In The Author's Corner With Etienne

Allison Shoemaker was born near Clearwater Beach in Dunedin, Florida in 1993. Diagnosed with autism, she didn't speak until the age of 7 and a half, but was reading only a year later. Allison grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio. She graduated from Chillicothe high school with honors and was in the top 20 out of about 250 students. She worked at the Chillicothe Library during her senior year. She is currently a college student at Southern State Community College studying media arts and cinematography/ television. Allison is learning to make movies and video games. She likes science, especially astronomy.  She wrote and illustrated this book and had a poem published in Betafish magazine at Ohio University. She likes watching TV- cartoons and documentaries are favorites, reading books, cats, making sculpture out of clay, making jewelry, and painting.  Email Allison at Allison@woolyswagon.com . Or visit her at: www.woolyswagon.com .

Tuesday Melee Soup Gang Series The Book: Virgin Islands Melee Soup for Young Mind, a collection of 12 short fictional children stories all set in the Virgin Islands, written by 12 local Virgin Islands high school students in the Junior Achievement Program. The stories are written to educate, motivate, and inspire young minds through reading. The Mission: To inspire and educate with the main ingredient: reading The Vision: Creating recipes to inspire young readers The Creation: After 7 weeks of contemplating on a perfect product to serve their community, they came up with the idea to publish a book. Virgin Islands Melee Soup for Young Minds consists of 12 original short fictional stories for children below the age of 11 that showcases our rich culture. Our book also makes for a good summer read! The Authors/Board of Directors: Khaleel Smith, President; Aliya Benjamin, VP of Human Resources; Derrick Thomas, VP of Marketing; Nytia Mathurin, VP of Production; Kevin King, VP of Public Relations; Trent Stedman

In addition to being an author and publisher, Frank A. Ruffolo is a tireless volunteer for Our Loving Mother's Foundation in Hollywood, Florida. A graduate of the State University of New York at Farmingdale with an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Technology, Frank enjoyed a 40-year career in private industry in Purchasing and Purchasing Management. Married for over 35 years to his beautiful wife, Christine, they are blessed with two wonderful children, Michael and Alicia. Frank took early retirement to pursue his new career as an author, and recently released his first novel, Gabriel's Chalice, inspired by 15 years of experience as a volunteer at a Marian apparition site in Hollywood, Florida.

Tuesday Melee Soup Gang Series The Book: Virgin Islands Melee Soup for Young Mind, a collection of 12 short fictional children stories all set in the Virgin Islands, written by 12 local Virgin Islands high school students in the Junior Achievement Program. The stories are written to educate, motivate, and inspire young minds through reading. The Mission: To inspire and educate with the main ingredient: reading The Vision: Creating recipes to inspire young readers The Creation: After 7 weeks of contemplating on a perfect product to serve their community, they came up with the idea to publish a book. Virgin Islands Melee Soup for Young Minds consists of 12 original short fictional stories for children below the age of 11 that showcases our rich culture. Our book also makes for a good summer read! The Authors/Board of Directors: Khaleel Smith, President; Aliya Benjamin, VP of Human Resources; Derrick Thomas, VP of Marketing; Nytia Mathurin, VP of Production; Kevin King, VP of Public Relations; Trent Stedman

Alan Woods is a young author, who focuses on providing his readers with high quality content. His debut informational eBook, Easy Money Making Guide For Teens & Young Adults, was ranked #1 on the Amazon Kindle platform in several different categories.  Adept in many subjects, Alan strives on a regular basis to continue to provide readers with informational reads, while still managing to keep them interesting and simple to understand. Alan offered the following on his Facebook page, "As a relatively experienced author, I feel as though I’ve picked up quite a few important lessons and concepts that those who are less experienced might not have realized quite yet. So below I’ve listed a few important things that authors should definitely focus upon, especially if they’re ready to grow their business." Alan: "A few of these tips are rather obvious, yet many authors still fail to realize how important they truly are. If you find anything that you already know, then congratulations to you! No need to tell me

Sabriena Williams, Author and Founder of Queen Vision Ministries, among other things. Sabriena  Williams developed the gift of creative writing at the early age of 12, when she inscribed her daily thoughts in her diary. Today her passion for writing has led to the publication of 5 powerful books with 5 others awaiting debut. She ears many hats: author, spiritual life coach, ordained pastor, visionary, motivational speaker, conference host. A native of Gainesville, Florida, Sabriena is the founder of the Queen Vision Ministries which she rebranded in 2014. After receiving her AA degree in General Studies from Edwards Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, Sabriena proceeded to Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida where she obtained her BS degree in Psychology. The proud mother of 2 young adults: Ja’kya  Romea, 24, and Je’rod Harvey, 20, Sabriena is the  astounding author of 5 power-packed books: An Inspirational Touch: Embracing the Touch from God, released in 2006; a Christian fiction, Wa

Born in Alexandria, Louisiana T.S. Brumsey resided in Germany, Texas, and North Carolina as a military family. Mostly raised in Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, North Carolina, T.S. began writing novels at age 15. Capable of Anything, her first fictional young adult romance novel from a Five-book series is now available on Amazon as a paperback and as an eBook! www.amazon.com/ Synopsis: When close adolescent friends Candice, Samar, Sha, and Sabrina, who reside in Casselberry, Michigan, face the reality that tomorrow isn’t promised for any of them, primarily due to Candice’s mother’s violent death and the rapidly surfacing complexities in their lives, they realize they are capable of anything, be it positive or negative, and it is up to them to make the best choices to avoid being in harm’s way. Candice, Samar, Sha, and Sabrina are learning how to deal with the highs and lows their lives are hurling at them. Candice the main character is sixteen and is having a preponderant amount of difficulty dealing with her

On Jan. 10, 2015 ASWIFTT PUBLISHING, LLC co-hosted its own Literary Segment right here on In The Author’s Corner With Etienne. Brenda Johnson Padgitt of ASWIFTT PUBLISHING, LLC has teamed up with Etienne A. Gibbs of In The Author’s Corner With Etienne to discuss Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts topics, highlight featured authors; give literary tools and advice; and respond to listeners who call-in with comments or questions. The ASWIFTT PUBLISHING Literary Segment airs on the second and third Saturdays of each month at 4:00 pm EST/AST; 3:00 CST; 2:00 MST; 1:00 PST. This new program seeks to educate and enlighten the listening audience, especially novice and aspiring authors, on various literary, visual, and performing arts topics; provide marketing opportunities; address their concerns and questions, help listeners discover and seek out their passion in the Arts. Mark your calendar for the second and third Saturdays of each month at 4:00 pm EST/AST; 3:00 CST; 2:00 MST; 1:00 PST. On today's ASWIF

Times: 3:00 pm PST; 4:00 pm MST; 5:00 pm CST; 6:00 pm EST. Born March 1, 1970 Jason V Brock, an author, artist, editor, director, CEO/ co-founder with his wife, Sunni of JaSunni Productions, LLC. Their documentary films include the controversial Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone’s Magic Man, the Rondo Award-winning The Acker Monster Chronicles!, and Image, Reflection, Shadow: Artists of the Fantastic.  Jason authored Totems and Taboos, a compilation of his poetry & artwork, & an editor, with William F. Nolan, of The Bleeding Edge: Dark Barriers, Dark Frontiers, & The Devil's Coattails: More Dispatches from the Dark Frontier anthologies published by Cycatrix Press. Jason also shares story credit on the Logan’s Run: Last Day & related comic book series from Bluewater Productions. Plus, he's a writer for the comic book/graphic novel, Tales from William F. Nolan's Dark Universe. He served as Managing Editor/Contributor and Art Director for Dark Discoveries magazine for 4 years +

Kenyatta Blake - his name is "Cool," but his message is serious; and the message is: “Each and every one of us must be Conscious Of Obedient Living to perfect our Christian walk.” Presented in a laid back and "cool" conversational style, this epic and evangelistic personal Christian growth guide will take you on an explorative journey in learning how to WALK MORE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. Cool Blake is a native of the Eastern coast of the U.S.A. and a current resident of the mountain state of Colorado. He is a happily married father of two. Dedicated to strengthening his brothers and sisters in Christ, Cool Blake is full of purpose with the passion of giving back and the commitment of spreading the doctrine of the Lord to the body of Christ with a focus on obedient and righteous living for the Kingdom of God. When you have read Areas Identified: 7 Aspects of Consciousness to a Righteous Mindset, you will find that this is the game-changer that you have been looking for.   There will be no more excuses of not havi

