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PUYB Blog Tour: The Sexiest Drink on Earth by Mark Spivak
The Sexiest Drink on Earth
By Mark Spivak
How did a something that tastes like castor oil flavored with tree bark become the sexiest drink on earth?
Gaspare Campari invented his famous potion in 1860 by infusing sixty herbs, spices, barks and fruit peels in a mixture of alcohol and distilled water. It became a sensation, and Campari turned into an entrepreneur. There’s only one problem: Campari is bitter, and human beings have taste receptors for bitterness that function as an early warning system, alerting us that we are about to consume something that might be toxic or poisonous.
Imagine the dilemma for your brain as you take a sip of cold, refreshing Campari and soda. Part of your mind is saying, “Don’t drink this—it might kill you!” In another sector of your cranium, though, the drink is perceived to be sophisticated and desirable. Given that more than 27 million bottles of Campari are sold each year, the brain has obviously found a way to disregard the potential dangers of bitterness. In researching my book, Iconic spirits: An Intoxicating History, I spoke to scientists doing research on the physiology of taste, and they all had a theory on how this conflict was resolved.
More importantly, though, how did Campari come to be regarded as the sexiest drink on earth?
The shimmering red potion may be infused with dozens of herbs and spices, but the advertising images have always contained a strong dose of forbidden fruit. In its marketing materials, the company describes Campari as a “symbol of passion” and goes on to say that this passion “expresses itself in terms of seduction, seduction and transgression…”
The famous 1920 poster by Marcello Dudovich is a good example. Two lovers are locked in an embrace that can only be described as smoldering, balanced precariously on the edge of a sofa and enhanced by a background of soft crimson light. Two glasses, one half-filled with Campari, sit on a nearby table. The woman’s hand rests on the man’s cheek in a classic gesture, pushing him away and embracing him at the same time.
In 1998 Campari began working with the celebrated Indian director Tarsem, who created the series of “Red Passion” ads. The campaign was the first in Italy to present female homosexuality in a straightforward yet compelling way; from there it went on to target other social norms. In a 2005 commercial, a man stands at the bar during a reception when he spots a tall, beautiful woman on the other side of the room. They exchange looks. The man obtains a Campari on the rocks from the bartender and follows the woman to a secludedpart of the building. His hand slips as he approaches her, and hesplashes Campari on her dress and cleavage. Slowly and tantalizingly, the woman removes her top and reveals herself to be a man. The man then takes off his shirt to display his bra and the fact that he’s actually a woman. The ad blends mystery and intrigue, explores repressed desires, and blurs the lines of gender identity—all in sixty seconds.
So relax and enjoy a cocktail made with Campari, whether it’s a Negroni, Americano, Garibaldi (Campari and orange juice) or a classic Campari and soda—but make sure that someone you care about is there to enjoy it with you.
Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He was the wine writer for the Palm Beach Post from 1994-1999, and since 2001 has been the Wine and Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group, as well as the restaurant critic for Palm Beach Illustrated. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Ritz-Carlton, Continental, Art & Antiques, Newsmax, Dream of Italy and Arizona Highways. From 1999-2011 he hosted Uncorked! Radio, a highly successful wine talk show on the Palm Beach affiliate of National Public Radio.
Mark began writing Iconic Spirits after becoming fascinated with the untold stories behind the world’s greatest liquors. As a writer, he’s always searching for the unknown details that make his subjects compelling and unique.His latest book is Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History.
Visit Mark’s website at http://www.iconicspirits.net.
Become a fan of Mark Spivak at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3
Pick up your copy of Iconic Spirits at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Spirits-Intoxicating-Mark-Spivak/dp/0762779268/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344434224&sr=1-1&keywords=iconic+spirits
Interview with Deb Elkink, author of ‘The Third Grace’
When author and city-slicker Deb Elkink fell in love and married an introverted cowboy, she moved from her bright lights to his isolated cattle ranch far off in the prairie grasslands. Still—between learning to pilot a light aircraft, sewing for a costume rental store, and cooking for branding crews of a hundred—Deb graduated with a B.A. in Communications from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN; she also holds an M.A. in Theology (both summa cum laude).
Her award-winning debut novel, THE THIRD GRACE, is set in the contrasting locales of Parisian street and Nebraskan farmyard, and incorporates Greek mythology and aesthetics with the personal search for self. Her writing has been described as “layered and sumptuous,” “compelling,” and “satisfying.”
Visit her website at www.DebElkink.com.
Friend her at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/deb.elkink.
Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Deb. Can we start out by you telling us, are you published for the first time or are you multi-published?
Thanks for your invitation. The Third Grace is my debut novel and, like the mommy of a first baby, I love talking about her!
Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published – and why or how did you choose this route?
