Please join me with authors Emma Dhesi, Grace Sammon, and Mary Helen Sheriff.
The Launch Pad Book Series
We are so excited to announce our upcoming “Launch Pad Book Series” including:
LAUNCH PAD… The Countdown to Writing Your Book
If you’re intimidated at the thought of outlining your novel or creating rich and complex characters, writing a great scene, or adding just the right amount of conflict, you’ll want to read this book. With 12 focused chapters it brings authors and would-be-authors closer to finishing their novel.
Led by Scotland-based, author and writing coach, Emma Dhesi, and Grace Sammon, author, educator and radio host – Launching on February 28, 2023
LAUNCH PAD… The Countdown to Publishing Your Book
You’ve written – or you’re writing – your book, and the goal is publication. This book, filled with practical insights and guidance from industry experts with a combined xx years worth of experience, brings you closer to that dream.
Led by Stephanie Larkin, publisher, author, TV host and teacher, and Grace Sammon, author, educator and radio host – Launching on April 25, 2023
LAUNCH PAD… The Countdown to Marketing Your Book
Hooray! Your book is written, and published, and it’s time to embrace a marketing plan that will help your book soar. This book engages you in a process that will raise your marketing IQ, build your skill set, and set you on a path for a successful book launch and marketing plan.Led by author, author marketing coach, Mary Helen Sheriff, and Grace Sammon, author, educator and radio host – Launching on June 20, 2023
Emma Dhesi, author of “More Than Enough” – Emma Dhesi is a book coach and author mentor who specialises in helping beginner authors write their first novel. Through her 1:1 Emma guides you through story development, character evolution and provides written feedback on your work. She will navigate you through the emotional rollercoaster of finishing your first novel. For more hands-off help, Emma hosts the podcast Turning Readers Into Writers and offers weekly support via her Facebook Page. Emma lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband, 3 children and 3 cats.
“More Than Enough” – A façade of perfection. A hidden well of demons. When it all tumbles out of control, can she salvage anything from her wrecked world? Scotland. Karen Elliot’s best friend is booze. Convinced she’s coping just fine despite nipping on the clock, the experienced schoolteacher is shocked when she receives an official warning about lecturing intoxicated instead of a promotion. And when she falls over dead-drunk at the school Christmas dance, she sobers up to discover she’s been summarily sacked. With her husband fighting for his own job, Karen resolves to walk the straight and narrow. But when she falls off the wagon at a friend’s wedding and flirts with another man, she faces an ultimatum at home: Get clean or leave. Can Karen admit she’s an alcoholic in time to find help or has she ruined her life forever? More Than Enough is an inspiring contemporary women’s fiction novel. If you like flawed heroines, page-turning drama, and authentic stories about addiction, then you’ll love Emma Dhesi’s path toward serenity.
Grace Sammon, author of “The Eves” – Grace Sammon is an author, radio host, entrepreneur, and educator. Recognized in “Who’s Who in Education” and “Who’s Who in Literature,” Grace utilized skills built up over decades to re-invent herself with her award-winning fourth book and debut novel – The Eves. Always committed to creative collaborations, Grace is the founder of Author Talk Network; a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers’ Association (WFWA) and the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA); and she is the Director of Membership for one of the fastest growing reader/writer on-line communities “Bookish Road Trip.” She currently lives on Florida’s west coast with her husband and a small herd of imaginary llamas.
“The Eves” – The Eves is a multi-generational novel portraying lives lived well and lives in transition. Filled with poignancy and humor, The Eves captures the conversations we wish we had had with our parents, if we had taken the opportunity, and the lessons we would want to impart to our children, if they were ready to listen. Told through the voice of the psychologically complex Jessica Barnet, this is her story. As the primary witness in a messy trial she has been torn from the foundation of her existence—her connection to her children. With a partially finished doctoral degree, and incomplete renovations on her Washington, DC row house, she has let go of her ambitions and her appearance, but not her vodka or her sense of loss and guilt. When Jessica meets five diverse, determined, and sometimes ditzy old women living in a sustainable community everything and everybody changes. Through plot twists and turns that cover three continents, we learn the truth of Jessica’s life and lies just as we fall in love with the vividly drawn characters and the vibrantly described settings.
Mary Helen Sheriff, author of “Boop and Eve’s Road Trip” – Mary Helen Sheriff is the author of the award-winning southern women’s fiction, Boop and Eve’s Road Trip. She serves as an Author Marketing Coach, host of Growing Up Bookish, and the CEO of Bookish Road Trip. She has 14 years of teaching experience in elementary school, middle school, college, and professionals. She earned an MFA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University.
“Boop and Eve’s Road Trip” – Eve Prince is done—with college, with her mom, with guys, and with her dream of fashion design. But when her best friend goes MIA, Eve must gather together the broken threads of her life in order to search for her.
