January 2015

Your Guide to Self-Publishing 2015: The Year Ahead Book Fairs & Writing Conferences in 2015 78 New Titles Listed Indie Reviews Roundup SELFPUBLISHING PREVIEW A Look Ahead to Self-Publishing in 2015 Industry insiders predict an increase in diversity, serialization, and hybrid publishing

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elf-publishing saw another saturation. For this successful year in 2014, year’s preview, we with authors like Deborah talked to a number of Bladon and Jen McLaughlin industry insiders hitting the New York Times about the current Sbestseller lists, fanfic authors like Sophie state of self-publish- Jackson receiving six-figure advances, ing, the trends they’ve and many millions of titles being pub- noticed over the past lished across the industry’s numerous year, and the current platforms. The view of self-publishing as challenges facing in- an outlet of last resort for desperate au- die authors in an in- thors is also changing—the negative creasingly crowded stigma that’s long been associated with market, along with the industry is being discarded for a more some of their predic- progressive outlook, along with the ac- tions for 2015. knowledgement that self-publishing and As an example of traditional publishing can coexist and continued industry Dan Dillon even benefit one another. And self-pub- growth, Ashleigh lishing platforms are increasingly serv- Gardner, head of content at Wattpad, ing kits for kids. ing as a kind of testing ground for tradi- noted that in 2014 the social publishing Across all segments of self-publish- tional publishers, which are snapping up site gained millions of users who shared ing, there were signs of continued successful indie authors and offering 15 million works of fan fiction alone— growth and innovation—from Crayola them, in some cases, million-dollar ad- resulting in breakout publishing stars to fanfic to hybrid publishing to the rise vances. Further, some traditionally like Anna Todd, whose One Direc- of serialization, we break it all down for published authors are tion fanfic, After, got her you here. becoming more open a four-book deal with to exploring self- Gallery Books at Si- The Rise of the publishing as a sup- mon & Schuster. “Authorpreneur” plement to or as a Established self- As more and more authors go it alone, replacement for their publishing sites like they are increasingly treating their self- traditional publishing Lulu also saw growth publishing ventures as businesses. This careers. over the past year, ac- means realizing that their publishing ef- A year ago, we predicted cording to the company’s v-p of market- forts must be part of a broader business that the self-publishing industry would ing, Dan Dillon, as a result of new initia- model that takes into account everything mature in 2014, with writers taking tives like Lulu Jr.—a brand enabling from branding to media outreach to edi- ownership of their role as both authors children to become published authors. In torial collaboration—which is an impor- and business owners. As 2015 begins, we addition to Lulu Jr., the company an- tant development, according to Beat once again anticipate a year of growth, nounced a partnership with Crayola to Barblan, director of identifier services at despite some concerns about market develop a line of co-branded book-mak- Bowker.

36 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELFPUBLISHING PREVIEW

“There has been a realization over the indie authors is echoed by Smashwords stuck to it for years,” ex- last year, I would say, that, in order to founder Mark Coker: “Now more than plains Sally Dedecker, an be successful, self-publishers must ever, indies must focus on their long- industry consultant and see themselves as business owners and term game plan. Avoid the temptation of education director at BEA. “I hear from recognize that writing the content is making short-term decisions that harm traditional authors who are exploring only the first of many steps,” says Bar- your long-term opportunities. Under- the [self-]publishing option, and look- blan. While he notes that “content stand that as an indie author you are an ing for a game plan to shift to hybrid or is still king,” he points out that even essential participant in the publishing leap right into [self-]publishing.” As an good content will have trouble finding community.” example, she notes that at uPublishU at an audience if authors aren’t publishing Many others in the industry also say BEA in 2014, a number of attendees professionally—paying attention to the that indie authors will need to pay were traditional authors who wanted to services a traditional publisher offers increasing attention to professionalism. explore their options and investigate the like editing, marketing, e-book conver- Barblan predicts that readers will benefits of various publishing platforms sion, and cover design. “Authors have increasingly expect self-published books and learn more about rights and market- realized that when choosing to self-pub- to be indistinguishable from those that ing. lish they are not eliminating the role are traditionally published. “From the Barblan agrees that 2015 will be a of the publisher: rather, they choose to value of the content to the type of paper year of growth for hybrids. “I think we assume the publisher’s responsibilities.” used to print physical books or the care will see an increase in hybrid publishers, This means that indie authors are doing taken in their conversion to e-books, choosing to publish both ways: via more work than their traditionally pub- books should be of equal quality regard- traditional publishers as well as on their lished counterparts, but are perhaps less of how they get published,” says Bar- own depending on type of content and more empowered as a result—taking blan. “The reader wants good, well-pre- market,” he says. As authors learn more ownership of their titles and working to sented content that is readily available at about their publishing options, whether expand their business. a reasonable cost.” via a panel at BEA or from networking Dillon at Lulu agrees. “It’s been very with other writers and readers, and are fulfilling to see the concept of the The Hybrid able to choose exactly how to publish ‘authorpreneur’ take hold in 2014,” he As self-publishing has become more es- individual titles depending on their says. As an example, Dillon points to the tablished, it appears to also have become needs, it seems clear that hybrid pub- portion of Lulu authors who are utilizing a viable option for traditionally pub- lishing will continue to attract new fans the free tools offered by lished authors, who have in the coming year. the site to communicate tended to shy away from it directly with their read- in the past. For instance, Serialization ers, which in turn builds self-publishing allowed and Fan Fiction loyalty and drives sales. New York Times bestselling Authors have also taken note of the op- “The one thing our au- author Eileen Goudge to portunities offered by serialization. By thors did supremely release Bones and Roses in releasing their work a chapter at a time, well in 2014 is they got 2014 after she failed to authors can keep readers hooked while to know their readers, to find a publisher for the incorporating feedback from their fans as understand who they novel. Smashword’s Coker they go—a format that’s been successful are, and to deliver an predicts that we’ll see more for a number of indie authors this year. ever increasing amount traditionally published au- This publishing model also allows for of high quality content Beat Barblan thors going this route—es- increased author revenue—publishing to them,” something pecially midlist authors, 30 chapters priced at 99¢ lets authors Dillon says is the hallmark of a maturing who tend to get less attention from their potentially enjoy 30 times the revenue and thriving marketplace. “As 2015 gets publishers than frontlist authors and may compared to a single title at the same under way, we expect to serve even great- be looking for a change. In addition, the price point. er numbers of authors who consider flexibility offered by hybrid publishing “Serialization is here to stay,” predicts themselves the CEO of their book busi- means that authors with out-of-print Wattpad’s Gardner, pointing to the more ness.” He also notes that, as business backlists can regain the rights and pub- than 14 million stories shared serially on owners, authors are working to develop lish the titles themselves, perhaps open- the site in 2014. “With so many writers customer loyalty in order to “keep their ing up their work to a new generation. sharing stories chapter by chapter, read- customers for life.” “Clearly, [self-]publishing has not ing is becoming episodic. The reality is The need for a long-term outlook by only matured, it has lost the stigma that people still love to read, but prefer to do

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it in short bursts, often survey from the year before, which saw reach new audiences can put themselves on the go.” (In fact, au- free books downloaded 91 times more in the driver’s seat.” thors are writing on the often. “So many authors are using free go as well—more than 20 billion words promotions and perma-free that free Challenges for 2015 were published on Wattpad’s iOS and books face increased competition,” he While noting the increasing challenge Android mobile platforms in 2014.) says. of discoverability, our industry experts Gardner also notes that fan fiction Nevertheless, Dillon is confident that are mostly in agreement that 2015 will continues to be the fastest growing there is still an appetite for new books, continue to be an exciting year for self- category on Wattpad, covering publishing. everything from “celebrities to “Best practices for book pub- YouTubers to apps and classic lishing, working to better un- novels.” Gardner says she ex- derstand issues around discov- pects to see “more real person ery— fan fiction and stories about including metadata—and ex- breaking news in the coming perimenting with new ways to year.” Also, while genre fiction monetize their content should remains strong, she’s seeing a be high on the ‘to do’ list,” change in subject matter— advises Dedecker. Dillon pre- “sexy cowboys” are giving way dicts the continued resiliency to sexy MMA fighters in the of the print format across vari- romance genre, and jinns are ous segments of the market, taking over from vampires as while also noting that reader common protagonists in the Ashleigh Gardner data will become an important fantasy realm. focus for brands, authors, and marketers in the coming year. Man- Thoughts on Market cher believes that 2015 will con- Saturation tinue to see traditional publishers With an increasing number of indie “mine indie authors to find the next titles being self-published every year, and that those books all have the poten- big thing.” Coker predicts a drop in au- authors face the constant challenge of tial to find an audience. “The magic of thor revenue from e-books sold in Eu- discoverability—getting their titles no- the book business is that for every book, rope as the result of an increased value- ticed in a sea of seemingly endless op- there are n number of customers,” he added tax (VAT) that took effect Janu- tions. “There’s a glut of high-quality, notes. “Readers are perpetually buying ary 1, something he says will make e- low-cost books out there,” Coker says, new content, and no one book addresses books “less competitive to print books adding that one reason for this is the their every need or desire.” Dillon also and other nonbook options for leisure, “immortal” e-books from both indie says that, unlike practical items like entertainment, and knowledge.” and traditional authors that will never washing machines, snowblowers, or tab- Finally, there’s the view that self- go out of print. More importantly, he lets, readers can always use another book. publishing can continue to act as a cor- notes, traditional publishers are begin- Diane Mancher, founder of One Potata rective to the traditional publishing ning to heavily discount their e-books Productions and cofounder of the Self- industry, which is often seen as lacking and offer some content for free in an at- Publishing Book Expo agrees, pointing in diversity and minority voices. tempt to capitalize on the success that out that she doesn’t believe there can ever “There’s been a lot of talk about the many indie authors have seen with this be too much content available. “That to need for diversity in books lately,” notes strategy. This means even more good me would be like suggesting there is too Gardner. “On Wattpad, we see a true content is available at a very low (or much music to listen to or too much art range of storytelling. You can find nonexistent) price point. to appreciate.” stories you wouldn’t be able to find Coker offers the statistics to back this “I think that the publishing industry anywhere else that cover emerging or point up, noting that a 2014 Smash- has always been faced with too many underrepresented genres like urban words survey found that free e-books at books, so little time to read,” adds fiction, fan fiction, and LGBT stories.” Apple’s iBooks store were downloaded Dedecker. “That said, authors who em- Gardner says she’s hoping that 2015 of- 39 times more frequently than books brace best practices in publishing, have fers more recognition for authors and that cost money—a figure that sounds a solid focused plan to engage readers, books that represent “different cultures, encouraging until it’s compared with the and are testing new opportunities to experiences, and viewpoints.”

