Author: Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.  Interested in what's possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

Industry Interview with Asha Dahya, the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of GirlTalkHQ.com

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

For our 2024 blog series, we’re highlighting industry professionals to find out more about their time in the book world. Follow along for insight on what catches a reviewer’s interest, things to avoid when pitching a media outlet, what librarians are searching for and more. 

Today, we’re chatting with Asha Dahya, the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of GirlTalkHQ.com.

  1. As someone who hears about A LOT of books, what makes one stand out to you?

The story! It’s all about the story, and how a book is written into a pitch email. I am particularly drawn to stories that feature marginalized lead characters, especially young women of color, because they often don’t get to be the lead (typically). I also love reading books that are set in different parts of the world, but have a universal appeal in terms of the themes. It’s a great way for a book to be relatable while also having the ability to educate or enlighten readers about a different culture or country. 

  1. What’s the worst thing an author (or publicist!) can do in telling you about a book they’d like you to consider for coverage?

Not include crucial details about the main characters or plot points. Hook me in immediately! I also think it’s important for publicists to tailor a pitch to the platform you are targeting. Generic pitches  may not always work, so for instance if you know GirlTalkHQ amplifies the stories of women, pull on that thread in your pitch.  

  1. What makes your job easier?

Press packets that include an author’s bio and headshot, a blurb about the book that can be copied and adapted easily for article text, and any info in the body of an email that reads like the first few sentences of an article potentially. Tell me a story IN your pitch! I also LOVE seeing press kits that have a pre-done Q&A with the author because it gives even more background info I can use in a review or article, or when writing up my own questions for an interview. 

  1. What’s the most memorable (or maybe funniest) pitch that’s ever come your way?

I have always been an avid reader of fiction books especially. I love escapism! Anything with a great story, no matter the genre, that will keep me hooked, is worth gold. I didn’t necessarily have plans to work in the book world specifically, but it is a really exciting part of my job as editor of GirlTalkHQ that we can use our platform to amplify so many wonderful books and authors. At a time when books are becoming increasingly politicized through book bans for certain topics or themes, I am proud to be able to offer a space to push back on this. Books enrich our lives for the better. 

  1. Did you always know you wanted to be involved in the book world?

Yeah! Every single job I’ve had in my life has been books in some way or another, it just makes sense somehow. Bookseller, librarian, author/media escort/driver for book events, book festival coordinator…the list goes on.

  1. What is your most recommended book and why?

Instead of one particular book, I can recommend 2 authors who I absolutely love – Rachel Howell Hall and Brit Bennett. Read any of their books and you will NOT be disappointed. 

  1. What is a book that surprised you recently?

I only read non-fiction on certain occasions, but I recently read Naomi Klein’s ‘Doppelgänger’ and it was so compelling and eye-opening. She did a brilliant job of storytelling, through her personal experience, while also expertly weaving in a timeline about the rise of right-wing extremism over the past 10 years. It was fascinating, horrifying, and engaging. 

  1. What is your favorite part about working in the book community?

Getting to learn about how many authors bring their own personal experience into their stories. So many books and great stories come about from a lived experience, and then become fascinating insights into our world, or into a world which we may not have considered or known about previously. I also really appreciate a lot of the vulnerability many authors show in their characters, which at times is drawn from their own vulnerabilities. Through these characters we can find strength to look at our own vulnerabilities not as weaknesses but a part of what makes us all interesting, complex, flawed and nuanced people. I love the way books, stories and characters can hold up a mirror to ourselves and the world, allowing for greater understanding and empathy. 

 

Book recs for Wicked characters

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

I don’t know if anyone is as excited about the release of Wicked soon, so obviously we put together some book recommendations for other people who are invested in the first installment.

For the Elphaba fans, we recommend A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene: 

In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, taken in by the queen and trained to be a spy. Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess, Eala, stolen by the wicked Fair Folk. Accompanying Fia is Prince Rogan, her dearest childhood friend — and Eala’s betrothed. Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for Rogan…and an unexpected attraction to the fae lord holding Eala captive.

For the Glinda/Galinda fans, we recommend The Grace Year by Kim Liggett:

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden. In Garner County, girls are banished for their sixteenth year to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. Tierney James dreams of a better life — but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that there’s more to fear than the brutal elements and the poachers in the woods.

