Category Archives: Michigan authors

2022 in the rearview mirror, 2023 ahead

Looking back and forward

I believe that our past sets us up for our future. However, we can only master the present.

January

The year started strong with a full For the Love of Books Podcast author guest list focused on diversity. This year in January I will be focusing on marketing, lifestyle changes, and author events.

I also worked on the revisions of Shifting Sands: The Lost Town. This year I will be finishing the sequel The Quest for the Lost Town.

What is lost can be found.

Unknown

We were in full production mode at @Moravian Sons Distillery stilling plums and apples. Check it out.

February
Czech garnets

The podcast was all about romance. This year the podcast will be all about the romance because love or the quest for it never dies.

We flew to Venice, Fl for winter break, and met up with our French family. This year I am still undecided. I will be participating in Pages Promotions Winter Festival 2023 organized by the one and only Diana Kathryn Wolfe-Plopa.

https://www.pagespromotions.com/store/p175/Winter_2023_Virtual_Book_Festival_Author_Registration.html#

My first physical author’s event will be the Lansing Women’s Expo on Feb. 10, 11 & 12.

We kept stilling at Moravian Sons Distillery.

March

My podcast theme was and will continue to be spring. Michigan has long winters, and the anticipation of spring is important. I always start my seeds in the sunroom.

In March, I added to my author guests the amazing UP authors thanks to author Mikel Classen and publisher Victor Volkman.

We celebrated our son’s birthday on March 1. This will continue. March also marks Lent. Each year during Lent I do tons of Lenten readings. The catholic religion has always inspired me with its mysteries and dogmas.

I will be participating in the Grand Rapids Women’s Expo from March 17 through March 19 at DeVos Hall.

April
Easter in Czech Republic, Vizovice, Moravia

Our fifth grandchild Henrik was baptized on Easter Sunday April 17 at St. Rose’s church in Hastings.

I started writing for The Lowell Ledger. I’ve been writing for our hometown newspaper on and off for the last 27 years. The paper is one of the sponsors of the podcast show featuring Indie and small press authors.

My comeback story was Torched in Lowell (LOL). I have just modified the headline; it was actually Torched Glass Art Studio opens in Lowell. My second one was Ripple, and what a ripple it has been. Maybe the headline should have read Rippled in Lowell (LOL).

The definition of ripple is the continuing and spreading results of an event or action. After less than a year in business, the restaurant is closing its door this Friday due to unfortunate circumstances, to say the least. No kidding, another Mexican restaurant opened next door in the old Backwater Cafe building. I have yet to do a story on this bizarre sequence of events.

May
My birthday at Cedar Springs Brewery with our fifth grand child, Henrik

It is my second favorite month after June. My birthday marks this month since I was born on the Czech national holiday to the shooting of fireworks. The new regime changed the holiday to May 8. Go figure. We always manage to celebrate somehow, only the Covid years shut down my birthday celebrations.

June

People for Palmer Park in Detroit.

Palmer Park Art Fair 2022

June starts my summer cycle of authors’ events. I was at the Art in the Park in Palmer Park Detroit on June 4 & 5. This year we’re planning on attending the Czech and Slovak Festival in July instead to present our traditional fruit brandies.

Muskegon Lakeshore Art Festival wasn’t as productive as in previous years due to high gas prices and inflation kicked in. Hopefully, this will taper off by the time LAF comes on June 24 & 25.

To be continued………..

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

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Into Paradise

By Emma Palova

I am getting ready for a five-hour road trip to Paradise. And it is a true paradise surrounded by the shimmering waters of Lake Superior on one side and the big woods of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park on the other. If you continue further north on Whitefish Point Road you will hit Whitefish Point with its nationally acclaimed Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and lighthouse.

The pristine magic of the Upper Peninsula (UP) has traditionally attracted authors, photographers, and filmmakers for at least one hundred years. Now, a new generation of authors writes from the UP or sets their stories in the UP. We are proud members of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association. (UPPAA)

Many of them are my friends and we’ve met in person at several different authors’ events around the state of Michigan. We will meet again at the Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise set for Aug. 19 through Aug. 21 this weekend. Here is a sampling of authors, who will be at the festival, including their podcasts. You can meet them in person in Paradise. They will sign your next favorite read. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

Author Mikel Classen is a true Yooper who makes his home in Sault Ste. Mary. His newest book True Tales: The Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a treasure chest of eye-opening stories. Listen in to the podcast episode by clicking on the link below.

Mikel Classen

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-mikel-classen-digs-out-lost-stories-in-true-tales-from-the-up-1649166655/

Author Mike Carrier will be on his home turf at the festival since he spends summers near Whitefish Point. Fourteen out of 15 Carrier’s murder mysteries with the main character Jack Handler are set in the UP.

