Book Tour + #Giveaway: Tree Trek by Stephanie Mirocha @RABTBookTours

A Daughter's Walk Through Grief

Nature, Botany of Trees, Healing Through Nature, Grief Journey

Date Published: 05-23-2025

Publisher: Holy Cow! Press

These intimate portraits of trees are a balm that heals grief.

In this memoir, Stephanie Mirocha weaves a blend of botany, philosophy, personal reflections, and healing through nature from grief after the loss of her father. Trees provide the backdrop of friendly support she clings to as she revives her father's educational Tree Trek. She "speaks for the trees," bringing enthusiasm to the treks she leads. Each chapter focuses on the science of a different tree, connecting the reader with the beauty of nature, and the vitality that comes from listening to the guiding wisdom of one's inner voice.

Interview with Stephanie Mirocha

Author of CAIN’S Tree Trek 

Do you have a routine or something you do to get you in the mood to write?

Having a regular time set aside for writing can be very helpful. Currently, my method is to wait for the creative ideas to come; then I stop what I’m doing and go with the flow, taking that time to write them down. That works quite well for me.

Do you have a special song, drink, or food you enjoy while you are writing?

Maybe a cup of hot water, which is something I like.

How do you know what to write?

My ideas that I mentioned just now that I write about arise and feel right as something to be part of a literary work. Even if I don’t know how or why they fit in, I know they will do so at some point, if not now then later. I trust in my creative intuition. Some things remain unfinished and I think this is just the way it is in creative writing.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I don’t exactly have a typical writing day.

Do you do anything special to celebrate after writing “the end”?

When I finished my memoir, Tree Trek, I knew that the last line I wrote was THE last line and was thus filled with exhilaration! It felt like the right place to stop. In a way, it’s a sort of celebration int itself to physically get up from the desk and simply leave the work area, feeling that shift in perspective, knowing you will now be approaching the work from the point of view of a finished manuscript draft.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Every book is different. It took 2 months of nonstop, inspired writing for Tree Trek, and 2 years after that to reach the bookstores. Other writings arrive and evolve at their own pace, depending on the work.

What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Making sure it flows well and makes sense in that flow to the reader. The book is for the reader that I’m speaking to. That is the point. I want to make sure the structure, place, time and flow of events is clear and understandable. This isn’t always easy. Sometimes an author must take the time to go back and rewrite a scene or change the order of things for clarity.

About the Author

Stephanie Mirocha is a visual artist, author, Minnesota master naturalist and science communicator who grew up climbing trees and exploring the city park across from her childhood home. Her creative art expression not only takes form in her passion for writing but also translates into her career as a fine art painter. Besides creating the art for this book, she has illustrated four children’s picture books connecting children to nature. Frog in the House won the 2016 Giverny Award for a science picture book in English, and My Little Book of Bald Eagles won 1st place, Juvenile Nonfiction, in the 2010 Next Gen Indie Book Awards. She and her scientist father shared a poetic heart and a love for nature, each informing and supporting the other throughout their close relationship. Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Philosophy, Stephanie followed her free spirit and embraced the unconventional life of an artist after moving to Aitkin, a small town in north central Minnesota. This is her first written book. Her art business website is https://stephaniemirocha.com/.

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Book Tour: The Grace of God by Tom Banwart @RABTBookTours

True Stories of Faith and Hope

Religion Christian Nonfiction

Date Published: August 11, 2026

Publisher: Clay Bridges Press Publishing

 

The power of prayer is undeniable. The Grace of God repeatedly illustrates how God equipped us to carry His message of love during one of our nation’s darkest times.

Fear had taken root in our hearts. Our ages and health conditions felt like real disadvantages. We found comfort in Christian music, so we shared it with our neighbors. Notecards to healthcare workers and elderly shut-ins were warmly received, so we continued writing them and encouraged others to do the same. Physical nourishment was needed as well, and God provided a way for us to help there too. We prayed over every idea, and in return, God blessed us with inspiration.

We learned that love is an action.

We learned that anyone can be the hands and feet of our Lord.

We witnessed evidence of God’s presence again and again.

 

Our hope is that these stories encourage you to persistently seek God through prayer. His grace is unending.

Interview with Tom Banwart

Author of The Grace of God 

Do you have a routine or something you do to get you in the mood to write?

