Author: Catherine Lyon Author/Writer

#IndieRoar Challenge – Day 5!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts

OK Readers & My Friends,. . . .
If you have not been over to Rochelle’s blog yet and get in on the FUN of her Indie Author Challenges? It’s to go take a visit and have some fun!! Hurry!! Get over there! LOL.
*Catherine*

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Marnie Cate_Day4_IndieRoar_6 4 2015

#IndieRoar Challenge – Day 5

Predict the title of your favorite Indie author’s next book! (Funny, or serious — you choose!) #IndieRoar

Okay folks — yesterday’s challenge was a hoot! On straight retweets alone, Marnie Cate’s Photoshopped tweet “won” the day with 20 retweets and 17 faves (see it above).  Then, Keeley’s got second place with 13 retweets.  CE Vance’s Photoshopped tweet came in third with 11 retweets. (By the time you read this things may change but that’s the lay of the land right this second!)

You are all clearly up to the badass Indie challenges we’re throwing your way! Congrats to you all. You made us ALL smile.

Today’s challenge is more intellectual.  We want to know just how well you know — or, think you know! — your favorite Indie author and his/her work.  Tell us what you think they will name their next work.  You can’t tell…

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My Chosen Path ~ A Poem To Ponder

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts

A beautiful share of a poem from one of my favorite authors, and I call her my 2nd mom. She is always sharing her life wisdom with me and all her blog followers. Come meet Author, Marilyn Fowler and her wonderful blog. *Catherine*

A Special Author Update About Shaaren Pine & Scott Magnuson ~ They Were Shared In The Washington Post!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts , , , , , , , ,

Hello Readers and Welcome New Friends,

One of my fun things to do here for my clients, is share their journey of all the wonderful things that come along with being an author with a new book release. And promoting ones books can take long hours, but when exciting opportunities come along, like being interviewed and written about in a major newspaper, then it makes the promoting hours worth while. I feel it also gives readers a more in-depth view of an author and their book.

And that is exactly what has come along for authors, Scott Magnuson and Shaaren Pine. So for all of us who don’t read The Washington Post, or subscribe, I want all of you to have an opportunity to learn more about Scott and Shaaren, and more about their amazing Memoir.

HAPPY READING Friends!

          When you’re an addict but serving alcohol is in your job description.


Scott Magnuson is part owner of the Argonaut, which he has operated on H Street NE since 2005. (Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

When Scott Magnuson sat down to dinner at his H Street pub, the Argonaut, with his wife, Shaaren, and their daughter, Ara, one summer night in 2011, a casual observer of the little family scene would hardly have guessed that his marriage was imploding.

Shaaren could no longer handle Scott’s excessive drinking and drug use. He had broken so many promises and she had grown so wary of him that she kept him in her sight as he slipped behind the bar to order their food. When she saw him pour himself a beer, she took Ara and quickly left the restaurant.

With his wife gone, Scott went on drinking for hours with the bar employees. As Shaaren waited up for him at home, panicking, her husband was, she says, “snorting Adderall and walking the streets of D.C.,” wasted.

But when he finally dragged himself into their house on Linden Place at 5 a.m. the next day, Scott says, he was done. “I was tired,” he says. “For the first time, I saw the pain I had created.”

Scott had abused substances for more than half his life, since he began sneaking beers at age 14 from the fridge at his first restaurant job. From the moment he started drinking, he recalls, “I drank and drank until I couldn’t drink anymore.”

That night in 2011, he decided that he couldn’t drink anymore.
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“If you don’t want to slip, don’t go to slippery places” — it’s an adage often repeated in the 12-step world. For Scott, for years, no place was as perilous as the Argonaut itself.

“Working in a restaurant didn’t cause me to use drugs and start drinking,” says Scott, 36. “But being in that environment — it’s like fuel to a fire.”

He and Shaaren, 39, are sitting in a quiet spot at the Argonaut, openly discussing Scott’s addiction and its corrosive effects, which they describe in their recent joint memoir, “Torn Together.” They hope that the book and their 18-month-old support group for workers in their industry will help open a dialogue about pervasive substance abuse in the bar business.

