Books by Our Authors
Talented Writers with whom Coach Ina is Proud to Work!
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Streaming: TheBookFest.com Live: The LA Times Festival of Books Stories and more from Chet |
From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond
Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist
Author Chester L. Richards Narrow escapes from bouts with The Potato were just the beginning. Having had a number of odd brushes with death, Author Chet Richards has always boldly gone where few have dared. His mantra: view all that comes your way — the good, the terrifying, and the ugly — as a series of adventures. Here are a few snippets: “It took much practice, and many accidents, before I got the hang of it. Even then, The Potato, in its death throes, did not always behave as a Proper Sacrifice should and blazing hot molten lead would explode out from the bubbling caldron.” From The Potato READ MORE ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BOOK
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Early Praise
a fine musician, a rocket scientist, a wonderful writer and an adventurer
“What can I tell you about my friend of decades, Chet Richards? He’s a fine musician, a rocket scientist, a wonderful writer and an adventurer, but most of all, he married well.”
--Marilyn Scott-Waters, writer and illustrator. Her works include, The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself, Haunted Histories, The Search For Vile Things.
--Marilyn Scott-Waters, writer and illustrator. Her works include, The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself, Haunted Histories, The Search For Vile Things.
I was so moved from the first words
“I was so moved from the first words, how the author wrote these stories as a tribute to his wife, and as a way to heal after she died. What a wonderful way to deal with the pain so many of us experience. And the Star Trek story – really interesting to see how the process in Hollywood works. And the story of The Potato, and all the other adventures that kept almost killing him, and the rocket science stories. I loved those…as a former technologist, I’m always interested in knowing how science works.”
--Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
--Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
What a beautiful book!
I returned to Solvang yesterday, following a three week absence, to find a copy of Chet's book. I could hardly wait to read it, and started flipping through some of the stories immediately. A modern epic!"
- Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Space Systems, Raytheon Intelligence & Space Division
AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
SPIE Fellow (Society of Photo Instrumentation Engineers)
NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
- Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Space Systems, Raytheon Intelligence & Space Division
AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
SPIE Fellow (Society of Photo Instrumentation Engineers)
NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
I Would Highly Reommend From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond
“The book is informative, even educational, but author Chet Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout. The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones. Chet’s book made me look back at my own life and consider what experiences I have had that might be as interesting to others. Personally, I would never visit a country whose army actively reduces its population. For better or worse, the number of harrowing moments I’ve had are much scarcer. (Be on the lookout early next year for my autobiographical pamphlet.)
“Happy Reading!”
--Steve Pastis, Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chet’s Friend
“Happy Reading!”
--Steve Pastis, Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chet’s Friend
A poet's hiking vacation turns deadly in soaring Mojave heat; his true survival story leaves you with chills. Rosenthal’s shocking ordeal was covered by The Discovery Channel and on "Fight to Survive" with Bear Grylls.
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Salvation Canyon: A True Story of Desert Survival in Joshua Tree
Ed Rosenthal.
Story Development Editor Coach Ina A real estate broker in Downtown Los Angeles, Ed Rosenthal's passion is poetry, writing about the historic buildings he sells and advocates to preserve. He hates slumlords, is fed up with his buyers, and finally escapes to the Mojave to bathe at a natural spring and take his favorite hiking trip in Joshua Tree National Park. But his vacation soon turns into a nightmare. Over six grueling days without water, food, or hope, he discovers a well of perseverance in the snippets of his life that play over the deadly but inspiring landscape, in which he finds himself utterly and inexplicably lost. Read more
The God of Random Chance has, despite his best efforts his whole life, finally caught up to him. He describes his ordeal and its setting in intimate, vivid detail: surreal visions mix with wayfinding and intuitive wisdom in a poet’s-eye view of the life-lessons and magic that the desert can hold. |
 Poetry political, at times couched as a bagel -- or potato, with many an homage to the fair sex, and a touch of the randy. Click the book to find out more, buy or download your copy.
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Of Politics, Ladies and BagelsOf Politics, Ladies and Bagels Poetry Provocative and Punny Gene Zahn Edited by Coach Ina. Published by Pawpress “Gene Zahn's poems are a sweet reminder of a time, not so long ago, when the world felt less complicated, our relationships seemed more meaningful, our communication more heartfelt. I pick up his book and read a few of them whenever I need a good dose of that...or just a good chuckle.” Sam Rose, TV Producer and writer, author of “The Way Back - Heal Your Self, Heal The World” Excerpts, More Reviews, Buy the Book, About the Author |
Wine, Women, Whispers....Tales by a master storyteller who was kidnapped, twice, was almost killed by the best hospital in London…A boxer...Serial entrepreneur... Lover of ladies, food and wine
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Wine, Women, Whispers By Alon Mintz, a.k.a. Rocky Mintziano, Adam Savage, Ali Mintez, et. al. Edited and published by Coach Ina "Wine, Women, Whispers is about a quirky and very interesting man of the world...I loved the homage to his mother, which is very tender. The makes me want to know more about the author -- whether he is called Alon Mintz (his given name), Rocky Mintziano, Adam Savage, Adam Stephens, or Ali Mintz. His crazy and not so crazy escapades are fun to read, and make me kind of envious that I haven't done half the things he has in his lifetime." Susan Pinkus, Former Director, Los Angeles Times Polls Excerpts, more reviews Buy the Book You can read a comment from Alon about working with Ina here |
 Memoirs of the early days of oil, penned by a man with a keen wit and eye for history |
Go East, Young Man, Go East By Charles Alan Tichenor Edited by Coach Ina Absorbing glimpses into history in the making...from an eyewitness to the Oil Boom Dr. Tichenor, a.k.a. "The Cat," or "Unk," begins with life as he lived it in 1920's America, moving ever eastward to the Middle East mid-century, where he was sent as a minister to work with the Aramco flock. Today called Saudi Aramco, the oil giant is the largest in the world...and it all began with secret treaties, a Saudi American partnership, a benevolent king, somewhat reluctant Bedouins, camels, and black gold.... Read Excerpts |
Once I started I didn't Want To stop
A great book for people who are interested in current affairs, historians, anyone interested in history.
