The YP Publishing

How to Prosper Without Being at the Top of the Class - Author Cynthia Kocialski "Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success" Book Tour Jan - March 2012

2011-11-04T18:02:00.026-04:00

Join Author Cynthia Kocialski on her Virtual Book Tour, starting January 17, sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Succeeding Beyond Academic Success

About The Book

In our grade-focused school years, the rules of success seemed as simple as making all As. However, in the working world, success is far more complex. Now, a self-professed over-achiever shares how her professional triumphs wildly strayed from her honor roll tactics in an eye-opening, easy-to-read compilation of truisms from the trenches of real life. Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success: How to Prosper Without Being at the Top of the Class offers hard-won wisdom on achieving professional glory that will serve as an invaluable resource to anyone who is contemplating a career, and is seeking some sound, straightforward advice on navigating the working world.

In today’s global, hypercompetitive marketplace, the rules for success have changed dramatically. Inspired by the experience of her own daughters in school and her work with start-up companies and entrepreneurs, Kocialski realized that many young adults graduate completely unaware of a new playing field that no one has bothered to tell them about—and that is not always predicated by superior grades or talents. In eighteen concise and revelatory chapters, the author draws from her own professional achievements and challenges to debunk common myths that can lead astray aspiring professionals in their early years of forging a career. From the overemphasis of “practice makes perfect” to the often parroted insistence that winning doesn’t matter, Kocialski provides straight facts, anecdotes, and examples that will enable any individual who truly wants to succeed to launch their career on solid footing.

About the Author

Cynthia Kocialski is the founder of three tech companies. What makes her unique is that she has experienced many start-ups and seen them from the inside out, including the day-to-day trials and tribulations, not just the milestones and status presented to passive investors and outsiders. In the past 15 years, she has been involved in dozens of start-ups and has served on various advisory boards. These companies have collectively returned billions of dollars to investors. Cynthia has held various technical, marketing, and management positions at IBM and Matrox Electronics. Cynthia has engineering and mathematics degrees from the University of Rochester and the University of Virginia.

You can visit her website at www.cynthiakocialski.com

http://cynthiakocialski.com/blog/books/out-of-the-classroom-lessons-in-success

Connect with Cynthia Kocialski

Read the Review

"If you're inspired to make a great living by doing what you love - then this is the book for you. It packed with insights about discovering your passion, nurturing your talents, developing valuable life skills, achieving your goals and most importantly actually living your dreams. Cynthia Kocialski shares her many years experience in the corporate world as well as her own personal achievements to reveal the 'keys' to life success. You don't have to be a grade A student - but you do have to read and apply the ideas in this book - if you want to create a life you love!"
Reviewed by Dr Rosina McAlpine, Director Inspired Children www.inspiredchildren.com

Purchase Here

Author Paige Agnew "Seven" - Halloween Virtual Book Tour September & October 2011

2011-07-15T16:03:00.017-04:00

Join Author, Paige Agnew on her Virtual Book Tour, starting September 12th sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Youth *Mystery * Suspense *Romance

About The Author

Paige wrote her first book, Starless Sky at age 15 and published it in January of 2010. Her second book, Seven, was published February 2011. Her sense of humor and from the heart personality shines through her writing. She was born in Michigan. Her compassion and sense of humor is in all of her writings. When Paige is not writing, she enjoys sports, dancing, singing, playing the piano, reading and attending her brother's football games. In addition, spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Tigger are important to her. She is also actively involved in her church and community. Paige is currently working on other books.
Visit Paige Agnew's website http://paigeagnew.com

About the Book

When seven strangers are thrown together to be pawns in a psycho’s mind game, they realize that they have to work together to reach their true potential or it could very well mean their death.
Seven strangers. Seven stories. One chance to not only save their lives, but to change them in ways they’d never even imagined possible.

Seven is available for purchase at:

Amazon.com
paigeagnew.com
barnesandnoble.com
Kindle

Visit Seven Tour Schedule

http://virtualbooktour-theyppublishing.blogspot.com/p/seven-by-paige-agnew-virtual-book-tour.html

Read the Review

I found this book very hard to put down once I got involved in the lives of these seven individuals. Trying to figure out just who Seven is and how he can have such a hold over thousands of different individuals without being seen is mind boggling. This book is suspenseful at the beginning and then turns more thrilling. The stories in the first part of the book do bounce back and forth between each individual, but I did not find myself getting lost. The book is cleanly written and can be enjoyed by any age from teens on up. NOTE: I have read a copy that does need extensive editing before being published.

