Heaven is All Around You, soon to be released by Halo Publishing International, is the story of little girl’s talk with God about death.

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/04/2012 -- Finding the words to tell loved ones that you are dying is extremely difficult and truly something no one wants or is prepared to do. Author Lydia Esparra said her sister, Memby, did not have the words to tell her two daughters that colon cancer would cause her death only 15 months after being diagnosed with the often fatal disease. That meant Esparra needed to talk to her young nieces. Grieving herself for her closest sibling, just 11 months apart in age, that experience was overwhelming, she said. Her discussion became the inspiration for a book Esparra hopes will help others faced with mortality.

Heaven is All Around You, soon to be released by Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ), is the story of little girl's talk with God about death. "It was difficult watching my sister struggle for the words. She really felt she would be here for them and never considered dying an option" Esparra said. "I really want this to be a tool to help other people do what my sister was unable to say." "I wrote it hoping my nieces would know that these were the words in their mother's heart. They can see her and feel her presence all around them, as can I," she said.

"I had a dream about sharing my sister's story to help other people. I guess it was sort of a healing process for me. I just felt it was the right thing," Esparra said. "These are words that have to be said, and I'm hoping my book can help people do that with their loved ones."

A staff member at Hospice Services of America, LLC, said the book is a "great tool to help anyone in the position of losing a loved one." "It's very inspirational," the oncologist said.

Publisher Lisa Umina said Heaven is All Around You is the type of book the company is proud to be part of because it helps people, particularly during a very troubling and confusing time. "I hope that this new book will assist those needing the most difficult words they could ever say to their loved ones," Umina said.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Esparra is one of 10 children raised in a family with strong Christian beliefs. She said her parents are both natives of Puerto Rico and that her dad worked in the once booming steel mill industry while her mother was employed as a nutrition aide.

They provided a loving home and encouraged and inspired their children to succeed. Esparra is a graduate of Youngstown's Ursuline High School and earned a Bachelor's degree in communications from The Ohio State University. She became a television journalist and now anchors the weekend news programs from WOIO in Cleveland, Ohio, where the author has resided for the past 15 years. She is an Emmy award-winning journalist known for compassionate story telling. Esparra and her husband, Greg, have been married for 24 years.

To reach the publisher for comments, please call Lisa M. Umina at: 1-877-705-9647 To order Heaven is All Around You, visit http://www.halopublishing.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326
1-877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2012 -- Local Bethel Park author and experienced educator Molly Nero has been awarded the 2012 Mom's Choice Award for her recently published debut book Smarty Pig. This story was created to get children excited about learning.

"Learning is not just for school, it's for life," says Nero, author of Smarty Pig, soon to be released through Halo Publishing International. ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) She hopes teachers will utilize Smarty Pig in their classrooms to inspire their students. "It is important to help children understand that learning to count and read is not just something we make them do at school, but lessons they will be applying throughout their lives." She said reading to her own children inspired her to write stories that will build self-esteem and help young students deal with issues at school.

Smarty Pig is a story about a family of pigs who give up on school. One of the pigs, though, loves to learn. She creates games to help others practice skills eventually getting the family members to realize that learning can be fun and how important school really is to their future. Reaching out to young students, the pro-learning book is geared toward children in grades K-3.

"This book series will be valuable to teachers working to inspire learning in children," said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina ( http://www.halopublishing.com ). "Molly knows from her own experience as a teacher how important it is to get children excited about school."

First-grade teacher Barbara Walsh said Smarty Pig appeals to readers of all ages. "Parents and teachers love the positive message about learning," Walsh said. "And kids love it because it's fun."

Nero said she wants children to understand that school is a good place, and it isn't just about tests. Creative and experiential learning are essential to development, said the author. In her second book in the Smarty Pig series, Nero helps students who struggle with test taking anxiety in Smarty Pig and the Test Taking Terror. Here she gives kids, parents and even teachers strategies to help overcome test "shut-down." "These are techniques that I have used and found to be effective to calm kids down when they are overwhelmed dealing with a testing situation."

A native of Arlington, Texas and the youngest in a family of seven children, Nero taught academics and music at the elementary school level after achieving her degree at the University of Texas. Nero recently relocated to Pennsylvania with her husband and two children, ages 9 and 15.

Smarty Pig was released in Jan. 2012 and Smarty Pig and the Test Taking Terror was just released in March. To order the books, visit http://halopublishing.com., amazon.com, or barnesandnoble.com. For additional information, visit http://www.smartypigbooks.com. To reach Molly Nero, call 412-722-4373 or e-mail mollynero@smartypigbooks.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326
877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/05/2012 -- Author Tim Kloos recognizes the important role his family has played throughout his young life. His new children's book, A Mishap (or Two), recently published through Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ), stresses the important relationship between a father and a son in a fun, rhyming story readers will truly love.

