Author: 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.

An interview with Giovanni Boivin of The Bookloft

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

What’s your favorite area of your bookstore?

This is a toss-up between our Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror corner and our graphic novel section. I am a sucker for all things in both sections. Especially sci-fi/fantasy/horror graphic novels!

What’s the coolest book cover that you like to have facing out on the shelves?

When they say “don’t judge a book by its cover” they have never met a modern reader. The cover is what catches your eye and brings you in. One of the coolest (and creepiest) covers I love to have face-out is the horror novella Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw. It’s a really disturbing cover and I love it.

If you had a staff pick for a recent new release, what would it be? Backlist pick?

One of my new staff picks is the novella, A Prayer for the Crown Shy by Becky Chambers. It is a lovely, meditative reflection on life and one’s journey. Conversely, the backlist pick is All Systems Red, book one of the Murderbot Diaries, by Martha Wells. Another novella, but I love the Murderbot diaries for the action and the antisocial awkward protagonist.

Do you have a strange customer story?

We have a lot of strange people and strange requests, but one that sticks in my mind is a woman coming in and asking for someone who doesn’t work here. She thought we were a completely different business, despite the numerous signs she passed, and it took a few minutes to convince her she had the wrong building.

What author have you been starstruck to meet, or have you gotten to host a fun virtual event?

We worked with a local theater company that hosts author events for bigger name authors and have the capacity for hundreds of people to come. We were able to meet David Sedaris as he was on a book tour for his title, Theft by Finding, and we sold this and other of his titles at the event.

What are some misconceptions people have about working in a bookstore?

A Bookstore is still a retail position. There is still customer service and a point-of-sales system to learn. Answering phones, putting stock away and cleaning up after people. We still have holiday rushes and the usual supply-demand issues as with any other retail business. Yes, we all love books and love to read, but there is still that face-to-face interaction with customers that may or may not know what they want or where to look. It’s a lot of hand-holding.

What is your least favorite bookstore task? Favorite part about working in a bookstore?

My least favorite part of the bookstore job is dealing with unhappy or disgruntled customers. We always have a few through the seasons where they refuse to comply with our mask mandates, demand a book we have on hold for someone else because they didn’t plan ahead, or don’t understand why a book they want isn’t available; be it out of print, or on backorder with the publisher.

My favorite part of the bookstore life is putting the perfect book in someone’s hand. Especially if it is one of my picks or favorites. I love sharing my passion for books with other people and seeing the joy on their faces when I hit the mark perfectly.

Can you recommend an underrated readalike book for one of the store’s top titles?

If you liked A Game of Thrones or the Song of Ice and Fire books, I highly recommend Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. Not only does it have dragons and fantastic world building, it also has that classic underdog story, political intrigue, challenging the status quo and a mythology totally unique to its own world.

Giovanni Boivin is the Gentleman Bookseller (and the head book buyer for Adult titles) at The Bookloft in Berkshires, MA.

 

An interview with Nicole Brinkley of Oblong Books

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

What’s your favorite area of your bookstore?

All of it! I love our bookstore. But if I had to choose just one area, I really love our kids section. It’s open, airy, and full of beautiful and colorful books. I love seeing kids get excited about something new to read, so watching them run around and show off what they want to get is the best.

What’s the coolest book cover that you like to have facing out on the shelves?

I love a slightly creepy cover, so I am constantly falling in love with beautiful, oversized, stylized nonfiction books like Gothic and Memento Mori: The Dead Among Us. There’s just something really cool about books that feel like art pieces in-and-of themselves.

If you had a staff pick for a recent new release, what would it be? Backlist pick?

Most of the staff picks at our store are backlist! It’s never too late to discover a good book. One of my favorite backlist picks is This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, a sapphic time-travel novella following two time agents on opposite sides of a time war. I don’t think I have words that will do this book justice. I recommend reading in snippets or risk drowning in its gorgeous prose.

And one of my more favorite recent titles is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston! I adore a good romance and adore a good fantasy, and The Dead Romantics manages to be both. This spectral romance is a balm to the spirit. When writer Florence Day has to return home for an unexpected funeral, she’s surprised to find herself visited by the ghost of… her stoic, too-handsome editor Ben. Romance readers will want Florence and Ben to haunt their shelves after reading: it’s soulful, punny, whimsical, and death defyingly romantic.

Do you have a strange customer story?

Oh, so many! But one of our favorites is the story of the ghost cane. A beautiful old wooden cane appeared in our store without its owner. We put it in our lost-and-found box and waited a little while to see if the owner would come and retrieve it. They didn’t! Upon further glance, there was a phone number on the cane. So we figured: hey, why not call it and see if the owner of the cane would like it back?

The phone number led us to a lovely lady in California, who—very confused but kind—explained that the cane belonged to her husband… who had died six months previously.
We have no idea how it got into the store. Apparently, a ghost wanted to do a little shopping.

What author have you been starstruck to meet?

I feel really lucky that we’ve hosted a whole bunch of my favorite authors, but the only one I ever got starstruck around was Alan Cumming! We hosted him at an offsite (bookseller jargon for an event not in the actual bookstore store; it’s not big enough for that crowd!) and I got to help him set up and sign books and chat with him. He’s so charismatic and charming in person that I suspect he might actually be fae folk. An absolute gem.

What are some misconceptions people have about working in a bookstore?

We don’t sit around reading! There’s always something to do. There’s customers to ring out, web orders to fill, books to receive, shelves to organize, displays to make, dogs to pet… the list is endless.

What is your favorite part about working in a bookstore?

I love, love, love handselling books to customers. There is no greater joy than connecting somebody to a book that they end up loving – especially if you loved it, too! Since some of my specialities are kids books and queer books, it’s especially a privilege to be able to connect young folks or traditionally underrepresented folks to a book that really speaks to them. It’s the reason I never want to leave bookselling: there’s no other experience like it, and I don’t ever want to give it up.

Can you recommend an underrated readalike book for one of the store’s top titles?

Oh, Oblong — like every bookstore — sells a ton of kids graphic novels. If you (or your kiddo) love the Dogman series by Dav Pilkey, you should try the InvestiGators series by John Green. (It’s alligators, in vests, doing investigating!) If Babysitter’s Club is more your jam, pick up Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright, about two twin girls who decide to compete against each other to become class president! And if you love fantasy graphic novels like The Witch Boy, you simply must pick up Star Knights by Kay Davault, a charming woodland fantasy about embracing who you are and looking past the differences of others.

Nicole Brinkley is a manager with Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, NY.

 

Unlikely warrior returns in action-packed fantasy series Good Morning America calls “terrific”

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Independent Press Award winner releases anticipated Book 2

Farmington, CT – Emergency Room physician-turned-fantasy writer D.A. Mucci returns with the highly anticipated second book in his YA fantasy series: “Ignatius and The Battle at Dinas Affaraon” (September 2022, St. Bart’s Publishing). Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts heralded this fantasy adventure series as “just terrific,” and reviewers have praised the breathtaking detail of a “magical world full of fantastic beasts, some of which are not what you typically expect.”

The first book in the series, “Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw”, won an Independent Press Award and was well-received by YA fantasy fans. Now in the second installment of this acclaimed series, Iggy forges a sword from a meteorite–but will it be the weapon to save them?

