Review of SOUL TO SOUL PARENTING

We're so thankful to ForeWord Magazine for such a thoughtful review!

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Soul To Soul Parenting: A Guide to Raising a Spiritually Conscious Family

Annie Burnside

Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing

The over-abundance of books about spirituality speaks to the need many people feel for a more authentic, connected life; the best of these books can open doors without indulging in judgment or condescension. Soul to Soul Parenting earns its place among the best with its honesty, humor, and authenticity.

Through a combination of stories about her personal journey, ideas borrowed from the teachings of other spiritual leaders, and old-fashioned common sense, mom, educator, and soul-nurturer Annie Burnside invites her readers to strive for a deeper family experience. There are lots of distractions in the day-to-day lives of families: work, school, sports, entertainment, and vacations. By approaching each element of family life with an attitude of openness and an eye for spiritual potential, parents and children can infuse daily activities with a deeper communion.

A clear structure and vibrant text make her book ultimately readable. The first third of the book focuses on what Burnside calls Parenting Vehicles, which are practical, tangible things families can do to get in touch with their spiritual nature. The second part of the book looks more deeply into what these practices teach us, what she calls Soul to Soul Parenting Spiritual Themes. After every chapter she includes book, movie, and music suggestions that reflect and deepen the lesson. Burnside has a Masters in Education and a family with which she has developed this approach to spirituality.

Her own family serves as her most frequent example. She shares her family's special rituals, their spiritual sign, and some of their Soul to Soul Reminders—quotes about spirituality that are posted around their home and car to offer gentle reminders to remain connected to their souls. Her willingness to open her own home and family to the eyes of readers speaks to her inherent strength.

Burnside's text feels honest, authentic, friendly, and nonjudgmental. “One individual may feel God kneeling in prayer on the pew of a beautiful old church. That is absolute perfection. Another individual may find God riding on his Harley through the countryside watching the sunrise. That is absolute perfection.” She makes it clear throughout her book that she is not writing from within the confines of one specific religion, that her viewpoint is inclusive as opposed to exclusive, and that her way of parenting from the spirit may not be the same path other parents will take.

With modesty, infectious excitement, and great writing, Burnside offers families an alternative to the fast-paced, materialistic grind in which they often find themselves caught. (June 2010) Andi Diehn

Review date: August 2010.

Annie Burnside on the Cover!

http://www.makeitbetter.net/better-you/books/1679-the-august-issue-of-make-it-better-is-here

Our own Annie Burnside, author of SOUL TO SOUL PARENTING, graces a beautiful cover of Chicago's make it better magazine. She's featured in the article "The Write Stuff: Celebrating Women Authors" with a gorgeous full-page photo. 


Here's a fun video behind the scenes of the cover photo shoot. I love seeing this. Great job Annie!

First Half of 2010 - 12 Highlights!

Check out Wyatt-MacKenzie's latest press release with the highlights of the first half of 2010!

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Gustaf's daughter, Princess Victoria, Marries Her Love

I wonder if they served REINDEER at the wedding...!? 

I was enamored by the beautiful images of Swedish Princess Victoria's wedding this weekend. Seeing her father, King Gustaf, walking her down the aisle, and knowing he read and endorsed OUR book was a thrill!

REINDEER WITH KING GUSTAF: What to Expect When Your Spouse Wins the Nobel Prize will be gifted to every Laureate and guest this weekend at the Lindau Nobel Anniversary ceremonies! (Can you believe it!?) Author Anita Laughlin will be reading an excerpt at the festivities in Germany on Saturday. Here's an announcement in one of the German papers...

Anita emailed me this weekend that she is still a bit in shock, but she confirmed -- she found a dress for the reading, so all is well! The Nobel Committee translated the excerpt to German, download it here: Buchpassage Laughlin.

Nobel Laureates to Receive Wyatt-MacKenzie Book!

“The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings provide a globally recognised forum for the exchange of knowledge between Nobel Laureates and young researchers.”

The 60th Meeting of Nobel Laureates will take place in Lindau Germany in June and... Wyatt-MacKenzie books will be there! Laureates in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine/Physiology and the scientists, leaders, researchers and students who attend will receive the gift of REINDEER WITH KING GUSTAF by Anita Laughlin!

I am beside myself excited to imagine one of our books in the hands of these phenomenal minds.

This year the Lindau Meetings will celebrate its 60th anniversary and therefore about 70 Laureates will come together at Lake Constance in Germany to meet, interact and discuss current scientific themes and challenges with more than 650 young Top Talents from all around the world.

“Having seen and read the book by Anita Laughlin about her expectations and the life-changing results of her husband winning the nobel prize we would love to give it to the guests at the festive dinner on the opening day.” 

