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Kaleidoscopic Quill: An Inspiring Butterfly Anthology
50% of proceeds will be donated to Foundation Fighting Blindness
Kaleidoscopic Quill invites you to break out of your cocoon, spread your wings, and soar into stories and poems that center on one of the most extraordinary creatures to flutter in our azure sky: the butterfly. Several symbols are woven into the intricate lore and beliefs about butterflies. A caterpillar's metamorphosis into its colorful, awe-inspiring form illuminates the beauty in transformation. Like a butterfly, we can embrace threads of growth, change, and rebirth during every stage of life's journey. These winged wonders also represent the universal themes of good luck, hope, and freedom. In a spiritual sense, butterflies bring peace and tranquility, and seeing one may be a sign that a loved one is visiting from the afterlife. The sky is the limit, and each contributor picked up their quill and brought their unique hue to the collection. The pieces in this anthology paint a beautiful literary canvas, the way a kaleidoscope of butterflies brings swirling colors to our world. So, what are you waiting for? -
Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power
25 Business Leaders. One Book. Countless Lessons. What if the secrets to entrepreneurial success weren't found in textbooks, but in real-life stories from those who've built, stumbled, and succeeded?
Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power brings together 25 of Houston's most dynamic business leaders. These are the voices behind thriving companies and influential brands-each one offering unfiltered insights into the strategies, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped their success. This is more than an anthology. It's a front-row seat to the decisions, pivots, and defining moments that built careers and legacies.
Inside this powerful collection, you'll discover:
- Candid stories from founders, CEOs, creatives, and service-based leaders
- Lessons in leadership, branding, team building, and mindset
- Practical insights from entrepreneurs who've faced failure and rebuilt stronger
- Diverse perspectives from Houston's top business innovators
- Strategies and reflections that connect purpose to sustainable profit
Who is this book for:
- Business owners ready to scale with clarity and confidence
- Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking real-world mentorship
- Leaders looking to align purpose with long-term profitability
- Professionals hungry for inspiration rooted in truth, not theory
- Motivational. Practical. Professional.
Entrepreneur Secrets is not about hype. It's about what really works. Each chapter is a guidepost for navigating the entrepreneurial journey with heart, purpose, and relentless commitment. All proceeds benefit Kids' Meals, a Houston-based nonprofit feeding over 10,000 preschool-aged children daily. Take the guesswork out of growth. Learn from those who've walked the path. Order your copy of Entrepreneur Secrets today.
Authors include: Bill Baldwin, Dr. Jacquie Baly, Steven Lawrence Biegel, Lary Barton, Matt Brice, Charles Clark, Kimberly Sherer Cutchall, Karen DeGeurin, Adrian Dueñas, Tod Eason, Gretchen Gilliam, Beth Braniff Harp, Alicia Jansen, Romain Kapadia, Joe Machol, Taft McWhorter, Dawn Nelson, Gerard A. OBrien, Mickey O'Neal, Helen Perry, Theresa Roemer, Edward Sanchez, Trace J. Sherer, Saba Syed, and Peter C. Remington
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As If We Were Staying: How We Build a Flourishing Future in a World That's Falling Apart
Inspired by his experience co-founding Solar Punk Farms and studying the resilience of living systems, environmentalist Spencer R. Scott helps us connect to a more hopeful way of life.
In an age of social fragmentation and ecological emergency, many of us feel a profound disconnect--from the land, from our communities, and even from our own values. How do we find the hope and determination to live on this planet as if we were staying?
Inspired by the solarpunk movement's insistence that life must come before profit, biologist and environmentalist Spencer R. Scott weaves memoir and scientific inquiry to chronicle his journey from biotech research to the co-founding of Solar Punk Farms, a queer regenerative farm and educational center rooted in place. Drawing on his background in biology, Scott reframes capitalism as an environment many of us have unconsciously adapted to in order to survive--and documents what it means to step out of that protected interior and re-enter ecological reality. Re-adapting to reality, he finds, is both life-affirming and destabilizing. Community and collective action emerge not as ideals, but as the conditions that make survival--and joy--beyond capitalism possible.
Bridging scientific understanding and lived experience with optimism and lyricism, As If We Were Staying is an invitation to meet our precarious reality together and begin building futures worth inhabiting. -
Air Force Once
Air Force Once tells of the highs and lows of a military career. It's a detailed journey from basic military training to a celebrated conclusion, highlighting events that occur along any pathway that soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines can and will endure. The book reveals the inside scope of supporting the president of the United States during three White House administrations and one secretary of state. Performing work on Air Force One is not your typical aircraft technician's assignment. Security is a different way of life, working on the commander in chief's mode of transportation. Aircraft are FAA registered and certificated, and the Eighty-Ninth Military Airlift Wing was the only Air Force wing with an FAA repair station license at that time. With a Washington, DC, assignment as the capstone of the story, this book takes the reader along each PCS (permanent change of station) from Dover AFB, Delaware, to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and chronicles the events that occurred along the way.