38 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 BOOK FAIRS & CONFERENCES 2015 Hitting the Road in 2015 Any indie author serious about selling books must understand the importance of market- ing—and that includes attending book fairs, literary festivals, and writers’ conferences. At these events, authors can meet fans, network, make personal connections, and market their work to wider audiences. What follows is a selective list of some of the relevant conferences and fairs happening around the world in 2015. Conferences and shows with a focus on self- publishing have been marked with an asterisk.

JANUARY Wizard World New Orleans Minsk International Book Vilnius Book Fair Comic Con Trade Fair WHERE: Vilnius, Lithuania WHERE: New Orleans WHERE: Minsk, Belarus WHEN: Feb. 19–22 WHEN: Jan. 9–11 WHEN: Feb. 11–15 vilniausknygumuge.lt/lt wizardworld.com/home-neworleans.html Taipei International Book Brussels Book Fair *Digital Book World Conference Exhibition WHERE: Brussels & Expo WHERE: Taipei, Taiwan WHEN: Feb. 26-Mar. 2 WHERE: New York WHEN: Feb. 11–16 flb.be WHEN: Jan. 13–15 chinaexhibition.com/Official_Site/21- conference.digitalbookworld.com 516-Taipei_Book_Fair_Foundation_ *SleuthFest (TBFF).html WHERE: Deerfield Beach, Fla. Wizard World Portland Comic Con WHEN: Feb. 26–Mar. 1 WHERE: Portland, Ore. *The Annual Genre-LA Writers sleuthfest.com WHEN: Jan. 23–25 Conference wizardworld.com/portland.html WHERE: Van Nuys, Calif. *London Author Fair WHEN: TBD WHERE: London International Cairo Book Fair wcwriters.com/genrela/index.html WHEN: TBD WHERE: Cairo londonauthorfair.com WHEN: Jan. 28–Feb. 12 San Miguel Writers Conference cairobookfair.org WHERE: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico MARCH WHEN: Feb. 11–15 Dublin Book Festival Angoulême International Comics sanmiguelwritersconference.org Festival WHERE: Dublin WHERE: Angoulême, France *San Francisco Writers Conference WHEN: TBD WHEN: Jan. 29–Feb. 1 WHERE: San Francisco dublinbookfestival.com bdangouleme.com WHEN: Feb. 12–15 sfwriters.org *EPICon *ALA Midwinter Meeting WHERE: San Antonio, Tex. WHERE: Chicago Feria Internacional del Libro WHEN: Mar. 12–14 WHEN: Jan. 30–Feb. 3 La Habana epicorg.com/epicon.html alamw15.ala.org WHERE: Havana WHEN: Feb. 12–22 Leipzig Book Fair FEBRUARY feriadellibro.cubaliteraria.cu WHERE: Leipzig, Germany *Indie Author Conference WHEN: Mar. 12–15 & Pitchapalooza New Delhi World Book Fair leipziger-buchmesse.de WHERE: New Delhi WHERE: Phoenix, Ariz. WHEN: Feb. 14–22 *South by Southwest WHEN: TBD changinghands.com/ newdelhiworldbookfair.gov.in WHERE: Austin, Tex. indieauthorconference2014 WHEN: Mar. 13–22 sxsw.com

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*Unicorn Writers Bogota International Book Fair Idaho Writers & Readers Conference WHERE: Bogota, Colombia Rendezvous WHERE: Purchase, N.Y. WHEN: Apr. 22–May 4 WHERE: Boise, Idaho WHEN: Mar. 14 feriadellibro.com WHEN: May 14–16 unicornwritersconference.com/home.html idahowritersguild.com/rendezvous Budapest International Paris Book Fair (Salon du Livre) Book Festival Prague International Book Fair WHERE: Paris WHERE: Budapest, Hungary and Literary Festival Book World WHEN: Mar. 20–23 WHEN: Apr. 23–26 WHERE: Prague, Czech Republic salondulivreparis.com konyvfesztival.com WHEN: May 14–17 svetknihy.cz/en/menu/ *PubSense Summit Buenos Aires International Book WHERE: Charleston, S.C. Fair Warsaw International Book Fair WHEN: Mar. 22–24 WHERE: Buenos Aires, Argentina WHERE: Warsaw, Poland pubsensesummit.com WHEN: Apr. 23–May 11 WHEN: May 14–17 targi-ksiazki.waw.pl/en Bangkok International Book Fair el-libro.org.ar WHERE: Bangkok *2014 Redwood Writers Conference St. Petersburg International Book Salon WHEN: Mar. 27–Apr. 6 WHERE: Santa Rosa, Calif. WHERE: St. Petersburg, Russia pubat.or.th/index/topic/8eaa241d4d9d WHEN: TBD WHEN: May 21–24 d05b61f9093d67393b6d redwoodwriters.org/conference-2 spbbooksalon.ru Bologna Children’s Book Fair Geneva International Book and *BookExpo America (BEA) WHERE: Bologna, Italy Press Fair WHERE: New York WHEN: Mar. 30–Apr. 2 WHEN: May 27–May 29 WHERE: Geneva, Switzerland bookfair.bolognafiere.it/home/878.html WHEN: Apr. 29–May 3 bookexpoamerica.com APRIL salondulivre.ch/en *BookCon *Norwescon WHERE: New York M AY WHEN: May 30–31 WHERE: SeaTac, Wash. *Nonfiction Writers Conference WHEN: Apr. 2–5 thebookcon.com WHERE: Online norwescon.org WHEN: May 6–8 *uPublishU at BEA WonderCon Anaheim nonfictionwritersconference.com/ WHERE: New York WHERE: Anaheim, Calif. 2015-nonfiction-writers-conference WHEN: May 30 WHEN: Apr. 3–5 bookexpoamerica.com/BEA-Conferences/ Abu Dhabi International Book Fair comic-con.org/wca DIY-Authors-Conference/#page=page-1 WHERE: Abu Dhabi, United Arab *Association of Writers and Emirates JUNE Writing Programs (AWP) WHEN: May 7–13 *The Santa Barbara Writers Conference WHERE: Minneapolis adbookfair.com WHERE: Santa Barbara, Calif. WHEN: Apr. 8–11 WHEN: June 7–12 Thessaloniki Book Fair awpwriter.org/awp_conference sbwriters.com WHERE: Thessaloniki, Greece Québec International Book Fair WHEN: May 7–10 Cape Town Book Fair WHERE: Québec City, Canada thessalonikibookfair.com/2015/en/ WHERE: Cape Town, South Africa WHEN: Apr. 8–12 index.html WHEN: June 19–21 silq.ca capetownbookfair.co.za *The Self-Publishing Conference *London Book Fair WHERE: Leicester, England Seoul International Book Fair WHERE: London WHEN: May 9 WHERE: Seoul, South Korea WHEN: Apr. 14–16 selfpublishingconference.org.uk WHEN: TBD londonbookfair.co.uk sibf.or.kr Turin International Book Fair *IndieReCon WHERE: Turin, Italy Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con WHERE: Online WHEN: May 14–18 WHERE: Sacramento, Calif. WHEN: Apr. 16–18 salonelibro.it WHEN: June 19–21 indierecon.org wizardworld.com/sacramento.html

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*ALA Annual Conference *Kentucky Women Writers Conference Helsinki Book Fair WHERE: San Francisco WHERE: Lexington, Ky. WHERE: Helsinki, WHEN: June 25–30 WHEN: Sept. 11–12 Finland alaac15.ala.org womenwriters.as.uky.edu WHEN: Oct. 22–25 messukeskus.com/Sites3/Kirjamessut/ *RomCon *The Writers’ League of Texas 2013 en/Pages/default.aspx Agents & Editors Conference WHERE: Denver, Colo. WHERE: Austin, Tex. WHEN: Sept. 23–27 Belgrade Book Fair WHEN: June 26–28 romcon.com/about-reader-weekend WHERE: Belgrade, Serbia writersleague.org/38/Conference Moscow International Book Fair WHEN: Oct. 25–Nov. 1 WHERE: Moscow beogradskisajamknjiga.com/active/en/ JULY WHEN: Sept. 2–6 home.html Tokyo International Book Fair moscowbookfair.ru WHERE: Tokyo NOVEMBER WHEN: July 1–4 Göteborg Book Fair Sharjah World Book Fair bookfair.jp/en WHERE: Göteborg, Sweden WHERE: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates WHEN: Sept. 24–27 WHEN: Nov. 4–14 *ThrillerFest X bokmassan.se/en sharjahbookfair.com/ WHERE: New York WHEN: July 7–11 *Chicago Writers Conference *Self-Publishing Book Expo thrillerfest.com WHERE: Chicago, Ill. WHERE: New York WHEN: TBD WHEN: TBD *Comic-Con International chicagowritersconference.org selfpubbookexpo.com/show-info WHERE: San Diego, Calif. WHEN: July 9–12 OCTOBER Istanbul Book Fair comic-con.org/cci Liber International Book Fair WHERE: Istanbul, Turkey WHERE: Barcelona, Spain WHEN: Nov. 7–15 Hong Kong Book Fair WHEN: TBD istanbulbookfair.com WHERE: Hong Kong salonliber.es/eng/index.html WHEN: July 15–21 Montreal Book Fair hkbookfair.hktdc.com/tc/index.aspx Alternative Press Expo WHERE: Montreal, Canada WHERE: San Francisco WHEN: TBD *Writer’s Digest Conference WHEN: TBD salondulivredemontreal.com WHERE: New York comic-con.org/ape WHEN: July 31–Aug. 2 International Fair of Intellectual writersdigestconference.com/ehome/ New Atlantic Independent Book- Literature Non/Fiction index.php?eventid=61986& sellers Association Fall Conference WHERE: Moscow WHERE: Somerset, N.J. WHEN: Nov. 25–29 AUGUST WHEN: Oct. 2-4 moscowbookfair.ru Travel Writers & Photographers newatlanticbooks.site-ym.com/ Conference ?page=fallconference Guadalajara International Book Fair WHERE: Corte Madera, Calif. WHERE: Guadalajara, Mexico WHEN: Aug. 13–16 *New York Comic Con WHEN: Nov. 28–Dec. 6 bookpassage.com/travel-writers-pho- WHERE: New York fil.com.mx tographers-conference WHEN: Oct. 8–11 newyorkcomiccon.com Basel Book Fair Beijing International Book Fair *Frankfurt Book Fair WHERE: Basel, Switzerland WHERE: Beijing, China WHEN: TBD WHEN: Aug. 26–30 WHERE: Frankfurt, Germany buchbasel.ch bibf.net/websiteen/home/default.aspx WHEN: Oct. 14–18 book-fair.com/en * These events are of special SEPTEMBER Gourmand International World interest to indie authors due to Cookbook Fair DragonCon specific programming and/or WHERE: Atlanta, Ga. WHERE: Frankfurt, Germany (In con- WHEN: Sept. 4–7 junction with Frankfurt Book Fair) the presence of relevant dragoncon.org/index.php WHEN: Oct. 14–18 vendors. cookbookfair.com