As the obsessive Emperor Mallak plans to kill Iggy for his crystal amulet, Iggy remains entirely focused on becoming a master smith. Well, almost entirely–he is distracted by his crush, Raraesa, and can’t help but hope that she notices his newfound fighting skills (and fighting physique). There’s just one problem: a dark wizard, a Death Knight, and five thousand soldiers have been tasked with hunting him down.

Where will he hide? The mysteries of the Nostaw Warrior still haunt Iggy. There must be a repiceason he was given the sword, and he prays it will help him return to his place and time in Pennsylvania–but right now, home seems farther away than ever. Will he find he answers he’s seeking on the Island of Cambria? He doesn’t have much time to figure it out–an battle is looming, and it will change Iggy’s life.

Fans of coming-of-age YA fantasy with relatable teen protagonists, fantastic beasts, mysterious powers and incredible worldbuilding will love Iggy’s story. In Mucci’s newest novel, readers will meet exciting new characters, dive deeper into the rich world of Skye, and hold on tight as twists and turns abound.

“Ignatius and the Battle at Dinas Affaraon”
D.A. Mucci | September 2022 | Fantasy | St. Barts Publishing
Paperback | 978-1-7372778-4-2| $9.99
Ebook | 978-1-7372778-5-9 | $4.99

About the author:

After 40 years as an Emergency Room physician, D.A. Mucci turned to writing fantasy fiction in his spare time as an enjoyable escape from the pandemic stress. Mucci’s two adult children inspired his love of the fantasy genre during their younger years. His first book in the IgnatiusTM series was well received,winning an Independent Press award, that he now spends most of his time writing and only part-time with patients in the Emergency Room.

Mucci calls both Connecticut and Florida home, and with his wife Jeanne by his side, he’s constantly dreaming up new, fantastical creatures, daring escapades, and witty one-liners. He looks forward to writing more adventures for Iggy in this series, and hopes they provide readers the same delightful escape it brought him during the pandemic when Iggy’s adventures began. Learn more about the author and get excited for more adventures at damucci.com.

Follow D.A. Mucci on social media
Facebook: @D.A.Mucci | Instagram: @d.a.mucci

In an interview, D.A. Mucci can discuss:

  • How he expanded on the world he originally created in Book One and fleshed out Dinas Affaraon for the epic battle
  • How he relates to Iggy’s coming of age story, and how he hopes the character inspires readers
    Building the fantastical Kingdom of Skye and companion map to the book
  • Creating new languages for the book’s nearly 50 characters residing in different lands
  • His lifelong passion for literature, having helped young school kids publish their own stories over the years
  • What the writing process looks like for a series, and what makes it harder than writing stand alone books

Praise for the Ignatius Series

“He has written a YA fantasy adventure novel that is just terrific” –Robin Roberts, Good Morning America

“D.A. Mucci does such a great job of creating a universe that is entirely fantastical yet believable and relatable. Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw has an almost Harry Potter-ness to it in that we are guided into this world through the eyes of a character who is learning of it the same as the reader and who is a character very similar to its target audience. But, it is also entirely different in a good way. I have honestly not taken to a fantasy novel as much as this one in quite a long time. The author is an excellent storyteller and writer.” –Kate Leboff, Cornell Press

“Right from the start this story is breathtaking in how much detail surrounds the kingdom of Skye… a once luscious and beautiful place that had been filled with animals and people. Now it’s a kingdom with no beating heart. In desperation for a hero, a teen named Iggy finds himself becoming the hero these people need. Mastering a set of growing magic skills is a challenge but mastering the skills in handling the towering secrets that are claiming Skye is something else altogether. A wondrous journey in a finely painted world. Highly recommended.” –Lori, Goodreads review

“The author managed to create a quite intriguing magical world full of fantastic beasts, some of which are not what you typically expect from beasts – they are mighty warriors, living in seclusion, whose abilities in battles are legendary. The world building is really nice and takes your imagination to amazing places. Combine this with an awkward, introvert and insecure boy who gets swallowed into the greatest adventure of his life, one which is too big for him to understand at a time, but he grows and shows his worth and true power. Definitely recommend this book.” –Lia, Goodreads Review

An Interview with D.A. Mucci

How did you go about expanding the world you created in Book One?

Though the four lands within my fantasy world remain, as the plot and characters expand in Book 2, more locations within the Kingdom of Skye and Dinas Affaraon are revealed to the readers.

What was the process like in writing the sequel? Did you take a break in writing or are you just continuously writing the next one?

I took a break writing after Book One, just long enough to engage with my new readers on social media and in person. Then, I moved right along to continuing Iggy’s adventures in Book Two. This is my first time writing a sequel. When writing a second book I had to make sure that readers new to the series would find the adventure exciting and could relate to the characters previously introduced. I have a new appreciation for authors that write sequels so seamlessly.

Though Iggy is the star, you’ve also created new languages and nearly 50 different characters. Which are some of your favorites?

I love the Madam Trinity character. She doesn’t appear to have it all together, but underneath the crazy facade you know she is an extremely capable, intelligent and formidable person to have on your side.

I wanted a very diverse set of characters so readers of all ages had someone to relate to. Iggy is the geeky character, while rebellious Lecque fights for what he feels is right. Ansel is the strong mentor Iggy needs. Kylian is one of the strongest male characters, holding true to his principles while being imprisoned for years. Allistair is the most powerful man in Matreach and has a physical disability.

And there are strong female characters along with Madam Trinity, each strong in their own unique way: Raraesa is physically a strong sword fighter with a soft side she doesn’t often show. Trafalga has a bohemian carefree look with a gift that will help save many and guide Iggy. Nyreada is the strong, brave personality who is typically quiet unless she sees unethical practices. And Scathatch is known for being the best warrior that oversees all, helping in a stealthy critical manner.

I wanted to include different languages to highlight Iggy’s special ability to learn them, to showcase his intelligence. While this intelligence was ridiculed in a typical middle school and high school setting, language is one of Iggy’s strengths, and he will use it along the way to accomplish his quests.

What advice would you give to writers who feel like their time to write a book has expired?

At 68 years old I’m writing a story that caters to Young Adults. There is no age limit for using your creativity and imagination.

Without giving spoilers, can you give readers any sneak peek into the rest of the planned series? Will we meet new characters, visit new places, etc.?

In Book 3, the Resistance group’s efforts strengthen as many in the Kingdom of Skye work to curb Mallak’s growing power. Madam Trinity has to face decisions made in her past, leaving her to fulfill a task she dreads. Iggy continues on to another quest to help him gain the power and knowledge he needs to help himself get back to the place and time he calls home. While the Kingdom of Skye, Matreach and Dinas Affaron will still be featured, we learn more about Cambria in Book 3.

What was your experience working full-time in an emergency room during the height of the pandemic and writing the first book?

As a physician for almost 40 years, most of them in an Emergency Room setting, you see all kinds of ailments, accidents and death. While no two cases are exactly the same, experience and knowledge helps you decide quickly what action you’ll take to save a life or manage an urgent health condition. Then a pandemic hits that you don’t have a set of experiences to rely on to truly help you manage patients, and treating patients becomes a whole new level of stress as you make your best guess and read the latest medical news to help you treat those patients suffering significantly. All as you are praying none of your protective gear reeks so you don’t bring exposure home to the family you love.