~ Foundation Lindau Nobelprizewinners Meetings at Lake Constance

Anita and her Nobel-winning husband Bob will attend the event, with book signings scheduled for Anita! REINDEER WITH KING GUSTAF was recently named a finalist in the ForeWord Magazine Book-of-the-Year Awards.


As they say, "SKOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The book is currently being sold at the Nobel Museum in Stockholm, it was there for the Nobel Festivities last Fall. It was also endorsed by King Gustaf himself!

Wyatt-MacKenzie Authors in Two CNN Stories Today!

When it rains it pours... and today it was pouring Wyatt-MacKenzie books on CNN! 

We're thrilled to see a full feature article on Empowered Patient, by CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen, about our Dixie Coskie and her son Paul. READ THE ARTICLE


And the backlash has been palpable... postpartum depression in dads?! Yesterday the stories spread like wildfire, our Joel Schwartzberg at the center of it all -- starting the day on Good Morning America and ending on World News with Diane Sawyer! This morning he did CNN with Fredricka Whitfield. WATCH THE VIDEO  

Joel Schwartzberg on Good Morning America!

Joel discusses Postpartum Depression in dads on Good Morning America! The whole article on ABCnews.go.com.

Watch the segment:

Buy Joel's book THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION!

More information on the new JAMA report by Dr. James Paulson.

Prime Minister of Jamaica embraces Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint

Check out this great photo of one of our new Imprint novels, THE JAMERICAN, being held by The Most Honourable Edward Seaga, retired Prime Minister of Jamaica.

THE JAMERICAN by J.J. Gumbs is a novel about an American Christian living in a Jamaican subculture in NYC. It reveals how faith and culture, though we want them sometimes to be mutually exclusive, are really mixed into one thing that forms the principle ingredient of some people's lives. 

Peek behind the scenes of a TV interview...

Loved this video of author Chuck Barrett as he prepared to do a TV interview on WJHG-TV with Paris Janos. Chuck's book, THE SAVANNAH PROJECT has been garnering rave reviews!

Screen legend Patricia Neal endorses UNTHINKABLE

It's another “amazing author moment” — Dixie Coskie, author of UNTHINKABLE landed one of her dream endorsements! Legendary actress Patricia Neal whose son endured a traumatic brain injury, recently read Dixie’s memoir/caregiver’s handbook and wrote:

“I am someone who does not just believe in miracles, I depend on them. Miracles come in many forms. Some come at the speed of a lightning bolt... body healed... a life saved. But most miracles come about because of incredible hard work and determination, not only by the injured person fighting for his or her way back, but also by the often unsung heroes who do the world of the angels here on earth.

One of these angels is Dixie Fremont-Coskie, who has written UNTHINKABLE: A Mother’s Tragedy, Teror, and Triumph through a Child’s Traumatic Brain Injury. The book not only tells the remarkable story of her son Paul’s continuing recovery from a terrible cycling accident, she has also outlined her insights and experiences as a caregiver in the form of a practical handbook to help others who may face similar challenges. I highly recommend this book. As a woman who has had one of my own children triumph over a traumatic brain injury, I salute the author’s courage, faith, and most of all love.”

~ Patricia Neal, February 2010

Karin Piper on Colorado TV

"Open enrollment is underway for Colorado Schools... approximately 38,000 kids are waiting to get into Colorado Charter Schools...," begins the KWGN Channel 2 newscast introducing The Education Choice Expert Karin (pronounced kaRIN, not Karen) Piper, author of CHARTER SCHOOLS: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents!


I spoke with Karin yesterday after her first TV appearances and laughed so hard tears ran down my cheeks. Karin is from Sweden, and has the most endearing accent and sweetest turns-of-phrases I've ever heard. So, listening to her share the story of preparing for her appearances on Colorado's morning shows was sheer joy for me.


Karin has been receiving platform-building and publicity advice and training from fellow Wyatt-MacKenzie author and Promote U Guru, Lisa Orrell. Karin shares, "Lisa told me everyone has a tick and I need to practice to find out what I do that's tickish. Well, my husband had just left for Zurich, so I had to practice in the mirror. I never did find my tick, but trying to not do 'it' resulting in my not breathing throughout the entire first interview, I do believe I went pretty blue."


Continuing through my laughter, Karin says, "Lisa also told me, 'Don't wear white, it'll wash you out.' I looked in my closet, everything was white. Everything!"


More laughter. "Lisa also told me to cake on the make-up. I looked in the mirror and thought, Oh My God I look like a hooker! Well, I wasn't hookerish enough, when I saw myself on TV I thought, where did my eyes go?"


Karin did a fantastic job for her first time on local TV... watch for her to go national very soon! Here's Karin on KWGN, see her also on FOX Good Day Colorado.