Reviewed by Lynn F. for Readers Favorite
Read the Amazon Review

Start Up from the Ground Up - Author Cynthia Kocialski - Labor Day Virtual Book Tour September & October 2011

2011-07-14T19:55:00.023-04:00

Join Author Cynthia Kocialski on her Virtual Book Tour, starting September 5th sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Dedication to the social and economic achievement of entrepreneurs.

About The Book

“Startup From The Ground Up” explores why an entrepreneur can only go so far with just an idea. There are many people who dream of being an entrepreneur, but most don’t know how to realize their dream. New businesses don’t fail because companies are unable to build a product or offer a service; they fail because the business factors needed to bring that product into the market are either neglected or ignored. “Startup from the Ground Up” provides practical advice for how to get an entrepreneur gets moving down the right path and thinking in the right direction with practical tips, strategies, techniques and stories on how to transform an idea into a company. It shows the entrepreneur which business factors should be given their focus and attention in the beginning years of the new business.

About the Author

Cynthia Kocialski is the founder of three tech companies. What makes her unique is that she has experienced many start-ups and seen them from the inside out, including the day-to-day trials and tribulations, not just the milestones and status presented to passive investors and outsiders. In the past 15 years, she has been involved in dozens of start-ups and has served on various advisory boards. These companies have collectively returned billions of dollars to investors. Cynthia has held various technical, marketing, and management positions at IBM and Matrox Electronics. Cynthia has engineering and mathematics degrees from the University of Rochester and the University of Virginia.

Startup from the Ground Up: Practical Insights for Entrepreneurs is available for purchase at:

Amazon

Kindle

You can visit her website at www.cynthiakocialski.com or
www.startupfromthegroundup.com

Connect with Cynthia Kocialski

Visit Startup from the Ground Up Tour Schedule

http://virtualbooktour-theyppublishing.blogspot.com/p/author-cynthia-kocialski-startup-from.html

Read the Review

"Real world tips and detailed instructions which can be applied to any business to help from everything from product development to creating a business plan to presenting to investors. This book is full of good information that can make any businesses growth just a little less rocky and certainly more organized and thoughtful. "

Sarah Worsham (Sazbean) is CEO & Web Strategist at Sazbean Consulting.

What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want - Author Paula Renaye "The Hardline Self Help Handbook:"- Virtual Book Tour July - Aug 2011

2011-05-06T11:40:00.040-04:00

Join Author, Paula Renaye on her Virtual Book Tour, starting July 4th sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Independence Day Hardline Self Help Handbook

Self Improvement * Enlightenment * Purpose * Happiness

About The Book

THE HARDLINE SELF HELP HANDBOOK –A fast-track course in self-discovery and self empowerment, The Hardline Self Help Handbook is all about cut-to-the-chase personal development and self improvement through a life transforming tough love approach. Each chapter gives you real-world, to-the-point examples of areas in your life that might not be working, then follows up with ―Line It Out‖ exercises to get to the bottom line of why and how they can. If you‘re really ready to have the life you dream about, Hardline gives you practical, workable tools to do it. You‘ll discover how you can get out of limbo and move forward, and how you can live your joy!

About the Author

Paula Renaye is a certified professional coach, motivational speaker, regression hypnosis practitioner and award-winning author. She has been a consultant for 18 years and is a member of the International Association of Coaches. She presents classes, seminars, hands-on workshops and events on self-development and self-healing, as well as writing and publishing. Her passion is helping people face reality and take personal responsibility for their choices in order to reclaim their own power and live the life they really want.

