Author: authoranthonyavinablog

Anthony Avina, (Born March 1990), is an author, a journalist, and a blogger. Born in Southern California, he has battled through injuries, disabilities, moves back and forth across the country, and more, yet still maintains a creative voice that he hopes to use not only to entertain but to inspire hope in even the darkest situations. He writes short stories and novels in several genres, and is also a seasoned journalist for the online magazine, On Request Magazine, as well as the popular site TheGamer. Having grown up reading the books of Dean Koontz and Stephen King, they inspired him to write new and exciting stories that delved into the minds of richly developed characters. He constantly tries to write stories that have never been told before, and to paint a picture in your mind while you are reading the book, as if you could see every scene of the book as if it were a movie you were watching. His stories will get your imaginations working, and will also show that in spite of the most despairing and horrific situations, hope is never out of reach. He am always writing, and so there will never be a shortage of new stories for your reading pleasure. http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

Uncommon Sense by Mel Blackwell Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Mel Blackwell shares the lessons he learned to create a culture of problem solving in successful businesses in the book “Uncommon Sense.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Does your business look successful on the outside—but feel chaotic on the inside?
Are you stuck in constant firefighting, watching the same problems repeat while people dodge responsibility and culture slowly erodes? Is your culture just dysfunctional enough that everyone’s comfortably miserable, too afraid of the change that actually removes the root obstacles?

You don’t need another trendy leadership theory. You need something that actually works. Fix your culture and all metrics improve immeasurably.

After more than 35 years leading startups, turnarounds, and large organizations, former EOS Integrator Mel Blackwell has seen what really breaks businesses—and what actually fixes them. He’s led from the shop floor to the C-suite, rebuilt broken teams, and helped leaders move from chaos to clarity when pressure was real and payroll was due.

Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business is built on battle-tested leadership—not buzzwords. Through gritty stories, plainspoken wisdom, and practical tools, Mel shows you how to build a culture that can take a hit, solve problems fast, and keep moving forward.

This book doesn’t sell theory. It gives you a roadmap.

In this book, you’ll learn:

  • How to build a problem-solving culture instead of a complaining one
  • How to build winning leverage and traction into your culture
  • Why structure must come before people—and how to get it right
  • How to lead with accountability, not excuses
  • The system for eliminating toxic behavior that attracts, empowers, and develops good people
  • Best Pledge™—How to get the absolute best from your people because people as their worst self will not deliver best practice
  • How to align your team around vision and stellar execution
  • Why every organization needs two visions—and how to use them
  • How to lead with courage and win when pressure hits


Plus, you’ll discover why most leaders are “worshipping problems” instead of solving them, why not everyone belongs in every role, and how real leadership shows up when things get hard.

This book doesn’t read like a consultant talking at you. It’s written by a mentor walking beside you—telling the truth, sharing the scars, and showing you what works in the trenches.

When you apply what’s inside this book, leadership gets clearer. Problems get smaller. People are at their best. Teams get stronger. You gain leverage. And your business becomes something that can survive storms instead of being wrecked by them.

If you’re tired of drifting, guessing, and putting out fires—and ready to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence—this is your moment.

Buy Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business today and start building a culture that actually works.

The Review

This was a powerful and insightful read that really does a remarkable job of cutting through the technical jargon and power words that so many other business books like to focus on for leadership and instead focuses on getting to the root of many company’s problems. The honest and engaging way the author engaged with the reader and wrote in a way that felt conversational in tone allowed the reader to hone in on the author’s core messages and experiences and apply those lessons throughout the book to their own life.

The author touches upon a lot of useful and tried and true practices and engaging tools that management, leadership, and aspiring entrepreneurs can use on a daily basis. The idea of leaders needing not only an initial vision for the company, but a subvision of how the company will get to that end goal was fascinating, as was the square wheeled wagon theory the author presents that reflects the misdiagnosis of company problems that often lead to more issues than results. The imagery and creative ways in which the author relates these problems are not only fun but help illustrate the problems perfectly.

