A ‘Colorful’ New Book Debut
By Dan Guarino
The atmosphere was party-like as entrepreneur, creative, personal/business mentor, entertainer, and Rockaway Times columnist Shane Kulman hosted a festive book signing at Coastal Market, located across from the Rockaway Hotel, on Wednesday, August 21. “Enchantress Shane” graciously signed, chatted and took pictures with people who came by the dozens, some from as far as Brooklyn and Connecticut, to purchase her new book, “The Ten Commandments To Transform Fear To Joy!”, an adult coloring book to “F*ck Your Fears.” Even some visitors coming in to purchase frozen yogurt, at first surprised by the event and its live music, came away with newly signed books.
The event, Kulman noted later, “exceeded my expectations and hopes. Thank you to all that showed up. There were so many surprises!”
Already the author of “Dear Enchantress,” a collection of her Rockaway Times advice columns, and “From Anxiety To Ease, The Feminine Way,” described as “activities to put yourself at ease in under ten minutes,” her newest work has taken a new form.
It’s a “coloring book, (but) not just a traditional coloring book. It is a creative journey and a therapeutic tool,” she says.
Made for adults, it is also playful and enjoyable while imparting practical life lessons. Illustrated by artist Tim Lukowiak, its fanciful images include Enchantress Shane herself, her small dog Cooper, who attended the opening, and even her neighbor and friend, 8-soon-to-be-9-year-old Noa, who helped organize setup for the event.
Kulman explains, “Each page of the book is inspired by the Ten Commandments to,” what she calls, “F*ck Your Fears,” a set of guiding principles she’s developed over years of working with people who face fear, doubt, and self-limiting beliefs.
“The book is designed to encourage self-reflection, creative expression, and emotional healing. It combines intricate illustrations, inspiring quotes, and exercises that invite users to interact with the material in a deeply personal and meaningful way.”
For example, with “Commandment Number 4- Treat Yourself” she writes, “When is the last time you treated yourself to time off? Time away? Time for yourself? What about time to indulge in doing nothing?” Giving yourself permission to leave “all the worry, shame and to-do-lists outside,” she suggests taking a day to do whatever you want, whatever pleases you or just enjoy doing nothing- without the guilt. “Add an hour of lounging and set a timer,” she writes, “to complete this hour of nothingness. It’s not as easy as you think.”
Though the adult coloring book format has seen growing in popularity, Kulman noted, she’s had the idea floating in her mind for a while. She says, “I knew I would create a coloring book I just didn’t know when.” The idea was left to simmer, but “then the artist Tim Lukowiak reached out and offered his art services. I fell in love with his art, and got back to him and said, ‘YES!’”
Kulman sees it “as a journey, along with the ability to color it! There is a transformation available for those that are seeking it.”
“Working with Tim was great. I can be super controlling and I get ideas in the moment, and he had a ton of patience,” Kulman said. Lukowiak, she adds, was quick to “get” the ideas she had and put them down on paper. He was “the absolute best creative brain to create what I would describe, as well as add to it. There was a more playful aspect to this book, and it’s a coloring book as well as a workbook. I will always be a preschool teacher at heart!”
Kulman also holds a Master’s Degree in Behavior and Special Education and has worked as a special ed teacher.
Explaining how the content and concepts came about, Kulman recalls her overall intention is to “give people clear guidelines on how to live more positively in a world that is not always positive and joyful.”
“Rambling in rowdy way,” she explains, one day to a best friend “a list of ways to live” well and happily, she then yelled out “these are MY ten commandments!” Her friend then said, “Write that all down and sell it as something! POOF! The coloring book now had an outline.”
Described as a way “to feel the success that comes from using unconventional methods so that your personal development is sustainable,” the book has been selling well. Many brought copies they had previously purchased to the signing event, while others bought books on the spot.
Readers have also had good things to say about “Ten Commandments To Turn Fear To Joy.” As one noted, “This is really so much more than a coloring book – it’s a guide to living a fun, daring and creatively fulfilling life. Shane’s ‘commandments,’ written and illustrated in irreverent, fun and memorable ways, give you permission to take risks and be dazzling!”
Connie Dann-Duval, who came to the event, said, “The guidelines in this seem aligned for integration of our different internal parts, and living an enjoyable life.” Between enjoying refreshments, conversing, taking pictures with colorful boa accessories and the equally colorful author, many sat down to color and have fun with crayons that were provided. From top hat to boots, Kulman herself came dressed just like her illustrated book cover image.
About her work, she says she helps “people to have lives they like and help them surpass limitations and live a life of expansion and personal liberation.”
As a Far Rockaway resident, Kulman says what she loves most about the peninsula is, “THE PEOPLE!!! I love the love and the communities, and the small-town feel. It reminds me of Canarsie, Brooklyn, where I grew up. Where everyone knows everyone, and if you ask folks to show up and support something they will, and then the joy gets multiplied. I have done SO many creative projects until completion with so many wonderful folks here!”
With “The Ten Commandments To Transform Fear To Joy!” she adds yet another chapter to that list. “And there’s always more to come!” she says.
For those who missed the book signing, Kulman’s book is available for purchase on Amazon.
Photos by Dan Guarino
