Read – Jellybeans in the City

Author Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte to hold book signing event at the Manila International Book Fair 2023

The stage is set for the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) to return to the SMX Convention Center in Pasay from September 14 to 17, 2023. In the heart of the literary world, MIBF serves as a vibrant gathering point for book enthusiasts, authors, and publishers to revel in the enchantment of literature.

Rising Star: Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte

As the countdown to MIBF 2023 begins, the spotlight shines brightly on the middle-grade author, Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte. His debut novel, “Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan,” has captured the hearts of young readers, propelling Pasaporte into the limelight as a rising star in the local literary scene. With a storytelling flair that resonates across generations, Pasaporte brings a fresh voice to the world of literature.

Journey into “Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan”

On September 17, Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., MIBF attendees are in for a delightful treat as they join Pasaporte at the 8Letters booth (Booth 266) for an exclusive book signing event. This intimate gathering promises readers an opportunity to connect with the vivid characters of “Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan,” immersing themselves in the captivating world of Danny, Eddie, and Mary. Pasaporte’s engaging narrative takes readers on a journey through a fusion of supernatural elements and rich Filipino culture, breathing life into his mesmerizing tale.

“Nothing less than exciting. This might be the quickest book signing in MIBF history!” Pasaporte exclaimed with a hearty laugh when asked about the 30-minute signing event.

The Man Behind the Words

Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte, a podcast producer for a US-based tech show and a marketing lead for a legal tech startup, is no stranger to the art of storytelling. His remarkable journey, which includes winning prestigious awards in writing competitions and crafting his very first novel, showcases his unwavering passion and dedication to his craft. The resounding success of “Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan,” which recently sold out at the Philippine Book Festival in Manila and Davao and the Cebu Literary Festival, underscores Pasaporte’s unique ability to craft stories that resonate with readers of all ages.

Anticipating the Literary Extravaganza

As the Manila International Book Fair draws nearer, the literary community is bubbling with anticipation for the convergence of creativity, imagination, and a shared love for literature. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable experience that promises to ignite literary passions and open doors to captivating worlds.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this literary celebration and meet the dynamic Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte at MIBF 2023. It’s a date with literature you won’t want to miss!

For more information:

About Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte, please visit: https://andrewjalbuenapasaporte.com/

About the Manila International Book Fair, please visit: https://www.manilabookfair.com/

From financial tips to entertainment: the importance of content creators during a recession

The global recession has had a significant impact on people worldwide, affecting their jobs, finances, and overall well-being. During such challenging times, people turn to different sources for information, entertainment, and inspiration. Content creators can play a crucial role in addressing people’s needs and providing valuable content that meets their need.

One of the most significant effects of the recession is financial insecurity. Many people have lost their jobs or have reduced income, leading to stress and anxiety about their financial future. As a result, they may be looking for information and tips on how to manage their finances effectively, save money, and find new income streams. As a content creator, you can provide valuable information and advice on personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship, helping people navigate through challenging economic times.

Another effect of the recession is a shift in people’s entertainment preferences. As people spend more time at home due to lockdowns and restrictions, they are turning to digital entertainment for comfort and distraction. You can create entertaining and engaging content, such as podcasts, videos, social media posts, that bring a bit of happiness to an otherwise dreary day. You can also create content that addresses the current situation, such as comedy sketches that poke fun at the challenges of working from home or educational videos that teach people new skills to try while stuck at home.

Lastly, the global recession has caused people to rethink their priorities and values, leading to a greater demand for content that speaks to their personal beliefs and interests such as social issues, mental health and self-care. By providing content that is authentic, empathetic, and addresses people’s values and concerns,can build loyal audiences and make a positive impact on their lives.

5 ways content producers can contribute in a downturn

It is evident that as a content creator, you have a unique role to play during these times. While economic downturns can impact various industries, you have the flexibility and creativity to adapt to changing circumstances and continue to thrive.

Here are five key ways you can play a vital role during a recession:

Providing Entertainment and Escapism. During times of economic uncertainty, people often turn to entertainment and escapism as a way to cope with stress and anxiety. Valuable and uplifting content can bring joy and distraction to audiences, helping them forget about their financial worries for a while.
Sharing Practical Tips and Advice. During a recession, people are often looking for guides on how to navigate through challenging economic times. By offerin valuable insights and guidance on how to save money, budget effectively, find affordable resources, or create new streams of income, you can empower your audiences with practical knowledge and tools to manage their finances during tough economic conditions.
Creating Educational and Skill-Building Content. When faced with a recession, individuals may look to improve their skills or learn new ones to increase their employability or explore alternative career options. You can create educational content, such as tutorials, courses, and workshops, that teach valuable skills in various fields, from cooking and crafting to coding and entrepreneurship. By providing educational content, content creators can help your audiences enhance their skills and increase their chances of success in a challenging job market.
Collaborating with Brands and Businesses. You can play a pivotal role during a recession by collaborating with brands and businesses. As businesses may face budget constraints, you can offer cost-effective advertising solutions by partnering with brands to create sponsored content or promotional campaigns. This mutually beneficial partnership can help content creators generate income while providing brands with a less costly way to reach their target audiences. Additionally, you can also collaborate with local businesses and support your communities by promoting local products and services, which can help stimulate the local economy.
Providing Authentic and Empathetic Content. During a recession, people often crave authenticity and empathy. By crafting relatable and authentic content, and showing vulnerability and empathy towards your audience’s struggles, you can build a loyal and engaged community that seeks comfort and connection in your content. Authenticity and empathy can foster trust and loyalty, and you can play a crucial role in providing a safe space for your audiences during a recession.

While a recession can be a challenging time for many industries, content creators have the flexibility and adaptability to thrive. By understanding people’s information and entertainment needs during a recession, you can create valuable content that meets their audiences’ needs. When you harness your creativity, authenticity, and empathy, you can continue to flourish and make a positive impact on people’s lives, even during the most challenging times.

Additional Resources

Here are five highly recommended books on Amazon.com that can help you develop useful, relevant, and engaging content:

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger. In this book, Berger explores why certain content goes viral and what makes people share it. By understanding the psychology behind viral content, content creators can create more shareable content that resonates with their audiences.
Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley. Handley offers practical advice on how to create engaging content for different platforms, including social media, email, and blogs. With a focus on clear and concise writing, this book is an excellent resource for content creators looking to improve their writing skills.
The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization by Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, and Jessie Stricchiola. In today’s digital age, search engine optimization (SEO) is critical to driving traffic to your content. This book offers practical advice on how to optimize your content for search engines, ensuring that your content is discovered by your target audience.
Epic Content Marketing: How to Tell a Different Story, Break through the Clutter, and Win More Customers by Marketing Less by Joe Pulizzi. In this book, Pulizzi offers a step-by-step guide to creating content that resonates with your audience and drives business results. With case studies and examples, this book provides practical advice on how to create a content marketing strategy that works.
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller. Miller offers a framework for creating a clear and compelling brand message that resonates with your audience. By understanding the power of storytelling, content creators can create content that connects with their audiences on a deeper level, driving engagement and loyalty.

