2017 Acquisitions + New Cover Reveals

Here's what’s coming the first half of 2017...

In January 2017 we'll release THE WRONG KIND OF INDIAN by Jey Tehya (the pen-name for a Pulitzer-nominated poet). I fell in love with this tough, sexy, and unabashedly raw novel. The fact that Oregon is a character in the story was right up my gravel alley. The writing is funny and poetic, and the author's own thinly-veiled life reflected in the main character is heart-wrenching and literally gut-sucking. Men! Pfft.

Kirkus Reviews wrote: “Author Tehya sprinkles her writing with moments of vivid prose (‘the student loan iron maiden was already inching close’) and portrays the book’s settings—Portland, Oregon; Costa Rica; India—in evocative detail. The author, like her protagonist, is a member of the Cherokee Nation, which brings a layer of authenticity to her narration. Some readers may find the book’s frequent, explicit depictions of sex excessive, the flashbacks to Jennifer’s youth unremittingly bleak, and her reckless behavior more frustrating than compelling. Others, however, will appreciate this story of healing, redemption, and a journey to emotional maturity. A complex and compelling, though often difficult, story of romance, forgiveness, and loyalty.”

In February 2017 our third book with Suzanne Kamata, THE MERMAIDS OF LAKE MICHIGAN, will be released. In this novel, Elise Faulkner is more at home in the waters of her beloved lake than on land where her beauty queen mom is always on her back about her lack of a social life; her sister is dating the boy of her dreams; her favorite penpal—the one who wrote about mermaids in Ghana—has gotten married and ended their correspondence; and no one’s allowed to talk about her glamorous great-grandmother, the deep-sea wreck diver. Elise is biding her time with books until she can flee. But then Chiara Hanover pops into her life, as does Miguel, the man of her destiny.

I'm already one of Suzanne Kamata’s biggest fans; she is a prolific writer, and one of the biggest supporters I have ever seen of other authors. This one comes to us through talented literary agent Carrie Pestritto at the well-respected Prospect Agency in New York City.

To say I loved MERMAIDS is an understatement; the reminiscing of the 1980s had me smiling throughout, and then tears, and then smiles, and then a few more happy tears. We licensed a stunning oil painting for the cover, and the Valentine's Day release marks a life-changing deadline in the story for Elise.

On Earth Day, April 22, 2017, THE PROMISE OF PIERSON ORCHARD by environmental scientist Kate Brandes is out. Wow, the writing in this family drama is stunning. Kate pulled me into her vivid story about a small-town Pennsylvania family dealing with betrayal, financial destruction, lost loves, forgiveness, and of course, fracking. I encouraged her to get a pre-publication Kirkus review and it was stellar. Yup, I can call ’em. Katie Shea Boutillier at the renowned Donald Maass Literary Agency in NYC represented this title and we've already received film/TV interest after pitching it as “Erin Brockovich” meets “Promised Land.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote: “Brandes checks off all the boxes for quality fiction: the characters are well-rounded, the settings, such as the apple orchards, the crisp Silver Creek, and the rocky outcrops, are vividly described, and the plot is well-organized and crisply paced. The tension between the characters satisfyingly rises to a crescendo that’s in sync with the larger environmental crisis that threatens the town.”

And in May 2017 we're jumping-out-of-our-chairs excited to release RUN, HOLLY, RUN! by Kathy Coleman, “Holly” from the 1970s show Land of the Lost. Agent-to-the-stars Diane Nine at Nine Speakers, Inc emailed me with the title in the subject line and my mind seized up. Wait, what? Is it? Could it be... running from a tyrannosaurus or Sleestak Holly?! No flippin way. In a matter of four days I met one of my childhood idols and signed her for her memoir. Wow. My life is wild.

From behind-the-scenes of filming this classic TV show, to the perils of life for a child actor, domestic abuse, recovery, and rebuilding a life—this memoir is aimed to hit a thriving fan-base who LOVE this woman, and for good reason. I’m ecstatic that Kathy is working closely with professional celebrity memoirist Dave Smitherman to make her story an entertaining, enlightening, honest, fun and satisfying read for all us who are 45+ and remember watching the show every Saturday morning—some of us pretending to time travel, have stuffed monkeys we called Pakunis, and wanted to live in a cave.

