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For more information about the compensation plan, visit www.marketamerica.com/3ibooks 

Minnesota Historical Society Press to step outside box and publish Curiousity's Cats: Writers on Research

Research is an intensely personal thing, and it is done for many different reasons. Writers in this anthology (April 2014) strike out beyond the boundaries of the Internet and conduct hands-on inquiries into subjects that fascinate them. It takes them outside their comfort zones and into a realm whereby they can make  important discoveries and observations not only about the subject they are pursuing, but about themselves. They learn how to learn in a sense.

13 essayists contribute powerful accounts of such things as chasing documents, cracking mysteries, interviewing for long-lost subjects, and visiting unusual and sometimes exotic locations. Inspired by Richard Altick's classic book, The Scholar Adventurers (Ohio State, 1987), the writers in this book offer very different kinds of writing; historians, journalists, and novelists come together and present what conducting research means to them, what it means to their particular project, and how the process of research and exploration fulfills a basic human need.

"Each morning I would strike out for this temple of learning in the crisp autumn air ... with a sense of purpose and the conviction that this was where I belonged."
- Marilyn Stasio, from "My Research Project"

The book is a refreshing mix of academics, amateur historians, novelists, journalists, and even a scriptwriter. Each writer offers a special take on the process of investigation and discovery, and shows how the process of conducting their research has enriched their lives. Curiosity's Cats is fills an important gap in writing about writing, and eloquently shows the special motivation for writers to get out in the field and find out everything they can about a subject that captivates their imaginations.

Joseph Malham Reads from his book JOHN FORD: POET IN THE DESERT

Fourth novel by Joseph G. Peterson helps establish him as the bard of contemporary Chicago literature

Peterson’s debut novel, Beautiful Piece (2009), is a raw tale of urban lost souls. Reviewers were struck by what one reviewer called “its taut, lean prose; its noir-like plot; and most of all, its rich, darkly detailed characters.” Set in Chicago during a brutal heat wave, the book hit home with a bulls-eye reminiscent of the 10 mm pistol that the book is named after …

He followed up with Inside the Whale: A Novel in Verse (2011), a fictional account of Jim, a young Irish drunkard and his disastrous exploits, all the while possessing a preternatural ability to write and recite amazing and spontaneous poetry. Publishers Weekly commented, “In addition to Peterson's narrative, plenty of Jim's actual poems appear throughout, facilitating an effortless shifting between third and first person accounts of the drunken bard's exploits.” 

Wanted: Elevator Man (2012), Peterson’s third novel, was cited in an essay from a new edited volume called The Great Recession in Fiction, Film, and Television edited by Kirk Boyle and Dan Mrozowski (Lexington Books, 2013).  Welsh scholar Daniel Mattingly’s article in the collection is cleverly entitled Crash Fiction (as in the stock market). Mattingly pairs Peterson’s book with a novel by Jess Walter called The Financial Lives of Poets (2009) for his insightful analysis and overarching theory about how bust culture has become established in modern-day America. Peterson’s novel becomes a prime example to this scholar of how contemporary fiction deals with diminished expectations of the financial meltdown, and how the middle class has been relegated to a garbage heap with no concrete means to get by. Youthful uncertainty becomes exacerbated by nationwide fiscal stagnation, as in the main character Eliot Barnes, Jr, who takes a menial job as an elevator repairman in a Chicago skyscraper. This is another iconic theme of economic collapse and limited choices. Peterson cleverly turns diminished expectations on its head with a twist as the Barnes character comes to see inherent worth in his job as an elevator man, someone who makes things work behind the scenes, and ultimate redemption. 

Here is what we are told about the book of essays edited by Boyle and Mrozowski: -- “The collected essays treat our busted culture as a seismograph that registers the traumas of collapse, and locate their pop artifacts along a spectrum of ideological fantasies, social erasures, and profound fears inspired by the Great Recession. What they discover from these unlikely indicators of the recession is a mix of regressive, progressive, and bemused texts in need of critical translation.” 

And Peterson’s fiction clearly qualifies as one of those bemused texts. His newest book, forthcoming in April 2014, called Gideon’s Confession features a main character living on handouts from a rich uncle who believes in him. All his uncle asks for is for Master Gideon to come up with a plan for how he will enter the job market and make something of himself. Gideon keeps putting his uncle off, living in deep secret fear that the checks will one day stop coming. But Gideon obstinately refuses to commit. Rachel DeWoskin, author of Foreign Babes in Beijing, Repeat After Me, and Big Girl Small had this to say about Gideon Confession: -- “Joe Peterson’s Gideon is a rollicking antihero who moves through these pages as he does through his rich uncle’s checks: quickly and lyrically. Gideon shops, drinks, and gobbles the money away, observing the world from its periphery until the checks stop arriving, the engine of his romance revs dangerously, and he is forced to make an active choice about how to live and love. Peterson's stylish, clean prose is a pleasure, and watching Gideon come of age, albeit a bit late? Absolutely delightful.”

