Author: Marissa DeCuir

Where do you go when time stands still?

CHICAGO – Most kids’ biggest worries are what cereal they’ll have for breakfast or being late to soccer practice. But not David Massie. This 12-year-old has the weight of space and time in his hands in debut author Andrew M. Nehring’s middle grade science-fiction novel, “David Massie and the Quantum Flux” (July 13, 2021).

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

A quick read full of action and adventure — and an ending you won’t see coming — readers will be eager to see just where David’s journey takes him next.

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

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

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

In an interview, Andrew M. Nehring can discuss:

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

An interview with Andrew M. Nehring

1. What inspired you to begin writing the book?

The inspiration to write “David Massie and the Quantum Flux” came from my love of the sci-fi genre with media like Star Wars as well as action-adventure like Indiana Jones, all of which I was obsessed with as a kid. That being said, the idea itself came to me one night, when I suddenly thought of a kid stuck in different realities, having to overcome impossible odds. Over time, I expanded that idea into what it is today.

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

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

3. Why is this story so important to you personally?

Like with most authors, my books are like my babies, I want them to grow and succeed. But David Massie holds a special place in my heart because it’s sci-fi, and I love the characters as well as the universe I built.

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

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

5. What do you hope readers take away from reading the book?

I want readers to take away a few things. First after they read, I want them to be excited for the next book and curious as to what happens. Second, I want my readers to think back about the fun experience they had reading the book. Finally, with all my books, I want my readers to know that if you lose or make a mistake, like David Massie, you can get through it and find victory through perseverance.

6. So, what’s next for David Massie?

There will be a sequel where the group of CP, David and Rory will travel back in time to ancient Greece, and the plot will thicken as the universe expands. As for the David Massie series itself, I plan for at least five books total.

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/

TORONTO – Sometimes the most powerful magic comes from our connections to our family and friends — and we just might need to harness it to kick some major bunny butt. “ParaNorthern,” (July 13, 2021, HMH Kids/Etch) is a deliciously humorous, cozy and bewitching graphic novel from Stephanie Cooke that will delight readers of all ages.

A witch named Abby and her three friends — a wolf-girl, a ghost and a pumpkinhead — band together to try and save their town from an invasion of rabid (but adorable!) chaos bunnies in this enchanting middle grade graphic novel for fans of “Making Friends,” “The Okay Witch,” and “Lumberjanes.”

It’s fall break in the supernatural town of North Haven, and young witch Abby’s plans include pitching in at her mom’s magical coffee shop, practicing her potion making and playing board games with her best friends — a pumpkinhead, a wolf-girl and a ghost.

But when Abby finds her younger sister being picked on by some speed demons, she lets out a burst of magic so strong, it opens a portal to a realm of chaos bunnies. And while these bunnies may look cute, they’re about to bring the a-hop-ocalypse (and get Abby in a cauldronful of trouble) unless she figures out a way to reverse the powerful magic she unwittingly released. What’s a witch to do?

“ParaNorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse”
Written by Stephanie Cooke | Art by Mia Costa | July 13, 2021 | HMH Kids/Etch 9780358169000 | Graphic Novel | Hardcover: $24.99 | Paperback: $12.99 | Ebook: $8.99

STEPHANIE COOKE is an award-winning writer and editor based out of Toronto. he’s a comic book fan, avid gamer, movie watcher and lover of puns. She is a purveyor of too many projects and thrives in chaos. Her writing work is featured in Mark Millar’s “Millarworld Annual,” “Wayward Sisters,” “The Secret Loves of Geek Girls,” “Toronto Comics Anthology” and more. Her debut graphic novel, “Oh My Gods!” released in January 2021 from HMH Kids, and a sequel will follow in fall 2021.

She’s also a crazy cat lady who happens to be terribly allergic to cats. As such, she settles for having just the one cat and takes a lot of allergy medication.

Follow Stephanie Cooke on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Website

In an interview, Stephanie Cooke can discuss:

• Her experience in the comic book and graphic novel industry and how that has contributed to her writing
• Her background editing comic books and graphic novels
• What inspired her “ParaNorthern” characters and their spooky story
• Her experience writing multiple characters and storylines, often at the same time!
• What it was like to debut during a pandemic
• What is next for her writing career and other books she plans to write

Other work by Stephanie Cooke

“Oh My Gods!”
Available Now | Paperback | 9780358299523 | $11.69

Karen is just an average thirteen-year-old from New Jersey who loves to play video games with her friends and watch movies with her mom. But when she moves to Greece to live with her eccentric, mysterious father, Zed, suddenly everything she thought about herself—about life — is up in the air. Starting a new school can be difficult, but starting school at Mt. Olympus Junior High, where students are gods and goddesses, just might take the cake. Especially when fellow classmates start getting turned to stone. Greek mythology . . . a little less myth, a little more eek! And if Karen’s classmates are immortal beings, who does that make her?

“The dialogue and characterizations are spot on and snappy” — New York Times Book Review

“[An] adorable father-daughter-bonding story with a twist. … A fun romp with minimal drama and plenty of heart makes this a refreshing read, and a teaser ending indicates more to come.” — Booklist

“A breezy tone and well-placed gags keep things moving in Cooke and Fitzpatrick’s series opener.”
— Publishers Weekly

“Sure to be a hit among readers seeking an exciting mystery with mythological flair.”
— School Library Journal

“Oh My Gods! 2: The Forgotten Maze”
Available April 5, 2022 | Paperback | $11.75

In this epic sequel to the middle-grade graphic novel “Oh My Gods!,”
Karen and her new friends descend into a forgotten maze beneath
Mt. Olympus Junior High in search of an online troll by the name of M1N0T4UR. For fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller.

An interview with Stephanie Cooke

1. How did you get started writing graphic novels?

I have always loved to write, and the comics medium has fascinated me. I had these big books in my head that I wanted to write but as someone with ADHD, prose can be very intimidating for me. Comics offered a way for me to take the stories in my head and actually get them down on paper without fussing over too much (or too little) description because it’s a collaboration with an artist! I started with short stories to really hone my style and voice and to get a feel for the scripting process. I then graduated to full-length graphic novels! But I still love telling short stories; it’s an artform I think every creator should play around with.

2. How does “ParaNorthern” differ from your previous work?

All of my works have a little bit of me in them, but “ParaNorthern” was actually the first longform graphic novel that I sold and completed! Because of the way that schedules worked out, “Oh My Gods!” just happened to come out first. But “ParaNorthern” is a little spookier and plays around with supernatural lore and myths. It’s also all original characters that I created whereas in “OMGs,” we were largely reinventing gods and goddesses for modern times. Still our original creations — but based on something that came before!

3. Are there things you’ve done differently in the process of creating a new graphic novel? Things you’ve kept the same throughout writing?

As a creator, your voice and storytelling skills are always changing and evolving! But in terms of the process itself, it’s largely stayed the same so far. Once I have the characters and the rough idea of the story in mind, I outline very heavily. I basically do beat by beat point-form notes where I go through everything that I want to happen; I do a lot of editing and reworking of the story in this phase because it’s easier to process (looking at 3-4 pages of condensed story vs. 200-300 fully scripted pages). When I’m happy with the outline, I then start the scripting process and use the outline as my guide to keep me on track, with enough leeway to let things change as I get to know the characters more.

