Embrace the Sky with Waking Spirit

How would you like to explore a world of dancing hearts, singing spirits, with infinite love from life? Now you can fly to where hearts dance to songs of delight sung by the spirits of life in the treasure trove of Waking Spirit: Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings, the latest book written by child prodigy Shirley Cheng, who dances with her heart despite multiple physical disabilities, including blindness.

Swing to the melodies as the essence of the prose and poetry, including 102 beautifully written haiku of nature wonders and delightful animals, awakens your soul. The inspirational quotes in A Moment with Shirley, and autobiographical tales, such as I'm Not Disabled--I'm Ultra-Abled, shine with the author's invincible spirit and precocious wisdom, empowering you to embrace the sky.

"Waking Spirit celebrates life while encouraging us all to appreciate what we already have. It's a book of survival, a tome of devotion, a bible of being," wrote New York Times bestselling author, Cynthia Brian, in the foreword. "Serve yourself a big helping of Shirley Cheng's inspiration and you'll be motivated to shoot for the stars."

ISBN: 9780615136806 134 pages, trade paperback

To be released in May 2007; autographed copies are available for pre-ordering from www.ShirleyCheng.com

Some of the proceeds from the sale of Waking Spirit: Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings, will go to Christian Blind Mission International and Be the Star You Are!

Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI), based in Germany with affiliate offices in ten countries, is the oldest and largest ministry with the primary purpose of improving the quality of life for the blind and disabled in 113 developing countries, providing preventative, medical, rehabilitative and educational services in more than one thousand projects. Their aid is available to all people regardless of religion, nationality, race, or gender.

"Being blind or disabled is already hard enough without having to endure the suffering resulting from economic barriers. I have always wished to help anyone in need, and this is my chance to do so. I hope people will support me in this good cause," says Shirley.

Be the Star You Are! is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Cynthia Brian in 1999 that collects and distributes books and other positive media to youth at risk as a way to raise their life skills and self esteem.

"Constantly our Great Creator blesses us with a gift to remind us why life is so special and worth hanging around for. Hellen Keller was one of those gifts, and now the world is lucky enough to have blind and disabled Shirley Cheng take up Helen's gauntlet, and remind us of how special life can be and what a courageous survivor is all about. Shirley Cheng's new book Waking Spirit is a masterpiece and you would be making a wise decision to take time to read its poignant contents. Shirley proves the motto of the world Positive Thinkers club holds water through the centuries of time. "The Positive Thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible." That is what Shirley is all about!"

--Ken Bossone, President of World Positive Thinkers Club

"Her wisdom and captivating writing style reveals a rare beauty of the heart. Humorous haiku blends effortlessly with devotional selections as quotes sing a wisdom we want to hear and live.
The positive energy in Shirley Cheng's books is refreshing, real and inspiring. I hope you will invite her writing into your heart to experience the beauty of love's transforming energy."

--The Rebecca Review, Amazon.com Top Ten Reviewer

"Shirley is an excellent thought provoking writer and poet with a charm and intelligence that would make anyone envious. Shirley's ability to see life in such a positive way has left a lasting impression on many of her readers, myself included. Her inspiration and never ending strive to see all good in life is rare and commendable and should be used as a definite positive thought when one feels that things are just not fair in their lives. Her age and illness has never stood in her way of succeeding and embracing everything that life has to offer."

--Dorothy Lafrinere from WomensSelfEsteem.com

"Shirley's poetry, which spans a variety of meters, tones, and topics, is always eloquent and heartfelt. For me, the highlights were the short and simple poems that described daily scenes, endowing them with a new sense of importance. The way Shirley cherished the small pleasures in life encouraged me to slow down and enjoy a trail of ants, or the birds flying overhead. I feel that she has helped me open my eyes to a different world, one that is intricately laced with simple joys. Additionally, I particularly liked inserts of "A Moment With Shirley," which are gems of comfort, advice, and inspiration. It felt like I had a best friend, providing me with encouragement."

--Jennifer Tao, 17, Be the Star You Are!

Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled motivational speaker, poet, author of five books, and contributor of seven books, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. However, after about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.

Shirley is also the author of The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations (ISBN: 1411618602), Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells (ISBN: 1411618580), and Daring Quests of Mystics (ISBN: 1411656644). With highly acclaimed experts like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy, Shirley co-authored Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Finding Your Life's Passion, Second Edition; she is also the co-author of 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2, with experts Jack Canfield and Dr. John Gray.

Shirley is available for interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, and inspirational events. She has been on over twenty radio shows, including Be the Star You Are! for three times. She was featured in World Journal, the largest Chinese national newspaper in North America, in July 2004.

