Category Archives: Uncategorized

author events, book podcasts, book signing, book tours, books, local authors, short stories, Uncategorized

Michigan Authors @LAF

June 21, 2021 emmapalova 2 Comments

Michigan authors are making a comeback in 2021

Muskegon- They are back and stronger than before; strengthened by the quiet months of the COVID-19 quarantine, these authors used their time to create, write and to launch books in the finnicky technical world.

Michigan authors will be grouped at the Authors Alley at the Lakeshore Art Festival (LAF) in downtown Muskegon on June 26 and June 27. Close to 20 authors will be ready to present to you your next favorite read; from fantasies, short stories, young adult fiction, childrens books to thrillers and mysteries.

You will find Authors Alley along 4th Street on the left hand side of the road in front of the Lakeshore Museum Center and extending into the intersection at Clay Street. The hours are: Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Following is a list of participating authors: Ingar Rudholm, Joan Young, Melinda Clark, Sara Shanning, Lon Hieftje, Andrew Smith, Jean Davis, Norma Lewis, Melanie Hooyenga, Michael D. Jones, Lori Hudson, Emma Palova, Bonnie Votkis, Judy Burke, Marianne Wieland, Randy Pearson, Mike Carrier, Gary Buettner and Gregory Scott.

For links to authors’ websites go to:

Author’s Alley Lineup

Lakeshore Art Festival on Fox TV

https://www.fox17online.com/morning-mix/lakeshore-art-festival-taking-over-downtown-muskegon-june-26-27

https://www.facebook.com/events/1097983580662621

For the Love of Books Podcast

Listen in to the weekly podcast show featuring Indie and small press authors from authors close and far away.

For podcast interviews with authors: Ingar Rudholm, Joan Young, Andrew Smith, Jean Davis, Randy Pearson and Marianne Wieland go to:

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

Listen in this Friday to a podcast interview about Michigan Authors at LAF with authors Jean Davis and Melanie Hooyenga.

If you would like to be featured on the podcast pm or email Emma or write in the comment section below.

Uncategorized, walking

Author Joan Young Walks for Water for Fatima

June 1, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

World Vision pumps for water are hand or solar- powered

By Emma Palova

Ludington, MI- Author Joan H. Young is no stranger to walking. Young was the first woman to complete the 4,600-mile- long hike on the North Country Trail in 2010.

But this was the first time, Young has walked with a mission to provide water for Third World countries, a global effort spearheaded by World Vision. Young walked a total of 21 miles on May 22 in the Global 6K for Water.

Here is a Q&A interview with Young.

Q: How long have you been walking for water?

A: This is the first time I have done this.

Q: Why? What is your primary motivation?

A: Back in 1986, when I decided I wanted to go to grad school, in the sciences, I did a lot of reading and predicted that water was going to be the global crisis of the 21st century. So, I decided to study some field related to clean water. I ended up not using that degree, but I learned a lot and still believe that providing clean water to the world needs to have a higher priority.

Q: A little bit about Fatima: Where does she live and how bad is the water situation?

A: She was assigned to me. Each participant is paired with a child to give a face to our fundraising. She lives in Ethiopia where about 26 million people lack access to clean water. One organization claims that 7.5 percent of the globalwater crisis is inEthiopia alone. In addition to a lack of clean water, there is a lack of basic sanitation facilities. The result, not surprisingly, is a huge number of deaths from water-borne illnesses. So many children die that the world has become numb and is no longer outraged. World Vision bores deep wells, and the pumps are either hand powered or solar powered, so villages do not have to depend on unreliable or unavailable electricity.

Q: How much money has been raised and how much have you raised?

A: I know World Vision hoped to raise $2 million this year. I raised $1495, and was in the top 100 individual fundraisers, but I know some of the very top people raised over $5000. I think they are still taking contributions, so the totals have not yet been released. Donations are still being accepted as of June 1, 2021.

Q: What have you learned about yourself and others on your walks?

A: The distance proposed for most walkers by World Vision was 6K, about 4 miles. This distance was chosen because it is the average distance people in countries with inadequate clean water must walk every day to collect dirty water for cooking and drinking. I chose to walk more, as a challenge, thinking it might attract people to donate. Perhaps that was a factor. I was really pleased that so many people stepped up to donate. I was able to raise much more money than I ever could have given on my own.

World Vision estimates that it averages out to about $50 to provide clean water to one person. So that means I was able to help 27 people gain access to clean water. I like the way that feels.

Q: How do your walks project into your books?

A: So far, not at all, since this was my first one.

Q: What are your future plans for walking?

A: Walking is like breathing. I just do it. We’ll see if I sign up for another fundraiser in the future.

About Joan H. Young
Author of the Anastasia Raven cozy mysteries, Dubois Files children’s mysteries, books about hiking, and more

check it out at booksleavingfootprints.com
adventurer – writer – speaker

More than 27,000 people in 18 countries joined Global 6k for Water on May 22. 2021.