When Eve’s grandmother, Boop, a retiree dripping with Southern charm, finds out about the trip, she—desperate to see her sister, and also hoping to alleviate Eve’s growing depression—hijacks her granddaughter’s road trip. Boop knows from experience that healing Eve will require more than flirting lessons and a Garlic Festival makeover. Nevertheless, Boop is frustrated when her feeble efforts yield the same failure that her sulfur-laced sip from the Fountain of Youth wrought on her age. She knows that sharing the secret that’s haunted her for sixty years might be the one thing that will lessen Eve’s growing depression—but she also fears that if she reveals it, she’ll lose her family and her own hard-won happiness. Boop and Eve’s journey through the heart of Dixie is an unforgettable love story between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
Susanne Dunlap, author of “The Courtesan’s Daughter” – 
Stacy Juba, author of 
Meredith Stoddard, author of “The River Maiden: Once & Future Book 1“ – Meredith R. Stoddard writes folklore-inspired fiction from her writing shed in Virginia. She studied literature and folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before working as a corporate trainer and instructional designer. Her love of storytelling is inspired by years spent listening to stories at her grandmother’s kitchen table. She also helps authors create repeatable processes for productive writing.
Carol Van Den Hende, author of “Orchid Blooming” – 
Janyre Tromp, author of “Shadows in the Mind’s Eye” – Janyre Tromp is an in-house book editor by day and writer of historical novels with a healthy dose of lyrical intrigue at night. She’s the best-selling author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and co-author of both O Little Town and It’s a Wonderful Christmas. And that all happens from her unfinished basement when she’s not hanging out with her family, two troublesome cats, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog.
William J. Rostron, author of “The Other Side of the Wind” – In 1968 she went in search of America … America didn’t want to be found. After personal disaster ends all her hopes and dreams in New York, Maria Romano sets out alone in search of a new life. Her quest for meaning takes her through numerous adventures and misadventures that create a lifetime of both beautiful and haunting memories. It is a journey that takes her from the blues clubs and political turmoil of 1968 Chicago to the music scene of San Francisco, and the madness of Las Vegas. Now in her later years, she must reconcile what it all meant in order to move on. Her past has finally caught up with her…with a vengeance. By the best-selling author of the Band in the Wind trilogy. (
J.R. Konkol, author of “Citadel of the Fallen” – 
Rick Bobrick, author of “Bears Don’t Share!” – 
Amanda Montoni, author of “Bella The Buck-Toothed Ballerina” – 
Matthew Bonvento, author of “From the Galley: Stories and Recipes from American Mariners” – 
Alex Grass, author of “A Boy’s Hammer” – 20 years ago, Alan and his mother disappeared in a plane crash off the coast of Helsinki. 20 years later, a giant man with his whole body covered in tattoos appears amidst the rubble of an explosion at a Philadelphia oil refinery. He says that he’s Alan coming back from the dead. Alan’s genius billionaire Aunt Mimi agrees. And the first thing the reappeared giant has to do? Return to Helsinki, Finland. All the while, strange happenings are underway in Philly: A resurrected serial killer. Hidden (oc)cult conspiracies. Bizarre murders that defy the laws of space and time. Aunt Mimi in a miraculous trance state that grants her unseen visions of prophecy, and telekinetic powers. The only person capable of unraveling this mystery? Detective Jefferson O’Brady, a dissolute alcoholic with a photographic memory…and absolutely no friends on the force. Something’s going down in the City of Brotherly Love.
Felice Zaslow, author of “From Here: Lessons in Love and Loss from 9/11” – Felice and Ira Zaslow’s love story spanned almost four decades, from the beaches of Far Rockaway to a comfortable suburban existence on the south shore of Long Island. She taught sixth grade at the local middle school while he commuted daily to Lehman Brothers in the World Trade Center. As their sons grew up, they appreciated each day, looking forward to more time as a couple. Then came the morning of September 11, 2001. Through the days, weeks and months that followed, Felice had to find her way through unfathomable trauma, on a path she had to forge herself, seeking guidance and role models along the way. This remarkable and inspiring memoir puts a very personal face on a national tragedy, facing down the darkness by looking for the light that is always present.
Dr. Christopher Salute, author of “The College Admission: Life Hacks for the Process from Application to Graduation” – Thinking about going to college? Think again… Think more… Now, think one more time. College isn’t just four years of work and fun. It’s four years to mold the next 40. *Eye Roll* I know I know… I sound like one of those “boomers.” But, check this out… You’ll wake up one day and BOOM… you’ll be 50, wondering if you made the best choices about… partners, kids, work, and yes… even the college you chose. Is a four-year traditional higher education even right for you? If it is… what else should you consider? From finances to first internships… I’ll walk you through success stories and failures (mostly from my own life) of students, colleagues, and mentors. This book is meant to guide you from application to graduation and beyond. It’s one of many you should read as you transition into adulthood and begin a long journey of growth, failure, and fun. This is… the beginning of your journey. It’s the beginning of your path to “getting your shoes dirty.” This is a book to make you rethink what you know about going to school for another four years. This is… The College Admission.