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 41 BOOKWORKS COLUMN Self-Publishing Predictions for 2015 B B K S

verybody knows that self-publishing has ex- ● About 70 million people in the U.S. have tablets. Roughly, ploded. In fact, an analysis by ProQuest affiliate one-third of these people use their tablet for reading, and Bowker from last fall reveals that the number of they’re the source of 42% of e-book purchases. self-published titles in 2013 was up 437% over ● Around 175 million people in the U.S. own cellphones. About 2008. Not only that, but a small but growing 12% of them (that’s 21 million people) read books on their number of indie authors have been making incomes in the devices. They account for about 7% of e-book purchases. E ● Sales of dedicated e-readers are on the decline, but about high six figures—and sometimes more. But what now? Is the bubble about to burst or will self-published authors continue 50 million people in the U.S. have them, and e-readers are to thrive? still the source of one-third of e-book purchases. Bestselling writer Hugh Howey, author of the Wool and The lesson here for indie authors is pretty clear: if mobile isn’t the Silo series, believes 2015 will be a quiet year in self- already an important part of your strategy, you need to revisit publishing when compared with 2014. “I predict e-book your strategy. penetration will continue to grow,” he told GalleyCat in On his website, author and blogger Russell Blake predicts December. “Publishers seem to have embraced what digital that subscription services, such as Oyster, Scribd, and Amazon’s does for their bottom line.” Additionally, Howey told GalleyCat Kindle Unlimited, will make it harder for indie authors to sell he feels the future of Barnes & Noble will become clearer in their books in 2015. (The New York Times also covered indie 2015 and that Google and Apple will win market share from authors’ displeasure with Kindle Unlimited.) Blake also under- Amazon. scores the importance of building your brand and says “exclusivity Joel Friedlander, the publishing guru who runs the blog the to any vendor will continue to cost authors more that it earns Book Designer, believes that self-publishing will continue to them over the mid-to-long run,” and he suggests that “diversi- grow, and he says there are two trends for indie authors to watch fication across all vendors will continue to be important for and take advantage of in 2015. The first is collaboration. “This smart publishers, indie especially.” is already starting to happen with authors cooperating on pub- And what do all these advances in technology mean for indie lishing and marketing tasks, even forming new, small presses authors? According to an article by technology journalist Jeff to better distribute their work,” he says. “By pooling their Bertolucci in Information Week, almost anyone can be a data energy and knowledge, indie authors can publish more, better, scientist. Lukas Biewald, CEO and cofounder of CrowdFlower, and faster.” a data mining and crowdsourcing service, says, “As data The second trend, according to Friedlander, is the maturing becomes more accessible and analytic tools become easier to use of online bookselling and marketing. “We are seeing and will and readily available, data science won’t be limited to those in continue to see new services, new products, and new ways to the technology sector. In 2015, anyone with the right tools can connect with readers that leverage the broad acceptance of mo- draw powerful insights from data.” bile platforms,” he points out. “Tech-savvy publishers will find Perhaps most interesting of all is what McIlroy says in his the Holy Grail of book marketing when they learn to combine aforementioned report about self-publishing and the publishing the power of social interaction with the intimacy of mobile industry at large: “Self-publishing represents a creative disrup- computing.” tion within the publishing industry. As such, it’s to be Speaking of mobile computing, it’s interesting to note that embraced. These self-published authors may have much to teach publishing analyst Thad McIlroy’s “11 Topmost Digital Book the entire publishing industry; each experiment is an idea that Publishing Trends & Opportunities” report cites data from the a ‘traditional’ publishing house might adopt.” ■ Pew Research Center and Nielsen Book Research indicating the following: Betty Kelly Sargent is the founder and CEO of BookWorks.

42 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELFPUBLISHED LISTINGS New Titles from Self-Publishers Booksellers, publishers, and agents are encouraged to take a look at the listings of 78 self-published books below. Some of these authors are waiting to be dis- covered; others have a track record and a following and are doing it on their own.

FICTION 0-99071032-5 e-book, ASIN B00OY8WU98; BN ID Anchor’s Aweigh: Amazon; iBooks; BN.com; 2940046224177 Voyage to What I Chose to Become Kobo; Smashwords Amazon; BN.com; Smashwords Albert Schriber. iUniverse. $10.95 paper Conspiracies throughout A man who appears hopelessly lost dis- (122p), ISBN 978-1-4917-5089-6; the 2037 Second covers that the way back is religious devo- $3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-4917-5090-2 Constitutional Convention tion to golf. Amazon; BN.com; iUniverse and the new constitution’s In 1968, during the Vietnam era, Joseph most perilous application in 2059 threaten Days of Amber is concerned he will be selected in the draft the president’s job, her life, and the new Alex Chu. McNally lottery. He left home at 15 to escape a trou- peoplecentric government. Jackson Books. $20 paper bled family life and (150p), ISBN 978-1- dropped out of high school. Bury Me Behind the Baseboard 941969-01-4 He decides to join the Navy Pavel Sanaev, trans. by Konstantin Amazon; McNally Jackson to make a better life for Gurevich and Helen Anderson. The aloof employees of himself, but his first expe- CreateSpace. $15 paper software company Amber & Associates get riences in boot camp are (159p), a harsh wake-up call when a hacker breaches unpleasant reminders of his ISBN 978-1-4992- their system. abusive past. Later, during a decade of 2786-4; $5 e-book, ASIN adventures in the Navy, Joseph becomes B00K1MNA2M Eureka Man: A Novel aware that his journey will be filled with Amazon; BN.com Patrick Middleton. CreateSpace. $11.50 new discoveries and loaded with life An autobiographical paper (270p), ISBN 978-1-4942-2420-2; choices. story about family, love, madness, violence, $3.99 e-book, ASIN B00PJF1UZK; BN and trauma told from the viewpoint of an ID 2940046126341 Armor of Glass: A Novel eight-year-old boy. A bestseller in Russia Amazon; Smashwords; R.M.A. Spears. AuthorHouse. $19.95 and the basis of a play and movie, it is a BN.com paper (258p), ISBN 978-1-4918-9966-3; portrait of a generation, unveiling the mad- Young Oliver Priddy is $3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-4918-9968-7 ness of family structures familiar to every- sentenced to a life sentence Amazon; BN.com; IndieBound body. The novel won the first place in the without parole in a peniten- A Marine battles his informal readers’ poll, 25 Books That tiary. Within this violent environment he memories, his loves, and his Inspired the World (1989–2014), featured needs to transform his seemingly hopeless life as he continues to search in the November 2014 issue of World situation through higher education oppor- for the woman he lost four Literature Today. tunities. times, despite attending her funeral. Church of Golf: A Novel Eve: In the Beginning About Second Chances H.B. Moore. Mirror Press. $3.99 e-book, The Blue Folio Spencer Stephens. Saint ISBN 978-1-941145-39-5 Matt McMahon. Black Ostrich Press. Pete Press. $14.25 paper Amazon; BN.com; Kobo; iTunes; Scribd; $15.99 paper (226p), ISBN 978-0- (372p), ISBN 978-0- Page Foundry 9907103-0-1; $5.99 e-book, ISBN 978- 9908437-0-2; $4.25 The first love story on earth. In a world

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44 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELFPUBLISHED LISTINGS in New York and find true love without Amazon ISBN 978-0-9906584-0-5; disappointing her family? A child’s cry for help. A $3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-0- long extinct rose. A noto- 9906584-2-9 Your Smallest Bones rious crime from the dis- Amazon; BN.com; Kobo; iTunes; Sean Taylor. Seventh Tangent. $8.99 tant past. The redoubtable Smashwords paper (175p), ISBN 978-0-578-15298-1; British botanist and sleuth The police have too $3.99 e-book, ASIN B00PX80FCW Lawrence Kingston has many suspects and too Amazon; BN.com never before faced a mystery quite this chal- many soft alibis. Leah A collection of 12 sto- lenging—or this deadly. By the author of loves a good mystery. Can ries: Stories you can hear in The Blue Rose and other English Garden she find the killer before the walls of the San mysteries. the police charge her with Francisco apartments with murder? the highest turnover rates. Arena of God: Stories about all the beau- The Gideon Jones Chronicles Death of a Diva: tiful people you will never Brian M. Oldham. A Coastal Town Press. From Berlin to Broadway know, doing extraordinary things. They are $15.95 paper (354p), Brigitte Goldstein. Pierredor Books. helping an ex-lover push a grand piano ISBN 978-0-9916174-8-7 $14.99 paper (278p), onto a frozen lake. Letting their hands press Amazon; BN.com; Ingram ISBN 978-0-692-24666-5; $4.99 on thought-lost braille letters. Listening to Gideon Jones is con- e-book, ASIN B00O3GWB3G the pliant science of perfect bones, and fronted with a dangerous Amazon; BN.com binding mattresses like books to get some divorce and then a double Stella Berger, former darling of stage and sleep. kidnapping. He turns to cinema in Weimar Germany and an out- his friends for help and spoken critic of the Nazi regime, is found POETRY finds a powerful source of strangled in her dressing room during a City Times and Other Poems help from outside his triumphal run on Broadway in 1941. Vihang Naik. AuthorHouse. $13.66 coastal town. Assisting in the police paper (80p), ISBN 978-1-4918-9713-3; search for the killer is a $3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-4918-9714-0 Dark Seed: young Jewish refugee, who Amazon; BN.com; Google Play No One Knows What Evil Grows traces Stella’s life from its Naik throws light on the life of a city in Lawrence Verigin. Promontory Press. humble beginnings in a all its shades, glory, and misery in these $17.99 paper (298p), Viennese Jewish ghetto to philosophical poems. The poems are ISBN 978-1-927559-17-8; $7.99 Stella’s rise to interna- divided in six sections: one is an inner trav- e-book, ISBN 978-1-927559-18-5 tional fame. Could a closely guarded secret elogue; another is about the Amazon; BN.com in Stella’s past imperil her public image yet other chimeras in the city; A disillusioned journalist and the also provide the clue to solving the crime? a third is about the begin- grieving daughter of a murdered scientist From the coffeehouse culture of pre-WWI ning of meditation and uncover an immoral and Vienna to the cabaret milieu of 1920s knowledge; one records the destructive global plot by Berlin to wartime New York, the novel poet’s sense of futility, the largest developer of takes the reader on a cultural whirlwind memory, pain, exile, and genetically engineered tour as the characters flee across the conti- alienation at the shore of life. In the last seed and its parent phar- nent to escape Nazi persecution. section, the city is unfolded as a market- maceutical conglomerate. place, as a heaven for underdogs, and as a Nick Barnes and Morgan Exam Room Confidential: seedbed of change, and is observed at eve- Elles learn that the goal of the man behind The Wellborne Files ning, at midnight, by moonlight, and the organizations is complete control of Louis Siegel. CreateSpace. through fog and haze. human existence. The couple quickly find $12.99 paper (256p), themselves fighting for their lives in this ISBN 978-1-4954- MYSTERY/THRILLER high-concept thriller that tackles one of the 6068-5; $6.99 e-book, The Alcatraz Rose big issues of our time. ASIN B00QQYEHOY Anthony Eglin. Larkspur House. $15.95 Amazon; BN.com paper (229p), ISBN 978-1-5027-0703-1; Dead in a Dumpster: A shocking look at medicine’s under- $8.99 e-book, Leah Norwood Mystery #1 belly and the medical and social pathology ASIN B00PSOWKAG B.L. Blair. B.L. Blair. $8.99 paper (210p), one doctor confronts. A cautionary tale

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about the trust and respect 1-4969-2874-0; $3.99 e-book, ISBN events, human genetic engineering, and placed in doctors. 978-1-4969-2876-4 end-times Scripture. With a touch of the Amazon; BN.com; Google Play occult and the paranormal, it weaves a tale Get Out of Town: An archeologist finds a box that is way around Biblical prophecy concerning Israel The First Tyler Knight too old for where he is digging in Maine; and astronomical signs to occur in 2017 Mystery documents that could change history are with writing that’s free of foul language. Laurie Banton. Pebble Bay inside. A strange map and several murders Publishers. $4.99 e-book, are involved. The Wolf Hunter ISBN 978-1-59585- Mark Giles. Noir West. $16.99 paper 530-5 Sugar Valley: (392p), ISBN 978-0-615-97061-5; $5 Amazon Hollywood’s Darkest Secret e-book, ASIN Banton weaves a tumbled, tangled mys- Stephen Andrew Salamon. CreateSpace. B00O9E43Q0 tery crackling with energy, suspense, and a $19.99 paper (506), Amazon; BN.com jolting finish, yet comforting as a good cup ISBN 978-1-5009- Annie Mann and of tea. 0755-6; $4.99 e-book, Wilhelm Spatz are polar ASIN B00N85YURI opposites when it comes to Mosaics: A Thriller Amazon; BN.com wolves in the Stanley E.E. Giorgi. Quemazon Publishing. Damen Schultz and his Valley. His side has the guns—until the $13.99 paper (396p), friends are hunted by the Wolf Hunter arrives. He’s a man with a past ISBN 978-0-99604513-1; rich and famous when they he wants to change. $4.99 e-book, ASIN embark on a journey of B00MQZSFA4 becoming movie stars. But only one will SF/FANTASY/HORROR Amazon; BN.com win the Oscar. America, Inc. Dubbed the Byzantine A.E. Weber Wolstein. Vinspire Strangler because of the Taste of Poison: Publishing. $12.99 paper (263p), ISBN mosaic tiles he leaves at the Piri Aji Series, Book 1 978-0-98906329-6; $2.99 e-book, ASIN scene, a serial killer is stalking the streets Terry don Foley. B00O3IOF1A; BN ID 2940150635159 of Los Angeles. Who will be next in the CreateSpace. $20 paper Amazon; BN.com mosaic? (414p), ISBN 978-1- The world has been united under one 49609643-2; $9.99 empire: America. Ivan Luciano is the most The Organ Takers: e-book, ASIN powerful man in that empire, but he wants A Novel of Surgical Suspense B00FNTCX6C more, and he convinced his Richard Van Anderson. White Light Amazon; BN.com girlfriend, Lucy, to help. A Press. $11.99 paper (292p), A crime thriller with violence, sex, and brilliant engineer, Lucy has ISBN 978-0-9907597-1-3; $2.99 true love. A look inside the intimate lives brought life to robots. e-book, ISBN 978-0- of the owners of Colombian drug cartels They’re even passing as 9907597-2-0 and their families. humans, and one of them is Amazon; BN.com; Google going to run for president. Play; Kobo Twisted Linen: If Ivan has his way, the robot will win. And Failed surgeon David A Prophetic Thriller of with a robot as commander-in-chief, Ivan McBride is forced to per- Deception, Deceit and Faith will have ultimate control. Lucy leads a form illegal organ harvests. C.W. Cook. Chadwick Publishing. $2.99 clan of revolutionaries to combat her ex’s While fighting to free himself from the e-book, ASIN B00NLLPCVC greed and stop him once and for all. With situation, McBride loses everything, Amazon her knowledge of the robots, she can save including his humanity, and sets off down Against his wife’s the world—if Ivan doesn’t win first. the path to revenge. Book one of the warnings, Simon agrees McBride trilogy. to help Cardinal Genovi Arcana’s Avatar (Fallen Arcana, Vol. 1) expose the conspiracy Jared Bennett. CreateSpace. $9.99 paper Renegades Among the behind a modern-day (326p), ISBN 978-1-5008-8003-3; Tumbleweeds cult. But Simon should $4.99 e-book, ASIN B00NAI0FO0 Hewitt Freiburg. have listened to Grace; she’s more than Amazon AuthorHouse. $21.04 smart and alluring—she is usually right! Charles and Aurin have called the city of paper (507p), ISBN 978- The short novel is drawn from modern-day Hudcoeden home since they were carried

46 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELFPUBLISHED LISTINGS there as infants from the fallen city of hardcover (340p), ISBN 978-0-9906949- paper (482p), ISBN 978-1- Falderal. Aurin, a skilled swordsman 3-9; $13.99 paper (386p), 4954-5792-0; $7 e-book, serving the city guard, carries an old sword ISBN 978-0-9906949-0-8; $5.99 ASIN B00M14ITRY said to belong to his father. Charles seeks to e-book, ISBN 978-0-9906949-1-5 Amazon; BN.com hone his magical skill as a member of the Amazon; iBooks; BN.com; A beautiful and talented order of Wizards, but he Books-A-Million; 36-year-old divorcée with continually finds himself IndieBound; Google Play; two daughters falls in love at odds with a Druid Kobo with a younger, aspiring order. But the mysterious From the witch trials of actor. A retro tale of star- forces that saw Falderal centuries past, an evil crossed Hollywood. fall under a tide of awakens when a horror demons have returned, author begins his latest novel. Lady Catherine’s Secret and the people of Hudcoeden accuse (Secrets and Seduction, Book 2) Charles and Aurin of bringing the night- Link Sheridan Jeane. Flowers and Fullerton. mare. D.A. Karr. CreateSpace. $15.95 paper $14.99 paper (398p), (270p), ISBN 978-1-5004-2014-7; ISBN 978-1-63303- The Darkest Side of Saturn: Odyssey $8.99 e-book, ASIN B00QR54QG6 006-0; $4.99 e-book, of a Reluctant Prophet of Doom Amazon; BN.com ISBN 978-1-63303- Tony Taylor. iUniverse. $25.95 paper Space time, 2800: As the earth shifts on 005-3 (475p), ISBN 978-1-4917-342-1-6; its axis, humankind is Amazon; BN.com $5.99 e-book, ISBN 978- caught in a war of survival Despite Lady 1-4917-342-2-3 and time. Capt. John Catherine’s love of fencing, she needs to Amazon; BN.com Garrick and the NSTEA stop pretending to be a boy and frater- Visionary and satiric. Phoenix become a pawn nizing with men—but not until after she Two astronomers discover between technology, competes in the upcoming tournament. an asteroid: death is pos- humans, and what’s left of sible—will it hit? The civilization. But no amount of careful plan- INSPIRATIONAL story contains strong doses of romance, ning can prepare the time jumpers for the Akashic Alphabet science, religion, and sex—with some dangerous enemy that seems to predict Trenace Rose. Dementi Milestone ballet thrown in for good measure. their every move. As the NSTEA seals a Publishing. $38.95 deal to deliver time technology to a noto- hardcover (72p), The Deer Effect rious outlaw, Garrick plots to undermine ISBN 978-0- Susan Wingate. Eye of the Needle Press. the NSTEA and Phoenix’s crew prepares for 9898812-5-8 $13.99 paper (344p), the inevitable—a fight to the finish. AkashicAlphabet. ISBN 978-1-50551731-6; $2.99 e-book, com; Baker & Taylor; ASIN B00MRPKZ2O The Watcher’s Keep Ingram; Pathway Amazon; BN.com Timothy Bond. My Ostrich Press. $24.99 This research-based series of vision nar- When his wife, Hannah, is found dead paper (690p), ISBN 978-1-5053-3501-9; ratives, coupled with 27 master artist illus- near the body of a fawn, $5.99 e-book, ASIN B00QFLBCEQ; BN trations, conveys diverse spiritual and cul- Rod Demsey sets out to ID 2940046318746 tural beliefs, revealing a graceful find her killer (with his Amazon; iTunes; BN.com; Google Play; connection of Oneness in all. A powerful dog, who seems to be able Kobo; Page Foundry; lift for the soul. to communicate with Smashwords spirits). His grief causes his The Children of the America: faith to wither until an Prophecy pursue the fabled We Have the Country We Want unexpected turn brings Rod face-to-face Triadine, a talisman of Mark Mullen. Mark Mullen. $12.87 with the only person who can tell him what unequaled power, in an paper (140p), ISBN 978- really happened to his wife in a story of loss, attempt to banish the Dark 1-50289021-4; $4.87 redemption, and forgiveness. By the author Wizard from the land. e-book, ASIN of Drowning. B00P8RBTYG ROMANCE/EROTICA Amazon; BN.com Forsaken: Shadow Cove Saga, Book 1 I’ll Look to the Sky! Mullen analyzes failures of J.D. Barker. Hampton Creek Press. $22 M. Anthony Martin. CreateSpace. $18.50 business, media, politicians,

