Author: Marissa DeCuir

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s never too late to become who we’re meant to be, or to summon the courage to develop into the person whom we desire to be.

Indie record label owner and author Tiffanie DeBartolo’s newest novel, “Sorrow,” (Oct. 20, Woodhall Press) expertly examines this idea through the lenses of art, music and love. Inspired in part by the music of The National, the book is both a humorous and emotional assessment of the millennial generation.

Dreams abandoned, out of work and uninspired, guitar prodigy Joe Harper is a sensitive, struggling character, rapidly approaching his mid-30s and haunted by a history of failure. With a promising future in music long forgotten, Joe is resigned to a life of virtual seclusion, listless among his beloved redwood trees. But when he receives word from his long lost love, October, informing him of her upcoming art exhibit, Joe is awash with memories of the past and must ultimately decide if cowardice is reversible. Given a second chance, in more ways than one, can he recover the self-respect he lost long ago?

Drawn from DeBartolo’s extensive experience in the worlds of music, art and academia, “Sorrow” delivers a heartbreaking yet empathetic critique of the male psyche and lays bare a quick-witted social commentary on the widespread malaise plaguing so many of us today.

“Loving a woman who can break you is the bravest thing a man can do.”

“Sorrow”

Tiffanie DeBartolo | Oct. 20, 2020 | Woodhall Press | Literary Fiction
Paperback | 9781949116304 | $19.95

Early praise for Tiffanie DeBartolo and “Sorrow”

“A smart, thoughtful work that balances romance with intriguing philosophical questions.”
— Kirkus STARRED review

“This novel is a rare gem: a profoundly warm, witty story about art, love, and the journey of the soul from my all-time favorite author. Worth the wait! DeBartolo’s emotionally rich characters remind us that it is both painfully difficult and astonishingly beautiful to be human.”
— Colleen Hoover, New York Times bestselling author

” ‘Sorrow’ hit me like a truck, and it’s been years since I read a book that physically moved me and made me feel as deeply as this one did. DeBartolo masterfully crafted characters you’ll fall in love with, root for, want to scream at, and ultimately see yourself in, with a story that is narcotically enthralling. ‘Sorrow’ reminded me of the power of literature to deeply move you, uplift you, remind you of all the possibilities, love and magic in this world, and help you fall deeper in love with life. It’s a masterpiece.”
— Kyle Nicolaides, musician

“An art-infused story about love with achingly beautiful characters.”
— Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author

“Imagine you walk across a beautiful meadow filled with Indian paintbrush and Colorado columbine. Suddenly, you are struck by a lightning bolt. You’re blown out of your shoes, you fly through crackling air and land hands-and-knees deep in a brook bubbling over moss-covered rocks, shaded by weeping willows. You realize you are alive, more alive than ever before. You howl for the love of life. This is how reading Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo made me feel.”
— Tim Sandlin, author of GroVont Quartet and “Jimi Hendrix Turns Eighty”

” ‘Sorrow’ took me on a beautiful journey — a deeply fulfilling passage through nature and art, love and loss. Days after I finished the last page, the characters of ‘Sorrow’ are still with me, their words and actions echoing in my mind like those of long-lost friends.”
— John Shors, bestselling author of “My Midnight Sun”

About the Author

Tiffanie DeBartolo grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where she insists there was nothing to do but read books and listen to music. It’s no surprise that after graduating high school a year early to study philosophy at UC Berkeley, she became a writer and founded a record label. Tiffanie’s most recent novel is “Sorrow.” Her previous works include “God Shaped Hole” (2002), “How To Kill a Rock Star” (2005), the graphic novel “Grace: Based on the Jeff Buckley Story” (2019), and the film “Dream for an Insomniac” (1996), which she wrote and directed.

Tiffanie is the founder and Chief Executive Super Goddess of Bright Antenna Records, whose roster includes The Wombats, Sports Team, Wilderado, Prep, and more. She also co-founded the ShineMaker Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to making the world a better place. And she is a faculty member of the Jackson Hole Writers Conference, where she teaches writing every June. She is also a runner, hiker, yogi, traveler, cook, poet, artist and feminist. Tiffanie lives in Mill Valley, California, with her husband, Scott Schumaker, and her two Irish Wolfhounds, Dipsea and Kazoo.

In an interview, Tiffanie DeBartolo can discuss:

• The inspiration and influence behind “Sorrow,” both personal and musical
• Being a feminist and how literature can help readers analyze themes of misogyny, masculinity and the male ego in themselves and in their relationships with others
• Challenges and rewards of choosing to write a male character from a feminist perspective
• The importance and meaning behind the book’s Northern California setting
• Her dual careers in music and writing and how women can make a place for themselves in both the music and publishing industries

An Interview with Tiffanie DeBartolo

1. How have your own experiences influenced the novel’s setting and characters?

I live in Mill Valley, the magical town where a majority of the novel takes place. I hike through the redwoods almost every day and find them just as inspiring as Joe and October do. I think a lot of the emotional core of the story, however, comes from my work in the music business. I’ve seen a number of talented musicians either abandon their dreams or sabotage them, usually because they’re full of fear and can’t get out of their own way. That kind of fear bleeds over into a person’s personal life. Moreover, in the past, I’ve certainly had the heartbreaking experience of being in love with someone who was too afraid to love me back, and that’s a big part of what “Sorrow” is about.

2. Owning a record label, you have an established career in the music industry. How did that knowledge help when it came to crafting the plot and characters for the book?

