Wyatt-MacKenzie Spring 2015 Press Release

An Illustrated Biography of Jane Austen and Two Health-Related Re-Releases on Getting A Natural High and A Stem Cell Transplant MS Medical Miracle

Wyatt-MacKenzie’s Spring 2015 titles include a brand new release “Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer” by Lisa Pliscou; and re-releases “A Stem Cell Transplant MS Recovery Story” by Sandi Selvi, and “A Better High” by Matt Bellace. Plus three Foreword Reviews Book-of-the-Year finalists!

New Release

What was Jane Austen like as a child? What inspired her to write?

“Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer” is a colorful new biography with a special focus on Austen’s creative development during her childhood and the connections to her work as a mature writer. Drawing upon a wide array of sources, including Austen’s own books and correspondence, author Lisa Pliscou illuminates the life of the youthful Jane and the fascinating connections to her much-loved writing. Lavishly annotated, designed with an evocative antique sensibility, and featuring 20 specially commissioned illustrations, “Young Jane Austen” is sure to intrigue anyone interested in Jane Austen, her enduring legacy, and the triumph of the artistic spirit.

“It is adorable,” raved The NYC Jane Austen Society upon receiving an advance review copy.  “Like the very best of books, ‘Young Jane Austen’ exists well beyond labels. It is an empathetic biography and an empathic search, a reflection on a singular person and an engaging, universal treatise on creative fervor,” reviews Beth Kephart, author of “Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir” and “Going Over.”

“Young Jane Austen” is described eloquently by Jane Odiwe, author of “Searching for Captain Wentworth” and “Lydia Bennet’s Story”: “A delightful glimpse into the world of the young Jane Austen, which will appeal to adults as well as teenagers. The narrative is beautifully written, enabling the reader to vividly imagine Jane’s world of family, events, and her inner life, on the journey to becoming a writer during her formative years. The addition of annotations and reference material, gained from many sources, help further explore the historical background and context, along with accompanying illustrations, setting Jane Austen firmly in the Georgian world. A charming tribute.”

Author Lisa Pliscou will be the keynote speaker at a meeting of the Jane Austen Society of Northern California, celebrating Austen’s birthday in December. “Young Jane Austen” will be available via the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England, as well as through other venues in Bath, and featured at various Jane Austen festivals both in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more about the author at LisaPliscou.com.

Wyatt-MacKenzie Re-Releases

Sandi Selvi proves laughter is good medicine, and that a stem cell transplant can cure MS. Matt Bellace reveals scientifically proven natural highs.

“A Stem Cell Transplant MS Recovery Story: Beating Multiple Sclerosis with Humor, Hope & Science” originally titled “Won’t Do Stand-Up in a Wheelchair” was re-released with an addendum for the author’s 15th anniversary of her successful stem cell transplant. After being diagnosed with MS in 1995, Sandi Selvi began to decline rapidly and quickly became frustrated with conventional medical options. In March of 2000 Sandi joined forces with the brilliant doctors at Scripp’s in San Diego for a $100,000 autologous stem cell transplant. During the two-month medical procedure Sandi came pretty close to death, but a $10.99 box of comedy tapes helped her through recovery, and changed her life.

“Spell-binding—rings true on every level. Inspiring and empowering for anyone facing challenges they think are so insurmountable that they cannot be overcome,” reviews Lynn Ruth Miller, author of “Starving Hearts.” Neil Leiberman, The Comedy Coach® reviews, “Sandi makes the toughest journey seem refreshingly funny. Every doctor, comedian and patient should read this great book.”

Sandi now shares her journey, and her medical miracle, through stand-up comedy, and through humorous keynote speeches. Learn more about the author at SandiSelvi.com.

“A Better High: laugh, help, run, love and other ways to get naturally high!” was re-released with updates by youth motivational speaker and stand-up comedian Matt Bellace. Young people need to feel empowered – it’s not enough to ask them to stay away from drugs and alcohol, we need to show them positive things they can do instead, both for themselves and others. Sample chapters include: “Laughing, Smiling and Other Highs Better Than Cocaine,” “Running, Surfing and Other Highs Better Than Weed,” “Eating, Cooking and Other Highs Better Than Alcohol,” and “Helping, Listening and Other Highs Better Than Being Selfish.” 

“Matt uses humor to deliver an important message: young people can make healthy choices,” says Miles Austin, NFL receiver. Jon Sundt, Founder of the Natural High organization reviews, “This is a powerful tool for everyone, especially students, teachers and parents!”

Matt Bellace, Ph.D., has been a youth motivational speaker and stand-up comedian since 1995. He has a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, is a member of the National Speakers Association, and a contributing author for the National Geographic Kids book series “This or That.”  His “How to Get High Naturally” program encourages over a hundred thousand students a year worldwide to pursue natural highs and make healthy choices. Learn more about the author at MattBellace.com.

Book Award News!

Wyatt-MacKenzie is thrilled to announce we have three finalists in ForeWord Reviews’ 17th annual Book-of-the-Year Awards. “Lemongrass Hope: a novel” by Amy Impellizzeri takes the Romance category, and “Small Things Considered: Moments from Manliness to Manilow” by Joel Schwartzberg took the Essay and Humor categories. Winners will be announced in May. “After 17 years, our awards program has become synonymous with quality because our editors set such a high bar on the finalist round, which makes it especially tough for the judges who select the winners,” said Victoria Sutherland, publisher of Foreword Reviews. “In every genre, our judges will find an interesting, high-quality selection of books culled from this year’s entries.”

“Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer” (April 20, 2015) by Lisa Pliscou, illustrated by Massimo Mongiardo; ISBN: 9781939288905; 188 pages, $17.75 full-color, fully indexed, paperback. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939288908

“A Stem Cell Transplant MS Recovery Story: Beating Multiple Sclerosis with Humor, Hope & Science” (originally published March 2010) by Sandi Selvi; ISBN 9781936214105; 194 pages, $15.95 paperback.

“A Better High: laugh, help, run, love...and other ways to get naturally high!” (originally published April 2012) by Matt Bellace; ISBN 9781936214563; 172 pages, $13.95, paperback.

Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, Inc. celebrates their 17th year in 2015. Located in Deadwood, Oregon, this award-winning indie and its publisher, Nancy Cleary, have become known for providing an empowered author experience. Wyatt-MacKenzie authors have appeared in TV segments, documentaries, magazine articles, major blogs and newspapers all over the world. Visit wyattmackenzie.com.