Author: Marissa DeCuir

WHAT THE FACT? Finding the Truth in All the Noise

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

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

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

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

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author

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

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

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

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

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

In an interview, Jane Wolfe can discuss:

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

An Interview with Jane Wolfe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How did you go about researching this book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How does this book appeal to non-journalists?

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

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Lois and Ross Melbourne

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

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

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

In an interview, Lois and Ross can discuss:

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

An interview with Lois and Ross Melbourne

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

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

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

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

How possible is the technology in the book?

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

Do either of you have a background in ethics?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why does this story mean so much to you?

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

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

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

What projects are you working on next?

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

Download press kit and photos

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See more at klcairebooks.com.

In an interview, Katherine Caire can discuss:

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

An Interview with Katherine Caire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

Wife Pens the Fascinating True Story of Her Husband’s Childhood

SCITUATE, MA – Mary Ford’s debut novel follows a young boy’s journey from jailbird, to teen runaway, to the place he truly belongs, and is based on the true story of her husband’s childhood. “Boy at the Crossroads: From Teenage Runaway to Class President” (Indie Publishing, Feb. 2021) is layered with nostalgia, and will hit home for fans of The Outsiders and Where the Crawdads Sing.

“It’s hard to explain how our Dad still had control over us. David and I were as big as grown men. But Dad had a way of making us feel small.”

Tennessee, 1955. Conley Ford learned quickly the world’s full of hard knocks. Seeking the wrong kind of excitement, the restless thirteen-year-old falls in with a group of older boys joyriding in stolen Mercury cars…until he is arrested and put on probation. With a harsh father waiting and too embarrassed to face his classmates as a jailbird, the impetuous youth leaves town, making it all the way to New Orleans.

Conley uses his wits and street smarts to commandeer a hot dog cart and make some cash. But when a turf war and a near-fatal accident sends him back home, the resourceful teen faces a choice between staying in misery or once more striking out into a dangerous world. Mary Ford depicts an adolescent who grew up impoverished and with minimal affection, but still found the strength to follow his gut toward something more.

“Boy at the Crossroads”
Mary Ford | February 2021 | Mary Ford
Young Adult | Coming of Age | Historical Fiction
Hardcover | 978-1736316412 | $21.05
Paperback | 978-1736316412 | $13.51

Praise for “The Boy at the Crossroads”

“Rip-roaring escapades and nostalgic musings in an American coming-of-age adventure.” – Booklife review

“Boy at the Crossroads,” written and listed as fiction, was very factual to me being a classmate of Conley at Halls High School in the late 50’s and early 60’s. When his family moved to the Halls community from Happy Holler in Knoxville, none of the students were aware of his family dynamics. I knew Conley was a survivor, and now I know why. Anyone who grew up during this time period will be reminded of the blunders of their youth. I wish every adolescent would read “Boy at the Crossroads.: There are lessons to be learned from Conley Ford.” – David Wayland

“For any youngster who has made some bad choices leading to a life of crime or destruction, Conley’s story could possibly be life-changing.” – Amazon Review

“Coming of age books, especially those that are true, are probably my favorite genre and this one is terrific. It is a well-written story that will appeal to readers of all ages. I found “Boy at the Crossroads” inspiring. The fast-moving pace takes us from the restlessness of a boy born in the early 1940s in eastern Tennessee to a young man in his early twenties. This book demonstrates the value of a strong work ethic better than anything else I have ever read (and I’ve read a lot). It is not an easy book to put down so get comfortable and enjoy. The journey is well worth the read.” – Zelly

MARY FORD is an award-winning journalist who spent twenty-eight years as the editor of two small-town community newspapers in Massachusetts: the Cohasset Mariner and the Hingham Journal. She met her future husband, Conley, in 1971 in California where she was teaching English and has always been fascinated by his story. Conley and Mary were married in Los Angeles and were featured on the Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks. After their first appearance, the popular couple was asked back for the Alumni Game. They came in last both times. Their incompatibility has lasted for nearly fifty years. With Conley’s job transfers, the couple lived in California, Japan, France, Missouri, Minnesota, England, Illinois, and Massachusetts. They reside in Scituate, Mass., with their dog, George. “Boy at the Crossroads” is Mary’s first novel.

