God’s Grace Is What All Humans Need

NY Weekly Staff on January 4, 2023

God is gracious! He loves His people and is always there for them whether they ask for Him or not. No one can remain without fruits in the garden of God’s grace. Sometimes, life puts people in stressful situations, and the trauma leads them to believe there is no way out. But all of a sudden, they observe things getting resolved. They find the reasons for happiness even after suffering from extreme tragedies. The pain is relieved, injuries are healed, diseases are cured, and problems are solved eventually. It all happens because God is always there. He showers His blessings and grace on His people. Nothing can happen without His will. He shows miracles and helps His people when they lose all their hopes.

When nothing works out and things become helpless, humans seek God’s Grace. We hope for His grace because we know He is Gracious. It is in His attributes. Graciousness is not something that He puts on or takes off, depending on the situation. In fact, He is always Gracious. Whether people seek His grace or don’t believe in Him, He doesn’t leave humans alone. He demonstrates grace in everything He does. Every good thing happens to humans that’s because of God’s grace. He is there to sort things out when things don’t go well. All we need to do is trust Him. Hope should always be alive.

God’s miracle doesn’t require any scientific reasons. They just happen when He wants. Everything in this world is temporary; money is not eternal, and fame doesn’t offer eternal life. Even this world is mortal, and it has to end one day. But God is always there; He will give His people eternal life.

Nothing is in human control; there is always a major power, which is God’s grace. It is His grace that allows humans to achieve what they want. God’s grace is not just for humans but for all His creatures. The little birds leave their nest in the morning and return in the evening without thinking of restoring food for the next day. They leave the next morning and still get the food for the day. How does it happen? It’s God who feeds them. Not just the birds, but the entire universe. Small insects living in the stones always find a way to survive, whether rain or storm. God is gracious, and His grace is for everyone! God’s grace is all humans need to survive, stay happy, and find eternal life.

Humans breathe, think, walk, talk, and do everything because of Him. We, humans, owe Jesus. In order to thank God, the author, Lizabeth Cuenya, has published a book based on God’s grace. She wants to let the readers know about God’s blessings and miracles that she experienced throughout her life. She authored this book to spread the message of how God can cure the disease, heal the injured, relieve sorrow, and bring happiness to human life. Lizabeth has gone through several tragic incidents, but due to God’s grace, she is now breathing, walking, and even smiling. The book depicts her life experiences on why humans solely depend on God’s grace. He is always gracious.

Deidra Moore, speaker and author of “From Me to You,” empowering voices, identities, and purposes through African American history

NY Weekly Staff on January 3, 2023

As an African American mother, wife, and advocate for change, Deidra Moore has a passion for teaching young minds about the importance of investing in themselves and learning about their history. This passion led her to create the multigenerational coffee table book, “From Me to You,” which explores the social effects and economic legacy of slavery in the United States.

Deidre never expected that a simple question from her son, Justin, to whom the book is dedicated, would start her on the journey of tracing back her history. She turned this moment with her son into a memorable learning experience and wrote “From Me to You,” a multigenerational coffee table book that explores the social impact and economic legacy of slavery in the United States from the perspective of enslaved Africans and their descendants.

“From Me to You” features illustrations and short biographies of prominent nineteenth and twentieth-century civil rights activists, including Ida B. Wells and former President Barack Obama. The book is a testament to the lasting power of storytelling, and it’s a story to be shared and discussed no matter the background or age group. In order to answer her son’s question, Deidra embarked on a journey to explore African American history from the lens of enslaved Africans and their descendants through accessible storytelling. The book also includes special illustrations and quotes from award-winning author Edwidge Danticat, urologic surgeon and author Dr. Oneeka Williams, international speaker and author Dr. Pamela C.V. Jolly, and legendary retired N.F.L. player Calvin Hill. “From Me to You” made its debut in September of 2022 as a resource in independent schools in New York State.

In addition to her advocacy work as a speaker and writer, Deidra is also a successful lawyer. In 1996, she made the decision to quit her job as a commercial real estate paralegal and attend law school at CUNY School of Law at Queens College. After graduating in 1999, Deidra worked as a Public Defender with The Legal Aid Society in Bronx County. Nearly five years later, she left The Legal Aid Society to establish her own law firm, the Law Offices of Deidra R. Moore, P.C., in 2004.