I do not write on a regular basis. This book was entirely inspired by my reflections of service, my observations & conversations and the undeniable power of God through the Covid 19 pandemic.

Do you have a special song, drink, or food you enjoy while you are writing?

Sometimes I listen to Christian music but often sit in the quietness of the day/evening/night. I enjoy drinking Squirt.

How do you know what to write?

I never planned to write a book. I was writing as an outlet for my fears, frustrations and confusion. Although my writings were intentional, more often than not they were penned when I was most overwhelmed with what was going on.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I do not have a typical writing day. I write when I feel moved.

Do you do anything special to celebrate after writing “the end”?

Writing “The End” was far from the end of this process. This was my first experience writing a book and submitting it for publication. For me, the day my actual book arrived at my home was “The End.” I opened the box, reached inside and cried as I lifted the finished product out. Tears of relief and joy were the celebration for my wife and I.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Again, this is my first book. It stretched over a three year period from the decision to compile my writings to the final draft.

What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

The most difficult part of writing this book was the reading, re-reading and re-living all of our experiences. It was a highly emotionally charged time and walking through those repeatedly as I recalled faces and situations was very draining. God was there every step of the way but that did not and does not make it easy.

About the Author

Tom Banwart spent most of his life in northern Illinois and graduated summa cum laude from Trinity International University. A promising corporate career was cut short when chronic health issues led him into permanent long-term disability, reshaping both his priorities and his path.

Blessed with creative talents, Tom turned a simple woodburning hobby into a small business and embraced the role of “Mr. Mom” to his three sons, finding purpose and joy in the rhythms of family life.

Though he often sensed a calling to do God’s work, Tom pushed it aside for many years. That changed in 2020. As the pandemic altered daily life and stirred deep questions of faith, he found himself in honest, raw conversations with Christ—dialogues that became a spiritual lifeline. Those reflections and personal experiences evolved into writing, eventually forming the foundation of his first book.

Today, Tom continues to use his creativity and vulnerability to encourage others, sharing stories that point to God’s presence in every season, especially the difficult ones.

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Book Tour: Hello Peace by Beth McCall @RABTBookTours

Finding Freedom from Body Image Struggles Through Faith, Motherhood, and Surrender

 

Religion / Christian Living

Date Published: July 28, 2026

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing

 

Hello Peace is a faith-filled journey for women navigating body image struggles, identity, and the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy and motherhood. Through a raw and honest personal story, this book invites readers to move from fear, comparison, and control into surrender, renewal, and lasting peace in Christ.

Blending Scripture, reflection, and practical journaling prompts, it equips women to break free from shame, rediscover their worth, and anchor their identity in God—not in appearance or performance.

For any woman who has ever felt at war with her body, this book offers hope, healing, and a reminder that God is not calling her back to who she was—but forward into who she is becoming.

 

Interview with Beth McCall

Author of Hello Peace 

Do you have a routine or something you do to get you in the mood to write?

My best writing moments happen when I can quiet my mind and let life slow down a little. I typically put my phone on Do Not Disturb so I'm not distracted by outside noise, and I almost always start with quiet prayer and Scripture reading. If I have the opportunity to begin writing early in the morning, before the house gets noisy, that tends to set the tone for the entire day. Even if my writing happens in pieces or gets interrupted later, starting the day in that quiet space helps my mind feel clearer and the words come much more naturally.

Do you have a special song, drink, or food you enjoy while you are writing?

There is almost always coffee and water next to me when I'm writing! I also love having worship music playing in the background. Over the years, I have created an entire Purposeful Fueling playlist filled with songs that connect deeply to my "why" and different seasons of my life. Many of those songs inspired pieces of Hello Peace or remind me of what God was teaching me during the seasons I was writing it, so that playlist has become a pretty meaningful part of my writing process.

How do you know what to write?

I start by writing whatever is on my heart. I don't worry too much at first about whether it will actually make it into the final manuscript, I just write. Hello Peace began as a journal entry and slowly became something more, and honestly, that is how most of my ideas begin. Whether it's a book, a program I'm developing, something I want to share publicly, or even an activity I want to use with the athletes I work with, I usually start very informally with whatever is on my mind and heart. I think some of my best ideas have come when I stop trying to make something polished from the beginning and simply give myself permission to get the words out first. The structure and refinement can come later.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

This definitely depends on the season of life I'm in, especially now with two young children! In an ideal world, my day starts with quiet time in the Word and a cup of coffee. I'll read, pray, journal, and then move into writing while the house is still quiet. From there, the day is usually broken up by kids, family life, and my work as a dietitian and business owner. I also try to make time to care for my own body through running, movement, or some type of workout.

I've learned that I actually write better when I'm not trying to force writing into every available moment. When I am taking care of the different parts of my life that matter to me—my faith, my family, my work, and my own well-being—I tend to have more clarity and creativity when I do sit down to write.

Do you do anything special to celebrate after writing “the end”?

For Hello Peace</>, my husband and I went out for a nice dinner to celebrate finishing the manuscript and the full-circle moment it represented. I started writing this book while pregnant with our first child and finished it while pregnant with our second. There was something incredibly special about realizing that the story had traveled through that entire season of our family's life with me. It felt like such a beautiful God moment, and one that was absolutely worth celebrating!

How long does it take you to write a book?

Because writing isn't my full-time job, I think the answer will probably be different for every book. Hello Peace developed over the course of several years, while another book I'm working on has already taken shape much more quickly over the course of a few months. I also don't want to force every book into a strict timeline. I want to give each story the time and space it needs to become what it is supposed to be. Of course, deadlines can be helpful, and sometimes necessary, but I never want to rush something simply for the sake of getting it out the door. I would rather take the time to make sure I have said what I truly feel called to say and serve the reader well in the process.

What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

For me, one of the most difficult parts is actually getting to "the end" and knowing when the book is truly complete. The topics I tend to write about could probably go on forever! There is always another story, another lesson, or another thought that could be included, so at some point you have to decide what belongs in this book and what might be meant for something else.

What helps me most is creating an outline early in the process. I definitely leave room for flexibility. If another chapter or idea keeps coming back to my heart, I pay attention to that. But having an outline gives me something to return to. It helps me remember the story I originally set out to tell and recognize when I've actually finished telling it.

About the Author

 

 Beth McCall is a registered dietitian, sports nutrition specialist, and founder of Purposeful Fueling, where she helps individuals fuel their body, mind, and life with purpose. With over a decade of experience working with high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, Beth is passionate about supporting both performance and whole-person wellness.

A devoted follower of Christ, her work is deeply shaped by her personal journey of healing from an eating disorder and finding freedom through God’s truth. Hello Peace is her debut book, inspired by her experiences in pregnancy and motherhood and her desire to help women anchor their identity in Christ.

Beth lives with her husband, son, and daughter, and enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her family.

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Book Tour + #Giveaway: Crows Calling by Bruce McConnell @RABTBookTours

An Inspiring Journey into our Better Natures

Literary/Eco-Fiction

Date Published: 10-01-2025

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press

Earth’s animals are fed up with humanity’s mindless damage to our common home. Will a young girl and her family heed their call

Ten-year-old Luz sets out on an overnight camping trip, accompanied by her spiritual mentor. Peering through a canopy of California redwoods, Luz witnesses a council of animals confronting the menace of climate change. Led by a lustrous—and talkative—American Crow named Koro, the animals weigh their options. Some, like Koro, want to collaborate with humans. Others doubt humanity’s good intentions. The conversation compels young Luz, innately in tune with the natural world, to fight passionately in its defense.

At once a work of fact-based activism and a moving coming-of-age, Crows Calling immerses the reader in a richly-drawn family and community who, despite their differences, decide to dedicate their lives to the care of Grandmother Earth. They are not alone. Rather, they are accompanied by a colorful cast of savvy planimals—bears, coyotes, trees, and even chickens—with long memories and ancient ways of healing. However, some damage cannot be undone. Natural disasters, public apathy, and greed threaten everything that Luz and her friends are working for. Can the cross-species alliance find unity and resolve the climate crisis?

Interview with Bruce McConnell

Author of Crows Calling 

Could you tell us about any research trips you took for this story? Which places did you visit, and what made them essential to your writing?

I visited the parts of North Dakota where the Nueta (Mandan) Indians live and where the character Makah, the mother of the heroine Luz, grew up. Luz’s Native American roots are essential to her ability to understand and communicate with the “planimals,” including crows, who are calling for humans to wake up about climate change before it is too late.