Beyond economic catastrophe and stagnation that looms in the shadows of Peterson’s fiction, writer Stuart Dybek, author of The Coast of Chicago deftly picks up on the theme of misspent youth in his advance praise for the new book: -- “The world that Gideon inhabits in Joe Peterson’s Gideon’s Confession is never less than recognizably real.  That attractive realism might at first seem to make a fantastical book like Steppenwolf, an odd comparison, but like Hesse, Peterson traces the journey through that potentially lethal combination of the self-doubt and towering self-absorption of youth, and as in Steppenwolf the escape is into love. Frankly, of the two, it is Peterson’s ending I prefer.”

An incredible eye for detail and taut, lean prose are what readers have come to expect from a Peterson effort, and in his new book they will not be disappointed. Peterson delivers an emotionally powerful parable that will appeal not only to twentysomethings unwilling or unable to commit and fit in, but also to adult readers who appreciate modern literary fiction and carefully crafted characters.

Announcing publication of ALL AMERICAN HORROR OF THE 21ST CENTURY - Wicker Park Press

New horror story collection has focus on American themes and features top-notch contributors
-- To order: http://www.wickerpark-3ibooks.com/allamericanhorrorofthe21stcentury.html --

Mort Castle, editor of the new book All American Horror of the 21st Century: The First Decade, 2000 -2010, has seen the short story horror genre evolve over a crucial span of ten years. He writes in the introduction to the book, “In the first decade of this century, new American voices in horror were heard and the older guard undertook horrifying (literary) experiments (many of them successful) to grow the horror genre. There were horrors in convenience stores and condominiums, monsters bred of steroid use and crack cocaine, and of course, there was 9/11, when horror invaded the security of the mundane and changed everything and every American.”

The book compiles the best short horror fiction published by magazines, anthologies, and web sites spanning the years 2000 – 2010. This prodigious collection is truly one-of-a-kind. It includes stories from National Book Award nominee Dan Chaon, rising-horror-star Jeff Jacobson, Bram Stoker Award-winner John Everson, World Fantasy Award winner Andy Duncan, and New York Times-bestselling author Tom Monteleone, among other worthies. These stories deal with “uniquely American” themes and subjects, and are written in an equally unique “American style.”

To quote Castle once again, “American horror: not just about setting, it’s about sensibility.” And the story itself is what really matters here. You have the best of the best in these pages, and authors included may have written elsewhere around other not-so-American themes, but in this case we are taking the story for what it is: All American Horror. The distinctiveness of themes and unparalleled imagination will make this anthology irresistible to readers. Nothing compares to the breadth of talent and creativity to be found here, hand-picked by a real expert in the genre and designed with the end user in mind to raise hairs and chill blood.  

MORT CASTLE is an award-winning author and writing teacher at Columbia College in Chicago. He is the author of seven novels, four fiction collections, and over 500 shorter works. Castle also edited On Writing Horror, the essential reference work for authors in the dark genre.

Advance Book Information

All American Horror of the 21st Century: The First Decade, 2000 – 2010
Edited by Mort Castle
ISBN 978-1-936679-08-9
Paperback
370 pages
Trim size: 7 ½ x 9 ¼
Price: $19.95
Publication date: October 30, 2013

To order: http://www.wickerpark-3ibooks.com/allamericanhorrorofthe21stcentury.html

 

 

NAIPR Farewell Address

In my 10 years as President of NAIPR I've seen the book industry change dramatically. I realized that NAIPR needed to change right along with it, and adapt to new realities if it was going to remain a vibrant organization that served the essential interests of its members.

As a pass the baton to Eileen Bertelli as new President I feel very confident that NAIPR is in good hands. Other leaders have stepped forward in forging an inspiring partnership with Above The Treeline of Ann Arbor, MI. Midwest Director John Mesjak served diligently on the committee, bringing his expertise in technology and a wide knowledge of bookseller needs to the table. Robert Rooney stepped into a very difficult situation as a newly minted Executive Director, and he was instrumental in steering negotiations forward. Sean Concannon, formerly of the Parson Weems Group and ex-treasurer of the organization, served as Interim Executive Director and was a complete inspiration to me with his positive attitude, work ethic, and amazing abilities to get multiple tasks done in a timely and efficient way.

