Kristine M. Smith

REMEMBERING DeFOREST KELLEY Actor’s Friend and Personal Assistant Publishes Several Books Commemorating Two Upcoming Anniversaries SEATTLE WA (Amazon) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DeForest Kelley, the actor best known as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the original, iconic science fiction television and motion picture series Star Trek, passed away on June 11th, 1999, but his enduring legacy lives on in the affection of fans worldwide. To memorialize the 20th anniversary of the actor’s death, Kelley’s friend and personal assistant Kris M. Smith compiled the memories of more than a dozen fans to serve as a keepsake memento to pass along to Kelley’s newest fans, many of whom never had the opportunity to meet him up close and personal. The book, THE ENDURING LEGACY OF DeFOREST KELLEY: ACTOR, HEALER, FRIEND, is available at Amazon now. In addition, the 100th anniversary of Kelley’s birth will be celebrated on January 20, 2020 with the release of a six-volume set of phone logs containing more than one thousand phone calls dutifully written down by Smith during the years when DeForest Kelley and his wife Carolyn befriended Kris and began communicating non-stop. The series name is "Kelley Phone Tag: The Rest of the Story." It is a follow-up to Smith’s 2015 memoir DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal: A Harvest of Memories from the Fan Who Knew Him Best. Asked about the decision to release the complete series of phone logs, Kris responded, “My initial memoir "DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal" struck such a chord with De’s fans that it opened a floodgate of emailed inquiries and heartfelt letters from readers of all ages, many of whom said they wanted to know more; not just more, but everything, every interaction I had with the Kelleys. So, I went back into my phone logs and rediscovered literally scores of precious, priceless gems I had long since forgotten about. “As it turns out, I had typed up almost 435,000 words detailing our thousand-plus phone conversation between 1989 and 1999. As I went through them, I found myself laughing, crying, and reliving them viscerally, so I knew they’d do the same for other people, too. “And since I’m no longer a spring chicken, I wanted to create a magnum opus that will survive me and help extend DeForest Kelley’s legacy beyond what he did for a living. He was more than a wonderful actor. He was a wonderful human being and a terrific friend and mentor. “I want De’s fans to have more to cherish and remember about him. The Kelleys were two of the most prominent yay-sayers in my life. If they hadn’t continued to encourage me as a writer for decades, I don’t think I’d ever have had the nerve to finally name it and claim it. I owe them so much, but since I can’t pay them back (beyond what I was able to do for them when things got really tough) I want to pay it forward by bequeathing all of my memories to his fans.” "Kelley Phone Tag: The Rest of the Story" will roll out on a bi-monthly schedule between now and January 20, 2020. The first few volumes are available now at Amazon. Smith will be appearing at Raincon in Forks WA over Father’s Day weekend in June and at several of B&G Sponsored Events’ bazaars in Tacoma between May and New Year’s Day. # Kris M Smith is the author of eleven books and a professional copy, content and features writer. To find out more or to interview Kris, visit YellowBalloonPublications.com or email kris@wordwhisperer.net. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yay-Sayers Debuts at #1 in the Teen & Young Adult Careers Nonfiction eBooks Category New guide encourages students to follow their chief promoters’ advice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Yay-Sayers: The Good Guides hit the ground running this week when it debuted at #1 in the Teen & Young Adult Careers Nonfiction eBooks category. The title also ranked in the top twenty titles for paperback books, coming in 15th and 18th. “Yayayers are the people in your life who believe in the same future for you that you do. Yaysayers are not yes men or women; they are mentors, fans, and all other encouraging people who eagerly and confidently counteract the more plentiful (and frequently nearer and dearer) naysayers in your life. “When you're in school, yaysayers are professionals in most cases: teachers, counselors, actors, musicians, gamers, robotics engineers, sports players, and others who are in positions to evaluate your potential and find you eager, adequate, and well on your way, skills-wise, to succeeding in your chosen field.” In author Kris M. Smith's case, early-on yaysayers included four teachers, a Pulitzer prize-nominated author, and a well-known iconic actor whose encouragement counteracted the oft-repeated fears her parents had that writing wasn't a "real" career and that something more reality-based and possible (becoming a secretary) was a better career choice. In Yay-Sayers: The Good Guides, Kris becomes the professional yaysayer in students’ corners, eager to help them embrace the other yaysayers in their lives and start listening to them exclusively. Smith says, “Parents sometimes forget that their roles change—from protector and provider to encourager and enthusiast—as their children segue from dependence to independence. It’s just too easy to ‘worry” kids into careers that seem more secure and safe than the ones they aspire to. This is why professional yay-sayers are so crucial during the teenage years. Yay-sayers give students permission to dream big and work hard in pursuit of their chosen careers.” Yay-Sayers is available in paperback and Kindle versions at Amazon now. Smith will be appearing at Raincon in Forks WA over Father’s Day weekend in June and at several of B&G Sponsored Events’ bazaars in Tacoma between May and New Year’s Day. # Kris M Smith is an author and professional copy, content and features writer. To interview or contact Kris, email kris@wordwhisperer.net or call (253) 474-6240 and leave a text message. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Book Shows Readers How to Bypass Inner Roadblocks and Take Legacy-Building Steps Seattle (Amazon) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In a busy world that demands too much of us every waking hour—speed, near-perfection, and frantic, fight-or-flight focus—it’s hard to dedicate the time, the energy, and the right frame of mind to acknowledge that at some point every human life will end and will be viewed from the rearview mirror as an objective history, as a legacy. In a new book, Become Shamelessly, Fearlessly YOU: How to Stop Hiding in Plain Sight, author Kristine M. Smith challenges readers to ponder on a regular basis the legacy they’re forging in the whirlwind of their lives, and why. “There isn’t a person on earth who wants to disappear without a trace, or with crushing regrets. We all want to leave a positive, lasting legacy of some sort—even the bad guys, most of whom have convinced themselves that they’re right— even righteous,” Smith asserts. “On your tombstone, the dash between the day you were born and the day you died will represent what you contributed to the world: to your family, loved ones, community, nation, and world. So I wondered, one day, how many people are actually thinking about that. And of those who are thinking about it but not doing much about it, I wondered ‘What is keeping them from achieving the kind of legacy they want? Why are they procrastinating over something this important?’ What I came up with was shame and fear.” “We’re taught from an early age that we’re flawed, imperfect beings. Girls are taught to be humble, hard-working, uncomplaining multitaskers. Boys are taught to be visionary leaders or hard-working, uncomplaining workers. We’re reminded, in scores of ways throughout our lives, how far short we fall from the ideal human. So we discount ourselves. In our rare, spare time when we aren’t ‘checking out’ and watching something entertaining or playing games, we’re hitting ourselves over the head for our shortcomings and for not doing something more worthwhile while we still can. So we decide to hide who we are and what we want to achieve. It’s just easier to be like everyone else we know, easier to fit in this way.” “But no one was born to fit in and then just disappear. We were all given the inner guidance to stand out, to contribute in a larger way. Our passion to perform, to act, to change things, is instinctive to us. The desire to do something worthwhile, even important to others, is innate. ‘Look at me!’ is so often discouraged by parents, teachers and others that kids become depressed and decide to pose as chameleons instead of becoming the outstanding, gorgeous blue and gold macaws they are. I think it’s time to change that. My new book is a step in that direction.” In Become Shamelessly, Fearlessly YOU: How to Stop Hiding in Plain Sight Smith helps readers overcome societal indoctrination, shame, fear and procrastination and offers concrete action steps to forge a personal positive, lasting legacy by investing just a few dedicated hours every week. “It’s easy to find the time when you know where to look. I’ve identified them for you in the book.” # Find out more about the book and author at Amazon Contact the author at kris@wordwhisperer.net <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Book by Author Kristine M. Smith Discloses Previously-Unrevealed Secret “Womb Man: How I Survived Growing Up in a Booby-Trapped World” will surprise many Seattle WA (Amazon.com) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Devoted readers of author Kristine M. Smith—whose previous titles include DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal: A Harvest of Memories from the Fan Who Knew Him Best; Settle for Best: Satisfy the Winner You Were Born to Be; Let No Day Dawn that the Animals Cannot Share; Floating Around Hollywood and Other Totally-True Tales of Triumph; Purposeful Christianity: Sharing the Verve and Value of the Prince of Peace; and Serval Son: Spots and Stripes Forever—will discover a hidden reality in her newest book, Womb Man: How I Survived Growing Up in a Booby-Trapped World. “It’s time. There are too many teenagers killing themselves because they don’t see how they’ll ever fit in,” Smith says. “But it’s a whole new world since I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. In some ways, it’s a better world because now LGBT issues, including transgenderism, are no longer considered illnesses, and marriage equality is the law of the land. There is immense hope now for a better outcome. In other ways, it’s a worse world because of the ease with which bullies and naysayers can flood transgender individuals with mean-spirited hate mail on social media.” "Womb Man: How I Survived Growing Up in a Booby-Trapped World” is a fast read (for accomplished readers, an hour+) but the tale told within should stimulate hours, if not weeks, of contemplation and helpful discussion. “I