Author Jim Hammell spoke to us about his book How Murrey Saved Christmas. This adorable children’s book follows a moose named Murrey who is separated from his parents. When he sets out to find them, he finds himself on an exciting journey – and is soon presented with the task of helping Santa, in order to save Christmas.

We spoke to Jim about the inspiration for the tale, working with his illustrator all the way in Europe, and more!

Name: Jim Hammell

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Book: How Murrey Saved Christmas 

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

It was a fun story made up for my grandchildren.

What made you want to write the book?

I had this vision of Billy Bass (fish on wall plaque that sang,) and thought about a Christmas decoration, Murrey Kismoose, and the name stuck with me. So I created a character and then wrote a story.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Once I started to write it took me about a month to come up with a complete story. Then re-read it and added some to it.

(Photo courtesy Jim Hammell)

What did you do when you had writer’s block?

I carried a small note pad with me as I was also working as a nurse, and sometimes when an Idea came to me I’d write a note. Later, I would line the notes up and arrange them in a suitable order then write some. Bit by bit the story came to life.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

I was able to work a call out to 3 of my granddaughters in the book. And a special call out to an angel.

What was it like working with your illustrator?

Since she was from Europe we communicated via internet. With time differences it was sometimes difficult. An example was the elf in the story, what she had was a PIXIE elf. I had to have her Google Elvis and Alvin and blend them together. 

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person with you, who would it be and why?

If I were stuck on an Island: it would be with my wife (best friend) and Murrey because he’s a likable, nice moose. 

Outside of writing this book, what are some of your hobbies?

I play pickleball a few times a week, I also like to Workout in the gym, and do some woodworking.

(Photo courtesy Josh Hild via Unsplash)

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

The skilled staff and experience was a plus, since I never even thought about a project like this, it was all new to me.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To follow your heart and let things happen, don’t try to force it.

What do you hope young readers will take from How Murrey Saved Christmas?

Young readers should take from this book A SMILE – and knowing that just because someone is different you, can still be friends. 

Thank you, Jim!

You can purchase How Murrey Saved Christmas at the Dorrance Bookstore. 

Have a children’s holiday tale you’d like to publish? Contact us!

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Name: Mary Franklin

Hometown: Muskogee

Describe your book in ten words or less: The evil was taking souls deep into darkness for eternity.

What made you want to write the book?

My friend Steven who also is a writer encouraged me to write and not stop or give up.        

How long did it take you to write the book?

5 years of going through data. The case packet is 18 inches thick.

How did you become interested in paranormal investigating?

My parents always spoke about ghosts. I decided at a young age to prove them wrong. I  now know they were not far from wrong. I had questions about the afterlife nobody could answer. So I have been searching for years for some sort of answer to my questions. 

How did you decide what paranormal occurrences or anecdotes to include in the book?

It wasn’t easy. I chose parts that showed demonic infestation are dangerous and can effect our daily lives. Tearing at the very heart of our soul.

What was your favorite chapter or part to write and why?

It had to be bishop Kelly. He gave me words of wisdom. He encouraged me to be safe and stand on my faith. He gave his life trying to cleanse the evil from the house.

Besides paranormal investigating, what are your other interests?

 I am a member of ASPCA. I rescue and place animals in safe forever homes. I teach our young native children about their heritage and preserving our traditions.

How did you celebrate publishing your book?

Besides jumping up and down and smiling feeling proud. My husband and I went out and had a very lovely meal.

Any advice for those looking to get into the paranormal investigation?

Always be respectful of those you can’t see or hear. And not everything is paranormal. Look for the rational before the irrational. But most of all have fun and document everything. 

What do you hope readers will take away from The Murder Suicide House?

To be careful in what you do in the paranormal, evil is all around us just waiting to be released. Be careful in what you do in the paranormal and be respectful. If all seems to be terrifying just leave. Don’t play where evil lives.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Everyone was so helpful and helped me every step of my journey. I have learned so much from everyone. I highly recommend Dorrance Publishing to any new writer.

You can purchase The Murder Suicide House at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Do you want to publish your paranormal or true crime book? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Mary Franklin, “The Murder Suicide House” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name:  Forrest R. Lindsey

Book Title: In Country: My Memories of Vietnam and After

Hometown: Sepulveda CA

What made you want to write and publish this book?

I have always remembered everything about my time as a young Marine serving in combat but what sparked me to go ahead and write everything down was when my daughter brought her 6th Grade history book home and I read the description of the Vietnam War in it: “It was an unpopular war and young people all across the country rose up in protest against it.” There was a lot more than that to our war, so for me and all those other young men who served with me and their families, I wrote my story.

How long did it take to write the book?

About two years.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

Keeping the details as accurate as possible – and making it readable to people unfamiliar with military matters.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

I am happy that I was able to portray the humor that was part of our existence in an otherwise dangerous and frightening experience. It’s part of 18-19-20 year olds, all pushed together on some hill, in the same tents, with the same food, bugs, and misery together. We were good kids.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

I am a Mechanical Engineer and I have worked in designing and producing various articles over the years. I am also a late-life Dad and enjoying every moment with my kids.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

Took the family to a restaurant for a fine meal.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

Young guys, like us.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Very straightforward, simple process.

Five favorite books of all time?

1. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, Eugene Sledge – One of the finest first-person memoirs written in WWII
2. Sole Survivor, Ens. George Gay USN – the story of Torpedo Squadron Eight and his survival during the Battle of Midway
3. Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, James D. Hornfischer – a brilliant story of the epic heroism of our sailors taking on the giant Japanese fleet in the Battle of Samar
4. The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
5. Hell in a Very Small Place, the Siege of Dien Bien Phu, Bernard Fall

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a memoir? Get those memories down, now, while they are still fresh! Everyone’s lives are eventful, even if you don’t think so – but generations following you will want to see the world as you saw it and learn from your observations and experiences.

In Country is available to purchase at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Are you a veteran with a memoir you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Forrest R. Lindsey, “In Country: My Memories of Vietnam and After” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We talked to Ms. Parks about her inspiration for writing the book and more!

Name: Malissa Parks

Hometown: Grew up in Carson, CA and now reside in Long Beach, CA.

Book Title: “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44”

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

A keepsake for families that teaches young learners to read.

What made you want to write your book?

I wrote this book because of the relevance of the most historical moment in African American History.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took a year to write this book.

What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

Due to the history that is apparent behind writing this book, I never experienced writer’s block because I definitely was inspired by God. He gave me the wisdom so I knew exactly what I wanted to write about and it came to me naturally!  I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to present it. As an educator, I am very passionate about writing, especially writing about a topic that teaches.   

What was your favorite part to write and why?

My favorite part in Small Trilogy is in the story “I Like Being Brown” when Richard, the character, realizes he could be whatever he wanted to be, just being himself!

If your book includes illustrations, what was it like working with your illustrator? 

It was great working with all three of my illustrators. With my son and my nephew as two of them, it was really a surreal moment!! I really pride all three young men on making each picture come alive in the minds of children.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One friend or family member:

My son because he’s always been my little protector.

-One fictional character:

Character in the book, Richard because of his big imagination!

–One famous person (living or dead):

Maya Angelou because I love her thought process when creating some of her most famous and cultural poems and quotes.

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy skating, swimming, singing and socializing.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

The main characters would be Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Tyler James Williams, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lewis with a splash of Sherri Shepard.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Receiving my Author’s copy of my finished project!

Five favorite books of all time?

“Becoming,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters,” “Beloved,” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To write a good children’s book, you must be a creative writer with a big imagination that kids can relate to!

You can purchase I Like Being Brown now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have an educational children’s book you’d like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Malissa Parks, “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Below, McClelland shares her inspirations for writing the paranormal tale, as well as a dream casting for her characters!

Name: Delphine McClelland

Hometown: Statesville, NC, although I currently live in Charlotte, NC.

Book Title: Dark Obsessions

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Describe your book in ten words or less.

A Dark Tortured Love Story looking at love and hate.

How did you get the idea for Dark Obsessions?

The idea to write Dark Obsessions came to me from my co-worker John who is known for his role as the other brother Darryl on Newhart. He enjoyed the way in which I would retell him the stories of the various books that I was reading. Just by hearing my “stories” he saw a writer in me and pushed me everyday to write a book. I fought him and the idea to write this book for as long as I could until one day an idea for a different vampire story came to me through a dream that I had.

How long did it take to write the book?

It took me about three and a half to four years to write Dark Obsessions. Once the idea came to me it was all that I could do every second of the day until I was happy with the overall story and finally felt like it ended in the right place.

