For further information about Jack’s books, tapes and training programs, or to schedule him for a presentation, please contact:
Self-Esteem Seminars
P.O. Box 30880
Santa Barbara, CA 93130
phone: 805-563-2935 • fax: 805-563-2945
Web site: www.jackcanfield.com
Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?
In the area of human potential, no one is better known and more respected than Mark Victor Hansen. For more than thirty years, Mark has focused solely on helping people from all walks of life reshape their personal vision of what’s possible. His powerful messages of possibility, opportunity and action have helped create startling and powerful change in thousands of organizations and millions of individuals worldwide.
He is a sought-after keynote speaker, bestselling author and marketing maven. Mark’s credentials include a lifetime of entrepreneurial success, in addition to an extensive academic background. He is a prolific writer with many bestselling books such as The One Minute Millionaire, The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor and Dare to Win, in addition to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Mark has also made a profound influence through his extensive library of audio programs, video programs and enriching articles in the areas of big thinking, sales achievement, wealth building, publishing success, and personal and professional development.
Mark is also the founder of MEGA Book Marketing University and Building Your MEGA Speaking Empire. Both are annual conferences where Mark coaches and teaches new and aspiring authors, speakers and experts on building lucrative publishing and speaking careers.
His energy and exuberance travel still further through mediums such as television (Oprah, CNN and The Today Show), print (Time, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, New York Times and Entrepreneur) and countless radio and newspaper interviews as he assures our planet’s people that “you can easily create the life you deserve.”
As a passionate philanthropist and humanitarian, he’s been the recipient of numerous awards that honor his entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropic heart and business acumen, including the prestigious Horatio Alger Award for his extraordinary life achievements, which stand as a powerful example that the free enterprise system still offers opportunity to all.
Mark Victor Hansen is an enthusiastic crusader of what’s possible and is driven to make the world a better place.
Mark Victor Hansen & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 7665 • Newport Beach, CA 92658
phone: 949-764-2640 • fax: 949-722-6912
FREE resources online at: www.markvictorhansen.com
Who Is Maria Nickless?
Maria Nickless is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. With a background in marketing and event planning, she was initially invited to join the Chicken Soup team to launch Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, where she successfully orchestrated The Largest Book Signing Event in History, as recognized by Guinness Book of World Records. This, along with multiple other public relations campaigns, led to her current position where she oversees the marketing and public relations for all new Chicken Soup titles.
Prior to Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc., Maria worked in real-estate development, where she was involved in project management and corporate event programs for the retail division. Having a passion for event planning, over the years Maria has led community-driven charity events through her local church congregation. She is a member of Leadership Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization designed to empower citizens in their commitment to community service.
Maria is married to Ward Nickless, who inspired her to coauthor Bride’s Soul after a fairy-tale engagement and honeymoon. Maria enjoyed creating their quarter-themed wedding and reception, which included a ride on a Ferris wheel with their wedding party and photographer.
Together with their children, Madison and Jack, they live in Southern California. Maria is also an avid photographer and enjoys antique shopping with her husband.
If you wish to contact Maria or Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, please e-mail her at
[email protected] or visit www.bridesoul.com.
Who Is Gina Romanello?
Gina Romanello, a graduate of Arizona State University with a B.A. in journalism, was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul team. Her temporary position turned into six years of employment in their book-production department.
In her position as executive administrator to Patty Hansen and Irene Dunlap, she has played an integral part in the compiling and marketing of Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II and True, a faith-based nonfiction book for teens authored by Irene Dunlap.
Gina helped build PreteenPlanet.com, a Web site founded by Patty Hansen for empowering preteens, and currently assists in its marketing and promotions.
Noticing many friends and family members endure the stress of planning a wedding, Gina, along with associate Maria Nickless, saw a need for Bride’s Soul, a Chicken Soup title sure to comfort and enlighten a stressed-out bride-to-be planning her big day.
Gina loves living in Southern California with her dog Mattie, and enjoys an active lifestyle, the outdoors, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
If you wish to contact Gina or Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, please e-mail her at
[email protected] or visit www.bridesoul.com.
Contributors
Several of the stories in this book were taken from previously published sources, such as books, magazines and newspapers. These sources are acknowledged in the permissions section. If you would like to contact any of the contributors for information about their writing or would like to invite them to speak in your community, look for their contact information included in their biography.
The remainder of the stories were submitted by readers of our previous Chicken Soup for the Soul books who responded to our requests for stories. We have also included information about them.
