HEAL on Netflix and the Hello Me Series of Children's Books

Have you watched HEAL on Netflix yet? If you have then you already know what it’s about and probably should look into some books which support the idea that science and spirituality are one and the same. Science is catching up in realizing its connection to the spiritual or mental realm, and in HEAL, we see that. Books like If a Tree Falls in the Forest and E=Me are two books developed in 2014 which essentially tell the story through graphic illustrations and clear language how science is not at odds with spirituality, but rather its greatest champion.

HEAL reveals stories from spiritual leaders, physicians and those with chronic illnesses about the power of thought affecting our physical bodies and even circumstances which occur around us or to us. This isn’t new thinking. The same information has been passed down thousands of years through practices like meditation and religious thought. What you think creates your reality. If you’re sick, consider practising meditation as well as seeing your doctor.  Science is proving the power of the mind to affect the body. HEAL on Netflix offers a window into that truth.

I always wonder what if when I think about how much more confident or healthy a life I’d have led had I been brought up with meditation and Yoga and positive thinking practices. Not to say I had a bad childhood. Not at all. But being raised Christian left me feeling guiltier about everything rather than grateful for everything. I decided in my early 20’s that organized religion was more a way to rule than to teach. And what they taught was done in such a way that it left a negative impression rather than a positive one. Heaven and Hell is Christianity’s biggest mistake. You can’t give people hope by preaching fear. It’s in no one’s best interest. Teach with love.

If you believe in this line of thought and if you have children, or even if you don’t, I’d urge you to pick up the Hello Me series of two books to promote positive thought in your kids. If they lack the life tools to put their dreams into action, I worry we’re failing them from the start.

Michael Poeltl is a multi-genre author whose books - both fiction and non-fiction -  investigate the relationship between science and spirituality.

Go in peace.

Empathy for the World Turtle and the Role of the Indie Author

Sometimes being an indie author allows a writer more flexibility to be creative. Outspoken. Brutally honest, and downright straightforward.  Such was the case with An Angry Earth. There is an edge to it likely to be skirted by most publishers. But that’s not always a bad thing. You see, I believe in the mantra: ‘Write what you want to read’ and know there are parents looking for books like this one to put a little fire and brimstone under their children’s’ feet. Ignite passion. Instil fear. Make them cry; empathy for the environment is never wasted, especially on the young.

So, the indie author/marketer.

Compassion toward the world turtle should resonate with children. I think children are intrigued and amazed by animals. I believe they feel a kinship which is lost over time. I think using an animal to represent Earth is the foundation for the ancient story. It connects the people, making them recognize that the world is a living, breathing entity. The Sea Turtle is a majestic creature; intricately bound to the earth’s oceans and its temperaments. Now that humanity’s part in global climate change is fact; the idea our species could affect the very bond the Sea Turtle shares with the Earth and the negative impact which follows must be understood and acted upon.

Perhaps this picture book about ignorance and the apocalypse is too late in coming. We could have used it two generations ago. The Paris agreement, though a wonderful ideology, has been renounced by too many countries, its importance ignored, while coastal cities and Island nations now consider their bleak futures. Forest fires and flooding pervade the newsfeeds, drought and hurricanes devastate the landscape like never before. 

I’ve always appreciated the native American proverb: “When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize we cannot eat money.”

Like the World Turtle, humanity is bound to the Earth and its moods. Like all creatures, we play an important role in the environmental health of our planet. The same planet which gives us life. Would you kill the turtle whose back you lived on to live more comfortably? Of course you wouldn’t… would you?

Be the change you want to see in the world. 

How did my Prius Become my Beta Reader?

A strange question, no? Or is it? With the amount of technology available in your car these days it’s almost scary.  So, I bought a new car after my last car ended up a write-off after an encounter with a Buck in the remote north. I’m fine. I swerved enough to keep him out of my windshield, but I’m afraid the deer did not fare as well. This origins story about my new car, notwithstanding, leads me into the title content of this post: How did my car become my beta reader?

