Type.Tune.Tint.

Of all the author stories I’ve encountered in five years, this is probably the most amazing of all. Mary Beth O’Connor is a retired federal administrative law judge who survived a childhood rife with physical, sexual and emotional abuse followed by 20 years of hard core alcohol and drug addiction. Faced with never-ending feelings of abandonment, danger and marginalization, she persevered through high school and college, made it into law school, dropped out, then rejoined finally tackling her addiction in her 30’s to become a judge. She writes about it in stark terms in her memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.  Now 30 years sober and living a stable life in the San Francisco Bay area, Mary Beth tells her story with candor and self-deprecation that will hook you and reel you in. She is also an advocate or hope and recovery and offers several resources, listed below, to help those trying to overcome addiction and other trauma.Website: https://junkietojudge.comLifeRing: https://lifering.orgSheRecovers Foundation: https://sherecovers.orgTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

The combination of musical talent and digital technology has created a new breed of artists who can create amazing music at home using a computer and a keyboard. It’s one thing to create tunes as a hobby. It’s quite another to identify a market for that music and sell it. In this episode, we meet Evan Oxhorn who has done just that. He’s recorded hundreds of songs and stock music tracks that have earned him thousands of dollars from video producers, YouTube posters and commercial television programs such as 90 Day Fiancé and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Moreover, Evan is teaching nascent home-studio musicians how to do it all, from purchasing the right gear to creating a library of music, licensing and selling it.Evan’s website: https://www.stockmusicmusician.comTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Can one devastating mistake erase 20 years of good?The road to redemption for volunteer EMT Griffin Ambrose is dark, indeed--a crashed ambulance, a dead patient, an injured partner, then testing legally drunk. After going to jail, losing his EMT card and getting fired from his paid job, he contemplates a new life in exile.But some of his former patients haven't forgotten the good he did, the lives he saved. Will their support be enough to allow him to rise from oblivion? Read Wreck and Return, the new novel by Tom Kranz, available on Amazon. Wreck and Return, in e-book and paperback.Video linksYouTube: https://youtu.be/C17lH1M8l5gVimeo: https://vimeo.com/user191707102/wreckandreturn?share=copyTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

As recently as the 1980s, women firefighters were rare, especially in light of the tough road a group of New York women had in achieving their dream of becoming members of the FDNY. But they did it and around the same time a young woman in Florida named Cindie Schooler-Ball embarked on a career in the fire service there. A product of poverty in Ohio, then jumping from job to job as a teen and young woman in Florida, Cindie was encouraged to become a firefighter by some of the men in her local firehouse. The rest is history as she completed a successful career as a firefighter, EMT and paramedic in several Florida communities, retiring in 2015 at the rank of Captain. She documents her story in Sister In A Brotherhood, her book that is the subject of our conversation on Type. Tune. Tint.TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Sal Panicci wasn’t looking to work retail in his youth in New Jersey, but the blind ad in the Newark Star Ledger was inviting. Seeking to get out of jobs that were unstable, he went for the interview and discovered the job was for a management trainee at Toys R Us, the nationwide chain of toy stores that dominated the market for a generation. His short book In the Toy Box is a recollection of his almost 30 years working for the pre-eminent toy chain in America. Remember the Cabbage Patch Kid craze? Sal’s stories recall extreme customers and some extreme employees who made working in retail a job to remember.TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

After surviving a transient childhood, a knife fight, brain cancer and the death of his wife, Dan Henk’s survival is a story in itself. But he’s not dwelling on the tragic tales. He is a successful tattoo artist who was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the resurgent popularity of body art. He has been around the world, done illustrations for magazines and bands and is a self proclaimed “Master of Horror,” a prince of tattoo darkness. He has also found a voice in fantasy/sci-fi novels and a recent book of short stories. He is an upbeat and energetic man whose art has propelled him and whose resilience is inspirational.Website: danhenk.comPodcast: Skull Sessions with Dan HenkBooks: On AmazonTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

The Type Tune. Tint. podcast is about to launch its 5th season thanks to all of you who have become loyal listeners. Thank you. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the 2023 season.Support the show

