Author: Marissa DeCuir

Fenton, MI – Like death and taxes, some things are inevitable — including breakups. Psychologist Dr. Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt is helping readers get over heartbreak and move on with their lives in her new book, “Getting to Good Riddance: A No-Bullsh*t Breakup Survival Guide,” (Turner Publishing, July 26, 2022).

Eckleberry-Hunt, author of “Move on Motherf*cker: Live, Laugh, and Let Sh*t Go,” provides the tools to survive and thrive after a breakup in this empowering, BS-free guide. Packed with a science-based mix of simple exercises and a healthy dose of tough love, this book will help you:

• Kick pain, shame and fear to the curb,
• Become an expert in yourself and what you want
• Progress past just “feeling better” and get to saying “Good riddance, asshole!”

Through professional experiences and examples, along with psychological research and vignettes to explain her points, Eckleberry-Hunt uses her expertise as a relationship therapist to create the ultimate guide to surviving a breakup. This seriously motivational resource utilizes salty straight talk, humor, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and positivity to get you to growth and recovery.

With topics ranging from grief, to toxic relationships, to finding love, happiness and purpose again, this is an educational and purposeful resource to help anyone in a romantic relationship become healthier overall. Overcome self-defeat, smash the sh*t out of heartbreak and get ready to move on, motherf*cker!

“Getting to Good Riddance: A No Bullsh*t Breakup Survival Guide”
Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt | July 26, 2022 | Turner | Self-Help |
Paperback, 9781684428489, $15.99 | Ebook, 9781684428502 $11.99
Hardcover, 9781684428496, $23.99

Early praise for “Getting to Good Riddance” and Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt

“After a break-up, you probably need a motivational coach, a foul-mouthed best friend, and a wise sage who can guide you in the right direction. In ‘Getting to Good Riddance,’ Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt gives you all three. … This book is perfect for someone who wants to dig deeper and to figure out how to heal while moving forward with courage and clarity. Filled with practical strategies, wisdom from psychological research and questions to prompt deep personal growth, this book is exactly what you need to create more satisfying relationships.” — Lisa Williams LCSW Self Help Bookshelf Podcast

“I have been waiting for a book on getting through a breakup for a long time, and it is worth the wait! … You won’t regret picking up this book for yourself or someone you care about who is struggling with a relationship’s end.” — Heather Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

“A perfect balance of humor, case studies, science and profanity! … Dr. Eckleberry-Hunt designed this book really well by giving case studies to make each topic relevant and follows up with real life strategies for moving on. … This book is relevant to so many situations other than romantic break up — leaving unhealthy friendships, setting family boundaries, work relationships and, most importantly, how to be more self-aware to take good self-care. Dr. Eckleberry-Hunt gives you the skills to own your own sh*tshow and create the life you want!” — Jenny Williams, OT, owner of Innovative Occupational Therapy Solutions

“Real from cover to cover. A rarity to find a resource to provide clients that is rooted in the science of behavior, provides intentional self-compassion and a bonus a spoon full of profanity needed to take the edge off and get to the business of healing. This is a gem, funny to the bone.”
— Nicole R. Najar, PsyD, ABPP, Clinical Health Psychologist

“It transcends romantic relationships and is applicable for friendships, family and work relationships. As an introvert who historically struggles with assertive communication, I developed some badass new skills. … This book gave me the good feels, and by the end, I felt the author was my personal positive self-talk coach (foul-mouthed, yet uplifting). For anyone, regardless of current Facebook relationship status, I couldn’t provide a stronger recommendation!” — Kelley Williams, MD

“Dr. Eckleberry-Hunt delivers again with a book full of practical and impactful ways to navigate the breakup process. … Striking a good balance between a strong clinical foundation and relatable examples, ‘Getting to Good Riddance should be required reading for anyone facing the end of a relationship.”
— Darren Jones, Ph.D., L.P., Chief of Behavioral Health, Beaumont Health System

Also by Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt

“Move on Motherf*cker”
Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt | Nov. 3, 2020 | New Harbinger
Self-Help | Paperback | 978-1-68403-486-4 | $16.95

“This is an excellent wake-up call for those wracked by self-criticism.” — Publisher’s Weekly

When we’re anxious, stressed, or fearful, the negative voice in our heads can be extremely powerful. It tells us we’re not smart or attractive enough. It berates us for our mistakes. And it keeps us feeling stuck in an endless loop of worry, shame, and hopelessness. But there is a way to shut it down. Blending evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and profanity, this unexpected guide will show you how to respond to your negative inner voice with one very important phrase: Move on, mother*cker!

You’ll learn to manage worry and anxiety, put a stop to unhelpful internal dialogue, and approach new situations with humor, levity, and perspective.

You’ll also find real tools to help you:

• Set personal and professional boundaries
• Identify toxic or codependent relationships
• Become assertive without being aggressive
• Stop seeking perfection

The book also includes journaling and other self-awareness exercises to help you put MOMF to work every day. So, stop letting your inner voice tear you down! With this fun and effective guide, you’ll learn how to take control of your negative thoughts and get back to living your best life.

“This is an honest-to-goodness self-help book, packed with useful tools and psychological wisdom that will generate results, inside and out.” — Foreword Reviews

“Honest, salty self-talk can be a true balm for anxiety, shame, sadness and despair. So take it from one motherf*cker to another: Move on, and read this book!” — Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of “Calm the F*ck Down”

About the Author

Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt is a recovering people pleaser, control freak, worrier and motherf*cker. One thing she knows is that life sometimes hurts, and we can’t run from that. We have a choice of whether or not to deny it or go with it. She’s learned that going with it is a better investment, but we need to laugh while doing it. After more than 20 years of providing counseling services, Eckleberry-Hunt developed the idea of combining cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness techniques and profanity to help people get over themselves with a good belly laugh. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and is board-certified in health psychology. She has a psychology practice in Michigan where she lives with her husband, two teenage sons and the dog prince, Bacon. She is a human being and a work in progress — just like you. For more info, visit jodieeckleberryhunt.com.

Follow Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt on social media:
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @jeckleberryhunt

In an interview, Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt can discuss:

• Her background and expertise in psychology and counseling and executive coaching
• The science behind cognitive behavioral therapy and how to utilize CBT, positive psychology and even cursing to work through whatever life throws at you
• The myths of love stories and how most breakups stem from an unhealthy understanding of love and what it looks like
• Finding peace after a breakup and practical steps people can take to move on and find happiness
• How to set boundaries in a relationship, overcome infidelity, and identify and end things with a toxic partner
• How to embrace and work through the feeling of grief at the end of a relationship
• How the advice offered in her books differs from typical self-help books

An interview with Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt

You’ve written other self-help books before. What made you want to write a book focusing on relationships and breakups?

