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What’s the Difference?
One of the things that I always tell the authors I work with is that print on demand has changed the self-publishing landscape. Previously, self-published authors had to source a printer, negotiate a contract, purchase hundreds (if not thousands) of books, and store and ship the books themselves. Instead, print on demand is when book … Continue reading What’s the Difference?
COMING SOON! The Ember Stone
I have known Shari Marshall since grade six. We both loved reading and writing from a young age. For that reason, this announcement is a special one. I am honoured to help Shari publish and launch her first novel, hopefully one of many! What I will say about this book, first and foremost, is that … Continue reading COMING SOON! The Ember Stone
Mom’s the Word
Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate our own mothers and all they do for us. I am close with my mom and she deserves to be celebrated every day. I always say that she sets the bar high, as a person and as a mother. But it’s also a day to celebrate the other … Continue reading Mom’s the Word
Literally Climbing the Walls
I used to do a fair amount of indoor rock climbing when I was in university. In fact, that was one of the reasons I chose Guelph–they had an indoor rock climbing facility on campus. When I attended, they had converted two squash courts in the basement of the athletic centre into climbing space. Even … Continue reading Literally Climbing the Walls
COMING SOON! The New Sales Professional’s Playbook
This is the second book from Vince Burruano. While the first book focused on next-level wisdom and refinement techniques for experienced professionals and leaders, this book starts at the beginning with the new sales rep. Start your sales career with this book and then, as you learn the ropes, you can move on to read … Continue reading COMING SOON! The New Sales Professional’s Playbook
COMING SOON! Selling Smarter
I have published several books on the art and science of sales now. Having held a sales role previously, I like to think I have an appreciation for good material in this discipline. However, this is a book that I wish I had when I was a salesperson. I put a great deal of time … Continue reading COMING SOON! Selling Smarter
COMING SOON! B.U.D. Better, Unique, & Desirable
Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of working with Thomas Ellis. Thomas is considered by many to be a subject matter expert (SME) in coaching and developing business-to-business sales professionals. Thomas is highly regarded as the Expert “Sales 101” Trainer. His book, B.U.D. Better, Unique, & Desirable: The Sales Process That … Continue reading COMING SOON! B.U.D. Better, Unique, & Desirable
COMING SOON! Frank the Fish Finds His Forever Home
Twin Horseshoes is publishing its first children’s book! Coming soon, Frank the Fish Finds His Forever Home is a story about a betta fish named Frank. Frank is more person than fish. He loves his people, he likes his routine, and he knows what he wants. Unlike most fish, he’s very expressive and is more … Continue reading COMING SOON! Frank the Fish Finds His Forever Home
Brain “Cavity”
I have always taken great pride in my teeth. My dad used to “motivate” us when we were kids by paying us every time we came home from the dentist with no cavities. It worked very well. Until about a month ago, I had never had a cavity. I enjoyed going to the dentist because … Continue reading Brain “Cavity”
Start to Finish
I’ve been thinking recently about why people write and why they publish. In my experience, it’s typically because they need to express something: thoughts, feelings, or experiences. The writing of these thoughts, feelings, and experiences is therapeutic for many. But why people publish is very different from why they write. Writers publish because they feel … Continue reading Start to Finish
COMING SOON! A Daily Dose of Sales Wisdom
I am pleased to announce A Daily Dose of Sales Wisdom: Practical Advice for Sales Professionals and Leaders to Excel by Vincent D. Burruano! A Daily Dose of Sales Wisdom includes 365 lessons learned, reflective questions, and quotations to share practical advice for sales professionals and leaders to excel. In between, you will find success stories, … Continue reading COMING SOON! A Daily Dose of Sales Wisdom
Flashback
I had a bizarre experience the other day. I was watching a television show, which admittedly was pretty intense. In the show, a girl was hit by a car. Badly. The way they filmed it made you feel like you were the girl–the camera was right behind her shoulder and moved with her, while she … Continue reading Flashback
Throwback Thursday: Fur Babies
Updated July 2021 – Originally published in Life in Multiples, 2016 COVID-19 Update: All of the content below was originally written and published prior to COVID-19. While many of this still applies, please consider COVID-19 regulations, policies, and advice. I have had two dogs in my life, Hungarian Vizslas. They saw our family through many … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: Fur Babies
COMING SOON! Roughing it in Africa
I have the immense pleasure of announcing a new publication coming later this month from Twin Horseshoes. Roughing it in Africa: Roots, Roads, and Revelations by Katherine Krige is a travel memoir documenting a 10-month, 10-country journey across Africa. In its pages, she meets family members for the first time, experiences wildlife up close, makes … Continue reading COMING SOON! Roughing it in Africa
The reviews are in!
Here are some early reviews for Letters to My Hypothetical Children, available Friday April 23, 2021 on Amazon! “The stories and lessons Marcia shares are moving and her strength shines through. It is clear that the words that fill these pages come from genuine feelings and in reading them I found hope, humour, and a … Continue reading The reviews are in!
