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

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 to Women Writers, Women’s Books?

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 that you wanted to involve yourself 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

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! Be prepared to talk about any current events that might relate to your area of expertise, especially if your book is nonfiction.

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 radio and podcast interviews 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. Also mention 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

Be sure to send a quick thank-you to anyone involved in the interview (hosts, producers, bookers, etc.) after the interview. 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.

Books to read based on your favorite school movie

There are a slew of excellent movies that take place at schools to help keep the back-to-school blues away, and we put together a list of books to read based on your favorite flick!

IF YOU LIKE Drumline TRY Blood At the Root by Ladarrion Williams

Ten years ago, Malik’s life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost grandmother: a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself — one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at Caiman: feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

IF YOU LIKE The Perks of Being A Wallflower, TRY Looking For Alaska by John Green

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words — and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet François Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

IF YOU LIKE The Breakfast Club, TRY The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

Six teenagers at a summer camp for the arts become inseparable, and while decades later the bond remains powerful, so much else has changed. Jules Jacobson, an aspiring comic actress, eventually resigns herself to a more practical occupation and lifestyle. Jonah stops playing the guitar and becomes an engineer. But Ethan and Ash, Jules’s now-married best friends, become shockingly successful — true to their initial artistic dreams, with the wealth and access that allow those dreams to keep expanding. The friendships endure and even prosper, but also underscore the differences in their fates.

IF YOU LIKE Booksmart, TRY Leah On the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Leah is an anomaly in her friend group. She’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends. So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high.

IF YOU LIKE Clueless, TRY Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

Kamila fills her life with elaborate Bollywood movie parties, a dog with more Instagram followers than most reality stars, a job she loves, and an endless array of friends who clearly need her help finding love. Kamila is so busy with her friends’ love lives, she’s hardly given any thought to her own. Fortunately, Kamila has Rohan, a longtime friend of the family. Only lately, Kamila’s “harmless flirting” with Rohan is making her insides do a little bhangra dance. But Kamila isn’t letting herself get distracted — until her secret nemesis returns to town with an eye for Rohan. 

IF YOU LIKE Remember the Titans, TRY A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a 16-year-old Muslim girl who is tired of people stereotyping her. Shirin endures the rude stares, the degrading comments — even the physical violence — and she is tired of them. So she’s built up protective walls. But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. They seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds. And Shirin has had her guard up for so long she’s not sure she’ll be able to let it down.

IF YOU LIKE Bring It On, TRY We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry

In the town of Danvers, Massachusetts, home of the original 1692 witch trials, the 1989 Danvers Falcons will do anything to make it to the state finals — even if it means tapping into some devilishly dark powers. Helmed by good-girl captain Abby Putnam and her co-captain Jen Fiorenza, the Falcons flaunt society’s stale notions of femininity and storm their way through an unforgettable season.

IF YOU LIKE 10 Things I Hate About You, TRY Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids. But as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere, until Kate makes a rare visit home. When a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace.  Desire gives way to deeper feelings. And Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts.

IF YOU LIKE Dead Poets Society, TRY We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Oliver Marks is greeted by the man who put him in prison on the day he’s released. Detective Colborne is retiring, but he wants to know what really happened a decade ago. As young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off. Enter the hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extra. But when the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life. And one of them is found dead. 

 

Expat books for the new season of Emily in Paris

Listen, I don’t watch Emily In Paris (it’s back Aug. 15), but I might be convinced to try it soon, given how many of y’all seem to love it. There’s just something about being whisked away from your problems through travel… only to find a new set of problems abroad. If this is your vibe, you might also enjoy one of these books featuring expats getting in all sorts of trouble in other countries.

THE CLASSICS

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (Italy)

Yossarian is a hero who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy — it is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.

Democracy by Joan Didion (Indonesia and Vietnam)

A bitingly funny, cumulatively devastating post-mortem of our national mores and institutions set against the historical backdrop of the final withdrawal from Vietnam. A U.S. Senator, his wife, senatorial groupies and international arms dealing intersect with one another in this blistering indictment of American amnesia.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (Paris)

David is a young American expatriate who has just proposed marriage to his girlfriend, Hella. While she is away on a trip, David meets a bartender named Giovanni to whom he is drawn in spite of himself. Soon the two are spending the night in Giovanni’s curtainless room, which he keeps dark to protect their privacy. But Hella’s return to Paris brings the affair to a crisis, one that rapidly spirals into tragedy.

