IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS, A Return to Faith Through a Hawaiian Doorway

Suzanne Strempek Shea Book Review

2009-05-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

I said in my previous entry that I was writing my final words. That was a silly thing to say. I will, of course, continue to update the progress of this book. In fact, it is doing quite well. News of its contents is spreading. All feedback about it has been very positive. The book is getting to those who are meant to read it, and they are sharing it with others.

In this entry I'm including a review by award winning Massachusetts author SUZANNE STREMPEK SHEA who very kindly provided it to me. She says:

"In the Presence of Angels" is exactly where you'll be when you travel with Joyce Hau'oli Carter from Massachusetts to Maui, and through the story of a faith lost and found - and then furthered by some unexpected presences. Wherever you are on your own faith journey, you'll be fascinated by the story of Carter and her angel guides, and you just might want to try to connect with those waiting to make themselves known. Mahalo nui loa - island-sized thanks - to this author for being so open as to not only hear the comforting and inspiring messages she was being told, but to share them with her readers."

Thank you, Suzanne, the your kind words you offered during a very busy time in your life. I am very grateful...

Final Entry

2009-01-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

I am about to publish my new book THERE IS NO VEIL, Aloha is Forever, a sequel to my first book, IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS, A Return to Faith Through a Hawaiian Doorway. The Angel Book is doing well both in private sales and in Online sales. If you wish to purchase, you may do so on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. This will be my final entry on this blog for the time being.

New Book Begun

2008-08-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Now that I have accomplished 16 weeks of marketing this book, and have snail mailings and emails set up to go to Massachusetts libraries in a series of seven groupings. I have already sent out one mailing with six more to go at the beginning of the next six months. Now it's time to sit back and reap the harvest, if, indeed, a harvest there may be.

One of the problems associated with independent publishing is that all the marketing is the responsibility of the author. No P.R., no sales. Having to spend so much time on the marketing leaves very little time for writing. No writing means no book.

And so now I have made the time to start the new book. THERE IS NO VEIL, An Aloha Testiment to Faith, begins where the last book left off in March 2002. The purpose of the first book was to promote the tenets of unity, peace, and love, and to show that we can connect to loved ones who have gone on before us. The purpose of the second book is to show that aloha is a way of life. It promotes the premise that we can survive the passing of loved ones and live our lives fully on our own.

I have completed seven chapters and am half way through the eighth. I expect to have between 16 and 18 chapters, so I feel I'm well on my way. Of course, I will have to continue to market, but now I think I can divide my time equally between the creative and the practical sides of writing.

Since I'm working on a new book, I've opened a new blog. Look for new postings on "There Is No Veil on alohaveilbook.

What Are Angels?

2008-07-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

I've been working on marketing my book, and during that process I was asked, "Why angels?" The question referred to the book title: "In the Presence of Angels." Most people have believed in angels at some time in their lives, and have experienced an inexplicable, wonderous happening, protection, or direction. There is no other explanation for these phenomena other than that somehow something beyond the norm, whether we call it an angel intervention or not, has occurred. And so I thought, "Why angels, indeed!"

By definition, angels are considered to be etherial, spiriual beings that are seen as the workers or messengers that tell us about the word of God. Angels don't struggle with good and evil as does man, and each angel has a specific and individual mission to carry out. No two angels are given the same task.

Some people see angels as heavenly beings that float around the place we call heaven on a bank of fluffy, white clouds, bright halos shimmering around their heads, wings on their backs, carrying harps or trumpets, and wearing long, flowing robes.

Others think an angel is a loved one, ancient or recent, who has left this dimension for another. They look much as they did in this life so that we will feel comforted by their existance but have no corporal bodies. When we tune into them, and we all can, they seem to be much the same as they were in this life, only wiser, kinder, and more peaceful. Angels have moved beyond human failings, illness, and pain, but they present themselves as we remember them. They do have specific missions, mostly those that steer us from wrong to right.

All these opinions leave us still wondering what angels are. Perhaps it is meant that people simply accept what makes them happy and comfortable on faith. And faith is what it's all about...

Email and Library Campaigns

2008-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

I wasn't kidding when I said I was busy, as you can see from the date of this blog entry. After sending out the email to Hawaiian Culture Clubs, I concentrated on contacting bookstores in my area via email attachment, informing them about the book "In the Presence of Angels." The next step will be a follow-up by telephone requesting book signings.