My creative work always seems to begin with my love of and passion for music. Music informs everything I do. It has throughout my entire life, and throughout my writing career. I think many authors have themes that they return to again and again, because we have existential questions we’re trying to answer, and one of my themes is music and the powerful role that art plays in our lives.

3. What challenges did you encounter writing your main character, Joe, from the male perspective? Are there things you would have done differently if you had decided to give that character a different gender?

To be honest, I expected it to be more challenging to write from the male perspective than it actually was. I originally began writing the book with October as the narrator, but I quickly realized that unless readers were seeing and feeling the world through Joe’s eyes, they weren’t going to understand him or empathize with him, so I switched to his POV. And my takeaway, after walking in his shoes for two years as I wrote this novel, was that men and women aren’t as different as society has conditioned us to believe we are. Deep down, we all want the same thing — love — and we’re all just trying to figure out how to overcome all the shit that holds us back from surrendering fully to that love.

4. The famous redwoods of Northern California are a good example of how a book’s location can be a character in and of itself. Can you talk a bit about their significance and meaning throughout the novel?

It’s interesting, because early in the writing process, I was struggling with discovering what made Joe tick, and I happened to run into a friend at the local coffee shop where I wrote a lot of the book (Equator Coffee, the same one Joe hangs out in!). My friend mentioned that he’d just read a beautiful book about redwood trees, and as we spoke about the trees for a while, something clicked in my head and heart. I was like, “That’s it! Joe! The trees!” I immediately read the book my friend was talking about, and Joe’s character blossomed into life. And, of course, the metaphor between Joe and the trees was so obvious and became a crucial component from that moment on. The more I learned about the trees, the more I learned about Joe.

5. Let’s talk The National! The book was partially influenced by the band’s music — how did they inspire your writing, and are there any Easter eggs fans of the group can find in the book?

OK, so despite the fact that The National have a song called “Sorrow” which is referenced in the book and obviously inspired the title, the song that planted the seed that grew into this story was “Pink Rabbits.” I remember listening to that song one day, hearing the line: “Somebody said you disappeared in a crowd/I didn’t understand then/I don’t understand now,” and my mind conjured up a scene at an outdoor concert venue, a man standing in the middle of the crowd beside the love of his life, everything about to fall into place, and for some reason he breaks, just walks away and doesn’t come back. That was the first scene I wrote, and obviously it developed into something more complex than that original idea, but the novel really grew around that nascent scene. As far as Easter eggs go, the homage to the “Pink Rabbits” song is the cocktail Joe makes in the scene where he and October talk in his apartment. Joe’s version is a little different than the traditional cocktail, and he calls it a Brown Recluse. There’s two more “Pink Rabbits” mentioned in the book, but I’ll let the fans find them on their own.

6. What do you hope people take away from this book?

These characters taught me a lot, and I hope people take away from this book what I took away. Namely, that it’s never too late to become a better version of yourself and that love and art can often be the portals to that becoming.

7. As the 21st century seems to get bleaker by the minute, what would you say to someone who is convinced their best days are behind them and that they’re too old to act on their dreams?

I’ve been revisiting the work of Joseph Campbell a lot lately, so to quote him, I would say, “Follow your bliss.” It’s never too late for that. And it’s imperative to the experience of having a meaningful life. The past is gone and the future is only a possibility. All we have is this moment, and if you listen to your heart, if you take steps toward the life you desire to be living, if you just get on that path, that’s where you’ll find the truth of who you are. That’s where you’ll find joy. It’s not about success. It’s not about money. This is a spiritual quest we’re talking about. It’s everything.

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BORAS, Sweden – How does a man living a lavish life in multiple cities plan a complicated revenge plot while chasing a new, sexy romance? In the thrilling romance “Mr. Pink” (Oct. 6, 2020), by Patrick Hjertén, this billionaire does just that. Readers will be enthralled with Mr. Pink from the very start, a man who manages to continue living a glamorous, exciting life while seeking vengeance for a friend who was sexually assaulted.

Mr. Pink is usually busy being a bossy, controlling billionaire who owns a magazine, publishing house, and homes in both Stockholm and London. But he’s also busy planning revenge on a man responsible for his college best friend’s coma. When he’s not calling in favors, buying priceless artwork, manipulating the international stock market or indulging in light blackmail, he’s at the spa with his besties or enjoying a casual sexual encounter. Used to being in control of everyone, moody journalist Andreas keeps Mr. Pink guessing from the moment they meet.

And Mr. Pink can’t resist — or stay away. Will he be able to get the guy and stay focused on his elaborate revenge, or will this notoriously successful man find himself going under?

“Mr. Pink”
Patrick Hjertén | Oct. 6, 2020 | Gay Romance
Paperback | 9781735268903 | $12.99 | Ebook | 9781735268910 | $4.99

About The Author

Patrick Hjertén dwells comfortably in both England and Sweden, calling himself a Swedish country life and London city life mixture. He has dreamed of writing a novel since his grandmother read him books as a child and has been creating stories since then. Working as a freelance copywriter, writer, and as head of the business department of a Sixth Form College, Hjertén’s life passion remains all things creative, and his new novel gives insight into that fiery artistry. For more information, visit https://mrpinkbook.com/.

In an interview, Patrick Hjertén can discuss:

• Living in both England and Sweden and how his experiences in those locations inspired him in setting the novel’s location
• The inspiration for the fiery and controlling yet charismatic billionaire Mr. Pink
• Working as a copywriter and head of a business department and how that career path influenced his new path as a fiction writer
• Writing for an LGBTQ+ audience and the importance of #ownvoices authors
• His unique family heritage as a descendant of a 16th-century Swedish monarch

An Interview with Patrick Hjertén

Is there anyone in particular that you thought of when creating the character of Mr. Pink?

