Here you will find information including Awards, Reviews, Author Bios and a Schedule of Events.

Awards

Business Supporter Award

Ocean Publishing won the prestigious Business Supporter Award from The Literacy Council of Northeast Florida for its commitment to literacy efforts in the Greater Jacksonville area. The award was presented by WJXT-TV anchor Deborah Gianoulis at the First Coast Literacy Awards luncheon held at the Hilton Riverfront. Ocean Publishing was recognized for taking on the revision and re-printing of Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I - Poetry, an anthology of poetry by 54 local authors. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated by Ocean Publishing to the Literacy Council.

Royal Palm Award

Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I received the 2003 Royal Palm Award for Poetry at the Florida Writers Association Conference in Orlando. The judges praised the anthology for its role in support of literacy and for its diversity of both poets and styles.

Reviews

A Poetry Break

Reviewed by Greg Langley, Books Editor, The Advocate Daily Newspaper, Baton Rouge, LA

Poet Kay Day also employs iambic pentameter, and she even writes in the sonnet form.  Day has a good sense of humor as well as a poet's way of painting with words. ...Day turns her attention to such diverse subjects as a cat jousting with mockingbirds in a suburban yard, reading lessons, the cost of poverty, jelly making, Mary Magdalen, the book Fahrenheit 451, a porch swing, Sunday School lessons and much more.  She's not afraid to tackle any subject and not above taking a jab at herself, as in "Practicing Poetics."

Reviewed by Florida Monthly/February, 2004

Composing the Italian sonnet form masterfully, Day's poetry is a pleasant read.  Refreshingly fresh and smoothly written, Day has found her place in the literary circle.

Reviewed by David Taub, columnist, Poetry Now

In this collection of poems, Kay Day demonstrates her versatility as a poet–from free verse to classical-style sonnets. It is refreshing to find her writing to be accessible on many levels, whilst not sacrificing standards in prosody and style.

Reviewed by David Cazden, editor, Miller's Pond (print edition)

Located firmly in the observed and felt world, Kay Day’s poetry is a delight to read. Written in a mature, compassionate voice, each poem is both measured and effortless, with a remarkable ability to deepen the reader’s heart. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by D.H. Eaton, author  The Osceola Community Club Forthcoming from Cumberland House, April 2004

Kay Day's poems address a wide range of human experience - from a child's first stumbling prayers to a mysterious Deity who is still a mystery when that child is forty, to teenage insecurities, to marriage and its complexities, even wrapping up the collection with 'After Probate', having covered the gamut. Kay Day's poems examine our lives and our innermost reactions to them. That the final poem in the collection ends with the word 'prayers' is appropriate, for Kay Day's poetic offerings literally are 'prayers'.

Reviewed by Steve Kowit, author of In the Palm of Your Hand

Lots of fine poems.  I liked a great many—the sonnets at the book's start, like "The Reading Lesson," and the other poems afterwards, all of them well made, well crafted.  "Dear G.", which was I believe the first I read and that remains on a second and third reading particularly fine...."Genealogy" and " At Fifteen,"...just a few that struck me.  Day tells her stories well, vividly, always coherently—and there is a lovely sanity and goodheartedness that emerges in poem after poem.

John and William Bartram:  Travelers in Early America

Whales With Fur

Off The Shelf-Compiled by Dr. Gray Stafford / Reviewed by Billy Hurley Dolphin Quest