Winner of the 2011 Indie Excellence Finalist Award

2011 National Indie Excellence Finalist Award

2011 Readers Favorite Finalist Award
2011 Global eBook Finalist Award Winner

Available at

Amazon

Kindle

Barnes&Noble

Visit Author Paula Renaye's website at
http://hardlineselfhelp.com

http://hardlineselfhelp.com/tour

Visit The Hardline Self Help Handbook Tour Schedule

http://virtualbooktour-theyppublishing.blogspot.com/p/paula.html

Read the Review

"The Hardline Self Help Handbook" was written for those who have tried to follow the advice in books like "The Secret" but have had limited success. This book presents the blatant reality of this type of situation and asks whether you are really willing to change yourself to achieve your goals. You may not think you want to hear the truth but deep in your heart you will probably appreciate it.

Paula Renaye discusses programming, limited beliefs, fears and even gives advice on healthy eating. She explains how to distract people who are very negative by saying positive things. By reading her advice you will come to the conclusion that some people really do enjoy being negative, being a victim and being unsuccessful.

The best part of the book is on page 115 where you are given a list of important questions about what you want, why you want it and what will it feel like if you don't get it. There are 18 questions that will help you reach your goal more easily."

Rebecca, The Rebecca Review, Amazon Review.

Sometimes it's not always about kind words and gentleness. "The Hardline Self-Help Handbook: What Are Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want?" is a guide to pushing yourself through what you don't really want to do, and the power of self tough love. Paula Renaye hopes to inspire people through ramming through what they need to do with their life, no matter how much they may dread it. "The Hardline Self-Help Handbook" is of note to anyone who has determined positive thinking alone isn't going to save them, and wants to push themselves towards the next step.

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) Amazon Review.

How To Sell More To Your Ideal Client Online - Author Alison Silbert "Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away" - Virtual Book Tour June 2011

2011-03-08T16:53:00.035-05:00

Join Author, Alison Silbert on her Virtual Book Tour, starting June 6th sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Identify your ideal client.
Learn the best way to increase your business.

About the Book

This business primer makes it easy to understand how to do business online. How? “Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away”. Part 1 identifies who your company's ideal client is, and how that ideal client becomes an ideal online visitor when searching the Internet or looking at your company website. Part 1 also includes links to various worksheets to help a businessperson identify the ideal client. Part 2 outlines three simple ways to put together a website, so your ideal visitor feels confident about your ability to identify and solve problems. Part 3 tells your ideal visitor how to find your site. Alison's aim is to help clients reach their online marketing potential. She wants customers to understand how to leverage the Internet to build their businesses. Most of the book's content comes from real dealings with clients and providing answers to commonly asked questions.

About The Author

Alison Silbert is the author of “Winning Websites” published in 2007, and “Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away” published in January 2011.

Alison's company Passionate Web Creations and Ideal Visitor Inc provides clients with a wide variety of business building, marketing services and web development services. She has helped clients of all sizes, including entrepreneurs, just starting businesses and fully operational corporate structures. Her clients have included such Canadian universities as University of Toronto and University of Calgary.

Alison Silbert is among the prestigious ranks of Stanford Who's Who as a result of her exceptional professional career. Stanford Who's Who empowers executives, professionals and entrepreneurs around the world. During her collegiate career, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Programming from Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. She has also studied Business Management and Marketing.

When not running her business, she is a mentor, coach, and teacher, supporting individuals in living their dream of having a successful online business. She has taught database courses at the University of Toronto. She lives in Mississauga with her husband, 2 children and a loyal sheltie named Cocoa.

Visit Alison's website at http://idealvisitor.com/idealsite/book-2/

Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away is available for purchase at:

Amazon.com and Barnes & Nobile

These are some of the topics that will be discussed during the tour -

Alison talks about finding the right clients and how to boost your revenue .
Author Alison Silbert talks with Devesh about strategies on how to grow your business 200%.
Alison talks about 3 simple ways to make your website build credibility for you.
Alison talks about strategies on how to grow your business.
Alison talks about how to make your website build credibility for you.
Alison talks about The Top 5 Questions to Ask a Prospective Website Development Company.

Visit Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away Tour Schedule

http://virtualbooktour-theyppublishing.blogspot.com/p/author-alison-silbert-boost-your.html

Read the Review

"What I like about this book is that it's a real "how-to" book, but without being super techie. Alison really dives into the specifics of what you need to do to set up a website and online business.

Who should read this book?

* People who are setting up their websites themselves.
* People who are hiring someone else to set up their website, but still want to have a basic understanding of what's going on.
* People who want guidance in how to hire a professional to set up their site."