Shop for these and more resources for budding content creators at my Amazon Storefront!

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How small businesses can tap the power of micro-influencers

From Hobby to Career: 8 factors to consider in making content creation your livelihood

Newbie content creator? Here’s an 8-step guide on how to find your audience

The surprising realities of building a career as a content creator

In recent years, the rise of social media platforms and digital marketing has given birth to a new profession: content creation. From bloggers to vloggers, podcasters to Instagram influencers, content creators are everywhere. However, with the growth of this industry, there are still many misconceptions about what it means to be a content creator.

The idea that being a content creator is an easy and glamorous job is one of the biggest misconceptions. Many people assume that all it takes to create engaging content is a camera, an internet connection, and some creativity. However, the reality is that content creation is a full-time job that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill. From researching and creating content to promoting and engaging with their audience, content creators often work long hours to create quality content that resonates with their followers.

Another common misconception is that being a content creator is a solitary job. While it’s true that creating content often involves spending long hours in front of a screen or camera, content creators must also interact with their audience, collaborate with brands, and network with other creators to grow their audience and brand. Content creators must also keep up with the latest trends and technology, making it essential to stay connected to the larger community of content creators.

10 things they don’t tell you about being a content creator

From the hard work involved to the importance of networking and self-care, take a peek into the (sometimes harsh) realities of content creation as a career.

It’s a full-time job. Creating content is not a hobby; it’s a full-time job that requires a lot of time, effort, and commitment. Many content creators work long hours to produce quality content that resonates with their audience.
It’s not just about churning out content. A content creator’s job involves much more than just creating content. They must also be proficient in marketing, networking, branding, and social media management to effectively promote and grow their content.
You need to have confidence, lots of of it. As a content creator, you are putting your work out there for the world to see, and not everyone will like it. You need to be prepared for criticism and negative feedback (and sometimes, a little bit of bashing).
It can be lonely. Creating content often involves spending long hours in front of a computer or camera, which can be isolating. Many content creators also work from home, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. To counter the feelings of isolation and loneliness, some content creators join groups with people who specialize in similar niches, or collaborate with their peers to exchange ideas and best practices.
Burnout is a real thing. The pressure to constantly produce new and engaging content can be overwhelming, leading to burnout. You need to take breaks and practice self-care to avoid burnout.
It can be difficult to make a living. While some content creators can earn a full-time income from their work, many struggle to make a living. Competition is fierce, and it can take years of hard work and dedication to build a substantial following and earn a decent income.
It’s a constantly evolving industry. The world of content creation is constantly changing, with new platforms and technologies emerging all the time. Content creators need to be adaptable and willing to learn new skills to stay relevant and successful.
You need to be passionate about your work. Creating content requires a lot of passion and dedication. If your heart is not in it – if you are not genuinely interested in your chosen topic or niche – it will be difficult to sustain the motivation and enthusiasm needed to create great content.
It’s not just about the numbers. While having a large following is important for a content creator’s success, it’s not the only measure of success. Building a loyal and engaged audience who value your content is more important than having a large number of followers who are not truly interested in your work.
It can be a rewarding and fulfilling career. Despite the challenges, being a content creator can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling career. The ability to share your creativity and ideas with the world, connect with like-minded individuals, and make a positive impact in people’s lives is incredibly gratifying.

Additional Resources

Want more in-depth resources on making content creation your career? Check out this books available on Amazon.com:

Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence-and How You Can, Too by Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk shares his insights on how to create engaging content, build a loyal audience, and turn your passion into a successful business.

The Content Trap: A Strategist’s Guide to Digital Change by Bharat Anand

This book explores how digital technology is changing the way we consume content and offers insights on how to navigate this changing landscape to stay relevant and successful.

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

Ann Handley offers practical tips and techniques on how to create high-quality content that engages and converts your audience.

Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller

In this book, Donald Miller shows you how to create a clear and compelling brand story that resonates with your audience and drives business growth.

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

Jonah Berger explores the science behind viral content and offers insights on how to create content that resonates with your audience and spreads organically.

Being a content creator is not just about continuously churning out pieces of content but is also about marketing, networking, and branding. It’s a challenging but rewarding career that requires passion, dedication, and hard work. While there are many misconceptions about content creation, it’s important to understand the realities of this field and be willing to put in the effort to succeed.

At the end of the day, being a content creator is about connecting with your audience, sharing your passion and ideas, and making a positive impact in people’s lives. It’s about being authentic, staying true to your values, and never losing sight of why you started creating content in the first place. By understanding the realities of content creation and staying committed to your goals, you can build a successful career and make your mark in this ever-evolving industry.

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Newbie content creator? Here’s an 8-step guide on how to find your audience

Whether you’ve taken on content creation as a job or you’re doing it as a hobby, you definitely need to figure out which group of people you will be creating content for: your audience.

Identifying an audience is one of the most important steps for a newbie content creator. Without a clear understanding of who your audience is, it can be difficult to create content that resonates with them. You want to be able to tap into their goals, wants and pain points to be able to craft the kind of content that can effectively impart information they need to inspire them to take action.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to identify your audience as a newbie content creator:

Step 1: Define Your Niche

The first step is to define your niche. What is the topic or area you want to create content about? This could be anything from fitness to cooking to personal finance. Defining your niche will help you create content that is focused and relevant to your audience.

Being a multi-passionate person myself – with a lot of opinions or factual tidbits to share on a myriad of topics – I chose to streamline my content to those relating to food, travel and the urban lifestyle.

Which particular niches would you like to focus on?

Step 2: Research Your Competitors

Researching your competitors can provide valuable insights into your target audience. Look at other content creators in your niche and see who their audience is. Analyze their content and engagement metrics to understand what kind of content resonates with their audience.

In due course, you might want to evolve your view of your fellow content creators from being your competitors into being your partners and co-creators.

Some of my best work have been the product of collaborations, shared experiences or shared knowledge among fellow content creators.

Step 3: Define Your Target Demographic

Once you have a clear understanding of your niche and competitors, you can define your target demographic. This includes factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and behaviors. Understanding these demographic factors will help you create content that appeals to your audience.

Given my topics and interests, I have determined my audience demographic to be mostly urban and suburban GenX and Elder Millennial working women who are interested in food and travel and who already have their own home. I believe that I have some insights on what their concerns and interests are and can produce content that can appeal and resonate with them.

Step 4: Conduct Market Research

Conducting market research can help you gain a deeper understanding of your audience’s needs and preferences. Use online surveys or focus groups to collect data on what your audience is looking for, what challenges they face, and how you can provide value to them.

You can also join Facebook Groups related to your chosen niche (eg. foodies, travelers, homebodies, etc) and take note of the discussions and comments posted there.

Step 5: Analyze Your Social Media Analytics

If you already have a social media presence, analyzing your analytics can provide insights into your audience. Look at metrics such as engagement, reach, and demographics to understand who is interacting with your content.

Step 6: Engage with Your Audience

Engaging with your audience can provide valuable feedback on your content and help you build relationships with your followers. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage discussion to better understand your audience’s needs.