My next campaign was notifying libraries. Although Outskirts Press sends my information to Baker & Taylor who, in turn, notify libraries of new books, I've been advised that the "personal touch" of letter writing is better, sending out the same information as the email attachments, requesting that they buy a copy of my book and offering to do book signings and readings. Letter writing takes much longer and is more expensive than email. However, many libraries don't publish their email addresses, and so stamps, envelopes, and paper is the way to go. I've done a mailing to area libraries near to my hometown, and I'm preparing for the next group. I will be mailing out a total of over 200 letters.

Now I wait to see what transpires, and next I will look up spiritual organizations through the U.S. and email or write to them.

Email Campaign

2008-05-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

Since I chose to publish my book "In the Presence of Angels" independently, I find that I'm obligated to take the responsibility for its format, content, and distribution. While anyone can now purchase the book online through Amazon.com, a large part of the marketing is left up to me.

In this era of cyberspace, I decided to begin marketing with an email campaign. First, I sent a letter of explanation and an information sheet/order form via attachment to all my friends and relatives. Then I sent to friends and members of the Hawaiian club of which I am a proud member.

Finally I hit the Internet, looking for any and all Hawaiian culture clubs on the U.S. mainland. I found a great site, but the work of finding an email address in each likely listing was daunting. I finally sent the same information to 50 mainland Hawaiian groups.

Within two hours of the mailing, I heard from one huge club in Las Vegas, offering to put my information on their website and in their newsletter. They also requested more order forms. I've heard from other groups since, and I am happily smailing out orders. Next I will email Hawaiian culture clubs in the islands.

In the meantime, I continue to let people around me know that the book has been published, picking up orders through word of mouth. Along with these requests have come a few queries about talks I might deliver to various groups in the Greater Springfield Mass. area.

Soon I will be visiting local book stores and doing book signings. My first appointment is in September when more people will be looking for books. Setting these meetings up usually means articles in local newspaers will begin to appear. Until then, I'll continue the email campaign and prepare for more new opportunities to open up.

Books are Purchased

2008-05-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to post a comment in this blog.

I received the delivery of 100 books. I thought I'd take some time off to rest, but I wasn't allowed. First I sent several copies to the wonderful people who critiqued the manuscript before mailing it in to be published. I did this in a number of visits to the post office, and since the clerk knew the book in the mailer was mine, we talked about it each time I visited. People overheard the conversations. People purchased the book on the spot.

I had an appointment at the local beauty parlor and brought a copy of the book inside to show the gal who cuts my hair. She didn't buy a copy, but the man beside me who was getting his hair cut as well, did. I went to the bank to open a new business savings account and deposit the funds from these few purchases, and the teller bought a copy.

Fortunately, I'd had the forsight to put some books in the back of my SUV along with a few bills and change. I felt a little indiscrete, selling my book out of the back of my car like a not-quite-legal vender on the streets of New York City. "Hey, lady! Have I got a deal for you!"

But it's also a wonderful feeling to know that people want to read the book and are willing to pay for it. I am very grateful.

The Book Arrives

2008-04-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

The delivery of 10 free books arrived on Monday, April 6th, and I had the strangest reaction. Instead of excitement and jubilation, I felt sad and let down. The box sat on the floor of my den for two hours before I opened it, and for two more before I examined the pages.

I felt like what I imagine post-partum depression feels like. Creating the book, like creating a baby, was fun. Editing the book was like the 10 months of pregnancy, feeling the child grow and change, and sending the book off to the publisher was like the delivery, painful, but worth it, knowing that your life will be wonderful in a new way and never the same again.

Then reality hits, and sometimes it hits hard. The protected, coddled pregnancy is over, and reality begins. The book is out there for everyone to see. Some readers will love and some will not, and as the creator of the words, you are responsible for every reaction, positive and negative.

Now the baby has been delivered. As soon as I opened the pages of the book, the thrill of the experience began, as did the real work of writing, publishing, and marketing a book. Get it out there! Let the world know it's available. Get to work, girl.

And so I ordered 100 books the next day. If you wish to read the book, use the order form below. It will be my pleasure to send it to you.

Hau'oli

Why You Should Read This Book

2008-03-31T10:49:00.000-07:00

Like so many others, I have been searching for my spiritual identity. The walk to get there is not easy, but it is a gratifying, astounding, and fulfilling one.

