Category: book marketing

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Sticks & Bricks: Stories from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Cover from The Wrong Side of the Tracks: Stories, formerly known as Sticks and Bricks. Cover shows a girl peering through a chain link fence at boxcars sitting on a siding with graffiti painted on their sides.

So many people have been patiently waiting for news of the selection progress with Sticks & Bricks. At last, the editors, have given us the go-ahead to share a longlist with everyone, with heartfelt apologies because family emergencies intruded, and kept the selection process on hold for too long. We won’t be able to fit all of these into the book, but at least submitters can check this list to see if their submission is still under consideration.

Biographies for the three editors of this anthology, with small thumbnail photos for Luanne Smith, Michael Gills, and T.E. Wilderson

The Longlist (and a name change)

Submitted work for THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS: STORIES

  • Hallmark Town—Linda Heuring
  • A Day In the Life of a Five Year Old Pool Player—Francine Roderiguez
  • Paquete—Dan Timoskevich
  • Backyards—Catherine Alexander
  • All the Lonely People—Alex Stein (lyrics issue)
  • King of the Lake—Christine Rice
  • Dogs Always Bark—Melissa Chordas
  • A White Girl, A Horse, Two Cats and a Dog—Deborah Meltvedt
  • The Lesser Countries—August Tarrier
  • Witnesses—April Asbury
  • Human Statues—Leslie Johnson
  • Settle—Troy Bernardo
  • Diorama—Steve Tem
  • Street Sermon Annie—Vali Hawkins-Mitchell
  • Gonna Like It in the Jailhouse—Polar Levine
  • Whatever Happened to the American Dream—Don Robishaw
  • By the Grace—Gayle Bell (flash fiction)
  • Jets—R. Louis Fox
  • Gina and the Werewolf—Hadley Moore
  • Federico and His Boy—Victoria Ballesteros
  • Canary—Virginia Pina (pen name Watts)
  • Private Duties—Madeleine Mysko
  • The Angel of Lead Belly’s—John Mauk

Solicited Work for THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS: STORIES

  • Hunger—Pirette McKamey
  • Fast Hands, Fast Feet—Maurice Carlos Ruffin
  • Afterglow—Steph Post
  • Some Get-Back—Eric Miles Williamson
  • Leaving Early—Penn Stewart
  • Grit—Jesse Waters
  • Hard Shoes—Steve Gutierrez
  • The Short Story—Steve Gutierrez
  • Palette—Chavisa Woods
  • Kitty Rose—Jana Sasser (J.C. Sasser)
  • Flowchart—Kim Addonizio
  • Christmas Story of the Golden Cockroach—Ana Castillo
  • Old Dogs—Bonnie Jo Campbell
  • Amusement—Joe Haske
  • TBD—Elizabeth “e.” Stuelke
  • Tea Training—Zary Fekete (Zaqary)
  • The Bride Beneath my Bed—Lee Zacharias
  • TBD—Chavisa Woods
  • The Main Game—Chris Offutt
  • Barbie-Q—Sandra Cisneros
  • TBD—Manual Munoz
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Southern Festival of Books 2023

Map for the 2023 Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, Tennessee

We will be attending the Southern Festival of Books in 2023 It is in Nashville again this year, and we loved it so much last year, we can’t wait to get back. We look forward to seeing so many friends, especially, our wonderful Linda Parsons has a book that we published featured, Valediction. She’ll be there with us at booth number 27. Come see us there!

This will be the 35th annual Southern Festival of Books–among the oldest literary festivals in the country. It is free to attend with performance stages, food trucks, publishers and booksellers. (We’ll be at booth #27.)

Festival weekend (Oct. 21 and 22) takes place in downtown Nashville. The Festival grounds include Bicentennial Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Read more at their website: https://sofestofbooks.org/schedule

At the sponsors dinner during the Southern Festival of books 2022. At back are Linda Parsons and Pauletta Hansel, and seated are Susan O'Dell Underwood, Kim Davis, and Jeff Hardin. All are glowing.
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AWP 2023 Recap

The Madville Publishing booth at AWP23.