Greenbrier Books is a fairly new and small press out of North Carolina, introduced to me by my agent. It’s a royalty-paying house but not traditional in that it doesn’t stock store shelves, instead distributing high-quality print and eBook versions through most online booksellers. I’ve been satisfied with my inauguration into the publishing world, as Greenbrier has maintained a good and personal relationship with me, “holding my hand” through the whole scary process.
Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?
I signed the publishing contract in early July and the book was released five months later, on December 1, 2011.
Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
I vividly recall holding the advance reader copy of The Third Grace in my hand for the first time. I’d been driving alone in my car after visiting my rural post office, with the package from the publisher still sealed shut on the seat next to me. I was thinking I’d wait till I got to town to fondle the book, but I was trembling with anticipation, and decided I’d better stop speeding and just pull over to open the box. When I caught sight of the glossy cover art and flipped the pages, while sitting there on the side of the highway, with semi-trailers screaming by and shaking the wind out of me, I couldn’t hold back—I jumped out of the car and whooped and danced with pure, unmitigated delight at seeing that novel in print. It was glorious! On a wintry evening a few months after that, with stacks of the official novel ready to sign, I celebrated with a proper book launch party at the finest arts venue in our small city. I invited the whole world to it, and allmost a hundred friends showed up (not bad, I thought). I wore very high heels and a clever little “fascinator” hat of black feathers and netting to set the tone.
Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?
Of course, I contacted local news outlets as well as announcing the publication on my social media sites. I began to promote The Third Grace through speaking engagements and signings. I also entered the novel in a contest and was delighted to receive a prestigious prize (the Grace Irwin Award of $5,000 for the “top pick” of entered books published in 2011), which has given me some exposure and also funds to hire a publicist.
Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?
My confidence has grown. I was raised under a prolific artist—my mom still paints almost every day, and her work is visually beautiful, able to be fully appreciated the moment the viewer sets eyes on it. But with a novel, it’s different. The reader needs to invest significant time in analysis, and this means the writer, breath held, must be patient in learning how the work will be received. The publication of The Third Grace—and especially the win of a significant literary award—has given me the gift of validation by my peers. I’m much more secure in my wiring abilities as I work on my second novel, believing in the likelihood of its publication. I expect the first novel to act as a stepping-stone for my next one.
Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?
Before I was a published author, I didn’t realize how rigidly the industry observed genre; that is, I thought that if I just wrote a “good” story, an editor somewhere would find it engaging and put it into print. You know—I believed that if I worked hard, I’d be rewarded. Not so! Many excellent books by fantastic writers remain unpublished. I now see the necessity of an agent to ensure that the manuscript—clearly labeled as to category and target market—is put into the hands of the correct publisher, in the proper format, at just the right time. Writing a good story is only the beginning of success!
Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?
At first blush, it’s the accomplishment of meeting a goal and the encouragement to keep on writing. And then, I admit to being a little surprised at the notoriety I suddenly have; starry-eyed strangers are asking for my signature! This means I have the new responsibility of properly representing myself and what I’m all about, because I now have a growing readership that will hold me accountable for my words and actions—an obligation I hold seriously.
Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
I say: Go to a writers’ conference! Becoming connected with other “real” writers and agents and editors was instrumental in pushing me to complete the novel to industry standards and meet the practitioners who could get the book into print. I’ve found acquisition editors and agents and publicists to be eager and friendly—they’re honestly just looking for the next new author, and it might be you! But you need to go where they congregate.
Interview with Mark Spivak, author of ‘Iconic Spirits’
Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He was the wine writer for the Palm Beach Post from 1994-1999, and since 2001 has been the Wine and Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group, as well as the restaurant critic for Palm Beach Illustrated. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Ritz-Carlton, Continental, Art & Antiques, Newsmax, Dream of Italy and Arizona Highways. From 1999-2011 he hosted Uncorked! Radio, a highly successful wine talk show on the Palm Beach affiliate of National Public Radio.
Mark began writing Iconic Spirits after becoming fascinated with the untold stories behind the world’s greatest liquors. As a writer, he’s always searching for the unknown details that make his subjects compelling and unique.His latest book is Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History.
Visit Mark’s website at http://www.iconicspirits.net.
Become a fan of Mark Spivak at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3
Pick up your copy of Iconic Spirits at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Spirits-Intoxicating-Mark-Spivak/dp/0762779268/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344434224&sr=1-1&keywords=iconic+spirits
Find out how you can win a Kindle Fire HD by clicking here!
Welcome to Beyond the Books, Mark. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
This is my first book to be handled by a mainstream publisher.
When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?
In this case (Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History), I had a terrific agent who sold the book in record time. My previous experiences didn’t go quite so smoothly. I think every writer probably wants his or her book to be handled by a mainstream publisher, and that’s the first path we take.