Step 7: Use Keyword Research

Keyword research can help you understand what your audience is searching for and what topics are most relevant to them. Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find relevant keywords and phrases that you can use in your content.

Step 8: Stay Flexible and Adapt

Finally, stay flexible and adapt as your audience evolves. As you create more content and engage with your audience, you may discover new trends or interests that you can incorporate into your content. Be open to feedback and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Additional Resources

Want more in-depth resources on building your audience as a content creator? Check out this books available on Amazon.com:

Content Inc.: Start a Content-First Business, Build a Massive Audience and Become Radically Successful (with Little to No Money) by Joe Pulizzi

This book teaches how to create a content marketing strategy that builds a loyal audience and generates revenue, covering topics such as identifying your niche, creating valuable content, and promoting your brand.

How To Build An Online Audience: The step-by-step guide to getting more social media followers, bigger email lists and more traffic to your website by Patric Morgan

The book covers various strategies and tools that content creators can use to increase their visibility, attract more followers, and ultimately monetize their online presence.

Known: The Handbook for Building and Unleashing Your Personal Brand in the Digital Age by Mark Schaefer

This book focuses on building a personal brand and developing a loyal audience, with tips on creating valuable content, leveraging social media, and standing out in a crowded online world.

Identifying your audience is a crucial step for any newbie content creator. By defining your niche, researching your competitors, conducting market research, analyzing your analytics, engaging with your audience, using keyword research, and staying flexible, you can create content that resonates with your target audience and build a loyal following.

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Taking guidance from ancient Japanese philosophies to navigate modern life

Do you feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed? Does it seem like you lack direction or purpose in life? Is the daily drudgery taking its toll on you?

Take heart: even in this fast-paced and demanding world, you can still find guidance from the wisdom of the ancients, particularly among Japanese philosophies.

These diverse sets of traditional ideas, beliefs, and practices that emerged and evolved over thousands of years, deeply rooted in Japan’s culture, history, and spirituality, offer practical and time-tested practices to help you find our way towards peace, contentment and happiness.

10 ancient Japanese philosophies to guide you in your modern life

Check out these ancient Japanese philosophies and see how they can help you with your daily struggles:

Kaizen

The philosophy of continuous improvement that advocates making small, incremental changes to achieve long-term success, it emphasizes the importance of ongoing learning, experimentation, and collaboration to achieve sustainable growth and development.

If you suffer from workplace stress and burnout, Kaizen encourages you to break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. This philosophy also helps organizations improve their overall performance by empowering employees to take ownership of their work and contribute to the growth and success of the company.

Ikigai

It is the concept of finding purpose, passion and fulfillment in life by identifying the intersection of what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for, and aligning these with our daily activities and responsibilities.

The term translates to “a reason for being” or “a reason to get up in the morning;” it can address is the lack of purpose and fulfillment in one’s life. If you sometimes feel unfulfilled and disconnected from your work and daily activities, Ikigai can help you find meaning and purpose in your life, and even make more informed career and life choices by aligning your goals and aspirations with your personal values and beliefs.

Wabi-Sabi

As the appreciation of the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity, it can help you find contentment and peace in the present moment. Recognizing that nothing is permanent or perfect, wabi-sabi emphasizes a mindful and appreciative approach to life, and encourages you to embrace the natural cycle of growth and decay, and find beauty in the ordinary and mundane.

If you’re the kind of person who obsessively strives for perfection and success in your personal and professional life. wabi-sabi can guide you towards focusing on the simple joys and pleasures of life by embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience It can also help you appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the world around you, and cultivate a more mindful and grateful approach to life.

Shoshin

Shoshin is a Japanese concept that translates to “beginner’s mind,” and encourages the attitude of approaching life with an open and curious mind, free from preconceptions, assumptions, and biases. It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, growth, and development, and encourages you to maintain a sense of humility and openness to new experiences and ideas.

If you feel that you’re becoming complacent and stuck in a rut, trapped with old patterns of thinking and behavior, shoshin can help you embrace new perspectives and ideas and develop a growth mindset, which can lead to increased creativity, innovation, and personal development.

Mottainai

As the philosophy of waste reduction and conservation, mottainai promotes mindfulness and appreciation for what you have and to use them in a mindful and sustainable way. It emphasizes the importance of reducing waste, reusing and repurposing materials, and respecting the natural environment.

By adopting the principles of mottainai and embracing a more mindful and sustainable approach to resource use, you can reduce your waste and environmental impact, and promote a healthier and more sustainable planet. Mottainai also encourages you in cultivating a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the resources available to you, which can lead to greater contentment and well-being.

Mono no aware

Mono no aware is a Japanese term that refers to the sense of impermanence and transience of all things. By emphasizing the fleeting nature of life, and the beauty and sadness that comes from this impermanence, this philosophy encourages you to appreciate the present moment and to find beauty in the transience of life, rather than clinging to the past or worrying about the future.

If you feel a deep sense of anxiety, stress and disconnection, unable to keep up with the constant demands and pressures of work, social media, and other aspects of modern life due to the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of modern life mono no aware can help you recognize the impermanence and transience of all things, find peace and contentment in the present moment, and cultivate a more mindful and grateful approach to life. More importantly, mono no aware can help you let go of your attachment to material possessions and external achievements, and focus on the more meaningful and fulfilling aspects of life.

Yugen

Yugen is a Japanese concept that refers to a profound sense of beauty and mystery that is beyond what can be expressed in words. It is a feeling of awe and wonder that arises from experiencing the sublime in nature or art, and can evoke a sense of transcendence and spiritual connection. Yugen encourages you to appreciate the beauty and mystery of life, and to find meaning and inspiration in the things that cannot be easily explained or understood.

This philosophy can help you overcome the feelings disconnection and isolation when you spend your days staring at screens and consuming endless streams of information and entertainment, without taking the time to appreciate the natural world or engage in creative pursuits. By embracing the principles of yugen and seeking out experiences that evoke a sense of wonder and beauty, you can connect more deeply with yourself, your surroundings, and your spiritual nature. Yugen can also help in cultivating a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the simple things in life, which can lead to greater happiness and sense of well-being.

Kintsugi

Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer, highlighting and celebrating the cracks and imperfections instead of trying to hide or disguise them. It is a philosophy of embracing imperfection and finding beauty in the broken or damaged, rather than striving for perfection or uniformity. Kintsugi can teach you to accept your flaws and mistakes, and to see them as an integral part of your unique story and journey.

If you’re constantly feeling the pressure to achieve perfection and feel ashamed or embarrassed when you make mistakes or encounter setback, kintsugi can help you see your flaws and mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning, encouraging you to develop greater resilience and self-acceptance. Kintsugi can help you adopt a more compassionate and empathetic approach to others, recognizing that everyone has their own cracks and imperfections that make them beautiful and unique.

Omotenashi

Omotenashi embodies the spirit of selfless hospitality and service, focusing on anticipating and meeting the needs of others before they even ask. It is about creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests, with attention to detail, personalization, and respect. Omotenashi is not just about providing good customer service, but about creating a deep and lasting connection with the people you serve.

