Author: 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

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/

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

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/

Public health specialist uses expertise to create engaging, educational STEM-based middle grade series

WASHINGTON DC – Follow The Antidotes as they find a way to save their water supply from plastic-eating bacteria! Dr. Patricia Mechael weaves her expertise as a public health specialist to write an engaging and educational new middle grade book featuring a colorful cast of classmates that attempt to save their town from a corporate experiment gone wrong! The Antidotes: Pollution Solution (Bold Story Press, Oct. 4, 2022) showcases a stimulating adventure for kids and touches on returning to normalcy after a global pandemic, the challenges of grief, and co-parenting in an age-friendly way. The first book in a new series is perfect for curious kids with an interest in science!

The Chesapeake Bay has become polluted by a stinky plastic-eating bacteria, pee yew! But fifth-grade friends Izi, Gir, and others take action together by forming an activist group called the Antidotes, and join forces with public health activists to find clean water solutions. The friends use STEM strategies to help save the earth from a potential disaster— they also have secret meetings, do a little spy work, and make some useful discoveries.

Along the way, they learn to embrace their differences, and discover that they are stronger when they all work together. The Antidotes race against the clock to get out the word to kids around the world about how to stay safe. But— will the Antidotes be able to get enough kids to reduce their plastic use before it makes any more fish or kids sick? Join the Antidotes in their first science adventure, and stay tuned for more stories!

The Antidotes: Pollution Solution
Patricia Mechael | October 4, 2022
Bold Story Press | Middle Grade Fiction
Paperback | 978-1-954805-24-8 | $17.99
Ebook | 978-1-954805-25-5 | $9.99

Dr. Patricia (Patty) Mechael: Award-winning digital health specialist, recognized by the John Hopkins University Knowledge for the World Distinguished Alumnus Award, the British Council UK Education Social Impact Award and Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Resident Fellowship, Patty holds a PhD in Public Health and Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Master’s in Health Science in International Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

On top of being a public health specialist, Patty is also a mom and writer, who combines her passions for technology and innovation, science, women’s rights, and the world to inspire kids and adults through her writing. Drawing on her career in global health, Patty’s works wrestle with the toughest public health and societal issues of our time, including the environment, pandemic preparedness, responsible technology and AI, and mental health.

She is recognized as a pioneer in the use of mobile and other technologies for health. Patty is co-founder and policy lead at HealthEnabled and has served as executive director of the mHealth Alliance and executive vice president of the Personal Connected Health Alliance. In addition, she is co-editor of mHealth in Practice: Mobile technology for health promotion in the developing world published by Bloomsbury, an editorial board member of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and a regular contributing author to AIMed’s quarterly journal. Patty has penned more than 100 publications on various aspects of public health and technology in scientific and health journals. Her writing draws on her more than 20 years of work across more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Find out more about her at https://www.patriciamechael.com/.

Follow Patricia Mechael on Twitter!

In an interview, Patricia Mechael can discuss:

• Her extensive public health background and expertise and how it plays into the series
• The importance of clean water, and how it affects both our local and global communities
• Her passion for educating and empowering kids, specifically helping them understand global health, technology, and what they can do today and as the world’s future leaders
• What STEM is, and why it is important to her to promote girls in STEM, and the collaboration among sexes in science
• How she wrote this book with her 10-year-old son, Gabriel, and how he not only inspired the characters and the story’s development, but also her as a mother
• How this story can be beneficial for kids to read in collaboration with school science programs and/or through libraries
• The trickiness of discussing challenging topics with children in age-friendly ways, and the reasons why it is important
• How and why she touches on childhood grief and the struggle to return to normalcy following Covid-19
• How the book touches on ways to navigate and accept divorce and co-parenting

An Interview with Patricia Mechael

1. When did you get involved in the health field, and how did you know it was the field you wanted to work in?

As the daughter of Egyptian immigrants who was good at math and science and wanted to help people, I was slated to become the family’s medical doctor. At a young age, I also had an interest in the world and dreamt of being a medical doctor in Africa. While I was an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, I was an international relations pre-med student. During my freshman year, there was a short Wintersession course offered by the School of Public Health on Careers in International Health. It was during that course that I discovered my passion for public health. As part of that course, I was exposed to the 1993 World Development Report: Investing in Health and page after page, I kept thinking to myself, “This is what I want to do.” I still have that report, and it still energizes me.