The title is a tad snarky but it’s all in good fun as we hear from writer/singer/producer/actor Sudi “Rick” Karatas about his newest song and music video. The title is a play on the famous Mariah Carey song, but the words and concept bear no resemblance. It’s a lighthearted tune about holiday betrayal. It’s played for laughs with slapstick and humor. And in an unusual twist, there are two versions of the music video, one in which the male protagonist is betrayed by his girlfriend, the other in which he is betrayed by his boyfriend, or as Sudi calls it an LGBTQ version.I’m always about getting as many of you to listen to these podcast episodes. But this time, I urge you to watch the video which includes both versions of the music video plus a holiday song about recovery from addiction. Video versionRick’s website and socials:Website: sudirick.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.karatasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sudirick/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sudirickTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Elementary school teacher Sabine Posy did her share of virtual teaching during COVID while her two young children learned virtually in the next room. Her daughter Nora was a social butterfly who got antsy sitting in front of a monitor. Her son Nate, younger and already a shy boy, worried her. When the lockdowns were lifted and it was time to go back to school, would Nate’s socialization be harder?She was pleasantly surprised when Nate made a friend in preschool, another boy named Harry. “Their friendship was very inspiring. He made friends with Harry. They helped each other.”That inspiration moved Sabine to write and illustrate her first children’s book, Nate and Harry Are Great Friends, a story emphasizing the simple concept of friendship.“The pureness on their friendship, the pureness of their love, it’s like no matter where they were in the building, after dismissal when they’re going home or during drop off, you know, they would greet each other with the biggest heartwarming hug.”Sabine, an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, still sees some kids catching up from social and academic deficits caused by the isolation of virtual learning. Listen to our conversation or watch our video.Nate and Harry Are Great Friends is available at:AmazonBarnes & NobleArchway Bookssabineposy.comVideo version of this episodeSupport the show

In less than 48 hours, Jae Logan went from having a stomach ache to learning she might die. A wife and mother of two young children, her mind raced to cope with the possibility of an early death and how she could possibly tell her kids. Miraculously, her prognosis wasn’t so dire after all, but she was left with the same question: What’s the best way for a parent to talk to young children about a serious illness, especially one that doesn’t show obvious symptoms? Thus came the inspiration for Mommy Doesn’t Look Sick, her first published children’s book that seeks to answer that very question. Listen as Jae retells the story of her frightening illness and how she, her husband and the kids came through it OK.Websites:www.JaeLogan.comwww.kidsthatcarebooks.comSocials:https://www.instagram.com/jaeloganauthor/https://www.facebook.com/jae.logan.3348https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-miller-17445758/TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

A lifetime of fishing presented a challenge to Bob Gonzalez in writing his book  A Flicker In The Water. Was it possible to capture the visceral sensations of being on a boat miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico, breathing the salt air, feeling the ocean spray and getting the adrenaline rush that ensues when a big fish bites and takes you for an hours-long battle? I submit that he met the challenge.  His book of fish tales is based on his experiences deep sea fishing. Bob’s passion for the sport shines through in his vivid descriptions of high-seas exploits accompanied by his 82-year old father and trusted companions aboard a boat called Twister. Give yourself a 20-minute break from your day-to-day and join me for this transporting episode of Type. Tune. Tint. Video version is available hereBob’s website: https://flickerinthewater.com TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

For the 10th year in a row, the Independent Authors Book Experience hosts an expo of independent authors and their work, free and open to the public. This year's event takes place Saturday, September 30th, 12noon-6pm at Kean University's Downs Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ. The mastermind behind the book expo ant the IABX is Renaee Smith, founder and CEO, an independent author with a series of children's books and several cook books. Renaee's energy is contagious as you'll see in this episode of Type. Tune. Tint. I hope you'll plan on coming to the expo, meet me, buy a book, spend some time browsing and meet some fabulous people!   Support the show

The Handmaid's Tale, the dystopian vision of women as fertile slaves to a ruling elite, describes the Unwoman as the lowest class of woman who is shunned because she protests, thinks for herself, expresses independence and follows her own path. It's no wonder, then, that musician Erica Mulkey chose Unwoman as her stage name, a performance persona dedicated to being her own advocate. This independent songwriter, singer, musician and performer, who's elevated DIY music to a new level, is about to release her ninth original album. With a degree in music and her trusty electric cello, Unwoman has traveled around the country bringing live performances that are nuanced shades of electronic music with lyrical and sometimes dark messages. Along the way, she's made no compromises. Listen to one of her studio recordings and you have to remind yourself it's all one person doing the multiple vocals, instruments and electronic sounds. Hear more in this episode which features music from her latest album, Desire Paths, due to be released on September 22, 2023. TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Children's books are harder to write than one might think, according to Yona Diamond Dansky whose new book, Wishes and Knishes, elevates the Jewish pastry called a knish to a place of importance for young Kaley and her grandmother whom she calls Bubby.  The author's story contains a number of simple lessons parents or teachers can impart on their kids including the joy of cooking, responsibility and the importance of passing on family traditions. The author, a Bubby herself, is a life-long educator who gave herself permission later in life to sit down and write children's books. She also illustrates them herself, tapping into a talent she developed in a past life of teaching. Author's website: yonadiamonddansky.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ydanskySupport the show

