MSI Press Blog

Today’s mission: accompany my daughter to a new doctor’s appointment. I sat quietly, letting her self-advocate—because that’s what strong women do. I chimed in here and there with family history, but mostly, I was the silent sentinel beside her. Then came the intake question: “Is your mother still alive?” Excuse me? I look dead?? Was I too serene?  Did my quiet presence read as ghostly? Did I seem soporific? My daughter laughed. “She’s sitting right here beside me.” The assistant turned crimson. I straightened up, punched the air, and offered to do jumping jacks to prove my vitality. She stammered, “I’m so sorry—I thought you were sisters.” Well then. Grandma Ninja: 75. Daughter: 49. Apparently, we’re aging in formation. Message of the day: Let your daughters speak. Let your silence speak. And when needed—let your vitality kick . Also: work out. At any age. Dick Van Dyke is 100 and still works out at the gym three times a week. If he can do it, so can Grandma N...

  Today's publisher's pride is  Travels with Elly  by Larry MacDonald, which reached #43   in travel with pets books. Book description: Discover Canada like never before -- from a personal perspective, similar to John Steinbeck's view of America in his 1960 book  Travels with Charley . The author travels from coast to coast in a trailer with his wife and pets, including their Standard Poodle, Elly, in order to gain a better understanding of his adopted country. Interspersed between descriptions of history, cultures, places, and icons are the author's reflections on various things such as Elly's antics, signage, ferries, political injustice, environmental issues, and animal instincts. To provide a canine's perspective, Elly reflects on things of interest to her, including cats, cows, and other critters...but especially cats! Where was Canada's first settlement? What is its prettiest town? When and where was its most devastating shipwreck? And who was its greates...

  MSI Press books have won national and international awards every year since 2012, when we first began submitting books to competitions. MSI Press authors’ books have won gold, silver, and bronze medals, honorable mention, best new voice, and legacy awards in more than 30 regional, national, and international book competitions. Check our awards section . A number of our books have been among the top 100 Amazon hot new releases, including several that have achieved #1 status. Every month, a number of our books can be found in the top 100 bestsellers in their various categories. Follow our blog and watch for “publisher’s pride” or sign up for our newsletter, where we announce these great books. Want to read a great book? Check out our  catalogue . Have a great book that needs to have some TLC? Nearly everyone has a story. Not every publisher will hold your hand until it materializes as an award-winning book and pay you generous royalties when it does. We will. Tell us about you...

  Every week I meet learners who swear they’re “almost fluent.” They’ve memorized the grammar charts, they can order a latte without breaking a sweat, and they’ve watched enough Netflix to convince themselves they’re basically bilingual. And then they hit Level 3—the plateau where everything feels familiar but nothing feels easy . Level 3 is where confidence goes to stretch its legs, and competence quietly whispers, “Not so fast.” If you’re aiming for Level 4—near-native comprehension, nuance, and flexibility—there’s one truth you can’t dodge: you need an individualized lesson plan. Not a textbook. Not a YouTube playlist. Not a one-size-fits-all curriculum designed for a classroom of 30. A plan built around you . 🌱 Why Level 4 Is Different Level 4 isn’t about learning more rules. It’s about learning your gaps, your habits, and your blind spots. At this stage, the language stops being a subject and becomes a system you have to inhabit. You don’t need more vocabulary—you ...