Latest news with #author
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Debut Author X.K. Westwood Redefines Belonging in Powerful New Fantasy, The Sibyl's Ember
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI, UNITED STATES, July 23, 2025 / / -- What if belonging isn't granted but chosen—deliberately, courageously, and often quietly? That's the central question in The Sibyl's Ember, the debut fantasy novel by X.K. Westwood, releasing soon. Set in the tradition-bound village of Oswynn, the novel follows Soltic Arden, a young man expected to serve in silence. But one act of defiance propels him into a forbidden world—where belief is dangerous, freedom is costly, and truth has a heartbeat. At its core, The Sibyl's Ember isn't just fantasy. It's an emotional journey through secrecy, longing, and the relentless need to be seen. Layered with ancient rituals, lost gods, and whispered names, the story pulses with deeply human themes of identity, faith, and self-worth. 'I wrote this from a place of remembering,' Westwood shares. 'Of wanting more than what you were told you deserved—and holding onto tenderness even when it wasn't safe to.' Westwood's personal journey—from rural Michigan to the bright lights of New York and back—shapes this novel's authentic exploration of chosen family, spiritual resilience, and emotional survival. This is a story for the quiet rebels—for those who've never been handed a seat at the table but pulled up a chair anyway. For those who speak softly and carry fire. About the Author X.K. Westwood (he/him) is a queer author and worldbuilder who crafts stories for those living in the margins—where memory, myth, faith, and doubt intersect. His writing celebrates tenderness, resistance, and radical imagination. When not writing, he can be found by the sea, dreaming of better worlds for those who never quite fit into the ones they were given. email us here X.K. Westwood X.K. Westwood Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Chatting with author Fran Gillis
Author Fran Gillis joins us to chat about her memoir, "Where Did I Go?", a look at living with the lingering effects of a concussion.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
This One Flaw Is Costing You Time, Focus And Respect
Wilson Luna, leadership expert & author, empowers entrepreneurs to build resilience, refine decision-making, and thrive in uncertainty. It's easy to mistake impatience for a drive. In fast-paced environments, especially in leadership or entrepreneurship, that restless energy often looks like ambition. But in truth, it's something deeper and more damaging. Impatience, more than just a reaction, is a pattern. One that subtly chips away at your clarity, your presence and the respect you command. Impatience rarely comes from what's happening now. It's usually tied to old memories or fears about what's coming. To lead with confidence and calm, we need to recognize when we're caught in that cycle—and learn how to break it. Why Impatience Isn't Really About The Moment You're In You might think impatience is triggered by things like a delayed email or a slow project. But take a closer look: It's not about what's happening now. It's about what your mind thinks might happen next or something that has already happened before. This is why impatience feels so stressful. Your nervous system isn't responding to the moment at hand. It's reacting to a story your brain is telling. And when you're truly present, that need to rush fades away. You're not stuck in the past, and you're not leaping into the future. You're just here. Calm. Aware. Here's something to try: The next time you feel that urge to push or panic, pause and ask yourself, "Is there anything wrong right now? Or am I reacting to something that isn't even real yet?" That simple question can bring you back to yourself. Experimental studies on the affect heuristic have shown that under time pressure (a proxy for impatience), individuals rely more on their emotional instincts, leading to riskier judgments and poorer decision outcomes. Bring Yourself Back To Now: Simple Presence Habits Staying present doesn't mean doing nothing. It means doing one thing fully. And that kind of presence strengthens with small, consistent practice. Here are a few quick ways to start: • Listen to understand. When you're talking to someone, stop planning what you'll say next. Just listen. It changes the whole dynamic and keeps you grounded. • Use your breath. When your stress rises, stop and take three long, conscious breaths. That alone can clear your mind. • Set a morning anchor. Before your day begins, remind yourself: "Today, I choose to lead with presence." That intention stays with you more than you think. You can also block 30-minute sessions in your day where you focus on just one thing, whether it's a task, a conversation or even quiet reflection. No multitasking. No checking your phone. Just full, undivided attention. Two Longer-Term Habits To Restore Your Patience Phones are designed to steal your focus, and they do it very well. One buzz, one ping and your attention fractures. Your brain starts craving constant input. Impatience thrives in that environment. If you want more calm and clarity, you need to set firmer boundaries with your tech. You can start with these steps: • Keep your phone out of the bedroom. Waking up without notifications helps you begin your day with more control and less stress. • Make room for tech-free time. During deep work or important conversations, put your phone in another room. The mental quiet it creates is noticeable. • Turn off nonessential notifications. Every alert is a micro-distraction. Disabling them helps your brain relearn what focus feels like. Disclaimer: These tips are general suggestions and may not suit all lifestyles. Adjust based on your personal needs and circumstances. Your phone itself isn't the enemy. It's your relationship with it that matters. The moment you create even a small space between you and it, be it physically or mentally, you begin to take back control. That tiny gap softens the grip of urgency and gives your attention room to breathe, away from the constant tug of impatience. A recent study quoted in Harvard Business Review found that even hearing your phone buzz can hurt your performance. The notification