Deidra Moore is an inspiring individual who is making a difference in the world through her writing, speaking, and legal work. If you love Black History and are interested in legal topics, Deidra’s brand is one to watch. With her dedication to teaching and advocating for change, Deidra is helping individuals find their “V.I.P.” (voice, identity, and purpose) status and make a positive impact in the world. In addition to her work in Black History, Deidra is also a speaker on a variety of legal topics, including matrimonial law, trusts and estates law, mental hygiene law, and wrongful death matters. Deidra’s background as a member of the New York State Bar Association allows her to bring a unique perspective to these topics,

If you’re interested in booking Deidra for your next seminar or workshop, you can visit her website at http://www.deidramoore.com/ or email her at dmoore2253@gmail.com. 

An Ode to Recovery from Grief – With love, Laura Formentini

NY Weekly Staff on January 2, 2023

You fluff back the pillows, reassemble the books, and put back the scattered stationery in a room that illuminates a different shade of yellow than before. The drawings they drew were immortal, like the memories they etched in your head with every smile, every giggle, and every moment they spent with you. That overwhelming feeling of grief ensues with the news. 

A seed of an olive tree planted in their name, waiting to sprout, for its branches to reach out and save you from the sorrow.

Laura Formentini’s raw and candid depiction of grief addresses that unnamed, unexplainable hollow space in your heart with her book TwentyOne Olive Trees. 

Here’s what readers can expect from it:

Raw and Real 

Most self-help books force nuances of motivation and recovery by sharing tips and routines you must follow to rejuvenate your happiness. If you have faced loss, you can relate to the suffocating feeling. Where your mind is chaotic, the last thing you need is someone to give you unsolicited advice. What you do need is a shoulder to cry on, someone you can feel safe with. Laura Formentini, through her book, gives every reader, every griever, the opportunity to let their guard down. 

In the book’s foreword, she mentions the reason for the book’s inception. One that sets the tone throughout your read. With each story and poem, you can feel yourself walking the garden of grief, searching for peace and finding it at small bends and turns. 

You feel the enormous deposits of energy stuck in your body, waiting to vent out and flow in the form of tears. Laura’s book helps calm down the feeling of debilitation into one of catharsis. 

Words Of Wisdom

A significant theme in the book is the olive tree. Laura Formentini depicts realizations and moments of wisdom in the folk-fantasy flavor. She describes her choice of the folk aesthetic to bring out the child in her. In today’s world, people take things too seriously. She allows the reader to lay back and channel their inner carefree child with tales reminiscent of the ones grandma used to tell. 

And just like those stories, each piece of writing is laced with lessons that will make you wiser in your journey through grief. Her stories are a much-needed reminder to take life one day at a time, to breathe and “rock on.” Something Laura’s son, Blaise, used to tell her before his sad passing.

Something Beautiful 

When people pass away, they leave a trail of memories to cherish. But before such memories come, there is blurriness caused by damp eyes and an aching heart. Laura Formentini’s book vividly portrays her sorrow for her son’s passing. 

She uses poetry to channel her cathartic experience and a journal to document her raw emotions at the time of her son’s passing. Upon her venting, she realized her heart was getting lighter. Slowly and slowly, the realizations are laced with feelings of peace. She suddenly found herself expressing herself through her writing. Her free-flowing and unorthodox artistic aesthetic is evident in the fables featured in the book. 

Suicide 

The book also raises awareness of the aftermath suicide leaves. Laura’s poetry paints a picture of how overburdening the weight left by suicide can be. Laura and her son shared a special relationship. The two explorers found their joy in finding remote areas. She recalls her winter in Oslo, Norway gazing at the Aurora Borealis with him amongst the memories seared in her heart. The impact of these memories is clear in Laura’s poetry. 

As a reader, the pieces give you a newfound love for life and how short it can be. It urges you to run over to your parents and express your love to them with a tight hug. They help you escape the harsh reality, little by little giving you the room to heal and grow. It gives 

It is an ode to life, a message to live it to the fullest. An understanding that we are energy and that energy doesn’t die but transforms. Our loss isn’t a loss per se but simply a natural transformation process, the fundamentals of which we all have to abide by to persevere, to push, and to make a life worth living for ourselves. There will be times when the water will feel like it’s overflowing to the brim. Just know in those moments, somewhere out there, your soulmate is waiting for you back home. They would want you to be hopeful in their absence and know that they are and always will be here. 

