Emma Palova, born in Czech Republic, is an author, a writer, a screenwriter, a journalist, a photographer, a designer and the founder of Emma Blogs, LLC, based in Lowell, Michigan.
Currently, she is working on her memoir "Greenwich Meridian" which she intends to turn into a screenplay.
Palova started her blog EW Emma's Writings at http://emmaplova.com in support of the publication of her memoir in January, 2013.
The blog has grown into a passion and a company that designs blogs for other people under the umbrella of Emma Blogs.
Palova is a prolific online publisher open to new ideas and to new horizons. A natural innovator, Palova loves to create progressive brands into the future. Check out her inspirational post "Desert epiphany" and the authors page on About_me and on Facebook.
I am looking forward to seeing you around the greater Grand Rapids area and on my blog.
I am seeking an agent or a publisher for the memoir that I intend to publish for my mom Ella's 80 birthday on Aug. 23.
I celebrated my fourth anniversary on the WordPress publishing platform on Jan. 15th, 2017 with more than 1,000 followers and 500 plus posts.
Love always,
Emma
Jan Afman spent 10 years in Taiwan and six years in the Philippines during a difficult time in her life. She managed to write about it in her memoir SariSari many years later after processing her experience.
“It was hard to pry myself out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I had to get over a culture shock.”
However, she encourages people not to avoid difficult experiences since they are opportunities to grow.
“I learned to look for good things each day,” she said. “I learned about growing from not being a happy camper to contentment.”
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of SariSari.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, authors Hilton Everett Moore and Ed Bentley.
In his fourth true crime book Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer author Rod Sadler offers an in-depth account of the brutal murder of Frances Lacey on Michigan’s Mackinac Island in 1960.
So, why would anyone commit a murder in this paradise on earth?
“Well, it depends on who you ask,” Sadler said during the podcast interview.
The city officials think it was somebody who lived on the island; the island folks think it was an insurance job and others think it could have been a young serial killer who moved on in his “criminal career.”
Sadler went through a 2,000-page police report and interviewed the islanders who remembered the atmosphere; however, nobody mentioned what happened with the evidence items taken off the victim’s body.
Will new DNA technology help identify the Person of Interest in the Mackinac Island cold case?
Embark on a journey with Sadler for a detailed look into the murder of Frances Lacey.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, authors Hilton Everett Moore and Ed Delaney.
In his memoir, This Tender Man-My Father’s Story Nelson explores the journey of an ordinary man caught up in the extraordinary circumstances of war. “My father nearly died of malaria in the jungles of WWII New Guinea” is the opening line of the book.
Woodrow F. Nelson served in the U.S. Army’s 1462nd Engineer Maintenance Company in the tropical Pacific during WWII, coming home damaged by war but committed to leaving the war behind and going back to work, starting a family, and serving his community.
However, like many veterans, he never shared any of the war stories with his son. Author Rich Nelson embarked on a journey to find out about his father’s experience.
The book also delves into Muskegon’s colorful historical and cultural tapestry.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of This Tender Man-My Father’s Story.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and UP author Hilton Everett Moore
Farrell’s inspirational memoir touches all who feel they are broken, alone, have no hope in their future, and those who seek a true purpose for their life.
The story starts with Farrell’s crippling childhood anxieties to a desire to end the author’s life after believing there was no future or purpose for his life.
“If you look for bad things you will find them,” Farrell said.
Then after a divine encounter, Farrell turned the corner and sought one good thing a day. His sports participation and an eventual perfect national collegiate football record stand today as a testament to the amazing blessings God provides in life.
“This memoir was a way to thank my family, friends, and teammates who’ve helped me,” he said.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Farrell’s new book.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and UP author Hilton Everett Moore.
A minute of silence for the victims and the heroes
Updated Sept. 11, 2023
On this rainy Monday afternoon, I reflect back on that ominous day 22 years ago. I have just returned from a very successful selling weekend at the Silver Lake Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival and my suitcase is still unpacked.
I spent the rainy day writing about the upcoming Oakwood Cemetery Tour organized by the Lowell Area Historical Museum. The setting is almost the same as on 9/11 a long time ago in that aspect that I am still writing; this time for The Lowell Ledger. And I wrote a peaceful story about remembering individuals who contributed to the Lowell community.