4. Why is this story important to you?

Aside from the fact that this is the first graphic novel I sold (and is very sentimental to me), I love these characters so much and the journey that each one of them is on. They’ve been in my head for years at this point and getting to see them come to life is nothing short of actual magic to me. I put little bits of myself into the characters and I also take inspiration from my loved ones too, so they’re not just these fictional characters to me — they’re bits and pieces of real people that I love, too.

5. What do you hope readers gain from the book?

I think I’m supposed to say that I hope they find characters that mean something to them and a story that they can relate to (despite the magical differences!) but honestly, I just want kids to read this, enjoy it and laugh at the silly jokes. We all need some joy in this world and something to let us escape from our everyday lives for a bit. I had so much fun writing “ParaNorthern” and watching it come to life; all I want in return is for at least one kid to read all my jokes and puns and laugh themselves senseless!

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, poet and musician Seth Mullins draws on personal experiences and turns inward to craft the spiritually seeking protagonist Brandon Chane in the upcoming visionary fiction series “Edge of the Known.” The first book in the series, “The Authors of this Dream,” debuts on May 11, 2021.

Brandon Chane’s life is spinning out of control. After an altercation outside a performance venue nearly proves fatal, he’s feeling at the mercy of dark forces threatening to tear his life apart. Even as a gifted poet and musician, his efforts to channel pain, frustration, and thwarted love into his music may not be enough to save him.

Then he meets Saul Mason, a crisis counselor with the soul of a medicine man, who insists that Brandon’s life and destiny are of his own making. With Saul’s wisdom and guidance, Brandon begins a turbulent path of healing and spiritual awakening.

But as his band, Edge of the Known, looks forward to a high profile Battle of the Bands in NYC, heartbreak and a crisis of faith threaten to derail their first big break. Brandon finds that the dream he’s worked so hard to achieve is not a cure-all for his wounds. Is there another more resounding answer to be found? The truth reverberates within Brandon and in the lives of the hungry, searching souls touched by his music.

The Authors of This Dream
Edge of the Known – Book I
Seth Mullins | May 11, 2021 | Books Fluent
Visionary / Metaphysical Fiction
Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-7352689-7-2 | $12
Ebook | ISBN: 978-1-7352689-8-9 | $3.99

About the Author

Poet and musician Seth Mullins is the author of the “Edge of the Known” series, which begins with “The Authors of this Dream” releasing on May 11, 2021. His fiction vividly dramatizes journeys of self-discovery and emotional catharsis. Inspired by inner explorations, including dream-work and shamanism, Seth is unafraid to take an inward plunge and shares the fruits of his descent with his audience. He lives in Vermont.

In an interview, Seth Mullins can discuss:

• His background as a musician and a lifelong music enthusiast, and how real-life rock musicians shaped the fictional characters in “The Authors of this Dream”
• His visionary fiction series, “Edge of the Known”
• How his novel investigates the relationship between violence and powerlessness
• How his book explores the idea that reality is created from within us
• The role of multidimensional philosophy and shamanism in his novels, and how those beliefs inform the characters he created

An Interview with SETH MULLINS

1. “The Authors of this Dream” is the first book in a series, “Edge of the Known.” Can you tell us about your protagonist, Brandon Chane? How much of yourself is in this character? How did you decide when to pull from your personal history as a musician instead of fictionalizing his experiences?

I always believed that I could never really be fulfilled in this world unless I uncovered my own voice as an artist and was able to reach people from that place. So that’s where my affinity with Brandon lies. The particulars of our respective journeys are very different – I’ve never been in a fistfight in my life, and Brandon (at least at the onset) throws his fists at the slightest provocation. But his underlying journey towards becoming a kind of spiritual messenger in a world that he always felt ostracized from is something that I’ve lived my own version of.

When I started sketching out the story in my mind, I knew I’d be reaching for some peak emotional points that, at least to some extent, reflected the epiphanies, insights and breakthroughs that I’ve reaped from my own inner journey. When it came time to fill in the details, though, I just tried to tune in and let Brandon speak for himself.

2. Saul Mason is another interesting character in this book. What can you tell us about him and his relationship with Brandon?

My conception of Saul began as a kind of wish-fulfilling fantasy. My personal spiritual odyssey has spanned some 30-odd years now, and I’ve worked with a lot of teachers along the way. I always left these relationships feeling disillusioned and unfulfilled because the framework within which these teachers worked felt too limiting and dogmatic. I wondered why no one I encountered ever worked from the perspective that we are each the creators of our experience. Now, I’ve spent my life developing as an artist and creator, not as a therapist, so Saul has become both a mouthpiece for my personal philosophy in that area and also as a model for how that kind of therapeutic approach could work – which is how he interacts with Brandon, always reminding him that his circumstances are the reflection of his thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

3. With Saul’s character, you introduce shamanism and metaphysical elements into your novel. How do these ideas impact your writing and character formation? Are these schools of thought important to you in your own life?

Leonard Cohen has a line is his song, Anthem: “There is a crack, a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in.” That encapsulates the essence of shamanism, and it’s also an apt description of the artistic vocation in general. The wound obliges would-be healers to connect with the unseen world in order to regain spiritual equilibrium. Through his “crack,” his wound, Brandon touches upon an inner wellspring that exerts a healing effect on himself as well as the millions of people who hear him.

Saul’s worldview perhaps has to be described as “metaphysical,” but I don’t see it that way. I think his methodology is actually much more pragmatic than our culture’s prevalent belief systems, such as science and Christianity.

4. While writing this series, you read books about Jim Morrison of The Doors, guitarist Jimi Hendrix, Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. How did you incorporate this into “The Authors of this Dream?”

I’ve probably devoured 30 or 40 biographies about various musicians by this point. I wanted to make a living as a performing musician, once upon a time, and so I considered such reading to be “field research” in a sense. I was trying to learn as much as I could about my intended profession. Was there some reliable path to inspiration? How did various artists live with the hypersensitivity that so often seems to accompany vision? Is there a relationship between creativity and self-destruction?

As far as the musicians you mentioned go, Jimi Hendrix informed my idea of a musician as a kind of spiritual messenger, Jim Morrison and Axl Rose influenced my image of Brandon as someone who acts on raw impulse and emotion onstage, and Kurt Cobain inspired me with an example of how an artist, speaking for his or her self, can, in the process, spell out the hopes, fears and passions of a whole generation.

5. What does the music of the band in this series, Edge of the Known, sound like?

The band’s sound is deliberately left ambiguous because I don’t want to bind them to any specific era of music history. Wherever – and whenever – you are, they’re out there on that edge, reflecting it in their songs. Generally, all the band members are drawn to extremes: aggression, sadness, playfulness and joy, surrealism, and so on. The only musical terrain they tend to avoid is anything middle of the road.

