Author: Marissa DeCuir

Author’s recovery journal inspires novel grappling with alcoholism

NORTH HAMPTON, NH – What began as catharsis through writing about his own recovery journey inspired Michael Eon’s powerful examination of a life-long relationship with addiction and recovery in his debut novel, “These Things Happen” (September, 2023, Girl Friday Books). With a vivid, atmospheric backdrop of 1970’s Brooklyn, Eon takes the reader on a poignant pursuit to untangle childhood trauma that manifests into a fraught battle with alcoholism.

In “These Things Happen,” Daniel Zimmer will do almost anything to end his pain, except for the one thing that might work: sobriety. 

Growing up under the shadow of his tyrannical father in Brooklyn, Daniel struggles to find a sense of safety and belonging. Daniel and his brother Max find moments of solace in the rebellious rhythms of early punk and metal bands. But when faced with an unexpected family tragedy—for which Daniel feels responsible—Daniel finds escape in the numbing grip of alcohol, offering temporary relief from his pain and guilt. Carrying childhood trauma into adulthood, Daniel spirals deeper into the clutches of addiction. Just as he finds the strength to embrace sobriety, the ghosts of his past resurface, forcing him to confront his demons head-on. 

Flashing through Daniel’s life, past and present, this nostalgic ode to Brooklyn is an unflinchingly honest account of the inevitable triumphs and downfalls of recovery. “These Things Happen” fearlessly examines generational abuse, the transformative power of confronting addiction, and the profound potential for redemption.

“These Things Happen”

Michael Eon | September, 19th 2023 | Girl Friday Books

Fiction, Addiction & Recovery, Coming of Age 

Print |  978-1-959411-16-1 | $17.95 

Ebook |  978-1-959411-17-8 | $9.99 

MICHAEL EON: Originally from the New York area, he currently lives in New Hampshire with his family. Michael earned his BA in psychology from the University of Michigan and an MA in international affairs from Columbia University. A former board member of the Audio Publishers Association and a former producer of major motion pictures and television productions, Michael worked in the publishing and entertainment industries for more than twenty years. Michael discovered the core of this story through the cathartic processing of autobiographical memories, following its evolution into this novel of redemption and recovery. “These Things Happen” is his first novel. Learn more about Michael at his website. 

In an interview, Michael Eon can discuss:

• How his personal experiences with trauma, addiction, and recovery inspired his novel
• How his processing of traumatic memories through therapeutic journaling turned into the basis for “These Things Happen”
• How the tenants and practices of alcoholics anonymous supported the creation of the book 
• What he hopes readers will take away from “These Things Happen” 

An Interview with

Michael Eon

Why did you begin journaling about your memories and experiences with addiction? 

In college, I wrote a great deal of freeform poetry about active addiction and its hold on me, as well as what I believed at the time to be the causes for my desire, since childhood, to escape and numb my emotions through drug and alcohol use. Twenty years later, consumed by active addiction, rage, hatred, and hopelessness, I sought help through Alcoholics Anonymous. After a few years in a state of what I would call “stark raving sober,” I finally got the courage to ask someone to take me through the Twelve Steps as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. As part of that process, I began to explore in greater detail and depth the moments of my life—the memories and experiences—that seemed to govern my existence . . . my emotions, character, and personality. 

How did your  journal entries evolve into the creation of “These Things Happen?” 

Part of the Twelve Step process includes examining the things in one’s life that have served to hold a person back from spiritual growth. Resentment and fear are the two main offenders and consequently need to be dealt with before any semblance of peace can be had. The Twelve Step process enabled me to understand that these issues were the root cause of my dis-ease, not the drinking and the drugs. My journal took the writing I’d completed in Step Four and fleshed it out into memory stories—expanded autobiographical scenes as I had remembered them. As you can imagine, there was a lot of anger, resentment, denial, guilt, etc. in those entries, but the end result was extremely cathartic. These scenes served as the starting point for the novel.

Tell us a little bit about the culture of alcoholics anonymous, how did the culture of AA support the creation of this novel? 

For me, AA is a lot of things: a fellowship, a support group, a process by which to become both physically and emotionally sober, and much more. It is a spiritual program that allows for identification with others suffering from the same affliction through sharing with one another and reading/understanding the literature, including the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. For those willing to be honest with themselves (and others), and open-minded to the spiritual principles set forth in the Twelve Steps, AA can be a life-changer. It can not only free one from the bondage of active addiction, but can also teach one how to deal with life on life’s terms. Without AA, this novel would not have been possible because I would never have been able to escape active addiction and work through the trauma that served as the basis for my addiction.

You have a background as a TV and movie producer. What are your thoughts on entertainment culture and alcoholism? 

I believe that the media and entertainment industries influence social norms and exposure to drug and alcohol use; both industries can play a better part in removing the stigma of addiction by educating audiences about the reality of drug and alcohol abuse. Active addiction is neither a moral failing nor a matter of willpower for the sufferer. It is a disease driven by mental obsession and physical craving; one that centers in the mind of the user, which must be combatted on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. Media and entertainment can play a better role by choosing programming that downplays the fun in and excessive use of drugs and alcohol and highlights the simple facts that (a) the sufferer is not alone and (b) there is a solution. More programming should convey hopefulness rather than hopelessness.

The book deals with heavy topics of addiction, trauma, and mental health. Why did you decide to write about these topics and what do you hope readers take away from the book? 

I decided to write about these topics for two main reasons: one, I have a great deal of experience with them; and two, I have a sincere desire to help others who struggle with addiction and, more generally, with life itself. The novel has sought to do this by focusing not just on the problems one faces with addiction and life, but on the solution to those problems, which I do by giving specific instructions on how to use spiritual principles to better one’s life. And you don’t have to be an addict to benefit from this novel. Dealing with life on life’s terms is not just an addict’s problem—it is a human problem.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

McLEAN, VIRGINIA – In her compelling new memoir “Dancing Into the Light: An Arab-American Girlhood in the Middle East,” (She Writes Press, Sept. 5, 2023), acclaimed author Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki shares her multi-cultural coming-of-age story of belonging to two vastly different cultures, finding her place within both, and the search to find the inherent harmony in worlds at odds with each other. 

Set against the backdrop of the early American presence in Iran under the Shah, and the burgeoning years of Kuwait’s early oil boom, “Dancing into the Light” is Kathryn’s memoir of growing up within both the expatriate Western communities and the larger Middle Eastern society of Kuwait and Jerusalem. She is already caught in both the joys of and the struggle to be both Arab and American, yet not fully either, when her young life of promise is disrupted by tragedy. But instead of derailing her life, her mother’s death opens the door to deeper love and support from other places within Kathryn’s family. 

“Dancing into the Light” is a story of love, loss, and renewal, and of overcoming devastating early trauma through music, dancing, and the love and devotion of strong American and Arab women.

Praise for Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki’s previous works: 

“A promising debut collection…Place and character are vividly evoked and the distinct flavor of a different culture well caught…” – Kirkus Reviews on “Fields of Fig and Olive”

“It is difficult to heap enough praise on this author for her astonishingly vivid depictions of landscape and her ability to evoke spirit of place.” – Seattle Times on “Fields of Fig and Olive”

“Dancing Into the Light:

An Arab-American Girlhood in the Middle East”

Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki | Sept. 5, 2023 | She Writes Press | Memoir 

Paperback | ISBN 978-1-64742-537-1 | $17.95 

Ebook | ISBN 978-1-64742-538-8 | $9.95

Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki was born in Washington D.C. to an Arab father and an American mother. She grew up in Iran, Kuwait, Beirut, and Jerusalem where she attended Arabic, British, and American schools. She attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, has a BA in journalism from George Washington University in Washington D.C., and an MA in creative writing from George Mason University, Virginia. As an astute observer of two distinct cultures, she has published five works of fiction, some of which have been taught at universities in multicultural literature, women’s studies, and Arab studies departments. She is the recipient of the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award for short fiction. Abdul-Baki has three grown children and resides with her husband in McLean, Virginia. Find out more about her at www.KathrynAbdulBaki.com.

In an interview, Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki can discuss:

• Growing up immersed in disparate cultures, navigating cultural mores and values of two very different societies
• How people of diametrically different cultures and faiths can coexist in harmony when there is tolerance and respect for the other
• Dispelling stereotypes of Arab women and misconceptions about Middle Eastern cultures
• Life as a bi-cultural person in the Middle East – Kathryn’s mother was a Southern woman from Tennessee and her father was a Muslim from Jerusalem
• How she has seen Kuwait, Jerusalem and other parts of the Middle East change politically, socially and historically over her lifetime
• Experiences with grief at an early age, and how she found solace following the deaths of her mother and younger brother
• Overcoming devastating early trauma through music and dancing

An Interview with

Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki

Before we dive into everything else, would you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?

My name is Kathryn Karjawally Abdul-Baki. My mother was from Old Hickory, Tennessee, near Nashville, and my father was from Jerusalem. My parents met and married in Washington D.C., where I was born. When I was 4, we moved to the Middle East for my father’s work. I grew up in Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Jerusalem, with trips to Honolulu to visit my American grandparents. I studied in Arab, British, and American schools in Kuwait and Lebanon, and I moved back to the United States with my husband after I got married at age 19 to continue my college education. Although we intended to return to Lebanon to live, the civil war there during the 1970s-80s prevented us from returning, so we stayed in the U.S. After living in New York and Bahrain for a number of years, we moved to Virginia. I have a journalism degree, but after briefly working in a newsroom I found my calling was in writing fiction, so I changed course and did my graduate studies in creative writing. I have written and published five novels, most of them set in the Middle East. This memoir, also set in the Middle East, is my first book of nonfiction.  

Your mother was a Southern woman from the United States, and your father was a Muslim man from Jerusalem. What was it like growing up with parents who had two very different cultural backgrounds?

My mother grew up in a family where accomplishment was important – her father was a dentist and her mother had an advanced degree in English and taught at the University level. Her family was relatively worldly, but it was still a shock to her parents when she dropped out of a prestigious university (Vanderbilt and Northwestern). She met and married my father, who had come to the U.S. from Jerusalem to study, in 1951. 