A notion that helps you find peace in knowing that the ones you lost never left nor will. 

Click on the link to buy TwentyOne Olive Trees now!

PTSD: Post-Traumatic Streets Disorder is One Author’s Tale of Life on the Streets Giving Way to Empowerment

NY Weekly Staff on December 1, 2022

As a young child, Justin Reeves was placed in foster care because his mother was a drug addict who smoked crack while she was pregnant with him. 

“I came up from nothing,” he said. “I was once told I wouldn’t make it past 18—I would either be dead or in prison.” 

But he was also told something else. 

“Anytime I talked about my life, someone would say, ‘You should write a book,’” he said. 

And that’s just what he did. 

“I always knew my life was interesting,” he said. 

As JD the Author, Reeves wrote Post-Traumatic Streets Disorder: A Battle Within, an Amazon best-seller. He has also become a motivational speaker, drawing on his experiences to inspire people because, as he puts it, “It’s my calling—my purpose is to be the light to others and help others see the light in themselves.” 

JD is a single father raising three boys in New York City. He’s been homeless, battled mental health issues and is glad to be off the streets, harnessing his creativity for empowerment. 

“This book is purely to motivate the ones like me, who are struggling with whatever they are battling,” JD said. “If it’s an addiction, if it’s depression, if it’s some type of mental disorder, if it’s to get out the streets, or even if you just want to level up and you don’t believe in yourself. You can look at me; you can read these stories and say, ‘He made it through. I can do it, too.’” 

 JD maintains a commanding presence with everything he writes, including this excerpt from the description of his book on Amazon.com. 

“Stepping from the sidewalk, with one foot cemented in the streets, Justin desired what this life would not give,” reads Amazon.com.

“Now, a single father of three boys and a man changed, he navigates away from street life. How does one abandon the only world they know with only a hope for greener pastures and bluer skies? After countless battles, both mental and physical, Justin works towards the greatest triumph of all, a better life. He will become a successful author and motivational speaker, and break the cycle for his children to remain firmly on life’s sidewalk, out of the streets, and without the PTSD Justin will carry the remainder of his days, a soldier to his own trauma.” 

So, how are the Amazon reviews? 

  • “The story was told so truthfully. It was sad and encouraging all at the same time!”
  • “The story is truly inspiring and captivating. You will be left on the edge of your seat from the first page. The detail and explanation of each situation presented in this book allowed me to put myself within the story and take it all in.” 
  • “Very raw, real, and vivid. 5 Stars for transparency and vulnerability.”

Visit jdtheauthor.com and Amazon.com to learn more. 

Victoria Liu revolutionizes food delivery for students

NY Weekly Staff on October 26, 2022

CEO Victoria Liu was in line at a concession stand when she first had the idea to create a stadium food delivery app. Liu pivoted this idea to create BYPPO, a food delivery service centered around local restaurants. Her app began operating in Gainesville, Florida, before expanding to the rest of the United States.

Liu’s BYPPO has grown considerably since its inception in 2019, with the app introducing users to different kinds of cuisines in the area. This helps local establishments stay afloat, especially with the waived fees for restaurants in the Gainesville area during the Covid19 pandemic.

The next step for Liu and BYPPO is BYPPOcampus, a service tailored to universities which improves the college experience by providing convenient food options for students and an eco-friendly networking opportunity on campus grounds.  

“BYPPOCampus is a campus food delivery program run by students, for students – all with safety, sustainability, and social responsibility at its core,” shares Liu. 

Liu’s new service identifies three trending issues in the university landscape where BYPPOCampus is helping with:

Student Employment

Working in the university setting provides valuable experience to students as they transition to the real world. This also provides students with a way to earn their own income. 

Employing students can be challenging, but BYPPOCampus’ approach offers a solution. Students can sign up to be delivery runners and work on their own schedules giving them the flexibility to decide their hours. In cooperation with the university, the service also taps into student organizations to recruit student runners and help meet their fundraising needs. 

Student safety is guaranteed because all deliveries are done within campus grounds.

