Author: Marissa DeCuir

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In his latest work, award-winning author and military veteran Gary Slaughter documents perspectives of World War II that have flown under the radar for decades. Fletcher House Publishers will release “WWII POWs in America and Abroad” on Nov. 11, 2021.

Little has been written about the 6 million people held in prison camps around the world between 1939 and 1945. The Allies and the Axis powers held one another’s armed forces as military prisoners of war (POWs).

The Axis powers also confined millions of civilian prisoners in death or concentration camps. In addition, the Axis also imprisoned Russians, Slavs, European Jews, people with medical and physical disabilities, non-Jewish intellectuals, and religious leaders.

Even the United States imprisoned its own citizens in camps throughout America – over 100,000 Japanese-Americans and 11,500 German-Americans, most naturalized U.S. citizens.

Like military camps, these civilian sites were also surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers. In 1943, when a German POW camp was built in Slaughter’s hometown in Michigan, he became fascinated with POWs as a young boy. During the last two decades, Slaughter has authored five Cottonwood novels, set on the American homefront during the latter part of World War II, each containing POW storylines. Following book talks, most attendee questions related to POWs. His extensive research resulted in this captivating book.

“WWII POWs in America and Abroad”
Gary Slaughter| Nov. 11, 2021 | Fletcher House Publishing | Nonfiction / History
Paperback | ISBN: 9781733802130 | $20
Ebook | ISBN: 9781733802147 | $6.99

About the Author

Gary Slaughter is the author of “WWII POWs in America and Abroad” (Fletcher House Publishers, Nov. 11, 2021). He was born and raised in Owosso, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he served seven years during the Cold War as a Naval officer, principally on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) destroyers. Following a distinguished military career, he became an expert on managing corporate information technology and consulted to clients worldwide. In 2002, Slaughter put his career on hold and began to write the award-winning Cottonwood series of five novels, depicting life on the American homefront during the last five seasons of World War II. In 2016, his critically-acclaimed memoir, “Sea Stories,” was published. The book’s 60 vignettes recall Slaughter’s life in the Navy. One vignette tells of the once top-secret role he played in avoiding an all-out nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In an interview, Gary Slaughter can discuss:

• The 6 million people who were held in prison camps around the world from 1939 to 1945 during WWII
• Growing up during WWII, particularly in his hometown of Owosso, Michigan, where a German POW camp was based
• The daily lives and varying treatment of POWs in the United States and abroad
• How the U.S. got involved with housing POWs from other countries on American soil
• Internment camps that imprisoned thousands of Japanese American citizens in the U.S.

An Interview with Gary Slaughter

Why do so few people today know about the millions of people imprisoned around the world between 1939 and 1945, especially about the American citizens held in POW camps right here in America?

There are several reasons. First, most Americans who were old enough to have observed POWs in our country are no longer living. Second, by 1946, every POW had left America, taking their records with them. In addition, POWs were imprisoned in camps near small towns with little national press coverage. And few history books, following the war, included this event.

You’ve been fascinated by World War II POWs your entire life. How did the United States enter into the POW business?

In 1943, Americans landed in North Africa to join the British who were fighting there and had captured many Germans and Italians. The British had few materials to construct POW camps and couldn’t spare men to guard them. So, the United States agreed to take custody of 50,000 POWs. They were shipped back to America on the empty Liberty ships that had just off-loaded American troops and equipment in Algeria and Morocco.

The United States had no facilities to house prisoners in America because our primary focus was on the build-up of our armed forces. But, within weeks, a construction program for POW camps was submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These camps were to be built on American military bases and on the hundreds of abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps camps.

In the 1940s, small towns across America, such as my hometown of Owosso, Michigan, were among the 940 American communities where permanent POW base camps and branch camps were established.

To prevent mass escapes, the prisoners were dispersed widely in 155 base camps and 785 branch camps located all over the country, at least 170 miles from the coast and 150 miles from the Canadian and Mexican borders.

When World War II ended, there were some 5,000 Japanese, 51,000 Italian, and 379,000 German POWs for a total of 435,000 POWs in America. These were in addition to the huge number of POWs in Allied camps in both Europe and Asia.

You mentioned a POW camp in your hometown of Owosso, Michigan. Tell us about it.

In 1944, when I was 5 years old, a German POW branch camp for 2,000 POWs was established on the grounds of an auto racetrack about four miles west of Owosso. The camp was about 100 yards square and was surrounded by two (inside and outside) high, barbed wire fences with watch towers.

On Sundays after church, Owosso citizens drove their families out to the camp and slowly drove around the perimeter to observe the German POWs inside.

The POWs were housed in large tents. They lived there from spring until winter, working on farms and in factories in the area. In the winter months, they returned to their base camp near Kalamazoo, Michigan.

How did you become interested in the subject of POWs in America?

When I was in grade school, my best friend, Billy Curtis, and I took a shortcut through the parking lot of a canning factory in our neighborhood. On our way to school, we observed German POWs unloading truckloads of fruits and vegetables and carrying them into the factory where they were processed into cans or jars of fruit and vegetables.

The vast majority of our POWs were young men who seemed to be having the time of their lives. They befriended us and, in a way, we became like their younger brothers. They even invited us into the canning factory to join them for lunch in their dining hall, of course with the consent of the Army guards who were armed with submachine guns.

We loved being accepted by this group of smiling, blond haired, and blue-eyed young men. This experience began my lifelong interest in POWs.

In the 1980s, as an expert on the subject of corporate information technology, I was invited to consult to many European companies. On two occasions, I met high level executives who were eager to discuss the times they had experienced as POWs in America.

When you were a young boy, was your perception of Germans influenced by seeing these POWs working in your community?
Yes. Owosso had a significant number of German immigrants, so we were used to being among them. But the presence of German POWs enhanced our positive impressions of Germans in general.

The vast majority of prisoners in POW camps were enlisted men. According to the Geneva Convention, they were required to work. However, that work could not be demeaning, dangerous or defense-related. Prisoners worked the same hours as their American counterparts, eight hours a day and six days a week, in jobs such as farming, forestry, and food processing. And, POWs were paid for their work. But what was life like for an imprisoned officer?

Some German officers in American POW camps volunteered to do manual labor, just to keep in shape and pass the time.

All officers were provided fine quarters, a garden, and an American, German-speaking GI to assist them. They were also served better food than the enlisted POWs. Officers were even provided a car, driven by their GI, to tour the countryside. But they had to swear not to attempt to escape. Of the hundreds of German officers imprisoned, none ever attempted to escape.

In short, because of the fine treatment, most POW officers rather enjoyed their stay In America. Needless to say, the Germans preferred being in an American POW camp to fighting Russians in the dead of winter. And we acquired much information from the personal GIs assigned to them.

You’ve talked about how German POWs were treated here in the United States, but how were American POWs treated in German POW Camps?

Germany was our only WWII enemy to sign the Geneva Convention. This document spelled out how enemy POWs were to be treated. Japan and Italy did not sign. On balance American POWs in German camps were treated very well as compared to Americans held in Japanese camps. Unfortunately, when it appeared that Germany was losing the war, treatment of our POWs there worsened considerably.

After the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States suspected that Japanese Americans living here might act as saboteurs or espionage agents, so the United States even imprisoned its own citizens. During the war, these citizens included some 30,000 Japanese Americans. Can you discuss that?

Yes. This was tragic. A War Relocation Authority was established. Its mission was – and I quote – “to take all people of Japanese descent into custody, surround them with troops, prevent them from buying land, and return them to their former homes at the close of the war.”

On March 28, 1942, these Japanese Americans were forced to sell their property within two weeks. Many of them were business professionals, doctors, and lawyers.

