Sol Luckman's Blog - Posts Tagged "liberty"

Sol Luckman

One of the obstacles in publishing a young adult, or YA, novel is getting readers to take it seriously from a literary perspective.

My own perspective, for the record, is that YA fiction tends to be far more imaginative, and a lot more interesting, than most adult fiction.

Given a choice between exploring alternate realities, the province of many YA novels, and spinning wheels in this reality the way so much adult fiction seems intent on doing, I’ll take the former anytime.

Fortunately, there seems to be an increasing awareness that novels written with a teenage focus audience can also excel as works of literature. Enter my new novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING.

Concerned with lucid dreaming, astral projection, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and a laundry list of other supernatural topics, SNOOZE is an exploration and celebration of the paranormal in the form of an epic, coming-of-age tale of one extraordinary boy’s awakening to the reality-altering quality of his dreams.

SNOOZE is also a YA novel—and darn proud to be one.

Composed with young adult as well young-at-heart readers in mind, SNOOZE just proved its literary merit by being selected for an Honorable Mention in the prestigious 2014 Beach Book Festival Prize competition.

To put the cherry on top of the cake, this recognition occurred by way of, not the young adult, but the general fiction category. So there.

This bit of external validation comes on the heels of a number of incredibly enthusiastic reader reviews.

Would you like to download a copy of SNOOZE to read and review? Peruse the first fourteen chapters and explore becoming a reviewer at ...

http://www.CrowRising.com/snooze

Sweet dreams!

Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.

Sol Luckman

While my new novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, was composed with young adult and young-at-heart readers in mind, the book recently proved its literary merit by receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Beach Book Festival Prize competition in the general fiction category.

Here are some excerpts from the stellar reviews that have already come in …

“SNOOZE is without doubt one of the best coming-of-age, awakening books that I have ever read, and it had me entranced from beginning to end.” —Ingrid Hall, Author & Freelance Editor

“SNOOZE is a book for readers ready to awaken from our mass cultural illusion before we self-destruct.” —Merry Hall, Co-Host of ENVISION THIS

“This is a good read. One to share across generations, across space and time—or time and space.” —Dr. Janet Graham, Kalamazoo, Michigan

“A literary treasure. SNOOZE is a beautiful and fascinating depiction of the awakening process that will touch your heart.” —Liliana Cartagena

“This is a book that, when many people read it, will be instrumental in the world being a better place to live.” —Jennifer Churchill

In a recent essay, I describe some of the how and why SNOOZE came about:

I had in mind to write something indeed like a superhero story—but a believable one, a far cry from the standard stretched affairs currently gracing so many silver screens.

I also had a notion to write a book about how real magic, as opposed to a load of hocus pocus involving wizards and wands, might function in—and ultimately change—the real world.

By “real magic,” I mean just that. Specifically, I’m referring to the longstanding tradition of seemingly miraculous abilities called siddhis in Vedic lore—which are understood not as superhuman capacities so much as inherent to, if submerged in, human nature.

Siddhis come in a number of varieties, but common ones, witnessed by thousands of people over the ages, include telekinesis (moving objects with the mind), telepathy (ESP), and levitation or flying.

Historically documented in numerous individuals, from Indian gurus to the Catholic priest, Padre Pio, such powers are said to emerge organically from within the human being, often in connection with pineal gland activation and lucid dreaming.

The idea of siddhis had fascinated me ever since I first learned of them in college. It was mind-blowing that one of the oldest systems of personal development on the planet—the Vedic tradition of India—insisted, in essence, that everyone inherits the capability of becoming a superhero!

Begging the question … What would it actually be like to experience the sprouting and flowering of these inborn occult powers in oneself?

SNOOZE is finally available—in both paperback and ebook formats—at most online retailers, including Amazon, Amazon (UK), Amazon (Canada), Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Lulu, and my own website, where you can also peruse or download the first fourteen chapters ...

http://www.CrowRising.com/snooze

Finally, please tune in this Monday, June 23, at 7 PM EDT to ENVISION THIS radio for a live interview with me about SNOOZE.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/envision...

Thanks so much for reading—and sweet dreams!



Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.

Sol Luckman



“I not only liked [SNOOZE]. I loved it … SNOOZE … is so much more than a story about a young man’s awakening … SNOOZE is as critical to spiritual seekers today as the CELESTINE PROPHECY in its time.” —Laura Walker, OracleReport.com

Check out this wide-ranging interview this wide-ranging interview focused on my Amazon bestselling novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING.

