- From the Desk of Adam C. Mock -

Dear readers,

On Tuesday, January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the nation of Haiti. USGS geophysicist Kristin Marano called it “the strongest earthquake since 1770.” The US Army believes there are upward of 200,000 people dead in the city, including onsite peace workers.

This means incomprehensible brokenness to an already impoverished nation. Broken homes as buildings lie in dust all around, broken families as couples suddenly find themselves widowed and kids find themselves orphaned, and broken lives as the nation faces the daunting task of rebuilding.

To say the people of Haiti need help is an understatement. This is an amazing opportunity in the midst of catastrophe for the world to unite and make a difference in the lives of those affected by this horrendous event.

How can you help? How can you be part of a global movement to bring hope to those in Haiti?

MSNBC has posted the following contact info for charitable organizations already active in the nation of Haiti: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34835478/ns/world_news-americas.

An immediate and simple way to help financially is to simply text "HAITI" to "90999." A donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts and charged to your cell phone bill.

Whatever you choose to do, please keep this nation and its people in your prayers and look for ways to make difference.

Now, this past Monday January 11, was Human Trafficking Awareness Day. A whole day set aside to raise awareness about this deplorable criminal industry growing in leaps and bounds every year. Make no mistake: the tragedy in Haiti and the confusion that ensues as families are broken apart and children are left scrambling for basic needs will only serve to further this awful practice. What is human trafficking? The Polaris Project www.polarisproject.org describes it as this:

Human trafficking is the modern-day practice of slavery. Also known as trafficking in persons, human trafficking comprises the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, based on the recruitment, harboring, and transportation of people solely for the purpose of exploitation. Every year traffickers generate billions of dollars in profits at the expense of victimizing millions of people around the world. Victims of human trafficking are people forced or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking is widespread in a variety of situations that encompass domestic servitude and small-scale labor operations, to large-scale operations such as farms, sweatshops, and major multinational corporations.

Sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative sectors regarding the illegal trade in people, and involves any form of sexual exploitation in prostitution, pornography, bride trafficking, and the commercial sexual abuse of children. Under international law, any sexually exploited child is considered a trafficking victim, even if no force or coercion is present. An estimated 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked annually in the United States alone. The number of US citizens trafficked within the country is even higher. An estimated 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year.

Did you catch that last part?

“An estimated 200,000 AMERICAN children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year.”

That means this perverse and cruel industry is not just happening overseas or in third-world countries; it’s happening right here in the United States, and our own children are at risk.

It amazed me that on a day of awareness for this spreading cancer of an industry, not once did #humantrafficking make it as a top trending topic on Twitter. Think about that. On one of the largest social media outlets we have, which allows us to take part in a global conversation, topics such as “Music Monday,” “Now Playing,” and “Glee” were more important that day.

Human trafficking is a real problem, and it’s not going away. Longtime Medallion author Michael Beres explores the injustices of this industry in his fictional thriller Traffyck, in which his main character Lazlo Horvath pierces the underbelly of Ukraine’s sex trade, where power is more important than human lives.

New Medallion author Dawn Schiller knows firsthand how vulnerable throwaway teens are when their voices are muted and the seedy sex industry takes hold.

The Road Through Wonderland is Dawn Schiller’s chilling account of the childhood that molded her so perfectly to fall for the seduction of “the king of porn,” John Holmes, and the bizarre twist of fate that brought them together. With painstaking honesty, Dawn uncovers the truth of her relationship with John, her father figure-turned-forbidden lover who hid her away from his porn movie world and welcomed her into his family along with his wife.

In her book, Dawn reveals the perilous road John led her down—from drugs and addiction to beatings, arrests, forced prostitution, and being sold to the drug underworld. Surviving the horrific Wonderland murders, this young innocent entered protective custody, ran from the FBI, endured a heart-wrenching escape from John, and ultimately turned him in to the police.

How can we address the problems of human trafficking? What does it mean to raise awareness? Charles Lee gives 11 practical ideas to combat slavery and get us on the road to making a difference: http://ow.ly/V2dz.

Someone who is always looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others is the CEO and executive editor of Medallion Media Group, Helen A Rosburg.

We’ve all heard that actions speak louder than words. Well, her actions to this group of local heroes speaks loud and clear:

Not only was she made an honorary firefighter, but she was also honored at the Triple Threat Mentoring volunteer appreciation dinner that same week for her enormous support toward mentoring at-risk urban youth. It was a touching and impactful evening as the Medallion family gathered to hear how lives are being changed because of people like Helen and the volunteers who make Triple Threat Mentoring www.triplethreat.org irreplaceable.

You see, Helen understands that one person can make a difference in the lives of many if they simply respond to an opportunity to help. All of us at Medallion are so incredibly proud to follow a woman with a heart as big as hers.

Another woman we’ve been following is the current Miss Illinois title holder, Erin O’Conner.

Medallion Media Group, in partnership with Triple Threat Mentoring, has joined the Miss Illinois Scholarship Association this past year to support efforts to develop women of substance.