The Verdict

Engaging, thoroughly-presented, and compelling, author Mel Blackwell’s “Uncommon Sense” is a must-read business and leadership nonfiction book that will both inspire and educate readers who are looking to establish a solid, functioning culture of cohesiveness for their businesses. The even pacing of the book and detailed practices the author puts out there for readers to utilize will keep them not only engaged in the book, but utilizing it as a point of reference time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Mel Blackwell – Senior Executive, Speaker, Culture Architect

Mel Blackwell has been fixing broken businesses for over 35 years. He started in a smoke-filled trailer park collection office right out of high school and worked his way up to leading teams at billion-dollar companies. He’s run startups, turned around failing businesses, and spent more than 20 years in VP-level C-suite roles.

He’s learned what works and what doesn’t, usually by screwing things up first, then figuring out how to fix them. He’s walked into businesses that looked like shot-up saloons and helped turn them into places where good people actually want to work.

Mel doesn’t sell complicated frameworks or flavor-of-the-month programs. He shoots straight about what it takes to build a culture that can actually handle the Wild West of business. No fluff. No corporate jargon. Just what works.

When he speaks or coaches, people tell him he makes complicated things simple. That’s because he’s lived it. He knows what it’s like to be in the middle of the fire with no perfect answer and a team looking to you for direction. He is featured in International Business Times, USA Today, CEO Weekly, and MSN.

Mel holds a BS in Marketing from Auburn University and an MA in Management from The University of Alabama, but most of what he knows came from doing the work, not from a textbook.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-blackwell-702866271

https://www.instagram.com/blackwellmel/

https://amzn.to/4u5QJsB

Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A woman returns to the small island she spent childhood summers at with her late godmother and must discover if her godmother died naturally or by nefarious means in author Jennifer K. Breedlove’s “Murder Will Out.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award winner Jennifer K. Breedlove brings coastal Maine to life in Murder Will Out, a lighter, modern gothic mystery that’s as atmospheric as it is heart-warming.

Come for the memories. Stay for the murder…

Little North Island, off the coast of Maine, is so beautiful it could be a postcard. Organist Willow Stone cherishes her memories of childhood summers spent on the island with her godmother Sue… even though her visits ended abruptly, and she hasn’t seen or heard from her godmother in over fifteen years. Until a letter from Sue—and word of Sue’s death—brings Willow back to the picturesque island.

The islanders rarely mention Sue without also bringing up Cameron House, and the controversy around Sue’s unexpected inheritance of the sprawling mansion. When Willow overhears someone threatening the next heir to the property, she starts to question whether Sue’s death was really an accident, and can’t help but wonder whether someone on this sleepy island is willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to claim Cameron House for their own.

Through Willow’s eyes, as well as those of others on the island, a mystery unfolds that keeps drawing Willow back to Cameron House and the very real ghosts that walk its corridors.

The Review

Atmospheric is immediately what comes to mind with this book. The author does a remarkable job of balancing mystery with a haunting, almost gothic atmosphere that draws the reader in instantly. The powerful imagery brings this New England island to life in vivid detail, and readers are left breathlessly gasping with each shocking loss that turns the list of suspects in the case into a killer’s playpen of victims, and the protagonist caught in the maelstrom the killer leaves behind.

The character development was top notch in this narrative. The alternating perspectives gave the mystery more depth and nuance, while the protagonist WIllow had a well-rounded journey. To see the shy, quiet young woman step up and find not only her voice but a community as she delved deeper into the secrets of this island was fantastic, and the ghostly presences that made their way into her life not only gave these island secrets life but dove into the sordid history of her own past as well.

The Verdict

Chilling, heartfelt, and enthralling, author Jennifer K. Breedlove’s “Murder Will Out” is a must-read gothic mystery novel that perfectly brings to mind classics like Stephen King’s Bag of Bones and any great Agatha Christie novel. The emotional depth of Willow’s journey and the shocking revelations the closing chapters bring to life, as well as the tension underlining the inciting incident of this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats as this story progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

JENNIFER K. BREEDLOVE is a Chicago area composer, conductor, author, editor, and educator. A frequent visitor to Downeast Maine since childhood, she has an enduring affection for the wild beauty of the coastal islands and the warmth of the people who make their homes there. Her debut novel, Murder Will Out, won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award.