Although my father was Muslim, he was not conservative. My mother was agnostic, so there was no religious conflict in our home when I was growing up. We celebrated my mother’s American/Christian holiday traditions as well as my father’s Muslim/Arab holidays. My mother loved the Middle East for its casual lifestyle and family closeness, much as her Tennessee life had been growing up in Nashville and the surrounding towns. My father appreciated the United States as the land of opportunity. Their time in the Middle East in the 1950s and 60s was a time of great growth and change in the Middle East. Western values and lifestyles were influencing middle class Arabs and Iranians. 

As a child I felt little of my parents’ cultural differences. But after my mother died when I was 11, my life veered into a much more Arab lifestyle, and my father became much more strict, but only in the sense that I didn’t have the freedom to go to school parties or to date, for instance, which was not part of Arab culture. That became somewhat of an issue for me as a teenager when I felt very different and separate from my American friends because of the Arab values I was expected to adhere to.

You were born in Washington D.C., but your family relocated to the Middle East when you were a child. What are some of your most vivid memories from that time? 

We moved to Iran in 1956. As a child, I accepted the new culture and learned to speak Farsi. My father worked for the U.S. Department of Defense to set up English language schools for the Iranian military, so my parents were in Iran as expats. There was a small, thriving American community of military personnel and entrepreneurs in Tehran. Their lives were filled with parties, social obligations, and entertaining, and my earliest memories of Iran are of guests coming to our home and music and dancing in a large garden with a swimming pool, cherry trees, and rows of pansies and strawberries. There were winter trips to the mountain ski slopes, and I remember running with my parents to jump over bonfires set across the city during Norooz, the first day of spring, in the traditional Zoroastrian tradition. I started school in an American expat school in Tehran. 

Were there moments of culture shock?

I didn’t experience culture shock until we moved to Kuwait in 1958, where my father started work with an American oil company. In order for me to learn Arabic, since we only spoke English at home and my mother knew no Arabic, my mother enrolled me in an Arabic girls’ school in a fishing village near our expatriate American compound. I was the only non-Arabic-speaking child in the school of Kuwaiti and other Arab girls. At first I had no way to communicate and was very unhappy, but my mother insisted I continue to attend that school, so I learned Arabic quickly. The school’s curriculum included reciting Islamic prayers each morning and singing the Kuwaiti national anthem. Most of my Kuwaiti classmates’ mothers dressed in traditional Arab abayas, long black cloaks draping their heads and bodies, and many wore the black or gold face masks at that time, so they looked completely different from my mother who wore Western clothing and did not cover herself. As a child, I floated back and forth between the two cultures each day – the one in my American-style compound and other in the traditional Kuwaiti lifestyle of the village – and felt at home in both.

How did you navigate the cultural mores and values as a bi-cultural kid growing up in the Middle East?

As a kid, I studied both Arab history and culture in my Arabic school as well as American and European history and culture in my American correspondence curriculum with my expat American friends in our compound. I felt more American, because of my mother’s influence and because our household was very liberal. The Arabic/Islamic mores of the Middle East were secondary to our life, and there wasn’t much I was not allowed to do as a child. 

This changed only after my mother died and my father was left to raise me on his own, and reverted to his more conservative upbringing. As a pre-teen and teenager, my liberty was much more curtailed by rules of what I was (or was not) allowed to do as a young Arab girl from a respectable family. That became an issue for me as a teenager once I quit my Arab school and wanted to do more of what my American and British friends were doing socially. I was “different” according to my father, since he regarded me as an Arab, and I was not allowed to participate in parties at school. That’s when my life as a bi-cultural child started to conflict with my earlier American upbringing.

Did you realize when you were a kid that your family’s dynamic was somewhat unique compared to other families?

I had more freedom than some of my Arab cousins in Jerusalem because of my American lifestyle in our expat compound in Kuwait. None of my American friends in our residential compound spoke any Arabic, and only one attended my Arabic girls school for a short period. So, I was aware of having both lifestyles inside me and having to adhere to both, depending on where I was at any given time. It was often lonely because I felt “different” from both my Arab and American friends since I was not totally either. It often made me feel isolated and alone.

How do you explore the concept of coexistence in your book?

I have very tolerant families, both American and Arab, so I tried to show how everyone  got along and respected each other’s backgrounds, although few on either side of my family had done any international travel. My Arab family always accepted and respected my mother’s American heritage. My Arab aunts and uncles knew that I was different because of my American mother and accepted that. My American extended family, while less exposed to the Arab way of life, also accepted my Arab heritage. Occasionally I saw that the two cultures had different ideas of what values to instill in us children, but nobody ever made an issue of the fact that I had to straddle both cultures, and they good-naturedly acknowledged the differences I held within myself.  In my memoir I try to show the tolerance on both sides that allowed me to feel comfortable in both cultures. 

What are some common (but inaccurate) stereotypes of Arab women? How do you dispel those stereotypes? How do you navigate people who are unwilling to hear your efforts to dispel these stereotypes? 

The Arab world is large and varied culturally so Arab women come from very different backgrounds. A woman from Saudi Arabia or Yemen or the Arab Emirates, might have a different historical background and reference than a woman from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon or Palestine. There are more liberal Arab societies and more conservative ones, and even within one society there are different values depending on one’s education, social class, etc. But one concept often prevalent in the West is that Arab women are downtrodden and weak, or powerless. This is not true. Arab women are extremely strong and resilient and whether in the home or in employment have a good deal to say and decisions to make. Even the homemakers among my aunts and my father’s cousins were in charge of large households and many held jobs. While none of the older Arab women I grew up with “dated” in the American sense, or had powerful jobs outside the home, I saw the women as powerful and very nurturing of all the extended family. Most of the women of my generation worked as well as took care of homes. 

When I first came to this country (the United States) after growing up in the Middle East I was often asked, “How was it growing up with all that oppression of women?” I was surprised because I’d never actually seen women in my family being oppressed, although I was aware some other women were. Especially women of less financial means or from conservative villages. But I never felt I was prohibited from following a career path or anything else I wanted to do. I grew up in Beirut and Kuwait in the late ‘50s, ‘60s, and early 70s where we wore what we wanted, within limits. In Beirut, miniskirts on the streets or bikinis on the beach was perfectly fine. In Kuwait, one had to be modest in public – no shorts for women in the streets – but within our expat compound women could mostly dress any way they  pleased. 

That said, there also is much need to expand women’s rights across the Middle East, as in most societies. Work is being done to expand punishment for crimes against women and there are great efforts and legislation being expanded to end child-marriage, often still prevalent in some segments of societies, or honor killing, when a female in the family is killed for sexual transgressions. Much more needs to be done and it can’t come soon enough. 

You experienced grief at a very young age, first with the death of your brother after an experimental heart surgery and then with the death of your mother from cancer. Can you discuss how your family — especially the women — supported you during those times of loss and trauma? How can we learn from their approach?

You never expect such sad things to happen to your family, but they do. My brother died  unexpectedly at the age of 2 when I was 9. Then my mother developed cancer. My mother had to come to the United States for treatment when I was 10 which left me alone with my father at home in Kuwait for much of the time. 

We had a housekeeper from the Mount of Olives who was like a second mother to me.  Also, my father’s sisters in Jerusalem were very supportive, and my father’s older unmarried sister came to Kuwait and stayed with us for months each year, and became another mother to me. All of my father’s sisters and female cousins in Jerusalem became surrogate mothers. All of them had adored my American mother and respected the fact that I’d been brought up differently than they or their children had, and so nobody ever tried to change me or make me more Arab than I was. 

My American grandmother living in Honolulu wrote to me constantly and sent me books and records and tape recordings (no internet in those days) of her talking to me, so she was a constant presence in my life. She still regarded me as “American,”  and had a more difficult time watching me become a teenager and adapting more “Arab” habits, such as being slightly more modest or demure than she would have expected. I still wore shorts and had an American outlook, but I wasn’t allowed to date, for instance, and she worried that my father’s more conservative upbringing would hinder my personal growth. But all of my female relatives on both sides of my family stepped in as surrogate mothers, and I owe a lot to their love and care. In addition, when my father eventually remarried, his Arab wife was a kind and loving step-mother and her mother and four  sisters became big influences in my life. Her sisters were professionals – lawyers, painters, photographers –so I grew up with even more Arab female role models to emulate.

Your book opens and closes with memories of dancing. How has dance played a role throughout your life? Where did that passion come from?

Dancing and music was an intrinsic part of my family life ever since I can remember. My father was a good dancer and had taken ballroom dance lessons in college and he and my mother held frequent dance parties in our home in Tehran and later in Kuwait. Everyone danced at parties it seemed to me, both the Latin American dances of tango and cha-cha and samba, or Arabic dances such as Lebanese line-dancing called dabke, or belly dancing. I thought every family danced because my parents did. My father particularly liked Harry Belafonte’s island tunes and I grew up with Belafonte being played regularly on our stereo. My father’s love of dance continued even after my mother died, and our family dance parties with friends and extended family became a solace to both of us during that sad time. My father would light up whenever he danced, so I feel he passed that on to me. I often accompanied him as a preteen and teenager to adult dance parties in our expat community in Kuwait. Dancing was a way of life for me,  although I had only sporadic formal dance lessons as a child. As an adult I took up dancing again and began to teach Latin social dancing and Argentine tango. Men who dance like my father still feel wonderful to dance with and bring back all my joyful childhood memories.

How has the Middle East changed since your upbringing?

The Middle East was a peaceful and happy place when I was growing up in Kuwait, Iran, Jerusalem and Lebanon. We would read about the Vietnam war and other conflicts and feel lucky it didn’t touch us. 

On my trips to Hawaii as a child to visit my grandparents, I often attended the local public school for a month or so because my Kuwait schools didn’t start until after the hottest months were over. In the early 60s, children in American public schools were trained to take cover in case of a nuclear attack. This seemed very odd to me. I felt relieved that in my Arab home and schools we never had to fear such total destruction. 

The Six Day War in 1967 when I was 15 changed my Jerusalem family’s life forever. East Jerusalem became part of Israel rather than Jordan and many of my Arab cousins left for work and opportunities elsewhere. There have been major wars in Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq since I left which have caused a major brain drain in the region. Yet, the Middle East remains very dear to me and I visit whenever I can.

PRAISE FOR KATHRYN ABDUL-BAKI’S PREVIOUS BOOKS

“Fields of Fig and Olive”

“The stories offer insights into the cloistered world of Arab women…how women find means of expressing themselves in severely circumscribed settings.” 

