Authors on Twitter - My favourites

Starting your own business for the first time is both exciting and daunting and especially so when you are daring to ditch your fearful, doubting alter-ego aka your 'imposter' self for once and for all. Networking and marketing are a necessary part of getting your business of the ground and essential to growth.

As an introvert & someone who previously stayed out of the lime-light for all the wrong reasons, I want you to know that opportunities await once you decide to be your authentic self.

When I embraced my authenticity and started to market my artwork and books I made new connections that served me well. These are just a few examples of people who have supported my work, they are all talented, courageous and kind.

"These are authors who are dedicated to their genre and who have interesting stories to tell, in fact some are thrilling and they share their stories with tremendous passion and enthusiasm."

If horror is your thing you should check out Author Ellie Douglas. I confess I'm not one for horror but I know that Ellie’s work is very much craved by her fans and she has won quite a few awards.

If you don’t fancy horror then you may like one her interesting colouring books for adults.

Ellie is a very warm-hearted and kind human being I can’t believe she revels in this other world of fangs, gore and flesh-ripping tales. You can find Ellie on twitter as @AuthorEllie and visit her website.

Soon after launching my first book, I acquired another lovely twitter friend. Author Miriam Mc Guirk purchased my poetry book and gave me a lovely review on social media.

I also purchased Miriam’s book ‘Shattered Dreams & Scorpions at Midnight’, a non-fiction travel memoir set in Turkey, where Miriam slowly recovered from a debilitating illness. Her story is full of endearing tales of adjustment to a new culture and finding one’s place in a distant land.

Visit Miriam’s blog where you can also purchase her books she is @Miriam_McGuirk on Twitter.

It was a joy to find Author Janvi Jaji, a teenage Indian student whose passion for writing leaps from the screen. We instantly became writer sisters. From time to time, we check-in to see what progress is being made with our plans for conquering the world with our books and stories. Janvi is the author of The Triumph Drive, which tells an inspiring story about a man who rose from very a lowly position to great heights but there is a lesson to be learned about success. Janvi's book trailer is here.

While I originally found Janvi on Twitter you will find her more actively keeping her fans posted on Instagram. You can read more of Janvi's stories on her blog too.

Author William B. Hedgepeth is another of my interesting friends on Twitter. William is the author of ‘Wild Wilful Heart’. The title itself is very apt. Wild Wilful Heart is a gripping tale of spiritual quest, full of strange, wonderful, sometimes hair-raising encounters. These are some of the details of William’s true-life experience. There are plenty of highs and lows. In the end love wins the day, with a more peaceful settling of the heart. William resides in the USA it is lovely to know that I have someone rooting for me on the other side of the world.

You can find William on Twitter as @WBooneHedgepeth or visit his website to purchase a copy of his book ‘Wild Wilful Heart’.

Maria Lehtman is another of my special author friends. Maria found me on twitter after the launch of my poetry book which she purchased and soon after provided me with a lovely review. Nine months later Maria contacted me to invite me to be featured in her next book, The Dreaming Doors, which was published six months later. It is full of Maria’s thought-provoking poetry and photography and creative graphics, inspired by the many interesting doorways Maria found on her travels. The book features two of my poems and images of two of my paintings. You can follow Maria on twitter @LehtmanMaria or visit her blog where you can also purchase a copy of The Dreaming Doors. Maria also creates magical nature videos on Instagram

I help people who want to succeed with their business and personal goals. I believe success is more amazing when you embrace your authenticity. Learn from some who has walked that path. Join my newsletter for more inspiration or check out my on-line course and wellness coaching options. Live your amazing life.

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Being Authentic Gets You Places Including the Finals of Blog Awards

Ever wonder what your life would be like if you had the courage and know-how to move beyond your limiting beliefs, otherwise known as doubts & fears or even trauma and anxiety?

This story is just one example of what can happen when you dare to walk the road less travelled or what I now call the Authentic Path.

I was so excited when my article 'Autism - Reflexology Offers Calm' got selected as a finalist in Ireland Blog Awards of 2018, listed in the category Best Business Blog Post!

"Reaching the finals of these blog awards is a reminder of what has really been won, a lot of confidence and authenticity and freedom."