And, we have some great titles already signed for June 2017! #wymacauthorsrock

It's Book Award Season!

Spring means award season for the previous year's books, and this year we're beyond thrilled, and so very proud of our finalists and winners!

These indie book awards are a great way for authors to get their books in front of other book lovers, libraries, universities, and buyers. They get opportunities for placement in catalogs and at international conferences. The award adds to the perceived value and proves the excellent quality of the books. And, everyone loves to bling up their covers with gold stickers. We support these indie award outlets, and they support us! You never, ever know what the competition will look like, and when your books place in multiple competitions it magnifies the effect of — "I see their books are everywhere!" — which, to me, is branding success.

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The Foreword Book-of-the-Year Award winners will be announced at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 25. Thousands of books are entered each year, and a panel of over 120 librarians and booksellers take part in the judging, narrowing it down to a group of finalists and winners that represent the best books, all independently published.

YOUNG JANE AUSTEN by Lisa Pliscou is a finalist in "Biography," REFLECTIONS OF A LOVE SUPREME, the second book from our imprint Tom Ingrassia, is a finalist in "Music," and EMILIA-ROMAGNA, ITALY, by Imprints Matt Walker and Zeneba Bowers, is a finalist in "Travel." Cheering them on!

It's the 20th Anniversary of the IPPYS, the Independent Publisher Book Awards which honor the year's best independently published titles from around the world. The IPPYS are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles published each year. 

I was over the moon to learn our imprint Robin Gregory's book THE IMPROBABLY WONDER OF MOOJIE LITTLEMAN won the GOLD in "Cover Design"! And YOUNG JANE AUSTEN won SILVER in "Biography."

 

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest not-for-profit book awards program for indie authors and independent publishers, now in its ninth year, was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books (and they are in Lake Oswego, Oregon, which automatically makes them awesome), gave us three wonderful FINALIST awards. 

MILLENNIAL MOMS was a finalist in "Marketing & PR," and, so happy that WITNESS TO SPIRIT and YOUNG JANE AUSTEN were both finalists in "Overall Book Design" — yes, we took TWO finalist spots!!

And, the National Indie Excellence Awards, a champion of self-publishers and small & independent presses that go the extra mile to produce books of excellence in every aspect, gave Robert Staffanson and his memoir WITNESS TO SPIRIT: MY LIFE WITH COWBOYS, MOZART & INDIANS the WIN in "Biography"! I was so excited to tell the author; at 94 this means the world to him—that his story, and his legacy, is being read and well-received. MILLENNIAL MOMS also WON in "Marketing," and YOUNG JANE AUSTEN was a finalist in "Biography - Historical" and, just as thrilling as the others if not more, THE EVERYWHERE ORACLE was a Finalist in "Poetry"!

 

 

We also had two NIEA Imprint wins and a finalist! (The "Imprint Program," if you don't already know, is our incredible consulting program that has produced award-winning books for 9 years.) RADIANT HEALTH by dermatologist Alan Dattner, MD won in "Alternative Medicine" and REFLECTIONS won in "Music" with EMILIA-ROMAGNA taking a finalist in "Travel."

 

 

Cheers to our incredible authors. Congratulations all!

Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprints ~ Past Year in Review!

In the spring I like to recap on the incredible imprint books we've had the privilege to assist authors in launching. The Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint Program is thriving after over nine years of helping talented writers who choose to release their own books professionally, creatively, confidently, and proudly under our umbrella.

Our Big Award-Winner

This is the little book that could! THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF MOOJIE LITTLEMAN by gifted writer Robin Gregory has won more awards than I can count, including TWO Best Book Cover Design, which thrills me to no end.

Travel Guides!

These are the first travel guides I've had the utter joy of designing. I feel like I've toured Italy through EMILIA-ROMANGA and TUSCANY. If you ever need assistance planning your itinerary, check out Matt and Zeneba at Little Roads Europe.

