Author: Marissa DeCuir

Delve back into Rachel Wilde’s thrilling world of Daemons

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Chanticleer International Book Award winning author, Alison Levy, returns with her electric second installment in The Daemon Collecting Series. “Blue Flame” (Oct. 11 2022, SparkPress) continues with the adventures of headstrong and tenacious protagonist, Rachel Wilde.

Rachel comes from a dimension that exists adjacent to ours. The people there have structured their society around daemon collecting: they locate, catch, and repair malfunctioning daemons (creatures out of phase with our world that tempt people to do good or evil).

While introducing Leda Morley, last of an ancient line of gatekeepers, to the ins and outs of her daemon-collecting work, Rachel Wilde encounters something far more dangerous than any daemon: a young boy who stands alone against an unseen yet terrifying enemy that has invaded his home—an inhuman creature who, hellbent on revenge for a minor slight, intends to harm the boy’s oblivious family. Meanwhile, Leda’s brother, Simon, is feeling left out of his maternal family legacy but is coping partly by helping Rachel’s friend Bach—a previously homeless man with unusual mental abilities—get his life back on track.

In the midst of all of this, Bach unintentionally but serendipitously makes contact with a capable otherworldly being who, with great reluctance, agrees to help Bach and his friends take on the dangerous creature that’s just become their problem to solve. Together, this group of unlikely allies must put aside their differences to save an innocent child, and his family, from a monster—before it’s too late.

“Blue Flame”
Alison Levy | Oct. 11, 2022 | SparkPress | Fiction
Paperback | ISBN: 9781684631711 | $16.95

Alison Levy lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. When she is not writing or doing mom things, she crochets, gardens, walks her collies, and works on home improvement projects.

Her books feature female characters who are strong but flawed, making them more relatable. They stay rooted in everyday life while world-building in their fictional cultures. Intolerance of differences has become widespread in recent years. Gatekeeper encourages readers to look beyond what they consider normal and see through foreign eyes, a message that I hope will appeal to many in today’s climate.

Follow Alison Levy on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

In an interview, Alison can discuss:

• World building and craft for fantasy writers
• How she uses writing to cope with anxiety and advice for others with anxiety
• How the fantasy genre as a whole has influenced her writing
• Her connection to the characters, and how she delicately weaves in mental health and family dysfunction topics to her writing
• What she hopes readers will take away from this story and what’s to come for Rachel Wilde and The
• Daemon Collecting Series

Praise for Gatekeeper Book One in the Daemon Collecting Series

“A compelling, yet endearing, read about a very resourceful inter-dimensional cop Rachel who deals with broken daemons, homeless oracles, linguists, and serial killers with her own style of grace and tenacity. You might not see your own world in quite the same way as you look for the hidden passageways just out of view.”

– Ellen Clary, author of Pursuits Unknown: An Amy and Lars Novel

“Alison Levy offers us a lens that penetrates the facade of a recognizable world to reveal a thought-provoking analog. Ideas of right and wrong, intention, human value, and justice are all reconsidered. The story leaves the gate at a dead run and never lets up. Written in a clear and incisive style, Gatekeeper was a pleasure to read, and happily, suggests more to follow.”

– Patricia Minger, author of Magic Flute

Advance Praise for Blue Flame Book Two in the Daemon Collecting Series

Alison Levy’s 2nd installment of the Daemon Collecting Series is a dark and whimsical adventure with a colorful cast of characters you’ll be eager to keep tabs on. Masterful storytelling and exceptional worldbuilding. A unique, action-packed Urban Fantasy series with grit, wit, and a whole lot of heart. Levy has created a truly original series in a genre that doesn’t see much originality these days. Her colorful cast of characters (and creatures) will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

– Lenore Borja, author of The Last Huntress (Mirror Realm Series Book I)

An Interview with Alison Levy

Can you tell us a little about how you started writing and what led you to this book series now?

I wrote a story for an English assignment in 6th grade, a time in my life when my anxiety was particularly bad. My English teacher, Mrs. Webb, pulled me aside to praise my story and tell me what a good writer I was. It gave me a desperately needed shot of confidence. I’ve been writing ever since.

I’ve actually been trying for years to write this story the way I imagined it. I started and discarded two previous versions that I just wasn’t feeling. This time, I think I got it right!

How has writing impacted your life and your struggles with anxiety?

Living with anxiety, for me, is like having a tiger in the house: the tone of my day is dependent on the tiger’s mood. If the tiger is active, everything I do revolves around it; I can still get things done but if I do the wrong thing, it bites, and then I’m incapacited. Some days the tiger sleeps or wanders out of the room, but I’m always conscious of its presence and waiting for it to strike. Writing is hugely therapeutic for me. When I write, I can tune out the real world and dive into my creation. When my mind is fully engaged in creating, the tiger disappears.

What was the process of creating the world that your characters live in? Where did this story start?

This story started with my main character, Rachel Wilde. Rachel sometimes feels like the embodiment of an anxiety-free me; she’s brazen, resilient, sharp-tongued, and hard-headed. Throwing her into a difficult situation that would turn me into a pile of jelly and imagining her working through it is very empowering for me.

Your undergrad education was in anthropology — how did that influence your writing?

Anthropology teaches that we as human beings are products of the society we live in. Our day to day activities are not a universal experience; what is normal and mundane to us is exotic or bizarre to others depending on where we come from. I love inventing new cultures that are exotic and bizarre to the reader but normal and mundane to my characters.

What did you do differently in your writing process of Book 2 and what do you hope readers take away from this book?

One comment I got on my first book was that the villain lacked complexity (I did this intentionally but it’s a totally fair criticism). I took that into account for this book and tried to give the antagonist more depth. This time around, I crafted a character who does horrible things because of an immense amount of societal pressure; he wouldn’t necessarily choose to inflict harm on others but in this circumstance, his culture inflicts negative social consequences on him and his loved ones if he fails to do so. I enjoy creating and writing about different cultures so this felt like a natural evolution of my world building. As always, I hope readers take away an appreciation for the many ways in which culture and society affect our lives and our personalities. For this book in particular, I hope readers come away wanting more!

What is next for the Daemon Collecting Series?

Just finished the first draft of Book 3 and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone! Coming up in the series, expect to learn more about the history of the Arcana and why it has been interwoven with our dimension for thousands of years. Expect to see the hidden terrorist group stepping into the light. Expect to see Simon and Leda connect with lost relatives and find themselves in a dangerous situation. Expect to see Bach struggle with his abilities and have an encounter with another oracle that turns his life upside down.

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

LOS ANGELES, California – With echoes of  Unbroken, the derring-do and bravado of The Right Stuff; and the battle-forged camaraderie of  Band of Brothers, Into Enemy Waters by award-winning journalist Andrew Dubbins (Aug. 23, 2022, Diversion Books) details the origins and heroic missions of World War II’s elite unit of Navy frogmen, told through the eyes of one of its last living members, 95-year-old George Morgan.

Morgan was just a wiry, 17-year-old lifeguard from New Jersey when he joined the Navy’s new combat demolition unit, tasked to blow up enemy coastal defenses ahead of landings by Allied forces. His first assignment: Omaha Beach on D-Day.

When he returned stateside, Morgan learned that his service was only beginning. Outfitted with swim trunks, a dive mask, and fins, he was sent to Hawaii and then deployed to the Pacific as a member of the pioneering Underwater Demolition Teams. GIs called them “half fish, half nuts.” Today, we call them Navy SEALs.

Led by maverick Naval Reserve Officer Draper Kauffman, Morgan would spend the fierce final year of the war swimming up to enemy controlled beaches to gather intel and detonate underwater barriers. He’d have to master the sea, muster superhuman grit, and overcome the demons of Omaha Beach.

Moving closer to Japan, the enemy’s island defenses were growing more elaborate and its soldiers more fanatical. From the black sand beaches of Iwo Jima, to the shark infested reefs of Okinawa, to the cold seas of Tokyo Bay, teenaged George Morgan was there before most, fighting for his life. And for all of us.

Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS
Andrew Dubbins | Aug. 23, 2022 | Diversion Books |
Nonfiction | Biography | History | Military
Hardcover | ISBN 978-1635767728 | $28.99
Ebook | $28.99

Andrew Dubbins is an award-winning journalist and author, whose work has appeared in Alta, Slate, Los Angeles Magazine, The Daily Beast, and other media outlets. He has covered drug smugglers and DEA agents, Cosa Nostra capos and FBI investigators, Maasai lion hunters-turned-conservationists, and Civil Rights pioneers. His writing has been recognized by the Los Angeles Press Club in its 2021 SoCal Journalism Awards, as well as among Longform.org’s “Best Articles of 2021” and The Daily Beast’s “Best Reads of 2017.” Several of his narrative nonfiction projects have been optioned for film and television. He graduated with honors from Georgetown University and lives in Los Angeles. Read more of his work at AndrewDubbins.com.

In an interview, Andrew Dubbins can discuss:

• The top secret Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and origins of the Navy SEALs
• How the Navy SEALs’ famous “Hell Week” started in World War II
• The pioneering tactics of the World War II frogmen, including leaping out of speeding landing craft and measuring ocean depth with fishing reel
• The importance of seeking out and chronicling the untold stories of World War II veterans before these experiences are lost to history
• His experience meeting and interviewing 95-year-old George Morgan, one of the last surviving veterans of the UDT
• How hearing Morgan’s accounts of Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa changed his perspective of these historic battles

Praise for Into Enemy Waters

“Exhaustively researched and written in a lively, gripping manner, this history deserves to be on the bookshelf of anyone who admires courage or who has donned a face mask and looked below the surface of any sea.”
—Bing West, author of The Last Platoon, Marine combat Veteran, and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

“An authentic, vigorously reported and told story of the men in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters whose literally explosive exploits became the envy of and inspiration for the Navy SEALs. Thank goodness the ‘demolition divers’ are finally getting their due, and in such riveting detail.”
—Tom Clavin, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Halsey’s Typhoon: The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic Storm and an Untold Rescue; and Lightning Down

“Anyone awed by the traditions of the US Navy SEALs—as everyone should be—will be equally awed by how the SEALs became the SEALs. Dubbins has done a service not only to the SEALs, but also to the armchair adventurer who just wants a rip of a read.”
—Gary Kinder, New York Times bestselling author of Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea

“A tale of breathtaking and breath-holding daring. This is D-Day and the Pacific Theater as you’ve never witnessed it before—through the eyes of the frogmen who reconnoitered the murky, mine-filled waters and hostile shores for allied landings. Into Enemy Waters reminds us of the meaning of true sacrifice and courage.”
—Buddy Levy, award-winning and bestselling author of Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition and River of Darkness

“A superior piece of narrative military history, offering intimate profiles of the young men called upon to perform some of the most dangerous feats of World War II that proved critical to pivotal battles on both fronts. Andrew Dubbins has succeeded in portraying a fully human portrait of these men, who were both vulnerable to the horror of war and somehow able to survive it.”
—McKay Jenkins, author of The Last Ridge: The Epic Story of America’s First Mountain Soldiers and the Assault on Hitler’s Europe

“Gripping and intensely moving, Into Enemy Waters is a timely reminder that war leaves none of its participants unaffected. Andrew Dubbins has honored the memory of those who gave their lives and announced himself as a major new talent in narrative nonfiction.”
—Saul David, author of Crucible of Hell: The Heroism and Tragedy of Okinawa, 1945

“A remarkably stirring narrative that transports readers into the gritty realities of surviving World War II. Andrew Dubbins’ Into Enemy Waters is more than just a great retelling of the history of early combat swimmers and frogmen. This well-researched book is both visceral and uplifting, telling of a time of great courage, integrity and camaraderie. These are not your Hollywood Navy SEALs. They are real men that sacrificed their youth and innocence for the greater good.”
—Jill Heinerth, author of Into The Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“This book is a rollicking tale of warfare from a different time, when America’s elite units were cobbled together on short notice and manned with skinny teenagers who had every reason to expect they would get killed in battle. It is a story of noble intentions but also terrible desperation. Andrew Dubbins elegantly weaves personal stories through the grand historical narrative, while offering a compelling backstory about the hardscrabble origins of a legendary special operations force.”
—Graeme Smith, author of The Dogs Are Eating Them Now: Our War In Afghanistan

“The harrowing combat experiences of George Morgan and his pioneering comrades of the World War II US Navy’s combat demolition units come to life in this well-researched, intimate history. Andrew Dubbins tells their story with authoritative empathy and much verve.”
—John C. McManus, Ph.D., Curators’ Distinguished Professor of History, Missouri S&T, and author of Island Infernos: The U.S. Army’s Pacific War Odyssey, 1944

“Today’s SEALs are a highly effective, versatile, and lethal force, but they stand on the shoulders of these heroic World War II frogmen. This book must be included in the canon of histories about our nation’s special operations forces. Andrew Dubbins meticulously and faithfully takes the reader from Fort Pierce to Omaha Beach to the bloody amphibious invasions of the Pacific to recount the story of the Navy’s fabled Underwater Demolition Teams. May their memory never fade.”
—Captain Michael V. Goshgarian, USN (ret.), Naval Special Warfare 1989-2016

“This is a gripping, heart-racing, nail-biting masterpiece. It tells the story of George Morgan, his commander and fellow frogmen on an underwater demolition team that evolved into the Navy SEALs. Join them at Normandy, where, faces gray with fear, they swim through searing gunfire, shrieking shells and moaning men to blast apart Nazi barriers; then join them in the Pacific, where, during the bloodiest invasions of World War II, they map the ocean floor at Iwo Jima for US warships and swim onto the shores of Japan itself. These are their personal stories, exhaustively reported by a master of elegantly layered styling, who has written a book about rare and breathtaking courage. It will hold you deeply into the night, and you will be glad that it did.”
—Richard E. Meyer, senior editor at UCLA Blueprint magazine and two-time Pulitzer finalist

“As their numbers decline, it is essential to preserve the memories of the veterans of World War II. Andrew Dubbins has done this in this excellent book, describing the tragic horror of that war while writing of the daily acts of courage of those who served. From Normandy to Iwo Jima, his account of the courageous Underwater Demolition Teams, the famed US Navy ‘Frogmen,’ is powerful. But in Dubbins’ sensitive telling, it is also so very personal and human. A moving story well told.”
—James Wright, President Emeritus of Dartmouth College, historian and Marine Corps veteran, and author of War and American Life: Reflections on Those Who Serve and Sacrifice

An Interview with Andrew Dubbins

How did you first hear about George Morgan?

After a visit to the wonderful National World War II Museum in New Orleans, I found George’s oral history interview in the museum’s online collection. The interview was recorded close to seven decades after the war, and yet it was the first time he had talked about his wartime experience in detail. I was fascinated with his descriptions of the Underwater Demolition Teams—which is a unit that never got the publicity it deserved in my opinion—and I was moved by his account. He became choked up numerous times during the interview, recalling his wartime journey and reunion with his family. It’s easy to glamorize the World War II frogmen—their derring-do and underwater tactics—but there was nothing glamorous about George’s account. He was a vulnerable 17-year-old kid just trying to survive a terrifying war and make it home to his family. He was human—not a superhero—which I knew would make his story relatable and compelling for readers.

Why haven’t we heard this story before? And why is it important to tell now?

The UDT was a top secret unit. Its commander, Draper Kauffman, instituted a “media blackout” that prohibited reporters from writing articles about the unit during the war. It was the right thing to do. Kauffman knew that if the unit’s capabilities became widely known, the enemy could easily devise a countermeasure. The unfortunate consequence, however, was that the UDT frogmen never received widespread recognition for their important wartime contributions. Their heroism and sacrifices remained in the dark. In the decades since the war, there have been several history books about the UDT and a 1951 film called The Frogmen. But to this day, the story of the UDT and its courageous World War II-era frogmen remains largely unknown outside military circles.

As for why it’s important to tell now, World War II veterans are rapidly dwindling in number. Many of their stories have never been told, and those stories are as valuable today as they ever were. World War II veterans model humility, sacrifice, duty, and patriotism, offering a counterpoint to the arrogance, selfishness, partisanship, and bombast that have dominated American politics and culture in recent years. There are also brave men and women today fighting to defend democracy and resist fascism across the globe. These freedom fighters can draw courage and hope from the stories of World War II heroes, like the young frogmen who bravely swam ashore first to protect the free world.