H. Buchanan, Marketing to Women.

Children and Community Save Magic City - Author Rocsanne Shield "Save Magic City" - Virtual Book Tour April 2011

2011-02-02T16:28:00.043-05:00

Join Author, Rocsanne Shield on her Virtual Book Tour, starting April 1st sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Medieval times meet modern times.
How children and their community save a city.

About the Book

Save Magic City

Hurled into the time flow by a banishing spell, 13th Century Edmund lands in the USA, in 2007, in answer to Leona's fervent prayers for help to save her town.

The corporation employing the townspeople has left, the bank’s foreclosures have created whole streets of empty houses, people are leaving in droves... the town is slowly dying.

A black magician in his own time, Edmund is forbidden to do any magic if it is not for helping other people. He discovers and is fascinated by the magical powers of the Internet and wants to bring instant relief to the townspeople. But Leona, who does not trust their dependency on magic, forbids him to do so.

Leo, Leona's adoptive son, and his friends, Squirrel and Raccoon, accept the magic with enthusiasm and do their best to help the town survive.

When misfortune strikes, Leona gives her blessing for Edmund to use his magic.

Save Magic City is available for purchase at:

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

About The Author

Rocsanne is the pen name of Raluca Popov, born in Romania many years ago, when communism was still the way of life in her country. She desired to escape communism and find more about a freer way of life in the West. For this, she left Romania as a tourist, and never looked back. Her education includes Geological Engineering and Construction Estimating, thus being able to find work wherever she went. During all these years she wrote short stories, mostly about the people she met, finding them extremely interesting. But always she was sure she would write a novel someday.

After she retired, she finally found the time to transform her dream into reality, and four novels in the Historical Romance genre were written, one connected to the next through their common heroes and heroines. And here she found herself in a quandary -- where to send the banished sorcerer -- the solution to her fourth novel, in which Edmund, the bad sorcerer is banished by his enemies, and disappears in thin air.

She says that inspiration comes from the most extraordinary places. In this case it was the TV, watching an animated movie for children. Forgotten was the romance, and children, together with their parents, became the new heroes. When you read the book, please do not forget to give her your opinion of it. Rocsanne/Raluca would love to hear what you have to say.

Visit Rocsanne website at www.rocsanneshield.com

Visit Save Magic City Tour Schedule

Read the Review

"Save Magic City is a fun, fast paced novel, which I really enjoyed reading (finished it in one evening!) Rocsanne Shield has crafted a fun story about a 13th Centery guy who lands in the middle of the internet crazed 2007. I found myself reading it with a big smile on my face, and I am really curious for more books by Rocsanne. Recommended read!"

Marjolein, Marjolein Book Blog.

"Although the setting for Save the City is the USA it is equally relevant to any western country . The first thing I realised as I was reading was that not only are today's children growing up in a world ruled by multinationals, huge corporations and franchises but they know nothing else. The days of friendly local businesses and employers , of focus on community welfare and growth that I can remember is as distant to them as Edmund's medieval time. The story uses magic to bring change but the real message is that the magic lies within everyone if they're willing to work together for the good of everyone."

Cat, Tell Me a Story.

"The kids will able to learn some good like friendship, teamwork, confident, learning history of another century, as well as doing good deeds to others. Even though some where in the middle will has a slow pace, the book is worth reading and you'll find it enjoyable too. This is a wonderful book that I fully recommend for kids and teens."

Darlyn, Darlyn & Books.

Teen Author reaches out to teens - Author Paige Agnew "Starless Sky" - Virtual Book Tour February - March 2011

2010-11-29T16:54:00.068-05:00

Join Author, Paige Agnew on her Virtual Book Tour, starting February 7th sponsored by The YP Publishing.

A touching story about loss of a loved one, relationships, friendships, love, romance, self exploration and encouragement through following the lives of high schoolers.

