Stories Served Around The Table
News to Nosh
Welcome to Stories Served Around The Table News To Nosh—a monthly newsletter covering my ongoing journey as an author. You will find writerly updates, a book review or two, and, perhaps, a shared article that may resonate with readers and writers. Keep an eye out for the monthly giveaways and upcoming events.
Here we are! The first 2022 Stories Served Around The Table News to Nosh. I am so glad you are here. Please offer your suggestions. I am always learning.
Bits to Share
2022 begins and there is so much to look forward to and reflect upon. Do you make resolutions, set goals? Lauren Ranalli, award-winning children’s book author and marketing coach, has five fantastic tips on goal setting. I really like the idea of writing and reading one goal-in-progress every day.
Writerly News
As you must know, The Heart of Bakers and Artists and The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers are out in the world. These coming of age sagas set in the early 20th century, follows Lily, a young daughter of Sicilian immigrants and her family and friends as their stories unfold within the backdrop of American history. I have the beginnings of the final book in the Becoming America’s Stories series. Stay tuned for updates.
TEACHERS, I am available for live and virtual school author visit events. Browse my workshop page here or contact me at storiesserved@gmail.com.
Book Clubs, I would love to join you in a lively book discussion (live or virtual).
In case you missed any of December’s Stories Served Around the Table blog posts, here they are:
Turkey on the Bar-B-Q #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge
Portrait of the SON: a Book Review #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge
I signed up for the 2022 Women in Publishing Summit. This is a huge virtual conference for women in the publishing industry. Alexa Bigwarfe and her amazing team put together craft, marketing, business, and fellowship workshops for writers at all levels in their journey. I participated last year, came away with a load of information and strategies, and found wonderful like-minded women who share this crazy writing passion. The summit runs from March 2-5, 2022. You can check it out here.
Readers’ Corner
I love to read, don’t you? Writers are readers first. It is important to share book reviews so that fellow readers may find their next great read. Presently, my TBR list contains children’s picture books to middle grade and YA novels. I am also reading short story collections and women’s fiction.
I received The Kindness Machine ARC to offer my honest review.
The Kindness Machine by Christina Dankert, illustrated by Chad Dankert
Everyone’s favorite teacher, Mr. Wilson, invented the Kindness Machine. He frequently creates clever gadgets to teach math and improve reading. This time, he brought in a huge contraption that harnesses superpowers—The Kindness Machine. The Kindness Machine produces prompts that immediately engage the children in simple acts of kindness—Smile, Say It, Love Yourself, Invite and Include, and Be a Chef (my personal favorite). Soon these kind actions turn into superpowers that propel the class to choose kindness. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, making the book a joy to turn each page. I love the discussion questions before the story. This gives teachers and students a starting point to think and talk about kindness.
The Kindness Machine is a must in classroom and children’s libraries. Bravo, Dankerts on your debut success.
You can pre-order your book on Amazon.
Upcoming Events
Please contact me (storiesserved@gmail.com ) to schedule book talks and other bookish events. I am available for virtual and live presentations.
January 13th Girl Scout Cadette Troop 396 at the VFW Post 433 Lakeland Avenue Sayville from 5-7 pm. Contact Jan Mauck for detailed information.
January GiveAway
This may be off the kidlit topic, but I wanted to mark a milestone with a giveaway of my memoir, Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer.
Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. It cropped up almost five years after being diagnosed and treated for Stage 1 breast cancer. I have been blessed with access to excellent healthcare, a terrific medical team, science that keeps the damn cancer slow and lazy, and My Everyone who confirms my mantra; Every day is a gift.
Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer chronicles my first year with breast cancer as a wimpy patient.This month, I will give away ten personally signed copies. You can sign up to WIN HERE.
That’s it, Everyone.
Happy New Year. Let’s make it funtastic.
Enjoy ❤️. Like 👍. Share 😊.
Download FREE Curriculum Connections
If you had purchased a paperback or ebook The Heart of Bakers and Artists, The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories—Thank you!
Help your fellow book club friends and bibliophiles find a great read by leaving a review on Amazon and in your Goodreads account. Here are the helpful links:
The Heart of Bakers and Artists
The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers
Becoming America’s Food Stories
Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer
Stories Served 
I agree about the importance of book reviews. I so appreciate the time of the authors (and of other readers), an honest review is the least that I can do.
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.
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Thank you, Donna. I am looking forward to 2022 with friends and family. It has to be a good year.
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