Breakups are a very common presenting complaint of folks I see in my office. I’m always looking for something they can work on at home, but when people are drowning in hurt, it is hard to focus. I wrote this book for folks who want to feel better fast with simple techniques.

How do you use your own personal experiences as a tool throughout the book?

While I do not share many personal relationship stories, I have many that color my perspective. Some stories may or may not be members of my family. I do share a lot of professional experiences, and there are so many similarities in the stories I hear. Most people just want to escape the pain, and they go back to reviewing the good times, but sadly, this just prolongs the pain.

Can you explain what cognitive behavioral therapy is and how it’s used in the book?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a highly effective and researched method of identifying and counteracting ways we’ve been programmed to see ourselves, the world, and others. That programming shapes the things we say to ourselves on a moment-to-moment basis — that inner voice that shapes our feelings. It is incredibly important to recognize and work to alter self-defeating patterns and self-talk so we can avoid making the same miscalculations over and over. In order to be our best selves, we have to be in our own corner with brutal honesty but also compassion.

Your writing provides self-help with more colorful language. How does cursing and profanity help people psychologically when dealing with pain

Swear words are associated with emotional release in the brain, and using them in a targeted way, especially to induce a little levity, can be so healing. I use swearing to counter guilt, shame and embarrassment. There is a lot of research out there demonstrating how swearing is an effective method of coping with pain. I make it practical and funny even when we don’t feel like we’ll ever laugh again.

What do you hope readers gain from reading the book?

My hope is that folks who read the book will take a deep dive into understanding themselves, especially biases or self-defeating patterns so that they can find the healthy relationships they seek. I also want to share the idea that the experiences folks have with breakups are common. We are not alone in our struggles. What feels like the end of the world may actually be the beginning of a whole new world.

Are you working on any other projects?

As a matter of fact, I have another book, “Badass Stories: Grit, Growth, Hope, and Healing in the Sh*tshow” that will be released in February 2022. It is probably my favorite book of all because I share badass, inspirational stories of overcoming in everyday life. I hope to convey a sense of humanity and authenticity that the average person can relate to, and I hope it is healing for many readers

Last question (because we all want to know): What’s your No. 1 tip for getting over a breakup?

This is such a hard question, but I am going to stick with the challenge. The number one tip is to block all contact and purge the environment so there are no reminders. I don’t know how a person can truly heal in an environment where the hurt triggers are always right there. Friends are essential to this process. (See how I slipped two tips in there?)

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/

Base 1407 returns to help win back America’s freedom in uplifting continuation of the Aces HIgh, Jokers Wild series

Colorado – The stakes are higher than before as America starts to see the evils of the seven Corporations in O.E. Tearmann’s energetic sixth Aces High, Jokers Wild book, Deuces Are Wild (Amphibian Press, Jul 16, 2022). Will the crew of Base 1407 be able to help America win back its freedom?

They say to really free your body, you’ve gotta free your mind…

America is waking up. People are standing up for each other and a future worth living in. But they can’t do it alone.

Now, they don’t have to. The Democratic State Force is calling in all its friends and favors across the nation. Members of Base 1407 and hundreds of other teams across the country are teaching the citizens how to fight back on their terms, with tactics that hit the Corporations right where it hurts; in the wallet and the pride.

The seven Corporations who think they own the country are scrambling to keep control over the citizens’ communications, their decisions, and their lives. Every dirty trick is coming out of their bags as they lose their grip. It’s going to take a lot to beat them at this game for the country’s soul.

Life’s a bitch. She doesn’t play fair. Out-think her with every hand, and you might just win.

“Deuces Are Wild: An Aces High, Jokers Wild”
O.E. Tearmann | July 16, 2022
Amphibian Press | Science Fiction
Paperback | 978-1-949693-52-2 | $16.00
Ebook | 978-1-949693-53-9 | $4.99

O.E. Tearmann (they/them) is the author of the Aces High, Jokers Wild series. Their books include strong themes of diversity and found family, providing a surprisingly hopeful take on a dystopian future. Bringing their own experiences as a marginalized author together with flawed but genuine characters, Tearmann’s work has been described as “Firefly for the dystopian genre.” Publisher’s Weekly called The Hands We’re Given “a lovely paean to the healing power of respectful personal connections among comrades, friends, and lovers.”

Tearmann lives in Colorado with two cats, their partner, and the belief that individuals can make humanity better through small actions. They are a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, the Colorado Resistance Writers and the Queer Scifi group. In their spare time, they teach workshops about writing GLTBQ characters, speak and plant gardens to encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and play too many video games. Find out more about them at https://oetearmann.com

Follow O.E. Tearmann on social media:
Facebook: @WildCards | Twitter: @ETearmann | Instagram: @O.E.Tearmann

Explore the Aces High, Jokers Wild series

Book 1: The Hands We’re Given
July 22, 2019

Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That’s fine with the Democratic State Force base he’s been assigned to command: they don’t like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century. Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned. Aidan is their last chance. If he can pull off his assignment as Commander and yank his ragtag crew of dreamers and fighters together, maybe they can get back to doing what they came to do: fighting for a country worth living in.
Life’s a bitch. She deals off the bottom of the deck. But you play the hands you’re given.

Book 2: Call the Bluff
July 22, 2019

It costs a lot to win. And even more to lose.
Seven Corporations rule the former United States with seven codes of conduct based on their ideas of morality. Comply with the code of the Corporation that holds your Citizen Contract, or suffer the economic consequences. Or fight back. For sixty years the Democratic State Force has been fighting to return representative democracy to the country. Living in the no man’s lands between cities and hanging on by their fingernails, the thinly spread guerrilla force hasn’t gotten far. But they have a secret weapon: their finest unit, Base 1407. Handle: The Wildcards.Pulled together after disaster by Commander Aidan Headly, the Wildcards are on top of their game again. They’d better be. They’ve just been called to act as backup in a mission bigger than anything the Force has attempted before. The team that went in first is probably dead.If they pull their mission off, everything will change.If they don’t, they’ll be lucky to survive the year.
Life’s a bitch. She’s got the game rigged. Keep the cards close to your chest.

