Amos McCool, work, children's book, life lessons, kid's book, family, values, parenting, parenting tips, Christian values, WinePress, blog, faith, Cystic Fibrosis, Michael McNeilly, Crown Financial Ministries http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=42477 Hall Book Exchange for allowing me to spend a GREAT evening reading The Adventures of Amos McCool - The New Bicycle  to some really cool kids!  

Tristan, Darren, Will, Kendal, Anna Kate, Grace, Maggie, and Billy - you guys Rock! 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/HALL-BOOK-EXCHANGE/260274870989



]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:49:37 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=42477 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=36527
http://hangingoffthewire.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-bicycle-by-michael-mcneilly.html

Hope your year is going well. 

Michael]]> Sat, 12 Feb 2011 06:31:59 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=36527 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=34798
That's what I want to do today as it relates to The Adventures of Amos McCool.  So if you'll let me, I'm going to close my eyes, reminisce about the great and wonderful things that have happened this year, and say a small prayer of thanks.  Here are a few of the highlights:

- The Adventures of Amos McCool - The New Bicycle was officially published in June 2010. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, helped in some meaningful way, gave guidance, or just listened to my ideas.  I'm grateful. 

- Only a few days later, my grandmother (the creator of Amos McCool) passed away at the age of 93. Our family was able to speak at her funeral and I dedicated the book to her. I'm glad that a little part of her lives on with these stories.  You may not know this but Mamaw was my life-long cheerleader. She always had kind things to say about me.  I miss her terribly and can still see the warm smile on her face and the joy she had in her heart.

- Amy and I attended the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in St. Louis.  Here we met bookstore owners and other retailers from all over the world.  I especially enjoyed meeting a man whose daughter had a difficult illness.  We instantly connected with our similarities and I've prayed for him many times since then.

- I was invited to read the book to a group of children who were at the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (I.N.K). It was my first attempt to read the finished book to "real" kids - it's way easier said than done.  :)

- I was invited to be on WDUN Radio - Real Life with Tracy & Rebecca.  What an awesome hour of fun! (Btw...They said I had a face for radio)

- I was interviewed about the book on WATC Atlanta TV 57 - Friends and Neighbors show. Lots of fun too! (Imagine this - three female co-hosts and me jabbering about the book for 8 action-packed minutes).  Wheeew!

- I took part in the Next Chapter Bookstore book signing & grand opening. It was great to be among other local authors helping this bookstore open their doors to the public. The local newspaper covered the story.

- A few Internet bloggers requested a copy of the book to review. Thank you!

- Crown Financial Ministries offered the book (packaged with Crown's kid's savings bank) through the Christmas holidays. It sold out within a few weeks. Personally I thought the combination of the book and bank together was a PERFECT combination.  Crown, want to continue this into the New Year?? (hint, hint)

- Compass Financial also decided to offer the book on their website store as a part of their product offering to parents/children. (Howard Dayton graciously agreed to write the book's foreword).  Thanks Howard and Kyle.  I can't think of two more classy guys.  Your character, integrity, and "treatment" of people is second to none.  God will continue to honor your AWESOME work.

- Three local bookstores and a gift shop are carrying the book.  Super McCOOL!

- And during this year I was able to meet many wonderful people and give copies of the book to their children or grandchildren.

Thank you Lord.  I'm grateful for each person & experience.  Amen

Happy New Year.
]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:48:27 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=34798 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=31991 "Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them whenever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night." Deuteronomy 6: 6-7

Teaching the values and commands of God to our children is important. Why? Because God says so. He instructs us to "get them inside of us and our children" and to talk about them at all times - morning, noon, and night.

How do we do that? By bringing God right into the middle of "every day life." Teaching moments are always around us. As parents, we just have to open our eyes and be intentional about sharing them. Here are a few examples:

- Morning (at the breakfast table): "Did you sleep well?" "How many times do you think your heart beat last night?" "What kept our hearts going over and over while we slept?" "Isn't God amazing how He watches over us?"

- Noon (at lunch): "Right now, we are about to eat more food than some people get to eat all week - maybe all month." "Aren't we blessed that God allows us to have such great things?" (even if it's a peanut butter sandwich!) 

- Night (before bedtime): Gaze up at the vast array of stars. "How many stars can you count?" "What does this say about God's greatness and power?" "Is there anything He can not do for us?"

God moments are all around us - in everything we do. Let's open our eyes and bring Him into the center of our lives - morning, noon, and night.


]]> Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:42:21 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=31991 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=30017
I'll be at INK at 12:00 noon on Saturday 8/27.    I'd love to meet you if you have some time to stop by. 

For more information -  http://www.inkfun.org/events/index.php?dm=detail&id=368

Michael M.

]]> Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:55:15 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=30017 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=29331 Just a quick note to let you know of a great cause tomorrow Aug 6th. 
Next Chapter Books located in Mainstreet Market, Gainesville, GA, is having their grand opening at 4pm.   Next Chapter Books is a different type of bookstore.  They actively employ people who have disabilities who are eager and ready to work.  It's a great place and I wish them huge success. 

I'm honored to be one of several local authors who will be signing books tomorrow - and a portion of the proceeds from booksales go to Randy's House - an organization that provides housing to disabled people in Gainesville.  

I hope you'll come out and support this great cause.  I'd love to meet you. 

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/35488/

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/36275/ (article written after the event). 


]]> Thu, 5 Aug 2010 19:21:43 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=29331 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=27819 The Adventures of Amos McCool- The New Bicycle! Over the course of 3 days, I was able to participate in several strategic events relating to the promotion of the new book.