You describe this book as a “narrative nonfiction thriller.” What does that mean, and what separates Into Enemy Waters from other military history books?

Narrative nonfiction is concerned not only with factual detail, which is essential, but also with literary techniques such as character development, plot structure, and scene building. I view narrative nonfiction war tales, such as mine, as a subset of military history, with some of my personal favorites being Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat, and Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts.

George Morgan – the subject of your book – was just 17 years old when he joined the Navy’s new combat demolition unit, and he’s now 95. What was it like sitting down with him and hearing his stories? Was he willing to sit down with you or did it take any convincing?

It was a privilege first and foremost. The World War II generation will soon all be gone, so I felt honored to listen to George’s stories and get to know him as a person. Being an avid reader of history, I was enthralled hearing not just his World War II account, but also his stories of growing up during the Depression, witnessing the Hindenburg on the day of its crash, seeing an early prototype of the television, trying out for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and meeting the famous baseball manager, Branch Rickey. He was never boastful in telling these stories, always downplaying his role in fact. He exemplified the self-effacing attitude and humility that is so typical of those who belong to the Greatest Generation.

He was always gracious and willing to sit down with me, and we also talked for hours on the phone together. But, as I recount in the book, it was not easy for him. Certain combat experiences had been so traumatic, that he’d tried to put those episodes out of his mind for the past seven decades. He admitted that talking to me caused those difficult memories and emotions to bubble up. I think he deserves as much praise for his courage in recounting his story, as he does for his wartime courage.

Your book mentions many familiar battles that occurred during World War II. Did speaking with George change your perspective of those historic events?

As a reporter, my favorite moments in interviewing people who participate in momentous events are the surprises. For example, I had read much about the reconnaissance of Okinawa, where the UDT frogmen blew up thousands of sharpened stakes that had been pounded into the coral reef to stymie Allied landing boats. I asked George if he cheered when he saw the explosion. He said no: he was startled and flinched. I was coming in with a romanticized view of the frogmen’s bravado, but when you talk to someone who was there, you see that these were real events, with real people, feeling real emotions.

Where does your fascination with World War II stem from?

It stems from my mother telling me stories about my grandfather, Jack Foster. He was a Naval Lieutenant Commander who flew PBY Catalina seaplanes in the Aleutians during the war. Reminiscent of the film Saving Private Ryan, he lost two brothers in World War II, one in a bomber over Italy, and the other in a landing craft at Guam. He shared a few things about the war before his death at 72-years-old: how it “tested his mettle;” how they lost more planes in Alaska to the weather than the Japanese; how he was frightened every time he climbed into his cockpit; and how his crew was stranded for days on a raft after a crash in the chilly northern Pacific. But I was never able to hear the stories directly; he died six days after I was born. So, my Grandpa Jack sparked my interest in World War II, and taught me there is a time stamp on these stories.

Can you give us a glimpse into your research process for Into Enemy Waters? Did you come across anything surprising?

I devoured every book and article that I could find on the UDT; watched and read transcripts of UDT oral histories, including Draper Kauffman’s. I also scoured the archives for pertinent UDT after-action reports, and visited the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the National Navy SEAL Museum and the History of Diving Museum in Florida. About half of my time was spent talking to George, and the other half was devoted to research. The surprises, for me, are always the gap between my preconceptions of an historic event, and the accounts of actual participants, which almost always vary from one individual to the next. For instance, one soldier might recall the carnage of Omaha Beach, while another remembers being thrilled by the experience, and awed by the display of military might. One sailor might shiver recalling the Kamikazes, while another remembers the sight of the planes plunging and flaming in the night as “beautiful.”

Did George Morgan share any perspective on how far the SEALs have come from its origins?

Yes, and it was a light-hearted moment in one of our meetings. George told the story of how he got to tour Coronado, where the Navy SEALs train. He walked through their state-of-the-art gym and equipment locker, and told me that today’s SEALs are in such better shape than the WWII frogmen, and undergo a much more grueling Hell Week. On the one hand, it’s true. Unlike the UDT—who swam ashore unarmed, and were a defensive unit—the SEALs are an elite, offensive force, armed to the teeth. Their “Hell Week” selection process is indeed tougher than that of their UDT forebearers. That said, I reminded George in the interview, “But you were the first!” George and his fellow frogmen came long before our modern age of high-tech warfare, exemplifying pure strength, endurance, resourcefulness, and courage. The SEALs were able to draw from and build on the experiences and pioneering techniques of the World War II frogmen. I’ve been privileged to speak with Navy SEALs who’ve read the book, and they agree.

What was George’s life like after the war?

Like so many members of the Greatest Generation, George tried to put his wartime experiences behind him and move on with his life. He became very successful in the food industry, eventually launching his own business, started a family, and raised two kids. Despite his efforts to push the war out of his mind, it had a major impact on his life. The physical pain from his combat injuries lingers to this day; and the war’s psychological toll was even harder to cope with. Shortly after returning home, he experienced fainting spells, a common symptom of PTSD, which wasn’t understood back then. To this day, at 95, he continues to have nightmares related to World War II.

What do you hope people take away from this story?

I hope, above all, that they recognize the tremendous contributions made by the World War II demolition men, who were truly unsung heroes of the war, the tip of America’s amphibious spear. Without their skill, specialized training, and bravery, some of the most famous battles of the war—from Omaha Beach to Iwo Jima—might have turned out differently, and our world would be a very different place. I also hope that the book is a gripping and action-packed read that appeals not just to historians, but readers in general.

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/

Debut author tired of male-dominated fantasy pens female-driven epic

PITTSBURGH, PA – Follow Cora as she works to restore the matriarchal society her uncle destroyed in this epic feminist fantasy by debut author and womens’ rights activist, Catherine Raphael. Tired of reading male-dominated fantasy stories, Raphael set out to create Journey to the Heart Stone (Sparkpress, Sept 27, 2022), where a young woman vows to bring together three female-led tribes in hopes of abolishing her evil uncle and restore their peaceful existence.

In the beginning, the Goddess danced the world into existence. Peace reigned for generations through matriarchal rule within the Minca, Dute, and Carroo tribes. But then one man’s lust for power destroyed this balance: Vestor assassinated his sister, Mother of the Minca tribe. His army ravaged the Dute and Carroo tribes. A once-idyllic world was thrust into war, famine, and despair.

Yet today, there is hope. Vestor’s niece, Cora, has a vision: if she can convince an emissary from each tribe to rendezvous at the Heart Stone, she can overthrow her evil uncle, take her rightful place as Mother Minca, and restore harmony.

But the Dutes have disappeared deep into their mountains. There are rumors that the Carroos are extinct. And Cora must move swiftly—lest Vestor learn that she’s pregnant with the Mincan heir. For fans of Priory of the Orange Tree, readers will root for Cora as she makes her way to the Heart Stone and hope for peace in a chaotic world.

“Journey to the Heart Stone”
Catherine Raphael | September 27th, 2022 | SparkPress | Fantasy
Paperback | 978-1-68463-167-4 | $17.95
E-Book | 978-1-68463-168-1 | $9.99

Catherine Raphael: Catherine Raphael grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts/metalsmithing. She worked as a jeweler in Pennsylvania for sixteen years, during which time she also traveled to Arizona to do construction work on Arcosanti, Paolo Soleri’s “City of the Future.” She is one of the founding mothers of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania. She has served on the boards of the Ms. Foundation for Women and the Women Donors Network and volunteered with other progressive women’s rights organizations. In 2014, she attended a master class at Hedgebrook. The friendships she made there coalesced into the Roving Writers, her writing group. Pre-COVID, she was a regular attendee at the Iceland Writers Retreat in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her stories have won prizes in Writer Advice and the Ageless Authors competition, and her work has been short-listed in Women On Writing and long-listed in Bumble Bee. This is her first novel. You can find Catherine Raphael on her website: https://catherineraphael.com/

Follow Catherine Raphael on social media:
Twitter: @RaphaelWriter

Advanced praise for Journey to the Heart Stone

“A beautiful story reminding us that our own lives are a journey back to the heart of what truly matters in life—love. A very enjoyable read!”
—Stacey L. Tucker, author of The Equal Night Trilogy

“An epic fantasy full of warmth, insight, humor, and intrigue. Raphael takes a classic premise—a single hero who must rise up to save the world—and turns it on its head.”
—K.C. Mead-Brewer, author of The Hidden People

A stunning debut, Journey to the Heart Stone will hold you in its grip, page by compelling page.”
—Kathy Fish, author of Wild Life: Collected Works

“Catherine Raphael’s Journey to the Heart Stone is richly imagined from beginning to end. A wondrous and magical read.”
—Gail Tsukiyama, author of The Samurai’s Garden

In an interview, Catherine can discuss:

• Writing a fantasy epic led by women and changing the stereotypical roles of “damsel in distress” into something more complex
• Her history of feminist activism working with the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, Ms. Foundation for Women and the Women Donors Network and volunteered with other progressive women’s rights organizations
• How she came about creating a fantasy novel featuring a matriarchal society
• Moving from activism towards writing
• Creating an epic fantasy story over the last twenty years

An Interview with Catherine Raphael

Why did you decide to write a fantasy novel? Were there any existing stereotypes you wanted to avoid in this genre?

I have always loved fantasy novels. I was frustrated with the dearth of female characters in so many of them. And, if they did exist, they were not usually the protagonist. More often than not they were idealized beauties — the love interest, perhaps, or a damsel in distress — or old and ugly — the evil crone. Fortunately, this is changing. Today one can find fabulous heroines winning the day. I could go on about marginalized communities altogether in fantasies. This, too, is changing.

What are the pitfalls of creating a fantasy epic? What are the perks?

I found it exciting to imagine the three tribes in my book. It was challenging differentiating their characteristics — physical, geographic and talents/abilities. I wanted them to be distinct yet relatable.

It was also challenging to write about a physical world that was understandable yet not quite ‘our’ world.

Does your history of activism play a role in how you approach writing?

I came of age in the 60’s & 70’s — a second-wave feminist. The feminist movement led me to identify problems with the status quo, the patriarchy. I envisioned a world of equality regardless of sex, race, religion etc. This vision has been reinforced in the philanthropic work I’ve engaged with — women’s rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice. The need to push back against the patriarchy is needed now more than ever.

I started writing this book 20+ years ago as a pleasant way to offset my angst about the state of the world. I could settle into a world fighting for balance & peace and I knew it was going to work out in the end. For the most part, the book was on the back burner. I had things to do, obligations to meet. But I worked on it when I could and, finally, had a whole novel.

Cora is such a complex character. How did you go about creating her?

Cora has been sheltered her whole life. I knew her arc was to grow from a woman-child into her full self — a strong tribal matriarch. Her grief at the loss of her husband, her anger and fear of her uncle, the complication of her pregnancy and the vision for how to ‘set the world right’ gave me all the ingredients for her character’s transformation.

What was it like to write a matriarchal society?

This book gave me the opportunity to explore what I personally want society to be — trust, community, equality of the sexes, peace. Is this a matriarchal society? It sure seems different from a patriarchal society.

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/

CIBA Award-winning author uses true events to create inspiring and hopeful tale

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Adélaïde Labille-Guiard is ready to draw the line between art and politics in The Portraitist: A Novel of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (Aug 30, 2022, She Writes Press). Award-winning author Susanne Dunlap paints a historical retelling of real-life Adélaïe Labille-Guiard, a female portraitist and painter, and her earnest battle to win recognition as an artist in 18th century Paris amidst the French Revolution.

Paris, 1774. After her separation from her abusive husband, Adélaïde Labille-Guiard is at last free to pursue her dream of becoming the premier woman portraitist in Paris. Free, that is, until she discovers at her first public exhibition that another woman artist is poised to claim that role — and she has more training and better connections in the tightly controlled art world.

To have a chance of competing, Adélaïde must first improve her skills in oil painting. But her love affair with her young teacher gives rise to suspicions that he touches up her work, and her decision to make much-needed money by executing erotic pastels threatens to create as many problems as it solves.

As her rival gains lucrative portrait commissions and an appointment as portraitist to Queen Marie Antoinette, Adélaïde continues to struggle, until at last she earns a royal appointment of her own, and, in 1789, receives a massive commission from a member of the royal family.

But the timing couldn’t be worse. Adélaïde’s world is turned upside down by political chaos and revolution. With danger around every corner of her beloved Paris, she must find a way to survive and adjust to the new order, starting all over again to carve out a life and a career—and stay alive in the process.

The Portraitist is based on the true story of one woman artist’s fight to take her rightful place in a man’s world — and the decisions she makes that lead her ultimately to the kind of fulfillment she never expected.

“The Portraitist”
Susanne Dunlap | August 30, 2022
She Writes Press | Historical Fiction
Paperback | 978-1647420970 | $17.95
Ebook | B09NNDP8KG | $9.95

More about Susanne Dunlap

Susanne is the author of twelve works of historical fiction for adults and teens, as well as an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach. Her love of historical fiction arose partly from her studies in music history at Yale University (PhD, 1999), partly from her lifelong interest in women in the arts as a pianist and non-profit performing arts executive. Her novel The Paris Affair won first place in its category in the CIBA Dante Rossetti awards for Young Adult Fiction. The Musician’s Daughter was a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year, and was nominated for the Utah Book Award and the Missouri Gateway Reader’s Prize. In the Shadow of the Lamp was an Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award nominee. Susanne earned her BA and an MA (musicology) from Smith College, and lives in Biddeford, ME, with her little dog Betty. You can find her at https://susanne-dunlap.com

Follow Susanne on social media:
Facebook: @SusanneDunlapAuthor
Twitter: @susanne_dunlap
Instagram: @susanne_dunlap
LinkedIn: @susannedunlap
Pinterest: @susanne_dunlap

Advance Praise for ‘The Portraitist’

“An imaginative work that brings the story of a little-known artist to vivid life.”
– Kirkus Reviews

“Deeply researched and imagined, The Portraitist offers a fascinating and dramatic plunge into the world of a brilliant female artist, struggling to make her mark before and during the turbulent and treacherous era of the French Revolution. I loved this novel.”
– Sandra Gulland, internationally best-selling author of The Josephine Trilogy

“Written with breathless drama, The Portraitist follows the rise of the gifted portraitist Adélaïde Labille-Guiard in Paris during the last years of the late eighteenth century. The novel is a luminous depiction of Paris and those terrible times seen through the astute, compassionate eyes of a woman who had to paint. Every bit of lace, or royal carriage or bloody cobblestone is alive in the writing. The rain drumming on the skylight and a misbuttoned coat speak. Go to those streets with this book in your hand to follow her footsteps and those long-gone turbulent times will come alive to you as if they were yesterday.”
– Stephanie Cowell, award-winning author of Claude and Camille

“In The Portraitist, Susanne Dunlap skillfully paints a portrait of a woman struggling to make her way in a man’s world– a topic as relevant today as it was in Ancien Regime France. Impeccably researched, rich with period detail, Dunlap brings to life the little known true story of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, who fought her husband and society to make a name for herself as a painter to the royal family, the very apex of success– only to find everything she had built threatened by the Revolution. A stunning story of determination, talent, and reversals of fortune. As a lifelong Elisabeth Vigée-LeBrun fan, I am now questioning my allegiances!”
– Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Country and Band of Sisters

“[The Portraitist is a] luminous novel of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, whose livelihood and longing for respect are threatened by the institutions that deny women artists their due, compounded by the tumultuous events of the French Revolution. Deftly written and impeccably researched. Highly recommended.”
– Michelle Cameron, award-winning author of Beyond the Ghetto Gates

In an interview, Susanne Dunlap can discuss:

• 18th century art and music and its inspiration in the story
• Researching Adélaïde Labille-Guiard and the true stories within the book
• The feminist themes and struggles of women in 18th century Paris
• How the French Revolution affected art and music during this time
• Her PhD in music history and particular interest in women in the arts helped shape her storytelling and the importance of the female narrative
• Her previous works (Orphans of Tolosa Trilogy, The Musician’s Daughter, Theresa Schurman Mysteries)
• Her work as a book coach and how it extends to her own creative process

An Interview with Susanne Dunlap

What inspired you to write about Adélaïde Labille-Guiard?

