Tag: #writing

Chloe Klaus Author “The Treasure of the Reef”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast, Social Media

On this episode of the Billy Dees Podcast, we have Chloe Klaus, a first-time children’s book author and illustrator. Chloe discusses her book, “The Treasure of the Reef,” which she began writing in 2017 while in Australia. The book is inspired by Chloe’s love for mermaids and her passion for environmental education.

Chloe talks about her background in mental health and environmental studies, as well as her involvement with the nonprofit organization Green Allies. She explains how her book combines her passions for writing, art, mermaids, and environmental issues, using a simple story as a metaphor for her beliefs and values.

Chloe Klaus

The story revolves around a mermaid and a pirate who must find common ground to save the coral reef and their own survival. Chloe emphasizes the importance of finding good in others and overcoming polarization in today’s world.

The book is targeted towards children aged 8 to 9 but can be enjoyed by all ages. Chloe hopes that children who read her book will take away the message of finding common ground and seeing the good in others.

The podcast also discusses Chloe’s writing process, her use of social media platforms to market her book. The conversation provides insights into the writing process and the role of social media for authors.

You can find Chloe on X (Twitter) @ChloeLynnKlaus

Below is a sample of the conversation.

Peter King Author – “Gold Among the Trees”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

In this podcast episode, author Peter King joins hosts Billy Dees and Kristy Mickelsen to discuss his career, travels, and writing.

Peter has written several books including, “Gold Among The Trees” and “Life’s but a Poem,” and has traveled extensively due to his career and involvement in sports. He shares that his writing process involves postulating a problem and solving it, often with unpredictable endings. Peter draws inspiration from current events and historical occurrences. He also mentions his publisher, Lizzy Campbell from Elite Lizard Publishing Company, and expresses his satisfaction with her assistance.

Peter King

The conversation delves into Peter’s experience of self-publishing his books after facing rejections from agents and publishers. The hosts and Peter discuss his reluctance to do in-person events like book signings and his self-doubt as an author. They touch on topics such as imposter syndrome, the importance of discipline in writing, and the impact of feedback from beta readers.

The podcast was recorded December 6th 2023 and they mention celebrating Christmas in Holland. The conversation is light-hearted and entertaining, showcasing Peter’s wit and humor. This podcast is important as it provides insights into the challenges and experiences of a self-published author, exploring themes of self-doubt and the creative process.

You can find the video version on X (Twitter) Billy Dees Podcast and on Billy Dees Podcasts on Facebook.

Thanks to Elite Lizard Publishing.

ShamanIsis Author of “Memory Mansion”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

“Memory Mansion: How to Glow the Fu%k Up” By ShamanIsis

From ShamanIsis.com

“Cindy, you asked me to warn you if anyone ever came looking for you. Now might be a good time to get lost,” starts the astonishing new self-love memoir Memory Mansion: How To Glow The Fu%k Up by philosopher and mystic ShamanIsis, who pens a powerful and inspiring story of resilience, healing, and transformation.”

ShamanIsis

On this podcast episode, ShamanIsis shares how this book came together, both in terms of how it is a memoir built from a diary of a lifetime experiences and how she brought the entries from her diary together into a story.

You can find the Billy Dees Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. For your convenience there is a preview below along with the listing for the episode on Spotify and the video version on YouTube.

You can find ShamanIsis on X (Twitter) @ShamanIsis

“Growth : A Mother, Her Son, and the Brain Tumor They Survived” by Karen DeBonis

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

Can a woman who never learned to stand up for herself find the courage to speak up for her son?

Karen is a happily married, slightly frazzled mother of two when her eight-year-old son, Matthew, develops a strange eye-rolling tic. Matthew’s tics quickly multiply. He becomes clumsy and lethargic, a gifted program dropout.

Karen tries to get her husband and their pediatrician to acknowledge what’s happening, but they dismiss her concerns. As a people-pleaser, Karen lacks the skills to assert herself and stifles the growing dread in her heart. For three years, Matthew steadily deteriorates while Karen questions if she has the fortitude required of motherhood. Finally, desperation breaks through her fear of conflict, and she demands answers, only to be horrified by the truth.

Karen DeBonis

Matthew has a brain tumor.

A delicate surgery and promise of complete recovery convince Karen her battle is over. But she is wrong. The ensuing years launch her on a journey of perseverance and personal growth she never imagined, teaching Karen just how weak she is–and then exactly how strong.

On this episode Karen shares her journey with her son’s health battle and why she decided to chronicle the story in her book.

More about the author here at KarenDeBonis.com

“Making It Home – Life Lessons from a Season of Little League” By Teresa Strasser

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

Teresa Strasser is an Emmy-winning writer for her work at Comedy Central and Emmy-nominated television host regarding her talents at TLC.

Teresa has been a contributor to the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Arizona Republic, The Jewish Journal, HuffPost, and The Today Show. Her first-person essays have garnered three Los Angeles Press Club Awards, including Columnist of the Year. Teresa has appeared on The View, CNN, Good Morning America, The Talk, and Dr. Phil.

Radio and podcast audiences know Teresa Strasser as Adam Carolla’s co-host.

Media Personality/Author Teresa Strasser

Her first memoir, “Exploiting My Baby: Because It’s Exploiting Me” was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and optioned by ABC.

On this episode Teresa is talking about her book, “Making It Home – Life Lessons from a Season of Little League.”

After the deaths of her brother and mother just months apart, Teresa explains how baseball helped with her grief and to renew a relationship with her father. Even for readers who are not necessarily big baseball fans, the book is an excellent manual for navigating their way through loss.

The book is available as of June 6, 2023 wherever you buy books.

Teresa’s website TeresaStrasser.com

Teresa Strasser on Twitter @teresastrasser

Jerry Zezima “One for the Ageless How to Stay Young and Immature Even If You’re Really Old”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Podcast

Jerry writes a humor column for Tribune News Service, which distributes it to papers nationwide and abroad. Jerry is also the author of six books, “Leave It to Boomer,” “The Empty Nest Chronicles,” “Grandfather Knows Best,” “Nini and Poppie’s Excellent Adventures,” “Every Day Is Saturday” and “One for the Ageless.”

Jerry Zezima

Jerry has won many awards including seven for humorous writing from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Jerry maintains a social media presence, has made many TV and radio appearances, is a popular public speaker, and is currently writing a sitcom.

You can find out more about Jerry on his blog or follow him on Twitter.

You can find our podcast interview with Jerry on your favorite podcast platform. For your convenience the Spotify podcast is playable in this post. We also have the videocast version available on YouTube.

HumorOutcasts Interview with Donna Cavanagh “Ramo to the Rescue”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Podcast
“Ramo to the Rescue”

Some time ago, many years ago actually, I crossed paths with Donna Cavanagh on Twitter. We were both part of the Twittersphere for blogging, humor, and related subject matter. We say “content” now by the way.

Post 2012, podcasting was ramping up as high-ranking politicians were giving interviews and major crime investigations were finding an audience on the medium. Twitter is built for authors and podcasters. Donna, being the consummate book marketing specialist that she is, was one of the publishers who first recognized the connection.

This was circa 2011 and HumorOutcasts was in its early days. I started doing some writing for the site and most of my audio production at that time was in traditional media forms. Podcasting existed back then but was nowhere near the powerhouse it is today. I was one of the early adopters of podcasting as it was a natural fit for me.

Donna Cavanagh

This was a great opportunity for me. By the time 2016 rolled around, Donna and I were producing author interviews regularly. I have made some wonderful associations and friends working with the talented group of HO writers.

Donna has now written and published a children’s book, “Ramo to the Rescue.” The book tells the story of a lifeguard through the lens of a child and is written in poetry style rhymes. The book was inspired by a chance meeting with a lifeguard which Donna describes during her own podcast interview. She also credits many of the people who helped her produce the book including Hannah Farr, who created the illustrations.

You can find the full interview under the Billy Dees Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. We also have a Spotify player for you in this post as well as the webcam version on YouTube.