Here’s why reaching the finals was so significant:

My work & my skills as a writer were being show-cased amongst my peers, including those more specially qualified in marketing and business.
I only started to blog in 2013. I first entered the Ireland Blog Awards in 2015 and for the next 4 years my blogs have featured in several categories (health, wellbeing & travel) at finalist and short-list stages of the competition, including the business sections.
My finalist article in 2018 put the spotlight on how my therapy reflexology can be a huge benefit to those living with autism, including their families.
In 1999 I left a teaching career as a result of burn out from stress and a lack of awareness of self-care and much needed healing. I never dreamed back then that an adventurous, creative and satisfying life lay ahead. Only after healing and personal growth did I start to glimpse those openings. Reaching the finals of these blog awards is a reminder of what has really been won, a lot of confidence and authenticity and freedom.

I have every right to feel proud of myself, no be-grudger can take that from me. However, the point I really want to make is this:

"If I could rise from place of doubt & fear and very low confidence in myself then it is definitely a fact that many more people can do the same."

Getting by in life on a low-grade feeling is not what any of us really want.

We want to feel alive and usually we want to feel that our life matters, that we have purpose. I went in search of that purpose in 1999, I call it my 'Authentic Path' and it has brought me a lot of adventure, happiness and success.

What happens on the Authentic Path?

Ultimately, you must decide what you really want in life, not what you think others want from you.
The next step is finding ways to move towards what you want to achieve or experience.
For many people following their 'Authentic Path' will involve healing, moving beyond limiting beliefs, bringing body and mind back to balance.
It will involve constant learning and may involve developing new skills and talents.
It can sometimes involve travel but it will most definitely involve listening to your heart and becoming a better version of yourself.

I’m still learning on this path but I’m also capable of using my teaching, caring and creative skills to help more people on their 'Authentic Paths'.

Each person who steps forward to make positive change in their life, has the capacity to positively affect their wider community. Working together to bring about this change is invaluable. Are you ready to step forward on your Authentic Path? Check out my courses, books and coaching programmes or simply join my newsletter to receive inspiration for living your amazing life.

Yes I Want to Start Living My Amazing Life

Carlow Library a Valuable Resource for Creativity & Wellbeing

Carlow town and county has a great resource in the form of it’s County Library (Tullow Street, Carlow). Formerly a Presentation Convent school, the building has been adapted to combine with the County Musuem and Tourist Office.

While the main library is bright, airy and modern, it has also retained a room of special character from the buildings original use as convent school. This room is known as The Shaw Room in acknowledgement of Carlow’s connection with acclaimed writer George Bernard Shaw who bequeathed part of his legacy to Carlow town enabling the beginnings of Carlow Library.

The Shaw Room is a valuable asset of the library and may be provided for use by local community groups and individuals for the purposes of education, exhibition and demonstration (this requires advance booking and consultation with the library).

As a creative Carlovian, I have been very fortunate to have had use of the Library’s Shaw Room on a number of occasions. I have used it to launch my art collection ‘The Sacred Lives of Trees’ and two self-published books and to present a well-being workshop and a singing performance (all within a 12 month period).

During these events, I have had the full support of the library staff. I am sincerely grateful for their warm welcome and assistance on every occasion. Although they tell me I am no trouble to them at all, they always made sure I had everything I needed.

Through Carlow County Library, I made very useful connections with other groups such as ‘Glor Ceatharlach’ (promoting Irish Language) and Carlow Mental Health association (Mensana).

When RTE’s 'Nationwide' reporter, Helen Mc Inerney invited me to be featured as an author on topic of anxiety, I was delighted to share that limelight with my friends at Carlow County Library.

An atmosphere of mutual support and promotion is something to be encouraged and it is especially welcomed by those of us in the arts, who provide inspiration and well-being benefits in our wider community.

Visit Carlow Library on Facebook Page or via their Website or simply drop in to their fine building on Tullow Street, Carlow to find out about their range of services and events which includes genealogy and learning supports.

And the good news is that my books are on their shelves too:

Purchase a copy of Seven C's to Calm - Reclaiming your Anxiety-free Self

Purchase your copy of The Whisperings of Nature (Calming Poetry)

The Dreaming Doors | Nordic Celtic Collaboration

Chance Encounters in Digital World

Marie Lehtman was one of the first people to purchase a copy of The Whisperings of Nature as soon as it was published. I had just annnounced the news of my first published book on Twitter. Maria spotted my tweet and connected with me right away.