Mike Carrier

“The festival has become one of my favorites,” Carrier said. “Beyond the proximity, I find those who attend to be more interesting. For instance, there is a biker group that usually comes through the festival, and they help make it a fun event.”

Listen in to the episode about To China with Love.

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-michael-carrier-releases-to-china-with-love/

Then it’s me who simply loves the UP. And like many other authors and artists, I’ve always been inspired by the rugged beauty and history of the land. I will have my brand new book “The Lost Town” on hand to sign.

Emma Palova

Listen in to the episode about The Lost Town on

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-emma-palova-pens-the-lost-town/

Author Bob Muladore of Tuebor books. I’ve known Bob for a long time. I plan on having him as a guest on For the Love of Books Podcast soon.

Bob Muladore

Author Mary Kremer, whom I don’t know, and I look forward to meeting her at the festival.

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

Michigan Authors at Holland Art in the Park on Aug. 6

By Emma Palova

I will be at Art in the Park in Holland on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with other authors. We will be located along Central near the corner of 10th in booths 205 & 206. You can listen to some of these authors talk about their books on For the Love of Books Podcast at http://emmapalova123.podbean.com

These authors represent a wide variety of genres from horror and fantasy to historical fiction and everything in between. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to meet us in person and find your next favorite read.

Jean Davis

Emma Palova

Diane Burton

Andrew Smith

KM McIntyre

Janet Vormitag

Vera West

Patricia Kiyono

Mark Love

I have a brand new book The Lost Town from the Shifting Sands series that I have introduced to the market at Once Upon A Book in Frankenmuth. The third book in the series is getting awesome reviews. You can get a signed copy by visiting our authors’ booths in Holland this Saturday. I am grateful to my graphic artist Jeanne Boss of Rockford for the whimsical cover.

Reviews

This historical fiction is a reflective account of a city in Michigan’s past, called Singapore, whose development on the Lake Michigan shore was the dream of wealthy investors from New York.  Their hopes in making it a booming Michigan city were affirmed in a statement made by John Bosch, one of the main characters and investors, who said, “The town of Singapore will rival both Chicago and Milwaukee, and its counterpart in Asia….” With twists and turns that love and hardships create, this fascinating saga of our state’s history will keep the reader’s attention from start to finish.  Emma has successfully captured the varied emotions and accounts of the characters and conditions surrounding the growth, and later demise, of the city of Singapore.

–Carol Briggs, Lowell Person of the Year 2019

Emma’s ease at mixing actual history into her stories is remarkable, and so entails Miss Ida’s response to an invitation to a soon-to-be bustling “Singapore” on the shores of Lake Michigan.  She is transported away from Chicago, family, and friends.  She quickly learns the duties expected of her in maintaining a boarding house and warehouse in the rapidly growing community.  Soon she falls in love with one of the corrupt founders.  The many colorful characters weave a fantastic story of love, mystery, hope, and faith.  This is a quick, very worthwhile read!

                                                -Nancy Price Stroosnyder

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

New book coming soon, author Emma Palova hits the road in June, July & August


PALMER PARK ART FAIR, DETROIT, JUNE 4 & 5

Summer is finally here and I am getting ready for several road trips. My first event of the year is the Palmer Park Art Fair on June 4 & 5 located at 910 Merrill Plaisance St. in Detroit. I am very excited since I’ve never been to this event. I tried to avoid big-city gigs but because of the nature of Greenwich Meridian Memoir which describes our life in communist Czechoslovakia and our travels across three continents, Detroit with a large Czech community is a must-stop.


Palmer Park Art Fair is a premier event on Lake Frances with an authors’ tent with 13 authors, and 120 other art vendors selling original artworks of various media, including painting, sculpture, music, mixed media, and more. In addition, the event will have a music stage and specialty booths.

The hours are on June 4 from 10 to 7 p.m. and  June 5 from 11 to 5 p.m.

Next weekend I will be at GIZZARD FEST, POTTERVILLE, JUNE 10& 11Gizzard Fest is not your ordinary festival. Thousands of people stream into Potterville for this unique event and good old-fashioned fun! The small-town atmosphere, live music, carnival, and great food (including plenty of gizzards) bring people from across the Midwest.

The hours are on June 10 from 9 a.m. to DARK, June 11 from 8 a.m. to DARK

LAKESHORE ART FESTIVAL, MUSKEGON, JUNE 25 & 26

This event is held in downtown Muskegon with more than 20 authors representing all genres. The LAF features a unique blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food, and fun. Experience over 300 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, a Children’s Lane, an artisan food market, street performers, multiple interactive art stations and so much more.