These stressful circumstances pushed me to bring this fantasy world to fruition. Most of us binge watched shows during the pandemic, and I simply needed a different outlet after a while to feel like I was doing something to help others escape and relax for their stress. What started as a stress outlet has turned into a passion, helping others escape into a book as they need to.

 

An interview with August Thompson of The Ivy Bookshop

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

What’s your favorite area of your bookstore?

Honestly the entire grounds outside. We’re so lucky to be situated on a few acres of land that we own, and I’m always directing new customers to check it out. I especially like this little secluded area, a bench surrounded by a grove of trees; it’s a lovely place to sit and read! Within the store itself, my favorite part is the little poetry corner. We get a lot of compliments on our poetry section because it’s just phenomenally curated, and there’s a little display with one of our booksellers’ favorite poetry books.

What’s the coolest book cover that you like to have facing out on the shelves?

Oh this is such a hard question because so many books have great covers! I love love love the cover for “Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body” by Megan Milks, so that was really fun to have out on display during Pride month. But I also wanted to give a shoutout to the new release “Thrust” by Lidia Yuknavitch, which truly speaks for itself.

If you had a staff pick for a recent new release, what would it be? Backlist pick?

Recent new release: “The Kaiju Preservation Society” by John Scalzi. Honestly I think all a lot of us really need this summer is to escape into a fantastical new world of giant monsters. It’s fun, it’s snappy, there’s really cool fantasy biology. I think just about any sci-fi fan would love this book.

Backlist: “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata. I read this book recently and absolutely loved it. Keiko is one of those voices that really stays with you a long time after reading, and as a retail worker who is also a little bit of an oddball myself, I really connected with her. The book has a ton of interesting things to say about capitalism and neurodivergence and alternate life paths, but really it was Keiko who kept me reading.

Do you have a strange customer story?

There’s one customer who I’ve never spoken to–only his secretary. I’ve seen his name around Baltimore and get the impression that he’s kind of a big deal, so it’s kind of fun when I get to call him up and let his secretary know his books are ready!

What author have you been starstruck to meet, or have you gotten to host a fun virtual event?

Definitely Casey Plett. While sadly I was only able to e-meet her as I was out on medical leave during the event we hosted with her, I was honestly a little starstruck to even be emailing with her and to get her to come out to the store. I’m still kicking myself for missing that event, everyone I know who went to it said it was absolutely phenomenal, but life does happen.

What are some misconceptions people have about working in a bookstore?

A lot of people think booksellers just hate when someone comes in to ask something like “What’s the book about World War I with the red cover that I read about in the New York Times?” In reality, 9 times out of 10 I can find that book just by googling “red cover wwi ny times book review”, and even if I can’t, then I just get to be on a fun detective mission for a few minutes trying to find your book! It makes me feel happy to solve a mystery, and the customer gets the book they’re looking for, and it’s generally a win-win interaction. So please don’t feel embarrassed to ask questions like this! (Just be kind on the rare occasion that we can’t find the book after all.)

What is your least favorite bookstore task? Favorite part about working in a bookstore?

My least favorite bookstore task is probably shelving overstock. Don’t get me wrong–it’s a crucial task, and I always keep that in mind when doing it. It can just be rough on the knees with all that bending and stretching. So I try to do it in small chunks, doing other tasks in between.

My favorite part about working in a bookstore is probably when I’m stationed at the front desk, getting to see what people are buying! It’s always so cool to see parents buying their children books I remember staying up all night reading because I just had to see what happens next, or to see people buy underrated books that I absolutely adore, or even to buy books I’ve never heard of with covers so intriguing they immediately go to my TBR.

Can you recommend an underrated readalike book for one of the store’s top titles?

We actually do sell a lot of “Circe” and “The Song Of Achilles.” I would point people to the newly released “Wrath Goddess Sing” by Maya Deane, which is a retelling of the Achilles myth. Deane’s writing is feminist and fierce, and she’s really done her research, which is fun to see in myth retellings. Plus, come on, that cover is gorgeous.

August Thompson is a bookseller at The Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore, MD.

Supernatural teen battles shapeshifters for cursed painting

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

“An eerie tone permeates the entire story, with even mundane events feeling off-kilter. The whole cast seems to have multiple personas, all tinged with darkness.” – Foreword Clarion Review

Fan-favorite author returns with exciting ending; perfect for Halloween reading!

Los Angeles, CA – An Amazon Editor’s pick in Science Fiction and Fantasy and praised by fans of its supernatural horror, Kevin Moore releases the widely anticipated climax to The Book of Souls. The Book of Demons (Books Fluent, Oct 11, 2022) takes Jack on a new adventure featuring new villains, but will he ever make it back to his 40-year-old self and return to his family?

Considered “a Spiritual roller coaster ride! Harry Potter meets the Exorcist,” by American Online Radio, Kevin Moore’s blend of darkness and supernatural belief brings hopefulness in a world that seems fraught with obscurity. Taking his personal experiences with lucid dreaming and speaking with his passed loved ones, Moore’s created a world that will take you on a mystical journey and not let go until the very end.

The exciting tale travels through time, battles real and inner demons, and helps ghosts find their way towards their afterlife. The Book of Demons brings new challenges while young teen, Jack Kelly, uses his mystical powers to save a cursed painting from a dangerous shapeshifter.

For fans of Dark Matter, The Book of Demons will keep you at the edge of your seat and leave you wanting to read more.

“The Book of Demons”
Kevin Moore | October 11, 2022 | Books Fluent
Paperback | 978-1-953865-53-3 | $11.99
Ebook | 978-1-953865-54-0 | $5.99
Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Horror

More about KEVIN MOORE

Kevin Moore is the author of The Book of Souls, a mystical ghost story, it is his first novel and the first book in the series featuring Jack Kelly and his paranormal abilities. The Book of Demons (think Harry Potter meets the Exorcist) is the sequel to The Book Of Souls. Moore also wrote Christmas Stories 7 Original Short Stories which is available everywhere. His play Conversations From The Sports Arena was performed at the HBO Theater in Hollywood. He also had his first children’s picture book Me and My Shadow released in 2021. Moore hopes to continue the Jack Kelly paranormal saga in a third book which he is currently working on. Moore practices Lucid Dreaming which has helped him with his writing. He is a Yogi and an Advanced Reiki Practitioner—most importantly he is Matthew and Madison’s father. You can find out more about Kevin at his website: ​​https://kevinmoorepublishing.com

In an interview, Kevin can discuss:

  • His connection with spirituality and reiki/yoga, and its incorporation into the story
  • The practice of lucid dreaming
  • How his upbringing in Manhattan, going to Catholic school, and living in tenement apartments helped shape young Jack
  • How we handle fear and the “monsters/demons” we all have conquered
  • The true events that inspired the novel
  • The differences between religion and spirituality and how they both play a role in the novel
  • The duality within his characters, the story, and how
  • How art plays into the story through one of the main characters

Start your journey with The Book of Souls

An Amazon Editor’s pick in Science Fiction and Fantasy

Jack Kelly remembers everything about his wife and children; the wonderful smell of his wife’s hair, the way she whispers to him at night, his three children running through the house, the sound of their laughter.