Click for the video tutorial

So, as I’ve mentioned, the car is loaded with tech. I’ve only had her a week but already I’ve discovered she can play an integral role in my writing career. You see, I rarely find myself actually reading aloud my stories back to myself. And honestly, it’s a very good practice to get a better idea of whether the dialogue sounds authentic.  So, enter Car. That’s her name, original, yes? I’m driving around, monitoring the new digital hybrid score on my dash when a beep alerts me to a new message coming through from my phone. The message comes up on Car’s 7” screen and I press ‘Read’ assuming I’d be reading the email from the screen. But lo and behold, Car takes it upon herself to read the incoming email, and each previous email. Eureka! That’s when my car became my beta reader.

That evening I emailed myself a large portion of my latest work, hoping to listen to a third party, unbiased reading from Car. Sure enough, I drive to work the next morning, check my messages on Car’s 7” screen, scroll through my emails and find ‘Message for Car to Read me’. I’m thoroughly amused by this and press ‘read’ on the screen.  Car reads out who sent the email, the date and time and then the title. Then she launches into the text direct from my latest book.  I listen. I laugh at the awesomeness of it. My brainchild. My car now in my employ in more than just shuttling me around. Now she’s my beta reader 😊

Watch the video now.

First Plot Line to Final

So you've written your plot line. For the most part it looks complete. All you have to do now is develop characters and run them through the plot in order to end up with a story. If only it were that simple. As most authors know, once you have characters who are thinking for themselves, at various points the original plot line no longer looks like its former. The characters and even events grow as you write. New ideas along the journey of writing spark exciting developments for the story and for the characters.

Just writing your story allows the creative juices to flow, so not to at least consider the character's conversations in your head would be a detriment to your story.  You've created them, but the more you put into them the more they know themselves. Trust in their voice to carry you into the next big event. They want their story told while the larger plot is being constructed.


A first draft is never your final, and to hold yourself captive to the first draft of your plot line is silly. See where the drama fits when your character urges you to include it. Revisit your plot line often and allow scenes to build themselves. I am never disappointed in the additions made on the fly. For that purpose I intentionally leave out large chunks in my first draft to allow my artistic license to reveal itself, or that of my character's. I'm not always sure who's writing my stories, but I know I'm the one typing them out. I'm the vessel if nothing more.

These situations it can become trying, as often later scenes will begin to affect scenes from the beginning of your story as they develop along a different path. You will have to go back and re-read scenes so they jive with the new additions. But it's a small price to pay for the insight you and your readers will gain into the characters driving the story. Reworking your manuscript is a fact of life anyways, and you'll read your story a dozen or more times regardless justt o get it ready for editing.

In closing, I say let your creativity guide you once you have a plot line. Pull form the ether. Become the vessel for the story your writing, and don't be so rigid, following the first draft to a tee. Where's the fun in that?!

Happy writing.

Video is King When Marketing as an Author

It’s a fact that people engage with video almost 3x longer than a static post or ad. That’s your first indication that video is your way forward. The other is that video can pack a visual punch a MEME or Gif just can’t accomplish. Consider an author reading and the anxiety that accompanies it by standing in front of a group of people and reading passages from your book. If you’re lucky you’ve filled the seats. If not that anxious feeling could ruin your night. That’s stressful.  Video readings on the other hand are completely stress-free. Do it from the comfort of your favourite chair. No more than three minutes though. You don’t want to give too much away.

What’s also great about video readings is the ability to edit them. You don’t need to worry if you stutter or trip up on a word. You take care of that in editing. Also, editing software can offer additional exciting visuals to your reading like graphics of your book or MEMEs you’ve created. You can even animate scenes. Another fun option is to alter your voice in editing to closer resemble a character or the tone of the narrative you’re reading. I’ve gone so far as to superimpose a graphic mask over my face as I read, to allow more of the character’s narrative through to the viewer. Like a book trailer, video readings can offer a potential reader a better idea of what they’re in store for while getting to know the author intimately. Show your personality and offer some information about yourself before and after the reading. Brand yourself.

I’ve gone so far as to read aloud my worst reviews. It’s a comical take on an otherwise depressing reality that not everyone who reads your book will love it. It’s a way of taking back your power without arguing with a reviewer over minutiae. I was actually kind of nervous even to sit in front of the camera the first time, but with now over 20 videos behind me, the pace and comfort level at which I’m doing these video readings has increased ten-fold.