There’s plenty to talk about. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is due to issue new data on drug and alcohol use by restaurant workers this month. But in its last survey, released in 2007, 12 percent of full-time restaurant and hospitality workers reported heavy alcohol use, and 17 percent reported having used illicit drugs. Among various occupations, restaurant and bar workers ranked No. 1 for drug use and fourth for alcohol abuse.

Working in a bar is a career that comes with pressure to be sociable, to take the shots that bar-goers will buy you, says Chandler Christian, who has worked in the industry for years in various roles and has been at the Argonaut for the past four. “Traditionally,” he says, “the bartender is the guy who will drink you under the table.” Now, imagine if that bartender is prone to addiction.

“If you had an office job, you’d have been fired long ago because you didn’t come to work, or you came to work under the influence,” Shaaren adds. “But those things don’t happen in this industry. You can keep your job.”

Now that he’s sober, Scott is determined to keep his.


Scott Magnuson and his wife, Shaaren Pine, are speaking out about alcohol and drug abuse in the bar and restaurant industry. Scott’s own battle with addiction was fueled by the environments he worked in. They have written a book chronicling their story. (Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)
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Scott Magnuson met Shaaren Pine in 2005 at the Argonaut, a nautical-themed pub that was one of the first to plant a flag on H Street NE. Shaaren was 30 and drawn to the goateed 26-year-old behind the bar. He was wild, impetuous and almost instantly devoted to her.

Before long, Shaaren was working at the Argonaut, too, picking up shifts to earn cash while in grad school and be closer to Scott. There was hardly a night when the couple weren’t at the bar, cooking, running food, pouring beers, and then hanging out drinking in the hours after last call, stumbling home and sleeping late.

[Shaaren Pine on the pain of being an adoptee ]

They were married in 2007; Ara was born within a year. By then, Shaaren was aware that what had been a phase for her was a problem for Scott. She would wrest promise after promise from him — that he would stop drinking, stop smoking and settle down. He would swear that he would, but then she’d find pill bottles in his laundry, which he would explain away, and later, alcohol hidden around the house.

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When a fire in 2010 shuttered much of the Argonaut for months, Shaaren re-wrote the bar’s employee manual to insist on a drug-free workplace — and no drinking on the job.

It was a change, she acknowledges now, that was probably aimed solely at Scott, but it seemed to apply to everyone but him. He was secretly taking painkillers and making frequent trips to the bar basement to sneak swigs of vodka.
How could Shaaren not have known that her husband was an addict? “I had nothing clean to compare him to,” she says. She has never used drugs herself, but she eventually learned that Scott had abused them the whole time they’d been together.

[D.C. restaurateur Joey Belcher’s crazy life and mysterious death]

Also unaware of Scott’s addiction was his partner, Joe Englert, who owns stakes in 10 D.C. bars and restaurants, including 75 percent of the Argonaut.

When Shaaren called him to tell him about the extent of Scott’s drinking and drugging, Englert recalls, “I felt defeated and sad for the both of them because of how much time they had put into [the Argonaut], and that it was partly responsible for his troubles.”

But the business side was complicated. The Argonaut needed Scott, who, though a minority owner, runs the day-to-day operations. “You don’t want to scare away a good person like Scott by being overly paranoid or overly on top of him while you’re building a business,” Englert says.

By the time Shaaren called him, however, Scott had already left for rehab. After hitting bottom that summer night in 2011, he finally checked into a 21-day program in Florida

When he emerged and began outpatient treatment, he and Shaaren started Restaurant Recovery, a nonprofit organization that they hope will someday help underinsured bar and restaurant workers afford treatment. For now, they hold Restaurant Recovery meetings at the Argonaut on Monday afternoons, hours before nightlife workers usually clock in. Five or six people will usually show up to talk about their struggles at the meetings, which Scott leads. Upstairs, Shaaren will make time for the addicts’ loved ones if they want to talk.