Learn more about her work and contact Jennifer at: https://www.jkbreedlove.com/

https://amzn.to/408Qu29

The Hands That Built This by K.A. Pierce

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book and exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author K.A. Pierce shares the reason why more people should choose trade work as their first choice of a career in the book “The Hands That Built This.”

The Synopsis 

America is running out of people who know how to build what it needs.

The Hands That Built This is a compact, urgent memoir-manifesto by K.A. Pierce—14 years as a carpenter and ironworker and nearly two decades as a construction-safety professional—that argues trades must be first-choice careers, not Plan B.

Through vivid job site scenes, program case studies, and practical policy steps, Pierce demonstrates how apprenticeships, earn-while-you-learn models, mentorship for women, and safety-first training can address labor shortages, mitigate costly failures, and provide stable, debt-free lives.

Concise, actionable, and voice-driven, this book provides parents, educators, contractors, and policymakers with a clear roadmap to rebuild the skilled trades and the communities they sustain.

The Review 

This was such an insightful and engaging read from the get-go. The author writes with passion in an insight into trade work that is inspiring, and will resonate with readers greatly. The fast pacing of the book will allow readers to not only connect with the message of the book, but we’ll give it that re–readability factor that is perfect for books like this that are a constant source of both inspiration and resourcefulness.

The author balances a personal writing style that feels very conversational to the reader with both expertise and familial experience that will allow readers to feel the importance of trade work in our world. The author does a great job highlighting the shame aspect a trade work that has for too long, taken young people away from this line of work and instead of showcases, the heart, the nobility and the honor that could be found in this line of work. The book is also a great source of alternate learning for those who never felt called to higher education, but have a passion for creative yet stable work and also highlights the historical accomplishments trade work has been responsible for.

The Verdict 

Well balanced, engaging, and heartfelt, Author K.A. Pierce’s “The Hands That Built This” is a must read non-fiction memoir meets inspirational guide for any young person who seek a direction in life involving trade work. The amount of knowledge and insight the author is able to fit into such a short read is astounding and readers will feel connected to the author’s story while also allowing them to see themselves in a position to pursue a career and trade work. If you haven’t yet, please grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

I have several books published under various pen names across diverse genres: self-help for personal growth, historical fiction weaving tales of the past, fantasy worlds of imagination, and practical guides to growing orchids. 

Each project reflects my curiosity and commitment to sharing knowledge that empowers and inspires.

However, construction is a passion of mine and has treated me well over the years.  With over 34 years in the construction trade, with 14 years as a carpenter and ironworker, I transitioned into Safety in 2008.  I led zero-incident sites and coached more construction workers than I can count in order to protect the crews and foster leadership.  My book “The Hands That Built This: Restoring Respect and Rebuilding the Future of the Trades”reflects that passion.

Born and raised in rural Minnesota, where hardworking values shaped my early years, I’ve always been drawn to hands-on pursuits. My Dad was a carpenter, and he could build or fix anything.  Life took me on a journey through Texas and then Indiana before landing in sunny Florida, each place adding layers to my story.  I have worked all over the US – including Alaska and Puerto Rico- and in some interesting places as well, like Antarctica’s South Pole Station. That’s another story!

Whether building structures or stories, I believe in restoring respect for skilled hands—those that craft our world. This site is a hub for my work, insights, and connections. Explore, connect, and let’s build something meaningful together.

Cheers! Kim

https://pierceauthor.com/books/the-hands-that-built-this-restoring-respect-and-rebuilding-the-future-of-the-trades-k-a-pierce/9798994628836
https://amzn.to/4b21wv7

Guest Article: How Creatives Get Discovered (and Actually Paid) Without Selling Their Soul by Marcie Sullivan

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Guest PostLeave a comment

Image via Pexels

Creative professionals—illustrators, filmmakers, musicians, writers, designers, makers—often hit the same wall: the work is good, but the right people never seem to find it. You can post daily and still feel invisible. You can be “busy” yet broke. The truth is, discovery is rarely a talent issue; it’s a distribution and trust issue. You don’t need a viral moment to make a living from your craft, though. Treat discovery like a system, not a lottery. Build a handful of “doors” into your work, make it obvious what you do and who it’s for, then keep showing up with proof—small, steady proof—that you deliver. Done well, this compounds in months, not minutes. And it’s way more fun than refreshing your likes.

