Featured Project: As the Heart Bones Break

“As the Heart Bones Break” by Audrey Chen.

In Thong Tran’s Vietnam, everyone is at war and no one is who they seem. But even a conflicted heart needs a home. Yearning for a true father and a cause to give himself to, Thong chooses independence, liberty and happiness – his tutor and the Viet Cong. It is a choice with karmic consequences he will spend the next half century criss-crossing the
Pacific to outrun.

Can Thong set down the bones rankling in his heart? And at what cost?

“A lyrical journey of self-discovery and identity. Audrey Chin has written a powerhouse of a novel that forces the reader to feel every beat of its thumping heart.” – Sung J. Woo, author of Everything Asian

 

Sold! Congratulations to M.F. Alvarez on his Groundbreaking Work Which was Acquired by Lexington Books

A big congratulations to M.F. Alvarez on the sale of his groundbreaking book on the intersection between creativity and suicide, to Amy King at Lexington books! Here is a screenshot of the deal as announced on Publisher’s Marketplace:

              M.F. Alvarez

The book draws on a decade of research and features some well-known creative and accomplished individuals who chose to end their life. The aim of the book is to humanize rather than reduce to mere labels, the lives of these creative individuals by examining more closely their life’s work and contributions to society at large. M.F. Alvarez, a 2014 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow, recently spoke at the Out of Darkness Walk on March 29, 2015, and is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and increasing awareness regarding suicide and suicide prevention. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at UMASS-Amherst. You can check out his website here: http://www.mfalvarez.net/ or follow him on Twitter @mfalvarez121. Congratulations again Mike!

Happy Pub Day to Broken Homes and Gardens by Rebecca Kelley!

I’m thrilled to announce that today is the official publication day of Rebecca Kelley’s debut novel, Broken Homes and Gardens! A When Harry Met Sally for the Millennial generation, set in the damp and drizzly neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon, Broken Homes and Gardens is an ode to friendship, lust, and the unrelenting pull of love. Rebecca’s book has been generating some great buzz and begs the question: is the love story still alive and well? Read Rebecca’s thoughtful answer to this question on Bustle.com: http://bsl.io/K0p 

Shari Goldhagen, author of In Some Other World, Maybe calls Broken Homes and Gardens a “less-than-fairytale love story [that] marvelously details the ups and cringe-worthy downs of dating in the twenty-first century. Malcolm and Joanna are characters so real and funny and flawed, they feel like friends. And while they may never manage to get the timing of their romance right, I certainly fell in love with them!”

Rebecca Kelley

Check out this adorable book trailer for the book:

Many thanks to our terrific publisher Kristy Blank Makansi of Blank Slate Press! Order your copy on Amazon.com or inquire at your local bookseller. If you want to keep up with Rebecca, follow her on Twitter at @rkelleywrites, on Instagram, or visit her website http://rebeccakelleywrites.com/ for the latest news and events. Congratulations again Rebecca!

Recap of 2014, Welcome 2015, and Hello to Penumbra’s Spring Intern Natalie Marra!

2014 was an exciting whirlwind of a year for Penumbra Literary! We closed two book deals and are currently negotiating another, with multiple projects now out on submission and more in the pipeline for development. 2015 will be an even more exciting year with the release of two books:

• Rebecca Kelley’s debut fiction book, BROKEN HOMES AND GARDENS, will be published by Blank Slate Press in early May 2015. This contemporary romance, pitched as a cross between When Harry Met Sally meets Portlandia, explores what it means when two twenty-somethings fall in love without marriage or the picket fence. You can follow Rebecca Kelley on Twitter @rkelleywrites and/or like her Facebook author page. Stay tuned for more news!

• Jamey Stegmaier’s non-fiction book, now titled A CROWDFUNDER’S STRATEGY GUIDE: HOW I KICKSTARTED MY DREAM COMPANY, will be published by Berrett-Koehler in early Fall 2015. Jamey, a successful board game entrepreneur and Kickstarter guru, will reveal his time-tested techniques and strategies, including those of other successful Kickstarter and crowdfunded campaigns, to build success on any crowdfunding platform. This timely and pragmatic book will help many entrepreneurial individuals. Check Jamey out on his Twitter @jameystegmaier, and/or like his company Stonemaier Games’s Facebook Page.