2. What inspired you to start writing middle grade science-inspired fiction, and how did it lead to The Antidotes series?

When I was younger, I wanted to write children’s books. It wasn’t until well into my career in global health and digital health, that I found myself in the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center as a fellow in the same group as the New York Times Best-selling Young Adult Fiction writer, Ruta Sepetys. Listening to her speak about her journey from music producer to fiction writing, inspired me to start writing fiction. I wrote one and a half other works of fiction before starting The Antidotes. It was at the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator’s (SCBWI) Conference in New York in 2020, that I learned there was a need for smart middle grade fiction. I figured I had a ready made audience at home with my then 7-year old son. What I was surprised to find was a writing collaborator who had great ideas and very strong opinions about what would work or not for kids his age.

3. Why is it important to discuss challenging topics with kids in age-friendly ways, and how do you manage to do so in this series?

Kids can’t vote, and yet they are the most dramatically impacted by policy decisions on big issues like climate change, gun violence, pandemic control, technology regulation, etc. They are also impacted personally by family circumstances like the loss of a parent and/or divorce. Kids need to know that they have choices and that there are paths that they can take and people that they can engage to support them as they find ways not only to survive but to thrive, including and especially each other.

4. As a woman in science, how does this book promote STEM to girls, and promote the collaboration of sexes in science going forward?

I was fortunate to grow up with a father and a mother who are both computer scientists and to hear them collaborate on code development and program debugging in the 1980s before computer science and technology images became predominantly masculine. We need good examples of what it looks like for boys and girls to collaborate in science. In The Antidotes: Pollution Solution, the two narrators – Gir and Izi – have to find a way to work together. Gir needs to get over his jealousy of Izi’s scientific talent and Izi needs to develop the confidence to be the leader that she is. In the end they find a way to each lean into their strengths and pull in the strengths of the other Antidotes.

5. What is the main focus of this book, and the main take away you’d like for kids to have after reading the first book in the series?

The main focus of this book is that there are big human-caused problems facing the world today like plastic waste and there are half-baked solutions like plastic-eating bacteria that don’t address the root of the problem. But that kids can bring together solutions inspired by science to address them. Kids have an active role to play in mobilizing collective action. I want kids to walk away feeling empowered. In this book in particular, I want kids to come away with basic public health principles related to clean water and an individual and collective motivation to reduce their use of plastic and plastic waste.

6. How will you continue The Antidotes series? What exciting adventures do kids have to look forward to?

The next book in The Antidotes series (working title Masters of Technology) is focused on technology gone wrong and a company that steals and misuses code developed by one of The Antidotes. In the book, The Antidotes will face many of the pitfalls of unregulated technology- misinformation and disinformation, misuse of personal information, cyber-bullying, and predatory on-line behavior. The current technology regulations are not keeping pace with industry and kids are paying a high price, including increased rates of depression especially among girls associated with social media. The Antidotes will need to find solutions and ways to master technology before it masters them.

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/

NAPLES, Fla. – In today’s global economy, effective leadership requires engaging in diverse interactions, meaning there is no singular, predefined way to lead. Instead, leaders today must be culturally agile, and they must live that awareness and adaptability each and every day.

“There Is No Box” (Nov. 8, 2022, BenBella Books) by Drs. Marisa and Simon Cleveland is a practical guide for leaders who recognize how critical it is to draw outside the lines of typical guidance in order to rethink leadership development and gain competencies that make them more inclusive, culturally aware, and empowered to facilitate collaboration. The authors draw on their combined 40 years of experience in corporate, government and higher education leadership to answer a question they’ve been getting for over two decades: How do lauded leaders live? Through anecdotes and interviews paired with actionable takeaways, the book investigates where leaders start, how they become boxed in upon entering the workforce and, finally, how they can break through those boundaries to become a culturally agile leader and a meaningful contributor to our global society.

“There Is No Box” provides established and emerging leaders everywhere with comprehensive tools to prove that leading isn’t just something you do — it’s a lifestyle.