"Now here is a book that lives by the rule "what you see is what you get". And that's how the author lives his life. No dancing around the topic, just getting down to the real deal. Whales With Fur is a book that anyone interested in training his or her pet "Fido", "Morris", or "Mr. Ed", should have. Pete Davey approaches the training of one's pet by drawing from his experience of training marine mammals. For those of you that have been in the exotic animal training business for years, you most likely will find nothing new. It's not the content of the information that had me glued to the pages; it's the style with which Pete writes. It's downright funny. Readers should be able to relax while learning from Pete's book, because he conveys his thoughts as if you were sitting in his kitchen watching him prepare dinner (wait a minute, Pete doesn't make dinner, but Jody does, and you'll see her throughout the book). Maybe a better analogy would be debating with Pete over beers at an IMATA conference; that's more realistic. But the bottom line is you need this book. It's a great teaching tool for novice trainers as he doesn't bore you with laborious multi-syllabic terms coined every year at conferences. But he draws great comparisons that attempt to make the reader's mind "click" when struggling through training. As you peruse his written dialogue, Pete takes the reader through history (nice pictures...however I noticed that Pete seemed to get older each page I turned), reasons animals should be trained, and then on to foundational terminology. He then shifts gears into what one should consider before confusing the heck out of the "about to be trained" individual (lucky them). Finally the training process begins, and the reader/apprentice trainer is taken on a journey of "how to's" and "why not's" that many of us wish we had heard, oh those many years ago. The best part is how Pete encourages the reader to train the examples he lists, and more importantly how to troubleshoot what may be occurring...and all the while he makes you laugh. As one heads through the "home stretch" of the book, Pete covers the issues of non-desirable behavior and forethought about those things that can be sensitizing to the standard pet. All in all, it's good stuff. As stated, the author, Pete Davey, has done a great job of breaking down the lingo, the desires, the problems, and the successes of training in an easy to read format. He pairs a reinforcer (laughing) with what may seem to be a border line punisher (reading text) to achieve the desired outcome (making Pete a lot of money)...I mean (teaching caregivers how to not confuse their prized companions through clear communication). It's a book well worth reading. And just like Ramirez's book on training, you only need to jump on Amazon.com...happy training! "

Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun

Reviewed by Susan D. Brandenburg, River City News Correspondent

"Three-year-old Zoe Bevan of the Westside is one lucky little girl.  Her "Grandy" is Jan Atchley Bevan, the smiling face behind the desk in the Art Connections area of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens."

"An accomplished writer, composer, pianist and poet, Bevan is passionate about keeping the arts alive for future generations.  As the Cummer's author in residence, she has recently completed her second book, Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun, which is being published by Ocean Publishing of Flagler Beach.  Her first was Corky, the Bathtub Who Couldn't Swallow."

"In Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun, she weaves a tale of a Texas prairie dog who saves his town through courage, ingenuity and a special family recipe."

Bevan draws upon people in her life for the personalities in her books..."Corky was my late husband's name, and Zachary the prairie dos was inspired by a special great-nephew."  Noting that prairie dogs naturally protect and care for one another, Bevan says her Zachary series of books will teach many life lessons.

Reviewed by Brandy Holboldt Allport, Times-Union Children's Book Reviewer

Jan Atchley Bevan's latest book, Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun takes place in Dog Town, USA, smack dab in the middle of Texas.  The adventure book is for children ages 4 to 8...  Dana Kleiman Garfinkel, artist and teacher at LaVilla School of the Arts, created the illustrations.

Frank’s Whales

Reviewed by H. Steven Robertson, Author of Ranch Boy and Acorns of Love and Wisdom

Of the really amazing creatures that still inhabit the earth, whales are at the top of the list. Frank Gromling has written and published a delightful saga, Frank’s Whales, of one man’s discovery of the North Atlantic right whale. Ironically, this was in his back yard, which happened to be the Atlantic Ocean. It chronicles his efforts as he got involved with an organization that was founded to save the species from extinction. Whether you are a fisherman, nature enthusiast, biologist, inhabitant of the coast or just the average person living anywhere, you will enjoy this interesting and informative story. This book has also been created with the purest of intentions: to make the reader aware of how the average person can contribute his or her time and, in addition, enjoy an exciting adventure for a noble cause.

October 16 2003

Reviewed by Beverly Fleming click here

Selected testimonials for Frank's Whales

“Frank Gromling, in a refreshing narrative, convincingly answers the questions so many people ask: ‘How can I make a difference?’   And ‘What can I do to help?’ Become involved with a volunteer program, learn more about the plight of the North Atlantic right whale – or Nature’s other creatures – enjoy meeting like-minded people and have fun. A good read.”

Hans Neuhauser, Editor, Right Whale News

 “This is an exciting inside look at a volunteer-based research program that is aiding the most endangered large whale in the world.”

Jim Egan, Executive Director

Marine Resources Council, Rockledge, FL

“Congratulations on your fantastic accomplishment and volunteer efforts. Keep up the good work, and once again hooray for Frank!”

Betti Tobiasz, Seekonk, MA

 “With only about 325 North Atlantic Right Whales left, this book is an important contribution to their understanding and survival. What a superb job you have done!”

Dr. Maia McGuire, Univ. of Florida

Sea Grant Extension Agent

 “Very interesting subject, one that everyone takes an interest in, but for a few dedicated people like you, not many participate actively.”

David Craveiro, Bristol, RI

 “I read through Mr. Gromling's creatively witty and informative book in one sitting. This educational work about our endangered sea mammals should be required reading and on all environmentalists’ and conservationists' bookshelves.”

Harry Waranch, LMT, Palm Coast, FL

 “Frank Gromling has written and published a delightful saga of one man’s discovery of the North Atlantic right whales. Ironically, this was in his back yard, which happened to be the Atlantic Ocean. It chronicles his efforts as he got involved with an organization that was founded to save the species from extinction. Whether you are a fisherman, nature enthusiast, biologist, inhabitant of the coast or just an average person living anywhere, you will enjoy this interesting and informative story. This book has also been created with the purest intentions: to make the reader aware of how anyone can contribute his or her time and, in addition, enjoy an exciting adventure for a noble cause.”

H. Steven Robertson, Author of Ranch Boy

Author Bios

Jan Atchley Bevan

Jan Bevan is a literary artist who writes children’s story picture books and chapter books. She is the Author in Residence at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, where she also is a staff member of the Education Department in Art Connections. In addition, Jan is a talented poet, composer, and musician.

Jan is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, has served on the poetry reading board of Kalliope Magazine, A Journal of Women’s Art and Literature, and is on the Board of Directors of Ensemble EnCor, a chamber music performing trio from Berkeley, California.

She is an ambassador for VSA Arts of Florida (Very Special Arts). Founded by Jean Kennedy Smith, VSA Arts, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., is an international organization that brings the art world to the disabled.

Jan Bevan, a mentor for writers with and without disabilities, has a Residency with VSA Arts of Florida to train others throughout the state.  

A former psychiatric social worker, Jan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Berry College in Rome, Georgia and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies and Practical Theology from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA.

Pete Davey

Pete Davey received a B.S. degree in biology and zoology from the University of Michigan in 1987. He started his marine mammal training career at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. While there, he learned to train animals by working with California sea lions, harbor seals, northern fur seals, gray seals, and even an elephant seal.

In 1990, Davey joined the Shedd Aquarium, a new oceanarium in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the marine mammal department. In almost nine years with Shedd, he worked with beluga whales, Pacific white sided dolphins, and more seals, sea otters and penguins. He became the lead for beluga whales and a senior trainer.

In 1999 he went to Ocean Journey, a new aquarium in Denver, Colorado to build its training programs from scratch. As curator of training and husbandry, he designed and directed training programs using whale and dolphin training techniques with tigers, sea otters, and river otters (thus "whales with fur" was born). At the same time, he hired, developed and taught trainers to be a part of that training program.

In 2003, Davey was given the opportunity to rebuild the training programs at the world's first oceanarium, Marineland of Florida. As director of training, he designs all programs and spends much of his time teaching trainers how to work with the bottlenose dolphins.

Pete is working on a second book, "A Dolphin in Front of You," a guide to getting a job as a dolphin trainer, and lives in Florida with his wife, Jody, and his children, Kelsey, Kate, Ty, and Sam (and several of his own whales with fur).

Kay Day

Kay Day's third collection, A Poetry Break, features a full chapter of sonnets and an introduction by Ruth Daigon. Ms. Day has written articles and poetry for magazines like The Writer, Miller's Pond (print), and Pif. A book review is forthcoming in Foreword, the nation's top print and online review magazine.

She has received many awards for poetry and nonfiction, among them the ByLine Literary Award for Poetry, the Carrie Allen McCray Literary Award for Poetry, and second place for an Italian sonnet in national competition sponsored by Florida Freelance Writers Network.

Day presents at festivals like Amelia Island's Book Island Festival and Girlfriends' Weekend in Jefferson, Texas. She organized and founded a chapter of the Florida State Poetry Association for Jacksonville and serves as president of First Coast Poets Society. She is a member of American Pen Women, Florida Freelance Writers Network, and Florida Writers Association. As a freelance writer, she has created projects for the SC Department of Natural Resources, the Alston Wilkes Society, the SC Pharmacy Association, the SC Forestry Association, and corporate enterprises.

Dana Kleiman Garfinkel

Dana Garfinkel is a Visual Artist, Educator, and Illustrator.  As an illustrator of Children’s Literature Dana has combined her life-long passion for books and art.  Dana is a full member of the Society for Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators.