I found out months later, Maria had been recovering (during that time) from a sudden and debilitating illness which had caused huge upheaval in her life. Eventually, she recovered sufficiently to start working on a book project of her own, a project which she kindly invited me to collaborate on with her.

Expore Indian Heartway Collection

The Dreaming Doors

The 'Dreaming Doors' is a collection of Maria’s poems (mostly in English), combined with her photography to create a thought-provoking reflection on the theme of doorways and dreams.

Doorways are also a fascination of mine. My 'Indian Heart Way' art collection features two interesting doorways which I encountered on my travels in India. I wrote two poems for Maria’s book and submitted images of two of my paintings for inclusion.

Expore Art Prints

"Being authentic allows you to connect people, who share your passion, with the possibilities of working towards common goals."
Caroline Cunningham, Artist

Authentic People

Like myself, Maria is also passionate about promoting Nature as a source of inspiration and well-being. It’s a clear sign that it pays to be authentic, as you're more likely to connect people, who share your passion, with the possibilities of working towards common goals.

Maria is the owner of my painting The In Between and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with her through the digital realm. Along with being a leader in digital marketing in the telecoms sector, Maria is also multi-talented in any art forms herself.

Find out more about Maria and the Dreaming Doors in our interview below. Her book The Dreaming Doors is a lovely keep-sake or a gift for those of you who love travel and the stories they inspire.

Meet Maria Lehtman

Gift a Dreaming Doors Book

Lifestyle Gifts | Colour Creative

Enjoy easy online shopping at Fine Art America. Sip coffee in the comfort of your home while exporing my range of unique art prints and lifestyle products.

Choose from art prints in a range of sizes on canvas or on a variety of papers. It's also possible to customise life-style products such as tote bags, phone covers, cushion covers and more.

"Offering a selection of my artwork as 'open editions' brings my unique creations to a wider market in terms of affordability."
Art of Caroline Cunningham

How to Shop online for Affordable Artwork & Gifts

Step 1 - Visit my gallery at Fine Art America and choose the art work that appeals to you.

Step 2 - Choose from a range of formats such as art print, greeting card, tote bag, phone cover and more.

Step 3 - If selecting a print for your home:

You have a choice of size and the type of material you would like the image to be printed on e.g. canvas or paper. I particularly like the 'somerset velvet' paper option

Step 4 - When choosing greetings cards:

Choose from landscape or portrait option for the card
A personal greeting can be added inside the card or you can leave it blank.
The cards come with crisp white envelopes and are better value if you buy a pack of 10 or 25.

Step 4 - Choosing lifestyle products:

Choose from items such as, phone covers, throw cushions or tote bags and more.
You may be presented with a range of size options depending on the item and you can even adjust the image displayed on the product in terms of zooming in or out.
Many of these items are in the 20€ to 30€ price range. Delivery charges depend on your location and items are delivered within a few days.

Step 5 - Check where the product is being shipped from

Fine Art America have printing houses in Europe, USA and Australia. Some items are only produced in USA and currently this applies to the textile items (cushions, tote bags, towels). Other items are produced in UK or other parts of Europe. Depending on where you live, customs duty tax may be charged during the transit. Here is a handy link to check the printing location nearest to your address - Printer Locations per Product Type

Step 6 - Add to Cart and get ready to check out!

Fine Art America is a trusted site used by millions of shoppers and artists around the world. They have an excellent responsive customer service and satisfaction guarentee in terms of refunds.

Step 7 - If you still have querys....

It is best to contact Fine Art America directly via their - Contact Form

More information available here - Frequently Asked Questions

Gifts for all Occasions:

My open edition prints are a more affordable way to obtain my artwork, with options for customising lifestyle items such as phone-covers, tote bags and personalised greetings cards. You get to choose the size of the art print and the format (e.g. paper or canvas options) and ultimately you choose within your budget.

These are gift ideas for all occasions, making it easy for you to organise your gifts for the year ahead.