Educating Sustainable Students

More schools are incorporating sustainability into their curriculum. BYPPOCampus exclusively conducts the deliveries through eco-friendly means like using energy-efficient scooters, public transportation, bikes, and walking. Every transaction made through BYPPOCampus is also paperless and sustainable.

Experiential Learning

Liu believes that people learn best by doing. BYPPOCampus allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom in real-world situations by educating students to become CEOs of their school’s BYPPOCampus programs. Through this, students are given a chance to learn the ins and outs of running a business. It also serves as a platform to enhance their professionalism, networking, leadership, and accountability skills.

Ready to be a part of the university experience

The service has been well-received by campuses across the United States.

“The future of Higher Ed hospitality includes delivery as an innovative way to meet students, faculty, and staff where they are. And BYPPOCampus is simply the superior solution to being able to connect with anyone, anywhere, at the moment of truth. Combined with experiential learning opportunities and social enterprise, there is no competition,” shares Larry Lee, M.Ed., CASP. Larry is a veteran university administrator, certified auxiliary services professional, and higher ed hospitality program expert that holds a master’s in higher education administration.

Students have also taken to the service positively. “Great for on-campus ordering. Ordered food on UF Campus with this app, and it was very good! I enjoyed skipping the lines. It was super convenient,” shares app user Karen Taft.The team continues to launch the service in schools nationwide. Colleges interested in getting started with BYPPOCampus can visit www.byppocampus.com for more details.

WHAM BAM! NYC In The Roaring Sixties, Fascinating Tales of NYC in The Sixties

NY Weekly Staff on October 13, 2022

Wham Bham is a remarkable memoir written in a way that primarily focuses on the Sixties language, making it all the more interesting. But it doesn’t end there; the book is not for people who tend to get easily offended. The author, Robert Isenberg, has described too much reality and in-depth narration of his life for the readers to enjoy. 

Reflecting sexual emancipation deriving from the fifties, the readers discover the rapid social transformations taking place during these vital and revolutionary times. As we speak of revolution, the book also mentions the ongoing advancements in the business world, modifying lifestyles, feminist uprising, and minority rights, to name a few. In addition, the readers experience a deep dive into the intimate side of family dynamics and relationships. Discussion on such significant aspects propels the readers to avoid keeping the book down until they learn about the culture, religion, sex, and the boiling politics in America. 

The author, Robert Isenberg, initiates his unbelievably interesting life in NYC. The social changes in the 1960s are worth exploring. They would leave the reader immersed in an enriching experience of a vast part of America. The autobiographical story of a young man in the roaring sixties revolves around an individual on a mission to make a name for himself. Interestingly, readers today can even connect themselves to the countless experiences Issenberg goes through. 

Robert Issenberg is nothing less than a witty and smart individual, and his stories of the sixties clearly defined his incredible journey of launching his own roast beef sandwich business. The author, while busy exploring life all on his own and learning quite a lot of versatile experiences, gets fired from a job at a moment when he did not see it coming at all. Clueless as to how to move forward with life, the drastic and intense circumstances do not break his spirit. Liked by countless women, but life decides to give him a fair share of challenges. And he chooses to keep moving consistently with the light of hope in his hands. 

The author is as clueless as all of us, and that makes the entire story even more relatable. In an era when everyone was paying massive attention to how to build their future and shape their lives, NYC in the sixties was an exceptional place to live. The character’s stories are not only worth reading, but they will make them laugh out loud as well. 

Readers will find the characters making life-long decisions while experiencing difficulties and certain struggles. People’s idiosyncrasies and whacky behavior are bound to make the audience smile. While the author’s life is full of unpredictable events, full of pretty women roaming around, it becomes utterly colorful and pleasant when Issenberg finds the love of his life, Esther, marries and settles. 

It is a must-read memoir and shouldn’t be missed, mostly because the sixties era was brimming with the strong energies of freedom and losses and also a perfect time to enjoy life in its truest sense. Every corner had a story to tell and an equally interesting past to uncover. 

