Hello!

I am popping into your mailbox because you subscribed to my list or downloaded one of my books.

I apologize for my lack of consistency. We have been incredibly productive over here! Grab your coffee, and I will share what's happening.

ENTERING A NEW YEAR

With the flipping of yet another year in the calendar, I want to remind you this is a perfect time for a fresh Vision Board and/or an Annual Life Review session! (Also, wasn't it just 2020? How is it rolling into 2025?) My sister and I plan to create new Vision Boards to ensure we go where we want to go and create what we want to create! We want to fine-tune our intentions and ensure all our energy and focus goes to the good stuff! It is never a bad idea to grab a friend and give it a whirl! It can be so much fun to dream, scheme and open some tabs in your beautiful subconscious mind!

I also do an Annual Life Review. I did it in September, but I am finding that I can be doing this 2x a year and tweaking things a bit more often as I go, especially as I get closer and closer to the next phase of my "life" because I want to walk out the door into my new life (retirement from teaching) ready to go! I am making heaps of progress as I work in little sprints and have scheduled what I call "Power Hours" to address some of the stuff that still lingers undone! I understand that before I know it, I will drop my high-viz supervision vest at the door and walk off into the life I am creating NOW. Also, Power Hours in your calendar is a promise you make to yourself to invest the time in the things that remain unaddressed. It is motivating to see this kind of progress! Scroll less and consider putting some Power Hours in your plan!

Remember, no one is coming to save you. Empower yourself and take control over what you can. Stop complaining that the world isn't fair (no one said it was, and I am sure that it is not), and start doing what you can to create that amazing life you crave so deeply. Be creative. You are amazing. Don't sell yourself short! You can learn anything, STRETCH! Try doing the #100daysofhappy challenge if you need to shift your focus. It can be easy to focus on all the ick, but then, that's all you see! What you focus on grows, so grow the right things!

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

WRITERS - SAVE SOME CASH! This software, which I use in my author business almost daily, is on sale for Black Friday. No pressure, but should you want and need such a tool, you may as well save money and get the training for free! Also, consider writing this off as an expense in your author business! (Ask your accountant how to set up your finances for home business write-offs and tax deductions.)

Publisher Rocket is $80 off. This software helps you search keywords and categories to place your book most effectively in the market. It does many other things, but this is where one would start using it right away. The Black Friday Special also includes the $50 keyword and category placement training for free. Huge deal! Get on it if you need it! The special savings expires Dec 3.

This is not on sale but may be just what you need as you move through a draft revision or editor prep sweep of your manuscript. Hilary's Editing Guide is available for immediate download on Etsy.

For those of you considering writing a book and looking around at publishing options, I wrote a blog post about Publishing Scams. Have a read. Protect yourself, your money and your intellectual property.

In other news, we've been busy with books, and we have so many more coming! If you feel called to publish your book, we should chat! I will be opening my calendar in January for a few select calls.

With the holidays on the horizon (and colder, cozy days spent indoors), perhaps now is the time to peek at some recent releases and consider your gift list if you have any remaining people on your list. I love personalizing gifts with books and pairing them with other items my person loves. A book basket of sorts...

COLLABORATIVE BOOKS

Women Like Me: When Life Breaks You Open has been released, and this one is out into the wild as of today!

A network of supportive friends is one of the key components of living a healthy and happy life. A book like this can be paired with cozy socks, teas, and some of your friends' favourite snacks for the perfect reminder that we are in this life together and we can overcome big things!

ADDICTION and MENTAL HEALTH

Coming out in the New Year is Brad Siroski's book about his life and journey with addiction. This is an incredibly raw and authentic look into his life. This is a backstage pass and a glimpse of the ongoing road of recovery.

FOR THE POETRY LOVERS

Stefanie Giddens released her debut book of poetry a few months ago. You can grab a copy on Amazon. If you have grabbed a copy, please consider leaving a review!

"If I Were to Say Something About It" is the unapologetically raw debut poetry collection by Stefanie Giddens, exploring the complexities of womanhood, self-worth, and the search for love and healing..."

Tessa Jordan, author of Brave Beyond Measure, has now released her second book of poetry in her BEYOND series. Hope Beyond the Storm is now LIVE! She has also expanded the Pen & Page Bookshop in Wynard and is killing it out there, offering local products and opportunities to the people of rural Saskatchewan. I went to Wynard for a Fireside Chat on October 21st to discuss book publishing with some interested locals. They had some great questions! Put Pen & Page on your holiday shopping list or drop in if you are ever headed that way!

We are putting the finishing touches on Kaleigh Rivers' book of poetry, She Rises. Whenever I am designing books, and I feel called to stop and read, I am always curious about the impact the books will make once released. We already know they take on their own life and find the people who need to read them. Who is waiting for this one? This is a powerful collection of sacred words.

"I’ll use my voice to start this fire" - Kaleigh Rivers

FOR A REFLECTION ON LIFE AND MOTHERHOOD

Jane Richardson's debut book, Always on the Sunny Side is LIVE! It is a book woven with wisdom, literature, and stories of all things life. If you are curious how she got out of a speeding ticket or what "swimming" really means, pick yourself up a copy. Better yet, stocking stuffers, y'all!!

Her book launch is Sunday, Dec 1, from 1-3 at The Refinery in Saskatoon. https://www.facebook.com/events/574956625022732

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

David Blackburn's book, Heart Attack Medications Explained, is poised for release in the New Year. If you (or a loved one) have ever sat in a doctor's office after an illness or diagnosis and forgot to ask the questions you had about your treatment or prognosis, you know how valuable a straightforward informational book can be. One you can read when your heart rate is back in the normal zone, and you are not in fight or flight mode. I loved how he started his book with a humbling and personal story demonstrating that even the most informed can be caught off guard. Watch for it coming soon!

STOKE has several other clients in the production line, including poetry, personal transformation, workbooks, journals, and subscription boxes! It is going to be a fabulous winter! (Okay, as I hit send on this, it is -40C, so any southern friends who feel like blowing some hot air my way, please do!)

Until Next Time,

Jennifer Sparks, B.Ed., M.S., PGD

www.stokepublishing.com

www.jennifersparks.ca

My personal development books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Some are also in hardcover and audio format. If you love these kinds of books, I invite you to select your marketplace below and take a look!

AMAZON USA

AMAZON CDN

LINKS:

Jennifer's Course and Resources

STOKE Publishing + Author Services

JENNIFER SPARKS, Life Strategist + Speaker

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