Kurt Christiansen. Author. Fiction and Non-Fiction
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Kurt
Christiansen
Author
I like to tell stories. Funny, imaginative stories that also have depth—meaning there is something to be learned, whether its emotional intelligence, an expansion of empathy, or a heightened awareness and care of a prominent social issue.
Fiction
GLEAM
Semma and the Secret of Stuffmore
(Middle Grade Novel. Ages 8-13)
Willy Wonka meets Harry Potter in this funny, magical, and adventure-filled middle grade novel. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Nevermoor, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Meet Semma Wakefield, a twelve-year-old orphan with a heart bigger than a giant Schmill and a desperate wish to have a family again. Her hope surges when a message from her long-lost uncle, the infamous Doctor of ExtraOrdinology, Larry Bumbrain, flies through her window. He's in a bit of a muddle in the unmapped town of Stuffmore. Now, her parents might have mysteriously vanished during one of his quests, but that's not stopping Semma and her twin sister Trooni—who's got a brain sharper than the horns on a poison spitting Hullux—from getting to him.
Stuffmore is a dream come true. Magical gadgets, outlandish abundance, and the most energetic and loving uncle you can imagine. But soon into their adventure, Semma begins developing a strange new power called a Gleam which lets her see stuff no one else can. It reveals a creepy invisible fog messing up people's minds, making them selfish and tearing families apart, with kids abandoned to the streets like stray puppies.
When no one believes her and she is ditched by her own family, she realizes she may be the only one who can reunite her family and save all the children. But to pull it off, she'll need to unleash the full potential of her Gleam, blast self-doubt and the fog back to the Dark Nothing, and discover the real magic of happiness.
"What a great book! Enjoyed every bit of it. It has a Willy Wonka quality that really appealed to me. The characters are charming, the story is compelling and entertaining, the writing is delightful. Although it's for middle-grade readers, adults will get a kick out of it too."
—Gail F
"This is the fantastic story of two sisters, Semma and Trooni, along with their cousin Rascal as they head out on an adventure, filled with imagination, amazing word play, whimsy, and magical lands! A story about courage, friendship, family, love, and forgiveness, as they explore what's truly important in our lives."
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—Sean H.
A stand-alone novel and the first book of a series, "GLEAM" is a rollercoaster of heartwarming magic, family bonds, and self-discovery—perfect for readers who want to dive into a funny, imaginative adventure. Parents of middle grade children will appreciate the novel’s positive messages having to do with empathy, emotional intelligence, and valuing people above material things.
“Gleam” is a super fun book for kids and adults. Semma and her friends get whisked away to the magical land of Stuffmore that’s filled with mystery, adventure, amazing gadgets and fantastical creatures! The story has humor and heart and is filled excitement from beginning to end! Looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing more adventures with Semma and her friends!
—Chad G.
"I loved the characters and their development as well as the fascinating world building to go along with them. A joyful read for the young, ages 8-15 especially."
—Michelle H.
Let's meet the characters and find out how they would describe the story.
Semma Wakefield. Heroine.
12 years old. Twin sister of Trooni.
Born in HodgePodge
“Gleam is an emotional roller-coaster where I try to master a strange new inner power to save my broken family and hundreds of abandoned children from a creepy fog messing with people’s minds.”
Larry Bumbrain, Doctor of Extraordinology
Uncle. Really old.
Born in The Sky Under the Mountain
“Why in the cosmos are you still reading these rather dull descriptions? Our quest to discover everlasting happiness and win the last piece of an ancient puzzle that could help us save the Seven Worlds is substantially more riveting if you read the words in the actual book, I dare say!”
Trooni Wakefield.
Twin sister of Semma.
94 seconds older.
Born in HodgePodge
“Gleam is a factual account of how I: 1) achieved number one on Stuffmore’s elite Happiness List. 2) Nearly lost my sister. And 3) Did better than Rascal at everything.”
Rascal Spineguard.13.
Cousin of the twins.
Born in HodgePodge.
“Gleam is a wacky adventure of how I (not Trooni) saved the day and all of Stuffmore. And not about how I cried one time.”
Zippy McNutt. Wunkie
Chief Officer of Protection, Ropeology and Smellistics for Dr. Larry Bumbrain.
Born in Kaa Kaa Koo.
“Wikki widdii wi.” (“Gleam is an epic tale of how I became famous, was welcomed into a new family, and stood up to people who called me a monkey – that means you Semma!”).
Mayor Stuffmore. 44. Puzzler.
Number One on the Happiness List.
“Gleam depicts one man’s heroic efforts (me!) to prevent a group of downers from destroying Stuffmore—the happiest city in the Seven Worlds—because your happiness is my business.”
Mister Wister. LubbiDubbler.
Born in the Here and There 55 years ago. Second birth: 28 years ago.
Head Bridger and Finder of the Unfoundable for Dr. Larry Bumbrain.”
“Gleam is a magical and mysterious story of the seen and unseen, connection and abandonment, and where life’s riches are truly found.”
Non-Fiction
Problems are almost always more complex than we make them out to be (or want them to be). My intention is to communicate with as much simplicity the multifaceted nature of the issues we are dealing with, and to offer up ideas on how we can address these existential predicaments to build a safer, more trustable world together. ​​
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The Crisis Intervention Manual has been utilized in over 100 crisis and counseling centers worldwide. It is a powerful and comprehensive training tool for professional and non-professional counselors in developing the skills of conscious communication, active listening, and crisis intervention. The Manual provides a step by step, easy to understand guide for the majority of types of calls or situations a counselor may encounter - suicide, domestic violence, child abuse, depression, rape, addiction, mental illness, sex and sexuality, and more. This manual is different from other training books in that it invites the counselor to examine their own self with practical exercises to expand empathy and release judgments that can interfere with being an effective helper. More than anything, this book is designed to inspire, motivate, and build confidence.
Kurt Christiansen holds a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology, a Masters In Consciousness, Health, and Healing, and a Master's Degree in Theatre Arts. He specializes in trauma recovery and prevention with over 24 years experience in crisis intervention and empathy development training.
Inward & Upward
Inward & Upward is a practical how-to coursebook in learning how to connect to your Soul more fully. As the reader traverses inward they will learn new qualities of being, a wider and higher perspective of themselves and the world, and simple and effective tools to embody the Soul's energy of love and compassion. The course consistently nudges and inspires the reader to more fully participate in their lives by taking heart-felt, purpose driven action in the world. The book's layout has a subtle yet powerful way of drawing you in—to stop, ingest, and experience the truth, beauty, and goodness that lies at the core of all of us.
Coming Soon!
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The Missing Parts
A (R)Evolutionary new IFS model to build a more trustable world.
Contact and Links
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Letters to the author can be sent to this address:
2118 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 843, Santa Monica, CA 90403
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For film and television rights, literary rights inquires, and all other inquiries, please contact kurt(at)empathyworks.net
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