Follow Mary on social media:
Facebook: @mary.t.ford LinkedIn: @maryfordedit
https://maryfordedit.com/

In an interview, Mary Ford can discuss:

• How much of her book is nonfiction
• How she collected and used years’ worth of memories on tapes as research
• Her husband’s resilience and how he fought his way to a better life
• Father-son relationships and how they affect childhood memories
• How she and her husband have maintained their marriage for nearly fifty years
• Why she decided to write a coming-of-age story about her husband’s youth
• The experience of writing a fictionalized story based on true events about a family member.
• The challenging transition from journalist to author
• Why this is an important story for teens who may have made bad decisions
• Why especially young adults and folks in their 60s, 70s, and 80s love the book

An Interview with Mary Ford

How did your career as a journalist prepare you to write this novel?

After 35 years in journalism with the requisite deadlines, I had the discipline to accomplish the task of writing. My particular “gift” as a reporter/editor was “news judgment.” In other words, I can recognize what a good story is. My husband’s story about running away at thirteen and being part of a humungous family fascinated me. I wanted to write his story one day. When I retired from my newspaper career, I had the time to focus. I have also mastered the short, declarative sentence!

How much research did you do to tell your husband’s story? What was it like listening through old tapes?

Over the years on our trips to Knoxville, Conley and I would walk the old neighborhood and he would share his recollections. On many trips, I didn’t accompany him due to my work schedule. I had him bring a mini-cassette recorder and talk into it while he was driving from Massachusetts to East Tennessee. Transcribing the tapes was a form of pure drudgery but I did it! I didn’t want to miss any of the colloquialisms and unique memories. The next task was to craft all the information into a coherent story with a beginning, middle, and end. A lot of great stuff was left on the cutting-room floor because it did not move the story forward. Too many vignettes can kill a good story.

How do you think the experience of writing a book is different when you are writing the story of someone you love?

Actually, my relationship with Conley had little influence on my decision or my writing. The gift that I was presented with was a great story. One of my instructors at Grub Street Boston remarked that we should all be so lucky. I did not have to invent a plot or make the whole thing up. My biggest challenge was leaving the newswoman behind. My early drafts read more like newspaper reports than a novel.

When and how did you decide you were going to write a novel from this true story?

Like millions of others, I always wanted to write a novel. Conley’s story gave me the perfect opportunity once I had the time. Throughout the process, he has been completely supportive. He loves the book and is really happy to share his story about a bygone era. Even though times have changed, the universal father-son conflict is a theme that is relevant today.

What was the hardest part about telling such a personal story?

By far the most difficult part was getting Conley to open up about how he felt. Was he scared? What was it like not to shower or have a change of clothes, etc.? He was great on details and his memory is amazing but getting into the head of what was a thirteen-year-old boy was a real challenge since the book’s point of view is his alone.

What are some of the main differences between your husband’s true story, and the novel you wrote?

I actually thought I was writing a memoir. One of my instructors at Grub Street (a creative writing center in Boston) set me straight and told me I was writing a novel. Once I realized that, it freed my writing up. Most of the dialog is invented and some scenes are enhanced somewhat. But the details of the story, including the chronology is all true.

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/

Author draws inspiration from the mystical with modern witchcraft in debut story

KNOXVILLE, TN – Straight out of the Appalachian mountains, Mercy’s Quest (June 21, 2022, Auguries and Alchemy) by East. S.M. is inspired by an author’s own encounters with the mystical. As a generational divination artist, East drew inspiration from her small coal mining town to create this rich novel. A perfect blend of fantasy and adventure, Mercy’s Quest will entertain readers who love a supernatural twist.

“Humans. We are all conditioned to think we come to earth to learn to be better, only to return to some origins rooted to a belief system that never stopped evolving. You cannot chase the meaning of a story that never ends.”

