I’m excited to announce that we will be publishing our first photography book in April 2022. Yet to be titled, the book will feature more than 100 rare and intimate photographs of California Roma, shot by Long Beach photojournalist Cristina Salvador Klenz.
Seventeen book awards to celebrate our seventh year
It’s hard to believe, and pretty cool, that 2021 will mark Brown Paper Press’ seventh year on the planet. I mean, sure, it’s no Conagra (nod to my Uncle Red, who literally helped build Conagra), but it’s something good that I have managed to make and keep alive; and for a non-money-motivated human such as myself, that’s three-martini-toast-worthy. Plus, seventeen book awards! Not bad for a year’s work.
Camping Mug, Anyone?
Catching Up With Our Crew
Well, these are some seriously strange times we’re living through, no? Sad, scary, distressing. I hope each and every one of you is managing your stress, taking care of yourself and listening to all your favorite music very, very loudly. (Trust me on this: It helps.) Since real life (and book launches) have been put off for a bit around here, I thought it might be a good time to check in with our authors. What have they been up to since their books came out, and since Covid placed them all in quarantine?
Julia & Jesus: A Tribute to Real Books
I have a confession: I love reading books on my iPad. I know. There is a special place in hell for publishers like me, but I can’t help it. But there is one thing I do lament about the loss of real books on real bookshelves, and it’s probably the reason I will never give up print. Not entirely. Real books carry a tangible connection to the past.
Councilwoman's daughter reads 'How To Be a Feminist' on Facebook Live
We were so thrilled to see little Jubilee Pearce, daughter of Long Beach Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce feature Maxine’s How To Be a Feminist (For Little Girls & Boys) during a Facebook Live event benefiting the Long Beach Public Library yesterday. We had no idea this was coming, which made it particularly fun.
And the Nautilus Award Goes to...
I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that both the books we published last year, Trove and ParentShift, have been awarded a prestigious Nautilus Book Award.
Eight Reasons to Start a Virtual Book Club (And Your Free Starter Kit!)
It’s America in 2020. We’ve been stuck inside for weeks. Life, as we know it, has shifted considerably very fast. There is a new normal afoot, and even those of us bookish introverts, highly accustomed to living in our own heads for weeks at a time, are starting to go a bit stir-crazy. Solitude was a lot more fun when it wasn’t a government mandate.
Sandra Miller Nails What It Is To Be Alive Right Now
I just read Trove author Sandra A. Miller’s latest essay about life in quarantine, and it’s as close as I’ve seen to reflecting how I feel deep-down and providing a path forward. Here’s a passage from the piece, titled What’s Love Got to Do With This?, but be sure to read it all. Well worth your time.
Hilarious 'Video Book Review' Is What the World Needs — Or Maybe It's Just Me
It’s such a heavy time right now, with heavier times coming at us like a mack truck, and I do hope you are sheltering in place with lots of good reading material. And, no, I don’t mean the New York Times and Washington Post. As our own Ty Hatfield told National Geographic this week, “Watching the news is not self-care.”
All Books Half Off — For Seniors Only
In these heady days and weeks ahead, we — like so many the world over — are grappling with the new normal. Staying indoors, distancing ourselves, keeping our eye on the news — but prioritizing a certain disengagement from the news, as well. Too much dispiriting information is not good for our health, and staying healthy is the name of the game right now.
‘ParentShift’ a Finalist For Two More Awards
ParentShift: Ten Universal Truths That Will Change the Way You Raise Your Kid racked up two more award nominations last week — from the UK-based Wishing Shelf Awards and the Reader Views Literary Awards here in the States. The winners are scheduled to be announced April 1 and March 23, respectively.
10 Good Books to Read During the Zombie Coronapolcalypse
Well, the zombie apocalypse is here. Or as close as I’ve ever come to it. My daughter’s school district will be shut down for 40 days starting Monday, and all her extracurriculars cancelled. A whole bunch of events I’d looked forward to? Called off. Upcoming travel plans? Up in the air (literally). And let’s not even talk about the state of my local grocery store.
Recreating Long-Lost Poster Featuring Wegman’s Dogs
10 Best Spots in Long Beach's New Main Library
Three Tips for Memoirists Seeking Publication
Four Reasons to Make ‘Trove’ Your Next Book Club Pick
Time to Judge the Cover: Did We Make the Right Call?
A Book Written for Kids (By My Kid)
‘ParentShift’ is Now Available on Audible
Well, we did it: We managed to produce an audiobook! It was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but the time and expense of it all was always a turnoff. With author-funding, however, it was doable — and that’s how we got ParentShift made into an audiobook.