Who is ready for a fresh perspective and positive game plan for 2022? I am. First, join me in celebrating the first-year success of Bodacious Copy! Gratitude to my clients, colleagues, and friends for their continuing trust and support. You helped me stay afloat and inspired me during a challenging year, and I am grateful.
It’s no easy feat to pivot from owning and operating a successful social media marketing business for musicians for 12 years (Scully Love Promo) to launching a new business that focuses on copyediting, proofreading, and strategic Twitter marketing, during a global pandemic, but I did it.
These are my accomplishments over the past year: I edited 15 books (fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and anthologies), two eBooks, blog posts for a client, and completed a manuscript review for a chick-lit novel. My colleague, Dawn James of publishandpromote.ca, wrote UNVEILED: Autobiography of an Awakened One, which I had the pleasure of editing. Her book was a best seller on Amazon, landing in the #2 spot in Spiritual Self-Help and #3 in Spirituality in its first week! I also edited Moving Forward: A Woman’s Guide to Healing and Moving on After A Breakup by Carli Lance, and her book became a #1 best seller in the Divorce category on Amazon.
I continued social media management and strategic Twitter marketing for Canadian recording artists, assisting Sultans of String, Maria Dunn, Ann Vriend, David Leask, Melanie Peterson, and Chairman George, and wrote music marketing plans for others.
My longtime colleague and friend, Public and Media Relations specialist, Irene Carroll of iseeassociates.ca, introduced me to mediaINTELLIGENCE career coach and author, M. Michelle Nadon, and I joined her Wednesday morning Career Jam Zoom group, meeting many talented and accomplished media professionals who I network with.
I’m filled with love and gratitude for my soul sister, Karen Carringtonof The Karen Carrington Show, a talk show with a focus on mental wellness and emotional resilience, inspiring viewers worldwide. Karen graciously featured the announcement of the first anniversary of Bodacious Copy in her November newsletter! Read more about this heart-centred, award-winning Talk Show Host, Author, Certified Personal Development Trainer, Cosmetologist, and Mental Health Advocate who is celebrating the first anniversary of her complimentary book, Pandemic to Peace at https://bit.ly/3odLEhT.
Like Karen, I am a firm believer that stories matter—your stories matter. They make a difference which is why I am honoured to help bring first-time and self-published authors’ stories to the world.
Karen Carrington
In 2021, I attended numerous webinars by one of the leading marketing coaches in the world, Marie Forleo, wrote a few album reviews for Roots Music Canada, wrote four new poems for my second book of poetry, Pagan Pathology, and read 35 books.
I moved with my two-year-old Goldendoodle, Eloise, into a rental condo that faces a marshland conservation area in Kingston, Ontario, and decorated my new home. I acted as an advocate for my mother with her medical team so that she would have life-saving aortic valve replacement surgery after waiting for it for 18 months and receive proper care after she developed pneumonia following her third open-heart surgery. I did all this with Polymyalgia Rheumatica, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain in many muscles.
In 2022, I look forward to updating and rebranding my website, implementing an SEO audit strategy, writing two eBooks to sell from my website, and continuing to learn best editing practices. Just maybe, I’ll get to travel outside of Kingston and visit friends I haven’t seen in an awfully long time.
Please remember Bodacious Copy for your copyediting, proofreading, and strategic Twitter marketing needs. More than ever before, it is important for us to align with moral, ethical, and spiritual people who have the best interests of humanity at heart. I can honestly say that those I work with, network with, and call my friends, are such people. I am blessed.
