Human Trafficking Around the World: Hidden in Plain Sight, by Stephanie Hepburn and Rita J. Simon

Immensely well-documented and useful. -Kirkus Reviews

An immensely learned and informative piece of work, much needed to prod and set aright the misperceptions and lethargy that beset this disturbing issue. -John Tirman, Washington Post

Superior and well-written, this is the rare resource that is both scholarly and approachable, making it a must-read -Library Journal

This unprecedented study of sex trafficking, forced labor, organ trafficking, and sex tourism across twenty-four nations highlights the experiences of the victims, perpetrators, and anti-traffickers involved in this brutal trade. Combining statistical data with intimate accounts and interviews, journalist Stephanie Hepburn and justice scholar Rita J. Simon create a dynamic volume sure to educate and spur action.

Hepburn and Simon recount the lives of victims during and after their experience with trafficking, and they follow the activities of traffickers before capture and their outcomes after sentencing. Each chapter centers on the trafficking practices and anti-trafficking measures of a single country: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Niger, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Syria, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Examining these nations’ laws, Hepburn and Simon reveal gaps in legislation and enforcement and outline the cultural norms and biases, societal assumptions, and conflicting policies that make trafficking scenarios so pervasive and resilient. This study points out those most vulnerable in each nation and the specific cultural, economic, environmental, and geopolitical factors that contribute to each nation's trafficking issues. Furthermore, the study also highlights common phenomena that governments and international anti-traffickers should consider in their fight against this illicit trade.

About Stephanie Hepburn

Stephanie Hepburn was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Scottish and Colombian immigrants, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland. She is an independent journalist whose work has been published in Americas Quarterly, USA Today U-Wire, and Gender Issues. She is a weekly and monthly contributing writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Washington College of Law at American University, she integrates her legal and journalism backgrounds to create pieces that are highly informative and have a human tone. Her book with Rita J. Simon, Women's Roles and Statuses the World Over, was named an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice.


Follow Stephanie on Twitter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephepburn

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Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Human-Trafficking-Around-World-Hidden/dp/023116145X
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/human-trafficking-around-the-world-stephanie-hepburn/1113895525?ean=9780231161459

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Author Interview With A. Dragon: Thy Kingdom Fall

Why did you feel you had to tell this story? 
I was born a writer but because of my “day job”/career it has been some ten-plus years since I wrote anything at all. I was actually feeling very bad about it because I have this talent (I wrote this 400 page book in 90 days!) that I wasn’t using and this had to stop. This particular story just wouldn’t let me go until I finally sat down and wrote it – it’s so entertaining, provocative and unique.

Where do you get your ideas? 
I have long noticed that in futuristic movies there are no Christians, Jews, Hindu, or any other religion as if to suggest that humankind “evolves” past that “stuff.” I always felt that to be ridiculous, no offense to all my atheist friends. Lastly, I wanted to create a dramatic series that made the reader feel that they really were transported into the future in terms of the technology, politics and culture.

Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it? 
Never had this problem. I have the reverse “problem” – the ideas flow and I have to race to capture it all on the page.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
Quite a bit since this is my first published work with many more to follow. As a writer you need to realize that the writing process, your reason for being, is actually often the shortest part of the book’s overall life. Especially, if you are self-publishing, you must realize upfront that you will need to be publisher, marketer, publicist, social media guru, and many more things. Bottom line is to do your homework – never stop reading and researching, read other author blogs, go to writers conferences, build a network of writer friends and colleagues. There are many roads to get to the “successful writer” destination, but you just need to find out what is the best road for you.

How do you market your work? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
That’s where I’m focused on right now since the print versions of my book release May 1st. The main decision I had to make is whether to do it myself (with help) or pay someone else to do it. I picked the former as I actually am a natural salesperson for my work and I want to know everything about successful marketing as I am writing what could be potentially be a very lucrative series of seven books. I believe that writers have so many great tools out there, especially now with the rise of ebooks and social media. Social media is king and every writer has to become good at it, even if you don’t want to. Also, really connect with sites where your customers (the readers!) go and make your presence known. Of course, I skipped the most important step in the entire process – you must write a damn good book because there are 10,000 people out there daily do the same thing you are doing. You must have a great book to market and publicize because that is what will build a loyal readership and fan-base that will snatch up your work once they find out it’s available.

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Synopsis
"Thy Kingdom Fall" is the provocative, debut thriller of author A. Dragon—a dramatic mix of politics, religion, and intrigue—set over 75 years in the future. In 2089, the Washington DC investigation of the daylight murder of the most powerful political king-maker in the nation is the start of a chain of events leading to the outbreak of World War III. It is the first in the epic After Eden series.

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About the Author
Austin Dragon's After Eden Series includes "Thy Kingdom Fall" (Book #1) and soon to be released "Stars & Scorpions" (Book #2) of the seven book series. He is native New Yorker but has called Los Angeles, California home for the last twenty years. Words to describe him, in no particular order: U.S. Army; English teacher; resident of Paris, France; political junkie; movie buff; campaign manager and staffer on presidential and gubernatorial campaigns; Fortune 500 corporate recruiter. Yes, Christian too.

He is busy at work on books three and four of the series. Visit the author's website at www.afteredenbooks.com with links to blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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FOR MORE INFO

Website: http://www.afteredenbooks.com/

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zx7E6P

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dragon_Scribe

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Kindle: http://amzn.to/Y1IsU0

Kindle Spotlight: Jack Canon's American Destiny, by Greg Sandora

Jack Canon's American Destiny
by Greg Sandora

Take a Journey for the Greater Good in this intensely gripping, loving thriller. Join Jack Canon and his insanely loyal team of friends and family as they make their all-or-nothing run for the presidency. You'll laugh out loud and have your heart ripped in two; all while holding your breath, sitting on the edge of your chair. You'll become emotionally committed as you find yourself standing behind your new courageous - unstoppable heroes - forced to take unimaginable steps to reach their goal. You'll be shocked at the heart-wrenching cost.

JACK CANON'S AMERICAN DESTINY - TO SOMEDAY HAVE THE POWER, TO DEDICATE THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND--TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. THIS TIME HE'S ALL IN.

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About the Author:

Greg's Dad and Mom were artists, his father painted and his mother wrote poetry and loved to garden. Most Saturdays the family loaded up the 1970 Chevy Impala to trek to a one man show somewhere or other. Greg took a different track graduating with a business degree; owning and operating an Award Winning Franchise Fitness Center. Currently a professional manager Greg is living in Florida with his beautiful wife and children, and following his passion.

FOR MORE INFO
Website: http://www.gregsandora.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregsandora
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gasandora 

BUY THE BOOK
Kindle: http://amzn.to/XrEYXC