The hours are on June 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and June 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Detroit Virtual Book Fest July 15-July 17 see the link at the bottom


ONCE UPON A BOOK, FRANKENMUTH, JULY 23
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnceUponABook2016FanPage/

WILD BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL, PARADISE, AUG. 19, 20, 21

https://festivalnet.com/29244/Paradise-Michigan/Craft-Shows/Wild-Blueberry-Festival


 COMING SOON
The Lost Town is a historical fiction novel set in a ghost town. Protagonist Ida is torn between her hometown of Chicago and her new home across Lake Michigan, and between two men. Who will win her heart- her husband or her lover?Shifting Sands is a growing anthology of short stories and a brand new novel Shifting Sands: The Lost Town coming soon. The novel was edited by Carol Briggs of Lowell with the cover designed by graphic artist Jeanne Boss of Rockford.
The first book is a collection of 13 stories divided into three circles based on my life experiences: retail, journalism, and immigration.
The second book Secrets is a collection of 15 short stories with the main historical fiction story Silk Nora set in Belding, MI. There are other stories as well such as the Chief about a corrupt small-town police chief and 40 Hunks exploring cheap labor from Mexico.
 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.
http://emmapalova123.podbean.com and major podcasting apps.
 
June Schedule
Jon Stott, Summers at the Lake, June 2
Mark Loeb, special guest at Palmer Park Art Fair, June 3
Kris Gair, The Beautiful Moment, June 3
Nikki Mitchell, Nightshade Forest, June 17
Deborah Frontiera, Superior Tapestry, June 17
Victor Volkman, U.P. Reader, June 24
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, Modern History Press, Nikki Mitchell
 Find Out More

Detroit Virtual Book Fair, July 15-17, link to the catalog of my books in my virtual booth coming soon.

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

Happy Valentine’s Day from romance authors

February is the month of love, red roses, chocolates, fiery garnets, and champagne.

This month, I am featuring romance authors of different subgenres on “For the Love of Books Podcast.”

Today, I will be chatting with author Melinda Clark. Stay tuned for the upcoming episode on

http://emmapalova123.podbean.com

….and wherever you get your podcasts.

Melinda Clark is a licensed veterinary technician by day, fantasy and paranormal romance writer by night. She loves singing, reading, outdoor activities, and relaxing in the hot tub.

About Love and Bloodlust: The Sacred Objects

Avery Langdon is a self-taught demon hunter with a vendetta. Talon is a 300-year-old, blood-bag-drinking vampire with a fascination for her, and clearly death itself, as he persists in following the slayer on every hunt and pestering her with his advances. Despite their differences, and regardless of Avery nearly putting a stake in his heart, the two will find themselves joining forces to try and stop an ancient evil from awakening and wreaking havoc: the first vampire, Cain. Avery is adamant, despite Talon’s pursuit of her, that this collaboration remains geared toward accomplishing the greater good only. But as the two grow closer to each other, will she be able to resist the temptation he presents her with? Will Avery be able to do what’s right in the end, despite her newly developed feelings?

Coming soon podcast episode with romance author Virginia Johnson.

Check out the podcast episode with romance author Sylvia Hubbard.

If you would like to purchase the garnets or order desserts click on the images of the cake and garnets.

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

Holiday special podcast 2021

https://anchor.fm/s/4e3c0a84/podcast/rss

Tune in for the December holiday special with guests: Lisa Plank of the Lowell Area Historical Museum, Nicole Lintemuth of Bettie’s Pages, authors Melinda Falgoust, Andrew Allen Smith, Theresa Halvorsen and Jules Nelson, wherever you get your podcasts. Click below to listen and to subscribe.

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

Check out the holiday trailer and the previous episodes with indie authors.

A big thank you goes to sponsors Doc Chavent, co-producers authors Colleen Nye and Andrew Allen Smith.

Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Power your NaNo 2021 authors offer tips to win the 50k word challenge

Today is the first day of the @NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge.
Listen in to expert NaNo authors Jean Davis, Sara Shanning, and Kristine Brickey who

NaNoWriMo 2021
Today is the first day of the NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge.

share their insights from their experiences in conquering the word marathon./ppAccording to all the panel participants whether you hit a writers’ block, crossroads in the plot, or the midway slump, you just keep on rolling./pp’Just keep on writing,’ Davis said./pp /p

Upcoming NaNo authors are Melanie Hooyenga, Amy Klco and Kate Meyer in November. Subcribe to the “For the Love of Books Podcast,” don’t miss out on a single episode.