Erin has more than lived up to being a role model and woman of substance as she’s spent her time in volunteer service since being crowned this past June.

Erin had the privilege of being interviewed by ABC news last Monday, January 11:

And now, Erin is on her way to the Miss America Pageant on Saturday, January 30. You can catch all the action live on TLC. Check out www.missamerica.org for more info.

We so excited for Erin to head to Vegas and take home the title of Miss America!

We’re also excited for the start of another one-of-a-kind Medallion offering. It’s EXCITING! It’s UNIQUE! And it’ll CHANGE the way you LISTEN to interviews forever!

It’s the ACTION INTERVIEW, and you can only hear it on MEDALLION PRESS RADIO!

On February 1, listen to our one-of-a-kind ACTION INTERVIEW with author Kathy Carmichael as we use locations, sound effects, and characters from her book Diary of a Confessions Queen to completely transform your listening experience. It’s MORE than just an interview; it’s an exciting experience that will draw you into the fictional world of Kathy’s newest release. We’re not just going to TELL you what the book is about. Instead, you’ll EXPERIENCE what the book is about and get a greater feel for the comedy and suspense you can expect when you read Diary of a Confessions Queen.

So get ready for February 1 as you experience a whole new type of author interview!

And if the action interview isn’t enough fun for you, then why not try your hand at our caption contest? Every month, the winner of the caption contest will receive a FREE book of his or her choice. It’s not too late! Check out the image below and give it your best shot:

Come up with a snappy caption for this moment of rage and amusement, and e-mail it to us at contest@medallionpress.com along with your full name, mailing address, and which book you’d like to win if we choose your caption.

You have one month to bring the funny! The winner will be announced on February 1.

Stay well, and check back in on February 1 for more Medallion love!

Peace and love,

Adam C. Mock
President
Medallion Media Group

Feel free to request my friendship on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. I’ll make you feel like you’ve been held for 30 seconds.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ADDam.mock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AdamMock

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Welcome to a New Year, readers!

As we wave good-bye to 2009, we say hello to 2010 and to a whole new year full of possibilities! I cannot wait to see what this year will hold!

Although with every New Year comes those dreaded resolutions to get healthier, eat better, etc. Blah! Where’s the fun in that? Well, actually it can be fun! Take a look for yourself at www.motiv8nu.com. Tell us what your New Year resolution is at feedback@medallionpress.com.

What else does 2010 have in store? A new line of books for Medallion! Remember last year we announced that we were launching a nonfiction line? (Don’t remember. Check out our announcement here.) The time has finally come! Woo-hoo! Be on the lookout for our first release, The Road Through Wonderland, in August 2010. Find out more about this title at www.theroadthroughwonderland.com.

Need to add some excitement, fun, and humor to your life? Become a Medallion Press Insider! You’ll get all the craziness that is Medallion delivered right to your e-mail twice a month. Are you more of an instant gratification person? Then follow us on Twitter or Facebook. We have some exciting things coming up, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Well, we cannot forget our newest release to kick off the New Year! We’re excited to bring our readers some magic, monsters, and elves in Susan Gourley’s fantasy The Keepers Of Sulbreth! Take a moment to escape to the world of Futhark . . .

With elfin blood in his veins, talented swordsman Cage Stone is an indispensable half-breed with a special purpose. He must save Futhark from the monsters that detect growing evil in society and threaten to destroy the human race. Blessed with miraculous enhancements, Cage is the only man who can prevent the annihilation of the world. He is the chosen one—a savior in need of his soul mate to complete his mission.

Long ago, these precious elves created a powerful magic to imprison the demon beings. Now acciptors, cave boas, and gordragons have emerged from their sleepy cavern to torment their victims with malilcious relish. Before abandoning Futhark forever, the elves entrusted only a few Keepers of the Gate with the knowledge and ability to restore the supernatural spell that holds their enemies captive. With the passage of time, these fragile scales have weakened, putting humanity at risk.

Sabelline is a Keeper with a tremendous burden. She must renew the seals with a selected Marshal at her side. Only she can create the mystical union with Cage that will enable them to descend into the depths of hell and drive these horrid creatures back into oblivion. But will their mysterious, spiritual bond surpass the daunting obstacles on the way to Kingdom’s Gate in time to rescue Futhark from destruction?

The buzz is already starting for this debut novel of the Futhark Chronicles. Check out what reviewers are saying.

“ . . . an above-average tale that includes some interesting questions about destiny.”
~ Publishers Weekly (November 2009)

“ The first Futhark Chronicles is an enjoyable quest fantasy that raises intriguing philosophical questions about whether someone ignorant to critical facts can make real choices.”
~ Harriet Klausner, midwestbookreview.com

“ The main characters’ strongly delineated, multifaceted personalities propel the story as much as the urgency of preparing for battle. In a cliff-hanger ending, they embark on a perilous mission.”
~ Sally Estes, Booklist magazine (January 2010)

Let us know what you think! Send us your review at feedback@medallionpress.com.
Be sure to check back on the fifteenth to see what new and exciting things are happening around Medallion!

TTFN!
Heather Lewis
Vice President
Medallion Press