Good Morning! It is time again for Selma’s Monthly News!
Have you touched base with your teen? Ask them if they need help with anything. It will show that you are interested and want to engage with them. Talking to them will also give you some insight into how they are feeling and what they may be struggling with. It is important for all of us to check in with each other.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), youth and young adults experienced a unique set of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic—isolation from peers, adapting to virtual learning, and changes to sleep habits and other routines. This has led to an increase in mental health issues for this age group. We must recognize the significant impact of these experiences on young people’s mental health—and the importance of providing the education, care and support they need.
Our featured author this month is Gayle Forman. She has written many young adult novels about teens and their experiences with mental health issues. Check out this month’s featured author post to learn more about her.
My Journey
Even though my journey started out as an author, it is not only about the series. It has evolved into sharing my story about how my passion made a series of books and a platform that helps parents engage with their teens and young adults. Click on the link and learn more about that side of my dream. Mentoring A Dream.
Writing Updates
Here is the current news from the writing side
Website Refresh
Have you visited my website letely? We did a refreshed look last month. If you haven’t seen the updates yet, be sure to take a look. Here’s a link Selma P. Verde.
Josh’s Story is with my editor
Last month we revealed the cover for the companion short story to The Way Series called Josh’s Story. It is a story about one of the characters from the series, Josh Alberts, who becomes one who bullies. This story focuses on what happened from his side, a side we don’t hear a lot about.
The story is currently with my editor, Michelle Morgan of Fiction Edit, so I can get a trained set of eyes on my writing before we release it. Michelle is also the one who edited the first two books in The Way Series and will be the editor for the second two.
My cover designer, Jennifer Givner, designed the covers for all of the books in The Way Series. She will also be creating the one for book four, the final book in the series, which is due to publish in 2025.
And, a very special gift for you, my readers, followers and supporters was announced with last month’s cover reveal on social media. A free copy of this short story will be sent out to all of the people on my email list or who sign up by June 10th. So, if you aren’t on my email list yet, this may be a great reason to do so.
Shawn’s Way celebrates 2nd birthday next month
Next month, Shawn’s Way will be celebrating its two year publishing anniversary. We will be doing an ebook giveaway to celebrate. Be sure to watch social media for details.
The Way Series storyline continues…
In 2023, I have two main writing projects that I am working on completing and publishing this year.
Josh’s Story – Summer 2023
Josh’s Story is about how Josh Alberts becomes one who bullies. The manuscript is coming together as I am working with my editor with editing this month. I look forward to sharing his story with you early this summer.
The Street’s Way – November 2023
Another big writing project on the docket is getting The Street’s Way ready for editing! Be ready for the continuing story of all of The Way Series characters in The Street’s Way, coming your way in late 2023!
Have you started reading The Way Series yet?
Are you looking for a couple of good teen coming-of-age reads focusing on teen challenges? Check out The Way Series.
Book #1 – The Hard Way – is the story of Paul Jones and his starting his freshman year of high school and how he must navigate dealing with pressure from his peers to do things to fit in.
Book #2 – Shawn’s Way – is a continuation of Paul’s journey from The Hard Way but now we meet a new freshman, Shawn Townson, who is forced to navigate being the target of a bully. An upperclassman at his school is taking out his frustration on Shawn.
Book #3 – The Street’s Way, is a continuation of The Way Series and introduces Mikala Kalani to the storyline as a runaway and homeless teen. To be released in late 2023!
Follow this link to my books tab to learn more about the series and to pick up your copies! You still have time to get caught up on the story line before the release of The Street’s Way later this year.
Have a great week!