Mercy Stone comes from a long line of Blood Moon witches and, as such, is no stranger to coexisting alongside life’s great mysteries. Haunted by visions of a past life and the discovery of a gruesome family talisman, Mercy is led away from the hollows of Appalachia to New Orleans in search of answers. Along her path, Mercy re-encounters the magical beings she has known across her many lifetimes since time immemorial, including King Solomon, the Battle Crows of Carpathia and the Devil himself.

“Mercy’s Quest”
East S. M. | June 21, 2022
Auguries and Alchemy | Fantasy / Occult
Hardcover | 979-8-9852589-0-5 | $17.99
Paperback | 979-8-9852589-1-2 | $13.99
E-Book | 979-8-9852589-2-9 | $3.99

Early Praise for Mercy’s Quest

“Being of Appalachian lineage myself, I could not wait to step into the pages of Mercy’s Quest. Author and story weaver, East S.M., leads us on a shapeshifting journey between Mercy’s past and present lifetimes, Mercy’s Quest is a deeply magical story about a young woman coming into her personal power. Being raised by magical women in Appalachia, Mercy discovers that the magic she holds within is much stronger and more mysterious than she ever could have imagined. Following the path that now calls to her, Mercy is lead on a journey into the unknown as she discovers who she truly is and who she must now become in this present lifetime. This is a great read for all witches and magic makers who may be stepping into their own personal power”. — Ailynn Halvorson, author of The Tarot Apothecary: Shifting Personal Energies Using Tarot, Aromatherapy and Simple Everyday Rituals

“A Blood Moon Witch is in the room. Move over Mayfairs. East S. M.’s debut novel, Mercy’s Quest is a solid debut in the occult fiction genre. This first of the series takes us from Appalachia to New Orleans to magical landscapes where we engage her allies and enemies in a pursuit of knowledge and power. Told with the proficiency of metaphysics and the heart of a storyteller, East S. M. draws the reader through a young woman’s journey of claiming her magical inheritance as she is forced to make heartbreaking decisions to right a path gone wrong.” — Tess Collins, author of Notown and Shadow Mountain

“Mercy’s Quest is a fun, adventure story about family, power, and place. Based on realistic magical systems, this book paints witchcraft as a tool to help personal growth. The first entry into this magical world ends on a quest leaving the reader for more.” — Jaymi Elford, author of Tarot Inspired Life and
the award-winning Heaven and Earth Tarot

“This rich portrayal and exploration of people and places Magickal souls yearn for will tug at each and every human sense you possess. Strange and evocative at times, yet still fully concreted in sacred order, the artful layers of this book are thick with meaning and wisdom. The author’s enchanting and exotic players, archetypes of energies that speak to the core of your being, somehow still feel relatable and vividly intimate, rekindling cosmic memories preserved deep within. The threads of their connections, these chimeras of time and space, are artfully woven in and out of realities, ancient histories and otherworldly dimensions. With deep powers of immersion, East’s conjurations will pull you through portals of familiarity, long lost remembrances of the soul and expansive universal understanding.” — Meleah McCammon, Intuitive, Teacher and Proprietor of (inner) Perfect

“As the story unfolds, Mercy’s past, present, and future intertwine beautifully and pulled me into the depths of her soul. With each chapter, new layers of this fascinating world unfurl. Pages filled with adventure, supernatural intrigue, and divination ensure this story is a delight for every type of reader imaginable. I am so excited this is the first book in a series because I can’t wait to be reunited with these memorable characters. East S.M’s debut novel has proved to be an engrossing, mystic journey that I can’t wait to continue!” — A.P. Watson, Author of Jaded, Seeds of Eden, and A Fallen Son

Follow East S. M. on social media:
Facebook: @East S. M. | Facebook
Twitter: @EastSMAuthor
Instagram: @East_s.m._author
Tiktok: @east_sm_author

More about East S.M.