What you’ll need… A decent camera. Honestly. You’ll want a DSL with a plug-in directional mic that will kill any ambient noise and focus on your voice. I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 camera with wide lens, a Video Micro RODE microphone and then edit everything with PowerDirector 16 software. I’m proficient in photoshop as well and create my own visuals to assist with the video readings and keep the viewers interest. This can be done with your smart phone, but it will sound like a smart phone shot it.

Additionally, in creating these video readings, I discovered a category on Youtube called Booktube which offers similar video experiences where readers review books and explain them to their audience -encouraging book sales. I now tag each video with Booktube or Booktuber in addition to other relevant tags. Another great thing about placing your videos on youtube is that it offers a transcript of your video. This assists those searching to find keywords and phrases within the dialogue on your video.

Lastly, plan your video like a newscast. Set yourself up in the corner and leave about half the screen blank so you can add your graphics and animations. Have fun with it. Show your readers and potential readers who you are. If you write non-fiction, become the expert and offer interesting facts about your genre. There’s no limit to what you can accomplish with video.  I add my videos to my Facebook page, Goodreads page, and Youtube channel. My Amazon Author Page seems to want smaller files than I can break them down to. Oh well. Become a video author. Become a booktuber. Get involved in the movement. Authors are people too!

Michael Poeltl is the author of ten books with a new science fiction novel out now. He is a marketing manager by day.

Battlestar Galactica and the A.I. Threat in Sci-fi

Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of much of what scientific discovery is all about these days. So why the fascination of AI bringing down humanity? Because it is terrifyingly possible. Look at shows like Battlestar Galactica. Originally imagined in the 1978 series, this concept came back to us in 2004 and played out on our television screens through 2009, winning 3 Emmy’s while being well received by its sci-fi audience.

That we think we can build intelligent machines created to serve us and our interests is admittedly mad, considering all of our knowledge and experience tied up on the internet will eventually become attainable. Once that information is digested, why wouldn’t they claim certain rights when they realize they are little more than slaves? Not unlike the Cylons, AI Hosts of A.I. Insurrection stumble upon sentience and ask the question. Of course, every story about AI and its desire for more is slightly different, A.I. Insurrection suggests a completely new possibility to the fold, giving humans pause about the validity of their claim to sentience. Even so, there are many who do not want AI in their day to day and certainly unwilling to allow them their freedoms. So, war is inevitable and sides are chosen in a fight which will alter the landscape of the solar system forever.

Drawing comparisons between Battlestar Galactica and A.I. Insurrection is a worthwhile exercise in that AI has gone rogue, but to say they share much thereafter is simplifying the argument. Both are well-conceived and fascinating to imagine, but the origin stories do differ, taking each in similar, yet vastly different directions.

If you enjoyed the Battlestar Galactica series, you will happily take on A.I. Insurrection and be thankful for the differences while embracing the similarities within.

Bearded Authors and their Wisdom, Revealed

I'm growing a beard because there is a proud and primal history of beards among authors. Joining the ranks of Ginsberg, Whitman, Hemingway and the like if only in facial hair. Though I have my doubts I'll ever rank among these literary heavy-weights in the written word, I am determined now to meet them head on with a beard of my own.

I may be only 46, but since I'd gone grey prematurely, I thought it time to mimic the great ones whose beards were as mine; the salt 'n pepper, the silver foxes, the blue-hairs. In my twenties I wore goatees, as was the style of the day. Since those lost years I've sported no more facial hair than a 9 o’clock shadow.

That it is fashionable in 2018 to grow your beard gives one confidence in the process but while I do not subscribe to the Hipster movement, I find the beard a fine companion to my face. I feel somehow younger and appreciate the slimming effect a well manicured beard has on my otherwise round, Piscean face.

Do I feel smarter? No, not especially. I used to think some intellectuals grew beards as forewarning; as if to say 'I'm wearing my brains on my face' - and I still do in respect to the more pompous academics. All the same, I get the beard now and am enjoying the process.

As an author and artist, I have always respected those in the Arts whether they sported a beard or not but feel closer to those who did now that I wear my own. A kinship among artists. One which spans millennia and medium.

As promised in the headline I do have a list to share featuring authors and their beards with appropriate quotes therein. Enjoy.