6. Do you listen to music while you write?

Before, during and after! Music is a part of my life every day. Oftentimes there may be a certain song that captures an emotional or dramatic quality that I’m reaching for in a certain scene. The scene may take an hour to write, though, and the song may only be five minutes long, so I’ve created a lot of playlists that sustain certain moods throughout. I might instead opt to put that one song on repeat, too.

7. One of the underlying themes in this book is the relationship between violence and powerlessness. Can you elaborate on this and explain the importance of these themes in your work?

Violence of any kind is an eruption of emotional force that occurs when more constructive channels of expression and communication are blocked, or seem to be. Saul helps Brandon to recognize that his violent outbursts are closely entwined with a sense of powerlessness, his belief that he lives at the mercy of a reality that is thrust upon him. Brandon’s personal conundrum also serves as a microcosm for our state of worldwide strife. This series explores the idea of revolution. Many people hear that word and immediately associate it with pitting yourself against something. I suspect that part of the shift in consciousness that’s likely to occur within a lot of people in coming years will involve shedding the whole idea of reacting against anything. If you realize that you’re the creator of your life experience then there’s no need to react to circumstances because those circumstances are just reflecting the state of your inner mind.

8. You also discuss the concept of whether reality is thrust upon us rather than being created from within us. Where do you stand? Are people the victims of circumstance?

I first began consciously pursuing my own inner quest in my late teens. I’d grown up believing that my stepfather was my real father, and learning the truth about my situation provided the impetus for my spiritual search. I never achieved much growth and healing around this issue, though, until I realized I’d created the circumstance myself, and that I’d used it as motivation for finding my own answers when my upbringing didn’t provide me with a path to follow. My sense of unreality led me to discover my own personal definition of reality. Now, that’s one of countless experiences that eventually convinced me that we are indeed the creators of our experience and that the recognition of that fact is the surest way for us to free ourselves from any kind of limitation and suffering in our lives.

9. What does your book say about peoples’ tendency to worship the messenger (in this case, the rock star) but miss the message?

There aren’t a lot of voices within our culture that encourage us to trust our own inner wisdom, to turn inward and follow our own sense of direction. People sense their spiritual nature; they sense their own divinity, but many don’t know how to really own that, and so they project it onto politicians, sports heroes, movie stars and rock stars so that they can at least experience it at one remove.

An icon is basically someone who people measure themselves against in some way. This dynamic creates a real paradox for Edge of the Known. They seek success, and yet Brandon, particularly, is strongly influenced by Saul’s philosophy that each person is the creator of their reality. And so for him to be worshipped as a rock star essentially contradicts the message that he’s trying to convey in his songs.

10. Without giving too much away, what can readers expect from the rest of this series?

I’m really intrigued by the ways in which artistic inspiration can impact the rest of society – even sparking, in rare instances, a widespread cultural shift. The greater story arc explores this idea, even venturing into areas that many people normally associate with science fiction and fantasy. I believe that our future will involve a deeper and deeper awakening into the real magic of creation.

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/

Pamela Valois writes about a life lived exuberantly into one’s winter years

BERKELEY, California –When Pamela Valois met her in the 1970s, Jacomena (Jackie) Maybeck was a model of zestful, hands-on living and aging, still tarring roofs and splitting logs in her seventies, and Pamela was a young working mother trying to carve out time for creative projects. Jackie became her mentor, and their friendship led to a best-selling book, “Gifts of Age,” published in 1985, that features portraits of Jackie and other exemplary women in the winters of their lives.

Decades later, after she and her husband bought Jackie’s home, Valois was struck with a newfound curiosity about her mentor’s fascinating life. What had shaped and supported Jackie in living exuberantly until her death at ninety-five? “Blooming in Winter” (She Writes Press, June 29, 2021) tells this tale—one that stretches from Java to a magical Berkeley house designed by Jackie’s father-in-law, renowned architect Bernard Maybeck. Valois’ loving portrait chronicles Jacomena’s early years as a Dutch immigrant and Northern California ranch girl and later as a Bay Area bohemian, mother of twins, ceramicist, widow, and ultimately steward of the Maybeck legacy. All along the way, Jackie lived with grace and originality.

Jacomena’s uncommon approach to life encourages us to reflect on our own lives. Readers will
empathize with her many challenges and be inspired to consider how our journeys may prepare us for our own winter years.

Praise for the author…

“Valois’ careful selection of quotes from Maybeck’s contradictory, ‘Rashomon-like’ diaries are employed to great effect, furthering the vision of a charming woman anyone would love to know…. [T]he account feels like a nostalgic conversation about a deeply loved, mutual friend. An engaging and detailed portrait of a 20th-century woman and the communities she tended.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“‘Blooming in Winter’ is the biography of a fascinating woman who managed to live her long life to the fullest…. Although Jackie is not famous outside of Northern California, this biography reveals her to be a woman worth knowing. In contemporary American society, which favors youthfulness, Jackie showed that… it’s never too late to begin something new.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Navigating widowhood and grappling with the onset of old age, Maybeck embraces her
independence and freely explores all artistic inquiries…. A reverential celebration of a feisty woman with a zest for growth, art, community, and dynamic living. This careful consideration of an extraordinary life emphasizes creative expression and the strength of womanhood.”
—BookLife Reviews

“it is the courage and faith with which all these women meet their individual challenges that ennobles their talent for living.”
—Ms. Magazine (for “Gifts of Age”)

“This handsome volume is a paean to older women… their attitudes toward aging are fascinating. Their stories are tales of strong wills and minds.”
—The Washington Post (for “Gifts of Age”)

“Blooming in Winter: The Story of a Remarkable Twentieth-Century Woman”
Pamela Valois | June 29, 2021 | She Writes Press | Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir
Paperback | ISBN: 978-1647421168 | $16.95

PAMELA VALOIS: Growing up in Sierra Madre, CA, Pamela Valois moved north to attend UC Berkeley during the Free Speech Movement. After almost flunking out due to political rallies, she returned to Los Angeles to become a dental hygienist. Then, with a solid part-time job, she became a quasi-hippie, selling macramé and her photos at weekend craft fairs. Pam got married on the lawn of Jacomena Maybeck’s Berkeley cottage and studied photography with Ruth Bernhard in San Francisco. Her book “Gifts of Age: Portraits and Essays of 32 Remarkable Women,” a bestseller inspired by Jacomena, was published in 1985. After mothering two sons, Pam earned a master’s degree and started a new career in health care. Now at age seventy-five, she’s been retired for ten years. She lives in Jacomena’s “High House” with her husband—it’s like a tree house, with redwoods, deer, and skunks as neighbors. For more information, please visit: https://pamvaloisbloominginwinter.com/

In an interview, Pamela Valois can discuss:

• How she came to tell Jacomena Maybeck’s story
• How Jacomena inspired her previous book, “Gifts of Age”
• How Jacomena mentored her when she was in her thirties
• What was special about her friendship with Jacomena, and why intergenerational friendships are so important
• What it was like for Jacomena as she took care of her architect father-in-law Bernard Maybeck’s homes
• How her friendship with Jacomena influenced her view on aging

An Interview with Pamela Valois

1. How did you come to write this story?

Living now in Jacomena’s unusual house, I had so many questions. She’d been a mentor to me in my thirties (when she was in her seventies) and we stayed close friends until she died at age 95 in 1996. I wanted to know what had shaped her and supported her in the many challenges she’d had—first as an immigrant, and later living on Nut Hill in Berkeley with the famous bohemian Maybeck family. My research began 5 years ago—with interviews, visits, phone calls, delving into her memoirs. I realized that her story would inspire others, particularly older women facing the challenges of aging and widowhood. Jacomena’s uncommon approach to life is a story that needs to be told now.