For the Fiyero fans, we recommend A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown:

When a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, he strikes a fatal deal — kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom. But Karina’s mother has been assassinated and her court threatens mutiny. She decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic … requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of a competition. When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. 

For the Wizard fans, we recommend Jade City by Fonda Lee:

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for — and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion. When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone — even foreigners — wield jade, simmering tension erupts into open violence. 

For the Madame Morrible fans, we recommend A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness:

Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

For the Nessarose fans, we recommend Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber:

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings … until she learns that the love of her life will marry another. Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. But she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game — and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. 

For the Boq fans, we recommend A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer:

Rumors circulate that Prince Rhen of Emberfall is not a true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. And his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers. Grey doesn’t want anyone to know his secret. On the run since he destroyed Lilith, he has no desire to challenge Rhen — until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. 

For the Doctor Dillamond fans, we recommend Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend:

Morrigan Crow has been invited to join the prestigious Wundrous Society, but someone is blackmailing Morrigan’s unit, turning her last few loyal friends against her. Worst of all, people have started to go missing. The fantastical city of Nevermoor, once a place of magic and safety, is now riddled with fear and suspicion.

 

Halloween movie book recommendations

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Oh the weather outside is (finally) cooler, and it’s time to settle in with your favorite Halloween movie. There are so many great ones to choose from, and we have paired books that share the same vibe with some crowd favorites so you can keep those spooky vibes going!

If you love Halloween, try My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Jade Daniels is an angry, half-Indian outcast with an abusive father, an absent mother, and an entire town that wants nothing to do with her. She lives in her own world, a world in which protection comes from an unusual source: horror movies. And Jade narrates the quirky history of Proofrock as if it is one of those movies where a masked killer seeks revenge on a world that wronged them. But when blood actually starts to spill into the waters of Indian Lake, she pulls us into her dizzying, encyclopedic mind of blood and masked murderers, and predicts exactly how the plot will unfold.

If you love Beetlejuice, try Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

In 1977, four teenagers and a dog solved the mystery of Sleepy Lake. The trail of an amphibian monster terrorizing the quiet town of Blyton Hills leads the gang to spend a night in Deboën Mansion and apprehend a familiar culprit: a bitter old man in a mask. Now, in 1990, the twenty-something former teen detectives are lost souls. Plagued by night terrors and Peter’s tragic death, the three survivors have been running from their demons. When the man they apprehended makes parole, Andy tracks him down to confirm what she’s always known–they got the wrong guy. Now they’ll  return to Blyton Hills to find out what really happened in 1977.

If you love Halloweentown, try Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches. But on the night of the ceremony, twelve-year-old Seven Salazar isn’t placed in one of the five covens. She’s a Spare! Spare covens are less powerful, and are looked down on by everyone. Even worse, when Seven and the other two Spares perform the magic circle, it doesn’t work! They’re stuck as Witchlings — and will never be able to perform powerful magic.The three Spares will be assigned an impossible task: If they work together and succeed at it, their coven will be sealed and they’ll gain their full powers. If they fail… Well, the last coven to make the attempt ended up being turned into toads. Forever.

If you love Hocus Pocus, try The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. Lexi has heard this all her life. But when the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, a mysterious boy who seems to fade like smoke falls under suspicion. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

If you love The Craft, try Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis

Katrell wishes talking to the dead made more money. She’s been able to support her unemployed mother so far, but it isn’t enough. And to complicate things, Katrell has started to draw attention — from beyond. And it comes with a warning: STOP, or there will be consequences. Katrell is willing to call the ghosts on their bluff, but when her next summoning accidentally raises someone from the dead, Katrell realizes that a live body is worth a lot more than a dead apparition. And she has no intention of letting this lucrative new business go.

If you love Casper, try Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, he actually summons Julian Diaz, who is determined to find out what happened. And the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

If you love Scream, try The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

Lynnette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre. For more than a decade, she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, working to put their lives back together. Then one woman misses a meeting, and their worst fears are realized — someone knows about the group and is determined to rip their lives apart again.

