Sunday, January 29, 2012

Last Seen Wearing Thin: EXCITING STUFF

Last Seen Wearing Thin: EXCITING STUFF

EXCITING STUFF

      One can never be too early when delivering good news.  And this is a bona fide "Special D".

Every Child is Entitled to Innocence will be the first publication of the newly-formed Orangeberry Publishing Group. Due to release on February 14th, profits from the sales of this e-book will be donated to Child Helpline International.
Says initiator of the project, Dr. Niamh Clune, “I met many writers through the Internet that experienced difficult childhoods yet have overcome their brutal beginnings. I wanted to make the first Orangeberry publication a celebration of  creative imagination. This powerful friend of damaged children plays an essential role in an abused child’s recovery. Gathering this series of stories was a joy. Orangeberry Books has developed special, vibrant relationships with contributors and has forged many lasting friendships.”
We encouraged happy stories that reflected the innocence of childhood when infants feel wrapped in the warmth of loving arms. We wanted to contrast these with the sad ones, making them stand out in relief against a bright backdrop. We felt this comparison would demonstrate, without explanation, what happens when innocence is stolen.
In this book, the reader will find many wonderful, heart-warming stories; whilst the sad ones demonstrate the magnificence of the human spirit as it triumphs against all the odds.
Executive Editor, Karen S. Elliott stated, “While I looked at all the stories in the Every Child anthology, I edited only a few. I thought it was important, for this time, that the writers be able to express the heartbreak and joy of childhoods past without censorship.”
Spokesperson for Orangeberry Books, Niamh Clune, explained how The Orangeberry Group is at the vanguard of a new wave of Internet publishing companies. Orangeberry aims to put quality first and bring exciting, exceptionally talented authors to the reader’s attention. Its focus is not on commercialism, but on quality, beautifully written, well-told stories. Orangeberry will also publish poetry. A further aim of the publishing company is to bring a collection of exceptional artists from across many different art disciplines to collaborate on projects in a personal, hands-on, mutually supportive manner.
The motto of the company is, ‘Paying it Forward.’ The company relies on a well-developed social network, the dedication of the core team members, their talent and enthusiasm coupled with a socially entrepreneurial spirit.
        (I've been lucky to have made the acquaintance of some 'luminaries' in my time. Like the legendary actor Pat O'Brien and his lovely wife, "My Favorite Martian", Alan Seuss and the deeply sensitive, exceptional athlete and Olympic champion diver, Greg Luganus.  But getting to know - via email and the reading of their art - the contributors in this anthology, well let's just say I'm the only person here I've never heard of.)
      The spark of this creative literary pyrotechnical array, our own Niamh Clune, labored tirelessly, and coordinated brilliantly to deliver children of yore to children of now-in-need-of-a-way-out.  My own sharing from the shores of the East River circa 1950s is prototypical of the 'gotta-get-out' syndrome.  Back then, I felt caught in the flypaper of life.  Five or so decades later, however, I'm in 'swat mode' and proud of it.
And this book is 'apple pie a-la-mode' - an oh-so-just-dessert - served up in a way that tingles and touches the taste buds of the oh-so-deserving
       little readers/listeners of tales read aloud.  Tales not full of sound and fury, symbolizing nothing, by idiots who strut and fret their hour upon the stage and then are heard no more.  Hardly.  They are told by loving new friends whose tales are filled with quiet love and meaning that will tip toe through your dreams and hopes - always.
 Later (or hopefully Sooner), Lorane. . . .