But that was his life before the accident. His near-death experience left him in the in-between space, somewhere between this world and whatever comes next.

When he awakens, he finds that he’s his thirteen-year-old self replacing his brother’s life-altering incident with his own and also with the ability to read people’s minds, recall their pasts, smell their feelings and fears, and see and hear dead people, demons, ghosts, and shadowy creatures. Thus begins Jack’s journey to help one soul cross over and, in result, resolves to find his way back to his true existence; with his family.

Praise for The Book of Souls

“An eerie tone permeates the entire story, with even mundane events feeling off-kilter. The whole cast seems to have multiple personas, all tinged with darkness.” – Foreword Clarion Review

“Prepare to feel like you’re lost in a maze: in total darkness. That’s Jack Kelly’s life now, and readers are going along for the ride” – Reedsy Discovery

“Moore has an incredible way of drawing you into the horrors of this universe. I can’t tell you how many times I felt my skin crawl at the creepy moments in which Jack is tortured by visions of demons and ghosts.” – Via’s Reads book blog

“This book was the right amount of intriguing, suspenseful, and at times creepy.” – Shelf 1ndulgence book blog

“I have never read a book quite like this or been caught up in a storyline like the Book of Souls.” – Goodreads reviewer Nick

“Chills to the core, edge of your seat good, a fantastic read by Kevin Moore. Definitely recommend this book.” – Amazon reviewer Renee

“This book is fantastic! Highly recommend reading it. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Some of Kevin Moore’s best work!” – Amazon reviewer

“I’m looking forward to book two, and how the journey ends for Jack.” – Permanent Nerd Network

An Interview with Kevin Moore

What was the “true event” that inspired this novel?

The Shadows coming to me in a dream and my son ending up in ICU was just like Jack’s son, Stevie, in the book. Only you have to read the second book The Book Of Demons to see if Stevie and Jack’s family are like the doctors say – a dream, a false memory caused by his fall, or if they are home.

There is a lot of play with dualities throughout the novel. Why was it important for you to discuss dualities not only within the characters, but also with Kasper’s artwork?

Yes, the artwork was so much fun! I wanted the art to represent the complexities of life, opposing forces, love vs hate, up and down, spirituality, good vs evil. The only way to truly know ourselves is to put a light on our shadows. Kasper does that in his art. The way Kasper viewed the people he painted as two lights; one portrait is a reflection of how they present themselves to the world, the second was their shadow that Kasper could see. I think all of the characters have their own duality. I wanted Jack and Kasper’s journey to tap into our own feelings on all that. I also think Jack and Kasper share a certain symmetry. They are both either scorned or feared and sometimes both.

Aside from helping inspire this novel, how has lucid dreaming helped you?

There are many scenes, characters, and words in the book that came from lucid dreams and conversations in those dreams I had with people who are on the other side. One of Jack’s spiritual guides in the book uses words that came from a classmate from Epiphany School whom I had not seen in 40 years. He passed away several years ago, but he came to me in a dream several times, totally unexpected. One of the dreams he came to me in was at my high school reunion. We had a deep conversation about the living and the dead and some of the nun’s guidance came from what he told me in the dreams.

Have you ever had a supernatural experience? Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes and yes, I believe in God and have since I was a child and if I believe in God that in itself is supernatural. The shadows in the story came to me in several dreams years ago. In the dream, they kept trying to take my son. I felt it was a notice from the Holy Spirit or my deeper self that wanted to prepare me for something I needed to be fully present for, fully ready to fight or give to my son that would take all my energy and faith. A few weeks later my son got very sick and ended up in the ICU. He was in the hospital for 3 weeks and almost died. I stayed with him every night; my wife was with him every day. I had a nurse like the one in the book tell me the room we were in had a ghost in it! And not a friendly one! However, for me I felt the room had very good energy and it was the best sleep my son and I had the entire time we were in the hospital. I use all that in the book.

Your book can fit into a few different genres (horror, paranormal, fantasy), but it also can fit into a spirituality genre. How do you feel this book is spiritual?

Well, first for me it is and should be in the spiritual genre. I believe that we are all spiritual beings at our core. Jack’s relationship to his family, himself, the world around him is spiritual. It takes on supernatural elements like near death experience, ghost, demons, but they all represent something in him. Jack faces his fears and allows the best part of himself, the light if you will, to help his friends, but also to try and free the indomitable ghost in apartment 3C at his own peril.

While Jack Kelly is the main character, Kasper Greenstreet is also an important character in the book. What inspired you to write Kasper?

Yes, I love Kasper! He really took on a life of his own. He was not supposed to be as large a character as he became. I wanted his back story as an artist to include his insecurity about his work and abilities, which is why he felt the need to use his blood to create magic. Any one who has ever started something creative, painting, music or written a word probably has those emotions; I’m having one with these two books! Also, as important or more important, he grew up in a time when being gay was considered a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association and his mother hated him for it, so he is carrying quite a heavy load. Not to mention that he was abused as a child by the very people who are supposed to protect him. Kasper uses all of that to create this amazing, mystical art. I also love that Kasper and Jack for different reasons are outcasts at times for who they are.

The Book of Demons is slightly different from The Book of Souls. What was your experience writing both of these books?

The Book of Souls was a very personal story for me because it started with a true event. The Book of Demons came directly from the characters. It is a straightforward Good vs Evil. I also did not have to build the world because it was already built in. So I just went for it!

Mr. Philips is a new challenge in The Book of Demons. How did you go about creating a villain like him?

He was tremendous fun creating. Villains are easier to color I think – at least in this case. He was a bad guys on steroids with all these wicked powers.

Will there be an appearance from any of the Book of Souls characters in The Book of Demons?

Yes, they all show up and I wrap up all of their arcs – even the very minor ones.

What’s the biggest takeaway for your readers in the duology?

Trust your intuition and trust your instincts!

Download press kit and photos

Noted CBS political journalist Major Garrett partners with elections expert David Becker to combat “the big lie”

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Coming this fall is a revelatory account of the 2020 election — the most secure, verifiable, and transparent in American history — how it has been relentlessly attacked, and the heroes brave enough to defend our democracy against these assaults.

“The Big Truth” (Sept. 20, Diversion Books) illuminates this crowning achievement in America’s quest for a robust democracy in the face of slander by sore losers and opportunists. Filled with interviews of the guardians of democracy — election workers, January 6th Committee members Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) and Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland), Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and more — it is an overpowering counterattack against the Big Lie. The book takes a sober look at the stakes, which could not be higher. It peaks around the corner at what could happen next if those pushing The Big Lie get their way, and succeed in sewing chaos, serving a death blow to American democracy as we know it.

CBS Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett and national elections expert David Becker, the Executive Director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, reveal why Big Lie “fraud” allegations evaporate under scrutiny. The authors report what actually happened in 2020, while calling out each Trumpian misdirection designed to con and beguile Americans into chasing phantom allegations of election crimes.

