All posts by emmapalova

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

T.J.London pens prequel ’Man of War’

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pt922-12e8bbf

It was actually fashion that got T.J. London interested in the American Revolutionary War as a young author as simple as it may seem.

“I was getting into my persona,” she said. “The look got me interested in that time period. Now it draws attention to my books.”

Yes, it was the red coats and tricorne hats that sparked the imagination of a young mind, and later served well as a counseling tool during a period of grief. Rather, than writing a journal, T.J. London went the whole way and wrote ‘Man of War.’

T.J. London is an expert at digging out little-known facts in history and asking herself questions. She was referring to battles in upstate New York that T.J. London didn’t know about.

“Why don’t we learn this stuff,” she said.

What fascinated T.J. London were all the changes that were happening at the same time.

“It was this incredible cataclysmic moment in history,” she said. “But in fiction where were those stories? I felt like I needed to know more.”

And the prequel is not just about the revolution, but also about digging deep into the roots of what was going on T.J. London’s life after the loss of her father.

It took her four years to write ‘Man of War’ backed up by solid research about the Royal Navy.

Come along on a journey with ambitious captain Merrick and revengeful India for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘Man of War.’

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

How to survive NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge ending up with a rough draft of a novel

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-k8thk-12e89f0

That is the million-dollar question that today’s panelists authors Jean Davis, Vera West, and Emma Palova will attempt to answer. There is not a one size fits all guideline to win the 50,000-word challenge coming up in November.

At times, the challenge reminds me of final exams in college, when you had to pull it all together in one month, and in four different subjects. As authors, we each have a different approach to getting it done. I like to have some kind of pillars to rely on kind of like a suspended bridge, not necessarily a full-blown outline, but rather a synopsis as Davis suggested.

Davis has been participating in NaNo for 17 years, which has increased her productivity immensely. Out of that, she won 15 times. West enters every year but does not always win. So far, she has won once.

“For me, any progress is better than none,” she said.

True, if you enter and get 10,000 words written, that’s 10,000 words more than you had before entering.

These experienced NaNoWriMos offered invaluable tips in the special episode: Have two projects in the works in case you get stuck on one, and work hard in the honeymoon phase at the beginning before exhaustion settles in.

Don’t go back to fix anything, keep moving forward even if you don’t like the way the story is evolving; you might not like it two hours later either.

“There are two ways to go about it,” Davis said. “First you can outline that you have to write 1,667 words a day, secondly you can just work on something like I do.”

Whichever way you pick, just stick to your commitment.

Find out what to do when you do get stuck. And we all do, indeed.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

OCTOBER GUEST AUTHORS

Welcome these Indie and small press authors to For the Love of Books Podcast. They represent fascinating genres.


 FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS PODCAST with host EMMA PALOVA

 Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy in the podcast book giveaway with a personalized message by Indie and small press authors.

http://emmapalova123.podbean.com and on https://anchor.fm/emma-palova, major podcasting apps

October Schedule

T.J. London, Man of War, Oct. 7

Joanna Walitalo, Woodburnings, Oct. 19

Kathryn Den Houter, Prison Shadows, Oct. 27

Chris Stark, Carnival Lights, Oct. 28

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, Modern History Press

If you would like to be a guest on For the Love of Books Podcast, please fill out the form. If you would like to be a sponsor please contact Emma in the comment box below.

There will not be any new episodes. However, watch for reruns. If no one has claimed yet the coveted price, you get a second chance at it.

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Author Emma @Earth Stories Jewelry on Blue Coast Artist tour in Saugatuck

Author Emma @Earth Stories Jewelry on Blue Coast Artist tour in Saugatuck

Author Emma @Earth Stories Jewelry on Blue Coast Artist tour in Saugatuck


— Read on emmapalova.com/2022/09/27/author-emma-earth-stories-jewelry-on-blue-coast-artist-tour-in-saugatuck/

Author Ash Bishop pens Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-e97i3-12d8066

In his first book, author Ash Bishop teleports protagonist Russ Wesley into another galaxy with a sugary cookie in his pocket, in this light-hearted sci-fi novel.