Growing up, I watched “Dallas,” “Dynasty” and “Falcon Crest,” and I loved them. I have taken characteristics from their more evil personalities on the shows, and I have also taken a lot from myself. You could say that Mr. Pink is a darker version of me — my evil twin.

How has your work as a copywriter and head of a business department informed you in writing a novel?

When it comes to copywriting you have to be creative on demand, so to speak. You have to use different tone of voices and you have to work against deadlines. Sometimes really tight deadlines, like one I had recently. This has given me the ability to have a diverse language, and many voices. And I am good at churning out text at a fairly high speed.

There are multiple facets to this novel — an LGBTQ+ relationship, a successful and powerful businessman, a woman dealing with sexual assault — where there any difficulties you found trying to create a cohesive narrative?

I sometimes describe my way of making up a story like when I make a beef stew. I look in my fridge and in my cupboards to see what I have. And then put in a bit of this and a bit of that. And then what happens if I add this? Stir, let simmer and voilá. Mr. Pink is a mix of my own life and own experiences, people I have met, and stories I have been told, all seasoned with inspiration from books that have touched me and ’80s prime-time soap operas.

How did your life in both Sweden and England help to inspire aspects of the book? Did you ever think about setting the book in a different location?

As I mentioned above, I have taken a lot from my own life and from things I have been told by others. I’ve then twisted it and pumped up the drama level. I used settings in England and Sweden, as well as in Los Angeles, because I know these places best. It is so much easier to write about places you know.

Can you talk a bit about your interesting family lineage — not everyone is literally descended from royalty!

It might sound strange but I have always been interested in royalty from the past, and I sort of felt that I was connected to them before I actually knew that I was linked to them. I am the descendant of Erik XIV, of Sweden, and his illegitimate daughter who he gave the name Virginia — he and his brothers had quite a few illegitimate children. They were all taken from their mothers and raised at the court of princess Cecilia (who also spent time at the court of Elizabeth, the first of England, and was a pirate princess). Erik’s father was a noble man who grabbed the power of the Swedish crown, but his mother was a German princess and the source to the really interesting characters. The families of power married each other back and forth. That is why I am connected to Charlemagne in 15 different ways.

When you read about them and the things they did to keep power and gain power it is on par with “Game of Thrones.” One example is the ancestor who had her second son killed so that the eldest could have all the power to himself. And then there’s the ancestor who was the illegitimate son of the duke of Normandy. He was the only one to inherit the title, but at one time, he was challenged and slandered. He had the hands and feet of these people cut off. Some years later, he became known as William the Conqueror when he conquered England.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I hope that they will be thrilled, entertained and that it will be a page turner for them. And of course, that they will want to read more of my stories.

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Author Alison Levy crashes onto the fantasy scene with the first installment of The Daemon Collecting Series, Gatekeeper (Spark Press, October 6, 2020). Using her writing to cope with anxiety, Levy expertly weaves a page turning story full of action, alternate universes, and heroism. Her vivid world building and unique characters show readers what it looks like to fight for survival while standing up for what is right, even if it’s risky.

In Gatekeeper, Rachel Wilde comes from a dimension that exists adjacent to ours. The people there have structured their society around daemon collecting: they locate, catch, and repair malfunctioning daemons (creatures out of phase with our world that tempt people to do good or evil). Now Rachel has been given two unusual assignments: 1) find a person who has been trying to break down dimensional barriers, and 2) track down a missing line of gatekeepers, human placeholders for a daemon that was too badly damaged to repair.

Authorities of Rachel’s world believe the missing gatekeepers are descended from a girl who went missing from West Africa hundreds of years ago, likely sold into slavery. With no leads to go on, Rachel seeks help from Bach, a raving homeless man who happens to be an oracle. Bach does put her in the path of both of her targets—but he also lands her in a life-threatening situation. Rachel must stop the criminal, reunite a gatekeeper with her stolen past, and, above all, survive.

“Gatekeeper: Book One in the Daemon Collecting Series”
Alison Levy | October 6, 2020 | Spark Press | Fantasy
Paperback | 978-1684630578 | $16.95
E-book | B083XM9M5Q | $9.95

In an interview, Alison Levy can discuss:

• World building and craft for fantasy writers
• How she has used writing as a tool to cope with anxiety, and advice for others dealing with anxiety
• How the fantasy genre as a whole has influenced her writing
• Her connection to the characters, and how she delicately weaves in mental health topics to her writing
• What she hopes readers will take away from this story

An Interview with Alison Levy

Can you tell us a little about how you started writing and what led you to this book now?

I wrote a story for an English assignment in 6th grade, a time in my life when my anxiety was particularly bad. My English teacher, Mrs. Webb, pulled me aside to praise my story and tell me what a good writer I was. It gave me a desperately needed shot of confidence. I’ve been writing ever since.

I’ve actually been trying for years to write this story the way I imagined it. I started and discarded two previous versions that I just wasn’t feeling. This time, I think I got it right!

How has writing impacted your life and your struggles with anxiety?

Living with anxiety, for me, is like having a tiger in the house: the tone of my day is dependent on the tiger’s mood. If the tiger is active, everything I do revolves around it; I can still get things done but if I do the wrong thing, it bites, and then I’m incapacited. Some days the tiger sleeps or wanders out of the room, but I’m always conscious of its presence and waiting for it to strike. Writing is hugely therapeutic for me. When I write, I can tune out the real world and dive into my creation. When my mind is fully engaged in creating, the tiger disappears.