Book 3: Raise the Stakes
July 22, 2019

It starts when you’re always afraid.
Seven Corporations run the former United States on the codes of conduct their founders set down. You’re signed into a Corporate contract the day you’re born. And the fear of dropping in the Citizen Standing Scores keeps people in line. What choice is there?The Democratic State Force has fought for the return of democracy for decades, but they need the restless population of America to fight beside them if they’re going to stand a chance. But when your Score goes down, so does your life. It’s time for a new strategy: take out the Citizen Standing Score system. And it’s time for the unit with the highest mission success rate, the best coder, and the craziest ideas in the Force to head the attempt. Base 1407 just got the call.
Life’s a bitch. She raises the stakes when you least expect it. Play your cards as best you can.

Book 4: Aces and Eights
May 16, 2020

The year: 2157
The mission: change everything
The Unit: Democratic State Force Base 1407
Call handle: The Wildcards
Seven Corporations control what was the United States of America. The food supply and its production is controlled by American AgCo. All agricultural seeds in the United States have been genetically designed to fail outside Corporate control.
At least, that’s what the Corporations say.
There’s a rumor that a seed bank has survived the destabilization that brought down old America, and the seventy-five years of Corporate ownership that followed. If it still exists, it would provide free, accessible food for the Democratic State Force and everyone in their care. It’s a risky hunt for a treasure that may or may not exist. Something to put the most resourceful team in the Force to work on. The Wildcards just got the call.
A hunt for hidden treasure.
Free food.
What could go wrong?
Never ask that question. Life’s a bitch. She’ll answer.

Book 5: Draw Dead
February 8, 2021

There’s a calm before the storm…
In 2159, the Democratic State Force gains ground every day. As they fight to bring representative democracy back, they become heroes to the citizens indentured to the United Corporations of America. Widely spread guerilla units support the first civilian protests the country has seen in decades. Now it’s the Corporations on the defensive. And they are getting desperate.
On Base 1407, the Wildcards start to think they just might help the former United States wake up from its nightmare after all. In spite of the hints of internationally banned weapons the Corporations may have up their sleeves, there’s hope. People whisper that maybe, someday, they might just win. But you should never say something like that too loud.
Fate’s a bitch.
You don’t want to tempt her.

Praise for Aces High, Jokers Wild

“I’d recommend [Aces High, Jokers Wild] to those who love futuristic dystopian stories where the oppressed fight back the best way they can, where love is discovered, where a family is rebuilt, and where something precious can be built in a desolate Country.”
– MM Good Book Reviews

“The author helps us open our minds and hearts, to embrace unfamiliarity.”
– Ulysses G. Dietz, Author of Desmond

“The Aces High, Jokers Wild Series is bound to leave you hot and flustered, gasping for more as you delve deeper into a world that closely echoes our own.”
– Hannah Baller, book reviewer

” These are the types of books that this generation needs. The hell with the perfect Cinderellas, we need Tweaks, Janices, Aidans and Billies. [*Your favorite cuss*] yeah!”
– Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews

In an interview, O.E. Tearmann can discuss:

• The strength of community action to create change
• The value of a true, community-based democracy
• The value of human dignity over profit
• Healing trauma in order to open oneself up to love
• Found family throughout the series
• Creating LGBTQIA characters and representing diverse communities throughout the story
• A story that showcases equality and inclusion as a strength
• Reimagining a positive future in the face of seemingly overwhelming social and situational odds
• Writing a long series and keeping each book different and interesting from each other

An Interview with O.E. Tearmann

1. What inspired the Aces High, Jokers Wild series?

This project began a number of years ago, as the proverbial crap was hitting the fan in the United States. I run in a lot of progressive circles, and so many people in 2016 were saying ‘we’re screwed’ that I started to feel hopeless. So I said ‘okay, fine. Let’s posit ‘we’re screwed’. Let’s write the darkest version of America we can imagine. And then let’s write our way out of it and into a better world. This way, we prove to ourselves and others that no matter how dark it gets, we really can turn it around.’ What came out of that was the Wildcards, and their world.

2. The series is centered on a trans man and openly discusses his experiences. What brought you to make that choice as an author?

I’ve got two reasons. First, on the personal level, it was a way of working out gender dysphoria on the page.

Secondly, this is the lived experience of a lot of people in my circles. The LGBT crowd don’t get to see ourselves on the page as much as we should, especially not in authentic, non-fetishized ways. I wanted to portray a character who was just living life trans, and show what that really is day to day.

3. There are a lot of environmental details in your work. How do you decide what the world might look like?

I was raised on a farm and trained as a horticulturist, so the land and its effects on the way we live have always been a part of how I think. As a person working with the land today, I’m already noticing seasons and heat changes that affect how we schedule work; it seemed natural to include these concerns in a future world. To get my environmental details right, I read the climate reports, double check with NOAA’s models…and get really freaked out.

4. You show a lot of themes around found family and cooperation. Was this intentional or did it happen on its own?

This is definitely intentional. A big part of this work is showcasing a positive, healthy found family taking care of each other in spite of the darkness of the world. Showcasing these interactions as part of a high-stakes, energetic story is integral; these characters serve our readers by showcasing the radical acceptance and collaboration of many people across many genders, ethnicities, and personal histories. We show characters from privileged backgrounds using their advantages for good and acting in empathy, and we show characters from marginalized backgrounds being supported and starting to reach their fullest potential as they thrive. Since much of the audience is from various marginalized backgrounds, I see this as a way to support the readers; I’m reminding them that yes, they can find a place where they’ll belong and be supported. There is a tribe out there for them. I want them to know that.

5. “Hopeful” and “dystopian” aren’t two words that are frequently put together. How did you find that balance?

I think I’ve found this balance by substituting the word ‘resolve’ for the word ‘hope’. I see a lot of hopeful people end up in despair and, in some cases, turn cynical. ‘Everything’s a mess and nothing can fix it’, is a refrain you hear pretty often.

In my writing, I push back against that with resolve. My characters do live in a very dark world, because I wanted to showcase the kind of scrappy resolve in spite of the odds the world needs right now. Our characters look the situation in the face and say ‘yeah, this sucks. I know. So what are we going to do about it?’ I want to see more of that. So I wrote it.

6. What is the role of mental health in your work?

Mental health plays a huge role, mostly as my way of pushing back against all the bad rep I’ve seen in the media. Too often mental health issues are used to make a character ‘interesting’ or ‘edgy’ (cough crime dramas). Or people suddenly find the ‘cure’ for their issue as the reward at the end of the story. As somebody neurodivergent myself, I’ve got two things to say:

1. You don’t ‘cure’ the way you’re wired. But you do support it, and cope with it in healthy ways. And when you get the support and tools you need, you can have a pretty great life.
2. Is it really those with mental health issues who are broken? We’ve ended up in a society that blasts noise 24-7, never allows for rest, creates threats that never go away and isolates individuals from a gregarious species. This society expects a lot of stuff the human being didn’t evolve to handle. And when some humans have trouble coping, the society says ‘something’s wrong with you’.
   I’d say Society might want to look in the mirror.

7. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’ll give a tip of the hat to Charles DeLint, the author who got me through high school. Anne Block, Tamora Pierce, and the writers of the TV show MASH 4077 shaped a lot of my writing. And these days Kim Stanley Robinson is showing us how it’s done with great stories founded in solid research, and the reminder that there’s always something to fight for.

8. What do you hope that readers take away from your work?

I hope readers get a couple things from this work. A good read, of course. Maybe a chance to walk in somebody else’s shoes for a minute. The validation that you’re not alone. The resolve to keep doing something every day, even if it’s small. And the knowledge that, even if they’re not beside you right now, there are people out there on your side.

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/

CHICAGO – Kid genius David Massie is excited for things to finally return back to normal when he gets back to middle school after saving the world and solving the mystery of the Quantum Flux. But life is far from normal in Andrew M. Nehring’s latest installment of his middle grade sci-fi series, “David Massie and the Hidden Underworld,” (Aug. 9, 2022, Books Fluent)

Sure, history class might be boring, but it gives him a chance to spend time with Rory, the girl he’s crushing on, so David doesn’t mind. Soon, he’ll be done with eighth grade and going on to high school. The only thing that’s missing is his older brother, Morgan, who vanished years ago. Otherwise, life couldn’t be better.

But history turns out to be anything but dull when CP, the Time Cop who accompanied David on his adventures through time and space, turns up outside the classroom. CP alerts David that the Time Police Depot has been decimated by a dark armored warrior, and he’s the only Time Cop left alive. Soon, David, Rory and CP are off on an interstellar journey, battling aliens, ancient gods and giants on their quest. They must travel back in time to rebuild the very reality gates they risked their lives to destroy — or watch as the universe crumbles at the hands of an evil force beyond their wildest dreams.

“Young readers who are new to the genre will get pulled in by the relatable characters, the fun storylines, the dazzle of the tech, and the imaginative secret worlds Nehring creates.”
— Windy City Reviews on “David Massie and the Quantum Flux”

“David Massie and the Hidden Underworld”
Andrew M. Nehring | Aug. 9, 2022 | Books Fluent | Middle Grade / Science-Fiction
Paperback, 9781733384988, $10.99 | Ebook, 9781733384995, $4.99

Praise for David Massie and Andrew M. Nehring

“David Massie and the Quantum Flux is an imaginative science fiction adventure in which a boy who skips across realities is chased by a dark enemy.” — Foreword Reviews

“Nehring does a wonderful job of world-building and detailing his vision for the locations, creatures, and situations in this novel in ways that readers of all ages can enjoy. The chapters are well-paced and keep you wanting to turn the pages. The book’s vivid imagery will keep your imagination engaged. My only regret about reading this book is the cliffhanger at the end! Nehring does a great job of ensuring that you will pick up the next book in the series, as you absolutely will want to know what happens next. … This book deserves the highest praise.” — Windy City Reviews

“David Massie and the Quantum Flux”
Andrew M. Nehring | July 13, 2021 | Middle Grade Science-Fiction | Paperback | 9781733384926 | $8.99
Ebook | 9781733384933 | $5.99

In this ordinary world of extraordinary technology lies a kid genius, David Massie. After the abrupt disappearance of his older brother, Morgan, David spends his days fending off the class bully and searching in Morgan’s past for answers. Then one rainy day, his world implodes thanks to a mysterious dark armored figure. That fateful encounter triggers a series of alternate realities in which David, his parents, his school, even society at large continuously morphs into different scenarios each day. But as strange as those realities were, nothing prepared David for time coming to a screeching halt. To return his world to normal, David teams up with a Time Cop named CP. Together, they unravel the mystery of the
Quantum Flux.

About the Author

Andrew M. Nehring is the author of David Massie as well as The Corrupted Light Chronicles. Growing up, he was always a very imaginative child who would tend to get lost in these worlds he created for himself. That passion for creativity never stopped. The concept of David Massie came to him after years of being an avid fan of science-fiction. This world that he created draws from both old and new sci-fi concepts.

Andrew has recently graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in the beautiful city of Chicago. Now that he has graduated, he is focused on expanding the worlds of David Massie and also The Corrupted Light Chronicles. For more info, visit andrewmnehring.com.

Follow Andrew M. Nehring on Twitter: @NehringAndrew

In an interview, Andrew M. Nehring can discuss:

• Expanding the world of David Massie with the second installation in his middle grade series
• The intersection of Netflix and classic literature like Beowulf inspiring the series
• His personal journey of overcoming dyslexia and the importance of authoring accessible books to middle schoolers
• How science-fiction leads children to imagine a better future and the importance of exposing children to reading early in life
• The research involved in crafting a sci-fi novel, as well as interpreting themes and concepts for young readers

An interview with Andrew M. Nehring

1. Did you know when writing the first book that David Massie’s story would be continued with another book?

Yes, when I first envisioned David Massie, I knew I wanted it to be a series, I’d ideally want it to get to six or seven books

2. How did your process of writing “David Massie and the Hidden Underworld” differ from when you wrote the first book?

As far as the difference between the two, I used my same writing process of idea generation, outline, write and edit. But in this book, I took a much longer time formulating the plot of “David Massie and the Hidden Underworld,” and also toward the end of the process, I decided to add in more twists and turns to the book that I thought were absolutely awesome!

3. Why did you choose to target the book toward middle grade readers?

I feel middle grade to YA is the perfect audience for my books. First, the books themselves aren’t too long, but more importantly, I want them to be a fun adventure that inspires the youth to read. Because I remember when I was a kid, I’d look at these thick novels and feel so overwhelmed. So I’ve made them fast and fun to read with twists you didn’t see coming.

4. Did you do any kind of special research to help write some of the more scientific parts of the books?

Around the time that I started thinking of “David Massie and the Quantum Flux,” I read about different dimensions or realities, as well as listened to podcasts explaining it. As for other research I did, I pulled from a variety of sources, whether in the sci-fi genre or different genres like action-adventure or even anime.

5. How do you think the recent boom in sci-fi television and movies — like “Dune” or “Stranger things” — has changed sci-fi for literature?