About The Author

Paige wrote her first book, Starless Sky at age 15 and published it in January of 2010. Starless Sky was birthed during the time of grief and loss while Paige was in the 8th grade.Paige loves to know that she can speak words of life through writing that brings entertainment, escape, or healing to readers. She can write words that make readers cry, laugh, exclaim with excitement, or stay up all night wondering what happens in the end. Her sense of humor and from the heart personality shines through her writing. She was born in Michigan. Her compassion and sense of humor is in all of her writings. When Paige is not writing, she enjoys sports, dancing, singing, playing the piano, reading and attending her brother's college football games. In addition, spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Tigger are important to her. She is also actively involved in her church and community.
Visit Paige Agnew's website http://paigeagnew.com

About the Book

Starless Sky – Starless Sky is about a girl, Kahlen, who is experiencing the loss of a friend. Kahlen feels alone and lonely, but she also gets tired of people feeling sorry for her and giving her sympathetic looks. Going to Dean's Creek is the only place she finds solace. Well, at least it WAS the only place until Kennley showed up. Now she can't even find solace there...or can she?

In the midst of loss, there is life; a sentiment Kahlen was not quick to accept. But in the process of the daily routine of school, dropping grades, frustrated parents, and pain, Kahlen begins to gain insights (the kind that comes from fortune cookies or good friends). Her newfound wisdom and the strain of dealing with Kennley and his troubling past lead her to an exciting new phase of life.

Starless Sky is available for purchase at:

Amazon.com
paigeagnew.com
barnesandnoble.com
schulerbooks.com

Purchase her Audio Book

http://paigeagnew.com/

What Readers Are Saying

"Starless Sky is very interesting; it reminds me of how we all deal with death of a family member or a friend. I find that Kahlen has a lot of emotions to deal with and yet tries to stay focus with here and now."

B.Whitley, Maryland (Department of Defense)

Visit Starless Sky Tour Schedule

http://virtualbooktour-theyppublishing.blogspot.com/p/starless-sky-by-paige-agnew-virtual.html

How To Unlearn Your Pain - Author Howard Schubiner MD "Unlearn Your Pain" Virtual Book Tour Jan - Feb 2011

2010-10-28T19:52:00.038-04:00

Join Author, Howard Schubiner MD on his Virtual Book Tour, starting January 25 sponsored by The YP Publishing.

63 MILLION CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERS CAN LIVE PAIN FREE WITHIN 50 DAYS WITH A NEW PROGRAM CREATED BY RESPECTED PHYSICIAN

This book is the answer to many who want to cure their pain.

About the Author of Unlearn Your Pain

Dr. Howard Schubiner is board certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and internal medicine and is the director of the Mind Body Medicine Center at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI. He is a Clinical Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine and is a fellow in the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. He has authored more than sixty publications in scientific journals and books and has given more than 250 lectures to scientific audiences regionally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Schubiner has consulted for the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Mental Health. He is also a senior teacher of mindfulness meditation. He has been included on the list of the Best Doctors in America since 2003. Dr. Schubiner lives in the Detroit area with his wife of twenty-six years and has two adult children.

About The Book

Unlearn Your Pain – Do you suffer from chronic pain that appears to have no medical cause? Many of us suffer needlessly from pain diagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic neck, back, abdominal, and pelvic pain, when the real cause is Mind Body Syndrome.
Using cutting-edge research, this book demonstrates that the underlying reason for much chronic pain is nerve sensitization and learned nerve pathways, rather than actual tissue destruction. Dr. Schubiner has used this new understanding to develop a unique program to actually reverse pain and research studies support the effectiveness of the program. By reading this book, you'll be able to determine if you have this syndrome and then learn how to overcome it. The program in this book gives you therapeutic writing exercises, a CD with four meditations, and everything else you need to unlearn your pain.

Unlearn Your Pain is available for purchase at:
amazon.com

www.unlearnyourpain.com

What Readers Are Saying

"With few effective treatments for fibromyalgia, millions continue to suffer with this disorder. This book represents a holistic, practical, and effective approach to this complex disorder."

Ann Vincent, M.D., Director, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

"Dr. Schubiner is a compassionate and devoted physician whose unique approach has helped hundreds of people--including many of my own patients--heal their pain and reclaim their lives. This book will give thousands more access to this revolutionary program."

Michael C. Hsu, MD, Physical Medicine and Musculoskeletal Specialist, Kaiser-Northwest Permanente, Portland, OR.