Audience and Opportunity

If you only build an audience, you might end up with applause and no income. If you only chase clients, you might get paid but burn out. Run two tracks at once:

● Track A (Audience): people who follow, share, and eventually buy.

● Track B (Opportunity): buyers, commissioners, collaborators, licensors, hiring managers.

They overlap—but not perfectly—and that’s okay.

Where Discovery Actually Happens (A Quick Map)

Channel

What it’s good for

What to post

Common mistake

Instagram / TikTok

Reach + top-of-funnel curiosity

Short process clips, “before/after,” mini-stories

Only posting finished work with no context

YouTube / Podcasts

Trust + depth

Tutorials, breakdowns, case studies

Waiting for “perfect” production value

Portfolio site

Conversion + credibility

Curated projects, clear services, contact

Treating it like a gallery instead of a sales page

Email newsletter

Retention + repeat buyers

Works-in-progress, launches, offers

Only emailing when you want money

Marketplaces (Etsy, Gumroad, Bandcamp)

Transaction-ready discovery

Product listings, bundles, limited drops

No differentiation (same titles, same thumbnails)

Communities (Discord, Reddit, local groups)

Warm referrals

Help, feedback, behind-the-scenes

Promoting without participating

Sharpen the Business Side Without Losing Your Creative Voice

Sometimes the biggest limiter isn’t your art—it’s how you price, present, and sell it. Going back to school for a business degree can be a practical way to tighten those fundamentals, especially if you want to turn your creative practice into a stable income stream. Earning a business management degree can help you build skills in leadership, operations, and project management—useful whether you’re freelancing solo or building a small studio. And choosing an online business management degreecan make it easier to keep creating while you study, instead of putting your work on pause.

A How-To Checklist for Getting Discovered (and Hired)

1) Say what you do in one sentence.
Example: “I design album covers for indie musicians” beats “multidisciplinary creative.”

2) Pick one “home base.”
A portfolio page, store, or landing page that answers: What do you make? What does it cost? How do I buy or book you?

3) Build three entry points.

● A free/low-cost offer (print, preset, zine, sample pack)

● A mid-tier offer (commission, class, bundle)

● A premium offer (brand package, licensing, retained work)

4) Post proof, not just output.
Process clips. Sketches. Drafts. Testimonials. “What I learned.” People trust patterns.

5) Turn one project into five posts.
Idea → draft → mistake → fix → final → client reaction. Stretch your best work.

6) Make your contact path painless.
One link. Clear buttons. A short form. A calendar link if you do calls.

7) Do “one-to-one” outreach weekly.
Five thoughtful messages beats fifty cold pitches. Be specific about why you’re reaching out.

8) Keep a simple pipeline.
Track who asked, who replied, and who needs a follow-up. Consistency wins.

FAQ

How often should I post to get discovered?
Post as often as you can sustain without resentment. For many creatives, 2–4 quality posts a week plus light community participation beats daily burnout.

Do I need a niche?
You need clarity. A niche is helpful if it makes it easier for people to remember and recommend you. Start with “who you help” or “what you make,” and refine from there.

What if I hate social media?
Lean into portfolio SEO basics, email, communities, events, partnerships, and direct outreach. Socializing can help, but it’s not the only road to paid work.

Should I do free work for exposure?
Only if the terms are explicit and the exposure is real (audience, credits, link, usage rights). “Maybe it’ll lead to something” is not a contract.

A Resource That Helps When You’re Stuck

If you want support turning creative passion into a sustainable business, check out SCORE, a nonprofit that offers free mentoring and practical workshops for small business owners. Many mentors have experience with pricing, client management, marketing, and basic financial planning—exactly the stuff that often feels murky for creatives. You can use it to sanity-check your rates, get feedback on your offer, or map out a simple plan for the next quarter. Start here:

Conclusion

Discovery isn’t magic—it’s momentum. Make your work easy to understand, easy to share, and easy to buy. Show process and proof, not perfection. Then repeat the system long enough for people to recognize you, trust you, and pay you.