This philosophy addresses the oftentimes impersonal and transactional nature of many modern interactions, particularly in the business world. Many companies focus on maximizing profits and efficiency, without prioritizing the needs and experiences of their customers or employees. By embracing the principles of omotenashi and creating a culture of service and hospitality, your business can foster deeper and more meaningful relationships with your stakeholders, resulting in greater loyalty, trust, and success. It can also help you as an individual in cultivating a more compassionate and empathetic approach to others in their personal and professional lives, creating a more harmonious and fulfilling existence.

Ma refers to the space or interval between objects or events, and the awareness of that space. It is about the importance of the empty or negative space in creating meaning and beauty, and the need to slow down and appreciate the moments of stillness and silence in our lives. Ma can be seen in various art forms, such as music, poetry, and architecture, as well as in everyday experiences, such as the pause between breaths or the space between people in a conversation.

Ma addresses the busyness and constant stimulation of modern life, which can lead to stress, burnout, and a lack of meaningful connection. By embracing the principles of ma and creating intentional moments of stillness and silence, you can develop a deeper sense of awareness and appreciation for your surroundings and yourself. It can even help you improve your relationships by fostering better communication and connection, with an emphasis on listening and allowing for moments of pause and reflection.

By emphasizomg the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of cultivating a deep appreciation for the beauty and impermanence of life, these ancient ways of thinking teach us to find harmony, balance, and meaning in life by cultivating a mindful and compassionate approach to the world.

They also focus on the importance of personal growth and self-reflection, as well as on building strong relationships and communities based on respect, kindness, and hospitality. As they promote a mindful and intentional approach to daily life, they encourage us to cultivate a sense of purpose, passion, and fulfillment through identifying our strengths, values, and contributions to the world.

Most importantly, these Japanese philosophies offer practical and time-tested solutions to some of the most common challenges of human existence and provide a roadmap for living a more meaningful, mindful, and harmonious life, while offering a rich source of inspiration on cultivating greater self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom.

Explore these Japanese philosophies through reading

Gain insight and practical advice from Japanese philosophies to enhance your daily life and help you find meaning and joy by reading these books:

Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

This book explores the concept of wabi-sabi, which embraces the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. The book provides insights and practices to help readers cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation and acceptance for the world around them, and find joy and fulfillment in the present moment.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

This book explores the concept of ikigai, which refers to one’s reason for being, and how it can help individuals find greater meaning, purpose, and happiness in life. The book provides practical tips and real-life examples to help readers discover their own ikigai and incorporate it into their daily lives.

The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura

This classic traces the history, culture, and philosophy of tea in Japan, and its influence on Japanese art, aesthetics, and spirituality. The book provides a poetic and insightful reflection on the values of simplicity, harmony, and reverence in Japanese culture, and how they can be applied to our own lives.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

This best-sellerpresents a practical and transformative approach to decluttering and organizing one’s home and life, based on the principles of simplicity, joy, and mindfulness. The book provides a step-by-step guide to the KonMari method, which has helped millions of people around the world to create a more peaceful and joyful living environment.

The Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese Way to Finding Your Purpose in Life by Ken Mogi

This concise and accessible introduction to the concept of ikigai, and how it can help individuals live a more fulfilling and meaningful life provides inspiring quotes, exercises, and examples to help readers discover their own ikigai and integrate it into their daily routine.

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From Hobby to Career: 8 factors to consider in making content creation your livelihood

Do you like taking pictures and videos and sharing them on social media? Do write well and publish your thoughts and views online?

Then, you might have wondered about making a living out of creating content.

Content creation has become a popular way to make a living in recent years. Whether you’re a writer, blogger, photographer, or social media influencer, there are many opportunities to turn your passion for creating content into a lucrative career.

However, before jumping into this field, there are several factors to consider. Here, we will explore eight things to keep in mind when making content creation your livelihood.

1. Your niche

One of the first things to consider when making content creation your career is identifying your niche. There are many topics to create content about, and many groups of people who follow specific interests. It’s essential to find a niche that you are passionate about and can specialize in, as well as one that has an engaged audience that can become your followers.

For example, if you’re interested in photography, you could specialize in wedding photography, product photography, or fashion photography to cater to the need of its audiences for information and inspiration.

Personally, I’ve always seen myself as a city girl so my content covers things to do, food to eat and places to see in the city. I want to show fellow urbanites the sheer number of possibilities that city living has to offer. This way, my topics are easily accessible to me, in line with my interests and can resonate with my audience.

Finding your niche can help you stand out from the competition and attract clients who are looking for your specific expertise or tap into your audience.

2. Your portfolio

Once you’ve identified your niche, building a portfolio is essential. A portfolio showcases your best work and helps potential clients understand your style and expertise. You can create a portfolio website (in my case, this blog serves as my portfolio) or use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest to showcase your work. When building your portfolio, ensure that you include a diverse range of projects that showcase your skills and expertise.

3. Your rates

Setting your rates can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting. To establish your pricing, you can research the rates for content creation in your niche and location among your fellow content creators. Some content creators charge hourly rates, while others charge per project. When setting your rates, keep in mind your experience, the type of content you create, and your target audience. Crafting a rate card with these information will be helpful when pitching your services to potential clients or when responding to inquiries from those who want to hire you.

4. Your network

Establishing a career on content creation relies heavily on tour reputation and connections. Networking with other content creators, potential clients, and industry professionals is essential for finding work and building a a name for yourself in the industry. Attend events, join online communities related to your niche, and connect with others through social media.

You can also reach out to local businesses or brands and offer your services. Some of my most memorable and rewarding projects were with brands that I’ve reached out to.

5. Your time and finances

Content creation can be time-consuming and unpredictable, so it’s essential to manage your time effectively and plan for the ups and downs of freelancing. You would need to have a system in place to manage your projects (especially in meeting your deadlines and producing your deliverables), as well as your resources.

Your work might require you to invest in equipment or travel so you need to factor those into your expenses. You would also need to have a good understanding of the financial side of things, including taxes, invoicing, and budgeting.

6. Your skills

It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in your field as the world of content creation is constant changing. Invest in your skills by taking courses or attending workshops to stay relevant and competitive. You can also read blogs, listen to podcasts, or watch tutorials to learn from other content creators.

7. Your business plan

To make a living out of content creation, it should be treated as a business. Creating a business plan can help you stay focused and achieve your goals. A business plan should include your financial goals, target audience, marketing strategy, and growth plan. Check out business plan templates available online to get started.

Your business plan may not be set in stone; it may need to adapt to changing situations. However, having one helps you stay within your means while keeping your eye on your future as a content creator.

8. Your unique voice

Finally, it’s essential to find your unique voice as a content creator. Your voice is what sets you apart from others and makes your content unique. When creating content, think about your brand voice, tone, and style that’s true to who you are and that your audience can relate to. You may take a funny or irreverent tone or a more formal approach when writing your copy or delivering your lines. For my own posts, I usually take a casual and friendly tone as it’s the one I’m most comfortable with and one I think my audience will appreciate.

Experiment with different formats – such long-form content such as e-books, online courses and white papers, or short-form content such as blogs and social media posts – to find what works best for you and your audience.

