One day in 1652, a British man of science named Joseph Moxon stopped into an Amsterdam tavern, never dreaming that his harmless recreation would, indirectly, bring later explorers suffering and death. Moxon happened to meet a Dutch sea captain who claimed that his fishing boat had reached the North Pole and even gone beyond it. […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/07/20/frozen-awe-of-the-arctic/

Blood Dagger: Thomas Berenford Chronicles follows a warrior visiting a small fishing village to relax who winds up being pulled into several jobs involving what he calls pest control. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The story was inspired by one of my favorite movies, The Godfather. I imagined Berenford in a turf war between competing crime syndicates. Instead of mob bosses and their families, the story includes madams, magians, and an assassin that’s part man, part centipede. And violence, lots of it. One of my goals is to experiment with different genres.

I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?

Big reveal here! The setting for Berenford’s travels takes place in a world that’s 100% geographically identical to this world. Same oceans, seas, rivers; same continents, mountain ranges, and valleys. The human element is completely different, of course. With that foundation, I followed the character’s footsteps, going east to west, and placed him on what would be, in this world, the southern United States. New Orleans, to be exact. Changes did take place as I was writing. Lore was added, plot points were written and rewritten, and characters revealed.

Your characters are well-developed and engaging, keeping readers hooked on your story. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

Berenford was fun to write, especially when he struggled, which was often. Readers are attracted to heroes and heroines with flaws. The hardest character was the centipede demi assassin. His voice changed a few times. The danger with a character that demonic was to portray it in a trite, superficial manner. I’m not sure I succeeded.

When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?

Actually, the next book will be the third book released, but since The Thomas Berenford Chronicles have not been written in order, I hesitate to call it book 2. In any case, The Broken Coil will tentatively be released at the end of 2024. It will take readers westward, with vistas of mountains, prairies, and blue skies that go on forever. And monsters. Sounds like the western genre, doesn’t it? With monsters!

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/20/heroes-and-heroines-with-flaws/

Georange Horange’s Storange follows a young orange and a toy doctor who go on a mission to get the doctor’s new invention’s name added to the dictionary. What was the inspiration for your story?

I was washing the dishes one night in the middle of the week and I heard a character on the T.V. say “Nothing rhymes with orange.” For some reason, it struck me as being sad because it felt like the word was kind of alone. Dale had just retired from Sunny View P.S. and I immediately thought “Just create a word that rhymes with orange and solve the problem.”

That’s what the Toy Doctor program works to do every day with our students. They have an issue that is making them unhappy and the program always looks to find a unique way to solve that problem. Once I pictured Dale walking through at recess, seeing a sad crying orange, I knew it would break her heart and she would be able to solve the problem by creating something that rhymes with orange and would also make Georange happy again.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?

The work of the amazing hand-painted illustrations in the story are completely due to the work of my sister in-law Julie Tait. There had already been a few family gatherings where Julie had displayed her artistic qualities but one Halloween stands out in my mind. She freehand carved an owl out of a pumpkin after just looking at it. I knew when it came to drawing, my efforts would never have come close to the details that Julie was able to so incredibly convey about the school, its students, Dale and of course, Julie’s visual representation of Georange Horange, whose facial expressions throughout the book really make him a heartfelt character. I can’t thank her enough for all the work she put into this book.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Georange Horange’s Storange?

Impossible is two letters too long.

That is the last line of the book and Dale painted this phrase on the wall of our shop. It is the only thing painted on the wall and Dale worked every day to prove the phrase is true. Every child at our school has their own unique issues that they work through every day. They require equally unique creations to help support them with those everyday needs. I always look at it like an equation. You have (A) what the student is capable of and (C) the goal the parents or teachers want the child to achieve. So I have to solve for (B) and create something that will allow the student to successfully go from what they are capable of doing, to what they need to do successfully as they grow and learn. There has never been a time where a solution wasn’t possible and I truly do believe that impossible is two letters too long.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

I am currently working on another story called A Fishless Tank and the Tale of Two Snails based on a true story. It describes the adventures of two snails that live in a tank at Sunny View. The two snail friends must help their aquatic ornament friends (Diver, Clam, Plants, and Ship) to overcome their own individual issues, by all working together to correct the problems in the tank. I’m hoping to get the text finalized this summer so that Julie can start to visualize the story and get a grasp on what she can create for the watercolor artwork. I’m making sure to include the students at Sunny View again in the background so that they can once again see themselves represented in a storybook.

Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/20/unique-creations/

“There is a stark difference between organizations that are led and those that are merely managed.” This assertion is at the heart of Everything is Personal, a compelling guide to understanding the intricacies of true leadership. Louis Roden’s work highlights the significant distinction between textbook management and leadership infused with a personal touch. Challenging the conventional separation of personal and professional life, the book argues convincingly that every decision in business is profoundly individual. Through a series of insightful essays and reflections, Roden dismantles the notion that business decisions can or should be devoid of personal impact.