pulls you away from important matters, even if you don't check it. Impatience isn't about this moment. It's your mind fast-forwarding to what might go wrong or rewinding to fix what already happened. In leadership, this often looks like rushing to meet others' expectations, fearing any slip-ups or constantly trying to avoid repeating past failures. If you've ever succeeded through hustle or survived setbacks through urgency, your nervous system may have learned that speeding up equals staying safe. But that's just a survival strategy, not a long-term solution. The key is to notice when you're doing it. Ask yourself: • "Am I reacting to something that hasn't happened yet?" • "Is this pace actually necessary or just familiar?" • "How would this feel if I moved from a place of calm instead of stress?" Even asking one of these questions helps break the autopilot loop. The Quiet Power Of Leading With Patience Patience isn't about waiting. It's about choosing how you show up. When you remove the pressure to rush, you access a deeper kind of leadership. It's steady. It's intentional. And it earns trust. Learning to lead without impatience takes effort. It means being aware of your triggers, setting real boundaries and practicing presence until it becomes natural. But it's possible. Impatience is learned, and that means it can be unlearned. With time and practice, you can lead from presence instead of pressure. And that's where true impact begins. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Calling +971: The New Book Profiling The Region's 50 Coolest Creatives
Ahead of its launch, the author of +971 – the first book of its kind to profile the local creative scene – discusses dialling into the cultural pulse of the nation There were many moments that led to the conception of this project, but one of the most defining came during the Covid pandemic. Amidst the chaos and fear, the creative community came together – we moved online, determined to continue our work and support of one another. It was heartwarming, endearing and hopeful. In that same spirit, the Ministry of Culture, then led by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, launched the National Grants Programme to support creatives. Of all the pressing issues the country faced, it chose to prioritise the creative sector. I remember being deeply moved by this gesture, as were many others. The UAE – my home – was the first country to take this step. I've always believed in the creative community's power to document history. Their truth is one I seek out, one I believe in. So, when a government steps in to protect and elevate that truth, I can only bow in appreciation and respect. We are a young nation, but we have countless stories waiting to be told. That confluence – of our stories, our solidarity and our pride – became the foundation for this book. The idea began to take shape in 2020, when we were celebrating the UAE's 50th anniversary. That milestone was the initial inspiration behind featuring 50 creatives. But even then, I knew this would never be a one-off book. It was always meant to be the first in a series – an evolving chronicle of the UAE's cultural growth. As we started listing names, it became clear: this is a dynamic, expanding sector. The more we uncovered, the more certain I became that we were only scratching the surface. Finding the right publishing partner was key. I reached out to a few, and we chose Rizzoli – not just for its global reputation, but for its enthusiasm. That matters. I had already thought of the title: +971: 50 Emirati Creatives Shaping the UAE. It's contemporary and cool, but more than that, it's symbolic – it's the UAE's international calling code, a metaphor for dialling into the creative pulse of the nation. I also spent time researching what defines a creative economy. After segmenting the sector, we compiled exhaustive lists. Even after two decades in the field, I was stunned by the breadth of talent here. I knew the community was large – but not this large. It was awe-inspiring. We formed informal advisory bodies for each creative discipline – groups of respected specialists who voted on who would be featured. One of the most challenging parts was establishing the selection criteria. I insisted on dialogue, so the process was collaborative, with lots of back and forth. Those conversations were deeply enriching. Then came the actual making of the book – commissioning texts, planning photoshoots, sourcing images, copyediting… At one point, it all existed as a massive, colour-coded Google doc that looked more like an eye chart than a manuscript. It was an honour to have Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum author the foreword. She is an unwavering supporter of the arts and a voice to be reckoned with. I am indebted to everyone who worked on +971 and extend my deepest respect to the 50 creatives featured. They reflect the heart of our nation and the rhythm of its cultural scene. I am equally grateful to the supporters who saw the book's potential from the very beginning: the Meem Foundation, Cartier and Dubai Holding – joined by our generous patrons Abdelmonem Alserkal, Olivier de Mestelan, Salma Shaheem, Barbara Farahnick-Mathonet and all those who wish to remain anonymous. Their belief and support made this vision possible. The book will be released globally in September, and I'm genuinely thrilled – and ready for more. The UAE is my home. I've witnessed its extraordinary growth over the past 40 years, and I know this is only the beginning.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: The History of Money
Author: David McWilliams In this eye-opening global history, economist David McWilliams charts the relationship between humans and money — from clay tablets in Mesopotamia to cryptocurrency in Silicon Valley. McWilliams shows that money is central to every aspect of our civilization, and from the political to the artistic. According to this book, money defines the relationship between worker and employer, buyer and seller, merchant and producer. It also defines the bond between the governed and the governor, and the state and the citizen. In this book, McWilliams takes the readers across the world, from the birthplace of money in ancient Babylon to the beginning of trade along the Silk Road.