A kid from Jersey makes good. Twice. That's Joe Sernio's story. He's a successful entrepreneur with a digital marketing company going strong after fourteen years. But he's always dabbled in the acting trade starting after high school and all during his tenure as a CEO. Now, after 20 years of passing out headshots and resumes, 2023 is Joe's breakthrough year. He's received rave reviews for his tour de force role in the short film Loved. He's got a feature film coming out in the summer of 2023 and a TV pilot in the works. Listen in on this conversation with one of the hardest working people in New Jersey, Joe Sernio, coming soon to a screen near you!Video versionLoved: https://watchloved.com/Horsepower: https://www.watchhorsepower.com/The Bastard Sons: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15665448/Shoreline Media Marketing: https://www.shorelinemediamarketing.com/TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

There are a lot of people worldwide who are into Steampunk, and almost as many ways of describing it. Wikipedia says Steampunk is "a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and aesthetics inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. " As we find out in this episode, Steampunk is a form of creative expression among people who enjoy crafting, sculpting, painting, dressing and otherwise expressing themselves creatively. Its 19-century themes are enhanced by 21st-century sensibilities. And there's no one who knows more about the history, practice and sheer fun of Steampunk than Stephen Beale, a career journalist whose authoritative website https://steampunk-explorer.com/ is the first and last word on the subject. Join us for a fascinating chat!Video versionTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

What are your favorite summertime memories? For Philly kids like Charles Wiedenmann and me, it's going down the shore, the Jersey Shore, home of beach resorts like Ocean City, Atlantic City and of course, Wildwood. Chaz's new book, Down the Shore, is an affectionate memoir of days of youth in Wildwood, the quintessential Jersey Shore resort. It has everything--cool rides, infinite food choices, wide beaches and a family-friendly feeling. Chaz and I have a great conversation about our days as kids at the shore and you're invited to listen in!TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Author Jennifer M. Lane turned her passion for an old Jeep into inspiration for her novel Of Metal and Earth. It's the story of a Jeep and the seven people who own it over its lifetime. The trials and tribulations of those humans form the heart and soul of the book and it may appeal to anyone who's had a soft spot in his/her heart for a car.  But as you might imagine, it is Jeep owners who have launched Of Metal and Earth into Amazon's Best Seller ranks. They are loyal and passionate and can't get enough about their Jeeps, other people's Jeeps and fictitious Jeeps. Jenn's book is by one measure an homage to one of America's storied motor vehicle brands and by another measure a look into the emotional ties people have with cars. Give a listen! Buy the book!TK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

From the moment she takes the stage, Big Momma is in charge. After 11 years of performing as a standup comic, Big Momma is now in demand. From comedy clubs to weddings, churches to cruise ships, this Jersey girl gets around and leaves them laughing each time.Big Momma's real name, Tia Williams (she says that's just for the tax man) graces her social media and web pages. But her Big Momma persona is her money maker, even though she has a regular 9-to-5 job, the details of which she'd rather keep to herself (she assured me she's not a stripper). She's also a mom to her 27-year-old daughter and helps to take care of her grandson. All that and comedy, too.Support the show

Audiobooks are here to stay, thanks to easy downloads, wide availability and the flexibility of listening devices. You can listen on your smartphone, in your car, the possibilities are endless. My audiobooks haves been reduced in price and are a great venue for entertainment whenever you have the time. Stop and start at will. Pick the time and place. Earbuds, headphones, or blast it through your TV. Have a listen as I do my best softsell with a couple samples of my best audiobooks.  TK Books audiobook collectionTK Books website and book collectionTK Books LLCContemporary fiction and science fiction; ebooks, softcover, hardcover and audiobooks.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show