MSI Press Blog

Excerpt:  Two especially important factors to keep in mind when there has been violence in a relationship and there is a potential for it to happen again.      1) You need to do or say whatever you have to, in order to placate the abusive partner and keep them from escalating.       2) Safety overrules accountability. This means that when you are in a potentially dangerous situation, it is better to be safe than to call someone out on their abusive behaviors or statements, which may just escalate things further. While there are many situations that contribute to family violence, parenting and money matters are two of the most common.  Difficulty with Kids  Kids are on edge and struggling right now, sometimes not getting schoolwork done or arguing with parents and siblings. In this time of social distancing and perhaps even quarantine, kids cannot do some of the many things that they usually do to de-stress such as play at the park, go play at friends’ houses, attend birt

  Recently, I wrote an Amazon review of My Yellow Balloon , a very touchingly written and extremely insightful book for children who have experienced loss, written by Tiffany Papageorge, illustrated by Erwin Madrid, and published by Minoan Moon. It is an impressive book on all levels; the writing, the illustrations, and the quality of publication. Something that belongs in the room and hands of every child who has ever lost anyone or anything of importance to him/her. Noah's New Puppy , a book by Richard Rice and Geri Henderson, illustrated by Vincent Rice, that we published a couple of years ago, fulfills a similar purpose but for a different need. Tenderly written, including with guidance for parents on its use, and gorgeously illustrated, this book focuses on PTSD and indeed belongs in the hands of all children whose parents experience PTSD as well as with those who work with them. (Note: MSI Press, editor@msipress.com, will provide a complimentary copy to reviewers and special

  "Overall, this is a book that packs a massive punch and I have no doubt it will be helpful to survivors who are still hiding in the shadows," says Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite. Want the details? Read the whole review HERE . For more posts about this award-winning book and its authors, click HERE .

  Congratulations to Richard Rice, Vincent Rice, and Geri Henderson on their book, Noah's New Puppy , being selected as the Kops-Fetherling International Book Awards honorable mention in the category of children's picture books.    Read more about the book, including excerpts, and its authors HERE .

                                                                                       (photo by Frank Perez) It is Tuesday. Time to tall turkey. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. Ever wonder how books get to be accepted for publication? There is often more to any author's story than non-authors and not-yet-published authors would image.  Yes, of course, every publisher has the normal channel of proposal reading and acceptance based on the quality of the proposal, the "fit" of the book, the quality of the writing, and the perceived marketability, typically based on the author's platform. But...some books come into being in some other ways. Here are a few from the MSI Press e

  We just released the 12th book in our pandemic series -- an unusual and very important: what to do if you are locked down with your abuser. Tastefully and frankly -- and helpfully -- written. The authors are specialists on this topic: S hari Schnuelle, LIMHP, LPC, has 20+ years of specialization in trauma study and treatment of a variety of traumas, fostering trauma resilience, and post-traumatic growth. Shari also offers life coaching focused on creative growth, particularly for women in transition, who envision different directions in their lives. Melissa Adams, LCSW, LIMHP, provides individual, marital and family therapy in a private practice setting. Her areas of specialty  include family violence, recovery from abuse, anxiety disorders, behavior disorders in children and divorced and blended families Geri Henderson, Ph.D., is a professor, living in Germany, teaching for the University of Maryland Global Campus. Her experience with trauma and recovery resulted in the co-authorshi

Dr. Geri Henderson considers herself, first and foremost, a teacher and mentor but loves her roles as sister, aunt, and friend.  Geri has taught in a number of places such as the Caribbean, Jordan, Bahrain, LIthuania, Lebanon, Japan, Korea, and the US.  Her interests include a passion for music which she studied and subsequently taught for 30 years before beginning her second professional career in higher education. She is probably teaching literature and writing somewhere in the world right now. Her first book with MSI Press,   Thoughts without a Title , was edited while she was teaching in the Middle East and contains the stories and essays of Middle Eastern college students and their views of the world. Her second book, co-authored with Seanne Emerton,   Healing from Incest: Intimate Conversations with My Therapist , is gathering 5-star reviews and was selected as a 2015 Book of the Year Award Finalist. Her most recent book was written together with Richard Rice, author