Chinese Book Signing to Celebrate the Pig and Contribute to Good Cause

Blind and physically disabled motivational speaker, poet and author Shirley Cheng will be holding a book signing during the Chinese New Year celebration of the Pig on Saturday, February 10 at Roy C. Ketcham High School (99 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590) from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Some of the proceeds from Cheng's signing will go to Christian Blind Mission International to aid the blind and physically disabled people in 113 developing countries. The books she will sign include her inspirational autobiography The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations, Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells, and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2, which she co-authored with leading experts like Jack Canfield, Dr. John Gray, and Dr. Richard Carlson. Cheng will also take pre-orders for the latest installment in the bestselling "Wake Up...Live the Life You Love" series, to which she contributed, along with highly notable people including Carla and Lou Ferrigno, TV's the original "Incredible Hulk" and neighbor on the network television comedy show, "King of Queens"; Dr. Wayne Dyer; and Tony Robbins.

For more information about her book signing, to ask her to speak at your event, or to schedule her for a book signing, contact Cheng via http://www.shirleycheng.com

Being both blind and physically disabled herself, Cheng expresses a strong desire to help those who are not only stricken by hunger and wars but also by their disabilities. "Being blind or disabled is already hard enough without having to endure the suffering resulting from natural catastrophes or economic barriers. I have always wished to help anyone in need, and this is my chance to do so. I hope people will support me in this good cause," says Cheng.

Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled motivational speaker, poet, author and contributing author of twelve books, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas, including a foreign language: English, and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains," says Shirley Cheng. "Let the ropes of hope haul you high!"

Cheng is the author of "Daring Quests of Mystics" (ISBN: 1-4116-5664-4), a soothing read to relax the mind, body, and spirit; an empowering 700-page autobiography, "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials and Tribulations" (ISBN: 1-4116-1860-2); and "Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells" (ISBN: 1-4116-1858-0), an anthology of inspirational and fantasy short stories (fairy tales, fables, and myths) and poems for the heart from the heart.

With highly acclaimed experts like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy, Cheng co-authored "Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Finding Your Life's Passion, Second Edition," the latest installment in the bestselling "Wake Up...Live the Life You Love" series; she is also the co-author of "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2," along with leading experts Jack Canfield, John Gray, Richard Carlson, Alan Cohen, Bob Proctor, et al.

In "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2," Cheng's chapter, "Dance with Your Heart: How to Befriend Your Heart and the World Around You," gently teaches the readers how to achieve spiritual affinity with themselves, then with others around them.

"I've made it one of my life's missions to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring humor, hope, and healing," says Shirley, whose personal motto is "A dancing heart teaches true."

She had been published twice before her writing career. One of her short stories, "Mary Miller, the Elusive Lady," received Honorable Mention and was published by the Poughkeepsie Journal in 1997, and a poem, "The Colors of the Rainbow," earned a merit status and was published in "Celebrate! New York Young Poets Speak Out" in 1999. At the start of the New Year 2006, Cheng tied for 1st place in the national writing contest for Be the Star You Are! founded by New York Times bestselling co-author, TV/radio personality Cynthia Brian. Cheng's winning entry, titled "The Jewel from Heavenly Father," is dedicated to her beloved mother Juliet Cheng, the cornerstone and light of her life, and it can be read on Cheng's site, http://www.shirleycheng.com And in January 2007, her essay, I Hold the Power, received Honorable Mention in the same contest, and the entry can also be read on her site.

Cheng is also an advocate of parental rights in children's medical care, and aide/caregiver monitoring and screening for students with special needs and disabled people. As a parental rights advocate, she wants to help today's loving parents protect and keep custody of their children. "When doctors ask yes or no, parents should have the right to say no," says Cheng, who is the survivor of the 1990 five-month internationally broadcast news of her mother's custody case against a doctor. Juliet was on CBS This Morning show with Paula Zahn. Cheng is currently seeking contribution for her new parental rights advocacy book, and people interested in this project should contact her via http://www.shirleycheng.com

Cheng promotes aide advocacy for the disabled because she was mistreated and abused by one-to-one aides when she attended public schools. "The trouble with the uncaring aides actually lies in the authorities," she says. "If they listened to my complaints and kept a close watch on the aides, I wouldn't have gone through all the suffering."

Cheng is available for interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, and inspirational events. She has been on over twenty radio shows, including Cynthia Brian's Be the Star You Are! for three times, The Donna Seebo Show, and Stu Taylor on Business. In 2004, Cheng was featured in World Journal, the largest Chinese national newspaper in North America.

Become a Character in SUBMERGED, a heart-stopping thriller by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a character in a novel named after you? Ever secretly harbor that need to be 'famous'...or 'infamous'?

Well, here's your chance!

In conjunction with Family Productions Inc. the show producers for the Edmonton Woman's Show, mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif is participating in a...

Become a Character in a Novel Contest.

