Monday, March 4, 2013

Overcoming Adversity Reveal / Music Monday



A couple of weeks ago, Nick Wilford over at Scattergun Scribblings, came up with a little blog hop to help raise some money for his stepson's education. His stepson, Andrew, has cerebral palsy and his choices of colleges aren't as wide or varied in Scotland as we have here in America.

To that end, the goal of the hop was to gather material for a book Nick was planning and use the proceeds to help Andrew further his education.

I was happy to help out with a (last minute) entry and even happier to see the project come to fruition.

So, without further ado....I give you Overcoming Adversity. 

Take it away, Nick.....

A collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces - real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent.

 The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination. 
Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help.


"But Mark", I hear you thinking (I can, sometimes hear your thoughts, yes), "just where can I get my hands on this amazing anthology?"

Well, I'm glad you asked that....because Overcoming Adversity can be found at....

Amazon U.S.

Amazon U.K

Smashwords

Goodreads

 So head over and buy a copy...or two...or three...and enjoy some great stories on Overcoming Adversity. It's for a great cause.

Best of luck to Nick and Andrew!


I'll leave you, this Monday, with some cool music that's been running through my brain all weekend.

If you follow along on my other blog, you've seen how I've recently re-discovered my love for "Surf Music". Having grown up listening to The Ventures, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, as well as many others (thanks dad), it was only natural that I carry my fondness of this music genre with me through and into my, ahem, later years.

So, if this doesn't get you going or, at the very least, your foot tapping then go back to bed!


The Ventures: Pipeline



Have a great Monday!


37 comments:

Elise Fallson said...

Thanks for the excellent music to start off my Monday. And all the best to Andrew! (:

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Congrats Nick and hope you raise the needed funds for Andrew.

Nick Wilford said...

Thanks, Mark! There really is some amazing stuff in the anthology, can't thank everyone enough. And cool song!

Al Diaz said...

Wake up to your Monday with music. That's nice.

Best of lucks for Nick and this book!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Nick and Andrew!

Misha Gerrick said...

This is such a good cause, that I'm definitely buying me a copy.

Robin said...

Obviously these guys are famous, but I think this song took them back to those days "before they were famous" when they were just kids rocking it out in their parents' garage. They seriously look like they are having the time of their lives. That is what is missing from so many songs when people actually make it: the fun. Fame turns into this grind. It is about Becoming Your Brand. Working Your Brand. Moving Your Brand. Never Tarnishing Your Brand. And never forget You are Your Brand. It must be exhausting.

Ella said...

Nicely done and I loved how you ended on a venture~
Yes, Congrats to Nick n' Andrew!

Melissa said...

Better run, Mark! The Grammar Police are on to you. LOL But seriously, I wish Nick and Andrew all the best.

Thanks for visiting my blog. :)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous music! Best of luck to Nick with his book!

Arlee Bird said...

Go Andrew! And kudos to all the fine authors who lent a hand.

Ventures! One of the groups that started my appreciation of pop music. Great version of this song.

Lee
Writers Workshop
An A to Z Co-host blog

Sherry Ellis said...

That's such great news about Nick's book!

Barbara Watson said...

Such a great cause! I love when people defy the odds that life throws at them.

Hart Johnson said...

Oh, great cause! I hope he does really well with it!

Carol Kilgore said...

Wishing Nick huge success with the anthology of all this wonderful stories.

Love surf music!

Mark Means said...

@Elise: Glad you liked it and totally agree!

@Sheen: Same here hoping it helps

@Nick: My pleasure and I was glad to help out. Best wishes to you guys!

@Al: Yes, something to help stoke the dragon fires :)

@Alex: Couldn't agree more :)

Mark Means said...

@Misha: It sure is and I'm looking forward to the paperbacks to give for some early Christmas gifts.

@Robin: You're 110% correct and I think that comes through in the music. I mean, you can't play that kind of song with that much energy for that many years if you really didn't love it. I grew up listening to these guys and that's the one thing that always stood out for me.