On the Writing of This Book: An Unusual Collaboration  During the final months of therapy with Seanne, more than ten years ago, I shared the idea of this book with her. Back then, it was just a curious “what if” sort of notion. I thought, “What if someone who could write and who has thought about this recovery process were to collaborate with her therapist on a book?” My initial thought was about how helpful it would have been for me to have had the chance to read such a book. But there was no way to start anything immediately, and it was clear that the idea sounded a bit strange to Seanne though she always expressed support. After the conclusion of my therapy with her, I moved away and became very involved in my professional career as well as moving on to another therapist. I did revisit the idea of a book from time to time and three or four years later began to write. I approached Seanne again about the possibility of our collaboration. The problem was that other than collabo

Seanne Larson Emerton, L.M.F.T., L.I.M.H.P., is one of our newest authors. She has been in private practice for over twenty years.  She loves her work and life in the Heartland,, including practicing yoga, spirituality and health, and enjoying music, travel, and time with her sons and families in Boston and Denver. The power of relationships fuels her desire to help others. She is grateful for her grandparents and parents who were her first teachers.  She and her husband, Tom, live on the land her great-great-grandfather homesteaded.  Family is her greatest joy.  Her book, co-authored with Dr. Geri Henderson,   Healing from Incest: Intimate Conversations with My Therapist , has earned multiple awards and recommendations. Finalist, Book of the Year Award. Book Excellence Award. Brings comfort and understanding and resolution to individuals. MidWest Book Review says that every library should have a copy. US Review of Books recommended it. Read more posts by and

Parent’s Guide This story encourages conversations between parents and their young children about PTSD, post-deployment issues, or parents suffering from depression. ●        It is understandable that some of you might be feeling anxious about talking to your child about such difficult topics - this is normal. What is important to remember is that you are not there to talk to your child about trauma. Instead, it is best to focus on some of the emotions that they have seen you experience, like fear, panic, sadness. These are all emotions children can understand as they have experienced these emotions themselves at some point in their lives. They can relate to how you feel by asking them to remember a time when they had a nightmare or got lost in a store. ●        When you are talking to your child, it is essential to be an active listener. You should be listening more than speaking. Some children may find it hard to express themselves, so it is vital that you, during th

What MSI books are people talking about? Those that talk about those things that people find difficult to talk about but need to: He's a Porn Addict...Now What? (Overbay and Shea) available in hard cover, paperback, and e-book Healing from Incest (Henderson and Emerton) available in hard cover, parperback, and e-book Both are tastefully written but also frank and informative. Find them at the MSI press webtore at the MSI press website OR online sellers (Amazon, B&N, etc.) OR your local library or bookstore (if not there, ask).

"With its strong, dedicated, and important message, Noah's New Puppy is an extraordinary, unique, impressively entertaining, thoroughly 'kid friendly', and unreservedly recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." Read the full review at MidWest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice, January 2020 Children's Bookwatch .

Released today! Noah's New Puppy  was written from veteran Richard Rice's own experience  of post-war PTSD. The almost miraculous effects of his service dog, Abby, saved him and saved his  marriage, bringing him out of hiding. He shares this story with families of small children to help them understand the suffering of their parents  and the  healing effects a dog can bring to the whole family. The Parent's Guide encourages conversations between parents and their children about PTSD, post-deployment issues, or parents and children suffering from depression. Richard's brother, Vincent, another  veteran, is  the illustrator. Available online, at select retailers, and from the MSI Press webstore: www.msipress.com/shop. Use coupon code FF25 for a discount for blog followers.

Congratulations to Julie Gentile, who has been selected as a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards competition. To read more information about Julie, her book, and her life, click here . To order Julie's book, visit our webstore: Gentile . The code FF25 will get you a 25% discount as a fan or friend of MSI Press. Other Book Excellence Award winners among MSI Press authors include: Nanette Hucknall. How to Live from Your Heart.  Geri Henderson % Seanne Emerton. Healing from Incest Irit Schaffer. Good Blood Joanna Charnas. !00 Tips ad Tools for Managing Chronic Illnes s All Book Excellence Award books are available from the MSI Press webstore at 25% discount, using the code FF25.

This book is a collection of short stories, poetry, and dramatic essays, written by students and faculty of the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, Jordan, a rich mix of Arab and American authors, reflecting on experiences in the Middle East and elsewhere. To see other works by Dr. Geri Henderson, click HERE . Available from MSI Press webstore .