On the first day I attended a children’s trend workshop with hundreds of other bookstore owners, publishers, and retailers. Here the latest trends and new products were introduced and the book was highlighted as a resource for kids that addressed a key area – work and money. I was able to talk to many of these retailers and explain the purpose the book. I got a good reaction from many who liked the colorful pictures, the fact that the book taught a life lesson, and that it had discussion questions for groups or families.  Many teachers and educators were interseted in the book and its application to small groups.

The next morning was the highlight of the trip. I had the opportunity to sign and give-away 150 books to people who attended the show. It was awesome to connect with people all over the U.S, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and China and give them a copy of The New Bicycle. This experience was very personal and humbling to meet such great people.  One dad had a 10-year old daughter named Grace who had Down's syndrome.  I was taken back at our similar lifestyle and circumstances.  

The book signing also helped me to learn to quickly summarize the main theme and points of the book. Amazingly we ran out of books in a little under 1 hour. The WinePress staff scrambled to find extra copies that we quickly gave out to interested people. It was a blast.

Lastly I enjoyed meeting the great people at WinePress Publishing face-to-face. For over a year we have only communicated via email and phone.  Each person work tirelessly the entire week to serve authors, buyers, and others who came to the WinePress booth. I was very impressed with the team’s unity and years of experience at ICRS. I felt honored to be “a part of the WinePress team.”
]]> Thu, 1 Jul 2010 17:52:32 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=27819 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=27595 The Adventures of Amos McCool is Published!

A couple of weeks ago the first copies of the book were printed and it’s now being sold on WinePress Book’s website and through Amazon. I’m so glad to see this project complete and the book out.  Several of you have asked how to purchase a copy.  Here is the best price and easiest way to purchase that I'm aware (today): 
https://www.winepressbooks.com/product.asp?pid=2669&search=9&select=browser&ss=11


What’s next?
I’m attending the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) which starts tomorrow in St. Louis. Here, thousands of book retailers, publishers, buyers, and other vendors meet to see the latest in Christian retail and books. I’ll have several opportunities to give away promotional copies of the book, network with people, and attend a children’s book workshop where I will be able to give the book to interested retailers.

What do you want to see happen with this book?
Here's my wish:  I really want kids to be encouraged by the fun stories of Amos and the good choices he makes. There are too few positive examples in this world today.  I want kids to see that it is “cool” to be themselves and to do good for others. It’s my hope that families will read the stories together and spend quality time discussing the values and life lessons mentioned in the story.

Thank you again for your interest and support in this project.]]> Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:46:00 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=27595 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=26125
“Daddy is proud of you”
“You’re going to do great on your test today.”
“I’m praying for your doctors appointment.”

I think we all need encouragement. Someone compared our self esteem to a leaky bucket of water. When we walk out the door to the waiting world, we are like leaky buckets. People, stress, and circumstances cause our confidence and self esteem to slowly leak out – drip by drip. Often times when I make it back home from a long day, I have no water left in my bucket.

This week, take just a moment to write a note, draw a picture, or do something out of the ordinary for your kids and spouse. Their drippy, leaky buckets will be mended as they get ready to go out and face the world.
]]> Wed, 19 May 2010 06:01:28 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=26125 http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=24193 Mark 12: 31 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

A month ago I received the news no man wants to hear – You’ve been downsized.  After a wonderful 15-year career, my job was ending.  It was a Thursday at 9:00am.  I’ve recently learned that the official term for this is called an “involuntary separation.”  It only added to the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. New words like COBRA, unemployment, subsidy, and severance were quickly introduced to my foggy brain.

News like this is a devastating blow to your confidence.  Sadly, many people across the U.S. are dealing with this involuntary reality.  You don’t want to get out of bed, but you cannot sleep because of it.  Staggered, I numbly tried to get my head around my reality.  Alright, get a hold of yourself.  Is this a dream? And if so, how do I wake up?  It’s a terrible feeling I hope not to experience again.

However, in the middle of the blackness small lights began to illuminate.  One-by-one people came to my aid.  Each person’s kindness was like small candles of light to my despair.  I was deeply moved. Here are a few examples:
- A former boss going out of his way to have lunch and provide encouragement.
- Phone calls from friends who I haven’t heard from in a while - each with words of hope.
- An acquaintance who made multiple attempts to take me to lunch with nothing in it for him.
- Emails in the middle of the night (at exactly the right time) from people who were praying for me.
- A friend who received a job promotion who offered to pay my mortgage for an entire year. Amazing.

One by one small lights were beginning to flicker.  Emotions flooded my soul as I experienced genuine acts of kindness.  And each time I was left with a new question on my heart - How would I act if a friend of mine lost his job?  Would I go out of my way to express my concern?  Would I take him to lunch?  Would I be willing to pay his mortgage?  Sure I had compassion for others who were struggling.  But how did I show them I cared?  I became convicted of lukewarm responses lacking action and commitment.

So, how do we really “love our neighbors as our self?”  I believe the answer to this question is this: Act.  Put your faith in motion.  Roll up your sleeves and do something.  Do something with nothing to gain and with no one watching.  Pick up the phone, buy a meal, say a word - Act.  We all want our light to shine right?  But before we can let our light shine, we have to strike a match. 

Thank you to each and every person who acted on my behalf and struck a small match of faith.

By the way, this is really cool. God miraculously answered. In only a couple of weeks (in this tough economy) I was offered a great job at a great company. I’m so grateful to be working again (and I didn’t have to take my friend up on his offer to pay my mortgage.)

God is good and able to lead us out of ANY valley.

]]> Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:38:19 PST http://michaelmcneilly.authorweblog.com/default.asp?date=new&permid=24193