NONFICTION

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle (southern France)

A couple buys a 200-year-old home in southern France and experiences the culture shock and growing pains of a new life outside England. Mayle documents the first year of their life in Provence, including the amazing cuisine, strange local customs, onslaught of wanted and unwanted house guests, and the peace he and his wife manage to find despite their struggle to learn the language and establish themselves as permanent residents. 

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (Paris)

A correspondent for the “Toronto Star, ” Hemingway arrived in Paris in 1921, three years after the trauma of the Great War and at the beginning of the transformation of Europe’s cultural landscape: Braque and Picasso were experimenting with cubist form; James Joyce, long living in self-imposed exile from his native Dublin, had just completed “Ulysses; ” Gertrude Stein held court at 27 Rue de Fleurus, and deemed young Ernest a member of “une gneration perdue; ” and T.S. Eliot was a bank clerk in London. 

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell (Denmark)

Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness. From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes, this is a funny, poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishly ourselves.

Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad by Tamara J. Walker

Drawing on years of research, Walker takes readers from well-known capital cities to more unusual destinations like Yangiyul, Uzbekistan, and Kabondo, Kenya. She follows Florence Mills, the would-be Josephine Baker of her day, in Paris, and Richard Wright, the author turned actor and filmmaker, in Buenos Aires. Throughout “Beyond the Shores,” she relays tender stories of adventurous travelers, including a group of gifted Black crop scientists in the 1930s, a housewife searching for purpose in the 1950s, and a Peace Corps volunteer discovering his identity in the 1970s. Tying these tales together is Walker’s personal account of her family’s, and her own, experiences abroad—in France, Brazil, Argentina, Austria, and beyond.

YOUNG ADULT

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali (Qatar)

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry. When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar. Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a “nicer” version of herself. Then her path crosses with Adam’s. Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Adam’s stopped going to classes. He’s intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister, and his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father. Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals. 

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (England)

A summer in England was never part of Lila’s plan. She was supposed to take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, move in with her best friend after graduation, and live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then everything fell apart. So her parents make a new plan: spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. Lila is unhappily stuck in a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), until she meets a tea shop clerk with troubles of his own. Orion determines to help Lila out of her funk and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Tokyo)

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in — it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, California town. It’s always been Izumi — or Izzy, because “It’s easier” — and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers her father is the Crown Prince of Japan and travels to discover the country she always dreamed of. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys (Madrid)

Under a fascist dictatorship, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother’s birth through the lens of his camera. Photography — and fate — introduce him to Ana, whose family’s interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War — as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. 

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson (West Africa)

Marie Mitchell is an intelligence officer with the FBI during the Cold War. She’s brilliant, but she’s also a young black woman working in an old boys’ club. So when the opportunity to join a task force aimed at undermining the revolutionary president of Burkina Faso is given to her, she says yes. Yes, even though she secretly admires the work he is doing for his country. Marie will observe Sankara, seduce him, and ultimately have a hand in the coup that will bring him down. But doing so will change everything she believes about what it means to be a spy, a lover, a sister, and a good American.

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros (Mexico City)

Every year, Ceyala “Lala” Reyes’ family — aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, and Lala’s six older brothers — packs up three cars and drives from Chicago to the Little Grandfather and Awful Grandmother’s house for the summer. Struggling to find a voice above the boom of her brothers and to understand her place on this side of the border and that, Lala is a shrewd observer of family life. But when she starts telling the Awful Grandmother’s life story, seeking clues to how she got to be so awful, grandmother accuses Lala of exaggerating. Soon, a multigenerational family narrative turns into a whirlwind exploration of storytelling, lies, and life. 

CONTEMPORARY

The Vacationers by Emma Straub (Mallorca)

For the Posts, a two-week trip to the island of Mallorca with their extended family and friends is a celebration: Franny and Jim are observing their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, and their daughter, Sylvia, has graduated from high school. The sunlit island also promises an escape from the tensions simmering at home in Manhattan. But all does not go according to plan: over the course of the vacation, they reveal secrets, experience old and new humiliations, resurface childhood rivalries, and exacerbate ancient wounds.