If you love Practical Magic, try Weyward by Emilia Hart

2019: Kate flees an abusive partner in London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great-aunt she barely remembers. But she suspects that her great-aunt had a secret that lurks in the bones of the cottage.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death. When Altha was a girl, her mother taught her their magic, a kind rooted in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet longs for the robust education her brother receives — and for her mother, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

If you love The Addams Family, try We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

A peculiar girl named Merricat guards her the dark secret of her perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family when a cousin arrives at their estate. 

If you love Nightmare Before Christmas, try The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick 

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo’s undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. 

Industry Interview with the Teen Services Coordinator at Chicago Public Library, Rachel Strolle

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

For our 2024 blog series, we’re highlighting industry professionals to find out more about their time in the book world. Follow along for insight on what catches a reviewer’s interest, things to avoid when pitching a media outlet, what librarians are searching for and more. 

Today, we’re chatting with Rachel Strolle. She is the Teen Services Coordinator at a public library in the western suburbs of Chicago, where she runs teen programming, coordinates middle school outreach, and maintains the teen book collection. She is the Communications director for YALLFest book festival in Charleston, SC and for YALLWEST book festival in Santa Monica, CA. She has covered books in publications such as Buzzfeed, Reader’s Digest, Paste Magazine, the Barnes & Noble Teen blog, and Bitch Media, and been an adviser for a few other book festivals. Previously, she was an indie bookseller, where she ran a highly successful Blind Date with a Book program and co-created and ran bookish summer camps for teens. She is still not over the cancellation of Pushing Daisies.

1. As someone who hears about A LOT of books, what makes one stand out to you?

Sometimes it’s a really snappy pitch (you’ll read about one in question 4!), sometimes it’s being in an area that I’ve been looking for stuff (you tell me a book has a 14 year old lead in YA? Immediate yes. You tell me it’s a YA with absolutely no romance? Immediate yes). And I’ll be honest, sometimes it’s random or based on what I’ve watched recently…pirate books had a huge chance right after I watched Our Flag Means Death, so some things are timing!

2. What’s the worst thing an author (or publicist!) can do in telling you about a book they’d like you to consider for coverage?

Misleading about genre! I feel like this happens the most in romance, saying things are a romance when there’s no HEA/HFN is baffling to me.

3. What makes your job easier?

A few publishers have started doing request forms by google form, and it’s a lot less overwhelming than remembering which individual emails I’ve responded to.

4. What’s the most memorable (or maybe funniest) pitch that’s ever come your way?

Oh, absolutely it was for India Holton‘s The League of Gentlewomen Witches and it was “He tells her “Step on me” knowing her boots are literally weapons?”. Thank you Stephanie Felty!

5. Did you always know you wanted to be involved in the book world?

Yeah! Every single job I’ve had in my life has been books in some way or another, it just makes sense somehow. Bookseller, librarian, author/media escort/driver for book events, book festival coordinator…the list goes on.

6. What is your most recommended book and why?

My go-tos in YA are typically influenced by what gets taken immediately when I talk to teens at my library so it’s The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas, anything by Lamar Giles, Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee, and I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest. Thrillers are the big ask from the teens, followed closely by things that are sad, and then romance of course always has fans! I’m quickly getting to a point where Kate Chenli‘s A Bright Heart is going to be up there for fantasy, it’s got such a great hooky pitch with the main character basically dying right away and then getting a reset. My two absolute favorite YAs I’m terrible at pitching (Fire by Kristin Cashore and Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert). In adult, it’s probably The Poppy War in fantasy and Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen – past that, I feel like just because adult readers typically have super specific requests, and because there’s more to select from, things move around rec-wise a little bit more. But I think Poppy War is a near perfect fantasy series and then Chen’s books are a great go-to for readers branching into the speculative.

7. What is a book that surprised you recently?

America Redux which is a YA nonfiction title that came out last year. It’s sort of indescribable how cool it is to look at and it’s such a clever way to present historical information to teenagers.

8. What is your favorite part about working in the book community?

Getting to experience all the stories! Not just the books but also the way they’ve connected people and the way so many of the most beloved people in my life have come from the book world. But also the books. 

 

Mean Girls day book recs

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Happy Mean Girls day, one and all. Every year on Oct. 3, we come together to celebrate the most important of holidays, brought to you by Lindsay Lohan’s glorious comeback and Renee Rapp’s unearthly pipes. And you know we’re gonna celebrate with a list of book recommendations.

If you like the backstabbing cliques, try The Ivies by Alexa Donne: 

The Ivies are five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly.

If you like a high schooler starting over somewhere new, try A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey: 

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. But after things fall apart, her parents send her to England to reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila.

If you like a revenge plot, try Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

Lady Ela Dalvi’s life was forever changed when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined. Nearly three years later, 18-year-old Ela is consumed with a desire for revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside. With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. 

If you like school-themed drama, try Come and Get It by Kiley Reed:

It’s 2017 at the University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, wants to graduate, get a job, and buy a house. So when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers Millie an easy yet unusual opportunity, she jumps at the chance. But Millie’s starry-eyed hustle becomes jeopardized by odd new friends, vengeful dorm pranks, and illicit intrigue.

If you like watching a young girl discover who she really is (and prom!), try You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Indiana, forever: attend an uber-elite college, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down … until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. 

If you like a look at the classic American high school experience, try The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

Norris Kaplan, a Black French Canadian, is plunked into a new high school and sweating a ridiculous amount from the oppressive Texas heat. He finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Yet against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris. But the night of the prom, Norris screws everything up royally. 

If you like when the nerdy girl gets the popular guy, try Geekerella by Ashley Poston

When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? A meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons — before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but Darien feels more and more like a fake — until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

If you like the drama from anonymous gossip in the burn book, try Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney

Quinn keeps lists of everything — from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud” and all the boys she’d like to kiss. Then an anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. 

Fall movie releases and book recs, part 1

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

I feel like there are more good movies coming out this fall than there have been in quite some time, or maybe I’m just paying more attention lately! If one of these new releases caught your eye and you’re looking for a book with the same vibe, we have a list for you! And keep an eye out for part 2 soon!

If you’re interested in The Substance (a fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug to temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself unknowingly giving herself horrifying side effects), try Rouge by Mona Awad: When a strange woman appears at the funeral of Belle’s estranged mother, she is offering a tantalizing clue about her mother’s demise, followed by a cryptic video about a transformative spa experience. Soon, Belle is lured into the barbed embrace of La Maison de Méduse, the same lavish, culty spa to which her mother was devoted. 

If you’re interested in His Three Daughters (three estranged sisters converge in a New York apartment to care for their ailing father and try to mend their own broken relationship with one another), try Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: The three Blue sisters are exceptionally different. A year ago, the unexpected death of their fourth sister, Nicky, left Avery, Bonnie and Lucky reeling. As they each navigate grief, addiction, and ambition, they find they must return to New York to stop the sale of the apartment they were raised in.

If you’re interested in Long Gone Heroes (a special forces soldier who has given up country, religion, and even hope, must return to the field of battle to track down his niece, a reporter, caught in the middle of an illegal private contracting operation that went dead wrong), try The Investigator by John Sanford: Letty, a recent Stanford grad and adopted daughter of a famed detective, is partnered with a DHS investigator to investigate thefts of crude oil in Texas that might have ties to a violent militia group.

If you’re interested in Killer Heat  (after a mysterious death, a wounded detective investigates a dangerous love triangle on an isolated Greek island), try Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor: In the shadow of extravagant parties, predatory business deals and calculated political influence, three lives become dangerously intertwined: Ajay is the watchful servant, born into poverty, who rises through the family’s ranks. Sunny is the playboy heir who dreams of outshining his father, whatever the cost. And Neda is the curious journalist caught between morality and desire. 

If you’re interested in Lee (the story of American photographer Lee Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II), try Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon: Nancy Wake, an Australian expat has a reporting job and is in love with a wealthy French industrialist, but when the Germans invade France, she finds that she has a remarkable ability to smuggle people and documents across the border. 

If you’re interested in The Wild Robot (an intelligent robot stranded on an uninhabited island must bond with the island’s animals and care for an orphaned baby goose), try A Psalm For the Wild Built by Becky Chambers: It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and wandered into the wilderness. Until the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. 

