Four of the authors had the opportunity to have a book signing event at a Barnes & Noble in Greensburg, PA, southeast of Pittsburgh. All four are natives to the Western Pennsylvania area. 

Bob Fulton (left) and Dan Rose (right) are the authors of Burial at Home Plate: An Oddball History of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Little Boy Blue, respectively. Burial at Home Plate tells the story of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball over the decades through fun, quirky anecdotes. Little Boy Blue is a crime novel, detailing how a young boy grows up to become a deranged killer. Fulton has decades of experience in sportswriting, while Rose drew on his past experiences as a cop for his debut novel.

Readers also got to know Carol Kieda and Catherine A. Roser Rybak at the event. Both ladies are authors of children’s books with Dorrance. Kieda, pictured right, is the author of The Sock Thief, and Rybak (left) is the author of Pooch In A Pound. Both of these children’s books feature dogs. The Sock Thief is the tale of a pup who steals their owners socks, while Pooch in a Pound is told from the point of view of a dog waiting to be adopted by a loving home. “I met other Dorrance Publishing Authors with their talented books. I feel like I have acquired some special friendships!” Rybak said of the event.

The event was not far from Dorrance’s home base – which meant that one of our staff members got to visit the authors! The authors were excited to see Brittany, who works in the promotion department, in attendance. 

But this wasn’t the only author event close to home recently. Marc Stevens, author of Zombie Apocalypse: Day 91, had an event in the Pittsburgh area a couple days earlier! 

Zombie Apocalypse is a guide to Stevens’ tabletop roleplaying game, in which the player has to survive the zombie apocalypse. At the event, Dorrance staff members Alessandra and Amber played the game with Marc. All had a great time, sticking around for hours to play the game.

The face to face interaction between these authors and Dorrance staff members at both of these events is something everyone will remember for years to come.

Several of these books have received local media attention in recent months. The authors have also had previous book events, both in Western PA and elsewhere. 

We are excited to see where they go next!

The post Dorrance Publishing Authors Shine At Pittsburgh Area Events appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Learn from the author all about the behind-the-scenes work on the book and why this topic is important.

Name: Nancy B. Finn

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

What made you want to write your book?

I worked for several years in corporate settings in positions related to communication and digital communication technology.  When I retired, I wanted to write a book on how digital communication has changed the way people live and work.  I did hundreds of interviews and a review of the data I had collected indicated to me that digital communication in healthcare was exciting and virtually changed the way that every patient (and we are all patients at one time or another) affected the way we interacted with the healthcare system.  I felt that this book focused on how simple digital tools that we all use every day could impact how we manage and monitor our health for better outcomes, taking into consideration all the factors that impact that.  Thus, this book evolved.

How long did it take you to write your book?

This book is an updated, republished version of the original e-Patients Live Longer publication that was completed in 2011. It took me three years to write the original version with all the interviews and information gathering required. The new updated version of the book published in May 2023, took me one year to update so that it would very timely because it includes a long new section on lessons learned from COVID that are critically important to the way patients interact with the healthcare system.

How does this book relate to your career path?

I wrote this book to leverage the expertise I had gained in all my years in the corporate world and a way to leave behind a legacy that would be of value to people. I am no longer building a career per se.

What was the research process like for this book?

As I mentioned the research involved hundreds of interviews with healthcare professionals and with patients who had interesting experiences to relate and appear in the book as anecdotal stories (specific original names were not used) that illustrate just what it is like to, for example, to  engage in an in-person visit with a physician or a telemedicine visit for physical therapy, speech therapy, rehabilitation therapy or just an ordinary visit with a doctor.

In short, how did the COVID-19 pandemic change telemedicine?

Part of the value of this book is that it addresses how COVID changed the way people view health.  The average citizen, particularly those between the ages of 30 and 70, does not think about health or health issues until they are forced to, due to an illness.  COVID changed all that because it affected all of us, by changing the rules of living, working, enjoying entertainment, etc.  Suddenly people had to worry about their health and the health of their family and friends.  Every person was touched by the pandemic in one way or another.

So, I made sure that e-Patients Live Longer addressed ways that individuals could take charge of their health, by providing tips and suggestions about how to communicate with a healthcare provider, how to use telehealth to your advantage, how to be more diligent about the ways to choose a health plan that would pay for healthcare, how to find the best health resources on the web etc. This version of the book was written for a post-pandemic health system and provides advice on how every patient must be empowered to interact with this system more efficiently and effectively to improve their outcomes.

Were any of your presumptions about telemedicine challenged by your research?