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/

Source: Power your NaNo 2021 authors offer tips to win the 50k word challenge

The future of Indie Publishing

The authors and their books.

By Emma Palova

Listen in to the podcast “For the love of books,” download and share the episodes. The insights from the Indie authors are incredible, beyond trade journals.

Each author represents a unique individuality in what some call “a mass book production market.” There may be one million ISBNs issued annually, but each book and author are distinctively different in how they approach the writing business and writing itself.

It’s like there is a piece of the author in each one of his or her books; it may be in the character, in the setting, in the plot or in the point of view. POV.

One of my favorite questions is: “Where do you see the future of Indie publishing?”

The overall response is that it will continue to grow.

“We have physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, virtual book events. Maybe virtual reality books are next?”

Ingar Rudholm

“And how will the Indie authors be remembered?”

“We’re the trailblazers.”

Joan H. Young

Podcast interviews this week

Coming up in this week’s podcasts are authors Marianne Wieland, A. Kidd and Colleen Nye. They are pictured in the gallery above.

Nye is an author with multiple pen names and an overactive imagination.

A. Kidd calls herself a kid at heart with a youthful exuberance, A. Kidd writes books for children full of magic and wonder in the hopes that they will have the courage to live their own stories and possibly even be inspired to write stories of their own.  

Wieland is the author of 10 books.

Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface. Expect the unexpected. Is it real, fiction or a combination? You decide. Go ahead. I dare you!

I just had my 10th book released a few days ago.

Marianne Wieland

Follow the podcast on:

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/

Copyright (c)2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Czech Independence Day

The Lowell Ledger article ” New memoir by Emma Palova about family’s escape from communism” hit the stands today in the greater Lowell area in Michigan.

The article captures the essence of our lives on the run from former Czechoslovakia to the U.S. The publication date coincided with the Czech Independence Day. Former Czechoslovakia was born on Oct. 28 1918, 102 years ago. The country founded its existence after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the aftermath of WWI.

The book “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” about our family immigration saga is slated for Nov. 12 publication on Amazon.

Follow me for a full post.

Copyright (c) 2020. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Happy Birthday mom

Mom Ella turns 83 today

By Emma Palova

Big Rapids, MI – My mother, Ella Konecny, turns 83 on this beautiful summer day. We celebrated her birthday yesterday in Big Rapids with a cookout on the deck. Mom always puts on a feast: juicy ribs, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and her famous nutty cake roll, all preceded by a traditional Czech platter of cheese, salami and home-made pickles Znojmo style.

Dad Vaclav Konecny grills ribs on the deck overlooking my parents’ pretty garden. They grow and can their own delicious pickles.

Together with my father Vaclav, they’ve been living in this small university town, home to Ferris State University, for more than four decades.

Mom was born Drabkova in former communist Czechoslovakia on Aug. 23, 1937 in Zlin to a working class family. My grandparents Anna and Joseph Drabek worked hard to get mom into the university so she could become the future pharmacist.

My mother has inspired the memoir Greenwich Meridian, where East meets west about the family immigration saga. She didn’t want to leave the communist country after the Soviet invasion on the night of August 20-21 in 1968.

The memoir, slated for Oct. 16, 2020 publication is dedicated to both of my parents because they have always inspired me both in hard and good times with their dedication and perseverance. It is available now on preorder on Amazon at:

Greenwich Meridian Memoir is slated for Oct. 16, 2020 publication. It is available for preorder on Amazon. The cover was designed by graphic artist Jeanne Boss of Rockford.

Their journey from the Moravian hilly villages of Vizovice and Stipa to Big Rapids in Michigan was tumultuous with many twists and turns.

Some of the milestones included the 1973 return to hardline Czechoslovakia from Texas, and then the escape back into the New World for my dad in 1976. Mom joined him in 1980.

Dad landed the math professor job at the Ferris State University, and that finally anchored them permanently in their new home.

To this day, mom says she loved her bio lab technician job also at the university.

Their true story has also inspired my fiction in my first Shifting Sands Short Stories book. “The Temptation of Martin Duggan” contains some bits and pieces from the early years of immigration.

I wrote that story shortly after  my immigration to the USA in 1989. When I compare some of the elements of the short story to the memoir, I consider them Visceral in character, coming from a gut feeling.

The main character in the story is professor Martin Duggan obsessed with his own quest for perfection.

May you both enjoy many more years of love, good health and optimism. Thank you for all your love and support.

For chapters “Prague Spring, Part I” & “Prague Spring, Part II from the memoir click on the following links:

https://emmapalova.com/2020/08/20/prague-spring-1968/

https://emmapalova.com/2020/08/21/prague-spring-1968-part-ii/

Copyright (c) 2020. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.