How did you name your characters?

All the names for the characters came to me randomly. I wanted something different and that I did not see in other books that I have read. All the characters names had to fit into the idea of who they were or to fit into there family story. For example the main female characters name is Skylar Montgomery. Her first name has a meaning that will play apart in her story and her last name fits into her family being an important and wealthy family in Charlotte.

What do you do when you have writers’ block?

When I have writers block I shut off my computer and watch tv, read one of the many books I have on my kindle or just hang out with my family to allow my mind to rest and recover. For me it helps my creative process when I allow my mind to focus on something else and then before I know it I have so many new ideas for that particular chapter or for the overall story. Chapters that I may have finished may even get changed to better enhance the new direction in which I am taking the story.

What was your favorite chapter to write?

My favorite chapter to write was Chapter 11 Drawn to Each Other. This is the chapter where the main characters Kairo and Skylar finally lay eyes on one another. Throughout the book they feel each others energy even though they do not know what it is or what is happening to them. Chapter 11 is the turning point in the book. It marks the point in which both their lives are changed forever.

If you had to be stuck on an island with one of the following people, who would you choose?

-A character from your book:

If I was stuck on an island the character from my book that would be with me would be Kairo. He was created with the type of guy that I like in mind so if I were to be stuck on an island I would want him because no matter what was thrown at us I know that I would always be safe and taken care of and I am sure the fact that he is a vampire would be a plus.

-Another fictional character:

A fictional character other than Kairo from my own book I would have to chose Daenerys Targaryen from A Song of Ice and Fire. With her and her dragons we would not be stuck for long and I think that she would be an all around interesting person to talk to and get to know.

-A celebrity, living or dead?

My famous person pick would have to be Bruno Mars. I am huge fan and have been since I stumbled onto the song Billionaire by Travie McCoy. I loved the song and Bruno’s verse and was hooked. With Bruno I would never be bored while stuck on the island as it is important to have great company and entertainment.

Besides writing, what are your hobbies?

Besides writing I am an avid reader. I love to read and can and will read an entire book in one day. I also love to hang out with my friends and family. They are very important to me. I love watching sports, I am huge Dallas Cowboys fan as well as a Tennessee Volunteer fan. I also love watching my nephew play baseball on his travel team the Carolina Bulls.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

Still to this day I have not done any big celebrating of publishing my book. I still find it hard to believe that I did it and that people are actually liking my book. When I got my first author copy I did have dinner and drinks and celebrated a little with my best friend Becka who inspired the character of Angelina in the story.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play your characters?

If my book was made into a movie I would want Crystal Renee Hayslett to play Skylar. I love her as Fatima on Sisters and think that she embodies the fight and strength that Skylar has. The character of Kairo was created with Jason Momoa in mind so it I would love for him to take on the role of Kairo.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance?

What I enjoyed most about working with Dorrance Publishing was having someone to lean on when things went wrong. My publishing journey was not always an easy journey as I ran into issues and problems from the start. What I loved about Dorrance was that every issue was taken seriously and handled. If all of these problems had of happened and I was the one to have to deal with them and fix them I am not sure if Dark Obsessions would have even happened. Despite the rocky road they produced an amazing product that I am extremely happy with and I would be more than happy to work with them again.

Do you have any book recommendations for your readers?

Deadly Declaration by Landis Wade for the mystery lover, For the paranormal crowd Unchained Desire by R C Alvarez, the Wicked series by Jennifer Armentrout, Everything my Elisa S Amore and the Raven Series by J L Weil.

What advice do you have for someone looking to publish their own book?

Follow your dreams and passion no matter what others stay, think or do, including that small voice of doubt that you may have.

Thank you, Delphine!

You can purchase Dark Obsessions at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Delphine has also been nominated for a Queen City Award for Author of the Year! You can vote for her here until September 24th!

Inspired to publish your paranormal romance novel? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Delphine McClelland, “Dark Obsessions” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

One such book is Appalachia Campfire Cooking: Good Campfire Meals Make a Happy Camper by Johnnie Lacy. This book features advice for cooking when you’re camping, and other tips for campers. We spoke to the author Johnnie Lacy about the book.

Describe your book in a sentence.

This book will be a great source of guidance for all camp lovers  out there, from helping you pick out the perfect camping spot to  providing a plethora of delicious and easy recipes.

What made you want to write the book?

