Released September 2020 from Free Spirit Publishing, a leader in academic resources since 1983
DREAM UP NOW is the teen journal for creative self-discovery. Dream Up Now offers practical instruction and ample space for self-reflection and creative play, giving teens the space to explore their emotions through creativity. Together with children’s therapy adviser Lesley Holmes, we’ve partnered with 18 recognized community leaders to inspire our readers to express their emotions through creative writing, art, movement, music, and poetry. The Dream Up Now team includes former NFL running back Andre Hardy; actor and dancer Tanesha “Ksyn” Cason (who has worked with Beyoncé and performs on Lip Sync Battle); and renowned drummer Rich Redmond (author of the book FUNdamentals of Drumming for Kids). Dream Up Now offers practical instruction and ample space for self-reflection and creative play. Learn more at www.DreamUpNow.com
Now available from SparkPress
“A sweet, twangy tale about a boy finding his future on the way to his past.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Creativity, Victory, Heart, Discipline—four words that mean so much to the main character and a common thread that the author weaves throughout. The author leads the reader on a quirky journey as Carter loses his home in a devastating tornado. Carter takes to the road, with nothing but a guitar that once belonged to his long absent father as well as a desire to find out why his father left and where he himself fits in the world. Along the way, we discover a ragtag band of supporting characters who lend notes of the melody to Carter’s life. This is an entertaining tale about love and family and how it looks a little different for everyone.” —The Eric Hoffer Book Awards
October release! Online Course
Six Easy Steps to Leading the Transformational Workshop Teens Want to Attend
This online course is a highly organized, proven, budget-friendly approach. Six Steps will help you determine your ideal participants and establish your own arts-based, social-emotional workshop faster, rather than figuring out what to do, what to include, or how to present. By establishing a six-week Dream Up Now™ Workshop, you will:
—Change your teen community’s mindset for the better.
—Drive consistency in social-emotional programming
—Lead with ease.
This Leader’s Guide is available to you to move you from a commitment to create real change to quickly establishing a successful program that meets the needs of a wide spectrum of young people. Leveraging your skills as an educator and leader, you can create a successful workshop using The Secret Ingredient That Changes Lives. Coming October 2020!
What’s next?
DREAM UP NOW – Resolving the Past To Create Your Very Best Now will be an arts-based, social-emotional workbook to help adults aged 60 years and older resolve difficult emotions such as loneliness and regret, poor self-esteem, physical pain, decreased memory retention, and heartbreak from strained or broken relationships. Every dark emotion is transformed to its opposite, light emotion. Older readers yearning for a richer, more meaningful life will discover how important creative expression is for mental health and quality of life. Similar to the guided journal the authors created for teens dealing with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, Dream Up Now: Resolving the Past To Create Your Very Best Now can be used independently or in conjunction with customizable programs and workshops held in community centers, libraries, senior centers, hospitals, and older adult communities.
Coming soon! YA Romance
Music savant Zora Torres finds love when she becomes muse to a rock band who truly live by the motto: Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll forever!
Listen To Me is a fast-paced, gritty look at the music industry for a post millennial generation.
ONCE meets THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, set in contemporary Los Angeles
“A grittier version of Once, set in LA.” -William F. Aicher, A Confession