want readers to have several ‘AHA!’ moments. I want them to experience transgenderism from inside a small, emerging child as the world that she sees and understands morphs into an unmitigated nightmare that she can no longer recognize and will not accept.” “People who are cisgender (completely comfortable in their assigned gender) need to read Womb Man because they already know children, teenagers, young adults and oldsters like me who aren’t comfortable in theirs. The key to understanding is walking a mile in someone else’s shoes, viewing the world as they do, experiencing puberty, school proms and relationships the way they do.” Advance praise for Womb Man “What I love about Kris Smith's writing is that she is powerful and funny without being mean; compassionate and courageous without asking for a scrap of pity. WOMB-MAN is a fresh, fast read, full of information and rousing emotion. This is the transgender life story you want to give your teen and pre-teen, your grandmother, pastor, congressman, barista and school counselor. Kris is walking proof that humor and a focus on what we love saves lives.” - Shayne Laughter, Author, Speaker “Womb Man is an honest, forthright account of one person’s personal life-long journey to discovering who she is. A captivating and compelling story filled with personal anecdotes exploring how Kris came to terms with her gender identity. Most of us take our gender for granted—we identify as female or male. Kris’ story bravely gives voice to the complexity of gender assignment and gender identity. A must read for everyone, including those who are secure in their own gender identity. Chances are we all know someone who is struggling with this prevalent issue and could use support. A list of informative resources is added at the end to help in further exploring this topic. Kudos to Kris for bravely and openly sharing her personal story.” - Lynda Lien, M.A. Psychology, B.A. Education “WELL DONE, KRIS!!!! THE BEST THING YOU HAVE EVER WRITTEN!!!! It’s a powerful and compelling read…and Two-Spirit is a wonderful term.” – Helen Schofield, NZ “Thank you! This book is beautiful. I am so glad you wrote it, what an honor to read it. Let me know when it comes out in print as I have friends who will want (need) to read it.” –Judi Cooper, retired medical professional For more information or to contact Kristine M. Smith, visit YellowBalloonPublications.com or email Kris is kris@wordwhisperer.net <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Enhanced, Expanded DeForest Kelley Title Coming to Amazon in January 2016 “DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal, a Harvest of Memories from the Fan Who Knew Him Best” reaches Amazon just in time for Star Trek’s 50th anniversary Seattle, WA (Amazon.com) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The first line on the back cover of DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal, A Harvest of Memories from the Fan Who knew Him Best explains, “If not for a question I couldn’t answer back in 2000, this book probably would never have been written.” When DeForest Kelley biographer Terry Lee Rioux interviewed Kristine M. Smith for her biography of the iconic Star Trek actor, she asked Smith, “How did you go from being a fan, on the outermost regions of fandom, to being at his bedside when he died?” Smith’s answer, at first, was profound silence. Finally, she responded, “I have no idea. That’s something you would have had to ask De. I can’t speak to that.” Rioux persisted: “You know the answer. You just have to connect the dots.” The question pestered Smith. “My 30-plus year association with DeForest Kelley had all just seemed so miraculous to me. That’s because I still hadn’t come to grips with the reality that Carolyn and DeForest Kelley weren’t just being kind to one of their most ardent fans. I had become a friend. But I didn’t fully grasp that until the day in March 1999 when I was called in to care for and assist De during the final three months of his life.” Terry’s question led Smith to revisit the scores of journals and four behemoth three-ring binders which she had filled with the conversations she had recorded after each visit and call. “You wouldn’t think, as crazy as I was about the Kelleys, that I would have forgotten a single moment or detail. But I had! I had completely forgotten scores of our interactions. I discovered that De and Carolyn had called me more than 1000 times. I had called them fewer than 20 times—usually in response to a “Call me” request. So that’s how I finally traced, for the very first time, the path that our growing friendship took. My hope is that, in recounting my journey, I will bring readers as close to meeting and getting to know ‘the real McCoy’ up close and personal in the same way I was fortunate to experience.” The title—a greatly-enhanced and expanded version of Smith’s 2001 title DeForest Kelley A Harvest of Memories—has more than 55 additional pages of anecdotes (all of them funny) and many rarely-before seen images of the Kelleys and the cards, letters and other treasures from Smith’s Kelley archives. “My Kelley-centric comedy routines are in it this time, verbatim—the ones I presented to Star Trek audiences at conventions in Oakland, Denver and Baltimore—as are hilariously ‘lustful’ skits about Kelley wearing a blue-and-white-striped shirt (fan favorites in the late 80’s and early 90’s), plus the lyrics of respectful and shameless DeForest Kelley/Dr. McCoy songs written by his fans during a fan club