– Los Angeles Times Book Review

“In her Middle East world, sexual roles are sternly defined and jealously protected.  But you don’t have to be antediluvian to love the exotic settings and the humanity of the people in the 14 stories by Abdul-Baki.  She has been blessed with the ability to make foreignness familiar.”

– Chicago Sun-Times

“An excellent ‘translator’ of Middle East sensibilities, particularly those of women.  Her politics are feminist, her theme is human ethics, and her writing is finely honed.”

– Ms. Magazine

“This collection is truly a breakthrough in the world of Middle Eastern literature…written in English by someone who has a foot planted…in both the West and the Middle East.”

– Rocky Mountain News

“She challenges Western ways of thinking about the nature and behavior of Arab women and men and causes us to question some of our assumptions about the intricate relationships of families and lovers.”

– The Trenton Times

“Abdul-Baki’s skillful and realistic presentation of characters, along with her masterly use of flashback and other narrative techniques, contributes to making her collection one of the most successful of its kind.”

– World Literature Today

“Tower of Dreams”

“She is a skilled craftsman…The spirit of place and landscape are palpable…she shines in her ability to penetrate the psyche of young Arab women.”

– Seattle Times

“Ghost Songs”

“A tranquil and beautiful novel…[it] gradually heats up into a thorough and tense examination of cultural mores—both Arabic and American—without ever becoming judgmental.”

– Philadelphia City Paper

“She presents Arab culture…in narratives of exquisite technique, deep insights, and beautiful English…it bids fair to establish her as an Arab-American fiction writer worthy of wide recognition.”

– World Literature Today

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

“Yellowjackets” meets “The Taking of Jake Livingston” in acclaimed author’s first foray into dark, paranormal horror

NEW YORK CITY, New York – Lambda Literary Award Finalist and acclaimed author, Kosoko Jackson, explodes onto the horror scene with “The Forest Demands Its Due” (Quill Tree Books, October 3rd, 2023), a chilling examination of how society perpetuates violence against marginalized teens. Jackson is a literary powerhouse whose holistic representation of Black, queer youth spans across genres. Sink into this haunting, heart-pounding dark academia that critiques racism in education and combats the “bury your gays” trope. “The Forest Demands Its Due” aims to encourage young people to push back against the manipulative world of the elite and to step into their power. 

Seventeen-year-old Douglas Jones wants nothing to do with Regent Academy’s king-making or nefarious history; he’s just trying to survive. Until a student is murdered and the next day no one remembers he ever existed, except for Douglas and the groundskeeper’s son, Everett Everley. In his determination to uncover the truth, Douglas awakens a horror hidden within the forest surrounding Regent, unearthing secrets that have been buried for centuries. A vengeful creature wants blood as payment for a debt more than 300 years in the making—or it will swallow all of Winslow in darkness. For the first time in his life, Douglas might have a chance to grasp the one thing he’s always felt was missing: power. 

But if he’s not careful, he will find out that power has a tendency to corrupt absolutely everything.

“The Forest Demands Its Due”

Kosoko Jackson | October 3rd, 2023 | Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins

Fantasy Horror

Print | 9790063260794 | $19.99

KOSOKO JACKSON: Kosoko Jackson is a digital media specialist, focusing on digital storytelling, and a Masters of Fine Arts professor at Seton Hill University. Occasionally, his personal essays and short stories have been featured on Medium, Thought Catalog, The Advocate, and some literary magazines. When not writing novels that champion holistic representation of Black queer men across genres, he can be found obsessing over movies, drinking his (umpteenth) London Fog, or spending far too much time on Twitter. He is a Lambda Literary Finalist,  and an avid Taylor Swift fan. THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE is his 3rd young adult novel, but his first foray into horror. Find out more about Kosoko Jakcson on his website. 

Follow Kosoko Jackson on social media: 

Twitter: @kosokojackson | Instagram: @kosokojackson

In an interview, Kosoko Jackson can discuss:

• How systemic racism in education informed the plot for of the book 
• The “bury your gays” trope in popular media and why he wanted to push against this problematic, limiting theme in entertainment 
• The parallels that exist between the monstrous forest and today’s society 
• How gothic fairy tales, Disney movies, and The Brothers Grimm inspired the book 
• What he hopes this book will accomplish and inspire especially in the midst of rising legislative hatred towards LGBTQ+ people 
• Why he decided to delve into the horror genre 

Advanced praise for “The Forest Demands Its Due”

“THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE is an atmospheric horror mystery about refusing to be prey to the powerful monsters that are determined to swallow you whole. Kosoko Jackson deftly explores what it means to truly end cycles of suffering, and how the cruelest monsters are often not monsters at all.” 

–Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of “Cemetery Boys” and “The Sunbearer Trials” 

“Enter at your own risk, for these woods are ravenous. The Forest Demands Its Due is Kosoko Jackson doing what he does best: delivering a compelling, raw, and delightfully horrific tale that howls with all the haunted depths of a truly cursed forest.”

 –Ryan La Sala, bestselling author of “The Honeys”

“A non-stop roller coaster of suspense and intrigue, Jackson has crafted a tale rife with terrifying thrills, a perfectly ominous setting, and a healthy dose of heart.” 

–Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of “Cinderella is Dead”

“Strange magic, mad creatures and cruel curses abound in this eerie tale of becoming. This book calls to you sure as the dark forest calls to Douglas — and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll answer that call.”

 –Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author of “Aftermath”

“A gruesome modern fairytale like THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE doesn’t come along often—this bloody, romantic tale gets its claws in you right from the start. I loved it.” –Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of “For The Wolf”

“Magic, mystery and murder combine in Jackson’s dark academia thriller that will have you jumping at shadows and eager to stay out of the woods. Sharp, visceral, and all together stunning, The Forest Demands Its Due will haunt you long after the last page.” 

–Sasha Peyton Smith, New York Times bestselling author of “Witch Haven”

“Kosoko Jackson’s compellingly complex dark academia captures the magic that is taking life into one’s own hands, of who gets seen as a monster and who is afforded humanity—a riveting exploration of academic privilege that flips the “chosen one” script on its head. It’s impossible not to fall in love with Douglas. This is THE dark academia. Don’t you dare miss it.”

 –Victoria Lee, bestselling author of “A Lesson In Vengeance”

“THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE is a delightful blend of fables and curses. Readers that love dark academia or haunted forests will revel in the atmospheric prose and determined protagonist. Kosoko Jackson pulls no punches, crafting a book that captivates and thrills”

 –Emily Lloyd-Jones

Praise for “I’m So Not Over You”

“Jackson jumps from an outstanding YA debut with Yesterday Is History to deliver a delightfully outrageous romantic comedy full of pop culture references, strong families, and a ride-or-die BFF.” —Library Journal, Starred Review

“This nuanced romance marks Jackson as a writer to watch in the adult sphere.” —Publishers Weekly

“A snappy, sizzling, downright delightful book from Jackson, a welcome and fresh new voice in rom-coms.” —Julia Whelan, author of My Oxford Year

An Interview with Kosoko Jackson

Why was it important to set this book in the middle of a prestigious academic institution? How does “The Forest Demand Its Due” comment on systemic racism in education? 

As someone who grew up in a predominantly white institution (PWI), I remember how hard it was to navigate this space while holding onto my Blackness and not feeling like a part of me had to be sacrificed to survive. Georgetown University, and its history of slaves used to build its historic institution, is an example (and was a huge inspiration for this novel). The Forest Demands Its Due is a story that discusses how these spaces chip away at the parts that make anyone unique, and how these “king and queen” maker institutions demand more from you than most are willing to pay, in order to succeed. I wanted to talk about that through a lens of magic, horror and fantasy to keep readers on the edge of their seat, but also teach them a small bit about how the world functions for marginalized people.

How does “The Forest Demand Its Due” push back against the “bury your gays” trope in popular media? Why was it so important to you to combat this trope?  

So often queer characters die to further the plot of books. When I decided to write horror, I remembered something Jordan Peele said, “Black characters won’t die in my movies”, and it made me think how those are the stories I want to write. Queer characters can be more than plot devices, and if they do die, their deaths should mean something, not just motivate a straight character to act. It was important for me to have queer characters that could be seen as heroes, villains, complex, and every adjective possible; not just plot elements. 

Can you describe the parallels between the forest and our society today? What comparisons do you want readers to think critically about while reading this novel?

Without giving too much away, The Forest in my novel is a living, adaptable forest, with things called Emissaries—animal, human, floral hybrids that serve a master—and Perversions—a perverted version of an Emissary that has given into darkness, patrolling the grounds. The forest also consumes the memories of someone’s existence if they die within the fictional town of Winsow, VT. I wanted to discuss how history swallows its victims whole, unless there is someone–or someones–to advocate for them and usually those people are wealthy, successful or powerful people who have the ability to manipulate the story. Very similar to those who are immune to the effects of The Forest.

Can you talk about the inspiration of other media that inspired the book? (Disney movies, Brothers Grimm, gothic fairy tales, etc.) 

I’m a huge fan of fairy tales. Not to spoil anything in the book, but a big part of this is the gothic tale you learn about in the story, who gets to write history, and how history is twisted to suit the writers. I’m also a big fan of historical documents, and how history and time twists these documents, depending on your knowledge base and culture, to tell a different tale. Think about quotes–such as blood is thicker than water–which mean completely different things if you know the full expression. Or let them eat cake, something Antoinette never said. That’s a big theme in this novel. 

What do you hope this book will accomplish and inspire especially in the midst of rising legislative hatred towards LGBTQ+ people?

Queer books are here to stay, let me be clear. There is no such thing as clean or dirty YA books. Books are books, they inherently are not morally bad or good. But I do hope this novel expands some readers’ knowledge on what books with queer characters can have, and how integral queerness is, not only to history, but to storytelling. This book wouldn’t be the same book if written straight; but that doesn’t mean it’s a book you shouldn’t read. In fact, I’d argue if it’s your first queer novel, it’s a perfect introduction into such a fabulous group of books.

You are widely known for your successful romance novels, what inspired you to dive into paranormal horror? 

I’ve also loved horror, and something I’ve wanted to explore for years. Hereditary, The Exorcist, Midsommar, Panic Room…just to name a few are some of my favorite horror movies. I think horror is such a reflection of society and a representation of social justice in an accessible way. Horror is all about taking a concept people fear, and making it into a big bad worth conquering. Queer kids, and Black kids, deserve the same too, which, at its core, is what the big bads in this novel are; threats against queerness and Blackness. 