She earned her BA in Fine Arts from the University of Texas in Austin. Dana’s artistic style playfully brings out the fact that she is a native Texan and enjoyed bringing the characters of Dog Town USA to life

Dana is a Visual Arts teacher at the Lavilla School for the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a National Board Certified teacher and mentor, including Department Art Chairperson.

Dana Kleiman Garfinkel is an award- winning artist who approaches her art with technical skill, sensitivity, and a sense of humor that creates an enjoyable experience for her audience.  She likes to inspire her art students to do their best, and shares their passion for drawing and painting.

Frank Gromling

Frank Gromling found that owning his own businesses was a lot more rewarding and fun than being a corporate executive. Since 1980 he has owned and operated six companies, which he took from start-up to maturity. His professional and personal adventures have taken him to more than 30 countries.

Frank is founder and co-owner of The Gromling Group, Inc., a hands-on firm that conducts seminars, training, consulting, and coaching services for a variety of organizations. Also, he volunteers his time at a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, where he speaks about the value of a job, and how to become successful. As a frequent speaker at teen centers and events, he has designed and presented “Excellence in Leadership” to help teens make positive life decisions.

Frank’s Whales is his first book about nature. His other writings have included magazine articles, such as “Life is a Balance,” and three texts for the U.S. Air Force: Air Navigation, Military Aerospace, and Leadership. Frank lives with his wife, Bibi, in Beverly Beach, Florida.

Frank is the Publisher at Ocean Publishing in Flagler Beach. A small literary press, Ocean Publishing has published The Berman Connection, A Poetry Break, Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I – Poetry, Frank’s Whales, John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America, Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun and soon-to-be-released , Whales with Fur.

Sandra Wallus Sammons

Sandra Wallus Sammons is an award-winning author of historical biographies, each of which has a Florida relationship. Her books about Henry Flagler, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Jacqueline Cochran, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas provided her with the skills and experience to write her newest work, John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America.

Caryn Suarez

Caryn Suarez is an award winning author and President of the Florida Writers Association. Suarez is the director of the Open Mic Jacksonville project, an anthology of poetry by some 50 poets from northeast Florida.

Schedule of Events

"I want all of our authors to share their work with the public, " said Gromling. "I believe it is important that Ocean Publishing authors talk with anyone who is interested in their books or wants to know what it takes to be a published author." Gromling said he works closely with Ocean's authors to insure that they are properly prepared and excited about meeting the public. He said that, "As a traditional small press, one of only a few in Florida, it is important to create and maintain that personal touch with the public at all times."

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2004

Florida Publisher to Showcase List at American Library Association Conference

(Flagler Beach, Florida)--Frank Gromling will head to the American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida June 26 with half a dozen authors in tow.  In less than two years, Gromling founded Ocean Publishing and brought six new books into print and there are more books on the horizon.  "I'm very excited about our participation in this conference," he says.  "We'll have premiums and special discounts for book purchasers.  Our titles are perfect for libraries at large, and also those in schools and colleges."

Several of the titles are already in use for educational and informational organizations.  Sandra Sammons's biography, John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America, has met with enthusiasm from educators.  Gromling's own book, Frank's Whales, provides the only first-hand layman's account of research and protection for the North Atlantic Right Whale, one of our most endangered large mammals.  Kay Day's collection, A Poetry Break, is already being used in high schools that study poetry forms like the sonnet, and it has received critical praise from the author of the top poetry handbook in America, Steve Kowit. 

Gromling predicts that Ocean Publishing's newest title, Whales with Fur by Pete Davey, will become a popular manual for anyone who trains animals.  The book's introduction is written by Jack Hanna, well-known host of television's Animal Adventures.  Another new title, the children's book Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun by Jan Bevans, is proving popular for its attractive format and the moral message it offers to young readers. 

All Ocean Publishing titles are distributed through Baker and Taylor and are available in bookstores and at online retail sites.

Gromling also underwrote the anthology Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I - Poetry, a collection of poetry by Northeast Florida writers.  He donates a percentage of the profits from that book to literacy programs.

The publisher hopes ALA Conference attendees will visit Booth #1048 where Ocean will exhibit from Saturday, June 26 through Tuesday, June 29 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.  "I believe our books will be warmly welcomed by readers at any library," he says.  "My authors are all accomplished writers and have a passion for their fields.  They'll be on hand to meet people, and they are already scheduling events in both schools and public venues. I believe our books will make a definite difference not only on Florida's literature, but on the national level as well."

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 64,000 members.

June 9, 2004

First book for Marineland dolphin training expert Pete Davey

(Flagler Beach, FL) – Whales with Fur, How to train any animal using dolphin training techniques, has been released by Ocean Publishing. Written by Pete Davey, Director of Training at Marineland of Florida near St. Augustine, this book is a unique guide for pet owners who want to train their pets to be healthier and happier companions.  It also shows how to reverse those irritating animal behaviors, like digging and furniture scratching, without resorting to punishment or other negative methods.

Davey says all pet owners have to do is to think of their pets as little “whales with fur” and then use his step-by-step methods to train them just as he would train a dolphin or whale.

Jack Hanna, noted animal expert and host of television’s “Animal Adventures,” said in the book’s Foreword that, “Pete Davey has trained whales and dolphins for several years, and used the same training approach for tigers, otters, and other animals. And now you can learn how to use it, as well!” He continues by saying, “Pete discusses training in a fun way that will make your relationship with your pet much happier and healthier.”

Davey said, "Over the years, folks have always asked how come they can't train their animals like we train dolphins? My answer is always that you can! You just need to know how, and that is what Whales with Fur is all about."

Pete Davey’s prior professional animal training background includes experience at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and Ocean Journey in Denver. He is working on his second book, A Dolphin in Front of You, which is a handbook for those wishing to become professional dolphin trainers.

Ocean Publishing, Flagler Beach, FL, specializes in interesting biographies, nature/environment, poetry collections, and fiction. Among the publisher’s other titles is Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I-Poetry, which won a 2003 Golden Palm Award for Poetry from the Florida Writers Association. Also, it won for Ocean the Business Supporter Award at the First Coast Literacy Awards in Jacksonville.

Other Ocean titles include A Poetry Break (Kay Day), Frank’s Whales (Frank Gromling), John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America (Sandra Wallus Sammons), and Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun (Jan Atchley Bevan).

 America’s first botanists come to life in new book

(Flagler Beach, FL) – In her newest book, John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America, Sandra Wallus Sammons puts the reader alongside two of America’s first botanists as they traveled in search of plants and flowers two hundred years ago.

Noted Bartram expert Joel T. Fry, Curator at Historic Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, PA, says "Sandy Sammons’ book fills a real need, a book to interest young readers in the lives of John and William Bartram." In the book’s Foreword, Fry continues, "The Bartram story is complex, but Sammons has managed to tell the story in a compelling fashion."

Edward J, Cashin, Director, Center for the Study of Georgia History, adds that this book "…captures William’s blithe spirit."

"I wanted everyone to be able to appreciate the special accomplishments of these two remarkable men," said Sammons. "I also wanted young adults to find it enjoyable to read about the Bartrams, even though the action took place so long ago." Sammons takes the reader from John Bartram’s start near Philadelphia, through his trips to Canada and Florida, and to the development of his son William’s abilities as a writer and artist. This is a book about adventure, commitment, and courage. It is also a story of life in early America, when traveling such great distances was full of difficulty, hardship, and danger.

Sammons is an award-winning author of four historical biographies, each of which has a Florida relationship. Her previous books about Henry Flagler, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Jacqueline Cochran, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, provided her with the skills and experience to write her best book, yet.

Frank Gromling, publisher, says that John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America is a classic book because it is easy to read, contains historic illustrations, including two of William’s famous drawings, and is carefully documented with references and footnotes.

Ocean Publishing, Flagler Beach, FL, specializes in interesting biographies, nature/environment, poetry collections, and fiction. Among the publisher’s other titles is Open Mic Jacksonville, Vol. I-Poetry, which won a 2003 Golden Palm Award for Poetry from the Florida Writers Association. Also, it won for Ocean the Business Supporter Award at the first Coast Literacy Awards Luncheon in Jacksonville.

Other Ocean titles include a collection of superb poetry, A Poetry Break, (Kay Day), Frank’s Whales (Frank Gromling), a firsthand account of a citizen-based research program to save endangered North Atlantic right whales, and Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun (Jan Atchley Bevan, Writer in Residence at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Jacksonville, FL), a children’s picture book. Whales with Fur, an amusing and effective animal training book by Pete Davey, with Foreword by Jack Hanna of "Animal Adventures," was released in May 2004.