Penumbra Literary would also like to take a moment to welcome its Spring 2015 intern, Natalie Marra!

Natalie in front of the set of the Potions classroom from the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesdon, U.K.

Natalie is a senior English major and Communication Studies minor at Rowan University. She is excited to graduate this Spring 2015. Like all English majors, she adores reading and writing. Natalie studied abroad at King’s College London in the spring of 2013 and still won’t shut up about it. As a result, she eventually hopes to move to London and work in a creative field there, which will then lead to meeting Michael Fassbender and marrying him. Natalie is also an idealist (she blames it on all the reading), loves watching television, and is particularly interested in comedy. She would list Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler as a few of her absolute favorite comedy writers/actresses. Her other favorite reads include the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris. Natalie is very excited to work with Jennifer at Penumbra Literary. Welcome Natalie!

Cole Ledford Signs with Penumbra Literary!

We are very excited to announce that Cole Ledford has signed with Penumbra Literary!

Cole Ledford is a savings expert, as seen on two seasons of TLC’s hit show Extreme Couponing. Cole is a busy junior at The Ohio State University, studying business full-time. Also an activist in the LGBQT community, Cole recently launched a social media campaign “Love > Hate” and shared his personal experiences on #LoveisLouder.

   Cole Ledford

Cole is a sought-after speaker and contributor to groups and media outlets across the country. He is very excited to be working with Penumbra Literary to develop a non-fiction project on couponing for students. Cole is very active on social media. You can follow him on Twitter @ColeLedford11 and support him on his Facebook Loud > Hate Page. Welcome Cole, we are so glad to have you on board!

Meet Penumbra’s Fall Intern: Angela Bickel

Penumbra Literary would like to take a moment to introduce readers to Angela Bickel, our fall 2014 intern!

Very early in life, Angela discovered her penchant for reading. She will soon graduate from Rowan University with a degree in English Literature and a concentration in Women and Gender studies. She loves to read everything from classic to contemporary literature. Her favorite novels include Jane Eyre, the Harry Potter series, and Gone with the Wind.

         Angela Bickel

Two years ago, Angela had the opportunity to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, and it still makes her sad that she will never receive a real letter from Hogwarts. When she is not working or studying, Angela enjoys spending time at the shore, religiously watching The Walking Dead with her husband, and of course, reading to her young daughter, Scarlett, in the hope that she too will one day discover a passion for books. Angela has been working on developing some exciting non-fiction projects with Jennifer and also assists with queries as a critical first reader. Thanks Angela for being an important team member at Penumbra Literary!

Penumbra Literary Signs David Montgomery and Marcelo Vital, Artist and Writer of Graphic Book The Secret Around-the-World Adventures of Owney the Postal Dog

Penumbra Literary is very excited to represent David Michael Montgomery and Marcelo Vital, artist and writer, respectively, of the graphic book, The Secret Around-the-World Adventures of Owney the Postal Dog. Owney is an actual historical figure and the former official mascot of the United States Postal Service! This lovable pooch actually made his way around the world in 1895. The book had previously been featured in an extremely limited run edition only available to a select few, through Kickstarter. Artwork for the book is featured as part of an exhibit at the Children’s Illustrated Art Museum in St. Louis, MO. You can also visit an exhibit on Owney at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington D.C. According to the Smithsonian website, railway mail clerks thought that dogs were good luck charms, back in a time when railway accidents were all too common, and that “no train Owney ever rode on was in a wreck.”

Marcelo Vital is a journalist and freelance writer living in Toronto. He’s originally from Brazil and lived for many years in the American Midwest before moving to Canada. Marcelo writes about comics and pop culture in his blog, http://marcelovital.com,  and is the author of the graphic novel 1904 – a caper set against the backdrop of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.

David Montgomery

Marcelo Vital

Owney the Postal Dog!

David Montgomery is a freelance artist living in St. Louis. He began Van Gogh’s Ear Studio in 1999 painting large-scale murals, but has since done an about-face and now prefers working with the small scale and wider scope of illustration. His first collaboration with Marcelo Vital was on the graphic novel 1904.  When not drawing, David can usually be found rehabbing an old house or walking his dog. Samples of David’s work are at http://www.vangoghsearstudio.com.