“We’re not sure Restaurant Recovery will get anybody sober,” Shaaren says, but it’s important, adds Scott, for “people to see somebody that’s happy.”

Torn-Together_books

On a recent gorgeous Saturday afternoon, the brunch crowd has descended on the Argonaut. Eggs and wings fly out of the kitchen, and the bottomless mimosa’s flow.

While Scott runs glasses and hauls ice, Shaaren welcomes customers at the host stand. The two are aware of the irony of serving unlimited alcohol, but business is business.

When he first left rehab, it was hard for Scott to be around the pub. At first, he recalls, “you look at everybody else that’s drinking and having a good time, and you’re like, ‘Why can’t I just drink and have a good time? What’s wrong with me?’ ” Now, he’s not as bothered.

“He’s much calmer and much more at ease,” Englert says. “He knows who he is.” Scott has added a new tattoo to his heavily inked arms: a phoenix wrapped in flames, a mythological bird symbolizing rebirth and renewal.

Scott grabs buckets of ice during the brunch rush at the Argonaut. He once worked the floor regularly. Now, he prefers the predictable grind of the office. (Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)
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Tattoos marking Scott’s sobriety wrap around his arm. Some are nods to the meditation he embraces; one is a phoenix rising from the ashes. (Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post).
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There are other signs of his new life, too. He works out almost every day and has become a devotee of meditation. And for the most part, he no longer works the bar floor, preferring the zen of the office on the Argonaut’s second floor. Hanging on the avocado-green walls are the certificates marking his successful completion of drug and alcohol treatment.

Scott and Shaaren have bought a second home, a cute rambler in South Bristol, Maine, where Shaaren has spent many summers since her childhood. They also purchased a little general store and cafe there, on the waterfront. Whenever Ara, now 7, has a break from school, that’s where they are.

Asked what advice she could offer to others, Shaaren pauses for a long time. “There are no right answers. You have to do what’s right for you, because the statistics are so grim,” she finally says. “I can’t say stick it out, because what happened with Scott has been kind of miraculous.”

Scott has slipped a couple of times, including last summer, when, he says, he wasn’t working out or meditating and drank to the point that he was sick. The relapses lasted no more than a day, and each has been a learning experience. Sobriety, he knows, is a tightrope he’ll have to walk every day.

To get here, Scott says, “I had to change my focus from ‘Woo-hoo, bar! Party time!’ to ‘It’s a profession,’ you know? It’s my job.”

THE WASHINGTON POST. . . .

Their book titled; TORN TOGETHER, is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Authorhouse Bookstores online!
Visit their Book/Author website: http://TornTogetherBook.com
And, if that wasn’t exciting enough, they were also featured on their local news channel as well. If you’d like to watch this video? Just click on the link and enjoy!

Fox 5 News ~ DC
http://www.myfoxdc.com/Clip/11374338/dc-bar-owner-and-recovering-alcoholic-helping-others-suffering-from-substance-abuse-problems#.VScFxf4VqKA.facebook
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“Yes, the thrill is gone” Remembering Father of Blues, BB King.

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , ,

MOURNING THE LOSS OF THE FATHER OF BLUES .  .  .  .

 

 


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B.B. King, Blues Legend, Dies at 89 .  .  .  .

“If his celebrity rose from his tireless ambassadorship for the art form, it was built on his refined skill as a fiery performer and a stinging, supremely tasteful electric guitarist. Mr. King died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. Thursday in Las Vegas, He was 89.”

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There was only, and will forever be only ONE BB KING  . . . .

 

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In Memoriam . . .

Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

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A Mother’s Day Special Guest Author Spotlight! I Welcome Author, Rusty Blackwood to ‘Lyon Book Promotions.’

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest, New Book & Author Press Release , , , , , , , ,

Happy Mother’s Day Friends and Readers!

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Miss Carson Doan of C.E. Doan Photography.


Today I welcome Author, Rusty Blackwood to my book blog. We have been friends for quite sometime now. She happened to share some special news with me to share with all of you, my fabulous readers! But before we get to the good news, let me share a wee bit more about my good friend Rusty . . . .