Other visits include considerable time in and around Monterey, California, to ensure that the story’s settings were as accurate as possible. The scene at the American Indian Museum in Washington DC is based on a visit there, as well.

What's the strangest thing you've ever had to research online for your book?

One really fun research topic was animal consciousness—how do animals (and plants, for that matter) think and feel. One article was called “What’s it like to be a bat?”

What research (history, mythology, science) goes into your world-building?

Histories:

• Indigenous peoples and their lives before and after European settlers in America
• Wildlife loss from human activity over the centuries
• Political history of responses to climate change
• The origin of all chickens—from Southeast Asia thousands of years ago
• Japanese internment in California

Mythologies: Native American (especially animal stories), Greek (gods, animals, and mortals), and Buddhism (nature of the soul and consciousness).

Science: Mostly climate-related science, but also excursions into DNA tracing, industrial air conditioning, pregnancy and miscarriage, and earthquakes.

Have any of the people you've known, past or present, left a lasting impression on your writing journey? If so, we'd love to hear about a memorable experience that stands out to you.

Wendell Berry, who just recently died, has been a beacon of light for me since I met him in college. His love of the earth, his fine poetic craft, and his inherent gentleness and humility made a mark on me early on that strongly influenced the way I think and write about nature and peoples’ role as partners, not owners. A couple of years ago, I wrote a letter to him thanking him for his life example, and I received a beautiful handwritten reply which I will always cherish.

Do you write in the same genre all the time?

I write novels, poetry, and a variety of professional, non-fiction short pieces in international security and cybersecurity.

If so, have you ever consider writing in another one?

See above!

Which character, supernatural or human, do you enjoy writing the most and why?

I have two favorite human characters—Luz, who goes from ten to fifteen years old in the book, deals with a lot of challenges growing up in a scary world; and Jack Clemens, the selfish venture capitalist, learns some things about himself and makes me feel hopeful about the future. Of course, when it comes to animal characters, I love Koro, the crow narrator. I love how she takes her mission, but not herself, so seriously.

About the Author

Bruce McConnell is an agile and accomplished shapeshifter, having flourished as a poet, roofer, artist-blacksmith, mechanical engineer, tenor, business consultant, national security official, non-profit executive, and peacemaker. A collection of his poems, Living from Here, was published by Anvil Press (US). He recently moved to Ashland Oregon to feel closer to his relatives in the natural world. Crows Calling is his first novel. He is working on a second novel set in Southern Oregon.

A leading player on global peace and security issues at the intersection of governments, business and civil society for over thirty years, McConnell is the former President and CEO of the EastWest Institute. He serves on the board of The Stimson Center, in support of peace, security, justice, and prosperity for all living beings.

From 2009 to 2013, McConnell served in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he was Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity. He was a member of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team. From 2000-2008, he created, built and sold two consultancies that provided strategic advice to clients in the technology, business and government sectors. In 1999-2000, McConnell led the International Y2K Cooperation Center, which was sponsored by the United Nations and the World Bank.

McConnell holds a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School for Public Policy at the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Sciences from Stanford University. He serves as a business advisor to various technology companies.

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Book Tour + #Giveaway: Codex of the Cosmari by Christian Clark @RABTBookTours

Volume 1: From the Depths of the Stars

Queer adult sci-fi

Publisher: Self published

On the distant world of Shoar, the galactic corporation, X-TRACT Unlimited, has discovered a powerful resource; compressed hemoplasma, that has revolutionized everything from space flight to medicine. Yet, it seems anything but for the native population of Shoar, as X-TRACT has conquered the world for over a century and has driven the world into a state of environmental ruin with a rapidly collapsing population

Jordan Blue, a mechanic struggling to survive from day to day, barely survives a potentially fatal accident, rescued by the enigmatic Cosmari space mermaid, Kuvett. Secretive and clandestine, the Cosmari desire to reclaim Shoar, one way or another.

While Jordan attempts to process their chance meeting, Kuvett sees the mysteries of the closed off Meritopolis, a massive and towering symbol of X-TRACT’s control over the planet, unaware of the tensions brewing underneath the surface between the Citizens of Meritopolis and the populace of the decrepit Outskirts, where the remaining population of Shoar live.