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education, and society. He $8 paper (72p), Small Moments: A Child’s Memories discusses throwaway ISBN 978-0-9908323- of the Civil Rights Movement employees, college for all, religion, guns, 0-0; $5.99 e-book, ASIN Mary Barrow. Wise Ink Creative and more. B00OU0QB54 Publishing. $15 paper (207p), Amazon ISBN 978-1-940014- When All Balls Drop: Most writers struggle 06-7; $4.99 e-book, The Upside of Losing Everything with three things: how to ISBN 978-1-940014- Heidi Siefkas. Wheatmark. $15.95 paper get started, how to improve, and what to 07-4 (270p), ISBN 978-1-62787-121-1; do with a finished piece of writing. This Amazon; BN.com $9.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-62787-122-8 concise guidebook illuminates a path for Based during the years Amazon; BN.com; Brookline Booksmith; all three. Each workshop contains three of the civil rights move- Trident Cafe (Boston) parts: process, prompt, and venue. Used ment, this is the true story of how one Siefkas was a hap- together, these techniques provide the uneducated and underprivileged woman pily married, globe- scaffolding for a sustainable, fulfilling taught a child to see the world not in terms trotting profes- writing life. of color but in terms of kindness, equality, sional—until a tree and love. limb in New York’s The Creativity Catalog: Hudson River Valley 300 of the World’s Most Creative A View with a Room struck her down, breaking her neck. She Things and How They Can Make Kevin McDonough. CreateSpace. $7.99 lost her independence. She lost her career. You More Creative paper (192p), ISBN 978-1-5023-5437-2; Her marriage disintegrated as she con- Too $3.99 e-book, ASIN fronted a trail of devastating lies about her Donald Rattner. The B00OOFTMEC; BN ID husband’s double life. But Siefkas fought Creative Home. $45 2940046371581 to rebuild herself. Along the way, she paper (220p), ISBN Amazon; BN.com; Kobo; gained clarity about her core values, 978-0-9907787-0-7 Smashwords coming to a deeper understanding of what Amazon; A humorous adventure it means to have it all. Through down-to- Thecreativehome.com of the author’s dream to earth vignettes, Siefkas shows it’s possible This compilation explores a genre of live in Paris. But a chance meeting at a to look up in spite of pain, deceit, and loss. household products designed to cultivate sidewalk crêpe stand propels his life in an creative thinking and innovation through unexpected new direction. COMICS/GRAPHIC NOVELS practical problem solving, hands-on expe- Of Fleas and Fleadom, rience, and open-ended play. BUSINESS/ A Tale of Two Vermin PERSONAL FINANCE Lewis Goldstein, illus. by Arianna BIO/AUTOBIO Private Notes of a Headhunter: Grinager. CreateSpace. Falling Off Broadway Proven Job Search and Interviewing $14.99 paper (52p), David Black. Mezzo Techniques for College ISBN 978-1-5030- Books. $15.99 paper Students & Recent 9147-4 (157p), ISBN 978-1- Grads Amazon; Baableon- 63192-325-8 Kenneth A. Heinzel. books.com; BN.com Amazon CreateSpace. $9.95 paper Finnegan T., a shy, A witty, entertaining (204p), ISBN 978-0- quiet flea, lived on a cat in a monastery— memoir of his adventures on Broadway by 9884936-0-5; $2.99 until they tried to poison him. Follow a Tony Award–winning producer. Black e-book, ASIN B00BJRVE9E Finnegan’s adventures as he searches for provides personal accounts of theatrical Amazon; BN.com sanctuary in the dangerous world of Man. luminaries such as Laurence Olivier, John Analysis of the job interview from the Two “vermin,” one small, one big—who is Gielgud, Julie Harris, Gene Hackman, Joel vantage point of an executive recruiter who the true villain? A graphic epic told in Grey, Bernadette Peters, Burt Reynolds, was also a college professor and an industry rhyme. Julie Andrews, Joshua Logan, Alan King, sales manager. David Merrick, and well-known figures NONFICTION Donald Trump and Richard Nixon. This HEALTH/DIET/PARENTING The Creative Year: memoir is based on Black’s one-man play, Brain Health for Life: Beyond Pills, 52 Workshops for Writers which received rave reviews in New York Politics, and Popular Diets Elisabeth Sharp McKetta. Frog Prince Press. and London. Karen V. Unger. Inkwater Press. $16.95

48 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELFPUBLISHED LISTINGS paper (306p), ISBN 978-1-62901-154-7 the Copper River and Northwestern Amazon; BN.com Amazon; Baker & Taylor; Railway. Humanity is connected by BN.com; Ingram; spiritual energy and man-made systems of Inkwater.com; Powell’s SCIENCE economics and law. There are ways to lift Learn what to eat, what The Humem State: humanity out of spiritual darkness and to avoid, and how to The Emergence and Establishment poverty, but action requires love. change your lifestyle of Our Extended Presence today to promote strong, Alan Brook. Humemity. $13.89 paper Transform Your Life: vibrant brain health throughout your (312p), ISBN 978-0- 7 Steps to a Better Life life. 692-25162-1; $7.62 Nella Ann Roberts. Balboa Press. $11.99 e-book, ASIN paper (128p), ISBN 978-1-4525-9859-8; 101+ Secrets from Nutrition School: B00O5C4EVU $6.99 e-book, ISBN 978- That You Need To Know Amazon; BN.com 1-4525-9860-4 Lynne Dorner. Aware of This? $27.95 A reconceptualization Amazon; BN.com hardcover (242p), ISBN 978-0-9909155- of the very idea of iden- This book aims to help 2-2 tity—human or otherwise. Brook asks how you change your life, be Amazon; BN.com we as individuals can benefit from advances more successful, and have To inspire those looking in technology without continuing to sur- a better life. to make positive life render the control, ownership, and privacy changes, a health coach of our data to corporations and govern- Wake-Up Call... shares the most essential ments. A Mother’s Grief Journey: lessons she learned along The Call That Changes Your Life Forever her educational journey. The lessons, SELFHELP Cherie Rickard. CreateSpace. $13.95 accompanied by illustrations, are signifi- Pinstripe Suits to Prison Blues: paper, ISBN 978-1-5031-2912-2; $4.99 cant and life-changing calls to action. How an Entrepreneur Went from e-book, ASIN B00PESCJ9S; Dorner is passionate about goal setting and Millionaire to Bankruptcy and BN ID 2940150612075 clean eating to bring about long-lasting Prison Only to Return a Stronger Amazon; BN.com; Books- results. Person Dedicating His Life to A-Million Helping Others with the Power A moving, inspirational HISTORY of Faith, Family and Friends voyage inside the shattered Icebound Empire: Industry and Michael R. Holley. life and broken heart of a Politics on the Last Frontier 1898–1938 Hopeful Publishing Co. mother who tragically and Elizabeth A. Tower. Old Stone Press. $17.95 paper (172p), unexpectedly loses her teenage son in a one- $17.95 paper (342p), ISBN 978-0-9862286- car accident. In ways unexpected, practical, ISBN 978-1-938462-12-2 0-5; $5.99 e-book, and real, Rickard gives anyone who has ever Amazon; BN.com ASIN B00RKN080M experienced the devastating loss of a loved Award-winning Amazon; Michaelholley one, real-life, hard-core, often tough-spoken Alaska historian Tower’s .com; BN.com but love-laden and extremely practical book is being relaunched Follow an entrepreneur’s journey from advice on how to turn life’s most tragic in a third edition with rise to fall to resurrection. Holley’s story blows into triumph. significantly more con- includes fishing boat tales, car salesman tent, photographs, map anecdotes, and the growth and collapse of Who Stole My Spandex? illustrations, chro- a large Chevrolet dealer. Holley recounts Midlife Musings from a Middle-Aged nology, and a firsthand his experience in state prison and the MILF account of Alaska railroad development in reemergence of hope. Marcia Kester Doyle. Blue the early 20th century that has never been Lobster Book Co. $12.95 published beyond the Alaska Historical Seeking the Face of Love paper (304p), ISBN 978- Society journals. It is the story of three Hadrian Bradley. Bradley 0-9899553-5-5; $4.99 men who were prime movers and shakers House. $14.95 paper e-book, ASIN in the most ambitious of the early 20th- (260p), ISBN 978-0- B00Q41HS5O; BN ID century Alaska developments: the J.P. 692-30127-2; $9.95 2940150216563 Morgan–Guggenheim Alaska Syndicate, e-book, ASIN Amazon; BN.com which built the Kennecott Copper Co. and B00PRTH44E A humorous collection of stories from

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the author’s madcap world of upon by a greater power beyond her wildest Libellus de Numeros menopausal pitfalls, ward- comprehension. Should she embrace her (Magicae Mathematica, Book 1) robe malfunctions, and a family full of special gift and fulfill her destiny? Or will Jim West. Jim West. $14.99 paper pranksters. she succumb to the evil that surrounds her (382p), ISBN 978-1-50283491-1; $3.99 and deny her true identity? e-book, ASIN B00P2783FK; BN ID CHILDREN’S FICTION 2940046407754 Angel Academy Gollywood, Here I Come! Amazon; BN.com Aaron M. Stephens. Terry John Barto, illus. by Mattia Cerato. Alex gets transported to Aaron M. Stephens. AuthorHouse. $15.15 paper (32p), another world where Latin $19.95 paper (296p), ISBN 978-1-4969-3509-0; $3.99 and math combine with mag- ISBN 978-0-9908784- e-book, ISBN 978-1-4969-3512-0 ical effects. In a world where 0-7; $9.99 e-book, ISBN Amazon; BN.com; Books-A-Million; math is magic, Alex wishes 978-0-9908784-1-4 IndieBound she had paid more attention in math class. Amazon; iBooks; BN.com; When Anamazie isn’t Books-A-Million; Google twirling a baton, taking Mistake, Wisconsin Play; Kobo an acting class, or Kersti Niebruegge. Kersti Niebruegge. Imagine a magical world of angels. attending singing and $6.99 paper (160p), ISBN 978-0- Discover a whole new cast of personalities, dance lessons, she fanta- 9908710-1-9; $3.99 e-book, where they are born, where they train, and sizes about being a ISBN 978-0-9908710-0-2 more. New friendships will be formed with movie star. After she leads the school band Amazon; BN.com angels Braeden and Morgan. The world is in the Fourth of July parade, her dream Deep in Wisconsin’s ready to believe. comes true. This story taps into the public’s eccentric Northwoods, a fascination with celebrities and movie high school sophomore real- Chores to Do stars, and leaves young readers with a posi- izes she must take on a cor- K.L. Hagood. Llumina Press. $11.95 tive message in a fun way. rupt politician if she wants paper (24p), ISBN 978-1-59526-684-2 to save her town’s beloved Llumina.com; Amazon; BN.com Inner Fire holiday—musky fishing Opening Day. This book is one R.L. Stedman. Waverley Productions. way to get the kids $14 paper (260p), Never Forgotten up and going. Get ISBN 978-1-5030- (Never Forgotten Series, Book 1) them organized 6047-0; $2.99 e-book, Kelly Risser. Clean Teen Publishing. with this fun and ASIN B00OXPXG04 $11.95 paper (314p), ISBN 978-1- creative book. Amazon; BN.com 940534-53-4; free When her friend is e-book, ASIN Destiny’s Gate: assaulted, Corinne B00LEZ92TA; BN ID Paige Maddison Series, Book 2 Peterson can’t help reacting. But now her 2940046053258 Lee Bice-Matheson and J.R. Matheson. hands are burned and strange men are Amazon; iTunes; BN.com; FriesenPress. $26.99 hardcover (277p), watching her house. Could they be terror- Smashwords ISBN 978-1-4602-4607-8; $22.99 paper ists? Secret agents? Those we love are never (277p), ISBN 978-1-4602-4606-1; forgotten. With her friends, Meara embarks $2.99 e-book, ASIN B00N29FO8Y; BN Jillian McClout, Happy Scout: on a journey to unlock secrets that reveal ID 2940150617841 A Smile Is Born (Vol. 1) not only who she is but what she is. Friesenpress.com; D.J. Stamper, illus. by Aubrey N. Amazon; BN.com Stamper. CreateSpace. $5.99 paper (50p), The Party Line When Paige ISBN 978-1-5031-8550-0; $2.99 Karen Alkofer. CreateSpace. $15 paper Maddison’s premoni- e-book, ASIN B00PEYNN88 (196p), ISBN 978-1-5007-1675-2; tions, nightmares, and Amazon $7.99 e-book, ASIN ghostly visions return, Jillian’s on a mission to B00P9JQ4EI she realizes there is no way of getting back bring smiles to the faces of Amazon; BN.com to the normal she once knew. Paige becomes at least three people in one Fifteen-year-old Lizzie the target of the Earthbounds, anguished day, but she soon learns enjoys eavesdropping on her souls who seek revenge and retribution. that the task is easier Tehran apartment’s tele- But she soon learns that she is being called pledged than done. phone party line, but what