You can learn more about Owney and stay in touch through the Owney website: http://www.owneythepostaldog.com/

Both Michael and Marcelo will be attending the Small Press Expo 2014 on September 13th and 14th in Bethesda, MD. Come by the table for some free giveaways and say hello if you are in town!

Thank You to Penumbra’s Summer Interns: Michelle Leah Neigut and Chris Corr!

It’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone so quickly! Penumbra Literary wants to take some time out to thank its summer interns, Michelle Leah Neigut and Chris Corr. Penumbra was very lucky to have the aid of two interns this summer, who split their time between reading queries, evaluating manuscripts, writing reader reports, and assisting with general publicity and marketing research.

  Michelle at Book Expo America 2014

A passionate reader, Michelle Leah Neigut is a recent graduate of Widener University, graduating with a degree in English Literature. She had the pleasure of interviewing the band, Imagine Dragons, for That Mag music magazine, and is a fan of a wide variety of literature from the Harry Potter series to the beat authors. Michelle is also interested in 60’s and 70’s music, acting, and attending local comic con events.

Chris graduated from USC with a degree in Business and Education.  While teaching for a few years, he worked for HUD in Philadelphia.  He is currently studying for his English Degree at Rowan University.  In his free time he likes to read non-fiction, write, and play music.  His favorite books include The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green and Greene’s other books.  He also enjoys reading all the books on kinesiology by David R. Hawkins.

           Chris Striking a Pose

Thanks again to Michelle and Chris for all their hard work, best of luck in your future endeavors!

Sold! Rebecca Kelley’s fiction debut, Broken Homes and Gardens, to be published by Blank Slate Press in Spring 2015!

Rebecca Kelley’s fiction debut, entitled Broken Homes and Gardens, will be published by Blank Slate Press in Spring 2015! Pitched as a cross between When Harry Met Sally meets Portlandia, this unconventional romance about two twenty-somethings named Joanna and Malcolm, who begin a correspondence as friends and end up as roommates when Malcolm moves in with Joanna to help rehab her broken-down first home, is a fresh and vivacious take on what it means to create a home without marriage or the picket fence. We are very excited to work with Blank Slate Press on bringing this quirky romantic comedy to print.

          Rebecca Kelley

Rebecca lives in Portland, OR. She describes herself as a “jaded romantic” and is also the author of The Eco-Nomical Baby Guide. Find Rebecca at her website, follow her on Twitter @rkelleywrites, or check out her Facebook Author Page. Congratulations Rebecca!

 

 

 

Eric Silverstein of The Peached Tortilla Signs with Penumbra Literary!

We are pleased to announce that Eric Silverstein, founder of The Peached Tortilla, an Asian and Southern inspired food concept, has signed with Penumbra Literary! A former litigator, Eric decided to pursue a different career path and marry his passions of food and business. Eric was born in Tokyo, Japan, where he was heavily influenced by Japanese, Chinese and Malaysian cuisine. At the age of ten, Eric moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was introduced to traditional Southern cuisine. These divergent flavors and cuisines serve as the backdrop for The Peached Tortilla’s menu.

Eric Silverstein of The Peached Tortilla

In 2012, Restaurant Hospitality recognized Eric as one of the new “Stars of Street Food.” Eric was also recently interviewed in the May 2014 edition of Kiplinger’s magazine and on entrepreneur.com. Live! With Kelly & Michael named The Peached Tortilla one of the top ten food trucks in America!

Eric is also featured on the Chefsfeed Application (an app that picks the best chefs in major metro cities and their picks for local food) for Austin, TX.  Along with food, Eric is extremely passionate about entrepreneurship, and both speaks and writes about the challenges of running a small business and how to overcome them. You can read his blog here: http://thepeachedtortilla.com/blog/

Eric is collaborating with writer Alan Goldsher on a book about trading his corporate job for the uncertain and challenging food truck world. Goldsher is a culture and music writer, and the author of 14 books. As a writer, he has collaborated on book projects with numerous celebrities and public figures.

  Alan Goldsher

We are very excited to work with Eric and Alan on this project. If you are lucky enough to be in the Austin area, check out The Peached Tortilla, which is slated to open its first brick-and-mortar location this Fall 2014!