A Touching Story About the Animals and Environmental Impact-Author DiDi Lemay "A Winter Solstice Celebration" - Virtual Book Tour Nov - Dec 2010

2010-08-29T20:56:00.198-04:00

Join Author, DiDi LeMay on her Virtual Book Tour, Starting November 18, sponsored by The YP Publishing.

Why its important to save, preserve the Animals and the Environment they live in.

About the Author of A Winter Solstice Celebration

DiDi LeMay is the author of “A Winter Solstice Celebration” and “Freddy’s French Fries Fiasco”. DiDi LeMay enjoys a busy life writing, teaching English as a Second Language, and helping her students find their career paths. DiDi was involved with children’s entertainment for numerous years. While living in Europe she founded a Children’s Theatre Group, teaching children the ins and outs of acting, dancing, stage management, and writing. Eventually, teaching and writing took up most of her time. DiDi’s hobbies are reading and learning about the environment, as well as nutrition and good health and just plain enjoying life. DiDi lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and her cat Harley. Visit DiDi LeMay’s website at http://didilemay.com

About The Book

New Children's Story Shows Environmental
Impact Through Animal's Eyes

A Winter Solstice Celebration takes young readers deep into the forest, where they discover how seemingly harmless human activities can wreak havoc on the natural world.

Set in a village on the edge of a forest, the time and place are left to the reader's imagination. Miya, a young village girl, sets out one wintry day to feed the forest animals. This sensitive child has always been concerned about her wild neighbors. Every winter she makes it a habit to ensure they have food. On this particular day, Miya is in for a big surprise.

Deep in the woods, Miya encounters a talking squirrel who demands she leave the forest. As soon as she gets over the shock of talking to a squirrel, Miya ponders why she is so unwelcome in this place she loves. Trying to find her way home, she becomes lost and stumbles upon an animal meeting led by a haughty owl. Here, she discovers why humans are so disliked and mistrusted among the creatures of the forest. Encouraged by a kindly crow, she becomes determined to change the way humans and animals get along.

As the story unfolds, Miya must find a way to make peace between the village community and the forest dwellers.

The upcoming solstice is the perfect opportunity to take a stand. A Winter Solstice Celebration follows Miya's adventures as she returns to the forest with a bold idea to start a new winter solstice tradition among the villagers--one that doesn't involve so much destruction to the forest.

"A Winter Solstice Celebration has a universal appeal as it gives insight into the potentially devastating impact of humans on the environment through the eyes of the animals. Young readers will be so captivated by Miya's adventures; they will not realize they are learning multiple lessons: respect for the environment and for each other, the importance of standing up for your beliefs and the need to conquer your fears."

A Winter Solstice Celebration is available for purchase at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Read the interview with DiDi at the Author Q&A Page.

How Soccer Relates to Business–Author Linda J Lord “The Pitch”–Virtual Book Tour May 2010

2010-02-18T18:53:00.192-05:00

Join Author/Coach, Linda J. Lord on her Virtual Book Tour, Starting May 3, sponsored by The YP Publishing.

One dollar from the sale of each book goes to the Hemophilia Society of Ontario, South Western Ontario Region.

About The Author

As a professional resource to individuals and groups, Linda provides training and experiences that enable busy people to make a living and have a life by getting to know themselves and by making better choices based on who and what matters most to them. Linda presents in her own individual and insightful way. She talks business, psychology, sociology, and faith whether in one-person performances, productions, or the written word.

Linda has been self-employed for 13 years and presenting to audiences for more than 21 years. Graduate of CoachU training program and Corporate Coach U Facilitator’s Clinic, Linda is founding member and supporting member of CoachVille; member of ICF, and founder of www.thepitchbusinessbook.com

About The Book The Pitch

Liz opens one eye only to discover that the reality of her struggling business and deteriorating relations with her son hasn’t changed overnight. She begins her day with the mundane duties that provide the only sense of control she feels over her life. Her son, Justin, comes to breakfast and reminds his mother that he needs new soccer cleats. He can tell by the look on her face that there isn’t enough money. Justin has been playing soccer since he was four years old and having good equipment is the only request he makes because he knows his mother’s event planning business isn’t doing very well. As a single mother for many years, Liz longs for her company’s success but it continues to elude her. After a brief verbal sparring match, Justin storms out for school and Liz agrees that being poor sucks.

