Categories
Virtual Book Tours

Teachers & #Books Make A Difference – Blog Tour & #Giveaway

blogtour

Well, I didn’t receive the participation response I was hoping for, but I’m still going to post today. If you’d like to contribute, answer these questions on your blog or social media and leave me a link in the comments… And please, stick around to check the “support a teacher” giveaway at the end.

Did a teacher ever introduce you to a book; which one(s)?
I had a teacher suggest I read some of Toni Morrison when I was in high school, but I was going through a Maya Angelou phase at the time.

What was your favorite book(s) as a kid?
I loved all things Peter Pan, but only ever found the Peter and Wendy book. I did, however, read quite a few Beverly Cleary books; mostly Ramona stories.

Who was your favorite teacher at any point in your youth; why?
I didn’t remember having a favorite teacher until I thought of my introductory years studying Spanish. I’m kicking myself that I can’t remember her name right now. She later became a principal.

What popular book have you never read and or faked reading?
I never read one Harry Potter book. They’re on my list, but not very high. With the release of all the films, the urgency to read the story just isn’t there for me.

Did you ever do any creative projects in school based on a book; what?
I once did an art project where I had to represent the story of a book visually. I chose to do a picture box about The Secret Garden.

What book(s) has had the greatest influence in your adult life?
Aside from The Bible, oddly enough, Peter and Wendy is a major influence in my adult life in too many ways for me to break down now. Mostly it’s the reason I started writing as a child, even though I lost my way for a while as an adult.

What words or advice from a teacher has had the greatest influence in your adult life?
I once had a teacher tell me I was wasting my time taking a particular class. Luckily for me, I ignored her. She taught me that even the people who are meant to guide us to greatness can lead us down the wrong path. My confidence in myself boosted when I aced that class and it didn’t affect my other classes.

What book have you read as an adult that you wish you’d read as a child or teen?
I totally wish I read Ender’s game as a teen. It would have been so impactful at that time in my life when I felt like my youth somehow hindered me.

If you were a teacher, what book would you recommend to a student and why?
I think all high school students should read Fahrenheit 451. For all the good, bad, universal, and outdated issues it has; any young adult struggling to appreciate the life they have and or figuring out how to think for themselves, that book will at least set them on the right path.

What would you write about or have you written about in a children’s book?
I’ve currently written stories that teach kids about needs and wants and changes. I hope to write more books down the road that teach other tough concepts.

This blog tour and giveaway is sponsored by me, Toi Thomas. I am a teacher and an author who wants to support other teachers. Please consider buying one of my books and OR entering my giveaway to support a teacher of your choice. BUY BOOKS HERE.

Please also visit two lovely supporters of this effort, today & tomorrow, and see how they answered these questions. Charity AyresJemima Pett

SUPPORT A TEACHER with the GIVEAWAY below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
About Toi

I want to support teachers!

cashteachers

Next spring, 2017, I want to use my new children’s books to lighten a teacher’s load. Aside from the fact that many teachers are underpaid and overworked, most of them pay out-of-pocket to supply their classrooms with basic materials. I know it’s not a lot, but if I can help just one, maybe two, teachers, I know I’ll make a difference in the education of many students.

I’m offering a giveaway; a chance to win 1 of 2 CASH prizes for a teacher/classroom of your choice. I will split 10% of my proceeds from November 1 – December 31 and give it to two deserving teachers based on participant input.

This is a great opportunity for teachers to send supporters, on their behalf, to this special event and giveaway.

The more books I sell, the greater the pot will be for two deserving teachers. $2.99 ebooks and $9.99 paperbacks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No purchase is actually required to enter the contest. Open worldwide; the winner must be able to accept PayPal cash or an Amazon gift card (USD). This event and giveaway is sponsored by Toi Thomas and is in no way sponsored or endorsed by any other third party.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Non-fiction Author

#Author interview with Karl Ayling @AylingKarl #nonfic

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Karl Ayling. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

  Toi Thomas: Hi there Karl! It’s so lovely to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Karl: Hi Toi. Thanks for having me.

Toi Thomas: So tell me, who is Karl Ayling?

Karl: I’m the author of Massive Power Massive Love. I’m a Christian who found faith later on in life. I’ve written about healing from the activities of paedophile parents and the emotional, physical and spiritual damage that this caused.

Toi Thomas: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

Toi Thomas: Who is so you and why?

Karl: I relate to The Who’s song Love Reign O’er Me from Quadrophenia. I have been listening to this track for many years and one day bopping along with my i-pod, I heard it differently. Something snapped and it hit me right in the heart. Transformation in music.

Toi Thomas: What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?

Karl: I am currently reading David Finklehor and his research around the sociological background and effects of childhood sexual abuse. It’s an American book and based on US statistics which mirror those in my home country – the UK. I hope that this research will help me in my own writings.

Wikipedia

Toi Thomas: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Karl: Pre-teen I was into Spiderman and Superman comics. It was a cool way to follow the crowd whilst also hiding (and not dealing) with family issues.

Toi Thomas: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Karl: I would like to interview Jesus at anytime from his birth to age 30.

Toi Thomas: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Toi Thomas: So what are you sharing with me today?

Karl: Shocking… heart- rending… inspiring… compulsive reading.

My book is a paperback published by Apolostolos Publishing. Its called, Massive Power Massive Love. It tells of my overcoming addiction and sexual abuse. Visit this link to learn more.

Toi Thomas: So where’s the motivation behind Massive Power Massive Love?

Karl: Both of my natural parents were abusive paedophiles; surviving childhood, OCD, and PTSD left me wanting to share. It has been a journey, which continues and the more I share about male abuse survivors perhaps, the more will be inspired to seek help.

Toi Thomas: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Karl: Not many male survivors write about childhood sexual abuse and overcoming addiction.

Toi Thomas: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Karl: I’m currently researching my next book. Reading around the topics and statistics of child sexual abuse along with client centred counselling. So far, I have chapter headings and some titles for poems. For me, this pre-writing process lets me see and find the edges of my topics before actually sitting down to write.

Toi Thomas: What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Karl: Coming out the other side of therapy and thinking about what I had to say, I developed my own unique style not based on anything other than an open and honest reflection of events.

Toi Thomas: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Karl: OK!

Toi Thomas: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Karl: Lord of the Rings trilogy. This was literally the last book I read before finding my faith. And, I thought it was a secular work too!

Toi Thomas: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Karl: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture brings joyful glee whenever I listen to it.

Monster by Skillet brings up rage and anger.

Toi Thomas: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?

Karl: My bible. My family. My wits.

Toi Thomas: What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Karl: Racing my motorbike around Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground at 166mph and popping an unintentional wheelie at 147mph.

Toi Thomas: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi Thomas: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Karl: As I mentioned earlier, I’m reading research around my core subjects and this may lead to starting up a counselling service in my area of the UK. There are woefully few male counsellors doing this work with my kind of background. There is a charity in a local city that specialises training counsellors and I am booked onto an introductory course later in the year.

Toi Thomas: Thank you so much, Karl for spending time with me today.

Karl: Thanks again, Toi, for having me.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Karl Ayling, check out these great links:

Website: KarlAyling.com

Twitter: @AylingKarl

Purchase links for Massive Power Massive Love: Amazon | Book Depository

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords