Halo Publishing International

01/24/2025

We’re thrilled to share “Gracie and Aero’s Wallet and Market Workbook!” This engaging resource teaches young readers about saving money, starting a business, and key elements of success, all through the inspiring story of Gracie and Aero.

Written by Rachel Gregory, MSc, an accomplished author and hotelier, this workbook combines practical lessons with creativity, inspiring the next generation of thinkers and entrepreneurs.

01/24/2025

If reading “Fighting Through the Hurdles of My Life: A Memoir” is both heartbreaking and inspiring, hearing Roberto Alfaro speak about it is just as impactful. In his interview on NBC CT Live, this articulate author discusses his life, the book, the writing process, and the journey that followed. Don’t miss this powerful conversation!

Roberto Alfaro’s book is called “Fighting Through the Hurdles of My Life”.

01/23/2025

I have my completed manuscript—now what?

As writers, we often believe our job ends with writing. We spend weeks, months, or even years crafting a novel, a collection of essays, short stories, poems, or a thesis. But completing the manuscript is just the beginning. A crucial and often challenging stage lies ahead: revision.

Even if you’re working with an editor, the first two revisions (at least) should be done by you. These early reviews aren’t about technical details like spelling or grammar. They’re a personal and intentional process that only you, the author, can handle—because only you know what you set out to express in your manuscript. Start by asking yourself this vital question: Did I say what I wanted to say?

Answering this requires honesty and distance. Only by stepping back from your manuscript can you objectively evaluate if you’ve achieved your goal. Read it as if you’re encountering it for the first time, with no prior knowledge of the story.

If your answer is “yes,” it’s time to polish and refine. If it’s “no,” you’ll need to rework the text to align with its true essence.

For instance: imagine you’re writing a novel inspired by your grandmother’s life in a small town outside Oaxaca. As the story unfolds, you realize her journey is deeply tied to the town’s history. Suddenly, your manuscript evolves—it’s no longer just about her, but also the community that shaped her. Your grandmother remains the focal point, but the narrative now includes the broader story of the town.

This doesn’t mean your manuscript failed. It simply needs to adapt to this new direction. You might need to cut parts that no longer fit or expand on elements to highlight the town’s significance.

Whether your answer is “yes” or “no,” here are three key aspects to assess during revision:

1. Readability: Are my sentences clear and easy to follow? Will my ideal reader understand and connect with the message?

2. Effectiveness: Do my literary devices work? Am I creating meaningful imagery? Are elements introduced early resolved by the end?

3. Style: Is the language engaging and consistent? Does the dialogue reflect the characters’ personalities and context? Am I unintentionally suggesting something I don’t mean to?

Revision is where good writing becomes great. Follow us for more tips to guide you through this essential step!

01/22/2025

Horses bring immense joy to our lives, but not all of them are fortunate enough to find a forever home where they are cherished and respected. Meet Dallas, a horse on a heartfelt journey to find her forever family. Follow her hoofprints as she meets her new owner, Seth.

"'I Love You': Dallas’s Journey" by Kathleen Berger beautifully captures the essence of nature and the unique bond between humans and horses, inspired by real-life animals.

Are you ready to join Dallas on her inspiring adventure?

01/21/2025

This month, we celebrate the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, a literary pioneer who forever changed the landscape of fiction.

While he wasn’t the first to write short stories, Poe was among the earliest to champion the short story as a legitimate art form. Before his time, the genre was often dismissed in favor of the novel due to its brevity. Poe, however, analyzed the structure of short stories, elevating them to a major art form. He emphasized that the compact nature of the short story requires every word, symbol, and image to carry significant meaning, unlike the novel, which can afford lengthy detours and less focused prose.

Poe also revolutionized the way stories begin and end. Defying Aristotle's rule that stories should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, he often started in media res—plunging readers straight into the action. A prime example is “The Fall of the House of Usher,” where, as the title suggests, we witness the house already in its final stages of collapse, bypassing the traditional exposition.