How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?
I signed the contract in June 2011, and the book will be published in November 2012.
How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
It’s a feeling you can’t put into words, even if you’re a writer. I celebrated by sharing a special bottle of wine with my wife.
What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
For this book, I’m focusing most of my efforts on publicity that will be effective and not cost too much to generate. I’ll be doing a great deal of radio, and I have three separate blog tours planned (the publisher is doing one, I’m doing a second and paying for a third).
Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?
I’ve become more self-confident
What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?
I’ve done a lot of newspaper and magazine work, and the first thing I noticed was that the book editors were on a totally different level in terms of professionalism and competence.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?
The feeling of knowing that you’ve created something that will last—not forever, perhaps, but hopefully long enough to have an impact on a number of people.
Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Don’t give up. You need to be focused, driven and have a high level of belief in your own destiny. You may go through years or even decades or rejection, but it’s more than worth it if you persevere.
Character Interview: Amy Benson from Ray East & Sam D’s ‘Voluspa’
We’re thrilled to have here today Amy Benson from Ray East and Sam D’s new YA fantasy romance, Voluspa: A Magical World. Amy is a 15-year-old empath from New York.
It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Beyond the Books!
Thank you so for this interview, Amy. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?
I think my character has been portrayed fairly well. However there is this small thing that I’d like to clarify. In the book I am portrayed as someone with an aversion to shopping. In truth I love shopping and hanging out in the mall.
Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?
I think the author did a good job of capturing all the nuances of my character. My insecurities, moments of self-doubt, my needs to find affection and all my other traits have been accurately presented.
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
I would say my perseverance. Life has always thrown me a few hard curves but I never give up. My friends tell me that I am just plain stubborn.
Worse trait?
I am very emotional. I think and feel very strongly.
Do you have a love interest in the book?
Yes. His name is Drake Mc Grizzle and he is the most amazing boyfriend a girl could ever wish for.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
I didn’t really get nervous about the outcome of the book because I had faith in my authors. To be honest, I have to admit that there is one part in the book, where I start feeling an attraction of sorts for a very disagreeable boy. That had me worried. Besides I was so engrossed in Drake, I found it hard to genuinely understand my attraction for another boy.
If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
I would hate to be Lord Vali. He has no redeeming quality and is just plain evil.He is cruel, greedy, ambitious, blood thirsty and completely merciless. In short, he is despicable. But I also think he is pitiable. His evilness stems from the turns and twists his life has taken – to some extent he is a product of difficult circumstances as well as possessing a natural proclivity towards violence.
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?
I think the ending of the book is pretty great. If you have connected with the young lovers i.e. me and Drake then the ending is going to fill you with anticipation. You’ll be eager to know what happens next.
What words of wisdom would you give your author if s/he decided to write another book with you in it?
I would just ask the author to keep in mind all the things that have changed about me in the past several months. I am no longer the same person that I was when I first arrived in Voluspa. My trials and triumphs have caused me t change. I am so much stronger as a person; more confident. Also finding Drake, falling in love with him has changed me. Now I am at peace with the person I am.
Thank you for this interview, Amy. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
Absolutely! The adventure is nowhere near done. I want my happily ever after with Drake.
Ray East and Sam D has moved to Voluspa and live in the Forest of Skotos with their 5 year old daughter and a pet Typhon. They visit Earth with the help of an Empath from time to time. Ray East did her masters in Phsychology from Univeristy of Sussex and has worked as a counselor for adolescents. Sam D used to teach at a SPJC before he moved to Voluspa.
Their latest book is Voluspa: A Magical World.
To get your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VOLUSPA-A-Magical-World-Sam-D/dp/0985681608/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1
To get your e-copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East for your Kindle at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Voluspa-A-Magical-World-ebook/dp/B008BCZBTE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
Order your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D. & Ray East at B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voluspa-a-magical-world-sam-d/1111523622?ean=2940014770675
To learn more about Sam D and Ray East, visit their website: www.magicalworldofvoluspa.com
Visit Sam D & Ray East on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/voluspa
Like Sam D & Ray East on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofvoluspa
Follow Sam D & Ray East at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15592516-voluspa
Centuries ago, war between aliens and humans almost destroyed the world. To prevent such a war from happening again, a mighty ruler then formed a secret society of nine powerful humans and aliens called the Bramhas. These Bramhas each wrote a book imparting ancient wisdom and knowledge. The possession of these books could bring about untold power and success. The nine books were hidden but the desire to possess those books, still cause men to fight wars and turn against each other. One such war was fought in the realm of Voluspa decades back; the consequences of that war still resonate in this magical land. Two young lovers get caught in this tussle and it changes their destinies forever.