@Ella: Thank you and I'm thinking of making that a Monday ritual. I know I can always use a nice shot of music to get me going on Mondays :)

@Melissa: Shhhh!! You'll give me away! :) I've never excelled at grammar or spelling, so your tips are great...thanks :)

@M.J: I know, isn't it though? :)

Mark Means said...

@Arlee: Oh yeah, I've heard quite a few versions of Pipeline, but this is my favorite, as well.

@Sherry: It sure is!

@Barbara: Same here and they always make for the best stories.

@Hart: Me too!

@Carol: You are, obviously, a woman of great and discerning tastes :)

Suzanne Furness said...

Well done, Nick. It's great to see your anthology all over the place today.

Unknown said...

What an awesome Dad! All the best for a successful journey.

Mark Koopmans said...

Hey,

Great to see so much support for Andrew's anthology around the blogisfear today :)

Ps.. thanks for signing up for the O'hop :)

klahanie said...

Hi Mark,

I'm heartened to note you have made mention of the book "Overcoming Adversity" and indeed a noble and worthy cause.

All the very best to Nick and Andrew. This venture, testimony of humanity at its finest.

Must go now, daddy took the T-Bird away.....

Gary :)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I'm so pleased to see this book mentioned all over the blogosphere today. Compiling this anthology to raise money for Andrew was such a great idea, and I can't believe how quickly Nick got it put together and published. Kudos to all the bloggers who pitched in to make this happen. I hope Nick sells a BUNCH of them. (I've got mine!)

Ella said...

Well done Mark! And thanks for the music! I think every Monday there should be great music ;D

Mark Means said...

@Suzanne: Totally agree!

@Jenn: My thoughts, exactly :)

@Mark: Yep, definitely a lot of well deserved love going around for this. My pleasure, sounds like it's going to be fun :)

@Gary: As long as you had 'fun, fun, fun' before he did it, then it's o.k :)

@Susan: So do I and I have my copy, as well. It's been great so far!

@Ella: Thanks and I just might do that :)

Empty Nest Insider said...

I'm glad that you're in the anthology too Mark! Congrats to Nick and Andrew!

Julie

Mark Means said...

Likewise Julie and,yes, big time congrats to them both! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Mark,
Thanks for visiting my blogs. Oh and next time you visit my writing tips blog, do pick up your award there please, okay:)

Mina Burrows said...

The music is excellent for Tuesday afternoon too. :)

Manzanita said...

I came back to comment because I thought I had but this was also on another person's post. duh
This is a grand idea and wonderful exposure for writers and the best of all, giving Andrew support for his college in Scotland. Way to go,
Nick

Elsie Amata said...

I'm going back to bed....

I kid, I kid!! This was pretty catchy and since I live by the beach and can't wait for the season to get here, I enjoyed it.

So glad to be a part of Nick's launch party with you!

Chancelet said...

Great launch. I've been seeing it a lot and think it's a wonderful effort for a worthy cause. Congrats to all of you who contributed! May it be a grand success. I'll check it out, hopefully this weekend.

Michelle Wallace said...

I'm excited to be a part of this amazing collaboration. Can't wait to get my hands on the paperback!
Best wishes to Andrew and Nick!

Nicki Elson said...

Hey, that's an excellent song even for a Tuesday! I grew up listening to so much Beach Boys growing up.

Go Nick! I hope this book is a smashing success.

Mark Means said...

@M.J: Hey, thank you very much! Hopefully, I inspire you in a positive way! :D

@Mina: For any time of the day, really :)

@Manzanita: LOL..no worries, it got around quite a bit and with good reason :)

@Elsie: Oh come on...I know your foot was tapping, at least :P Same here, it was great to be a part of such a wonderful cause.

@Nancy: I totally agree, thanks Nancy.

@Michelle: Me too and I'm looking forward to the paperback, as well.:)

@Nicki: I hear ya and I love that sound (obviously). The Beach Boys were/are great :) I'm hoping the same thing regarding the book...and I think it will be!

Tara Tyler said...

i got mine this morning =)
so happy & hopeful for nick & andrew!

Pat Hatt said...

Seen it at many a shore and congrats to all once more, great cause where i raise my paws, not claws.

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