“A great read for those just starting out, those sensing that they need to change their approach to leadership, or even those who just want to look outside the existing leadership style boxes.” — Dr. Jack Deem, academic department chair, School of Business and Information Technology, Purdue Global University

“There Is No Box”
Marisa and Simon Cleveland | Nov. 8, 2022 | BenBella Books | Nonfiction/Business
Hardcover, 9781637741948, $27.00 | Ebook, 9781637741955, $13.99

Early praise for the Clevelands and “There Is No Box”

“A critically important book, offering invaluable insights and a clear path forward to becoming a relatable leader. Professor Cleveland’s premise that leadership is more than a skill, it is a lifestyle, is exactly on point. And his conclusions are based on strategies drawn from real world experience. …
I strongly concur with his observation that the power of cross-cultural competence is essential for becoming a successful leader.” — Paul A. Russo, former U.S. ambassador

“Today we live in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. The complexities organizations face everyday cry out for effective and relatable leaders to successfully navigate change. This book provides a clear roadmap on how to become a relatable leader to drive change while fulfilling your destiny.” — Timothy Mills, CSM PMP, instructor, Harvard University

“Marisa and Simon in ‘There Is No Box’ have captured the essence of leadership by bringing to light relatability as the primary driver to success with communication and compassion as central elements. Their gifted approach to leadership is grounded in established theory and re-enforced by continuous reflection exercises based on their vast experience in leading diverse teams of people. The roadmap to relatable leadership offers a synergistic right and left-brain perspective that will benefit anyone desiring a clear path to leadership success as presented through the lens of proven leaders.”
— Paul Dooley, former assistant secretary general, United Nations

“A sensible, skillfully assembled, eminently readable survey of the most important aspects of being a leader and a human being. The authors inspire you to think about leadership as a state of being that can be found throughout any level and sphere of life, not just in the workplace. Relatable leadership and cultural agility, the book’s main contributions to leadership literature, have changed the way I lead and live my life. You might feel uncomfortable, but then you’ll feel grateful to prioritize your own leadership development.” — George Moschoglou, PhD, associate professor, Georgetown University

“ ‘There Is No Box’ challenges our leaders — emerging and established — to focus on the importance of finding common ground amidst a landscape of global and digital diversification. The authors weave together a method for becoming a relatable leader and taking charge of your own life. This is the book that every leader should share with their teams so they can thrive intellectually and emotionally. … I’m impressed with the way the authors blend academic theory with real world implementation.”
— Paul Lewis, former special envoy to the U.S. Department of Defense

About the Authors

With more than two decades in the education and publishing industries, Dr. Marisa Cleveland is adamant about supporting efforts toward the betterment of the human condition. She is the executive director for The Seymour Agency, a Hodges University Board of Trustees member, and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. In 2021, she was honored with a Distinguished Online Teaching nomination for Southern New Hampshire University, where she is an adjunct professor. Gulfshore Business and D’Latinos magazines honored Marisa with the Arts and Culture 2015 FACE Award, and in 2014, Gulfshore Business selected her as a “40 Under Forty” honoree. She holds an EdD in organizational leadership from Northeastern University, and an M.A. in educational administration and a B.S. in speech communication from George Mason University.

Dr. Simon Cleveland lectures at Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University. He has over 20 years of experience in the fields of corporate and government leadership, higher education administration, project management, information systems and technology management, having worked in various leadership roles for organizations such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, Accenture, America Online, Georgetown University and City University of Seattle. Dr. Cleveland holds a Ph.D. in information systems from Nova Southeastern University, an M.S. in project management from The George Washington University, an M.A. in leadership from City University of Seattle and a B.S. in management and marketing from George Mason University. He is certified as a project management professional, Six Sigma Black Belt expert and Certified ScrumMaster. He is the author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications, is a Tropaia Award recipient for Outstanding Faculty at Georgetown University, and was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award from Johns Hopkins University.

Follow the Clevelands on social media:
Instagram: @thereisnobox & @simoncphd | TikTok: @themarisamethod
Twitter: @marisacleveland & @ClevelandSimon | Website: marisacleveland.com

In an interview, Marisa and Simon can discuss:

• The concept of relatable leadership and how it differs from other ideas of leadership
• Marisa’s 20+ years career as a literary agent and educator, allowing her to become an industry expert and leader in her own right
• Their extensive background in business, higher education and management and how they’ve used their expertise to build the ultimate leadership resource
• Marisa’s background as a romance and genre fiction writer and deciding to pivot to writing on leadership and business
• How everyone — not just those in a business setting or organizational leadership role — can benefit from the ideas behind relatable leadership
• How Marisa’s past life as a former gymnast emphasized the importance of balance and encouraging oneself to stay flexible — a crucial lesson for leaders

An interview with Marisa and Simon Cleveland

How did you come up with the concept of the book, and how does “There Is No Box” differ from other leadership books?