A power greater than ourselves created the universe and all the universes in the heavens. We are not ruled or manupilated by this Creative Force. We have the ability to choose, but we must live according to our choices. There are many paths to guide us to this Source, and the desire for peace, unity, and love for all people leads us there.

Faith is not static. It must be lived. It must be shared. It is an active consciousness that requires movement forward. I found my gateway to faith, to the Light through a Hawaiian temple called Kukuipuka Heiau. It is a place of healing, love, and peace. The sacred site is an ancient one, but it speaks to the hearts of all people in all times. We all have our gateways: the garden in our backyard, a favorite vacation spot that rejuvinates us, or it may be a place we have only dreamed of.

No separation devides us from our loved ones who have passed on. Angels surround us, advise, guide, surround and surprise us. We do not need anyone else to to connect us to these entities. No special gifts are required; we need only accept that they are with us.

In the Presence of Angels promotes the concept that people can live in harmony with one an other is a viable one. We can accomplish such a task by modeling unity, cultivating peace, and building a bridge of love with the people of the world, one heart at a time.

It is my desire that the words will take the reader to a place of reaching out, feeling, and embracing the love, the peace, the joy of knowing the self, the world, and the Source of all Creation.

ORDER FORM: In the Presence of Angels

2008-03-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

A Return to Faith Through a Hawaiian Doorway

by Joyce Hau'oli Carter

ORDER FORM:

Name:_____________________________________________________

Street Address: ____________________________________________

City, State, Zip:_____________________________________________

Email: _______________________________Personalize: Yes__ No__

Inscribed to:_______________________________tel no____________

COSTS:

Book: $12.95

Sales Tax $.81 (for MA residents only)

Shipping and Handling: $ 4.95
($2.00 shipping added to each additional book if mailed to the same address)

Mail the completed order form and check or money order to::

Joyce Hau'oli Carter, P.O. Box 214, Wilbraham, MA 01095

Works in Progress

2008-03-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

The publishing process for my first book In the Presence of Angels was completed on 03/26/08. Rather than a writer, I can now call myself a bonafide author. Books can be purchased from me now or through Amazon.com and should be available by April 15th. Look for a personal order form on the next blog entry.

I thought I would take some time off when I sent the manuscript in to print, but that didn't happen. I knew I would be writing a sequel, and the angels kept poking at me to start the writing. I have three chapters completed on a first draft.

I had also finished a first draft on a book for youth in 2003, expecting to polish it up and send it out when the angels informed me that I would write In the Presence of Angels. I put it aside at that time, but now, it too, clambers to be recognized and edited. That process has begun.

Life is not boring in retirement...

WORKS IN PROGRESS:

A book for adults; a sequel to the IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

THERE IS NO VEIL
A Testimony of Faith

Having lost her faith and regained it, the author continues on her journey, learning from wisdom keeper Lei'ohu Ryder as she moves forward, striving to become all that she is meant to be. As she walks, she shares the simple teachings of Ke Akua, the Creator, and the Hawaiian angels who guide her with others who fall in line along the way, finding peace and solace, supported by and building upon their own spiritual backgrounds.

The walk is not without boulders and and craters strewn along the path as she suffers the loss of loved ones, most notably that of her husband Al. Rather than weakening her resolve, these tragedies strengthen and and sustain her burgeoning faith.

There is no Veil offers suggestions to help others find their way through illness and loss of a spouse, including a list of "things to do" when we find ourselves floundering in the aftermath of catastrophe.

A book for young people

HAWAIIAN MYTHS AND MYSTERIES
A Compilation of myths and legends from old Hawai'i

A myth is defined as a story about the activities of god-like beings; a legend deals with heroes or other Human Beings and is believed to be based on historical events. In ancient times, these stories often originated with a small particle of truth. Having no written language, the people told these tales to their children, passing them down from generation to generation in order to keep them alive.

Each tale attempts to explain those things which people did not understand, such as violent acts of nature - storms, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes - making them easier to understand and accept. In the telling, the tales were expanded and exaggerated.

The stories in this book are loosely based on the myths and legends of old Hawai'i. Their content has been chosen as appropriate and appealing to young people from the ages of nine to twelve and for the purpose of teaching practical as well as moral lessons.