Cheryl is about to start her new thriller...SUBMERGED. It is the story of a man submerged in his past--a past of weakness and drug addiction. It is the tale of a man haunted by his own failings and SUBMERGED in guilt after the death of his wife and child. SUBMERGED explores our human failings and the possibility that our 'sins' can be forgiven. Maybe there is redemption after all.

Enter the contest here.

Contest rules.

NOTE: When you enter this contest, you have the chance to have your name selected as a winner for either Cheryl's novel or for one of the other authors participating. You cannot specify authors. But regardless, you will be able to see your name in print! Good luck! :)

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, Divine Intervention and The River
http://www.whalesongbook.com
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Special Screening of the 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series

Ok...first, I must confess that I am a reality TV fan. Ok, don't shoot me or call 911 just yet. I have my favorites and can live without the rest. For me, the hit TV show Survivor has reigned supreme since it's inception. And I will even admit to following along with The Amazing Race for a few seasons--especially when Rob and Amber from Survivor were on. And I'm an Idol Fan--Canadian and American. And yes, I voted for Eva Avila!

Reality shows are big! And they're addictive.

But there's a new kid in town! A new kind of "Survivor". And it's one I can identify with.

The 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series. "12 Writers, 12 Novels, 72 Hours".

The 3-Day Novel contest is the most grueling challenge a writer can face. I've heard it be said that one would have to be "crazy" to want to submit themselves to that kind of mental anguish and stress. Well, grab me a straightjacket! Purple preferably.

Last September, over the Labour Day weekend, 12 contestants gathered together at the South Point Chapters in Edmonton, Alberta, which by the way is the same store that will be hosting my Whale Song Book Launch in April. (See? I knew I could segue that in!)

I had entered the contest last year and applied to be a contestant, but (maybe mercifully) was not selected to participate. Instead, I appeared on the new TV reality show series, A Total Write-Off, which was a total blast. However, I did attend last night's special screening of the first episode of the 3-Day Novel Contest reality show, which premieres on BookTelevision, one of my sponsors for the Whale Song Book Launch (segue #2), on Sundays at 7:30 MT/9:30 ET.

In the back of South Point Chapters, rows of chairs were set up in front of a big screen TV and we enjoyed an excellent array of catered munchies. And then the show began with an introduction from Tate, the show's producer.

My first impression was: Wow, awesome photography and a great mix of suspenseful music! My second impression was: Oh my God...what those poor people endured!

Well, since I won't be giving away much here, you're just going to have to check it out for yourselves. This aint your momma's reality TV show...and it aint for woosies!

Ok, so there weren't the physical challenges, like running an obstacle course as in Survivor or racing through a muddy swamp as in The Amazing Race. But the mental challenges that faced these writers are not to be taken lightly.

[]Imagine trying to write a novel in three days.

[]Imagine living with 12 other people (ok, Big Brother move over!) while trying to write.

[]Imagine sleeping in bunk beds in one room...with a snorer, or two. (They have no idea what life would have been like if I had been accepted because apparently--although I will deny it--I snore like a forest filled with logging trucks.)

[]Imagine being in a huge bookstore overnight that is haunted by a ghost! Hey, the people working there claim it's a co-worker who passed on and doesn't like people disturbing the books. So she knocks them off the shelves herself every now and then and unplugs the vacuums just to be mischievous.

[]Imagine staring at a blank computer screen, waiting for the right words...any words...one word.

[]And imagine sitting next to someone who constantly hummed (and not in tune apparently) while working. (Ok, another reason why they should be damned happy I wasn't accepted...but at least I can hum and sing in tune! And you know who else can sing in tune? The wonderful, fabulous Alexia Melnychuk, who will be performing at my Whale Song Book Launch on April 7, 2007...yup, another segue.)

