SAM Magazine

E42 - Teoni Spathelfer, Little Wolf

Today I'm excited to share my discussion with creative Teoni Spathelfer. Because the recording is a little difficult to hear in some sections, we had horrible weather during the recording, I wanted to note the names mentioned. Teoni shared the sound effects of the waves for her documentary, Teoni's Dream, with Elder Gilbert Joe. Teoni mentions Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, who is part of Reconciliation Canada. Heritage House is the publisher of Little Wolf, which we discuss on today's podcast. 
Teoni's Dream can be listened to at the 4:40 mark here ⁠February 26, 2010 - Part 1 | CBC.ca⁠.  Teoni felt her ancestors were bringing her a message through her dreams. Little Wolf is the first in a trilogy, and it tackles topics such as racism, isolation and overcoming challenges. The second book in this trilogy is White Raven. Teoni blends three generations of women to create her character, Little Wolf. A beautiful children's book which is appropriate for children and adults. Tune in and learn about Fire Woman who came to Teoni in her dreams.
⁠Teoni Spathelfer | Facebook

E41 - Wild Wood Creative, She’s a Scroll Saw Artist

Lauren was a registered nurse and mom at an early age. She didn't anticipate after her first child, she would suffer from post-partum depression. With the love of her family and help from her physician, she slowly started to feel better and emerged from those dark days and found her calling as a Scroll Saw Artist. She now chases her dreams one project at a time in her garage. Lauren's business Wild Wood Creative is thriving. I was able to get this Scroll Saw Artist to stop by for a quick discussion about her journey and art.  Www.wildwood-creative.com

E40 - Hannah Mary McKinnon - You Will Remember Me

Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK. She grew up in Switzerland and now lives in Canada with her husband and three sons. Before moving to Canada, she had completed commercial studies in Geneva and worked as a PA for DuPont. Later she moved to Neuchatel and became the Purchasing Manager for a high-tech company. Hannah is the author of numerous essays and pieces. Her fifth novel, You Will Remember Me is in stores now, and it's receiving great reviews. On Friday, May 28, it was on the Globe and Mail’s list of “riveting thriller novels to start summer off with a bang.” They also tweeted that, “McKinnon is a writer to remember.” Hanna and I discuss using “sweet” similes to describe a voice, how Hanna went from writing a rom-com to suspense, writing in multiple first-person points-of-view, and breaking rules to produce the best novel possible. 
https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/

E39 - Lila Harrison King, Love Like a Mama

"Three years of hoping and dreaming and praying and begging. Three years of anticipation and disappointment hang here in this room."
Lila Harrison King has been on her own motherhood journey. She is a writer, and a podcaster, who wanted to reach out to mothers all over the world. She created a beautiful, one of a kind keepsake book, Love Like a Mama. This book is for moms in any stage of motherhood. Its daily dose of encouragement reminds us that being a mom comes in all shapes and stories. There isn't a right way to mother. Just a loving way. Her hardcover book is filled with daily encouraging thoughts, wide margins for doodles, and a journaling section.  Lila joins me on the podcast and we share stories of motherhood, not wanting to disappoint our children, wishing we could offer more, lots of laughs and love. You'll feel like you've had a virtual hug. Lila's podcast, Love Like a Mama can be heard on any listening platform. 

E37 - Brian Richmond, UK Promoter of Indie Authors

Brian Richmond, a U.K. promoter of indie authors, and I have a virtual coffee and catch up on what's new on his website Home (bluedevilbooks.com), and what's new in my life as an indie author and podcaster. We discuss traditional publishers and how today's indie author is learning to do everything, including book trailers in particular, my book trailer of The Unravelling. Brian and I share our proudest moments, the pros and cons of social media, and learning about marketing. I recap about some of the authors I've had on the podcast from Canada and abroad, and Brian and I agree, location has nothing to do with a good book. Erase the borders and it all comes down to good storytelling.

E38 - Ana Warner, Twin Flames

Ana Warner's two novels, The Soul Contract and The Soul Union are fictional stories to teach about the important lessons about love. Ana was born in Bucharest, Romania. In her early years she was raised in West Africa and immigrated to Saskatchewan as a teenager, where she received a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. Ana began writing poetry, short stories and lyrics to music at the age of eleven. As she grew older, her quest to understand who people are and why they behave the way they do lead her to educate herself in Astrology.  We have a good conversation about self-respect, toxic reality and expectations in a relationships. I also learn about the twin-flames journey.

E36 - Benny Sims, Code Gray

Benny Sims is a fan of Lee Child's, Jack Reacher series. He's worked with the aerospace industry making windows for the President's Air Force One. Benny has always liked storytelling. He can trace that fondness to reading Jack London’s The Call of the Wild when he was in second grade and listening to his great uncle tell war stories from his time as an artillery cannoneer in North Africa and Italy during WW II.
Benny was born and grew up in middle Tennessee, but his family moved to Benton, Illinois. It was there that his teachers noticed his aptitude for writing and encouraged him to pursue it. He attended college at Murray State University in Kentucky where he studied journalism. After college, he landed a job as sports writer and editor with a small newspaper near his hometown. 
Benny and I have a great conversation. We talk about his really good prologue which didn't make it into the book and why (YouTube link below), as well as Lee Child's writing style of two steps forward and one step back. I learned about the Fairness Doctrine. Have you heard of a pitch party on Twitter? You will today. And Benny surprised me when I found out when he wrote Code Gray, his debut novel. Benny writes like a seasoned author with multiple novels under his belt.
⁠Prologue for CODE GRAY Book Reading with Author Benny Sims - YouTube⁠
⁠Code Gray Book Trailer - YouTube⁠
⁠Benny Sims, Author | Books | Series | Interview | Deals | Newsletter | Contact | Site | AllAuthor

E35 - Elgon Williams, Becoming Thuperman

"When the rubber meets the road," Elgon Williams. It was a trip down memory lane talking with Elgon Williams about his novel, Becoming Thuperman, the first in his Thuperman series. His middle-grade reader novel takes the reader to simpler times, in fact 1988, through the eyes of Will, his 8-year old protagonist. I enjoyed interviewing Elgon as I virtually jumped across the border to Las Vegas to chat with this Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery author. Elgon was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. He grew up on a farm in southeastern Clark County near the town of South Charleston. He’s a graduate of Purdue University, The University of Texas, and the Defense Language Institute. We talked books, piano, karate, life choices and even a little about the Vietnam War. 
https://elgonwilliams.com/