Meet Chris Mason, Author of Tutor in a Box

Chris Mason has spent the last 20 years raising three kids with special needs. During this time, he received his Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Education. When his children attended an online charter school, he needed to find ways to save money and found many free resources through the internet. Tutor in a Box shares many useful--and free!--resources for students, parents, and educators. Chris has written many other "in a Box" reference guides to the best free stuff in particular areas.

1. What audience did you have in mind as you researched and wrote your book, Tutor in a Box?

The primary audience was the overworked soccer mom or families with children in alternative school settings.

2. How much time did it take you to find all the resources in your book?

Tutor took about six years to complete.

3. With so much information on the internet, what were your criteria for separating the useful resources from the not-so-useful ones?

I used the following criteria for website inclusion:

A. The 30 second rule. Could I figure out the website in 30 seconds? If the answer was no, the website was discarded; if the answer was yes, the website moved on to step B.
B. Was the website and its educational content geared towards students? As before, a no answer got a website dropped from consideration, and a yes moved it forward.
C. What was the grade level of the website, and what was it teaching? For example, 6th grade California mission history.
D. What was the website's focus? Skill instruction, skill reinforcement, enrichment, or reference.
E. Was the website unique?
F. Did I enjoy the website, or did it help me?

If a website passed the above tests, it was included in Tutor in a Box.

I also tried to make sure to include websites for all modalities of learning. For example, in math, if reading something is the best way a student learns, then Purple Math is for them. If, however, the student is an audio-visual learner, then Khan Academy is the best fit.

4. Would you tell us a little bit about some of your other "in a box" projects?

The "in a Box” series of books are a set of reference guides to the best free resources on the internet in a particular area. The series currently includes:

• Tutor in a Box - A guide to free educational resources.
• Book Store in a Box - A guide to free print and audio books.
• Arcade in a Box – A guide to free video games.
• Video Store in a Box – A guide to free television and movies.
• Record Store in a Box – A guide to free music.
• Entrepreneur in a Box – A guide to the best ways to make money on the internet.
• App Store in a Box – A guide to the best free applications for mobile devices.

5. What's your advice to other authors with a unique idea but who haven't explored self-publishing before?

This is a multipart answer.

A. Write what you love and are passionate about, if you care about it others will because your passion will leap off the page.
B. Don't write about what's popular on Amazon. Stand out and be different.
C. Have your audience in mind as you write; it helps keep you focused.
D. Match your subject matter to your delivery system. Not every book is good for every format. For example, the "in a Box” series would not be good for the audio format due to its online nature.
E. Don't be afraid to outsource parts of the writing process that are outside your skill set. For example, I outsource my cover creation and formatting. This way I can just focus on the writing. This includes marketing as well.
F. Lastly, as corny as it sounds, believe in yourself. In the immortal words of Ed Wood, "Just write. If it is bad, it will get better, and if it is good, it will become great. Just keep writing."

Thanks, Chris!

Meet Nancy Loewen, Author of Children's Books

Nancy Loewen has published more than 120 books for children. She's received awards from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Association of Educational Publishers, and other organizations. The LAST Day of Kindergarten was a Minnesota Book Award finalist and a Scholastic Book Club bestseller. Find Nancy on Facebook and Twitter, or visit her website: NancyLoewen.com.

1. A lot of books introduce children to a new experience, but The LAST Day of Kindergarten is about the end of an experience. Why is the last day of kindergarten an important day for kids to read about?

I got the idea for The LAST Day of Kindergarten when my daughter was that age. Her last day of kindergarten was terrible--she cried most of the day! She recognized that kindergarten was special and that she would be saying goodbye to so many things she loved. At the same time, she was proud of herself for learning so much and she wanted to move on to first grade. I wrote Last Day to give voice to some of those mixed feelings kids experience. The book encourages kids (and parents) to take a moment to remember the highlights of the year, as well as to look ahead to all the wonderful things around the corner.

2. How did you first get started writing children's books?

One of my first "real" jobs after college was as an editorial assistant at a very small educational book publisher. The company folded after I'd been there less than a year, but that's how I got into the field. For a few years I worked as an editor, but when my own kids were born, I decided that I would rather write than edit. At that point I'd edited and published a lot of nonfiction children's titles, but it wasn't until I was reading picture books as a parent that everything really started to click. While I started out writing nonfiction, these days I prefer to write fiction or concept books.

3. What was your process like in working with Sachiko Yoshikawa on the book?

Most people don't realize this, but usually the writer and the artist have little, if any, direct communication. The editor and art director are the ones who determine how a book looks. Writers may be given the opportunity to give input at various stages, but overall they need to step back and give the artists the freedom to express their own vision of a book. I was very happy with Sachiko Yoshikawa's bright and buoyant illustrations. She had a daughter in kindergarten when she agreed to take on the project, and so the art reflects some of her daughter's experiences in school, just as the text reflects some of my daughter's experiences. I think that's pretty cool!