While making a living from creating content can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path, it does require careful planning, hard work, and dedication. By taking these eight factors into consideration, you can increase your chances of success as a content creator and achieve your financial goals.

Excited to begin your career as a content creator? Check out these five recent books on on Amazon.com to help you get started:

The Content Fuel Framework: How to Generate Unlimited Story Ideas by Melanie Deziel

Follow a step-by-step process for generating unlimited story ideas to help you overcome writer’s block and consistently create high-quality content.

Content Inc., Second Edition: Start a Content-First Business, Build a Massive Audience and Become Radically Successful by Joe Pulizzi

Learn from a detailed guide for building a content-first business that can help you build a massive audience and achieve success.

The Art of Content Marketing: Develop Your Content Strategy, Find Your Audience and Grow Your Business by Malcolm Dewey

Learn how to develop a marketing system for long term business success by developing your strategy, creating compelling visual and written content, distributing the content and measuring results.

The Freelance Content Marketing Writer: Find Your Perfect Clients, Make Tons of Money and Build a Business You Love by Jennifer Goforth Gregory

Learn how to find clients, charge what you’re worth, and build a profitable content creation business.

Master Content Marketing: A Simple Strategy to Cure the Blank Page Blues and Attract a Profitable Audience by Pamela Wilson

Overcome writer’s block and attract a profitable audience through effective content marketing techniques.

These books on content creation should provide you with valuable insights and strategies to build a successful career in this field.

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Photo Credit: Header image by Ivan Samkov on Pexels

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13 Business books to fire up your inner spark at work

The first half of the year is already done, and if you’re doubting your effectiveness at your job or your impact to your work, maybe you should set aside some time for reading and re-motivating yourself.

Check out these books that will provide you with fresh knowledge and insights to get you all fired up and raring to work!

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

Much of any business’ success depend upon its leaders. By outlining the principles for empowered and empowering leadership, John C. Maxwell’s book has changed the way leaders see themselves.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition packs in new leadership insights and best practices that he has gathered since the first edition was published in 1993 to help guide and inspire a new generation of leaders on their challenging but ultimately rewarding journey.

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What Are Your Blind Spots? by Jim Haudan and Rich Berens

Even the most well-intentioned and competent leaders can be led astray by seemingly benign assumptions that can ultimately harm or derail the enterprise.

Authors Jim Haudan and Rich Berens refer to these old ways of thinking as “blind spots.” By identifying and overcoming blind spots identified in the book, leaders can learn to welcome and adopt new and forward-thinking practices that will propel their organizations towards growth.

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Growing Influence by Ron Price and Stacey Ennis

This is a how-to book disguised as a fable.

In a series of transformative meetings between a career-driven young woman and her wise respectable mentor, mirroring and building on the interactions between the co-authors Ron Price and Stacey Ennis, arise lessons on cultivating influence fed by both character and competence.

Interestingly, the fable also tackles gender dynamics in the workplace.

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Iterate by Ed Muzio

To keep up with today’s fast-changing and fast-charging world, companies must learn and adapt fast.

Central to this agile quality is the ability, whenever faced with a problem, to make the next most reasonable step from there, i.e, to iterate.

Author Ed Muzio lays down a research-based guide to help leaders equip their teams to do just that.

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The Innovation Navigator by Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson

Business leaders agree that innovation is the key to survival and further growth and in many companies, it is a top strategic priority.

Tucker J. Marion and Sebastian Fixson showcases the different modes that innovation can take and guides readers on how to take advantage of each mode’s inherent pros and cons. The book also walks through ways to effectively shift between modes or employ multi-mode strategies to foster innovation.

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Your Invisible Toolbox by Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner

According to authors Rowena Crosbie and Deborah Rinner, we all have two sets of the tools: while the first toolbox contains the technical skills, devices and equipment necessary to perform our roles, the second one – the invisible toolbox – contains the tools necessary for human interactions.

The contents of the second toolbox figure prominently in many workplaces, especially now that the business environment is not only a global one, but a multi-generational one as well.

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B State by Mark Samuel

Oftentimes, in business, the path from Point A to Point B is not as simple or straightforward as we would like.

To be able to move forward, Mark Samuel encourages readers to engage themselves in a true transformation, removing old mindsets and replacing inefficient behaviors with new ways of thinking and more desirable habits to bring about a highly productive culture that breeds business success.

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Leading Loyalty by Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone

Customer loyalty does oftentimes seem like an unreachable dream given today’s volatile market situation.

Authors Sandy Rogers, Leena Rinne and Shawn Moone dove into the results of the Franklin Covey studies that show how “campfire stores” achieve revenue and profitability goals thanks to fiercely loyal customers and the employees that prioritize the happiness of those customers.

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Wise Guy by Guy Kawasaki

Technopreneur Guy Kawasaki reflects upon his life and his many adventures (or misadventures) in the a series of vignettes.

Some may be light-hearted, others may recall actions with lasting consequences, but all served to inspire and build him up to the person that he is today.

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Scramble by Marty Neumeier

Marty Neumeier tells the story of a young CEO as he is faced with the demand to turn the company around, otherwise he loses his job.

As the story progresses, his journey illustrates the principles of agile strategy, a way of building business that is more collaborative and produces quicker results.

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Built to Suck by Joseph Jaffe

We see it more and more often: large companies – behemoth enterprises – are crumbling to the ground in light of declining revenues and business growth.

In this book, Joseph Jaffe outlines the four key pillars that will transform ailing companies from ailing to thriving, from obsolescence to relevance.

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The Art of Preventing Stupid by Matthew Neill Davis

Matthew Neill Davis’ Preventing Stupid Method is all about solving common problems before they become insurmountable roadblocks.

By quickly identifying, categorizing and prioritizing the business’ threats and weaknesses – forward-thinking risk management – business leaders can devote more energy towards maximizing opportunities as they appear.

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Sticks and Stones by Nick Powills

Author Nick Powills showcases how his childhood experiences of struggling with his weight and getting bullied by his peers all propelled him towards being a successful entrepreneur later in life.

While the old wisdom is to keep personal and professional lives separate, the author instead proposes transforming painful memories, harsh lessons and old disappointment into motivation, coupled with the strong foundation of family and friends, into the strength and courage to pursue business success and personal fulfillment.

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Enjoy reading with Kindle

With a wealth of enriching and informative books waiting for you, I’m sure you’re raring to get into reading them. However, if you are concerned about the space you will need to store your growing library, or being able to bring your books wherever you go, getting a Kindle just may be the perfect solution for you.

Kindle is a line of portable and wireless electronic reading devices (e-readers) produced by online retailer Amazon.com. They make use of a display technology called electronic paper which produces a sharp screen image that resembles text printed on paper, ensuring an easy and comfortable read.

It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:

It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.

A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.

You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself? Check out your various options below!

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day FREE Trial

Header photo by cottonbro on Pexels

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Level C Media, Penguin Group Portfolio, Harper Collins, Business Publications Corporation, Inc., Ideapress Publishing, Greenleaf Book Group, University of Toronto Press and McGraw Hill Education for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.

This post contains affiliate links.

#ISpawnedAReader: How to encourage kids to love reading

We all know that reading is a fundamental skill that not only facilitates more effective learning at school for our kids, but may also set them up for greater success in life.

Reading helps to improve vocabulary and language skills, stimulates imagination and creativity and promotes stronger analytical thinking.

However, with many distractions as well as alternatives for entertainment or information-gathering, reading is often not given priority by youngsters.

This may be because, to them, reading is not a fun activity, or they may be experiencing difficulties in reading that curtail their enjoyment.

As a parent, here are ways you can encourage your kids to love reading:

Being a role model. Show them that you also get entertained and well-informed through reading. Read newspapers or magazines and share tidbits that could interest them. Apply what you read in a joint activity by following a recipe to bake your children’s favorite treat or an instruction manual to assemble a toy.
Make it reading a priority activity. You can establish a “reading time” at home when you can read to your little one, or you and an older child can read side by side. Having some snacks in-hand, as well as a comfortable reading are, will help make reading a special bonding activity between and you kids.
Give them the right tools. If your child doesn’t relish the idea of lugging around books throughout the house or when you go outside, an e-reader may be your best bet.
Expose your children to different book genres. Join your kids in exploring different genres, especially those that they have expressed prior interest in like mystery, science fiction adventure or non-fiction books related to their interests.

What is a Kindle?

For kids, an Kindle is more appropriate as a reading device as opposed to other personal mobile devices because:

It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. Its brightness van be adjusted to let the little ones read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.
A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.
The kids are subjected to less distractions as there are no games, ads or videos to go to and they can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.
Purchase of Kindle Kids includes a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, where they can explore popular titles and series. It also includes access to the complete Harry Potter series, and the first book from other popular series such as Artemis Fowl. Parents can purchase additional titles from the Kindle Store.
It can hold hundreds of e-books, encouraging the little ones to grow their library which they can take with them wherever they go.
It comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee. If it breaks, Amazon will replace it for free.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for the kiddos? Check out your options below!

Kindle Kids

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Kindle Paperwhite Kids

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Get ready to build your kids’ library with the best-selling books below, available in both print and e-book versions.

For kids ages 1 to 3 years old

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

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The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

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I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

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If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul

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How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace

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For kids ages 3 to 5 years old

A Frog Ate My Sandwich! by Christine Durkin

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The Angry Dragon by Michael Gordon

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Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev

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Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever by Sandra Morrison

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Do Not Wish for a Birthday Unicorn! by Sarina Siebenaler

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For kids ages 6 to 8 years old

The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids by Carole P. Roman

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You are an Amazing Girl: A Collection of Inspiring Stories about Courage, Friendship, Inner Strength and Self-Confidence by Nadia Ross

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Oh No! My Dinosaur Is Sick! by JE Comet

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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

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For kids ages 8 to 12 years old

The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick

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Wish by Barbara O’Connor

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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

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When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

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Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson

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Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

This post contains affiliate links.

Header photo by cottonbro on Pexels

Great Reads for Working Moms

We working moms have quite a lot on our plate, don’t we?

Juggling our myriad of responsibilities at work and at home does not leave us with so much free time for some well-deserved rest, much less for reading.

However, we should always make the effort to improve ourselves, especially in how we manage our careers and our family life, and taking in well-formulated advice from the experts will surely help us in being more effective in both important spheres in our lives.

So check out these books and see what insights they can impart to your work and parenting styles.

Books for Rocking It at Work

Bring Your Human to Work by Erica Keswin

Since the start of our careers, we have been taught to maintain a clear separation between our work and our personal lives.

Workplace strategist and business coach Erica Keswin debunks this myth by emphasizing the importance of relationships in the workplace and citing examples of leaders who embody human qualities of authenticity, openness and empathy, who still manage to be successful in their respective fields.

Bring Your Human to Work shows us how to break away from our idea of a cold and impersonal work environment and instead foster a sense of joy and loyalty to the workplace.

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Kick Some Glass: 10 Ways Women Succeed at Work on Their Own Terms by Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount

It’s one of the most dreaded concepts for many career women: the glass ceiling. Its the concept that, despite all your natural talent, all the skills that you’ve developed and all the work you have done and will ever do, you can only go so far in your career.

In Kick Some Glass, authors Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount dissects the barriers that women face during their climb up the corporate ladder -from both past and present perspectives as well as external and internal orientations – to enable budding women leaders to break through and make their mark in their fields.

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Don’t Pay for Your MBA: The Faster, Cheaper, Better Way to Get the Business Education You Need by Laurie Pickard

Sometimes, in the corporate world, having an MBA can open a lot of doors and move a lot of careers forward.

However, getting your graduate business degree can be a very expensive endeavor.

Businesswoman Laurie Pickard enjoins readers of Don’t Pay for Your MBA to skip this costly step and instead shares practical advice on how to take advantage of online education to obtain the knowledge they need to get ahead.

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Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business and Life by Gail Gaddis

For many women, getting ahead in the workplace can be a very daunting task.

However, advertising CEO Gay Gaddis takes inspiration from other trailblazing women, risk takers who developed their power through knowledge, hard work, excellence and good will, and owned their power to face their challenges as leaders in their families, workplace and communities.

She also shares her own experiences and recommends an action plan for more women to attain that same Cowgirl Power and showcase their mettle in both their work and personal lives.

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Glambition: Knocking Down Walls in Heels by Dee Rivera

It’s an uncomfortable truth that women tend to settle at work: they accept responsibilities that are not exciting for them or acquiesce to situations that may not be to their advantage. Glambition author and entrepreneur Dee Rivera refers to this behavior of settling for less than what you’re worth as “shrinking to fit.”

In her book, Rivera shares her personal journey towards self-empowerment as well as real-world advice in order to achieve this.

The book also contains real-life testimonies of women leaders to serve as examples for women int heir journey towards self-confidence and competency.

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Lunching with Lions: Strategies for the Networking-Averse by Katherine McGraw Patterson

There are times in business wherein success is not so much a matter of what you know but of who you know.

Networking – interacting with others to exchange information or to form connections with people who can help in your profession – is one of the most hated business activities.

Author Katherine McGraw Patterson puts this down to people not being taught how to network. To remedy this, she shares a Four-Step Beginner’s Guide for the Networking-Averse that will help professionals learn to love and harness the power of networking, and not feel like they are, she calls it, Lunching with Lions.

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Books for Rocking it at Home

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassion and Connected Children by Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer

We hear it more and more these days: if you can be anything, start by being kind.

More and more, the calls for unity, respect and compassion in our daily lives is growing while research shows that being connected and engaged socially are keys to successful and fulfilling lives.

Authors Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer recognize that equipping children with the skills they need to have a positive in the world starts at home. In their book, they outline ways to guide children towards the value of kindness as well as share stories of people who achieved fulfillment through living The Kindness Advantage.

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You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Work on a Budget by Erin Odom

As a working mom, you may find much fulfillment in your career. However, you might also be considering leaving the corporate world in order to be more present in your kids’ lives.