Amy’s humdrum life takes a complete 180’ turn with the death of her stepfather. She goes to live with her grandmother – her only living relative, though she hasn’t seen her in the last five years. Among her mother’s childhood memorabilia, she finds a book ‘Legends of Voluspa’ that captures her imagination. She becomes so engrossed in the book that she starts dreaming about the places in the book till one night she finds herself inexplicably transported to the new world – Voluspa, as described in the book. Here she meets Drake, who unknown to her is a shape shifter. Chemistry cackles between the two from the very first and as they discover that they share a lot in common, a tenuous bond forms between the two. ‘I’ll keep you safe’ vows Drake and he remains true to his word as he befriends her and saves her from various troubles that befall her over the next couple of months.
In Voluspa, Amy discovers a new way of life. It’s a magical world inhabited by primarily four clans – Empaths, Morphus, Mendens and the Pulchrous. The Empaths have the power of mind, the Morphus are the shape shifters, Mendens are the healers while the Pulchrous possess physical perfection and strength. With the help of an old family friend, Amy takes her rightful place in the Empath clan. This marks a new chapter in Amy’s life. She realizes her own powers and subsequently starts going to a school to enhance the same. With Drake by her side, she makes some wonderful friends. However, her life is not all smooth sailing; trouble comes when she learns the truth about her biological parents. She realizes that her very existence is against Voluspan law which forbids the union between individuals belonging to two different clans. History threatens to repeat itself as she realizes that her predicament was not that different from what her mother had faced, decades back. She is totally in love with Drake, who belongs to the Morphus clan.
The enchanting world of Voluspa is far from Utopic; it has barely recovered from a devastating war fought twenty years back when the peace of the land is once again threatened by Gangrels, the evil army of aliens. The two young lovers soon realize that besides contending with forbidden love, they have to deal with other impediments. Ancient enmities, a past war, a much coveted book, all conspire against the two lovers. Gangrels reappear in Voluspa and Drake falls in the clutches of one such evil being who would stop at nothing to realize his fiendish ambitions. Amy and her friends cross realms, face enemies, deal with challenges, solve riddles and brave possible destruction, as they set off on an adventure to rescue Drake. The ‘Force of Sutra’ clashes with the ‘Elemental Force’ of the Gangrels as Amy and her friends are faced with an indomitable enemy. They use strategic warfare, pit adversaries among themselves and use every last drop of strength, skill and courage as they take on warriors far more ruthless and skilled than themselves.
As Amy embarks upon a quest to save Drake, her love for him is tested at every turn but she never wavers from her objective. Braving imminent death she manages to reach Drake – only to find a changed person. Gone is the man she is in love with, instead a dangerous stranger stood in his place. This Drake was teetering at the edge between becoming completely evil and retaining his own soul. He almost harms Amy but stops himself at the very last minute. His love for Amy proves to be stronger than the evil entity threatening to overpower him. However when chips are down, Drake comes through. He sets aside his personal well-being in order to save Amy, one last time. Drake is perhaps lost forever but hope dies last – Amy is determined to get back Drake, no matter what the cost.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO WIN A FREE KINDLE FIRE HD, LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TELLING US IF YOU’D LIKE TO LIVE IN VOLUSPA, THEN CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE KINDLE FIRE HD GIVEAWAY!
Top 5 Ways to Kill by Author Duane Harden
Duane Harden just doesn’t teach you theory but rather you learn through his very own life hands-on experiences that come along with building a strong portfolio of successful businesses, including residential and commercial real estate, a restaurant, a music company, and many more. He began with no financial education, but he was determined and inspired. Today he leads a Cash Flow Club where he mentors entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their business so they, too, can become financially free.
His latest book is 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom: Do What You Love & Get Rich Doing It.
Visit Duane Harden’s website at http://www.duaneharden.com/.
To enter $10,000 Prize Giveaway:https://www.facebook.com/5EasyStepsToFinancialFreedom/app_208195102528120
To get your paperback copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Steps-Financial-Freedom-Doing/dp/0984822704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335047035&sr=8-1?books0df4-20
To get your ebook copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden for your Kindle:
To purchase a copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/5-easy-steps-to-financial-freedom-duane-harden/1110871992?ean=9780984822706
Pick up your copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden on iTunes:http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/5-easy-steps-to-financial/id519796307?mt=11
Like Duane Harden on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/5EasyStepsToFinancialFreedom
Follow Duane Harden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CEOeBooks
Top 5 Ways To Kill!
You and your friends have become experts at committing murder
Ideas take on a life of their own and you’ve come up with some really great ones especially on how to make money and get out of debt. However, you and your accomplices are so use to committing murder you don’t realize when you’re doing it. As soon as an idea starts to take shape in your mind like an embryo in it’s mother’s womb, you use your ninja style tactics to kill it rather than putting your talents to better use.