The book makes a powerful start with a critique of the phrase “it’s not personal, it’s business,” which Roden dismisses as nonsense and a cowardly evasion of responsibility. He argues that leaders must acknowledge the implications of their decisions, as these decisions shape the lives and well-being of their teams. This critical perspective will force readers to reconsider every instance they have used the phrase, ultimately agreeing that it indeed represents an evasion of responsibility. Roden’s writing is marked by its candid and often provocative tone, challenging readers to rethink their approach to leadership and workplace relationships. He emphasizes the significant amount of time individuals spend at work, arguing that workplaces must be more than impersonal environments focused solely on productivity. Roden’s unique perspectives challenge the notion that coworkers are not friends, urging readers to reconsider their relationships both at work and beyond. For instance, his reinterpretation of the golden rule—treating others as you would like to be treated—reveals it to be presumptuous and advocates for a more individualized approach to empathy and understanding.

Everything is Personal is strongly anchored in Roden’s personal experiences, following his own advice to let the personal reign. By drawing on his experiences, he illustrates his points effectively, making his suggestions practical and relevant to the real world. He calls for greater responsibility in shaping workplace culture, recognizing that empathy can transform soulless transactional engagements into meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers and subordinates.

Everything is Personal is a thought-provoking read, especially in a world where the nature of work is rapidly changing. It advocates for a shift from workplaces that function merely as money-minting operations to fulfilling environments that employees look forward to each day. Roden’s passionate advocacy for personal accountability and genuine leadership makes Everything is Personal an essential read for anyone looking to transform their workplace culture into one that promotes trust, engagement, and long-term success.

Pages: 110 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D55LW8VX

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/20/everything-is-personal-embracing-stewardship-in-the-workplace-and-everyplace/

Ross Brand’s 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions brings together over 100 experts to provide a comprehensive guide for content creators navigating the rapidly evolving digital media landscape. This book is both timely and relevant, serving as a roadmap for the future of live streaming and digital media. It offers a wide range of predictions on emerging technologies, changing consumer behaviors, and innovative content strategies.

One of the book’s standout features is its authoritative stance on the controversial topic of AI. In an era where discussions about AI are highly divisive, the book’s balanced approach addresses both ethical and practical concerns, ensuring readers are well-informed about the benefits and potential pitfalls. This nuanced treatment of AI lends the book a credible and authoritative voice in the ongoing discourse.

The diversity of perspectives included in this book is another significant strength. Ross Brand has curated insights from across the digital media spectrum, from live streaming and podcasting to email marketing and community building. This comprehensive approach provides a well-rounded view of the industry’s collective opinion, enhancing the book’s credibility. The book features a variety of voices, each contributing unique insights. For example, Laura Clapp Davidson and Marisa Cali discuss the potential of micro-content, while Ross Quintana predicts a shift in advertising from traditional channels like TV to platforms like YouTube, alongside discussions on Web3 and VR/AR experiences. Bryan Kramer, on the other hand, highlights the enduring effectiveness of email marketing newsletters, particularly in an era of increasing privacy concerns and restrictive social media algorithms. While the book is rich in predictions, opinions, and discussions, its sheer variety offers a wealth of knowledge. I do feel that bit more thematic organization could enhance readers’ ability to digest the information seamlessly.

Ultimately, this book will open readers’ minds to a world of possibilities and re-energize their creativity. 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions reads like a captivating fairy tale rooted in reality, blurring the line between the two. It provokes thought and conversation about technology, its implications, and the opportunities the future holds.

Pages: 232 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CSBCQSZR

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/20/100-livestreaming-digital-media-predictions-volume-4/

When the Bell Rings, by Robert Gass, is a thoughtful memoir that delves into the life of a firefighter. Gass shares his real-life experiences and stories, giving readers an intimate look at the emotional and mental battles attached to the profession. This book transcends the job itself, highlighting the emotional and mental challenges that come with it. Gass vividly recounts tales of bravery, hard work, and resilience, honoring the men and women in his profession who face danger daily. His ability to capture the essence of firefighting makes this memoir a compelling read.

The title immediately caught my attention, evoking a sense of personal connection and curiosity. The chapter names, carefully chosen and beautifully crafted, set the tone for the descriptive, poetic writing that follows. Gass intended to provide an uncensored peek into a firefighter’s life, and he succeeds admirably. The memoir is filled with personal anecdotes that illustrate the intensity and danger of the job, balanced by moments of reflection and appreciation. The writing is undoubtedly the highlight of this memoir. Gass’s vivid descriptions transport readers into the heart of the action, making them feel as though they are right there with him, whether fighting a blaze or enjoying a moment of peace.

Short chapters make this an easy, engrossing read that is hard to put down. A prominent theme throughout the book is resilience. Gass highlights moments of sheer bravery and hope amidst circumstances that could easily lead to despair. He doesn’t shy away from discussing the impact of firefighting on mental health, addressing PTSD, the toll on family life, and coping mechanisms. This honesty adds depth to the book, elevating it beyond a series of action-packed episodes. When the Bell Rings is a remarkable read and Gass successfully honors his colleagues while showcasing the heroism of firefighters.

When the Bell Rings is a must-read for anyone interested in the real-life experiences of firefighters or those curious about the behind-the-scenes of this critical profession. It is touching, honest, and deeply respectful of those who face these dangers daily.

Pages: 399 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D6RLH36H

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/20/when-the-bell-rings-a-firefighters-journey/