Archive for the ‘Books & Authors’ Category

Friends of the Antioch Library to hold Used Book Sale fundraiser Oct. 5-7

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

Antioch mother, daughter co-authors will read, sign book on potty-training Saturday, Aug. 12

Tuesday, August 8th, 2023

By Allen D. Payton

An Antioch mother and daughter have recently published a book on potty-training and will read from and autograph copies this Saturday, August 12 at Barnes & Noble. Sharifa Akilah Trinay Washington co-authored the book with her only child, four-year-old daughter, Ziana Washington.

“My daughter and I have recently created a fantastic resource for parents who are potty training their children,” Sharifa shared. “Our creation, Potty-Training DayTM, is a beautifully illustrated, 32-page book aimed at children ages 0 to 4 years old. It incorporates fun rhymes, songs, and colorful pictures to not only simplify the potty-training journey but also make it an enjoyable experience for both parents and children.”

The Oakland native self-published the book through her own company, Revision Publishing,

“I felt it was essential for me to share my talents and knowledge with the world,” Sharifah said. “I firmly believe that it is crucial for young children to be exposed to images that reflect their own likeness, and for us to have greater control over our intellectual property.”

“Representation in the toilet training industry is of utmost importance,” she continued. “Interestingly, a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine revealed that African American children tend to start and complete toilet training at least six months earlier than their white counterparts.”

The inspiration for their children’s book came from Sharifa’s personal experiences and challenges while potty training Ziana.

“I wanted to create a book that would keep young children engaged and interested in the process,” Sharifa shared. “I also wanted to publish a book with her. It was the perfect kind of way for teaching her how to be an author as well as potty-training.”

The former teacher and administrator said she “took the leap of faith in June to go into full-time entrepreneurship and become a full-time student.”

The single mom is studying for a doctoral degree in educational leadership at St. Mary’s College.

She started the book publishing company in 2020 and “in 2021 when my daughter was about two, we started the potty-training process.”

“To further expand our reach and cater to a wider audience, due to popular demand, we are in the process of creating a version of the same book specifically designed for boys. This book will provide more representation for black males and dads who are toilet training their sons,” Sharifa stated. “With a background in education, communications, and public relations, I believe I am well-equipped to provide valuable insights on how parents can make potty training a fun and interactive experience.”

Asked if she was excited about publishing the book, Ziana said, “Yes.” Asked what grade in school she’s attending this year the little co-author said, “I’m going to be in TK.”

This is the second book Sharifah has authored. Her first book, entitled Beyond the Hurt, is a fictional novel based in Oakland.

She wants to help other authors self-publish their books, as well.

“Through Revision Publishing, I am building my publishing legacy,” Sharifa explained. “I have a strong passion for helping individuals bring their ideas and stories to life.”.

She is also an education consultant, having co-founded Our Collective Impact, LLC with Dr. Kendra Carr.

“We consult with schools and organizations, including in Pittsburg and Antioch,” Sharifa said. “We work with the Family Justice Center and with Bridge Builders, which are both in Antioch.

Meet the mother-daughter duo at the Antioch Barnes & Noble located in the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center at 5709 Lone Tree Way this Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 2-3 p.m. and listen to Ziana read the majority of their book.

The book is available at the store and on www.revisionpub.com.

Friends of the Antioch Library to hold used book sale Aug. 3-5

Saturday, July 22nd, 2023

All proceeds benefit the Antioch Library!

The Friends of the Antioch Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving library services in Antioch. Through membership donations and Book Sale earnings, the Friends provide the library with books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. They also provide children’s and cultural programs for the community. For more information visit https://ccclib.org/ant-friends/

Tickets still available to see author and former Trump advisor George Papadopoulos speak on book “Deep State Target” in Brentwood May 19

Friday, May 12th, 2023

East Contra Costa Republic Women Federated presents former member of foreign policy advisory panel during 2016 presidential campaign

For an individual ticket visit https://square.link/u/QxL23oBt

For a couple’s ticket visit https://square.link/u/YiLOI20c

For more information email RepublicanWomenECC@gmail.com.