What was the process of creating the world that your characters live in? Where did this story start?

This story started with my main character, Rachel Wilde. Rachel sometimes feels like the embodiment of an anxiety-free me; she’s brazen, resilient, sharp-tongued, and hard-headed. Throwing her into a difficult situation that would turn me into a pile of jelly and imagining her working through it is very empowering for me.

Your undergrad education was in anthropology — how did that influence your writing?

Anthropology teaches that we as human beings are products of the society we live in. Our day to day activities are not a universal experience; what is normal and mundane to us is exotic or bizarre to others depending on where we come from. I love inventing new cultures that are exotic and bizarre to the reader but normal and mundane to my characters.

What do you hope readers take away from this book?

I really hope my writing challenges readers to look at their own lives and cultures with new eyes. Being able to turn a critical eye on the day to day things that we usually take for granted is a crucial part of walking a mile in another person’s shoes. If we could all do this more, the world would be a better place.

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Healing and personal growth take center stage in “Eris Rising”

San Francisco, CA — A professional dancer, choreographer, and yoga teacher with talent in spades crosses paths with an enticing, yet manipulative man in Courtney Ramm’s honest memoir, “Eris Rising” (Acorn Publishing, Oct. 27, 2020).

As one of 229 offspring born from the controversial “Genius Sperm Bank,” a genetic experiment that existed in the 1980s and ’90s, Courtney found herself driven toward success. Following her passion for dance, by the age of eight she was studying at the renowned School of American Ballet and soon thereafter, performing on New York’s greatest stages. At twenty-five years old, she acted upon a strong inner calling to start her own dance company in Hawaii. Moving across the globe, Courtney brought along her endless to-do lists and a strong determination to succeed. But one thing was missing from the picture-perfect life she had imagined: a perfect husband. When she first locked eyes with Marcus at a spiritual gathering, she sensed something was off in the uncanny intensity of his stare. But she dove into a relationship anyway, not grasping the danger of the decision.

“Eris Rising” is a story of breaking deep karmic patterns, grappling with the calling of destiny, and changing long-held karma into mission. With the powerful feminine spirit of Eris as inspiration, Courtney’s brave memoir shows how it’s possible to move forward after life-altering harm, in order to find the true warrior within.

Praise for the author…

“This is a book you will insist your friends read next just so you can continue to talk about it long after you finish the final page.”
– Holly Kammier, best-selling author of Kingston Court

“Eris Rising is a scary-good book. Scary because it tells a story of a beautiful life gone sideways–so far sideways that the author is dangerously close to going over the edge. Against compelling odds, Courtney manages to right herself. Therein lies profound life lessons”
– Brad Alan Lewis, Olympic Gold Medalist and author of Assault on Lake Casitas

“Eris Rising: A Memoir of Finding the Warrior Within”
Courtney Ramm | October 27, 2020 | Acorn Publishing | Nonfiction, Memoir
Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-952112-12-6 | $24.99
Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-952112-11-9 | $16.99

About The Author

Courtney Ramm: Born and raised in the heart of New York City, Courtney Ramm has followed her passion for dance since childhood, which led to a career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She’s directed dance schools, performed, and taught all over the world, from Singapore to Thailand to Manhattan. With her Master’s degree in Dance Education, Courtney has led wellness retreats in Hawaii, focusing on empowerment and transformation. Courtney is the founder and artistic director of the non-profit dance company, RammDance. She blends her love of dance with holistic healing, and is a certified Pilates instructor, Yoga teacher, Ayurvedic consultant, Theta healer, Master Detox Chef, and Reiki practitioner. Alongside her focused training and career in dance, writing has always been one of Courtney’s passions. She knew she would write a book — although she never imagined her memoir would take such a twisted turn. Courtney is a full-time single mama to two toddlers. “Eris Rising” is her first book. For more information, please visit: https://www.courtneyramm.com

In an interview, Courtney Ramm can discuss…

• Her writing process, and why she chose to document the painful experiences she had within an abusive relationship
• The meaning of “genius,” and how even the smartest people can be susceptible to manipulation and harm from others
• How she found the strength to leave a cult-like religious community and an unhealthy partnership that her life revolved around
• Her passion for dance and holistic healing, and how she was able to regain her power and sense of self through these means
• What the feminine warrior spirit Eris means to her, and why she chose Eris as her memoir’s namesake

An Interview with Courtney Ramm

You have had a longstanding interest in writing, and have always imagined writing a book. When it came time to write your memoir, what was the process like for you?

I truly felt called to write this book. It wasn’t a conscious decision at first, and the words would flood through my head at any given moment, sometimes at 3:30am! The process of writing was a practice of discipline, something I had to commit to every single day for an indefinite period of time until my story was complete. Writing my memoir was filled with all sorts of emotions: nostalgia, sadness, anger, joy, and ultimately deep fulfillment as I imagined finally sharing my story with those who need to hear it.

As one of 229 offspring born from the controversial “Genius Sperm Bank,” you have been in the media’s spotlight from a young age. In fact, your memoir opens with Lisa Ling interviewing you on the topic of genius. Has your concept of “genius” changed at all over the years?