Apart from his trying to build a successful future, his charisma of not giving up is commendable. There are other certain interesting characters, such as Pat, Sue, Abbie Hoffman, Elaine, and artists, such as the Shirelles. The book also includes a whole chapter about Vietnam War. Robert has made an incredible effort to define the times of the sixties in NYC that will keep the readers engaged and entertained for good. Such a memoir is, beyond any doubt, a piece of art that should pass the eyes of every reader worldwide. 

https://amzn.to/3LXX9Ed

Watch Out For Gayle Deguzman’s Latest Novel, “After All These Years,” Which Will Leave All Romantics Swooning

NY Weekly Staff on October 13, 2022

In recent years, writers of romance have been hailed across the world for creating heart-wrenching plots with characters that will woo you through the pages of the book. If you want to experience this phenomenon with original characters, look out for Gayle Deguzman’s contemporary take on romance in “After All These Years.”

This book follows Belle, our main protagonist, as she goes through different stages of her life, gaining nothing but success. Yet, something holds her back from having it all. Betrayal from her first love, whom she thought she would spend the rest of her life with, leaves her unable to trust anyone but herself. The readers’ hearts will break as they will get to know how much hurt Belle still holds in her heart for something that had happened in high school. Did it mean that she was still in love with her first and only boyfriend, Bradford, or did she hold resentment towards him for what he had put her through? Flip through the pages of “After All These Years” if you want to get to the end of this!

The way Belle progresses through life is as real as it is magical, which is just what Gayle wanted. Being an avid reader of the romantic genre herself, gayle wanted to try her hand at writing the stories which took up most of the space in her mind.

Gayle Deguzman says about her penchant for creating realistically fueled romantic stories, “I love writing with a passion. And I wanted to show the world all of the ways in which people can fall in love and inspire them to go out and make their own romantic story!”

“After All These Years” is Gayle’s debut into the literary world of heartbreak, longing, and reconciliation. The characters go through a lot of different scenarios in which they feel various emotions that are described with raw expressions that leave the reader rooting for the main couple.

The entire novel is riddled with twists and turns that will make the readers difficult to choose from more than one match for Belle as she goes through many realizations. Between newfound friendship and a past lover, the choice becomes more difficult as both are equally as swoon-worthy as the other. The readers will be at the edge of their seats till the end of the book as Belle will struggle between the obvious choice and the right one.

The brilliance of such a solid plot is wholly upon Gayle Deguzman, who is a romantic at heart. She wants the readers to relate to the characters she creates, which makes it possible for her to write them in the most human way possible. Gayle finds romance in every little thing, from nature to a stranger holding the door for you. This has what made “After All These Years” possible after the author spent many sleepless nights dreaming about all the ways people can fall in love.

Gayle Deguzman is an enigma which has been sailing for more than a decade on her 36-foot MacGregor catamaran all by herself with a Chinese Shar Pei dog for company. Her work experience has given her the experience to write about stories that she has spent hours imagining, and once she had started, she could not stop. “After All These Years” and various of Gayle’s work in progress stemmed from just an idea that she birthed into words that could tell the stories to people that she wanted to tell.

Gayle lives on Vancouver Island these days and spends much of her time writing away captivating romantic stories that are far more than just stories because they are not only romantic but thought-provoking and mind-blowing. The author hopes that with her debut novel, “After All These Years,” the readers will get to know the kind of author she is and will ardently look forward to what she has to put out in the recent future! 

https://amzn.to/3riBahW

When Past Sins Come Back To Haunt

NY Weekly Staff on October 13, 2022

In A.D. Logan’s horror-filled thriller book, titled “Stain” one can find themselves in an immersive plot of witchcraft and dramatic suspense.

The story starts with the character name Carolyn inviting people to a grand party to have some fun. But little did they know, it was merely a trap where each individual would have to pay for their past sins. A.D. Logan has written a masterpiece, a novel that fascinatingly explains the unpredictable transformation of a weak person into something mighty. Or one may want to say horrifically monstrous. But Carolyn was not always that hideous and scary. It all starts with a simple woman who has been inflicted with undue behaviour and the unjust circumstances of life. While living an ordinary life, everything turns upside down, gradually and all too sudden.

When Carolyn meets her soulmate, she thinks life will become a bed of roses, to some extent. The thought of life turning into a beautiful journey was a mere thought. And before she knew it, she found herself trapped in a seemingly never-ending cycle of rescuing her loved ones. The oppressive and unjustifiable behaviors of others forced her to turn into a person ready to take everyone’s life without thinking twice. In amidst of being busy taking revenge, her loved ones turned against her trying to put an end to her. While one may think of Carolyn as the absolute villain of the story, the readers will find a shocking twist, realizing that it was her trying to save her family. The plot is not all about avenging the loss but also about the severity a person would go to sacrificing themselves to an almost unlimited extent.