2. How did Jacomena inspire your previous book, “Gifts of Age”?

Jacomena’s friends, mostly in their seventies, seemed to be enjoying life—and perhaps even more than when they were younger and burdened with careers, children, and family responsibilities. I started doing photographic portraits and interviews with them hoping to create a book. “Gifts of Age,” co-authored with Charlotte Painter, was a bestseller at a time when many of us, though still in our thirties, were starting to think about our own aging and looking for role models of older women who were thriving in their winter years.

3. How did Jacomena mentor you when you were in your thirties?

My partner and I were considering getting married but had had ups and downs for 10 years. Something magical happened while we were living in Jacomena’s cottage across the street from her home. Life was simpler; Jackie taught us to savor a new blossom or make jam from the messy plum trees, and our worries seemed to melt in her grounded presence. We were married on her cottage lawn.

After I had my first son, I was working part-time, and I was frustrated creatively. Jackie suggested that I hire a babysitter for just 4 hours a week and during that time, I was to work only on photography—not taxes, grocery shopping, etc. And later in my fifties, she encouraged me to go back to school as she had done. We could talk about anything.

4. What do you think is valuable about intergenerational friendships?

One of the first things people ask me about “Gifts of Age” is, “How did you find those women?” I asked every woman I knew—many of us were in our thirties—do you know an older woman you admire? Most women had a special person, and talked about how their relationship had enriched their lives. The women in my book, all over age 65, were in a different season, and could add perspective to younger women’s issues as they were balancing career, family, and creative work. Jackie understood our concerns, and shared her own—such as how to add a handmade railing to her stairs so her “wobbly” friends could visit, or how to find a roommate now that she was a widow. She wanted to have friendships with men, even though she’d been a widow for decades. She reminded me of what a joy it is to write and receive a well-crafted letter.

5. What was it like for Jacomena to marry into the famous Maybeck family? And later, what was it like for her to care for the homes of her architect father-in-law, Bernard Maybeck?

Although she met her husband (Bernard Maybeck’s son) when she was only 10 years old,
and promised herself she’d marry him, when it came time to marry, she was ambivalent. She talks about this in my book. When she did marry, she found herself in a very tight-knit clan led by her mother-in-law with whom she differed on many things. Jackie was an independent soul, and often clashed with Mrs. Maybeck. The Maybecks built her family a house, then took it away. She never felt that her house was her own until the senior Maybecks were gone. And then she was suddenly widowed at age 61. Gradually, Jackie presided over the Maybeck legacy, writing books and taking care of the family houses (then rentals) on Nut Hill in Berkeley. This gave her a whole new project that brought her new relationships and a bit of fame.

6. You knew Jacomena when she was in her winter years. How did she cope with widowhood and growing older?

She said, “These years since Wallen died are like a tree that began to put out little leaves and blossoms where before, it was a bare tree.” She drew on her experience of growing up a ranch girl, and transformed the experience into an identity as a woman that included running electric cement mixers and cutting brush to keep warm. She relished roadwork and holding a grandchild at least as much as she did throwing a pot or writing a story. She changed how she thought of her ceramic work: “These days, I calibrate the work against the pleasure.” She no longer felt obligated to compete and make things that would look good in an exhibition. In her nineties, she said, “Make yourself placid and accepting. Sit in the sun with your hands folded. That’s a privilege too—a lot of people in the world never have that time.”

7. How did your friendship with Jacomena influence how you view aging?

When I was in my thirties and forties, aging looked far away, but seeing how Jackie met that season inspired me to make sure I enjoyed the work I was doing at that time in my life. Like her, I went back to school in my fifties, and I started a new career in health care. When I retired at age 65, she was gone, but I remembered things she did to structure her life. She kept a daily journal, did outside work daily, and created new friendships and new interests, like writing books. Now, at age 76, I’ve loved working on this book, “Blooming in Winter.” It’s brought me new relationships, new learning about writing and publishing, and a sense of value.

As I approach my eighties, I hope to re-start journaling, take more classes, and continue to follow Jackie’s advice about “Grandmother Gardening….A Grandmother Garden should have a couch and a chair to view the garden from….A Grandmother can weed and plant any flower bed as wide as her arm is long. Long-handled pointed hoes are great! Toy rakes! The very best pruning shears, and keep them sharp!”

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/

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Coming this summer from author and former dancer Lynn Slaughter is Leisha’s Song (June 22, 2021, Melange Books/Fire and Ice), a coming-of-age novel that explores the challenges of growing up when teens’ passions and dreams clash with parental expectations, as well as the role the arts play in building powerful connections that transcend racial and social class differences.

Leisha knows something’s wrong. Her beloved vocal coach at boarding school would never have resigned and disappeared like this in the midst of preparing her prize students for a major vocal competition. Leisha’s determined to find her, make sure she’s okay.

Cody, a sensitive cellist, insists on helping her. Sparks fly, clues multiply, and romance blossoms, despite the disapproval of their families.

Leisha’s desire to be with Cody and pursue music rather than medicine puts her on a direct collision course with her grandfather, the only parent she’s ever had. But an even more immediate threat looms—because as Leisha draws closer to the truth about her teacher’s disappearance, she puts her own life in grave danger.

Leisha’s Song
Lynn Slaughter | June 22, 2021 | Melange Books/Fire and Ice
Young Adult Contemporary | Paperback | 978-1-953735-34-8 | $13.99

About Lynn Slaughter

After a long career as a professional dancer and dance educator, Lynn Slaughter earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2016. She writes coming-of-age romantic mysteries and is the author of It Should Have Been You, a Silver Falchion finalist; While I Danced, an EPIC finalist; and Leisha’s Song (June 22, 2021, Fire and Ice). Her short story, Missed Cue, appears in Malice Domestic’s 2020 anthology, Murder Most Theatrical. She lives in Kentucky where she’s at work on her next novel, Deadly Setup, and serves as the President of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, the Ohio River Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime.

In an interview, Lynn Slaughter can discuss:

• Exploring thought-provoking themes surrounding race and class with the backdrop of a coming-of-age romantic mystery
• Writing characters from different backgrounds and working with a sensitivity editor and beta readers for better representation
• Her background as a professional dancer and dance educator, and how the arts can positively transform lives
• Her involvement with the mystery-writing community as the president of the Ohio River Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime

An Interview with Lynn Slaughter

1. Tell us about the lead characters in your novel, Leisha and Cody.

Leisha is extremely intelligent, hard-working, and passionate about classical singing. She goes from being eager to please her grandfather to someone who is determined to live her own life and make her own choices. She is keenly aware of being a Black scholarship kid at a predominantly white upper class boarding school and often makes wry observations about her experiences with white folks.

Cody, her romantic interest, is a sensitive cellist who shares Leisha’s passion for music. Whereas Leisha feels like an outsider at her boarding school, Cody feels like an outsider in his ultra-wealthy, conservative white family. He doesn’t share their worldview or their prejudices. He’s also incredibly perseverant. No matter how many times Leisha rejects his invitations to date him, he doesn’t give up. He’s playful and enjoys teasing Leisha. He’s brave and willing to give up everything to have music and Leisha in his life.

2. It certainly sounds like there’s a Romeo and Juliet story here (only with a much happier ending)! Can you tell us more about why you incorporated the dynamic of interracial romance into your novel and chose to tell your story from Leisha’s point of view?

In my own work life in the arts, I’ve found that close friendships and romantic relationships often develop between folks who differ in social class, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Leisha and Cody come from vastly different backgrounds, but their passion for music connects them in a fundamental way.

3. As for why Leisha is the central character in the novel, I want my grandchildren and children everywhere to enjoy books featuring folks who look like them. As one of my teen beta readers said, “We’re so sick of being the sidekick!”

You spent many years as a dancer and dance educator. Through your personal experiences counseling students who were passionate about the arts, like Leisha, did you come across parents who disapproved of them pursuing artistic careers? How does your novel celebrate the liberating value of art and music?

While some parents are very supportive, others actively try to dissuade their children from pursuing careers in the arts. Often, they fear their children will never make a living in the arts and/or they view the arts as “a frill.” Leisha and Cody share the problem of lack of parental support for their desire to pursue music. Yet they feel most alive, joyful, and fulfilled when they are making music.

4. What other societal pressures does Leisha face in school as she forges her own path into adulthood?

Leisha puts a lot of pressure on herself to excel. Much of that comes from her grandfather drumming into her from an early age that to compete in a white-dominated world, she has to be twice as good. Some of her drive to succeed academically comes from wanting to prove that she’s not there on scholarship just because she’s Black and the institution wants to up their diversity numbers, but because she’s extremely smart and deserves the spot.

5. You’ve spent most of your life as a dancer, and now you’re a writer. Obviously, there are differences in levels of physical activity, but what are the similarities?

Both are rewarding and meaningful forms of expressive communication. I loved being “in the zone” as a dancer, and I love being there as a writer. Both fields require self-discipline, constant practice, perseverance, and attention to craft as well as artistry. Both call for a commitment to constant growth and improvement. There is also a lot of vulnerability involved. When you put yourself and/or your work onstage or share your writing with others, you are revealing so much about who you are. I consider both dance and writing to be risk-taking behaviors! And of course, dancers and writers are very familiar with rejection.

6. Tell us about your involvement with Sisters in Crime.

Sisters in Crime is a wonderful organization dedicated to the advancement, recognition, and professional development of women mystery writers. I’ve been an active member of my local chapter since 2016 and this year, became President. We offer constructive feedback and encouragement to one another on our current works-in-progress and host a variety of guest speakers on mystery writing-related topics. The national organization also offers a host of resources and classes for members.

7. What attracted you to writing young adult fiction rather than books for adult readers?

Teens have always been my favorite age group to work with. I formerly chaired the dance department at a performing arts high school and spent several summers counseling students at a residential program for high schoolers gifted in the arts. In addition, I’ve been a lifelong lover of young adult fiction and have been inspired by such luminaries in the field as Judy Blume, Chris Crutcher, Sarah Dessen, and Angie Thomas.

Adolescence is such a formative time of life. Teens are trying to sort out issues of identity — who they are and who they dream of being. It’s an emotionally intense time, full of angst and conflict, as well as humor. They are coming of age in an increasingly diverse society where they are grappling with the fallout from systemic racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. As author Gayle Forman points out, YA novels are wonderful “empathy-delivery devices,” and in our polarized world, I think cultivating empathy and understanding of one another is crucial.

8. What are your favorite writing rituals?

I’m a morning writer. After breakfast and a ride on my exercise bike, I head into my office. My sweet husband makes sure I have water and coffee, strands of Christmas lights over my desk, and a scented candle nearby. And then he closes the door! After booting up my computer and putting some music on, I start by reading and doing some light edits on my previous day’s pages and then push forward into new material.

9. What is something about you that’s not in your bio and might surprise your readers?

In my 60s, I sang vocals for a local rock band! My husband and I still love making music together. I sing, and he plays the guitar. We enjoy composing our own original music.

10. What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on another coming-of-age romantic mystery, Deadly Setup, in which the 17-year-old daughter of a New England heiress fights to prove her innocence when she goes on trial for the murder of her mother’s fiancée.

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/

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – “The Art of Choice: Making Changes that Count in Work and Life” (Books Fluent, June 15, 2021) is an informative and inspirational look at how we can make decisions that make a difference. Drawing on interviews with successful businesspeople and his own professional experience, executive coach Terry Warren shows us how using intentionality, commitment, and accountability can empower us to make positive and lasting life-changing choices.

Terry Warren is passionate about helping people employ intention and commitment to achieve what they may not have believed was possible. Using a collaborative and compassionate approach, “The Art of Choice” offers lessons from business leaders, along with keys for gaining perspective, experiencing clarity, and achieving results whether you are starting out in your career, facing a major life decision, or nearing retirement.

Central to Terry’s work and life are his confidence in human potential, his strong Christian faith, his commitment to family and community, and his appreciation of art. As an accomplished landscape painter, Terry has learned to see every situation from a variety of angles. Such broadening of perspective is just one of the skills you’ll acquire in “The Art of Choice.”

“This book meets you wherever you are on your journey… within the pages of ‘The Art of Choice’ each one of us learns how to access our God-given power for whatever we need on this adventure we call life.”
—PAT WHITE, Master Certified Coach

“The Art of Choice: Making Changes That Count In Work and Life”
Terry Warren | June 15, 2021 | Books Fluent | Nonfiction, Business | 978-1-953865-29-8

TERRY WARREN is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach with more than forty years of leadership experience in the financial services and healthcare industries.

He has coached clients across a variety of industries, from sole proprietors to global company CEOs. In addition, Terry has served as the chair of several nonprofit boards, and is past president of the International Coaching Federation–Tennessee. Terry can be reached through his website, https://warrenexecutivecoach.com.

In an interview, Terry Warren can discuss:

• What led him to write this book
• What his career as an executive coach has taught him about decision-making
• How one’s thinking affects an outcome
• What often holds us back from making life-altering changes
• The best advice he can give for anyone looking to approach decision-making differently

An Interview with Terry Warren

1. How has your career as an executive coach influenced the way you view life choices?

After coaching high-level achievers for a few years, I saw a pattern among my clients. Every
client who made an intentional choice, along with a personal commitment to change,
succeeded. One hundred percent success. In short, they made a choice with intention and
commitment, and they were successful.

