Award-Winning Authors Show

How did "The Picture Island" come to be?Are its characters secretly shaped by music, musical theater, and screenwriting?Join Lisa Umina in conversation with author and musician Michael S. Manley as they dive deep into his multifaceted career and explore how his artistic background influences his writing.Don't miss out on future plans, exciting collaborations, and a wealth of insights into the life of a musician and storyteller.

As Autism Awareness Month winds down, it's the perfect moment to reflect: How can literature deepen our understanding of autism? And what role can authors play in shaping that conversation?In this heartfelt episode, Lisa Umina sits down with author and advocate Lori DeMonia to discuss her two children's books, "Love for Logan" and "Leah's Voice"—touching stories that explore autism through the eyes of kids and the everyday experiences of those around them.Lori writes with heart and purpose, creating stories that foster empathy, understanding, and inclusion. Join the conversation and discover how storytelling can be a powerful tool for awareness and change.

What does it take to embark on a nine-book journey as an author? As you look back, what lessons stand out?Join this candid conversation between Lisa Umina and Lisa Cassman, whose latest release is the children's book “Our Butterfly Walk.” As seasoned authors, Lisa and Lisa share their insights on publishing, the challenges and efforts that come with being a writer, and—most importantly—why the struggle is always worth it when you have the privilege of sharing your words with the world.Tune in now!

What drives author Neetu Kaur Deol Jhaj to write? Who does she write for? In this episode, Lisa Umina dives into “I Shine as Bright as a Firefly”—a heartfelt book about self-love, acceptance, and gratitude. Neetu shares how her children inspire her storytelling. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on finding belonging, embracing our true selves, and empowering the next generation!

Managing money is a crucial life skill, yet we often overlook teaching it to our children. In this episode, Lisa Umina sits down with author Rachel Gregory—mother, scholar, and hotelier—to discuss how simple piggy banks can grow into successful businesses. Together, they explore the inspiration behind Gracie and Aero's adventures and the valuable financial lessons woven into their story.

Prepare for an intimate, spiritual, and transformative experience like no other. Lisa Umina sits down with author Alex O'Neal Heaton Jr. to discuss his new book, Journey on Angel Wings. Alex shares his profound journey of faith, uncovering the true nature of life and death, and he doesn't hold back in revealing the insights he's gained. This is a conversation you simply can't miss.

Author and proud grandmother Pinky Jean has made her mark on the literary scene with a heartfelt series designed to show children the warm, unconditional love of a grandparent while recognizing the importance of their big feelings. In this week's episode, Lisa Umina sits down with Pinky to discuss the inspiration behind the series, the often-overlooked needs of children, and new ways to embrace them as complex individuals. Don't miss this episode as we dive into Pinky Jean's journey as an author and her mission to uplift and empower young readers.

What makes childhood so magical? In this episode, Lisa Umina chats with Sally Kaczynski, author of All in a Day's Play!, to explore the joys of imagination and activity. Drawing from her extensive career in theater and education, Sally shares how she brought this vibrant celebration of play to life through playful rhymes and lively illustrations. From indoor adventures to outdoor escapades, the book encourages young readers to embrace creativity and movement. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about the power of play and the importance of keeping childhood fun alive.

Where does children's author Marie Lei Antonio find her inspiration? How does she promote her books now that they're out in the world? In this episode, Lisa Umina dives into Marie's journey through the pre- and post-publishing process of her two books, "Field Day for Eugene" and "If Dreams Could Fly". Together, they explore the importance of spreading messages of perseverance and capability to both children and adults. Don't miss this inspiring conversation.

Introducing our esteemed author, Dave Grunenwald! With a mission to guide children of all ages in "Disconnecting From the Digital"™, Dave illuminates pathways for spending quality time together, while instilling the importance of family bonds and friendships through his engaging activity book and captivating children's book series. Join us as we delve into his latest release, "Lucas and Emily's Outdoor Adventure". To connect with Dave Grunenwald you can visit his website at Grandparent Merit Badges™ or visit Amazon to purchase his books.

Join us in our podcast as we uncover the top five common mistakes that authors frequently encounter along their publishing journey. From navigating the intricacies of manuscript preparation to understanding the dynamics of marketing and distribution, we explore pitfalls and offer valuable insights to help aspiring authors and seasoned writers alike navigate the publishing process with confidence and success.

Discover the insider strategies for effortlessly creating children's books with acclaimed publisher, Lisa M. Umina! Learn the five essential steps to organize your book materials, from brainstorming ideas to compiling illustrations notes for your illustrator. This resource ensures a smooth and structured journey from concept to completion.