Taking a break from the humdrum of everyday life is something that all of us deserve. 

How did you decide which recipes to include?

Recipes I use the most when camping.

What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?

My camping Experience, because it gives the reader a look at how I did it.

How long has camping been a part of your life?

Over 50 years.

Outside of camping (and writing this book), what are your other interests?

Auto racing and horse back riding.

What are some of your favorite books?

DW by Darrell Waltrip

More Mountain Spirits by Joseph Earl Dabney

How to Shit in the Woods by Kathleen Meyer

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

Book signing at the Acworth, GA Bookstore.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Dorrance is a Professional Book Publisher.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write their own book?

Just go ahead and do it now.

Thank you, Jonnie!

Appalachia Campfire Cooking: Good Campfire Meals Make a Happy Camper and other books about the GREAT OUTDOORS are available at the Dorrance Bookstore for 25% off with the code HAPPYTRAILS at checkout!

Have a recipe or GREAT OUTDOORS book you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Learn how to cook on camping trips with Johnnie Lacy! appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We spoke to Katherine about bringing this special book to life.

What made you want to write and publish this book?

Artemis John Korkidis after the loss of his beloved wife, Sophie, chose in his later years to write stories about his life and his experiences as a gift to his daughters and his grandchildren.

Written originally in Greek he asked his daughter, Dr. Katherine E.A, Korkidis, a writer, to do a translation of his writings so that all his grandchildren and their grandchildren could read it someday.

Katherine translated and combined two of her father’s four manuscripts, as well as added new content to create The AJK Anthology.

How long did it take to write the book?

It took Artemis 6 months to write his first two manuscripts. It took Katherine four months to completely translate and add content to her dad’s writings.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

The most difficult part was securing the original photos in a higher resolution of the first executions during the German occupation.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite story to translate and for my father to write was part 4: The Battle of Crete. He had written this story when we were very young children. Having lived through this difficult time for his homeland he wanted us to one day understand the bravery of people that fought for freedom. When I found this story amongst his manuscripts I had to add it to the Anthology. It was written from the memories of a young man.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

My father was a philosopher and an intellectual, a loving husband and father. He loved to learn and read, particularly politics, and was always there to help all who knew him.

He loved to write, paint, spent time with his family, and inspire others. He was an avid painter and had created over 500 paintings of nature. He loved the natural world, the sea in particular. His first love was the sea. I am proud to be his daughter and give an audience to his many works. His legacy to all of us was his love of others, his thirst for education, and most of all his love for our natural world.

Katherine E. A. Korkidis is a PhD physicist and loves writing, teaching, and astrophysics. I am a classical pianist and love to sing and lector.

I love the natural world as did my father, particularly the sea. It serves as an inspiration for my writings. I am a writer of short fictional stories of various genres from science fiction to mystery and have also published my first novel four months ago called Josette, my second novel, Daniel, is being currently printed, and I am writing the third novel, Josette and Daniel, of this trilogy.

I have also written my own Anthology of my short stories to be published soon. I also like to write blogs for My Author’s Corner on My website is https://katherinekorkidisauthor.com/ and posts on my author’s FB page ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079099482023). I have written websites and do freelance work as a graphics designer.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

With my father now gone it was not a celebration but rather a realization of a promise delivered. I was proud of his works and my only regret was that I did not finish his book before his death.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

My father was a gentle man with much intelligence and understanding.

My favorite actor is Tom Hanks, particularly of his performance in “News of the World”.

In addition he loves the Greek Islands and with his wife who is of Greek descent, Rita Wilson, he is immersed in Greek Culture and history.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

From the first step working with my sales consultant, updates from [company president] David Zeolla to inform me on the next step, and the experience of working with an excellent production and promotion team. The entire process was easy and very professional. I would have to say I enjoyed the editing process the most.

Five favorite books of all time?

My dad loved the philosophical works of Plato, Socrates and the tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides and of course the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.

I love the works of Dickens, particularly A Tale of Two Cities, The Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield.

My favorite five works are Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Dubliners by James Joyce, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. I have many other classical writers of British and Russian literature that I admire and enjoy reading.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to preserve a family members’ writing through a book like The AJK Anthology?

Keep all photos and writings such as journals from members of your family, both young and old. Preserve them if you can. Take the time to piece together all in a written work. 

I would highly recommend to piece together through writings and photos into a timeline and record of your family’s history. Giving the gift of a family history is priceless for future generations.

Thank you, Dr. Korkidis!

You can purchase The AJK Anthology at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have a family history book you would like to publish? Contact us!

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Name: Joy Winkie Viola

Hometown: Wayland, Massachusetts

Book Title: From Schnitzel to Nockerln And Everything That Happened In Between

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Travel adventures, often humorous, about nature on all seven continents.

What made you want to write your book?

Before my husband died of COVID, I had been reading my old travel diaries to him. I realized there were many good stories within them that I thought others would enjoy.

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Edit! I can always edit existing copy when the muse isn’t with me!

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

Face to Face with a Polar Bear –  because it was such an unusual experience living in the tundra buggies, dealing with difficult weather conditions and being with the great bears. I really wanted to share that multi-faceted adventure.

If you were stuck on an island had to choose who to be with of the following, who would you choose?

-One friend or family member: Shane Dore, my great nephew. He’s an Eagle Scout!

-One fictional character: Shadow, he Golden retriever in the movie Homeward Bound

-One famous person: Betty White

Besides Writing, what are your other interests? Travel, birding, gardening, Golden Retriever Rescue, reading mysteries and spy novels.

Do you keep a journal?

Always when traveling – those journals were the basis for my book.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I had a great book launch at our local country club with hors d’oeuvres and a string trio from our local symphony playing classical music. 90 people attended.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the characters?

That’s a tough question because the book spans so many decades of our lives.  Maybe Jessica Chastain could play me and Channing Tatum my husband. They are both in their 40’s so that’s midstream – not that this would ever happen!

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? The editing process as I had so many unusual terms, names of bird species etc. for which we had to develop style that wasn’t in the Chicago Manual.

What are your 5 favorite books?

1) The Unlikely Spy (because it was Daniel Silva’s first book – and he’s now one of my favorites

2) All Creatures Great and Small (Because I love animals)

3) Cry of the Kalahari ( Because it was a wonderful story about African wildlife)

4) The Last Train to London (because it parallel’s my husband’s childhood experience in World War 11)

5) The Little Engine That Could (childhood book, but inspiring theme)

One sentence of advice for other writers:

Be consistent. Once you decide to write a book, stay with it daily.

Thank you, Joy!

Do you have a memoir you are itching to publish? Contact us!

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We enlisted the help of Amanda, a Dorrance Writing Coach, to get to know the program and it’s services a little better.

How long have you been a Dorrance Writing Coach?

I’ve been a writing coach for a year. 

What does a Writing Coach do?

A writing coach helps the author strengthen their work by providing advice and feedback on their manuscripts or a working idea that the author is looking to expand on and needs help with any ideas they have for the direction of their story, whether it’s nonfiction or fiction. 

How does the Dorrance Writing Coach process work? From beginning to end, what can a writer who enlists your services expect?  

The writing coach process is hands on and tailored to what the author needs help regarding their story. It starts with an extensive consultation via email or by phone where I ask them about their background, why they have decided to write their story and what kind of feedback they’re looking for. I usually work on completed manuscripts and provide my feedback using Track Changes on Microsoft Word or an Editorial Letter, depending on the author’s preference. 

Sometimes, the author might need help with an existing idea and I’ll help them with an outline or my professional opinion on potential ideas they might have on their story. It’s important that the author feels comfortable and the time is used so it suits them best. Sometimes, an email consultation is enough and other times they prefer to have an extensive phone conversation about what they need and respond to my feedback or it’s a mix of both. Regardless, the author lets me know what they need and we work together so that they can improve their story and make it the best it can be. 

What has been your most memorable experience as a Writing Coach?

It’s always incredibly rewarding to help writers with their stories! I once helped a high school principal on his memoir that he wrote for his young students so that they could learn from the adversity that he faced when he was their age and how he improved his life by studying and working hard. His memoir was inspirational and very funny! It was great helping him knowing his students and other readers would find his memoir helpful and inspiring. 

What are your biggest pieces of advice for writers?

My biggest piece of advice is to keep a writing schedule! The authors I work with are very talented but busy people and they have a hard time balancing their work, family, and writing. I would advise to take out 30 minutes or an hour a few days out of the week to only sit down and write since that discipline will make it easier to write consistently. 

If you would like to enlist the help of a Dorrance Writing Coach, contact us!

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