His influence on the modern short story is profound. Countless authors, including Raymond Carver, have acknowledged their debt to Poe’s innovations in structure and style.

Happy birth month, Edgar Allan Poe! Thank you for the brevity.

01/20/2025

Prepare for an intimate, spiritual, and transformative experience like no other. Lisa Umina sits down with author Alex O'Neal Heaton Jr. to discuss his new book, Journey on Angel Wings. Alex shares his profound journey of faith, uncovering the true nature of life and death, and he doesn't hold back in revealing the insights he's gained. This is a conversation you simply can't miss.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uNmt8VwppBXn1geNJVOrX?si=lLprbjlISiOAHlQsFnWdhA

01/20/2025

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King Jr.

As writers, we dream big—of finishing that manuscript, touching readers' hearts, or changing the world one story at a time. But often, the path ahead feels uncertain. Dr. King’s words remind us to trust the process, to step forward with courage, and to believe in the power of our words.

Like the writing journey, progress isn’t always swift, but every word counts. Let’s honor his legacy by keeping faith in our dreams and moving forward, one page at a time.

What dream are you writing toward today? Share it below!

01/17/2025

At Halo Publishing, we believe that powerful stories and meaningful messages can come from anyone, anywhere. Everyone deserves a platform to share their voice.
Join us in raising yours! If you know someone bursting with talent who just needs a little encouragement to become an author, share this with them.
Let’s make stories heard!

01/16/2025

Want to spend the weekend walking in someone else’s shoes?

Our recommendation is “Give Me Mercy” by C. B. O’Malley. Step into Mercy’s world, a life consumed by flames, leaving her to sift through the ashes of who she once was. As she navigates the pain of rebuilding, Mercy uncovers mysteries, encounters a strange yet familiar figure, and confronts her deepest demons.

This compelling story is not just a mystery but a profound journey of spiritual awakening.

Click here to step into her world: https://halopublishing.com/novels/

01/15/2025

Join a nature walk like no other! What wonders await in the beautiful woods of Northern Minnesota? Discover them with Lisa Cassman, counselor and life coach, in her enchanting new children’s book, “Our Butterfly Walk.” This charming story reminds us that beauty can be found all around us.

01/14/2025

“From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”

-A Lady

Yes, this is the iconic response Elizabeth Bennet gives to Mr. Darcy after his first declaration of love in "Pride and Prejudice." And while we now know it was written by the brilliant Jane Austen, at the time of its publication in 1813, it was attributed only to “A Lady.”

This month, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. She’s the queen of romantic fiction, realism, and satire, and we will not soon forget about her timeless characters.

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

01/13/2025

Author and proud grandmother Pinky Jean has made her mark on the literary scene with a heartfelt series designed to show children the warm, unconditional love of a grandparent while recognizing the importance of their big feelings. In this week’s episode, Lisa Umina sits down with Pinky to discuss the inspiration behind the series, the often-overlooked needs of children, and new ways to embrace them as complex individuals. Don’t miss this episode as we dive into Pinky Jean’s journey as an author and her mission to uplift and empower young readers.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1j88tBvTis00qLOpaA7Zar?si=5res2vcQRO6ANOzQdYQXYQ

01/13/2025

One of the pressing needs brought by the modern world is the urgency to care for our health in a comprehensive way—this includes mental health.

We navigate a daily life that becomes increasingly challenging. The job market is unjust or nonexistent for many, wars erupt daily, images of global suffering flood our media, and walking through life with indifference is impossible. Likewise, it’s inevitable that these persistent conditions have widespread consequences. Depression is a symptom of modernity.

Today, on World Day to Combat Depression, we want to emphasize that, just like with any other illness, seeking help for symptoms of depression is entirely normal and necessary. Although depression often makes us feel like anomalies, increasing our sense of isolation, we are not alone. You are not alone.

Let’s address our health needs with understanding, responsibility, and compassion.