What is next for you as a writer? 

I have my next YA novel coming out in 2024! I can’t give away much, but it’s about exorcisms, who gets exercised and the power of darkness. 

Praise for “Yesterday is History”

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! —Junior Library Guild

 ⭐ “A stellar novel that today’s teens needed yesterday.” —Booklist, STARRED Review

“In a novel with exciting representation of a gay Black teen where identity isn’t the issue, readers will appreciate the realistic nuance of Andre’s frankness when talking about the White privilege Blake and his family exhibit that makes them unable to see how different and potentially dangerous time traveling is for a 17-year-old Black boy… A skillful and engrossing time-travel adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for “A Dash of Salt and Pepper”

“Jackson’s sexy grumpy/sunshine romantic comedy will grab readers from the first page. Highly recommended for all collections.”—Library Journal

“Sparks fly in and out of the kitchen in this age-gap contemporary romance.”—Kirkus Reviews

A wonderful small-town romance with a vibrant voice. You’ll love spending time with Xavier and Logan in Harper’s Cove.”—Jackie Lau, author of Donut Fall in Love

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

LAKEVILLE, Connecticut – Prolific lawyer-turned-fiction writer T.C. Morrison is back with his signature humor and  incisive social commentary, exposing the absurdities of modern American litigation with his latest side-splitting satire, “Send in The Tort Lawyer$” (Sept. 12, 2023, iBooks). Prepare to  laugh until you cry as fearless tort lawyers Pap and Pup navigate uproarious lawsuits that are endemic of our time. 

In “Send in The Tort Lawyer$”, Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”) — whose zany exploits delighted readers in Morrison’s previous standalone novels — find themselves in a lawsuit on behalf of consumers who bought what turned out to be worthless crypto currency from the now bankrupt FUX; lawsuits challenging the labeling of Godiva Belgian Chocolates and a Vermont company’s ice cream purportedly made from the milk of “happy cows”; and yet another lawsuit on behalf of the unforgettable Lydia Lowlace, who’s image from Playboy is now part of a collection of non-fungible tokens sold by an off-shore start-up.

Morrison, who spent over 40 years trying cases around the country and arguing appeals in eight of the 11 federal courts of appeal, brilliantly weaves a tale that will reduce readers to tears while also examining modern-day American litigation and the abuses of the class-action system. Poking good-natured fun at his own profession and its practitioners, “Send in The Tort Lawyer$” is sure to delight with its humor and message.

“Send in The Tort Lawyer$”

T.C. Morrison | Sept. 12, 2023 | iBooks | Fiction 

Hardcover | 9781596879867 | $27.95 

Other Books by T.C. Morrison

“This excellent satire exposes the extreme tort judicial excesses of today. … Read this book for the rare combination of enjoyment and education.” — Gene Dattel, retired investment banker and author

“Tort$ R Us”

Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and his twin brother Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”) are lawyers with a distinctive eye for opportunity. Pap convinces Pup, who is a good lawyer despite having gone to Yale Law School, that they should leave their respective big-firm practices in New York City to start up a hopefully lucrative practice as plaintiffs’ class action lawyers. The brothers meet a variety of clients, judges, and lawyers as they embark on a resourceful and unique approach to lawyer-client relationships all inspired by actual court cases. Written with humor and parlance that only comes from a depth of legal experience, Morrison captures the trials and tribulations of human behavior that strike a chord with every reader.

“Another riotous romp through the courts … A fun read for anyone interested in seeing the
lighter side of the staid legal profession.” — Bob Scherer, retired trademark lawyer

“Please Pass the Tort$”

Patrick A. Peters (“Pap”) and Prescott U. Peters (“Pup”), the intrepid tort lawyers whose zany exploits delighted readers of Torts R Us, return with another round of legal shenanigans guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry. Their latest antics include a lawsuit against the Russian government for entrapping a well-known Congressman in a honey trap, attempting to liberate all the chimpanzees in the Bronx Zoo, and representing the unforgettable Lydia Lowlace in lawsuits against unscrupulous strip club owners and video game makers who have taken advantage of her sudden fame. The brothers even concoct a plan to revitalize Connecticut’s three poorest cities by turning them into a mecca for nationwide tort lawsuits. Settle into your favorite chair to make sure you don’t fall on the floor laughing at the latest exploits of these lovable lawyers who will stop at nothing in their pursuit of publicity, fame, fun and money.

About the Author

T.C. MORRISON grew up in Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of Otterbein University (Ohio) and New York University School Of Law, Morrison followed his education with four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. He then returned to the New York City law firm Rogers and Wells where he had been a summer associate, becoming a partner in 1975. In 1977, he joined Patterson Belknap Webb and Tyler, where he served as a litigation partner for 34 years and became a well-known leader in the field of advertising and trademark litigation. He spent his last five years as a partner in the New York office of the Los Angeles-based firm Manett, Phelps and Phillips.

During his final year of practice, Morrison began thinking about his long-held desire to write a novel. Believing that most lawyers take themselves far too seriously, he conceived the idea of a farcical novel about class action lawyers and their quest for fame and fortune, often at the expense of their clients, leading to his first “book, Tort$ ‘R’ Us.” His second book, “Please Pass the Tort$,” received exclusively five-star reviews on Amazon and was featured in an article by Mackensie Dawson in the December 5, 2021 issue of the New York Post. Learn more about Morrison’s work at https://tortsrusbook.com/.

In an interview, T.C. Morrison can discuss:

• How his latest book delves into the timely issue of cryptocurrency
• Balancing humor with a tongue-in-cheek look at the legal system
• Using satire as a tool for analyzing America’s legal system, specifically the abuses of the class-action system
• What he hopes readers will glean from his work and the important insight it provides into the American justice system
• His time as a partner at law firms, the impact he made with his practice and how that has informed his writing

An interview with T.C. Morrison

1. What first drew you to writing fiction? 

I have a lifelong love of fiction and have always wanted to write a novel. In fact, during my four years in the Air Force, I wrote a “spy” novel.  Fortunately, it was never published.  As my legal career wound down, I resumed thinking about writing a novel. I quickly realized that, while I knew nothing about spies except what I read in spy novels, I knew a lot about lawyers and lawsuits. And it didn’t take me long to realize that I did not want to write a legal “thriller” or any kind of nonfiction book about the law; I wanted to write a satire about the profession that would generate lots of laughs.

2. Why did you decide to use satire specifically to get your points across regarding the American legal system?

My objective was not to make a point about the American legal system but to write a humorous book about my profession. I have always thought that many, maybe most, lawyers take themselves too seriously and that there is a lot of humor in the cases we litigate and the way we interact with adversaries and judges. Now, the abuse of the class-action mechanism is, in my judgment, one of  the best examples of the excesses of American litigation. But a “serious” book on that subject would be of scant interest to most readers. By making my protagonists lovable rascals who bring sometimes dubious class actions on behalf of clients who are lovable eccentrics, I can serve up the humor in a way that also makes a serious point about modern class action litigation.  

3. Where did this story come from? Did you pull any real experiences from cases during your practice?

Every case in book one (“Tort$ R Us”) and most of the cases in books two and three are takeoffs on real cases. And the cases in the first part of book one — which explore Pap’s and Pup’s legal careers before they formed their class-action firm — are all based on cases that I personally tried. So while my starting point is real-life cases, the nice thing about writing legal fiction is that you can change the facts to suit your purpose. For example, while there have indeed been several cases involving attempts to free chimpanzees and elephants from zoos, none of them have centered on the use of an expert in animal communication to speak with the animals and recount the animals’ feelings and wishes in courtroom testimony. My character Dr. Doolittle — who appears in both books two and three —  does just that to great comic effect.

4. Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration was Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” which I read on my way to Korea in the Air Force. I loved the way Heller was able to turn everything — every character and every conversation — into farce. The numerous spurious class-action cases filed every year, and the constant ads by class-action lawyers soliciting clients to avenge every imaginable wrong, provide the necessary fodder for my efforts.    

5. Not to spoil anything, but your new book centers on the hot topic of cryptocurrency. What drew you to writing about NFTs and did you do any special research to learn more about them?

The news of the FTX cryptocurrency debacle was breaking just as I was starting to write the current book. The story was covered daily in both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, and I supplemented those stories with online research. The underlying story was so preposterous — people pouring billions of dollars into a cryptocurrency that had no inherent value and a company run by a 30-year-old kid wearing shorts, sandals and a T-shirt who was thought to be brilliant because he was so eccentric — needed no fictional embellishment. I didn’t have to make anything up; it all happened in real life.  This case is the exception to most of the cases in my books: It is actually a perfect use of class-action litigation as millions of people suffered huge financial losses due to a really bad scheme. I used my deep experience in false advertising litigation to come up with a remedy for Pap and Pup to pursue on behalf of the individuals who lost tons of money in the scheme and who could never recover their losses from the company itself.

6. What do your fellow lawyers think about your fiction work?

My fellow colleagues in the profession have uniformly loved the first two books. That includes former partners, former clients and a couple of federal judges. One of them said he had not laughed so hard since reading “Portnoy’s Complaint.” Even the executive director of the Tort Museum — the Ralph Nader-funded museum in Winstead, Connecticut, that is a shrine to tort lawyers — enjoyed the book and engaged with me in a fun podcast. While the class-action lawyers who advertise on television for clients may not appreciate the books, I think most lawyers recognize that there is lots of humor in our profession and especially in the ever-growing number of lawsuits filed to redress every conceivable wrong.

7. How does this new book differ from your previous books?

This book is really a continuation of the saga of Pap and Pup and their innovative,  aggressive class-action law firm. A new associate has joined the firm, and Chip, the firm’s wildly successful Lothario, quickly beds her as well as a new client while maintaining his relationships with Candy (the firm’s voluptuous paralegal), Lydia (the former lap dancer and Playboy centerfold) and Francoise (his live-in girlfriend). New wacky clients are introduced, including Dr. Irene Goodknight (a sleep doctor) and Peachy Keane (a retired advertising executive), and Dr. Doolittle (the animal communicator) is pressed into action in two separate cases. What is different in this book is that one of the firm’s new cases — against celebrities who shamelessly promoted the sale of cryptocurrency by the now bankrupt FUX company — is an appropriate and sound use of the class-action mechanism. 