About The Author:
Top ranking romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood believes the flair for fantasy is anything the mind wishes it to be, and she is a master at this. Within her expressive mind is found an endless array of romance, passion, textures and colors to sweep the reader to exotic, faraway places where anything is possible, proving that her words really do leave you breathless.

Canadian born Blackwood grew up on her paternal grandfather’s farm in south-western Ontario, Canada, where she developed her love of writing while still in grade school, entering numerous competitions and writing exhibitions throughout her area, and attributes her love of writing to her late father James, and to Gladys Carroll, her elementary teacher. Although unprofessionally trained in the field, Rusty has always had an affinity for the written word, a gift to express it, and has demonstrated this talent many times since becoming a serious writer in 2001.

She has written an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional poetry, publishing her first collection in October of 2009 entitled, “Feelings: A Rhythmic Journey in Thought,” which was later re-released in a second collection with additional content in 2011 under the title, “Impressions: A Poetic Rhythm in Emotion”. Feelings was followed in April of 2010 by a collection of assorted short stories for children, as well as the young at heart, entitled, “Young Minds,”  which was later re-released as a second collection with additional content in 2012 under the title, “Through the Eyes of Innocence.”  In March of  2012 Rusty released the short-story comedy, “The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom.” 

Following a previously hard-fought, misguided, and misleading publishing road into the competitive world of main-stream fiction with her first two-part romance/drama, ‘Passion in Paris’– Connections to the Past and Directions of the Heart respectively – Rusty was finally given the chance to accomplish what she had originally set out to do, and this exciting reprieve can be found within the pages of her new heart-touching romance/drama, “Passions In Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary,”  now available at the online bookstores of Create Space, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon worldwide. This beautiful romance novel is expected to be followed by the romance/drama, ’Willow’s Walk.’

The 5’1″(154.94 cm) spunky redhead is often asked how much of herself is found in her heroines, and she has been noted to say a fair amount, adding that most writer’s inspiration comes from many different aspects of life experience and reaping from them all that one can to use to one’s best advantage, so in that respect she would have to say that many sides, aspects, and flavors of her heroines derive from her own personality and life.

Rusty has always loved the Arts in their many unique forms and this is demonstrated in the two Interior Decorating and Design diplomas she holds, as well as her many years spent on the south-western Ontario stage performing with her family’s country music band, The Midnight Ramblers, and the country rock – blues band, MIRAGE  respectively as an accomplished vocalist, bassist, and rhythm guitarist.

Rusty firmly believes in going after what she wants, doing whatever is required to make it happen, and turning a deaf ear to anyone who says it cannot be done. She has faced many challenges throughout her life, emerging more determined with each, but make no mistake about her methods, for she is a firm believer in Karma and the adage that whatever you put out in life revisits you, so be sure your intentions are proper.

Ms. Blackwood now resides in the cultural city of St. Catharine’s, Ontario and when not at her keyboard, enjoys art, music, nature, gardening, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her loyal cat, Tipper.
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Now here is her most current book titled; “PASSIONS In Paris, Revelations of a Lost Diary.” It has gotten Rave Reviews!
And this isn’t her first rodeo either. She has several wonderful published books released. Here is a little about “Passions In Paris” . . .
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About The Book:

Product Details

Paris, one the most romantic places in the world sets the scene for one of the best romance novels to come along in ages. A romance novel, filled with creative fiction, engrossed with passion, lust and lovers who cannot get enough of one another. In the tradition of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula‘ and ‘What Dreams May Come‘, the story spans lifetimes This is what awaits you within the pages of ‘Passions in Paris: Revelations Of A Lost Diary’, one of the best romance novels to come along in years.

A writers dream, a reader’s paradise, it’s creative fiction executed fully. Paris, the bewitching City of Light sets the scene for this passionate romance novel, peppered with drama, intrigue, deception, adultery and jealousy alike, this fictional romance which centers on star-crossed lovers Joy Wychmere and Cullen Malone, is certain to touch your soul and leave you desiring more. If a good book is your goal, you will not be disappointed with this exceptional romance novel by Rusty Blackwood.