Here are the top 5 ways you’ve been trained as a “lethal weapon”:
#5 – Other peoples failures. When I was opening my restaurant, I asked a fellow restaurateur who had just filed bankruptcy if I could take her out to lunch to discuss her experience. She replied “of course” as long as I was willing to pay her a consultant fee. Obviously, she thought I considered her an expert at opening and running a restaurant so much so that I would pay her for her advice. I was only interested in learning what not to do. Needless to say, that lunch date never happened as her response totally let me know why she was out of business. I then thought about other people in my network who were restaurant owners. When I asked them about their experience the biggest piece of advice they could give me was “don’t go into the restaurant business”. Just because they were not successful in running their business doesn’t mean that I would suffer the same fate. If I had listened to them I would have never opened. Take advice from mentors who have been successful in the business you want to open as well as listen to mentors who have failed miserably so you can learn from their mistakes.
#4 – Co-workers. You’re co-workers are probably just as miserable at their job as you are. They don’t see a way out and how dare you think you can come up with the answer to creating a better life. So remember this when you’re sharing your idea with them around the office water cooler. Don’t let your enthusiasm wither way with their negative comments after you’ve shared with them how you’re going to escape from Alcatraz. Their reactions are coming from the fact that you’re getting out and leaving them behind. Let their bad advice go in one ear and out the other.
#3 – Friends. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these? Seriously, the friends who don’t support you in your ideas are still your friends. It’s just that they love you so much they don’t want to see you get hurt. Let them know that you really do appreciate their concern and just want a listening ear. They don’t have to understand what it is you want to do. Just be there for you. When I first started in real estate investing, I had some friends who were skeptical when I would say I was buying a house with 100% financing. They just didn’t understand the concept. I then realized that I had friends who were great for hanging out with and partying and another set of friends whom I could have intellectual conversations with or discuss business ideas. They were all great friends I just had to figure out which bucket they fit into and tailor my conversations accordingly.
#2 – Family – I lead a Rich Dad, Poor Dad Cash Flow Club in Manhattan. I often hear members say that their family doesn’t support them in their ideas. That’s because they’ve seen you try so many before and failed. It’s not that they don’t support you but rather react like your friends do. They love you so much they don’t want to see you hurt again. Just remember when responding to their reactions that most successful people are successful because they’ve gotten pretty good at failing.
#1 – You – You are your #1 Killer of ideas. You allow your negative thoughts as well as those of others persuade you that your idea just won’t work. You quit before you can ever get started. The moment you realize that all things are possible you’ll stop committing murder and letting your ideas come alive.
In my book “5 Easy Steps To Financial Freedom: Do What You Love & Get Rich Doing It” I teach you how to identify your idea killers by taking you through my “crabs in a pot” exercise. I also show you ways to turn every negative into a positive so instead of being stopped you are propelled to pursue your dreams. Stop killing ideas as you’ve been doing it long enough. It’s time to learn to live.
Interview with Laura Carroll, author of ‘The Baby Matrix’
Laura Carroll is the author of The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction will Create a Better World, Families of Two: Interviews With Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice, and Finding Fulfillment From the Inside Out.
In addition to writing nonfiction books, she has worked over the last 15 years as a business and litigation psychology consultant and used her expertise in behavioral sciences, psychology, and communications to advise business, legal, and nonprofit professionals on their communications strategies and goals.
Laura is a seasoned leader of personal and professional development seminars, and has appeared on a variety of television shows, including Good Morning America and The Early Show. She has been a guest on many radio talk shows to discuss social science topics.
You’ll also find her online at her nonfiction book site, LiveTrue Books, and her top blog, La Vie Childfree.
To get your copy of The Baby Matrix by Laura Carroll at Amazon:
Pick up your ebook copy at Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baby-matrix-laura-carroll/1110625478
To get your e-copy of The Baby Matrix by Laura Carroll for your Kindle:
To learn more about Laura, go to her website: http://lauracarroll.com/
Visit Laura Carroll on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LauraCarroll88
Like Laura Carroll on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheBabyMatrix
Find out all about The Baby Matrix at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13641241-the-baby-matrix
Laura Carroll is giving away a free Kindle Fire! Click here to enter!
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About the Book:
In the movie The Matrix, the character Morpheus offers two pills to Neo—if he takes the blue pill, he will go on with life as he has before, believing what he has always believed. If he takes the red pill, he will find out what the “matrix” really is, and many of his earlier beliefs will be shattered. When it comes to taking a hard look at a specific set of beliefs about parenthood and reproduction that has driven our society for generations, The Baby Matrix is the red pill.
