Tag: #Health and Wellness

  • The 2025 Mind and Spirit Hall of Fame for Mindfulness and Enlightenment

    Looking for Balance in your Life?

    The Mind & Spirit Awards are here for you

    Sand ripples with a rock in the center

    ***Enter your book today***

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge
    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

    At the heart of the Mind & Spirit Awards is a celebration of transformation and enlightenment. It embraces the power of words to uplift, inspire, and guide, creating a ripple effect that resonates with readers on a soulful level. This division acknowledges the significance of the mind-spirit connection, delving into the realms of spirituality, mindfulness, well-being, and self-discovery.

    Let’s celebrate the Grand Prize Winners of the Mind and Spirit Awards

    Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present
    By Marijke McCandless

    Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present offers a playful yet impactful guide for those seeking vitality and inspiration. Through short, refreshing practices, readers explore vulnerability, authenticity, and self-compassion, fostering deeper connections with themselves and others. By committing to just minutes of daily practice, this book cultivates sustainable awareness and self-inquiry, rejuvenating one’s sense of vitality and joy. With an emphasis on mindfulness and emotional intelligence, it provides accessible tools to shift mindsets and embrace the present moment with curiosity and delight.

    Buy it here!

    Psychological Secrets for Emotional Success
    By Dr. Kelly Rabenstein

    Do you often feel that you sabotage your personal and work relationships? In Psychological Secrets for Emotional Success, Dr. Kelly Rabenstein teaches readers exactly what psychological techniques will help them strengthen and maintain their interpersonal connections.

    Dr. Rabenstein is a licensed psychologist offering her extensive knowledge of how to make sound, conscious changes in mindset and perspective to help you thrive in relationships across the board. If a person can thrive, then they can be fully authentic to themselves and to those who surround them.

    Psychological Secrets for Emotional Success follows the structure of thoughtful explanations and emotional explorations, followed by insightful exercises at the end of each chapter to help readers understand and improve both their workplace culture and personal interactions. These questions reveal where we stand and how to develop a more balanced life.

    Dr. Rabenstein lays out the deceptively simple key to emotional success: a combination of awareness, education, and empathy.

    Read More Here

     

    A Sky of Infinite Blue Cover

    A Sky of Infinite Blue
    By Kyomi O’Connor

    “It’s my armor,” Kyomi O’Connor realizes, as she sees herself continuing life as normal after her husband dies of cancer.

    Grief brings with it many companions: childhood trauma, memories of difficult seasons of life, triumphant moments of growth, epiphanies, healing, love. In A Sky of Infinite Blue, Japanese immigrant Kyomi O’Connor allows grief to open her heart to the lessons of her past.

    In particular, she recognizes emotional armor that since childhood, she has built up, torn down, and built up again. Through her relationship with her husband, her devoted Buddhist practice, and her trust in her “Self,” Kyomi makes meaning of her life and redeems her darkest memories. Readers walk through these memories with her as the book shifts between past and present.

    Kyomi is deeply guarded as a child.

    She struggles to deal with her family’s dysfunction, gradually learning to distance herself emotionally as a means of protecting herself. She fashions her armor, wearing it for years. But, after immigrating to the US, she finds a reason to begin taking it off.

    Read More Here

    Enlighten Up! Cover

    Enlighten Up
    By Beth Gibbs

    Beth Gibb’s Enlighten Up! Finding Clarity Contentment and Resilience in A Complicated World is not a simple how-to book, but rather an invitation to begin a journey of self-discovery.

    This journey follows the “five-layer method,” based on the Upanishads, a 3,000-year-old East-Indian wisdom tradition. After a quick history lesson on the pursuit of self-awareness, Gibbs walks readers through the five layers of achieving it, for a happy and fulfilling life. Throughout the book, Gibbs includes breaks for mindfulness and grounding exercises to get the most out of each section.

    Gibbs writes about the assumption that the goal of enlightenment is to, “suppress or eliminate their emotions, live everlasting bliss, and face every situation with equanimity,” and how that assumption is unrealistic.

    Read More Here

     

    Exit The Maze Cover

    Exit The Maze
    By Dr. Donna Marks

    Exit The Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks is a welcoming and comprehensive enchiridion of untapped wisdom that offers a step-to-step guide to getting out of any form of addiction.

    No one sets out to become an addict; it catches us off guard. An addiction can happen quickly or slowly and can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, ethnic group, or religion. With pitch-perfect prose, Dr. Donna Marks invites readers into the root causes of different forms of addiction, while offering pragmatic and evidence-based solutions that are bound to yield results.

