as Susan Cheeves King, Editor and Compiler
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Growing Older with Grace (and a Little Humor)
The way we view ourselves in relation to the passage of time can be tricky. But aging can be fun – or at least funny. Some of the things you will read in this book are about the quirks of people who may have already passed their Best By date and, along the way, discovered the tiny bit of truth in the statement “Age has its privileges.” Some stories are about people who make marvelous and wise use of their time by living deliberately and fully in the moment and how, in so doing, they manage to grow older with
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We Hold These Truths: What America Means to Me
Love for one’s country is an intensely personal thing. That’s one reason why answers to the question “What does America mean to you?” can be surprisingly different. U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas once said, “America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.” Yes, America is all of these – and more. She is also liberty, opportunity, sacrifice, generosity, optimism, friendliness, and shared ideals. America is a celebration of personal independence in a culturally diverse nation founded on the principles of fundamental rights and self-government. Join these 36 authors from various backgrounds and life experience as they share
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Mishaps and Misadentures: When Getaways Go Awry
Considering the time and energy we spend getting ready to “get away from it all” – the extra work to get ahead on all our projects and then planning and packing for the trip – we usually don’t think about what we’ll do if things go awry. So what happens after the getaway begins, and we’re taken by surprise when we encounter all sorts of unexpected events? Hopefully we salvage our plans, make the best of things, and tuck the memories away under the category of “someday we’ll laugh about this.” This book is full of stories about such times.
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When the World Wore Masks: Life and Love in the Days of COVID-19
Not since World War II has a single long-term event so impacted the health of the people of the world. And since most of us alive today did not experience life during that war, we were even less prepared for the upheaval that this pandemic has brought. Virtually every foundation of human life was shaken. Not only did many of us lose friends and loved ones and all of us face the very real prospect of our own serious illness and death, but our deep-down bedrock values were challenged. Was it a sign of love to be with your loved
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What’s in a Name? Everything!
What’s in a name? Actually, quite a bit. Since they’re the first thing we own – and not easy to unload – our names play a huge role in our lives, for better or for worse. Often a name represents heritage. Sometimes it reflects whimsy or an intent to be clever or unique. Other times it carries special meaning.Though most people are content with the names they have, some change them for reasons ranging from convenience to self-preservation. Others can only wish they’d had a chance to change their names. As you might expect, a majority of the 53 authors
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Angels in Disguise?
Kindness from a stranger can change our view of the day or even our lives, especially in trying times. If that stranger has given up something in order to be kind, we might even think of that person as an angel sent from God. Because at various times in their lives, each of our writers has acted with great kindness — even toward strangers — it was very challenging for them to switch their focus to what someone else has done for them. Yet their stories in this book are a reminder of the way God shows up in unexpected
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Humili8ing Tales We Wish Weren’t True
Humiliating moments. We’ve all had them. Yet today’s embarrassing experience is often tomorrow’s funny story. What goes best with humble pie is a dollop of humor, the ability to laugh at our mortifying moments. While it can be a challenge to write about those experiences — especially in words of one syllable — these 42 talented authors invite you to laugh with them as they share some of their most cringe-worthy stories.
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Short and Sweet – A Different Beat
Who are they, these people we will never forget? And what is it about them that makes them so memorable? Whether they are friends, family members, or acquaintances, they make an impact because they’re true originals. One-of-a-kind. They’re also the people we love to tell others about. Discover the stories of 41 unique individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world as they stay true to themselves and dance to their own beat. Contributors: Becky Alexander, Karen O. Allen, Mary Alice Archer, Lanita Bradley Boyd, Nancy Brashear, David Buster, Julie Ann Chase, Jeanie Connell, Dennis Conrad, Bonnie Culp,
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Short and Sweet’s: Family Album
In this book, the sixth in the Short and Sweet series, you’ll find a collection of stories with special emphasis on mothers, fathers, and grandparents. As in the other books in the series, with few exceptions, each piece is written using only one-syllable words or words of fewer than six letters. Join these 60 authors as they share their families’ stories of grace, forgiveness, loyalty, respect, support, vulnerability, love, laughter, and faith. Contributors include: Jennifer Aaron, Tabitha C. Abel, Karen Allen, Janet Asbridge, Sharon Atwood, Lanita Bradley Boyd, Susan Brehmer, Jenny Calvert, Jeanetta Chrystie, Denise M. Colby, Sharon Cook, Kat
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Short and Sweet Takes the Fifth
In this book, the fifth in the Short and Sweet series, you’ll find a collection of stories, much like the other books in the series. With few exceptions (listed in the Introduction) each is written using only one-syllable words or words of fewer than six letters. The difference in this book? These 45 authors challenge you to decide whether their stories are fiction or non-fiction. Discover why it’s often a great idea to keep it Short and Sweet. Contributors include: Tabitha Abel, Karen Allen, Joylene Bailey, Lanita Boyd, Jenny Calvert, Jeanetta Chrystie, Sharon Cook, Lin Daniels, Jorja Davis, Steve Duke, Nicey T.
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Short and Sweet Goes Fourth
Have you ever thought that great writers need to use long, fancy words in order to tell a story? If so, you’d be wrong. The truth is, too many words, and words that are not familiar to the average person, just get in the way. Short words are powerful because they are easy to read, easy to grasp, and easy to recall. In this book, the fourth in the series, these authors prove just how effective it can be to keep it Short and Sweet — whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Contributors include: Tabitha Abel, Jeff Adams, Karen O’Kelley
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The Short and Sweet of It: When the Right Word Is a Short Word
When the Right Word Is a Short Word How do we say more with less? Can short, simple words make what we write so clear that the reader gets it? Or will it remind them of reading a child’s board book? The truth is, short words bring power because they are easy to read, easy to grasp, and easy to recall. For instance: Once upon a time…It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…. (A Tale of Two Cities)Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. (Rebecca)Marley was dead, to begin with. (A Christmas Carol)If
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Short and Sweet Too: More Small Words for Big Thoughts
Can you say more with less? If you use short, simple words, will what you write turn out so real and so clear that your reader will taste it, see it, hear it, touch it, smell it…live it? Or will it sound like The Cat in the Hat or Dick and Jane? The truth is, short words bring power to what you say. And, that’s good news for those of us who want another person to hear us, to understand us. Short words are easy to read, easy to grasp, easy to recall:It was the best of times, it was the worst
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Short and Sweet: Small Words for Big Thoughts
“My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.” ~ Ernest Hemingway. We writers love words, and we love to use the long, impressive words. But when we use too many of them and ones that aren’t familiar and comfortable to the average person, then words just get in the way. The words we really should be using most of the time are already known to us. Crisp, clear, accessible words in our writing bring joy to the readers even if they may not know why. In this