Interview with C.D. Clark

Author of Codex of the Cosmari 

Could you tell us about any research trips you took for this story?

-It mostly took place reading about the fears and realities of corporate overreach starting from the origins of the cyberpunk genre and the guilded age to involvement with workers’ unions and resistance against corporate totalitarianism.

Which places did you visit, and what made them essential to your writing?

-Nowhere, sadly. Don’t got much time or money to travel these days.

What's the strangest thing you've ever had to research online for your book?

-Stories from union workers while they organized under the threats of intimidation, harassment, and violence from corporate backed thugs to gain the rights we have today. It’s not strange, but I found it of great interest.

What research (history, mythology, science) goes into your world-building?

-A mixture of all of them, since I have the leeway to present the more fantastical elements as part of each subject that is currently outside of our understanding, but hopefully looked at with a lens of curiosity, critical thinking, and fun. Giving just enough story for the readers to fill in the blank spots themselves.

Have any of the people you've known, past or present, left a lasting impression on your writing journey? If so, we'd love to hear about a memorable experience that stands out to you.

-Yes. I have a friend that I have known for ten years that I met when we used to work at the same place. And even though we both left there and different times, we always kept in touch and our friendship is still going to this day. They’ve been supportive and have been always willing to ask me questions that make me reconsider a stance that I had not considered before.

Do you write in the same genre all the time?

-Yes. Science fantasy is fun.

If so, have you ever consider writing in another one?

-Yes. Though, if I ever do, it’ll most likely be standalone since I only have so much headspace to work with at one time.

Which character, supernatural or human, do you enjoy writing the most and why?

-I have an antagonist that is not really evil, just an antagonist with goals of their own. It’s a lot of fun to write them in parallel to my protagonists and make me reconsider how to make my protagonists as fun to write as they are. Whether it’s used to contrast or just with their own plot line, it gives me a lot of flexibility to see what works where and how.

About the Author

C.D. Clark, when not perpetually stuck in mentally rewriting earlier works, takes care of his cat, Ninja as they both struggle just to make it.

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Book Tour + #Giveaway: Reclaim by Heather Henderson @RABTBookTours

How to Stop Scrolling Through Your Life and Start Living It

Personal Development / Digital Well-Being (Narrative Nonfiction)

Date Published: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Publisher: Fernlight Books

 You’re not broken. You’re overstimulated.

They sat on the beach with their backs to the ocean, faces in their phones, watching clips of someone else’s vacation. As Heather Henderson stood a few feet away, ready to capture the perfect Cabo moment, she realized we were promised more: more connection, more freedom, more possibility — not a life spent refreshing feeds.

Handed devices before we were taught how to live with them, most of us inherited this algorithmic world. We learned to let notifications and endless recommendations choose for us in small, quiet ways, until the choices no longer felt like choices at all, and we found ourselves scrolling through life instead of living it.

The problem goes beyond casual screen time. It is unconscious time — the moments we surrender without realizing the cost.

Drawing from her years inside major tech companies, including Google and Uber, Heather Henderson invites readers to ask:

Did I choose this, or was it chosen for me?

If you feel wired but tired, connected but lonely, or busy but empty, this book is an honest look at how we lost presence — and a guide to reclaim it.

 

Excerpt:

These days, our lives feel more like a game of mental Tetris, one that can never be won. Clear one email, three pop up. No matter how hard we try, the notifications keep stacking.

Right now, I have 33 tabs open on my laptop. Thirty-three. And that's not a metaphor, it's my actual browser. But it might as well be my brain.

Our minds jump from thought to thought, mentally everywhere and yet emotionally nowhere. We're so sucked into our phones that we can't remember the last time we looked up. Let alone what we just scrolled past. Perhaps you're like me; I tried turning off notifications, but I ended up checking my phone more often. A feeling reminiscent of the yo-yo diet culture of the early 2000s, where Special K was sold as the "answer" but only left us hungrier. This isn't distraction, it's deeper. We're fragmented, overstimulated, and always somewhere else.

It's what I call open-tab mind. The mental default of the digital age. But it isn't just a metaphor. It's how technology is impacting our brains and everyday lives. This became impossible to ignore when I learned how the people who built these systems live with them.

Jack Dorsey — the co-founder of Twitter, a platform designed around constant updates and real-time attention — now practices some of the most extreme digital boundaries I've ever heard of.