Memorial Day, Uncategorized

Memorial Day in Lowell 2021

May 31, 2021 emmapalova Leave a comment

Major changes due to COVID

It was a solemn ceremony honoring the veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lowell on Monday.

Memorial Day at Oakwood Cemetery in Lowell.

Even though, there was no music by any of the Lowell Area Schools bands or a parade, the small gathering was complete with a rifle salute at the Civil War Memorial.

Chaplain Glen Marks said the blessings and the prayers for the departed veterans.

After reading the names of the deceased veterans to the ring of the bell, the participants listened to the haunting sound of TAPS.

Seven hundred graves were marked with American flags.

book podcast, book promotions, Indie authors, Michigan authors, podcast, Uncategorized

The future of Indie Publishing

May 11, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

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/

Czech heritage, Czech name days, Uncategorized

Czech Name Days

April 8, 2021 emmapalova Leave a comment

April brings fun with new adventures

By Emma Palova

Lowell, MI – I am still fascinated with the Czech name days. The Czech calendar attributes a name to each day year round. This originates in the saints’ names, and it was later expanded as the secular selection of names grew.

I’ve always wondered why the greeting card making companies like Hallmark never used this name opportunity to expand their portfolio. Now, they have their TV channel, so as the French say; It’s passe compose.

The Czechs and many other European countries kept this age-old tradition of celebrating name days on certain dates of the year. For example today-April 8- is Emma’s name day.

It’s sort of like the celebration of St. Pat’s Day on March 17 in Ireland and in the USA. Some name days are the basis for festivals like St. Mary’s in September. Others are totally obscure except for those who carry that particular name.

Since Joseph is such a popular name in Czech, March 19 is a big celebration of that name in the old country. It used to be in villages, that every other man was named Joseph.

After 30 years of living in the USA, I have trouble getting current Czech calendars. However, the big advantage is that the names always fall on the same dates, no matter what year.

April is an interesting month in Czech Republic overall with early blossoms and spring traditions. It’s even more interesting here in the USA with the upcoming outdoors events, that won’t hopefully get cancelled.

I am looking forward to all my new adventures like the podcast show “For the love of books” with Indie and small press authors, as well as my new involvement with the Czechoslovak Landmarks Society or landmarkstrust.org.

Subscribe to the major podcast channels and on YouTube.

Watch for the podcast with authors Jean Davis and Andrew Smith.

book marketing, book podcast, Uncategorized

Podcast Indie Authors

April 7, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

By Emma Palova

Lowell, MI – I am really excited about the podcast show “For the love of books” on major podcasting channels. So far, we’ve discussed the Indie and the COVID author experiences, marketing and tips for new and not so new authors. I like to have a mix of authors representing all genres.

I also ask everyone what sets them apart from other authors other than the genres. I know it sounds more like a question for political candidates. That’s because I interviewed so many of them. It’s interesting what kind of responses I get.

Authors are very interesting to interview because of their insights and knowledge gained through writing.

The other popular question is: “What have you learned about yourself while writing your books?”

Pictured below left to right from top to bottom: upcoming authors Jean Davis, Andrew Smith, Randy Pearson, Joan Young and previous authors Luba Lesychyn and Diana Plopa.

The following authors are coming up: Darla Jean Davis, Andrew Smith, Randy Pearson, Joan H. Young, Marianne Wieland, Colleen Nye, Gene Wilburn, Angela Verges, Donald Levin, Juli Sisung, Deborah Reed, Scott Rutherford, Xander Cross and many more. The show is on major podcasting channels. Subscribe today. Listen in to Diana Kathryn Wolfe-Plopa and Luba Lesychyn on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-love-of-books/id1559434959

Share with your friends. I am also looking for sponsors/advertisers for the show. If you know of anyone pm me or email me at emmapalova@yahoo.com

This podcast show is made partly possible by the generosity of Doc Chavent and her support of the arts.

Easter, Uncategorized

Happy Easter

April 4, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

Wishing you a happy Easter 2021.

Featured photo of dyed eggs by Zdencina slovacka dilna.

book marketing, book podcast, book promotions, podcast, Uncategorized

Check the Indie author line up “For the love of books” podcast

March 29, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

Listen in on Wednesdays on you favorite podcasting app.

Following are the Indie and small press authors coming up: Darla Jean Davis, Andrew Smith, Randy Pearson, Joan Young, Ingar Rudholm, Marianne Wieland, Colleen Nye, Gene Wilburn, Angela Verges, Donald Levin, Juli Sisung, Valeriu dg Barbu, Scott Rutherford, Deborah D.A. Reed and many more.