50 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 SELF-PUBLISHED LISTINGS Looking for a career? she overhears thrusts her into an unexpected ISBN 978-1-5053-3842-3; $2.99 adventure that will change her life forever. e-book, ASIN B00R41RAB0 Amazon; BN.com Looking for Shifters Sixteen-year-old Kyra is Douglas Pershing and Angelia Pershing. odd. All she wants in her a new job? Pershing Books. $13.28 paper (372p), junior year of high school is ISBN 978-1-4910-9164-7; $2.99 to be cool. Instead, she Look no e-book, ASIN B00E9OEQEO becomes a werewolf. Amazon; BN.com further... Teenagers Tanner and The Wig: Happy Holidays (Book 3) Ryland uncover a secret Renata Suerth. Renata Suerth. $9.99 that thrusts them into a paper (132p), ISBN 978-0-9882685-2-4; conflict they never knew $3.99 e-book, ASIN B00GZACWZK JOBP existed. Now they’re Amazon; BN.com; Books-A-Million; fighting for a people who Ingram; Kobo; Powell’s ZONE are ungrateful while facing foes powerful Sofie has high hopes for publishersweekly.com/jobzone beyond imagination. the holidays, but Mother Nature has different The Tale of Nottingswood plans. An unexpected Connect to J.R. Young, illus. by Amelia Grace. Pond invasion, a new family Publishing. $5.99 paper (79p), pet, a Christmas non-mir- the best job ISBN 978-0-9719423-7-0; $1.99 acle, and other mishaps await Sofie, the e-book, ISBN 978-1-311-39806-2 queen of not-so-great luck. opportunities Nottingswood.com; Amazon; Apple iBooks; BN.com; Kobo; Smashwords CHILDREN’S NONFICTION in the When teenage twins Asheem: The Boy Who Could Not Read stumble on a mysterious Sharon D. Ulett, M.Ed. CreateSpace. $20 publishing creature, they uncover a paper (86p), ISBN 978-1-5007-2053-7; secret power that jeopar- $9.99 e-book, ASIN B00P1WX9U0; dizes everything they’ve BN ID 2940150527553 industry. ever known. A dystopian Amazon; BN.com; novelette in verse. Sharondulettsbooks.com New listings every A young boy struggling Want (Numbered, Book 1) with the challenges of day reach qualified Magus Tor. Magus Tor Books and Games. learning disabilities $15.90 paper (208p) achieves his goals after professionals every ISBN 978-1-50281819-5; $3.99 e-book, receiving the help he needs from a caring minute of the day. ASIN B00OFKVLV8 teacher and a supportive team of individ- Amazon; BN.com; Fishpond uals, including his family. Trust no one, no one Refine the search trusts—that is the way of The Becoming Years—18 to 28: for the best with the Lunar City. Aurelia, a newly The Ten Years It Takes to Get Over graduated med worker, is Being a Kid industry’sJOB leading posted to Lunar City George Wray. Alpha-Graphics. $24 paper Hospital. On her way to the (332p), ISBN 978-0- resource.ZONE moon, her shuttle is attacked 9903721-0-3 by terrorists. The only word she heard was the Amazon Resistance. Who are the Resistance and what This conversational book do they want from her? details 30 different subjects related to young people Weresisters working to achieve self- John Patrick Kennedy. Dark Trope direction while newly encountering an Publishing. $15.66 paper (430p), impersonal world after age 18. ■

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jobz_FP_house.indd 1 1/3/11 1:02 PM REVIEWS ROUNDUP Reviews Roundup Over the last month, we’ve reviewed two dozen self-published titles received via BookLife, PW’s website dedicated to indie authors. Among this month’s highlights is Richard Van Anderson’s The Organ Takers: A Novel of Surgical Suspense, which received a starred review. Our reviewer called it a “taut and powerful medical thriller” and a “superior page-turner.” Fiction Nonfiction A Baby to Die For Alex Haley’s Roots: An Author’s Odyssey Mike Slosberg. Nightengale, $16.95 paper (420p) Adam Henig. CreateSpace, $6.99 paper (118p) ISBN 978-1-5007-5149-4 ISBN 978-1-935993-64-3 The Cookie Doctor From the Sky: Arrival Peter T. Pugliese. Topical Agent, $9.99 hardcover (252p) David McGowan, $2.99 e-book (251p) ASIN B00NLDK7YC ISBN 978-0-9630-2116-8 Healing Ruby The Dead Duke, His Secret Wife and the Missing Corpse Jennifer Westall. Jennifer Westall, $3.99 e-book (369p) ASIN B00O3GRNF2 Piu Marie Eatwell. Head of Zeus, $24.95 hardcover (338p) ISBN 978-1-78185-608-6 Keota Toni Volk. CreateSpace, $13.99 paper (364p) ISBN 978-1-4948-9419-1 Children’s/YA The Maghreb Conspiracy: The Angels on My Tree The Third Spy Story in Croft’s Mideast Trilogy Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor, illus. by Eve S. Gendron. Four Directions Press, Roger Croft. CreateSpace, $11.90 hardcover ISBN 978-1-5008-2332-0 $17.99 hardcover (40p) ISBN 978-0-9627659-4-0 The Narrow Path to War: Marshals of Arion, Book 1 Angelina’s Prayer D.L. Frizzell. BookLogix, $14.95 paper (363p) Cheryl Bartky. Bark of the Tree Communications, $5.95 paper (48p) ISBN 978-1-61005-499-7 ISBN 978-1-4811-6715-4 ★ The Organ Takers: A Novel of Surgical Suspense The Land Outside Richard Van Anderson. White Light, $11.99 paper (306p) Daniel Landin. Daniel Landin, $2.99 e-book (54p) ASIN B00HUKC4AC ISBN 978-0-9907597-1-3 The Murder of Adam and Eve Scale-Bright William Dietrich. Burrows Publishing, $13.99 paper (306p) Benjanun Sriduangkaew. Immersion, $14 paper (110p) ISBN 978-0-9906621-0-5 ISBN 978-0-9563924-9-7 The Orphan of Torundi Seven Days J.L. McCreedy. Penelope Pipp Publishing, $4.99 e-book (294p) Sterling Nixon. S&J Publisher, $9.99 paper (360p) ISBN 978-0-9882369-3-6 ISBN 978-0-9903708-0-2 Porter Searches for Santa SoulServe Jonathan I. Gonzales. N.B. 498 Press, $16.95 hardcover (36p) Robert S. Wilson. Robert S. Wilson, $2.99 e-book (95p) ASIN B00N16R44K ISBN 978-0-9960610-0-1 Third Daughter The Stone Lions Susan Kaye Quinn. Susan Kaye Quinn, $12.99 paper (346p) Gwen Dandridge. Hickory Tree, $10.99 paper (238p) ISBN 978-1-4937-7477-7 ISBN 978-0-9893157-8-4 Too Close Elizabeth Krall. CreateSpace, $9.99 hardcover ISBN 978-1-4820-9792-4 Audio Two Performance Artists Kidnap Their Boss and Do Things with Him The Island of Doctor Moreau Scotch Wichmann. Freakshow Books, $17.99 paper (482p) H.G. Wells, read by a full cast. Mondello, 3 CDs, 3 hrs., $19.95 ■ ISBN 978-0-9910257-0-1 ISBN 978-1-940650-11-1

52 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ J A N U A R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 Fiction Reviews A Baby to Die For Twilight Zone and War of the Worlds. Most lands anywhere—even Mike Slosberg. Nightengale, $16.95 of the characters are one-dimensional, and on her wedding night. trade paper (420p) ISBN 978-1-935993-64-3 there are too many individual stories to As Volk begins telling Slosberg (The Hitler Error) delivers an keep track of. McGowan is clearly Keota’s adult story, the character quickly emotional gut punch to the reader in this inspired by the idea of human responses to moves from sympathetic protagonist to thriller, set in 1972 and involving the unimaginable disaster, but the conven- unsympathetic antihero, a satisfying American black market for adoption. tional plot never goes anywhere new. transformation to the reader. At 23 she New Yorkers Ellen and Tuck Handler are abandons her new family—which now desperate to have a child after Ellen suffers Healing Ruby includes a young daughter, Chris—and two miscarriages. Their doctor has warned Jennifer Westall. Jennifer Westall, $3.99 travels from Chicago to New York before against any further attempts to get preg- e-book (369p) ASIN B00O3GRNF2 finally leaving nant, since he believes they would imperil Coming of age in Depression-era for Mexico. As an Ellen’s life. The Handlers explore adop- Alabama is fraught with pitfalls for Ruby adult, Chris tion through a reputable agency, only to Graves in the opener of Westall’s (Love’s coerces her child- be laughed at by Providence) Healing Ruby series. Ruby is a hood friend the social typical young woman of her time, but Rainy to accom- worker, Harriet then tragedy strikes her family repeatedly, pany her in a Flynn, for the much like the biblical figure Job. In the drive through list they’ve wake of those tragedies comes a new Mexico in search drawn up of understanding of her faith, and more of a mother she’s their ideal baby’s questions than she can ever find answers not sure wants to characteristics. to, among them mysteries in her family’s be found. Flynn notes that past. Plot strands are teased out slowly Despite some dangerous encounters, the recent Roe v. and answers revealed as the story pro- Chris remains singularly obsessed with Wade decision gresses, and the novel builds to a satis- the woman who deserted her. The conclu- will only lower fying climax followed by a gentle push sion is anticlimactic, but Volk’s complex the number of infants available, and the toward the next characters, intriguing back stories, and Handlers decide to explore the shady installment. interesting foreign locales make this novel underworld where babies are bought and Woven with worth the read. sold. The windup isn’t quite as effective as scriptural refer- the setup, but Slosberg does a good job of ences that and The Maghreb Conspiracy: incorporating ethical issues into his plot. brutally frank The Third Spy Story in Croft’s regarding the Mideast Trilogy From the Sky: Arrival treatment of Roger Croft. CreateSpace, $11.90 David McGowan. David McGowan, $2.99 people in the ISBN 978-1-5008-2332-0 e-book (251p) ASIN B00NLDK7YC 1930s South, Set in 2005, Croft’s third spy novel fea- This stale trilogy opener unimagina- Westall’s story turing MI6 operative and former jour- tively depicts a destructive alien invasion also sounds notes nalist Michael Vaux (after 2013’s Operation that resembles many such events in fiction of hope and faith that balance her por- Saladin) tapers off after an intriguing and film. The trayal. Insight into history and race rela- start. A wet-behind-the-ears agent, Californian town tions enrich a textured narrative. Sebastian Micklethwait, lands an of Camberway is extremely sensi- besieged by sus- Keota tive assignment. picious flying Toni Volk. CreateSpace, $13.99 trade paper Micklethwait is saucers, and when (364p) ISBN 978-1-4948-9419-1 to travel with more strange Volk introduces her protagonist, Keota, facilitator things start hap- as a teenage girl abused by an alcoholic Mokhtar Tawil pening, father and ignored by her mother. While to Morocco, Camberway’s resi- Keota fears becoming like her parents, it where Tawil will dents must use all seems a fate she cannot avoid. She resents help him con- of their wits to her nomadic childhood but maintains an nect with a survive. The aliens’ searchlights and equally itinerant lifestyle as an adult, member of al- vaporizing beams are straight out of The scoping out potential exits as soon as she Qaeda’s execu-