2. What often holds us back from making important decisions in life?

Of course, this is different for each individual, but most often it comes down to fear of failure,
lack of confidence, lack of self-awareness or a long-held belief that may not actually be true.

3. How has your background in landscape painting influenced your understanding of perspective? Can perspective help us make the right choices?

Landscape painters are typically limited to work on a two-dimensional surface (i.e., a canvas,
panel, etc.) while painting three dimensional subjects. Understanding linear and atmospheric
perspective is critical to making believable pieces of art.

4. How does our thinking affect an outcome?

Once, during a conversation with my own executive coach, he asked, “Is the problem the
problem or is how you think about the problem the problem?” At first, I was taken aback by this question but as I thought about it more, I realized that indeed it was how I was thinking about the problem that was creating the real problem. I changed my thinking and found a solution.

5. How can “The Art of Choice” help readers who are just starting out in their career as well as those who may be approaching retirement?

Regardless of where the reader is on the career/life journey, the underlying principles of being
intentional, committed and willing to be held accountable are useful. The book really is
intended to be a “keep in handy” kind of book where one chapter may be useful to a particular
time or situation and another may be more useful at a different time. For example, the chapter
“Grow Where You Are Planted” may be very useful to people early in their career, while the
ideas in “Move from Here and Now to There and Then” may have special meaning for people
changing jobs or approaching retirement.

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/

How long would you wait to reunite with the love of your life?

JACKSON, Miss. – Lovers spend decades hoping to reunite in Alfred Nicols’ debut novel, “Lost Love’s Return” (June 8, 2021, Books Fluent). A historical romance entwined with military and Southern elements tempts readers to hold out hope for a lost love in the midst of unparalleled tragedy.

When Elizabeth, a young English nurse, falls in love with one of her American patients, her whole world changes. When Peter, the American soldier, is suddenly shipped home to the U.S. at the end of WWI, he does his best to alert Elizabeth to what’s happening but fails, leaving her with no idea where he is and no way to contact him — now oceans away.

For 27 years, Peter yearns for Elizabeth, regretting the actions that led him into a long-drawn-out loveless marriage. But now, with the help of his son, he locates the only woman he’s ever loved. The question is, will she give him a second chance?

“Lost Love’s Return”
Alfred Nicols | June 8, 2021 |
Books Fluent | Historical Romance
Paperback | 978-1-953865-16-8 | $15.99
Ebook | 978-1-953865-17-5 | $9.99
Hardcover | 978-1-953865-28-1 | $21.99

ALFRED NICOLS received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. Following military service, he had a career as a lawyer, a state trial judge, and a federal judge. He and his wife, Mary, live on rural acreage in Mississippi.

“Lost Love’s Return” was written as an effort to leave his children and grandchildren, perhaps others, insight into issues in life and the value of family ties, even to imperfect people.

In an interview, Alfred Nicols can discuss:

• Crafting a novel that combines aspects of historical fiction, military fiction, romance and southern literature
• His personal journey from busy lawyer to judge to artist and finally author
• His experience in the military and how it influenced writing the book
• The extensive southern cultural and historical research he conducted to help write the book
• How his love for his family inspired him to write this particular story for them and the messages he hopes they and readers will take from it

An interview with Alfred Nicols

1. You’ve had successful careers in both law and art, so what inspired you to turn to writing?

I have written in some form for most of my life. In high school, I wrote a poem that won a national award and several other writing contests. As an undergraduate in college, I always excelled in the courses that required long narrative answers, courses in history and literature for instance. In law school, I wrote for the law journal. As a lawyer, in every group I practiced with, I was usually the one called upon to write the briefs on the most important case in the office. As a judge, I wrote extensively, not just opinions, but creative things. For instance, I was asked by the state bar to help write a jury orientation video, with me as the judge actor, which has been in use statewide for over 30 years.

But I always wanted to write creative fiction. I have started more novels than I own pairs of footwear, my first one almost 60 years ago when I was in Korea on active duty with the Army. Something always intervened and I never finished one. I was a young lawyer trying to get established, working 70-80 hours a week; I was a father with young children who had scout projects, sports events to attend. Then I started painting southern landscapes. It wasn’t long before my paintings were selling, and I soon had more demand for my paintings than I could fill. Requests came for one-man shows, needing 50 or more original paintings, two years or more of work with a full-time day job.

Finally, about six years ago, a close friend, who had pushed me for decades to write creative fiction, got on a hard sell and wouldn’t let up until I agreed to try. There was no turning back. He would push me for the next chapter to review and edit. I challenged myself to see that he got it. Once he had invested his time in the project, I felt some obligation to complete it.

2. How has your own military experience helped you with writing those aspects of the book?

Through an advanced ROTC program in college, I was commissioned an officer in the Army, with a two-year commitment to active-duty military service. Part of the program was six weeks of basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. With this training, I got to experience crawling beneath barbed wire under simulated live fire, the deafening sounds of artillery fire, being put in a chamber full of tear gas (where I better have my face mask right) and whatever else the Army could come up with to acclimate the trainee to the battlefield environment. I got orders to Vietnam with my unit in the middle of the conflict in 1966 but was pulled from the unit at the last minute because of a serious kidney problem. Reassigned to Korea, my kidney was operated on, and I spent time in a Quonset Hut military ward somewhat like the one my character Peter Montgomery was in. I’m sure these experiences gave me perspective on the battlefield and military hospital aspects of the novel.

3. You’ve said you wrote this novel to pass down to your sons and grandchildren. Can you explain?

With a long and blessed life, in my law office, in the courtroom, in social settings, family environments, I have experienced constant opportunity to observe humanity, in all its dimensions: love and hate; good and evil; faith and doubt; pain and pleasure; wealth and poverty; our potential for jealousy, selfishness, resentment and oppression, as well as all our potential for selflessness, concern, support and love. Approaching 80, I felt I had learned much about the choices we make in life and their consequences. Jesus taught us so well with his parables. Perhaps I could create a novel with a plot, characters and scenes that could pass what I’ve learned on to my children and grandchildren — and maybe even to others — to read when they were old enough.

4. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing the book?

There were essentially four. The first was creating a plot, characters and scenes to fulfill my purposes and then weaving them together in a compelling read. It was also important for me to write the dialogue in a way that the characters came alive on the page without at the same time making the reading hard.
There was also writing the three sex scenes that were necessary to carry the plot in a way that was graphic enough to bring home the messages I wanted to convey about that part of life — but no more so than necessary. And finally, doing all the tedious, time-consuming historical and cultural research necessary to write a novel covering two cultures, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and an almost three-decade time span. And, of course, the discipline and stamina it takes to write a 90,000-word novel — and hopefully do it well.

5. What do you hope readers gain from “Lost Love’s Return”?

Every scene in the novel was created from the inside out, so to speak. I had some lessons about life I wanted to convey. How can I create a scene with characters, plot and action to make that point? There are so many “life lessons” along the way, chapter by chapter. And I end the novel with a biggie: There is power in faith. Much of our achievement and happiness depends on faith: faith in ourselves; faith in others; faith that somehow our nation can overcome its problems; faith that the world can overcome climate change; faith that we can avoid nuclear disaster; and, perhaps, faith that there is a deity who can save us from our greatest fear of all — our mortality.