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Creative Connection for Groups: Person-Centered Expressive Arts for Healing and Social Change (Black & White Version) (Black & White)
In The Creative Connection for Groups, Dr. Natalie Rogers brings us a practical, theoretical, and spiritual joining of the expressive arts and the person-centered approach for groups. Specific guidelines and explorations merge the values, purposes, and methods of both fields. Facilitators learn how to apply this work in a wide variety of situations. The powerful images illustrate case material and the extraordinary effects of this profound group process. Ultimately, this book is about courage, creative expression, compassion, cooperation, and raising the collective consciousness to heal the planet. No small order. Yet the dynamic, humanistic process of person-centered expressive arts fosters in individuals and groups the ability to achieve this goal as they become authentic, self-actualized, and empowered. The forceful element of creative expression brings individuals personally and collectively into their strength, honing the ability to envision a brighter future and act across political or antagonistic boundaries to a more peaceful, all-inclusive way of being. The 2026 version includes a new Foreword and other updates.
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Ice Out: Minnesota Writers Rising Up
ICE OUT: Minnesota Writers Rising Up is a powerful anthology of poetry and prose responding to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota-and to the human cost of policies that blur the line between law enforcement and occupation. Written in real time by Minnesota writers, poets, immigrants, activists, and witnesses, these pieces capture fear, grief, anger, resolve, and unexpected solidarity as communities confront raids, detentions, and state-sanctioned violence.
Edited with urgency and moral clarity, this collection blends firsthand testimony, lyric resistance, and civic reckoning. Some pieces document specific events; others transform outrage into metaphor, prayer, or defiant humor. Together, they form a record of a place pushed to its limits-and a people choosing empathy over intimidation.
Published in collaboration between Afton Press and Calumet Editions, ICE OUT is both a work of literature and an act of resistance. It speaks to readers concerned with immigration justice, civil liberties, contemporary American politics, and the enduring role of writers in times of crisis.
This book is for readers who believe that words still matter-and that bearing witness is a form of action.
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Dividing Sky
Serpent & Dove meets Arcane in this dystopian romance debut that follows a cunning memory merchant who deals a little extra happiness on the side and the handsome rookie officer on her tail! In 2460, eighteen-year-old Liv Newman dreams of a future beyond her lower-class life in the Metro. As a Proxy, she uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. Maybe a few illegally, but money equals freedom. So when a customer offers her a ludicrous sum to go on an assignment in no-man's-land, Liv accepts. Now she just has to survive. Rookie Forceman Adrian Rao believes in order over all. After discovering that a renegade Proxy's shady dealings are messing with citizens' brain chemistry, he vows to extinguish the threat. But when he tracks Liv down, there's one problem: her memories are gone. Can Adrian bring himself to condemn her for crimes she doesn't remember? As Liv and Adrian navigate the world beyond the Metro and their growing feelings for one another, they grapple with who they are, who they could be, and whether another way of living is possible. -
End of the Sahara
On an early autumn morning in 1988, on the outskirts of an unnamed Algerian city, a shepherd stumbles upon the lifeless body of Zaza Zaghouani, a stunning nightclub singer who left her hometown seeking a brighter future.
The story is set in 1988 Algeria. It takes place in just forty days, ending as mass protests erupt in the country. In a small town on the edge of the desert, plagued by a locust infestation and a food shortage, teetering on the brink of uprising, the body of Zakia Zaghouani--the singer at the Sahara Hotel--is discovered. Suspicion immediately falls on her lover, who is thrown into prison. The incompetent and greedy Inspector Hamid begins an investigation. So does the defense lawyer of the main suspect. Family, friends, and close ones give their testimonies, finding themselves confronted with their past. Secrets, betrayals, grudges, but also dreams and hopes shed light on their connection to the victim: each person harbors, for one reason or another, the desire to take revenge on her.
