The relationship that young people have with books and reading help shape who they become. Entrepreneur, speaker, and debut author Tiffany Lanier reflects on how her beginnings with literature made her the woman she is today. The defining moment arrived when she was in the third grade at one of her parent-teacher conferences.
“The teacher told my mom she felt like I was illiterate,” The Morning Shift Co. founder tells … Read the rest
People will read for different reasons, but what does it mean to read well? Author María Amparo Escandòn of the instant New York Times bestselling and International Latino Book Award winning novel L.A. Weather (Flatiron Books, which is newly released in paperback) answers our question on the topic. “Most books have layers,” she tells So Booking Cool. “If you don’t read well, you stay on the top layer. But … Read the rest
In his gripping memoir The Anatomy of a Corporate Lynching (now updated and available as an audiobook), Charles Ford reveals the retaliation he faced from his job Con Edison after he went to the media and pursued legal action over them pirating his slogan. As one may imagine, things became rocky at work, so much so that he began tape-recording his exchanges. He writes that he felt dissed, disregarded, and … Read the rest
When it comes to manifestation, some prefer to keep their goals private while others believe in publicly claiming them. Mindfulness and meditation coach, Responding to Life: Talking Health, Fertility & Parenthood podcast host, and author Josephine Atluri remembers when she shared her desire to become a writer. Though the experience caught her off guard, it was life-changing.
“I was speaking to a life coach,” the self-proclaimed IVF Mama coach recalls … Read the rest
When you write a story, you not only hope it will resonate, you also hope that those involved in the creative process will do it justice. So, how did children’s book author John Bray feel when he could not communicate with illustrator Josh Cleland during the development of The End (Starry Forest Books, September 13, 2022)?
“It was nerve-wracking because you’re handing over–kind of a child–a thing that … Read the rest
There are two pivotal events that shaped how Robert Agis, president of the independent children’s publisher, Starry Forest Books, works with his team. One hails from the time he was frustrated that a then-colleague’s ideas were ignored during a meeting, the other from a teaching he learned from an improv class. “One of the great things they teach you is if you treat your teammates as though they are … Read the rest
Hope Goins‘ mission is to make a difference in America whether through her role as a senior congressional staff member under Homeland Security or the new picture book series The Adventures of Chloe and Chris. The series, published by Priceless Publishing, debuted (and placed number one on Amazon’s New Releases, Children’s Government Books, and Children’s Politics and Government lists) this past spring with the first installment The Three … Read the rest
Rickey Jackson personifies strength. In 2014, he was America’s longest wrongfully held prisoner, making him incarcerated for nearly 40 years. He bears his story in the new must-see, star-reviewed docu-thriller Lovely Jackson, directed by Matt Waldeck. From the man himself, Jackson exclusively shares the top 7 reasons people should watch the film, which just premiered at this past month’s American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
1. It has an underlying … Read the rest
People have a lot to say about the show Emily In Paris, mostly negative things, (it may not be a masterpiece), but a seemingly underrated take is the show’s message about taking risks. The protagonist has her flaws, not unlike most characters. What can be appreciated about her is her go-getter mentality.
The story begins with Emily Cooper, a Chicago-based marketing executive who lands a major opportunity in France … Read the rest
Just because one has a Ph.d and multiple master degrees in writing and/or literature, a long history of writing leisurely, and teaches writing, does not mean the craft comes easy. Author of the Absolution series, Rachelle Storm, checks all these boxes. “A lot of people assume that that must mean I’m really comfortable writing and that I’m comfortable sharing my writing,” she tells So Booking Cool. “That’s just not … Read the rest