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 world was their creation until they sought to destroy it.

San Antonio, TEXAS – As long as there is light, there is hope. This sentiment and more abound in author Mark A. Alvarez’s debut novel, “Dutybound,” (June 22, Books Fluent), in which discovering faith and morality culminate in an epic fantasy where we are encouraged to destroy the beliefs that limit us and our destinies.

Readers will dive into the world Terestria and its Virtues, heirs of nobility forced to face the Sins of their forefathers and bring their world from the brink of Darkness. Among them is Lucia, High Maiden to the province of Moz and chosen of the Light Wings. This ancient relic, bestowed upon a long-forgotten civilization by the Light itself, was forged to harbor the Light’s essence if Terestria’s balance were threatened by the Darkness’ desire to corrupt its most-prized creation: Life. If successful and the long-standing covenant between the Light and its Protectors were ever to be broken, the Darkness would be free to roam Terestria and reclaim the land it had a hand in creating — bringing death and destruction to every corner of the world. With the help of the Light Wings and its power, Lucia must heed its call to assemble the Light’s Virtues and lead them into battle against the very Sins that seek to destroy their world.
“Dutybound” is a journey of self-discovery, as these heroes face conflict both from outside and within themselves. Duty, desire, envy, hope, hate, love, pride and temperance all are challenged within this bold tale that is sure to have readers pondering their own true nature.

“Dutybound: Light Wings Epic Vol. 1”
Mark A. Alvarez | June 22, 2021 | Books Fluent | Fantasy
Paperback | 978-1-953865-10-6 | $16.99 | Hardcover | 978-1-953865-12-0 | $21.99
Ebook | 978-1-953865-11-3 | $5.99

Mark A. Alvarez II is a Hispanic-American born in Houston, Texas. He’s a graduate of Texas State University, where he studied public relations and mass communication. He was an apprentice at the NEW Apprenticeship where he was certified in digital marketing. He is the CEO of Light Wings Promotions LLC, a digital marketing and creative branding agency in San Antonio, Texas, where Mark currently resides.

Follow the author on social media:
Facebook: @maalvarezii
Twitter: @maalvarezii
Instagram: @maalvarezii

In an interview, Mark A. Alvarez can discuss:

• The inspiration behind the story and his 10+ year journey in developing the novel
• Crafting and building a fantasy world that doesn’t rely on magic but rather virtue
• How his passion for music and video games influenced his writing
• Writing heavily on themes of privilege and knowledge — and their burdens — and how they correlate to our social and political constructs as a civilization
• How readers will relate to this coming-of-age story and how its themes have laid the groundwork for a sequel

An interview with Mark A. Alvarez

1. What inspired you to write the novel, and why is the story so personal to you?

“Dutybound,” or the Light Wings Epic more specifically, was inspired by a combination of a young boy’s imagination and a variety of personal experiences that had a profound impact on how I viewed my life and the world I lived in. I had survived a gunshot to the face when I was 4 years old, which embedded me with this powerful sense of duty, despite being permanently scarred by the marks it left behind. I was coping with issues at home and at school, where I was very active academically but never really social. I was often bullied for the scars on my face, but I never let that deter me from having faith in myself or in the purpose I believed in. Light Wings was my escape, a world I could create and be my own outside of the life of which I had no control. With my education being seen as my only true escape, I cultivated this story about knowledge and its power to manipulate, distort and limit the beliefs of others while also being the salvation one needs to escape an ill-fated destiny and find life’s true meaning.

2. What was your creative process behind writing a debut novel?

Originally, Light Wings was conceived through a series of storyboards, comic books and various ideas for what I thought would be the perfect role-playing game. Eventually, I started writing out the series by hand, while listening to scores to my favorite video games. To this day, the easiest way for me to write is by listening to instrumental music, usually classical or EDM, and imagining scenes within my head while focusing on the emotions the song provokes. With that, I use the music to fuel the words I write, placing the song’s context into the scene and borrowing the pacing from its rhythm to help me structure my writing. My focus was always more on how I told the story rather than how I wrote it, which is where I think music helped the most. It brought life to the scenes. I definitely would say “Dutybound” would not exist without music. It was and still is the ultimate muse to my craft and provides me with more inspiration than any other external or internal force could.

3. How did music and video games influence that writing process?

My taste in music evolved over the years, but when I was younger, all I listened to was video game scores and classical music. I was fearful of what people would think of my music taste so I kept it to myself mostly, but when listening to the music, I would always find myself daydreaming and imagining different scenarios. I’d say video games played a lot more into the fighting element in my novel. Each of the characters took on a certain role, used a different weapon and had a distinctive fighting style. The fight scenes in “Dutybound” are extremely focused and detailed to demonstrate each of the character’s unique abilities and are also used to help illustrate their cultural upbringing.

4. Do you find world-building difficult? How did you go about crafting a fantasy world from scratch?

Absolutely not. I definitely feel like Terestria was very much inspired by the world we live in. Growing up, I was fascinated with various world cultures and mythologies. I studied much of their art history and thought to create an alternative world, similar to our own, with provinces within different stages of cultural and societal development. I like to think that each of Terestria’s provinces exists within a different era in history when compared to that of Earth’s timeline. I drew inspiration from those eras and imagined their realms as such. However, I worked to make their cultures distinctively different from those we more commonly recognize.

5. What do you hope readers take away from the themes in the novel?

If any theme is apparent in “Dutybound,” it’s that knowledge, power and privilege are all somehow correlated. Knowledge can always be manipulated, distorted and withheld by those who have it and used to either oppress or empower others. This is how knowledge is used in Terestria to control and hold dominion over the populace of every province, but knowledge is also the source of the virtue’s power.

In “Dutybound,” the quest is about discovering the lost knowledge of Terestria’s creation and the source of each of the forces that threaten it; all so the characters can self-actualize the virtue they embody, by looking past the knowledge they had the distinct “privilege” of knowing and into the truth, which is the very key to discovering who they truly are. This makes you question the morality of the Terestrian world leaders and provides you with an allegory to how leaders in our known world have in the past distorted and manipulated the truth to either gain power or to take power from those who deserve it. Another thing to note is the the of coming-to-age or coming-to-power, where knowledge plays a factor in self-determining your identity. Sometimes, we have to look at the darkest parts of ourselves, or experience misfortunes, in order to define what’s right. What we know shapes us more than we realize, and if we don’t pay attention, we might limit ourselves by conforming into ideologies that lack sincerity, compassion, or virtue.