Give Arty Gifts for All Occasions

Becoming an Indie - Self Published Author

Do you have a dream? Is there some idea or inkling that beckons you at various times, making you wonder if there is another pathway you should be exploring? What stories or inventions lurk inside you that could make life better for us all?

In 2017, I officially became a self-published author and that gives me a great sense of achievement. I’m proud to be a self-published, ‘Indie’ author of a book of nature poems and a self-care book to help people who suffer with anxiety.

The way I see it, life is incredibly short. I had a close call with death as a pedestrian one year. While I was crossing the road, the driver of a stopped car decided at the last minute, to turn the corner. In that moment as the car accelerated towards me, I screamed one word. ‘NO!’ I had not completed the work I was sent to do. I knew instantly that my life had changed forever.

"I knew instantly that my life had changed forever."

Listen to Your Heart & Get on With the Show:

From that moment, I paid more attention to my heart’s desires and instincts. I increased my momentum of learning, making decisions and taking action. In the years that followed:

I qualified as a therapist of reflexology.
I started to paint and exhibit my art-work and honoured trees as a source of my well-being.
I paid heed to an instinct that told me I should travel to Peru. Going there was hugely inspiring and caused me to start writing about my journey there and sharing it with others in my first blog Wild Star Landing. I didn’t even know what a blog was before then and I had never let people see into my world like that before.
My confidence as a writer grew after my blog became a finalist in the Ireland Blog Awards. I started blogging for my therapy business too, these posts also reached the finals in the business sections for a few years in row.
I went from being quite reserved and in-ward looking to being more open and wanting to inspire others to experience the joys of life.

What being Self-Published Means to Me

Being self-published means, I can publish my books when I choose and I get to keep all the profits of my hard earned work. I’m certainly open to the traditional publishing route of agents and editors, but not at the expense of waiting forever, to know if my work is going to be accepted or rejected.

The fact is, there are people out there who love what I do. Some of them have even taken time to review my books in their blogs or by leaving helpful comments on various sites like Amazon or social media platforms. My books have been purchased by people from all over Ireland and the world.

I’m grateful to have discovered this gift even though the truth is I suspected it was there but always told myself I was too busy to explore the ideas. Time is precious but I was too busy doing menial things and told myself things like ‘it doesn’t pay the bills.’ Regardless of what bills it pays it puts my sense of wellbeing in a very strong place. Our mental health is especially important, I wouldn’t put a price on it. I want to do it all! Live, love and be the best I can be so that others will be inspired to do the same.

"I want to do it all! Live, love and be the best I can be so that others will be inspired to do the same."

Take Action While You Can.

Miraculously, I survived that accident with the car. I was thrown through the air and landed in a heap on the road. It was a wake-up call. I’ve had a few of them in my life. If you’re reading this far perhaps you’ve had some similar experiences. Do you have a dream too? Are you ready to explore them more?

I work with people who want to find expression for their authenticity, to realise their goals and dreams. I provide books, courses and personalised coaching programmes to help you get started or back on track. Check out the options below or join my newsletter for Authentic Path Inspiration.

Check out my Selection of Calming Books

Choose Your Path to Wellness & Success

Focus for Success

Kick Starter Guide

(e-Book)

Focus for Success

6 Week Programme

(on-line course)

Personalised

Wellness Coaching

Art Gifts & Books for Christmas & All Occasions

For the one who buys the most thoughtful gifts for others for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries and for those who like to surround themselves with colour and comforting nature inspiration, this post is especially for you.

Spend as little as €12 or more on books, paintings and art prints with lots of variety to choose from.

Books of Poetry and Calm:

My books evoke feelings of calm and encourage people to restore and maintain calm. 'Seven C's to Calm - Reclaiming your Anxiety-free Self' provides tips for self-care and includes a workbook. The Whisperings of Nature provides thought-provoking nature-inspired poems. Click on the book images to go straight to purchase area (Amazon & Feedaread book stores).

Restore Calm

Connect with Nature

Art Print Gifts for All Occasions:

Discover my affordable art prints, with options for customising lifestyle items; phone-covers, tote bags and even personalised greetings cards. The beauty of this option is that you get to choose the size of the art print and the format (e.g. paper or canvas options) and ultimately you choose within your budget.