Anthony Cephas, author of “Jupiter’s Adventures: My New Glasses” – Anthony Cephas’s Jupiter’s Adventures: My New Glasses wants to show you all the big feelings that 4-year-old Jupiter experiences in this funny and heartwarming book. Whether he’s worried, nervous, happy, or anxious, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about differences and the fear of the unknown.
Margaret “Ms. Sam” Sansom, author of “George the Alligator Finds a Home” – 
Eva Zimmerman, author of “Little Critters: Beyond the Pond” – 
Christine Milkovic-Krauss, author of “Teddy Loses His Ears” – Teddy is a rescue cat who lost his ears from frostbite. Teddy has inspired a series of stories with his true-life adventures that share relatable messages of kindness and acceptance. Teddy hopes that his stories will raise awareness to the organizations that saved his life, and thousands of other animals’ lives every year.
Russ Colchamiro, author of “Hot Ash: An Angela Hardwicke Sci-Fi Mystery” – Intergalactic private Angela Hardwicke is Eternity’s most daring spy for hire…Following the mysterious and ill-timed death of her elderly husband, Camille Engquist was set to inherit the family’s real estate development company. But her stepkids stole it from her first. Or so she claims. As Hardwicke and her protégé Eric Whistler dive into the world of affordable housing, synthetic concrete, and corporate succession planning, their investigation put them face-to-face with the haves and have-nots, a new form of cocaine, a boundary-pushing neurobiologist, a majestic domed city and a violent conspiracy that stretches farther and deeper than they ever could have imaged. But the most insidious betrayals are sometimes closer to home.
Michael Petrosino, author of “Born to Serve With Love: Daily Prayer and Meditation Book” – The inspired writings from this book, have come from my faith in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit of Truth! Since my enlightenment (spiritual epiphany) took place in a dark time in my life, while facing a lot of issues, many may doubt the inspiration that the Holy Spirit had on me or these writings; yet, it is very accurate and appropriate to give God all the Glory! Before I started these inspired writings, I had no peace or direction. Now the peace of the Lord has not left me, and I feel born again; a true spiritual rebirth, through faith in Christ Jesus! Most of these writings are inspired, with very little thinking involved. They come all of a sudden and I just write it out, as it comes! Actually trying to express it to the readers now, forms a challenge to me. Trying to explain a spiritual experience, is not an easy task; yet, it is a beautiful experience to go through! I have had the pleasure of sharing these writings all over the world and receiving positive reactions from many people! This book is a compilation of many writings over a 5 year period. The writings in this book consist of many virtues to live by, through faith in Christ Jesus; as well as sharing the love of Christ with the doubters and steadfast believers. Moreover, it is about becoming that which you seek in the world, so you search no more! The spiritual truth is, we never had so much, until we gave it all away! It’s the paradoxical reward of giving! Furthermore, my hope in putting this book together, is to reach more people in all kinds of situations and bring light into darkness for those who suffer; as well as make a good day better for many through faith in Christ Jesus!
Julie Gianelloni-Connor, author of “Savoring the Camino de Santiago: It’s the Pilgrimage, Not the Hike” – an award-winning book by author Julie Gianelloni Connor. The book focus on the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage trail that began around 820 AD. A resurrection of interest in the Camino since the 1970s has meant that more than 300,000 individuals are nowadays undertaking the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela each year. The author made the pilgrimage in 2016 via the French route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a journey of some 500 miles. Her book incorporates a blog and travel journal she kept during that pilgrimage. The book is also a memoir, with Ms. Connor explaining how and why she decided to make the pilgrimage. Savoring the Camino is also a practical guide to the Camino for those interested in it. While the prevailing culture of the Camino is to walk the route, Ms. Connor believes that walking is not the only way to undertake the Camino. Taking buses, taxis, or even driving are also valid ways to experience the Camino, in her opinion. She advocates for pilgrims to slow down and savor the pilgrimage by stopping in churches, cathedrals, museums, and interesting towns and cities along the route. Not everyone experiences spiritual or personal growth through the act of walking; Ms. Connor urges pilgrims to take the trip in the manner that will most connect them with their spiritual, religious, and transcendent wellsprings. After completing the pilgrimage, the author journeyed to Madrid and Toledo, and there are chapters in the book covering those visits. Ms. Connor also recounts activities following the journey related to the Camino, such as writing an open letter to relevant governmental authorities in Spain and hosting a thank-you dinner in Houston for those who helped her plan and organized her pilgrimage. The book also includes a useful chapter on resources as well as an index.
Edward Lerner, author of “The Best of Edward M. Lerner” – 
Tammy Gross, author of “The Treasure Galleons: Prequel to the Golden Age of Pyracy Series” – In the Age of Sail, a captain’s son is left to confront pirates, cannibals and an angry king after a hurricane devastates his family and their fleet carrying $400 million in treasure. The true story of 1715 Spanish shipwrecks that gave Florida its “Treasure Coast” – as told in the multi-award-winning screenplay.Full-color illustrations.