4. What are some ways that parents (and other people in kids' lives) can help children with transitions?

Number one: listen to them. Encourage them to talk, and accept what they say without telling them they're right or wrong. Share your own personal stories, but don't take the focus away from what they are going through. And, of course, look for a good book! (Or two or three.) Books can be read over and over and can really help a child develop both empathy and inner fortitude. Ask around--librarians, teachers, other parents, friends, and online groups can point you in the right direction.

5. As a children's author, what inspires you the most about your work?

It's very satisfying to me to see the barest of ideas somehow transform into an actual book that gets into the hands of kids. Writing is an act of faith--you are starting a journey and you really don't know where you'll end up. And along the way, you need to throw out a lot of your work. The creative process isn't--and can't be--efficient! It's trial and error. It's discovery. It's frustrating at times, but when a story or concept starts taking a life of its own, you do sort of feel that a small miracle has taken place. :)

Thanks, Nancy!

Meet Susan Louise Peterson, Author and Psychologist

Susan Louise Peterson is an author and school psychologist who also worked as a teacher for many years. She has written more than ten books about education, child behavior, and research, including an award-winning book called Is My Child Autistic or Delayed?.

1. Why did you decide to shift from teaching work into being a school psychologist?

I think being an a teacher of early childhood students for over 12 years, I noticed students in my class struggling with delays. Sometimes I would see children with signs of autism in my class. There was a unique program in the school district where I worked that collaborated with the local university in the area of educational psychology. I was able to take graduate coursework at night (working to become a school psychologist) and teach in the day. It was a nice fit to combine the area of school psychology with my early childhood teaching experience.

2. In your book, Is My Child Autistic or Delayed?, what are some distinctions you make between autism and developmental delays in children?

In the book, Is My Child Autistic or Delayed? I try to look at different parent concerns from a school psychologist's perspective. There are both short term and long term types of delays in children, and these concerns are explored in relation to interventions. Autism concerns are discussed in relation to the child's intent to communicate or use purposeful behaviors toward others.

3. When you were working on your book, what audience did you have in mind?

I think I originally wrote the book to help parents who seem to have so many concerns about delays and autism. However, the book also has a section on professional issues related to autism and delays. I think it would be a great book for college students studying child development, parenting, and autism concerns.

4. As a society, I think we talk more about autism than we did twenty or even ten years ago, but do you find that parents have a somewhat incomplete understanding of autism and how to identify when a child may be autistic?

I think parents have more information than ever about autism, but so much information is confusing for parents. They need well trained professionals who have experience working with children to help guide them on some confusing and unclear ideas about autism and delays.

5. How do you hope that your book will help parents, teachers and other people who work with children?

It is hoped the book, Is My Child Autistic or Delayed?, will help parents and professionals step back and take a look at those practical things related to delays and autism before making an immediate decision about the child's possible disorder or delays. These decisions impact the child's future and educational planning, so care should be involved in understanding the unique behaviors of the child.

Thanks, Susan!

Introducing The Mumpreneurs Networking Club

You may not have heard the term, "Mumpreneurs" before, but you know the concept: a mother who is also an entrepreneur. The Mumpreneurs Networking Club is a group in Great Britain whose members coordinate business networking events meant "especially for mums and female entrepreneurs." The Mumpreneurs have a variety of meeting locations, and local mums can attend a meeting for free to decide if they'd like to join the club.

By attending networking events with other women in business, members of the MNC often see tangible results, such as new clients, friendly support and advice, and increased self-confidence. Lucy Ames, an artist who attends MNC meetings, described the group by saying, "There is such a diversity of knowledge on offer and so much energy in the group that it is quite unique."

By the way, dads and non-parents are also welcome at MNC events. To get a taste of the MNC, you can subscribe to their monthly newsletter; back issues are also posted online.

The mums of the MNC are currently engaged in a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise money to continue growing their organization across the United Kingdom.

The motto MNC uses on its website and elsewhere is: "Never underestimate the power of a good gossip!" By utilizing word of mouth marketing and one-on-one personal connections, the group is proving that good news travels fast when it comes to local businesspeople finding work and support by forging relationships with other businesspeople in their communities.

An Introduction to the Mommy Edition Blog

Just under a year old, Mommy Edition is a blog founded in late 2012 with a dedication to covering a variety of topics relevant to moms. In the words of the site's "about us" page, Mommy Edition offers "mommy advice and insights."

As I looked at the site, I noticed that a lot of the topics focus on health and diet. For example, a popular post on the blog covered the weight loss potential of the paleo diet. Another health-related post address the use of probiotics in feeding your baby.

The blog covers a wider variety of topics, too, including tips for starting a successful Etsy shop, planning a trip to Walt Disney World, and conserving energy in your house.

