Author: Marissa DeCuir

CHARLESTON, SC – After volunteering at the Charleston Fire Dept., Wendy Gee was inspired to write “Fleet Landing” a gripping mystery novel about a team dedicated to stopping a rogue arsonist.

In the book, ATF Special Agent Cooper “Coop” Bellamy’s rigid adherence to rules has left his relationship with his 11-year-old daughter in ashes. When Charleston’s fire chief calls him to investigate a series of mysterious nuisance fires ravaging the city, Coop sees a chance to redeem himself as a father and catch a dangerous arsonist. But as the fires turn deadly, he finds himself torn between family and duty.

Enter tenacious TV reporter Sydney Quinn, whose pursuit of justice for a man wrongly convicted of arson puts her on a collision course with a sinister figure known only as the Falcon. After uncovering a decades-old conspiracy, she receives a chilling warning to back off.

Forced to work together, Coop and Sydney must navigate a labyrinth of lies and corruption. Their investigation ignites a powder keg of danger, testing Coop’s ironclad principles and Sydney’s journalistic integrity. With time running out and lives on the line, the duo must fight to extinguish the threat before everything they love goes up in smoke.

“Fleet Landing”

Wendy Gee | June 10, 2025 | BooksFluent | Fiction, Mystery

Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-953865-87-8 | $15.99

Ebook | ISBN: 978-1-953865-88-5 | $6.99

WENDY GEE: After a successful career in the U.S. Navy, Wendy Gee now channels her boundless energy into community volunteering, leaving no stone unturned—or unpainted—at the Charleston Fire Department, Friends of the Lewes Public Library Board of Directors, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, University of Arizona, Naval War College, and Old Dominion University, Wendy combines her academic prowess and life experiences into her writing.

Residing in Lewes, DE, she is an avid golfer, a diehard Detroit Tigers and Lions fan (even when they’re not winning, but so excited when they are), and a pickleball enthusiast who’s always ready to serve up some fun. Her work has been shortlisted with Killer Nashville and the Writer’s League of Texas. And as a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime, Wendy’s passion for the mystery genre is no secret—though she might leave a few clues lying around just for fun. Learn more at: www.wendygeeauthor.com 

In an interview, Wendy Gee can discuss:

• How her volunteer work with the Charleston Fire Department led her to writing her debut novel
• What it takes to be a firefighter, and the surprising true stories she witnessed at the station
• What drew her to the mystery genre, and how she crafts suspenseful stories based in part on the everyday lives of firefighters
• What her plans are for the Carolina Crossfire series moving forward

An Interview with Wendy Gee

1. How did you get involved with the Charleston Fire Department?

Back in the day, my neighbor was the CFD Fire Marshal, and he was practically a celebrity—always in the news. Curious about his division’s many challenges and adventures, I offered to help out as a volunteer. Little did I know, I’d end up writing about their tales. I didn’t think of myself as a writer back then, but those stories were so colorful, I had to put them on paper.

2. What was the inspiration behind “Fleet Landing”?

The story is loosely based on an actual series of unsolved fires and the true story of a man released after spending more than four decades in prison for a fire he didn’t commit. When those narratives were woven together, the combination resulted in what I hope is a compelling story.

3. What is your writing process like?

I start with the crime I’ll be working through–which is tangential to the “murder(s).” That leads me to researching, headline ripping, then mashing things all together into an amalgam that I hope will capture people’s imagination.

4. What drew you to the mystery genre? What writers inspire you?

I have always enjoyed the twists and turns of a well-conceived story. I try to figure things out ahead of the story’s investigator, but am completely satisfied when the author makes a final tug of the rug. I love Robert Crais, Janet Evonovich, Karin Slaughter–just to name a few of the brightest stars.

5. What’s next? Can readers expect to see more of Coop in the future?

Coop will reappear. But Sydney takes the lead in Book 2 solving a high-stakes cybercrime. And Dino takes charge of Book 3 as we delve into his origins as a police officer.

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/

TORONTO – Since the Age of Enlightenment, Black bodies have been sites of trauma. Drawing on anti-colonial theory, “From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter” interrogates how this has shaped understandings of Black life, Black trauma and Black responses to trauma within psychiatry and other mental health professions. 

Focusing on the impact of racism on the mental health of Black communities in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S., author Ingrid R.G. Waldron examines the structural inequities that have contributed to the legacy of racial trauma in Black communities. Drawing on existing literature, as well as the voices of Black Canadians who participated in recent studies conducted by the author, Waldron uses an intersectional analysis to pinpoint how the intersections of race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age and citizenship status shape experiences of racial trauma, mental illness and help-seeking in Black communities. Tracing the ideological representations of Black people within psychiatric and other mental health institutions that influence the diagnoses applied to them, chapters also highlight the beliefs and perceptions Black communities hold about mental health and help-seeking. 

A timely challenge to the colonial and imperial legacy of psychiatry, “From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter” demonstrates how the politics of race and psychiatric diagnosis collide when diagnosing Black people and what this means for our current public health crisis.

“From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter”

Ingrid R.G. Waldron | Nov. 25, 2024 | Emerald Publishing 

Race and Ethnic Studies / Discrimination and Racism / Mental Health 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University. Her research focuses on the health and mental health impacts of racism and other forms of discrimination in Black and other racialized communities, including environmental and climate justice in Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities, including mental illness, dementia, cancer, COVID-19, as well as the health and mental health effects of environmental racism and climate change injustices. Waldron is the author of the book “There’s Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities,” which was turned into a 2020 Netflix documentary of the same name and was co-produced by Waldron, actor Elliot Page, and Ian Daniel. She is the founder and Director of the Environmental Noxiousness, Racial Inequities and Community Health Project (The ENRICH Project) and helped develop the federal private members bill a National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice (Bill C-226). Bill C-226 was approved at the Senate on June 13, 2024, and given royal assent on June 20, 2024, becoming the first environmental justice law in Canada. Dr. Waldron’s book, “From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter: Tracing the Impacts of Racial Trauma in Black Communities from the Colonial Era to the Present,” was published on November 25, 2024. It traces experiences of racial trauma in Black communities in Canada, the US and the UK from the colonial era to the present.

Follow Ingrid R.G. Waldron on Twitter (X) @ingrid_waldron

PRAISE FOR INGRID R.G. WALDRON

“This book is illuminating and groundbreaking in many ways for its examination of how anti-Black racism and the interstices of identities contribute to the legacy of racial trauma in Black communities in Canada, the US, and the UK. Its comparative edge makes the book a must read for all interested in fighting anti-Blackness in Black health, racial trauma and beyond. By tracing perceptions of the Black body in the field of psychiatry, and how these perceptions have informed diagnosis and treatment from the colonial era to the present, readers get new exposures. The book drives home much-needed considerations to be had and actions to be taken to address racial trauma and mental illness in Black communities in Canada, the US and the UK.” — George J. Sefa Dei, Professor of Social Justice Education & Director Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies, OISE, University of Toronto

“Ingrid R.G. Waldron has done something truly remarkable: authored a definitive exploration of the effects of racism on Black mental health. From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter is a powerful, systematic and wholly convincing account of racial trauma – and of the mental and physical effects and consequences that Black and other racialized people experience after being exposed to racism. The book represents a brilliant summation of the strengths and limitations of our efforts to intervene to arrest racism’s searing psychological effects. This is required reading for anyone who wants to learn more about how the crimes of past shape the psyches of the future; and about what we can do to start the process of making things right.” — Jonathan M. Metzl, author of “What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms”

In an interview, Ingrid R.G. Waldron can discuss:

• Foundations of racial trauma in psychiatry – The late 19th-century debate on the supposed absence of “madness” among non-White populations reinforced harmful stereotypes about Black resilience and immunity to pain.
• Racial trauma and mental illness – Systemic racism significantly contributes to poorer mental and physical health outcomes in racialized communities. 
• The role of psychiatry in upholding racial inequities – Psychiatry has historically framed Western culture as superior, marginalizing non-Western understandings of mental health.
• The racialization of psychiatric diagnoses – Black individuals face higher rates of involuntary hospitalization due to systemic biases in healthcare and policing. 
• Black Lives Matter and the public health crisis of racism – The social determinants of health, such as employment, housing, and policing, contribute to racial trauma. 
• Mental health perceptions and help-seeking in Black communities – Historical, social, and cultural beliefs influence how Black individuals perceive and seek help for mental illness.
• Strategies for decolonizing mental health – Addressing racial trauma requires a multilevel approach, involving systemic reform, cultural shifts, and grassroots advocacy 

An Interview with Ingrid R.G. Waldron

1. What drew you to investigating the history of racism in psychiatry? 

I first began investigating the history of racism in psychiatry back in 1998 when I was doing my PhD. My PhD thesis focused on Black women’s experiences with mental illness and help-seeking, and as I continued conducting a literature review on that topic I started to encounter articles on the history of racism in psychiatry, which I found to be fascinating and relevant to my doctoral work. I decided to include that information in my new book because it provided a needed historical perspective on the mental health system and the racism that can be imbued within it.

2. How has historic bias in mental healthcare shaped the diagnosis and treatment of Black patients? How does that differ from how white people are treated and diagnosed? 

The biases, stigma, prejudice and racism that Black people faced during and since the colonial era, and in particular during the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution, has informed how Black patients are perceived, assessed, diagnosed and treated within the mental health system. The diagnoses that are applied to Black people  are often aligned with characterizations of Black people as pathological, dangerous, violent.

3. What patterns did you notice in comparing how racism affects Black mental health in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom? What were some similarities and differences of note?

While we are more likely to see instances of direct and overt forms of racism in the U.S. than in Canada and the U.K., I believe experiences of systemic racism are similar in all three countries. The impacts on mental health will also be similar, but since there are less studies on this topic in Canada than in the U.S. and the U.K., it is difficult to say.

4. How has everyday racism and historical oppression contributed to psychological distress in Black communities? How does this manifest? Can you draw a connection from historical oppression to modern psychological distress?

Everyday racism is embedded within all our social structures – from education to the criminal justice system, employment, labour, public infrastructure, and environment. Decisions and policies are developed by policy makers and decision makers within the social structures, and those decisions and policies are often informed by racist ideologies or they exclude the needs of Black and other racialized peoples. I often say that racism gets written into policies in ways that harm racialized people in their everyday lives. 

5. What does it mean to decolonize mental health? What steps can professionals, institutions and policymakers take to make mental health care more equitable?

If we understand that the mental health system, just like the education system and other systems, is a colonial institution that centers whiteness and Euro-Western thought in programs, policies and practices, then we can better understand what it means to decolonize mental health. In my book, I offer a multilevel analysis for decolonizing mental health where the needs of Black and other racially diverse communities are more strongly considered in health education, clinical services, clinical programs and policy. 

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/

Palo Alto, CA – Debut author J. E. Weiner pens “The Wretched and Undone” (History Through Fiction, March 18th, 2025). A Killer Nashville Top Pick for 2024 and Claymore Award Finalist for Best Southern Gothic. 

This captivating saga blends real historical events with fiction as Weiner draws from her lived experiences with the supernatural in the Texas Hill Country. “The Wretched and Undone” offers a fresh take on Southern Gothic with a unique and genre-bending dash of Texas Noir and the traditional Western – genres traditionally dominated by male authors – lifting up voices silenced and lessons still not learned. 

On the eve of the Civil War, Polish immigrants Marcin and Agnieszka Anderwald arrive in Bandera, Texas, seeking a fresh start in a new land of faith, fertile soil, and freedom. But their dreams quickly become nightmares when Marcin provokes a sinister specter hell-bent on revenge. A battle ensues for the hearts, minds, and souls of the Anderwalds and their extended family of immigrant outcasts, Arab camel wranglers, wounded warriors, and a songstress on the verge of madness. As the generations unfold, each faces its own harrowing ordeal against unrelenting evil. Will the Anderwalds break free or remain forever wretched and undone? 

“A genre-bending thrill ride through Old Texas. Once in a while, a book catches you off guard with its depth, innovation, and storytelling. This is that book.” 

– CJ Howell, author of The Salt Cutter

“The Wretched and Undone”

J.E. Weiner | March 18, 2025 | History Through Fiction 

Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic

Hardcover | 978-1963452105 | $33.95

 Paperback | 978-1963452112 | $19.95

Ebook | 978-1963452129 | $9.99

J.E. Weiner is a writer and novelist based in Northern California. Her debut novel, “The Wretched and Undone”, is a searing and genre-bending Southern Gothic tale set in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and inspired by real people and actual events. The book manuscript was named a Killer Nashville Top Pick for 2024 and a Claymore Award Finalist for Best Southern Gothic. 

Weiner’s previous work has appeared in the literary journals Madcap Review, Five Minutes, HerStry, and Chicago Story Press, as well as the recent grit-lit anthology “Red-Headed Writing” (Cowboy Jamboree Press, 2024). Weiner is a founding member of the Pacific Coast Writers Collective, and while living and writing in blissful exile on the West Coast, her heart remains bound to her childhood home, the Great State of Texas. Learn more about J. E. and her writing at her website. 

Follow J. E. Weiner on social media:

Facebook: @J.E.Weiner  | Instagram: @jeweinerauthor 

Advanced Praise for “The Wretched and Undone”

“A tale from a promising writer that grabs readers from the very first line!” – Kirkus Reviews

“A compelling, slow-burning horror story of a cursed family, haunted across the generations…The author takes her time, building the suspense with an Old Testament sense of inevitable damnation while masterfully pulling from the rich and violent history of Texas and its immigrant settlers…”

– Jim Nesbitt, author of the award-winning Ed Earl Burch hard-boiled Texas crime thrillers

“A grand saga of a novel by J.E. Weiner, “The Wretched and Undone” is set in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and, although a deftly crafted work of historical fiction, was inspired by real people and historical events. Author J.E. Weiner’s singularly effective and distinctive storytelling style has created an inherently fascinating and entertaining read from start to finish. One that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book is finished and set back upon the shelf.” 