Conditions at the camps were sparse. They were forced to live in uninsulated barracks furnished with only cots and coal-burning stoves. Residents used common bathroom and laundry facilities. Hot water was usually limited.

They set up schools, churches, farms, and newspapers. Children played sports and engaged in various activities. These Japanese-Americans spent as long as three years living in the camps.

Finally, in December 1944, internees could return to their homes, but most remained in the camps for another year because of anti-Japanese sentiment in America. About 55,000 returned to life outside the barbed wire. Those who returned to the West Coast found their property vandalized, farms gone to seed, and businesses bankrupt.

What was it like growing up in Owosso during the war? Everyone had to sacrifice for the war effort. Did you feel deprived?

As a young boy, growing up in America during the war was exciting, but we had to adjust to shortages of food and clothing. Food was rationed since we were feeding our military and POWs here and in Europe and Asia. Because clothing factories were converted to produce clothing for our military and for POWs, civilian clothing was also rationed. And there were no new toys or bicycles because those factories were converted to produce war materials.

Yes, all American families sacrificed, but we never lost sight of the fact that these sacrifices were necessary for us to win the war. After all, every family in my neighborhood had one or two members serving in the armed forces.

Is there anything that you experienced during the war years that you miss today?

I miss the spontaneous expressions of patriotism and the love and respect for our fellow citizens as it existed during the war. Everyone sacrificed and no one complained about it. We were all extremely proud to do so.

Watching classic movies is a passion of yours. Are movies about POWs mentioned in your book?

During the war, American movie theaters showed newsreels featuring the latest progress of the war in Europe and the Pacific. All Americans were very interested, because most had fathers, uncles, brothers, and cousins fighting the Germans or the Japanese at the time. Many Hollywood movies featured storylines about the war, including POWs and their camps.

One of my favorite POW films is “The Great Escape,” based on Paul Brickhill’s nonfiction book. This is a first-hand account of a mass escape of British and American prisoners from German POW Stalag Luft III in the province of Lower Silesia, Nazi Germany. Actual events are depicted in this best POW camp escape movie. I won’t tell you how many times I have watched this gem that stars Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough.

You have devoted your life to writing over the past two decades. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

It’s been extremely hard work but worth every drop of perspiration that has fallen from my brow.

Positive and enthusiastic feedback from my readers is more than I ever thought I would be fortunate enough to enjoy during these last years of my life.

My advice to aspiring authors: Don’t sell yourself short. I never had any idea that I would be a respected author of eight books, both fiction and non-fiction. Simply put, don’t underestimate your ability until you’ve given it good try.

You and your wife, Joanne, collaborated on all of your books. How did you divide up the responsibilities to produce these books?

First of all, Joanne is extremely intelligent and very meticulous. She was an English major in college, taught English for 10 years, and is a voracious reader.

Joanne relieves me of an author’s tasks that don’t appeal to me. She takes my draft manuscripts and then studies, corrects, and improves them. She works with our agent and publisher to produce these works of art. Then, she promotes and schedules my book events. Finally, she handles book sales and financial transactions.

After having described all this, you might ask me, “just what do you do?”

You and your wife have been a team in a very successful business career spanning many decades. What is the secret to the success of your partnership?

The most important ingredient is that we completely trust each other, and we have learned over the years how to divide the work in a way that takes advantage of each of our strong suits. But most importantly we both love and like each other.

You often write about Owosso. Have you ever considered moving from Nashville back to Michigan?

Absolutely not. After graduating from the University of Michigan, I spent the better part of a decade as a naval officer on ships homeported in warm climates, like Key West and Norfolk, Virginia. Before moving to Nashville, we lived many years in Naples, Florida. We sometimes wonder why we moved way up here to Nashville. But going back to Michigan? The idea literally sends chills up my spine.

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/

Captivating podcast turned book about life-changing messages from a mysterious messenger

Richmond, VA — Author Liz Keller Whitehurst first released her inspirational debut novel, Messenger (Warren Publishing, Oct. 19, 2021), as a riveting 16 episode podcast series in 2020, the timing perfect amid the pandemic that had many people searching for encouraging messages to hang on to.

Now, Whitehurst is adapting her podcast into a print book, with the same pivotal themes of initiation, connection, relationship, and mystery, which form the heart of this refreshing novel. Whitehurst reminds us that we are all messengers for each other, and that empathy and connection can come from the most unexpected places.

“You know that message everybody’s been waiting for their whole lives, as long as they can remember? Well, I bring that message. That’s my job. It’s up to me.”

While searching for a new, intriguing story among the insanely competitive media world of New York City, young journalist Alana Peterson finds Messenger, an old woman who gives life-changing messages to strangers all over the city. Alana thinks she’s found her big break with Messenger’s story, but soon realizes there is much more to Messenger than meets the eye. Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results, only then realizing Messenger’s bigger plans.

“Oh, no, Honey. Not the end. A new beginning!”

“Messenger”
Liz Keller Whitehurst | October 19, 2021
Warren Publisher | Literary Fiction/Spiritual
Paperback | 978-1-954614-44-4 | $17.95

More about Liz Keller Whitehurst

Liz Keller Whitehurst is the author of the forthcoming debut novel, Messenger, and author/creator of the serial podcast MESSENGER: A NOVEL IN 16 EPISODES, which she launched in 2020. Her short stories have appeared in many literary magazines and journals, including Gargoyle, The Portland Review, Five Fingers Review and Nimrod International Journal. She was a finalist in Nimrod International Journal’s Short Story Competition. She earned an MA in English from The University of Virginia. In addition to fiction writing, Liz has spent her professional life writing and teaching. She’s done corporate, non-profit and freelance writing and has taught English and writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Her last teaching post was co-leading a memoir writing class at the city jail. Though born in Ohio, Liz grew up in Winchester, Virginia and has lived her adult life in Richmond, Virginia. She shares her current 1891 home, located in one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, with her husband. Her second-floor writing desk overlooks the James River.

Follow Liz around:
Instagram: @lizkellerwhitehurst
Facebook: @lizkellerwhitehurst
Website: lizkellerwhitehurst.com

In an interview, Liz Keller Whitehurst can discuss:

• How her own great need inspired a story of connectivity and empathy
• Why she decided to release her book first as a podcast, and why she’s releasing it as a print book now
• The process of turning a book into a podcast, and vice versa
• Her writing process and why she chose multiple narrative forms to tell this story
• The use of magical realism in the book
• The real-life messages she received from podcast listeners
• What a clinamen is and how it relates to her novel
• How it feels to be a debut novelist in her 60’s
• How we can all be messengers for ourselves and each other

An Interview with Liz Keller Whitehurst

1. What’s one message you received that changed your life?

On the morning before my birthday, April 2020, with the COVID-19 epidemic surging, I awoke with a clear and urgent message: Messenger’s time has come. Figure out a way to get Messenger’s story out.

2. When did you start putting together the story for Messenger?

The seeds of Messenger began in 2013, when, during a time of great need, I begged for a message, for the answer to an undiagnosable health challenge my college-aged daughter faced. I went to New York City, where she was a student, to help. Every day while she was in class, I walked the cold, gray streets, stared into the faces of the multitude of people I passed, and wondered if they were desperate for a message, too. To distract myself, I journaled descriptions of faces, interesting people, physical locations, sounds, smells. I had no idea I was working on a new book.