The question, however, remains if she will succeed in saving the lives of her loved ones or destroy everyone in her path. Interestingly Carolyn goes through tremendous ups and downs in her life, a complex challenge at every step, but she never let go of resilience. Bravery and courage were her two significant assets. It makes all the more reason why she was given the tricky and tough task of making a choice between saving or taking lives. The plot thickens when the individuals invited to the party realize her true intentions of Carolyn; she turns into an evil demon and kills every face present in the house. The view is undoubtedly immensely gruesome, and some may find it hard to imagine. However, the novel deeply explains the reasons behind Carolyn’s harsh and ruthless actions. Every chapter of the novel invites the readers into an entirely different plot twist, making it harder to put the book down.

The conversations between the characters and the dark past every individual carries are worth reading about; A large part of the story revolves around the choices people make. And how every choice has a consequence. Each character is equally interesting and plays a significant role in the plot. One cannot just skip through pages to know the end. Carolyn makes it a goal to let go of any guests unless they confess to their actions. But she also believed that none deserved to live. The road to vengeance, deception and revenge can be a hard one. And often, there is no way back. The novel is a treat for those who love reading thrillers, extreme gore, love mystery, supernatural and suspense. Stain offers a lot to its readers, including twisted fantasies and dark imaginations.

A.D. Logan has produced a riveting novel that leaves the readers craving for more. Interestingly he writes all things creative. And the inspiration comes from his lonely life in the military. Alongside work and writing, he has a few hobbies, such as hanging out with his friends, reading and relaxing. With unceasing support from his friends and family, he now knows that writing is something he needs to do.

https://amzn.to/3RrIXVt

Will Prince Shade Fight All Odds and Claim His Rightful Place On The Throne

NY Weekly Staff on October 7, 2022

Fantasy novels always have an intriguing storyline that keeps the readers gripped and high on their heels till every page of the book is turned and the dark forces are put to justice. Dark fantasy medieval books have become one of the popular fantasy subgenres that purposefully set the grim atmosphere, tone, and mood of storytelling. A static kingdom that has existed for thousands of years ruled over by great monarchs whose lines stretch back to the grounds of those existing kingdoms. Little do the sovereigns know that evil forces are conspiring against them who wish to take over the rule. Now the Noble knights must ride out and embark on the quest to outwit the wicked who wanted to corrupt the royal court and terrorize the entire kingdom… sounded enthralling, right!

These medieval fantasy novels incorporate fantastic features such as mystical magic, realms of different worlds, an evil sorcerer, and many similar plots that take the story to a more realistic side. All these elements make the magical medieval fantasy novel an absolute page-turner! Now you, too, can get the chance to explore castles, embark on adventuresome journeys and save the day with the character in the classic Medieval fantasy novel ‘Prince Shade: A Zion Chronicle’ written by author Maredith Ryan, which tells a tale of young Prince Shade who finds himself amid utter treachery and chaos. He’s a brave young man but also mischievous and lacks true leadership skills and experience. But all his imprudent behavior is put aside when he faces real challenges after his father’s demise. Young Shade is abruptly thrown into the grave role of leadership in which he must fight all odds and build a trustworthy alliance to retake the throne which now belongs to him rightfully. Despite many obstacles in his journey, he manages to navigate the lines between moral values and learn the importance of honest relationships. Between the fascinating characters and the unpredictable plot, Shade’s adventurous journey is one you wouldn’t want to miss! Prince Shade: A Zion Chronicle is Maredith Ryan’s first novel; she has flawlessly created a world of intense action, dark fantasy, mystery, and slight romance to keep the readers hooked from beginning to end.

The Adventures of Maddy and Grace – A New Children’s Book Series with an Inspiring Message

NY Weekly Staff on October 7, 2022

Storytelling has been an essential part of human history since the beginning of time. As adults, we all have stories from childhood that captivated our attention and earned a spot in our memory. If we were lucky, we gleaned some important life lessons as the story entertained us. After all, the best stories tell an entertaining tale while conveying an important message of wisdom. This was the goal of Seattle’s newest children’s book author Gerald Ruhoy as he wrote his first six-part series, Maddy and Grace. 