When I first heard this, I had two immediate reactions: That's insane. And — of course. That makes total sense. Because why would someone need monk-level discipline unless they'd built something so compelling it required monk-level discipline to resist? That isn't hypocrisy. It's evidence.

At the airport, you refresh your gate info, check texts, and scroll on repeat. You were supposed to journal, but you got distracted by the buzz of a notification. Instead, I got lost in the scroll, only half hearing my boarding call. Twenty minutes later, I still hadn't pulled out my notebook, and my phone hadn't left my palm.

Here's the thing: it wasn't just me. And it isn't just airports. Digital distraction has seeped into every aspect of our lives. It’s in classrooms, boardrooms, even the conference rooms of the most innovative companies in the world.

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Book Tour: The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow by John Bliss @RABTBookTours

Essays on Meaning

Philosophy/Spirituality

Date Published: 10-01-2025

Publisher: Sketpika Press

Something’s missing in the world today, and maybe it’s been gone for centuries. The problem: most of us don’t have authentic beliefs or a clear path in life.

What do we believe? Whatever they told us to believe.

What do we do? Whatever other people are doing.

How many lies have we welcomed into our lives without having seriously analyzed them?

It’s the reason many of us feel empty inside—there’s nothing there but convenient mistruths, and at some level, we all know it. We then orient our lives based on these false beliefs, wasting our precious limited time among the living striving for goals that leave us ultimately unsatisfied.

The False Paradigms of Today and The Timeless Truth of Tomorrow by John Bliss takes a steak knife to these common delusions with 13 irreverent essays that rip and tear at the foundations of our collective worldview. Little is held sacred to Bliss.

The essays in Part 1: Your Understanding of Reality is More Fabricated Than You Think dispel our delusions one at a time, including:

• our mistaken belief in progress,
• our misplaced confidence in our own rational prowess,
• our loss of personal identity from group identification,
• our misplaced faith in science as a true representation of the world, and
• our morality: what it is and where exactly it comes from.

 

After carving away these restrictive untruths, Part 2: An Exploration of Truth Across Historical, Mystical, and Philosophical Dimensions introduces a deeper understanding of humanity based on history, mysticism, psychology and philosophy. Some of the topics in Part 2 include:

• how our religions became second-rate pathways to God,
• our reliance on logic and how it warps our decision-making,
• how idealism can lead to mass murder and tyranny,
• the overriding importance of history, where we’ve been, where we are going and why,
• our immaterial connection to all people living and dead—Jung’s collective unconscious, Emerson’s Over-Soul, and Varro’s Soul of the World, and finally
• the bedrock assumption that we all got wrong. Switch this out, and everything changes.

The essays are filled with stories from history, including meetings of the apostles Paul and Peter with the Emperor Nero and Simon Magus the magician, the mystical transformation of Emmanuel Swedenborg, the nineteenth century German intellectual revolution, the establishment of three French religions worshipping not God but Reason and Humanity, the abdication of the World Teacher, and the genocide of the Tibetan culture.

The book is ideal for seekers of deeper meaning, arm-chair philosophers and historians, and those disillusioned with the emptiness of contemporary thought. Discover why your view of reality may be distorted—and how by changing the one assumption on which your entire world-view is based, everything shifts.

 

Interview with John Bliss

Author of The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow 

Do you have a routine or something you do to get you in the mood to write?

I like to write in the afternoons after I get my work done. I wrote on weekends too. There was always something to do. Either write new stuff, or do research, or edit. Depending on my mood, I chose one.

Do you have a special song, drink, or food you enjoy while you are writing?

No

How do you know what to write?

I feel like it was my calling to write this book. When I listen to it on audible, I am amazed that I wrote it. I don’t think I could do it again.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I like to write in the afternoons after I get my work done. I wrote on weekends too. There was always something to do. Either write new stuff, or do research, or edit. Depending on my mood, I chose one.

I could only write for 1 to 1.5 hours a day. Then I would get mentally exhausted and have to stop.

Several times I stopped entirely for months at a time.

It is hard to continue when you have voices asking “Who are you to write a book?” “Why would anyone want to read what you wrote?”

Do you do anything special to celebrate after writing “the end”?

No. I didn’t. I instead immediately thought about how to get people to read the book. Writing is the easy part. Marketing, if you are indy, is uncharted territory, and we are all trailblazers of a sort. Marketing it is the hard part.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I have only written one. It took 12 years of writing and 1 of editing. It contains everything I know.

What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Overcoming the voices telling you that you are nobody, and that nobody would dare like what you wrote.

About the Author

John Bliss is a writer and thinker fixated on unraveling the mystery of our lives. He is at heart a skeptic, as very few authorities have provided answers that are believable. He distrusts groups of all kinds, as they are no smarter than individuals, who don't know half as much as they think they do. He even distrusts himself, as no human can understand reality.

Some of his major accomplishments include being kicked out of the National Honor Society and the CEO Round Table. He graduated with a bachelor's in History, and a masters degree in mechanical engineering. He founded and grew an engineering company and sold it after 25 years. And of course, he completed his book, The False Paradigms of Today and the Timeless Truth of Tomorrow, after 13 years of research, writing, and rewriting.

To this day, he continues to ask the big questions: Who are we? What’s truly important? How should we live our lives? On most days he thinks he has them figured out.

When he is not writing, he cuts wood and digs ditches. Bliss remains at large somewhere in the mountains of California.

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Book Tour: A Boy Becoming by Eddy Yang @RABTBookTours

A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World

Coming of Age Memoir

Date Published: May 14, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media

What if the most important lessons in life came from the ordinary moments we often overlook?

A Boy Becoming: A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World is an inspiring coming-of-age memoir that invites readers into the private journals, drawings, reflections, and life experiences of young author Eddy Yang. Compiled from diary entries written between the ages of ten and sixteen, this powerful memoir chronicles the journey of a young boy learning how to navigate family, faith, friendship, sports, responsibility, and personal growth.

Through honest reflections and meaningful life lessons, Eddy explores what it means to build character in a world that often values achievement over integrity. Along the way, he learns that becoming a better person is not about perfection—it is about practice.

As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy discovers courage, resilience, humility, discipline, and the ability to recover from failure. Through conversations with his parents, guidance from teachers and coaches, experiences with service, and moments of self-reflection, he learns that true strength comes from within and that growth happens one choice at a time.

Filled with wisdom beyond his years, A Boy Becoming explores timeless themes including:

✔ Character Development and Personal Growth

✔ Kindness, Compassion, and Empathy

✔ Family Values and Faith

✔ Self-Reflection and Emotional Growth

✔ Discipline, Responsibility, and Resilience

✔ Youth Leadership and Positive Decision-Making

✔ Sportsmanship and Life Lessons from Hockey

✔ Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Humility

✔ Identity, Purpose, and Self-Discovery

At the heart of this reflective memoir is a simple but powerful truth: character is built slowly through ordinary moments. Every mistake, every challenge, every act of kindness, every lesson learned, and every effort to improve becomes part of the process of becoming.

Perfect for teens, young adults, parents, educators, coaches, mentors, and anyone interested in personal development, A Boy Becoming offers encouragement, insight, and hope for readers navigating their own journey of growth.

Inside You'll Discover:

●      Honest diary reflections from childhood through adolescence

●      Life lessons from family, faith, sports, and service

●      Thought-provoking insights about character and self-improvement

●      Inspirational messages for young people facing challenges and uncertainty

●      Practical wisdom about becoming someone you respect

Memorable Quotes from the Book

"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."

"Forgiveness frees you more than it frees the other person."

"Possessions should not possess you."

"A distracted driver misses exits. A distracted life misses destiny."

"Remember: you are not your trophies. You are not your mistakes. You are the daily effort that nobody sees."

If you enjoy inspirational memoirs, coming-of-age stories, personal growth books, youth leadership, family-centered nonfiction, or books that encourage reflection and character development, A Boy Becoming will resonate long after the final page.

Because becoming a better person isn't a destination—it's a lifelong journey.

 
 

About the Author

 

 Eddy Yang is a student, writer, ice hockey goalie, and young author whose work focuses on self-reflection, personal growth, family values, faith, discipline, and character development.

His passion for writing began long before he imagined becoming an author. Throughout childhood, Eddy kept journals, diary entries, drawings, comics, and reflections that documented his experiences, thoughts, challenges, and questions about life.

Over time, these personal writings evolved into something larger—a record of growth from childhood into adolescence.