 

KIES “You’re Golden” Single REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn music review, Music ReviewsLeave a comment

There are often times when people will look back on their lives, and either have a feeling of longing and nostalgia, or a feeling of regret and disappointment. This often happens in the throes of a relationship, both those that are just beginning and those that are coming to a close. That is the vibe and tone of artist KIES latest single, “You’re Golden.”

The New Orleans based German artist Jakob Dietrich shares the first single of his new project titled KIES. After years of personal success from a young age, the new adult tone of his latest project reflects the jazzy melodies of his hometown of New Orleans while also delving into the seriousness and maturity that life often throws people’s way. The song at times has bluesy electronic tones that feel like an ode to “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse, then shifts to a more classic jazz tone of solid bass and a great horn section. 

The lyrics and heart of the song was on full display as well, conveying a sense of both loss and fondness that cannot be matched. The singer/songwriter style of writing that this song exudes and the emotional depth of the words will resonate with readers, as the singer conveys a sense of remembrance and longing for a love that is out of arms reach and yet feels as strong as it ever has before. The audience can almost feel the strong indie jazz melodies as if textured in the atmosphere and has a deep and heartfelt beat that the audience can move with while getting deep into the feels as the song progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to listen to this amazing single today!

STREAMING:

YOUTUBE:

ONLINE:

https://www.instagram.com/kiessongs
https://www.youtube.com/@kiessongs
https://www.instagram.com/wolfmoonrecords

A Stranger in Foreign Lands by Bob McCauley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Bob McCauley shares a brand new collection of short stories in the book “A Stranger In Foreign Lands.”

The Synopsis 

Screenshot

There is a debate as to how many types of fiction there are. Some say there are over 144 genres and subgenres of fiction, romance fiction being the world’s most popular and widely sold. I’m not exactly sure which is the least popular, but I would certainly place among them literary fiction. Some have concluded that the difference between literary fiction and all its other genres is meaning over entertainment. Literary fiction has meaning, and as Ernest Hemingway once said, it is like an iceberg in that 10% of the work’s meaning is above the surface of the water, while the remaining 90% is below the surface. I write literary fiction because of my love for it. I want it to be discussed in university classrooms and literary circles. And because it is by far the most difficult type of fiction to write.

The Review 

This was a compelling and gripping collection of short stories in the literary fiction genre. The thoughtful presentation of each story really allowed readers to be able to feel immersed in each setting as these stories took place in the Middle East. The fast pacing of a story gave the reader plenty of time to really connect with these characters while also feeling the emotional pacing of their journey.

The book also journeys to the near and far east. The stories range from personal to cultural and beyond and allow the reader to feel immersed in each areas, specific culture and history. The tone of the collection speaks to the authors experiences in life and passion for telling intimate and compelling personal stories that are reflected in rich and dynamic characters.

The Verdict 

Heartfelt, compelling, and enthralling author, Bob McCauley’s “A Stranger in Foreign Lands” is a must read collection of literary short fiction. Each story felt direct into the point and yet also personal and profound at the same time. Readers will feel completely immersed, and the specific cultures found in this collection and will feel an emotional pull to travel and experience the world for themselves. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Reading: 10/10

About the Author 

I grew up on a junk-food diet in the 1960s. I never considered then that what went into my body was of any importance until I started running cross country and track in high school. By my early 20s, I was a vegetarian but had only given up meat since I still ate eggs and dairy products. I went into the bottled water business 25 years ago. What I knew from the very beginning was that I had a health product. Shortly after that, I discovered alkaline ionized water, spirulina, and chlorella, the raw food diet, and how to be truly healthy. I decided I wanted a more formal education about natural health, so I became a Certified Nutritional Consultant. A few years later, I became a Certified Master Herbalist and eventually a Naturopathic Doctor. However, the vast majority of what I know about health is what I have experienced personally. The water I drink, the foods that I consume, my exercise regimen, and how it all makes me feel. My health protocol is my lifestyle, and my lifestyle is my health protocol. I am a Roman Catholic.

https://amzn.to/40vxtHe