Welcome to Northern Books!
We are a small group of independent authors who come together to pursue the art, craft, and love of writing.
Writing groups can serve as a form of peer mentoring, increasing the sense of belonging and socialization. Mentoring is much more than assisting a less experienced person. It is a proven strategy that helps to improve performance on all levels. A mentor can provide advice, share ideas, and offer support to assist with the writing, editing, and publishing process. They can also help guide you through the process of promoting your books, eBooks, online bookstores, and getting your work in brick-and-mortar stores.
Northern Books has put together a writing group called Chapman Wordweavers Society. The goal is to create writing projects for all ages within the community, hold writing workshops with guest speakers, “meet and greet” published authors and vendors, and allow aspiring writers to move forward toward their publishing goals.
We are a small group of independent authors who come together to pursue the art, craft, and love of writing.
Writing groups can serve as a form of peer mentoring, increasing the sense of belonging and socialization. Mentoring is much more than assisting a less experienced person. It is a proven strategy that helps to improve performance on all levels. A mentor can provide advice, share ideas, and offer support to assist with the writing, editing, and publishing process. They can also help guide you through the process of promoting your books, eBooks, online bookstores, and getting your work in brick-and-mortar stores.
Northern Books has put together a writing group called Chapman Wordweavers Society. The goal is to create writing projects for all ages within the community, hold writing workshops with guest speakers, “meet and greet” published authors and vendors, and allow aspiring writers to move forward toward their publishing goals.
Fallen Star: Author, Activist, Murderer
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What happens when the person at the center of a murder case is someone you once called a friend?
Written by lifelong friends who knew Star Myers long before the crime, this book tells the disturbing story of a woman now serving a 22-year prison sentence for the killing of her husband, Richard Lee Bork. As friends turned observers, we revisit our shared memories, examine the warning signs, and confront the devastating reality of who she ultimately became. Blending personal insight with documented evidence, this true-crime memoir offers a rare and unsettling perspective, one shaped by proximity. We were close enough to witness the unraveling, yet far enough away to survive it.
Star once had a life filled with promise: a family, a future, a sense of purpose, but her choices—reckless, destructive, and unchecked—set off a chain of events that ended in the senseless murder of her husband. One moment of rage. One fractured judgment. One life taken forever. The consequences of that night ripple through every chapter, refusing to fade.
In the moments after the gun went off, Star faced a crossroads. She could have called 911 to seek help, said it was an accident, there was a struggle, but instead, she made a choice that would forever seal the course of her life. Rather than taking responsibility, she methodically began covering her tracks, destroying evidence, manipulating the crime scene to conceal the truth, and erasing Rick's existence.
Each calculated action deepened the level of betrayal, transforming a tragic and impulsive act into a deliberate effort to evade accountability. In that instant, the weight of her decisions shifted from a moment of chaos to a pattern of deception, ensuring that the consequences of that night would echo far beyond the walls of their bedroom.
In the end, one life was destroyed, another shattered forever, and all it took was a series of choices: poor decisions, roaring addiction, unchecked anger, and unhealed trauma. Star’s actions were hers alone, and the consequences were absolute: a senseless murder, a family torn apart, a future erased. Yet within this tragedy lies a stark warning: trauma left untreated, addictions unaddressed, uncontrolled anger, jealousy, and emotions unchecked can erupt into irreversible consequences.
This story is a reminder that every choice matters, that anger and desperation can destroy not just one life but countless others, and that the consequences of violence are permanent. May it serve as a call to confront pain, take responsibility, and recognize that in the span of a single moment, everything can change—and nothing can be taken back.
Hello Friends,
For as long as we can remember, helping others has been our one true calling. We’ve poured an enormous amount of time, energy, talent, and love into helping others, educating the public, and sharing our knowledge, because we truly believe in making a difference to help protect children. But lately, we’ve felt tired, and the weight of this journey is heavier than ever before.
It’s becoming clear that in order to keep doing what we do. To continue doing what we love, we need your support—support that comes through the sale of my books and through donations.
If our work or words have touched you, if you believe in the work we do then we invite you to help us continue this incredible journey. Your support means everything to us. It makes it possible for us to keep helping others, sharing, growing, and giving back to the community.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and hope you will support us.
For as long as we can remember, helping others has been our one true calling. We’ve poured an enormous amount of time, energy, talent, and love into helping others, educating the public, and sharing our knowledge, because we truly believe in making a difference to help protect children. But lately, we’ve felt tired, and the weight of this journey is heavier than ever before.
It’s becoming clear that in order to keep doing what we do. To continue doing what we love, we need your support—support that comes through the sale of my books and through donations.
If our work or words have touched you, if you believe in the work we do then we invite you to help us continue this incredible journey. Your support means everything to us. It makes it possible for us to keep helping others, sharing, growing, and giving back to the community.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and hope you will support us.