I’ve always been interested in women in the arts, and the eighteenth century has a special place in my heart (my dissertation was about eighteenth-century opera). Also, Adélaïde’s self-portrait with her two students that hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY is a huge favorite of mine. But originally, when I first conceived of the book, I thought of her in relation to her rival, Vigée Le Brun. Through research I began to know her in her own right, and to appreciate how different her life must have been from her rival’s, how much more stood in her way. I also love the difference in her painting style from Le Brun’s. It feels much more real, more present, less beautiful in a good way.

Why focus on Adélaïde instead of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun?

Originally I thought I would write about Vigée Le Brun. But I love an underdog, and after discovering that they literally followed each other’s footsteps—but Le Brun doesn’t even mention her rival’s name in her three-volume memoir—I was intrigued.

Of course art plays an important role in this book. Are you an artist as well as a musician and writer?

Alas, I am no artist! I took a drawing class in college, but… no. I love art and have always gone to museums, and have done a lot of reading about art history and artists. As research for this book, I did read an 18th-century treatise on oil painting. However, as André Vincent says to Adélaïde before he starts to teach her, there’s a great deal of difference between reading a treatise and actually making art.

While the story is based on a true story, there are some characters that you’ve created. Which of the characters are real?

Most of the characters are, in fact, historical. The ones I’ve created are Adélaïde’s first student (the rest of the named students are historical), her father’s lover, and a few very minor, walk-on characters. However, I took major liberties with the characters of her father and her estranged husband to the point where I might as well have invented them, partly because there was very little available information about them. In those cases, the story comes first.

Did Adélaïde really do a portrait of Robespierre and get a huge commission from the Comte de Provence just as the revolution was starting?

Yep. All true. All the paintings mentioned in the book existed at one time or still exist. The two mentioned in this question are among those that were probably destroyed during the Revolution.

Did Adélaïde really sell erotic pastels?

Alas, no. At least, I could find no evidence of such a thing. However, erotic drawings were a lucrative trade in 18th-century Paris, and my cash-strapped heroine could easily have decided to capitalize on her talents in this way.

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/

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Rudy Ruiz was raised around ranches and horses, reared on tales of the Old West and the Mexican Revolution, but then he moved on to Harvard and success as an award-winning author of literary fiction. Now he brings his brand of polished storytelling, cultural immersion and magical realism to a visionary novel that explores and upends classic American genres: Western, Southern Gothic and Horror. The results are pioneering, poignant and powerful. The novel, “Valley of Shadows,” will be released by Blackstone Publishing on Sept. 20, 2022, just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Steeped in heritage, “Valley of Shadows” shifts back and forth through time, kicking off in West Texas in 1883, but slowly revealing its protagonist’s past in sections dating back to the mid-1800’s, when the Rio Grande became the new border between the U.S. and Mexico, and the 1860’s, when Mexico battled the French Imperial invasion. The hero of the story is Solitario Cisneros, a former Mexican lawman who lives up to his solitary name. He lost his wife, his family, even his country when the river shifted course. He has resigned himself to a life of solitary regret, communing with spirits and whispering to horses. But a gruesome series of macabre murders and abductions, along with the friendship of an unlikely ally, present him with an unexpected second chance at life, or death.

Through its intimate story, and the perspectives of its lead characters, which include newly minted Mexican-Americans, Anglo settlers, and Mescalero Apaches who had long before called West Texas home, “Valley of Shadows” sheds light on the dark past of injustice, isolation, and suffering along the U.S.-Mexico border. Through luminous prose and soul-searching reflections, Rudy Ruiz transports readers to a distant time and a remote place where the immortal forces of good and evil dance amidst the shadows of magic and mountains.

As readers follow Solitario and his Mexican-Apache friend Onawa into the desert, they join them in facing haunting questions about the human condition that are as relevant today as they were back then: Can we rewrite our own history and shape our own future? What does it mean to belong to a place, or for a place to belong to a people? And, as lonely and defeated as we might feel, are we ever truly alone?

“Valley of Shadows”
Rudy Ruiz | Sept. 20, 2022 | Blackstone Publishing
Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Historical Fiction | Western
Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1982604646 | Price: $27.99

About the Author

Rudy Ruiz is a writer of literary fiction, essays and political commentary. His earliest works were published at Harvard, where he studied literature and creative writing, and was awarded a Ford Foundation grant to support his writing endeavors.

“Seven for the Revolution” was Ruiz’s fiction debut. The collection of short stories won four International Latino Book Awards.

Ruiz’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals including BorderSenses, The Ninth Letter, New Texas, and the Notre Dame Review. In 2017, Rudy Ruiz was awarded the Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction. In 2020, Ruiz was a finalist for both the Texas Institute of Letters’ Best Short Story Award as well as the Texas Observer’s annual Short Story Contest.

In 2020, Blackstone Publishing released Ruiz’s novel, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.” The novel received critical acclaim and was named one of the “Top 10 Best First Novels of 2020” by the American Library Association’s Booklist. The Southern Review of Books stated: “Ruiz’s prose is buoyant and immersive…Its effusive descriptions are reminiscent of Laura Esquivel.” The novel was longlisted for the Reading the West Award and a Finalist for the Western Writers of America Silver Spur Award for Best Contemporary Novel. It also was awarded two Gold Medals at the International Latino Book Awards, including the Rudolfo Anaya Prize for Best Latino Focused Fiction and Best Audio Book.

Ruiz’s new novel, “Valley of Shadows,” is due for release on Sept. 20, 2022 by Blackstone Publishing.

Follow Rudy Ruiz online:
Website: RudyRuiz.com | Twitter: @Rudy_Ruiz_7

In an interview, Rudy Ruiz can discuss:

• Growing up on the U.S.-Mexican border and why this region of Texas plays such an essential role in his writing
• Drawing inspiration from his father’s stories, as a first generation American with immigrant parents
• Bridging cultural divides and building empathy through literature, as well as addressing border and immigration issues in works of literary fiction and magical realism
• Exploring the immigrant experience, acculturation, racism and discrimination
• How we weaves historical events, family lore, local legends and fantasy into his writing
• Writing the prequel to his award-winning work, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez”

An Interview with Rudy Ruiz

How does “Valley of Shadows” relate to your previous novel, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez?” Will there be a sequel?

“Valley of Shadows” is a stand-alone prequel. The novels are set in the same universe. One aspect about “Valley of Shadow”s that I’m particularly excited about is indeed the potential for sequels, both for specific mysteries and crimes that the protagonists can tackle as well as the larger arc of their own character development and relationships.

Tell us about the protagonists we meet in “Valley of Shadows,” Solitario Cisneros and Onawa.

Solitario is a former Mexican lawman haunted by a family curse that keeps him from hanging on to those he loves. He is lonely and isolated and afraid to engage with the world, but he is also driven by a strong moral compass and a sense of duty, old world values I think make him a fascinating and relevant hero.

Onawa is a gifted Mexican-Apache seer. She has been connected to Solitario since she first saw him on the verge of taking his own life and saved him. Onawa’s love for Solitario is as pure as her distrust for the rest of society. Their natural chemistry makes them vital to each other and to those around them, although Solitario’s curse stubbornly keeps them from fulfilling their growing mutual attraction for each other.

Can you describe the role of the U.S.-Mexico border in “Valley of Shadows?”

The premise of “Valley of Shadows” demonstrates how the man-made border is an arbitrary construct that can change on a whim, and upend the lives of everyone who lives in the region. In the book, the Rio Grande shifts course and strands a whole Mexican town north of the new border. As the residents scramble to survive and profiteers rush in to take advantage, we explore the very real effects of war, greed and climate displacement on human lives. All of these were pressing issues back in the 1800’s as they are today.

Did any historical events inspire “Valley of Shadows” and its characters?

The Rio Grande actually has changed course a couple of times since it became the border, and I thought it would make for a fascinating premise, especially given the growing concern over climate displacement and refugees globally. Additionally, a number of atrocities committed by the Texas Rangers back in the 1800’s and early 1900’s inspired me to imagine a world where the unheard voices of the Native American and Mexican-American communities of the time could be brought to the forefront and cast as heroes rather than only villains and victims. The Porvenir Massacre was one such event, in which Texas Rangers slaughtered innocent Mexican children. I yearned to create a world where heroes like Solitario and Onawa could save those lives and reshape reality.