East S.M.: East S. M. is an Appalachian Occultist, Diviner, educator, artist, performer, and now author. A cosmic being in her own right, she was born in a small Kentucky town that sits inside a meteorite crater. She spent her childhood studying under a strong matriarchal family that imparted its intuitive gifts and Appalachian Spirit practices from prior generations. East is continuously inspired by music and the power of myth. She enjoys reading paranormal, adventure, and occult fantasy fiction works. One of her highest callings and greatest gifts in life is to share her divinity and intuition through teaching and facilitating sacred ritual spaces. A wild past of wonderful and sometimes unspeakable experiences, and decades of empowering others to seek their own quests, has called East to share Mercy’s story in the esoteric genre of Occult fiction. Her debut novel is the first in an anthology that reimagines the Spirit world, the human condition, and the necessity of both evolution and devolution within our lifetimes. https://theartisteast.com/.

In an interview, East S. M.can discuss:

• The meaning of Appalachian divination
• Writing in a niche genre like occult fiction
• Traveling the world and writing a book
• The book’s journey from dream to full-length story
• What it really means to be an occultist
• Comparisons of the Hero’s journey vs the Fool’s journey from tarot and its importance in storytelling.

An Interview with East S. M.

Why did you decide to have the book released on the Summer Solstice?

My artistry, relationships, essentially every aspect of my life, is led by my desire to connect with any experience in the most sacred way. Nature’s cycles, as they’re displayed through seasons, beautifully mirror our own cycles as human beings. Summer solstice finds the seeds in the ground, they’re growing, and it took hard work to get it there. As an occultist I could say many things regarding the sacred symbolism of summer but valuing the action of showing up and celebrating hard work seemed like appropriate energy for launching my story into the world. I needed to know this journey would begin from a space of celebration no matter where it goes.

How has writing poetry influenced your writing of occult fantasy?

Poetry forced me to see the ordinary in an extraordinary way. I’ve always been drawn to darker artistic content, and the influence of both pushed me to accept more nontraditional ways of expressing myself. My own growth of creative self-acceptance seemed more rapid in spaces where I shared poetry vs writing groups. If it wasn’t for reading forlorn poetry in late 90’s coffee houses I would’ve never started believing in the possibility of pursuing artistry full time.

How do you feel divination is represented in works of fiction, and how has divination influenced your creative process?

Not always, but often divination in media is presented as dramatic fortune telling and often the cards or symbols referenced are either untrue or so watered down it takes the sacredness away from such a beautiful resource. I would love to see a variety of how it’s presented on both the giving and receiving end of readings in art. In my own writing my character’s readings make sense to their journey. I try to steer away from exact predictors as fate always has its freedom to shift depending on the choices we make.

I utilize Divination as a tool for writer’s block or initial inspiration. Tarot, also known as the fool’s journey, mirrors every experience a human will go through on the path of life. It displays the soul’s reaction to becoming the best versions of ourselves through triumphs and challenges. I often execute readings to establish background for characters or world building. I’ll be offering a creative writing with tarot workshop over the next year where I’ll share in detail some of those techniques.

What do you hope readers will take away from Mercy’s Quest?

Mercy is on a quest to uncover a family mystery but finds herself quickly on the path to discovering a deeper truth regarding her purpose in this world. Variables in our lives are always in motion affecting outcomes every second. Our reaction to the challenges we face on that search are character defining opportunities that equip us to grow into better versions of ourselves. My desire is for people to understand there’s no need to rush their evolutionary process in this world. There’s no perfect plan that will see you through to the end. Mercy makes the decision time and time again to show up and trust the process. My desire is to inspire folks to trust that the grace in which we handle the road is far more powerful than reaching the end of that road.

How did traveling the world for work while writing this story influence your writing?

It was a beautiful May morning in England, and I had just purchased a private pass to tour inside the Stonehenge round. Tourists typically only view it roadside, but I had an in and was going to honor my inner Arthurian nerd, living fully in this moment. As luck would have it the bus that brought us to the stones broke down in the parking lot. I spent hours, sunset through midnight, lounging in this mystical ritual space. I always seem to find myself in similar magical misadventures everywhere I go. My travel journals are full of adventures from underneath the streets of Budapest, to the shores of Ireland, to a middle of nowhere berry forest in Finland, and then there was one time I swore I met the devil himself in an airport in Amsterdam! My writing reflects my experiences in this world, and I pull the energy from real travel moments in hopes of providing more environmental authenticity.

