Michelle
Beber has certifications as an Angel Intuitive and Angel Oracle Card Reader
from renowned "angel lady," Doreen Virtue, as well as certifications
as a Spiritual Teacher and Archangel Life Coach from Doreen's son, Charles
Virtue.
In 2008,
Michelle's life changed when she attended a spiritual retreat and learned about
angels and how they communicate through repetitive number sequences known as
"angel numbers." Little did she know that this insight would lead her
on an amazing spiritual journey that would directly connect her with angels and
result in the discovery of her life purpose.
Always
grateful for the spiritual guidance she has received, Michelle looks forward to
sharing the knowledge she has gained to inspire others, especially children.
Michelle is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
(SCBWI).
Her
latest book is the juvenile fiction/children’s picture book, Angels,
Angels, Everywhere.
For
More Information
- Visit Michelle Beber’s website.
- Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Twitter.
- Find out more about Michelle at Goodreads.
- Visit Michelle’s blog.
- Contact Michelle.
Angels, Angels, Everywhere lets children know that they are never alone,
that they have an angelic support system around them 24/7, and that they are
unconditionally loved at all times. The
book was designed as a tool to help children work through the various emotions
they might encounter as they go through life’s ups and downs.
The book covers
emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and loneliness, but it also lets
children know
By keeping the book
non-denominational, I wanted it to be easily accessible to all religious groups
and even to those who might not be religious at all. By making the illustrations racially diverse,
every child will be able to see himself or herself within the book’s pages.
Why did you write your book, Angels, Angels, Everywhere?
I wrote Angels,
Angels, Everywhere to inspire children to have faith and trust in angels to
help and comfort them. By letting children
know they can ask angels for help, it empowers them and gives them confidence
to face life’s challenges.
I know writers who love to write children's books have an uphill battle getting their books published. Is it hard to get a children’s picture book published in your experience?
If I were to have gone the traditional route, I’m sure it
would’ve been very competitive, and there’s probably a good chance my
manuscript might’ve ended up in the “slush” pile never seeing the light of day,
or it might’ve taken years to attract the right publisher.
My passion to deliver my message was pushing me, so I chose
to self-publish with a vanity publisher, Balboa Press, which is the
self-publishing division of Hay House Publishing. Hay House is the largest self-help publisher
in the world, and I wanted to align myself with a company who shared my
spiritual and metaphysical philosophy.
How about getting the word out about your book? Is it hard to promote a children’s picture book and where do
you start?
I don’t think it’s difficult to promote anything with all
the resources that exist. The first
thing I did, which was highly recommended, was set up an Amazon Author Central
page since Amazon is the largest retailer of books in the world.
Also, social media is a great place to tell people about
your book, but you can’t just sell, sell, sell.
You need to provide something of value to your audience and develop a
genuine connection. For instance, I post
inspirational and motivational messages, and surprisingly, I’ve met lots of
like-minded people. I used to think social
media was a big waste of time, but now I love it!
Being on Twitter led to an appearance on a blog talk radio
show so you never know when or where an opportunity might present itself. Be open to all possibilities.
You can also take part in a local event, do a reading at a
bookstore, or participate in a book festival.
Near the end of last year, I happened to see an advertisement for a
local author event that was going to be held at a nearby library, so I entered
the competition. In addition to
providing a copy of my book and a headshot, I had to pay an entry fee of
$25.00. I was selected and was able to
be part of a panel discussion, read to children, and sell books. It was a great first time experience.
There is a wealth of information on the internet devoted to
marketing and promoting your book as well as lots of “how to” books. I recommend research, research,
research! It’s your “best friend.” As they say, knowledge is power.
Have you suffered
from writer’s block and what do you do to get back on track?
I don’t think there’s
a writer out there who hasn’t suffered from writer’s block. If I find I’m struggling, I put it away and
look at it another time. Sometimes, that’s
an hour later; sometimes, it’s the next day; and sometimes, it’s a week
later. I’ve always been able to get past
it. Patience is the key.
What do you like the
most about being an author?
My favorite part
about being an author is the actual creation process. I love “molding the clay” and then admiring
the finished work. Also, I’m very
grateful that my words are going to make a difference in the lives of children.
What is the most
pivotal point of a writer’s life?
I think most people
would say holding their first book in their hands, but for me it was finishing
my first manuscript and knowing it could help children. It was then that I truly felt like I was born
to write and the reason why I was here.
What kind of advice
would you give other authors?
First and foremost,
always write from your heart, and never give up on your dream of publishing
your first book. Success is made of hard
work, determination, and patience. It
can take a long time to put your book into the marketplace, but once you do,
it’s the most gratifying feeling you’ll ever have.