NEW BOOK RELEASES
His Lies, My Name:
A Memoir of Contracts, Consequences, and the Truth That Wouldn’t Die
His Lies, My Name is a powerful firsthand account of what happens when trust, contracts, and truth collide.
Eighteen years ago, Donna Kshir, a freelance writer, agreed to tell the life story of a fighter. The narrative was intense, turbulent, and compelling — a redemption story built inside and outside the cage.
A contract was signed. A manuscript was delivered in good faith, but after publication, the story began to unravel.
Fight records were questioned. Claims did not align. And key details that once gave the story structure and clarity had been removed or altered after the manuscript left the writer’s hands — reduced in size, stripped of context, and changed without professional editorial oversight.
What remained in print no longer reflected the original work submitted.
And yet, one thing did remain unchanged: the author’s name.
For nearly two decades, Donna has endured harassment, accusations, and public association with a story that was later revealed to be deeply flawed in its foundation.
In this calm but unflinching memoir, she finally speaks out — not in revenge, but in record. Not in chaos, but in clarity.
Because when someone else’s lies are attached to your name, silence does not erase them — it only allows them to grow.
His Lies, My Name is the follow-up story, continuing the truth behind what happened before, during, and after publication, and the lasting impact it has had for over eighteen years.
This is the story behind the story. This is the truth reclaiming itself.
Eighteen years ago, Donna Kshir, a freelance writer, agreed to tell the life story of a fighter. The narrative was intense, turbulent, and compelling — a redemption story built inside and outside the cage.
A contract was signed. A manuscript was delivered in good faith, but after publication, the story began to unravel.
Fight records were questioned. Claims did not align. And key details that once gave the story structure and clarity had been removed or altered after the manuscript left the writer’s hands — reduced in size, stripped of context, and changed without professional editorial oversight.
What remained in print no longer reflected the original work submitted.
And yet, one thing did remain unchanged: the author’s name.
For nearly two decades, Donna has endured harassment, accusations, and public association with a story that was later revealed to be deeply flawed in its foundation.
In this calm but unflinching memoir, she finally speaks out — not in revenge, but in record. Not in chaos, but in clarity.
Because when someone else’s lies are attached to your name, silence does not erase them — it only allows them to grow.
His Lies, My Name is the follow-up story, continuing the truth behind what happened before, during, and after publication, and the lasting impact it has had for over eighteen years.
This is the story behind the story. This is the truth reclaiming itself.
A Tale of Jeff the Rabbit: Trip to the City
One afternoon in a small village called North Bend, Jeff the Rabbit was born in the corner of a carrot patch in a small country garden. Jeff was a little brown country rabbit who accidentally hopped into a hamper one afternoon by mistake and fell fast asleep. Jeff awoke in such a fright when he felt the hamper being lifted from the rocky road into the carrier's cart. The hamper rocked back and forth, throwing Jeff from side to side of the hamper. It was dark, and he couldn't see anything inside the hamper, but he could feel his tiny frame shifting against the fruits and vegetables, and he could hear the clicking and clattering of horse's feet as the carrier drove the cart for miles and miles towards the tiny town. Join Jeff on his adventure to get back home to the farm. Jeff's adventure is exciting, filled with cute, colorful illustrations by Zachary Woomer that enhance the book. This is a book all children will love. |
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A Story of Survival
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A Story of Survival is based on the fictional character, Steven Moyer. Steven had a typical teenager's life until an untimely car accident claimed the lives of both his parents. When his immediate family refused to take him into their homes and care for him, a young and naive Steven was forced into the vile foster care system. Being carted from one foster home to the next (over a dozen times in the last two years) has made it difficult for Steven to make friends or fit into any family unit.
Now in his teens, he is abruptly placed with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Although he is immediately made to feel welcome; once the case worker leaves, the Joneses reveal their true colors. He begins to experience slight signs of child abuse, but over time the abuse escalates from pushing and shoving to full-blown beatings.
Now with no other choice, Steven is forced to make the hardest decision of his life; escape or continue to experience the daily abuse that could one day cost him his life. This powerful story takes the reader through the daily drama of a teenager's life through his own personal memoirs. Experience Steven's pain firsthand as you read through his journal entries during this horrific time in his life.
Proceeds will be donated to Advocates United for Humanity.
REVIEWS:
Donna Kshir has crafted a well-written book that is poignant and a sad reality for many children of the world who are trapped in a cruel and abusive foster care system. Hopefully, this book helps raise awareness and action to end the suffering of these children.
Michael Skinner
singer/songwriter/guitarist/advocate
Now in his teens, he is abruptly placed with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Although he is immediately made to feel welcome; once the case worker leaves, the Joneses reveal their true colors. He begins to experience slight signs of child abuse, but over time the abuse escalates from pushing and shoving to full-blown beatings.