You mentioned this story came to you in a dream. That sounds so fun! Can you tell us about that, and describe its vividness?

This is a long story, but I will do my best to be concise. A god of old came to me in a dream and in this dream, we were burning down houses. I asked him why we were doing this to which he replied preparing a new path. He kept showing up in dreams in spaces where he wasn’t a major player in the theme of the dream, just a background eye of observation. The dream often centered around a tree on my actual property.

Around this same time, I made a social media post regarding the importance of respecting the workspace of street buskers. My dad reached out to me after reading it encouraging me to lean into writing more. I am a performance artist but never considered the possibility of writing an actual novel. The combination of his belief in me brought all the interesting dreams to the front of my mind and just like magic I saw the entire story in my head along with the voice of my muse.

My great grandmother had a box on her mantle that contained something we were told was dark and sacred. Do not touch! I took the story I’d been holding in my heart since childhood regarding what I imagined it was, and that became the foundation of this grand world that was gifted to me by my dream muse.

Wouldn’t you know it, I started writing that story and guess what happened? The tree that kept showing up with my muse in dreams was struck by lightning. The strike caused a branch to snap, destroying my mailbox by the street. Where’s the magic? I ordered a new tarot deck only to find it landed at the foot of the tree among the storm’s chaos. The package was destroyed by water and the box holding the cards was warped and open. Guess what lay outside the box? Three tarot cards in a perfect row: Judgment, The World, and The Magician. I am on my path of destiny and the Universe is making a way for me to have the resources needed to support my manifestations. The storm gave me a reading laced with the assurance of knowing I was on the right path.

What authors inspire you?

Anne Rice for a number of reasons. The Vampire Chronicles was the first series I obsessed over as a young reader. I’ve been fascinated by vampire lore since childhood and her attention to detail painted elaborate worlds, and dramatic characters that played out like seamless cinema in my mind’s eye as I read along. “Interview with a Vampire” was the first book to film fiction I read before a film was considered. Amusingly, I was a pre teen at the time and felt so grown having accomplished such a task!

Neil Gaiman has this way with character presentation that pulls me deep into the heart of his story. I am a huge fan of Fantasy worlds overlapping with real world scenarios. Intermingling worlds have a presence in my own writing. Mr. Gaiman is a literary rockstar that does this masterfully.

What do you think about books to film/do you think your book would adapt easily to film?

My artistic background goes further than writing. I think because of that versatility I’m forgiving of how film chooses to convey a story. I believe reading a book is a magic that can’t be duplicated and presenting it through different expressions like film give it the flexibility to become something unique. However, it’s unlikely I’ll read the book if I happened to catch the film first.

I’d love to see the Mercy’s Quest trilogy, as well as the spin off novels transition to film. The story is action based in mystical settings around the world creating an opportunity for something incredibly visually appealing. The characters have such deep back stories there’s an opportunity for multiple lead story developments within the world. It would be an absolute dream if that were to happen.

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/

MORA, Minn. – Who says a book can only have one ending? Authors Deb Mercier and Ryan Jacobson, of Lake 7 Creative, are flipping the Choose Your Path concept on its head, challenging readers to “survive” new interactive middle grade novels that will entice even the most reluctant of readers. With the debut of the Detective: You series (Oct 11. 2022), Lake 7 imaginatively introduces the mystery genre to new generations of young readers who are charged with solving their own mysteries. It’s up to readers to identify suspects and gather clues, making choices that affect what happens next.

“The Empty Cabin”
978-1940647739 | Paperback, $9.95 | Hardcover, $22.95 | Ebook, $8.99

The cabin resort your parents own is the perfect place to spend a summer. There’s swimming, fishing, birding — and a steady stream of visitors who, from week to week, pass in and out of your life. Except for Loretta, a regular guest of Cabin #4. So when you find her cabin empty one morning, you know something’s wrong. Build your case and use deductive reasoning to determine what the crime was, how it happened — and whodunit.

