrelevant.
4. Why do you think you the right person to write this book? How do you think your qualifications or experience make this a better book?
Because of my many years as a stockbroker and simultaneously, nearly as many as an investment educator, I saw too many instances of investors failing to ask the pertinent questions (“what can go wrong?” “Is this price too high,” etc.) because they didn’t know the questions to ask. Consider me an investor’s advocate, arming readers with the most basic of ways to build confidence and knowledge about the Stockmarket. Being both an author and a playwright, I’m uniquely qualified to write readable and memorable stories which I hope will also amuse.
5. How did you come up with the idea for the book?
I came up with the idea for this book because I wanted a way for readers to remember these important “rules” and embedding them in re-told fairy tales seemed an effective way to do this.
6. Can you share a little bit about the process of writing the book? Did you keep writing once you sat down?
Once I hit on the idea of embedding investment rules in silly fairy tales, it was challenging and fun to match the rules with appropriate stories. Having been a teacher of Creative Dramatics, I also felt that kids would have a good time while learning important investment lessons if they acted out each story. This enabled me to make sure each “rules’” story had plenty of action. And yes, once I saw down, I kept on writing. No blogging and no writers’ block.
No Laces! That’s what Boo, the bunny, always says. He doesn’t want to learn to tie them. He has plenty of shoes for every occasion and none of them have laces or strings. So, what’s the point of learning to tie? His friend, Farah Fox, convinces him that it’s a skill he can use. . . and one that might make him happier, too.
This book is meant to be a parent-child activity. Youngsters can read Boo’s story and their parents can help with the how-to-tie instruction pages. A fun shoelace-themed “I Did It” badge is included at the back of the book to give in celebration of conquering this difficult task.
Exercises in manual dexterity build self-esteem in children. Knowing how to tie shoe-strings, scarves and more into a bow is a useful and rewarding skill.
“Teach a child a useful skill. Build confidence and self-esteem that lasts a lifetime.” Author, Sybrina Durant
Other books in the “Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and the Fox” series are the book with that name in English, Spanish and Tagalog plus a special little book to gift to boys in a wedding party. “Nellie Knows How To Knot A Neck Scarf”, “Ned Knows How To Knot A Neck Tie” and “Cleo Can Tie A Bow” are also part of the series.
Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
A very short yet entertaining kids’ book that teaches how to tie the shoe laces in a fun and engaging way. With lots of colourful illustrations, the pages are not too wordy and the illustrations help in the “how-to” explanation when it comes to tying shoe laces. Love how the author incorporated links to videos where kids can further watch numerous ways to tie shoe laces. Fun and interactive short book, perfect as a Christmas gift.
International Book Promotion 