 Powerful Women with Non-Fiction

Everyone knows my favorite thing in the world to do is help smart, powerful women fulfill their publishing dreams. These women inspire me in their unfaltering efforts to not only achieve their goals, but to also lift others up so they can achieve theirs as well.

I've worked with many different professionals, and it was an honor to serve The Honorable Judge Penny. She helps young women all over Atlanta, and now with her book REAL TALK her words reach an international audience.

 

When a university press didn't accept Professor Judy Scales-Trent's manuscript about her paternal grandfather, A BLACK MAN'S JOURNEY FROM SHARECROPPER TO COLLEGE PRESIDENT, I helped her. The same university press was astounded when she handed them her beautiful tome, complete with 1400 footnotes and an index to rival any out there. Among many ground-breaking accomplishments, her grandfather was one of the founders of the United Negro College Fund.

 

Anna Elena Berlin is one of those energies who shines so brightly you're not sure if she's of this earth. We sat next to each other at lunch during the Willamette Writer's Conference in Portland last year and sparks flew. She helps people locally in Mexico and all around the world with her personal coaching and her book GET WHAT YOU NEED. She's illuminating.

Erin Taylor is improving the lives of children—her book CONNECTION & KINDNESS is the tool she uses to coach parents. I've been so impressed with everything I watch Erin achieve. Find her at It Takes A Village Parent Coaching. (I know, what a great name!)

 

And a few gentlemen with great non-fiction...

Yes, every now and then we let a boy into our club. These two are exceptional men helping others with life-changing health books.

Dr. Alan Dattner is a world-renowned holistic dermatologist. RADIANT SKIN is his award-winning book that will help millions.

Nick Mirrione has a fascinating weight loss story—WHO IS THIS GUY? is co-written with his bariatric surgeon. Watching the journey of this patient and doctor will help so many.

 And... World War 3. 

Okay, this book scared the shit out of me—THE CRUCIBLE OF GLOBAL WAR is brewing. Christopher Petitt is brilliant, and his book shows how history repeats itself.

New Books from Existing Imprints!

And, the beauty of establishing your own imprint is being able to add books to your money-making, platform-building, reach-expanding machine, like these existing imprints have done.

Tom Ingrassia brought an absolutely wild second book to us. REFLECTIONS OF A LOVE SUPREME is filled with fan photos of The Supremes and Tom's keen commentary about Motown. A winner of numerous indie book awards! Catch Tom on WCUW 91.3 FM in Worcester, Mass, some of my old stomping grounds.

Funny lady Lela Davidson released her third book, FAKING BALANCE, under her imprint and it has since been adopted as required reading for a Family Work-Stress Course at a university! Lela is "one of the most creative minds in the country" at One Country Media.

Kathleen Logan released her second book under her Second Blooming imprint. WOMEN'S WISDOM, PASS IT ON is a beautiful award-winning little gift book. I had fun with the design of this one in full-color. Judges at the Benjamin Franklin Awards wrote: “Beautiful layout and use of color on interior. Book feels great and when a reader has it in their hand, will be very appealing. Font choices, and unique interior design is a winner.”

 

You've gottta love when sisters publish sisters, as happened with I SAID CAMEL, YOU GAVE ME CANCER—a very funny, yes funny, recovery story by Dawn Murphy, published under her sister Nanci William (author of FISHTAILS: MEN WHO BITE. DATES THAT SUCK, AND OTHER CAUTIONARY TALES). 

 

And COVERT ACTS is the fifth, no sixth, no seventh, no eighth book from Geoff Tigg! Once you teach them how to fish...

 

And another novelist who is gathering books from previous publishers and putting everything under her own imprint is Lin Wilder. Here are two of her latest, with more on the way.

Whether it's a novel that a writer wants to keep 100% of her rights on, or a self-help entrepreneur who needs to package her platform into a marketing tool and educational portal—the Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint Program is a smart, completely transparent, viable, comprehensive and, in many of my imprints' opinions, the most enjoyable path to publishing your own books.