“The Ghost of Old Central School”
978-1940647753 | Paperback, $9.95 | Hardcover, $22.95 | Ebook, $8.99
Old Central School is closing for good because it’s reportedly haunted! The incidents have gotten so freaky that parents refuse to send their kids to school. Yet Irene Gorter, a student there, doesn’t believe it’s true — and she’s hiring you to prove it. Choose your supplies, and let the investigation begin. But be careful; one wrong choice could lead to your doom!

“Can You Survive the Wonderful Wizard of Oz?”
978-1940647715 | Paperback, $9.95 | Hardcover, $22.95 | Ebook, $8.99

You are Dorothy, the accidental adventurer. You’ve been swept away from your home in Kansas by a deadly tornado. Now, you find yourself in the Land of Oz, a fantastical world of witches, monsters and talking animals. You must use your knowledge and courage — and plenty of help from your strange collection of friends — to survive. Do you have what it takes to traverse the road of yellow brick?

Relaunching Oct. 11, 2022, from Lake 7 Creative

“Can You Survive the Call of the Wild?”
Paperback, ​​978-1940647654, $9.95 ​​| Hardcover, 978-1940647791, $22.95

You are Buck, the famous sled dog. You have been stolen from your comfortable life in California and forced into servitude. Now, you find yourself in Alaska, a dangerous world of greedy men and savage dogs. Every moment, your life is at risk. You must use your strength, your cunning wit and your animal instincts to survive such perils as bear attacks, wolf encounters, starvation and the frigid temperatures of Canada’s Yukon. Do you have what it takes to make it out alive?

“Can You Survive the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?”
Paperback, 978-1940647678, $9.95 | Hardcover, 978-1940647807, $22.95

You are Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective. You have been approached by three desperate clients, each of whom presents a compelling case for you to solve. Now, you must choose which mysteries are worth investigating and which might be too dangerous. Every moment, your life is at risk. Use your cunning to search for evidence, follow the clues and survive such perils as vile criminals, clever traps and even wild animals. Do you have what it takes to solve three of Sherlock Holmes’ most puzzling cases?

“Can You Survive Dracula?”
Paperback, ​​978-1940647692, $9.95 | Hardcover, 978-1940647814, $22.95

You are Jonathan Harker, an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation. You have been tricked and imprisoned. You’ve come face to face with a monster and left behind to suffer a terrible fate. Now, you must put an end to Count Dracula’s evil reign. Assemble your team of vampire hunters, and prepare for battle. Every moment, your life is at risk. Use your courage and wisdom to survive such perils as wolf encounters, mysterious strangers and deadly fires. Do you have what it takes to defeat the deadly villain?

About Ryan Jacobson

Ryan Jacobson is an award-winning author. He has written more than 60 books, with topics ranging from silly to scary. Ryan prides himself on writing high-interest books for children and adults alike, so he can talk about picture books in kindergarten, ghost stories in high school and other fun stuff in between. Some of his most popular works include the “Constellations Activity Book,” “Eagle in the Sky” and “Can You Survive the Call of the Wild?” Ryan is also the co-owner and president of Lake 7 Creative, LLC. His company creates activity books and sports books, and it specializes in developing interactive Choose Your Path books for young readers. When he isn’t writing, Ryan likes to build LEGO sets, play board games and try new restaurants. He lives in eastern Minnesota with his wife and two sons.

Follow Ryan Jacobson on social media:
Facebook: @AuthorRyanJacobson and @Lake7Creative Instagram: @lake7creative

In an interview, Ryan Jacobson can discuss:

• Why Lake 7 Creative specializes in Choose Your Path books and how young readers can benefit from interactive storytelling
• The launch of the Detective: You series and expanding the Choose Your Path format into the mystery genre
• Choosing which classic tales to feature in the Can You Survive? series and turning scenes from children’s favorite books into Choose Your Path moments
• How to turn classic books with more mature or graphic subject matter into ones suitable for middle grade audiences
• Being a reluctant reader when he was a child and how that inspired him to create literature to entice young readers
• How you can find success as an author, writing and publishing your own books
• The relaunch of previous titles in Lake 7’s Can You Survive? series
• The founding of Lake 7 Creative and plans for the press’s future

An interview with Ryan Jacobson

You’ve said that you were a reluctant reader as a child. How did your experience with literature at a young age inspire you to write these unique books?

