Author Archives: Tiffany Turner

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About Tiffany Turner

I am a teacher by day, writer during the evening and weekends. I've written a children's fantasy series called the Crystal Keeper Chronicles. I've learned a lot as an Independent author. I want to share that now through blog posts, interviewing fellow authors, and reviewing other children's books. If you don't see it out there, build the blog yourself. I'm hoping to create a resource for people to find quality children's books that don't always fall along the lines of mainstream.
Jul14

Interview with Prudence Williams

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Prudence Williams is the author of the book “Ruby Smiles”.

I’ve got another fabulous summer read for your child. With school just around the corner, it’s a great idea to get some books lined up to get in the rhythm of reading again too.

Author Prudence Williams knows a thing or two about school. She’s a 25-year veteran teacher that uses her experience with children to inspire them in her writing. Her new release, “Ruby Smiles”, is about a big sassy dog that needed her own book. I loved the way that a child is brought into Ruby’s world from a dog’s point of view. I had the chance to talk with Prudence Williams about her favorite reading memory from childhood, subjects for future projects, and what writing means to her.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Prudence Williams: My favorite memory from reading as a child is reading “Down These Mean Streets” by Piri Thomas. It was the first novel I picked by myself, and it was good! I was about nine years old and the book was probably too mature for me, but I loved it. It introduced me to new cultures, languages, foods, and ideas, and since then I’ve been a strong reader.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Prudence Williams: I would like to write a book for teen girls about being an African American girl and enjoying life and being happy and falling in love. Most of the literature about young African American girls is very heavy and serious. I want young black girls to know they can be playful and just enjoy growing up. I want to represent a stable two parent home with loving and consistent parents and sibling. I want to show the black girl as the heroine and the popular girl who get the guy, grades, and joy.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Prudence Williams: Writing is an old friend that I always can depend on to help me understand the problem, share the news, and tell the story.

“Ruby Smiles” is a day-in-the-life of Ruby, a busy dog with responsibilities all day. But she has fun doing them, and you get to join her. Find out what a dog likes to do and how being responsible can be fun.

“Ruby Smiles” is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

For more information on Prudence Williams, please visit her author page here.

Jul14

Interview with Harvey L. Frierson Jr. Part 3

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I’m happy to present the third part of my interview series with Harvey L. Frierson Jr. He is a songwriter instilling family values as his message within his books. It all started as a way to entertain and teach his niece, but it is becoming a literary legacy that will help future generations. I got to ask Harvey about his book soundtrack, the coloring book edition of “My Big Sister is the Best”, and the other editions of the book.

  1. Why did you decide to write the single “Sleepy Time” and a sing-along soundtrack?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: I wrote all the songs for my (2) month old niece Juliet, my brother and my sister-in-law Kim, so they have songs to sing along to at night.

  • You have some other editions of the book, like audio and translations into other languages. Can you tell us a little about them?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: Children sing along with anything, so I gave my niece a sneaky language course. When Juliet grows up, she will be singing about her childhood memories in Mandarin, Spanish, French and English with ease.

  • Why did you decide to create a coloring book edition?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: As Juliet grows; hopefully it will keep her interest in coloring and learning months from now. (lol) The coloring books reinforce our family values by telling stories that support my brother and his wife’s interest in teaching family values to my niece. I am just trying to do my uncle part. To be the best of her uncles. I have good competition, but I have coloring books and animation to entertain my niece. I am sure to make her laugh the most.

“Sleepy Time”, the sing-along audio track that accompanies the book “My Big Sister is the Best”, is available at Spotify in Mandarin, Spanish and soon in French and English.

A video is also available on YouTube with several of the songs from the “My Big Sister is the Best” soundtrack in English and the book, “I Love to Wave” in English and Spanish.

For more information on Harvey L. Frierson Jr., please visit his website here.

To read part 1 of Harvey L. Frierson’s Jr. interview, link here.

To read part 2 of Harvey L. Frierson’s Jr. interview, link here.