If you’re interested in Will and Harper (Will Ferrell and his close friend of 30 years decide to go on a cross-country road trip after she tells him about her transition), try Horse Barbie by Geena Rocero: By 17, Geena Rocero was the Philippines’ highest-earning trans pageant queen. But when she moved to the U.S., Geena hid her trans identity in order to survive. She craved acceptance as her authentic self yet had to remain vigilant in order to protect her dream career. 

If you’re interested in Rez Ball (a Native American high school basketball team from New Mexico must band together after losing their star player), try Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley: As greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe and  Indigenous women go missing, Perry Firekeeper-Birch, the troublemaker, has no choice but to uncover the mystery.

If you’re interested in We Live In Time (a chance encounter brings a chef and a recent divorcée together in a decade-spanning romance), try From Scratch: : A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke: It was love at first sight when actress Tembi met professional chef, Saro, on a street in Florence. Saro’s traditional Sicilian family did not approve of his marrying a black American woman. But the couple built a happy life in Los Angeles, and reconciled with Saro’s family just as he faced a formidable cancer that would consume all their dreams.

Designing an eye-catching book cover from start to finish

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Author Nancy McCabe interviews cover designer Maryann Appel about the process of designing a book cover.

The cover of my young adult novel Vaulting Through Time was designed by Maryann Appel, who designs all of the book covers for CamCat Publishing. I was impressed by the range of designs that she creates — and, in particular, by the appealing simplicity of her covers that always manages to capture the essence of the stories. At the same time, if you look at her covers long enough, you realize that they are subtly layered and complex. 

I’ve published eight books, with a ninth forthcoming, and the cover design process has varied with each press. In most cases, I’ve had very little, if any, input. I don’t think I’ve ever totally disliked a cover, but ultimately I’ve liked some better than others — and the one for Vaulting Through Time has proven to be one of my favorites. I appreciated that CamCat gives its authors an unusual amount of input — in fact, Maryann designed multiple covers and we discussed them at length before finally settling on the current one.

I was curious to know more about how Maryann works, and she was kind enough to talk to me about her process — in general and for Vaulting through Time. 

First, she says, she receives “a cover brief from production that outlines the book and includes the book description, the target audience, the category / genre, the tone of the cover, emotion of the book’s message, important story elements, elements to avoid, comparable titles and any preferences the author might have.”

I had filled out my own brief thoroughly. Some of the things I’d indicated that I thought were important were that my character is racially ambiguous and that she’s a gymnast who has developed a fear of throwing herself over the vault — and is eventually faced with doing just that to save her own life. Of course because the story is about time travel I thought that should be represented on the cover — but I also mentioned that I preferred that any figures on the cover not be too representational. 

After receiving the brief, Maryann says that her second step is to “read the first few chapters, a middle chapter, and last chapter of the book — this is important in capturing voice, tone and style.”

Third, she researches imagery. “Most of my book covers are designed using stock photography and illustration (no AI—all images are created by human beings),” she says. “I build composite images, which are made up of two or more photographs / illustrations and are combined to produce one image. Textures and effects are overlaid to create a unique image and then color is adjusted and blended for warmth or coolness.”

Round Circling Abstract Background
Night fairytale landscape with forest, mountains and full moon

For the cover of Vaulting Through Time, she says, “I wanted to capture the adventure and mystery that the main character — a teenage girl coming of age — was about to embark on as she vaulted through several periods of time. The main elements this cover needed was a gymnast, a time machine or something depicting the passage of time, and a local setting.”

The publisher sent to me a variety of preliminary designs that Maryann had created.

I was impressed by all of these covers, and liked things about each. In one case, though, Elizabeth appears to be on the beam rather than the vault; there were other small details that I wasn’t sure were quite right. But I was especially taken with the first one. I loved the colors and the image of the girl in profile. We discussed it further and Maryann came up with some variations on that cover. 

I liked these even better, especially the different ways that Maryann had worked in the wintry landscape in the background. But as we continued to discuss these, I realized that I had miscommunicated Elizabeth’s ethnicity. She appears African-American, which I feared would be misleading, since Elizabeth is actually part Asian. At this point, it was back to the drawing board.