8. What projects are you working on next?

I am a bit of a one-trick pony so I plan to continue with another book in the Pap and Pup series. My computer consultant, who has helped me with computer matters for all three books, has suggested I bring AI into the picture. This is, of course, a huge development  with enormous consequences for the country;  it is also chock full of legal issues, some of which are quite amusing. For example, an AI “lawyer” was named to the best lawyers in America list; a lawyer was recently rebuked by a judge for filing a brief full of phony precedents that was generated by AI; and a recent lawsuit was generated solely by AI.  So, this field is rife with possibilities.

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Proceeds from book sales to benefit the Breast Cancer Alliance Charity

Ellicott City, MD–A journey through the innovative photography of G.B. Smith, the book “Pathways” (G Editions LLC, Nov. 7, 2023) features select photos from many of Smith’s current collections, including several of his recent multi-award winning images. The curation represents the broad spectrum of his eclectic subjects and reflects the simplicity and uncluttered form of his distinctive black and white style. Informed by his experience with color blindness, Smith’s work encourages the viewer to examine a world that exists beyond color.

Smith explains, “I use only black and white and mostly minimalist imagery, believing profoundly that less is more.”

Among Smith’s many accolades are three consecutive Gold Medals in the architecture, fine art and nature categories at the Prix de la Photographie awards in Paris. 

Believing that art should make a positive impact, Smith will be donating proceeds from the sales of “Pathways” to the Breast Cancer Alliance.

“Pathways”

G.B. Smith | November 7, 2023 | G Editions LLC | Art, Photography

Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1943876471 | $85.00

About the Artist…

“I have long admired G.B. Smith’s singular ability to focus and to strip away distractions to help others see the most important elements….he studies his subjects with care and thinks deeply about all that he wants us to see.”

–Lawton W. Fitt, former head of The Royal Academy of Arts

G.B. Smith: Born in the industrial heartland of England, G.B. Smith began his photographic journey almost fifty years ago as a teenager in apprenticeship of traditional film techniques both in the darkroom and with large plate cameras. The simplicity and deliberateness of his images today reflect the mindfulness of this traditional approach, manifested in modern digital technology. Having grown up with extreme color blindness, Smith strips away visual distractions to focus on the structures and patterns as he sees them. His images bring solace to a psyche constantly overwhelmed by the overstimulation of color, and encourage us to look beyond color. Given his industrial heritage, many of his studies gravitate toward decaying man-made structures and their interaction with the regenerative power of nature. A truly global citizen, having lived on multiple continents and worked extensively in six, Smith now resides in Maryland. To learn more, visit: www.gbsmith.com and follow him on Instagram @g.b.smith.photography

In an interview, G.B. Smith can discuss:

• His journey as a photographer, from his teenage start to his current artistic prowess
• How being color-blind contributes to his signature minimalist, black-and-white approach to photography
• Why he’s donating proceeds from book sales to the Breast Cancer Alliance, underscoring his commitment to making a positive impact through art
• The Baltimore-area imagery featured in the book, offering a captivating narrative rooted in his surroundings
• His “other persona” as one of the longest serving CEOs of a public high technology company, and its influence on his artistic approach

An Interview with

G.B. Smith

1. What has your photography journey been like? What is your photographic philosophy? 

My journey began over 50 years ago as a teenager, learning the fundamentals of the craft in the darkroom and with large plate cameras. I was immediately captivated by the ability to envision, craft and produce images as a unique personal expression and to be in control of the whole process. My philosophical approach to photography is to try to distill the subject down to its essence, presenting its uncluttered form and flows, without the distraction of color and other elements. Therefore I often use minimalist imagery, truly believing that less is indeed more.

2. How did you select which photos to include in “Pathways”?

I selected images from several of my current collections, including many recent award winning images. I endeavor to take the viewer through a journey around the image using light to illuminate the pathways. The common theme amongst them is the way light informs and accentuates the flows around the image, regardless of the subjects, be they landscapes, industrial or architectural. The selected images all present a simplicity of this minimalist form.

3. Your work draws attention to both man-made, architectural structures and more organic, natural forms. How do you choose your subjects?

I study and seek out locations and subjects that present me with the opportunity to strip away the distractions and capture the essence of the subject in a way that might not be obvious. My visualization test is all about being able to see these forms and flows of the subject be they natural landscapes or man-made structures. I often visit the same locations or subjects multiple times to explore the different patterns of light and conditions.

4. Why do you only shoot in black-and-white?

I have grown up with acute color blindness so have always had a restricted visual vocabulary. However, this enables me to strip away the distractions of color and to focus on the structures and patterns as I see them. Therefore black and white imagery best represents how I see the world and I believe encourages people to look beyond the overstimulation of color and to appreciate the essence of the subject.

5. Outside of being an award-winning photographer, you’re also one of the longest serving CEOs of a public tech company. How do you balance your business role with your artistic pursuits?

Photography provides a balance in my life and a very different artistic outlet. I returned to my original photographic passion when my family grew up and I had a little more time. I believe I perform better in my corporate role because of this balance. My ability to distill things down to their essence permeates both my photography and my approach to business.

6. Why did you decide to donate the proceeds from book sales to breast cancer awareness?

My family was directly affected by breast cancer like that of many of my friends and colleagues. My wife Stacia had breast cancer in her early forties and we were fortunate enough to receive incredible treatment and care. This is a way of paying it forward to help others and the Breast Cancer Alliance is an amazing organization that provides care to the underserved, innovative research and educational fellowships on a national basis. By combining these two passions I am using my art to make a positive difference.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

In this touching new story, a Muslim boy takes care of a beloved garden for his Jewish friend who is forced to flee Morocco during WWII

BOSTON, MA – Based on a true story, Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams’ new picture book, “The Promise,” highlights the love that unites a Jewish and Muslim boy during both times of peace and times of struggle. A timeless tale of quiet heroism and the power of friendship to transcend differences (and distances), complete with beautiful watercolor illustrations from Cinzia Battistel, this moving story will appeal to readers of all ages.

A garden is a prayer. It is also a promise. 

About the book: In a Moroccan village, a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy are best friends. Jacob and Hassan play together every day in the cool shade of Jacob’s family garden. They take care of the garden together, watching the roses and the orange trees grow tall. When news of terrible things happening to Jews in Europe reaches their little village, Jacob’s family must leave Morocco. Hassan promises to care for their beloved garden. “While the garden lives, our friendship will never die,” Jacob says. Years pass until, one day, the prayer of the garden is answered. 

“The Promise”

Bridget Hodder & Fawzia Gilani-Williams 

September 5, 2023 | Lerner / Kar-Ben | Children’s, Picture Book

Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1728460246 | $19.99

Paperback | ISBN: 978-1728460314 | $8.99

About the authors…

BRIDGET HODDER: Bridget, a Sephardic Jew, has decades of experience as a reading and communication specialist, working primarily with young people with learning disabilities. She is the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. Her first Middle Grade book, “The Rat Prince,” was published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. “The Rat Prince” was an ILA Children’s Choice List starred selection, an Amazon Hot List pick, and was a finalist for the Mythopoeic Society award in Children’s Fantasy Literature. She co-wrote her second, Kirkus-starred, middle grade book, “The Button Box,” with Fawzia Gilani-Williams. Bridget lives in the Boston area. To learn more about Bridget’s life and work, visit her website: ​​http://bridgethodder.com/ 

Follow Bridget on social media:

Facebook: @BridgetHodderAuthor | Twitter: @BridgetsBooks 

FAWZIA GILANI-WILLIAMS, PhD: Fawzia, who is Muslim, was born and raised in England, where she became an elementary school teacher. An internationally experienced educator, Fawzia has worked in England, the United States, and Canada. Her writing explores moral power, quiet heroism, and multicultural cognizance, and her research interests include child identity and empowerment, and Islamic critical theory. She currently works as a cluster librarian in the UAE, where she manages elementary school libraries. Her book, “Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam,” illustrated by Chiara Fedele and published in 2017 by Lerner Books’ Kar-Ben imprint, was awarded a silver medal by the Sydney Taylor Book Award. To learn more about Fawzia’s life and work, visit her website: http://fawziagilani.com/ 

In an interview, Bridget Hodder can discuss:

• The true story of Lahcen and Moshe that inspired “The Promise”
• The historical events that would have brought Jacob’s and Hassan’s families together in Morocco
• Why “religious tolerance” isn’t enough, and the importance of highlighting lasting interfaith friendships
• The meaning behind the phrase “a garden is a prayer and a promise”
• What she hopes readers of all ages will take away from this story

An Interview with

Bridget Hodder

1. What inspired you to write “The Promise”?

My friend and co-author, Fawzia, found an article in a newspaper and sent it to me.  It told the true story of an elderly Muslim man in a Moroccan village who is still caring for the family graveyard of his beloved childhood Jewish friend who moved away during the disruption of late WWII. She loved it so much that she wrote a story about it, but it just wasn’t clicking for her. When she invited me to co-author this book, I realized the stumbling block for Picture Book audiences was probably the graveyard aspect. So I re-imagined the center of the story to be a Sephardic garden, an oasis of beauty and love that is a metaphor for the evergreen friendship between the two boys, who eventually become men. The book came together quickly after that!

2. This is your second collaboration with Fawzia Gilani-Williams. What is your co-writing process like? Is it at all like Jacob and Hassan tending the same garden?

We love writing together. The work is indeed parallel to tending a beautiful garden…one that brings joy through long and patient labor, which offers a space of reflection and growth to those who enter it with us.

In more specific terms, our process is much more complex than writing a book on your own.  One of us comes up with the idea for a story and writes a draft, then shares it with the other. We trade comments, make big changes, and email back and forth. Then, we progress to Zoom calls where we get into the details, making sure the representation of our respective religions and cultures are right, checking for emotional resonance and depth, reading dialogue aloud. It’s lively and challenging, particularly in light of the 8 hour time difference between Boston and the United Arab Emirates!

3. What kind of conversations do you hope “The Promise” will start?

In a world that profits by emphasizing and even promoting division, “The Promise” reminds us that the human heart thrives on unity and community. And the roots of that unity are respect, friendship, and faith. And I’m not necessarily talking about religious faith. History teaches us that when we join together and work toward a better tomorrow, we can actually achieve it. We must keep our best promises, now and for generations to come. I hope “The Promise” will help teachers, parents, and kids of all ages to keep this simple truth in their hearts, and be inspired to hope.