3. How would you describe your writing process? What made you choose to write multiple narrative forms?

I am definitely a pantser (write by the seat of my pants) versus a plotter (planner and outliner) and I “see” and “hear” scenes organically. I strive to get them down as best I can while having no idea how the puzzle parts fit together. I’m also quite influenced by my life and particularly by what I’m reading. Messenger’s multiple narrative forms were really inspired by, believe it or not, Moby Dick! Of course I’m not comparing Messenger to Melville’s tour-de-force, but that’s where I got the idea to use multiple narratives, journals, and lists as a structure to tell the story The character of Messenger came first but I knew I needed another character to form a relationship with her and to create some action. Then I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the wildly successful and amazing non-fiction book by Rebecca Skloot. My character Alana, inspired by Rebecca, was born.

4. The book being released as a podcast first is such a fun, unique twist! What made you decide to release Messenger first as a podcast?

I finally finished Messenger mid-2019, it made the rounds of traditional publishers, thanks to my wonderful agent, April Eberhardt, got reads, but no traction. Then the holidays and 2020 came and everything changed with the pandemic. After I received the message to find a way to get Messenger out, my first idea was to create a website and release the book in episodes, as a serial novel. I queried some trusted friends, especially creative extraordinaire, Rachel Pater, and received another message from them: make Messenger a podcast. Thanks to our talented podcast team, we launched MESSENGER: A NOVEL IN 16 EPISODES in July, 2020. It’s still free and available on my website and at messengerthenovel.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

5. What would you like readers to take away from your book?

My hope is that Messenger readers will find light, comfort, hope, perspective, motivation and inspiration in its pages, will sense the underlying connection we all share, and will believe that a slight swerve can change everything. I also hope readers will wake up and watch for messages coming their way and look for opportunities to be messengers for others.

6. A writer always loves hearing from readers, but you asked your podcast listeners, Have you ever received a message from an unexpected source? What was your response?

We received so many messages from this request we created two bonus episodes of real-life messages from listeners. The messages people shared were diverse and intriguing, inspiring and mysterious. Though all very different, one aspect was key to all the messages–timing. Just like Messenger’s messages!

7. You use the term clinamen in the novel and define it as a slight swerve that changes everything. What do you mean? What is its significance to the novel as a whole?

There are many definitions for the term clinamen but in this novel it refers to the underlying theme that a slight swerve–in a life, a city, the world–can change everything. Messenger teaches Alana that a mysterious underlying web connects everyone and everything. Because of this interconnectedness, what happens to any one life affects the whole. That’s how Messenger works.

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/

Camden, Maine – There are many ways to give back, from volunteering, serving on a board, raising funds, or donating time. Each role requires a specific skill set, but where does a person turn to get started? There has never been a formal guide for volunteers and activists to help them navigate the day-to-day activities associated with doing good through philanthropy; until now! So skip scrolling on the internet for hours to figure out how to advance the cause dear to your heart, and use this shortcut guide! “For A Good Cause” (She Writes Press, Oct. 12, 2021) by philanthropy expert philanthropist Diane Lebson is for anyone who has ever said to themselves, “If I could make a difference in the world, how would I want to do it?”

Lebson’s book compiles everything you need to know about intentional volunteering and participation in philanthropic events. This accessible guide offers a wealth of information regarding best practices to follow, garnered through decades of experience in a nonprofit career and collaboration with 26 female philanthropists who also share their experience with step-by-step lessons.

Lebson’s priceless knowledge on how women can give joyfully and effectively to a cause is packed into this action-oriented guide, and will surely benefit anyone interested in making the most of their charitable endeavors. Let’s get started!

“For a Good Cause”
Diane Lebson | October 12, 2021
She Writes Press | Philanthropy and Charity
Paperback | 978-1-64742-303-2 | $16.95

Early praise for “For A Good Cause”

“As a trailblazer in women’s philanthropy, Diane Lebson provides insightful advice on how to be intentional in your generosity. For A Good Cause illustrates what research at the Women’s Philanthropy Institute has demonstrated — that women are drawn to an expanded definition of philanthropy that includes time, expertise, advocacy, networks and money, applying all of their resources to work for good. Readers seeking greater confidence in how to do good will benefit from the real-world lessons and decades of experience shared through Lebson’s stories.”
—Jeannie Infante Sager, Director of Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Institute

“We know from research that women don’t resonate with the word “philanthropist” as it can be perceived as primarily the donation of money. Women know that they provide so much more than just treasure when they care about a good cause – they also give their time, talent, testimony and ties. Yet this broader definition of philanthropy is rarely celebrated, leaving women to believe that their full support is not valued. Lebson’s practical guide for women’s engagement with charities lifts up and honors what women bring to the table as talented and thoughtful volunteers, leaders, donors and amplifiers of the mission. In addition, her plethora of stories and practical advice is a welcome aide to women as they consider the best approaches to benefit any cause they hold dear.”
—Kathleen E. Loehr, author of Gender Matters: A Guide to Growing Women’s Philanthropy

“In every encounter with Diane, I am always impressed (and motivated) by her energy and enthusiasm for supporting individuals to find joy in their philanthropic pursuits. Easier said than done! I am thrilled to see Diane articulate in word through her book, For A Good Cause: A Practical Guide to Giving Joyfully, the passion and practical steps anyone can take to embrace the sentiment of joyful giving. I believe truly that with her practical tips and relatable storytelling, you will feel confident and empowered to explore and expand your own philanthropic journey.”
—Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, President and Board Member, Phi Sigma Sigma, Inc. and
Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, and student in giving joyfully

“In my many decades as a nonprofit CEO I can’t remember reading a book that so comprehensively addresses all the facets of philanthropy from volunteers to donors to even starting your own nonprofit. Diane’s contribution to the discourse reminds me that women have always worked hard to make the world a better place, now with For A Good Cause we have a guidebook to do it well and most important to do it joyfully. Bravo Diane!”
—Lidia Soto-Harmon, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital

“The definition of philanthropy is a desire to promote the welfare of others, yet it has tended to be seen as limited to fundraising for a charitable cause. Diane Lebson’s new book For A Good Cause does a thorough and practical job of helping broaden that definition. She skillfully and with a very comfortably paced writing style introduces the reader to the many different ways you can “do good”…from serving on a board, to advocating for policy change, to making charitable contributions and so much more. What I found especially useful is her understanding of the importance of finding the right “fit” when you choose to engage in philanthropy. I highly recommend For A Good Cause if you are just getting started or if you have been a long-time philanthropist who is thinking of pursuing a new direction.”
—Anne Dalton, Community Volunteer, Portland, Maine

About the Author

Diane Lebson: Diane grew up as a first-generation American in Milford, Connecticut, the daughter of working-class, Polish immigrants who instilled in her a strong work ethic and desire to “do good.” After studying international relations in college, Diane stayed in Washington and began her nonprofit career on the national staff of United Way, the largest charity in the United States. Over the course of seventeen years, she managed United Way’s national literacy program, directed the national board of trustees, and built a women’s giving program that has to date raised over $2 billion and mobilized over 70,000 philanthropists. After leaving United Way, she went on to lead US fundraising operations for an international nongovernmental organization that serves orphans and abandoned children, lead a public library foundation, serve as the Chief of Protocol at the US Embassy in Canberra, Australia, and oversee the women’s giving program for the American Red Cross. In 2018, she and her husband cofounded Evergreen Philanthropic Solutions, a national consultancy that helps nonprofit organizations, individuals, corporations, and foundations achieve their philanthropic goals. For more about Diane, please visit Evergreen’s website at www.evergreenphilanthropy.com.