Telemedicine played a vital role during the COVID years and Medicare changed the rules and expanded who could use telemedicine, where and how, for both physicians and patients, regarding reimbursement.  I discuss that in the book in detail.  My assumption that telehealth would be used extensively by physician practices, during COVID, proved to be correct and there were many more e-visits experienced by patients throughout the country.  That practice can and should remain in place, although there is a question as to how it will work in the future and all hinges on payments for the providers.

In short, how can patients best use digital health resources to their advantage?

All smartphones today have health options that patients can deploy to help them understand their sleep patterns, their blood pressure and heart rate readings both during exercise and quiet times.  Also, there are many apps to help with diet and nutrition and soon to be apps that will track blood sugar, and other vitals.  I try to give the reader an understanding of the scope of what is available today and what is coming.  This includes smartphone use, as well as iPad and other medical devices for monitoring and managing health, telehealth, web resources, healthcare 2050.

What further reading would you recommend on this topic?

At this point I recommend that patients learn more about genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and things like chatbots and the impact of these technologies in healthcare.  There are many books on the market and others coming – too numerous to list.  To learn about changes in the healthcare landscape and payment models I recommend An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal and Redefining Healthcare by Michael Porter; to learn about Genetics I recommend Genetics 101 by Beth Skwarecki, to learn about robotics and AI  I recommend Rule of the Robots, How Artificial Intelligence will Transform Everything, by Martin Ford, to learn about Public Health I recommend How COVID Crashed the System by David Nash and Charles Wohlforth, AI: The New Revolution: A complete guide to understand and use Artificial Intelligence by Julien Martel.

Thank you, Nancy!

You can purchase e-Patients Live Longer at the Dorrance Bookstore.

The post Author Spotlight: Nancy B. Finn, M.Ed, “e-Patients Live Longer: Managing Healthcare Using Technology” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

She also became the first woman hired by a Fortune 500 company in a sales position. Breaking through the “glass ceiling” opening doors for other women in a male-dominated world. Terry Wells-Jones fought many battles to reach her level of success in business while also cultivating a happy family life. In Reflections!, Terry shares the philosophies that helped her on her journey, as well as the disappointments and opposition she faced along the way.

Read on for some behind the scenes on the creation of her book and learn what the publishing experience was like!

(Pictured: Terry Wells-Jones at a recent Barnes & Noble book signing.)

Name: Terry Wells Jones

Book Title: Reflections! Looking in the Mirror

Hometown: Milwaukee/Palm Desert

Why did you want to tell your story through this book?

As a legacy for my children and future generations.

How long did it take to write the book?

A year and a half.

What was the most difficult part of the writing journey?

Organizing it and making sense of all of the information I had accumulated as well as my computer skills.

How did you decide what to include – and what not to include – in the book?

I had to do many edits and include what was important to me and the reader.

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

I hope readers will conclude that challenges are no match against faith, belief, hard work and determination.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a memoir?

Stay the course no matter how difficult it gets.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

Travel

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Prompt responses, and helpfulness and knowledge of the publishing business.

Thank you, Terry!

Purchase Reflections! at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Ready to share your story? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Terry Wells-Jones, “Reflections!: Looking in the Mirror” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

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 

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

It was a fun story made up for my grandchildren.

What made you want to write the book?

I had this vision of Billy Bass (fish on wall plaque that sang,) and thought about a Christmas decoration, Murrey Kismoose, and the name stuck with me. So I created a character and then wrote a story.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Once I started to write it took me about a month to come up with a complete story. Then re-read it and added some to it.

(Photo courtesy Jim Hammell)

What did you do when you had writer’s block?

I carried a small note pad with me as I was also working as a nurse, and sometimes when an Idea came to me I’d write a note. Later, I would line the notes up and arrange them in a suitable order then write some. Bit by bit the story came to life.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

I was able to work a call out to 3 of my granddaughters in the book. And a special call out to an angel.

What was it like working with your illustrator?

Since she was from Europe we communicated via internet. With time differences it was sometimes difficult. An example was the elf in the story, what she had was a PIXIE elf. I had to have her Google Elvis and Alvin and blend them together. 

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person with you, who would it be and why?

If I were stuck on an Island: it would be with my wife (best friend) and Murrey because he’s a likable, nice moose. 

Outside of writing this book, what are some of your hobbies?

I play pickleball a few times a week, I also like to Workout in the gym, and do some woodworking.

(Photo courtesy Josh Hild via Unsplash)

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

The skilled staff and experience was a plus, since I never even thought about a project like this, it was all new to me.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To follow your heart and let things happen, don’t try to force it.