I used to believe that genius meant you were unquestionably intelligent or talented in one specified area–a math genius, for example. I’ve come to understand that genius comes in many forms and the true meaning of genius is broader than I once believed. As I answered Lisa Ling when she asked, “Are you a genius?”, I truly believe that there is genius in every person–that each of us possess an outstanding talent or ability waiting to be tapped into.

The titular feminine spirit Eris becomes an important symbol for you as you regain your power following your escape from an abusive relationship. What can you tell us about Eris, and all that she represents to you?

Eris is actually the name of a planet in our solar system, discovered in 2005. Because of her size, Eris is considered a “dwarf planet”, although she is identical in size to Pluto (which was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006). Astrologically, Eris represents the feminine warrior spirit. Eris calls us to embrace our inner power and muster the courage to see the truth, to face oppression, and to fiercely protect what is sacred. In a world long fractured by patriarchal power, Eris comes to set things straight, to balance the scales. Everything I learned about Eris rang so innately true with my story. I feel very connected to Eris, so much that I decided to name my book after her.

You have many passions and talents that have guided you throughout your life, including dance, yoga, pilates and holistic healing. How have these practices helped you to remain grounded and uncover the warrior spirit within?

While I was going through the intense experience I write about in my memoir, I was actively teaching yoga and incorporating different holistic healing modalities in my life. I had a steady self-care practice that rarely waned, despite my circumstances. Even though my partner at the time called me “selfish,” I knew that taking care of myself was the best thing I could do for both myself and others around me. Mindful practices such as Pilates and yoga helped me calm my racing thoughts and connect to my true self, which eventually gave me the strength to find my warrior spirit within.

While recalling riveting — and often dark — real-life events, your memoir also provides an empowering message of hope, especially for readers who may have experienced similar pain in their life. What message do you ultimately want to share with your readers through “Eris Rising”?

When I sent my manuscript to friends for feedback, I was shocked and amazed at how many people resonated with my story, saying how “close to home” it hit for them. I reveal the dark moments because so many of us share these same experiences, and they need to be brought into the light so we can collectively heal and move forward. My story is proof that you can recover and rebuild your life even with the most painful and unexpected circumstances. Ultimately, my message is one of empowerment and hope.

What’s next for Courtney Ramm?

I’ve spent the last year in graduate school at NYU, where I received my Masters degree in Dance Education. It was an incredible experience that opened me up to new possibilities, and I am excited to be creating a curriculum for early childhood dance that incorporates the profound humanistic philosophies of John Dewey, Rudolf Steiner, and Isadora Duncan. I am also re-launching my non-profit dance company, RammDance. Now more than ever, we need the power of dance to connect us to each other and to our unique spirit within.

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Salty is a divine Cajun boy created from the salt of the earth — literally. Dwelling deep within the hidden caverns of South Louisiana’s ancient salt domes, Salty spent his days cooking and caring for the critters of the Cajun swamp. Salty’s life was one of mineral harmony.

But when a crew of burly salt miners arrive, Salty’s ordinary world suddenly changes forever. When the miners crush poor Salty’s body into a witty, gritty pile of granules, his strong Cajun spirit is bottled up in a tiny salt shaker bound for the dining tables of New Orleans’ lively French Quarter.

Finding himself in the kitchen of a cranky chef, Salty strikes up a friendship with a timid girl made of peppercorns encased in a glass pepper grinder, named Pep. Hailing from Southern India, Pep shares her native culture with Salty and he teaches her about life in Cajun country. Together, they help each other endure being crushed and bottled up during their quest to become whole again.

“Salty Strong: The ‘Whole’ Cajun Story” (May 2020, Archway Publishing) is a beautifully illustrated, uplifting children’s tale about the joys of learning about new cultures, having different experiences, and the unlimited power of friendship and giving.

“SALTY STRONG: THE ‘WHOLE’ CAJUN STORY”
Chris Whitson | May 2020 | Archway Publishers | Children’s, Picture Books
Hardcover | 978-1480888647 | $23.95
Paperback | 9781480888661 | $13.95
Ebook | 9781480888654 | $3.99

About The Author

Chris Whitson was born and raised in New Orleans and now lives in Orlando, Fl. He and his wife have four children and six fun loving, high energy, grandchildren.

“Salty Strong” is Chris’s first children’s book and is inspired by his love for his grandchildren and his own struggles with sobriety and journey to becoming “whole” again. Never a strong reader himself, Chris wants “Salty Strong” to inspire children to overcome their insecurities, give of themselves, and to stay strong and have Faith in the face of adversity.

“Change starts from within.”
Chris Whitson is a proud LSU Tiger fan and member of the Who Dat’ nation who loves Cajun Cuisine and the New Orleans “Jambalaya” culture. When he’s not spending time with his grandchildren, Chris can be found enjoying his Cajun and New Orleans cuisine favorites such as, crawfish, muffulettas, and fried soft shell crab po-boys — dressed, of course!

In an interview, Chris can discuss:

• Writing about New Orleans and the unique, intriguing, Cajun culture and cuisine and its vast popularity.
• Incorporating Southern and Cajun history into a children’s book
• How he learned how to write for children
• How his grandchildren and journey to sobriety inspired him to write
• How his Faith inspires him
• The importance of inspiring resilience in kids

An interview with Chris Whitson

What gave you the idea to bring salt to life?

Salt is natural and pure. It has played an important role in survival, culture, business, religion, and society since ancient times. The significance and history of the natural salt domes in Louisiana are not often mentioned in history books.

How do you relate to Salty’s story?