Wanting to keep her word to Justin, Liz puts the new soccer shoes on her credit card and is very relieved when the transaction is approved. She later takes her son to his soccer practice; remaining close enough to the pitch to hear the coach’s instructions. What she hears about preparing for threatening weather has some relevance to what she is experiencing in business. She decides to listen more closely and see how many other gems she can apply to her company.

Anticipating a better day, Liz is confronted early the next morning with a call from the bank, letting her know that her business account is overdrawn and she has to make a deposit to avoid having her checks returned NSF.

Desperate to save her company, Liz enlists the help of Justin’s coach. She asks permission to sit close enough to hear what he has to say to the boys. Justin is horrified that his mother would impose herself on the coach and the car ride home is a very quiet one.

Liz soaks up the coaching. She starts by assessing the potential of her work team, enlists them in conversation about their jobs, and finds herself looking forward to improving the company’s bottom line. By focusing solely on the business, Liz loses sight of the other things that matter in her life.

She knows what aspects of the business she likes and is good at, but she didn’t have the option of choosing to only focus on her strengths, so she dives into the one task she hates more than any other – bookkeeping. There is a discrepancy between her deposits and her records. Someone is stealing from her.

Trying to enjoy a morning coffee at her favourite shop, Liz discovers that Justin has never worked there as he told her did. She can’t bring herself to talk about it with him, even though the coach’s words seem to be directed at her when he says, “Just kick the ball.” She can’t. It would be an easy shot, but she just can’t force herself to confront Justin about his lie just yet. She finally determines to sit Justin down and the conversation is explosive. Justin storms out; again.

There are more lessons for Liz Robertson. Mirroring the homework that the coach gives the team, Liz finds herself a mentor. Peter owns the Coffee House where Justin was supposed to be working. Peter is a business veteran, but ready to step down. He only agrees to mentor Liz if she does the tough internal work that is necessary. He refuses to give her answers, but concedes to help when he can.

When one of Liz’s staff quits, things plummet faster. She feels sorry for herself. She takes it out on Justin. She seeks solace with Peter and he turns her out. Liz is alone and near breaking. She realizes better than anyone how the game that must be won first is the one in your head. So, taking Peter’s advice she begins to unravel the knots in her mind. She sorts out what matters to her and how she can better focus on the right things.

Liz impulsively decides to purchase the coffee house from Peter and although business is picking up, she offers to sell Better Events to two of her employees. Running two businesses takes a great deal of effort and energy. Liz neglects home and Justin resents her absence.

On closing day for the sale of the catering business to her staff, Liz learns that Justin has been injured at soccer camp. She immediately heads for the hospital where she comes face to face with her ex-husband. Justin is furious with her for not being available when he called and that his father was notified instead. Through his tears he orders his father out and eventually confesses to stealing the money from Better Events to pay for soccer camp. Liz is crushed. She had dropped the ball, missed the easy shot, and failed her son.

Together, they work to heal Justin and their relationship. Justin works in the coffee house after school to pay his mother back and he continues to play soccer.

Read the interview with Linda at the Author Q&A Page.

The Pitch is available for purchase at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

http://www.lindajlord.com/books/about-books/

Contest Details:

Prize 1: 1 $50.00 Amazon gift card
Prize 2: 2 $25.00 Amazon gift cards
Prize 3: 2 copies of The Pitch !!!

ENTER TO WIN!

Visit participating sites to enter into the contest. Leave a comment, answer Linda's soccer contest questions or purchase "The Pitch" to enter. Each time you participate you get a chance to WIN.

Visit participating sites to find out more about Linda's Amazon contest and giveaways!

Read Linda Lord's Tour Schedule

Read the Review

Informative - Insightful - Original

Who would have thought that sitting in the right place at sporting events could have a powerful effect on your business, and maybe even your parenting skills. This is a great read for multiple reasons. For one, a realistic picture of life as a single mom raising a son and trying to keep a business afloat at the same time. What I appreciated most was the truths Liz discovered and how she kept digging until she reached the real foundation of her problems. The Pitch is 130 pages of reasonable and applicable sports savvy that when applied to real life, just might work for you.

Lynda Cocker, Between The Pages.