Buy this book at Createspace

Buy this book at Amazon

Buy this book at Barnes and Noble

Buy this book at Smashwords
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Book Reviews:

“Exciting Tale”
I liked the book quite a lot.
And the title is certainly well-chosen, because it is a story about passionate people fighting for their love. The book is dramatic, eventful and exciting!”
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“This dramatic love story is a page turner and was cause for a couple very late nights of reading before I was delivered to the end of the tale!”
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5 stars
 “A long kindled love between two different worlds that sets ablaze forbidden emotions on a roller coaster ride of endless desire — Miss Blackwood has a rare talent to bring this and more into the minds and hearts of those who have had the privilege to be transported into her wonderful world of story telling.”
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5 stars
 “Fascinating book of a love story that seemed to be written with me in mind.”
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Now my readers know I only ask 2 questions of my guest authors, and for this prolific writer of romance, her is a little about her writing process, and as a self published princess.
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1.)  How did you know you wanted to become a writer, author, and editor?

I have loved to write since childhood. I always enjoyed English class, both English Comp, and English Lit, but my greatest enjoyment came from English Composition. It was there I could let my imagination soar and take me to wonderful places where anything was possible. I can remember numerous requirements in class with regard to writing a short essay, full length compositions, critiquing one’s work, understanding the reason behind another writer’s choice, that sort of thing, whatever the teacher’s requirement in English was on any particular day, and I well remember my excitement entering whatever piece I’d written into county fair competitions, assorted literature gatherings, and trying my best to hold my own among the imaginative pieces awaiting the judge’s final word. So many talented young writers in my area, and I was just happy to be among them and have my work before those who not only loved to read, but whose teachings and critique meant so much in helping each of us to improve. It all helped to build a better basis for each written piece that was to follow.

As strange as it sounds, writing wasn’t what I set out to do as a career, therefore I was never professionally trained in the field, but because of my affinity for the subject, I developed a keen sense of manipulating written words where I could express my feelings in a much better way than expressing them verbally. I would write assorted short stories, compose poetry, keep a diary, that sort of thing, but in 2001 I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. This decision stayed with me over the course of ten years which resulted in the writing of the original two-part Passion in Paris.

I self-published the first part, Passion in Paris: Connections to the Past in 2010, the second, Passion in Paris: Directions of the Heart in 2011, but I was never satisfied with the final product or the self publishing company that I had chosen to publish it,  so I terminated my contract and pulled my work. In 2012, after finding a new publishing outlet, I had the opportunity to totally redo the story in one book, which was the way I had originally intended it to be done in the first place. The finished novel, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, which I am extremely proud of, was released  in the summer of 2013. With regard to publishing any of my work, I decided at the beginning to take the self publishing route because I wanted to maintain direction of my work, as well as the Rights to it, and not have to sign either away in order to obtain a publishing contract with a Standard House.

It’s a hard road; then again any road in this field can be difficult regardless of the route chosen because nothing is certain, you just have to believe in yourself, your ability, and be sure you research every aspect of it as well as you can. When it comes to editing, I do tend to feel one improves in this area with each written piece, and I have managed to acquire a fair understanding with regard to it, however I don’t consider myself an editor in any way. I do edit my work to a certain degree as I go, but I leave the main editing to the professionals.

2.)  What is the “Best Thing” you enjoy about being a writer & author?

I love the challenge of a blank page, and letting my thoughts and imagination pull me into it. I very much love creating characters that I can mold and give life to, insert them into a world that I have created for them, and watch them flourish within it. It becomes entirely my own world where I’m in charge — most of the time that is — as characters often have a way of taking over and demanding their own way, their own words, and their own actions.