Oh, I didn’t like books at all. I read comic books and Sports Illustrated, but that didn’t actually count as reading back then. So when I finally discovered interactive fiction in about fifth grade, I was like, “Yes, I’m a reader now!” Years later, when I started writing books, I wanted to create that feeling in other young readers, too, which is why I always try to create books that I would’ve devoured as a child.

What made you want to start your press and how did you get started?

This wasn’t exactly something I sought to do. Way back in 2005, I wrote a chapter book called “Santa Claus: Super Spy,” mostly as a writing exercise. But after my wife and I decided to adopt a child (and saw how much money we’d need to raise!), I self-published the book on a wing and a prayer as an adoption fundraiser. It did so well that I kept publishing books, and we’re still at it today.

What are some of the challenges you’ve found running your own press? Some of the pleasant surprises?

The biggest challenge has always been finding the time. I started and grew Lake 7 as a side project, kind of a glorified hobby. The business part of it has always been a challenge for me too — especially the accounting. But I’ve gotten to meet a lot of really talented people. That’s something that always surprises me: how very talented people are.

Why is interactive storytelling important? Is it more beneficial for readers of a certain age?

This is a big question, and my brain is going 100 different directions with it. Let’s see … the format appeals to kids who may or may not otherwise be interested in books; it introduces choices and consequences; there’s a problem-solving element to it; it’s reading and it’s fun, like playing a game. With that said, I think the books are most beneficial for readers who haven’t quite found their “in” to the joys of reading yet, regardless of their age.

What is coming down the line for you and Lake 7?

We’ve had recent success with some activity books and sports books, and that’s allowed us an opportunity to grow and to refocus our efforts on the Choose Your Path format. We have some big plans for taking the format into new and different directions. Our ultimate goal is to become the “go-to” publisher for Choose Your Path books.

About Deb Mercier

Deb Mercier lives in greater Minnesota with her husband, dogs and outdoor critter friends. She is an award-winning journalist, author of 11 books for young readers, a former newspaper editor and a technical writer.

When Deb’s not dreaming up new stories, you can find her wandering the trails on bike and on foot, saving turtles from roadways and playing flute in the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra.

An interview with Deb Mercier

How did you get started as a writer?

I’ve always been surrounded by stories. Every week growing up, my mom took my brother and me to the library; it seemed natural to start writing my own adventures. My first publication was actually when I was a senior in high school. I wrote a poem after my mom passed away, and my English teacher submitted it to a national competition — I don’t even remember her doing it — and it won first place.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Like I tell my students at young author conferences, inspiration is everywhere! I may hear a snippet of conversation or see an old building that makes me wonder who used to live there.
Or maybe the way a squirrel studies the birdfeeder and chatters back at the dogs will lead to a scene … you just never know, so it’s best to pay attention.

What’s alluring about the Choose Your Path format?

As far as reading, the Choose Your Path format is a blast! Sure, it’s reading, but it’s also playing a game — one that doesn’t always turn out well if you make the wrong choice. Being in the driver’s seat as the main character of an adventure gives you control that you don’t normally have while reading, and that’s a ton of fun! As far as writing, the Choose Your Path format is a huge challenge, and I love a good challenge! It takes an incredible attention to detail and an ability to imagine different scenarios branching from a single scene (or maybe an object you forgot to pack). It’s not an easy format to tackle, but seeing kids (and adults) having so much fun navigating through the books makes every word worth it!

How did you begin working with Ryan and Lake 7 Creative?

I met Ryan forever ago at a young author conference held in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He contacted me about possibly helping him finish a book he’d started: “Wrestling with a Werewolf.” Knowing nothing about wrestling or werewolves, I naturally took on the project. We’ve been working together since then.

What projects are you working on now?

Next up is another Detective: You title … to be determined. We’re pretty sure it’s going to be set at the same resort as “The Empty Cabin,” starring Sam (a.k.a. You). Stay tuned!

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/