Hamster Holmes and his firefly sidekick, Dr. Watt, solve mysteries together in this start to a Level 2 Ready-to-Read series from Simon & Schuster! Hamster Holmes and Dr. Watt are the best sleuths in town!  So when their friend Corny O'Squirrel has a mystery he needs help solving, he knows just who to turn to.  Every night, Corny is woken up by someone knocking on his door -- but when he goes to answer, no one is there!  Can Hamster Holmes and Dr. Watt catch the culprit? Albin Sadar (author) writes and invents goofy and creative books and toys for kids and adults! He also co-wrote and produced the children's video The Chartreuse Goose and masterminded the hot-air-balloon water tower at NASCAR's Victory Junction Camp. Albin lives with his beautiful wife, Anne, in Tarrytown, New York -- right next to Sleepy Hollow! Valerio Fabbretti (illustrator) is passionate about drawing, comic books, animation, and spaghetti westerns.  He has illustrated children's books and comic books in the U.S. and in Italy.  Val

Jed Jurchenko, a husband, father of 3 girls, therapist, seminary professor, and author, loves spending time with his family. He also enjoys reading, hiking, BBQing, mountain-biking, and beaching. At a training where he was asked to pick a superhero blogger identity, deciding on Spiderman was easy. Not only has Spiderman been Jed’s favorite since he was a kid, they have a lot in common. We both genuinely care about people; have a quirky since of humor, and most of all, spend a lot of time recovering from mistakes. One of the things Jed loves about his her is that he is an imperfect hero. This fact brings Jed hope. For example, Spiderman is famous for shooting webbing from his wrist. The only problem is that his web-shooters are continually malfunctioning. Sometimes these mishaps result in the bad guy getting away. At other times, these misfires happen while Spiderman is swinging from building to building, causing him to plummet toward the ground. These malfunctions happen quite often, leading Spiderman to be

Chatiela Underwood, a native of Dayton, Ohio, is a single mother of two beautiful blessings. A graduate of Central State University class of 2006 with Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science, Chatiela also studied Criminal Justice. With a desire to further her education, she studied for her Masters in Criminal Justice Executive Management. Currently a Master Candidate with Capella University class of 2016, Chatiela is studying for her MPA while being a stay-at-home mom with her two children. Chatiela is very active and engaged in the community and the education sector. She has passionately worked in higher education and directed schools across the country in business development for over ten years. Ms. Underwood, a motivational speaker who truly believes in inspiring others through her testimony, loves to spend quality time with friends, family, when not traveling. She is sophisticatedly passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Chatiela was encouraged to share her compelling story by

For 20 years Artist and Missionary Gretchen Smith has been involved in community development and transformation projects in Africa, the Middle East, Central America, the US and Baja Mexico where she recently started a project called ARThouse Rosarito where she hosts critical thinkers and does outreach through garden and art projects. As Smith states, “Basically my job is to piss people off and I am very very good at it”. She fondly refers to herself as the “worst missionary ever.” Smith speaks at international conferences, blogs and publishes articles in which she is extremely critical of existing systems within the church and social change agencies . . ." New York Critic Ed Rubin states this about Smith’s work: “I first met Gretchen at the 2007 Florence Biennale where I was both Master of Ceremonies and the Biennale liaison between management and 850 international exhibiting artists. During one of our many conversations I asked to see Gretchen’s portfolio. I was both pleased and amazed -- especially give

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, California, Laura Daleo's desire to tell stories was sparked by a  creative writing class she had in junior high school; however, Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles was her true inspiration to write a novel. Her book, Interview with the Vampire, published in 1976, has gone on to become one of the best-selling novels of all time. After reading the chronicles of Vampire Lestat, the driving passion to write her own vampire legend tingled in her fingertips. In 1996, Laura completed and copyrighted Immortal Kiss, but it sat patiently for 14 years. It was in 2010 while packing to move that she stumbled upon it tucked away in her closet. After dusting it off and sitting down to read, she fell in love with the story all over again; though, the 14-year-old novel needed modernizing. Consequently, she began the journey of reviving Immortal Kiss. In 2013, 3 years later, Immortal Kiss was off to the publishers and agents.  In 2014, it found a home with World Castle Publishing, and 1 year