What I love about these new movies and TV shows is a few things. First, it only adds new sci-fi fans to the genre regardless of how many people like or don’t like the film or series. Second, we get to see more people’s sci-fi creative vision, which is awesome to see and exciting for authors like me who want to share their own creative sci-fi vision to the world.

6. Why is this story so important to you personally? Do you relate to the character of David in some way?

I love this series, the story itself and the characters within. I throw my whole self into these books. Certain characters have aspects of my own personality, but they have formed a personality all of their own, with my help of course. So, yes, I definitely have relatability to David but also all the other characters.

7. What do you hope readers take away from reading the book or the series?

What I really want the reader to feel when they finish the book is, “Where is the next one?” and have that excitement to keep reading because they love the story and the characters that much.

8. Are you working on another installment to the series?

Yes, I’m at the early idea generation stage of making the third installment to the David Massie series.

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/

HOUSTON – When’s the last time you’ve received a handwritten letter in the mail? The validity of online connections is put to the test when author Amy Daughters just does that in “Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote All 580 of my Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter” (She Writes Press, May 17, 2022).

When Amy Daughters reconnected with her old pal Dana on Facebook, she had no idea how it would change her life. Though the two women hadn’t had any contact in 30 years, it didn’t take them long to catch up — and when Amy learned that Dana’s son Parker was doing a second stint at St. Jude battling cancer, she was suddenly inspired to begin writing the pair weekly letters. When Parker died, Amy — not knowing what else to do — continued to write Dana. Eventually, Dana wrote back, and the two became pen pals, sharing things through the mail that they had never shared before. The richness of the experience left Amy wondering something: If my life could be so changed by someone I considered “just a Facebook friend,” what would happen if I wrote all my Facebook friends a letter?

A whopping 580 handwritten letters later Amy’s life, and most of all her heart, would never, ever, be the same again. As it turned out, there were actual individuals living very real lives behind each social media profile, and she was beautifully connected to each of those extraordinary, flawed people for a specific reason. They loved her, and she loved them. And nothing — not politics, beliefs, or lifestyle — could separate them.

“Captivating . . . Whether written or spoken, our words matter. They have the power to illuminate someone’s darkest day.” — Laurie Buchanan, PhD, author of “Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude” and “Growth and The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace”

“Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote All 580
of my Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter”
Amy Weinland Daughters | May 17, 2022 | She Writes Press | Memoir
Paperback | 9781647429003 | $16.95 | Ebook | 9781647424060 | $8.99

Praise for “Dear Dana” and Amy Daughters:

“This is a book for anyone who wonders about the differences between a Facebook friend and a Real-Life friend and who yearns to see a person’s real life behind their Facebook image. It is also about the power of prayer and the abundance of kindness in our world. But ultimately, it’s about connection and how we are all connected when we come from love.”

Rivvy Neshama, author of “Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles”

“Amy shows us how something as simple as a letter — let alone 580 of them! — can change a life. Who else would decide to write a personal letter to every one of their Facebook friends? The stories from these letters provide insights into how we can help people through difficult times and connect with others—and, of course, plenty of good laughs.”

Brad Aronson, bestselling author of “HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time”

“An intriguing and inspiring exploration of different forms of communication.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Dear Dana is an inspirational memoir about caring for friends near and far by reviving a lost art.”

Foreword Reviews

AMY DAUGHTERS has spent the past 10 years freelancing on topics from college football to emotions. She is the author of “You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened” (2019), for which she received recognition at the 2019 Foreword INDIES and the 2020 Next Generation Indie Awards. When she’s not writing, Daughters can be found researching history, golfing, or ribbon dancing. She lives in Tomball, Texas with her husband Willie and two sons, Will and Matthew.

Follow Amy Daughters on social media:
Facebook: AmyWeinlandDaughters | Twitter: @DaughtersAmy | Instagram: @smokinhotamys

In an interview, Amy Daughters can discuss:

• How her Facebook friends reacted to receiving letters from her
• In what ways this story is so important in this day and age
• How Amy’s faith drives her and her decisions
• The statistics associated with the Facebook project
• How much Amy learned about her Facebook friends through the process of writing the letters, and therefore how many assumptions she had that were incorrect
• How feeling guilty was an unexpected result of writing all the Facebook letters
• The power of non-instantaneous communication
• How we don’t need a reply to validate that we’ve made a difference

An interview with Amy Daughters

1. How did you know these events warranted a book? Was it something you figured out while it was happening or not until reflecting back on them?

I was about halfway through writing all my Facebook friends a letter when I first began considering a book. While I had some level of awareness that what I was experiencing was extraordinary throughout the process of writing the letters, I didn’t understand how passionate I would become about sharing the story until after the project was complete. Finishing was such a pivotal moment for me that the day after writing the final Facebook letter I wrote the first several chapters of what would ultimately become Dear Dana.

2. I cannot remember the last time I got a letter in the mail. What was the general reaction from your friends upon receiving theirs?

The recipients of the letters I heard back from were generally very surprised and delighted. This reaction was intensified when I didn’t have to ask for an address and the letter just magically showed up in a mailbox somewhere. This was especially true early in the project when word hadn’t gotten out that I was writing everyone a letter.

What also struck me was how many recipients expressed a deep emotional, and very personal, reaction to their letter. This even though I was crystal clear, in each and every letter, that I was writing every single one of my hundreds of Facebook friends. Somehow, they still felt specifically “chosen” to receive a letter.

Even now, several years later, recipients tell me how they keep their letter in a special place. How they reread it often because of how it still makes them feel. The overall reaction must have something to do with being treated as an individual in the age of social media, where we have become better informed but more depersonalized.

3. How has this story helped Dana and her family grieve the loss of Parker?

I have learned from my close association with Dana and her family that there is not much, if anything at all, that can legitimately help individuals who are suffering through a devastating loss.

I believe that my letters to Dana, and then the story of the Facebook letters and their direct connection back to Parker and the Rivera family, were and are a distraction to their stark reality.

It is my great hope that ultimately Dear Dana, which is understandably beyond difficult for the Rivera family to read, will become a far-reaching source of good that honors the memory of their precious Parker.

4. How has your faith driven your choices relating to writing the book?

I firmly believe that God orchestrated the entire sequence of events that are chronicled in Dear Dana: from Dana and I’s first meeting at camp in 1986, to the 30 years we spent apart, to our reconnection on Facebook, to the inspiration to begin writing her and Parker, through every single prayer, to the idea to write all my Facebook friends a letter, to the other-worldly determination and drive I had to finish the project, to the process of writing and publishing the book and all the way to Dana and I’s current bond as almost sisters and to the close link between our families.