Follow Diane Lebson on social media:
Twitter: @diane_lebson | Instagram: @dianelebson

In an interview, Diane Lebson can discuss:

• How to help people find the charitable cause that is the right fit for them based on how they want to help, and what they are passionate about
• Ways to ensure an organization is effectively using your donation.
• How to become an educated supporter to make a difference in the charity you love
• Ways you can make a difference with limited resources, such as money and time
• The ambitions behind writing the book – how her career in philanthropies and nonprofits began, and when she realized it was her passion
• How women differ from men in their philanthropic approaches
• How to help raise more for a cause that is important to you, especially when you don’t feel comfortable asking others for money
• The questions you should be asking if someone asks you to serve on a nonprofit board
• How nonprofits can most effectively engage women as donors, volunteers and supporters

An Interview with Diane Lebson

1. What are a few signs that a person has found a charitable organization that is the right fit for them?

The most tangible sign that a person has found a charitable organization that is right for them is that they can actually feel it. They feel a sense of joy when they engage in their volunteer endeavor, even when the work is hard and challenging. They also are able to articulate how their charity work makes a difference and specifically how what they are doing is changing lives.

2. How do you think this guide would have impacted your life had it been available when you were first getting started?

If I had this guide when I was first jumping into philanthropy, I would have been able to focus my efforts more strategically. I would have wasted less time making mistakes and questioning whether I was doing the right thing in my charitable endeavors. I would also have been able to be more intentional in my efforts by selecting opportunities that were more closely aligned with my values — as opposed to responding to things that people put in front of me.

3. How did your relationships with other female philanthropists help you while writing this book?

Just like female philanthropists helped me chart my philanthropic path, they helped me on the journey of writing this book. The female philanthropists in my life are wonderful teachers and I am so grateful to the ones who mentored me along the way, connected me with opportunities, and encouraged me when I was challenged. In a similar way, the women I interviewed For A Good Cause were generous with their advice, networks, and cheerleading.

4. In what ways can a person with limited resources, money or time, still contribute to a charitable cause they care about?

There are so many ways that people with limited resources can make an impact in the philanthropic space. Post on social media about the causes that are important to you. Sign up for your favorite charity’s e-newsletter so that you can keep abreast of their activities. Identify a change agent you admire and become their pen pal by sending them notes of gratitude and encouragement. Live your values — try to buy from companies that engage in cause-related marketing campaigns.

5. What is your best piece of advice to someone just beginning to become interested in philanthropy, and how can they get started?

Don’t just respond to the volunteer or fundraising request that pops up in your inbox — think hard about what really matters to you and invest your entire effort to that cause. We diminish our power and our passion if we give or volunteer without intention. Just as you would with a financial investment, think about the long-term impact of going “all in” on an issue that matters to you — at the end of your life, you will find that you will have a positive impact on more lives if you concentrate your focus.

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/

GARDEN CITY, NY – Psychotherapist and writer Linda Feyder’s upcoming evocative short fiction collection, “All’s Fair and Other California Stories” (Sept. 28, 2021, She Writes Press), transports the reader into brief, but telling moments in each character’s lives around different California landscapes. This psychological exploration ruminates over the desire for human connection and a better way of life despite challenging experiences.

In present-day Southern California, a diverse group of characters seeks the fulfillment and connection this sunny state has always promised. They come with hopes for a better lifestyle, for a change of perspective, or for the dry, mild West Coast weather.

A couple moves to Palm Desert from New York for the arid, warm climate a doctor prescribes and they manage both illness and homesickness. The woman makes an unlikely friend in a young albino boy who teaches her a harsh lesson about the margin for cruelty that resides in us all. A young Mexican woman migrates to California and marries an American man—only to be deserted. A young man is disqualified from the Naval Aeronautical program and returns to his sister’s home, where he struggles with his identity and sexuality. After years of estrangement, a teenage girl travels to California from New York to spend the summer with her father.

This collection contains several “snapshot” stories—poetic pauses—that blend a set of images into an artistic visual unit, much like a brief cinematic experience. Every character in this collection is distinct from the next, but all of their stories unfold under the glare of the same Southern California sun—a western desert light so clear and unfiltered that it reveals everything.

“All’s Fair and Other California Stories”
Linda Feyder | September 28, 2021 | She Writes Press | Short Fiction
Paperback | 1647421993 | $16.95
Ebook | 1647421993 | $9.95

LINDA FEYDER is a practicing psychotherapist in New York. She has been writing fiction for many years and her stories have appeared in literary journals and magazines. She sees her love for the human narrative as the drive behind both of her professions. Born in California, her interest in the state and the people it attracts are the subject of her debut collection of short stories. She earned her MA in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston and her MSW from New York University. She lives in Long Island with her husband and enjoys traveling to different locales.

Follow Linda Feyder on social media:
Facebook: @Feyderlinda | Instagram: @linda.feyder

In an interview, Linda Feyder can discuss:

• How fiction and psychotherapy compliment one another
• Her work as a psychotherapist
• The Mexican immigrant experience in California, including her mother’s story as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant.
• Understanding a person’s narrative and the human condition
• The search for fulfillment, a better life and human connection

An Interview with Linda Feyder

1. What are the different characters seeking or experiencing?

Most of my characters desire human connection despite real or imagined obstacles. So many of the obstacles that stand in their way are emotional: Joyce’s inability to tell her husband what she’s really feeling because he’s going through an illness in “All’s Fair”, Russell’s confusion about his career path because he can’t come to terms with his sexuality in “T-Zone,” the male character in “Blind Date” who can’t be with the woman he loves because he still feels over responsible toward his parents. (Yes, guest article could expand on this – people so often feel they can’t do things or have what they want because of emotional obstacles.

2. How did you step into all of their shoes and come up with the various glimpses into their lives?

I think the one quality a psychotherapist and writer must have is empathy: the ability to stand in someone else’s shoes and imagine what that feels like. My characters usually come from spotting someone on the street or in a store or in some facet of my life and being curious about him or her. I usually don’t know anything about them, but imagine a brief moment in their lives that reveals something.

3. How has your work as a psychotherapist reflected in your writing?

I became a psychotherapist after I was a writer. Writing was always my first love since I was a child. But raising children and seeking a stable career moved me into the direction of psychotherapy. It’s only now that I see the link and realize the two professions aren’t far apart. My love for the human story is evident in both places. I’m endlessly fascinated by people’s stories, real or imagined. I want to understand what they are thinking and feeling, how they view situations and what that says about them. I’m not sure if my work as a psychotherapist is reflected in my writing, but I do know that my work as a writer is reflected in my psychotherapy. Listening to my characters and trying to figure out what they are saying to me has informed my work with my clients. I realize this more and more as I have grown as a therapist. ( I can expand on this).

4. What was growing up in California like?

California will always be my first home. I was born and raised there and left when I was 25 for graduate school in Houston, TX. There are things about a place that once you have left stay with you: love for natural beauty, the smell of eucalyptus, eating al fresco, and the influence of Mexican culture. I grew up free to roam and lived across a field from a horse stable where I learned to ride, had my first job at 13 cleaning and feeding horses, and met my lifelong friends. I didn’t see my parents until dinnertime and I’m so grateful for that freedom and experience. I realize now how self-sufficient that made me. I also craved a cultural life and was probably far more bookish than my peers. It is hard to stay inside to think and write when the sunny California weather beckons.

5. What is the connection between all of your stories?

My collection of thirteen stories is a portfolio of observed scenes from modern life set in Southern California with all its diversity and allure. Each character is seeking connection with others and a better lifestyle in the sunny state that promises much, but often doesn’t live up to the dream when met with each character’s own limitations.

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/

“From out to in, from here to there – books can take you anywhere”

Edwards, CO –Calling all explorers! What if you could go anywhere in the world? Through the power of imagination, and the art of the written word, each of us can pick up a book and set sail to a magical destination. Fostering curiosity and literary appreciation is at the heart of Nicole Magistro’s whimsical picture book “Read Island” (Read Island LLC, October 5, 2021).