Jul3

Interview with Andrea Witt

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Sometimes you come along and find a great book series you just have to share. “The Woes of a Ginger Named Red” series deals with problems children need to hear about from a diverse voice. Real world problems are all brought to light in this heart-felt series written by Andrea Witt. Ginger is dealing with a seizure disorder, the medications, moving, and adapting to a new home. I was lucky enough to interview Andrea Witt, and asked her about memories from reading as a kid, her favorite authors and how they influenced her, and what writing means to her.

1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Andrea Witt: I used to be “dragged” to flea markets. I couldn’t stand it until I realized flea markets were full of books. I started collecting change from around the house to use to buy books. I started looking forward to going so I could find new books to read. The books I bought were used and I could get 4 for $1! Other people’s discards were my treasures and I bought many books I would have never had the opportunity to read had I not been “dragged to” those flea markets every weekend!

2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Andrea Witt: As a small child, my favorite author was Dr. Seuss. I loved the silliness he added to each story. The rhyming aspect made them fun to read and I used to challenge myself to read them really fast since many of them were like tongue twisters. As I grew a bit older, Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary were among my favorite authors.

3) What is writing to you in one sentence?


Andrea Witt: Writing is the compilation of my thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination combined into a foundation that breeds new thoughts, feelings, memories, and imagination for its readers.

“The Woes of a Ginger Named Red–Book 1: The Move” is told from the perspective of nine-year-old Ginger. She has a mild seizure disorder. Although her seizures don’t happen very often, they are huge to her. Because of the seizures, Ginger is on medications that stunt her growth and make her feel like an outsider. When her mom announces that they’re going to move to a new home in the country, Ginger starts to panic about encountering bullies at her new school. Will Ginger crumble under the pressure of the move, or will she be able to learn to love her new home?

“The Woes of a Ginger Named Red–Book 1: The Move” is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powell’s Books, Books a Million, Target, and many other retailers.

For more information on Andrea Witt, please visit her Amazon Author page here.

Jun27

Interview with Harvey L. Frierson Jr. Part 2

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The Coloring Book edition for “My Big Sister is the Best” is releasing Summer 2021.

I’m happy to announce more of an exclusive interview with Harvey L. Frierson Junior. I’m featuring him in a three part interview to talk more about his upcoming projects, and the coloring book edition of his book, “My Big Sister is the Best”. He has experience as a songwriter, and is putting his talent into these darling books to impress his niece as she gets older. She is lucky to have an uncle such as Harvey.

Here is part two of my interview with Harvey L. Frierson Jr:

  • What books influenced you as a child?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: I had a huge collection of Black History comic books that told stories of Black educators and heroes in action.

  • What future projects do you have in the mix currently?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: In the future I plan to write Si-Fi adventures that my niece Juliet and her big sister Olivia will like and learn family values. There is also an upcoming coloring book for “My Big Sister is the Best” and a sing along soundtrack. The single, “Sleepy Time” is available now on Spotify.

  • Why have you decided to change from songwriting to writing books?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: Writing books is not as a commercial concern as when I first started my songwriting career. So, I am having nothing but fun, and hopefully steering my nieces into enjoyable reading and family values.

“My Big Sister is the Best” is a book of a little sister telling the story about her big sister, Olivia. Told through the adventure of making cupcakes, it shows the love and bonding between two sisters growing up.

“My Big Sister is the Best” is available at Barnes and Noble.com.

The coloring book edition of this book will release during the summer of 2021.

Check out an example of the song “Sleepy Time” in Mandarin on YouTube.

For more information on Harvey L. Frierson Jr., please visit his website link here.

For part 1 in this interview series, link here.

For part 3 in this interview series, link here.

Jun22

Interview with Harvey L. Frierson Jr. Part 1

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You might be looking for books to read this summer that reinforce family values. I’ve found a great author that has a collection of picture books that touches on this subject.

Harvey L. Frierson. Jr. has been a hit songwriter for musical icons such as Mary J. Blige and New Edition. Now, he finds his most current audience could be his most rewarding yet, his three-month-old niece and the next generation. With books like “My Big Sister is the Best” and “I Love to Wave”, Harvey L. Frierson Jr. is using his talent to bring social skills and values to children. I had the chance to ask him about his childhood reading memories, writing routine, and what writing means to him.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr: When I was a child, I had a collection of Batman stories that you read along with a 45” inch “action” recording. LOL

  • Do you have a writing routine?  Share what works for you.

