All The News That's Fit To Print

The San Jose Mercury News featured a story about the book I wrote "My Year In California."    My greatest desire is that women (and men) will take the book's thesis to heart: if you want something to change, make a new choice.  What will you choose?

New Way To Issue A Press Release

When I first thought about issuing a press release for the book I wrote "My Year In California," I searched the Internet for a service to support my effort.  After careful planning, I went with PRWeb.  The reason?  A recommendation from Deltina Hay, author, publisher, developer, blogger, and professor.  I've taken Deltina's excellent online course on app marketing.  I selected PRWeb's robust premium package at $369 because of its interactive, web-optimized ability.  It's like having my own website hosted on the PRWeb server.  As a social media strategist for a travel app that will soon be released, I may use PRWeb to promote our launch.  I'm using the book's promotion as the proverbial canary in the coal mine.  Keep your fingers crossed for me and my partner PRWeb that the media will pick up the release and write a story on my book.   Thanks a bunch!

Mt. Shasta: Three Years Later

Mt. Shasta July 2011 & July 2014. The snowpack difference is rather alarming. Still, the spiritual vortex there remains and captures my heart every time I visit.

Winner: Eureka! Travel Writing Award

“My Year In California” won the 2014 Eureka! Travel Writing Award.  No. Not the grand prize, a weekend at the swanky Cavallo Point Resort near San Francisco, which would have been sa-weet, but rather, the “Thematic/Lifestyle” category.   Truth be told, I’m happy to receive anything, especially a certificate.  Thank you Visit California for this awesome validation.  Remember, nothin’s finer than a 49er — our Golden State. 

My Book Won An Award

My Year In California won the silver award from the North American Travel Journalists Association.   So excited to share the gift of living in the Golden State with the rest of the world. 

Keeping The Spirit Alive

Ojai, CA -- Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, pictured here, is the Chairperson for the Barbareño/Ventureño- Band of Mission Indians. Julie, a generous and accomplished woman, proudly carries the traditions of her family by sharing Chumash culture, history and songs to youth groups, schools, elder hostels, church and civic organizations.  Julie’s lived in the Ojai area nearly her entire life, and currently owns a home in the Meiners Oaks neighborhood, very near the birthplace of her great, great grandmother, Maria Ricarda Alulalmeque, who was raised in the Chumash village of Matilija. 

Photo: Graham Dunn

My Year In California

Basecamp, CA -- Every step of the journey is the journey.  The book I've worked on for the last four years is now printed.  Yipeee!  To learn more about it, visit: myyearincalifornia.com.  For anyone lucky enough to have their dream come true, I pose a question: Now what?  Stay tuned.