Indie Reader had this to say about this latest sensation in speculative fiction that is taking the metaphysical and consciousness crowd by storm:

“SNOOZE is a captivating coming-of-age tale about a gifted boy traveling to a fantastical realm to save his father … Thanks to author Sol Luckman’s writing ability, SNOOZE can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, despite being aimed at young adults. Right off the bat, the writing is engaging and captures the attention.”

Readers’ Favorite was even more enthusiastic:

“Luckman’s dazzling abilities as a novelist abound with lyrical prose … Although [SNOOZE] chronicles a boy’s transition into manhood, I would not consider it young adult. The provocative subject matter of science and spirituality is very mature … If you enjoy colorful characters, a fast-paced plot and stories that tug at your heart, this novel in eighty-four chapters is anything but a yawn.”

Join Laura Walker in conversation with yours truly for an in-depth look at Sacred Masculinity, the Divine Feminine, the importance of art in social transformation, awakening to one’s own inner power, undoing the parasitic influence of the Archons—and much more!

Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.

Sol Luckman



“I, Chuang Chou, dreamed I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, for all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware I was Chou. Soon I awakened, and there I was, myself again. Now I do not know whether I was a man dreaming I was a butterfly—or whether I am a butterfly dreaming I am a man.” Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi’s famous quote serves as the epigraph to my Amazon bestselling paranormal novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, the epic metaphysical tale of one extraordinary boy’s awakening to the reality-altering quality of his dreams.

Reviews have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Indie Reader had this to say about this newest sensation in visionary fiction that is taking the new age crowd by storm:

“SNOOZE is a captivating coming-of-age tale about a gifted boy traveling to a fantastical realm to save his father … Thanks to author Sol Luckman’s writing ability, SNOOZE can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, despite being aimed at young adults. Right off the bat, the writing is engaging and captures the attention.”

Readers’ Favorite was even more effusive:

“Luckman’s dazzling abilities as a novelist abound with lyrical prose … Although [SNOOZE] chronicles a boys transition into manhood, I would not consider it young adult. The provocative subject matter of science and spirituality is very mature … If you enjoy colorful characters, a fast-paced plot and stories that tug at your heart, this novel in eighty-four chapters is anything but a yawn.”

For starters, check out this wide-ranging interview on SNOOZE with author and astrologer Laura Walker (THE BLACK MOON: GUIDE TO HEALING OUR SHADOW SIDE), who likened the novel to a new CELESTINE PROPHECY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts...

More recently, I joined Lance White, author of TALES OF A ZANY MYSTIC, for a Fireside Chat about SNOOZE on BBS Radio.

Lance and I covered a lot of ground in less than an hour, placing special emphasis on the manner in which SNOOZE touches on a plethora of conspiracy theories (many of which are proving true even as a I write for those willing to … awaken).

Lance summarized our chat this way:

Sol Luckman shared the story about how his latest book, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, came about. It’s a moving story, and the book is a multi-dimensional, many-faceted gem of a read. From mysteries to metaphysics, entering the dream world, Bigfoot, high magic and daring feats of courage, this book has it all … This is a delightful show, which opens up the person behind the writing, and I must admit he’s a very likeable fellow! I highly recommend [SNOOZE] for all ages. It’s an exciting journey within. Don’t miss it!

Listen to this jam-packed show at ...

http://bbsradio.com/content/fireside-...

And as always, sweet dreams!

Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sol Luckman
Email: snoozereviews@fastmail.fm
Website: www.CrowRising.com



Acclaimed nonfiction author receives major recognition in fiction from the 9th Annual 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards!

The 9th Annual 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards recognized Sol Luckman’s epic metaphysical novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, as the winner in the category of New Age Fiction in this year’s competition.

This prestigious national award, based in Los Angeles, is open to all English language books in print from small, medium, university, independent and self-publishers.

The National Indie Excellence Awards (www.indieexcellence.com) exist to help establish independent publishing as a strong and proud facet of the publishing industry. Recognizing authors that put their heart and soul into their work, the NIEA is proud to be a champion of self-publishers and small and independent presses that go the extra mile to produce books of excellence in every aspect. Awarded since 2007, the NIEA competition is judged by independent experts from all aspects of the indie book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters.

Winners are determined based on “overall excellence of presentation in addition to the writing.” SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING is a work of speculative and visionary fiction in the tradition of THE CELESTINE PROPHECY that chronicles one extraordinary boy’s awakening to the world-changing reality of his dreams.



In SNOOZE we follow Max Diver, aka “Snooze,” along the razor’s edge of a quest to rescue his astronaut father from a fate stranger than death in the exotic, perilous Otherworld of sleep. An insightful look at a plethora of paranormal subjects, from Bigfoot and lucid dreaming to time travel via the Bermuda Triangle, SNOOZE further proved its literary merit by receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Beach Book Festival Prize competition in the general fiction category.

Readers’ Favorite, the fastest growing book review site on the Internet, gave SNOOZE 5 stars and had this to say: “Luckman’s dazzling abilities as a novelist abound with lyrical prose … If you enjoy colorful characters, a fast-paced plot and stories that tug at your heart, this novel in eighty-four chapters is anything but a yawn.”

Review copies and interviews are available upon request. Contact Sol Luckman here.



Previously, Sol Luckman was best known for his critically acclaimed nonfiction books, CONSCIOUS HEALING and POTENTIATE YOUR DNA, which explore the role of consciousness and DNA in personal healing and transformation.

Sol Luckman

What would you do if your dreams suddenly turned real? Such is the central question of my bestselling metaphysical tale of a young man learning to actualize human potential through lucid dreams, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, winner of the 2015 National Indie Excellence® Award.

Click through below to check out the YouTube clips of Part One of the audiobook of SNOOZE. Follow Max Diver, aka “Snooze,” through a series of supernatural childhood challenges that set the stage for the reality-bending events that follow as he attempts to rescue his astronaut father from a fate stranger than death in the exotic, perilous Otherworld of sleep.

An insightful look at a plethora of paranormal subjects, from Bigfoot and lucid dreaming to time travel via the Bermuda Triangle, SNOOZE also shines as a work of literature featuring iconic characters, intense drama and breathless pacing to stir you wide awake!

Read more at ...

https://snooze2awaken.wordpress.com/2...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sol Luckman
Email: snoozereviews@fastmail.fm
Website: www.CrowRising.com

Sol Luckman’s epic visionary novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, winner of the 2015 National Indie Excellence® Award for New Age Fiction, has been selected as a 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist in the Young Adult-Coming of Age category.



The 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries.

Readers’ Favorite has become the fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet, having earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins and received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. Readers’ Favorite is also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

In addition to reviewing for some of the biggest names in the literary industry, Readers’ Favorite hosts a respected award contest which features entries from new authors to NEW YORK TIMES Bestsellers, as well as celebrities like Jim Carrey and Henry Winkler.

Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING by Sol Luckman has been honored as a Finalist in the Young Adult-Coming of Age category in the 2016 International Book Award Contest.

Join Max Diver, aka “Snooze,” along the razor’s edge of a quest to rescue his astronaut father from a fate stranger than death in the exotic, perilous Otherworld of sleep.

An insightful look at a plethora of paranormal subjects, from Bigfoot and lucid dreaming to time travel via the Bermuda Triangle, SNOOZE also shines as a work of literature featuring iconic characters, intense drama and breathless pacing to stir you wide awake.

Readers’ Favorite had this praise for this fascinating fictional foray into all things metaphysical: “Luckman’s dazzling abilities as a novelist abound with lyrical prose … If you enjoy colorful characters, a fast-paced plot and stories that tug at your heart, this novel in eighty-four chapters is anything but a yawn.”

Review copies and interviews are available upon request. Contact Sol Luckman.

Previously, Sol Luckman was best known for his acclaimed nonfiction books, CONSCIOUS HEALING and POTENTIATE YOUR DNA, which explore the role of consciousness and DNA in personal healing and transformation. His latest book, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY: A SPIRITED GLOSSARY FOR THE LITTLE DEVIL IN YOU, reinvigorates satire to prove that—though we might not be able to change the world—we can at least have a good laugh at it. Then again, maybe laughter can transform the world!

Sol Luckman



Of all the anthologized American literature I devoured in my high school English classes, none stuck in my mind quite like, or quite as long as, Ambrose Bierce’s wickedly satirical masterpiece, THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY.



Putting aside any pretense to conformity or prudishness on my part, I’m the first to admit this deliciously warped glossary—originally titled THE CYNIC’S WORD BOOK when it appeared in 1906—appealed primarily to the little devil in my wayward teenage self.

A master wordsmith in the comical vein of his good buddy Mark Twain (whom he uncannily resembled and to whom he is often compared), Bierce indelibly defined love as “a temporary insanity curable by marriage,” litigation as “a machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as a sausage,” patience as “a minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue,” and an egotist as “a person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.”

If you don’t find these definitions hilarious, or at least amusing, I advise you to stop reading now and go rustle up a sense of humor before it’s too late.

Continue reading at ...

https://snooze2awaken.wordpress.com/2...

Sol Luckman

The first reviews of my politically incorrect foray into satire, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY, have come in—and they’re positively glowing!