Are you an aspiring writer who wants to share a story, but you feel scared or embarrassed to put yourself out there? Have you ever doubted yourself if you have the talent to be respected? Today, we're talking about how to protect your mindset when taking on a creative endeavor. I'm joined by Vincent M. Ward, an actor most known for his role in The Walking Dead, and author of his new book, The Stepdaddy. In this episode of The Award-Winning Authors Show, you'll learn: The key to long-term success in a creative industry (2:33) How to handle your haters (4:12) Why you need someone in your life telling you the truth (6:30) At the end of this interview, you'll discover what happened the moment Vincent almost gave up on his acting career! Grab your copy of Vincent's new book, "The Stepdaddy," now available on HaloPublishing.com (https://bit.ly/3bAdt09), Amazon (https://amzn.to/3HWU7OL), Barnes & Noble (https://bit.ly/3bwj33v) and Books-a-Million (https://bit.ly/3u1t66Y).

Have you ever wanted to write a book and become an author? How would it feel to read your story to an audience on stage? Would you enjoy traveling around as you get paid to do so? In today's episode of the Award-Winning Author Show, I'm sharing my story about how I pivoted from corporate America to becoming an international award-winning author, publisher and CEO. You'll learn… How I became an author (1:44) How writing a book helped grow my career and business (5:39) My best advice for authors (8:12) My hope in sharing my story is to help you see how YOU can also use your book to build a career as an author.

Would like to build an engaged audience that love your books? You need to learn how to use social media to find loyal readers. It's time to create your social media profiles, make interesting posts, and engage with real people. On today's episode of The Award-Winning Authors Show, we're talking about how authors can build an audience to promote their books. I had the pleasure of interviewing one of our best-selling authors, Todd Hiller, author of "Fire and Ivy." You'll discover what it takes to use your voice to shape the minds of the next generation. Plus, you'll learn 1) Where to Find New Readers Who Become Loyal Fans, 2) The Ultimate Strategy to Build an Online Audience, and 3) #1 Mistake Most Author Make in Building an Audience. Don't make the mistake of publishing your book and forgetting about the marketing and PR. Are you ready to put in the work it takes to become a best-selling author? ===

Don't you want to speak on stage in front of an audience? What if you could sell tens or hundreds of your book at a time? To do so, you need to build a brand around your book. In today's episode of The Award-Winning Authors Show, we are talking about Building a Digital Brand. I'm interviewed by my own producer, Alina Bonn: a content marketer and creator of Effortless Engine. In this episode, you'll learn: 1) How to Gain International Visibility, 2) What It Takes to Develop a Public Speaking Platform and 3) Content Marketing Benefits for Authors.

At Halo Publishing International, it's our mission to publish voices that matter. We believe you're called to use your voice to uplift those around you. In honor of Black History Month, Lisa Umina interviews one of our favorite authors, Jordan Sullen. Jordan is a former NFL player, children's book author and illustrator. He's published three books with us. In this interview, they didn't talk about politics. They talked about something more sensitive: Black Lives Matter. Jordan released his newest book, Numbers Don't Lie, during a pivotal time of history. In this episode, you'll discover what it takes to use your voice to shape the minds of the next generation. Plus, you'll learn: - How to Use Your Voice to Speak Up When It Counts - What It Means to Become a Role Model as a Children's Author - Best Advice to Know Before Writing Your First Book Click play to listen to the episode. Writing your first book takes courage. You only have one voice to share your story. How will you be remembered? ===

Are you a writer with a story you need to share with the world? Is your story living in your computer, but has yet to make it to a publisher? Have you always wanted to write a book, but are afraid to pull the trigger? Think about a message you believe the world needs to hear. Now, imagine yourself writing this story and holding a physical copy of your book in your hands. You're smiling down on it and a sense of accomplishment washes over it like a wave on the beach.

So, you've published your book. Now what? How do you become a “best-selling author”? How do you spread the news about your book to increase sales? How do you make sure the world hears your message? After all of your hard work in writing the book, it's time to switch to marketing the book. There's nothing worse than publishing a book that nobody reads. Listen to the episode to learn 3 ways you can market a best-selling book. --- If you're ready to publish your book, please submit your manuscript on HaloPublishing.com (https://halopublishing.com/). Or, you can download our free publishing guide (https://halopublishing.com/publishing...) to learn everything you need to know about the entire self-publishing process. Start writing your legacy today!

Have you ever wanted to publish your own book, but felt overwhelmed by the process? If so, you're in the right spot because I'm going to tell you the 10 steps you need to publish your book. Stick around until the end, and I'll tell you the most important step most authors forget to do. Today, I'm going to walk you through our proven publishing process we use for authors around the world. You don't want to miss this episode! --- If you're ready to publish your book, please submit your manuscript on HaloPublishing.com. Or, you can download our free publishing guide to learn everything you need to know about the entire self-publishing process. Start writing your legacy today!