The Beginning of a Writer

Eddy never started writing with the intention of publishing a book.

He wrote to understand himself.

Sometimes he wrote after difficult experiences. Other times he wrote after learning valuable lessons from parents, teachers, coaches, teammates, or faith. Writing became a way to process emotions, reflect on mistakes, and preserve important moments.

As he revisited years of journals and drawings, he recognized a story unfolding: the story of becoming.

Hockey and Character

As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy has learned lessons that extend far beyond the rink.

Goaltending taught him courage, resilience, humility, patience, and discipline. It taught him how to handle pressure, recover from failure, and continue improving after setbacks.

These experiences became a powerful influence on his understanding of personal growth and are woven throughout his writing.

Why He Wrote A Boy Becoming

Eddy wrote A Boy Becoming because he believes growth happens through ordinary moments.

Character is not built overnight.

It develops through repeated choices, honest reflection, mistakes, perseverance, gratitude, forgiveness, and love.

His hope is that readers—especially young people—will recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that becoming a better person is a lifelong journey worth embracing.

Mission

Through his writing, Eddy hopes to inspire readers to:

● Practice kindness

● Develop discipline

● Embrace humility

● Learn from mistakes

● Strengthen character

● Value family and faith

● Continue growing every day

"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."

 

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Book Tour: The Needs Of The Heart by Phillip Anderson @RABTBookTours

Self-Help / Philosophy

Date Published: May 30, 2023

Living in this world is hard, no matter the point in history or the dominant culture which governs how society conducts itself.

Wars, famine, political corruption, economic depression, social injustice, civil unrest, all of which leads to the spiritual, personal unrest of the human soul.

And it makes us wonder... How do I, as a person, and we as human beings, work together individually yet collectively to make the world a better place for those who live here today and for those who will be born into this world tomorrow?

Aspiring author Phillip Anderson, author of The Needs of the Heart, provides deep insight into the human emotional spectrum as well as giving deep introspective insight into the emotions and principles he believes people of all races, religions, ethnicities, and demographic backgrounds need to not only make themselves better people, but the world a better place.

Interview with Phillip Anderson

Author of The Needs Of The Heart  

Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.

Hello, my name is Phillip Anderson. I am an Author From Queens, New York. I am a Morehouse College Graduate of 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine. I am currently a 5th grade Charter School Teacher teaching World History. Outside of my profession, I like to write, go on adventures throughout Manhattan, spend time with my family & friends, and am a big proponent of Health & Fitness.

Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes.

Writing for me started because I wanted to know myself in a way that only I could understand. Writing was one of the ways in which I came to terms with my thoughts, but most importantly…writing was how I made sense of the world around me. It wasn’t until one of my college professors discovered my talent for writing that I decided to pursue writing books as a profession…let alone a way of life. As time went on and writing became second nature to me, I find that I write best when the area is quiet and I have time to home in and focus in on my thoughts. If I had to categorize my writing style, I would say that it is Intuitive. As I write, the words just flow and convey their own feelings, I just put them onto paper.

The “Why”:

I chose to write this book because when I look at the world around me, I see that people have become so focused on skill & intellect that they have neglected principles & emotions (and thus their humanity). I wrote this book to hopefully give people the other side of their humanity that I see lacking in today’s society.

Tell me about your Book

In summary, this book is about the importance of Principles & Emotions to get through hard times, become a better person, and make the world a better place.

This book is for those who want to read a book that holds a mirror to their soul so they can see themselves for who they truly are. That instead of being told what to do, they find their own way.

Message to Readers:

What I would like readers to take away from this book is that despite what this world tells you, despite what you may think of yourself, start with you. The world will take care of itself, but no one will take care of you the way you will…and that starts by looking inward.

About the Author

Hello, my name is Phillip Anderson. I am a young Author from New York City. My love for writing started when I was 16 years old when I was writing in my journals rather than thinking about publishing a book as a professional Author. I graduated high school in 2014 and later in that year was accepted into Morehouse College where I would graduate with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology. However, It wasn't until I was in grad school where my passion for writing truly took hold. After completing the first year of my 2 year master's program, I dropped out of the program to pursue my passion of writing. A year and a half later, I would go on to complete and publish my first book titled The needs of the Heart in 2020 with the intent to pursue writing as a full time endeavor.

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