– Midwest Book Review 

In an interview, J. E. Weiner can discuss:

• The real-life experiences with the supernatural propelled her to write this gripping Southern Gothic novel
• How the story engages the universal themes of family, faith, grief, forgiveness, hope, and the resilience but not infallibility of the human spirit
• How her debut is one of few books that blends Southern Gothic, Texas Noir and Western genres, genres long dominated by male authors such as Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, and most recently Taylor Sheridan 
• How immersing herself in history, particularly in Bandera, Texas, helped her craft the plot for “The Wretched and Undone” 
• The “trope-defying” aspects of the novel: a unique spin on the traditional Western with paranormal elements and the commentary on societal disenfranchisement of the period 
• How the novel embraces an “on the nose” style that delves into tough truths about dark and morally ambiguous times in Texas and US history
• The role music, and specifically the history of country music plays as a backdrop to the story
• How her training as a historian shaped her approach to background research for the novel, including the adaptation of family and oral histories for historical fiction writing

An Interview with J.E. Weiner

1. Tell us a bit more about the personal experiences that inspired “The Wretched and Undone.” Is there an autobiographical element to the story? 

All stories are autobiographical in some way, and this novel is no exception. Many of the characters in the book are drawn from historical records, memoirs, and family oral histories, but it was one particular story that surfaced from multiple sources that inspired “The Wretched and Undone.” Several witnesses described strange encounters with a mysterious woman in white on an old cattle ranch near Bandera, Texas. 

2. The presence of ghosts haunts the Anderwald family. What do you think the “ghosts” might represent in the broader context of history, and do you believe in ghosts? 

The ghosts of “The Wretched and Undone” are the manifestation of each character’s struggle to navigate love and loss, sin and redemption, good and evil, and faith and loss of faith. So, too, are the demons. But they also represent the enduring and universal human condition and the resiliency of the human spirit in this world and beyond. Do I believe in ghosts? Though I am trained as a historian, attuned to the critical power of facts and data, and a bit of a skeptic, I cannot discount the experiences of those I know, trust, and respect, or my own personal encounters with the seemingly unexplainable. So, my answer: I absolutely, one hundred percent believe in ghosts.

3. What about Bandera and the Texas Hill Country compelled you to write this story? 

The ghost on that old ranch down along the Medina River drew me to this story, and the ruggedly beautiful topography of the Texas Hill Country drew me to the place, but it was the complex and fascinating history of Bandera and the region that consumed my imagination as both a historian and a writer. The intrepid pioneers who crossed the Atlantic on a cramped steamship and made their way over 300 miles by oxcart from the Port of Galveston to Bandera on the eve of the American Civil War had no idea what hardship awaited them at a tough and morally ambiguous crossroads in the history of Texas and the United States. They persevered over the generations, loyal to their families, faith, and land, often at their own peril. And the history of the self-proclaimed “Cowboy Capital of the World” is as quirky and funny as it is tragic. The story of Bandera is a quintessential American tale.

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/

SEATTLE, WA – Who says a prince is needed to save the day? Certainly not debut author Deb Miller. In her bold and empowering memoir, “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness” (She Writes Press, June 24, 2025), Miller flips the script on outdated princess narratives and proves that real-life happiness is not about finding a prince—it’s about finding ourselves. 

Once upon a time, women were sold the idea that love and fulfillment came neatly packaged with a white horse and a glass slipper. But what happens when the fairy tale doesn’t deliver? Miller’s journey—at times raw, funny and deeply relatable—challenges the old script and offers a refreshing perspective: women can be the heroes of their own stories.

Through poignant personal revelations and a witty, insightful examination of how Disney princesses have evolved from helpless damsels to fierce, independent warriors, Miller encourages women to break free from limiting beliefs and build a life that is truly their own. With resilience, grit, and a little bit of magic (the real kind—the one that comes from within), she proves that the best happily-ever-afters are the ones we create for ourselves.

“Despite being taught to believe in princes on white horses saving the day, Deb Miller manages to teach herself (and her readers) to ride her own horse. With character and strength, Deb breaks out of tired traditions while embracing a very important one: motherhood. An inspiring read!”

– Brenda Chapman, writer/director of Disney/Pixar’s BRAVE

“Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness”

Deb Miller | June 24, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir, Inspirational 

Paperback | 978-1-64742-922-5 | $17.99 

Ebook | 978-1-64742-923-2 | $12.99 

About the Author

DEB MILLER’S life is a tapestry of adventure and achievement, weaving together experiences from her small-town Indiana roots to business opportunities across the globe. Her job as a hardworking Fortune 500 executive led to rappelling the Great Wall and riding elephants in India, all while remaining a devoted mom. Now a part-time marketing professor, Dr. Miller cherishes the opportunity to learn from her global students as well as her beloved children and grandchildren. Deb resides in an enchanted forest outside of Seattle, where the landscaping projects are endless and enjoyable. Find out more about Deb and the book at https://forgetthefairytale.net/ 

Follow Deb Miller on social media:

Facebook: @Forget-the-Fairy-Tale-and-Find-Your-Happiness 

Instagram: @forget_the_fairy_tale 

Goodreads: @Deb_Miller

“Pure magic! Deb Miller’s story is proof that we live our best lives when we refuse to settle for less than we deserve. Inspiring and powerful; every woman should read this.”

– Jill Zarin, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and original cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City

Early Praise for “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness”

“Deb Miller cleverly examines her relationships and experiences through the lens of lore of the ubiquitous princess fairy tale, ultimately encouraging readers to  embrace a happy ending that might not look like the one they expected.” 

– Emily Zemler, author of Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara

“Forget the Fairy Tale & Find Your Happiness is a hopeful memoir about claiming ownership over one’s life.” 

– Forward Clarion Reviews

“In Miller’s inspiring account of finding happiness outside of societal expectations, she reminds readers—and herself—that ‘my happiness is up to me.’” 

– BookLife 

In an interview, Deb Miller can discuss:

• Happily Ever After On Your Own Terms – The book encourages women to break free from societal expectations and discover their own paths to happiness, rather than waiting for external validation or a “Prince Charming” to define their future
• Self-Discovery – Drawing from the author’s hard earned lessons on resilience and reinvention, the book shows how women of all ages can reflect on their lives, learn from their experiences, and embrace the joy in creating and living your best life, refusing to settle for less than you deserve
• Ditching the Damsel Act – A critique of traditional princess narratives, the book highlights how modern women don’t have to wait to be rescued, the shift from passive princesses to powerful protagonists, and showcasing how fulfilling it is to be the author of your own story
• Wisdom Across Generations – By blending personal anecdotes as a mother and executive with evolving roles of women in pop culture, Miller explores how shifting expectations have shaped our paths—and how today’s women can take control—the ultimate power move
• Your Happiness, Your Rules – Miller’s memoir reminds women that they don’t have to wait for permission or for another person to make them happy, and is a rallying cry for women to step into their power, embrace independence, and unapologetically pursue the happiness they deserve

An Interview with Deb Miller

1. Your memoir is structured around Disney princess narratives. What inspired that creative choice?

My personal transformation story seemed to mirror the cultural shift affecting the lives of women everywhere. The ’70s and ’80s feminist movement cracked the glass slipper ceiling, reshaping societal expectations around gender equality, sexual freedom, and career ambitions. These were complex themes, and I needed a framework to make them both relatable and engaging. I recalled Peggy Orenstein’s provocative New York Times article, “What’s Wrong with Cinderella?” and had an epiphany: What could be more universal than Disney?

2. What was on your writing playlist? Did any Disney songs fuel your journey?

All of them. Imagine the most magical earworm. From “A Whole New World” to “Let It Go,” I couldn’t get the princess songs out of my head and even imagined key scenes that I was writing being portrayed in a Broadway musical – with Disney tunes. I have a vivid imagination. You’ll find my chapter-by-chapter playlist on the book’s website as a giveaway.