A dark romance, The Dark Side of Me, is a debut novella written by Chassidy LadyP Postert and Trice West. In the story a psychiatrist falls in love with a serial killer that he's taken on as a patient. The juice of the story begins after the psychiatrist read her diary and discovered the dark things in her past. This is their story. Trice West, a blogger, reviews romance books, talks about books, and writes whenever she gets the chance. Similarly, her co-author, Chassidy LadyP Postert, is also a blogger and book reviewer. Visit Trice West at: www.Facebook.com/TriceDoesThingsand Chassidy LadyP Postert at:  www.Facebook.com/pages/Lady-P-and-Her-Beautiful-Books-Author/887272114671710.  

Kristal McKerrington has been a professionally published author since 2010. While signed with XoXo Publishing she gained her start in publishing with her first book "Freedom Is Earned". She went on to write several pieces and becoming a bestselling author with them. Later on No Boundaries Press and Solstice Publishing found her. Signing with them both of them, she stayed put until No Boundaries Press went under in 2013. Kristal remains one of the Celebrities at Solstice Publishing. She would go on to sign with several other publishers before the end of 2013. She's a former writer for Calling Spots magazine. She created and wrote a show for Bishop-Lyons Entertainment. She's represented by Gilbert Literary Agency. Former client of Barone Literary Agency. Kristal ended up finding her way back to Vince Russo to whom she writes for through his website called Realm Network. She did some work with Reem Vision and continues to find screenwriting as an interesting genre of writing. Kristal started to work with Joe

Kristal McKerrington has been a professionally published author since 2010. While signed with XoXo Publishing she gained her start in publishing with her first book "Freedom Is Earned". She went on to write several pieces and becoming a bestselling author with them. Later on No Boundaries Press and Solstice Publishing found her. Signing with them both of them, she stayed put until No Boundaries Press went under in 2013. Kristal remains one of the Celebrities at Solstice Publishing. She would go on to sign with several other publishers before the end of 2013. She's a former writer for Calling Spots magazine. She created and wrote a show for Bishop-Lyons Entertainment. She's represented by Gilbert Literary Agency. Former client of Barone Literary Agency. Kristal ended up finding her way back to Vince Russo to whom she writes for through his website called Realm Network. She did some work with Reem Vision and continues to find screenwriting as an interesting genre of writing. Kristal started to work with Joe

Tanika, a strong Christian believer, states, I don't know what that thing is that plaguing you and keeps making you feel like you cannot get through it nor achieve it. But, just like DAVID, if you pursue it, you will overtake and recover it all!!! MOVE Forward, GOD is with you!!!! Now for an exerpt from her first book in the series: Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Zedekiah Strickland was the daughter of Herman Strickland; a wealthy city developer. Zedekiah’s family afforded their daughter with a lavish lifestyle. However, all of that changed, when Zedekiah’s father was falsely accused of horrific sex crimes.  Jessur, is the heir to the most notorious drug cartel in Mexico, however he longs to leave the lifestyle and leaves to attend college in The States. While there, he meets Zedekiah and falls in love. With his birthright as King of the Cartel looming, Jessur has a tough decision to make. Will he choose love or the cartel?  After the accusations against her father, the Feds seized the Strickland

Karen has had a love for words since she has been able to speak. Her passion began with her competitive classroom spelling Bees. Her love for speaking continued into high school when she placed third in a state public speaking competition for VOCA. Her dad proudly displays the plaque on his wall to this very day. She never saw her passion developing into what she can only describe today as an amazing blessing.   Karen has worked in the medical field for 25 plus years and continues to do what she does best, be a support system for others and provide comfort to them. She has combined her love and passion to create books of entertainment while touching on real life situations. Karen's first title, Grey Family Preys was published in June 2013, via Amazon Kindle as well as paperback, and touches on child  molestation.  She later signed with World Haven Agenda for a short period before gracefully departing with the publishing group. Karen is now the entrepreneur of Pensive Publishing, a small publishing company