While never considering himself a writer, Gerald has always been a storyteller. Originally from Long Island, New York, Gerald graduated from the renowned Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Product Design. While studying, he began working with various engraving houses as a product manager until the New York Daily News hired him. There, he utilized his expertise in color and gravure printing to assist in producing the weekly Sunday magazine, the various comic sections, and advertising color coordination. After a decade, Gerald left the New York Daily News to pursue his own business interests as a print broker. For the remainder of his professional career, Gerald and his business partner built a successful business working with advertising agencies throughout New York City, fulfilling printing projects across the country and into Canada. 

Once retired, Gerald enjoyed the time he spent with his family, especially his three grandchildren. As he explains,

“I love children because children are honest, they’re smart, they always say funny things, and they’re direct. With children, you don’t get silly nonsense from somebody trying to direct you in a certain philosophy or something like that… I was able to just absolutely get along with my grandchildren because I knew what they were thinking. I knew how they thought and what they would be interested in. I had a lot of interests. I was interested in art. I love science. I love history. And I can do magic tricks. And because of that, I could talk to these kids about anything. So, as they were growing up, we got along great.” 

Eventually, Gerald moved from Long Island, New York, to Seattle, WA, where he currently resides. While helping his next-door neighbor Mei with a home project, he met her granddaughter Maddy. As they talked, Gerald realized this little girl was brilliant and inquisitive. He would share information with Maddy, and she would want to know every detail about the subject, asking countless questions and absorbing the answers like a sponge. 

As time went on, Mei moved away. However, they maintained a friendship. Gerald would occasionally visit her and Maddy, and their exciting conversations continued. During one of those visits, Mei told him about Maddy’s dream of an imaginative dinosaur adventure with her good friend Grace. Gerald thought it was a wonderful dream and decided to write it out as a story so she could remember and return to it whenever she pleased. Little did Gerald know, this would be the beginning of an exciting new adventure of his own. 

After finishing what he now considers the manuscript of the first Maddy and Grace book, Maddy’s Dream, Gerald shared the story with Maddy, which she absolutely loved. As Gerald continued to visit Maddy and her grandmother, he would pick up a new story from Maddy’s imagination and return with another manuscript telling the tale. As he wrote out each adventure, he began to include an important life lesson learned along the way. Once Gerald had written several stories, Maddy brought a couple of manuscripts to school, where her teacher read the stories to the entire class. Each one received rave reviews from all her classmates, bringing Gerald closer to the decision to publish the stories formally.

In preparation for sending the stories to different publishing houses, Gerald met the next person who played an essential role in realizing the Maddy and Grace series, a local artist, Chris A. LeCocq of the LeCocq House in Seattle, WA. Not only did Chris draft the preliminary illustrations for the Maddy’s Dream manuscript, but her encouragement and artistry greatly assisted Gerald along his publishing journey, which he is exceptionally grateful for to this day.

Through Maddy’s imagination and his storytelling, Gerald was able to contract with Page Publishing to bring the Maddy and Grace series to print. Two years after sharing her dream, Maddy now has six unique children’s books dedicated to her name. The titles of the series include:

  1. Maddy’s Dream
  2. Maddy and Grace at the Racetrack
  3. Maddy and Grace Meet the Alien
  4. Maddy and Grace Solve the Crime
  5. Maddy and Grace at the Haunted House
  6. Maddy and Grace Fight the Fog

Each book includes beautiful illustrations aligned with simple, easy-to-read text intended for children between the ages of six and nine, a fun and adventurous story, and universal life lessons for parents and kids to discover as they read. 

While his initial intention was to publish the books as keepsakes for Maddy and himself, Gerald is excited to share the Maddy and Grace series with the world. After a long career in marketing and advertising, he understands the necessity of making a robust promotional effort to give the books a chance at a strong readership. With the assistance of Page Publishing, the Maddy and Grace series will appear at book fairs throughout the United States and Europe. Both hardcopy and electronic versions of the books will be available through the website maddyandgrace.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and Reader House, beginning on October 7, 2022. Additionally, keep an eye out for Gerald’s seventh children’s book, It’s Just A Penny, in the near future. It’s Just A Penny is a playful book designed to educate kids about fun money facts every child should know.

 

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