If you need help, please call the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787

01/10/2025

We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the California fires. We’re inspired by the courage of first responders and the resilience of the community.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

01/09/2025

She did not consider herself a philosopher, nor did others during her lifetime or at the time of her death. Yet today, Simone de Beauvoir is celebrated as an existentialist philosopher and social theorist. Above all, she was a passionate activist, championing women’s rights and analyzing their social context to inspire change.

Simone de Beauvoir is undeniably one of the most influential figures in feminist existentialism and feminist theory.

Born in Paris, France, on January 9, 1908 (Happy Birthday, Simone!), she transformed the world through her groundbreaking works across genres—nonfiction, novels, short stories, and memoirs—all of which laid the foundation for contemporary feminism. Her seminal works include “The Second Sex,” “She Came to Stay,” and “The Mandarins.” She was also thrice nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Happy Birthday, Simone de Beauvoir. You remind us that something as soft and malleable as words holds the power to reshape the very tangibility of the world.

01/08/2025

We want to hear from you!

Are you an author battling writer's block, a dreamer with ideas swirling in your mind but nothing on the page, or a published writer who had to overcome the challenge of sitting down and writing?

Let us know: What’s holding you back from writing?

a. I don’t seem to have the time to sit down and actually do it.
b. I’m afraid of how people might perceive me through my words.
c. Even though I have many ideas, staring at the page makes my mind go blank.
d. I need guidance—a literary coach.
e. Writing feels lonely; I’d love a workshop to share and refine my manuscripts.
f. I’m waiting for a spark of inspiration.

We’d love to hear your thoughts—share them in the comments!

01/07/2025

Congratulations to our author Neetu Kaur Deol Jhaj on her win at the International Impact Book Awards! Her book “I Shine as Bright as a Firefly” is an invaluable resource for little ones to discover their self-worth. Thank you, Neetu, for inspiring us all with your powerful message of self-love and empowerment.

01/06/2025

Get Writing!

It’s January again—a time to make our list of resolutions. But don’t despair! January is a month of hope, and besides, we’ll have an entire month (February) to forget about our lists and go back to our old ways.

In all seriousness, having ideas, creating stories, drafting outlines, and having talent—that’s the easy part. The hard part? Actually sitting down and writing. And for this, we have just one tip: write.

If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to publish your book, write. If your mind is bursting with stories, write. Once you start, you’re already on the other side. It’s the starting that’s tricky. So here are a few tips to make writing not just another New Year’s resolution, but a habit:

1. Write Every Day
Easier said than done, right? But in reality, we write every day without even noticing. Take advantage of the moments when you have a pen or keyboard nearby. Write down that recurring dream, the idea circling your brain, the word you keep seeing everywhere, or the feeling stuck in your chest. We’re not asking you to start a novel—just to get the words flowing.

2. Be Observant
It may sound cheesy, but clichés exist for a reason. Beauty, inspiration, and even the missing piece for your story can be anywhere. Be mindful of your feelings, your life, and the world around you. You might just catch that elusive word or finally understand your character.

3. Set a Time to Write
You might need to wake up 30 minutes earlier, cut your lunch short, or (please!) stop scrolling for a bit. Contrary to popular belief, writing doesn’t require inspiration—it requires a time, a place, and a bit of discipline. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, sit down and write every day.

4. Read, Watch, Research
Nothing comes from nothing. Writing may feel lonely at times, but it’s part of a broader conversation with the world around you. Read books, watch movies, dive into documentaries, and reflect on what you like or dislike. These experiences fuel your creativity.

5. Start Small
You don’t have to tackle the mountain right now. That novel you want to write isn’t going anywhere—it’s safe in your head. For now, focus on small exercises: write a letter, describe a room, or set a scene. These build your skills and confidence.

Writing, like any craft, isn’t just a resolution—it’s a habit and sometimes even a calling. This 2025, believe that you’re already a writer. The moment you start writing every day, you’ve already made it.