From a more focused point of view, the book uplifts Sephardic Jewish and Muslim voices amidst a rise in antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice. It also highlights the fact that, in spite of what others might tell us, religious and cultural differences do not make us natural enemies. Friendship, honor and love can grow and spread joy like the branches and blossoms of Jacob and Moshe’s climbing roses– no matter when or where. Good growth requires partnership, it requires a gardener’s mind and a gardener’s hand to plant, weed and nurture…and that rarest of all qualities, patience.

4. What’s next for you?

I just finished a short story for an upcoming Hanukkah anthology, which features a Sephardic Jewish girl who invites an extra-attractive Korean guy at her school to share Hanukkah with her family…under the false impression that he, too, is Jewish. Hijinks abound. I based the guy character on my favorite K-drama actor/pop star (shoutout to Cha Eunwoo), and I can’t wait to see it in print! This is in addition to working on another picture book for Lerner Books/Kar-Ben, and on a Middle Grade called “Miss Kitty Madame Cat Saves the World”–which makes me cackle maniacally at the keyboard so much while I’m writing it that I have to do it in a room all by myself.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Award-winning YA author debuts first adult police procedural

LOUISVILLE, KY – The curtain rises on a  new murder mystery from award-winning author of Deadly Setup and Leisha’s Song. Lynn Slaughter’s Missed Cue (Aug 8, 2023, Melange Books) finds Lieutenant Cailtin O’Connor in a theatrical mess when a prima ballerina fails to awaken during the final act of Romeo and Juliet. With multiple suspects, infidelity, and a twisted plot of romantic entanglements while also dealing with Caitlin’s personal love life, Missed Cue is a fast-paced Agatha Christie-style mystery that twists and turns to the final act.

Winner of multiple awards including the Silver Falchion Book Award, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Imadjinn Award and recognized by the Agatha Christie awards and the CIBA awards, Slaughter is no stranger to creating captivating narratives shrouded in mystery. Now she takes her expertise in young adult writing reaching a new audience with her first mystery novel for adults.

When star ballerina Lydia Miseau misses her cue during a performance, Lieutenant Caitlin O’Connor encounters the most complicated case of her career. The autopsy reveals no clear cause of death, so Caitlin must not only figure out who killed the ballerina, but how the killer did it. Her investigation uncovers an intricate web of betrayal, infidelity, and revenge. When the medical examination reveals that Lydia was a few weeks pregnant with a child who could not have been her husband’s, Caitlin discovers painful parallels between Lydia’s life and her own illicit involvement with a married man.

For fans of Lori Robbins’ “On Pointe” Mystery Series and Girl Most Likely by Max Allan Collins, readers will love spinning through Caitlin’s thrilling mystery as she seeks the true murderer and the truth about her own illicit romance.

“Missed Cue”

Lynn Slaughter | August 8, 2023

Melange Books | Police Procedural/murder mystery

Paperback | 979-8-88653-153-4 | $16.99

Ebook | 979-8-88653-154-1  | $5.99

Lynn Slaughter is addicted to chocolate, the arts, and her husband’s cooking. Her family tree is peppered with musicians, and like Caitlin, she’s a huge jazz fan. Music has always made her want to move, and she ended up becoming a professional dancer and dance educator. When injury meant it was time to find a new dream, she earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Her previous young adult novels include: Deadly Setup, published by Fire and Ice/Melange Books, which was a Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards silver medalist, a Chanticleer International Awards finalist, and an Imadjinn Award finalist; Leisha’s Song, also published by Fire and Ice/Melange Books and an Agatha nominee, Moonbeam bronze medalist, Imadjinn Award winner, and Silver Falchion Award winner; It Should Have Been You, a Silver Falchion finalist; and While I Danced, an EPIC finalist. The ridiculously proud mother of two sons and grandmother of five, she lives in Louisville, Kentucky where she is at work on her next novel and is an active member and former president of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, her local Sisters in Crime chapter. She loves hearing from readers and hopes you’ll visit her website, https://lynnslaughter.com

Advanced praise for Missed Cue

“With Missed Cue, author Lynn Slaughter offers a riveting portrait of a female police officer on the trail of a killer and in search of herself.  Watching Lieutenant Caitlin O’Connor unravel the case, as she seeks to better understand her own foibles, and help her alcoholic partner, made for an exciting read full of insight and suspense.”  

Ellen Birkett Morris, Award-winning author of Lost Girls

“Lynn Slaughter’s latest tour de force, the suspense novel MISSED CUE, draws on her extensive background in the field of dance. The story opens in a rehearsal for the ballet Romeo and Juliet, and it is the perfect venue for a terrible crime. Lynn’s seamless storytelling carries the reader right into the action, and she keeps us guessing as we meet all of her colorful and interesting characters. You should definitely pick up this book, but just be warned, you might not want to put it down!”

Connie Bergstein Dow, author of the picture book TAP AND RAP, MOVE AND GROOVE, and other books about dance

“In Missed Cue, the star of the show isn’t the dazzling ballerina Lydia Miseau, but the appealingly flawed police detective who investigates her murder. As Lieutenant Caitlin O’Connor begins the process of sifting through clues and interviewing suspects, she finds herself entangled in a double journey: to uncover both the identity of a killer and her own sense of self. Political scheming in the dance world is mirrored in her complicated relationships within the New Haven police department, and writer Lynn Slaughter renders both with precision and grace. Competing motives of fame, fortune, and family feuds all have their moment in the spotlight, but it’s the backstage intrigue that propels this narrative to its satisfying conclusion. Well written and tightly plotted, Missed Cue is a showstopper.”

Lori Robbins, Award winning author of the On Pointe and Master Class mystery series

“Homicide Detective Caitlin O’Conner has a very full dance card: a murdered ballerina, a tango with a lover and a partner trying to tap dance around his problems. Missed Cue is a compelling story of a tough but vulnerable woman as she navigates her complicated life.”

E.M. Munsch, author of the Dash Hammond series, the latest being A HAUNTING AT MARIANWOOD

“Don’t let the title fool you. Lynn Slaughter doesn’t miss any cues in this gritty mystery featuring a smart, ambitious, and emotionally flawed detective investigating the suspicious death of an otherwise seemingly healthy dancer. Set in the world Slaughter knows well, Missed Cue will keep you on your toes until the curtain drops on the final clue.”

Valerie (V. M.) Burns, Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Award Finalist

“You’ll be rooting for whip-smart detective Caitlin O’Conner as she searches for the killer of a star ballerina while also trying to untangle a complicated personal life. A stunning debut for the author’s first adult mystery.”

Victoria Thompson, Bestselling author of Murder on Bedford Street

Praise for Deadly Setup

2022 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver Medalist

2022 M Chanticleer International Awards Finalist

2022 Imadjinn Award Finalist

Deadly Setup is “​​…a perfect legal thriller.” – Readers’ Favorites

“In the dramatic thriller Deadly Setup, a teenager is accused of murder, testing her friendships and resulting in tumult.” – Foreword Clarion review

“Deadly Setup starts quietly and then crescendos to shock after shock. Readers will root for Samantha, trapped and brave and facing a terrifying fate. Outstanding story!”

Caroline B. Cooney, internationally renowned author of more than 90 young adult novels of mystery and romance, including The Girl on the Milk Carton

“Deadly Setup takes on the complexities of the mother/daughter relationship amid a captivating murder mystery. Slaughter’s page turning prose and insightful look at family relationships are a winning combination. Deadly Setup is a deeply engaging and satisfying book.”

Ellen Birkett Morris, award-winning author of Lost Girls

“Lynn Slaughter is a master at the romantic, young adult mystery. Her spell-binding story follows Samantha as she negotiates the complexity of teen friendships, tries to find out who killed her mother’s fiancé without getting in the way of the adults who are trying to help her, and grapples to understand why her own mother refuses to believe she is innocent.”

Frances Schoonmaker, multiple award-winning author of The Last Crystal Trilogy

Praise for Leisha’s Song 

Nominee for Best Children’s/YA Mystery Novel, Silver Falchion Award winner for best YA mystery, Imadjinn Award winner for best YA Novel, and Moonbeam Children’s Award Bronze Medalist

“Lynn Slaughter’s knowledge, love, and passion for music are evident in Leisha’s Song. Adept at striking the right balance between tough social issues and young love, Slaughter orchestrates a tale that harmonizes issues of racism, abandonment, and abuse with the power of love and beauty of music in this young adult romantic suspense novel where two young lovers must dig through generations of hatred and intolerance to uncover the truth and solve a mystery with life and death consequences.”

– V.M. Burns, Agatha Award-nominated author of The Plot is Murder

“Suspense, tender romance, and a thoughtful exploration of racism make this page-turning coming-of-age novel a winner. An academy setting and focus on the creative arts add appeal, and Leisha’s growth from people-pleaser to independent woman will resonate with girls and women everywhere.”

– Lee Tobin McClain, U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author of Home to the Harbor

“Heartfelt, wise and relevant, Leisha’s Song is a compelling murder mystery wrapped around a romance that propels the reader along a ‘must keep reading’ journey. Leisha is a protagonist we come to care for and cheer on as she faces a mystery that must be solved. A romance that must be navigated, and a world that must be grown into. It is a testament to Lynn Slaughter’s immense skills as a writer that she has produced another wonderful adventure story.”

– T. Lynne Singleton, contributing author, African American Alphabet, A Celebration of African-American and West Indian Culture, Custom, Myth, and Symbol

In an interview, Lynn Slaughter can discuss:

• Making the leap from YA author to adult fiction and the opportunities and  challenges of writing for a more mature audience
• Her creative use of her experience as a dancer and how it sets the scene for her book
• The use of alcoholism and adultery in her book to convey dynamic and flawed main characters
• Her previous works, Deadly Setup, Leisha’s Song, It Should Have Been You and While I Danced

An Interview with

Lynn Slaughter

1. You went from being a dancer to a writer. What are the similarities and differences between the two?

I think the role of “choreographer” (the creator of dances) is most akin to the role of a writer (composer of stories). Both engage in acts of expressive communication—nonverbal in the case of dance and verbal communication for stories. Both art forms take years of practice and study. Both require perseverance and resilience in the face of rejection and setbacks. In addition, for both art forms, there is always “more” to discover and work on.