What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell (Bulgaria)

On a warm autumn day, an American teacher enters a public bathroom beneath Sofia’s National Palace of Culture. There he meets Mitko, a charismatic young hustler, and pays him for sex. He returns again, drawn by hunger and loneliness and risk, and finds himself ensnared in a relationship in which lust leads to mutual predation, and tenderness can transform into violence. As he struggles to reconcile his longing with the anguish it creates, he grapples with his own fraught history, the world of his southern childhood where being queer made him a pariah.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)

At a café in Lahore, a Pakistani man converses with an uneasy American stranger. He begins to tell the story of a man named Changez, who is living an immigrant’s dream of America. An elite valuation firm snaps him up at the top of his class at Princeton. His budding romance with elegant, beautiful Erica promises entry into elite Manhattan society. But in the wake of September 11, Changez finds his position in his adopted city suddenly overturned, and his relationship with Erica shifting. And Changez’s own identity is in seismic shift as well, unearthing allegiances more fundamental than money, power, and maybe even love.

THRILLERS

The Searcher by Tana French (Ireland)

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets.

Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon (Ireland)

With few other options, African-American classical musician Gethsemane Brown accepts a less-than-ideal position turning a group of rowdy schoolboys into an award-winning orchestra. Stranded without luggage or money in the Irish countryside, she figures any job is better than none. The perk? Housesitting a lovely cliffside cottage. The catch? The ghost of the cottage’s murdered owner haunts the place. Falsely accused of killing his wife (and himself), he begs Gethsemane to clear his name so he can rest in peace. Gethsemane’s reluctant investigation provokes a dormant killer and she soon finds herself in grave danger. 

The Expats by Chris Pavone (Luxembourg)

Kate Moore fills her days with playdates and coffee mornings, and she spends her weekends in Paris and skiing in the Alps. But Kate also guards a secret that’s become so unbearable that it begins to unravel her newly established expat life. She suspects that another American couple are not who they claim to be; her husband is acting suspiciously; and as she travels around Europe, she finds herself terrified that her past is catching up with her. Kate finds herself buried in layers of deceit so thick they threaten her family, her marriage, and her life.

Industry interview with audiobook narrator Síofra Brogan

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 Síofra Brogan, an audiobook narrator who graduated from The Gaiety School of Acting’s Full-Time programme in 2019 and graduated from IADT’s MA in Screenwriting for Film + TV in 2023. She graduated with a 1st Class Honours and first in class.

Most recently, Síofra was awarded an Arts Council Agility Award to develop a piece of work with producer Fiona Kinsella (Tile Media, Jumper Productions). She was also a joint recipient of a Creative Ireland Bursary in 2020 from the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to attend the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig to develop work.

Her TV/Film credits include Abigail in Disturbing Imagery (dir. Conor McCluskey) as well as Saoirse in Park Life (dir. Laura Way). And her voice is featured in Norah Woodsey’s audiobook, The States.

What makes your job as a narrator easier?

Reading regularly definitely. A teacher I had during my drama school training suggested that we should read something out loud for at least 10 minutes every day, so I try to do that. Other than that…great material and lots of water!

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

It’s not a pitch but I do remember once spending a very long time in the voice over booth negotiating the appropriate way to say “bum” in Irish which was pretty entertaining… 

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

Yes and no. I always wanted to be a part of a career that involved storytelling which brought me to acting and later writing. But as an avid reader it seems inevitable I would end up in the book world.

What is your most recommended book and why?

The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak. I have never ever read a book like it and don’t think I ever will. Compulsory reading.

What is a book that surprised you recently?

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. I was pleasantly surprised by the author’s use of multiple characters and split narratives. She also played with the way she physically structured writing on the page in a very creative way.

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

It’s so much fun! I get to work with interesting and passionate people regularly. It’s a very kind and creative community that I feel very lucky to be a part of.

Reading list for summer Olympic sports

While I generally think the amount of people yelling “LET’S GO” has gotten out of hand, the Olympics is an appropriate venue. You could say I’m pretty excited to watch the best athletes in the world compete in Paris. Check out this list if you’re inspired to read a book about some of the summer Olympic sporting events.

Gymnastics: Vaulting Through Time by Nancy McCabe

Sixteen-year-old gymnast Elizabeth Arlington has a lot to worry about: an embarrassing crush on her ex-best-friend Zach, and changes in her body that affect her center of gravity and make vaulting and tumbling more terrifying than they used to be. But when she makes a discovery that throws her entire identity into question, she turns to Zach, who suggests a way for her to find the answers her mother won’t give her: a time machine they found in an abandoned house. As Elizabeth catapults through time, she encounters a mysterious abandoned child, an elite gymnast preparing for the Olympic Trials, and an enigmatic woman who seems to know more than she’s revealing. Then when a thief makes off with an identical time machine, Elizabeth races to stop him before he destroys the world as she knows it.