The book came from a place of gratitude. About ten years ago, my first grandchild was born and my journey with sobriety had begun. As I began writing with no clear intention, unintentionally, the book began to mirror a blend of my childhood joys and stresses and my adult struggles and path to overcoming them. It encompasses all of the most important teachings that I challenged and had to learned through decades of life experiences.

Can you talk a bit about the influence of New Orleans and Cajun culture on your own childhood?

I loved growing up in New Orleans. For me, New Orleans and Cajun cultures are a celebration of family, faith , and community. They are welcoming resilient people who work hard and like to share their joy, culture, and world famous cuisine with others. Once it’s in your blood, it never leaves you!

How did you balance including Southern history in your story while still making it digestible for children?

I kept it simple. True Cajun dialect is much more intense than reflected in Salty Strong. I thought it would be fun and a learning opportunity for kids to read a taste of a unique dialect. I kept it to what many in Louisiana call, “the dis, dats, dese, and dose”. Aka, “this, that, these, and those”.

What do you want kids to take away from this story?

At some point everyone has struggles and may feel “crushed” like Salty. It may be a struggle with bullying, illness, addiction, loneliness… Hang in there, have Faith, give of yourself, and open your heart to others. You will become whole and stronger than ever!

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

From two experts on the psychology of behavior change comes “A Mindful Year,” an inspirational guide, urging and inciting readers to reconnect with themselves.

Releasing on paperback on Sept. 15 from Blackstone Publishing, “A Mindful Year” is a conversation between two friends and colleagues Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Dr. Seth J. Gillihan, discussing tried-and-true practices for alleviating stress and anxiety.

It has never been easier to disconnect from ourselves amid daily demands and distractions. By integrating cognitive behavioral science and mindfulness practices, “A Mindful Year” is a practical guide to help people reconnect and re-ground themselves in what matters most.

With daily calls to action, Campbell-Danesh and Gillihan compassionately invite readers to break unhealthy habits, practice self-kindness and ask all of us: What would you try today if you didn’t fear making mistakes?

“A Mindful Year”
365 Ways to Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life
Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Seth J. Gillihan, PhD | September 10, 2019
Blackstone Publishing | Spirituality
Hardcover | ISBN 978-1982501839 | $26.99
Paperback | ISBN 978-1094091181 | $16.99
Ebook | ASIN B07PHMCGXJ | $9.99

DR. ARIA CAMPBELL-DANESH: Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh, DClinPsy, CPsychol, is a doctor in clinical psychology and an expert in the fields of behavior change and long-term health (dr-aria.com). A mindfulness specialist and creator of the FIT Method, he works internationally with clients on their mindset, exercise, and nutrition. He is regularly featured in popular lifestyle publications such as Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Marie Claire. Dr. Aria is an Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society and Senior Associate Member of the Royal Society of Medicine.

SETH J. GILLIHAN, PHD: Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Pennsylvania. He divides his professional time between psychotherapy practice, writing books and blog posts, and hosting conversations on living more fully for the Think Act Be podcast. His previous books include The CBT Deck; The CBT Deck for Anxiety, Rumination, & Worry; Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple. Dr. Gillihan specializes in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, depression, and related conditions. He lives outside of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife and three children.

In an interview, Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Dr. Seth J. Gillihan can discuss:

• The importance of taking responsibility for our own happiness
• Reconnecting with our deepest values and letting our actions flow from them
• How to make time for mindfulness in our daily lives – their book features 365 practices drawn from mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
• Their transatlantic relationship as friends and colleagues and how that shaped “A Mindful Year”
• The many ways that focusing on our senses can ground us in the present
• Practices for bringing awareness to our bodies
• How to let go of the unhelpful stories we tell ourselves
• Ways to strengthen and deepen our closest relationships
• What it means to practice self-kindness
• Developing gratitude even amid life’s challenges
• The imperative of service
• Moving through our worries
• Opening to life as it unfolds
• How to build emotional resilience
• How to survive and thrive during times of uncertainty and difficulty
• Why the brain is programmed to be negative and how to overcome this

An Interview with Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Dr. Seth J. Gillihan

What is mindfulness, and why is it important?

Seth: To me, mindfulness means coming home. It’s coming home to the present—to the only moment that is ever really ours. It means coming home to ourselves and allowing ourselves to be just as we are. And it’s coming home to our reality, and the people who fill it. Through this homecoming we can find ease even when things are really hard, because we release unnecessary resistance to life as it is. 

There are many different meditation practices out there, so why is mindfulness particularly useful in alleviating anxiety and reconnecting with ourselves? 

Seth: Anxiety is about the future, and mindful awareness brings us into the present. When we center our attention on the present, we can step out of anxious preoccupation with the uncertainty that lies ahead. We also find ourselves there, in the present. That’s the only time and place we truly exist: our bodies, our breath, our sensations, our spirit. The truth of who we are is always in the now. 

Aria: When we’re feeling anxious, we’re living in our heads and fusing with negative thoughts about the future. Mindfulness grounds the mind in present-moment reality and allows us to see that just because we have a thought, doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily true. 

Mindfulness also involves acceptance of the ‘now.’ On a profound level, this includes accepting and reconnecting with who we are. Accepting ourselves doesn’t mean that we think that we’re perfect human beings. Accepting ourselves equates to being okay with who we are. We can see both our strengths and our flaws. We can sit with our quirks and our idiosyncrasies. With this acceptance comes a deeper sense of appreciation and ease.

Aria: The simplest definition of mindfulness is awareness. But awareness of what? Of our experience. Both our inner experience, such as our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, and our outer experience, including where we are and what’s happening around us. 