I also consider the acts of writing and dancing to be wonderfully inspiring experiences. As a dancer, there were so many times that I really went “into the zone,” and it has been the same in writing. It is such a gift to be involved in creative, life-affirming work and to share it with others.

2. Your previous books have all been YA novels. What led you to writing for adults? What was the process like to switch from one age group to another?

I consider myself an “accidental” author for adults. An author friend who knew I’d been a dancer challenged me to write a short story for Malice Domestic’s anthology, Murder Most Theatrical, which I did. But I felt frustrated that I hadn’t been able to develop the detective’s personal life within the limitations of a short story, so I decided to expand “Missed Cue” into a novel. By the time I was done, the identity of the killer had changed, and it became a much more layered tale.

I was actually a little surprised that it didn’t feel like a huge leap to switch to writing a book for adults. For both young adult and adult fiction, it’s vital to immerse yourself in the heads and emotions of your characters. While teenagers have developmental challenges and struggles, so do adults. We are never fully done with growing up. In Missed Cue, Caitlin has finally gone into therapy to try to figure out why she keeps getting involved with married men. Meantime, her partner at work is trying to drown his troubles in alcohol after his wife leaves him.

3. Your stories are always more than just a murder mystery to solve. What was your motivation to include Caitlin’s questionable romantic situation?

Well, perfect people not only don’t exist, but they’re pretty boring! Caitlin is basically a hard-working and caring but flawed character. Rationally, she knows that getting involved with a married man is unhealthy and wrong, yet she keeps repeating this pattern. As adults, I think we’re often dogged by echoes from our childhood and adolescence, and Caitlin struggles with parental messages she received that have affected her personal life as an adult. 

Caitlin’s extra-marital affair is also an issue in the life of the ballerina whose suspicious death Caitlin is investigating. Like Caitlin, the ballerina has many fine qualities as a person but she, too, is flawed, and was deeply affected by her childhood experiences.

I also wanted to show that it’s possible to grow and change and mature as an adult. By the end of the novel, Caitlin is in a much healthier and more self-aware place. 

4. The story also features Caitlin’s partner, who struggles with alcoholism. What dynamic did you intend to bring with this aspect of the story?

Alcoholism is a disease that has affected several family members and dear friends of mine. Inadvertently, caring bystanders often enable the behavior. Caitlin doesn’t want to rat out her partner whose drinking is out of control, and he nearly dies. I also wanted to portray that while recovery is difficult and often uneven, it’s possible.

5. You went back to school to earn your MFA late in life. What was that experience like, and do you recommend that writers pursue MFA programs?

I had a very positive experience in grad school, and I think our shared interest in growing as writers transcended our age differences. I certainly know tons of wonderful writers who did not earn their MFAs. But for me, I found a wonderful learning community. Our teachers were all multi-published professional writers committed to mentoring aspiring writers. 

I do think it’s important to find a good match. Not all MFA programs are alike. Seton Hill is geared toward novel writing and popular fiction, which was a great fit for me and my interests.

6. I love that this story feels very Agatha Christie-esque and also has less of a thriller aspect. After writing so many books, what have you learned about your writing?

I am above all fascinated by people and their conflicts and struggles—and how their challenges interact and collide with the issues of others in their lives. 

All of my books involve people involved in the arts, because that’s the world I know and feel passionate about. And a theme running throughout is discovering who you are and who you want to become, as well as the importance of finding your tribe and intentional community of support.

I’m also very interested in exploring larger issues through fiction, such as:

• alcoholism in MISSED CUE
• dysfunctional families in DEADLY SETUP
• racism and childhood abandonment in LEISHA’S SONG
• the impact of the death of a favored sibling in IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU
• the destructiveness of family secrets and parental abandonment in WHILE I DANCED.

Finally, I like to leave readers with a sense of hope at the end of my novels that things can get better, and at any age, we can change, grow, and mature.

7. What’s next for you writing-wise?

I’m currently working on another YA coming-of-age romantic mystery, in which the mother of seventeen-year-old Noelle suddenly disappears. The circumstantial evidence points to suicide, but Noelle is convinced her mother was not suicidal and is determined to find out what really happened. Threaded throughout Noelle’s story is the narrative of a young woman two decades earlier whose escape from an abusive marriage turns out to be related to what happened to Noelle’s mom.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Los Angeles, CA – After winning a First Place award in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction for his debut dieselpunk fantasy, “The Sightless City,” (July 20, 2021, Tiny Fox Press), Noah Lemelson is back with the newest, gripping continuation of his  steampunk-apocalyptic-noir trilogy, “The Lioness and the Rat Queen” (August 29, 2023, Tiny Fox Press).

“Sure to entertain any fan of gritty speculative fiction.” 

– Publishers Weekly

A city burning, a murderous tycoon on the run, and three vigilantes out for revenge…

Marcel never thought his investigations would lead to this; his once-friend Lazarus Roache turned slaver and cruel puppet master. For the good of Huile, and to salve his conscience, Marcel must take Roache down, even if that means following him into the desolate and savage reaches of the Wastes.

Yet when winds of the Wastes grind their hopes of justice to dust, the three must make common cause with the hardened “Lioness of Vastium,” a disgraced Principate General who wants Marcel’s head just as much as Roache’s. To survive and take down the tycoon, they must find a way to fight as one–but blood begets blood, and old vendettas cannot stay long buried in the blasted soil of the Wastes.

“The Lioness and the Rat Queen”

Noah Lemelson | August 29, 2023

Tiny Fox Press | Steampunk/Dieselpunk Fantasy

Hardcover | 2370001-690943 | $29.99

Paperback | 978-1946501-53-0  | $17.99

Praise for

The Sightless City

“A gripping mystery with an exceptionally fleshed-out world.”

-Kirkus Reviews

“Take one step into The Sightless City  and you’re pulled into a crackling adventure of intrigue, danger and mystery until the very last page. Lemelson builds an intricate steampunk fantasy world and sets it ablaze with haunting characters and deep moral questions. It’s a thrilling debut!”

-Amanda Silver, writer and producer of Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Jurassic World

“Lemelson melds industrial revolution with powerful magic; and, like all revolutions, this one isn’t a tea party.”

— Dave Higgins, author of Seven Stones: The Complete Series

“Stellar worldbuilding and quick pacing. This is sure to entertain any fan of gritty speculative fiction.”

-Publishers Weekly

“With one foot in the seemingly magical and the other in SF, The Sightless City hits that same sweet spot that Tamsyn Muir mines so successfully in Gideon the Ninth. Lemelson revives and updates the gestures of science fantasy to make it a truly 21st century form. Funny, dark, irreverent, and endlessly entertaining, The Sightless City is a rustpunk wonder and a first-rate debut.”

     — Brian Evanson, award-winning author of Song for the Unraveling of the World and The Warren

“Feast your eyes on Sightless City, a world no one had ever seen until Noah Lemelson transported us to his exotic crossroad of fantasy, dieselpunk, and sci-fi.   It’s a book for all ages: past, present, and future.  At the same time.   Venture inside and this new author will be a part of your future.”

— Gary Goldman, screenwriter of Big Trouble In Little China, Total Recall, Navy Seals

Reviews from Readers

“Noah is an incredible writer. He has done what most sci-fi writers cannot. He wrote a believable sci-fi/fantasy/steampunk/thriller.”

— Anne Hart, Instagram Influencer

“Big fat 5 stars for this book and a massive congratulations to Noah Lemelson for writing an exquisite debut novel.”

— Melina’s Blog, blogger

“A longer read and I finished in just 2 short days.”

— Lost in a Book Erin, Instagram Influencer

“Five stars for this fast-moving, fascinating steampunk/fantasy/mystery adventure! The world building was nearly flawless.”

— Ellen Z Reads, Instagram Influencer

“…Fascinating and engaging read! Don’t miss it!”

— Goodreads reviewer

Noah Lemelson is a short story writer and novelist who lives in LA with his wife and cat. Lover of Science Fiction, Fantasy, New Weird, and Punk. He received his BA in Biology from the University of Chicago in 2014 and received his MFA in Creative Writing from the California Institute of the Arts in 2020. He has had several of his short stories published in both print and online magazines, such as Allegory, Space Squid and the Outsider’s Within Horror Anthology.

Follow Noah Lemelson on social media:

Facebook: @Noah Lemelson | Instagram: @EruditeGoblin

https://www.noahlemelson.com/ 

In an interview, Noah Lemelson can discuss:

• How one’s own flaws allows for deception and control
• The nature of evil, ideological evil vs. pure selfishness
• His unique approach to fantasy with realistic and flawed characters
• How and why he merged the genres he chose
• What’s to come in the world of Huile for the last two installments of his trilogy

An Interview with

Noah Lemelson

1. How did you write the evolution of the story you began in The Sightless City? What inspired the continuation of your characters’ journey?

The story started as one big book, before being split into a trilogy, so I always knew where they were headed. My first vision for this story was these four characters, around a campfire, hunting a single man. A big part of the The Sightless City was setting up our “heroes” (I use the term loosely), explaining their relationship to Lazarus Roache, and laying the groundworks for this haphazard quest for revenge, so it’s fun to finally get to see them making their way (mishaps and all) through the Wastes. On a character level, I was excited to explore Sylvaine’s struggles with her powers, and the possibility of losing them, as well as Marcel wrestling with the moral implications of his past actions, particularly when faced with the titular Lioness and The Rat Queen.

2. How can fiction alter one’s own self narrative?

I think fiction allows us to look at the world through someone else’s eyes, and that’s a skill that can be turned inward. Different perspectives let us realize that the way we think about anything, including ourselves, is just one possibility, not the be-all-end-all truth. We all live in our own stories, partially written by us, partially written by others, while we can’t always control the way we fit into other peoples’ narratives, I think we do have some control on how we tell our own story. Fiction lets us practice that skill.

3. How did you decide to set your story in a steampunk fantasy world against the tumultuous backdrop of a partial apocalypse?

For whatever reason, I find industrial decay to be utterly fascinating, and even beautiful in its own way. I think that’s one reason why places like Chernobyl are so fascinating, places marked by civilization but no longer controlled by it. Traditional fantasy loves its ruined temples and forgotten cities, I think it’s interesting to take those same tropes and bump them up a couple centuries.

