Tampa Bay Children's Author Outselling Harry Potter!

Feel free to reach author Michael Sterns directly:
                     EMAIL: kokopelli911@hotmail.com
                     OFFICE: 813-232-0417
            CELL PHONE: 813-382-4230
                 WEBSITE: http://www.kokopelli-butterfly.com
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AS FEATURED BY: WTSP Channel 10's "Logan's Heroes", Bay News 9;
                St. Petersburg Times, Weekly Planet, Tampa Bay Magazine;
   WMNF 88.5's "Art in Your Ear"
            
             Booked On: PBS affiliate WEDU-TV3's "Dialogue" talk show

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TAMPA BAY CHILDRENS BOOK AUTHOR
OUTSELLS HARRY POTTER!

     Several national chain stores in the Tampa Bay area have officially reported that local childrens author Michael Sterns book, Kokopelli & the Butterfly outsold the national bestselling Harry Potter on several individual days in February.

     This is the story of a story, created by the Safety Harbor Middle School, Countryside High School and University of Florida graduate, Michael Sterns. Five and a half years ago, he journeyed to the "Four Corners" region out West to camp and photograph in the national parks. Inspired by the gorgeous landscapes and the tribal icon "Kokopelli" he found everywhere out there, Tampa Bay resident Michael Sterns wrote a story. Sterns, identifying with the happy-go-lucky way of the "dancing flute player" who has lately gained so much popularity nationwide, created the fictional tale: Kokopelli & the Butterfly. Kokopelli, the main character of this tribal love story, delights in the overwhelming beauty of nature and is friend to all people and animals. He teaches others to take care of the Earth and each other. He has never been in love, but is on the lookout for that special someone. Taking the reader on an uplifting emotional journey with unexpected twists at every turn of the page, Kokopelli finds himself making the most important decision of his life. The resulting lessons of embracing diversity and resolving conflict peacefully make this a truly poignant story.

     Encouraged by the compliments received from family and friends, Michael decided to find a local artist to put some sketches to the tale. With plans no grander than spiral binding the finished product at a local copy shop to give to friends as gifts, serendipity struck.

     Based on a phenomenal set of coincidences, Sterns met a Disney cartoonist, Joseph Cioffi. Cioffi agreed to freelance thirty-two line drawings because of the positive messages conveyed in the story and the miraculous way the pair came to meet. Over the course of the next five years, Cioffi worked under the direction of Sterns to create the perfect illustrations. Inspired by the chance meeting, Sterns then set his sights on creating a full-fledged family book that would appeal to both adult and child.

     Michael envisioned a book that would foster more meaningful interaction between parent and child. The child would benefit from the nurturing "cocoon" created within the reading experience, gaining a love of reading and a foundation for future education, as well as communication skills and confidence. The book was even created the size it is so you can have your arm(s) around your child(ren) when reading together. The parent would benefit from having something "a little deeper" to read, truly enticing them to be in the moment with their child, rather than rushing to get to the end. Michael's messages of behaving environmentally, appreciating nature's beauty, treating animals kindly, resolving conflict peacefully, and accepting human diversity conveyed in a tribal love story seemed ideal in a world so full of violent video games, movies, cartoons and television programming that so often "baby-sit" our children.

     Once the drawings were complete, Sterns enlisted the assistance of friend Gayle Deal of Adamson-Deal Advertising, a local computer graphics and marketing specialist. With Sterns directing, Gayle magically affected the drawings with amazing computer colorizing and special effects, culminating in nothing short of breathtaking results.

     Along the way, Michael decided to self-publish Kokopelli & the Butterfly. Having a marketing degree and a love of creating community, Michael realized that it would be far more rewarding to form a career promoting Kokopelli & the Butterfly than to lose all control to a publishing house. Sterns had heard too many nightmarish stories of authors' years of hard work being nullified by fickle publishers. With that vision in mind, Sterns self-published his work with a new friend, Jim Walter. Walter, Tampa resident and owner of Kichita Productions, specializes in assisting authors to self-publish, offering "soup to nuts" assistance in creating a finished work. After shopping over a dozen printing companies, Sterns' book finally hit the presses and was then shipped to his father's five-car garage in Palm Harbor.

     Armed with a PC, cell phone, briefcase and a yellow 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle, Sterns has literally established a "New Millennium Company on Wheels". His days are spent booking storytellings, author signings, and fundraisers. Michael's fundraising efforts are attracting elementary schools, libraries, YMCA's and special interest groups (especially those dealing with children, animals or the environment). He delights in getting his message of love out to the community and giving back financially to the "hosting" group, all the while realizing his dream "to travel, meet people, and share smiles". Anyone interested can contact Michael directly to arrange a live storytelling of Kokopelli & the Butterfly complete with illustrations (on slides for large groups). Michael then opens the floor to discussion about the many lessons his story touches upon. Books are then made available for purchase with a nice percentage of proceeds generated being donated right back to the hosting public school, library, or group. Michael has established a fund for less fortunate schools, garnering funds from books sold in private schools, teaching the value of altruism.

     Kokopelli & the Butterfly is being elevated daily by support from local teachers, parents, children, librarians and civic leaders. Countless reports of children embracing its messages of love pour in every day, encouraging Michael to continue his quest to bring people closer together. Kokopelli & the Butterfly and its messages of love: of self, each other, the Earth and her creatures is truly taking flight!

     With the book really catching on, a 2nd edition is now in hand. Be on the lookout for storytelling sessions and author signings at your local Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, BDalton and Books-A-Million stores where sales are rocketing. The book is also available through Amazon. Com. Michael is eager to form even more alliances with school administrators, teachers, librarians and parents everywhere!