The 2020 election was not what Trumpist deniers claim. Our political parties knew the rules and procedures. We had record turnout and few election snarls. The result: an accurate count, a 7 million vote margin of victory, 306 electoral votes for Joe Biden, and Republican gains in congressional and state races. But then-President Trump stoked paranoia — never looking for evidence, contesting results even before anyone cast a ballot, and seeking to bend our system until it almost broke with a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The Big Lie — the true corruption of American democracy — has shaken our confidence in stable self-government. On the heels of voter-fraud claims, the Capitol siege, and damaging voting laws, the next midterm and presidential election will test our democracy more severely than at any time since the Civil War. How we react may well determine if we are led into another war against ourselves. “The Big Truth” debunks the 2020 election conspiracy myth once and for all, while celebrating those who held up our democracy under arguably the most intense scrutiny in American electoral history.

“A thoughtful consideration of how and why to protect the vote—and, with it, American democracy.” – Kirkus Reviews

The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of “The Big Lie”
Major Garrett and David Becker | Sept. 20, 2022 | Diversion Books
Nonfiction | Current Events | Politics
Hardcover | ISBN 978-1635767841 | $29.99

About the Authors

MAJOR GARRETT is the Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News and the CBSN radio host of The Takeout and The Debrief. For over 30 years, his award-winning reporting and writing has tackled the nation’s pressing issues. Garrett is the author of four books, “Mr. Trump’s Wild Ride,” “The Enduring Revolution,” “The 15 Biggest Lies in Politics,” and “Common Cents” with former Rep. Tim Penny (D-Minnesota). He lives in Washington, D.C. Find out more about him at: https://www.cbsnews.com/team/major-garrett/

Follow Major Garrett on Twitter @MajorCBS

DAVID BECKER is the executive director and founder of the nonpartisan nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, and serves as CBS News’ election law expert. He has worked in elections for a quarter-century, previously serving as a trial attorney in the Voting Section of the United States Department of Justice, and as Director of the Elections Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts. He received both his undergraduate and law degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He, his wife, and his teenage son live in suburban Maryland with their two dogs, Kramer and Elaine. Find out more about him at: https://electioninnovation.org/who-we-are/our-team/david-becker/

Follow David Becker on Twitter @beckerdavidj

For more information about “The Big Truth,” visit https://thebigtruthbook.com/

In an interview, Major Garrett and David Becker can discuss:

  • Debunking election conspiracy myths and focusing on the “big truths” of the 2020 election
  • How lies motivated by short-term political gains are damaging and can lead to the dissolution of America
  • The “guardians of democracy” working to combat mistruths, especially around elections
  • What everyday citizens and influencers can do to help counter “the big lie” and save democracy
  • How “the big lie” can impact and change history, even when there are ample facts to counter false information
  • Understanding the importance of the upcoming midterm and presidential elections – likely to be the greatest test of democracy since the Civil War
  • The likelihood of secession movements and what a modern civil war could look like
  • How American democracy works, why it works and why it is worth protecting
  • Changing the narrative around the 2020 election to acknowledge its successes, despite politicians’ claims
  • Understanding how the Supreme Court’s recent actions impact elections, especially as their decisions relate to voting laws and equity
  • The important role of election workers and professionals
  • Modern election security and transparency, and countering the lies that deem elections as fraudulent and untrustworthy
  • Understanding the stresses on American democracy
  • How to spot and call out political misdirections

Download press kit and photos

Advocate for human trafficking survivors pens thriller with a message of awareness and vigilance

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

A social worker’s perilous journey to avenge her sister

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Award-winning author and social worker Carla Damron, named by NAMI as an Outstanding Mental Health Professional of the Year, uses fiction to address social justice issues, and her latest release is no exception. Emotion-driven, The Orchid Tattoo (Koehler Books, Sept. 30, 2022) is one part of Damron’s work as an advocate for human trafficking survivors and people with mental illnesses. Her previous work includes The Stone Necklace, winner the 2017 Women’s Fiction Writers Association Star Award for Best Novel, which led award-winning author Pat Conroy to say “this is a novelist to be read again and again.”

In The Orchid Tattoo, social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton leads to a multi-tentacled human trafficking network. When Georgia learns that her sister was brutally murdered trying to help a young victim called “Kitten,” she picks up where Peyton left off, and travels a treacherous path to expose the kingpin of the Estate, a luxurious brothel servicing rich and powerful men, and rescue his victims. Kitten is determined to escape. She won’t be trapped like the others. She won’t sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. Aided by Kitten, Georgia maneuvers to bring down the Estate and expose its dark secrets, but her efforts place her–and the very few people she allows to get close–in grave danger.

“The Orchid Tattoo”
Carla Damron | September 6, 2022 | Koehler Books | Crime Fiction
Hardcover | $32.95 |978-1-64663-765-2
Paperback | $21.95 |978-1-64663-763-8
E-Book | $7.99 | 978-1-64663-764-5

Carla Damron: Carla Damron is a social worker, advocate and author whose last novel, The Stone Necklace (about grief and addiction) won the 2017 Women’s Fiction Writers Association Star Award for Best Novel and was selected as the One Community Read for Columbia SC. Damron is also the author of the Caleb Knowles mystery novels and has published numerous short stories, essays, and op-eds. Damron holds an MSW and an MFA. Her careers of social worker and writer are intricately intertwined; all of her novels explore social issues like addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and human trafficking. In her spare time, Damron volunteers with the ›League of Women Voters, Sisters in Crime, Palmetto Chapter (President), her church, and Mutual Aid Midlands. Find out more about her at http://carladamron.com.

Follow Carla on social media
Facebook: @carladamronwrites | Twitter: @carlawritesfic | Instagram: @damroncarla

In an interview, Carla Damron can discuss:

  • Using fiction to fight human trafficking and bring light to the 40.3 million victims worldwide.
  • The importance of representation in literature for those with mental illnesses
  • Her work as an advocate for human trafficking survivors
  • The process of writing crime fiction grounded in important social justice issues
  • Representing diverse communities through her writing

An Interview with Carla Damron

How do you use your social work background in your writing?

My social work background is what drives my writing. Social issues that take a toll on the people I’ve served–mental illnesses, homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking–compel me to dive deep into the root causes of these problems.

I strive to put a human face on these complex problems in my fiction, and try to show that our hope to resolve them also has a very human face.

Is human trafficking a big issue in your home state of South Carolina?

Last year, there were 206 reports of human trafficking in SC–up 15% from last year. It’s a big problem everywhere: The Polaris Project reports that there are 40.3 MILLION victims globally. Why? Because it’s a hugely profitable crime, netting $150 billion worldwide. We’ve come a long way in combatting this crime, but we still have so far to go.

How are people with mental illnesses portrayed in fiction? How did you work to come up with an accurate portrayal?

People with psychiatric disorders can easily become cliche in fiction–particularly crime fiction. I worked very hard to offer a realistic portrayal of someone with a mental illness who refuses to be defined by it. Georgia Thayer, my protagonist, hears voices, but she lives her life. She has a successful, difficult career and a support system, and uses her personal experiences to help her patients. Georgia’s symptoms recur, but she manages them. Mostly.

What is something that would be surprising for people to learn about human trafficking and why is awareness of the subject so important?

People may think that traffickers forcibly kidnap their victims. While this sometimes happens, traffickers usually manipulate and groom them, playing on their vulnerabilities. I show several examples of how this process works in The Orchid Tattoo.

What have you learned as a writer from writing multiple books?

Each book has taught me something–about the writing process and about myself. I’ve learned how important it is to connect with readers, and I do that by creating characters that feel real to them and by story-telling that keeps them turning pages. I can’t say the process gets easier–the more I know about writing, the harder it is–but I love this career and the doors it’s opened up for me.

