Looking back, 2011 has been one hell of a year for this indie press. We published five killer titles of which we couldn’t be prouder, launched an online journal and a new discussion series, and brought five new boundary-breaking authors into the fold for 2012. And our authors have been working just as hard. December has been a whirlwind of year-end to-dos, award nominations and best-of-2011 lists (on which more than one of our titles have appeared, thank you very much). So, before we jump into our third year of growth and excitement, we’re taking a moment to share where our authors and books have been popping up lately, and, most importantly, to wish you the happiest of holidays and a literature-filled new year.
JOHN MINICHILLO
John’s debut novel The Snow Whale is popping up on best-of lists across the blogosphere. Small Press Review included the Moby-Dick inspired book on their Best of 2011 list, calling it “the funniest book we reviewed all year.” We couldn’t agree more. And Chamber Four is jumping on the bandwagon as well, naming it one of the Best Books of 2011.
At The Northville Review, John takes a look at the literary world’s transition to digital, starting with the days when writers asked questions like “Did publishing on the web even count?” A stark contrast to today when, as John puts it, “I prefer to be within range of WiFi unless I am sleeping or underwater. Probably, there are engineers working on this at this moment. Everything is getting smaller and cooler and new. I have this drum I play on the Internet where I subtly pester everyone to buy my novel and they do the same back. It’s exhausting and exciting and fun, all of us clacking on our keyboards.”
But not as exhausting and exciting as doing it while raising a kid, an experience explored by John in his read-worthy piece at Father Mucker. To really catch the chaos, see this writer dad’s year in tweets, as published on fictionaut.
JÜRGEN FAUTH
Jürgen, whose literary thriller Kino comes out this April, has co-written a review of Simon Curtis’ film My Week with Marilyn.
STEVE HIMMER
It’s been quite a month for The Bee-Loud Glade. Included in best-of-2011 lists by Kathy Fish, Amber Sparks and Three Guys One Book, it’s also made the longlist for novel of the year at 3:AM Magazine!
Steve’s also recounted his introduction to the literary web at The Northville Review, admitting that while he does “worry about the echo chamber of online literature…because it offers such a constant, clammering feedback loop that it’s hard to put out of your head how much other people are publishing,” he’s mostly optimistic since ” the web makes it easier to reach out to multiple audiences…and that’s when writing and publishing, and the web, are most appealing.”
And don’t miss the newest reviews of The Bee-Loud Glade at SFF Chat and Mharvi Reads.
TOMMY ZURHELLEN
Mharvi Reads had some great things to say about Tommy’s debut novel Nazareth, North Dakota, as well. The highlight of this review:
“How could I not truly enjoy this novel? Compelling characters that are familiar and yet brand new, a well known tale wrought anew by a slight twist of perspective. Each day I approached my reading with an eager spirit and, in the end, that is all I could ask of any novel.”
ERIC D. GOODMAN
Eric’s novel-in-stories Tracks has been racking up some well-earned reviews this month. Baltimore Jewish Times called Eric’s voice “observant and authoritative” and Nik Korpon at The Nervous Breakdown wrote, “[in] an age of high-speed internet, Facebook lives and thoughts that only last 140 characters, it’s refreshing to see a book with such unhurried attention to character.”
In a follow-up to his essay on the thrill of Tracks’ release day, Eric has published “Beyond the Release: It Doesn’t End on Release Day” at Potomac Review.
He’s also been busy with readings and signings in Lancaster and Philadelphia, PA. And don’t worry: if you can’t take another minute of your Christmas Pandora stations, take a break with readings of stories from Tracks, complete with music and sound effects. But if hearing “So This Is Christmas” for the 200th time is just your cup of tea, well, more power to you.
Photo Sources
Book Tree: Media Tinker
John Lennon: Gelato Baby