Meet the 12 contestants of the 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series
* Timothy Anderson, a "starving artist", student and published novelist, worked on a novel titled Juggernaut. I'm thinking that Timothy may have reeked a little havoc on his fellow writers...a bit of troublemaker, perhaps? Guess we'll have to watch and see.
* Ali Riley, a community rehab worker and book reviewer (hmmm, maybe I can get her to review Whale Song) from Nanton, AB, wrote a novel titled Hag. This is one witty woman!
* Darren Zenko, a freelance writer and radio host/DJ (If you interview me on your radio show I'll give away a copy of Whale Song:) from Edmonton, AB, who wrote a novel titled The Perpendiculars. This young man has a penchant for drinking out of goblets--and I don't think it was water!
* Catherine Ford, a retired journalist for the Calgary Herald from Calgary, AB, wrote The Pine Street Conspiracy. Now she knows how to write a 25-word tagline or synopsis!
* Tyler Morency, a copy editor, proofreader and journalist from Edmonton, AB, wrote The Strange Ballad of Curtis Aberdeen. He's the young puppy of the group.
* Mar'ce Merrell, a writing teacher and children's chapter book author from Edmonton, AB, wrote Drive Carefully. Entering this contest was her 40th birthday gift to herself (uh, Mar'ce, you may want to try a root canal next time; it may be less painful and stress free :)
* Felicia Pacentrilli, a student, poet and actor from Calgary, AB, wrote Quote Me. This bubbly redhead had never entered this contest before.
* Mark John Hiemstra, a cook and avid blogger from Jasper, AB, wrote The Most Beautiful Noose. Here is a guy who has risen above a past of drugs and living on the street. KUDOS, Mark John!
* Jill Battson, a poet born in the UK who now resides in Guelph, ON, wrote The Design of Everyday Things. This woman is one tough cookie!
* Wayne Arthurson, a writer and published novelist from Edmonton, AB, wrote Fuzzy Logic. This guy's done everything from working as a security guard to a house painter to a clown and a punk rock drummer.
* Laura Kjolby, a graphic artist from Vanocuver, BC, wrote Cured. I'm wondering if it's the story of a writer who entered a grueling writing competition and decided never to do it again.
* Ron Yamauchi states his profession as a Crown representative. This "ex-punk musician/government officer/freelance critic" from Vancouver, BC, wrote MEOW: A Thriller on Four Legs. He has attempted the 3-Day Novel contest twice in the past.

And then there are the three judges: Todd Babiuk, a novelist and journalist for the Edmonton Journal; Jenn Farrell, author, freelance writer and editor; and Minister Faust, author and freelance writer.

And last but not least, the host of the show, Kim Clarke Champniss, whose successes include being cast in the role of the alien child in the sci-fi classic Village of the Damned, managing the band Images in Vogue, and interviewing varaious bands such as U2 and The Sex Pistols.

On behalf of the viewers who were invited to this private screening, thanks to Rachel Sentes, the wonderful manager of Chapters South Point. This gal knows how to put on an EVENT! I don't know where she gets her energy, but as an author who's had the pleasure of working with her, I admire her dedication to everything she plans. I can't wait until my book launch! Oh, and in case I forgot to mention, it's the Whale Song Book Launch, held at Chapters South Point, Edmonton, AB, on April 7th from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. It's going to be Edmonton's BIGGEST and BEST BOOK LAUNCH ever!

For more information on air dates and times for the 3-Day Novel series, please go here.

View the trailer here.

Don't forget to check out my new website for information about my Whale Song Book Launch!

And for those of you who just can't get enough of reality TV, be sure to check out my fellow Kunati author Derek Armstrong and his tongue-in-cheek thriller The Game, a novel that takes a hard look at reality TV.

An Eagle for Jason

Well, I made it through the roughest month! I can't believe I did. January was a month I've been dreading since probably November. This is the month with nothing but bittersweet reminders of my youngest brother's murder, and it's been really hard.

January 7th was the memorial held in Edmonton for all the people who had died in Edmonton over the past year, those who had lived in the inner city--and my brother Jason was one of them.

January 15th was Jay's birthday. He would have been 29 this year. Just a baby. Always a baby. Forever my baby.

January 23rd was the 1 year anniversary of his murder. A year ago, Jason Kaye was found beaten in a dark alley in downtown east. He was Edmonton's third homicide of 2006, a year that ended up being one of our deadliest.

Today, well, yesterday now since it's 1:30 in the AM, I spoke with my mother in Vancouver, my dad in Victoria and my other brother Derek in Trenton. We've all been feeling the burden and stress of this month. Of our memories.

But then my dad shared a story today that made me smile. If you go on Jason's website, you can read how he and my dad used to watch for bald eagles, and how my dad saw some soaring overhead just after Jason's death last year. This was unusual because he no longer lives in an area that sees them often.

Well, today when my dad got home from work, and just before I called him, he was standing outside, visiting the hummingbirds that usually would be gone but haven't left for about a year. He was thinking of Jason...remembering.

My dad looked up...and what did he see?

One lone bald eagle soaring high above the house. And then it disappeared.

There is no doubt...it was Jason, coming to say he remembers too.

*******************

I have remembered Jason in a very special way. I have dedicated Whale Song to him...and 5% of my royalties will go each to three inner city organizations to help those less fortunate.

Order your copy of Whale Song now and become part of something greater.

http://www.jaysporchmonkeys.com

http://www.whalesongbook.com

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

Who Said That Books Are Dead?

I've just returned from a 2 week cruise. There had to be 2,000 passengers on this ship and almost every one of them had a book. In fact some told me that they had read 4 books during the trip. When I visited the library, the librarian told me she had books moving very fast.

I walked the decks looking at what was being read. Cussler, Ludlum, Paterson, Roberts, Clarke and deMille were the more common authors I saw. There were many I never heard of.

It seems to me that cruise ships were an ideal place to get your books located. It's a growing business.