That said, the process of writing 580 letters to 580 friends with different backgrounds, belief systems, stories and lifestyles, and hearing back from so many of them, and so much love being exchanged in all directions – led to me being completely committed to Dear Dana being a story that could resonate, touch, and inspire anyone, regardless of what they do or don’t believe.

5. How do you feel about Facebook and social media now? Do you still consider it a valid source to keep up with friends and family?

I absolutely feel that Facebook has value in keeping us connected. That said, social media is just a tool that can be used to enhance a relationship as opposed to sustaining it.

Facebook and social media lack realness because they do not require us to personally invest, to sacrifice or to risk something of value – all key elements that make human relationships concurrently wonderful and fraught. It’s not that we don’t care about or love our friends online, it’s that the very nature of social media makes it impossible to be in an authentic relationship.

6. Why is this an important story to read in this day and age?

Our current culture of divisiveness, hostility and distrust has cost each of us profoundly. Dear Dana reminds us that despite the reality of where we are as a society, hope not only exists in the periphery, but that it literally oozes all over the place. It is alive and well between you and the person sitting next to you – your coworker, your BFF, your neighbor, a stranger you’ve never even met and yes…your Facebook friend.
Combined, these individual relationships, fueled by love, can absolutely destroy every single barrier that separates us. As is the narrative of Dear Dana, amid devastation there is hope. We, simply by being connected, are one another’s hope.

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/

The new psychological thriller, “A Disturbing Nature,” explores ethics, psychology and social justice while investigating a series of murders in New England

RAMONA, California – This spring, author Brian Lebeau will release his debut novel, “A Disturbing Nature” (May 10, 2022, Books Fluent), a psychological and insightful thriller about a prolific killer and investigator in post-Vietnam War-era New England.

When FBI Chief Investigator Francis Palmer and Maurice Lumen’s paths collide, a dozen young women are already dead—bodies strewn in the woods across southern New England. Crippled by the loss of their families and haunted by mistakes, they wrestle with skeletons and ghosts neither understands. Who is destined to pay for the sins of their fathers, and who will pay for their own?

Under a celebrity veneer, the Beast in Palmer simmers. Called back from an investigation that’s gone dry in Seattle to his field office in Boston, he’s assigned to a case closer to home. Without closure and carrying the scars of every predator he’s hunted down, Palmer’s thrust into a new killer’s destructive path and forced to confront his own demons.

On the surface, Mo Lumen seems an unlikely suspect. Abandoned by the Great Society and sheltered from the countercultural revolution, he’s forced to leave Virginia under the shadow of secrets and accusations. Emerging in Rhode Island, burdened with childlike innocence, reminders of the past threaten to resurrect old carcasses.

A psychological thriller set in the summer of 1975, “A Disturbing Nature” explores the concept of two deaths, blurring the line between man and monster.

“A Disturbing Nature”
Brian Lebeau | May 10, 2022 | Books Fluent | Historical Fiction / Mystery / Suspense
Paperback | 978-1-953865-49-6 | $19.99
Ebook | 978-1-953865-50-2 | $9.99

About Brian Lebeau

One month after The Beatles arrived, with much fanfare, in America, Brian Lebeau was born, unceremoniously, in Fall River, Massachusetts, home of the infamous Lizzie Borden. After being awarded an “A” in high school English once and denied a career in music for “lack of talent” repeatedly, he taught economics at several colleges and universities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island before moving to Fauquier County, Virginia, to work as a defense contractor for two decades. In the psychological thriller “A Disturbing Nature,” Mr. Lebeau merges three key interests: a keen fascination with everything World War II, a morbid curiosity surrounding the motivations and mayhem of notorious serial killers, and a lifelong obsession with the Red Sox. “A Disturbing Nature” is Mr. Lebeau’s first book.

In an interview, Brian Lebeau can discuss:

• The childhood memories that sparked the idea for “A Disturbing Nature” and the forthcoming novels in his debut mystery series
• His long-time fascination with true crime and notorious serial killers, including Ted Bundy (mentioned in the book!), John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer and David Berkowitz
• Immersing himself into a spine-tingling world of murder and mayhem for the sake of authenticity — Brian visited and slept at purportedly the most haunted rooms at the Lizzie Borden house (which happens to be in his hometown), the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts, and the Inn at Mount Washington in New Hampshire
• His personal ties to the settings in his book:
  • Fall River, Massachusetts – Brian was born and raised here.
  • Bryant College (now Bryant University) in Smithfield, Rhode Island – Brian taught here as a part-time instructor in his late 20s.
  • Northern Virginia – Brian lived in Sumerduck and Warrenton, Virginia (both in Fauquier County) for eleven years while working in Northern, Virginia, DC, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• How film noir shaped the gritty, suspenseful tone of his writing and the creation of his characters, specifically movies like “The Maltese Falcon,” “White Heat” and “Night of the Hunter”
• His favorite documentaries about serial killers and why he can’t get enough of them
• The deep soul-searching and emotionally taxing work that goes into producing intense characters and powerful storylines brimming with tension and dark subject matter
• The book’s exploration of complex issues including racism, psychological disorders and social justice in his novel
• How his book investigates the blurred line between man and monster, and how easily good can morph into evil
• Life as a diehard Boston Red Sox fan and how he incorporated the pennant run and historic 1975 World Series into his book
• What lies ahead in the series and other works in progress

An Interview with Brian Lebeau

What can you tell us about the two main characters readers will meet in “A Disturbing Nature?”

Maurice “Mo” Lumen is 24 when he arrives in Rhode Island. As the result of a childhood “accident,” his mental and emotional maturity is permanently that of an 11-year-old. Forced to move from his last home in Virginia, Mo must adapt to a new environment, working his first job and living without family for the first time. But, while Mo tries to focus on the good, he can’t ignore the words and actions of others, threatening to resurrect the accusations and secrets he thought he’d left behind.

Chief Investigator Francis Palmer is a hunter. During his 20 years with the FBI, he’s helped solve the most notorious mass murderer cases, from The Boston Strangler to his most recent, The Campus Killer. Along the way, Palmer has created an alter-ego, The Beast, to get inside the mind of monsters. Now, he struggles to prevent The Beast from consuming him. Over the course of a three-and-a-half-week investigation closer to home, Palmer will be forced to confront his past, his failures, and his greatest fears, The Beast threatening to take control.

Serial killers have existed for centuries, but we didn’t use this term until the late 1970s. Did this play a role in why you set your novel in the 1970s?