Mindfulness is important because it involves living in the present moment, right now, rather than ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. When we cultivate mindful awareness, we tend to be happier and have greater access to clarity, understanding, creativity and wisdom.

What separates “A Mindful Year” from other books on mindfulness?

Seth: This book offers daily applications of mindful awareness, based on a year of exchanges between two psychologists who are dear friends. As such, it provides the reader with 365 ways to apply the principles of mindfulness, and to hear from the writers about how they found these practices useful in their own lives.

Aria: There are naked photos of the authors scattered throughout the book. Only joking! In all seriousness, I believe it’s our personal friendship that especially distinguishes “A Mindful Year.” Writing every day to each other as close friends means that at the heart of our entries lives love, respect, humor and compassion. Over the course of the year I laughed and cried while writing and reading the messages to one another. I think the readers pick up on this authenticity and can relate the entries to their own lives.   

What are some challenges people face when first learning to practice mindfulness? How do they overcome those obstacles? 

Seth: The most common challenge is probably misunderstandings about what mindfulness is. Popular depictions of it first of all equate it with meditation, when mindfulness is really something we can bring to every moment of our experience. It’s also often tied to the trappings of religion and portrayed as something “extra” that we might add to life. But really it’s the simplest thing—being really and truly in our lives—and it’s available to all, regardless of religious or spiritual commitments. 

Aria: Judgement. We judge ourselves, we judge our thoughts, our emotions and our self-worth. The tricky part is that our minds have evolved with a negativity bias. This tendency to assume the worst is wonderfully effective from a survival point of view, but less helpful when it comes to happiness. The positive news is that the obstacle is the way. Mindfulness involves becoming aware of our judgments, and our tendency to buy into them. A mindful approach draws on qualities such as compassion, kindness, and curiosity. It offers a practical route to letting go of the attachment to judgments about ourselves and others. This is a daily practice, but one of the most worthy endeavors in life.

How did your backgrounds in clinical psychology influence “A Mindful Year?” 

Seth: Having worked with hundreds of patients provided me with invaluable perspective on the kinds of challenges all of us face, and creative solutions that so many people find to manage them. My clinical work was also a tremendous source of inspiration, having seen the strength and grace so many individuals bring to their often gut-wrenching difficulties. 

Aria: As a clinical psychologist you’re privileged to hear some of the most private and intimate thoughts and feelings of others. Something that has continually struck me over the years is that we’re all connected: we all face challenges in life, we’re all hard on ourselves, we’re all heartbroken at some point, we’re all trying our best. One of my personal goals in life is to empower people to bring the best out of themselves. I hope that Seth and I are able to do that with “A Mindful Year.”

While you are colleagues, you’re also friends. How did you decide you wanted to partner together on “A Mindful Year?” How did your friendship impact the way you approached writing this book together? Would the advice and concepts in this book be different if it wasn’t a collaboration? 

Seth: Aria and I knew we wanted to write a book together, because we both love writing and we wanted to blend our voices in a shared project. We chose this format as a way to do what we had discussed together for years: To find a means of discovering greater connection in our everyday lives. We knew it was possible to find deep connection to what we value most but found that it often eluded us. This collaboration was our attempt to foster more moments of mindful connection. It would have been a very different book if we hadn’t been such close friends. It wouldn’t have been as personal, as I think many of the things we shared required a deep level of trust. The tone would have been different, too—perhaps more clinical or academic, rather than warm and intimate. 

Aria: Over six years ago, Seth and I stood on a hill in the English countryside and as the light grew longer, we openly talked about what we cared about most: family, friends, and making a positive difference in the world, no matter how small. We wondered whether it was possible to maintain and strengthen our connections to the people and the passions closest to our hearts—especially during times of difficulty, distraction, and discontent. Writing this book became the vehicle to find out. At the outset of writing to one another, we both expressed how important it was to honor our friendship and therefore to approach the collaboration with honesty and authenticity. Because we care deeply for one another, we were committed to helping the other person to reconnect and reawaken to the present moment, with warmth, encouragement and compassion. As a result, the book is down-to-earth and relational: it’s real and so captures the multi-textured reality of life, with all its loveliness, ugliness, suffering and joy.

In your book you ask readers, what would you try today if you didn’t fear making mistakes? What’s your answer to that question?

Seth: I would live in line with the truth of who I am, which is what I strive to do now. That means worrying less about whether others will approve of my choices and focusing on where I believe I’m being led. It’s also meant being willing to risk making mistakes and recognizing that my job is to do my best, not to ensure success. 

Aria: I’d probably allow my own light to shine more, if that makes sense. I gain a deep sense of joy from helping others to live more freely and confidently. However, I tend to hold back and shift the focus of attention from myself to others. At the base of these habits are fears of being judged, losing humility, and being seen as different or as an ‘outsider.’ To borrow a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that features in “A Mindful Year:” “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico –– The 1985–1991 policies of perestroika and glasnost marked a new age of openness and transparency in the USSR, leading to an increased mutual curiosity between ordinary Americans and Russians. Beginning with his first trip behind the Iron Curtain, Frank Thoms sought to engage in empathic conversations with everyone he met. Yet he understood he would be inside one of the most inaccessible countries on the planet. In the classroom, he forged close relationships with his students and colleagues. On the streets and in flats, he opened his heart to Russians, and they opened theirs to him.

Thoms went to the Soviet Union seeking to find common ground with its citizens — not to judge but to learn, not to bring America to them, but to be an American with them. As a result, he gained the trust and confidence of the people he befriended — and discovered much about himself.