Two authors coming up on March 31 and April 8 are Darla Jean Davis and Andrew Allen Smith.

https://www.facebook.com/authoremmapalova/events/?ref=page_internal

Upcoming authors: Darla Jean Davis and Andrew Allen Smith

Podcast sign up form

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4AF22A1FECE9-forthe

book podcast, podcast, Uncategorized

Women’s History Month

March 24, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

For the love of books- Sacred Texts

March is Women’s History Month, as we welcome spring. Join us to celebrate with these exceptional women making a difference in the world of writing.

Indie author advocate Diana Kathryn-Wolfe Plopa inspires

“I believe that what you write is Sacred Text. I see it as my calling to ascribe reverence to your written word through the respect of our friendship; and in so doing, support a legacy that will last generations.”
Diana Plopa

Lowell, MI – I started the podcast “For the love of books” inspired by Indie author advocate, Diana Kathryn Wolfe- Plopa. I originally planned a blog post for my series “Inspiring Women” geared toward the International Women’s Day. Well, that has branched out into a venture of its own “March Escapades into Podcasting” and eventually into a full podcast dedicated to Indie, small press authors and beyond.

Plopa, a prolific writer, has penned nine books in nine different genres. She supports Indie authors through her Pages Promotions virtual events and much more started during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020.

During her most recent winter virtual festival “Blind Date with a Book,” I met more amazing authors, whom I invited to this podcast.

iHeartRadio podcast with Emma Palova & Diana Plopa

Canadian author Luba Lesychyn takes us behind the scenes of the Royal Ontario Museum

Luba Lesychyn is a mystery writer who has drawn from her more than 20 years experiences working at Canada’s largest museum, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, to write her two humorous international art theft novels featuring capricious museum employee and reluctant sleuth Kalena Boyko.

Her journey to writing Theft By Chocolate and Theft Between the Rains initially stemmed from a love of film and she has published both traditionally and independently. From travelling to Southern Italy to find a publisher to quickly pivoting and launching into engaging virtual readings with libraries during the pandemic, Luba learned early to adapt to the rapidly changing world of publishing and book marketing and to share her fresh stories, quirky characters, and the enigmatic behind-the-scenes world of museums with readers.

No in person events.

Apple Podcast with Emma Palova & Luba Lesychyn

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mystery-author-luba-lesychyn-takes-us-behind-scenes/id1559434959?i=1000514209184

Author Jean Davis

I met Jean Davis in downtown Muskegon as the organizer of the Authors’ Tent at the Lakeshore Art Festival (LAF) in the summer of 2019.

In person events:

This year the festival will be held on June 26 & 27.

Jean Davis writes science fiction and fantasy from the comfort of her magical writing chair in West Michigan. When taking a break from fictional people, she spends time with her musical husband, a small flock of ducks and chickens, and two attention-craving terriers. Occasionally, she ventures outside to play in her flower garden, visit the local breweries, and eat gluttonous amounts of sushi.

She is the author of eight books, including a space opera series, The Narvan, two short story collections, and three standalone novels. While everything was canceled over the past year, she finished several books that had been languishing on her hard drive. Not Another Bard’s Tale, a humorous fantasy novel will be out this spring and the last two books in her space opera series are slated for a fall release.

Listen to Jean Davis speak about her writing craft next Wednesday, March 31 on your favorite podcasting platform.

Event invite link on Facebook

https://fb.me/e/1AO0hPbGe

If you would like to be a featured guest on the podcast or a sponsor of “For the love of books” contact Emma in the comment section below or email Emma at emmapalova@yahoo.com

book marketing, book promotions, books, podcast, Uncategorized

For the love of books

March 17, 2021 emmapalova 1 Comment

Happy St. Pat’s Day

By Emma Palova

Lowell, MI – Check out the first episode of “For the love of books” podcast with Indie author and advocate Diana Plopa. Plopa is a prolific author who has penned nine books in nine different genres; currently she’s working on four more genres. And she doesn’t get them mixed up.

She is a staunch supporter of other Indie authors, and her main goal as the founder of Pages Promotions, LLC is to connect readers with authors in a changed world following COVID-19.

Our next featured guest will be Canadian author Luba Lesychyn. Submit your questions for Luba via the comment section or the Facebook messenger.

If you would like to be on the podcast show as a featured guest contact me in the comment section or on the Facebook messenger. If you would like to be a sponsor of the podcast show, email Emma at emmapalova@yahoo.com.

You will support a brave group of pioneer authors who are navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of self-publishing with small marketing budgets for their books. They share a special camaraderie through their common venture of getting their word out.

Your business/organization will get exposure on all the podcasting platforms and on YouTube.

Here are the links to both the video and the podcast:

For the love of books podcast video.

The podcast.

About the featured photo: A masked moose in an Irish community in Cannonsburg, Michigan. BTW, the Honey Creek Inn served up an excellent Irish stew made from lamb on Tuesday.