READLocal Indie Author Fair

Posted on September 19, 2018September 20, 2018 by Janet Kassalen

Event Announcement: READLocal Indie Author Fair

As an indie author, seeing my fans and readers makes my day, it’s always fun to meet those who help me do what I love. I’m excited to announce that I will be in attendance at this year’s READLocal Indie Author Fair at the Midpointe Library. Support your favorite local authors (like me!) at the Midpointe Library in West Chester on September 29, 2018. I will have a table throughout the event where you can purchase a signed copy of “Flip, Flap, Try . . . A Cardinal’s Journey.” The event runs from 10 am to 12 pm and will be held in the West Chester Community Room A/B. Come out and say hello to me and Rainier!

READLocal Indie Author Fair Details

Who: Janet Kassalen, Author

What: READLocal Indie Author Fair

Where: Midpointe Library West Chester

9363 Centre Pointe Drive

West Chester, OH 45069

When: 10 am – 12 pm

If you are interested in going or you may know a friend or family member who is interested you can visit and share my READLocal Indie Author Fair event on Facebook.

From one journey to the next…

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Janet Kassalen

One journey ends and a new one begins.

Isn’t life really about going from one journey to the next? But sometimes we’re afraid to move out of our comfort zone – we feel safe because we have a job, we think we need to follow what the grownups tell us because they’re older and know everything, right, and if we don’t follow the status quo (gasp!) then people will think we’re a rebel or worse “weird.” My story about Rainier allows you to dismiss all the “stuff” you’ve been told or learned or held onto and choose to follow your dreams to do what makes you thrive and more importantly, what makes you happy.

Even before I started writing the adventures of Rainier, I knew there was a story to tell and Rainier’s journey needed to be shared. Last last fall I decided to take the plunge and begin the process of bringing Rainier’s journey to life. Though it wasn’t always easy, with the many drafts, edits, choosing which illustrations to use, and all the other tasks needed to bring you Rainier’s journey, I knew Rainier’s self-confidence to eventually find his joy would touch everyone in some way.

Rainier’s excursion has started; join him as he leaves the safety of his family nest and searches for a job he enjoys performing but is also rewarding. Meet Mr. Gray, the squirrel, who gives him his first job away from home, and be there as Aunt Patty, a dear family friend, welcomes Rainier into her colony. Laugh with the little boy Rainier helps thanks to everything Rainier learns through his personal journey.

As someone said:

“. . . delightful story will inspire children to explore and discover new paths and will encourage adults to facilitate those efforts. Adults might decide to pursue their own new journey.”

I hope you enjoy the story of Rainier as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you decide to make a change and leap from one journey to the next, remember Rainier’s courage and go for it! You can purchase the book here or on Amazon.

Janet

The Story Behind My Story!

Posted on May 30, 2017June 10, 2017 by Janet Kassalen

A Speech Becomes A Story Which Becomes A Message

Have you heard the saying, “everyone has a story inside them?” That is not exactly how “Flip Flap Try . . . A Cardinal’s Journey” started (for me it was more like a speech inside me), but my speech evolved into my story and we are counting down the days until print. Rainier’s journey originated from a speech I wrote for a Toastmasters International storytelling project. After giving my talk and as time went on, the more and more I thought about it, the more I knew one day I would publish the courageous adventures of Rainier.

With the assistance and support of a life coach, a book coach, and a professional author’s assistant, my speech turned into the book I dreamed of publishing. “Flip Flap Try . . .” is a children’s book with an adult message. No matter your age, this book has an underlying theme for everyone: keep searching until you find the job or task you like going to each day. Part of finding the job you like includes knowing your unique capabilities and weaknesses and once you figure those out it helps you find a job that suits you.

How many seniors in high school go straight to college because “it’s the thing to do?” How many children are guilt-driven or shamed into doing something they dislike instead of something they enjoy? Life is for us to enjoy. If you don’t find out what you like doing on the first or second try it is okay. Keep your head up and move on.

You’ll find your passion and you’ll be glad you did!

If you’d like to follow my journey, I’m on Facebook. Also, stay in the loop for our upcoming launch date in Cincinnati and other events in the Tri-State area.

More soon,

Janet Kassalen, Author