BLR Literary Prizes; $1,000 cash in each genre; deadline July 1, 2013; $15 entry fee; details HERE:
Jun29
Category Archives: health
Feb21
Paying market for women’s humor, essays & articles
Sasee buys essays, satire, humor, articles and personal experience pieces between 500 and 1,000 words; guidelines HERE:
Jun22
FREE writing contest for healthy families
“Fruits & Veggies – More Matters” contest; write 1,000 words max about how you’ve lost weight or gotten your kids excited about fruits and veggies; July 1, 2010 deadline; first prize is $1,000 worth of nutrition products and $500 worth of products and coupons. Enter here and click on Community:
Jun18
10 QUESTIONS FOR…Dr. Helen McIntosh, “Messages to Myself”
Author interview with Dr. Helen McIntosh
1. Tell us about your latest book.
Messages to Myself – Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image is for those who are struggling with ongoing self-image issues as well as depression and anxiety, and are having difficulties in their personal life and in their relationships. I give a method in the book to bring healthy and lasting life changes for adults and children. This method offers readers simple, tangible, concrete help both in their thought patterns and in their relationships with others.
2. How did you get started as a writer? My heart longs to give encouragement and lasting help to those who struggle with social and emotional issues. I first got started with a children’s book (Eric, Jose, and The Peace Rug) to help them with their issues like anger management, bullying, reconciliation, and conflict resolution. I was a school counselor at the time, and there was a deficit in literature that really worked! For my adult friends, I saw another deficit! So many of us are depressed. They have been given “sticky note” answers – and nothing has helped. I love help, healing, restoration, and reconciliation, and so the book came to me as a natural flow from what I needed myself and needed for others.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I am officially retired from the school system but still do some crisis counseling in my church and community, and I do some teaching. I am also working on a grief book for children and an adult book on suicide. [Why is a sanguine like me writing about so many dark subjects? Well…I just love it!] Best of all is time with my husband, also recently retired, and seeing my adult children and grandchildren.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
BUSY! It actually looks pretty awful. The stacks on my left look formidable, but I know where everything is. Otherwise, I have surrounded myself with nostalgic photographs and things I love.
5. Favorite books (especially for writers)
Anything by Jan Silvious. The book Captivating by Stasi Eldredge is also a favorite.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you
I was a drummer in high school (the timpani), smoked a few cigars in my after college days, and lived in Germany as a child and France when older.
7. Favorite quote
My favorite quote is from the Bible in Habbukah: Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls – Yet! I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
The best part is hopefully helping others by putting down truth in ink. The worst part is the “fight to be still” in our very busy world and how hard it is to hear “quiet” in order put that down in ink!
9. Advice for other writers
Write about things you are passionate about because the journey is hard. Then you will persevere!
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
I wrote a lot of the Messages To Myself book in my father’s hospital room when he was asleep. He died weeks later – but I know he was with me on my journey just as I was there for him on his journey to heaven.
Where can people buy your book?
Readers can buy it on amazon.com! Information and other ordering info can also be accessed on www.helenmcintosh.com or www.peacerug.com
Jun8
10 QUESTIONS FOR…Alex Ong, the “Bruce Lee of Wellness”
Author interview with Alex Ong (the “Bruce Lee of Wellness”) 
Book Title: Mind Your Own Wellness – Turning Thoughts Into Reality
1. Tell us about your latest book.
Mind Your Own Wellness – Turning Thoughts Into Reality is a fun, lifestyle book. It is written by accident. If I have not lost my dear father to a suddent massive heart attack, I would not have the courage to publish this book. It contains priceless, hands-on tips to help you get your weight back on track again. It gives you full control over your thoughts, the choices to improve your health, and the chance to reduce your weight, as well as your aches and pains, NATURALLY. The small red book has been endorsed by Dr. John Gray – author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, Naturopathic Dr. Patricia Bragg, International Speaker Brian Tracy, and Dr. Joe Vitale – Co-author of The Secret.
2. How did you get started as a writer?
By accident! I have never thought of becoming an author, motivational speaker, and songwriter until I lost my father suddenly. He is my inspiration to help others live healthier and longer for themselves and very importantly, for their loved ones.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
Long and challenging. I’m always learning to improve my writing skills and practicing my speech.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
Skyline of Chicago (Piles of papers and books).
5. Favorite books (especially for writers)
Believe and Achieve; Think and Grow Rich; Giant Steps; The China Study; Food For Life; Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus; Happy For No Reason; Chicken Soup For The Soul; How To Raise Happy, Healthy Self-Confident Children; The Attractor Factor; Training A Tiger; See You At The Top; Time Trap; Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you
I love to dream big and set my target low, so that I can pad myself many times on the way up.