This often directs a story down a far different road than you started out on. But it’s a great feeling to watch a story that has formed in your head come to life on a page that in turn becomes a complete book. As an author you hope it will bring enjoyment to the reader, hopefully as much as it brought you to write it. I can only speak for myself and what best works for me, but I basically write for myself and my enjoyment. I think a lot of writers do, because without the enjoyment that it primarily provides, the first page would never get written . . .
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So what more can I share about my wonderful friend Rusty? How about the ‘Fabulous News’ of a new book release very soon! YES! In just a few months Rusty Blackwood’s brand new book will release! And I have the pleasure of sharing it right here on ‘Lyon Book Promotions’!!

Her new book is titled; WILLOW’S WALK. Here is the book cover reveal, and about this soon to release book!
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Book Description:

The path each person walks is entirely their own. The pitfalls along that path, as well as the way in which they are dealt with are entirely up to the individual. Most use common sense, and are successful in their plight … But Willow Sutherland Crosby walks a far-different path, and with her own agenda … From the author of the riveting 4-star romantic fiction drama, ‘Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary,’ comes a gripping new tale, certain to hold you captive from the very first page.
Set in the beautiful city of Ottawa, Canada in 2003, this touching story centers on the life and times of a woman determined to prevail at all costs, regardless of what is set before her, the result of which is certain to leave the reader reeling in its wake. Abuse, deception, intrigue, and a never-ending quest for happiness and love. Will she find it, or will her blind determination finally take her down? This is what awaits the eye within the pages of this inspiring romance drama by romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood.
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Now I don’t know about you, but I can not wait to get my hands on a copy! I want to thank my wonderful friend Author, Rusty Blackwood for allowing me to share in her exciting new up coming book release. And for the opportunity to share her with all of you, my fabulous followers and readers. Now here is where you can connect with Rusty, but {Ssssshhhhhh her real name is Carol}, so don’t tell anyone! LOL.

First, if you love to visit author blogs/websites? Than your going to love Rusty’s! http://www.rusty-blackwood.com/
While your there, make sure you check out her’ journal’ area. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads to right here:

https://twitter.com/rusty_blackwood/  ~ Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/writerrusty?ref=ts  ~ Facebook
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4067877.Rusty_Blackwood  ~ Goodreads

Wishing all mom’s a Fabulous and Beautiful Mother’s Day,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon & ‘Lyon Book Promotions’ . . .


I’m Featured On BookGoodies.Com! I present my Author Interview.

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts

Hello Readers, Friends, and Welcome New Visitors,

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My hubby Tom and I at Crater Lake National Park, So. Oregon

Living life in recovery and having mental illness can be a challenge at times to say the least. But I need to express, if it wasn’t for this handsome man in this photo next to me? I don’t think I would have made it!
I just needed to share that with all my friends & visitors here . . .

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Now to the fantastic news!  I have been featured on one of my favorite places to be. Book Goodies! Here is the link for all authors to get your own author interview too on BookGoodies.com And be a part of BookGoodies.net community as well!
http://bookgoodies.com

It is a great place for authors, and special place for readers. It’s a must for all authors to come add your books, have your own author interview, place all your book promotions, giveaways, and lower priced E-books all in one place.

So I am happy, honored, and excited to share my feature author interview with all of you! So, here we go!
Happy Reading Friends!
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“Interview With Author — Catherine Townsend-Lyon, Author & Recovery Advocate”

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About Catherine Townsend-Lyon, Author:
Catherine a TKG Publishing Best Selling Author and the Prolific writer of the book titled; “Addicted To Dimes” (Confessions of a liar and a Cheat). It is a powerful memoir of her life, and all she has endured, battled, and much to overcome. Her 8 years in recovery from addicted gambling and alcohol abuse proves anyone can recover, turn their lives around and have a beautiful life in recovery.

Catherine’s insightful journey of gambling addiction, living with mental illness and disorders, and a survivor of childhood sex abuse and trauma, parental & verbal abuse into adulthood, seemed to have created a ‘Perfect Storm’ for addiction later in life, and set the stage for addicted behaviors & habits, as she used to ‘escape’ her painful past. Today she is well-known and respected in the addiction & recovery online community, as she advocates to help educate, inform, and raise awareness of compulsive addicted gambling.