New "Reader Views" Reviews

Reader Views mission statement: We strive to be a good friend to authors, publishers, and publicists, thus our service standard will exceed their expectation. We stand committed to continuously develop ourselves today, tomorrow and for the years to come. Reader Views not only supports independent presses but they offer smart, well-written, passionate reviews of books. Here are two of the newest reviews of Wyatt-MacKenzie books:

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“Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents” by Karin Piper is not only helpful and informative, but fun and interesting to read. As a new charter school administrator and former charter school teacher and board member, I was eager to learn more about the perspective of charter school parents.

The book is clearly written and offers insight into many areas of the charter school experience, from what a charter school is to how to open a school yourself. Although I already have experience with charter schools as a professional educator, I found this book to be full of helpful information. Ms. Piper also offers a delightful sense of humor throughout the book, which I think most parents will appreciate.

The resources in this book are vast, and not only is this book helpful to parents, but I found “Charter Schools” invaluable as a leader of a charter school. My goal in the near future is to open a charter school of my own, and this book offered many helpful resources for my journey. Thank you, Ms. Piper, for your hard work in gathering so much information in one easy-to-read book.

Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (12/09) 
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“Reindeer with King Gustaf: What to Expect When Your Spouse Wins the Nobel Prize” is a humorous account of the Nobel experience of Robert Laughlin, told by his wife Anita. In 1998, Robert Laughlin won the Nobel Prize in Physics. This very prestigious award brings a whirlwind of publicity to the winner with several required appointments and visits in the company of important people. Topped off by the presentation of the award is a weeklong celebration of pomp and circumstance as well as much joviality in Stockholm, Sweden.

Robert Laughlin, a professor at Stanford, and his family were awakened in the middle of the night with news of his win. The next day began the crazy press formalities. Mrs. Laughlin did a great job reviewing in detail all of the events that unfolded from that nighttime phone call. Wishing she had a guide as to the particulars of what to expect in the upcoming months gave Mrs. Laughlin the idea for this book. I am sure that families of future Nobel Prize winners will make "Reindeer with King Gustaf" required reading. Mr. Laughlin even provided illustrations throughout.

As a woman, I can relate to the "What to wear?" question to events, but I could never imagine the grand scale of having to plan visits with the President of the U.S. and the King and Queen of Sweden. Her humorous account of falling pantyhose and slippery shoes had me chuckling. While I honestly never gave much thought to the Nobel Prize winning experience beyond noting the winners on occasion, I found the book entertaining and educational. Don't reject this book because you are not a super smart scientist who follows only academic journals. Even "People" magazine readers, like me, who never even took a Physics class, will enjoy "Reindeer with King Gustaf." Author Anita Laughlin has perfected the ability to attract readers even beyond the scientific crowd. Its personable tone is very enjoyable. I will definitely pay more attention when the next Nobel Prize winners are announced.

Reviewed by Marcy Blesy for Reader Views (01/10) 

The Rewards Are Many...

Publishing is a tough gig. It's an emotional roller coaster for both the authors and their publishers (well, for indie publishers like Wyatt-MacKenzie that treat authors like family that is). In 2007 I released A BOOK IS BORN, a 3-year project which followed 24 of my authors through the unbelievably rewarding highs and ego-crushing lows of the publishing process. One of the goals for this new blog is to share excerpts from my book and stories from authors past and present.

Here's a brand new "reward" story. When we sign a new author one item they work on is a "wish list" for endorsements. The top of that list is usually a famous author whose blurb on their cover would mean the world to the author. With some research to find contact info, and a well-worded pitch, authors begin the challenge of getting their advance review copies into the hands of these dream-reviewers and cross their fingers. Here's a wonderful "surprise" one of our new authors received from his wife and step-daughter when he landed the top-of-his-list endorsement. This photo makes me so happy, I could feel the pride of our author Chuck Barrett when his idol NY Times bestselling author Steve Berry gave THE SAVANNAH PROJECT a thumbs up.

Congrats! Chuck launched Switchback Publishing, An Imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie through our empowered publishing program. His thriller comes out in March!

Yemeni - Is CIA intel to blame?

One of the most powerful books Wyatt-MacKenzie has published over the last 12 years is NATIONAL SECURITY MOM by CIA analyst, and mom of five, Gina Bennett.

Today the media is searching for who to blame in the national security breach by the Christmas Underwear Bomber from Yemen and pointing fingers at the analysts in the intelligence agency.

Can you put yourself in the position of a counterterrorism analyst, dedicating your life to the security of your country, pressing for over two decades to get people to listen to you? I posted a special excerpt from Gina's book to share an inside peek at her efforts. Ms. Bennett has been connecting the dots, even when there were so many dots the page was completely black.