Harvey L. Frierson Jr:  My writing routine is talking to my brother about what my niece JJ is doing, and then writing a story hoping she will be impressed.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Harvey L. Frierson Jr:  Writings are messages for my children, nieces and nephews to appeal to their family values.

“I Love to Wave” is a story about a girl coping with the new pandemic social norms. Hunter loves to wave, but finds it difficult in this new world of mask wearing, social distancing and virtual school. Through the help of her parents and school teachers, they model how Hunter can stay safe and continue to be kind to people.

“I Love to Wave” is available at Barnes and Noble.com.

Audiobook Spanish edition link here.

Audiobook English edition will be available on July 4th.

For more information on Harvey L. Frierson Jr., please visit his website here.

Part 2 in this interview series is available on June 27th.

Part 3 in this interview series is available on July 14th.

Jun11

Tiffany Turner Presenting at Clockwork Alchemy From the Aether 2021

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Tiffany Turner will be presenting twice at the Clockwork Alchemy from the Aether Virtual Con this weekend, June 12-13, 2021.

I’m excited to announce my appearances at a virtual event this weekend. Clockwork Alchemy is a steampunk con that has gone virtual this year due to the pandemic. I have been scheduled to give two presentations this year. One on self-publishing and one on ghost hunting basics. The great thing about all of this is that the virtual event is FREE. YES, FREE!

Here is the event info:

  • Clockwork Alchemy from the Aether (Virtual Steampunk Conference)
  • June 12-13, 2021
  • Two presentations:
  • Self-Publishing Presentation will be Sat. at 4pm – 5pm.
  • Ghost Hunting Basics will be on Sun. at 3pm – 4pm.

Here is the link to register for Clockwork Alchemy 2021.

Here is the link for the schedule of Clockwork Alchemy 2021.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic weekend of reconnecting with fellow authors, makers, creatives and steampunks. Hope you can make it!

For more information, visit the Clockwork Alchemy website.

-Tiffany

Jun10

Interview with Darius Good

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I’ve continued my search for good reads for this summer, and I think I’ve found another fantastic author for you to meet. If you’re looking for a good read-aloud at bedtime, I think I found the book and the author for you.

Darius Good is the author of the children’s book series, The Adventures of RiRi. He’s written a science-themed bedtime story called “The Adventures of RiRi: Stars, Stars” which is the first book in the series. He’s also the author of the book, “Unlocking Godly Wisdom: Solomon’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom”. I had a chance to interview Darius Good about his childhood reading memories, writing routines, inspirations, and what projects he has in store for us.

  • What is your favorite memory reading as a child?

Darius Good: As a child I wasn’t into reading. I did well with numbers and math. I remember my mother taking me to the library and telling me there are so many subjects to choose from. I had seen the cartoon the Hobbit and did not realize it was a book. That book introduced me to the Fantasy genre. That sparked my interest in reading and writing stories.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Darius Good: J. R. R. Tolkien became my favorite author. His stories weren’t simple; they were extremely complex and detailed. He wrote songs and poetry. He created another world of different types of people, and had maps that accompanied the stories. He also created languages for the different species. And all the characters had a character arch that made it difficult to put his books down. You can still see his influence in many of the current stories that are popular now.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Darius Good: I do not have a writing routine. I write when I feel inspired. My mother had me take music lessons at the age of 5 and I learned many different instruments. After graduating college I went into the music industry for several years and did fairly well. When I am in a creative mode, whether it’s creating music, writing a story, or whatever other creative mode I find myself in, I “lock in” until that inspiration leaves.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Darius Good: I am currently developing my children’s book series, The Adventures of RiRi. It’s a series based loosely on my youngest daughter Riley. The first book “Stars Stars” is a science themed bedtime story. It explores my love for astronomy through the eyes of a toddler. The second book of the series will explore music. I love music so it was inevitable that I would write a music related book. That book is currently being illustrated. I have several stories that explore different themes for the series that I am currently developing.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Darius Good: Writing (books or songs) is powerful because it has the ability to shape and impact lives of those present and generations to come.