Track and field: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But four kids also chose to be part of an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other but to themselves.

Swimming: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, but she is stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, but, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done.

Tennis: Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

Once, Valerie Simpson’s tennis career skyrocketed; now, the headlines belong to a player from the wrong side of the tracks. But when Valerie is shot dead in cold blood and dropped outside the stadium at the U.S. Open, sports agent Myron Bolitar investigates the killing and uncovers a connection between the two players and a six-year-old murder at an exclusive mainline club. As Myron gets drawn into the case–along with a dirty U.S. senator, a jealous mother, and the mob–he catches himself between a killer and the truth.

Boxing: Boxer Handsome by Anna Whitwham

Boxing runs in Bobby’s blood. His Irish dad was a boxer. So was his Jewish grandfather. And Bobby knows he shouldn’t be messing in street brawls a week before his big fight with Connor ‘the Gypsy Boy’, an Irish traveler from around the way. They’re fighting over a traveler girl with Connor’s name all over her. But Bobby’s handsome, like his dad; boxer handsome.

Fencing: It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango

No one knows hard work and dedication like Valentina Camacho. And Vale’s thing is fencing. She’s the top athlete at her fencing gym. Or she was . . . until the accident. After months away, they finally clear Vale to fence again, but her body doesn’t move the way it used to. When the new number one sweeps Vale aside with her perfect form and easy smile, Vale just can’t accept that. But the harder Vale fights to catch up, the more she realizes her injury isn’t the only thing holding her back.

Equestrian: Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts into civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, D.C., 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse–one studying the stallion’s bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.

Archery: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity.

Rowing: The Boys In the Boat by Daniel James Brown

It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, shocking the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. 

Soccer: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

In Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising soccer star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her father. On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. But her parents don’t know about her passion. And the boy she once loved is back in town. But Camila cannot allow her feelings to distract her. Camila must confront her secrets and navigate a world with no place for the dreams and ambitions of a girl like her.

 

Book recommendations for your favorite summer movie

We’re planning to beat the heat at theaters this summer (and on our couches), and we came up with some book recommendations based on the movies we’re planning to see.

If you’re buying tickets to Inside Out 2, try Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Tweens explore their emotions while dealing with unexpected issues

If you’re buying tickets to Babes, try Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

Accidental pregnancy for young women who don’t exactly have their lives together

If you’re buying tickets to Thelma, try The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

An older woman’s adventures leads her to find new joy in life 

If you’re buying tickets to Fly Me To the Moon, try The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

Strong women find their place in the space race

If you’re buying tickets to A Quiet Place: Day One, try Blindness by José Saramago 

The human race’s drive to survive and a loss of senses

If you’re buying tickets to My Old Ass, try Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

Young women learning lessons from time travel escapades

If you’re buying tickets to Furiosa, try A Big Ship at the End of the Universe by Alex White

Dangerous races in a dystopian future

If you’re buying tickets to Hit Man, try Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Accidental contract killer shenanigans

Day in the life: Vice president of a literary publicity company

We’ll be launching a new blog series in 2025 where we take a peek at a day in the life from various professionals in the book industry. You can follow along starting in January, but in the meantime, here’s a look at what a typical day looks like for Books Forward vice president Ellen Whitfield (that’s me!).

6:30 a.m.

Hobble out of bed to wash face, grab the baby and start making breakfast/lunches for the day. Also, coffee.

7 a.m.

Leave baby with husband and bring laptop to 7 year old’s swim practice to start catching up on emails by the pool.

8 a.m.

It’s my turn to take the neighborhood kids to the theater camp they’re attending this month!

8:30 a.m.

Back home for more coffee, meds, and a quick breakfast while I jump into the campaign I’ll be working on today, which is a memoir told from the POV of the author’s sassy poodle, Dea. I’ll be putting together some ideas and tips for guest articles the author could write, concentrating on important points of the book I think outlets would be interested in, scheduling out pitching, compiling digital marketing options that would make sense for this campaign, and emailing her updates on all of this for the next few hours. Listening to Noah Kahan!

10:30 a.m.

First meeting of the day with our president, Marissa, and our marketing director, Jenn. Going over the schedule for our upcoming in-person team meeting in a few weeks, some of our current digital marketing clients, and a few promotions we’re thinking about testing out.

11 a.m.

Checking in on our two wonderful interns to make sure they have everything they need for today’s tasks. I answer any questions they have, and making sure their workload is balanced.