I treat every challenge in my life as a valuable lesson.
While driving, if someone sendd me a flying finger, I will give that person a hugh smile and say, “Wish You The Very Best!” It is so cool to see someone transform from being angry to a state of total confusion within a few seconds.
7. Favorite quote
A healthy body will help you attain the confidence that, coupled with a Positve Mental Attitude, will help you achieve your loftiest goals.
— W. Clement Stone
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
When is my day off?
9. Advice for other writers
Don’t die with a book in you – Dan Poynter. Keep on keeping on until your book is published – the sky will clear.
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
I prayed before I went to bed. Ideas would come to me at 2am and I would get up and write till 4am everyday. While people were sleeping, I was writing. While they were working, I will catch some sleep. While others were having their day off, I was writing. While others were enjoying their vacations, I was still writing. However, the experience is priceless. When I saw the first hard copy of Mind Your Own Wellness, I almost could not believe I did it. And if Alex can write a book, anyone can – No Kidding!
Mind Your Own Wellness – Turning Thoughts Into Reality is available through
or
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mind-Your-Own-Wellness/Alex-Ong/e/9780980155662/?itm=1
Apr24
10 QUESTIONS FOR….”Die Healthy” author Lorraine Mignault
Author interview with Lorraine Mignault
Lorraine Mignault is an award-winning Canadian inventor, and author of Die Healthy: Pursuing the Dream of Wellness and Longevity.
Lorraine’s bestselling book was approved for Foreign Rights – and showcased at the Frankfurt International Book Fair October 2008, and upcoming 2009. Her Foreign Rights Agent has several publishers interested in translation rights worldwide.
With several discoveries to her credit in beauty and health, she has garnered attention both as an inventor and author in the books Canadian Women Invent! and Miracles of Hope and Promise.
A woman with a passionate, life-affirming outlook, Lorraine is a nominee in the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards 2009.
1. Tell us about your latest book.
How can we change our lives for the better and ensure a long and healthy life? Die Healthy: Pursuing the Dream of Wellness and Longevity points the way.
Die Healthy is a fabulous life guide in beauty and health that is environmentally published and designed with the reader in mind.
A beautiful interior of coloured graphics and charts make for an easy, interesting read. There are case studies on how clients took back control of their own well-being. The book is a wonderful resource for educators, health professionals and laypersons.
2. How did you get started as a writer?
People in my business and personal life encouraged me to write Die Healthy. The comprehensive, revolutionary book content is as a result of my lifestyle programming, including research and product development in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical technologies, all of which are subject of intellectual property rights.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I seize the day bright and early … usually 5:30 AM. This allows for quiet time, my fitness program – and a great healthy breakfast. Being an inventor, the workday is a scientific and creative blend of innovation activities – and writing.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
My desk has a large work surface to accommodate the day’s activities. I enjoy working in an eastern space, in a warm decor that offers extensive natural light.
5. Favorite books – especially for writers.
Books on medical science, innovation, beauty, health and fitness are of special interest because of my work. However, books for writers such as The Creative Writer’s Style Guide by Christopher T. Leland and Mega Creativity by Andrei G. Aleinikov, PhD. provide information for refining one’s skills.
6. Tell us 3 interesting things about you.
I am a gifted first soprano, with formal Bel Canto vocal training. My vocal power has surprised many as a singer, speaker – and fitness expert. I have an interest in architecture based on Ayurveda. Sharing my “wealth of wellness” concept with people worldwide through my book is my special way of making a difference in so many lives.
7. Favorite quote:
What we eat, drink and breathe has a direct effect on how we look, feel, age and the quality of our lives.
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
As a writer, I enjoy the opportunity to write on subject matter close to my heart, especially on beauty and health. On the other hand, finding enough time to write is the worst part.
9. Advice for other writers
As a writer, research your subject matter before embarking on a book project. Visit local bookstores and study your genre of books to ascertain whether you should undertake your project.
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
I am honoured to have been published on the Official Web Site of The Secret Movie. My inspirational story and writing experience are captured on http://www.thesecret.tv/secret-treasures-stories-read.html?id=3645
Buy the book:
Lorraine Mignault is an innovative woman raising the bar in all fields, showcased on www.positivelivingessentials.com To buy Die Healthy: Pursuing the Dream of Wellness and Longevity, check the book link on her site.
Ask Wendy-The Query Queen 