"One of my hopes for the book is that it will inspire parents to be better parents," Kloos said. Parents make mistakes sometimes, explained the author. "If the parents own up to their responsibility when things don't go right, children learn how to do that too." "I think that is an important lesson." "And, we all need someone to encourage us along the way," Kloos said.

Halo Publisher Lisa Umina (http://www.halopublishing.com) said parents will enjoy reading A Mishap (or Two) with their children. "It is important for parents to develop the love of reading in children." "This book is about the family relationship and that sometimes people make mistakes." "I think sharing the message strengthens the family bond," Umina said.

While in college at Cleveland State University, Kloos tutored grade school children through the America Reads program, a grassroots national campaign challenging every American to help all our children learn to read. Always searching for new books to share with his students, Kloos was inspired to write A Mishap (or Two). A meaningful tale the author describes as "Little House on the Prairie meets Dr. Seuss."

Kloos said the book is a good bedtime story, one he hopes parents share often with their children. "I think one of the book's strengths is that it uses the fun of rhyming but challenges readers beyond the "See Spot Run" reading level," said the author.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Kloos grew up in the West Park neighborhood where he attended St. Mark's Catholic grade school and became a 2001 graduate of St. Edward's High School. He attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 2005 from Cleveland State University with a degree in Computer Science. One of four children, Kloos and a brother started their own company, Resonant Programming, which specializes in Web programming and computer consulting services including search engine optimization and Web site creation.

Kloos plans to promote his book at schools, libraries and area book stores.

To reach author Tim Kloos, call 216-759-3987 or e-mail author@amishaportwo.com. Information also is available at his Web site, http://www.amishaportwo.com.

To order this book, visit http://www.halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/05/2011 -- Author Maryann B. Sawka says her new book about manners not only teach the rules for good behavior in a social setting, but also helps readers gain confidence and poise.

"Good Table Manners Made Easy teaches people of any age how to feel comfortable in a variety of social dining situations," Sawka says.

An educator and mother of two girls, the author said she sees in our society a general "disregard for basic social kindness." She embraces the notion that good manners are stylish and timely in every situation and founded Charming Manners, a training company that educates all ages seeking self confidence."If you have confidence, you can handle many things."

She developed Good Table Manners Made Easy because she wanted to offer a simple guide her students could refer to after completing class. The new book, published through Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ), offers quick tips for all ages. It not only teaches the proper rules for civility, but offers an explanation as to why it is important for us to follow them.

"Maryann's new book introduces good manners with a fun, engaging approach that makes the quest for knowledge an enjoyable experience," said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina ( http://www.halopublishing.com ).

"This easy-to-read book filled with helpful tips is an excellent resource for both children and adults who will benefit from the lessons for the rest of their lives," Umina said.

Sawka, a native of Brownsville, Pa., a small town south of Pittsburgh, earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood and elementary education from the California University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in reading and literacy from Walden University. She and her husband, Eli, will soon celebrate their 10th anniversary and have two children, Megan, 8, and Sarah, 4.

Sawka is promoting her new book through schools, libraries and other public venues and hopes to get Good Table Manners Made Easy into the hands of as many readers as possible.

"I think having good manners helps to build strong character, something we desperately need to see more in our society," says the author.

To reach author Maryann B. Sawka, call 724-689-3102, or e-mail her at info@charmingmanners.net. For information about her classes, visit http://www.charmingmanners.net. To order Good Table Manners Made Easy, visit http://www.Halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) --11/23/2011 -- Experienced educator Molly Nero has created a series of stories to get children excited about learning.

"Learning is not just for school, it's for life," says Nero, author of Smarty Pig, soon to be released through Halo Publishing International. She hopes teachers will utilize Smarty Pig in their classrooms to inspire their students. "It is important to help children understand that learning to count and read is not just something we make them do at school, but lessons they will be applying throughout their lives."

Smarty Pig ( http://www.smartypigbooks.com ) is a story about a family of pigs who give up on school. One of the pigs, though, loves to learn. She creates games to help others practice skills eventually getting the family members to realize that learning can be fun and how important school really is to their future. Reaching out to young students, the pro-learning book is geared toward children in grades K-3.

"This book series will be valuable to teachers working to inspire learning in children," said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina. "Molly knows from her own experience as a teacher how important it is to get children excited about school."