Title: Flirting with FiftyAuthor: Jane PorterPublisher: BerkleyReleased: May 24, 2022Pages: 336ISBN: 978-0593438381Stars: 4.5 It has been a while since I have read a Berkeley title by New York Times Bestselling Author Jane Porter, and I am thrilled that she has this new book, Flirting with Fifty, out now, with a follow-up called Flirting with theContinue reading “Flirting with Fifty: Take a Risk and Read Jane Porter’s Thoughtful Romantic Novel”
Book Review Title: Go Tell the Bees That I Am GoneAuthor: Diana GabaldonImprint: Doubleday CanadaReleased: November 23, 2021Pages: 928ISBN-13: 978-0385685542Stars: 3.5 Like every other die-hard fan of the Outlander series and Diana Gabaldon’s writing, I anxiously anticipated this ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, and man, we waited a long time for it. In theContinue reading “BOOK REVIEW: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon”
I Make Lists on My Phone by Christine Bode I make lists on my phone –notes from Brené Brown’s books,my personal shame inventory,favourite TV shows,who I consider myself to be,my top 50 books,what I want for my life,ideas for poems about COVID-19,affirmations,qualities had by the guy of my dreams,men I can remember sleeping with,what’s importantContinue reading ““I Make Lists on My Phone” a Poem by Christine Bode”
Fantasy Book Review Book Review Title: The Last of the Atalanteans (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 2)Author: P.L. StuartPublisher: FriesenPressReleased: March 31, 2022Pages: 534ASIN: B08VS15WTRBook Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4 Book Two in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, The Last of the Atalanteans by fantasy fiction master, P.L. Stuart, opens with Othrun, Thurol, and Glathan: three Atalanteans in disguise asContinue reading “Fantasy Book Review: The Last of the Atalanteans (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 2) by P. L. Stuart”
Nonfiction Book Review Title: A Fresh Start: 111 Affirmations to Make This The Best Year Ever and Create The Life You WantAuthor: Karen CarringtonPublisher: Discovering Diversity PublishingReleased: August 1, 2018Pages: 141ISBN-13: 978-1718187733Book Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4 I met Karen Carrington in an Executive Career Jam Zoom group led by Mich Nadon of Media Intelligence.ca and loved her immediately.Continue reading “On This International Women’s Day, Achieve a Fresh Start with Help from Karen Carrington”
Book Review Title: Conquering the Divide: The Legend of BarsiconAuthor: Angela SteverImprint: Tellwell TalentReleased: October 30, 2021Pages: 284ISBN-13: 978-0228863120Stars: 4.00 Conquering the Divide: The Legend of Barsicon is new, young adult, LGBTQ-friendly fantasy/dystopian science-fiction for the 21st-century by well-known Kingston, Ontario radio host, Angela Stever. The book’s hero, Seneca Ellis-Brant, is a girl just turning 16 years old, andContinue reading “Conquering the Divide: The Legend of Barsicon Is an Outstanding Fantasy Fiction Debut by Angela Stever”
Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-pandemic Gig Economy Offers a First-Rate Fail-Proof Career Strategy Book Review Title: Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-Pandemic Gig EconomyAuthor: M. Michelle NadonImprint: FriesenPressReleased: July 6, 2021Pages: 252ISBN-13: 978-1039126480Stars: 5.00 Recently, a dear friend and colleague, public and media relations specialist Irene Carroll, invitedContinue reading “Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-pandemic Gig Economy Offers a First-Rate Fail-Proof Career Strategy”
ALBUM REVIEW Title: Chocolate CakeArtist: ZOOM with Shawn KellermanLabel: Mouhaha MusicReleased: 2021Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4.5 In 2019, when the world was a different place, I attended a Kingston Blues Society show at the RCHA Club in which Shawn Kellerman played with Jerome Godboo and his band. I had seen Godboo a few times and had heard of Kellerman butContinue reading “Chocolate Cake by ZOOM with Shawn Kellerman Is Life-Affirming Party Blues”
“Voyageur In Song is something truly special…the album is a unique and uplifting, almost spiritual listening experience…that rare thing, a genuinely inspiring album.” ~ R’N R Magazine “Possibly the most Canadian album on Canada’s most historic instrument.” ~ Toronto Star “FIRE & ICE” Video AVAILABLE NOW at Youtube.com/DavidLeaskMusic Toronto, ON – Dec. 2, 2021 –Continue reading “David Leask Announces “FIRE & ICE” Video Release from CFMA-Nominated album, Voyageur in Song”
First-Year Success of Bodacious Copy Happy December! Who is ready for a fresh perspective and positive game plan for 2022? I am. First, join me in celebrating the first-year success of Bodacious Copy! Gratitude to my clients, colleagues, and friends for their continuing trust and support. You helped me stay afloat and inspired me duringContinue reading “First-Year Success of Bodacious Copy”
Book Review Title: God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALLAuthor: Shane ScottImprint: Self-publishedReleased: February 6, 2021Pages: 499ISBN-13: 978-1735518213Stars: 3.5 Gods, Devils, Titans, Dragons, Angels, Demons, Bool (a.k.a. Werewolves), Vampires, and Mortals all inhabit the fantastical worlds created by gifted author Shane Scott in his debut novel, God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALL. At the beginning of each chapter,Continue reading “Book Review: God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALL by Shane Scott, a Writer to be Reckoned With”
New weekly livestream kicks off Friday with new video/single! Sultans of String are excited to announce… BACKSTAGE! Their new online Interview & Music series features guests from their Refuge and Sanctuary albums. Join Sultans of String each Friday at Noon EST on Facebook as they dive into the lives and the music of these fascinating artists,Continue reading “Sultans of String Launch New Weekly Online Interview & Music Series: BACKSTAGE”
There is a saying that sometimes you need to get your feet wet before you jump in the water. Many writers who want to publish a book, take their first step by writing one chapter in a compilation of stories called an anthology. What is an Anthology?An anthology book is a collection of short fiction, poetryContinue reading “4 Benefits of Being Part of an Anthology”
I’m honoured to be the first person to review Finny McConnell’s (The Mahones) debut solo album, The Dark Streets of Love!