Now with no other choice, Steven is forced to make the hardest decision of his life; escape or continue to experience the daily abuse that could one day cost him his life. This powerful story takes the reader through the daily drama of a teenager's life through his own personal memoirs. Experience Steven's pain firsthand as you read through his journal entries during this horrific time in his life.
Proceeds will be donated to Advocates United for Humanity.
REVIEWS:
Donna Kshir has crafted a well-written book that is poignant and a sad reality for many children of the world who are trapped in a cruel and abusive foster care system. Hopefully, this book helps raise awareness and action to end the suffering of these children.
Michael Skinner
singer/songwriter/guitarist/advocate
You Are Enough: Special Edition
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A big congratulations to Brittany Nelen (top) and Katrina Catlin (bottom) who were selected to be on our Special Edition covers of You Are Enough. Click on the images to purchase -----------------------> |
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SEARS: UnMasked - Biography
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KMART: UnMasked - Biography
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LULU: Jeff the Rabbit - Childrens
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If you would like to submit your manuscript to Northern Books for publication please follow the important guidelines set forth HERE.
NEW RELEASES!
You Are Enough is a photobook of 9 women who have faced adversity in their lifetime and have overcome it. They defeated issues with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, mental health, infertility, illness, crisis, disabilities, and body image to become independent, stronger, and more confident women.
Society and social networking platforms show us beautiful photographs of what we should look like and what we could look like if we use the right products, followed the right diet, exercise daily, and use the right products. They tell us that we, too, could be supermodels and be worthy of love, acceptance, and value but even by following a vigorous routine we somehow still fall short. Due to issues such as low self-esteem, lack of confidence in ourselves, and poor body image, we are made to feel unworthy and unloved when in fact the image they are selling us is unrealistic without proper lighting, filters, photoshopping, and excess plastic surgery.
In this book, each woman shares their story, along with raw, unedited photographs taken by the photographer and the owner of CJ Photography, Cynthia Harkinson. They have chosen to tell their story and use unedited photographs to show they are beautiful and they are enough, just as they are in true form without society's interpretation of what they should be through photoshopping and filters. Each of these women knows they are enough just as they are and you, too, are enough, just as you are. The book comes with choice of two covers, Donna Kshir (top image) and Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts (bottom image.)
The Foreword is written by radio personality, public speaker, child rights activist, and author Laurie Ann Smith.
Society and social networking platforms show us beautiful photographs of what we should look like and what we could look like if we use the right products, followed the right diet, exercise daily, and use the right products. They tell us that we, too, could be supermodels and be worthy of love, acceptance, and value but even by following a vigorous routine we somehow still fall short. Due to issues such as low self-esteem, lack of confidence in ourselves, and poor body image, we are made to feel unworthy and unloved when in fact the image they are selling us is unrealistic without proper lighting, filters, photoshopping, and excess plastic surgery.
In this book, each woman shares their story, along with raw, unedited photographs taken by the photographer and the owner of CJ Photography, Cynthia Harkinson. They have chosen to tell their story and use unedited photographs to show they are beautiful and they are enough, just as they are in true form without society's interpretation of what they should be through photoshopping and filters. Each of these women knows they are enough just as they are and you, too, are enough, just as you are. The book comes with choice of two covers, Donna Kshir (top image) and Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts (bottom image.)
The Foreword is written by radio personality, public speaker, child rights activist, and author Laurie Ann Smith.
Kind People, Kind Hearts:
Photo -- Top Row: Abigail Murphy, the book Kind People, Kind Hearts, Allison Ward. Bottom row: Donna Kshir, Sydney Saathoff and Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts.
'Kind People, Kind Hearts by 9-year-old Abigail Murphy
At age 1 year old, Abigail Murphy was diagnosed with Alopecia Totalis; an autoimmune disorder where white blood cells attack the hair follicles. Never knowing different Abigail embraced it to the fullest. After moving, and changing schools Abigail went toe to toe with bullying. Baldy and cue ball were names she was called regularly. Luckily for Abigail, her empathetic personality and intellectual mind combined with a 3rd-grade guardian angel teacher, Mrs. Ward, there was hope.
Allison Ward aka Mrs. Ward grew up feeling empowered and inspired by her teachers. She became a teacher to pass that gift on to her students. She is passionate about helping kids find their voice and figure out what their superpower is.
Once Abigail and Mrs. Ward had the story complete Joshua Murphy, Abigail's father, sought out graphic artist Sydney Saathoff. Within a few weeks, Saathoff brought Abigail's characters to life.
Saathoff is a graphic designer, illustrator, and painter that has no limits to her creativity. Embracing herself through art from doing logos for businesses to painting huge murals and now illustrating for a children’s book. She was diagnosed with MS as a child so illustrating Kind People Kind Hearts has such a special place in her heart.