As I walked the Oakwood Cemetery on a sunny Sunday afternoon in search of the headstone of the founder of The Lowell Ledger, Frank Johnson, I thought about the victims of the attacks. They too have their names on a wall and they also lived lives within the dash.
-stories of lives that were lived within the dash-
Oakwood Cemetery: Fourth Historical Walk
September 11, 2001
It was a Tuesday morning and the week was young waiting to be filled with reporting of the unknown news in the small community of Ionia. Nothing out of the ordinary; a few township and school board meetings and some nice human interest stories with heartwarming pictures of kids back in school.
That perspective changed in a few minutes.
As I was listening to the finance committee reports by the Ionia County treasurer Nancy, little did I know the events of that day would fill the newscasts around the world for years to come.
I looked up from my notes and saw the county administrator’s face twist in a grimace of total disbelief and dismay as he watched in shock the attacks on the towers on his laptop. He shared the news with us and dissolved the meeting.
Disbelief ensued and we left the meeting to watch the attacks at our office of the Ionia Sentinel-Standard in Ionia with my colleagues, editor Val Gaus, reporters Brandon Lacic and Katelyn.
I remember the immense silence after the airplanes were grounded for four days. I also remember a story we did about a preaching pastor, that we got into trouble for doing it.
“He was preaching,” said publisher Val Rose.
The newspaper headlines varied: “A day of infamy.” For some reason, I remember that one the most. Then my dad came over in the evening to consult the situation, while mom was in the Czech Republic and thought it was a horror movie on TV.
The patriotism that followed was amazing, as well as the camaraderie of the people. I hope the memories will never fade away for the sake of the people who died during the catastrophe.
Right now, I am still at a loss for words. I always hold a minute of silence for all the victims.
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
In “A Mirage of Golden Glitter,” author Preethi Saravanakumar paints a breathtaking tapestry of reflections.
This book is more than just a collection of poems; it’s a voyage that resonates deeply, guiding readers to introspect, celebrate their authenticity, and cherish the shimmering threads of wisdom that weave the fabric of their lives.
A captivating symphony of emotions, wisdom, and self-discovery.
Even if the poems have difficult themes, they always have a good light-hearted ending, according to Preethi.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of A Mirage of Golden Glitter.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger. Together we’ve been bringing you stories for 150 years.
In her debut novel After the Before-Times, author Jan Leland portrays the story of seven people, who end up together at an inn on a lake in Michigan during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They find friendship, hardship, and ultimately resilience together.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of After the Before-Times.
Bring Joy and Love to the Island Fair. There will be no sad faces.
Be a part of history, as this epic fair, run by volunteers only, celebrates 50 fantastic years on the island on July 29, 2023. What better way to make up for the missing Covid year and to enhance this year’s celebration than to add 50 new vendors for a total of more than 180 vendors?
“They put a little light into this dark time,” said event producer Stephene Lapp.
Twenty Michigan Authors will be located both on the island and at the ballfield. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get a signed book by a live author. And food trucks are back
Find out more about the island’s fascinating history in this action-packed episode with Lapp of Ledge Craft Lane.
Joan Young is a long-distance hiker and prolific author, blogger, and avid photographer. She has conquered the North Country Trail (NCT) twice which is an unprecedented feat. She finished hiking the NCT on June 18, 2023, at Timber Creek after 18 months and 18 days on the trail averaging 13.2 miles per day.
Here is an excerpt from Joan’s adventures on the trail.
The heat was brutal. But I was walking along the Garrison Diversion canal at the time and I kept pouring water over my head. On the hottest day, I did 18 miles, but I had to do a shorter day the next day because I was so worn out. Then I started getting up and hiking at the crack of dawn so I was pretty much done before the temp hit 100 around 2 in the afternoon.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger, edited by Douglas Kelly of Evolve Solutions
Canadian-born author S. W. Raine has written The Elemental’s Guardian, which is the first book in The Elementals Trilogy, during NaNoWriMo.
Everything changed the day he ran into her with his jet thousands of feet in the sky.
Freelance pilot Ferenc Janos’s life is turned upside down when Olivia Gillies, a woman who can control air and travel through lightning, tells him he’s the guardian of the air elemental. Around the same time as her sudden arrival, masked figures have been appearing around the city with the ability to summon and control strange creatures. Their target? The homeless girl who happened to steal his wallet.
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