Join a very brave girl and her animal friends as they traverse the seas in search of an island made of books. Propelled by their sense of wonder, the group makes exciting discoveries, meets unique new animal friends, and learns the most important secret of Read Island – “This world of stories, safe and true, is always here to welcome you.”

Equal parts a celebration of reading and a valuable lesson in environmental stewardship, this tale is the perfect addition to a little explorer’s growing bookshelf.

“Read Island”
Nicole Magistro | October 5, 2021 | Read Island, LLC | Juvenile Fiction
Hardcover | ISBN: 9781736523308 | Price: $18.99

About the creators…

NICOLE MAGISTRO:

Nicole Magistro is a professional reader and amateur mother who lives in the mountains of Colorado. She owned a bookstore for 15 years, wrote thousands of book reviews and memorized a few too many bedtime stories. Her favorite place in the world is the real Read Island, which inspired this story.

ALICE FEAGAN:
Alice Feagan grew up in a small town but has traveled the world many times over through the pages of her favorite books. This love of stories (and a mild obsession with art) inspired a career in illustration. Today, she is a children’s book creator known for her distinct cut-paper collage style. When she is not writing or illustrating picture books Alice can be found hiking, creating, or reading with her two young sons. The Collectors was her authorial debut, and Read Island is the third book she has illustrated.

Follow the creators on social media:
Facebook: @myreadisland | Twitter: @nicolemagistro | Instagram: @myreadisland

In an interview, Nicole Magistro can discuss:

• What inspired her to write this book, including the story of the real Read Island, one of the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada
• What it’s like on “the other side of the counter” as a former bookstore owner turned author
• How Alice Feagan’s collage illustrations can become a seek-and-find game for readers
• What message she hopes to impart to young readers

Praise for the book…

“A beautifully illustrated children’s poem about the joys of reading”
–Kirkus Reviews

“Who wouldn’t want to live on Read Island? Not every kiddo gets a chance to travel in real life, but they really go places with this charming picture book!”
–Anne Holman, co-owner, The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

“A beautiful celebration of the adventure that is a story. A must-have addition to any picture book library”
–Megan Waterman, owner, The Book Nook, Canby, OR

“An instant classic”
–Wendy Hudson, owner, Nantucket Book Partners, Nantucket, MA

“This beautifully illustrated picture book expresses what all book lovers hold dear – books can take you anywhere. Magistro’s lyrical rhymes pair perfectly with Feagan’s timeless illustrations”
–Sarah Hopkins, bookseller, The Bookworm of Edwards, Edwards, CO

“Unite book-loving animals, high-seas adventure, and gorgeous, innovative illustrations and you arrive at Read Island… a beautiful vessel for parents and children to understand, discuss, and celebrate the magic of reading”
–Heather Mateus Sappenfield, author, The River Between Hearts

“A captivating and beautifully illustrated read-along that has all the makings of an instant classic… the perfect example of a picture book that will invite repeat visits long after readers have ‘aged out’ of the text.”
–IndieReader (5-star review)

“I want to go to Read Island! What a magical, lilting, sweet story”
–Nicole Sullivan, owner, Book Bar, Denver, CO

An Interview with Nicole Magistro

1. What inspired you to write this sweet story about an island made of books?

The real Read Island is our family’s favorite place to visit every summer. During the pandemic we couldn’t travel to Canada, except in our imaginations. Through meditation, my 9-year-old son and I “visited” as often as we could, and during one of these mental journeys, the symbolism of the place name became the story. It was a lightbulb moment – books can take you anywhere!

2. As a former bookstore owner, what is it like to be “on the other side of the counter” now that you’re an author?

Certainly I feel that indie booksellers are my tribe, and bookstores feel like home to me, but presenting a debut book to these professional readers is still nerve wracking! Booksellers have to make tough decisions in order to curate the perfect mix for their stores, and so I am eternally grateful every time a buyer takes a chance on my book. It means the world to me. And I get goosebumps every time I see Read Island on display “in the wild!”

3. Alice Feagan’s illustrations use a collage technique. Can you tell us more about the materials she used?

Alice is supremely talented with traditional and modern techniques. In the early versions, she hand drew each character and each scene to visually propel the story along. Then she selected a palette and textures to begin the digital work. And finally, she built layers using the text and images from classic children’s stories, fables, songs, and maps. This brought to life all of the thematic elements of the book. Alice uses textures from the natural world (and the literary one!) for colors, shadows and sources of light. Every step in her process was a surprise to me, and I continue to find little gifts on every page. You will, too!

4. While this book celebrates reading and promotes literacy, it also highlights the beauty of the natural world. Do you have an environmental message for kids as well?

A personal goal of mine is to have a strong mind-body connection with the Earth. I possessed this wholeness as a child, yet I somehow managed to un-learn or separate myself from nature along the way. I’ve learned that the binary of inside and outside doesn’t really have to exist! This story represents how our mindful, human adventures can exist in harmony with the wonders of wild places. But of course, it’s a message for kids so, simply, I want to help the littlest readers maintain that connection to nature and our physical world.

5. Are you available for events with bookstores, libraries, or schools?

Absolutely! Alice and Nicole love connecting with readers, talking about books and getting new recommendations for things to read ourselves! Check the website for upcoming events near you, or reach out to us about hosting an event at your bookstore, school, library or community center!

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

San Antonio, Texas – This fall, author Rudy Ruiz — recipient of six International Latino Book Awards — will release his latest book, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” in paperback. Since its September 2020 release in hardcover, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” has been named a finalist for the International Latino Book Awards in the fiction and audiobook categories. An authentic bilingual writer of Latino literature, Ruiz shares stories with universal human appeal in the hopes of bridging cultural divides through mutual acceptance and appreciation.

In the 1950s, tensions remain high in the border town of La Frontera. Penny loafers and sneakers clash with boots and huaraches. Bowling shirts and leather jackets compete with guayaberas. Convertibles fend with motorcycles. Yet amidst the discord, young love blooms at first sight between Fulgencio Ramirez, the son of impoverished immigrants, and Carolina Mendelssohn, the local pharmacist’s daughter. But as they’ll soon find out, their bonds will be undone by a force more powerful than they could have known.

Thirty years after their first fateful encounter, Fulgencio Ramirez, RPh, is conducting his daily ritual of reading the local obituaries in his cramped pharmacy office. After nearly a quarter of a century of waiting, Fulgencio sees the news he’s been hoping for: his nemesis, the husband of Carolina Mendelssohn, has died. A work of magical realism, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez weaves together the past and present as Fulgencio strives to succeed in America, break a mystical family curse, and win back Carolina’s love after their doomed youthful romance. Through enchanting language and meditations about the porous nature of borders—cultural, geographic, and otherworldly—”The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” offers a vision of how the past has divided us, and how the future could unite us.

“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez”
Rudy Ruiz | Blackstone Publishing
Literary Fiction / Magical Realism / Historical Fiction / Latino Literature
Hardcover | Sept. 22, 2020 | ISBN 978-1-982604-61-5 | $27.99
Paperback | Oct. 12,, 2021 | ISBN 978-1665088121 | $16.99

Rudy Ruiz is a writer of literary fiction. A native of the U.S.-Mexico border, his earliest works were published at Harvard, where he studied literature, creative writing, government and public policy, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. “Seven for the Revolution” was Ruiz’s fiction debut. The collection of short stories won four International Latino Book Awards. Ruiz’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals including BorderSenses, The Ninth Letter, New Texas, and the Notre Dame Review. In 2017, Rudy Ruiz was awarded the Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction. In 2020, Ruiz was a finalist for both the Texas Institute of Letters’ Best Short Story Award as well as the Texas Observer’s annual Short Story Contest.