How did family history and experiences growing up influence your writing?

I began riding horses on my father’s ranch when I was a toddler. I’m better at writing than I am at riding. But I have very fond memories of those days out on the ranch with my father. The ranch, located in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, was the last scrap that my immediate family owned of a once sprawling tract of land that straddled the Rio Grande. The ranch, El Dos de Copas, was originally part of the much larger Caja Pinta. My paternal ancestor Juan Jose Cisneros, and his wife Maria Antonio Villarreal, established Caja Pinta back in the 1700’s. They were one of 13 families on an expedition to first settle the region, founding what grew into modern day Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas.

The ranches and their history at the crux of the U.S.-Mexico War play a palpable role in my novels. The ranches have personalities of their own. Caja Pinta is grand and majestic, a wide-open and spiritual place that connects its inhabitants to nature and to whatever lies beyond this material world. Some might call it magic. Others might call it God. Regardless, it is a place of boundless possibility. El Dos de Copas is small, scrappy and defiant. It is literally the lowest card in the Spanish deck of playing cards. But it keeps playing. It never gives up. It is a place of beleaguered hope.

In my novels, the family ranch of Caja Pinta, its division by war and the family’s subsequent destruction through greed, violence and pride are at the heart of a multi-generational curse that plagues the men in the Cisneros family and, by association, the women they love. In the books it is called La Maldición de Caja Pinta. This curse that burdens the men in the family and dooms them in all matters of the heart charts challenging destinies for Fulgencio in “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” and for Solitario Cisneros, Fulgencio’s ancestor, in “Valley of Shadows.”

The idea for the curse fit perfectly into my passion for magical realism, but it actually stems from a family legend that indeed the men in my family were cursed. Fortunately, for me, I believe it to be a very colorful – if symbolic – fiction, a more palatable way of explaining our human flaws and failures, our past inability to overcome the burdens of our own histories, social barriers, and bad habits.

It is Solitario Cisneros’ seemingly futile desire to escape the powerful family curse that drives him to flee Caja Pinta, leads to his involvement in Mexico’s war against France, and lands him in West Texas at the start of “Valley of Shadows.”

Weaving together historical events, family lore, local legends and sheer fantasy in a seamless way is what makes writing magical realism so exhilarating and immersive for me as a writer. Hopefully, it is also an engaging way for readers and new generations to learn about the complex past while dreaming of a better future.

How does your advocacy of multicultural communities tie in with your writing?

I want to tackle issues that are relevant to social justice today and build empathy while also giving readers hope and inspiration that we can build a better and more harmonious world.

Magical realism is popular among Latino authors, but you chose to also blend this with Western themes. What inspired you to do this?

To be honest, my son asked me to write a Western horror story. My children have always inspired me to spin yarns and tell stories so it was a lot of fun to rise to the challenge in my own personal style and literary voice.

You mentioned that “how the West was won” narratives often over-simplify and gloss over the impact on natives of the West – how did that influence your writing?

I grew up watching classic Western movies with my dad. The Mexican and Indigenous American characters were always either villains, drunks, or comical sidekicks. The women were usually little more than shallow love interests. I thought it would be fascinating to tell a story from the perspective of a Mexican-American lawman and an Apache healer. These characters come from communities that were facing tremendous hardships and persecution. Yet, they often fought for justice, stood up for their people, and even helped diverse communities survive at times when people had to band together – despite their differences – to overcome life-threatening situations. There are many untold stories of unsung heroes throughout the history of the Southwest. My hope is to help those forgotten people – that often gave their lives for their families and communities – attain a visible presence, an audible voice, and their respectful place in the modern American narrative.

As I delved into the book, I realized that the same issues that plagued America in the 1800’s still permeate our society today. Social injustice, police brutality, racial hatred, discrimination, systemic racism, poverty, xenophobia, anti-immigrant sentiments. When you hear those terms, you think of the last few years. Ironically, those are the same themes that dictated much of life for people all through America’s history. We can only change if we learn from our past.

What themes are explored in “Valley of Shadows?”

Isolation, fate, memory, “belonging,” self-determination, war, borders, climate displacement, spirituality, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit when we choose vulnerability and love over fear and hatred.

Can you discuss how the themes in your book foster cultural understanding in an effort to bridge cultural divides?

Ultimately, my writing is about empathy. It’s an invitation to the reader to walk in the shoes of somebody else, if for but a few pages. I hope that when a non-Latino reader becomes immersed in one of my stories or novels, they will experience some of the emotions, some of the challenges, some of the aspirations of the characters whose thoughts they inhabit. And, my goal would be for them to emerge from the book, entertained but also more empathetic towards the situations of others from different cultures. If we can see into each other’s worlds, we can find common ground and appreciation and that can lead to good things: like lasting relationships, collaboration, love, and healing.

What’s next for you?

I have several sequel ideas for “Valley of Shadows,” along with a couple of manuscripts that are already completed. One is a modern day immigrant story and the other is a border Bildungsroman set in the 1980’s and loosely inspired by my own upbringing.

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/

WHAT THE FACT? Finding the Truth in All the Noise

What is a fact? What are reliable sources? What is news? What is fake news? How can anyone make sense of it anymore? Well, we have to. As conspiracy theories and online hoaxes increasingly become a part of our national discourse and “truth” itself is being questioned, it has never been more vital to build the discernment necessary to tell fact from fiction, and media literacy has never been more vital.

In this accessible guide, Dr. Seema Yasmin, an award-winning journalist, scientist, medical professional, and professor, traces the spread of misinformation and disinformation through our fast-moving media landscape and teaches young readers the skills that will help them identify and counter poorly-sourced clickbait and misleading headlines.

WHAT THE FACT? Finding the Truth in All the Noise by Dr. Seema Yasmin
Sept. 20, 2022 | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781665900034 | $19.99 | Ages 12 and up

Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award–winning journalist who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, medical doctor, professor, and poet. She attended medical school at Cambridge University and worked as a disease detective for the US federal government’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. She currently teaches storytelling at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a regular contributor to CNN, Self, and Scientific American, among others.

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/

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Best-selling biographer Jane Wolfe’s latest – “Burl: Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer” (Sept. 6, 2022, Andrews McMeel Publishing) – looks at legendary journalist Burl Osborne’s extraordinary life and career.

“Burl” is the story of one man’s unlikely rise from the coal mines of Appalachia to the pinnacle of journalism. After being diagnosed with a fatal kidney disease as a child, Burl Osborne pioneered home dialysis treatment and became only the 130th person to undergo a live kidney transplant in 1966—then an unproven, high-risk operation.

While managing his challenging illness, Burl distinguished himself early as a writer and reporter with The Associated Press, eventually rising to the top of the wire service’s executive ranks. Then, against the advice of his colleagues and the newspaper’s own doctors, he sought an even greater challenge: joining The Dallas Morning News to lead the fight in one of America’s last great newspaper wars.

Throughout his life and career, he garnered respect from business and political leaders, reporters, editors, and publishers around the country. “Burl” thrusts readers into the improbable and remarkable life of a man at the forefront of both medicine and a golden age of journalism.

“Burl: Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer”
Jane Wolfe | Sept. 6, 2022 | Andrews McMeel Publishing | Biography
Hardcover | ISBN 978-1524871796 | $29.99
Audiobook also available

About the Author

Jane Wolfe is the author of two previous best-selling biographies, “The Murchisons: The Rise and Fall of a Texas Dynasty” (St. Martin’s Press) and “Blood Rich: When Oil Billions, High Fashion, and Royal Intimacies Are Not Enough” (Little, Brown & Co.). She is also a freelance writer for several publications, including the New York Times and Town & Country magazine. Although she lived in Dallas from 1980 until 2019, she now resides in the city where she was born, Columbus, Ohio, and where her family for more than a century owned The Columbus Dispatch.