Tentative Schedule/Contact the Author

2008-03-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Tentative Schedule

I gave my permission for In the Presence of Angels to go to print on Thursday, March 13, 2008. That process will be completed in three weeks, and I should have personal copies of the book in my hands by April 07. By June at the latest, anyone wishing to purchase the book can do so online through http://www.amazon.com/, and eventually at http://www.b&n.com/ and at http://www.borders.com/.

How to Contact the Author

If anyone wishes to buy the book before that time, s/he can do so through me. The cost is the same, and I will personalize the book. Interested parties can contact me with book and/or newsletter requests, questions, or to arrange speaking engagements at info@angelbook.net. For more information about the author and/or the book, or to view my booksigning and lecture schedules, visit my personal website at http://www.angelbook.net/.

Self Publishing and Printing

2008-03-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

I chose to self publish my book In the Presence of Angels for the following reasons:

1. Traditional publishing houses have downsized tremendoulsy in the past 10 years, making it even more difficult for a new author to be picked up. By choosing a self-publishing company, I took control and will soon be a published author.

2. Traditional publishing houses now require their authors to do a great deal of the marketing themselves, and so having to market my book with the self publishing process is not a detriment.

3. Authors relinquish much of the creative process to their traditional publishers. I have been and will continue to be in complete control of the writing process from what I choose to say to making the choice of what font and format to use. The entire process has been mine, as will be the entire responsibility for the book.

The down side to self publishing is that the author pays to have his/her work edited and printed. To me, that money was well spent. I did the research of self-publishing companies have been pleased with the results.

The printing will begin on Monday, March 17th. The process takes from two weeks to a month. I'll be notified, and in a week to 10 days I'll receive the first copy of the book. At that time, I'll post information about obtaining a copy of your own.

Purpose of the Book

2008-03-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

I wrote this book for three groups of people.

First I wrote for those who have searched for the spiritual identy and found it. They already understand and will recognize and identify with the steps of the journey.

Next, I wrote for those who are searching. Like me, they have been lost and trying to find their way back again to faith. May they soon place their feet upon the path and start to walk it. The answers lie right around the corner.

Finally, and most importantly, I wrote for those who do not yet know that they search. May my words touch them in such a way that they will recognize the need to begin their own journeys.

I simply tell my story. Somewhere in the telling, I hope that readers will find their true selves. My only request is that people read with an open mind and an open heart. I do this all in aloha. All in love.

IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS, A Return to Faith Through a Hawaiian Doorway

2008-03-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Join me on a journey of discovery, not of ancient treasures of new planets in the heavens but of reawakening faith and of self.

Learn how people can live in harmony with one another, accomplishing this task by modeling unity, cultivating peace, and building a bridge of love and understanding with the people of the world, one heart at a time.

Accompany me as I walk beside my spiritual advisor Lei'ohu Ryder through the gate of an ancient Hawaiian place of worship known as Kukuipuka Heiau and into the world of angels. Our loved ones on the other side wish to be recognized, to connect with us.

Within the pages of my book In the Presence of Angels, you will find not dictates and formal instructions but information, suggestions, and examples from my personal experiences that show how we all can participate in this amazing connection.

The anagels are with us, and they are waiting...

"Things are not always what they seem.

Look beyond what the eyes can see.

Listen beyond what the ears can hear.

Speak with the spirit. Taste the richness of life.

Touch with the heart."

This book will show you how - one step at a time.

Book Publication Process Begun

2008-03-08T09:17:00.001-08:00

I have was given the task of writing In the Presence of Angels in the year 2001. I started writing on 01/15/03, developing and completing a final draft by 03/04. That draft was rejected, but I was encouraged to continue on. Life and its problems interfered with the process for the next two years. I picked up the project as well as an editor, and I began a re-write on 01/15/06. Now it is done. All I have to do is give my permission for my publishing house to begin the printing process. Hallelujah!

However, giving the book to the publisher feels a little like giving up a baby for adoption. I want to hold on to it just a bit longer before my work of four years goes public. I also feel somewhat vulnerable. Since my book is autobiographical, I feel like I'm about to place myself alone in the middle of a busy intersection with no traffic lights to help me get back to the side of the road. Nevertheless, my path is clear, my purpose is pure, and the book is GOOD.

Read it and find out for yourselves...