It is mainly what her first book is about. How one can turn to addiction when unhealthy underlying issues are not addressed in a proper manner. Her story is a haunting, dark, and sometimes hard to read journey of a woman clawing her way back to reclaiming her life back. Without polish or prose, Catherine gives the public an in-depth, insightful view of the dark side of gambling, and how she recovered. Her second and third books will release late 2015.

What inspires you to write?
What inspires me to write? Interesting question. Many reasons why I write, blog, and advocate is to be of recovery service to others. My book was purely a “spiritual intervention” as I didn’t set out to write a book or manuscript. I have always been a diary and journaling geek, but it came more important when I entered long-term recovery. I did however love to write poetry as a teenager, but then Life came calling. Today I write to share hope to others in recovery from this devastating disease called; Gambling Addiction!

My book however was inspired by, or what got me to write and see on paper, all the horrible things I’d done, been through, and almost lost my life twice from compulsive addicted gambling. I share in the beginning of my book, Addicted To Dimes, why I wrote my book. It was after I read a newspaper article of a woman who committed suicide in her Casino Hotel room. They rest? You’ll have to read my book for the, “rest of the story” . . . .

Tell us about your writing process.
How my first book became a book manuscript, thanks to a friend that is an editor of our local newspaper, and she needed a project for her finals in college. I just went and bought 5 notebooks of paper and starting writing about my life, and what I’d been through starting as a little girl. It just came pouring out of me for a whole year. So I guess I’m old fashioned in this day and age of computers. I didn’t even own a computer when I began to write all my words, instead I filled those 5 notebooks by writing what was in my heart and wrote by hand.

What advice would you give other writers?
I tell everyone when I’m asked this question, and the best advice I was given as a writer from my publisher at: The Kodel Empire Publishing Group (TKG) was, “write what you know, write with passion, and it takes many, many hours of book promoting to gain your readership!” . . . And boy was my publisher, Steve Laible right! Advice to other writers? Look over your publishing agreements/contracts carefully. If a publisher promises to help promote your book when it releases? Get It In Writing!

How did you decide how to publish your books?
Of course I mentioned above as to why I started writing. And how my book became a manuscript, thanks to my friend Julie Hall, at our local newspaper. But, she took it a step father, as she faxed the first 50 pages of the manuscript to a friend of hers who happened to be a local publisher here: http://kodelempire.com  He, (Steve Laible of TKG), called me and said my manuscript needs to be published to help others who are afflicted with addicted or problem gambling, living with mental/emotional health issues like myself, and would give many a voice who also endured childhood trauma and abuse as I did.

And that’s how my book; Addicted To Dimes came to be! I became a writer, and a first time published author on my 50th birthday!

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I feel many authors are self-publishing their books on their own through many fantastic self-publishing platforms, it has changed the whole landscape of publishing. The big publishing firms are not publishing unknown authors any longer. Now a days, the big publishing firms won’t even look at a manuscript unless your already a NY Times best seller, a famous person, or even a well-known reality or sports star. Very sad indeed.

On the flip side to this, self-publishing has it’s good and bad points. Bad? It has flooded the book market, so it takes a lot of book promoting creativity to get your books noticed, especially when you’re a first timer. The Good? It gives many, many writers of all types, a fair chance to share their craft as writers to the reading mass’s. Yes, authors like, ‘E L James of Fifty Shades of Grey’ are a rare breed, an unknown going huge overnight, but a least we have that opportunity for our writing and books to be seen, read, and enjoyed by readers. Much of this comes from my business experience as a ‘Book Promoter’ myself.

What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Professional Publisher

What genres do you write?: Non-Fiction, Recovery Writer, Memoir/Biography, Self-Help,

What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print

Website(s)
Catherine Townsend-Lyon, Author Home Page Link
Link To Catherine Townsend-Lyon, Author Page On Amazon
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So there is my Author Interview on Book Goodies. Yes, I did happen to see a few typo’s, but hey? well it shows no one person is perfect. I Thank Deborah at Book Goodies for the fabulous author interview.
And readers, make sure you go by for a visit and meet you’re next great book to read!
*Catherine*  :-)