    Buoyed by the personal experiences of the author along with numerous case studies, Dr. Marks further offers deep insights into the inadequacies of traditional treatment models. For example, she notes that most rehab centers lack adequate staffing and overstep the limits of their capabilities. Another example is the famous 12 steps of fighting addiction which she believes do help to stop a behavior and develop a solid support system, however, she also sees that the program falls short.

    Read More Here

     


    Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Mind & Spirit Winners is to submit today!

    Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

     

    Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

    As the deadline for the 2025 Mind & Spirit Awards arrives, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

    Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

  • 10 Days left for September Non-Fiction that Guides

    Non-Fiction Closes Soon!

     

    Don’t let your book miss out!

    Only 10 days left to submit your books to these prestigious CIBA Divisions and embark on an extraordinary journey to success.

    The Chanticleer International Book Awards provide ongoing recognition that amplifies authors’ digital footprints through high-traffic website features, social media promotion, newsletter spotlights, and long-tail marketing that continues promoting winners throughout the year and beyond!

    The I&I, Harvey Chute and The Mind and Spirit Awards are still open!

    Best Book Grand Prize for the Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards

    Congratulations to the 2024 Winners of the Mind & Spirit Awards for Spirituality and Enlightenment!

    • Shari Biery – It’s Your Turn How To Rediscover Yourself Prioritize Your Well-Being Thrive with Purpose
    • Damian Fozard – Disbelief
    • Eileen Marlowe – The Call to Connect With Spirit
    • Anne Kiehl Friedman – Higher Love: A Psychedelic Travel Memoir of Heartbreak and Healing
    • Jane Kim Yu – Journey of Awakening and Higher Consciousness

    And a huge round of applause to our 2024 Mind & Spirit Grand Prize Winner:

    Naked in the Now

    By Marijke McCandless

    Naked in the Now Cover

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    Congratulations to the 2024 Winners of the I&I Award for Guides and How-tos!

    • Margaret C Beeler – Tropetails: A Cocktail and Mocktail Book for Bookworms
    • Tania Israel – Facing the Fracture How To Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation
    • Katherine Fabrizio – The Good Daughter Syndrome: Help For Empathic Daughters of Narcissistic, Borderline, or Difficult Mothers Trapped in the Role of the Good Daughter
    • Bob Dahms, MBA, CPA, CMA – Let’s Talk About This: 50 Things You Need to Know About Starting and Managing a Small Business
    • Douglas A. Burton – The Heroine’s Labyrinth: Archetypal Designs in Heroine-Led Fiction
    • Jacqui Clarke – Stop Worrying about Money

    And a huge round of applause for our 2024 I&I Grand Prize Winner:

    Success with Hydrangeas: A Gardener’s Guide

    By Lorraine Ballato

    Success with Hydrangeas cover by Lorraine Ballato

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    Congratulations to the 2024 Winners of the Harvey Chute Award for Business and Enterprise!

    • Roger Spitz – Disrupt With Impact: Achieve Business Success in an Unpredictable World
    • Jenny Li Fowler – Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities
    • Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel – Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy
    • Neal Schaffer – Digital Threads: The Small Business and Entrepreneur Digital First Marketing Playbook
    • Melina Palmer – The Truth About Pricing  

    And a huge round of applause to our 2024 Harvey Chute Grand Prize Winner:

    Stop Worrying About Money

    By Jacqui Clarke

    Stop Worrying About Money Cover

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    The CIBAs provide a ladder to success with a range of achievement tiers and expert long tail marketing strategies. From the highly anticipated Long List to the prestigious Overall Grand Prize Winner, the CIBA lists energize both authors and readers, maximizing your digital footprint and expanding your fan base.

    We are always eager to support the Best Books through the CIBAs. Join the ranks of celebrated authors who have already taken this critical step in their publishing.

    Your book deserves to be discovered, celebrated, and shared with the world. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your talent and gain valuable exposure at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (April 17-19, 2025) where Winners from all 28 Book Award Divisions will be announced and honored.

    In a world hungry for good books, your story deserves to be heard. Submit now and leave a lasting impression.

    Let’s celebrate exceptional storytelling together!

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest

    Your book deserves to be discovered

    Enter Today!

  • The 2025 Mind and Spirit Spotlight for Spirituality and Enlightenment!