Behind the Red Veil: An American inside Gorbachev’s Russia (SparkPress, Sept. 15, 2020) recounts Thoms’s quest to understand Russian culture through the eyes of its people. He spent his first twenty-five years as a teacher in New England pursuing an understanding of Marxism, Russian history, and Soviet Communism. He ventured to the USSR for the first time in October 1985 — Mikhail Gorbachev’s first year as general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Over the course of six additional trips, Thoms was twice selected as a US–Soviet exchange teacher of English in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). And twice on his own, he taught English in Moscow and Alma-Ata (Almaty), Kazakhstan. In 1994, in the aftermath of Gorbachev’s resignation, he took his final journey to the new Russia.

Praise for the author…

“An insightful perspective of an American educator’s experience within the Soviet education system. Thoms manages to write his story with warmth and wisdom. A delightful read.”
–Pavel Kozhevnikov, Lecturer, Russian Language and Cultures, University of Colorado

“Frank Thoms’s Behind the Red Veil is not only a souvenir from the USSR but also to a great extent an insight into what Russian schools feel deep inside. When Frank appeared at my school, he did not feel, look, or smell like a teacher. His teaching and learning was the Klondike of new experience, both for him and me.”
–Mikhail Baushev, former teacher at School Nº185

“Behind the Red Veil: An American inside Gorbachev’s Russia”
Frank Thoms | September 15, 2020 | SparkPress | Memoir
Paperback | ISBN: 978-1684630554 | $16.95

About The Author

FRANK THOMS: After forty years as a teacher and twelve as a consultant and keynote speaker, Frank Thoms became a writer, publishing four books: Teaching from the Middle of the Room: Inviting Students to Learn with Stetson Press, (2010), and three books with Rowman & Littlefield, Teaching That Matters: Engaging Minds, Improving Schools (2015); Exciting Classrooms: Practical Information to Ensure Student Success (2015); and Listening is Learning: Conversations between 20th and 21st Century Teachers (2019). He spent the majority of his teaching career with eighth graders in public and private schools in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He coached soccer and hockey, directed an educational consortium, had his own darkroom, wrote op-eds, led bike tours, rebuilt his VW engine, played volleyball and softball, and served as an educational consultant. For the past nine years, he has lived with his wife in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he continues to write, joined a philosophy group, mentors university students, and is a member of a book group. He is also on the faculty of the San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival and serves as its Ambassador-at-Large.

In an interview, Frank Thoms can discuss:

• What Gorbachev’s policies meant for Americans who wanted to learn about the “culture of the enemy”
• His experiences as a teacher living and working in the USSR
• Why he sought common ground with his students and colleagues, as opposed to trying to Americanize them
• What major obstacles impeded his efforts to understand Russians and their culture
• What surprised him the most about life in the USSR
• What his friends, colleagues, and students ultimately taught him both about Russia and himself

An Interview with Frank Thoms

You have spent decades as an educator and have written multiple books on pedagogy. Your latest book, a memoir on teaching in Gorbachev’s Russia, has a clear appeal to fellow educators, but it also benefits the general reader. What message do you hope these readers take away from this book?

Russians are people who live with the hopes and dreams of all of us. Throughout the book, readers will feel the yearnings of my Russian friends’ wanting to come out from under the ubiquitous cloak of the Communist system and to be able to have choices in their lives. And they wanted to be listened to.

What did you learn about Russian culture during the time you spent living and working in the USSR?

Russians are kind, combative; generous, unpredictable; hopeful, depressed; loving, fearful; honest, deceptive; open, secretive. By invoking the matryoshka metaphor––Russian nesting dolls––I searched for the inner layers of Russian life behind the red veil. In the public sphere, they would focus on doing the bidding of those in authority. But in their flats––cocoons behind the red veil––people lived away from the Soviet veneer, the drab of daily life. We submerged into the moment, shared common understandings, and cultivated a mutual trust.

What did you learn about yourself during that time?

That my insatiable curiosity took me to places I probably should not have gone. That when being myself it endeared me to my students but could cause anxiety among my colleagues. That I could be me without pretense, which kept me from succumbing to others’ expectations. That when choosing to listen it provided me opportunities for growth and self-understanding. Like when I listened to Kazakh sixteen-year-olds share their thoughts about reincarnation.

When you returned to Russia in 1994 following the dissolution of the USSR, what had changed?

Except for upgraded hotels, new Finnish Intourist busses, Western billboards, and numerous foreign cars, I came back to a familiar country. It had the same shortages in shops, its tired busses, dirty back streets, people in drab colors, bábushkas in headscarves, and frustrated citizens with the profusion of old bureaucracies. As the Soviet Union had imported the old Russia, the new Russia was perpetuating former Soviet times.

How did your experiences in Russia shape your ideas regarding transcultural communications?

Be yourself. Come ready to blend with those with whom you meet. Be with them on their terms. When things don’t work out, stay within, wait, and let matters happen as they happen. As a foreigner, you are not in charge, not for one moment!

Do you have any advice for Americans who are trying to learn from other cultures in this current climate, in 2020?

In this time, people are longing for other lands, to travel to unknowns. Having to stay home, however, gives us time to venture virtually. The best way, in this author’s opinion, is reading good books––to escape, if you will, to other worlds, to other peoples. A book allows us to absorb other cultures, build visions inside our heads, collect emotions in our hearts at our own time and pace––and to set sights for traveling when time allows.

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/