Listen in for the keywords for this week for a chance to win a signed personalized copy of Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

When Wesley finds an unusual artifact in his grandfather’s collection of rare antiquities, the last thing he expects is for it to draw the attention of a ferocious alien from a distant planet. Equally surprising is the adventurous team of intergalactic exterminators dispatched to deal with the threat. The exterminators specialize in “ecosystem preservation”— a thankless job that involves hunting down alien predators of all shapes and sizes. They’re so impressed with Russ’s marksmanship that they insist he join their squad . . . whether he wants to or not.

“Russ is an interesting fella,” said Bishop. “He doesn’t have close family, and his grandma needs money.”

So Russ goes off and works for a galactic space group.

“It’s heartfelt,” Bishop said. “Fifty percent of the story has to do with the characters.”

Based on the success of Intergalactic Exterminators, Bishop landed a deal to publish his previous book in 2023.

“They’re completely different books,” he said.

But, switching genres comes to Bishop easily.

Listen in for some tips on how to switch genres and for the keywords of the week to win Bishop’s book.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

St. Wenceslas name day in the Czech Republic, a national holiday

St. Wenceslas Statue in Prague.

By Emma Palova

Today is my dad Vaclav Konecny’s name day, and my brother’s as well. Vaclav is the regular modernized version of Wenceslas, which was a royal name for the kings of Bohemia. It is a national holiday in the Czech Republic also known as ‘Czech Statehood Day’ that has been celebrated since 2000.

Sept. 28 is the feast day of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, and it commemorates his death in 935. St. Wenceslas was the duke of Bohemia and the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, he was the victim of a murder plot orchestrated by Boleslav, who was his own brother. People celebrate this feast with festivals around the nation.

The main square in Prague is called “Vaclavak” or Vaclavske Namesti. It’s more a boulevard than a square and it is the busiest place in Prague, and traditionally a place for gatherings and manifestations, the site of Christmas markets. The statue of St. Wenceslas adorns the boulevard at the top along with the National Museum.

Throughout the years, “Vaclavak”, originally known as Konsky Trh or Horse Market, has witnessed many demonstrations, both sad and joyful events; invasion of Soviet tanks in 1968, demonstrations against the Soviet occupation, 1989 Velvet Revolution demonstrations and demonstrations on Sept. 3 of this year against the current government.

A big celebration planned for Wenceslas Square on Sept. 28, 2022 has been canceled due to security reasons, as a protest is scheduled to take place on the square. The protest called “Czech Republic First” is taking place right now.

“Vaclavak” is the site of a big seasonal market offering beers, food, and souvenirs.

Happy name day to my father Vaclav who inspired my memoir Greenwich Meridian Memoir about our family immigration saga from former Czechoslovakia to the USA.

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Author Emma @Earth Stories Jewelry on Blue Coast Artist tour in Saugatuck

Blue Coast Artists tour, Oct. 1 & 2

Lowell author Emma Palova will be signing her new book ‘The Lost Town’ at Earth Stories Jewelry during the Blue Coast Artist tour on Oct. 1 & 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gallery (station 7 on the map) is located one mile south of Saugatuck/Douglas, which is the setting of this historical fiction novel.

The Lost Town historical fiction novel. Cover by Jeanne Boss.

The Lost Town press release

Lowell, MI – The Lost Town, a historical fiction novel set in the ghost town of Singapore during the pioneer era of the 1830s, is the third book in the Shifting Sands series published in the summer of 2022.

Author Emma Palova of Lowell captured the spirit of the once thriving lumbering town in its main characters beautiful Miss Ida of Chicago and her boss lumber baron John Bosch.

The story unravels as the greedy New York investors set their eyes on the undeveloped land at the Oxbow bend in the Kalamazoo River surrounded by sand dunes with the much-coveted white pines.

