Prospective authors may wonder – what genre is my book? What even is genre, and why does it matter?    Genre is a term given to categories of books. The word is derived from French, meaning “like” or “type.” It is a label that describes what the book is about and how it is constructed. A genre label not only helps in marketing the book, but it helps readers know what they are getting into with a book.  There are fiction and nonfiction genres: Fiction is a made up story, while nonfiction is a “real life” book. A book can’t be fiction and nonfiction at the same time. A book that ..read more

The first recorded author in history was a woman named Enheduanna, a high priestess of Mesopotamia. In the 23rd century BC, she served the ancient Mesopotamian city Ur. According to Atlas Obscura, this role was religious and political, as Enheduanna used her writing in an attempt to unite the people.  This ancient Mesopotamian disk shows Enheduanna (second from left) in what is likely a religious procession. COURTESY PENN MUSEUM Enheduanna’s father, King Sargon, took over Sumer, in what we now know as Iraq. He selected his daughter to be the priestess of Nanna the moon god, according to ..read more

We have another Christmas edition of Author Spotlight! Author Jim Hammell spoke to us about his book How Murrey Saved Christmas. This adorable children’s book follows a moose named Murrey who is separated from his parents. When he sets out to find them, he finds himself on an exciting journey – and is soon presented with the task of helping Santa, in order to save Christmas. We spoke to Jim about the inspiration for the tale, working with his illustrator all the way in Europe, and more!       Name: Jim Hammell Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Book: How Murrey Saved Christmas  &n ..read more

A new year is upon us, and with it comes new opportunities. If you’re looking to finally write that project you’ve been thinking about for ages – whether it’s a book of poetry, a novel, or your life story – just know that it is possible!   Here are some practical tips to make the New Year’s resolution of writing a book into a reality.    1.) Start small Every finished book was once a small idea. When you get the idea for a book, it can be intimidating. The blank Microsoft Word document or blank notebook page can stare back at you and make your mind go blank. If that’s the case ..read more

This week on Author Spotlight, we talk to Susan Logan, author of the Dorrance children’s book The Christmas Ghost Boy. The book centers on a couple who move shortly before Christmas. Their new home is haunted by the ghost of a sad young boy who they hope to make happy again for the holidays. Susan talked to us about what it was like writing and illustrating the book, as well as some of her other favorite books! Name: Susan J. Logan Hometown: Vancouver, Washington  Book Title: The Christmas Ghost Boy   Describe your book in 10 words or less. An exciting children’s story with a sweet ..read more

This week on Author Spotlight we have a conversation with Dorrance author Mary Franklin. Her book, The Murder Suicide House, is the result of years of investigations of the paranormal at a friend’s property. Franklin discusses her motivations for writing the book, interests outside of the paranormal, and why you should be respectful of places you visit!   Name: Mary Franklin   Hometown: Muskogee   Describe your book in ten words or less: The evil was taking souls deep into darkness for eternity.   What made you want to write the book? My friend Steven who also is a writer ..read more

When it comes to writing fiction, interesting characters are essential to a book that will keep readers engaged. Here are some tips for writing interesting characters that apply across all genres and story types.   1.) Direct vs Indirect There are several approaches to developing interesting characters. One to keep in mind is the concept of direct vs. indirect characterization. If you have heard of “show vs. tell” before, this will be familiar. Direct characterization is that which is told to the reader in a black-and-white manner. Example: “The child was well-behaved as he sat in the wa ..read more

This week’s Author Spotlight is a conversation with Dorrance author Forrest R. Lindsey, a Vietnam War veteran. Lindsey recently published a memoir titled In Country: My Memories of Vietnam and After. In this interview, he discusses why he wrote the memoir, some of his favorite books, and gives advice for anyone looking to publish their own memoir! Name:  Forrest R. Lindsey Book Title: In Country: My Memories of Vietnam and After Hometown: Sepulveda CA   What made you want to write and publish this book? I have always remembered everything about my time as a young Marine serving in c ..read more

This week on Author Spotlight we speak to Dorrance children’s’ author Malissa Parks. Their book I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44 is a trilogy of stories written to teach children about the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama. The book has three stories, each geared toward preschool, kindergarten, and first grade readers. We talked to Ms. Parks about her inspiration for writing the book and more! Name: Malissa Parks Hometown: Grew up in Carson, CA and now reside in Long Beach, CA. Book Title: “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44”   De ..read more

In this edition of Author Spotlight, we spoke to Dorrance author David Rey. His book Larceny on 34th Street: An In-Depth Look at Professional Shoplifting in One of the World’s Largest Stores hopes to bring the world of organized retail crime to the public consciousness. Rey speaks at length about his writing process, what working with Dorrance was like, and advice for others looking to get into the law enforcement field.  Name: David Rey Book Title: Larceny on 34th Street: An In-Depth Look at Professional Shoplifting in One of the World’s Largest Stores Hometown: Parsippany, NJ   Wh ..read more