What do you want readers to take away from your novel?

I want readers to come away from The Orchid Tattoo with a better awareness of the prevalence of this crime. Trafficking doesn’t just happen overseas, it can happen in my neighborhood. It can happen to kids at my local middle school. But I also want readers to leave with a sense of what they can do to impact this crime–through awareness and vigilance. And, of course, I want the reader to be entertained. The Orchid Tattoo is a stormy, wild ride that builds to an explosive, satisfying end. If I engage, entertain, and educate my readers, I’ve done my job.

In Harvard physicist’s YA fantasy novel, teen travels through magical ocean worlds to find family

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Uncover mysterious secrets and find your true self in debut novel 8 years in the making

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – While working a full-time career in tech, Harvard-educated physicist Dilani Kahawala spent her late nights imagining an epic fantasy realm reflective of the diverse friendships she holds close to her heart. A labor of love eight years in the making, “Blood Moon Prophecy: The Legend of the Nyx” (Cedar Street Press) is scheduled for release in October 2022. In the first installment of a magical new series, join protagonist Tilly Nyx on an edge-of-your-seat adventure as she sets sail across the magical oceans of Marea searching for her way home.

Eleven years ago, Tilly Nyx did something she wasn’t supposed to. As a result, her mother was killed. Her village was destroyed. Her sister disappeared. And an ancient horror sent her into hiding.

Now sixteen years old, Tilly is determined to go home, even though she doesn’t know where home is or how to get there. All she has is the map that her mother made her swear to protect with her life.

Tilly soon finds herself plunged into the world where it all began—a world of oceans, sailing ships, and feuds between ancient magical families. She joins a fleet in search of the secret that her map holds, the secret that has been guarded by her family for thousands of years.

As Tilly learns how to cast sprites and make potions, she and her three friends must follow the trail of murky clues left by her ancestors before time runs out. But the closer they get to their destination, the more Tilly learns about her true identity–and everything is not as it seems.

For fans of “The Mortal Instruments” and the “Percy Jackson” series, “Blood Moon Prophecy” is an exciting coming-of-age story with a spine-tingling dark mystery at its core–a thrilling tale that ultimately celebrates friends, family, and the bonds that connect us forever.

“Blood Moon Prophecy: The Legend of the Nyx”
Dilani Kahawala | October 11, 2022 | Cedar Street Press | YA Fantasy
Paperback | ISBN: 979-8-9864437-0-6

DILANI KAHAWALA: Dilani started out adulting by becoming a theoretical physicist working on extra dimensions (no, seriously!). She figured out pretty quickly that there weren’t that many people who wanted to read her work, so she turned her hand to fiction. Many of the characters in her stories are inspired by the various cultures she grew up in. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in New Zealand and Australia and now lives in the United States. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing after her two toddlers with her husband, eating pizza, and watching escapist movies. You can find Dilani at her website: https://dilaniwrites.com/

Follow Dilani on social media:
Facebook: @DilaniWrites | Twitter: @DilaniWrites | Instagram: @DilaniWrites

In an interview, Dilani can discuss:

  • How her background studying theoretical physics at Harvard influenced her approach to fantasy writing
  • Her eight-year journey writing “Blood Moon Prophecy” and how she balances writing fiction and holding a full time job in tech
  • Her love of epic fantasy stories and why she set out to create a fantasy realm that is both accessible and inclusive
  • How growing up with a diverse group of friends influenced her book’s characters
  • The important role that food plays for the characters in the book
  • How her love for mystery, action, and thriller shaped this genre-bending story
  • What it was like living in New York City, and how that inspired part of the book

An Interview with Dilani Kahawala

“Blood Moon Prophecy: The Legend of the Nyx” takes place on a naval ship across a vast ocean world. What was your inspiration for creating this unique fantasy world?

To me, ships always mean adventure and the unknown, whether they’re sailing ships or spaceships. You pack a lot of people into a ship and you set off into the unknown, and there’s bound to be excitement and a good story. When I was younger, I loved watching the old Hornblower series with the sailing ships, which inspired a lot of the ships in Blood Moon Prophecy. I also love watching Star Wars, Star Trek and other sci-fi shows like Firefly. The ships might look different but it’s the same spirit of adventure in the unknown, with a group of friends.

When it came to creating the ocean world, Marea, in Blood Moon Prophecy, I wanted the ships to feel like characters too. I wanted the Kaluza to truly feel like Tilly’s home and a place where the reader would also want to spend time and discover. It has its secrets too. Some dark ones.

I wanted to imagine a rich world of oceans where people learn to live on the open seas, and travel together in fleets that work like villages.

You earned a PhD in theoretical physics at Harvard; did your studies influence your approach to fantasy writing at all?

Being a theoretical physicist means you spend a lot of time thinking about big ideas in your head. Fantasy writing wasn’t too different.

As a physicist I worked on something called ‘model building,’ which is coming up with theories about how the fundamental rules of how the universe works that also explain everything we see and experience today. It’s hard! There are so many constraints and all the parts of your theory have to come together in just the right way.

Coming up with Marea and the magic in it, was similar. Physics models are of course tested by rigorous experiments, but stories are tested in their own way by readers. All the pieces have to make sense together and feel real, so much so that the reader doesn’t bat an eyelid when they make the transition.

What inspired the character Tilly Nyx and the friendships she has?

I used to live on the Upper West Side of NYC, in a quaint little brownstone, next to Central Park. When I looked out of my window, I saw the San Remo across the street, which is a famous grand old building in NYC, and I used to wonder what it would be like if there were magical families living there. Why would they be hiding in New York? Where did they come from? Then came the idea of a girl who lived there, in secret, her past shrouded in mystery.

The friendships are the cornerstone of this story. My favorite stories are the ones based on great friendship, whether it’s Harry, Hermione and Ron, or Luke, Han and Leia. Great friendships form when an unlikely group of people are thrown together and they have to get themselves out of a tough spot. I wanted to take the reader on that journey. What’s most important is that I wanted the reader to feel like they could be part of Tilly’s little group.

The characters and the friendships are inspired by my own experience growing up. I was (am) a nerd and so my friends and I definitely weren’t cool, very much like Tilly, Nav, Mei and James. Having moved around a lot, I know what it means to feel isolated in a new place, where you might not feel so welcome. But the friendships that I did form were incredibly special and I treasure them to this day.

4. With a lot of YA fantasy books out there, how does your book stand out against the rest?

What I’m most proud of in this book are the richness of the characters and the way that the core fantasy elements blend with mystery, adventure and thriller elements. I spent 8 years writing and rewriting this story, until I felt like the characters and the way that the story weaves together is perfect.

I love reading and watching mystery and thriller stories. I’m also a bit of an archaeology fan. I couldn’t put down The Da Vinci Code and The Mummy and Indiana Jones are among my favorite movies. At the heart of Blood Moon Prophecy is an ancient, dark mystery that is core to figuring out Tilly’s identity. The fate of their world rests on figuring out what exactly happened between two people thousands of years ago. Woven into the story are ancient cultures and lost languages. Right from the beginning you can tell there is a bit of a dark side to this mystery, it’s spine tingling.