In 2020, Blackstone Publishing released Ruiz’s novel, “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.” The novel received critical acclaim and was named one of the “Top 10 Best First Novels of 2020″ by the American Library Association’s Booklist. The novel was longlisted for the Reading the West Awards and was a finalist for the Western Writers of America’s Spur Award for Best Contemporary Novel.

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

In an interview, Rudy Ruiz can discuss:

• Growing up on the U.S.-Mexican border and why this region of Texas plays such an essential role in his writing
• Drawing inspiration from his father’s stories, as a first generation American with immigrant parents
• Bridging cultural divides through literature, as well as addressing border and immigration issues in a work of literary fiction and magical realism
• Seamlessly weaving magical realism with Latino traditions and lore into “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” to create complex characters and a multi-layered story — Exploring the immigrant experience, acculturation, racism, discrimination, fobidden love, the blurry line between love and obsession, machismo, and the border between life and death
• How beloved classic Mexican songs helped shape “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez”
• His next novel — A prequel to “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez” called “The Valley of Shadows” releasing in September 2022 from Blackstone Publishing

An Interview with Rudy Ruiz

Can you discuss your inspiration for “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez?” How did you incorporate stories from your father’s upbringing?

Growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border was the inspiration for the novel, both my own personal experiences and perceptions being born and raised there, as well as the stories my father shared of his own upbringing as the son of immigrants in the 1950’s. I see the story as a sort of alternate history of what my father’s life could have been like, had he managed to overcome some of the daunting challenges that at times derailed his life. It is also an homage to him and his larger-than-life personality, and a love letter to the border we both shared.

Tell us about your protagonist, Fulgencio Ramirez.

Fulgencio is both an endearing and infuriating character. He is compelling because of this cognitive dissonance. Like many of our loved ones, he is imperfect and at times the very qualities that make him appealing also carry a darker side, a shadow. In the case of Fulgencio, he is passionate, talented, driven, optimistic and expressive. You can’t help but root for him as he falls in love with Carolina Mendelssohn and embarks on his journey to woo her and to reach for the American Dream. But, Fulgencio is plagued by a curse on the men in his family. The curse is symbolic of the machismo he carries inside of him, a self-destructive mix of insecurity, pride and rage. Again, my hope is the reader finds him or herself rooting for Fulgencio to overcome his inner challenges, for those prove to be harder for him to master than the external ones, but only if he can do so will he and Carolina find love and fulfillment.

Fulgencio is a gifted crooner, singing the classic Mexican boleros of his era. Can you tell us about the songs he passionately sings throughout the book?

I love these songs! And I grew up listening to my father belt them out with great passion. He had a beautiful, soaring and booming voice. He could transport people with his voice, and so does Fulgencio. The songs are classics from the Mexican Golden Age of film and music. Songs like “Sin Ti,” “Cuatro Vidas,” “Veracruz,” and “Hoja Seca.” The lyrics are included in the book and — as he sings the songs within the narrative — they help chart his course from wide-eyed love through heartbreak and eventually to redemption.

Do you listen to music while you write?

Sometimes I listen to music to help inspire me or transport me to a different setting, the border or the desert, as is the case in my upcoming novel, “The Valley of Shadows,” which is a prequel to “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez,” set in the same mythical world of La Frontera but further out in West Texas. I find music is a wonderful way to help me get into the mood of whatever scenes I’m working on, although sometimes the lyrics can be a bit distracting so I prefer instrumental versions when really deep in the zone.

How much of the setting is based on your experiences growing up in Texas? Why did you choose to set this story in a town on the Mexican-American border?

100% of the setting is based on those experiences you mention. I had a very vivid upbringing, on both sides of the border, in English and in Spanish, with close family residing in both countries. To me, the border is a special place. It was formative for me and I carry it with me wherever I go. At the same time, like all borders, I feel like it is neither here nor there, it is a place where order tends to break down, and magic seems a little more plausible. I also wanted to create a story where the border could be a place of healing, not just of suffering. Where I could show that love and hope and beauty can spring from this place that most audiences only see in a negative light on the news. To me, the border will always be home…just as it is for Fulgencio.

You live not far from the Mexican border yourself — was it difficult for you to put a magical lens on a place you see regularly, in everyday life?

Not at all. I feel the “magic” in “magical realism” is woven into Latino cultures, a natural extension of generations of religious and spiritual beliefs from Pre-Columbian times through the Spanish colonization and Catholicism that it superimposed on indigenous rituals and practices. Where I live, San Antonio, the Mexican culture is very palpable and alive, although perhaps a little more acculturated than it is on the border itself.

What themes are explored in “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez?”

The novel explores the immigrant experience, acculturation, racism, discrimination, fobidden love, the blurry line between love and obsession, machismo, and the very border between life and death, including our enduring connections with our loved ones once they have passed to The Other Side.

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

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

Immigration and border issues are controversial topics that you don’t shy away from. How come? And, do you have to try to not turn off potential readers?

I love the border. I love immigration and immigrants, in terms of what I feel they bring to this country: diversity, new ideas, energy to help keep building a great nation. Growing up on the border, and having had a chance to leave and earn a great education and experiences elsewhere, I have always felt a responsibility to help open the rest of America’s eyes to what the border is really like and to the positive aspects of immigration. The media often portrays a one-dimensional, negative picture of the border and immigrants. My goal is to counter that with my perspective, build empathy, and hopefully help bring about change even if it is in the smallest of ways. I don’t worry about turning off readers because if I don’t take a risk I won’t even have a chance of getting them to open their hearts. The key, in my mind, is to write great stories with compelling characters and let the humanity of those characters and their experiences make the connection with the reader, not to preach or to become too overt in my advocacy, but to still provide an engaging and entertaining literary experience.

How does your advocacy work relate to your writing?

Again, growing up on the border and then going to college and grad school at Harvard, I witnessed first-hand a great amount of poverty, poor education, environmental neglect and abuse, racism and discrimination. My goal through my education was to help make the world a better place. I have worked for many years to do that both in my communications work as well as in my writing, advocating for multicultural communities on issues such as immigration, education, financial literacy, public health and the digital divide. I spent a lot of time writing political opinion and commentary, but in the end I decided my talents were best put to use in writing literary fiction. In part, I felt that a novel has the potential to stick around longer than an op-ed. But also, you always hear that you should do what you enjoy. And, I have to say I enjoy writing fiction way more than I enjoy political commentary. In political commentary, one gets angry and argues. In fiction, one gets swept away by the possibilities of what could be rather than what is, and I find that much more rewarding and hopefully inspiring, not only for myself but for my readers.

What’s next for you?

My follow-up novel, “The Valley of Shadows,” is due out in September 2022 from Blackstone Publishing. I’m thrilled about it because I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and creating the characters and the world they live in. The novel is a magical realism/horror Western set in West Texas and Northern Mexico during the 1880’s. A prequel to “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez,” the novel follows one of Fulgencio’s ancestors: Solitario Cisneros. Solitario is a former Mexican lawman who finds himself stranded – alongside his town – on the U.S. side of the border when the Rio Grande shifts course. Burdened by the same curse as Fulgencio, he lives in solitude, but he is brought out of retirement when a string of macabre killings and abductions plague the American bordertown where he lives. A reluctant and tortured hero, Solitario seeks new purpose and companionship in his life, as well as redemption in search of justice during a time when the Texas Rangers and other American settlers made life extremely dangerous and challenging for Mexican-Americans, Native Americans and African Americans. So, you can see how the exploration of social justice as a theme continues while we go on a historical and magical joyride at the same time!