“Burl Osborne was a man of talent, determination, and courage against obstacles. All those qualities are reflected in this book. He was a friend and valued colleague—a man I admired.” – Walter R. Mears, Associated Press reporter for 45 years and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

“Burl was wildly unique…I’ve never met anyone in the media business like him. He was the real deal.” – Morton H. Meyerson, former executive of Electronic Data Systems and current chairman of 2M Companies, Inc

“Today, more than ever, America needs more Burl Osbornes…tough, demanding but compassionate, a fighter, a competitor, and a newsman committed to reporting the news in a balanced, honest, and fair manner.” – Dolph C. Simons, Jr., editor of The Lawrence Journal-World and chairman of the World Company

“Burl served on the board of CPJ for 15 years…[He] had an uncanny ability to identify the key issues, ask the relevant questions, and build a consensus around an informed decision. It was a marvel to watch him work…His service contributed enormously to…the defense of persecuted journalists around the world seeking to bring the truth to light.” – Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists

In an interview, Jane Wolfe can discuss:

• Burl Osborne’s legacy and impact on the journalism industry
• What today’s journalists can learn from Burl’s life and career
• Significant historical moments that Burl witnessed through the unique lens of a reporter and editor
• Burl’s role in leading the Dallas Morning News and its newspaper war against the Dallas Times Herald
• The lesser-known influence Burl had on the medical community – He was told as a young child that he wouldn’t live past his teenage years and became the 130th person in history to receive a life-saving kidney transplant

An Interview with Jane Wolfe

The news industry has a lot of legends — why did you choose to write about Burl Osborne? What sets him apart?

Burl is that rare publisher and editor for whom integrity and fairness were his guiding principles. He learned early on – as a TV news reporter at the very start of his career – that if he was neither too far left nor too far right, and if he played his stories straight down the middle, he would not only be more credible but also have more success as a journalist. It was an early lesson in fairness from a journalism teacher he respected – and he never forgot it.

I was impressed by his extraordinary drive and energy, which were especially remarkable given his kidney problems. After his early kidney transplant, with just one working kidney, he rose quickly up the ladder with the Associated Press, causing one reporter to quip, “Imagine what he could do with two kidneys!”

Can you elaborate on the newspaper war between the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Times Herald – and what role Burl played in that fight?

Burl didn’t just play a role in that fight. He was the fight. Without Burl, it is quite likely that the Dallas Morning News would not have won the newspaper war. The Dallas Times Herald was ahead when the war began and had much deeper pockets than The Morning News.

But Burl’s intelligence, creativity, hard work and determination made The News a better product, and when he got ahead in the fight he never backed off. He pushed ahead, determined not to let up, until the day the Times Herald closed.

Burl’s reputation in journalism is well-documented, but the book also tells of his remarkable and unlikely rise. Can you give us a brief glimpse into his childhood?

He had a rather sad childhood because 1) his family was just barely middle class and he had to do without some things; and 2) he was sick for much of it, battling kidney disease. He was still a young boy when he was diagnosed by a doctor who gave him a devastating prognosis. The doctor told him not to exert himself in any way and to spend most of his time in bed. He also told Burl that he probably wouldn’t live beyond his teenage years. But the doctor did not give him much information about his disease, so he went alone to the library to read about it. It was not a very hopeful time for the young boy.

Did anything surprise you when looking into Burl’s life and career?

Many things surprised me. He was very smart, but subjected his body to great danger. After his first kidney transplant, his surgeon in Denver warned him to stay off of the ski slopes because the massive amount of steroids he was taking made his bones brittle. A fall on the slopes would likely mean one or more broken bones. Burl ignored the surgeon’s advice and skied fast and often.

He also took chances driving too fast. When he was still in high school, he was lucky to walk away from a car that he totaled in a very bad accident. Later, when he owned a Ferrari, he raced it at over 120 miles an hour on freeways around Dallas and at least once nearly crashed into another car.

How did you go about researching this book?

The same way I’ve researched all of my books, with many interviews. I spoke at length with several members of Burl’s family, and with his friends, competitors, acquaintances, admirers. I also researched a great deal of news stories online, as there are many articles not only written about him but also by him.

While interviewing Burl’s former friends and colleagues, did any stories stand out or stay with you more than others?

His first wife, Louella, told me in fascinating detail how she and Burl struggled to operate one of the earliest home dialysis machines. I was amazed to learn from her how the two of them used a very rudimentary machine – that at any moment could have killed him – to remove, clean and restore his blood to his body. I describe in the book the very difficult and tense times they had with the machine that regularly broke down and that often made him feel even sicker.

Burl had a long, successful career in journalism. What significant moments in history did he witness through the lens as a reporter and editor?

A better question would be, “What didn’t he witness through the lens as a reporter and editor?” He was there for all of the big news events of the second half of the 20th Century in America.

However, he missed Dallas’ biggest news story — the Kennedy assassination — by almost two decades. But he showed the newspaper world how he might have handled that assassination when he put out an “Extra” when President Ronald Reagan was shot in March 1981, soon after Burl arrived in Dallas. The “Extra” alerted journalists in Dallas that a new editor had arrived in town and that things would never be the same.

What lessons can the next generation of journalists learn from Burl’s life and career?

We’re often told that good guys finish last. But Burl proves that’s a myth. He was as well-liked when he finished first – as head of The Morning News and head of the Associated Press – as he was when he was starting out as a cub reporter. A journalist who wants to make a name for herself or himself today can do this by working hard to get the story right, not by sensationalizing it or giving it a personal bent to benefit himself or herself. Burl was always balanced, whether writing about a mine collapse in Kentucky or managing a Pulitzer-Prize winning newspaper series in Texas.

How does this book appeal to non-journalists?

It’s a great American success story! It appeals to anyone who likes to read about an individual who starts with nothing and rises to the top. Burl succeeded because he was highly intelligent, hard-working and a natural leader. He had a nose for news and he was a talented writer so, naturally, he excelled as a journalist. But he would have reached the top in whatever profession he chose, whether it be banking or law or manufacturing or something else. At the end of the book, you’re glad he won.

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/

DALLAS – Determining right from wrong isn’t as simple as running an algorithm — or is it?

Dive in and discover the newest of technologies and its improvement of humanity in Lois and Ross Melbourne’s hopeful science-fiction debut. Using their backgrounds as tech executives, “Moral Code” (Sept. 20, 2022, Nonlinear Publishing LLC) breaks barriers as a young engineer develops an AI for children only for others to pursue its code for their personal gains.

Keira’s entire reputation is built upon the development of ethical computing. Her AI, Elly, is the testbed and best example using her Moral Operating System. Her absolute dedication to improving children’s lives could now put all she’s worked for at risk. If she fails, her top two priorities yield dangerous consequences. Her new boss’s nanites must be restrained through an upgrade to her MoralOS. Eavesdropping with that same SmartDust, her anger rages at the abusers she hears. They must be stopped. Keira thought she and Elly, with her ethical framework, could keep everything under control. Against conventional wisdom, it’s not the moral decision making of AIs that’s the problem. It’s the people.

For fans of “Catfishing on CatNet” and the “Murderbot Diaries,” “Moral Code” eloquently and excitedly explores how artificial intelligence can not only set moral boundaries — but also how they can revolutionize the future.

“Moral Code”
Lois and Ross Melbourne | Sept. 20, 2022 | Nonlinear Publishing LLC | Science-fiction
Paperback, 978-0-9976792-0-5, $16.99 | Ebook, 978-0-9976792-1-2, $7.99

About Lois and Ross Melbourne

“Moral Code” is not the first collaboration for Lois and Ross Melbourne. Side-by-side, they grew their software business to a global award-winning organization, as CEO and Chief Technology Officer, respectively. Now Lois’ storytelling brings to life Ross’ deep understanding of the possibilities within artificial intelligence and robotics. Parenting and marriage have been the easy part of this equation.

Lois is now writing books, having published two children’s books about exploring careers. “Moral Code” is her first but not her last novel. You can learn more about Lois at www.loismelbourne.com. Ross’ current work includes artificial intelligence and robotics. You can learn more about him at www.rossmelbourne.com. And for more about them and the book, you can visit, www.MoralCodeTheBook.com.