Our career paths began at the turn of the 21 century and spanned over the past 20 years, which saw the bursting of the dot-com bubble, the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, devastation from Hurricane Katrina, the introduction of Tesla, the iPhone, the rise of social media, the first Black U.S. president, the global financial crisis, the recognition of the same-sex marriage, countless school shootings, a global pandemic and an inssurection on the U.S. Capitol. All these events shaped our thinking about the importance of relatability in a world of perpetual change. Our message differs as it takes into account the lessons learned during this tumultuous period and forces our reader to confront their own positionality in order to become an effective leader.

What exactly is relatable leadership? How does it differ from other definitions of leadership?

Relatability is what holds a leader accountable for their actions and how those actions are perceived by those around them. The relatable leader is the one who has learned to check themselves by asking, and answering, why they are doing something and for what reasons. These little self-checks help them develop a sense of place among everyone else in their life. Moreover, relatability improves a leader’s sense of common ground with others and makes it easier for others to get along with and follow the leader. For us, this leadership style is unique because it places ethics and professional conduct at the center of the decision-making process of any leader. It incorporates the characteristics of authentic, inspiring, servant and transformational leadership theories and allows the leader to move fluidly within the style and adjust to the situation or personality of the individuals they lead.

Who is the audience for this book? Will those in a business setting primarily use it as a resource, or will others also gain value from the book?

The message in this book will benefit not only leaders and managers in organizations, or faculty in universities, but anyone who is aspiring to become a leader in their community. This is because we believe that learning how to become a relatable leader will help you focus on how you can be beneficial to others rather than wonder how others can benefit you — and this will bring value to the lives of others.

Simon, you have a comprehensive background in business and academia. How have you used this expertise to expound on ideas in the book?

My education and experience in the project management field helped shape many of the concepts, examples and exercises in the book. Specifically, I ask the reader to build a project management mindset and use the concepts around projects, programs and portfolios in order to create their own leadership development plan, which will help them shape their own paths to becoming a relatable leader.

What was it like working with a partner to write a book?

Projects can be complex or simple, and for this book we co-wrote, we stuck with the basics: A schedule with a start date, an end date, an approximate word count, and a weekly word count goal. We dedicated pretty much every Sunday afternoon or evening to writing, and we soon grew excited for those hours when we would work together. It became our secret time to work on a project we really believed in. Some weeks we were off, but for the most part, we were able to stay on track because of the Gantt chart we created. The Gantt chart showed us in one visual graphic the entire project and the timeline for that project to be completed. Because we had a physical, visible schedule holding us accountable, we could see what would happen if something was delayed, and we could also see where we had wiggle room in case something came up and we didn’t quite meet our weekly goals. But we loved when we did meet our weekly goals, because that meant we would celebrate!

Marisa, you previously wrote romance and other genre fiction. Why did you decide to partner with Simon and pivot to nonfiction?

Simon and I have studied leadership since our 20s, and it really bothered us that we couldn’t name a handful of good leaders between the two of us. Why hadn’t we had the opportunity to work with more effective leaders during our careers? Fortunately, we have worked with some bosses who were also fantastic leaders, and as I embarked on my doctoral journey, our conversations expanded to include leadership and leadership development.

Why is this book and the lessons it has to offer so important to you personally?

A Gallup study showed that large organizations typically have one manager to 10 employees. This means that one individual has a chance to influence the lives of at least 10 people on a daily basis. For us, this is important because this power can result in a positive impact only if the individual cares about these people. For us, a leader’s desire to have a positive impact on the lives of others is the key to embracing relatability as the leadership competency in today’s workforce.

What do you hope readers gain from the book?

In the book, we stress the importance that you, the reader, are the CEO of your own life. This means you own the decisions you make, the responsibility of your actions and the impact you have as a leader on people around you. Understanding this is a process, which takes learning and acceptance of the positionality of others and then making a conscious choice to accept relatability as a key trait to your behavior.