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/

“A how-to for any woman who’s determined, super-smart, assertive and willing to
wait for a husband to come into his own element. A thrilling ride all the way.”

— Tina Martin, author of “Everything I Should Have Learned I Could Have Learned in Tonga”

SAN FRANCISCO — Clear-eyed and frank, author Evelyn Kohl LaTorre’s stunning new memoir, “Love in Any Language,” (Sept. 28, 2021, She Writes Press) beautifully illustrates the trials and joys in the blending of two cultures.

Love is tested when Antonio, a handsome university student, and Evelyn, a strong-willed Peace Corps volunteer, fall in love. At the end of her two-year commitment in Peru, Evelyn finds herself pregnant and the 23-year-olds marry in Cusco and then move to Northern California near Evelyn’s family. Like most wives of the ’60s and ’70s, Evelyn expects her husband to support their family, and Antonio tries to take his place as head of the household. But he must first learn English, complete college, and find a job.

To make ends meet, Evelyn secures full-time work, leaving their infant son in the care of others. The couple attends college — she for two years, he for six — which tests their fortitude. When Antonio is offered a full-time professorship at the university he attended in Peru, he accepts, leaving Evelyn a single parent. Parenthood, financial stress, the pull of both countries, and long visits from Antonio’s mother threaten to destroy the bonds that brought them together.

Readers will delight in witnessing Evelyn come into her own — as a woman, as a wife and as a mother — in this moving depiction of partnership and all the intricacies that encompass marriage and love.

Early praise for “Love in Any Language”

“Dr. Evelyn LaTorre’s book is an intimate rendition of her life, starting in her insular birthplace, Montana. Later, as a young adult, working for the Peace Corps in Peru, she meets Antonio, her initially monolingual future husband. He was willing, out of love, to relocate to the U.S. and find his feet in a foreign land that was not always accommodating to him. It is an intricate book, replete with intimate detail, that aims to show us how living with The Other can enrich our lives and help us grow, even if the going is at times rough. I thoroughly recommend the book.”

Pedro Tabensky, PhD, author of “Happiness: Personhood, Community, Purpose”

“This is a most fascinating book. It offers many beautiful and moving descriptions of the author’s experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru in the mid-1960s. First, she fell in love with the country and then with a handsome Latin lover, a Peruvian whom she married. Her excellent descriptive powers provide readers with the next best thing to being there. Her candor now, looking back on her youth, is refreshing with its innocence, courageous faith, and passionate energy as she follows her heart and builds a life for herself and Antonio back in the U.S. Her opening sentence says it all: ‘I loved Peru.’ Readers will love her candid story.”

Kenneth Kelzer, LCSW, author of “The Sun and the Shadow: My Experiment with Lucid Dreaming”

“You’ll be as awed as I was at how an indomitable woman turns a shotgun wedding to a Quechua-Peruvian man into a bulletproof marriage as she gives up her preconceived ideas of what her husband’s role should be and starts playing it herself. Evelyn provides for her spouse and their children while taking classes, working, commuting and getting advanced degrees. A how-to for any woman who’s determined, super-smart, assertive and willing to wait for a husband to come into his own element. A thrilling ride all the way.”

Tina Martin, author of “Everything I Should Have Learned I Could Have Learned in Tonga”

“A fascinating read. This is a story of crafting a marriage between a Montana-raised, California-acculturated woman and a South American-Peruvian husband. The memoir includes all the challenges involved in merging two marvelous cultures and two individual lives. … The author describes a real story of career development and evolution from social worker and school psychologist to administrator of a special education school in Northern California. The reader experiences her amazing journey to become a successful career woman who has maximized her potential.”

Dr. Jackie M. Allen, MFT, associate professor of education at the University of LaVerne and co-author of “A Pathway to PDS Partnership: Using the PDSEA Protocol”

“Love in Any Language: A Memoir of a Cross-Cultural Marriage”
Evelyn Kohl LaTorre | Sept. 28, 2021 | She Writes Press
Memoir | Paperback | 978-1647421953 | $16.95

EVELYN KOHL LaTORRE grew up in rural Southeastern Montana, surrounded by sheep and cattle ranches, before coming to California with her family at age 16. She holds a doctorate in multicultural education from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s degree in social welfare from UC Berkeley. She worked as a bilingual school psychologist and school administrator in public education for 32 years. Evelyn loves to explore other lands and cultures. To date, she and her husband have lived in and traveled to close to 100 countries. You can view her stories and photos on her website, www.evelynlatorre.com.

Evelyn’s first published book, “Between Inca Walls” about falling in love while serving in the Peace Corps, has won much praise and numerous prizes. Evelyn is often a featured podcast guest, lecturer and guest blogger. Her work has appeared in World View Magazine, The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, the California Writers Club Literary Review, the Tri-City Voice, Dispatches, Conscious Connection and Clever Magazine.

Follow Evelyn on social media: Facebook | Instagram

Previous Work: “Between Inca Walls”

At 21, Evelyn is naïve about life and love. Raised in a small Montana town, she moves at age 16 with her devout Catholic family to California. There, she is drawn to the Latino culture when she works among the migrant workers. During the summer of her junior year in college, Evelyn travels to a small Mexican town to help set up a school and a library ― an experience that whets her appetite for a life full of both purpose and adventure.

After graduation, Evelyn joins the Peace Corps and is sent to perform community development work in a small mountain town in the Andes of Perú. There, she and her roommate, Marie, search for meaningful projects and adjust to living with few amenities. Over the course of eighteen months, the two young women work in a hospital, start 4-H clubs, attend campesino meetings, and teach PE in a school with dirt floors. Evelyn is chosen queen of the local boys’ high school and―despite her resolve to resist such temptations ― falls in love with a university student. As she comes of age, Evelyn learns about life and love the hard way when she must choose between following the religious rules of her youth and giving in to her sexual desires.

2021 CIBA Hearten International Book First Place Winner
2020 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Finalist in Non-Fiction – Cultural
2020 International Book Awards Finalist Multicultural Non-Fiction

In an interview, Evelyn can discuss:

• How volunteering in Peru with the Peace Corps. led to her meeting her husband
• Cross-cultural and interracial relationships and the rewards and challenges they can bring
• Gender norms for women in the ’60s and ’70s and how they have — and haven’t — evolved in the past 60 years
• Her background as an educator and specialties in psychology and multicultural studies
• How her time in South America has shaped her life
• The value of travel, social activism and education
• Why and how to write and publish a memoir

“LaTorre presents a forthright and candid voice. … LaTorre’s story is one of a determined young woman keen to achieve her goals; her relationship with Antonio will have readers guessing how the romance will turn out. Illustrated with the author’s photographs, this bold memoir offers many rich details about Peru and the Peace Corps…” ― Kirkus Reviews

“Evelyn LaTorre creates a masterful portrait of place — from the Montana hills to the peaks of Peru — and illustrates how place shapes us. The many lovely metaphors and descriptions throughout the book invite the reader to see through the eyes of an innocent girl as she discovers exotic, lively cultures; absorbs the colors, sounds, passion, and intensity of that new world; and allows it to change her life path.”
— Linda Joy Myers, president of the National Association of Memoir Writers

An Interview with Evelyn Kohl LaTorre

You detail it in your first book, “Behind Inca Walls,” but can you give a quick summary of how you and your husband met?

My future father-in-law, Adolfo Eguiluz, had requested Peace Corps volunteers to work in Abancay, Peru, for several years. My roommate, Marie, and I went there to work on community development projects. Four months into our stay, we met Eguiluz’s stepson, Antonio, and I felt an immediate attraction. He returned to Abancay often.

What were some unexpected challenges or surprises that you noticed at the beginning of your relationship?