I also try to capture a story that is a melting pot of cultures and food. I grew up with, and have a really diverse group of friends, and feel very lucky to have so many friends from different parts of the world. I’ve experienced a little bit of each of their cultures and it’s amazing. I try to bring that into the story by creating colorful characters from a wide range of backgrounds. Food ties it all together. No matter how much danger there is or how bad things get in the story, there is always good food, just around the corner, whether it’s Thai street food, a burger or the Sri Lankan ‘short eats’ that my grandmother used to make.

The book moves quickly. It’s not a thousand pages on the history of elves. Let’s be real, we’re in the age of Tiktok. The chapters are short and the story feels more like a movie and less like slogging through pages and pages of words.

5. What do you hope readers will take away from “Blood Moon Prophecy”? Can readers expect to see more from Tilly in the future?

When you finish reading, it should feel like you got thrown headfirst into a magical world unlike any other, a group of friends you love hanging out with and a mystery that you can’t stop thinking about.

This is just the beginning. Tilly is just getting started in her journey to unravel the mystery of her ancestors and her identity? Who is she exactly? Where is the trail of breadcrumbs taking her? In the next book, you’ll see Tilly and her friends back on this side looking for more clues left by her mother, before diving into the far reaches of Marea’s oceans.

Download press kit and photos

NYT-bestselling author Joan He stuns with YA fantasy epic inspired by Chinese classic

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Philadelphia, PA – New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He shocked readers with the rich Chinese-inspired fantasy Descendant of the Crane, and stunned with the “cli-fi” (climate sci-fi) twists of The Ones We’re Meant to Find. Now she returns with a masterful, genderswapped reimagining of China’s most famous historical epic, Three Kingdoms, in her new novel STRIKE THE ZITHER (October 25, 2022, Roaring Brook Press).

He is diversifying a YA market saturated by Eurocentric fantasy and Western canon by exploring a classic based on one of China’s most tumultuous eras in a way that is captivating for unfamiliar readers, and thrilling for lovers of the original tale.

STRIKE THE ZITHER opens to a world of chaos in the year 414 of the Xin Dynasty, with a puppet empress on the throne and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves. Zephyr (a female reimagining of Chinese statesman Zhuge Liang) took control of her fate by becoming the realm’s most cunning strategists, serving under warlordess Xin Ren, whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But in a war in which one must betray to survive, there are more enemies than one – and not all of them are human.

Filled with found family, adventure, and political intrigue, readers will be exported to another world where loyalty and betrayal come hand in hand.

“Strike The Zither”
Joan He | Oct 25, 2022 | Roaring Brook/Macmillan
Hardcover | 978-1250258588 | $18.99
E-book | B09K68HD9S | $10.99

More about Joan He

JOAN HE was born and raised in Philadelphia but still will, on occasion, lose her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that storytelling was her favorite form of expression. She studied Psychology and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Pennsylvania and currently writes from a desk overlooking the Delaware River. Descendant of the Crane is her debut young adult fantasy. Her next novel, Strike the Zither, is the first in a duology and will be published on October 25, 2022. Learn more at https://joanhewrites.com.

Follow Joan on social media:
Goodreads: Joan He
Twitter: @JoanHeWrites
Instagram: @JoanHeWrites

In an interview, Joan can discuss:

  • Reimagining classic Chinese history for an audience who is unfamiliar with the original story
  • Her inspiration from Chinese fantasy dramas she watched as a kid
  • Her intentions of writing a feminist version of the story
  • How this novel differs from her previous novels, The Ones We’re Meant to Find and Descendant of the Crane

Advanced Praise for ‘Strike the Zither’

“Strike the Zither is a page-turner, full of unexpected twists, with an expansive, intricate world of sisterhood and subterfuge. He’s smooth, economical style is the perfect vehicle for this gripping political fantasy, marrying cat-and-mouse intrigue with a tenderness and emotional depth that heightens the stakes of every new reveal. A standout work from a remarkable author.” – Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six

“A fierce reimagining of the Chinese classic: an ode to loyalty, family, destiny, and the complicated ways each of these elements bind or free the cunning strategist at the center of the tale. This riveting read is full of twists and surprises that shock and delight, building up to the epic conclusion that left me gasping.” – Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Book of Tea duology”

“Joan He takes no prisoners, and STRIKE THE ZITHER is her latest triumph. An intricate, expansive epic that poses difficult questions and eschews easy answers, this book is as ambitious as its scheming, ruthless cast―and just like its narrator, delivers above and beyond.” – Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow series and Little Thieves

“Filled with twists and turns, STRIKE THE ZITHER is a meticulously plotted, supremely satisfying story that explores identity, legacy, and loyalty in unexpected ways. This is Joan He’s best yet.” – Hannah Whitten, New York Times-bestselling author of FOR THE WOLF

“Rich with intrigue and epic in scale. Strike the Zither grows tall on the heroic classics it draws from, yet beats powerfully with a heart of its own.” – Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the These Violent Delights Duet

“Richly layered and highly creative, STRIKE THE ZITHER offers a world brimming with war, love, and unforgettable characters. A truly magnificent book.” – June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace

“In this tautly plotted, vividly reimagined tale of a beloved Chinese classic, He orchestrates an epic page-turner… STRIKE THE ZITHER will keep you guessing―and gasping for more.” – June CL Tan, internationally bestselling author of Jade Fire Gold

“Strike the Zither reimagines the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms in a way never seen before, with intense twists and turns that pay homage to its inspiration while being refreshingly different. A brilliant exploration of destiny and identity!” – Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow

Praise for ‘The Ones We’re Meant to Find’

An instant New York Times and Indie Bestseller
A Barnes & Noble Bookclub Pick for 2021
A Junior Library Guild Selection

“I fell in love with this haunting, futuristic world and the sisters searching for each other in it. Joan He’s words will stay with you long after the final page.” — MARIE LU, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter

✰ “An intricate, well-paced rumination on human nature, choice, and consequence.” — PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY, starred review

“Whimsical and gut-wrenching. He grafts deep moral and ethical questions to a page-turning premise, making this sci-fi standalone an excellent book club selection.” — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Much like the floating cities within its pages, this book is a perfect synthesis of high-tech futurism and dreamlike imagery. Gripping, heartfelt, and joyously cerebral, this is a story to dive into and let its twisting currents pull you into a strange, clever, and startlingly original world.” —EMILY SUVADA, author of This Mortal Coil

“Exhilarating and heartbreaking…this fast-paced scifi tale is sure to linger.” —BOOKLIST

Praise for ‘Descendant of the Crane’

“Deep world-building & intricate palace politics kept me guessing until the end.”
— RACHEL HARTMAN, New York Times bestselling author of Seraphina

“Sophisticated storytelling and a captivating world. In a sea of YA fantasy, this book stands on its own.”
— ADRIENNE YOUNG, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep

“Hesina is a heroine for the ages—brilliant, determined, and fierce.”
— LAURA SEBASTIAN, New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess

“Top-notch thriller and complex characters…Should appeal to teens and adults alike.”
— PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY

✭ “Compelling, immersive…highly original.”
— FOREWORD, starred review

“With complex world-building and character development, readers tired of cookie-cutter stories will find some surprise twists here.”
— KIRKUS REVIEW

“A fully realized history helps make this adventure, rooted in Chinese folklore, feel epic.”
— BOOKLIST

An Interview with Joan He

1. Let’s talk about the inspiration behind Strike the Zither. What drew you to the Three Kingdoms novelization?

One of my favorite childhood memories was watching these old Chinese war epics with my parents, and so diving into Three Kingdoms felt like coming home. Three Kingdoms also felt strangely fitting for a YA story despite the novelization being populated by middle-aged men because every character is so distinct and bigger than life.