After 30 glorious years of leading worldwide, renowned Celtic punk rockers, The Mahones—who have shared stages and toured with the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Shane MacGowan (The Pogues), Stiff Little Fingers, Billy Bragg, The Buzzcocks, Sinead O’Connor, and The Damned to name a few—Finny McConnell decided that it was time to make an album for himself as he winds down and adjusts to his “Van Morrison years”, although I’m sure he has enough piss and vinegar left in him that he will not go quietly or gently into the night.
Fantasy Book Review Title: A Drowned Kingdom (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 1)Author: P.L. StuartPublisher: FriesenPressReleased: February 2, 2021Pages: 404ASIN: B08VS15WTRBook Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4 Othrun, son of King Atalan the Falcon, the Second Prince, and estranged half-brother to Erthal, the First Prince (sons of the pear-shaped island kingdom of Atalantyx), narrates this epic taleContinue reading “Fantasy Book Review and Author Interview: A Drowned Kingdom (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 1) by P.L. Stuart”
“PREDATOR” by Chris Sunfield OUT NOW! 12 February 2020 (TORONTO) – Chris Sunfield’s second single “Predator” is an abrupt about-face following his sunshine pop debut “The Little Things”. Predator is a provocative poison pen letter to romantic predators, exposing their psychopathic and Machiavellian ways. The lyrics, with their reptilian metaphors, serve to validate anyone who’sContinue reading “Chris Sunfield’s Second Single “Predator” is an Abrupt About-Face Following His Sunshine Pop Debut!”
The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One The synopsis for The Name of the Wind on Amazon reads: “The riveting first-person narrative of a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in aContinue reading “The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss”
The Matrix by Christine Bode Everett,in the movie Paterson says, after pulling a fake gun on everyone in the bar, “Without love, what reason is there for anything?”I don’t know, Everett… nothing, not a fucking thing that matters anyway.Without love, every day is the same damn pandemic day.Wake up, walk the dog, make coffee, drink coffee, read a book,do housework, workContinue reading ““The Matrix” a Poem by Christine Bode”
Happy New Year friends, I don’t know about you, but this new lockdown is making us feel a little too isolated…Therefore announcing our Sultans of String Livestream January 23, 8:00 pm EST Livestream -Lockdown Smackdown Edition! Let’s super-spread some good live-streaming vibes and keep connected. Isolating doesn’t have to be lonely! And we can celebrate the inaugurationContinue reading “Sultans of String Interactive Zoom Concert #5 – Lockdown Smackdown on January 23, 2021”
Bold Men Who Have Found Victory in Telling Their Most Personal Stories Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. ~ Muhammad Ali Atlanta, Ga. – Dec. 30, 2020 — New anthology And Still Champion: The Reality of What 7 Men Endured features the most revealing, provocative and personal stories of seven Black menContinue reading “New Book, And Still Champion, Introduces the World to a Group of Undisputed Champions”
Mary’s Meals Canada Celebrates ANNIE LENNOX and “Universal Child” Gift
TORONTO, Canada.
Mary’s Meals Canada, the school feeding charity, celebrates Annie Lennox and the gift of her hit single, “Universal Child.” Recognized as one of the most successful, iconic, and revered pop artists, Ms. Lennox has sold over 86 million albums worldwide.
“With deep gratitude, we are very excited that Annie Lennox has so generously gifted her hit single, “Universal Child to our lifesaving work of Mary’s Meals,” said Sheri McConnell, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals Canada. “Ms. Lennox recently released a digitally remastered version of her sixth solo album, A Christmas Cornucopia – a collection of inspired interpretations of traditional festive songs, rounded out by Ms. Lennox’s composition of “Universal Child.” This song is a wonderful tribute which reflects Ms. Lennox’s generosity in her gift, to the work we do.”
No stranger to the work of Mary’s Meals, the Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist lent her voice and testimonial originally to Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Chief Founder of Mary’s Meals and author of “The Shed That Fed a Million Children” in 2015. “Mary’s Meals feeds a million children every single day,” said Lennox, “It’s not rocket science and it really works.” Since Ms. Lennox’s endorsement in 2015, Mary’s Meals now, feeds over 1.6 million children a day in 19 of the world’s poorest countries. The cost to feed a child is $26.40 (CDN) for 1 school year, or .13 cents per day.
“For many years now, I have been supporting the wonderful work of Mary’s Meals,’ said Ms. Lennox. “Children have always been close to my heart, I guess this is one of the reasons I wrote Universal Child.”
Mary’s Meals feeds over 1.6 million children a day through school feeding programmes in 19 countries: Malawi, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Kenya, India, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Benin, Lebanon, Syria, Myanmar, Thailand, Ecuador, Niger, Madagascar and Romania.
Mary’s Meals is owned and run by local communities in the countries in which it operates. Where possible, meals are prepared using food that has been grown locally. This helps to support families and boost the local economy.
While schools are closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity’s work continues. Through community distributions of food parcels and essential hygiene items, Mary’s Meals is continuing to reach almost every child enrolled in its feeding programs, enabling parents or guardians to cook daily meals for the children at home, in their temporary place of education.
Mary’s Meals began in 2002 when Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow visited Malawi during a famine and met a mother dying from AIDS. When Magnus asked her eldest son, Edward, what his dreams were in life, he replied simply: “I want to have enough food to eat and to be able to go to school one day.”
In 2010 Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow was named a TOP 10 CNN Hero. In 2015 Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow was named one of TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 Most Influential People
For those of you that miss Gerard Butler, LOOK what he’s up to!
You may be wondering why I’m blogging about Gerard Butler. Anyone who knows me will understand but the truth is, I’ve been a big fan since 2003 when I first saw him in the movies Timeline and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. The tall, handsome, Scot with the piercing blue-green eyes, immediately captivated me with his talents and I made it my mission to look for his acting work. I bonded with one of my closest friends, Gaye, who is an avid movie buff, when we met in 2005 and I turned her on to Gerry’s work. We watched a lot of his films together, even some that we weren’t all that keen about, and we still talk about him to this day. I have seen 35 of his films and continue to follow his career. The thing that makes Gerry so special is not his good looks or his acting talent, but rather, the size of his heart.
I learned about Mary’s Meals because of Gerard Butler and it is because of him that I have made it my number one charity. I was fortunate to be among the first people in Canada to view the exclusive premiere of Love Reaches Everywhere on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 and the documentary, which is so full of joy, hope and beautiful children, left me with a huge smile on my face, a lump in my throat, and a renewed commitment to do what I can to support Mary’s Meals. Today, Thursday, June 25, 2020 is the day that Love Reaches Everywhere launches in Canada.
******
TORONTO, Canada.
Mary’s Meals, the school feeding charity, has teamed up with longstanding supporter and Hollywood star Gerard Butler to release a new film Love Reaches Everywhere, which follows the actor and producer as he travels to Liberia and Haiti with the charity’s founder, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, to experience the charity’s work.
Filmed before the Covid-19 crisis, Love Reaches Everywhere shows the transformative power of education and the desperate need for food in school for some of the most vulnerable children in the world. These children continue to need support even though Covid-19 has closed many of their traditional places of education.
“We are in a time of unprecedented global crisis that is impacting the way people around the world are living, working and being educated,” said Magnus. “Children are especially vulnerable and at risk in this situation and there is a significant danger that they are forgotten amid the fear and confusion of this new world.”
“As a charity that is committed to feeding children in some of the world’s poorest communities, it is more important than ever for Mary’s Meals to keep its promise and support those children by delivering food to them in their communities and homes, which are their new places of education.
“By sharing his experiences with Mary’s Meals through this film, Gerry is helping us to shine a spotlight on the children we feed and ensure their voices aren’t lost.”
Gerard Butler, who has starred in films such as 300, Angel Has Fallen and P.S. I Love You, was able to meet some of the real-life heroes at the heart of Mary’s Meals. In the film, Gerard says:
“Going on this journey hit me from so many different angles – emotional, spiritual and physical. I make movies about heroes, but often they’re in big, over-the-top settings … and then you go to Liberia and Haiti and you see that the teachers in the schools are heroes, and the kids are all heroes that come here on empty stomachs every day to get an education.
“Every meal served by Mary’s Meals is a piece of charity and a little piece of love. And that all passes down into the families and communities and gives that sense of hope. It’s the difference between a kid saying, ‘I want to survive tomorrow’ and ‘I want to be a doctor.’”
The film shows Butler immersing himself in community life – teaching a math’s lesson, dancing, planting crops in a school garden, preparing food, carrying water from a local well, and even sharing acting tips with some children ahead of a school nativity play.
The global launch of LOVE REACHES EVERYWHERE is now available.
Mary’s Meals feeds over 1.6 million children a day through school feeding programmes in 19 countries: Malawi, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Kenya, India, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Benin, Lebanon, Syria, Myanmar, Thailand, Ecuador, Niger, Madagascar and Romania.
It costs $26.40 (CDN) to feed a child for a whole school year or .13 cents a day
Mary’s Meals is owned and run by local communities in the countries in which it operates. Where possible, meals are prepared using food that has been grown locally. This helps to support families and boost the local economy.
While schools are closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity’s work continues. Through community distributions of food parcels and essential hygiene items, Mary’s Meals is continuing to reach almost every child enrolled in its feeding programs, enabling parents or guardians to cook daily meals for the children at home, in their temporary place of education.
Mary’s Meals began in 2002 when Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow visited Malawi during a famine and met a mother dying from AIDS. When Magnus asked her eldest son, Edward, what his dreams were in life, he replied simply: “I want to have enough food to eat and to be able to go to school one day.”
In 2010 Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow was named a TOP 10 CNN Hero
In 2015 Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow was named one of TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 Most Influential People
Timeline of a Friendship The Background to Love Reaches Everywhere
2010: Gerard Butler presents Mary’s Meals’ Founder and CEO, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, with a ‘CNN Heroes’ award in recognition of Mary’s Meals’ work, feeding hundreds of thousands of children in some of the most impoverished communities around the world. Gerard has already heard a lot about the charity from his mum, who is a big supporter of Mary’s Meals and has always wanted Gerard to get involved too.
After chatting with Magnus backstage, Gerard says, “I just thought, ‘dude, you’re amazing!’ and, from that moment on, we became fast friends.”
2013: Magnus invites Gerard to travel with him to Liberia to see Mary’s Meals in action and visit some of the schools where feeding is happening. The trip sees Gerard pitching in to help volunteer cooks prepare and serve up Mary’s Meals. He also teaches a class of orphans, plays football with kids, loads a truck with sacks of rice, plants pepper seeds and pineapples at a school garden and dances with villagers.
During the trip, Gerard says: “I have been struck by the strength of peoples’ dignity – Mary’s Meals is all about respecting and promoting the lives and cultures of people and showing just what they’re capable of.”
Magnus says: “Gerry has a great gift with kids and I hope that through his commitment to raise awareness of our work, we can reach many more children with Mary’s Meals.”
2014-17: Gerard continues to support Mary’s Meals and features in one of the charity’s key film releases, Generation Hope.
2018: Gerard calls Magnus to ask if he can accompany him on another trip to a Mary’s Meals programme country. Together they set off for Haiti, where they visit schools where feeding is already taking place and others where no food is yet available. They meet an inspirational array of people including children and teachers, programme staff and volunteers, all with their own stories to tell. Gerard witnesses first-hand the dire need of some communities and the difference it makes when Mary’s Meals finally reaches them. The trip has a profound effect on Gerard and he says: “I make movies about heroes, but often they’re in bigger, over-the-top settings. And then you come here and you see there’s a hero right there… the teachers in the school are heroes, the kids are all heroes that come here on empty stomachs every day to try and get an education.”
Feb 2020: Magnus and Gerard meet again at another awards ceremony… but this time it’s Magnus handing out the honours to Gerard, as he is recognised for his work with Mary’s Meals at the ‘Cinema for Peace Awards’ in Berlin. Previous winners of the accolade include Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and Leonardo Di Caprio. Magnus says: “When Gerry speaks about our mission, and those we are serving, he does so with deep understanding and compassion, and because of that, he has inspired so many around the world to take action in support of Mary’s Meals. I could not be more thrilled that he is being honoured and recognised in this way!”
June 2020: Love Reaches Everywhere is released – a film which captures both of Gerard and Magnus’ trips (to Liberia and Haiti) and explores themes from friendship and community to love, hope and everyday heroes.