Starbound Author Interview & Giveaway

Today I'm doubly delighted because first of all, I got to spend a glorious morning with the staff at Mossman Elementary. You've gotta love a faculty who will not only give up a day in July to learn and grow, but who will all-out Bunny Hop with me. I'm talking soul-train. Whoot, whoot. A special thanks to their school counselor Brenda for inviting me to dance with them. 

Secondly, I'm jazzed because my friend and counseling colleague Carol Miller has written an empowerment book for girls, and she has generously donated 

a copy for one of you. Yay!

Click book cover for more information.

From the YouthLight website: 

I recently chatted with Carol and she graciously answered these questions 

about getting this gem published.

You're a school counselor. When did you first realize you wanted to author a book? Was this your first idea?

I have wanted to author a book for as long as I can remember. I have started hundreds over the years, but have never finished most of the projects I start. This one was different, because it culminates the work I have been doing as a middle school counselor and the best of the activities I have used with my girls. The first book I ever wrote was published only for the local school counselors in our nearby districts. It is a guidebook to the NYS Graduation requirements. While it wasn't the most exciting of books, it contained much needed information.

How did you go about getting your manuscript published?

I sent my manuscript to two different publishers, both recommended to me by another school counselor author. One publisher was not interested because they said it was too much like another girls' curriculum they published and they did not want it to be in competition with that work. The second publisher, YouthLight, actually published my book. It was a lot of waiting for answers, but definitely worth the experience.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your book?

The most surprising thing I learned about writing was that anything is really possible if you keep your mind opened to it. I mean, this is what I teach the girls who I have in groups, and it is a motto I believe in. However, there are always things that seem bigger than humanly possible. Mindset is important.

Tell us about your first book signing. What are some special memories about that event? 

My first book signing wasn't that exciting.  I had 2 people that showed up and I wasn't sure what to do with my free time. My second book signing was at this summer's ASCA conference in Phoenix. It was very exciting. YouthLight had the first booth as you walked in to the exhibit center and the first thing you would see when you walked in was a picture of me receiving my NY School Counselor of the Year Award on a poster to indicate I would be having a book signing. 

I had several friends who entered the exhibit hall ahead of me and they kept texting me, "Did you see it yet?" I had no idea what they were talking about until I walked in.  Needless to say, it brought a few tears of joy to my eyes.  The book signing went well, and I had many more than just 2 books to sign.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I don't think anyone says as a child, I want to be a school counselor when I grow up. I personally did not like my middle school counselor, and, while I did really like my high school counselor, I thought he was a bit goofy.  When I was younger I really wanted to become a physician. I loved science, did well in school, and had a huge desire to help other people. It wasn't until college, and I had to give up sleep for the ambulance squad, that I thought I was looking into the wrong profession. My desire to help others was still there, and then I met an adviser on campus who I thought had an incredibly fun job. When I asked what she went to school for, she told me school counseling. I changed my major the next day and have been happy ever since.

I understand you're working on your next book. Can you give us a little intel? 

I just proofed it over the final version last night. It is called Building Champions, and is a small group curriculum designed to help boys build trust, respect and peer connections while reducing classroom conflicts, discipline issues and anxiety. It uses many active learning activities and experiential learning models. If you are looking for a boys' curriculum, I think you will love this. I had a few friends try it out with their groups and it was a hit for their students as well as mine.

Congratulations and thank you, Carol. The title of your next book reminds me of Rita Pierson's inspirational TED talk and this Sylvia Sketchnote. 

If you'd like a chance to win an author-signed copy of Starbound, simply leave a comment telling us who your favorite champion {teacher, mentor, school counselor, coach, etc.} is or was. We'll draw a name from all the comments on Friday, July 31st, at noon {CST}, so come on back and see if you're our lucky winner.

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats Amy M!