3. If readers take away just one thing from your book, what do you hope it is?

The title says it all. If you can Forget the Fairy Tale then, you can Find Your Happiness. As one author said about the book, “It’s a modern-day fairy tale that will empower little girls for generations to come.”

4. As a kid, did you have a favorite Disney princess? Which one resonates with you most now?

I loved the live action Cinderella on tv by Rodgers & Hammerstein, but I thought the early Disney princesses were boring. Then, I watched Disney’s revival of the franchise with my daughters as the characters became more adventurous with Ariel, Belle and Jasmine. The other day, my 5- year-old granddaughter, who already knows every Disney movie and song by heart, asked me about my favorite princess. My response to her was I like the three whose names begin with M: Mulan, Merida, and Moana – because they are warrior princesses.

5. You say that happiness isn’t a destination, it’s a practice. How do you actively cultivate joy in your own life today?

I do what brings me joy, plain and simple. A good night’s sleep. Beautiful sunsets. Listening to birdsong. Instead of rushing through life, I sip tea at my kitchen table in the morning, not gulp it down in the car during a stressful commute. After visiting nearly 50 countries as a corporate executive, I’ve shifted gears and set my sights on exploring every national park. I’ve had the time to earn a doctorate, write a book, and truly enjoy the process. Living in an enchanted forest, you’ll find me outside on my John Deere tractor or chasing after my energetic Auggie. Best of all, I have more time to spend with my kids and hugging my grandkids. This, to me, is happiness.

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/

“[Naomi’s] voice and her convictions are clear. Her growth from passivity to activism to realizing some hard truths about growing up is especially striking, amid other outstanding characterizations.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia – Pamela N. Harris, award winning author of “When You Look Like Us” returns with the release of “This Town Is On Fire” (June 20, 2023, HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books). Sharply written, this YA thriller tells the story of what happens when the latest internet “Karen” happens to be your best friend. 

A lot is up in the air in Naomi Henry’s life: her spot as a varsity cheer flier, her classmates’ reaction to the debut of her natural hair and her crush on the guy who’s always been like a brother to her. With so much uncertainty, she feels lucky to have a best friend like Kylie to keep her grounded. After all, they’re practically sisters — Naomi’s mom took care of Kylie and her twin brother for years.

But then a video of Kylie calling the cops on two Black teens in a shopping store parking lot goes viral. Naomi is shaken, and her town is reeling from the publicity. While Naomi tries to reckon with Kylie, the other Black students in their high school are questioning their friendship, and her former friends are wondering where this new “woke” Naomi came from. Although Naomi wants to stand by her best friend, she now can’t help but see everything in a different light.

As tensions in her town escalate, Naomi finds herself engaging in protests that are on the cusp of being illegal. And then a bomb explodes, and someone is found dead. Will Naomi be caught in the center of the blast? 

Golden Kite Award winner Harris has crafted a taut novel that delves into big issues, and is the perfect next read for fans of “I’m Not Dying with You Tonight” and “The Black Kids.”

Advanced praise for “This Town Is On Fire”

“By highlighting issues of economic disparity, racism, and white privilege, Harris weaves a nuanced social narrative in which a Black teenager is forced to reckon with her white best friend’s racist actions. Complex.”  — Publishers Weekly

“A critical approach to coming-of-age into Black adolescence. Explosive.” — Kirkus Reviews

‘Nuanced and realistic. An important addition to high school and teen collections; hand to readers who have read I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal, The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed, and Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne.’ — School Library Journal

Praise for “When You Look Like Us”

“A high-speed story that will draw teens in and keep them turning pages until they reach the unpredictable and thrilling ending. A must for YA collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“A powerful story about misperceptions, reality, and the lives lived in between.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“[A] poignant debut novel. Harris creates a vividly drawn world, a rich cast of characters, and an authentic neighborhood.” — Booklist

“Harris unapologetically gives voice to the grief that a community can feel when the law fails them, as well as their need to, instead, rely on the hope, love, and power they bring to one another. The strength and endurance of the Black family reverberate throughout this achingly honest debut.” — Publishers Weekly

“This Town is On Fire”

Pamela N. Harris | June 20, 2023 | HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books | YA Thiller/Mystery

Ebook, 9780063212640, $7.99 | Hardcover, 9780063212626, $19.99

PAMELA N. HARRIS was born and somewhat raised in Newport News, Virginia — also affectionately known as “Bad News.” A former school counselor by day, she received her BA in English and a master’s in school counseling at Old Dominion University, her MFA in creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision at William and Mary. When she isn’t writing, Harris is re-watching Leonardo DiCaprio movies, playing with her two kiddos and pretending to enjoy exercising. 

“When You Look Like Us,” an Odyssey Award winner for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Young Adults, as well as a finalist for SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction, an NAACP Image Award nominee (2022) for Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens, and a 2022 Edgar Award nominee for Best Young Adult novel, is Harris’ debut novel. Harris’ second young adult novel, “This Town is on Fire,” is out now. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. Find out more about her at pamharriswrites.com.

Follow Pamela Harris on social media:

Instagram: @pamharriswrites | Threads: @pamharriswrites 

In an interview, Pamela Harris can discuss:

• How viral videos during the pandemic inspired the plot for the story
• Harris’ background as a school counselor and her desire to understand how scandal would affect her students and their friendships
• The consequences of viral moments, particularly the exposure of casual racism and its ripple effects on personal relationships and community dynamics
• The intersection of friendship and privilege as Naomi navigates her friendship with Kylie while grappling with the implications of White privilege and systemic racism
• Naomi’s coming-of-age story in a racially charged climate, her place in a polarized community, and how that reflects the complexities of growing up as a Black teenager in America today
• The novel’s unflinching look at economic disparity, White privilege and allyship
• How the book will appeal to fans of contemporary YA with social impact themes like “I’m Not Dying with You Tonight” by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal or “The Black Kids” by Christina Hammonds Reed

An interview with Pamela Harris

1. Where did you get the idea for the novel? 

“This Town is on Fire” came to me during the pandemic. Like most of us, I was stuck at home and exposed to a lot of social media that illustrated some of the racial tension in the U.S. This was the rise of the “Karens” — or White women who tended to call the cops on Black individuals for doing everyday things while Black, such as grilling, birdwatching or camping. As I watched these viral videos, I asked myself: What would I do if I were a teen and my White best friend became the next viral “Karen”?

2. How did your work as a school counselor influence the story?

For seven years, I worked as a school counselor in a small rural county in Virginia. The dynamics between the school and community fascinated me. Everyone was super close-knit, and I had to earn their trust before I was accepted. Even more fascinating were the subtle (and sometimes blatant) displays of racism that didn’t seem to shock or bother the Black people who lived there. I just knew I had to write about this juxtaposition, as I’m sure it exists within other communities as well.

3. How did you create your characters Naomi and Kylie?

As a former military brat, I was often the new girl in school. I’ve always noticed that White girls would befriend me quicker than the Black girls — and once I became friends with the former group, the Black kids mostly left me alone. It was almost as though I had chosen a side. Eventually, I was able to establish friendships with peers from all kinds of backgrounds, but that initial isolation always stung. I wanted to explore this with Naomi and Kylie, two best friends who grew up as sisters despite their racial differences. This dynamic is especially poignant now in today’s social climate.