What do you hope young readers will take from How Murrey Saved Christmas?

Young readers should take from this book A SMILE – and knowing that just because someone is different you, can still be friends. 

Thank you, Jim!

You can purchase How Murrey Saved Christmas at the Dorrance Bookstore. 

Have a children’s holiday tale you’d like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Jim Hammell, “How Murrey Saved Christmas” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

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 encouraged me to write and not stop or give up.        

How long did it take you to write the book?

5 years of going through data. The case packet is 18 inches thick.

How did you become interested in paranormal investigating?

My parents always spoke about ghosts. I decided at a young age to prove them wrong. I  now know they were not far from wrong. I had questions about the afterlife nobody could answer. So I have been searching for years for some sort of answer to my questions. 

How did you decide what paranormal occurrences or anecdotes to include in the book?

It wasn’t easy. I chose parts that showed demonic infestation are dangerous and can effect our daily lives. Tearing at the very heart of our soul.

What was your favorite chapter or part to write and why?

It had to be bishop Kelly. He gave me words of wisdom. He encouraged me to be safe and stand on my faith. He gave his life trying to cleanse the evil from the house.

Besides paranormal investigating, what are your other interests?

 I am a member of ASPCA. I rescue and place animals in safe forever homes. I teach our young native children about their heritage and preserving our traditions.

How did you celebrate publishing your book?

Besides jumping up and down and smiling feeling proud. My husband and I went out and had a very lovely meal.

Any advice for those looking to get into the paranormal investigation?

Always be respectful of those you can’t see or hear. And not everything is paranormal. Look for the rational before the irrational. But most of all have fun and document everything. 

What do you hope readers will take away from The Murder Suicide House?

To be careful in what you do in the paranormal, evil is all around us just waiting to be released. Be careful in what you do in the paranormal and be respectful. If all seems to be terrifying just leave. Don’t play where evil lives.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Everyone was so helpful and helped me every step of my journey. I have learned so much from everyone. I highly recommend Dorrance Publishing to any new writer.

You can purchase The Murder Suicide House at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Do you want to publish your paranormal or true crime book? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Mary Franklin, “The Murder Suicide House” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

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 combat but what sparked me to go ahead and write everything down was when my daughter brought her 6th Grade history book home and I read the description of the Vietnam War in it: “It was an unpopular war and young people all across the country rose up in protest against it.” There was a lot more than that to our war, so for me and all those other young men who served with me and their families, I wrote my story.

How long did it take to write the book?

About two years.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

Keeping the details as accurate as possible – and making it readable to people unfamiliar with military matters.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

I am happy that I was able to portray the humor that was part of our existence in an otherwise dangerous and frightening experience. It’s part of 18-19-20 year olds, all pushed together on some hill, in the same tents, with the same food, bugs, and misery together. We were good kids.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

I am a Mechanical Engineer and I have worked in designing and producing various articles over the years. I am also a late-life Dad and enjoying every moment with my kids.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

Took the family to a restaurant for a fine meal.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

Young guys, like us.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Very straightforward, simple process.

Five favorite books of all time?

1. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, Eugene Sledge – One of the finest first-person memoirs written in WWII
2. Sole Survivor, Ens. George Gay USN – the story of Torpedo Squadron Eight and his survival during the Battle of Midway
3. Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, James D. Hornfischer – a brilliant story of the epic heroism of our sailors taking on the giant Japanese fleet in the Battle of Samar
4. The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
5. Hell in a Very Small Place, the Siege of Dien Bien Phu, Bernard Fall

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a memoir? Get those memories down, now, while they are still fresh! Everyone’s lives are eventful, even if you don’t think so – but generations following you will want to see the world as you saw it and learn from your observations and experiences.

In Country is available to purchase at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Are you a veteran with a memoir you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Forrest R. Lindsey, “In Country: My Memories of Vietnam and After” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

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”

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

A keepsake for families that teaches young learners to read.

What made you want to write your book?

I wrote this book because of the relevance of the most historical moment in African American History.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took a year to write this book.

What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

Due to the history that is apparent behind writing this book, I never experienced writer’s block because I definitely was inspired by God. He gave me the wisdom so I knew exactly what I wanted to write about and it came to me naturally!  I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to present it. As an educator, I am very passionate about writing, especially writing about a topic that teaches.   

What was your favorite part to write and why?

My favorite part in Small Trilogy is in the story “I Like Being Brown” when Richard, the character, realizes he could be whatever he wanted to be, just being himself!

If your book includes illustrations, what was it like working with your illustrator? 

It was great working with all three of my illustrators. With my son and my nephew as two of them, it was really a surreal moment!! I really pride all three young men on making each picture come alive in the minds of children.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One friend or family member:

My son because he’s always been my little protector.

-One fictional character:

Character in the book, Richard because of his big imagination!

–One famous person (living or dead):

Maya Angelou because I love her thought process when creating some of her most famous and cultural poems and quotes.

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy skating, swimming, singing and socializing.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

The main characters would be Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Tyler James Williams, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lewis with a splash of Sherri Shepard.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Receiving my Author’s copy of my finished project!

Five favorite books of all time?

“Becoming,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters,” “Beloved,” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To write a good children’s book, you must be a creative writer with a big imagination that kids can relate to!

You can purchase I Like Being Brown now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have an educational children’s book you’d like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Malissa Parks, “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

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

What made you want to write and publish this book?

When people think of organized crime, they think of the mafia or drug cartel but most of the general public is unaware of the network of professional shoplifters that make up Organized Retail Crime and the daily threat they pose to retailers. I wanted to be the first to bring this issue to the public’s attention as it is a fascinating story.

How long did it take to write the book?

I had been brainstorming ideas and putting together rough drafts for about a year before the pandemic. Once the shutdown took place, It was important to me that I used that time to do something meaningful. While some may have used the time off for relaxation and recreation, I saw it as a golden opportunity to devote my time to the book’s completion, which I eventually achieved by the end of 2020.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

The most difficult part was putting myself in a position to do something I had never done before. If ever there was a time I had willingly exited my comfort zone, this was it. Creative writing was certainly not in my repertoire so I knew I was taking a big risk. I took inspiration from several nonfiction works I had in my personal library such as “Way of the Wolf” by Jordan Belfort, to help me map a blueprint and structure for my memoir. While proof-reading the chapters, I put myself in the reader’s shoes and looked at the content from a critical lens. Would I have been entertained by this if I was the reader? Would I have felt as if I learned something new and fascinating if I was the reader? The journey was difficult but it was necessary.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

Chapter 5 titled “Professional Shoplifting Strategies and Techniques” was where I felt this book hit its stride. I wanted to emphasize how turbulent yet unique working at Macy’s Herald Square could be. I kept looking for ways to introduce the clever tactics of shoplifters to the reader while also not losing sight of how wild an atmosphere the store was. I felt I was able to effectively incorporate both concepts into that chapter, which then set the tone for the remainder of the book.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

Government and world affairs has always been another passion of mine. Ever since I was in grade school, I was fascinated with local politics and how the news had covered it. Following up on this passion, I recently enrolled at Harvard in their Division of Continuing Education, to pursue my graduate degree in Government. With the scholastic skills I am developing in this program, it is my hope that I will be better prepared for a future career in public service, if or when I choose to go down that path.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

When achieving a personal goal, my first thought is to always make sure I celebrate with the people I’m hoping will benefit most from the accomplishment, my family. Therefore when I succeed at something, I make sure to spend the time celebrating with my wife and kids. I hope to serve as an inspiration to my kids and encourage them to have ambition. The more I celebrate with them, the more I hope to foster an environment that encourages motivation.  

What do you hope readers take from the book?

I mentioned in the beginning of my book that television, podcasts and other forms of entertainment have been saturated by courtroom and police drama shows. It is my hope that I am able to provide a unique and fresh story for my readers that they wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. I don’t want to just tell a story but also teach my readers something new and fascinating.

By the end of the book, hopefully I’ve done a good job introducing the reader to the rarely seen world of Organized Retail Crime while also helping them gain a better understanding of the social science of why people commit crime.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Certainly the artistic freedom was something that made this process enjoyable. When researching other author’s journeys through the production process of their respective books, I heard stories about the micromanaging and constant oversight coming from their publishers. Some had to remove entire chapters or make wholesale changes to their manuscripts.

Dorrance Publishing respects and supports their author’s intellectual ideas and creativity. I had a story to tell and a certain way I wanted to tell it. I thank Dorrance Publishing for supporting my vision.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into law enforcement or criminology?

To those who are interested in the industry, I have several pieces of advice. Firstly, keep an open mind to learning more about why crime exists and why people choose to commit it. Many people see criminal behavior as black and white with no gray areas. It is important to be educated in crime causation theories before getting into this line of work.

Secondly, one should have the ability to be desensitized by the violence associated with some criminal behavior. You will be exposed to it at some point and how you let it affect you could impact your desire to stay in this industry long term.

Finally, successfully investigating a crime or some unethical incident is definitely rewarding. If you love being able to uncover dishonesty or criminal behavior and then seeing the investigation all the way through to its successful completion, this could be a fun job for you.

Thank you, David!

Larceny on 34th Street is available for purchase at the Dorrance Bookstore. 

Do you have a unique job you’d like to write about? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: David Rey, “Larceny on 34th Street: An In-Depth Look at Professional Shoplifting in One of the World’s Largest Stores” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

October is finally here, which means it’s time to load up on scary stories. Whether you need a tale to tell around the bonfire or are writing your first novel, here are some tips on how to write a good scary story.

1. ) Atmosphere

Use the five senses in order to build a compelling, believable, and most of all, spooky atmosphere for your tale. Describe your setting by showing the reader how things smell, taste, what they hear, and what their surroundings look like in great detail. Research locations and photography of them for inspiration, and practice describing what you see. 

2.) Avoid shock value

While jumpscares and sudden gore work in movies to scare audiences, these don’t always translate well in the written word. Avoid sudden shocking scenes designed to scare. Instead, build up to scares gradually. If your story is shorter, save the scariest plot point for last. 

3.) Tropes are your friend

Horror is a genre built on tropes, aka familiar story forms or plots that can be used over and over again. Audiences appreciate the familiarity of a haunted house on a hill or a teen slasher where one final girl survives. What happens around those concepts is what will set your story apart from the crowd and make it your own. 

4.) Have a message

Horror stories and novels are meant to give readers a thrill, but think about why your story is scary– and why you’re telling it. What is it that you want your audience to beware of? What scary part of life or our society are you highlighting? 

5.) Characterization and plot

Think about whether you want your story to be more character-centered or plot-centered. This will help anchor the story and help you decide how to deliver the best scares. A character-centered scary story will be more psychological in nature and focus on a character’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as something happens to them. A more plot-centered story will focus on scary happenings or events, and may have multiple characters’ points of view. 

We hope these tips are helpful throughout your very own Spooktober!

For more inspiration, check out these VAMPIRE AND WEREWOLF books on sale at the Dorrance Bookstore!

Have a scary book you would like to publish? CONTACT US!

The post 5 Tips for Spooky Story Writing appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We spoke to Marisa about her writing process, inspirations, and further reading recommendations!

Name: Marisa Recker

Hometown: Roots in Washington State, Montana, NYC & currently DC (never stayed in one place for too long)

Book Title: Until I See Stars

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

All-the-feels, emotional, and healing. Get the tissues ready.

What made you want to write your book?

I went through a personal loss in my life, and I wanted to create a story that people could see themselves in, especially broken people like myself. I wanted to write something that touched people, and gave them a little bit of the healing that I felt in writing it.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took me one month to write my book.

How do you choose the names of your characters?

Do you ever look at someone and think they look like a certain name? That’s how my names are chosen. Typically in the midst of my writing, I’ll have an urgent need to come up with a name, and what is chosen is typically the first thing that pops in my head.

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

I move on to a different scene in the book. I had an entirely separate document filled with scenes that didn’t fit the story at that moment, but could be used later. Sometimes jumping around your book helps free up your mind.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Any of the extremely emotional scenes. No spoilers, but there is one argument scene between two of the main characters that I loved writing because it was so emotionally intense.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One character from your book:

Cassian. He is a smaller character in the book, but I fell in love with him during the writing journey. I think he would be comforting to have on an island, plus he can play guitar, so he’s a perfect built-in radio.

-One fictional character:

Annabeth from Percy Jackson. I am not a huge fantasy reader, but she really shined in these novels. Plus, we need some fighters on this island to keep us alive!

-One famous person (living or dead):

Mary, Queen of Scots, mostly because she is my favorite historical figure and I could talk to her for hours.

Besides writing, what are your other interests?

I love reading, practically every genre. I also love spending time with my husband and 2 guinea pigs, my friends, traveling, and visiting museums!

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I went out to dinner to celebrate and shared it with all of my friends and family on social media.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

What a great question!

Karina: Amy Adams

Dan: Jeremy Renner

Bethany: Alexa PenaVega

Kayla: Lili Reinhart (but with auburn hair)

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

I loved my cover designer. They nailed the perfect cover right away, and I get compliments on it all of the time.

Do you have any book recommendations for your readers?

Atonement by Ian McEwan, or anything by Kristin Hannah.

One sentence of advice for other writers?

Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Your journey isn’t supposed to look like theirs, it is supposed to look like yours.

Thank you, Marisa!

Until I See Stars is available now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have a story you’re ready to tell? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Marisa Recker, “Until I See Stars” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.