11:30 a.m.

Brainstorm and go over some specific pitching strategies and outlets we want to try for a new campaign with a few of our publicists.

Noon

Answering a few AMA questions on Instagram stories, then meeting with Simone, one of our publicists. We went over her pitching schedule for a new client. And we discussed an extension another of her clients wants to set up for continued work on their audiobook!

12:30 p.m.

Quick lunch while I catch up on some emails that have come in.

1 p.m.

Meeting with another publicist, Corrine. She was at Thrillerfest this past weekend – she’s playing catch up, so we’re going over what’s a priority on her schedule and moving some things around. 

1:30 p.m.

Last scheduled meeting of the day with Jackie, our senior publicist. We celebrated an article from one of her clients on the homepage of Writer’s Digest. And we discussed options for a client who wants to extend to pitch events.

2 p.m.

Work on compiling some book recommendations for a blog post.

2:30 p.m.

Review the first month of progress for a new client. This is to make sure we’re set up for success when we start pitching their book.

3 p.m.

Design a social media post in Canva.

3:30 p.m.

Add some outlet suggestions to a pro bono client’s target list.

4 p.m.

Log off to hang out with kids and start dinner.

8 p.m.

Check email and catch up on new BFF (our company’s influencer program) applications. Then check schedule for the next day and log off!

Ellen brings guidance and warmth to the Books Forward team as vice president, providing daily mentorship to publicists and training incoming staff members. She is an expert at organization and efficiency, and her leadership helps keep the company gears turning smoothly.

With the detail-oriented eye of a former editor and heart of an obsessive book lover, she works diligently to expand services and provide opportunities for our author family and team members alike..

She was part of the journalism community for more than seven years, working at respected print and online media outlets including The Dallas Morning News, The Advocate newspapers across Louisiana, The Waco Tribune Herald and others. Her editorial experience at these publications, along with her social and online media presence as a popular bookstagrammer, benefits authors through her savviness and creativity in media pitching.

An LSU graduate, Ellen lives in Louisiana with her newspaper-executive husband, amazing daughter and charming baby boy (and their odd little dog), and is constantly adding to an ever-growing collection of 600 books. She loves reading about quirky characters on adventures, quoting sitcoms and singing loudly to Hozier.

Books featuring characters with chronic illness

Chronic Disease Day is marked on July 10 to spread awareness, educate and advocate for people who live with chronic health conditions every day. And there are lots of great books that shine a light on people going about their lives while dealing with various conditions — here are just a few!

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal: She’s come up with seven directives to help her “Get a Life.” But Chloe needs a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job. Red is a handyman with tattoos and a motorcycle, and he’s also an artist who paints at night, which Chloe knows because she spies on him occasionally. But Red clearly resents Chloe’s wealthy background. And he doesn’t want anyone to know what really lies beneath his rough exterior.

Conditions of A Heart by Bethany Mangle

Brynn Kwan is desperate for her high school persona to be real. That Brynn is head of the yearbook committee, the favorite for prom queen, and definitely not crumbling from a secret disability. But during a suspension from school, she realizes that she doesn’t quite recognize the face in the mirror. With a healthy sister who doesn’t understand and a confused ex-boyfriend who won’t take a hint, Brynn begins to wonder if it’s possible to reinvent her world by being herself.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

A reunion between childhood friends Sam and Sadie Green during college leads to a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. They borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating, they have created their first blockbuster game, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won’t protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.

Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese

When Willa asked Ryder to borrow his lecture notes in class, the silent, surly, mountain man ignored her. From that moment, she’s made it clear she hates his guts. That’s fine. She is the feisty, tempting chaos he doesn’t need. When they’re forced to work together on their final project, Willa and Ryder begin a game of pranks, each determined to come out the champion. But once they catch unexpected feelings, victory begins to mean something else.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Nora O’Malley’s been with a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con-artist who targets criminal men, she grew up as her mother’s protégé. But when her mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape. For five years Nora’s been playing at normal. But she needs to dust off the skills when she ends up in the middle of a bank robbery.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Every day, Theodore thinks of ways he might kill himself, but every day he also searches for — and manages to find — something to keep him here, and alive, and awake. Violet lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her small town and her grief after her sister’s recent death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of a bell tower, it’s unclear who saves whom. As they grow closer, Violet’s world grows, but Finch’s begins to shrink.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