    Finding Peace in a Busy World

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge

    The Mind & Spirit Awards Are Looking to Unplug

    In our increasingly fast-paced world, the search for inner peace and authentic connection has become more vital than ever. From mindfulness practices that ground us in the present moment to spiritual frameworks that illuminate our deeper purpose, readers are seeking guidance that nurtures both mind and spirit. The Mind & Spirit Awards for Spirituality and Enlightenment celebrate the exceptional works that provide this essential wisdom, recognizing authors who offer transformative insights and practical tools for living with greater awareness, compassion, and joy.

    Celebrating Our Grand Prize Winner!

    We’re delighted to celebrate our 2024 Mind & Spirit Division Grand Prize Winner, Marijke McCandless for her inspiring guide Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present. This accessible and warmhearted work offers a refreshing approach to mindfulness, providing simple yet powerful practices that help readers reconnect with themselves and find peace in everyday moments. McCandless understands that many people crave more presence in their lives but feel overwhelmed by complex spiritual practices, so she offers “tiny practices” that deliver “real relief” without requiring major life overhauls.

    What makes Naked in the Now truly special is its blend of practical wisdom with gentle encouragement. The book helps readers spark insight and authenticity while quieting their inner critic through practices that can be integrated into busy schedules. McCandless shows the reader that even just five minutes a day can open doorways to the peace, vitality, and joy that already exist within us. She will receive a Chanticleer Editorial Review and has already completed her Awarded Author Interview, allowing readers to explore her insights on mindful living and practical spirituality.

    Sand ripples with a rock in the center

    The Mind & Spirit Awards honor the full spectrum of spiritual and wellness literature, encompassing categories from Enlightenment and Spirituality to Mindfulness, Meditation, Well-Being, and Energy work. This comprehensive approach reflects our understanding that spiritual growth takes many forms, whether through Motivational frameworks that inspire transformation or specialized practices that cultivate specific aspects of consciousness and healing.

    Explore All Business & Self-Help Divisions

    The Mind & Spirit Awards are part of Chanticleer’s comprehensive celebration of transformative non-fiction:

     

    One Kiss Cover

    One Kiss
    By Michelle Ashton

    One Kiss by Michelle Ashton is a poignant and emotionally unvarnished memoir of life through loss, healing, and the grim, lovely battle of being human.

    One Kiss feels like a private journal—vulnerable, scattered at times, terribly real and sympathetic. Readers walk beside someone who’s still dealing with life’s challenges—working through heartbreak, trying to heal, stumbling, getting back up, and asking big questions she hasn’t yet found the answers to.

    Much of this book circles around Ashton’s deep, complicated attachment to Noah, the man she calls “Adonis” and her “Twin Flame.” She relates with painful but relatable honesty how it feels like to wait, to hope, to wonder if you should hold on or walk away. Who hasn’t sat there refreshing their messages or praying for a sign that maybe this time things will turn out differently?

    Read More Here

    Guided, book cover, rv, cactus, monument valley

    Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road
    By Kirsten Throneberry

    A Journey First Place Winner!

    In her stunning memoir, Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road, Kirsten Throneberry weaves together the highs and lows of a road trip packed with life wisdom, where she explores grief, spirituality, and rekindled hope.

    Throneberry’s achingly vulnerable memoir splits its readers’ hearts and tenderly sews them back together.

    In the aftermath of the devastating loss of her husband, Kirsten sells her home and takes her two small sons, two elderly pups, and eccentric mother on a year-long road trip around the United States in their new-to-them Bigfoot RV.

    Encouraged by the same spirit guides whose earlier advice for her husband’s health left her broken and untrusting, Kirsten must learn to face the open road with an equally open heart and mind.

    Read More Here

    Ask Biella
    By Syl Sabastian

    Syl Sabastian’s Ask Biella is unlike today’s typical self-help books—ones that are quickly read, interpreted, and forgotten. Instead, Ask Biella is a thoughtful and thought-through self-help reference work featuring a fictional guide from Syl Sabastian’s core series fielding deep questions from real readers. It asks its audience for a different kind of commitment to its deep sharing: a raw, self-exploratory approach in which one creates a realistic-ideal world for themselves through the process of positivity and emphasis.

    Ask Biella invites readers to turn inward for enlightenment, satisfying their questions with lasting internal empowerment rather than external compromises. Biella reveals the harmful mental habits to which we are all prone and points to the rope that can save us from ourselves. After all, according to Biella, “We, and we alone, are the creators of meaning.”