“The Adventures of RiRi: Stars, Stars” is a children’s bedtime story series that features the character RiRi. In her first adventure, she can’t fall asleep until she knows the answer to the question, “What happens to the stars during the day?” This series explores different themes such as science, music, and family dynamics.

“The Adventures of RiRi: Stars, Stars” is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

For more information on Darius Good, please visit his website.

Jun3

Interview with Stephanie Jane Markham

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Stephanie Jane Markham is the author of the picture book, “Maisie Mae From Sunnyside Street”.

Summer is soon upon us. So, I’ve been scouting for some great summer reads for your kid(s). I think our first author has got a real inspiring picture book that will set your kid’s imagination on a roller coaster adventure.

Stephanie Jane Markham is an actor, filmmaker, and singer/songwriter living in Los Angeles. Her book, “Maisie Mae From Sunnyside Street”, utilizes her memories of growing up in Scotland and Kentucky. It’s a book that will show your child how to take their imagination into a big adventure. I was pleased to be able to interview Stephanie Jane Markham about her childhood reading memories, writing routine and what future projects she has in store for us.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Stephanie Jane Markham: My favorite memory reading as a kid was that snuggly, safe feeling I got from my parents reading books at bedtime. It really is such a magical thing to read to a child. My Dad used to tell me what I could dream about before I went to bed at night. I’d make these elaborate plans in my head on where I could go while asleep. I try to instill that same sense of wonder in my little boy.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Stephanie Jane Markham: My favorite author is Mary Shelley. Not just because she gave us Frankenstein or because every Hollywood screenwriter owes her a royalty check. Her voice as a writer is so strong and clear and a bit fragile. She was fearless in a way that I’m not. I’m also very influenced by Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre. That book changed me. Her sense of wild independence coupled with a need to belong and a strong inner compass that urged her forward, despite the struggles she kept facing. That is very much who I am.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Stephanie Jane Markham: I don’t have any sort of routine except general chaos dealing with my kid. I’m usually squeezing in whatever free time I can to write, albeit usually late at night when I am most inspired.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Stephanie Jane Markham: Right now, I am focused on the other books in the Sunnyside Street Series. The next book is about Maisie’s introverted friend Duncan and his exuberant unicorn, Letty Lou. I also have an unhealthy obsession with pirates. There’s a lot to explore there.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Stephanie Jane Markham: Writing is how I express myself fully.

Join Maisie Mae and her friends from Sunnyside Street as they dream up new adventures!

Maisie Mae imagines herself all the way to Mars, slides down rainbows and even sails a pirate ship! Her best friend Duncan and his unicorn, Letty Lou, take Maisie for a magical ride around the town. They drop in on the zoo and meet up with their good friends Simon, Sabrina and the twins, Ann & Emma.

Kids will love the lush color illustrations in this 8×8 storybook.

“Maisie Mae From Sunnyside Street” is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble com, and Target.

For more information on Stephanie Jane Markham, please visit her social media links below.

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/MaisieMaebooks/


Instagram:

https://instagram.com/maisiemaesunnyside

Jun1

Interview with Judi Heights

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Judi Heights is the author of the children’s picture book “Leah Stays Home From School”.

With summer soon upon us, it’s going to be a busy time getting all that energy out that the kids have built up over this strange and unusual school year. It’s also going to be a time to help ease kids back into some kind of normal when it comes to school life for the fall. A great way to prepare them is to start by getting some summer reads that will help with sooth anxiety and fears about regular issues that might start happening again, especially when it will be in regards to returning to school. I think I found a wonderful author that can help with that.

Judi Heights is a Life Coach with over ten years of diversified experience. She’s created a series of books called “Children’s Books for Parents 2” so parents can participate in a discussion on topics as they read to their children. Her most recent book, “Leah Stays Home From School” teaches the importance in staying home when a child is sick. I had a chance to interview Judi Heights about her childhood reading memories, her writing routine, and what writing means to her.

  • What is your favorite memory as a child?

