International Literacy Day

Please attribute this infographic to https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker

Renewal

Here we go - the cover reveal and some exciting information about my newest book!

Gratitude Renewed is a personal journal of faith and healing. By journal, I mean that you, the reader, are going to be doing some of the writing. This book is meant as a tool to start your own journey of renewal. The idea for this book came from the Lazarus Filmworks motion picture God, Where Are You?, staring Wade Wilson and Kibwe Dorsey. My co-author on this book and father, De Miller, also wrote and directed the movie. In this movie, the main character feels that God has abandoned him. He then receives Gratitude Renewed as a gift with instructions to fill the pages with his life.

Gratitude Renewed will be available in paperback for you to do the same. If you know someone having troubles in their life, this book could be the blessing on which they are waiting.

Synopsis: This is not a traditional self-help book. It is a life plan designed to renew gratitude and strengthen faith. The authors of this book are not trained psychologists or ordained clergy (although they got lots of input from the pros). They are a father and son with a combined one hundred years (plus) experience of Life. They have faced challenges, experienced failure and explored their faith.

There are several journal pages included at the end of each chapter. They are intentionally left blank for you, the reader, to fill.

Gratitude Renewed is already garnering praise through reviews and endorsements:

“It is well written and easy to understand and is prospectively a great self-help tool.”

Theda Sturm, M.S., L.M.F.T., In Harmony Counseling

“Mark and De have a great gift in writing given to them by God. What a blessing...from God.”

Gilbert Remington, Appointee Minister, Semi-Retired, Community of Christ Church

“Putting the principles from the book into action will renew the gratitude and help you discover the blessings in your life. I recommend this book to any individual that wants to live on the other side of why in a land called peace.”

Mark Payne, Pastor, No Limits Church, Lake Mary, FL

“...an interactive challenge to their readers that will have them reexamining their lives and turning those lives around.” 5 Stars

Jack Magnus, Author, for Reader’s Favorite

“...a very motivational and positive read.” 5 Stars

Charity Tober, Author, for Reader’s Favorite

“...you really feel like you’re learning something without a lot of extra noise...definitely a book I will hold onto for a long time.” 4 Stars

Samantha Dewitt, Reviewer for Reader’s Favorite

Now Available in the MillerWords.com store 

(includes FREE shipping and a personalized autograph)

Coming soon to Amazon and other online book sellers

Site Update

Well, this is a long awaited update to my blog. Hopefully you've been awaiting it...

I will get right to it. The update today is to announce the new design of my website.

www.MillerWords.com

The goal was to deliver something light and fresh. All of the key points are there and link across a variety of social media. It is an active site which will constantly be updated from the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

One of the most exciting things is the new MillerWords store.

MillerWords on Square

Follow the Order link to connect with the official Square store. Currently, all of my paperback books are available with free shipping and a personalized autograph. We are in the process of adding hand-made jewelry and all of my eBooks. (the link to the store is also at the top right of this blog)

I invite you to visit the links and follow me on Facebook and Twitter. As always, your feedback is most welcome in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by!

3rd Annual Christmas Spectacular

Authors in the Park, the long-running showcase for local authors, is coming back to downtown Mount Dora with the 3rd Annual Christmas Spectacular set for December 20th.

This year’s event will feature Steve Boone of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Lovin’ Spoonful. Boone will be on hand to promote his memoir, Hotter Than a Match Head.

Authors in the Park is an author event series which supports local authors and community literacy. The event is sponsored by MillerWords.com and Arts for the Community, Inc. (a local non-profit).

“It is great to have Steve at this year’s event. Not only is he a rock legend, but also a Florida author,” Mark Miller, founder of Authors in the Park, said.

In addition to Boone and Miller, other local authors will be on hand including: Sharon Coady, Illustrator Victor Donahue, De Miller, Olivia Miller, Theresa Oliver, D.G. Stern, C. Kevin Thompson and Colleen Wait.

“Another great thing about these authors is their commitment to their community,” Miller said. “This year’s line-up features educators, inspirational speakers and more.”

The Christmas Spectacular will take place Saturday, December 20th from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Donnelly Building at Fifth Avenue and Donnelly Street in the center of festive downtown Mount Dora. It is free to attend and the authors will be available for photos and autographs. The city will be showing off its holiday light display and local shops will be open.

Finally some dinosaurs

Dinos are truly fascinating. Their fossils spark the imaginations of kids and kids-at-heart. It's no surprise that Jurassic Park 4 (Jurassic World) is on the way. Then when you combine the talents of three people that also happen to like dinosaurs a lot, you get something like this:

Volume Two of the Ask DG young reader series is available now in paperback and Kindle!

Written by Mark Miller from questions asked to Dinosaur George Blasing by real kids, this book is perfect for young paleo-enthusiasts. Kindergarten through Second Grade can easily read this on their own and gain new facts with a touch of humor.

The real gems in this book, however, are the illustrations. Artist Victor Donahue makes his debut publication with impressive, detailed and entertaining images. Dino-fans will love Victor's incredible full-color drawings!

Order today to receive your book in time for Christmas! 

Paperbacks are available from MillerWords.com (autographed by author and illustrator) or DinosaurGeorge.com (autographed by Dinosaur George). Or get the Kindle version HERE.

My Writing Process

I am participating in a themed blog hop with my publisher Helping Hands Press (myhelpinghandspress.com). The theme this month is, as the title suggests, my writing process. That is a very open-ended topic on which I probably have too much to say.

I am thinking where to start, doing the usual – stare out the window until the right word pops into my scattered brain. That’s it. That’s my writing process. I randomly wait until some thought stumbles through the blank slate of my mind and I hurriedly write it before it escapes.

www.weekiwachee.com

Oh wait. That’s only a fraction of how I write. Sometimes, I actually have solid ideas, well-plotted with themes and even a little style. Maybe that’s my writing process? I compose a sturdy outline. There are plot points along the way, like the map of a family road trip with all the tourist traps circled in red. I know where the story starts and know where it ends. Along the journey, I make sure to visit the World’s Largest Ball of Twine or the live mermaids of Weeki Wachee. I do, of course, allow extra drive time for any serendipitous side trips.

The thing that occurs to me is that we writers all have our own process. We each have things that work best, our own traditions and superstitions even. We all have our own style. That is a good thing because every reader has their own style too. We will never run out of stories as long as we never run out of readers.

Now, if I can only add something of substance to this post. Some of the best advice I ever received on writing was to develop my Point of View. That doesn’t mean readers want to know my opinion on anything (probably more the opposite). What it means is that I had to decide who is telling the story and make that connection with the reader.  It does not mean to write in the first person tense. Even in third person, you have to have POV. You have to choose one character to tell the story. Show the world through that character’s eyes and reveal that character’s inner thoughts and desires. Then the reader only knows what the character knows, which can help build tension or create surprises. The reader can rise and fall with a character that way.

I could go on for a while about this, list countless examples of good and bad. I could cite specifics in my own books. I don’t want to bore anybody, so I’ll bring it to a close.

In summary, writing, for me, is a passion. We each live out that passion in our own way. I happen to love every minute of it.

Mark currently resides in Florida with his wife and four children. He has achieved some success as a Kindle Best Seller and having one of his short stories selected as a winner in the Florida Writer’s Association Short Story Collection.

Growing up in Kansas, Mark graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences and received his Bachelor’s in Film from the University of Kansas.

Mark has written numerous novels, screenplays, short stories and digital series. He has geared his young adult fantasy series, The Empyrical Tales, for the classroom and explored his spirituality, writing both with his father and daughter. Inspirational stories with positive messages are his goal with everything he writes.

Find me on Facebook and Twitter

www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

@AuthorMark

Guest Post - Amber Schamel Interview

Today we're interviewing historical author Amber Schamel.

Bestselling author Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest". A homeschool graduate from a family of 12 children, Amber found her calling early in life. First published at age 21, she has continued to hone her craft. Between ministry, family and working in their family businesses, Amber loves to connect with readers. Find her on the Stitches Thru Time blog, or on any of the major social media sites. 

Amber, can you tell us about your new release, The Messiah's Sign?

Sure! Thanks so much for having me on the blog today. This book released just yesterday, so I'm so EXCITED to share it with readers.

The Messiah's Sign is the second book in the Days of Messiah series. It follows the storyline of Book One, but from the husband's point of view. Here's what it's about:

Dreams…they shouldn’t bother him, but when Tyrus’ worst nightmare is vindicated, he has no choice but to face reality. His wife has been unfaithful, and God has punished her with the most feared disease in the land: leprosy. Banishing her to the leper colony, Tyrus struggles to raise their son alone and protect him from a merciless outlaw. But when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains of their business and reputation is at stake. Can Tyrus save his son from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses the only thing he has left?

The Messiah's Sign is now available for purchase! http://shop.myhelpinghandspress.com/Days-of-Messiah-Volume-2-The-Messiahs-Sign-9788576.htm

What sparked this story?

Book one started as a short story, but a lot of people told me I should expand it. I picked up the story and began thinking about what the entire story would be like, and that's when the Lord drew back the curtain to show me not only Aaliyah's story at the leper colony, but also the story of her husband and son. Tyrus—as the heartless husband that banishes Aaliyah to the leper colony—is the villain of book one, so I wanted to show readers his side of the story.

What do you want readers to take away from The Messiah's Sign?

As hard as you try, you will never be sufficient on your own. It takes Christ working in you.
For those that have read volume one, I want them to realize that you cannot hate someone until you de-humanize them. The villain of book one becomes the hero of book two, and we see the motivations behind his 'heartless' acts. In truth, Tyrus was doing the best he could. If we can empathize with people in our lives, it will go a LONG way in keeping the roots of bitterness at bay.

What are you working on next?

I am finishing up a really fun series with three other historical authors on the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

I'm also setting to work on a Christmas story set during the Civil War entitled The Christmas Pardon.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young lawyer battles with the U.S. Supreme court. In what seemed to be a Christmas miracle, he had secured a pardon for his friend from Lincoln himself. The army executed the boy anyway. On the fifteenth anniversary of his death, will the lawyer finally clear his friends name and bring justice to his memory?

 I'm running a giveaway for a fan to pick the name of my two main characters! You can enter the giveaway here: http://www.amberschamel.com/contests.html

Thank you for joining us today, Amber.

Thank you for hosting me! It's been a pleasure. I'd like to invite each of you to join me in celebrating my new release on my Facebook Launch party tonight! We'll have trivia, giveaways, behind the scenes tidbits and TONS of fun. Join us tonight at 6pm mountain time! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel