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Remembering Carter and the King
And my novel is ready for a second printing!
Yasmine S. Ali, MD
January 30, 2025
“Find the good and praise it.”
Hello again and happy new year!
I hope your year is off to a good start so far!
Mine has certainly started off well, since I’m off to the races with my new book, The View from the Cliffs! The first print run did so well, I’m now preparing the files for a second printing! A copy has been sent to the Library of Congress for cataloging, and if you’d like to get your own copy, you can do so here. You’ll find more news on that book below.
As you all know, a great man, a true embodiment of Positive Vibes and a public servant to his core, left us on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100: former President Jimmy Carter. Those of you who have read my book, Walk through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America, know that it opens with an epigraph by Carter (you can see that quote in the “Last Word” section at the end of this newsletter, and you may have it on the bookmark I designed for that book if you received a signed copy of Walk through Fire).
You also know, if you’ve read Walk through Fire, that Jimmy Carter called Waverly mayor Jimmy Powers at the time of the train disaster in 1978, and as a result of that conversation, it was Carter who arranged for a US Air Force jet to transport the most severely burned victims to specialized burn centers around the country.
And finally, you’ll know from that book, very importantly, that the Waverly Train Disaster was the catalyst that led Jimmy Carter to establish FEMA by executive order on March 31, 1979. Prior to FEMA’s establishment, emergency management was a chaotic hodgepodge of local agencies without a central command, and without people on the ground knowing who was in charge.
In other January history that ties in with that book … January 8 would have been Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, and interestingly enough, there was an Elvis-related connection that I relate in Walk through Fire. Turn to page 105 of that book to see the connection!
(If you’d like an autographed copy of Walk through Fire, along with the special bookmark, I now have limited quantities available through my online store: LastSkyWriting.com)
Cheers,
Yasmine
P.S. Be sure to check your email inbox for this newsletter on Valentine’s Day, when I’ll be running a special offer and a giveaway! :)
What I’m Feeling Good About
As I noted above, The View from the Cliffs was released last month to my Kickstarter backers, and is now available on my online store, LastSkyWriting.com. The book has made it into the hands of readers in 4 different countries already, and as the first book published by my own imprint, LastSky Books, I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it’s turned out! Have a look for yourself! :)
A pre-Christmas, in-person delivery to one of the people to whom my new book is dedicated, Positive Vibes member and dear friend, Dr. Kelly Moore
Early Kickstarter readers have shared some positive feedback, too! One Positive Vibes member (he is a retired US Air Force Colonel) wrote:
“Last evening I finished your book. I cannot remember the last time I read a book that quickly. I was fascinated by [the characters] Gabe, Rasheed, and Ranya. You truly have a beautiful gift.
“You pack considerable meaning in relatively few words. There is no question in my mind that The View from the Cliffs will be your second bestseller! My sincerest congratulations!”
I was also delighted by the story that appeared on the front page of the local Humphreys County, TN paper, The News-Democrat!
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What You’re Feeling Good About
Thank you to Positive Vibes member, Brian, who sent this in—appropriate and fascinating, especially given that this week marks the 212th birthday of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice! Talk about a classic that has stood the test of time! (And if you got a copy of my 2024 Book Lovers calendar, you know that one month was dedicated to the famous opening line of that classic novel.)
Another Positive Vibes member, Patti, had a fun New Year’s trip to NYC! She said it was quite cold and the “wind was fierce!”, but a good time was had by all! She sent in these photos:
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And for those who have celebrated a birthday in January (including my own mother—happy birthday, Mama!):
(This section is where I’ll be featuring good news, tips, and bits of wisdom from readers—so please reply to this email and share some with me! It can be anything, big or small. Whatever you’re feeling good about.)
Keeping on the Sunny Side
More Good News
And following up on our friends the Giant Pandas—they can now be seen by the public, for free, at the National Zoo (which is part of the Smithsonian in DC):
Pawsitive Vibes
Another cute pic of one of my sister Nadia’s darling cats, Maya, helping to celebrate Christmas:
Got a pet pic you’d like to share? Please feel free to reply to this email!
Riddle Me This
A man stands on one side of a river, his dog on the other. The man calls his dog, who immediately crosses the river without getting wet and without using a bridge, a boat, or an aircraft. How did the dog do it?
Answer at the bottom of this newsletter.
For Your Playlist
Here’s the link if you’re on Spotify.
Last Word
You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.
Tell a Friend!
Know anyone who could use more positivity in their lives and would enjoy this newsletter? Send them the link to subscribe for free: https://yasmine-ali-author.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Get autographed copies of my books through my new online bookstore! Visit LastSkyWriting.com.
Answer to the riddle: The river was frozen.