-- Larry N. Beard, Col. (Ret.) US Army
-- Larry N. Beard, Col. (Ret.) US Army
I would definitely recommend this book
I liked reading about the religions and his connections with them, the history...the humor that lies beneath his words.
--Christine Nodine, Bishop, CA
--Christine Nodine, Bishop, CA
This is Fascinating.
...I couldn't put it down! I kept wanting to learn more.
-Howard Westley, Re. WWII and commercial pilot, member of Aviation Pioneers
-Howard Westley, Re. WWII and commercial pilot, member of Aviation Pioneers
Books of poems from a master, Chrystine Julian
Wild carpet rides that enchant poets and civilians alike.
Edited by Coach Ina
Wild carpet rides that enchant poets and civilians alike.
Edited by Coach Ina
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Sensual Spirit
Poetry and thoughts from the place where body and soul meet  'What a rapturous book!' Gayle Brandeis, author of 'Fruitflesh, Seeds of Inspiration for Women that Write,' 'Self-Storage,' and Bellwether Prize winner, 'Book of Dead Birds.' |
Meandering Mindfulness
Poetry from the place where wander and wonder merge
 Once again Chrystine Julian paints a colorful world of the sensual, spiritual, political and this time, the 'silly.' A book that appeals both to seasoned poets and those who usually read prose. |
You can read Chrystine's comments about working with Coach Ina here.
Thanks, Chrystine. It's always a joy working with you and your sparkling, mystical mind.
Thanks, Chrystine. It's always a joy working with you and your sparkling, mystical mind.
 Click the cover to read excerpts and reviews, or to buy or post your own review! |
Broken Whole, A California Tale of Craziness, Creativity and ChaosKeith Adams A very brave undertaking, "Broken Whole" provides the reader with a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a man who has been to hell and back. Author Keith Adams, a highly accomplished man, tells of the time he slipped into delusions of grandeur alternating with fits of deep despair, and slowly found his way through the chaos. A tale that inspires, poignant and relevant in today's manic depressive times. You can read Keith's comments about working with Coach Ina here. Thanks, Keith, for the kind words. |
 The Angel Chronicles by J.K. Johnson is a captivating mystery/romance with a connection to the other world that readers say heals, too. |
About The Angel Chronicles...
One day J.K. Johnson’s mom committed suicide in front of her eyes. The 35 year old author went into a daze after the coroner took the body away. It’s all a blur now, but she knows she had a serious automobile accident, driving while drunk. For the next six years of her life, J.K. found herself behind bars because of the severity of the injury to the other driver. The story in this book began the day all this took place. Every day of those six years behind bars, the lines of the mystery/romance, with an otherworldly connection, were channeled to her, and she wrote them down, often on toilet paper. And every night the other inmates would listen anxiously for the next installment… Read excerpts here BUY THE BOOK |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkSp5l2L9-E We are happy to introduce you to Kay Roberts, one of our most talented writers. Left, see her reading selections she wrote for her own memoir. The first begins, "I was born on the day they issued the repeal on Prohibition..."
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The "Stories From The Heart" series.
Compilations of tales written by members of Coach Ina's Footprints Writing Clubs, these volumes take the reader from a lion's mouth in India during the time of the Raj, to the American midwest, where one of our authors was taught to steal coal by his parents during the Depression. Incidentally, his parents were Armenian, and escaped from the bloodbath there in 1915. From these tales to weathering the Holocaust in Poland to collecting shells on the beach in Santa Monica, CA., you'll find stories that are whimsical, poignant, vivid portraits of times past and present, written by a fascinating group of people. |
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 More Enchanting Memoirs and Imagination Tools to Help You Write Your Own Enchanting Memoirs "This book is so good...the Pawprints (now Footprints) writing group creates a sense of community, which people lack these days. People get to tell their stories -- that's the best thing. And the book is beautiful. With the book, the website where I read some of the stories first, altogether, what a great service!" Diane Slade, artist and therapist, Napa, CA Read Excerpts Back cover BUY THE BOOK |
Contact Ina to find out more about how the Coach can help you with editing, publishing and marketing services for your memoir, book of poetry, or novel.
Testimonials
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