GUEST BLOG BY Jackie Simmons | You Can’t Tell by Looking
This guest post was written by Jackie Simmons, Founder of the Suicide Prevention Society.
“We imagine a world where suicide is a thing of the past.”
GUEST BLOG BY ANGELA LEGH | Unraveling the Epidemic of Loneliness: A Call for Real Connection in a Digital Age
We must acknowledge the detrimental impact of social media and the lack of emotional literacy among today’s youth. Loneliness can stem from the craving for external validation, where one’s sense of self-worth depends on how others perceive them. This notion manifests in believing that “I am good only if you see me as good.”
If a teen’s need for validation goes unfulfilled, the teen may experience heightened feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and even depression. This reliance on external validation from social media can perpetuate a cycle of seeking approval from others rather than fostering genuine self-confidence and inner validation. As a result, the teen may struggle to develop authentic relationships and find themselves increasingly disconnected from their true selves and those around them.
Booth or Bust: Navigating the Conference Circuit as an Entrepreneur/Author
In the world of entrepreneurship and authorship, one of the most challenging decisions revolves around participating in conferences or expos. Whether it's weighing the financial investment against potential gains or considering the impact on visibility and networking, entrepreneurs and authors often find themselves at a crossroads. Amber and I have been honoured to have a booth at the American Library Association Conference (in Chicago), as well as Reading for the Love of It (In Toronto) in the past year.
Conferences come with a hefty price tag, often ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for attendance, booth space, accommodations, travel or workshop presenting opportunities. As Canadians, we also have to take into the account the currency exchange rate, which can increase the cost by over 40%. For entrepreneurs like us, this can be daunting. Each time we consider a submission, we have to carefully evaluate the return on investment (ROI) in terms of book sales, brand exposure, and networking potential.