Book Launch: April 23
It’s official…April 23rd is the day that my book will publish! If you’re available, drop in for a coffee between 10am and 3pm on launch day (link is below). I hope to be celebrating this accomplishment, chatting with friends and family, answering questions, or discussing new projects…basically anything goes! I may have to switch to … Continue reading Book Launch: April 23
Introducing Twin Horseshoes…
What’s your story…and why haven’t you published it yet? Let me know!
Foreword by…Daisy-Mae Hamelinck
I thought for some time about who I would ask to write the foreword in my upcoming book. I kept coming back to the same person: Daisy-Mae Hamelinck, M.A., B.Ed., B.A. (Hons), SSWD. Daisy and I had a fateful conversation in October 2015. I was looking for some part-time or freelance work after being on … Continue reading Foreword by…Daisy-Mae Hamelinck
Take care of your body; it’s the only one you get
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of my upcoming publication, Letters to My Hypothetical Children. This book is organized in two different ways. The first is that the chapters roughly align with the eight dimensions of wellness: environmental (Chapter 1), intellectual (Chapter 2), occupational (Chapter 3), financial (Chapter 4), spiritual (Chapter 5), physical (Chapter … Continue reading Take care of your body; it’s the only one you get
A Book in a Year
I might have mentioned that I’ve been writing again, but I haven’t said much about what I’m writing. I challenged myself to write a book in a year and while I officially started this project May 5, 2020, the idea has been simmering for much longer. This book started when I was trying to get … Continue reading A Book in a Year
A tribe called…
I have struggled during the pandemic with keeping my tribe close. Not only is it difficult (and sometimes impossible) to see my friends in person, but when I’m on phone calls and video conferences all day for work, it’s the last thing that I want to do in my free time. For someone who (as … Continue reading A tribe called…
Throwback Thursday: The Quick and Dirty
Updated February 2021 – Originally published in Life in Multiples and TWINS Magazine 2016 COVID-19 Update: All of the advice below was originally written and published prior to COVID-19. While many of these strategies still apply, please take into account COVID-19 regulations, policies, and advice. I recently had lunch with a friend whose little guy … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: The Quick and Dirty
One sticky note at a time.
This is the last day of January. For those of you that made New Year’s resolutions, how are they going? If you’re still going, then good for you! If you’re not, well maybe it was the wrong resolution. Don’t be hard on yourself. I didn’t make a resolution specifically, but I did think to myself, … Continue reading One sticky note at a time.
Cheers to 2021…
This has been a tough and unusual year, to say the least. I’m home alone, my Christmas tree is lit, and I’m finishing up my preparations for the big day. Christmas Eve for my family was always a relaxing evening in front of a fire, watching Christmas shows, and having a drink. It was the … Continue reading Cheers to 2021…
It’s a Wonderful Life
“It’s a Wonderful Life” has been my favourite holiday movie for quite some time now. I honestly don’t remember the first time I watched it but I cried at the end and still do…every time. I prefer the black and white version but will occasionally throw in the colour version to mix it up. I … Continue reading It’s a Wonderful Life
Maggie
Maggie was 8 weeks old when she became part of our family. She always behaved like a puppy: energetic, bouncy, and loving. She was feisty and didn’t take no for an answer. Her nickname was “Red Rocket” because she loved fetch and ran so fast she was almost a blur. Her other nicknames were “Maggie … Continue reading Maggie
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
One year ago, “Silent Grief, Healing, and Hope: 15 Inspirational Stories of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Child Loss” was launched to the world. Inside its covers, 15 women share their stories and mine is one of them. It’s a story I’ve told in bits and pieces for 10 years. Because it was literally 10 years ago … Continue reading October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
I am thankful for…
This is a very different Thanksgiving. After a brief glimmer of “normal” over the summer, my girls and I are left wanting more: patios, shopping instead of ordering online, and playgrounds to name a few. Now that the school year has begun and cold and flu season is on the horizon, that brief glimmer is … Continue reading I am thankful for…
Rowan’s Law Day
Four years ago, I fell hard. Literally. I fell backwards and down into a recessed patio and hit head first. I’m 5’5″ and the patio had four steps, so my head fell well over 6′ before cracking on the brick. It was June and the air conditioning was on, but my mom heard the noise … Continue reading Rowan’s Law Day
Where have all the hugs gone?
I am a hugger. When I see friends, I hug them and then I hug them again when I leave. I don’t like fake hugs…you know the kind. Where you barely put your arms around the person and kind of pat them on the shoulders. When I hug, I go all in: arms wrapped around … Continue reading Where have all the hugs gone?
Who has time for self care?!
As if self care wasn’t hard enough before, the pandemic has made it nearly impossible. Flight attendants advise parents to put on their own “oxygen mask” first, otherwise they may be unable to help children or dependents. I believe this to be true, but when you are working, parenting, and homeschooling…there are just not enough … Continue reading Who has time for self care?!
Confessions of a Twin Mom
Confessions of a Twin Mom started out as a column for the Durham Parents of Multiples newsletter. I joined DPOM when I found out I was having twins and found a wonderful group of people. Since I love writing, I began to write some articles for the newsletter and then eventually became the newsletter editor. … Continue reading Confessions of a Twin Mom
Marcia Allyn Luke 