Maryann explains some of the decisions as she elaborates on the third step of her process:

“Color is an important design element, considering that color meanings and psychology reveal many symbolic elements or feelings of a story. The cover for Vaulting Through Time is composed mostly of cool colors  — purples and dark blues — providing the wintery feel that is important to the story. The time travel orb is purple, illustrating otherworldliness and imagination. Purple thrives at the intersection of blue and red. As a powerful presence, purple can be somewhat intimidating. This bold hue embodies strength, prestige, and ability. It is often associated with mystery and magic, sparking creativity. In essence, the color purple encourages the mind, body, and soul to live in harmony. All important concepts to understanding the main character and what she struggles to overcome and the growth involved as she delves deeper and deeper into her past, present and future.

To balance the coolness of the color palette, the two gymnast figures are sky blue and pink. Sky blue is associated with the heavens, which make it a symbol of freedom and exploration. Sky blue often creates a sense of openness that encourages one to reach for their dreams. Pink is feminine, kind and comforting, full of warmth and compassion. Its friendly, playful spirit is calming and nurturing. These two colors capture the personality of the main character.”

Maryann says that her fourth step is to “research fonts that reflect the book’s style and genre. For Vaulting Through Time, a simple sans serif font was chosen to stand out from the many layers of imagery on the cover. While the image is crucial in imparting a mood, tone and a sense of the story, the title and author name is the most important part of the cover and they need to be prominent. The use of yellow with an ombre effect allows the title and author’s name to jump out of all that purple and all those layers. Purple and yellow are hues opposite each other on the color wheel — complementary colors — which intensifies that tension.”

For her fifth step, Maryann says, “Fonts and graphic filigree or borders are then layered in the mechanical. I try to integrate type with image so that both elements feel unified. Font color, textures and effects give depth and pizazz to the title, author name and tagline. In Vaulting Through Time, the gymnast figures are layered in a circular motion, replicating the time travel orb, showing motion and the passage through time. The final piece, the layered winter scenery that gradiates into the time travel orb depicts space and time while setting a specific time of year and the feelings that are associated with that season.” 

Soon I received the cover that Maryann is describing:

I had become so attached to the other one, my first reaction was dismay. I felt that this one was too abstract, had too much of a fantasy vibe. I went back and forth with my editor that morning. She told me that they were going to use this cover for the moment because of an upcoming deadline, but that we could then revisit the decision. 

All that day, I kept clicking back to look at the new cover, and it kept growing on me. I loved the colors. I loved the way the figure flips from pink to blue, from vaulting to flying. I loved the energy of the circles and the way Maryann had incorporated the landscape in the background. I saw something new every time I opened the file and looked at it. (And now, hearing Maryann’s rationale, I love it even more!)

I felt extremely fickle, but by the end of the day, I was not only completely sold on this cover, I was even more attached to it than I had been to the previous one. 

Late in the afternoon, my editor sent me another cover Maryann had designed:

I sheepishly responded that the other cover had grown on me. That I actually really loved it and was hoping we would go with it. 

And that became my book’s cover, one that has received lots of compliments. I’m grateful to Maryann for this beautiful cover — and for sharing this information about her process with me.

Exploring complicated friendships throughout literature

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

I see people talking about Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels frequently, but I haven’t heard a lot about the HBO adaptation. Perhaps it’s the internet circle I run in, or perhaps it’s just that it’s not as flashy a show as, say, House of the Dragon or something similar. But what I have heard about it is that it’s stellar, and stands up to the much beloved series. If you love the journey exploring the complicated friendship between Elena and Lila throughout the years, you can pick up one of these books that centers around intricate relationships.