The Humbled Homemaker Erin Odom sheds some light on how You Can Stay Home with Your Kids by dispelling fears on being able to give your children while living on a single income. This may involve sticking to a budget, getting some side hustles, being creative on how to enrich and supplement your kids lives and connect with your spouse without breaking the bank, and more.

For career women who want get out of the rat race and into a more family-centered existence, this is an essential read.

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Understanding your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior: Simple Steps and Resources to Guide You Through the Journey by Angie Rumaldo

Adolescence is a rite of passage. For children, it is a time to test their boundaries. For us parents, it is a time to guide them towards being responsible and productive adults.

However, the period of your child’s adolescence is rife with struggle and misunderstanding.

Licensed clinical psychologist and psychiatric nurse practitioner Dr. Angie Rumaldo presents readers with a series of action plans to help correct common behavioral problems and sheds light on typical issues that children face at different phases in their growth and development.

With Dr. Rumaldo’s groundbreaking resource, you will have the essential help you need in Understanding Your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior.

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Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose and Performance in Younger Generations by Mark C. Perna

As parents, we may be at our wits’ end in trying to bring out the best in our kids and preparing them to become productive members of society.

However, this Why Generation is inundated with a lot of challenges: from the gap between the skills they developed over the years through their education and the ones that employers are actually looking for, their lack of knowledge on the rewarding career opportunities they can take or their disengagement from the modes of learning available to them.

Mark C. Perna illustrates how Answering Why can help engage, motivate and inspire the younger generation to achieve.

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Enjoy reading with Kindle

It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:

It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.

A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.

You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself. Check out your various options below!

Kindle

Shop Now

Kindle Paperwhite

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Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

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Kindle Oasis

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Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

Header photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers McGraw-Hill Education, HarperCollins Leadership, CenterStreet, Two Chickens Press, HCI Books, Zondervan GIFT and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Francine Rivers’ inspiring novel Redeeming Love is now a movie

Having loved Francine Rivers’ A Lineage of Grace, a series of novellas centered on Biblical women who are Jesus’ ancestors, I knew I would love her historical romance, Redeeming Love.

A retelling of the Biblical story of the prostitute Gomer and the prophet Hosea set amidst the California Gold Rush, the novel has remained on multiple fiction bestseller lists for over 15 years and has been published in more than 30 languages.

Angel was sold into prostitution as a child. Having survived various forms of abuse and the resulting hatred and self-loathing, she meets Michael Hosea. Through his gentle acceptance, she discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal. The story reflects the redemptive power of unconditional and sacrificial love with characters and circumstances relevant to the contemporary world.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that this story will soon be available on the silver screen!

Starting January 21, 2022, this inspiring story will reach a wider audience as Nthibah Pictures, Mission Pictures and Pinnacle Peak Pictures releases its film adaptation starring Abigail Cowen (“Fate: The Winx Saga,” “Sabrina”), Tom Lewis (GENTLEMAN JACK), Logan Marshall Green (UPGRADE, SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, PROMETHEUS), Famke Janssen (X-MEN, TAKEN), Nina Dobrev (xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, VAMPIRE DIARIES) and Eric Dane (“Euphoria,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” THE LAST SHIP, X-MEN).

The film is directed by D.J. Caruso (xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, DISTURBIA, STANDING UP and I AM NUMBER FOUR), who collaborated with the book’s author, Francine Rivers, to ensure the beloved story stayed true to its roots.

In the lead role of “Angel” is the multi-talented actress Abigail Cowen, one of Hollywood’s rising stars, who headlines the popular Netflix original series “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Cowen was immediately drawn to Angel’s character after reading the script. “Angel is an incredibly complex character who, after suffering a lifetime of abuse, empowered by love, claws her way out of a world of human trafficking and into a place of triumph. It is a very inspiring and timeless story.”

“The story is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago,” said “Euphoria” star Eric Dane. “It is a story that portrays the battle of light versus dark with unlikely redemption waiting for you at the end.”

“I fell in love with the characters in this story after my wife introduced me to the novel,” said director D.J. Caruso. “It presented me with a rich tapestry of complex characters and outstanding visual opportunities, all wrapped in an epic love story that transcends generations.”

REDEEMING LOVE was produced by Cindy Bond through her Mission Pictures International label; Simon Swart and Wayne Fitzjohn, through their Nthibah Pictures production banner; and Michael Scott, and Brittany Yost for Pinnacle Peak Pictures and Vlokkie Gordon of Advantage Entertainment.

Francine Rivers serves as an executive producer and screenplay writer, alongside director D.J. Caruso.

Other books by Francine Rivers

***Lineage of Grace.*** Stories of Biblical women took active roles in shaping their destinies and in molding the story of God and His people.

***Sons of Encouragement***. Stories of the lesser-known men behind the celebrated heroes of the Bible who served as guides and support, and quietly helped to shape the faith.

***Mark of the Lion***. A trilogy set in ancient Rome that explores the travails of Hadassah, a young Christian slave girl, and Marcus, the Roman aristocrat who falls in love with her.

For more details or to buy any of these books on Amazon.com, simply click on the cover images.

Love books and reading? Try Kindle Unlimited on Amazon. Get your first month FREE.

No Kindle device? Download the Kindle App for FREE to read your favorite books anytime, anywhere using most mobile devices.

No time to read? Listen to your favorite books instead while you drive, run, shop, and more. Try Audible for free for 30 days and get two free audiobooks.

Check out my other blog posts on my favorite books:

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Guidebooks for DIY room glowups from Sophia Calima

With all the time we have been spending at home lately, we have probably noted some areas for improvement already.

To give us a feeling of control over our environment, many of us are likely to have been tempted to makeover some of the rooms we frequent in the house.

As luck would have it, doing so by ourselves may not be too hard, especially with the guidance of interior designer Sophia Calima.

Having completed her Interior Design degree from the renowned Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, Italy, Manila-born Sophia set about finding synergy between modern, western and eastern sensibilities. After honing her talents with stints with with Susan Fredman Design Group Chicago, Droulers Architecture Milan, Lor Calma and Partners Manila, The I.D. Dept Singapore, and Kenneth Cobonpue Cebu, she gained design chops that earned her the moniker “Home Designers That Should be on Your Radar” from Mega Publishing.

She recently launched a book series which is comprised of handy digital guidebooks targeting homeowners who want to make their design goals a reality.

These e-books showcase tips on measuring spaces properly, layout planning for good flow, choosing pleasing color schemes and putting all elements together to transform existing home spaces towards their real purpose such as:

Making the Living Room an inviting place to gather together with loved ones and share meaningful moments

Arranging the Bedroom as a place of respite where people can rest and recharge

And for those who have shifted to working from home, setting up the Home Office to be a place for focus and creativity.

To get your copies of these highly informative e-books, download from SophiaCalima.com at Php350 per book.

Sophia also offers eDesign, an affordable alternative to end-to-end design services wherein consultations, custom design, tips and shopping lists are all provided online with no need for the interior design team to step into the house. This service is ideal for DIYers or clients on a budget as well as those who want to limit physical access to their household spaces in accordance to quarantine restrictions.