With the illustrations complete, Murphy turned to his friend, writing mentor, child rights activist and publisher Donna M. Kshir of North Bend. Ms. Kshir and her best friend and business partner Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts worked diligently to bring Abigail's vision to life.
Ms. Kshir and Roberts' goal is to help Abigail educate as many people as possible, hoping that we all will look past one another’s exteriors and get to know each other from the inside.
Books and eBook formats are available at Amazon and Lulu, as well as other fine brick-and-mortar stores. For more information, visit Abigail's official website.
Allison Ward aka Mrs. Ward grew up feeling empowered and inspired by her teachers. She became a teacher to pass that gift on to her students. She is passionate about helping kids find their voice and figure out what their superpower is.
Once Abigail and Mrs. Ward had the story complete Joshua Murphy, Abigail's father, sought out graphic artist Sydney Saathoff. Within a few weeks, Saathoff brought Abigail's characters to life.
Saathoff is a graphic designer, illustrator, and painter that has no limits to her creativity. Embracing herself through art from doing logos for businesses to painting huge murals and now illustrating for a children’s book. She was diagnosed with MS as a child so illustrating Kind People Kind Hearts has such a special place in her heart.
With the illustrations complete, Murphy turned to his friend, writing mentor, child rights activist and publisher Donna M. Kshir of North Bend. Ms. Kshir and her best friend and business partner Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts worked diligently to bring Abigail's vision to life.
Ms. Kshir and Roberts' goal is to help Abigail educate as many people as possible, hoping that we all will look past one another’s exteriors and get to know each other from the inside.
Books and eBook formats are available at Amazon and Lulu, as well as other fine brick-and-mortar stores. For more information, visit Abigail's official website.
Addison:
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Sometimes God brings special people into our lives. We may never understand what, why, when, or how, but it is meant to be. He and His will know just how much this person will help impact, encourage, and inspire one's life. Our time with Addison may have been short, but she has touched each and every one of us with her heart, kindness, love, laughter, and smile.
Addison went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the age of 24 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA after a short yet valiant battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. These raw and unedited poems, quotes, letters, and short stories were written by family, friends, loved ones, and colleagues of Addison We encourage you to share in our memories of Addison. You may laugh, cry, or even smile, but you will know why Addison meant so much to all of us. |
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The Kinzua Skywalk
The Kinzua Skywalk - Gladys Caroline
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The Kinzua Skywalk comes with significant history. It was once the tallest railroad structure at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high until partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003. In 2011 it was reinvented and turned into a skywalk.
Now, photographer Gladys Caroline invites you to see what was once known as Pennsylvania’s eighth wonder of the world through her eyes. Click on image to purchase. Available in paperback or eBook formats. |
Waterfalls and Cascades in the Pennsylvania Wilds
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In 2018, avid outdoorsman and wildlife photographer Stephen Miller joined the Chapman Wordweavers Society writing group. Stephen and the other members quickly went from acquaintances and former schoolmates to friends, best friends -- and then an inseparable little family. Stephen loved life in Pennsylvania. His goal was to photograph some of the most beautiful creeks, waterfalls, cascades, dams, lakes, covered bridges, wildlife, and nature scenery the Pennsylvania Sproul State Forest had to offer, and he did just that.
Stephen’s dream was to see his work get published and share it with those who seek and love the outdoors, as much as he did. Unexpectedly on February 11, 2020, the inseparable little writing family received word the little brother of the group was called home to be with the Lord while on a business trip to Washington D.C. This left the close-knit writing family devastated. Completely heartbroken and wanting to honor their brother, the writing group decided to bring Stephen's work to life, as Stephen wanted. Their only hope is this book showcases Stephen’s true talent, honors their little brother and keeps his memory alive. We invite you to share in the raw, unedited work of our friend and brother Stephen Miller. Buy Stephen's book! |
Waterfalls and Cascades in the Pennsylvania Wilds by Stephen Miller
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The Endless Mountains
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Northern Books and Endless Mountain Photography invites you to join their newest writer and photographer, Gladys Caroline, in her quest to photograph some of the most beautiful views, vistas, dams, creeks, streams, waterfalls, cascades and scenery in the Pennsylvania Sproul State Forest.
Buy NOW in paperback and ebook formats, or to purchase digital prints from Gladys Caroline, visit her official website for details! |
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Donna Kshir (left) and Lee Cougardawn Roberts (right) are the founders of Advocates United for Humanity (AU4H), the creators, hosts and owners of AU4H Radio, Two Nanas Radio, The Daily with Donna Kshir, I Am Renovo and The B-Hive with Glenie B. They are the creators and owners of Northern Books and The Chapman Wordweavers Society. In 2022, they created Kshir and Roberts Media which hosts all their endeavors. The two are dedicate activists, authors, publishers, and radio hosts and both are dedicated to their communities and helping others.
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Website maintained by AU4H Volunteers. |