    Biella’s world is rooted in real-world wisdom with an easy-to-follow candor, and pulls from Biella’s “Dictionary-of-Power,” hyphenating and capitalizing particular words and phrases for emphasis to change how the reader engages with the text. For example, Biella hyphenates and capitalizes the phrase “Thinking-Things-Through-TO-THE-END” to capture readers’ attention, changing the way readers’ brains respond to the words via emphasis. These specific words and phrases, or “tools-of-living,” cover a wide variety of topics.

    Read More Here

    Staying Married is the Hardest Part Cover

     

    Coming Out of the Metaphysical Closet
    By Lisa Rhyne

    In her stunning and intimate memoir Staying Married is the Hardest Part: A Memoir of Passion, Secrets and Sacrifice, Bonnie Comfort takes readers on a decades-long journey of deep love, laughter, and the challenges of a long-term marriage, from first meeting her husband Bob in the late 1970s until his death in 2010.

    Throughout their life together, Bonnie and Bob have their fair share of disagreements—including where to live—but the main conflict within their marriage centers around their conflicting sexual needs and preferences.

    As a professional psychologist, Bonnie shows the highs and lows of her marriage to Bob, contrasted by her job of helping others with their emotional and relationship problems. Bonnie and Bob’s committed love for one another makes staying married both the hardest and easiest part of their lives regardless of what challenges come their way.

    Read More Here

    These reviews represent just a glimpse of the transformative wisdom and practical guidance waiting to be discovered in today’s spiritual and wellness literature.


    See the Chanticleer Difference for Yourself!

    We’re excited about all the inspiring spiritual and wellness works we receive every year for both the CIBAs and for our Editorial Reviews. Throughout this year’s Mind & Spirit Book Awards, we had the pleasure of promoting numerous enlightening titles as they advanced through our competition tiers. The Chanticleer International Book Awards provide ongoing recognition that amplifies authors’ digital footprints through high-traffic website features, social media promotion, newsletter spotlights reaching thousands of industry professionals, and long-tail marketing that continues promoting winners throughout the year and beyond!

    This is the journey from beginning to end for the CIBAs! Every list you make means more promotion for you and your work as each advancement tier is posted right here on our website, on our social media, and also out in our newsletter! Your book deserves to be discovered.

    Don’t Let Your Wisdom Remain Unshared!

    The spiritual and wellness market continues to flourish as readers seek authentic guidance for navigating life’s challenges with greater peace and purpose. Whether your work offers ancient wisdom adapted for modern life, innovative meditation techniques, energy healing practices, or motivational frameworks for personal transformation, the Mind & Spirit Awards provide the recognition and promotional platform your insights deserve.

    Spiritual and wellness literature has the unique power to heal, inspire, and awaken readers to their highest potential. From mindfulness practices that bring immediate relief to profound teachings that shift entire worldviews, every thoughtfully crafted work has the potential to become a treasured guide on someone’s spiritual journey. Don’t let your wisdom remain hidden—submit to the Mind & Spirit Awards today and join the visionary authors who’ve found their spiritual community through Chanticleer!

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge

    Submit to the Mind & Spirit Awards today! Deadline: September 30th

    You know you want it…
  • Mind & Spirit Hall Of Fame — Celebrating Books that Bring us Balance

    Looking for Balance in your Life?

    The Mind & Spirit Awards are here for you

    Sand ripples with a rock in the center

    ***Enter your book today***

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge
    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

    At the heart of the Mind & Spirit Awards is a celebration of transformation and enlightenment. It embraces the power of words to uplift, inspire, and guide, creating a ripple effect that resonates with readers on a soulful level. This division acknowledges the significance of the mind-spirit connection, delving into the realms of spirituality, mindfulness, well-being, and self-discovery.

    Let’s celebrate the Grand Prize Winners of the Mind and Spirit Awards

    Enlighten Up! Cover

    Enlighten Up
    By Beth Gibbs

    Beth Gibb’s Enlighten Up! Finding Clarity Contentment and Resilience in A Complicated World is not a simple how-to book, but rather an invitation to begin a journey of self-discovery.

    This journey follows the “five-layer method,” based on the Upanishads, a 3,000-year-old East-Indian wisdom tradition. After a quick history lesson on the pursuit of self-awareness, Gibbs walks readers through the five layers of achieving it, for a happy and fulfilling life. Throughout the book, Gibbs includes breaks for mindfulness and grounding exercises to get the most out of each section.