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tive committee who’s offered and powerful medical thriller set in because her aunties, a happily married to provide valuable intelli- Manhattan, the first in a trilogy. Dr. lesbian couple, also happen to be Houyi, gence on the group’s plans. David McBride’s career is in ruins after he the Divine Archer, and Chang’e, the The mission, dubbed Operation Apostate, delayed reporting that a superior was Goddess of the Moon, major figures in goes awry almost immediately, as Tawil is taking bribes to move patients in need of the Chinese pantheon. The bleeding murdered on the first leg of their trip and transplanted organs up the waiting list. woman, Olivia, is actually a demon out to Micklethwait himself is taken prisoner. It Instead of using his superior surgical steal Julienne’s life force. Julienne sur- falls to Vaux, who’s been tapped to oversee skills to save lives, David is relegated to vives the encounter, and the two find Operation Apostate, to try to rescue the working on rats in a research lab. Fortune themselves oddly attracted to each other. agent and salvage whatever can be sal- seems to smile upon him when he’s Later, aided by Julienne’s aunties, they set vaged. Vaux is a familiar genre staple, a offered a chance to redeem himself with a out on a quest to free Olivia’s older sister maverick who gets results, but this time probationary from her centuries-long confinement. out, Croft doesn’t give him enough depth period in Fine writing, fascinating sexual politics, to be truly memorable. another resi- and well-developed, quirky characters dency program. make this tale a resounding success. The Narrow Path to War: But before he Marshals of Arion, Book 1 can start that Seven Days D.L. Frizzell. BookLogix, $14.95 trade paper new chapter, Sterling Nixon. S&J Publisher, $9.99 (363p) ISBN 978-1-61005-499-7 David’s cor- trade paper (360p) ISBN 978-0-9903708-0-2 Frizzell’s imagined universe becomes ralled by a shady In Nixon’s novel, social ideologies less interesting as his debut proceeds— figure who calls clash in a complex political thriller of not a good sign for a series kickoff. A fleet himself Mr. political corruption and patriotism. of six spaceships “crossed an entire arm of White and dis- Ex-CIA and Border Patrol agent Rick the galaxy in only a decade” to establish a plays a disturbingly detailed knowledge Savage is a self-exiled outcast whose dis- new home for humanity on an Earthlike of every aspect of David’s life. Unless covery of department treachery destroyed planet, Arion. During the next 500 years, David agrees to perform illegal kidney both his marriage and patriotic faith. He the population of Arion lost the use of all harvesting and transplants, White will discovers the “Divided House,” a “micro-electronics.” The introduction of arrange for him to be charged with drug domestic civil war between the western the main characters is well handled; stu- theft. Van Anderson makes good use of and eastern dent Alex Vonn refuses to take shelter his own medical training in the service of United States during a powerful magnetic storm so that a superior page-turner. (the West has he can witness stopped paying the phenom- Scale-Bright taxes and is enon, and Frizell Benjanun Sriduangkaew. Immersion, $14 threatening makes the danger trade paper (110p) ISBN 978-0-9563924-9-7 secession), palpable. The title novella is the longest pub- orchestrated by Marshal Hugh lished work to date from Sriduangkaew, a narcissist genius Redland is first talented writer of short fiction; here it Marcus McKeet. seen on the trail joins three previously published short It becomes clear of an escaped stories, all set in the same mythic Chinese that the apoca- prisoner, only to universe. As Julienne rides the train to lyptic emergency predicted by fringe sur- find that he’s work in modern Hong Kong, she is vivalists is real. Nixon’s novel, which chasing the accosted by a throws in a mysterious and deadly infec- wrong quarry, a mercenary in possession man whom no tion for good measure, questions our gov- of an odd map of the entire planet. All the one else sees. ernment’s ability (and intention) to pro- ingredients for excitement are here, but Later she notices tect us. Conspiracy fans will crawl out of the plot focuses on Vonn’s tiresome search a strange- the bunker for this dystopian/conspiracy for the truth about his father, the charac- looking woman, hybrid, which is an emotionally devas- ters lack depth, and the prose is unmemo- also invisible to tating and confrontational entertain- rable. others, bleeding ment. in the street. ★ The Organ Takers: Others might SoulServe A Novel of Surgical Suspense doubt their Robert S. Wilson. Robert S. Wilson, $2.99 Richard Van Anderson. White Light, $11.99 sanity after e-book (95p) ASIN B00N16R44K trade paper (306p) ISBN 978-0-9907597-1-3 these events, but Julienne is intimately Murders that mix technology with Robin Cook fans will relish this taut familiar with the supernatural, largely ghosts bring Antivii agent Ray Garret

52b PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ JANUARY 19, 2015 REVIEWS into a world of secret experiments that out of trouble with grace and style. Quinn bromantic adventure are could save his dying wife in this short, (the Mindjack trilogy) could have done Hank’s nagging wife, well-structured murder mystery. Though much more with the alternate East Indian Sherry, and real life, which the book is a bit setting, which feels mostly like window demands that the duo make a living. sparse on details dressing, but steampunk fans will appre- They get mind-numbingly boring jobs (there’s no stated ciate the airships, sword fights, illicit at a multinational company called year or location, romance, fantastical technology, desperate Redsoft, run by and Antivii’s role escapes, last-minute rescues, and breath- software mogul is never fully taking scenery, all pulled together by a Bill Kuntsler. defined), Ray’s a genuine sense of fun. Performance art very human falls short as the character, good Too Close tonic to their at his job and Elizabeth Krall. CreateSpace, $9.99 boredom, and devoted to his ISBN 978-1-4820-9792-4 they begin wife, Rhonda— Krall’s breezy style almost undermines acting out at so much that he’s willing to risk his career the serious dilemma at the heart of this work, where in order to save her life. The links between capable debut contemporary. When San Larry finds the murders and Rhonda’s salvation grow Francisco newspaper editor Nicola meets something like as the race against time quickens, “that new guy in finance,” Greg, she love with a quirky girl called Mouse. building to a heart-wrenching conclusion wants nothing to do with him. Ever since The same craving that fuels the duo’s that hits the reader a few pages before it an evil ex ran off with her boss, she has performance art pieces seems to drive slams into Ray. There are issues with how sworn off office their madcap plan to kidnap Kuntsler. Wilson (the Empire of Blood series) han- romances. Greg Captivity, however, brings its own set of dles female characters—Rhonda is merely is persistent, problems, as the chaos, danger, absur- a plot point, and helpful scientist Dr. however, and dity, and insanity keep ratcheting up. Rainns is a classic sexpot—but otherwise soon he and The book’s most entertaining episodes this thriller doesn’t disappoint. Nicola become are on trivia, Larry’s family, their perfor- poster people for mance art, etc. Wichmann’s shaggy Third Daughter true love. When novel may be too much of a good thing, Susan Kaye Quinn. Susan Kaye Quinn, $12.99 others comment but it’s still a good thing. Cheeky and trade paper (346p) ISBN 978-1-4937-7477-7 that they look refreshing. Romance and intrigue collide in the like brother and fluffy, entertaining first installment of sister, it only Quinn’s Dharian Affairs steampunk serves to confirm their belief that they are Nonfiction trilogy. As the third daughter of the fated to be together. But wedding plans Queen of Dharia, 17-year-old Aniri has lead to meeting parents—and the Alex Haley’s Roots: the opportunity to marry for love. shocking revelation that the lovebirds An Author’s Odyssey However, she agrees to an arranged mar- may in fact be half-siblings. Krall deftly Adam Henig. CreateSpace, $6.99 trade paper riage with Prince Malik of neighboring navigates the ensuing complications and (118p) ISBN 978-1-5007-5149-4 Jungali after he makes an impassioned emotional turmoil to a most satisfying Henig tracks the life of Alex Haley after plea for peace—and her mother presents a conclusion. the publication of his path breaking book, calculated need Roots, offering a sad reminder of the poten- for a spy Two Performance tial downsides to achieving one’s dreams. amongst the Artists Kidnap Their Boss He begins by offering some social context Jungali. Far and Do Things with Him on the TV pre- from home, Scotch Wichmann. Freakshow Books, $17.99 miere of the Aniri must find trade paper (482p) ISBN 978-0-9910257-0-1 mini-series the evidence Computer programmers by day, per- based on Haley’s needed to pre- formance artists by night, Larry and book, Roots: The vent war, even as Hank live out an alt-com dream in Saga of an she maintains Wichmann’s bright and capacious fic- American Family, the pretense of tion debut. They meet at a seedy club in which detailed romance with San Francisco’s Tenderloin district and his family’s his- her betrothed. As danger mounts, so do immediately become pals; Hank has a tory from the lies, deceptions, and mysteries. The passionate “Performance Art Manifesto” Gambia, feisty, resourceful princess leaps into and and Larry buys in. The only obstacles to through slavery,