What is this set of beliefs? Pronatalism. At its core, it’s the belief that having children should be the central focus of every adult’s life. In this book, author Laura Carroll shows us how pronatalist beliefs have become so embedded that they have come to be seen as “true” and takes a critical look at their pervasiveness in our society.
Carroll examines the historical origins of pronatalism, the reasons why it has such a deep hold on societies even though most people remain unaware of it, and whether it makes sense – for individuals or for the world as a whole. She examines the ways in which pronatalism is perpetuated, scrutinizes seven major pronatalist assumptions that lead people to accept them without question, and offers alternative mindsets that reflect realities, true reproductive freedom and responsibility in today’s society. Whether you are already a parent, want to be a parent, or don’t want children, you will never think about parenthood in the same way.
Investigating what few have had the courage to discuss, The Baby Matrix examines the negative effects of pronatalist beliefs, including how they dictate the “normal path” to adulthood, put unwarranted pressure on people to have biological children, and fail to foster a society in which those who are best suited to become parents are the ones who have children.
Carroll also brings to light the impact that pronatalism has had on the world at large and will continue to have if its ubiquitous influence is not challenged. Citing compelling statistics, she shows how our belief that we can have as many children as we want is a serious threat in a world with finite resources. In the process, she brings into focus how every life brought into the world directly affects our survival.
This manifesto makes the case for why it’s time for all of us to understand why we can no longer afford to leave pronatalist assumptions unquestioned. Without compromise, The Baby Matrix is a reality check for us all. Are we willing to hold on to beliefs that aren’t necessarily true … even to our detriment? This book will make you examine your own intentions and beliefs, will rile you, and might just change your mind.
The Baby Matrix is a must-read for anyone interested in psychology, sociology, anthropology, parenting issues, environmentalism, and social justice. Those who revere the truth, want the best for themselves, their families and our world, and decide to take “the red pill” and read this book will find the truths that need to be told about pronatalism, and why it’s time to shift our thinking for the betterment of all.
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Interview WITH LAURA CARROLL
Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Laura. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
In addition to my latest book, The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction Will Create a Better World, I am also the author of Families of Two: Interviews With Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice and Finding Fulfillment From the Inside Out.
Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?
Finding Fulfillment From the Inside Out was initially picked up by a medium size house in California, but they ended up delaying the publication date. I ultimately decided to self-publish to get the work out there.
Families of Two was picked up by a pioneer in the digital publishing industry owned by Random House at the time. I went this route because like them, I believed digital publishing was the future.
Both books ended up coming out about the same time.
Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?
All three books took me about a year to write. Families of Two and The Baby Matrix were out shortly after, but Finding Fulfillment took a bit longer, as I had to decide whether to wait for the house to determine the pub date or to self-publish.
Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
I felt like I had finally realized my calling in life. Celebrations have included everything from champagne to weekend splurges at a great hotel and spa!
Q: What was the first thing you did to promote your first book?
With Finding Fulfillment, I sought out print media, schools, and career counselors to tell them about the book. The word got out there, and it ended up being used in college Life Planning courses for awhile.
With Families of Two I hired my own publicist, who ended up being awesome and got me lots of syndicated radio and network TV media, including The Early Show and Good Morning America. I was also interviewed for articles in newspapers and magazines.
Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?
I would have to say I am much better now at trying to separate the creative writing time with the editing time, and not attempting to do both together. Trying to do both kills the creative flow. I also realize that half, if not more of what it takes to be a professional writer is being skilled at book promotion. On one hand, writing is so often an introverted endeavor. But to sell the book, one needs to be able to really put on an extraverted hat.
Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?
I have been surprised how long it took traditional publishing houses to go digital. The business model just makes more sense from a profit perspective, and allows them to take on more new authors with far less risk.
Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?
The most rewarding thing is know I have helped people live their best lives. Receiving emails from readers telling me how my work has made a difference in their lives means the world to me.
Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Pursue the questions that you are passionate about, and follow what you are called to create. In today’s publishing climate, don’t be afraid to get your own editorial, interior and cover art help and self-publish. There are so many talented people in all of these roles outside traditional houses today. Find experts to help you promote your work in all realms of media, and stay on a learning curve of the ever changing art of digital media. But most of all, enjoy all phases of bringing what you want to say into the world.
What’s One Reason Why Pronatalism Remains So Pervasive? Babies are Big Business by Laura Carroll
What’s One Reason Why Pronatalism Remains So Pervasive? Babies are Big Business
By Laura Carroll
Pronatalism is a set of beliefs about parenthood that has driven society for generations. The beliefs encourage reproduction and exalt the role of parenthood. The historical origins of pronatalism go way back. What people have been influenced to believe about parenthood and reproduction might have served a purpose at one time, but now has outlasted its usefulness. Or, believe it or not, what we have been taught to believe has never been true to begin with.