One was how deeply Antonio cared about my well-being. As well as how volatile our feelings for one another could be, changing from cool to warm to hot and back to cool again. He also wanted me to pursue graduate studies — though he was dissatisfied with his own course of study.

Did your studies in psychology and multiculturalism help you through some of the learning curves of a relationship with someone of a different nationality and ethnicity?

Very much. I learned that personal relationships are more important in life than material possessions and bodily comforts. In college, my favorite classes were psychology, anthropology and sociology — how countries and people are similar and different in their values, food, music, manners and priorities.

I had been enamored with the Hispanic culture since college when I volunteered among California’s migrant workers in the Central Valley. Also, the theory of personality types has offered me an explanation for human differences.

What advice can you give about raising bicultural children?

Listen and learn about your partner’s culture. Then, agree on your priorities and the values you want to impart to your children. There are many ways to live life other than the way you were raised. Learn what science has discovered about children’s emotional needs. You may find a healthier way to raise offspring than how the previous generation did it.

Our children are open to differences between races, income levels and customs because they’ve experienced different cultures with diverse expectations. They tend to be flexible and accepting of others unlike them.

Was it difficult for you while writing the book to disclose personal information and stories? How do you decide what information to include and what topics are off-limits?

It was more difficult with the first book because I wrote about an important religious rule that I broke. Initially, I felt afraid of being judged in the same way my mother had judged my violation. I knew a memoir writer can be harshly criticized by others who have narrow viewpoints of what is right and wrong. People like to judge others’ decisions when they don’t mirror their own.

I remember the day I presented the chapter about the circumstances of my first pregnancy to my writer’s critique group in front of male members. I was super self-conscious and embarrassed. But I soon discovered that writing about uncomfortable incidents takes away their shame. Being honest about one’s life is a relief.

What were some of the expectations society placed on you as a wife and a mother? What changes have you personally seen regarding gender roles for women in the past 60 years?

In the 1970s a husband was expected to be the breadwinner and head of the household as opposed to sharing decisions and duties equitably. Improvement has certainly been slow.

In terms of changes in the workforce, when I was pregnant, pregnancy was seen as a disability that required leaving a job two months before the baby’s birth. Contraceptives had been available for only a few years. And employers today can’t legally discriminate against a pregnant woman and force her to quit. Also during most of my career, women felt they could do little about sexual harassment. The #MeToo movement changed that.

What do you hope readers gain from reading the story of you and your husband’s relationship?

The first is that the challenges of a mixed cultural marriage are worth the extra effort it takes. There is the potential to learn new, often better, ways to accomplish life’s tasks in an intimate relationship with someone from another country.

Marriage is like a dance but with both partners taking turns leading. It’s OK for one partner to step up and the other partner to step back as their situation requires it. It’s also sometimes worth “hanging in there” and persisting to make a marriage work.

And finally, there is value for both people in a partnership to use their strengths equally. A man comfortable in his own masculinity won’t fear a strong woman. The most important ingredient in a satisfying relationship is mutual respect and appreciation.

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 Midnight Library” meets “You Again” in timeless tale of romance, regret, and the choices we make–and would make again, given the chance

VALLEY GLEN, CA – If you could go back in time and pursue a successful career or a flourishing relationship, which would you choose? Award-winning author Rick Lenz has penned a dazzling novel about second chances and the choices that create a meaningful life, “Hello, Rest of My Life,” (Sept. 21, 2021, Chromodroid Press). This romantic journey through time is loosely based on the author’s real-life Hollywood career and love story with his wife and 40-year sweetheart, who changed his life with each encounter through the decades.

The novel follows Danny Maytree, an ambitious film actor who abandons his dreams of Tinseltown stardom after meeting Samantha on a blind date and falling in love. Fast-forward decades later to 2021: the couple are married and in their seventies, and Danny is spending his time reminiscing and writing a novel about time travel–when he receives a call from a mysterious, velvet-voice acting agent. Suddenly, he is literally transported back to 1974: Danny is twenty-seven again, bewildered, but with a second chance at his Hollywood dream. A sharkish agent helps him navigate Hollywood’s rocky shoals, a worldly-wise teen and a New Age fortuneteller offer spiritual advice, and a sexy wicked witch throws a monkey wrench in his path. Will he fight his way back to the love of his life, or stay in a new reality where his career can flourish?

Heartfelt and magical, here is an enchanting exploration of choosing between living the life you’ve always imagined, and the life you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.

“Hello, Rest of My Life”
Rick Lenz | September 21, 2021 | Chromodroid Press | Literary Fiction |
Paperback | 978-0-9848442-6-5 | $16.99
Ebook | $4.99

RICK LENZ: Rick Lenz is a graduate of the University of Michigan, past member of the Actor’s Studio, and active member in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is a veteran Broadway, television and film actor who first came to national attention when he repeated his Broadway role in Cactus Flower, in the film version—opposite Goldie Hawn, Ingrid Bergman and Walter Matthau. He went on to appear in a long list of television series and movies, and to act opposite many of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars—Peter Sellers, Jackie Gleason, Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne (in Wayne’s final film, The Shootist), and many more. He is also a playwright and author (The award-winning The Alexandrite and more recently, Impersonators Anonymous). His memoir, North of Hollywood has recently been published in its second edition. You can find out more about him and his journey to becoming a writer on his website https://www.RickLenz.com.

Follow Rick Lenz on social media:
Facebook: @RickLenzAuthor | Twitter: @RickLenz | Instagram: @ricklenz

In an interview, Rick Lenz can discuss:

• What it takes to build a meaningful life, and whether “do overs” exist
• How love, regret, and second chances influence our choices
• How his relationship with his wife Linda, his acting career, and his writing life all influenced the novel
• Writing authentically to the different time periods found in the book

An Interview with Rick Lenz

You had an excellent career as an actor. What made you want to make the shift to focus on writing?

When my highschool football career ended due to a more than averagely breakable body, the only other way I could see to draw girls’ attention was acting in school plays, which led to summer stock, which led to a theatre major at University of Michigan. However I’d always loved writing too. When acting roles became less rewarding (I was no longer trying to please anyone but Linda and myself), it was a natural transition to move to writing. I’d written plays all my life. But what I read was mostly novels. So, I wrote a memoir of my acting career and my life to that point and then moved on to writing novels. When you’re writing, no one ever says, “faster, louder,” etc. I’d shifted from one creative passion to another.

This book is based on your relationship with your wife, Linda. How has your relationship shaped you and this book?

There is not a day of my life that I don’t find my mind coming to rest on the subject of my incredible good fortune in having found and spending the last half of my life with Linda. A line from the book (Danny about Samantha): “A smart friend of mine said, ‘Why don’t you join a church group or something, meet a girl that way?’ I thought he was crazy and tossed that idea out, but the drift of his advice floated around in my mind and I understood what he meant. He thought as I looked for someone to be with … for life that I should do it not only on the basis of physical attraction, but also that it might be a good idea if she was–what a concept–a nice person.”

Was there any particular moment in the book that you pulled directly from your own life?

Many moments are similar to moments in my life. Some parts of Danny’s and Samantha’s conversations were lifted from my real life with Linda. Many aspects of Danny’s acting career in the early seventies coincide with my own history.

The book takes place in two different time periods. Did you do any research to make sure you were portraying things authentically?

I can answer this briefly. My research of the periods in the story consists of having a pretty good memory and living through both “eras.” Yow.

If you could travel back in time and have a do over on one aspect of your life, would you do it and what would it be?

From where I am now, I probably wouldn’t change a thing. But if I could travel back in time, unaware of a future with Linda, I would do my best to practice love and kindness, much sooner. I would try to do all those things and behave in the ways that coincide with “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

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/