4. Do you think it’s possible to have healthy relationships outside your race/ethnicity?

It’s absolutely possible to have healthy relationships outside your race! The key, however, is to not ignore race. In doing that, you’re denying a huge part of your identities. A true friend will allow you to ask the tough questions and share your authentic feelings about race, while also not taking on the burden of educating each other about your identities.

5. How do you think young readers can advocate for what they believe in?

I’d love young readers to know that advocacy can happen at different levels. I’ve noticed that even with my graduate students, they hear the word, “advocacy” and shrink — thinking it’s a huge task that involves protesting and speaking to politicians. Sure, advocacy can look like that, but it can also occur on more micro or intimate levels. Advocacy can be speaking up for a friend, or holding space for your friend to speak up for themselves. Figure out what your strengths are and determine how you can integrate them into your form of advocacy.

6. What are you working on next?

I’m super excited about my next YA novel, which will be releasing in fall 2025. It’s called “Through Our Teeth,” and it’s slightly different from my first two novels. There’s way more dead bodies, and it has more thriller elements. However, there’s also a subtle social justice message weaved in — this time related to stereotypes dealing with mental health. 

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/

TORONTO, ON – A decade apart, a painful secret—can two childhood sweethearts reignite a love that defies cultures and time?

Lia Juma thought she’d buried the dreams of her heart long ago. But when she’s forced to return to her family’s summer cottage on Pike Bay, the life she’s carefully crafted begins to unravel. The perfect immigrant daughter, Lia has carved a successful career as a corporate lawyer and has just started dating a man who fulfills all her mother’s criteria for the ideal son-in-law. But underneath her polished life lies a secret she’s never spoken of—one she fears could have destroyed her family a decade ago.

Back at the bay, Lia stumbles upon memories she thought long forgotten and, at the center of it all, is Wesley Forest—the boy she left behind, the boy who knew her dreams better than anyone. Their friendship and young love once burned bright, woven through long sun-drenched days and whispered promises of a future together. But when family pressures and heartbreak pulled the two lovers apart, they were forced to follow separate paths.

Now, Wes is back in her life, and with him, old wounds and feelings surface. As the two confront the choices and secrets that divided them as teenagers, Lia must decide if she can heal from the past and finally embrace the life and love she’s always craved. Could a second chance with Wes be worth risking everything for?

Told over the course of five years in the past, and one summer in the present, Lia will discover that sometimes, the only way forward is through the heart’s deepest scars.

“The Summers Between Us”

Noreen Nanja | May 13, 2025 | Random House Canada | Contemporary Romance 

Paperback | ISBN: 9781039013001 | $19.00 USD / $26.00 CAD

NOREEN NANJA is a Toronto-based contemporary romance writer. A second-generation immigrant from the Indian diaspora, Noreen’s writing explores themes of identity, race and belonging, wrapped in stories of romantic and familial love. Noreen studied Psychology and English Literature at McGill University, received her MD from the University of Calgary, and now practices as a pediatric neurologist. She was the Editor-Writer Romance Mentee in 2022. When she is not writing or reading, she can be found spending time with her partner and their adorable dog and exploring local bookstores. Learn more about Noreen’s life and work at: www.noreennanja.com 

Follow Noreen Nanja on social media:

Twitter: @noreennanja | Instagram: @noreennanjawrites | TikTok: @noreennanjawrites 

In an interview, Noreen Nanja can discuss:

• Her inspiration for writing “The Summers Between Us” and what it was like writing the romance novel she always wanted to read
• Her writing process and how she approached writing a dual-timeline romance
• How Lia develops from the “perfect immigrant daughter” bound to others’ expectations of her into a more complete version of herself
• The truth at the heart of romance novels, and why we crave stories of second chance romance and a love that was always meant to be

An Interview with Noreen Nanja

1. What inspired you to write “The Summers Between Us”?

Over the past few years, the genre has grown and become more diverse and reading authors like Nisha Sharma and Saumya Dave really inspired me to try my hand at writing the book I always wanted to read, which ended up being “The Summers Between Us.” My main character, Lia, faces challenges growing up that my fellow daughters of immigrants may relate to while also taking her through the same romance journey and happy ending that made me fall in love with romance originally. 

2. Have you always been a romance fan? What are your favorite tropes?

I have always been a romance fan. I started off reading Meg Cabot’s YA rom-coms, then progressed into paranormal, historical and contemporary romances as I grew older and have never looked back. While I read other genres too, I am always searching for the romance b-plot! My favorite tropes are friends-to-lovers, only one bed, forced proximity and fake dating. But truly, the right book can convince me that any trope is my favorite! 

3. What is your writing process like?

I usually start with an inkling of a character, of a message I want them to learn or an emotional beat I want them to experience. Then I sit down and think about what kind of story to tell, the big plot moments, and make an extremely flexible outline. And then I write towards those goal points. Then it’s time to read through, make my own edits and get broader feedback from my editor or other readers before going back in to polish the book further. 

4. Pike Bay is such a lovely setting for the budding romance between Wes and Lia. Did you have your own summers by the water growing up?

I did not have my own summers by the water growing up. I actually grew up in Alberta and did not live anywhere near a lake, but I did live close to a very large mall! During the pandemic, I spent time in various cottages and cabins in Ontario with friends and family to escape my condo in the heart of Toronto and the quiet time there sparked the idea for Wes and Lia’s romance. 

5. Can you tell us a little bit about the complicated family dynamics in “The Summers Between Us”?

While no relationships in this story have a one-to-one correlation with one from my life, there are pieces that strike a familiar chord, either from my own experiences or those of my friends. Parents who are new to the country, searching for stability, and the tendency to place their anxiety and worries as pressure on their children. Sibling rivalries that grow through misguided parents comparing them in the hopes of spurring them to do “better.” The pressure some children of immigrants face trying to live up to their parental expectations, while navigating growing up in a social environment that their parents don’t  always understand. I think all of these can lead to hurt and confusion in parent-child and sibling relationships and I wanted to show characters who start to recognize that, and who are able to take that recognition further and enact change and healing so that they can be healthy in their love for their family.

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/

MADISON, Wisconsin – Kristina Amelong’s powerful memoir, “What My Brother Knew” (She Writes Press, May 27, 2025) begins with a chilling prophecy — her brother Jay’s precise prediction of his own tragic death — and unfolds into a profound exploration of grief, healing, self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

As a boy, Jay Amelong predicted the accident that caused his death, down to the color of the car that hit him. “I will die young, while riding my bike,” he told friends and family repeatedly. “It won’t be much longer, I want you to be prepared.” These were baffling words to hear from the mouth of a content 13-year-old — but when Kristina Amelong was only 17, her brother’s tragic death unfolded exactly as he said it would, radically changing her life.

Propelled down a self-destructive path of drug addiction and reckless sex, Kristina spent much of her young adult years wanting to die. Once or twice she came close. Always, Jay’s bizarre story and his inexplicable acceptance of his own death lived in her body.

More than 30 years after losing Jay, Kristina embarks on a journey of discovery, seeking truth about herself, her brother, and the universe. The result of her investigation is a memoir that defies belief. Charting a life path from loss and abuse to healing and spiritual awakening, “What My Brother Knew” demonstrates the transformative power of facing the mystery of death head-on and our incredible ability, as humans, to do just that.