Tinted Authors Book Fest in Antioch’s Rivertown May 20

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Book signing by author, wife of Pittsburg’s Olympic Gold Medalist Eddie Hart Saturday, Aug. 27

Friday, August 19th, 2022

“I Remember ‘72” offers her perspective of what happened to cause Fastest Human, World Record Holder to be disqualified

By Allen D. Payton

Following publication of the book “Disqualified” by Pittsburg resident Eddie Hart and longtime Bay Area sports reporter Dave Newhouse about Hart’s experience leading up to and at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, his wife, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hart has penned her own book to offer her perspective. (See related article)

In her book entitled “I Remember ’72: The Road to Munich (My Voice)” Gwen, wife of the Olympic Gold Medalist, World’s Fastest Human at the time, and World Record Holder, speaks from a woman’s point of view. After 50 years of silence, she now voices her held in feelings of what happened to her then boyfriend, now husband on the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summer Olympics.

About The Book

As it has been said, behind every great man stands a strong woman. I Remember ’72, The Road to Munich (My Voice) tells that kind of story of love, admiration, anger and frustration through shared life experiences of a woman standing, not necessarily behind, but beside her man. It’s the perspective of a supportive girlfriend, then wife, of the life, tragedy experienced, and dignity displayed by the one-time, Fastest Man in the World and Olympic Gold Medalist, Eddie Hart. The book adds her own life experiences – telling the story of how they came to be, and her own reaction to that fateful day at the 1972 Olympic Summer Games – to the story Eddie tells in his own book, Disqualified.

It’s a fun, real-life, yet serious story, of two Godly people, working through the good times and tough times, enduring, and outlasting them both. The two books must be read together to fully understand what it is to be someone who rose to the pinnacle of his craft, to only have his dreams dashed, and for her, half a world away, not able to do much but watch, listen, pray and be there for him when he returned. It’s a story of enduring love with life lessons for us all to learn and apply to our own lives.

Get an autographed copy of Gwen Hart’s book and meet Eddie Hart on Saturday, August 27 at 1 p.m. at the Pittsburg Historical Society Museum located at 515 Railroad Avenue.

Book Purchase Information:

Cost: $23.00

Shp/Hld. $4.00

Payment Options:

Cash App: $ghbooks2music

By Check: Top Performance

640 Bailey Rd. #170

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Black authors to hold children’s book tour and expo in Antioch Thursday afternoon

Thursday, July 15th, 2021

By Dietra King

Come support our Black authors.  Bring every child you know out today from 2-6 pm at Dad’s BBQ, 5887 Lone Tree Way, Suite R, Antioch.

Award winning local author of World War II novels Sarah Sundin to hold book signing at Antioch Barnes & Noble Saturday

Friday, February 7th, 2020

Sarah Sundin with copies of the three new books from her new series at Barnes & Noble in Antioch. Photo courtesy of Sarah Sundin.

Barnes & Noble in Antioch, is all ready for Sarah Sundin’s book signing on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 2-4 pm. As you can see, they have plenty of copies of the entire Sunrise at Normandy series, Sundin’s latest trilogy. The store is located at 5709 Lone Tree Way.

She has written three other trilogies based on actual events and people during World War II, entitled the Wings of Glory series, Wings of the Nightingale series and Waves of Freedom series.

Sundin, who lives in Antioch, has won multiple awards for her writing and credits her own family’s war-time experience for her inspiration.

“In January 2000, I woke from a dream so intriguing I had to write it down. I proceeded to write a really bad 750-page contemporary Christian romance,” she writes in her bio on her webpage. “That book will never be published, but it led me to join a critique group, attend writers’ conferences, and join American Christian Fiction Writers.”

“Family tales drew me to the World War II era,” Sundin continues.I first submitted A Distant Melody in 2003, and over the next five years I accumulated a pile of rejection letters. In 2008, a submission at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference led to the sale of the Wings of Glory series.”

Since then she has received four more three-book contracts. The Sea Before Us received the 2019 Reader’s Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love. Both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romances of the Last 10 Years,” Through Waters Deep received the 2016 INSPY Award and was a 2016 Carol Award Finalist, and my novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a 2015 Carol Award Finalist. In 2011, She received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

When not writing, Sundin teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies and speaks to school, community, women’s, historical, and church groups. Visit her speaking page for more information.

To learn more about Sundin and her books, visit www.sarahsundin.com.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.