First-grade teacher Barbara Walsh said Smarty Pig ( http://www.smartypigbooks.com ) appeals to readers of all ages. "Parents and teachers love the positive message about learning," Walsh said. "And kids love it because it's fun."

Nero said she wants children to understand that school is a good place, and it isn't just about tests. Creative and experiential learning are essential to development, said the author. She said reading to her own children inspired her to write stories that will build self-esteem and help young students deal with issues at school.

A native of Arlington, Texas and the youngest in a family of seven children, Nero taught academics and music at the elementary school level after achieving her degree at the University of Texas. She also has experience as a musical theater performer. Nero recently relocated to Pennsylvania with her husband and two children, ages 9 and 15. She leads Shining Stars Musical Theater Camp, and also developed My Kids Art Forever.com, a business that creates unique gifts from children's artwork.

Smarty Pig will be released in early 2012. To order the book, visit halopublishing.com. For additional information, visit http://www.smartypigbooks.com. To reach Molly Nero, call 412-722-4373 or e-mail mollynero@smartypigbooks.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Law student Matthew Hebebrand’s passions include reading, storytelling and writing, and he plans to inspire other young people to find their own talents and use them to make the world a better place.

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/07/2011 -- Law student Matthew Hebebrand's passions include reading, storytelling and writing, and he plans to inspire other young people to find their own talents and use them to make the world a better place. His recently published book, The Undergrads, is about students with supernatural abilities and the life-impacting choices they make.

"The Undergrads highlights problems that take place on all college campuses and ways students can solve them," Hebebrand said. "Starting college can be a scary experience." In The Undergrads, 10 freshmen at the fictional Pine State University develop amazing abilities after being exposed to a science experiment gone wrong. When someone discovers the source of their powers, each student faces the choice whether or not to use them and begins to discover who they really are, as well as the true meaning of friendship.

"Their powers are metaphors for talents," Hebebrand said. "It is important for each of us to recognize our talents, understand what we are capable of doing, embrace it and use it, preferably for the greater good." "Parts of my personality are in all of the characters in The Undergrads," he said.

Originally a writing project for an honors program class at Miami University where Hebebrand earned his bachelor's degree in political science, The Undergrads is available through Halo Publishing International ( http://www.halopublishing.com ). "Halo Publishing International is proud to have a role in getting Matthew's book into the hands of young people who are seeking inspiration and guidance to become productive, giving citizens of what has become a high-tech, fast paced world," said Publisher Lisa Umina. "It is my hope that Matthew gets the chance to talk to high school and college age students about what they can do to make our world a better place," Umina said.

Hebebrand said the college life experience is ripe for storytelling and a school campus is the perfect back drop for a story that readers relate to their own educational journeys. A 2009 graduate of Miami University and presently a Cleveland Marshall Law student in his final year of study, Hebebrand was selected to participate in an externship with Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court, the highest judicial position in the state. The author has made presentations to honors students at Miami University as well as students at his high school alma mater, Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. "I encourage people to look inside themselves and make a commitment to follow their dreams," Hebebrand said.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Valley View, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/26/2011 -- High school counselor and former special education teacher, Kasey Kellem knows a lot about facing life challenges. Her new book series, Mind Over Matter, teaches young children how to be resilient to them. "Everyone faces tumultuous times in their lives," Kellem said. The Cleveland area conselor said she hopes her books will teach children they can get through their gut-wrenching, stressful troubles using a mind over matter technique that is within everyone.

Kellem's goal is to get the book into the hands of as many children under age six as possible to introduce them to five concepts of resiliency. In order to overcome challenges, the author said, one must "believe, dream, love, relax and laugh." If they learn these things early on, they will be able to use them the rest of their lives to overcome the many challenges that will come their way, she explained. The first book in her Mind Over Matter series is Believe.

Halo International Publisher (http://www.halopublishing.com) Lisa Umina is pleased to publish Kellem's inspiring series of books. "This series is something that will help children throughout their entire lives," Umina said.

Kellem said she grew up in a "traditional nuclear family" that included her mom and dad and three sisters in Fairview Park, Ohio. She attended Magnificat High School and earned her bachelor's degree at Baldwin Wallace College and master's degree in Special Education at Kent State University. She also has an Educational Specialist Degree in counseling. While growing up, Kellem said she played sports and percussion instruments in the band, and was pretty much the class clown. She knew then that laughter helps people get through some rotten times.

The Normandy High School counselor has devoted her life to helping thousands of children facing adversity how to be resilient. She has spent 22 years in education, 10 as a special education teacher and the past 12 as a high school counselor.