Sula by Toni Morrison

Sula and Nel are born in a small town at the top of a hill. Sula is wild, and daring; she does what she wants, while Nel is well-mannered, a mama’s girl with a questioning heart. Growing up they forge a bond stronger than anything, even the dark secret they have to bear. Until, decades later, as the girls become women, Sula’s anarchy leads to a betrayal that may be beyond forgiveness.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Four college classmates — broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition — move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Amma is a newly acclaimed playwright whose work often explores her Black lesbian identity; her old friend Shirley is a teacher, jaded after decades of work in London’s funding-deprived schools; Carole, one of Shirley’s former students, is a successful investment banker; Carole’s mother Bummi works as a cleaner and worries about her daughter’s lack of rootedness despite her obvious achievements. From a nonbinary social media influencer to a 93-year-old woman living on a farm in Northern England, these unforgettable characters also intersect in shared aspects of their identities, from age to race to sexuality to class.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

Alice, a novelist, meets Felix, who works in a warehouse, and asks him if he’d like to travel to Rome with her. In Dublin, her best friend, Eileen, is getting over a breakup, and slips back into flirting with Simon, a man she has known since childhood. Alice, Felix, Eileen, and Simon are still young — but life is catching up with them. They desire each other, they delude each other, they get together, they break apart. They have sex, they worry about sex, they worry about their friendships and the world they live in.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Harriet and Wyn broke up five months ago. And haven’t told their best friends. Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. But the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts.

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony, has been repeatedly violated in the night by demons coming to punish them for their sins. Now that the women have learned they were in fact drugged and attacked by a group of men from their own community, they are determined to protect themselves and their daughters from future harm. 

Wahala by Nikki May

Ronke wants happily ever after and 2.2 kids. But she’s dating Kayode and her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends. Boo has everything Ronke wants, but she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be. Simi is the one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and lying to her husband about trying for a baby. When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, she sows chaos, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

In 1985, Yale Tishman, the development director for an art gallery in Chicago, was about to pull off an amazing coup, bringing in an extraordinary collection of 1920s paintings. But the AIDS epidemic grows around him and his friends are dying. Soon the only person he has left is Fiona, his friend Nico’s little sister. Thirty years later, Fiona is tracking down her estranged daughter who disappeared into a cult and staying with an old friend, a famous photographer. 

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel

Jana. Brit. Daniel. Henry. They would never have been friends if they hadn’t needed each other. They would never have found each other except for the art which drew them together. They would never have become family without their love for the music, for each other. Together, they are the Van Ness Quartet. After the group’s rocky start, they experience devastating failure and wild success, heartbreak and marriage, triumph and loss, betrayal and enduring loyalty. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

As children, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. Now, years later, Kathy is a young woman. Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life. And for the first time she is beginning to look back at their shared past and understand just what it is that makes them special — and how that gift will shape the rest of their time together.

Industry Interview with owner of Women Writers, Women’s Books, Barbara Bos

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

For our 2024 blog series, we’re highlighting industry professionals to find out more about their time in the book world. Follow along for insight on what catches a reviewer’s interest, things to avoid when pitching a media outlet, what librarians are searching for and more. 

Today, we’re chatting with Barbara Bos, the managing editor and owner of Women Writers, Women’s Books. Barbara was born in Holland. After finishing University she left for the UK. Since then she has uprooted herself twice more, currently living with her family in a small village in Galicia, North-West Spain.

1. As someone who hears about A LOT of books, what makes one stand out to you?

Good question! For me personally, the books that stand out have the perfect blend of cover, title, and description. But of course, this is subjective, and I’m aware of that. Sometimes it’s just that a book catches my eye because the subject is on my mind.

2. What’s the worst thing an author (or publicist!) can do in telling you about a book they’d like you to consider for coverage?

Long-winded descriptions with long lists of endorsements and no background on the author. I want to know about the author!

3. What makes your job easier?

Publicists and authors who have taken the time to check out the site and who know what type of content we’re interested in.

4. What’s the most memorable (or maybe funniest) pitch that’s ever come your way?

So many are memorable! Recently, an author pitched an idea to change our Character Interview format into a script. I loved that!

But come to think of it, the most memorable one is a recent pitch by Crystal King; she interviewed Salvador Dalí from her book In the Garden of Monsters.

5. Did you always know you wanted to be involved in the book world?

Not as such! I always wanted to be a writer and ventured on Twitter in 2011 to get in touch with other authors initially. I was invited via Twitter to write a piece for www.booksbywomen.org, which had just launched, and became involved in running it and growing it into the lovely community it is now!

6. What is your most recommended book and why?

Counterclockwise by Ellen Langer. It’s a non-fiction book about the psychology of possibility. It blew my mind. and I’m always and forever quoting from it. All her books are amazing. I contacted her after reading the book, and I interviewed her for the site.

