Look At This

Story Seven of the 2013 ONE series by Alexandria Barker

Through the Eyes of a Child

When a story or another person affirms ideas that you thought were only in your head, then that is a good story. More than once while reading this, I had to pause and reflect. Ms. Barker puts into words some things that made sense to me, things that I saw at work in my own life. They may seem like simple truths, but that does not make the concepts any less true. She shares a few anecdotes about her grandson and how he saw the world through the "eyes of a child". I recommend this and then challenge you to look at your world with new, young eyes.

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Seven, Alexandria Barker shares her understanding of the Law of Attraction as it applies to our spiritual being. She offers some simple explanations that she learned firsthand through her grandson. We are born into this world without an instruction manual. Alexandria has a few techniques that can help shape our energy while we’re here.

Available now on Kindle

http://amzn.to/16UTmNq

Also look for it on Nook and Kobo

You can find all of the Authors of ONE on Facebook

www.FB.com/MarkMillersOne

One Once Again

The idea of One started small and grew into a year's worth of amazing, thought-provoking, inspirational stories. The resulting anthology was combined into a beautiful paperback book (not unlike Chicken Soup for the Soul, and definitely nice enough for any Doctor's office).

With that success, my publisher was nice enough to ask me to do it again. So I set out to gather another twelve authors, including myself, and start a journey into 2013.

One of the things I like best about this series is that it benefits other people instead of the author. Last year, we made a nice donation to Give Kids the World (www.gktw.org) from author proceeds. This year, I found a group much closer to home. Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center (www.bridgetoability.org) is only about a twenty minute drive from my home. The organization helps children in my community. They are small and can use our help. So please remember, every time you download this story, 100% of my author proceeds are going to a very good cause.

2013 is also going to be a bit of a family affair. My wife, Traci Miller, will be contributing a story and my father, De Miller will return, as well. Other returning authors include: Crystal Linn, Sude Khanian and Sarah Price. We will also see new stories from some other sensational authors: Murray Pura, Alexandria Barker, Janet Beasley, R Jeffries and Missy Kennedy Adams.

This will be a great, eye-opening year!

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story One, Mark Miller welcomes you back to the series. He has a little something to say  about forgiveness and finding his place in the world. Sometimes, we are exactly where we are supposed to be and not even realize it.

You are invited to visit the Authors of One, ask questions and start discussions on our official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOne

You can get the 2012 paperback here:

http://goo.gl/LwQU5

2013 Story One: A Marvelous Net is available on Kindle for ONLY 99 Cents:

http://goo.gl/2go5u

One and Done

Today marks the final stepping stone in a journey started over one year ago. It is available now for ONLY 99 Cents on Kindle - http://goo.gl/GE6k1. Also on Nook, iTunes and Kobo. Keep reading to find out if it really is the end of One.

Mark Miller's One

Story Twelve

Choices

Along the way, some amazing authors contributed some very personal, exceptional stories. With Choices, I try to touch on all of it. Part review, part exploration, this story gave me a chance to thank the ten other authors who helped make One something special.

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Twelve, Mark Miller revisits the entire series. Choices examines some personal life-changing events. Then the author poses questions analyzing the previous eleven stories. When it comes to faith, Miller asks What If?

Don't worry though, One is not done. The series will be back in January. Several authors have already asked to come back. Plus, there will be some new additions to our family.

For now, please like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOne) and please get your copy of Story Twelve: Choices today!

Sarah Price is Priceless

I bet she never heard that before. In this case, it is true. Best-selling Amish author Sarah Price has joined the Authors of One with...

Story Eleven

The Power of Faith

(http://goo.gl/zPxzm)

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Forget Me Not Horse Rescue, a charitable organization where abandoned, abused, unwanted and neglected horses find a new home. www.ForgetMeNotHorseRescue.com

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.
In Story Eleven, Sarah Price transports us around the world and back in time. On a recent trip to Israel, the author explored the roots of her faith and made connections to her Amish ties back home. She wants to share The Power of Faith.

I particularly like stories that take me away from my daily life. Maybe that is why I typically write fantasy? However, not all of those stories have to be fiction. With Sarah Price’s entry into the one series, the reader is carried around the world and through time.

I know Sarah as an “Amish Author”. Her books and stories focus on the charm and even mystery of the people who celebrate a distinct faith. I expected Sarah’s story to be about her experiences with her Amish friends, or maybe something to do with her animals. She is apparently quite the animal lover. What she delivers in this piece is something surprisingly more. Instead of telling us about someone else’s faith, she discovers her own.

The synopsis says, “Sarah Price transports us around the world and back in time”. She shares with the reader her personal travels to Israel. She does not come off as a travelogue. In fact, I felt like I was there with her. She captures the vivid landscape with great emotion. Her thoughts literally wind back through time as she explores what faith means to her. She holds the weight of that history with a definitive grasp.

Repeatedly, Sarah says, “I am moved”. More than that, she moves the reader. Feel the dry stone of that wall. Feel the cooling flow of that river. She asks, “What is faith?” and she answers her own question, “It is necessary.”

I could not agree more.

Sarah Price's ancestors emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania as the area's first wave of Mennonite families. Sarah Price has always respected and honored her ancestors through exploration and research about her family history and their religion. At nineteen, she befriended an Amish family and lived on their farm throughout the years.
Twenty-five years later, she now splits her time between her husband and children in the NYC Metro area and a home that she shares with an Amish woman in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where she retreats to reflect and write. As a masterful storyteller, Sarah Price prides herself on presenting an authentic Amish experience for her readers. Many of her stories are based on actual people she has met and her own experiences living among the Amish over the years.
She is the author of the Amish of Lancaster Series as well as children's series about a little dog named Peek-a-boo. She's also the author of The Amish Novella Series.

Get it today for ONLY 99 Cents and remember it is for a great cause!

http://goo.gl/zPxzm

Authors of One Interviews: Don Lubov

I had the opportunity to get to know Don Lubov a little better. The tenth author in the One series is a man of measured words. I think you will find his answers concise, to the point and entertaining.

Don Lubov, a Zen spiritualist and teacher, is the author of Story Ten: 1971. Get it here for ONLY 99 Cents (and remember, a portion of the author’s proceeds go to charity) – http://goo.gl/ECEzA

MM: Other than my pestering you, what inspired you to write this story?

DL: I felt it was time to share my adventure with others.

MM: And it is quite a story from a vivid time in our country’s history. Of course, I am joking about having to pester you. I will say you are one of the most professional authors with which I have worked. You seem to have a handle on the process. How long have you been writing?

DL: On and off; 41 years.

MM: You definitely have a head start on me. I’m doing some math from your story. If you were thirty in 1971, then…Well, I will say I wish I look as good in thirty or forty years. Obviously, you’ve developed some good habits in your life. Do you have any particular writing habits?

DL: I write first in pen. Pilot pens are my favorite writing instrument.

MM: I like to carry a pen and spiral notebook when I am working on a longer story. I think there is an emotion, or inspiration, in the fluid contact. Speaking of inspiration, your story left me with some insights that I could apply to my own life. Do you have anything more, maybe something not in your story, that you would like to share here?

DL: Love - the more you give it away, the more you have. And, others benefit from it. There’s nothing that can equal the good feeling of serving others.

MM: I could not agree more. Sometimes, it feels like we don’t have enough of it in this world. Working on this series, with these incredible authors, I feel like we’ve developed a connection. We have the opportunity to exponentially expand that love. I know you created your own Six-Step Path, but who are the spiritual influences that led you to these realizations of life and love?

DL: Siddartha, HuangPo, Lao-Tzu, Ralph Waldo Emerson, D.T.Suzuki, Jesus, Henry David Thoreau, Mother Theresa, Meher Baba, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., The Bible, AlbertEinstein, Ram Dass, et. al.

MM: An impressive list. What about the authors that inspired you to put your views into words?

DL: Will Shakespeare, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson

MM: We are on the same page. You have an appreciation for the masters. I wonder what the Bard would think about our digital stories? We could meditate on that. Back on topic, here is your chance to give us some insight into the author. What can you share that is not in your back-cover bio?

DL: I am deeply and thoroughly in love with my wife…36 years and counting.

MM: I am sure your faith plays a great part in the strength of that relationship. You’ve almost tripled the time of my marriage, but I look forward to the day I can tell people that I’ve been married to my beautiful wife for 36, or 40, or 50 years. That is certainly an ongoing project. What else occupies your time?

DL: Making three videos to post on You Tube and writing for Yahoo Voices.

MM: We can be sure to put links on the One Facebook page (fb.com/MarkMillersOne) when those videos are live. Now, we cannot find Don Lubov on Facebook, but where can we find you?

DL: SpiritShare.net and DonLubov.com

MM: This is where I like to close the interview with a couple off-beat questions. First, if you could ask your Supreme Being one question, what would you ask?

DL: What more can I do to serve?

MM: That is a theme throughout your writing. But, what flavor of ice cream would you be?

DL: French-Vanilla

MM: (DL does not go on to divulge a reason) Don, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Lubov’s Wild Ride, aka 1971. It is available here for ONLY 99 Cents - http://goo.gl/ECEzA

In addition to sparking a discussion of what faith means on our one world, each author has agreed to donate a portion of his or her proceeds to charity. Please have a look at all of the stories below.

Mark Miller - Meant To Be - http://goo.gl/rmgZA

De Miller – Twelve Steps - http://goo.gl/gxEPJ

Sudè Khanian – Dr. Candy - http://goo.gl/ks8Yr

Giovanni Gelati – The Handof God - http://goo.gl/Axizl

Melissa Studdard &Scott Lutz – For the Love of All - http://goo.gl/1OpO9

George MichaelLoughmueller – Snake in the Water - http://goo.gl/e7XmK

Rachel Hunter –Perfect Nothing - http://goo.gl/LvlXL

Crystal Linn – God’sCounterpoints - http://goo.gl/2X9EP

Ron Starbuck – Wheels TurningInward - http://goo.gl/p0FLH

Please visit the Authors of One at FB.com/MarkMillersOne.

The Year That Was - 1971

Enter the psychedelic time tunnel and hang on for an inspirational and amazing story. Zen teacher Don Lubov gives us Story Ten of the One series. It is available now from Trestle Press for ONLY 99 Cents and you can get it here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs

Mark Miller's One

Story Ten

1971

by Don Lubov

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Ten, Don Lubov shares a wild and thought-provoking journey. A young man in 1971, the author left home on a cross-country journey that took him to some unexpected places. He did not know what he was looking for, but he found himself. This harrowing tale of self-discovery brought the author near to death and to a rebirth.

This story takes place in 1971, two years before I was born. That put some perspective on it for me. Our world and society is constantly changing. The story that Don tells is from a time that I don’t recognize, except for some classic movies. He ventures into a world of experimentation and passionate beliefs. Because he did not partake in many of the indulgences of the time, the reader travels along with Don as the perfect witness.

More importantly though, he goes beyond that world. Don’s journey leads him to the Gila National Forest and the edge of his own life.  On the verge of dehydration and starvation, Don has an awakening. Several times, I found myself shaking my head in wonder and amazement. This is a story of spirituality and discovery.

Don ends his tale with a discussion of his Six-Step Path. Meditation has been around for centuries, but Don has found a concise and simple way to apply it to anyone’s life. I am impressed with his explanation of our connection to God.

When Don said, “Be the best you that you can be…not THE best, just YOUR best”, that stirred something in me. One thing I look for in these stories is the truth within them. Anyone can be enlightened and connect with their higher power. Sharing that knowledge, that gift, has a way of making the reader pause and look at their own life.

This death-defying story of wild adventure and self-discovery left me feeling inspired. 

Thanks for reading, Mark

The tenth author of "One", Don Lubov, is a Zen spiritualist, teacher, lecturer and published author since 1983. He holds a Masters degree in Education and he's taught courses at Adult Ed., Suffolk County Community College, McNeese State University, East Carolina University and Stanford University, Central Florida Community College, Lifelong Learning College. His website is DonLubov.com and you can read his blog at Spiritshare.net.

Remember, all of the stories in the One series donate a portion of their proceeds to a good cause and they are all ONLY 99 Cents each, so please check out all of them. You can get 1971 here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs

Poetry Takes Time

I'll admit, it has been a while since the last installment of One. The good news is that it's out now!

Mark Miller's One

Story Nine

Wheels Turning Inward

by Ron Starbuck

Story Nine takes a different turn as Ron shares some amazing poetry. His words are meditative and spiritual. Here's the back cover synopsis: In Story Nine, poet Ron Starbuck explores the world from his Episcopalian background and through various forms of contemplative prayer. These selected poems from his first collection, Wheels Turning Inward, and from his second collection, When Angels are Born, share with the reader an expressive way to view the world. Ron has also been kind enough to include an exclusive poem that can only be found in the pages of One.

I’ve been looking forward to this edition of One for a while now. It is a pleasure to have so many talented people contributing to this series. I cannot put one of them on a pedestal ahead of any other. What I can do is single out Ron for his poetry.

It is true that we have several award-winning poets in this series, but only Ron is contributing poetry. After reading his work, I understand that it takes someone with skill and patience to communicate this level of expertise and emotion. Writing prose, I can belt out a thousand words in less than an hour. I haven’t written a poem for maybe five years. As Ron says, “You cannot manufacture poetry out of nothingness on a strict timeline.” I understand that better now. You don’t magically get that structure and message without the work and dedication.

Ron also shared another idea with me. Besides being an Episcopalian, he has studied Christian theology and Buddhism extensively. He gave me new vocabulary for what we are trying to accomplish with this series. “Perichoresis is an ancient term in Christian theology, which refers to the indwelling of the Trinity, of how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are so intimately connected within their unity as one that there is an indwelling between them all. And that this indwelling is shared with us, in and through Christ, in the Paschal Mystery of Christ as the Incarnate Word, the Word Made Flesh. How appropriate, since not one of us can imagine living without words, living a life without words in some form.” The concept of interconnectedness predates Christianity far back to the early Buddhists.

That knowledge and insight makes Ron an integral part of One.

Story Nine is available now for ONLY 99 Cents and a portion of that will go to charity. Get yours today - http://goo.gl/f3UXL

What is a Counterpoint?

I'm glad you asked. Crystal Linn, best-selling co-author of Amish Forever, can give you the answer in Story Eight of the One series.

God's Counterpoints

by Crystal Linn

A portion of the author’s proceeds will be donated to World Concern, a Christian global relief and development organization. World Concern’s efforts reach deep into the most remote corners of the planet, where climate and geography, societal instability and scarce infrastructure create incredible challenges to the people living there, including disaster response, clean water, education, food security, child protection, microfinance and health. Visit WorldConcern.org for more information. The series creators and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Eight, another award-winning poet, Crystal Linn, shares her moving experience with a rare form of cancer. The author’s husband was diagnosed with cancer and Crystal tells how they came through it with faith. This story is an inspiration to anyone facing life’s difficult challenges.

I think it took a lot of courage for Crystal to share this story. She presents us with a harrowing, detailed account of a challenge she faced with her husband. I have never heard of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, but it is a rare form of cancer.

Crystal tells of the ordeal in a matter-of-fact way, accounting for each visit to the doctor. In between these medical insights, she reveals her miracles. Each time something worse happened, Crystal explained how it worked out for her.

Crystal calls these unexplainable events by the musical term counterpoints. I am no musician, but I understand the concept and see exactly what she means. She compared their journey to Handel’s Amen Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. I searched for the piece on YouTube and found it to be beautiful and inspiring, much like Crystal’s story.

The one thing I notice is how she removes herself from the writing. She does mention she went through a dark period. However, she humbly approaches the entire story and does not spotlight herself at all. I want to point out how amazing she is and how she bravely stood by her husband through pain and adversity. To me, that is its own miracle to see her faith working in her.

Thanks for reading,

Mark

Get it today for $0.99 on Kindle: http://goo.gl/ILb85

Perfect Nothing is Something Perfect

The One series continues with Trestle Press for a March release that focuses on a serious topic.

Perfect Nothing

by Rachel Hunter

Rachel is an award-winning poet and first year medical student. Somehow, she finds time to write. I think it took a lot of courage to share her harrowing story with us. Please take the time to read it and remember she is donating her proceeds to Give Kids the World.

Rachel Hunter says that no one should have expected her to be more than her illness. She became a victim of her own desire and a thing of woe. Then she became something more.

I met Rachel by funny coincidence. I have a series of fantasy novels called The Empyrical Tales and she is about to publish her own novel called Empyreal Fate. Independently, we are both writing about our ideas of a heaven-like place. In that regard, I have to assume we are both romantics, dreamers. I had to have a kindred spirit participate in this series.

When I asked Rachel to write a story of faith, she delivered something quite powerful and very personal. She tells of her battle with the physical and psychological illness called Anorexia Nervosa. I am honored to know that this is the first time she has written about or made her story public.

The thrust of her story is about her relationship with her father and him literally carrying her into the emergency room. As a father, I saw this story from that perspective and it brought me to tears.

One is about faith and belief and sometimes a person’s faith is not in a god, but in themselves.  Rachel is currently a medical student, inspired by the doctors that helped save her life. She is becoming more than she expected to be. Her belief in herself and the power of the human mind is a concept that transcends so many religions and faiths. She is determined to not be defined by her own expectations and that is something from which we can all benefit.

Authors of One Do Something Good

   Mark Miller’s One is a series about faith and beliefs. It is about our understanding of truth and how we are all connected. Every individual is part of this one earth.

With six issues published, there have been some amazing stories. The authors have shared emotionally personal details of their relationships and unexplained, almost miraculous, events. The Authors of One are as varied as our world will allow: a father, an international traveler, a professor, a teenage poet. They also consist of several best-sellers and award-winners.

What more can these authors and this series offer? Every participating author of One has decided to donate at least half or more of their proceeds to charity. That means, in addition to a thought-provoking story, when you purchase a story from the One series, you, as a reader, are doing something good too.

Each author has the option of choosing their charity, but most have agreed on an amazing group called Give Kids the World. This organization helps make dreams come true for severely and terminally ill children by giving them vacations to some of Orlando, Florida’s best attractions. As a father, I have taken my own children to places like Walt Disney World, so this was the best way I could show thanks for the great opportunities I’ve received as a writer. Please note, that none of the authors are not affiliated with Give Kids the World. We simply believe it is an important and worthy charity.

Here are links to the authors and their stories of One:

 Meant to Be - Mark Miller

Twelve Steps - De Miller

Dr. Candy - Sudè Khanian

The Hand of God  - Giovanni Gelati

For the Love of All - Melissa Studdard and Scott Lutz

Snake in the Water - George Michael Loughmueller

These are the stories that are out now. Still to come are important and moving words from Rachel Hunter, Crystal Linn and Ron Starbuck. Check out all of the other great work they have to offer!

What more can I say? Every author in this series is highly talented, each with a significant voice. Beyond the page, I have come to know them as generous, kind, intelligent human beings. People like these give me hope in a world that sometimes seems hopeless.

Please take the time to purchase these stories for ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon Kindle or BN Nook. At the very least, you will be doing something good.

You can learn more about Give Kids the World by visiting www.GKTW.org. You can follow the Authors of One at Facebook.com/MarkMillersOne.

Laughing George has his say.

The February story (#6) of the One series is available now. For the second month in a row, we are fortunate enough to hear from a best-selling author. That's not all - there's another exciting change to the series.

Snake in the Water

by George Michael Loughmueller

Mark Miller's One (#6)

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

Story Six, by best-selling author George Michael Loughmueller focuses on his life. The success of his Amish themed, short story series, Set Free: An Amish Journey, is based on the real life experiences of his grandfather. In Snake in the Water, Loughmueller shares a little bit about where his ideas come from and what makes him laugh.

George Michael Loughmueller is a descendant of German heritage. Finding joy in being a husband and father, he is known by his friends as “Laughing George” because of his cheerful disposition and the pronunciation of his last name.

George Michael Loughmueller confesses to being new to the internet. He says he only uses it as a tool and does not partake in the intense rituals of social media like many other authors, including myself.

His friends call him Laughing George. In the emails we’ve sent back and forth, I can understand why. He always has a positive word and views the world in a light-hearted way.

For his installment of One, he shares a broad view of his life and how the experiences of his father and grandfather shaped that life. From a chilling encounter with a snake to a disastrous flood, Mr. Loughmueller shows us how a simple life can be a good life.

Here's the exciting change to the series. Beginning with this issue and going back to the start, the Authors of One have decided to donate half or more of their proceeds! There will be another announcement as we finalize the details. However, I can tell you that the first organization to which we are donating will be Give Kids the World. You can read more about them on their website: GKTW.org.

Now, for your 99 cents, not only are you getting some thought-provoking entertainment, but also you are contributing to a worthy cause!