Ariana Adams held positions as a CPA and as a recruiting manager before transitioning to a writing career in 2001. Ariana is a full-time business/marketing writer and aspires to become a mystery novel writer. She enjoys traveling, skiing and spending time with her husband and pets. She can be reached at
[email protected] Charlotte Adelsperger is an author and speaker from Overland Park, Kansas. She has written several inspirational storiess for more than ninety publications and compilations. Her story is dedicated to the memory of close friend Joan Miller who lived out her life with faith and compassion. Charlotte can be reached at
[email protected] What a joy it is for Donna Barstow to draw and write cartoons! Her quirky drawings appear in over 200 publications, including The New Yorker, The LA Times, Readers Digest, Harvard Business Review, law publications, etc, and in many calendars, books and greeting cards, including other Chicken Soup books! Her own calendar, What Do Women REALLY Want? is in Barnes & Noble. Her favorite topics are relationships, computers, pets, and mayhem. You can see more of Donna’s work at www.reuben.org/dbarstow, and please write to her at
[email protected] Elizabeth L. Blair lives with her husband Jeff in Arizona. With both ink and jet fuel in her blood, she works as a freelance writer and a flight attendant. Currently, she is working on her first book, tales of her humorous journeys in the airline industry. She can be reached at
[email protected] Ginger Boda contributes to various online publications, weaving faith, traditions and humor into her stories. She has penned her thoughts since she was a child, and writes from the heart. Ginger resides in California with her husband Mark, and three children: Jason, Danny and Alisha. She can be reached at
[email protected] Barbara Loftus Boswell is a full-time mother of three and a part-time freelance writer. She volunteers at a crisis pregnancy center and works with the youth at her church. She is currently wo
rking to complete a devotional for busy housemoms. She can be reached at
[email protected] Annette Paxman Bowen is the author of three books, plus multiple articles and short stories with worldwide distribution. She writes at her desk overlooking a gorgeous mountain lake in Washington state. She and her husband have celebrated over thirty years of marriage. They are parents of three grown sons.
Norris Burkes wrote this story while making the transition from military chaplaincy to civilian hospital chaplaincy. He also writes a syndicated column for Gannett News Service. E-mail him at
[email protected] or visit his Web site at www.chaplainnorris.com.
Michele Wallace Campanelli is a national bestselling author. She’s been published in more than thirty-one anthologies and has penned many novels, including Keeper of the Shroud and Margarita, published by Americana Books. Her personal editor is Fontaine Wallace. To contact Michele, go to: www.michelecampanelli.com.
Martha Campbell is a graduate of Washington University St. Louis School of Fine Arts, and a former writer/designer for Hallmark Cards.She has been a freelance cartoonist and book illustrator since 1973.She can be reached at P.O. Box 2538, Harrison, AR, 72602, (870) 741-5323, or
[email protected] Bill Canty’s cartoons have appeared in many national magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman’s World, National Review Medical Economics and Reader’s Digest. His syndicated feature, All About Town (www.reuben.org/Canty) appears in 30 newspapers.In 1983, Bill published a book of Cape Cod cartoons, “I Don’t Care What It’s Shaped Like . . .” and a limited amount of copies are still available on the Internet at capecodtoday.com/pages/Books/. Bill can be reached at P.O. Box 1053, So. Wellfleet, MA 02663, or by phone or fax 508-349-7549 and by e-mail,
[email protected] Theresa Chan is author of The Creative Wedding Organizer and Planner. Having planned the wedding of her dreams, Theresa leads interactive workshops inspiring couples to plan their own creative and personalized weddings. Owner of Fruition Sense, a keepsake company, Theresa lives in Toronto. She can be reached at
[email protected] Eileen Chase is the mother of six children. She volunteers at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, as ombudsman for the Texas Department on Aging, and as a standardized patient for medical students at local colleges. She also paints, does needlework, enjoys singing and loves spending her husband’s money.
Lorraine Cheeka is a thirty-one-year-old mother of three. She lives in central New Jersey with her daughters, Aprilynn, Evelyn and Madeline, and her husband Paul. Grandma lives nearby and remains a treasured part of all their lives.
Ann Cooke is still happily married to her darling, Marcus, and is now a survivor of breast cancer. Raising her daughter and son takes a lot of her time, but she still finds time for crocheting, patchwork and most crafts. She is also active in raising money for cancer research. She can be reached at amazontiger2001 @yahoo.com.au.
David Cooney’s cartoons and illustrations have appeared in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books as well as magazines including First for Women and Good Housekeeping. David married his wonderful bride, Marcia, twelve years ago. They live with their two children, Sarah and Andrew, in the small Pennsylvania town of Mifflinburg. David’s Website is www.DavidCooney.com and he can be reached at
[email protected] Before embarking on her writing career, award-winning Canadian author Valerie Coulman spent ten years in the bridal industry as consultant and seamstress of bridal and formal wear. She currently lives with her groom of twelve years and their children in southern Oregon. See more at www.valeriecoulman.com.
Matthew Cummings received his Bachelor of Arts from Edinboro University in 2000. He is the coordinator of public relations for the Penn Hills School District in Pittsburgh. Emily teaches elementary reading in Pittsburgh. Matthew and Emily were married on October 25, 2003 and live in Pittsburgh.