7. What is a book that surprised you recently?

Not Yours To Keep by Zelly Ruskin. I literally took the day off after having read the first paragraph. The storyline, characters, pace—it’s perfect. An amazing debut.

8. What is your favorite part about working in the book community?

Ohhh, this is hard. I guess my favorite part is connecting with authors. Seeing authors who have worked hard for many years finally getting published, especially when we have featured them before they published. The book community is wonderful and supportive, and I just love being part of the camaraderie!

Tips to help prepare for radio and podcast interviews

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Part of publicizing your book means spreading the word about you! Some authors love this, while others dread it, but whatever side you’re on, it’s good to prepare for the possibility of talking about yourself and your book A LOT! 

Radio and podcast interviews are great for this. These can be interviews with local stations, or on shows that share a niche focus with your book. Either way, it’s great to have this kind of exposure! 

Staying prepared for interviews

Some authors get nervous and feel like an interview is going to be a quiz, but the hosts want it to go well just as much as you do! Some hosts will send you questions beforehand so you know what to expect, while others will have a more conversational feel.

They booked you because they are interested in what you have to say and they think their listeners will be, too. We promise they aren’t trying to trick you!

Adding to your calendar

Triple check the time and date of your interview — especially the time zone! Make sure you have the link or call-in number available (or be prepared if they’re calling you). And technology can be fickle, so request a back-up way to contact the studio or host.

If you scheduled the interview a month or two ago, it may be helpful to check in a day or two ahead of time to make sure nothing has changed. Be sure to make a note of the name of the show or station, as well as the host you’ll be chatting with.

Staying on topic

Think about the main points you want to get across during the interview. We usually suggest four or five points that are of the most importance to you. Write them down and have them nearby during your interview, so you can refer back to them and guide your answers if you get lost. 

Practice talking about these main points beforehand; 15-20 seconds on each should be short enough to fit in any segment, and isn’t so long that people will start to lose interest.

You shouldn’t be afraid to be yourself during an interview. Let your personality shine! And if you’re an expert on your topic, especially if your book is nonfiction, be prepared to talk about any current events that might relate to your area of expertise.

We have some more tips about familiarizing yourself with shows beforehand and tricks to keep the conversation flowing in our interview tips blog here.

Study the show

One of the best ways to get a feel for the show is to listen to other episodes! It will give you a great baseline on the host’s personality and types of questions they might ask, as well as the general flow of things. 

You can tell some hosts have done their homework and read every book, whereas others may not and prefer to get to know more about the subject and the writing by asking guests about themselves and their book during the interview. It truly isn’t a matter of disrespect or them not being prepared — it’s just different styles of shows!

Ready to record

Be sure to make sure you have a quiet place to talk during the interview without interruption, and remember using headphones may help with sound quality. Try to sit in one place while speaking, as moving around can cause you to lose a connection or make background noise.

If the interview is also going to record video, make sure you acquaint yourself with the recording format — learn more about our video interview tips here.

We’ve found that being upbeat translates to a better interview. Some authors have reported that smiling while speaking (even if it’s just audio) can lead to a more positive energy. And remember to keep your answers short and sweet, and try to return back to your talking points when appropriate.

If there is an awkward silence, trust that the hosts will know how to segue to other topics or gloss over it and don’t try to fill it yourself with whatever pops into your head as that may lead to what I call a “Michael Scott situation.”

Try to remember to mention your book’s title, ideally more than once if you can bring it up organically, as well as any local connections you have if it’s a locally focused show. And if your website is simple enough to mention, that can be beneficial as well!

After the interview

And after the interview, be sure to send a quick thank-you to anyone involved in the interview (hosts, producers, bookers, etc.), and of course ask if/when a link to the show will be posted so you can share it on your website and social media channels!

Above all, try not to stress and have fun with it. You’ve worked hard on your book, and this is part of the reward!

Looking for more tips on preparing for radio and podcast interviews? Check out our interviews with hosts Lisa D. Smith, of Big Blend Radio, and Max Bowen, of Citywide Blackout. And learn how radio can be valuable exposure for authors.