6. Is there going to be a follow-up, and if so, what can readers expect in a sequel?

“Bloodbound” is already in the works. Much of the epic has already been planned and written out, and the themes expand into a much more expansive world. We have yet to see the desert isles of the island nation of Gracile or tundras of the northern province of Argania. Many characters introduced in “Dutybound” will become more prominent in this sequel, and readers will be introduced to a mysterious set of deuteragonists of which the novel will revolve around outside the core trio of the first. Though Lucia will remain the series’ central character, the other virtues will hold more stake in the story, if not just as much. They’ve still got ways to develop as characters, and their individual arcs and relationships with one another will change dramatically. I would say, “Bloodbound” has a different tone, so expect the unexpected. It will be all about defying and rebelling against the expectations you’re born into, as we see the fall and rise of a noble lineage and a war for world dominance.

Marissa DeCuir

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

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

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

CHICAGO, IL–Set in the early 1900s, “Among the Beautiful Beasts” (She Writes Press, June 1, 2021) reveals the untold story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a woman who would become known for her tireless advocacy work in protecting the Florida Everglades.

After spending her childhood in New England nursing her mother, who fades into madness, Marjory marries a swindler thirty years her senior. The marriage nearly destroys her, but Marjory finds the courage to move to Miami, where she begins a new life as a journalist.

Buoyed by a growing sense of independence and an affair with a rival journalist, Marjory embraces a life lived at the intersection of the untamed Everglades and the rapacious urban development that threatens it. When the demands of a man once again begin to swallow Marjory’s own desires and dreams, Marjory sees herself in the vulnerable, inimitable Everglades, and knows she must choose between a life of subjugation or a leap into the wild unknown. Told in chapters that alternate between an urgent midnight chase through the wetlands and extensive narrative flashbacks, “Among the Beautiful Beasts” expertly weaves together suspense and thoughtful reflection.

“An atmospheric and engrossing story about the experiences that shape us, the passions that move us, and the discoveries that bring meaning to the rest of our lives.”
— Laura Munson, bestselling author of Willa’s Grove

“Among the Beautiful Beasts”
Lori McMullen | June 1, 2021 | She Writes Press | Historical Fiction
Paperback | ISBN: 978-1647421069 | $16.95

Lori McMullen grew up in unincorporated Dade County, outside of Miami. Growing up, her family took an annual trip to the west coast of Florida. McMullen was inspired by the scenic drive along Route 41, a two-lane, pot-hole ridden stretch of road that bisected Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. South Florida found its way into her heart and into her writing, even after she left Miami to attend Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. McMullen currently lives with her husband and three daughters in Chicago. Her short stories have been featured in the Tampa Review and Slush Pile magazine. “Among the Beautiful Beasts” (2021) is her first novel. For more information on her life and work, please visit: https://www.lorimcmullen.com/

In an interview, Lori McMullen can discuss:

• What inspired her to write about Marjory Stoneman Douglas
• How Stoneman Douglas’s life in the early 1900s is relevant to our contemporary culture
• Her thoughts on the tragedy that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in 2018, and the hope that still remains
• What she hopes readers will take away from Marjory’s life story
• Resources for those looking to dive deeper into environmental activism
• Her plans for the future

An Interview with Lori McMullen

1. What inspired you to write about Marjory Stoneman Douglas?

In the writing classes and fiction workshops I’ve taken over the years, I’ve always been told to write what I know. When I decided to plunge into creating a novel, I reinterpreted that advice a little so that it became write what I know I’m passionate about. I know I am passionate about the stories of norm-breaking women, about the utterly unique and fragile beauty of the Everglades, and about fiction that is transformative for the reader. These passions all seemed to point in the same direction: to Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a South Florida icon whom I’d learned about as a child in my Miami elementary school. When I began to dig beyond the well-known facts of her late-in-life achievements and learn about the person she was before becoming an environmental activist, I knew I’d found a truly remarkable woman whose early story I needed to tell.

2. Why is it crucial to keep Marjory’s story alive? What can we learn from her early activism and her accomplishments?

If you look at the arc of Marjory’s life, what you find is that the tragedy, hardship, and trauma of her early years gave her the empathy and the impetus to advocate for something greater than herself in her later years. More specifically, Marjory understood, through experience, what it felt like to be vulnerable, to be used, to continually sacrifice herself for the benefit of others, so when she became familiar with the Everglades in the midst of the South Florida land boom of the 1920s, Marjory understood that the wetlands were facing the same kind of fundamental threat to their existence that she had faced. She knew she could be their voice because their cry was the same.

We need a similar call to action now, as humanity faces threats as existential as climate change. Marjory provides an example of how individuals can draw on their own life experiences to transform enormous global issues into personal causes. Then, when we’re all moved to action, change can really happen.

3. In 2018, a deadly event took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. What do you make of the tragedy and how does it relate to Marjory’s own life?

There is an extraordinary parallel between Marjory’s experience advocating for change before the Florida legislature and the experience of the Parkland survivors doing the same almost one hundred years later. In the spring of 1916, Marjory traveled to Tallahassee to argue before a joint committee of the state legislature in favor of women’s suffrage. Her testimony was completely ignored. By Marjory’s own account, the male legislators did not even listen to her, and Florida was one of the last states to ratify the 19 th amendment – in 1969.

Parkland students had a remarkably similar experience in 2018. Less than a week after the mass shooting at the high school that bears her name, one hundred survivors traveled to Tallahassee to urge state legislators to enact stricter gun control laws. The state legislators knew the survivors were coming, yet by the time the teens had arrived at the capital, the legislative body had already voted along party lines to reject advancing a bill that would ban large-capacity magazines and assault rifles.

Even beyond this parallel, however, there is profound significance to be found in the fact that this particular high school is connected to Marjory. Like Marjory, the Parkland survivors have been shaped by the horrific events of their young lives, and for many of them, this will lead to a lifetime of impassioned advocacy and activism. I have no doubt that Marjory Stoneman Douglas would be proud to have her name associated with these determined young people.

4. “Among the Beautiful Beasts” is told in a compelling writing style that blends thoughtful reflection with urgency and suspense. Why did you choose this style of narration?

This style of narration both serves the story and indulges my guilty pleasure as a writer. In terms of serving the story, the short, recurring chapters that urgently track a midnight chase through the Everglades drive the narrative forward. The reader isn’t sure who is chasing Marjory, or why, and as the details of her life unfold in the reflective chapters, the chase chapters take on new meaning. This continues until the threads merge and the story reaches its climax. In terms of indulging me as a writer, I love to write prose that verges on poetry. I love creating scenes that are sensory and palpable. I don’t think this style of writing is sustainable, however, for an entire novel, so by inserting the urgent and suspenseful chase chapters in short bursts throughout the book, I was able to give in to these poetic impulses without weighing down the whole story.

5. For those interested in learning more about Marjory’s life, or about conservation efforts in the U.S., where should they look?

Friends of the Everglades is a fantastic organization whose mission is to “preserve, protect, and restore the only Everglades in the world.” The group was formed by Marjory in 1969 and continues to be a forceful advocate for the environmental health of South Florida.

I’d also encourage people to read “River of Grass,” which is Marjory’s masterpiece. Published in 1947, the same year the Everglades became a national park, the book is an essential part of the environmental literary canon. The book is also, I believe, a love story – only someone who is utterly besotted could write about a place with such nuance and compassion.

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/