“What My Brother Knew”

Kristina Amelong | May 27, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir 

Paperback | ISBN: 9781647429089 | $17.99 

About The Author

Kristina Amelong lives on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin, just a few miles from where she grew up. From a working-class childhood filled with abuse, addiction and loss, she has overcome addiction and chronic illness, raised four children, and founded a successful holistic health business, Optimal Health Network. She’s developed natural protocols which have helped thousands heal from a wide range of digestive and other chronic issues. She is the author of “What My Brother Knew” (She Writes Press, May 27, 2025), an emotional, eye-opening memoir about her journey from loss and abuse to healing and spiritual awakening. Her first book was “Ten Days to Optimal Health: A Guide to Nutritional Therapy and Colon Cleansing.”

Kristina is a senior board member for the Center for World Philosophy and Religion, a non-profit organization dedicated to a reweaving of the human story that will guide humanity through the current evolutionary crisis. She has a passion for photography, gardening, backyard chicken raising, and pickleball. She has three dogs and three grand-dogs that she walks on frozen lakes every winter. Find out more about her at www.kristinaamelong.com.

Follow Kristina Amelong on social media: 

Facebook: @kristina.amelong | Instagram: @optimalhealthnetwork 

Early Praise for Kristina Amelong

“Amelong writes from the heart and has a gift for arresting imagery…A sincere and valiant attempt to understand the unfathomable.” 

— Kirkus Reviews 

“This is a searing memoir about a sister’s love for a younger brother who was brutally struck on a BMX bicycle by a green car that drug him to his death. Jay repeatedly described the event beforehand, likely because of an LSD opening, even asked that “Stairway to Heaven” be played at his funeral. The story explored in these pages made me weep. We are totally messed up . . . and we are perfect.” 

— Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of “How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and Everything Else”

“Tormented by grief and haunted by her brother’s chilling prophecy of his own death, Kristina Amelong stumbles along a dangerous path to addiction and self-destruction until she sets out on a journey to unravel the mystery of his uncanny foresight. Her relentless search for truth ultimately leads to her own healing and profound spiritual awakening. What My Brother Knew is a beautifully written, spellbinding memoir.”

– Judy Reeves, author of “When Your Heart Says Go”

In an interview, Kristina Amelong can discuss:

• The Mystery of Jay’s Premonition – Her brother had a magnetic energy and wisdom beyond his years, deeply connecting with people and the world around him. 
• Death as a Teacher – Jay’s passing unraveled and rewove Kristina’s understanding of life, death, and the unexplained, leading her to explore deeper philosophical and spiritual concepts.
• Reconnecting Through Shared Grief – Revisiting Jay’s life with those who knew him brought healing and allowed Kristina to see him through a broader lens, reminding us of the shared and evolving nature of grief.
• Signs and Synchronicities – Kristina believes in signs as meaningful messages from the universe, guiding growth and understanding.
• Nature as a Healing Force – Nature played a central role in Kristina’s spiritual awakening, offering solace and a mirror for her healing process. She encourages others to find comfort in nature’s cycles.
• Self-Love and Compassion in Healing – Kristina’s memoir serves as a love letter to her younger self, underscoring the importance of self-compassion as the foundation for healing from trauma and loss.
• Navigating Doubt on the Spiritual Path – Kristina openly shares moments of reluctance and frustration, offering practices and insights that helped her stay motivated on her spiritual journey.
• Beliefs About What Comes After Death – Kristina sees consciousness as continuing in some form, woven into the universe’s fabric, and encourages embracing awe and discovery in the face of the unknown.
• Unanswered Questions and Embracing Mystery – While questions about Jay’s life and death linger, Kristina finds peace in the mystery and uses it to connect with the deeper meaning of existence.
• Personal Growth Through Writing – Writing her book was a transformative journey for Kristina, allowing her to share Jay’s story with the world, and in doing so, achieve deeper healing.

An Interview with Kristina Amelong

First, can you tell us about your brother, Jay? What kind of kid was he, and what was your relationship like with him?

Jay was extraordinary. Even as a child, he had magnetic, wise-beyond-his-years energy that could draw you in. He was curious, creative, and had an unusual ability to connect deeply with the people and world around him. We were close in the way siblings often are—sharing secrets, squabbling, and building dreams together—but there was also a reverence I held for him. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but Jay had a clarity about life and death that was rare, almost otherworldly.

Jay had a stunningly accurate prediction of his own death – he said a green car would hit him while riding his bike. Do you remember the moment you made the connection that what he had foreseen had actually unfolded? Did others believe you when you spoke about Jay’s premonition? 

The moment it happened was surreal. I didn’t just make the connection—it slammed into me like a wave. I remember the details, how eerily they matched what Jay had said. It was both devastating and bizarrely affirming, as if he had known something none of us could comprehend. At first, I hesitated to talk about it—the idea of a 13-year-old predicting his death is still hard to grasp. When I finally did, people had mixed reactions. Some believed me, while others thought it was just grief playing tricks with my memory.

How did this prediction — and Jay’s passing — shape your understanding of life, death and the unexplained? How did it impact your philosophical and spiritual beliefs? 

It completely unraveled and rewove my understanding of existence. Jay’s premonition forced me to question everything I thought I knew about reality, time, and consciousness. Over time, it pushed me toward exploring philosophies like Donald Hoffman’s theory of Conscious Realism, quantum physics, and the concept of a cosmic tapestry where everything is interconnected. It also deepened my appreciation for the mystery of life and death—how they aren’t opposites but intertwined aspects of the same infinite process.

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/

FLANDERS, New York — An unflinching exploration of growing up in a dismissive family and navigating a world that often feels misaligned, “Becoming Carly Klein” (SparkPress) by Elizabeth Harlan is a raw and compelling coming-of-age story about personal identity and human connection.

Neglected by self-absorbed parents who divorce when she’s 16, Carly leans on her best friend Lauren for solace. But when Lauren moves away, Carly is left adrift and becomes fixated on Daniel, a blind Columbia student and her therapist mother’s patient. Desperate for connection and to start up a relationship, she pretends to be a Barnard College student. What begins as a thrilling escape spirals into first love, deception and self-discovery as Carly grapples with the fallout from her choices. The novel takes readers on an emotional journey through family dysfunction and teen alienation that leads to the discovery of strength and resilience in unexpected places.

Flawed but fiercely determined, Carly makes bold — and often questionable — choices in her quest for connection. Perfect for fans of contemporary coming-of-age fiction, this novel is for anyone who has ever wrestled with feelings of alienation, struggled to find their place, or made mistakes in pursuit of love and belonging. With its resonant and realistic presentation of human psychology and personal relationships, “Becoming Carly Klein” is a story that will stay with readers long after the final page.

“If Holden Caulfield had a great-grandchild, it might be Carly Klein. J.D. Salinger used Holden as narrator to animate his novel; Elizabeth Harlan uses her powers of vivid observation. This will be a riveting read for many teenagers — and a meaningful cautionary tale for their parents.” 