Follow Lois and Ross on social media:
Twitter: @RossMelbourne | Instagram: @loismelbourne131

In an interview, Lois and Ross can discuss:

• Their working relationship as co-authors and how they navigate collaborating together and their own partnership
• Lois’ past life as a former female tech executive
• Writing about women in tech and the importance of women in STEM fields
• Creating an ethically advanced AI, as well as real-life repercussions of AI
• How tech can improve the world and creating more positive advancements
• The technology behind the real-life chatbot they created
• The book’s themes of abuse and the cycle of trauma that abuse creates
• Creating a hopeful and positive science-fiction story
• Future projects they’re both working on

An interview with Lois and Ross Melbourne

What’s it like working on a book together with your spouse?

We are accustomed to collaboration. We created and grew a global software company for 18 years. The iterative process of writing a novel felt similar to the creation of software. The initial outline we brainstormed changed substantially. At times, our futuristic dreams of the technology were being announced by MIT or some amazing organization. That made us rethink the timeline or entire plotlines. We are good at working through the creative process together, but it wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, Lois just had to write and then learn from Ross’ review if she nailed the tech’s capabilities.

Where did the idea for “Moral Code” come from?

Ross created the initial premise of AI’s capabilities being used to protect children. We liked the idea of a story showing the positive influence technology can have on humanity, instead of destructive abuse. One day, we started talking about it over breakfast, and several hours later, we had a 10-page outline ready to be woven into a story. We talked it through like planning a movie we could visualize.

How possible is the technology in the book?

We believe some form of this smart dust or nanites from the book will become a reality — when that will happen is harder to say. In our current decade, we will all experience fully conversational AIs that we can see and talk to about anything under the sun. Imagining life without your own Elly to talk with every day, will become like imagining life without your own smartphone. The challenge with extremely small robots is their power source, and this is perhaps the area in the book that we took the most creative license to say “and then magic happens here.”

Do either of you have a background in ethics?

Neither of us have a background in ethics. We both had moms that were clear about raising us to make the right choices. Working with corporations around the world to assist in the analysis of their workforce and succession planning, we learned a lot about the cultural similarities and differences in ethical decision making. We both researched ethical computing capabilities and challenges, which are very hot topics right now. Lois studied the philosophies at the root of many ethics as well.

The book feels cinematic, what are your thoughts about turning it into a movie?

Our early readers continually say, “I read it like I was watching a movie.” We would love to see the message of “Moral Code” reach the masses through film. Lois intentionally didn’t write the characters into a particular appearance. She wants the reader to imagine who is playing the roles of their favorite characters. She also didn’t want to perpetuate body image stereotypes of the personalities. Elly could be quite the sensation in a movie.

Ross, as a tech entrepreneur, how different is inventing the tech for a company vs. for “Moral Code”?

​​If we’re being honest, it’s a lot more fun! When designing software, you are continually constrained by what current technology can deliver and what customers say they are willing to pay for. When designing futuristic technology — even though it’s grounded in what is possible — extrapolating from today’s tech, you can reach for the stars and truly be as creative as you want.

How did you learn about the technology and its possibilities or constraints?

Ross has always fancied himself as a bit of a futurist. He loves thinking about where technology will take us and what new tech might be on the horizon. He is also a generalist when it comes to tech and considers research and development as a hobby.

Ross took lead on the tech, identifying the coolest tech and trends. Lois would then research the planned or imagined usage to translate the details and build them into the plot. We’d discuss the capabilities and brainstorm the interactions which could tell the story.

Why does this story mean so much to you?

We both feel strongly about providing children with the best opportunities for a successful and joyful life. Having seen firsthand the generational cycle abuse can develop, we chose to propose a grander proposition. Technology gets a bad reputation, especially for entertainment purposes. We’d rather plant the concepts for positive uses of tech. Sci-Fi is good for that purpose, i.e. cellphones, Google Earth, etc. Why not spark someone to create a Moral Operating System and a prime imperative of helping kids?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What can each one of us do to participate in making our communities (local and global) better places? What are we afraid of and how can we bust past that fear? We challenge people to find ways to break the cycle of abuse negatively affecting kids. Invent and create in whatever medium you prefer — it might lead somewhere amazing.

What projects are you working on next?

Lois is working on a new novel exploring the power of women supporting each other.
Ross is building a robotics startup for the landscaping industry and will continue to do research into AI and robotics.

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/

Soul-stirring memoir tells the shocking story of how they found each other

NASHVILLE, TN – This wild and heartwarming story Accidental Sisters: The Story of My 52 Year Wait to Meet My Biological Sister (Books Fluent, August 26, 2022) follows author, Kathe Linn Caire, as her sudden pull to learn more about her medical history sends her on an unexpected journey.

Kathe isn’t interested in learning her birth parents’ identities, just the details of their health. But what begins as a simple investigation takes a startling swerve when the social worker who sends the records fails to redact a crucial bit of information. Suddenly, Kathe has more information than she bargained for. And to her surprise, she finds herself combing through vital records, researching every lead she can get her hands on.

When an Internet search results in a dead end, Kathe’s daughters present her with a birth mother search as a gift for Mother’s Day. What Kathe discovers transforms her.
With each piece of information she uncovers, the mystery of her birth parents’ identities unravels a bit more. But when her investigation uncovers a half-sister that Kathe never imagined existed, she must decide: open her heart and mind to a stranger who shares her DNA, or walk away without challenging her long-held beliefs about what it means to be part of a family.

“Accidental Sisters”
Katherine Caire | August 26th, 2022 | Books Fluent | Memoir |
Paperback| 978-1-953865-57-1 | Price
Ebook | 978-1-953865-58-8 | Price

KATHERINE CAIRE: Katherine Linn Caire was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she swam for the Mustangs and received her BBA (Finance), with Minors in Art History and Economics. Although her career has spanned the gamut from commercial banking lender to advertising account executive, from calligrapher/artist to tennis official, she has found her true delight in putting pen to paper.

She lived in Dallas for nearly three decades, where all three of her and her husband’s daughters were born and raised. The family moved to the beautiful city of Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 where she lives with her husband, Don, and their precious mutt, Waltzing Matilda.

See more at klcairebooks.com.

In an interview, Katherine Caire can discuss:

• Her experience as an adopted child, growing up with no interest in finding her birth family
• How difficult it is for adopted children to discover their medical history and why it is necessary
• How it felt to start researching her birth parents after years of not doing so
• The leads that eventually helped her find her half sister
• What it was like to first reach out to a stranger that she knew to be related to her but didn’t know at all
• The writing process of exploring something so personal and crafting it into a story to share with others
• How to reconcile the family you’ve made for yourself with the family you were born into
• What family means to an adopted child

An Interview with Katherine Caire

For many years you weren’t at all interested in finding your birth parents. Could you talk about why?

Honestly, it just wasn’t on my radar, for decades. I guess it had a lot to do with my being blessed with these two parents that adored me and a little brother that I adored. Yes- I realize how lucky I was, and I believe that diffused any interest in finding out about what “might have been.”

Can you describe the “sudden pull” you felt? When did it first happen?

The “sudden pull” I talk about in the book happened only once. It was the night that I knew I needed to get some sort of medical information from my side of our daughters’ gene pool. It literally came out of nowhere. That is why I paid attention.

When the leads dried up, what helped you keep going?

I really wanted to figure it out myself, but it was okay if I couldn’t. There was always the possibility of contacting the adoption agency to ask for a birth mother search. My daughters sensed my frustration and moved forward with the search, buying it for me as a Mother’s Day gift.

Did you ever expect to find living family members and get in contact with them?

Once again and from my heart- I didn’t think about it for the majority of my life. As a matter of fact, sometimes so much time would go by with no thought or mention of adoption that it slipped my mind temporarily. However, finding Marcia , thanks to a number of unexpected twists, was a very special gift beyond compare.

Can you talk about the writing process? Did it help you mentally process the experience? Did it open old wounds?

Definitely the former, somewhat the latter. As described in the book, so much of what happened helped me to actually think through the process and understand what really happened as an adopted child. The latter…I didn’t realize I had old wounds. However, this experience allowed me to understand that as an adoptee, regardless of how wonderful your situation has been, still means that you have at least some sort of abandonment issues. It also really helped me to process all that my birth mother went through, and the sacrifices she made for me.

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/