    Gibbs writes about the assumption that the goal of enlightenment is to, “suppress or eliminate their emotions, live everlasting bliss, and face every situation with equanimity,” and how that assumption is unrealistic.

    Read More Here

     

    Exit The Maze Cover

    Exit The Maze
    By Dr. Donna Marks

    Exit The Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks is a welcoming and comprehensive enchiridion of untapped wisdom that offers a step-to-step guide to getting out of any form of addiction.

    No one sets out to become an addict; it catches us off guard. An addiction can happen quickly or slowly and can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, ethnic group, or religion. With pitch-perfect prose, Dr. Donna Marks invites readers into the root causes of different forms of addiction, while offering pragmatic and evidence-based solutions that are bound to yield results.

    Buoyed by the personal experiences of the author along with numerous case studies, Dr. Marks further offers deep insights into the inadequacies of traditional treatment models. For example, she notes that most rehab centers lack adequate staffing and overstep the limits of their capabilities. Another example is the famous 12 steps of fighting addiction which she believes do help to stop a behavior and develop a solid support system, however, she also sees that the program falls short.

    Read More Here

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

     

    The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 MIND & SPIRIT Awards is:

    A Sky of Infinite Blue 

    By Kyomi O’Connor

    Mind and Spirit Grand Prize for a Sky of Infinite Blue by Kyomi O'Connor

    A review is in the works for A Sky of Infinite Blue. You can see the First Place Winners of the 2022 Mind & Spirit Awards here.

     


    Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Mind & Spirit Winners is to submit today!

    Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

     

    Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

    As the deadline for the 2023 Mind & Spirit Awards arrives, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

    Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

    With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

     

  • Spotlight on the 2023 Mind & Spirit Awards for Metaphysical Non-Fiction

    Embark on a Journey of Mind and Spirit

    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge
    Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

    In the quiet moments of introspection, where the mind converges with the essence of being, profound narratives unfold.

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest

    The allure of spiritual exploration and the quest for well-being beckon authors and seekers alike. The  Mind & Spirit Awards stand as a tribute to these transformative works, celebrating the realms of Spirituality, Enlightenment, Self-Help, Mindfulness, Well-being, Meditation, and Energy. Join us as we traverse the corridors of consciousness and unveil the power of the mind-spirit connection.

    Submit Your Work Today!

    The Mind & Spirit Awards weave tales of enlightenment, offering guidance in the pursuit of mindfulness, or illuminating the path to well-being, your words have the potential to inspire, uplift, and transform.

    In the vast tapestry of human experience, countless paths lead to enlightenment. The Mind & Spirit Awards embrace a diverse array of genres and voices, uniting the realms of spirituality, wisdom, and personal development. From profound self-help manuals to enlightening explorations of mindfulness, this division encapsulates the boundless journey of the human soul.

    Navigating the Spiritual Landscape: A Harmonious Blend

    As self-help literature finds its way into the hearts of readers, the concept of mindfulness has flourished, becoming a beacon of inner awareness. Publishers Weekly offers a word of caution for this difficult to write genre:

    The term mindfulness can be “very fraught,” agreed Lil Copan, senior acquisitions editor at Broadleaf Books, particularly if it has been “diluted in its origin” in Buddhism. Christian authors often want to avoid acknowledging the Buddhist roots of mindfulness as a practice, connecting it instead with Christian contemplative practices they trace to the early church, or merely using “mindfulness” as a substitute for words like “presence” or, in the Quaker context, “quietude.” Still, Copan said that even amid concern about using the term, mindfulness is “such a good word. It does so much work that I can’t think of another word in which you aren’t saying 30 words or long sentences to get at what most people think of as mindfulness.”

    We are delighted to celebrate the 2022 Winners of the Mind & Spirit Awards who have already started to make their mark on the genre!

    • Ananta Ripa Ajmera – The Way of the Goddess: Daily Rituals to Awaken Your Inner Warrior and Discover Your True Self
    • Nico Marceca and illustrated by Karen Sue Chen – The One Week Journal
    • Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT – Gaslighting: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide to Heal from Emotional Abuse and Build Healthy Relationships
    • D Terrence Foster. M.D – The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life
    • Donna McCart Welser – Rue’s Butterfly 

      The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 MIND & SPIRIT Awards is:

      A Sky of Infinite Blue 

      By Kyomi O’Connor

      Mind and Spirit Grand Prize for a Sky of Infinite Blue by Kyomi O'Connor

      The Mind & Spirit Awards are uniquely attuned to works that delve deep into the spiritual journey, resonating with readers seeking solace, clarity, and transcendence. Every word penned in a Mind & Spirit book holds the potential to ignite transformation. As an author, your role in guiding readers toward inner growth is paramount. Vulnerability and authenticity are powerful tools that invite readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

      Seize the opportunity to share your enlightening narrative with the world. Submit your work to the Mind & Spirit Awards by the August 31, 2023 deadline. Join the lineage of authors who have contributed to the evolution of spiritual literature and well-being.