The blog has a clean, easy to read layout and isn't heavily cluttered with ads. To keep up with recent posts, you can follow Mommy Edition on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Kids Clothing You Can Afford

As a fan of thrift shopping, I see a lot of shoppers out there looking for bargains on clothes for kids. But thrifting can be hit or miss, and not everyone has the time or patience to sort through rack after rack of clothing to find just the thing you need. Thanks to a online kids consignment shop called Lil Jellybeans, you can find kids clothing at low prices at the click of your mouse.

Lil Jellybeans was created by a stay at home mom who wanted to help other families find bargain prices. The site offers flat rate $3.99 shipping for orders, and shoppers can also make some cash by sending in gently used clothing to be sold on the site. When you participate in the online resale opportunity, you receive funds as store credit or PayPal deposit when your items sell.

The shop has a range of clothing and other items for boys and girls. There are some great deals available when buying in lots. For example, I saw a lot of 10 tees for under $5. And here's a cute outfit for football season...

The stock is updated regularly, so there are different bargains appearing all the time. What www.liljellybeans.com offers is kind of like the rotation of items through your local consignment shop or thrift store, without the effort of searching for the gems!

Meet Paul Grossinger, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of MMGuardian

Paul Grossinger is one of the co-founders of MMGuardian, which is an android application that protects kids from cyber-bullying and texting while driving. It also lets parents block kids' phone use in school.

1. What motivated you to create MMGuardian?

My co-founders and I realized that parents needed an effective way to manage their children's smartphones. Texting and driving, cyberbullying, sexting, and even general phone management are major issues parents struggle with that we designed MMGuardian to solve for parents.

2. Looking at your website, I noticed a lot of features parents can use. Would you tell us a little more about the specific features that come with the purchase of MMGuardian?

Absolutely. With MMGuardian, parents get comprehensive parental control. That includes: the ability to lock or locate your child's phone anytime with simple text commands, advance scheduling capability for locking and locating, blocking capability for calls and apps that you deem unsafe, text message monitoring, and the ability to stop teens from texting while driving.

3. What devices currently work with MMGuardian?

MMGuardian Parental Control works with all android smartphones. MMGuardian Tablet Security works with all android tablets.

4. What prevents kids from disabling or reconfiguring the apps themselves?

MMGuardian includes proprietary uninstall protection and tamper prevention technology, which parents can enable to stop teens from reconfiguring or removing the application.

5. How have parents and kids responded to your product so far?

MMGuardian has been greeted with excitement by parents across the US, and MMGuardian Parental Control has been installed by over 120,000 parents and won six product awards.

Thanks, Paul!

An Introduction to Momdoulary

What is Momdoulary? It's a method of support for expectant moms- and dads-to-be. Founded by Laura Saba, who is an experienced doula, coach, childbirth educator, and author (and more!), the Momdoulary Method prepares a doula to not only provide the traditional assistance of a doula but to also integrate coaching support to offer, in the words of Laura on the Momdoulary website, "emotional, physical, and logistical preparation for parenthood as part of the labor preparation process, presented through a series of classes available to the birthing parents (and where not available as classroom experience, through individual educational and coaching support)."

For people who would like to become doulas, Momdoulary offers a training program which includes 200 hours of instruction and prepares students for a variety of careers in the area of birth and child-rearing. In addition to working as doulas who assist in the childbirth process, students work as parent educators, as breastfeeding coaches, as trainers for parents on the path toward adoption, and in many other roles.

In short, Momdoulary is a mission-driven business, focused on helping people create a solid career with flexibility and good income, where they can have a regular and positive impact on the lives of others around them and the community at large.

Interested students can learn more by looking at the inspiration catalog. Also, Laura and her colleagues are currently offering two scholarships to students in every state (one full scholarship which covers all training costs covered except for $300 in materials/licensing fees, and one half scholarship).

Bryan Fiese on Educating "Generation Next"

Bryan Fiese is an educational expert who has been working with both students and educators for over 14 years. His thesis states that modern youth's (Generation Next) dependence on technology is causing a widespread lack of interpersonal communication skills. Bryan's insights are helpful toward educators' and parents' understanding of this generation; through understanding, we work together and clear and effective methods of communication and motivation can be determined. Learn more about these methods at the Motivated Teacher website.

Bryan's strategies and methods have been adopted by schools across the United States. He has appeared on radio broadcasts and national television and presented to countless types of audiences across this great nation through a continual calendar of conferences, training sessions and workshops. Visit Bryan's personal website for more about his writing, speaking, and training work.

He is also an author, with his latest book, No Teacher Left Behind: Keeping Up With and Captivating "Generation Next" in the Classroom, available now in its second edition on Amazon.com.

Bryan has uploaded a series of videos to YouTube as an introduction to his work. The video below is the first in his "No Teacher Left Behind" sequence.