— Glenn Kramon, former assistant managing editor, The New York Times 

“Becoming Carly Klein”

Elizabeth Harlan | Sept. 17, 2024 | SparkPress | Young Adult

Paperback, 9781684632664, $17.99

Praise for “Becoming Carly Klein” and Elizabeth Harlan

“An engaging tale about family, maturation, and love.” — Kirkus Reviews

“With sparkling prose and witty dialogue, Harlan captures the electric energy and tension of a teen awkwardly keeping secrets.” — BookLife

“A fearless exploration of how stepping in the wrong direction can help us step into ourselves.
Perceptive and engrossing, this coming-of-age story is an anthem for an under-parented generation, and a reminder that growing up can happen at any age … in all its funny, heartbreaking and messy glory!
A deeply satisfying read and one not to miss.”
— Mary Pascual, author of “The Byways” and “Walk the Web Lightly”

“As much as her plot and characters, it’s Elizabeth Harlan’s spare, elegant way with words that gives Carly’s coming of age story its power to engage a reader of any age, gender, or station.”
— Brooke Kroeger, author of “Undaunted: How Women Changed American Journalism”

“Catch the vibe of 1980s NYC — ambitious, gritty, stark, and real — in this utterly charming coming-of-age novel with a cast of memorably flawed and deeply human characters.”
— Melissa Walker, author of “Small Town Sinners” and “Unbreak My Heart”

About the Author

Elizabeth Harlan’s journey as an author is deeply rooted in the vibrant tapestry of New York City, where she spent her formative years and where Carly’s captivating story unfolds. A versatile writer, Harlan has crafted compelling narratives spanning young adult novels to probing literary biography tailored for adult readers. Her writing openly addresses themes that she has not only defended but celebrated as an integral and beautiful part of life.

 At the heart of her work lies the poignant exploration of mother-daughter dynamics. Having mothered two children and grandmothered four grandchildren, despite the passage of time and the roles she has embraced, Harlan’s soul remains intertwined with young girls navigating the labyrinth of adolescence and struggling to grow out from under the oppressive yolk of mismothering.

Residing on the picturesque East End of Long Island and a bridgeless barrier island off Florida’s Gulf coast, Harlan draws inspiration from the diverse landscapes that surround her, infusing her prose with an evocative sense of place and emotion. Her stories resonate not only with authenticity but also with a profound understanding of the human experience, inviting readers to embark on transformative journeys of self-discovery and connection. For more information, visit her website: elizabethharlan.com.

Follow Elizabeth Harlan on social media

Facebook: Elizabeth Harlan Author | Instagram: @elizabethharlan | TikTok: @ellizabethharlan 

Coverage for “Becoming Carly Klein”

• An interview with author Elizabeth Harlan and Waking Writer
• Book Reader Magazine’s featured author
• Reading list for Shepherd on the best books about young girls prevailing against adversity
• An interview with YA Book Central on the inspiration behind writing the novel
• Fresh Fiction interview: What if 15-year-old Carly Klein could become a different person?

In an interview, Elizabeth Harlan can discuss:

• Carly’s decision to masquerade as a college student and the ethical gray areas surrounding her choices, and how this ties into modern-day online personas and the allure of creating an alternate self
• The universal themes of self-reinvention and belonging — especially during adolescence — and how Carly’s experience of crafting a false identity resonates with anyone who has ever felt like they don’t fit in
• How mistakes are transformative and show that personal growth often comes through trial, error and reflection
• How parental neglect shapes teen decision-making and how Carly’s sense of abandonment fuels her risky decisions
• The psychological complexities of feeling unseen by those closest to you, leading to the need for external validation
• The “emotional crime” Carly commits in infiltrating Daniel’s world and how deception is not a villainous act but rather a coping mechanism and a path to self-realization
• How the book is a springboard for conversations about boundaries in relationships
• How the novel is a deeply human story, offering something for everyone — from young adults to seasoned readers

An interview with Elizabeth Harlan

1. “Becoming Carly Klein” has been in the works for decades — can you tell us a bit about that? 

This novel began as a series of autobiographically linked short stories that I submitted for my Columbia Master of Fine Arts in fiction. It morphed into “Becoming Carly Klein” during the COVID-19 pandemic when I was sheltering on a little barrier island off Florida’s southwest coast. With little to do and nowhere to go, I pulled my Columbia writing program thesis out of a drawer and reimagined it as the novel it became. When I was a teenager with problems of my own, I was seen by a therapist who worked out of her apartment and whose young daughter would sometimes be hanging out in the hall by the elevator when I arrived for a session. I always wondered what this young person thought about her mother’s patients, and this inspired the central plot twist in “Becoming Carly Klein.”

2. You previously wrote a biography on French novelist George Sand. How did writing nonfiction differ from your experience writing fiction? 

The most marked difference would be controlling for the data that’s involved in nonfiction. Creating a story, be it fiction or nonfiction, is not that different a process. As I look back, I believe my adult biography of the French 19th-century woman author, George Sand, is very much on a continuum with my YA novels that feature teen protagonists. It’s Sand’s complicated development as a young girl growing up and her subsequently troubled relationship with her own daughter, Solange, that captured my imagination and became the fulcrum of my focus. Be it fiction or nonfiction, I’ve woven the thematic thread of girls coming of age and mother/daughter relations into the warp and weft of my writing.

3. You’ve also written two other YA novels, “Footfalls” and “Watershed.” What is it about YA that feels particularly compelling to you as a writer? 

I’ve gravitated to YA over the course of my 40 years since my first YA novel, “Footfalls,” was published. There’s something about writing in the voice of an adolescent that frees me up to describe experiences and to express feelings that connect me still and always with my impressionable and formative teenage years.

4. Are there certain aspects of YA writing you find more challenging? Certain things you find more enjoyable?

For me, as for many girls and boys coming of age, adolescence was an especially emotionally intense time of life. My impressions of people, places, events and relationships that I developed in those years have remained present and vivid in my imagination. When I write through the lens of a teen protagonist, I feel deeply connected to what I felt and experienced as a young person growing up and seeing the world with fresh, unjaded eyes. Maybe it’s simply that what stirred me then stirs me again as I give “voice” to my young characters, but whatever the reason, they speak to me with all their heart and I hear them loud and clear.

5. What kind of research did you do to write accurate representations of characters that are mental health professionals, blind, pregnant, etc.? 

You could say that my research consists of my life and my experience living. In terms of representing a psychiatrist, a blind man, a pregnant teen, or a gay relationship between a father and his boyfriend,  I rely on my protagonist, Carly’s point of view, so these portrayals are “true” to the way Carly perceives these characters. 

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/

Afghanistan vet Dexter Grant is broke, reeling from PTSD, and on the verge of divorce when he’s approached by his old Army buddies to help rescue their former interpreter, the man who once saved Dex’s life. It means ripping off a vicious queenpin’s drug proceeds — but not to worry, they have it all worked out. And if anyone can pull it off, it’s Dex’s former team lead, Staff Sgt. Saenz.

Tempted by an easy score that could make his own problems disappear and imbued with new purpose, Dex agrees to play his part. But just as in combat, the best-laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy. When the heist goes off the rails, Dex’s wife and daughter become targets for bloody revenge. Dex must face down his spiraling inner darkness and call on all his strength and training to save his girls. In his quest, he’ll learn there was much more to this heist than he ever imagined.

Jeremy D. Baker bursts onto the crime fiction scene with a debut thriller that recalls C.J. Box’s unlikely hero Joe Pickett and the small-town, lived-in noir of S.A. Cosby. The Guilty Sleep is a riveting tale of robbery and betrayal in which a father’s love faces off with a soldier’s debt.