I consider these fine individuals to be my friends and colleagues and I'm very proud to have served NAIPR with them. I need to make a shout out to Paul Williams and his wife Livia Tenser. Paul was Executive Director of the organization until his untimely passing in 2010. To quote my obituary of Paul, "Paul was proactive in reforming and streamlining that organization so that it ran seamlessly. Independent reps across the country owe Paul a debt of gratitude as he shored up the finances of NAIPR and spearheaded an innovative electronic ordering system that saved countless hours for reps and booksellers alike. His legacy will live on as this system, Frontlist Plus Universal, will continue to serve the book selling community, saving time and money and being brilliant in its simplicity and execution." Now with the upgrades and integration with Above The Treeline, the Paul Williams legacy will live on. Love ya and miss ya, my man.

Livia Tenser was brilliant with the transition in the face of tragic circumstances, and NAIPR owes her big time. Livia realized how important NAIPR was to Paul, and she also understood that she was protecting a legacy of 30 years. I want to make clear that NAIPR never would have survived to continue to be the vibrant organziation it is today without Livia's help. Thank you, my dear friend.

And so I am moving on the publishing side of table after 30-plus years as a commission rep, and a charter member of NAIPR. My company, Wicker Park Press, is an associate member of NAIPR and has reps in each territory across the country. It is celebrating 10 years in business with the publication of a cookbook, Food with Attitude: Cooking the Cuban-Rican Way by Chef Papi Perez, and the anothogy All American Horror of the 21st Century: The First Decade 2000 - 2010 edited by Mort Castle.

In conclusion let me remind independent reps across the country that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Booksellers and publishers need our services, our expertise, and our passion for books. I believe in all of you, and will tell you to keep growing your businesses. NAIPR has your back! You can always call on anyone of our leaders for help in any situation. We have a great industry and now we are forging bravely ahead with new leadership, new ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose!

Carry on!

Eric L Miller
President Emeritus, NAIPR

Novel-in-verse INSIDE THE WHALE recalls literary epics of the past

Man against insurmountable odds has been a classic tale for much of history. "Inside the Whale" is a novel in verse. Author Joseph G. Peterson has crafted an epic poem, tapping into the memories of the legends of times gone past, but being true to the modern era. Looking into the self-destructive nature of humanity and how our lives tear us all apart, "Inside the Whale" is a strong pick for lovers of poetry and fiction, seeking a modern story with a strong influence of the epics of the past.
-- Midwest Book Review, the Poetry Shelf, June 2012

As Bloomsday approaches (June 16th), a worldwide celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses, a novel that was first serialized from 1918 - 1920 in the radical arts magazine The Little Review, it's good to look at contemporary works such as Joseph G Peterson's Inside the Whale which pays poetic homage to Joyce and other great literary masters.

Joyce created his own lexicon with Ulysses, and filled the book with puns and obscure gags, quips, and witticisms that made the book unlike anything that had been published before. Set in Dublin, Ireland during a single day (June 16th), it chronicled the odyssey of its main character Leopold Bloom as he proceeded through his day, and Joyce brilliantly draws mind-blowing parallels to Odysseus, the main character of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey.

Peterson created his own epic with his main character, Irish-American Jim O'Connor, described by poet Gregory Lawless as "a whorl of grief, reckless charm, and surly poetic ambition." Peterson is the author of two traditional novels (Beautiful Piece & Wanted Elevator Man) but this book was his cat. Same way Robert Graves, acclaimed author of I Claudius and a slew of other books, including The Greek Myths, considered poetry to be his true calling. And so Peterson broke a few rules of fiction here by recounting his plot in stanzas that, according to poet Lawless, "watch the antiheroic O'Connor churn through misadventures, ocular bursts of poetry and failed loves ..."

One more significant thing. The Little Review, the arts magazine that first serialized Joyce's Ulysses, was born in Chicago in 1914 by editor Margaret Anderson. Peterson's novel-in-verse is set in Chicago, and according to poet Lawless "Inside the Whale's most moving passages are about Chicago, captured in Peterson's beautiful coda to this boisterous yarn." Recalling the biblical story of Jonah and the whale, the Old-English epic Beowulf, and even Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Perterson's book imagines a bardic drone chanting the mnemonics of rhythm and rhyme to entertain, lyre in hand, a group of ruffians gathered around a keg of beer and the red-hot coals of a dying fire.

Read more about Peterson's Inside the Whale here http://www.wickerpark-3ibooks.com/insidethewhale.html