      When you’re ready, did you know that Chanticleer offers editorial services? We do and have been doing so since 2011.

      Our professional editors are top-notch and are experts in the Chicago Manual of Style. They have and are working for the top publishing houses (TOR, McMillian, Thomas Mercer, Penguin Random House, Simon Schuster, etc.).

      If you would like more information, we invite you to email Kiffer or David at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com or DBeaumier@ChantiReviews.com for more information, testimonials, and fees.

      We work with a small number of exclusive clients who want to collaborate with our team of top-editors on an on-going basis. Contact us today!

      Chanticleer Editorial Services also offers writing craft sessions and masterclasses. Sign up to find out where, when, and how sessions being held.

      • A great way to get started is with our manuscript evaluation service, with more information available here.
      • And we do editorial consultations for $75. Learn more here.
      • If you’re confident in your book, consider submitting it for a Editorial Book Review here or to one of our Chanticleer International Awards here.
      The 2022 Grand Prize Winners from CAC23!

      And remember! Our 12th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC24) will be April 18-21, 2024, where our 2023 CIBA winners will be announced. Space is limited and seats are already filling up. Sign up and see the latest updates here!

    • The LOOSE ENDS BECAME KNOTS: An ILLNESS NARRATIVE by Austin Hopkins – Memoir, Sexual Awakening, Health and Wellness

      The LOOSE ENDS BECAME KNOTS: An ILLNESS NARRATIVE by Austin Hopkins – Memoir, Sexual Awakening, Health and Wellness

      A young man survives the extremes of sexual abuse, physical harm and emotional chaos in the harrowing and profoundly powerful memoir, The Loose Ends Became Knots: An Illness Narrative by Austin M. Hopkins.

       The experience of sexual violence starts for Hopkins as a teenager, during the time he struggles defining his own sexual identity. The men he meets take advantage of his youth and naiveté, at first, and later, though he gradually becomes wiser to the stark intricacies of a sexual awakening in the world of gay men, he still succumbs to men who use him – with and without his consent. He never seeks such treatment consciously, yet, it continues to happen. What is it about him that attracts predatory partners, he wonders? Hopkins grapples with the many issues that often assail young people dealing with gender identity: How can he reach out to his parents for help when the root of his pain contradicts whom he believes they want him to be? Is he disappointing them? Will they cut him out of their lives? How complicated his life has become since his childhood!

       As encounter after encounter with unkind and uncaring individuals sends him into a downward spiral, three things work together to give him hope: he’s a bright student and doing well in college; he finds an excellent therapist who offers concrete advice and skills that will serve to help him personally and professionally in the years to come; and finally, after courageous self-examination and altered personal perspective, he meets a loving, compassionate partner, who, though not fully understanding the different emotions and energies from Hopkins past, authentically recognizes and acknowledges the unique qualities that his partner brings into their marriage.

       Hopkins has collected this episodic memoir from his journals, poetry and other writings, and added the observations of others, attributing identity where permission was granted. He carefully phrases the depictions of sexual violence in a manner that compels the reader to feel his pain and humiliation. Hopkins does not shrink from the frank sense of shame and self-blame that characterizes his early encounters. Readers unfamiliar with sexual awakening stories may find some of the text hard to work through. And yet, the author presents his work as a gift to those who are on the brink of their own sexual awakening – or who are already there and wonder what next to do – how to live successfully in the malaise of public opinion and family complications. It is through the pain and traumatic recollections that Hopkins expresses himself most eloquently – and it is here where his work, though painful, is the most rewarding. Readers witness a young man triumph over obstacles and begin to actively balance his life with acceptance and love, endeavoring to help others along the way.

      Hopkins’ story is profoundly powerful. And his story is not over – he is, after all, a young man working towards a career in medicine. He offers this narrative to “raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual violence within the gay community” as he experienced it. His goal is to help others who are experiencing similar kinds of abuse and hopefully shed a much-needed light in this potentially lonely and frightening time for those whose sexual identity is something other than what certain groups claim as normal.