gathering—one the Kelleys ‘crashed’, so they got to meet and enjoy the people who had written them.” In January, three editions will debut: two soft cover editions, both with full-color covers, one with full color images inside, the other with black and white images inside; and a Kindle version with full-color images inside. (For fans without Kindles, Amazon offers a free online Kindle reader.) Later in 2016, nearer the actual 50th anniversary of Star Trek (September 8th), it is anticipated that there will be an audio book version narrated by the author featuring a special section at the end with actual voicemail messages that the Kelleys and other notable celebrities (Tippi Hedren, Harve Bennett, A.C. Lyles, Teresa Victor, and others) left for Kris on her answering machine. “My fondest hope for this book is that it will confirm every suspicion you ever had about DeForest Kelley being one of Hollywood’s truly good guys. He was…and he was far more.” Author Kristine M Smith has been a fan of DeForest Kelley for almost five decades. She has also meandered among his fans at numerous conventions and at individual and collective ceremonies honoring him and the science fiction series he helped forge into an iconic legend. She writes: "I have witnessed first-hand the enormous love and respect people have for De. And I continue to see, almost daily, how people have remained enchanted with him, even following his passing in 1999. Millions of people were immediately and acutely affected by his unanticipated death. Tens of thousands of them expressed outright anguish ' feelings akin to losing one's best friend or a family member. A single, cursory visit to just one of numerous DeForest Kelley websites (national and international) proves the veracity of this declaration. "Categorically and undeniably, De became -- and will endure as -- one of the most-loved and best-remembered personalities in the world. His Dr. McCoy is at the heart of STAR TREK's mythology, and TREK is a tenacious mythology which will last until the day humans forget how to aspire to a higher standard for themselves and their progeny. "De was my friend, but he was also my hero -- one of very few heroes whose durability was sorely tested, yet found to be utterly reliable. I wrote this book (DeFOREST KELLEY: A HARVEST OF MEMORIES) to show how deeply De influenced my life ' and to remind you, his fans and friends, how seamlessly and comfortably he fitted into yours. "I undertook this endeavor for the millions of fans who never had the pleasure of meeting De 'up close and personal.' My sincerest goal for this book is that it will validate every intuition you ever had about DeForest Kelley being one of Hollywood's 'good guys.'" For more information, logon to YellowBalloonPublications.com, email the author at kris@wordwhisperer.net, or call (253) 474-6240. Smith is available for interviews/appearances with local media and via Skype, Google Hangouts and other venues for virtual interviews/appearances. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kristine M Smith Wins Inclusion into the 2012 Edition of "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" SEATTLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today Kristine M Smith was named as one of fifty winners in The Authors Show (TheAuthorsShow.com)contest. To become eligible for the honor, hundreds of authors were interviewed by The Authors Show radio hosts during the past year. All interviewed authors were eligible to write an essay of up to 1,000 words about their writing endeavors; the submitted essays were then read by The Authors Show judges. 112 finalists were chosen to be finalists. Each finalist was notified of his or her status and was responsible to get the word out about it to friends, relatives, co-workers and other networks and ask them to vote for them to be included in the upcoming book; the fifty finalists who received the most votes won the honor. Of her win, Kristine M Smith says, "I've been stringing words together as a writer since early childhood. It's been an obsession. I've made my living the past five years as a professional copywriter and have earned a lot of return clients and many, many friends during this time. I have my clients, family, friends, networking partners, publisher, and DeForest Kelley's fans across the globe to thank for making this win possible. I simply would not be in this position were it not for each of you who turned out to vote for me and then LIKED and SHARED my candidacy virally with your many networks. You're the best!!!" The Authors Show will announce the publication date very soon. Find out more at TheAuthorsShow.com. # Kristine M Smith is the author of eight books, seven of them available here at Amazon. The eighth, "The Enduring Legacy of DeForest Kelley: Actor, Healer, Friend" (an e-book), is available at Payloadz.com. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Smith has been an animal welfare advocate and humane education staff worker and executive director, a wild and domestic animal caretaker, an animal rescue worker, an executive secretary at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, and an Activity Director at an assisted living facility. She was DeForest Kelley's personal assistant and caregiver at the end of his life. For the past ten years (and counting) she has been a copywriter, creating riveting copy for businesses here at home and around the globe. Find out more at hireme.wordwhisperer.net, krisandkritters.com, and YellowBalloonPublications.com.