"Khatibi layers the story with vivid detail. Alexander Elinson's translation from the Arabic feels lively and authentic. Khatibi handles each character with care and skill, unpeeling their personal stories, their web of connections and the grim reality of life in a one-party dictatorship." Financial Times: Best Thrillers of the Month "Elegant prose and a keen sense of place help bring the narrative to life. It's a solid whodunit that doubles as a captivating look at a country in transition." Publishers WeeklyKIRKUS STARRED REVIEW "In the fall of 1988, shortly before the outbreak of mass youth riots in Algeria over unemployment and a lack of basic goods, a town's collective anger over the murder of a nightclub singer reflects what's to come. An absorbing novel that should broaden Khatibi's following.""Evocative, brooding, and perfectly hard-boiled!"--- CrimeReads"Original, exceptional, engaging, deftly crafted, "The End of the Sahara" by Said Khatibi is the story of how on an early autumn morning in 1988, on the outskirts of an unnamed Algerian city, a shepherd stumbles upon the lifeless body of Zaza Zaghouani, a stunning nightclub singer who left her hometown seeking a brighter future. Showcasing Said Khatibi's genuinely compelling, narrative-driven storytelling style, "The End of the Sahara" is a singularly riveting, suspense-driven read from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Historical Murder Mystery collections.".---MBR (Midwestern Book Review)
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Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories
A secret is in the air as the unlikely friends return in four more stories threaded with Jarvis's signature warmth and subtle humor. Best friends Bear and Bird may not always understand each other, but they always want the other to be happy. So when Bird feels left out because Bear has given a cute nickname to everyone but her, she's relieved when her hasty list of names for Bear doesn't reach him (Stinky Sock Muffin, anyone?). And when the two of them learn they have zero dislikes in common--from lasagna to chess to the word armadillo--and wonder if they can still be friends, they soon realize there's one important dislike they can both agree on. Whether the challenge is being hopeless at keeping a secret (Bear), or getting befuddled about the rules for hide-and-seek (Bear again), this ever-endearing pair continue to charm in a sixth set of gentle stories.Sold out -
Crochet Soft Cuddle Companions Book: Discover 30 Fun Patterns for Making Lovable Creatures to Snuggle and Play With
Crocheting soft cuddle companions is such a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. I remember when I first started crocheting, I was amazed at how a simple ball of yarn could transform into a cute and cuddly creature. The Crochet Soft Cuddle Companions book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to create their own lovable creatures to snuggle and play with. The book features 30 fun patterns that range from adorable animals like bears and bunnies to mythical creatures like unicorns and dragons. Each pattern is easy to follow and includes step-by-step instructions, making it good for crocheters of all skill levels. I love how each pattern allows for customization, so you can add your own personal touch to each cuddle companion. One of my favorite patterns from the book is the sleepy sloth. Sloths are such fascinating creatures, and crocheting one was a fun and relaxing experience. The end result was a super soft and huggable sloth that quickly became a favorite in my collection. I also appreciate the variety of patterns in the book, as it allows me to create a diverse range of cuddle companions for myself or to give as presents to friends and family. Crocheting these creatures brings me so much joy and satisfaction, knowing that I am creating something special and unique. Incorporating real-time information and using tools and software can enhance the crocheting experience. I often use online tutorials and crochet apps to help me learn new techniques and improve my skills. Collaborating with other crocheters is also a great way to share ideas and inspiration. Of course, no project is without its errors and imgoodions. Crocheting can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating process, but the end result is always worth it. Embracing mistakes and learning from them is all part of the creative journey. Overall, the Crochet Soft Cuddle Companions book is a must-have for any crochet enthusiast looking to expand their collection of lovable creatures. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this book offers something for everyone. So grab your yarn and hook, and start crocheting your own cuddle companions today! -
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Sold outMonster Movie!
In this hair-raising and hilarious novel by New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig, a boy must face his fears to save his town from a cursed videotape--before "The Scariest Movie Ever Made" devours his friends and family. Ethan Pitowski is afraid of everything. Luckily, his best friends don't mind, and when their entire class gets invited to watch a long-buried horror movie at the most popular boy in school's house, Ethan's friends encourage him to join in the fun. But when the "scariest movie ever made" reveals itself to be not just a movie about a monster, but a movie that is a monster, only a terrified Ethan escapes its clutches. Now he must find a way to stop the monster and save his friends (and also, um, get their heads back). With his signature balance of kid-friendly horror and humor, Chuck Wendig crafts a spookily heartfelt novel about anxiety, friendship, and finding your unique voice and inner strength.Sold out -
Fxck Them
FXCK THEM is for people who are tired of being nice and still miserable.
Tired of explaining themselves.
Tired of waiting for approval that never comes.
Tired of protecting other people's comfort while their own life stays small.
This book will call you out.
It will expose how much power you've handed away.
It will force you to admit that most of your stress is self-inflicted.
FXCK THEM is not about hate.
It is about survival.
Read this if you are ready to lose the excuses.
If not, close it and stay exactly where you are.
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Shiva
TWO LIVES, ONE FATE. After a tragic accident took the life of her brother Thomas, Eva is struggling to move on with her life, counting cracks in the ceiling and trying not to fall off the wagon. But when the deceased Thomas shows up one evening in Eva's apartment to tell her that she's the one who died, not him, reality begins to fracture. As the universe attempts to reconcile its cosmic mistake, the siblings must come to terms with a terrifying truth.