In this knee-slapping dictionary for coming to terms with modern culture (or lack thereof), politics (so-called) and life (such as it is), I endeavor to reinvigorate satire to prove that—though we might not be able to change the world—we can at least have a good laugh at it.

Then again, maybe laughter can transform the world!



Taking a page from Ambrose Bierce’s scathing satirical masterpiece, THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY updates the genre to include blistering contemporary references and no small sampling of risqué humor to make adults giggle like mischievous teens.

Early Reviews of THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY

Here are my first three reviews …

“Much of society has lost its sense of humor for fear of melting the heart of the next snowflake down the road. I say, turn up the heat. It is much needed … THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY does this with wit and charm worthy of notice.” Andrew L. Foss

“THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY is a sardonic antidote to the trite and asinine slogans and catchphrases–the basic language–of Big Brother’s thought-control system. On one level, it’s light and witty comic relief, and beyond the playful satire, it is scathingly accurate! If you’re in need of some conscious, fun, and thought-provoking wordplay then you might start with THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY. Warning: reader may experience symptoms of higher consciousness, greater clarity, and general merriment.” Brendan D. Murphy

“I’ve never had so many belly laughs in my entire life. [This book] is absolutely witty, ‘spot on’ and I LOVE IT … THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY (Devilish as it may be) adds a quality of ‘lightness’ in bringing about such laughter. I do sincerely feel we may each gain by experiencing more and more laughs in meeting the existing chaos.” Doris Moreau

Sample Definitions from THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY

antidepressant: (n.) any of various energetic techniques for warding off parasitic friends, colleagues, and family members.

bathroom: (n.) where Americans go to argue about gender while the country goes down the toilet.

census: (n.) being counted so we can be discounted.

Dowist: (n.) blind believer in the stock market.

fanny-pack: (v.) to put on a few extra pounds during the holiday season.

global warming: (n.) result of excessive hot-air emissions by climate scientists.

hospital: (n.) where the healthy go to get misdiagnosed and the sick go to get mistreated.

Free Excerpt of THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY

Want more? Need more?

Read a free excerpt of THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY at ...

www.crowrising.com/the-angels-dictionary

Laugh anyway!

Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.

Sol Luckman is a pioneering ink painter whose work has been featured on mainstream book covers and award-winning author whose books include the international bestselling CONSCIOUS HEALING and its bestselling sequel, POTENTIATE YOUR DNA. His visionary novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, winner of the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award for New Age Fiction, is the coming-of-age tale of one extraordinary boy’s awakening to the world-changing reality of his dreams. Sol’s latest book, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY: A SPIRITED GLOSSARY FOR THE LITTLE DEVIL IN YOU, reinvigorates satire to prove that—though we might not be able to change the world—we can at least have a good laugh at it. Then again, maybe laughter can transform the world! Learn more about Sol’s art and writing at www.CrowRising.com.

Sol Luckman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sol Luckman
Email: snoozereviews@fastmail.fm
Website: www.CrowRising.com

Award-winning novelist receives major recognition as a humorist from the 11th Annual 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards!



The 11th Annual 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards recognized Sol Luckman’s wickedly lighthearted book of satire, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY: A SPIRITED GLOSSARY FOR THE LITTLE DEVIL IN YOU, as the winner in the category of Humor in this year’s competition.

http://www.crowrising.com/the-angels-...

This prestigious national award, based in Los Angeles, is open to all English language books in print from small, medium, university, independent and self-publishers.

The National Indie Excellence Awards (www.indieexcellence.com) exist to help establish independent publishing as a strong and proud facet of the publishing industry. Recognizing authors that put their heart and soul into their work, the NIEA is proud to be a champion of self-publishers and small and independent presses that go the extra mile to produce books of excellence in every aspect. Awarded since 2007, the NIEA competition is judged by independent experts from all aspects of the indie book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers, and professional copywriters.

Winners are determined based on “overall excellence of presentation in addition to the writing.” THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY is a satirical lexicon for coming to terms with modern culture (or lack thereof), politics (so-called), and life (such as it is).



Taking a page from Ambrose Bierce’s satirical masterpiece, THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY reinvigorates satire to prove that—though we might not be able to change the world—we can at least have a good laugh at it. Then again, maybe laughter can transform the world!

Review copies and interviews are available upon request.



Previously, Sol Luckman’s critically acclaimed spiritual adventure novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, won the 9th Annual 2015 National Indie Excellence Award for New Age Fiction. Luckman is also known for his bestselling nonfiction books, CONSCIOUS HEALING and POTENTIATE YOUR DNA, which explore the role of consciousness and DNA in personal healing and transformation.