Simone is starting over at a new school. She’s making real friends and making a play for the guy who makes her melt. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she’s HIV-positive, because last time, things got ugly. As Simone and Miles start going out for real, she knows she has to tell him that she’s positive, especially if sex is a possibility. And then she finds an anonymous note: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too. As she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

What if you couldn’t touch anything in the outside world? Never breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun warm your face … or kiss the boy next door? Maddy is a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world, who hasn’t left her house in 17 years. The only people she ever sees are her mom and her nurse, Carla. But one day, a moving truck arrives next door and she sees Olly — tall, lean and wearing all black. Maddy is certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius has never really fit in at home, and he’s sure things are going to be the same in Iran. His clinical depression doesn’t exactly help matters, and trying to explain his medication to his grandparents only makes things harder. Then Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and soon, they’re spending their days together. And Darius has never felt more like himself.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado

Frenemies Whit and Zay have been at odds for years (ever since he broke up with her in, like, the most embarrassing way imaginable), so when they’re forced to organize the fall formal together, it’s a literal disaster. Sparks fly as Whitney — type A, passionate, a perfectionist, and a certified sweater-weather fanatic — butts heads with Zay, a dry, relaxed skater boy who takes everything in stride. But not all of those sparks are bad.

Industry Interview with the co-owner of Big Blend Magazines & Radio, Lisa D. Smith

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 Lisa D. Smith. Along with her mother Nancy J. Reid, Lisa is the co-owner of Big Blend Magazines & Radio which produces and publishes a portfolio of themed digital magazines and over 40 podcast channels. As digital nomads, they travel the country on their Love Your Parks Tour documenting parks and public lands gathering stories about communities and destinations, and pet-sitting along the way. They’ve been sailing the Big Blend media ship since 1997, and together have over 65 years of combined experience in tourism, hospitality, retail sales, marketing, publishing, media, writing, wildlife and public lands conservation, photography, art, and music. Lisa was born in Southern California but raised in Kenya, England, and South Africa, and for a short time, also lived in Mexico and the Channel Islands between England and France.

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

I always look for books that will connect with the topics we cover and will appeal to our various audiences: Nonfiction and educational books that are well-researched, share stories, and perhaps some projects for the reader to work on; memoirs and biographies that are candid, to the point, with some humor along the way; and fiction that takes you on an unexpected journey with interesting characters that connect. And book covers are still important – like vinyl album covers and wine labels!

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?

Send a pitch and then when I respond with a positive, ask me what our podcast/magazine is about. Please research us first, let me know which show you were listening to that you think is a good fit. Or just ask if the book is a fit for any of our Big Blend Radio shows.

What makes your job at Big Blend easier?

Please send all materials or the press kit in at the same time. Also include the author’s website link and social handles. Plus, for the author to be communicative in setting up the interview and recording date.

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

One author listened to our Happy Hour show where we typically ask, “If you could spend Happy Hour with one person (alive or dead), who would it be, where will you spend it, what are you ordering, and what will you discuss?” She emailed me saying that she was recommended by another author who had been on one of our shows and proceeded to answer our Happy Hour questions. Her answers were funny and made us want to join in that virtual happy hour. In fact, we did eventually meet for margaritas, and now she is a regular Big Blend expert contributor and friend.

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

I have a huge admiration for authors. So much work goes into crafting a good book be it fiction or nonfiction. I always knew I wanted to conduct interviews, and that includes authors of all genres. I thought it would be more for our magazine. But I had no clue podcasting or digital media were coming down the pipeline when we got started back in 1997.

What is your most recommended book and why?

One book…yikes, so tough! I’ll stick to my side of the industry with Richard Branson’s “Losing My Virginity.” It was one of the first biographies that showcased the magazine, music, and travel industries all in one (three very dear to my heart), and how to think outside of the box (with some genius PR campaigns) and go for it as an entrepreneur. I think it’s time to reread it!

What is a book that surprised you recently?

I just interviewed David Lipsky about his latest book “The Parrot & The Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial.” It is more than eye-opening on so many levels. Even the book industry is in it with one of the most incredible marketing campaigns to keep people reading.  Another one is Clay Schwab’s biography, “Manny Shwab and the George Dickel Company.”

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

The people for sure. I love the creativity and attention to detail of both the authors and the publicists. New books are exciting, and I love the backstories of what inspired the authors to write them and the process. Humanity may have explored and settled a huge part of the world, but authors take us to places unknown. Along the way, they remind us that we humans are allowed to be imperfect, all while inspiring, entertaining, and educating us readers.