Jenn Dlugos is a comedy writer and comedian living in New England. She is releasing a book entitled Public Health Disturbance in late 2003. She can be reached at
[email protected] Pamela Doerksen is happily married to her first crush, Conrad, and is a proud mom to Kiandra, Kezia and Kaden. In her spare time, she enjoys scrapbooking and cooking. Pamela prays that God will bless her children with lasting marriages, and that her own marriage can serve as an example to them.
Sandy Williams Driver and her husband, Tim, live in Albertville, Alabama, where both were born and raised. Their children are Josh (16), Jake (14) and Katie (12). Sandy is a homemaker and also writes a weekly parenting column for her local newspaper and freelances for several magazines.
Elaine G. Dumler, a presentation skills trainer, is also published in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul. Her first book, I’m Already Home—Keeping Your Family Close When You’re on TDY, helps military families lessen the impact of being separated. She enjoys quilting and traveling. She can be reached at
[email protected] Daphne Dykeman studied English literature in college before becoming a high-school English teacher in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Now a full-time mother of two, she tries to find time to indulge in her love of books and of writing poetry.
T. Suzanne Eller is a speaker and author of three books. She is still in love with Richard after twenty-four years and three beautiful children. She can be reached at
[email protected] or www.daretobelieve.org.
Dr. Denise Enete is a licensed Christian psychotherapist. She loves to integrate Biblical principles with principles of good mental health. She is currently writing a book on How to Study the Bible According to Your Personality. She is happily married with four grown children. She can be reached at
[email protected] Julie Firman is the mother of two daughters and one son. She has eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. She has retired from teaching and being a therapist. She and her daughters are the coauthors of Chicken Soup for the Mother & Daughter Soul. With her daughter Dorothy Firman, she has authored Daughters and Mothers, Making It Work. Visit her at www.motherdaughterrelations.com.
Peggy Purser Freeman is the author of The Coldest Day in Texas (TCU Press 1997); Swept Back to a Texas Future, a historical play (Hendrick-Long 1991) and numerous magazine articles. She currently teaches writing for children and presents the Student Writing Workshop to school districts across Texas. Visit her at www.peggypurserfreeman.com.
Carlienne A. Frisch has both a B.S. and M.S. degree, teaches college classes and has written more than twenty nonfiction children’s books and numerous career profiles. She enjoys traveling; reading mysteries and historical novels; and decorating and furnishing dollhouses. She plans to write a young-adult novel.
Vicki and David Frizzell’s love story continues as they support each other’s careers in Nashville, Tennessee. Vicki is a registered nurse, the clinical coordinator for an international healthcare-management company and a part-time emergency nurse. A retired orthopedic technician, David is following in his father Lefty’s footsteps as a singer and songwriter. Visit them at www.crockett frizzell.com.
Kelly Gamble is the author of The Dreamkeepers: Saving the Senoi, a fantasy adventure for middle grade readers. She makes her home in Henderson, Nevada. Visit her at www.thedreamkeepers.com.
Nancy B. Gibbs is a weekly religion columnist, author of four books and a freelance writer. Nine of her stories have appeared in seven previous Chicken Soup books. She has been published in numerous books, devotional guides and magazines. Nancy is a pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother. She can be reached at
[email protected] Judith Givens resides in Florida and writes both fiction and nonfiction. She is a five-year veteran as fiction editor for “EWG Presents” and has written a weekly Winston Cup NASCAR column for Woman Motorist since 1999. She enjoys the beach, old rock ’n’ roll and her beautiful grandchildren.
C. Capiz Greene is the owner of Greenelight Professional Development, Inc. based in Omaha, Nebraska. She provides keynotes, training sessions and meeting facilitatio
n for organizations that want to create an environment where people can achieve and perform at their best. She can be reached at:
[email protected] or www.capizgreene.com.
Kathleen Happ received her Bachelor of Science in special education, with honors, from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1996. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Association. Kathleen lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, Ron, and their two children.
Maryellen Heller lives in Connecticut with her husband Rob and their three children Kerry, Rob and Kathleen. She has worked as a reading specialist at Danbury High and is currently teaching special education at Somers High. Maryellen has a children’s book with Richard C. Owens Publishers due to be published in fall 2004.
Lynette Baker Helms received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and is now a special-events coordinator in St. Louis, Missouri. Lynette is energized by spending time with her husband and seventeen-month-old daughter, and has another baby on the way in January 2004.
Jeanne Hill has published two inspirational books and hundreds of articles and stories. Her award-winning fiction stories and nonfiction articles are often chosen for anthologies. She has been an inspirational speaker for state, regional and national groups. Jeanne is a contributing editor to Guideposts magazine.
Miriam Hill earned her Master of Educational Leadership degree. Her writing credits include: coauthor of Fabulous Florida, contributions published in Reader’s Digest, articles published in Grit Magazine, St. Petersburg Times, and the Poynter Institute online. Her work was judged First Place for Inspirational Writing at the Southeast Writers Conference.
Raegan Holloway lives in southeastern Louisiana with her husband and two children. She writes short stories and is busy working on her first novel. She can be reached at
[email protected]