We had a wonderful time at AWP 2023 in Seattle

Poet Rick Campbell reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Poet Rick Campbell reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Queen Dolly regally awaits selfies with fans at the Book Fair! Photo by Lee Zacharias. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Queen Dolly regally awaits selfies with fans at the Book Fair! Photo by Lee Zacharias. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Wondra Chang reads from her Sonju during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Wondra Chang reads from her Sonju during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jenny Molberg reads during the Madvillans Read Event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jenny Molberg reads during the Madvillans Read Event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author and photographer Lee Zacharias takes a photo with authour Michael Gills. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author and photographer Lee Zacharias takes a photo with authour Michael Gills. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Mike Hilbig reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Mike Hilbig reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Anna Sandy-Elrod reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Anna Sandy-Elrod reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Michael Gills reads from The Green Mage during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Michael Gills reads from The Green Mage during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis take a photo with Dolly at the Book Fair. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis take a photo with Dolly at the Book Fair. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Poet Rick Campbell reads from his collection Gunshot, Peakcock, Dog at Madvillans Read. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Poet Rick Campbell reads from his collection Gunshot, Peakcock, Dog at Madvillans Read. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Kari Gunter-Seymour reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Kari Gunter-Seymour reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Writer Cherise Pollard reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Writer Cherise Pollard reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Former Texas Poet laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Former Texas Poet laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Writer Troy E. Wilderson reads during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Writer Troy E. Wilderson reads during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Bruce Overby reads from The Cyclone Release at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Bruce Overby reads from The Cyclone Release at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Ulrick Casimir reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Ulrick Casimir reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Lisa Lanser Rose reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Lisa Lanser Rose reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Mike Hilbig reads during the Madvillains Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Mike Hilbig reads during the Madvillains Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jodi Angel speaks during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jodi Angel speaks during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Poet Raye Hendrix reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Poet Raye Hendrix reads during the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Former Texas Poet laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Former Texas Poet laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Lisa Lanser Rose reads at the Madvillans Read event.
Author Lisa Lanser Rose reads at the Madvillans Read event.
Michael Gills reads from The Green Mage during the Madvillans Read event.
Michael Gills reads from The Green Mage during the Madvillans Read event.
Former Texas Poet laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, during the Madvillans Read event.
Former Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton reads from her collection, Turbulence and Fluids, during the Madvillans Read event.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis, author Lisa Lanser Rose, unknown, and writer Cherise Pollard take a group photo.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis, author Lisa Lanser Rose, unknown, and writer Cherise Pollard take a group photo before setting up the Book Fair booth.
Author Kari Gunter-Seymour reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Author Kari Gunter-Seymour reads during the Madvillans Read event.
All the books ready to go to the Book Fair!
All the books ready to go to the Book Fair!
Author Jenny Molberg reads during the Madvillans Read Event.
Author Jenny Molberg reads during the Madvillans Read Event.
Author Anna Sandy-Elrod reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Author Anna Sandy-Elrod reads during the Madvillans Read event.
The view from the conference hotel in Seattle.
The view from the conference hotel in Seattle.
Writer Cherise Pollard reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Writer Cherise Pollard reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Our beautiful booth, stocked with books for AWP 2023!
Our beautiful booth, stocked with books for AWP 2023!
Bill Davis sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Bill Davis sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Author Stephanie Powell Watts during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Author Stephanie Powell Watts during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Michael Gills speaks during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Michael Gills speaks during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Poet Raye Hendrix reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Poet Raye Hendrix reads during the Madvillans Read event.
Sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Sightseeing in Seattle before AWP 2023.
Cat Smith and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis pose in front of the Madville Publishing booth poster at AWP 2023.
Cat Smith and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis pose in front of the Madville Publishing booth poster at AWP 2023.
Author Bruce Overby reads from The Cyclone Release at the Madvillans Read event.
Author Bruce Overby reads from The Cyclone Release at the Madvillans Read event.
Francine Rodriguez laughs as Jodi Angel speaks during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Francine Rodriguez laughs as Jodi Angel speaks during the The Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jodi Angel reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Author Jodi Angel reads at the Madvillans Read event. Photo by Lee Zacharias.
Cat Smith and author Francine Rodriguez eat dinner at Ristorante Barolo Ristorante.
Cat Smith and author Francine Rodriguez eat dinner at Ristorante Barolo Ristorante.
Former Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis pose in front of the Dolly poster. Karla is holding a stack of copies of her poetry collection, Turbulence and Fluids.
Former Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton and Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis pose in front of the Dolly poster. Karla is holding a stack of copies of her poetry collection, Turbulence and Fluids.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis and author Stephen Powers take a photo in front of the Dolly poster.
Madville Publishing founder Kim Davis and author Stephen Powers take a photo in front of the Dolly poster.
Lana K. W. Austin, author of Like Light, Like Music, reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press.
Lana K. W. Austin, author of Like Light, Like Music, reads at the Offsite Reading at The Chieftain Irish Pub: Madville Publishing, Iris Press, and Stephen F. Austin State University Press.
Author Susan O’Dell Underwood reads at the Madvillans Read event.
Author Susan O’Dell Underwood reads at the Madvillans Read event.
Author Mike Hilbig reads during the Madvillains Read event.
Author Mike Hilbig reads during the Madvillains Read event.
Author Francine Rodriguez gets a photo with the Dolly poster at the AWP Book Fair.
Author Francine Rodriguez gets a photo with the Dolly poster at the AWP Book Fair.
Francine Rodriguez reads from A Woman's Story during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
Francine Rodriguez reads from A Woman’s Story during the Urban and Rural: Writing about Poverty panel.
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Pulpwood Queens 2023 Recap

We had a great time spreading madness at the 23rd annual INTERNATIONAL PULPWOOD QUEENS AND TIMBER GUYS BOOK CLUB READING NATION CONVENTION!

We were proud to represent the following incredible past and current Pulpwood Queens authors:

See some of our favorite mad moments below!

  • Author Antonina Duridanova (New Beginnings: From Behind the Iron Curtain to America) dances during the "Hair Ball."
    Author Antonina Duridanova
  • Keynote author J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), author Ruthie Landis (Acting Lessons for Living: Guided Journal), author Kathy Ramsperger (The Shores Of Our Souls), author T.K. Thorne (Behind the Magic Curtain), [Unknown]. [Unknown], [Unknown], author Lara Bernhardt (Red Rain), and author Beth M. Howard (Making Piece) pose for a group photo during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani's "Dynasties" event.
    J. Lawrence Matthews, Ruthie Landis, Kathy Ramsperger, T.K. Thorne, [pending]. [pending], [pending], Lara Bernhardt, and author Beth M. Howard
  • Author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) hugs author Laura (Recent book name here) while keynote speaker and author J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes)
    Author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) hugs author Laura (Recent book name here) while Tracy Carnes (The Darlings of Sundance: A Novel) and keynote speaker and author J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes) share a chuckle during the “Hair Ball.”
  • Madville founder Kim Davis and author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) pose together for a photograph during the Author Meet and Greet event. Photo by author and photographer Lee Zacharias (What a Wonderful World This Could Be).
    Madville founder Kim Davis and author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) pose together for a photograph during the Author Meet and Greet event.
  • Authors Cassandra King Conroy (Tell Me a Story) and Wondra Chang (Sonju) chat during the Author Meet & Greet event.
    Authors Cassandra King Conroy (Tell Me a Story) and Wondra Chang (Sonju) chat during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani’s Dynasties event.
  • Keynote Author J. Lawrence Matthews discusses his latest book, One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes.
    Keynote Author J. Lawrence Matthews discusses his latest book, One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes.
  • Author Antonina Duridanova (New Beginnings: From Behind the Iron Curtain to America) laughs during the "Hair Ball," and is photobombed by Liz Davis' hand.
    Madville’s own Lee Zacharias
  • Author Eileen Sanches (Freedom Lessons: A Novel) dances during the "Hair Ball."
    Author Eileen Sanches (Freedom Lessons: A Novel) dances during the “Hair Ball.”
  • Madville founder Kim Davis laughs as a patron browses the Madville books available at our table.
    Madville founder Kim Davis laughs as a patron browses the Madville books available at our table.
  • Keynote author J. Lawrence Matthews, (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), and Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy, (The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Keynote author J. Lawrence Matthews, (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), and Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy, (The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life), are photographed laughing together during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani's "Dynasties" event.
    Keynote author J. Lawrence Matthews, (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), and Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy, (The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life), are photographed laughing together during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani’s “Dynasties” event.
  • Pulpwood Queen's founder Kathy L. Murphy's son-in-law dresses up in a hat, scarf, and glasses and salutes with author Tracy Lea Carnes (The Darlings of Sundance) and a painting of her book cover. Book cover art by Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy.
    Pulpwood Queen’s founder Kathy L. Murphy’s son-in-law dresses up in a hat, scarf, and glasses and salutes with author Tracy Lea Carnes (The Darlings of Sundance) and a painting of her book cover. Book cover art by Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy.
  • Three Pulpwood Queens atendees take a moment to check in with the outside world and scroll on their phone.
    Three Pulpwood Queens atendees take a moment to check in with the outside world and scroll on their phone.
  • Madville Founder Kim Davis wears a sari during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani's "Dynasties" event.
    Madville Founder Kim Davis wears a sari during the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch for Anju Gattani’s “Dynasties” event.
  • Author Carol Van De Hende shows off her novel, Orchid Blooming.
    Author Carol Van De Hende shows off her novel, Orchid Blooming.
  • Film crew members author Mark Green, Drew, and R.J. smile for the camera as they watch the convention chaos.
    Film crew members author Mark Green, Drew, and R.J. smile for the camera as they watch the convention chaos.
  • Authors Robert Gwaltney of (The Cicada Tree) keynote speaker and author J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes) pose with Kim Davis' daughter, Liz Davis, during the "Hair Ball."
    Authors Robert Gwaltney of (The Cicada Tree) keynote speaker and author J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes) pose with Kim Davis’ daughter, Liz Davis, during the “Hair Ball.”
  • Authors Zoe Disigny (The Art of Traveling Strangers), keynote speaker J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), Carol Van Den Hende (Orchid Blooming), and keynote author Ann Hood (Fly Girl: A Memoir) take a selfie at the Over the Moon” “Hair Ball.”
    Authors Zoe Disigny (The Art of Traveling Strangers), keynote speaker J. Lawrence Matthews (One Must Tell the Bees: Abraham Lincoln and the Final Education of Sherlock Holmes), Carol Van Den Hende (Orchid Blooming), and keynote author Ann Hood (Fly Girl: A Memoir) take a selfie at the Over the Moon” “Hair Ball.”
  • Author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) moderates the Book & Film panel with Author/Screenwriter, Tracy Carnes of (The Darlings of Sundance: A Novel) and Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy, who created the cover art for Tracy’s book.
    Author Robert Gwaltney (The Cicada Tree) moderates the Book & Film panel with Author/Screenwriter, Tracy Carnes of (The Darlings of Sundance: A Novel) and Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy, who created the cover art for Tracy’s book.
  • Madville founder Kim Davis and her daughter Liz Davis pose with author Anju Gattani and her new book, Dynasties, at the Author Meet and Greet/Launch Party for Dynasties.
    Madville founder Kim Davis and her daughter Liz Davis pose with author Anju Gattani and her new book, Dynasties, at the Author Meet and Greet and Book Launch Party for Anju Gattani’s “Dynasties” event.
  • Author Anju Gattani (Dynasties) dances during the "Hair Ball."
    Author Anju Gattani (Dynasties) dances during the “Hair Ball.”
  • Anju Gattani (Dynasties) poses with a bookclub member dressed as a cow during the "Hair Ball."
    Anju Gattani (Dynasties) poses with a bookclub member dressed as a cow during the “Hair Ball.”
  • Alice C. Early and [pending]

We hope you’ll come get MAD with us at Pulpwood Queens next year!

Find out more and register for 2024’s Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys convention today!