Kellem also is devoted to her husband, Craig, and two step children, Jessica and Joe, as well as her siblings, father and students. The Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) series is dedicated to Kellem's late mother, who taught the author how to be resilient.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Book includes Sam Shaker’s work along with instruction for developing artists.

Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2011 -- Artist, jazz club owner, and celebrity confidant Sam Shaker's first book, Art I Love, is a rarity in its category - an art book that tells a readable, engaging story.

Part autobiography, part instructional guide, and part historical account, Art I Love (2012, Hola Publishing International, an Imprint of Halo Publishing International, ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) chronicles Shaker's development from Parisian street artist to recognition as Europe's premier creator of commissioned celebrity portraits. His subjects have included the late Amy Winehouse (who called Shaker her "second dad"), actor Kevin Spacey, singer/songwriter Adele, and model Kate Moss.

Shaker describes Art I Love as, "approachable for newbies, academic enough for students, and serious enough for history buffs interested in the cultures of Paris and Spain and how these cultures were influenced by artists of various periods."

Art I Love is the product of decades of diligent work and the culmination of an improbable journey to professional recognition. A self-described "huge Picasso fan," Shaker studied art and graphic design at the Leonard da Vinci Academy, and was awarded a diploma in Fine Arts. Soon after, he left his native Cairo for Paris to pursue a career as an artist. After years of sporadic success - and nearly starving to death – he left art behind, albeit temporarily, to launch and operate Jazz After Dark, which would eventually become a successful music club in London's Soho district.

It was at Jazz After Dark that an encounter with Kate Moss spurred Shaker to create again. She commissioned him to paint her portrait, the London media took notice, and Shaker had quickly established his reputation as a specialist in celebrity portraits. Many of these works are reproduced in Art I Love.

Shaker met Amy Winehouse long before the singer achieved international superstardom. "She came to my club, and the admission charge was £3. She said she didn't have £3, so I told her she could pay me next time," he recalls. The unlikely friendship blossomed in the years that followed. "She was creative, kind, talented and a very genuine person. She loved art, music, and writing. She never forgot her friends and people like me who gave her a helping hand in her career. She was very loyal to me and never commissioned any other artist to paint her portrait."

Art I Love also offers a wealth of practical instruction for art students. Techniques, based on Shaker's own learning experiences, are provided in regard to planning a painting, selecting appropriate materials, working from live subjects versus working from photos, and addressing the nuances in skin tones, shading, facial proportions and similar challenges encountered by the developing artist.

About Sam Shaker
Sam Shaker was born in Cairo, Egypt and studied art at the Leonard da Vinci Academy. The father of three grown children, he owns and operates Jazz After Dark, a popular London music club and art gallery.

A prolific portrait painter, Shaker's recent subjects have included Prince William and Kate Middleton, The Beatles, Kate Moss, Kevin Spacey, Pete Doherty, Adele, Mark Ronson and many others.

About Hola Publishing International
Since 2002, Halo Publishing International (HPI) has produced more than 200 titles in adult fiction and non-fiction, children's, inspirational, sports and recreation, and other categories. Hola Publishing International is Halo's imprint company.

Visit http://www.halopublishing.com for details.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Although a faithful Christian with immense love for God, author Christina Tammen never pictured herself visiting Africa as many fellow missionaries of His word are called to do.

Valley View, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/10/2011 -- Although a faithful Christian with immense love for God, author Christina Tammen never pictured herself visiting Africa as many fellow missionaries of His word are called to do. But, that is the exact continent she found herself on this summer, coaching and sharing her story C.H.U.M.P. Produced through Halo Publishing Inc. ( http://www.halopublishing.com ), C.H.U.M.P. is a series of books designed to help people develop effective strategies to defend the mind against doubt and fear.

"My trips to the cities Gulu and Kampala in Uganda were unbelievable and the impact on me and the men I coached has not stopped thanks to FACEBOOK and Skype," Tammen said.

An African player described Tammen's C.H.U.M.P. as "an amazing book." "It not only addresses the tactics in volleyball games but also the psyche/soul." "Before Coach Tammen came, the team was more disintegrated because we did not take responsibility toward one another." Today, Tammen is happy to report the team is on their first winning streak!

A high school World Cultures and World History teacher since 2000, Tammen has been coaching volleyball since 1995. Born in Iowa, where her grandpa still has his farm, she spent her childhood in Aurora, IL, and now teaches there. Self-described as a "natural counselor," she teaches, in addition to history facts, that faith, patience, forgiveness, believing and hoping are all skills to be mastered. "The absence of faith, affects the way we view ourselves and then limits what we can accomplish," Tammen said.