If this is the case, why does pronatalism remain so pervasive? One reason is because birth and babies are big business. As the recent article in Time magazine, “The 1% Birth” says, the birth business is “worth more than $30 billion a year.”
Recently, the baby business has taken itself to new heights. Take the business of the “luxe” birth. Many hospitals have “VIP” wings with “hotel -like accommodations” and include “limousine labor,” like things such as total hospital room redecoration, birth teams with massage therapists, chefs and more. This is not just for the Beyonce celebrity births. The 1% likes the first class treatment too, says Ellie Miller, a co-founder of Ellie & Melissa Baby Planners. According to the American Academy of Private Physicians, the number of “concierge doctors,” those who don’t take insurance and charge membership fees, has recently increased 46 percent.
Not only do all the baby bump media make getting pregnant cool, the luxury birth business ups the ante to the rich and famous way to give birth to your baby. Hospitals across the country that offer “luxe maternity” can charge around $4000 a day, which is more than most standard hospitals charge for the whole kit and caboodle of delivering a baby.
Pronatalism glorifies pregnancy and the raising of children; “lux” birth adds to the glorification by pushing red carpet delivery. And glorification continued to pay off. Business greatly benefits from the perpetuation of pronatalism. Pushing pro-baby, pro-parenthood values creates more demand for products and services that bring big profits to business. Along with government and religious power structures, business works to keep pronatalist norms in place to promote reproductive conformity, so it can continue to gain power.
And “power” is the operative word when it comes to describing what drives the The Baby Matrix. This word sums up the reason why pronatalism remains so pervasive today, despite the fact that assumptions that make it up no longer serve, or were never true in the first place. It is time to take a hard look at pronatalism, why we continue to accept beliefs that ultimately serve others’ agendas, and how this negatively impacts people from all walks of life.
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Laura Carroll is the author of The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction Will Create a Better World. She is also the author of Families of Two: Interviews With Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice and Finding Fulfillment From the Inside Out. In addition to writing nonfiction books, Laura has worked as a business and litigation psychology consultant, and used her expertise in behavioral sciences, psychology, and communications to advise business, legal, and nonprofit professionals on their communications strategies and goals. She has appeared on a variety of television shows, including Good Morning America and The Early Show, and been a guest on many radio talk shows to discuss social science topics. Laura reviews nonfiction books and more at LiveTrue Books. She lives in San Francisco.
Laura Carroll is giving away a free Kindle Fire! Click here to enter!
Character Interview: Lelia Marie Freeman of ‘Dark Side of Valor’
We’re thrilled to have Lelia Marie Freeman here with us today! Lelia is the director of ChildSafe Shelters in Los Angeles, California, and the lead character in Alicia Singleton’s blockbuster book, Dark Side of Valor.
We interviewed Lelia to give us some between the pages insights on her character and whether the author caught her true personality. Welcome Lelia!
Thank you so for this interview, Lelia. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?
I don’t like being in the spotlight. My business is my business. It was bad enough being blasted on national television and dubbed, “The Street Angel”, then there’s that annoying, pain in my tail disc jockey, Zenith Starr and his constant harassment, now there’s this book about my life. The kids are what’s important. Not me. Not my life. The kids.
Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?
She made me seem a little rough around the edges, almost crass sometimes, but if that’s the way the world sees me, then…whatever. I just don’t stomach bull-crap well. Will there be any questions or some information published on how to help the homeless and runaway child population? If not, then you’re wasting my time.
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
Not tolerating bull-crap, but ok, I’ll bite. My heart. Good or bad, life or death, I’ll always allow my heart to lead me. Now, about the children and how people can help…
Worse trait?
My adopted mother says my big mouth. Translated that means, I don’t stomach bull-crap well. But I promised her I’d be polite today, so my answer is, my heart. Again, good or bad, life or death, my heart leads me, even if the situation could kill me. I’d go to the ends of the earth to rescue my kids. Who, by the way, we still haven’t discussed.
Do you have a love interest in the book?
Who? Elijah? Absolutely not! He’s brash, a bully, arrogant and a nut job. If I didn’t need a way out of Sudania, I’d tell him where to get off.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
When I woke up in another country with nothing to my name except the dress on my back and my underwear, I knew I was in deep trouble.
If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
President Marwein Boll Deng. He’s not at all what he seems.
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?
The very end of the book is a dream I never thought I’d live. Right before the end of the book is…well I promised my mother I’d watch my mouth.
What words of wisdom would you give your author if s/he decided to write another book with you in it?
Can you cut me some slack? Bullets flying, being chased by crazed men, dropped in the middle of a jungle…what! Less danger, more focus on the kids. Can you ask question about them, now?
Thank you for this interview, Lelia. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
Yes, you’ll see Elijah, Asha, Marcellus, Sierra and me again. And when we talk again, let’s keep it about the kids. Okay?
About the Book:
Child advocate Lelia Freeman saves children for a living. As the director of ChildSafe Shelters, she ventures to abandoned squats and crackhouses to rescue teens from the hellish streets of Los Angeles. When she is summoned to Washington to serve on a committee that aids the children of a war-torn African nation, Lelia is kidnapped and becomes a political pawn in a sinister conspiracy. Oceans away from everything she knows, she must trust a mercenary to save her life, or die in the clutches of a psychopath.
Hunting, combat and staying alive are Elijah Dune’s specialties. Vengeance is his passion. Haunted by past demons, he’s travels to the Motherland to collect a debt. A debt that demands one payment. Death.
Caught in the crosshairs of a madman, Lelia and Elijah must survive the jungles of Zaire and the horrors of their pasts or be forever consumed by the DARK SIDE OF VALOR.
About the Author:
Born and raised in Philadelphia, the Howard University graduate embraced the written word at an early age. She credits this to her loving, older sister whom, while they were youngsters, made the author eat lotion on a regular basis. Realizing the need to sound-out the ingredients on the lotion label, Alicia stopped the lotion-eating practice, but continued to read the labels of the concoctions her sister brought for her to try. This early necessity to read flowered to a passion; hence, a writer was born.The award winning author resides in Maryland with her wonderful husband and son. Still an avid reader, label or otherwise, Alicia is hard at work completing her next suspense novel.Her latest book is the suspense novel, Dark Side of Valor.
Visit Alicia’s website at www.aliciasingleton.com.
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Virtual Book Tour: Interview with Jenny McGill, author of DRAMA & DIPLOMACY
Jenny McGill, a native of Mississippi, has widely traveled the United States and Mexico. She met her husband, Howard, in Texas and discovered he had the same love for Mexico as she. They have lived in the state of Jalisco, Mexico thirty-five years. Fourteen of those years she represented the U.S. Government in Puerto Vallarta as a consular agent. The McGills have retired to a mountain village near the coast where Jenny writes for the Mexican media, promotes young local artists and pursues her own writing career.
You can visit her website at www.mjmcgill.com.
Welcome to Beyond the Books, Jenny. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?
This is the first time I have published a book, and I’m self-published. Drama & Diplomacy is my first book.
What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?
I wrote a short story called Street Sounds of Mexico that was never published as a book, but it was published by a local newspaper in Puerto Vallarta.
For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?
I never was rejected since I always planned to self-publish.
How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?
If I had been rejected, I probably would have thought, “That proves I am an author, doesn’t it?” I would feel sorry for all the people who missed my wonderful story and then I would have gotten out my Blue Funk File and found a reason to get back in the game.
When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?
I chose McGill Books because I own the company.
How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
I felt ten feet tall! I spoke to the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group about the birthing of the book, the local media interviewed me and I was profiled in an upscale Mexican magazine, Vallarta Lifestyles.
What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
I sent out 150 invitations to friends, characters in the book and local press to come join us for a book presentation in one of Puerto Vallarta’s luxurious beach villas, Villa Verano, owned our friends Burt Hixson and Gerry Battle.
If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?
I don’t think so. I wanted my book to be available to the public NOW! I think we all hope a big name publisher will jump at the chance to publish and promote our work, but we have to get started somewhere. I chose to self-publish.
Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?
I am a freelance writer in Mexico and I am published in several English newspapers in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. I write a monthly column for Mexico’s biggest English e-zines, and I am working on another manuscript; a historical novel based on fact, which I hope to have ready to print in the late spring of 2009. How have I grown? I believe I look at life differently now. I don’t paint with oils or watercolors. I paint with words, and a new scene unfolds every day that I want to write about.
Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?
I would have searched for a good literary agent, and I certainly would not depend on my friends, my computer Spell Check or me to edit. The second edition of Drama & Diplomacy was professionally edited twice.
What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?
I don’t know that you could call it an ‘accomplishment’, but it is a fine feeling to be introduced as a writer. It is an even better feeling to be recognized by a total stranger who says, “I read your book and I loved it!”
If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?
I don’t think I would have chosen to do anything other than what I’ve done in my life. I used to dream about writing, but when I would wake up I couldn’t remember what I had written. In earlier life I didn’t think I had the extra time to write. Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing now – I have the time.
Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?
I’m combining life, day by day.
How do you see yourself in ten years?
That would make me 82 years old. If my fingers can still find the keyboard and I still recognize my computer, I can see myself choosing the actors who will play the characters of my books that have been made into movies.
Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Make your dream come true. You can. I did. Thank you for interviewing me.
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