Judi Heights: My favorite memory from reading as a child was being with my dad and feeling that someone was paying attention/giving me attention. I grew up in a home where my parents were busy, and my mother was not interested in helping us with homework. So, reading time as a child made me feel as if I mattered because my father would listen and pay attention to it.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Judi Heights: I write at any time but prefer to write during the nighttime when everyone is asleep. That has worked out for me since I was a teen as I can concentrate in my writing and not be interrupted. I feel that most of my creative writing comes from being alone and calm.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Judi Heights: Writing to me is the highest level of creativity & expression; with writing I can create anything my heart desires with a simple sheet of paper and a pencil.

“Leah Stays Home From School” is a story about a girl named Leah that wishes we lived in a world where no one got sick, and that way, no one would have to miss school. But the world is full of germs, and unfortunately, they can be a problem for everyone. Follow along as Leah learns why it’s important to keep her germs at home when she is sick.

“Leah Stays Home From School” is available from Amazon.com in ebook and print editions.

May19

What is Vella? A Look at Amazon’s New Serial Publishing Platform For Authors and Readers

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My new kpop sweet romance will be launching on Vella soon under my romance pen name, Marilyn Vix. Stay tuned for more info!

In the middle of April, Amazon announced it’s new serial publishing platform to be connected and managed through KDP by authors. Curious that this may be a fit for one of my teen/YA novel projects, I checked out the options and decided to go with publishing through this new format. Since this is a new venture and still only in beta, I’ll go over some of the basics that authors need to know before launch. Also, it will be interesting to readers to hear about the back story of how stories happen. Plus, it will be another reading option for you soon.

Vella is basically structured like many online journal and writing websites like Wattpad and Radish. I am familiar with Wattpad and have already written an online novel there. So, I was very curious to see how Amazon has set their format up. It is connected to your KDP dashboard through your Bookshelf. It is listed as your “Kindle Vella Library”. That link takes you to the Vella platform, which pretty much looks to me like Wattpad, except with some differences. 

1) You upload your serial sections or chapters by “episode”. Each episode has to be 600 to 5,000 words. 

2) You only need a stock photo that will be posted with your serial title and author name. No cover, like for an ebook, is needed. 

3) Amazon hasn’t released an official launch date, but has opened the platform up for authors to start loading their episodes. It is in beta, so nothing is live to see yet. But there is the ability to upload and schedule episodes to release at later dates if you want to try it out. 

4) There are clear guidelines in the Vella Library of what you can upload or not. You cannot take stories that have already been published on the web or as a book. You can take up to 5,000 words from a previously published work to attach to the beginning of your serial to write sequels, side stories, or other connecting stories. 

5) You can leave a short author note at the end of each episode. Readers can’t leave you comments, though I have seen authors asking for this in the community forums. It could be added later. Right now, readers will be able to favorite a story once a week and give a thumbs up if they liked an episode. Likely, this is the way Amazon will be able to track the popular stories similar to other online formats.

6) The big deal about Vella is YOU WILL GET PAID for any episodes after the first three chapters. The platform is set up for readers to buy coin bundles and they are used to unlock chapters after the first three. Right now, the pay scale is similar to when Kindle Unlimited started, but the difference is you are getting paid by the word. So, people will be encouraged to write long and connected stories. 

7) Vella is targeting the teen and young adult crowd that reads on their phones. It will be available to read on the Kindle OS app and Amazon.com. I am launching my kpop romance on the platform which is more of a sweet romance for the teen and young adult reader. So, I’m feeling like this is a perfect fit for my project.

So, that is about it for now. The guesstimation for launch to readers is likely in July, though Amazon hasn’t made that official. The Zon has just opened it up to authors to start loading and writing their serial stories with a suggestion of having five episodes ready by launch. I am planning to have my five chapters up and ready, and will add to them AFTER Amazon has launched the platform to the public. 

So, that is it for now. I will do an update article on how Vella is working for me after the launch of the platform in a few months. Meanwhile, get ready for a whole new reading experience from yours truly as she finally launches the kpop romance project I’ve been working on for three years. Just to note, this will be published under my romance pen name, Marilyn Vix, since it will be a sweet romance.

Until then, wish me luck and happy reading!

-Tiffany Turner