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/

Beloved special needs bulldog companion returns in precious series

New Orleans, LA — Children’s book author Michelle Dumont is continuing her adorable young reader’s series with Phoebe Cakes and Friends: An Alphabet Tail (Sept. 13th, 2022, Susan Schadt Press). With illustrations done by architect Jennifer Taylor, Dumont’s new release is sure to capture the attention of curious children. This is the perfect book for dog-loving children ready to learn the alphabet in an amusing way!

Come along with Phoebe and all of her tail-wagging four-legged friends and learn your ABCs one giggle at a time. This board book is especially designed and crafted to stimulate and entertain little learners as they begin their A-Z learning journey.

The previous book in the series, Phoebe Cakes: A Mardi Gras Tail, released earlier this year. Featuring search-and-find flaps for curious young readers, the story focuses on New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

“A perfect gift for your favorite young friend!”
– Amazon reviewer about Phoebe Cakes: A Mardi Gras Tail

Phoebe Cakes and Friends: An Alphabet Tail
Michelle Dumont | Sept. 13th 2022
Susan Schadt Press | Children’s book
Hardcover | 979-8985071306 | $14.95

Michelle Dumont lives in New Orleans with her family and four furry friends. A licensed Respiratory Therapist and Asthma Educator, she began writing following the advice of a friend. Like Phoebe, she loves long car rides, peanut butter and everything New Orleans.

Follow Michelle Dumont on social media:
Instagram: @phoebecakesdumont

Phoebe Cakes Dumont is a tiny special needs bulldog living the good life in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has a serious love for peanut butter and car rides. Her early life wasn’t so easy, but that all changed when she met my foster mom, Clare, at the New Orleans Bulldog Rescue. She helped Phoebe get back on her feet and on her way to finding her fur-ever home. Phoebe took her time. She sniffed, she snorted and turned up her wet nose. She’d almost given up until the day she met Michelle. Michelle was the twenty-first person to apply for Phoebe’s adoption, and Phoebe now calls her mom, but Michelle calls herself LUCKY #21.

Jennifer Zoe Taylor was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently resides Uptown with her family, two mischievous feline friends, and an axolotl named Jade. A licensed Architect, artist, and filmmaker, she loves to tell stories.

Follow Jennifer Taylor on social media:
Instagram: @jenzoetaylor

In an interview, Michelle Dumont can discuss:

• The importance of reading to young children
• Writing with young readers in mind
• Crafting a series for young readers
• How she began writing children’s books
• Why she chose to center her book series around her dog, Phoebe
• How Phoebe has changed her life for the better, and the life of her family members
• The benefit of dogs specifically for those with mental health struggles

An Interview with Michelle Dumont

Why is it important that children are read to, especially at such a young age?

I think it is important to make learning fun at an early age. Your imagination can take you to great heights. A healthy imagination builds confidence and a love of learning.

Why did you decide to write a book featuring your dog, Phoebe Cakes, as the main character?

I had been researching ideas for a children’s book for a couple of years. I love Mardi Gras, so I entered Phoebe in the Barkus Parade. I dressed her up in purple, gold and green and turned a red wagon into a carnival float. Phoebe loved every minute of the parade. She was the center of attention. Kids flocked to rub and hug her. I was writing the book in my head as we walked the parade route through the French Quarter.

How did you come to adopt Phoebe? How has she changed your life?

I have another bulldog named Fritz. I wanted him to have a companion. I thought it would be pretty easy to adopt from the local bulldog rescue. Well, everyone else in New Orleans had the same idea. The adoption wait list was very long. Along with Fritz I was in need of a happiness boost.

A few years earlier my son had developed severe depression. It was a long and difficult journey in getting him help. I didn’t realize the toll it was taking on me. I’ve had a long career in healthcare. I could help everyone else but I couldn’t seem to help him.

After about a year and half of stalking the New Orleans Bulldog Rescue website, one day I came across this adorable smiling face and I thought to myself that’s my dog. I was the 21st person to apply for her adoption. That’s how I became lucky number 21. The day she came to live with us something changed. She brought an injection of happiness and fun that had been missing. Never underestimate the power of a furry friend.

Why did you write a book specifically for young readers?

My daughter loved books from an early age. She would pat the seat beside her and say sit..read…now. It was very endearing and always made me laugh.

What have you learned about writing as you have crafted this series?

I started taking class through the New Orleans Writers Workshop about four years
ago. Everyone has their own style and technique they use while crafting a story. The key is to find what works for you.

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/