For more details on eDesign, click here.

Being stuck at home has afforded us the great opportunity to make it the place we truly want to spend time in. Let’s take advantage of this chance and the excellent resources available to accomplish our home design goals.

Disclosure: Complimentary copies of the e-books were provided to facilitate this feature story.

Header photo Credit: Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Examples of room design taken from Sophia Calima’s Instagram.

Regency era romance series “Bridgerton” based on Julia Quinn novels premieres today on Netflix

From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family as she makes her debut onto Regency London’s competitive marriage market. Hoping to follow in her parent’s footsteps and find a match sparked by true love, Daphne’s prospects initially seem to be unrivaled. But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on Daphne. Enter the highly desirable and rebellious Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), committed bachelor and the catch of the season for the debutantes’ mamas. Despite proclaiming that they want nothing the other has to offer, their attraction is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future.

Bridgerton is a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all.

This is the first project among many of writer-producer Chris Van Dusen with streaming service Netflix. Together with Shonda Rimes and Betsy Beers through Shondaland, Van Dusen adapted, show-ran and executive produced the series.

This smart feminist take on Regency England romance unveils the glittering, wealthy, sexual, painful, funny and sometimes lonely lives of the women and men in London’s high society marriage mart as told through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family.

“I couldn’t be more excited about being a part of the creative powerhouse that is Shondaland at Netflix,” said Van Dusen. “Bringing these irresistible books by Julia Quinn to the screen, with the fearless and talented team of storytellers I’ve been so fortunate to have worked alongside for so long, is a dream come true. I am grateful to have a home at Netflix, whose commitment to innovative, groundbreaking storytelling is unmatched.”

The series also stars Golda Rosheuvel, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, Polly Walker, Ben Miller, Bessie Carter and Harriet Cains and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown.

Bridgerton premieres today on Netflix.

Want to lose yourself in the Regency world of the Bridgertons? Check out the best-selling novels by Julia Quinn that inspired the series.

Image and series details courtesy of Netflix.

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Check out my blog posts about other Netflix shows.

The Jelly List: Book adaptations to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Adapting books to the screen has always been very challenging. Video is a vastly different medium from books, wherein the directive is to “show, not tell.” Scenes and internal dialogues painstakingly detailed in novels will be hard to interpret on the screen. Also, some novels, even though widely successful, might not have enough of a following to justify the expense in producing and marketing a feature film or a series on network television.

Fortunately, the massive popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services gave rise to book adaptations specifically for online and on-demand video streaming. Freed from the constraints of content and length for film and scheduling constraints of network TV, and taking advantage of the data gained through subscriptions and online transactions, multi-episode series covering increasingly edgy and conplex topics are being produced. These result to more freedom in storytelling and to more expansive and lived-in worlds for book lovers to reaquaint themselves with and for non-readers of the books to discover and grow to love.

Amazon Prime Video, the video-on-demand service operated by online retailer Amazon.com, has joined the fray in producing book adaptations that are sure to capture new audiences as well as further endear the works to their existing fans. Novels being adapted into Amazon Original Series include:

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet

Two of fantasy literature’s rock stars – Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett – collaborated on Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. The novel was a hilarious ride through the adventures of an angel and a demon who became friends and their efforts to stop Armageddon as heralded by the birth of an unwitting AntiChrist.

Its adaptation stars Michael Sheen as Aziraphale the Angel and David Tennant as Crowley the Demon. The miniseries premiered on May 31, 2019 and has received rave reviews on Rotten Tomatoes owing to Sheen and Tennant’s “very nearly holy (or maybe unholy?) chemistry.” Despite a petition – erroneously addressed to Netflix at that – to cancel the series, the production has received a slew of nominations in the Saturn Awards and the Primetime Emmys.

Jack Ryan based on the Jack Ryan Novels by Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan character has had quite a good run in cinemas with winning portrayals from some of Hollywood’s top actors: from Alec Baldwin in Hunt for Red October, Harrison Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears, and Chris Pine in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

John Krasinski now portrays Jack Ryan in the Amazon series as a former Marine and financial analyst wrenched from the security of his desk job after discovering a string of dubious bank transfers and sets about matching his wits against rising a extremist named Suleiman. The series premiered on August 31, 2018 and has already been renewed for its second and third seasons.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick’s novel The Man in the High Castle depicts an alternate reality wherein the Axis powers win World War II. Here, the United States was divided among Japan and Germany as the spoils of war: the Greater Nazi Reich in the East and the Japanese Pacific States to the West. Set in 1962, several years after the war, characters are tantalized by the writings of “the man in the high castle,” which hint at the truth that the Axis actually lost the war.

The series incorporates fantastical elements such as having “multiple Earths,” as can be seen in films collected by the titular “man in the high castle,” a mysterious leader of the resistance. The show’s pilot has been said to be “Amazon’s most watched” and has gained praise on Rotten Tomatoes as “unlike anything else on TV, with an immediately engrossing plot driven by fully developed characters in a fully-realized post-WWII dystopia.” The series premiered on November 20, 2015 with three seasons already released. It has also already been renewed for its fourth and final season.

Really, it’s a great time to be alive for book lovers who want to see their favorite tomes come alive on-screen.

What book do you want to see adapted to a series? Let me know in the comments.

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Pride Lit comes out as the first LGBTQ+ “Pop Lit” Imprint in the Philippines

As the first Filipino pop literature imprint focused on championing LGBTQ+ narratives, Pride Lit stands proud as a great source of entertainment and inspiration to readers of all kinds.

But more than teaching us the value of appreciation and acceptance, the brand has been very consistent in creating a safe space for underrepresented voices to flourish and share their stories, whether it’s about finding love in many forms and shapes or discovering one’s sexual awakening with fleeting moments of kilig.

Now celebrating its third year in the publishing industry, Pride Lit is taking a huge leap by releasing five unique titles from its roster of seasoned and respected writers and contributors. From Alex Rosas’ gender-swap romance Gay’s Anatomy to Soju’s campy fantasy Ang Asul Na Buntot Ni Aquano, the new releases represent diverse genres that speak of uniquely queer experiences and imaginative premises. Other upcoming titles that will be released this month include John Jack G. Wigley’s ensemble drama Kadenang Bahaghari, Lush Ericson’s instant pleaser Agustin and Ariston’s Version of the Universe, and Angelica Sorreda’s romantic offering Over Time.

“Each book actually talks about different emotions, experiences and were written differently,” Pride Lit Brand Manager Aiko Clarizza Buduan-Salazar points out. “The upcoming new titles will open readers’ minds on the fresh possibilities of storytelling.” True to its vision, Pride Lit steps up its game by ensuring LGBTQ+ characters and its allies could be prominent figures in pop culture narratives, and serve as inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community whose vibrant lives are worth telling, and are now everyone’s stories. “We plan to release more books and become a staple in the community,” Salazar said. “Aside from providing feel good stories and erotic stories too, we plan to become more reachable to our target market and community.”

Details and images provided by Pride Lit in a recent press release.

Thanks to Jowell of FlingerosPH.com for attending the launch event on my behalf!