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to the present. The amazing The Dead Duke, His Secret Wife a restless soul, curious about the “land response to the story made and the Missing Corpse outside,” the place beyond the familiar sea Haley an overnight sensation. Piu Marie Eatwell. Head of Zeus, $24.95 that the ray inhabits. When a sea lion Everywhere he went, he was mobbed. “In (338p) ISBN 978-1-78185-608-6 describes that land, the ray dreams of it Philadelphia, a dozen guards were needed Eatwell (They Eat Horses, Don’t They?) and fervently longs to be there, praying to protect the author.” The saga opened offers a meticulous examination of a late hard until one day he finds himself trans- the eyes of millions around the world to Victorian/early Edwardian cause célèbre formed into a bird in the land where the nature of the African-American experi- involving the fifth Duke of Portland, a everything “was ence and spawned a craze for genealogy. well-to-do London merchant, and a case of magnificently But Haley’s stardom was marred by an ill- disputed identity. Straightlaced new.” Very soon conceived lawsuit against his publisher, Victorians reveled in the salacious details the restless ray Doubleday, as well as scholarly questions of this court case, which began when seeks more, and about his research methods and accusa- Anna Maria Druce alleged that the is transformed tions of plagiarism. Adding to these prob- deceased duke had led a double life as again and again lems, Henig discusses Haley’s woman- businessman T.C. Druce, also deceased; until, like the izing, which cost him three marriages, and she petitioned the court for an exhuma- Wizard of Oz’s his inability to handle money responsibly. tion of Druce, convinced that her son was Dorothy, he Henig recounts the highs and lows of the duke’s legitimate heir. Ten years comes to under- Haley’s life with sympathy, addressing the passed before the stand the value critiques honestly. case ended in of home. The narrative is a bit long for the January 1908, attention spans of youngest readers, but The Cookie Doctor ultimately Landin’s art, done in digitally manipu- Peter T. Pugliese. Topical Agent, $9.99 (252p) involving 12 lated acrylic, oil, and pencil, depicts crea- ISBN 978-0-9630-2116-8 judges, 14 hear- ture after creature in a riot of color and Pugliese spent much of his career as a ings, and settings. The dominant blue of the sea set- general practitioner in Bernville, Penn., numerous inves- ting provides a soothing anchor that could becoming familiar with the Pennsylvania tigators and wit- make this a perfect bedtime story, one that Dutch community. He addressed certain nesses. Eatwell might prompt colorful dreams of worlds medical concerns decades before they follows the case outside. A visually arresting book. All were publicly discussed, particularly in from beginning ages. such an insular community: postpartum to end, providing background on judges, depression, addiction, incest, and psycho- lawyers, evidence (some fraudulent, some Porter Searches for Santa logical disorders. In this heartfelt circumstantial and problematic), and Jonathan I. Gonzales. N.B. 498 Press, $16.95 memoir, unreliable witnesses; details the duke and (36p) ISBN 978-0-9960610-0-1 Pugliese also Druce’s similarities (appearance, manner- In a Christmas story whose modeled takes the time to isms, diet, infirmities, habits); and covers clay artwork gives the scenes the feel of articulate his the provocative madness of the trial. The stills from a Claymation film, a penguin faith and the rigorous research is the book’s strength. named Porter receives a letter from a child experiences that Eatwell often digresses to insert back- make him ground, enriching the narrative with juicy believe in God, details from the time period, or to note as well as other sensational cases (both George Eliot explaining how and Charles Dickens were involved in he went from a double lives, for instance), positing that near career in the the period’s restrictive social mores often priesthood to the world of medicine. He forced people into scandalous situations. is the quintessential country doctor, and his decades of experience and obvious that was meant for Santa Claus. Porter is kindness will endear him to readers. His Children’s/YA determined to discover who Santa is; the narrative is straightforward, and his “penguin encyclopedia” is no help, but values—especially his attitudes toward The Land Outside the grumpy yet wise penguin Old sex and sexuality—may seem dated and Daniel Landin. Daniel Landin, $2.99 e-book Rockhopper might know. Porter and his preachy to younger readers, but his (54p) ASIN B00HUKC4AC friend Franklin travel to Snowman sweetness and charm more than make up This archetypal tale is made fresh and Mountain, where Old Rockhopper, who for it. enchanting by mesmerizing illustrations. looks rather like a gray tombstone The central character, a small manta ray, is wearing an eye patch, tells boring stories

52d PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ JANUARY 19, 2015 REVIEWS that cause the penguins to sleep through The Orphan of Torundi Angelina, and Minerva, who his descriptions of Santa. Finally, Porter’s J.L. McCreedy. Penelope Pipp Publishing, is Jewish. After Angelina mother tells him about Santa, but as a $4.99 e-book (294p) ISBN 978-0-9882369-3-6 learns about the local holiday flightless bird, Porter can’t make it to the When an orphaned girl raised by mis- custom of North Pole on his own. First-time author/ sionaries on the fictional Pacific island of lighting lumi- illustrator Gonzales accents his images Torundi is sent to an American boarding narias and their with charming details (such as the pearls school in Malaysia, mystery and intrigue power to answer Porter’s mother wears and the silvery pop up around every corner. Questions prayers, she “fishsicles” Porter has for lunch), but the arise, including why 16-year-old Sam thinks that they long-winded narrative proceeds slowly, Clemens was abruptly sent away after could be the way and while much is made of the dangers of years living on Torundi, why the enig- to make her Porter’s journey to Snowman Mountain matic Gabe Jones is always antagonizing family whole and Old Rockhopper’s temper, the art- her, and what all of this has to do with again. While the work never gives a sense of significant Sam’s unknown parentage. Even as Sam premise is peril. All ages. delves into these mysteries, she is dealing moving, with being around other teens and living Bartky’s dialogue can often be wooden The Murder of Adam and Eve in the big city (“Do you think if I made lots and lots of William Dietrich. Burrows Publishing, $13.99 for the first luminarias and set them all around my paper (306p) ISBN 978-0-9906621-0-5 time. house, they would grow so bright that my In this uneven tale, two modern teens Unfortunately, dad would be able to find me?”). Bartky are selected by aliens to travel back in this story wavers does a fine job of conjuring the New time to prehistoric Africa, in order to uncomfortably Mexico landscape and Albuquerque com- protect the ancestors of the human race— between thriller munity, but the story feels shoehorned the genetic Adam and Eve—from prema- and comedy, and into its slim format. Ages 8–up. ture extinction. Picked seemingly at it doesn’t find a random, 16-year-old Nick Brynner and balance between The Stone Lions Eleanor Terrell must decide whether fish-out-of- Gwen Dandridge. Hickory Tree, $10.99 paper mankind is worthy of its existence, or if water high jinks (238p) ISBN 978-0-9893157-8-4 the powerful Xu should alter history to and danger-laced adventure. Sam bounces Debut author Dandridge explores the give a different species the chance to take from one problem to the next, and little complex world of 15th-century Islamic its place. As they journey across the time is spent developing the characters or Spain in this fantasy. Ara, the unruly Africa of 50,000 B.C.E. in what’s essen- setting—her new friends lack depth, her daughter of the sultan of Alhambra, and tially a needle-in-a-haystack mission, burgeoning romance life fails to convince, her shy cousin Layla are swept up in a they struggle to and certain plot points are predictable. magical plot to destroy the palace and survive while Nevertheless, McCreedy (Liberty Frye and usurp its rightful ruler. Working with a engaging in the Witches of Hessen) lays the groundwork visiting Sufi “mathemagician” named lengthy debates for a potentially promising series, which Tahirah and the about humani- may yet pay off down the road. Ages 12– magically ty’s good and up. transformed bad moments, harem eunuch and its ultimate Angelina’s Prayer Suleiman, Ara impact on the Cheryl Bartky. Bark of the Tree and Layla must Earth. Dietrich Communications, $5.95 paper (48p) learn the (the Ethan Gage ISBN 978-1-4811-6715-4 secrets of sym- series) eschews In this sweet but underdeveloped metry—an subtlety in this environmentally minded Christmas-themed chapter book about integral part of tale, which contains poetic passages generosity, accepting loss, and defining Islamic art and about the pristine beauty of the home, nine-year-old Angelina and her central to the untouched, savage savannah, while con- mother have just moved to Albuquerque, magic of the Alhambra—to stop a great demning humans for our modern excesses N. Mex., from New York City. Angelina evil from tearing apart their home. and behavior. The plot’s potential is lost clings to the hope that her father, who Dandridge brings a deep respect for his- in a sea of logistical oversights, mild abandoned them two years earlier, will torical accuracy and Islamic culture to the racism (the teens decide to call the first return, but she is uncertain how he will story, and although her interpretation of African caveman they meet “Boy”), and a find them now that they have left New Sharia law may sometimes err on the gotcha ending. Ages 12–up. York. Angelina quickly befriends two stricter side, her depiction of women’s neighbors—Tony, who is Hispanic like everyday lives in aristocratic 15th-century

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Spain is spot-on. Her prose is slightly stiff in exposition Audio dealing with the principles of symmetry, but Dandridge plays her The Island of Doctor Moreau own academic background for laughs H.G. Wells, read by a full cast. Mondello, with the scholarly Tahirah. More impor- 3 CDs, 3 hrs., $19.95 ISBN 978-1-940650-11-1 tantly, the story never stops feeling like a Mondello Publishing provides an Rowling-esque adventure, pitting brave updated adaptation of H. G. Wells’s girls against seemingly impossible classic novel, positioning the story in the odds—mathematically speaking, of 1950s and in the context of genetic muta- course. Ages 8–up. tion and nuclear power. Through uncon- trollable events, Edward Prendick finds The Angels on My Tree himself on an unmarked island with Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor, illus. by Eve S. Montgomery, a scientist and aid to the Gendron. Four Directions Press, $17.99 (40p) notorious Dr. Moreau. Prendick soon dis- ISBN 978-0-9627659-4-0 covers that the island’s wild-life is a bit In a melancholy but hopeful holiday more human than he’s comfortable with. story, a girl’s Christmas is shadowed The full cast of by the recent death of her father. clear and distinc- Familiar traditions only deepen the tive voice actors awareness of his absence: “We stood includes Matthew side by side looking at our tree and Postner as cried. After a while, my mother said, Prendick, ‘Let’s go surround ourselves with Nathalie Boltt as beauty; it always makes us feel Montgomery, and better.’ “ A visit to the Metropolitan Andrew McGinn Museum of Art in New York City as Moreau. Other inspires the two of them to spend the actors fill in for secondary characters and season helping others. For each act of humanoid animals, which the production kindness—such as cooking for neighbors captures well, providing each character or arranging for musicians to play at a with strong vocal cues to help the listener nursing home—they place another angel understand what kind of animal it is. The background music and sound effects fur- ther enhance the mood and tone of the production. ■

on their Christmas tree. The spare line drawings, permeated with a sense of lone- liness, become less so as mother and daughter discover cheer through their generosity; gradually, the images acquire subtle warmth and splashes of pale color. Kaldor wisely keeps the story away from overt sentimentality, instead letting the quiet prose and airy artwork carry the message about letting go and moving for- ward. Ages 4–up.

52f PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ JANUARY 19, 2015