“A terrific debut–fast, tough and hard, shot through with hard-won authenticity and deep humanity … don’t miss out.” — Lee Child

“The Guilty Sleep”

Jeremy D. Baker | May 6, 2025 | Diversion Books | Crime thriller 

Hardcover, 9798895150290, $29.99 

Ebook, B0DPLFWB93, $19.99 

Jeremy D. Baker grew up in Italy, Florida, and Maryland. He’s a former US Army counterintelligence agent and combat veteran. He served alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan and is a PTSD survivor. Over the past 20 years, his work in national security has focused on intelligence, counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, climate risk and resilience, and cybersecurity. He lives with his family in Maryland. Read more at https://www.jeremydbaker.com/. 

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 wise and charming debut” –NYT Bestselling Author Alison McGhee

Montpelier, VT– For fans of Jenna Evans Welch and Barbara Dee, Mima Tipper’s “Kat’s Greek Summer” (SparkPress, May 13, 2025) is a timely and uplifting contemporary YA story of a fourteen-year-old girl risking it all for self-truth, family, and first love over one sun-drenched Greek summer.

Ready—set—look out, world! Kat Baker is about to explode… onto the high school scene, that is. All she has to do? Spend July and August training with New Canaan High’s cross-country team, become a running goddess and, come fall, claim her place as the team’s star freshman runner.

When her mom shocks her with the unwelcome news that the family will spend the summer exploring their roots in the rustic Greek village of Paralia, Kat’s sure her high school popularity plan is toast. Once in Paralia, punishing heat and cultural clashes force her to launch a risky and covert training strategy to keep her running-star dreams alive. And it is during these hidden sessions that Kat is swept into late-night encounters with Theofilus Zafirakis, a beautiful but off-limits Greek boy.

As Kat’s lies mount, her secret odyssey spirals out of control, finally putting one of her cousins in danger. In the end, it takes the unexpected meddling of a village full of crazy, wonderful (and not so wonderful) Greeks for her to open up to her Greek side, discovering at last that the key to belonging anywhere is belonging first to herself.

About the Book…

“Kat’s Greek Summer”

Mima Tipper | May 13, 2025 | SparkPress | Genre 

Paperback | ISBN: 978-1684633067 | $13.99

Ebook | ASIN: B0DJC8Q6J7 | $9.99

Praise for the Book…

“sparkling… a coming-of-age story that explores themes of identity, family, and self-discovery with grace and insight.”

–Publishers Weekly, BookLife (Editor’s Pick)

“Mima Tipper excels at bringing to life the gentleness and fire of first love, as well as Kat’s dawning awareness that only she can stake her own claim in the world. A wise and charming debut.” 

–Alison McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of “Someday”

“Meet Kat Baker. She’s not the girl you want to be; she’s the girl you are. Mima Tipper’s impetuous, likable protagonist learns that desire is a wellspring that spurs her forward like Artemis, the goddess she can be if she trusts her instincts and stays true to herself. Readers will love this fresh for-real heroine.”

–Julie Pidgeon, Principal and Middle School English Teacher, Folsom Education and Community Center, South Hero, Vermont

“‘Kat’s Greek Summer’ is the fantasy we all dream of…a secret romance in a Mediterranean paradise with the swooniest local boy on the Aegean Sea? Sign me up! And yet author Mima Tipper skillfully navigates the complexities of young love against a backdrop of stark inequality for women in Kat’s new surroundings. With her unflinching portrayal of the challenges Kat faces, Tipper delivers a triumphant narrative that celebrates love and family while confronting the gritty truths of life.”

–Kristin Nilsen, author of “Worldwide Crush” and “The Scott Fenwick Diaries”

About the Author…

MIMA TIPPER: Half-Greek, half-American, Mima Tipper and her writing reflect her heritage—a little bit old-country, a little bit rock and roll: one foot wandering through the dreamy realms of myths and faerie tales, the other running on the solid ground of fast-paced, contemporary story. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has published YA fiction in Hunger Mountain and Sucker Literary magazine. Her YA short story “A Cut-out Face” received an honorable mention from Hunger Mountain’s Katherine Paterson Prize, her work-in-progress “Chasing a Blue So Wild” was a top ten finalist in Voyage YA’s first chapter contest, and her work-in-progress “Channeling Marilyn” came in second place for Paranormal Romance in the Chesapeake Romance Writer’s annual Rudy contest. “Kat’s Greek Summer” will be her first published novel. Beyond devoting most of her time to writing, Mima volunteers at her local library and is committed to promoting literacy. Mima lives in Vermont with her family. Learn more at: www.mimatipper.com

Follow Mima Tipper on social media:

Facebook: @mimatipper | Twitter: @meemtip | Instagram: @mimatip 

In an interview, Mima Tipper can discuss:

• How her own Greek-American heritage inspired “Kat’s Greek Summer”
• Why connecting with your roots can be an empowering experience
• How she wrote about first love with both compassion and candor
• The book’s many timely lessons, including the importance of finding your voice and standing up for what’s right
• What she hopes young readers will take away from the book

An Interview with Mima Tipper

1. What inspired you to write “Kat’s Greek Summer”? 

I let Kat Baker, my fictional character, say and do and ask things that I never knew or had the courage to say and do and ask. A lot of my remembered feelings and experiences surfaced. These feelings and experiences informed Kat’s story more and more, and the result of that process is Kat’s Greek Summer. Though Kat’s story is fiction, many, many aspects of her story hold the emotional truth I discovered exploring my own heritage growing up half Greek/half American. 

2. Did you have your own summers in Greece as a girl?

 Regarding the Greek characters and Kat’s relatives, most are compilations of my true family members and of Greeks I met during my Greek summers, especially Yiayiá Sofia. My Greek grandmother Kalomira passed away a bunch of years ago, and it was amazingly fun and personal to bring her back through my fiction. No spoilers, but pretty much everything that happens in the book actually happened to me or to one of my cousins—fictionalized, of course😊

3. Is Paralia a real town? How did you capture the uniquely Greek setting of this book?

My Paralia is not an actual place, but is based on many actual Greek villages I’ve visited and researched. The word “Paralia” means “beach” in Greek, and I figured that was a perfect name for my small, rustic Greek fishing village. I’ve set the story on the Aegean Sea, and there are many real Greek places and villages in that part of Greece that have the word Paralia in them. I thought Paralia would be general enough to encompass the kind of Greek setting I wanted for my story. I also just love the word because it kind of sings off the tongue. 

4. What do you hope young readers will take away from the story?

When my readers turn the last page of Kat’s Greek Summer, I want them to take a big satisfied breath because they feel like they’ve gone along with Kat on her daring, swoony adventure in gorgeous Greece, and were rooting for her all the way. I want my readers to feel powerful and hopeful about their own possible choices and future. I want their takeaway from this reading experience to be the message that to belong anywhere or to anyone or anything, they must first belong to themselves.

5. What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m going through the final rounds of revision on a paranormal YA novel that I hope to publish with SparkPress sometime in 2026. Beyond that publishing goal, I hope to continue championing my writing community and local literacy efforts by helping out at my local library in South Hero Vermont and at Inklings Children’s Books in Waitsfield, Vermont. I am also starting the wheels turning on a family trip to Greece. We are long overdue!

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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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