I chose 1975 because that was when I turned eleven—Maurice “Mo” Lumen’s intellectual age in “A Disturbing Nature.” It was also the year the Red Sox went to one of the greatest World Series ever played and a decade after landmark Civil Rights legislation. Initially, the story was entirely from Lumen’s perspective, but as FBI Chief Investigator Palmer’s role grew from an important secondary character to a primary lead in parallel with Mo, the connection to serial killer history from that time became necessary to understand his background, motivations, and the demons he had accumulated. I think it’s safe to say nobody gets as deeply involved in hunting down the types of monsters Palmer tracks without having their view of the world altered. So, I thought it would be interesting to explore one hypothetical path because dangerous serial offenders impact monsters as well as men.

Even though your work is fictional, was it important to you to create an authentic portrayal of serial criminals and their victims in the novel? Why?

“A Disturbing Nature” needed to be historically and geographically accurate throughout, deviating only as necessary to support the fictional aspects of the narrative. As an interpretation of America’s post-World War history through the eyes and experiences of two fictional characters, I wanted the environment around Lumen and Palmer to be consistent with that time to lend credibility to the their actions, motivations, and heredity. All locations are presented as they would have looked in 1975, and historical events have been researched to align with the story, including the serial killers discussed in the novel between 1963 and 1975. Minimal artistic license was applied to support Palmer’s involvement in the Ted Bundy investigation, with all other circumstances and timelines of that case incorporated as accurately as possible. Dangerous madmen certainly existed in America before 1963, but our social awareness changed after the Kennedy Assassination, and one of those changes was an elevated curiosity with infamous serial killers. Therefore, I wanted the history to be held constant, while the variables surrounding a serial killer on the loose could mirror America’s broader path.

Why did you decide to parallel the plight of the disabled in America during the 1970s with that of Black and minority populations in “A Disturbing Nature?”

Because a friend with whom I traded baseball cards was Black and intellectually disabled, the decision to parallel the plight of those two minority groups was one made at the outset. Just as the promises of civil rights legislation in 1965 proved to be much greater than the accomplishments, Johnson’s Great Society largely overlooked the treatment of people with disabilities in America. Redirected to support other initiatives of The Great Society, resources previously targeted to assist those with intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders were diminished, and facilities closed. This forced people in need out onto the streets, including dangerous individuals. Efforts to broaden political support toward addressing the needs of mentally and physically disabled citizens did not begin in earnest until the mid-1970s, in the wake of the first significant wave of serial killers and as the Vietnam War was winding down. There is irony to be found in the words of Mo’s father as he pleads for his son’s rights in the country for which he fought to preserve freedom and justice for all.

What are the primary themes in “A Disturbing Nature?”

The first of two primary themes in “A Disturbing Nature” explores the separation between man and monster. Because we live in an age where social presence is a misguided measure of self-worth, it’s easy to forget the hypocrisy of presenting a version of ourselves to the outside world while concealing an alternate one. As the story unfolds, two extreme characters struggle to maintain images very different from those they know intimately. Told through the voices, experiences, and memories of these two polarized characters, “A Disturbing Nature” mirrors Post-World War II America, and their unlikely and unavoidable attraction speaks to the thin line between hero and villain, man and monster.

The second theme concerns the heredity of prejudice, the hypocrisy of privilege, and paying for the sins of our fathers. The experiences of the book’s two main characters raises questions around who can determine guilt, how society should punish those assigned blame, and when guilt finally gets washed away.

Which authors most influenced your writing style?

For “A Disturbing Nature,” I needed to create two distinct voices to accommodate the two very different primary characters. This required two dissimilar writing styles that would converge as the two men are inevitably drawn together. For Lumen’s settings, I was inspired by the earnest simplicity of John Steinbeck’s style, “Of Mice and Men” being a primary influence. Lumen’s dialogue and introspective scenes were influenced by Ernest Hemingway—accessible and non-threatening, even as Lumen’s perspective grows darker. For the settings in Palmer’s scenes, I drew on my love of film noir from the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s and literary dark romanticism of the 1800s. Palmer’s dialogue and memories were influenced by Raymond Chandler, though more succinct and updated for today’s audience, with descriptions kept to a minimum and character nuance handled through extreme visuals. As “A Disturbing Nature” is an allegorical tale, the use of symbolism throughout was heavily influenced by F. Scott Fitzgerald and his masterpiece, “A Great Gatsby.”

What can we expect from the rest of this series?

It is safe to say that all characters from “A Disturbing Nature” are candidates to be explored further in subsequent books. In the second novel, “An Anxious Resolution,” expected to be released in 2023, we’ll follow the non-serial paths of four characters. This will provide background and perspective for the ending of the first novel and move forward with Palmer. All four novels were laid out during the writing of “A Disturbing Nature” to ensure storylines are consistent and arcs are closed. Old mysteries will be solved, and new mysteries will emerge to take their place. Along the way, Palmer and other central characters will grow, fail and survive; at least most will. I hope that readers will enjoy the unconventional points of view in “An Anxious Resolution” and the use of first-person narrative in book three before settling on a surprising third-person perspective for the fourth and final book. While “The Echo of Whispers” series will end, FBI Chief Investigator Palmer will continue to solve major crimes and battle demons in future novels. And he will continue to evolve, as we all do.

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/

Historical mystery picks up where Ivanhoe left off 200 years ago

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Jewish author Esther Erman has blended historical romance and mystery in her new novel, Rebecca of Salerno: A Novel of Rogue Crusaders, a Jewish Female Physician, and a Murder (She Writes Press, August 2, 2022). Inspired by the 1820 novel Ivanhoe, Erman highlights adventure and female empowerment with the beautiful, brilliant and brave jewish woman Rebecca, who, after falling deeply in love with a man she couldn’t marry, vowed to stay single and have a career as a healer. At the time, none of this was normal for a jewish woman.

“From what you say, I see no reason for you to refuse to marry Rafael. But perhaps it is that you have no feelings for him?”

Broken-hearted after fleeing England and her ill-fated love for the Christian knight Ivanhoe, Rebecca discovers the medical school in Salerno, where Jews, Christians, and Moslems—men and women—can study together. Still in thrall to Ivanhoe, she resists traditional and societal demands on women to wed and bear children, instead building her life as a physician. But the dawn of the thirteenth century brought political changes that threatened the security of Jewish life in the Kingdom of Sicily. When a rabbi is falsely accused of murdering a crusader, Rebecca and Rafael, the man who loves her, throw themselves into pursuing justice and protecting their community.

“Rebecca of Salerno”
Esther Erman | August 2, 2022
She Writes Press | Medieval Mystery
Paperback | 1647422477 | $17.95
Ebook | 978-1647422479 | $9.95

Early Praise for “Rebecca of Salerno”

“With grace and verve, Esther Erman revives the character of Rebecca of Ivanhoe fame, bringing that valiant and resourceful heroine to Salerno. Trained as a physician in this medieval oasis of tolerance and learning, Rebecca hopes to leave her memories of England behind. However, embroiled in an attempt save a rabbi falsely accused of murdering a Crusader, she once again learns how expendable her fellow Jews are when faced with antisemitic sentiment.” – Michelle Cameron, award-winning author of The Fruit of Her Hands and Beyond the Ghetto Gates

“In Rebecca of Salerno, Erman creates a rich historical tapestry rife with fascinating characters and an intriguing, page-turning story. Readers will be dazzled by the descriptions of life and school in medieval Salerno and fall in love with the smart, passionate Rebecca as she pursues her dreams—and justice—in this satisfying mystery.” – Hannah Jayne, Best Selling Author of Truly, Madly, Deadly and The Girl in the Headlines

“Ms Erman writes a compelling story of a passionate Jewish heroine solving a murder mystery in the brutal setting of the Crusades. The depth of her knowledge of the customs and language of this period is unsurpassed. A book to be read with relish by lovers of historical fiction.” – Neil Kaplan, Author – Acquiring Polish Citizenship by Descent

“…The reader discovers a strong, brave woman who, while pursuing a path to become a healer in the face of great odds, holds on tenaciously to basic Jewish values like the pursuit of justice. How her values are tested is a constant theme in the narrative. We are privy not only to Rebecca’s actions and words but to her thoughts and inner struggles as well. This is a compelling story.” – Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, author of Torah Of Reconciliation and Letters Home: A Jewish Chaplain’s Vietnam Memoir

“Rebecca of Salerno gives voice to one of literature’s overlooked heroines, the courageous, intelligent, big-hearted Rebecca of Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. In telling Rebecca’s story, Esther Erman deftly weaves a wealth of historical detail about the lives of Jewish women in medieval Europe into a gripping, fast-paced tale of vengeance, love, and healing… Erman’s masterful achievement left me feeling moved and inspired.” – Professor Juliet Shields, Dept. of Humanities, Northumbria University, author of Nation and Migration

“…Erman has produced a superb work of historical fiction. It is everything the genre begs for: romance, intrigue, and a captivating mystery…Rebecca of Salerno is not only an enjoyable read, it is a history lesson for Jews and gentiles alike.” – Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, Free-lance author

Esther Erman: Like her heroine, Rebecca, Esther Erman was a refugee. A naturalized citizen, she early developed a passion for language, which led to her earning a doctorate in language education, writing her dissertation about the Yiddish language, and working with international students on many levels. A multi-published author, Esther now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. When they’re not traveling—especially to be with family in other parts of the US and in England—she loves to bake, quilt, and add to her monumental book collection. Find out more about them at www.EstherErman.com.

Follow Esther Erman on Twitter:
@EstherErman

In an interview, Esther Erman can discuss:

• Her experience as a refugee
• Struggles women and jewish people face and faced in the Medieval era
• Her draw to Rebecca in Ivanhoe, and why she felt Rebecca needed her own story
• Why she writes about strong historical women
• Theories surrounding Walter Scott’s creation of Rebecca
• The research process when writing a historical fiction

An Interview with Esther Erman

1. How has being a refugee shaped your life and writing?

Figuring out how being a refugee has shaped my life is an ongoing effort at introspection and learning. Of course, my early life happened against the background of my parents’ extreme trauma—the effects of having such traumatized elders is very much a current topic of investigation for researchers. Most of the adults I knew from my parents’ intimate circle of friends and a few relatives were also traumatized survivors, and so until at least the age of twelve I thought such trauma was a normal part of everyone’s life. Growing up with parents who didn’t fit in with mainstream culture meant I never fully fit in either—and I always felt as if I had to try to bridge the gap, making sense of life inside my home and outside, in an alien culture. These experiences and influences have shaped my life and my writing in profound ways – I always have some sense of being an outsider in American culture.

2. What sort of research did you do to make Rebecca of Salerno accurate to the time?

I have done much reading about the medieval era. I also traveled to Salerno to see it and the area firsthand. And on specific points, I consulted with experts. For example, on the topic of Rebecca working with pigs for academic purposes, I consulted with a religiously observant friend who had to work with pigs in her biology training. In general, though there is a lot of accessible information, there are also gaps.

3. What are the theories surrounding Walter Scott’s creation of Rebecca in Ivanhoe? Is there one that you feel matches your take on the work best?

As urban legend has it, Scott may have based his Rebecca on Rebecca Gratz. She was a member of a wealthy Jewish family who lived in Philadelphia (and elsewhere) during the time of the American Revolution until well into the nineteenth century. Like Ivanhoe’s Rebecca, Gratz evidently fell in love with a Christian man she also didn’t marry. Gratz did read and enjoy Ivanhoe, but she was coy on the topic of whether she was the model for the book’s character. In any case, Gratz intrigues me, and I am considering using her as the central character in a future novel.

4. You found out about Ivanhoe while writing your doctoral dissertation. How did this story stand out to you and inspire your writing?

My dissertation topic was the effects of the Holocaust on the Yiddish language; part of my study for the topic was to research images of Jews in classical western literature. That was when I discovered Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. Rebecca’s status after all the negative images (and the frequent invisibility) of Jewish characters was a revelation. The portraits of both Rebecca and her father Isaac have some grounding in traditional depictions and images of Jews: Isaac the moneylender, and Rebecca the healer. Rebecca’s healing connection could also be perceived as related to the “dark arts”— an important theme in medieval times. Overall, Scott did a skillful job bridging the literary tradition of his time and yet taking his portrait of Jews in a new direction. Given the uniqueness of his Rebecca, I was motivated (actually, obsessed) with “discovering” what happened to her after Scott abruptly abandoned her at the end of Ivanhoe.

5. The medical school Rebecca attends was a real place in Salerno. How did your visit to Salerno and the virtual museum there dedicated to the medical school help guide your writing process?

There is very little of the medical school in the virtual museum because most of the extant items from the medical school have been widely scattered in other places. When I visited the virtual museum, most of all I was taken by a very strong spirit of knowing what a special place for its era the medical school was, and a sense of regret that it does not have the recognition it deserves. The awareness of its uniqueness provided an essential context for the story, including contrasting that specialness with the impinging political realities of the changing society that were undermining its specialness.

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/