Wily Oshea established the New York & Michigan Co. to facilitate the development of Singapore in 1836. The investors envisioned that Singapore would rival Chicago and Milwaukee. With its humming mills, boarding houses, hotels, and general stores at the height of its prosperity, Singapore almost outshone Chicago.

The name remains a mystery, as its famous counterpart island city in East Asia was only a fledgling town at the time.

“The mysterious name inspired me to write this novel,” Palova said.

The novel covers the entire span of Singapore’s existence from the 1830s to its demise in the 1870s. At one point the town was known as Ellis Island since it accepted immigrants from European countries like Norway and Holland. The town was the first stop for Hollanders before they moved further up north and established Holland. It existed before Saugatuck which was smaller and known as Flats.

According to one interpretation, the exotic name was used to honor the “singing sands” of the Lake Michigan shore. The shape of the grains and the moisture combine to make the sand sing or squeak when someone walks on it. Palova will have book signings in the Greater Grand Rapids area and during Blue Coast Artists event on Oct. 1 & 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Earth Stories Jewelry at 2742 68th St. Fennville.

The Lost Town in the media

WGVU Morning Show with Shelley Irwin, Sept. 14

https://www.wgvunews.org/the-wgvu-morning-show/2022-09-14/the-lost-town

Holland Sentinel, Sept. 23

https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/09/23/lowell-author-sets-historic-fiction-the-lost-town-in-west-michigans-singapore/69505191007/

The Lowell Ledger, July 13

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Lost Town in Holland Sentinel

Check out this article in the Holland Sentinel about The Lost Town, a historic fiction novel set in the ghost town of Singapore, MI.

https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/09/23/lowell-author-sets-historic-fiction-the-lost-town-in-west-michigans-singapore/69505191007/

To be continued

Author Frank Wilson pens Hearts of Fire, fantasy novel

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a9kuv-12cf29a

What happens when you mix humans, centaurs, war, relationship challenges with family friends, and magic in a fantasy land of forests, villages, and castles?

Hearts of Fire is an exciting and engaging fantasy especially written for young people that tells a beautiful story of a young girl who has to deal with the untimely death of her beloved father, a long and dangerous journey through unknown territory in search of her mother and brother, and encounters with soldiers of war and enemies out to capture her.

This fascinating book is filled with exquisitely detailed descriptions of the different landscapes and locales encountered by the heroine as she deals with her emotions and makes often difficult decisions about loyalties to family and friends past, present, and future.

All of the imaginative characters in the story are so very well thought out and described that readers can make a complete picture in their minds as they turn each page.

“You write what you read and I love fantasy and sci-fi,” said Detroit author Frank Wilson about his Heart of Fire, book no. one in the three-part series. “Let the characters tell you what to do.”

Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of all three books in the series.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

Franciscan Rhythms 5K Trail Run Walk

The Franciscan Rhythms Trail Run Walk to raise funds for the Music Therapy Program is set for Oct.1 at the Lowell Campus of FLPC.

So what sets this 5K apart from the rest?

Music. There will be seven music stations at the different turning points on the trail. The music works as a motivator to overcome challenges on the trail.

I checked out the trails today at the Franciscan Life Process Center. It was just before it started to rain. Once you cross the wooden bridge the trail winds uphill.

It was very calm and peaceful by the old apple trees and the picnic area overlooking the rolling hills and meadows.

The temperature drop from yesterday’s 80s into the 60s made it feel like fall. The nature trail was well groomed and widened since the last time I went there.

The seasons are marvelous on the trails. The entire trail system encompasses 4 miles or 6.4 km on three different loops.

I met people on the trail at the foot of the hill with retreat yurts which is rather unusual. I noticed that new Sisters have professed their vows in 2021 by the Stations of the Cross.

Register online today at

https://runsignup.com/franciscanrhythmstrailrun