Skip to main content

Guest Post on the Inspiration Behind Writing "Believe" by Kasey Crawford Kellem, Creator of M.O.M Books

The inspiration behind writing Believe and info on the other Mind Over Matter (M.O.M) Books by Kasey Crawford Kellem

RESILIENCY: Since I began in education over 20 years ago, I had been intrigued by how children and adults rebounded in life. I studied the characteristics of resiliency in Graduate School and Post Grad School. Determined to somehow teach children how to be resilient, I later came up with the book idea. Book writing had not only been something I wanted to do since I was a child, but also something my mother encouraged me to do! It made perfect sense to combine my mission with my childhood dream!

I was on a mission to help children become resilient. In order to be resilient, I knew children needed to BELIEVE in their possibilities, RELAX often, LAUGH at playful experiences, DREAM about inspiring futures, and LOVE those they encounter. And so the book series began: Believe; Love; Laugh; Relax; and Dream. After further thought, the company, Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) Books, was born. The series’ title not only describes the purpose of the books, but also brings my late mother into the project!

Believe was the first of my five M.O.M books to be published.  It made perfect sense as Believe is my family’s mantra.  It is everywhere throughout our house: bookshelves, windowsills, walls, candles, blankets, plates, pictures, ornaments and unique decorations. It is in   our family room, garage, living room, kitchen, dining room, and every bedroom...you get the idea. We Believe!

But we don't stop! Also, throughout our home we have wooden decorations that say, "Relax," "Laugh," and "Dream." (Truly a home of a counselor, ey?) I felt children should also be reminded of these resiliency skills, yet in a more whimsical way. Therefore, the books were designed in a way that allows them to free stand and serve as a decoration and constant resiliency reminder.

Given enough book sales, the additional Mind Over Matter Books should be out within the next two years. I Believe!



Kasey Crawford Kellem, a School Counselor and former Special Education Teacher, has devoted her life to helping children facing adversity be resilient. Kasey created Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) books to teach children skills to overcome life’s challenges. She has earned a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Special Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling. She is a devoted wife, stepmother, sister, daughter, friend and counselor.

Kasey Crawford Kellem
Author: Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) Books
B.S., M.S., Ed.S.                                 
Website: www.mindovermatterbooks.com 
Publisher: http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/kasey-crawford-kellem
Blog: www.mindovermatterbooks.blogspot.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612440398
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kasey-kellem/1a/552/94
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kaseyc7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Over-Matter-Books/148030188625482
YouTube (Children’s Authors Show Interview): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_PPnSHXzzY

 
Halo Publishing, Int. and the World of Ink Network are sponsoring Kasey Crawford Kellem's World of Ink Tour this February 2012. Kellem will be touring her first book in the Mind Over Matter (M.O.M) Books, BELIEVE, which just released. The additional M.O.M Books are due to release soon later in 2012: LOVE; LAUGH; RELAX and DREAM.

BELIEVE is the first of five books emphasizing the important factors for resiliency. In this book, children will learn to BELIEVE in their possibilities. 

Published by Halo Publishing, Int.
ISBN: 978-1-61244-039-2
Educational - Hardcover
Ingram Distribution Nationwide

You can find out more about Kasey Crawford Kellem’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/KaseyKellem.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with Kellem and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. You will be entered into the main the Book Giveaway each time.

In addition, come listen on February 20, 2012 to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier and Irene Roth will be chatting with Kasey Crawford Kellem about her M.O.M Books, writing, helping children to be resilient and her experiences. The show airs live February 20, 2012 at 2pm EST. You can listen/call in at (714) 242-5259. (Note: if you can’t make the show, you can listen on demand at the same link.)

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit: http://worldofinknetwork.blogspot.com  

To purchase any of Kasey Crawford Kellem’s books, visit Halo Publishing: www.halopublishing.com
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment.

Popular posts from this blog

VBT-Guest Author Spotlight Donna McDine

      Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78 th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions. Her stories have been published in many print and online publications and her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has two more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, The Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey . She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids and Publicist for the National Writing for Children Center from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI and Musing Our Children.                What excites you most about your book’s topic? Why did you choose it?       The Underground Railroad was a pivotal time in American history, one that should never be repeated. It is my hope by keeping history alive for each generation that these huge mistakes will never reoccur. Q.     How lon
36 comments
Read more

Five Tips for a More Marketable Children’s Picture Book Manuscript by Mayra Calvani

The world of children’s picture book publishing is extremely competitive. If you’re an aspiring children’s author, you need to make sure your manuscript is in excellent shape and has all the elements editors and agents look for before you begin the submission process. Here are five tips to make your picture book manuscript more marketable: Start right with the problem.  Many times beginner writers begin a picture book with back-story. It’s okay to have this back-story in the first draft, but be sure to get rid of it when you edit. Back-story is unnecessary 90% of the time and it only serves to slow down the beginning of a story, making it weaker. You want to grab the reader right from the start. So don’t be afraid to begin your story at the heart of the problem. It’s okay to set the stage with a sentence or two—but no more! Have a protagonist readers can relate to. Generally, children like to listen to stories about other children or animals with children’s characteristics. They
25 comments
Read more

Interview Friday with multi-talented author, Cheryl Malandrinos

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor from Western Massachusetts . A regular contributor to Writer2Writer, her articles focus on increasing productivity through time management and organization. A founding member of Musing Our Children , Ms. Malandrinos is also the Editor-in-Chief of the group's quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens . Cheryl is a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book Promotion , a book reviewer, and blogger. Guardian Angel Publishing will release her first children’s book, The Little Shepherd Boy, in 2010. VS: Cheryl, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. I know being a parent and writer can be hard and I find myself asking if I am giving my three children enough attention throughout the day. I am sure you have been in my shoes from time to time. So to start here is the first question, how many children do you have and what are their ages? Cheryl: Thanks for having me at The Writing Mama, Virginia. I’m thril
27 comments
Read more