The educator believes each person can cultivate the talents hidden deep inside by becoming aware of their inner conversations. Tammen uses the power of storytelling as a coach, teacher and sports counselor to go beyond the academics and skill development of her students and athletes. Over time, she said, her stories developed into a series of books that distinguish between viewing character as a trait versus believing it is a skill.

The Naperville, Ill. resident earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Secondary Education at Illinois' North Central College and a master's degree in Psychology--sports psychology from Capella University. Tammen is active in the Invisible Children movement to help end the capture of young men to fight as soldiers in Uganda and the Congo. The Invisible Children Club she co-sponsors has raised about $50,000. She also is involved in Athletes in Action and shared the message of C.H.U.M.P. through out Israel.

For more information about C.H.U.M.P., author Christina Tammen you can visit http://www.Halopublishing.com or http://www.OnlineTeamCoaching.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Valley View, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/13/2010 -- As Sue Lunquist, one of Halo's authors, who published her own book, also known as self-publishing, eloquently sums up her experience with Halo Publishing International and its founder Lisa M. Umina, it is not only the services offered by a publishing company that creates success but also the expertise, passion and enthusiasm of the actual people who are involved in helping to accomplish the mission. "As in life, finding 'trust' combined with a 'can do' attitude is an unlikely commodity. With Halo Publishing International, ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) they have 'it'; 'It' being; trust, wealth of knowledge, creativity, honesty and a proven, successful track record. I am proud to be affiliated with Halo Publishing ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) as their team goes way beyond a 'typical' job description."

Self-publishing can be a wonderful solution for getting into print as it puts an author in control of his or her own destiny and positions them to be a lot more profitable than going with a typical royalty publisher. Self-publishing also offers an advantage in that the writer keeps approximately 95% of the profits as opposed to the less than $1 most royalty publishers offer.

With Halo Publishing's process, ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) the author controls everything: cover design, title, printer choice, promotion, book marketing strategies, sales, rights and after market deals. Self-publishing involves a lot of details, decisions, and determination, making it seem to some, pretty overwhelming. That is precisely why self- publishing resources like Halo Publishing International exist! At Halo Publishing International, ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) they have "been there and done that" many times over and are often able to save their authors from making expensive mistakes. They often tell authors to think of them like a handy Swiss Army knife in that they possess all the necessary tools to lead their writers to greater success and profits when utilizing them to self-publish a book.

Press Contact:
Christine Folgmann
Halo Publishing International LLC
5549 Canal Road
Valley View, OH 44125
877-705-9647
christine@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Halo Publishing International is leading the charge in educating self published writers on how to market their self published books.

Valley View, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/09/2010 -- Halo Publishing International, a company devoted to assisting authors self publish their books, is happy to announce its new publishing consultant, Christine Folgmann to our Halo Team. Christine's expertise in marketing will assist upcoming Halo Author's in their expansion nationally and internationally. Folgmann specializes in showing authors how to use social media and newswire for the world-wide promotion of their books.

Halo Publishing International (http://www.halopublishing.com) is leading the charge in educating self published writers on how to market their self published books. Halo Publishing International believes that if a writer is going to go to the trouble to write a book, they should be aware of the importance ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) of marketing their book through all possible means. "It's like the amazing singer who only sings in the shower, explains Lisa Umina the publisher." Self published writers can list their books internationally on such mega-sites as Amazon.com, Target.com, Barnes and Noble, and more. Their book will be available to be ordered at over 40,000 wholesalers, retailers, and booksellers in over 100 countries. Despite having this kind of distribution, at their disposal no one is going to know the book exists if it is not marketed. Amazon has millions of books listed on their website. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

In the current environment, that equates to participating actively and regularly in social media. Halo Publishing International emphasizes to its clients that in order to succeed as a self publisher, one must embrace social media as a very effective ( http://www.halopublishing.com ) way of promoting themselves. In recent years, it has become obvious that social media is not a fad. It is a way of communicating products and services to a targeted audience that has become used to and expects news and products to come to them, not the other way around. Through social media, self published authors can tailor their messages to their audience and post them to their Facebook, Twitter and blog accounts. In contrast, mainstream media buys are not targeted to a specific audience. This makes them extremely expensive and out of financial reach for the self published writer.

Press Contact:
Christine Folgmann
Halo Publishing International LLC
5549 Canal Road
Valley View, OH 44125
877-705-9647
christine@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm