Lots of news this week from local literary agency Andrea Hurst, local small press publishers Swan Scythe, Rattlesnake and SPC, as well as reviews of books by Judith Horstman and Ulrica Hume, so we'd better get started.

Agent News – Andrea Hurst Literary Agency

“A Real Emotional Girl,” by Tanya Chernov, is subtitled, “a memoir of grief, depression, and recovery” that deals with family, pain, growing up, love and loss. This book is forthcoming from Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. and was in the hands of local literary agent, Gordon Warnock of the Andrea Hurst literary agency. Warnock is an oft-requested speaker at writing conferences and is currently working with San Francisco writer, Mari Naomi, who performed in Sacramento in 2011 with Sister Spit: Next Generation. Look for Chernov’s book in 2012 and Naomi’s at a later date. Keep an eye out, too, for Andrea Hurst’s book, “The Guestbook,” (CreateSpace) released in July, 2012

Publishing News

Swan Scythe Press

Local publisher Swan Scythe Press, headed up by James DenBoer, has announced the winner of the 2012 Swan Scythe Press Poetry Chapbook Contest. “Paradise Hunger,” the winning manuscript, will be published in fall 2012. Poet Henry W. Leung will also receive a $200 award for his work.

DenBoer said of Leung’s work “This collection of poems, ordered by geography and geomancy, displays a depth of emotional understanding and a graceful craftsmanship.”

I am excited to report more on this book as soon as copies are available.

Rattlesnake Press

Local publisher Rattlesnake Press still puts to press the quarterly “WTF. . .,” which is edited by local writers, Frank Andrick and Rachel Leibrock. Many are familiar with Andrick through his appearances on “Good Day Sacramento” and his third Thursday hosting of Poetry Unplugged at Luna’s Café on 16th Street. Leibrock recently assumed the role of co-editor of “Sacramento News and Review” and is working on a young adult novel. Pick up your free copy of “WTF. . .” at The Book Collector on 24th Street.

SPC Press

The Sacramento Poetry Center’s press, SPC Press, is working on several projects, and it recently released the two winning chapbooks from the Quinton Duval Chapbook Competition. “Carlos’ Café” by Janet McCann and “Crystal Gods” by Denise Platt Lichtig are both available at the Sacramento Poetry Center at 25th and R. Keep your eyes open for the new “Tule Review” and the “Sacramento Anthology,” which have expected release dates this fall.

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“The Scientific American Healthy Aging Brain” by Judith Horstman
Jossey-Bass
ISBN – 978-0-470-64773-8
2012, 254 pp., $25.95
Local Author

Judith Horstman’s fourth book in the “Scientific American” brain series, “The Scientific American Healthy Aging Brain: The Neuroscience of Making the Most of Your Mature Mind,” is certain to find a home alongside other heath-related books. Better yet, share this book with others. Read this from front to back, or better yet, skip around. Start, perhaps, by learning how physical exercise can help your brain before moving on to chapter 11, “Creativity, Spirit, and Attitude: Enrich Thyself.” Horstman’s introduction, “Welcome to the New Old Age” greets us with these words: “In all of history, there has never been a better time to grow old.” If you don’t believe it, this book may change your mind. In response to her own question of what old is, she writes, “Today in developed countries, it seems to be accepted that young old age begins in the late 60s and that old old age comes after the age of 80.” This is not a how to live longer book. It offers practical advice, humor and hope for those both young, and not as young as before.

“An Uncertain Age” by Ulrica Hume
Blue Circle Press
ISBN – 978-0-9669193-5-6
2012, 370 pp., $17.95
Local Interest

Ulrica Hume’s debut novel, “An Uncertain Age,” is a hefty, yet delightful surprise. She blends the mystery and love genres and sprinkles spirituality throughout to create a story to be enjoyed on several levels. Clearly, Hume cares about the characters she’s created. Readers will also care. What happened to Miles Peabody? It is his disappearance, and the subsequent questioning of Justine, that sets the story into motion. A pilgrimage, a hero’s journey, a mystery, and a love story all describe “An Uncertain Age.” Hume’s care with character, story and at the sentence level shows that she cares about her readers. The many references to people, events, locations and spirituality might seem overwhelming at times, but it offers the reader who is unfamiliar with bees or the True Cross or Guernica, for example, the opportunity to discover something new. Readers learn about the missing Mr. Peabody through the interaction of Justine with others, especially with Dara and Gwynneth. Well-crafted, intriguing, witty, poignant and full of literary and historical references, this book is lovely in its paper version or less weighty in its electronic version.
 

During September, look for more reviews and an interview with Mary Mackey about electronic publishing.