2. How did you approach reimagining this epic piece of Chinese history to a mainstream audience who may be unfamiliar with the original story?

Much in the same way I approach all of my books: first, I write the story for myself. Then I share it with my mom, who is one of my biggest fans. It was important to me that no knowledge of Three Kingdoms be necessary, because while my mom knows the major historical figures from the source, she hasn’t read the 800,000 word text in its entirety—and I know she’s not alone in that. And I so wanted to make sure my book was enjoyable to her, even if you wouldn’t necessarily think of her—someone who immigrated to the US in her thirties, for whom English is a second language—as the mainstream YA audience.

3. Obviously, many of the classic Chinese stories include Confucian thoughts and beliefs. How did you incorporate them but also keep a modern take?

I’ve always believed that culture colors more than just the setting. It dictates the things people value and the paths in life they take without questioning. This couldn’t be more evident than in Three Kingdoms: the relationship between Liu Bei, the lord, and Zhuge Liang, the strategist, is so deeply steeped in Confucian values that it has no Western equivalent. One would think that a war strategist as competent as Zhuge Liang wouldn’t follow a leader as Liu Bei, and would instead name himself king and lead his own armies like Napoleon. But no—Zhuge Liang was loyal not only to Liu Bei, but also to Liu Bei’s son, for no personal reason. He probably didn’t even consider Liu Bei a close friend. Why, then, did he serve the Liu surname to his death? Because Confucianism.

And I did my best to preserve this almost abstract, fated nature of their relationship as best I could without, say, having my Zhuge Liang owe Liu Bei a life debt.

The patriarchal society that Confucianism upheld at the time, on the other hand, is something I deviated from deliberately. Just as there’s no real reason outside of the era’s cultural norms as to why Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei, there’s also no real reason why all the major characters in the story had to be men.

4. You’ve mentioned that the idea of labels and identity are at the heart of STRIKE THE ZITHER–how you felt defined by social labels you were given, but how you also adhered to those labels because it was more comfortable. Many people (young people especially) can relate to this. Can you elaborate on how your personal experiences with social labels and identity manifested in STRIKE THE ZITHER?

In STRIKE THE ZITHER, Zephyr finds comfort and power in leaning into the persona of a strategist because in her eyes, it’s better to be seen—and remembered—as a strategist than an nameless orphan. In this way, she’s similar to me, because I too wanted to be perceived as not just “the Asian” in a predominantly white school. But over time, I found my chosen labels to be limiting in their own ways, just like Zephyr does in the book.

5. How did you find that writing STRIKE THE ZITHER differed from writing your other books?

The biggest difference came from the main character. Hesina (DOTC) and Kasey (TOWMTF) both have arcs of finding confidence through the story, Zephyr from STRIKE THE ZITHER is sure of herself from the start. While this is probably much further from who I was a teen, there’s a certain sort of escapism to that cocky, too-smart-for-her-own-good type of character.

Download press kit and photos

An interview with Ryan Elizabeth Clark of Gibson’s Bookstore

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

1. What’s your favorite area of your bookstore?

You can most often find me hiding in our brand new Horror section that started as a small display of mine and quickly grew into an entire section between SFF and Mystery. It’s my pride and joy.

2. What’s the coolest book cover that you like to have facing out on the shelves?

I’m a sucker for a good cover and there are so many incredible ones! I could give you a huge list of my favorites (Goblin by Josh Malerman, Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix, The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green), but my current favorite and the one that catches my eye the most often is A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske.

3. If you had a staff pick for a recent new release, what would it be? Backlist pick?

I have too many staff picks to count but my most recent favorite is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. It’s the spooky romance you didn’t know you needed! A ghost writer for a famous romance author is struggling to make her deadline after a horrendous breakup causes her to lose all hope in true love, until she starts to fall for her editor…except that her editor was just in a car accident and, well, he’s a ghost. This book is my new favorite comfort read. It’s funny and tender and romantic and will surprise you again and again. (And yes, it has a happy ending, don’t worry).

My favorite backlist book right now is Goblin by Josh Malerman. It’s a novel in six novellas, all taking place during the same rainy night in the strange, creepy town of Goblin, MI. I adore this book, and I want to spend all of my time in Goblin. This book is a great place for new Horror fans to start. It’s a quick read, and the stories intertwine in really cool ways. It’s creepy and unsettling and at times genuinely scary, and I love it far too much.

4. Do you have a strange customer story?

My favorite customer story is absolutely the time someone asked me to give them a wake-up call the next morning at 6am so they wouldn’t miss their meeting. I tried in vain to explain that we weren’t a hotel, and giving wake-up calls was not a service we offered, and I offered to help them set their alarm on their phone, but they kept saying no, I had to call them directly. Eventually, after much back and forth they gave up and left. I sure hope they made their meeting.

5. What author have you been starstruck to meet, or have you gotten to host a fun virtual event?

As host of The Laydown Podcast, I’ve been lucky enough to interview most of my favorite authors: Erin Morgenstern, Josh Malerman (twice!), Hank Green, and so so many others. Between that and all of the events we’ve hosted, my childhood self would be fangirling nonstop. I think I was probably the most starstruck with Erin Morgenstern, because both The Night Circus and The Starless Sea have meant so much to me. I had a Night Circus-themed wedding, and years later I got to interview Erin Morgenstern for our bookstore podcast, The Laydown, and be her in-conversation partner for our event! Truly, a bookseller’s dream come true.

6. What are some misconceptions people have about working in a bookstore?

Very little reading happens during your shift! There are so many other things to do, that you almost never have a chance to sit and read. All of my reading gets done off the clock.

7. What is your least favorite bookstore task? Favorite part about working in a bookstore?

My least favorite task is definitely cleaning the bathrooms.

My favorite part about working in a bookstore is handselling! There’s no better feeling than chatting with a customer and finding the absolute perfect book for them, and seeing their face light up as you describe it. Even better is when customers start to come back to you specifically because they’ve enjoyed every book you’ve handsold them and now they’ll read anything you recommend.

8. Can you recommend an underrated readalike book for one of the store’s top titles? (For example: If your store sells a lot of The Song of Achilles, you might recommend Tin Man.)

I love this question. There’s a new book that I’m having so much fun recommending because it appeals to so many different types of readers. If you like Terry Pratchett, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Alice Hoffman, Madeline Miller, The Handmaid’s Tale, and/or The Master and Margarita, you absolutely must read The Splendid City by Karen Heuler. An exiled witch, a talking cat who loves beer, guns, and fish tacos, a treasure hunt, a missing witch, daily parades, regular government-sanctioned kidnappings, and a president of the state of Liberty (formerly Texas) who assures the citizens that everything is fine. It’s incredible and weird and sinister and everyone should read it. I got to chat with Karen Heuler for The Laydown and she was a delight.