4. Could you explain your “realistic” approach to writing magical characters?

Though the term magic is never used in the book (besides once in a derisive aside), several characters have abilities or powers that are… basically magic with a fancy name. It’s a fun fantasy to imagine problems that magic could solve, but I think it’s often more interesting to look at what magic can’t solve. Self-doubt, moral quandaries, societal inequalities, relationship difficulties, magic has its limit. Its like anything else, skills or powers in one part of life don’t necessarily translate to others, and I think many of the most interesting stories about magic characters, be they literal wizards, super-heroes, or realty-defying inventors, is to look at where their magic is no longer enough.

5. What exactly is the Calamity, and how did that event influence the ongoing wars and discrimination throughout the book?

The details of the Calamity aren’t discussed much in the book, but in short it was a massive disaster caused by the misuse of ætheric weaponry that turned a big chunk of the continent into desolate Wastes. It’s one of those events that is so big that it paradoxically just kind of blends into the background. For most people it’s just a fact of history, an explanation for a reality that is their mundanity. Yet, like most facts of history, it can be trotted out to win political debate, or to excuse terrible acts. The Calamity is always someone else’s fault, an everlasting causa belli, a parable to support whatever argument is currently being made.

6. What inspired you to create this world?

Honestly I always loved the expanded universes for other novels, games, movies, and a not small part of my motivation came from a desire to have a world of my own, where my imagination wasn’t bound by what other people already wrote. As for why it became what it became, that’s a harder question to answer. I’ll say this, it started with the Wastes, and worked its way out.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

“A spell-binding mix of magic, myth, and mystery.” — Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of “Wilder Girls”

Stanford, CA – Ava Reid, author of the instant Indies and Sunday Times bestseller “Wolf and the Woodsman,” and the CALIBA Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award-winning “Juniper and Thorn,” returns with her YA debut, “A Study in Drowning” (HarperTeen, September 19, 2023). Sharply written and hauntingly beautiful, this dark academia, enemies-to-lovers tale will immediately enrapture readers. 

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Since childhood, she’s been haunted by visions of the Fairy King. She’s found solace only in the pages of “Angharad,” author Emrys Myrddin’s beloved epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, and then destroys him. Effy’s copy is all that’s keeping her afloat through her stifling first term at Llyr’s prestigious architecture college. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to design the late author’s house, Effy feels certain this is her destiny. 

But Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task: a musty, decrepit estate on the brink of crumbling into a hungry sea. And when Effy arrives, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s made a temporary home there. Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar, is studying Myrddin’s papers and is determined to prove her favorite author is a fraud.

As the two rival students investigate the reclusive author’s legacy, piecing together clues through his letters, books, and diaries, they discover that the house’s foundation isn’t the only thing that can’t be trusted. There are dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspiring against them – and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

“A Study in Drowning”

Ava Reid | September 19, 2023 | HarperTeen | YA Fantasy 

Print | 9780063211506 | $19.99 | Ebook | 9780063211520 | $10.99

Audiobook | 9780063211537 | $27.99

AVA REID is the award-winning, internationally bestselling author of critically acclaimed adult fantasies “Juniper & Thorn” and “The Wolf and the Woodsman,” as well as the forthcoming “A Study in Drowning,” her young adult debut. 

After obtaining her degree in political science from Barnard College, she moved to Palo Alto, where she continues to haunt university libraries. For more information check out Ava’s website.

Follow Ava on social media: TikTok | Instagram

In an interview, Ava Reid can discuss:

• Why exploring complex topics such as mental illness, abuse, and trauma are important themes in young adult novels 
• Why writing nuanced depictions of survivors of sexual assault is necessary
  • Previous experiences publishing a book with similar subject matter in an age of book bans and increasingly dangerous puritanical politics  
• The overarching themes in her two adult novels and first young adult novel 
  • Stories within stories, mythology, and monsters–both human and not
• The history, literature, and culture that inspired “A Study in Drowning,” 
  • The real-life authors–and the women in their lives who have been marginalized and forgotten
• How politics and history have influenced Ava’s writing across all of her novels 
  • Nationalism and identity and recurring themes throughout all three books
• How and why she honors escapism through literature in “A Study in Drowning”
  • “A Study in Drowning” was written as a tribute to readers–particularly young female readers–who find solace and hope through books 

Advanced praise for “A Study in Drowning”

“Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page. A spell-binding mix of magic, myth, and mystery.” — Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls

“Haunting and elegantly rendered, A Study in Drowning is a lyrical examination of stories told, cherished myths, and an unraveling of truths held dear. Darkly romantic and unsettlingly eerie.”  — Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows and Small Favors

“A Study in Drowning is everything: a dark fairy tale, a tender romance, a haunting historical mystery, and a quietly furious tribute to the people whose stories have been stolen from them. I absolutely loved it.” – Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Once and Future Witches

“Piling invention upon invention, Reid conjures a bleached-bone jewel box of a tale, full of strange treasures and captured bits of dangerous lore. A Study in Drowning is as merciless as a rising tide and as beguiling as a fairy’s bargain.” – Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

Praise for “Juniper & Thorn”

*Most Anticipated by: Tor, Goodreads, Buzzfeed, Gizmodo, Bustle, Paste Magazine, and LitHub* *An Indie Next Pick* *A Barnes & Noble Speculative Fiction Pick* 

“This riveting, atmospheric dark fantasy unflinchingly explores the disturbing roots of classic fairy tales.” — Buzzfeed

“Haunting and great.” — Paste Magazine

“Juniper & Thorn is one of my favorite books of the year and I know I’m not alone in that sentiment. Reader after reader has found something in this book that rings true to their heart, resonates with their experience.” — Tor.com

★ “Reid fully embraces the darkness of the original tale while adding enough twists to make the story her own. Grimms’ fairy tale fans—and those who like their fairy tales grim—will be thrilled.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ “Juniper & Thorn is as lovely as it is gruesome…Reid twists the familiar magic of fairy tales into gothic horror, telling a powerful story of surviving trauma that doesn’t shy away from its ugliness…. Reid’s intimate, visceral storytelling, veering at times into body horror, may make this a hard read for some; others will find themselves reflected in its pages with nuanced understanding.” — Booklist (starred review)

★ “Sweeping, emotional descriptions and scenes of tightly wound suspense brings to mind both Eastern European ballet classics such as Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” and Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and gothic horror like Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House—a juxtaposition that makes Juniper & Thorn an utterly compelling read.”  — BookPage (starred review)

An Interview with

Ava Reid

This is your debut young adult novel, what themes are consistent in “A Study in Drowning” that can also be found in your previous adult novels “Juniper & Thorn” and “The Wolf and the Woodsman?” 

I am always very interested in the deconstruction of fairy tales, the relationship between folklore and nationalism, and the role of stories in shaping identity on both the personal and political level. If The Wolf and the Woodsman is about the pain of being excluded from the narrative, and Juniper & Thorn is about the pain of being forced into a narrative against your will, then A Study in Drowning is about crafting an intricate, epic narrative of your own, in order to protect yourself from the pain of life’s daily, banal cruelties. 

How did the anti-Stratfordian theory inspire you to write “A Study in Drowning?” 

Anti-Stratfordian theory is the hypothesis that William Shakespeare was not the author of the works attributed to him, and that perhaps he did not even exist at all. Though this theory is widely discredited in modern academia, historically, it was given great weight by many influential figures, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and more. It was a fraught and complex issue: people dug up graves and invented whole cipher machines to try and prove it; many of the arguments against Shakespeare were rooted in classism and monarchism. As an ardent fan of Shakespeare, I wanted to create a literary figure that mirrored Shakespeare’s role in Western cultural imagination–he is more than a man; he is almost mythic, and if he were indeed discovered to be a fraud, it would be a devastating blow to English national identity, to the scholars who have dedicated themselves to his life and work, and to all of the people who have felt understood and impassioned by his writing. 

Why do you feel so passionately about representing a nuanced range of victimhood, particularly in young adult novels? 

My experiences in publishing Juniper & Thorn have taught me how deeply and mercilessly stigmatized the topic of child sexual abuse is in literature, that even in an adult horror novel replete with cannibalism, body horror, and other ghoulish acts of violence, the depiction of sexual abuse was what ignited outrage and controversy. It’s upsetting to see the world of literature–where we are supposed to take risks, start conversations, and experience catharsis–have such a puritanical and close-minded reaction to this topic. In YA in particular, we acknowledge how important it is for young, marginalized readers to see themselves and their experiences reflected in books. The vulnerable, courageous teenager survivors of sexual abuse deserve to see themselves reflected with humanity and nuance. Exploring the complex range of victimhood allows us to expand our empathy, and to continue creating meaningful, cathartic, boundary-pushing art. 

How do politics and history play a role in your writing, especially when it comes to worldbuilding and character development? 

All of my books are set in times and places that have real historical analogues–for A Study in Drowning, it’s mid-century England and Wales, where the role of women in society was changing rapidly and dramatically, and institutional sexism began to assert itself in new, often sharper ways. The rigid class system was also, to some extent, breaking down. Effy belongs to a generation who were the first women to attend university–all upper class women, of course, and Effy very much has class privilege, although she is still enormously disadvantaged on the basis of her sex. Also apparent is the enduring legacy of English colonialism, and Wales still chafing under its rule. This was incredibly fertile ground for exploring issues of gender equality, classism, cultural imperialism, and how all of this looks when refracted through the lens of academia. 

What is your perspective on academic culture and how did that perspective inform the plot of “A Study in Drowning?” 

My partner is an academic (a classicist), and over the course of our relationship I’ve lived at Columbia, Cambridge, and, currently, Stanford as he works on his various degrees. Because of this, I’ve occupied a strange position in academia–proximate but not fully embraced. My undergraduate experience was also very unique: I attended Barnard, which is the women’s college of Columbia University–until 1983, it was the only way for women to get an Ivy League education in New York City. Even now, when things are ostensibly equitable, within the larger university Barnard students are both openly and subtly denigrated, seen as less competent and less worthy. Additionally, I chose a degree and a specialty that is male-dominated. Ultimately this all coalesced into a feeling of belittlement and perennial outsider status, which is very much how Effy experiences academia, as well. 

What is next for you in your writing career? 

Up next is my newest adult book, Lady Makbeth. It’s a historical fantasy novel pitched as Circe meets Wolf Hall, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s play where Lady Macbeth is given a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her. It’s out next summer, August 2024.

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Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.

Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

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