Gifts for All Occasions

Limited Edition Prints:

Ganga Dreaming Limited Edition Art Print — Ganga Dreaming Limited Edition

Give the Gift of a Limited Edition

Limited edition art prints provide a high quality affordable option for you to obtain an original Caroline Cunningham art piece.

Limited Edition of 150
Giclee print on Hahnemuhle, German etching paper
Archival inks
Titled, numbered and signed by the artist
Signed Certificate of Authenticity (includes matching stickers with numbers x 2)
Price includes free worldwide shipping

Art of Caroline Original Paintings:

Often people prefer to have the original painting for their home or workspace. My art is an expression of stories that awaken dreams and keep them alive. I love vibrant colours and the freedom of allowing imagination to seep through reality.

Explore my paintings in the interest of feeding your own dreams and keeping them alive. You'll find landscapes, trees, scenes from lands such as India and Portugal.

See something you like, get in touch to make it yours.

Choose Inspiration for your Home

I always wanted to meet an Alchemist

I always wanted to meet an Alchemist, so imagine my curiosity when I encounter one who's journey has an uncanny resemblance to my own. It was a goose-bump moment during a busy network hour on Twitter, when Trevor Lorkings astutely noted our shared connection with Peru and our desire to help others through holistic work. In that moment, I gained a generous sponsor for my art exhibition (which I'd been promoting) and I made a new friend.

The Year of Awakening

For both of us, 1999 was our year of awakening to a higher purpose. Trevor's path lead him to study and teach Tai Chi. We both became Reiki Masters. I also qualified as a therapist of Reflexology.

The seeds of transformation had been planted much earlier as we discovered we both had read The Celestine Prophecies, a story set in Peru. Travel to Peru ignited my passion for writing while for Trevor it was the wilds of Scotland and the west coast of Ireland that compelled him to write poetry like never before.

These transformations lead to new paths. Trevor turned his love of digital design and computer programming into a business and I started a study of singing (vocal freedom) which has deepened all my creative practices. For both of us this was the start of new authentic living.

Interview with the Digital Alchemist:

How did you handle the transition to being self-employed?

Starting out in the digital business at the turn of the century, was a steep learning curve, assisting small to medium sized businesses by aligning their marketing strategies with the possibilities being made available through the emergence of the world wide web.

What excited you most about your business?

I'm passionate about helping others to flourish in a modern digital world. What's not to like about clients who respond with: OMG its sooooo fab thank you ! I absolutely love it! It's perfect!

Tell us about your family businesses:

I am a part of entrepreneurial family. One of our businesses, which started in our front living room in the middle of a recession, grew to turn-over a million pounds in its second year. This experience provided abundant opportunity to learn about the non-technical aspects of business.

Our family provides Printing Personalised Social Stationery, and everything for the artisan and avid home jam maker. My wife Rosemary is the Jam Maker, providing jam-making workshops and demonstrations. She also supplies jam jars and online supplies for home and artisan jam makers.

Trevor's advice for creative people starting in business:

Steer your thinking to why not, I'll give that a go, let's do it today! Don't get hung up on business, release yourself to get excited about life, the people, the places, the opportunities to widen you path, open your eyes and see that life is your business.

"The one who asks for help with a conscious purpose will receive support. I travel with a warm spirit and bring light and kindness to those who share my path."
The Digital Alchemist.

Trevor's thoughts on 'The Sacred Lives Of Trees':

Trees live for many seasons observing the cycles of life; a connection between heavenly clouds and solid foundations of earth; silent communicators of beauty.

Gratitude:

THANK YOU to Trevor Lorkings who has kindly designed and sponsored the promotional stationery for my art exhibition show-casing 'The Sacred Lives Of Trees'.

Take a closer look at the services offered by Trevor Lorkings and his family by visiting:

'The Digital Alchemist' and & Personalised Stationery

‘The Sacred Lives of Trees’ is a collection of paintings reminding us of the importance of earth connection for our well-being. Trees provide a form of spiritual nourishment for us humans. Throughout my exhibition and tour of ‘The Sacred Lives of Tree’s’, I provided a space for people to express this truth.

Add colour inspiration to your home or work space in the form of my vibrant tree paintings. Along with paintings I provide limited edition prints. Take a look in my online gallery. I'm on standby to help you with your selection.

Choose Vibrant Tree Art for your Space