What can be learned from a diary? What indeed, from not just one but several original writings, letters, journals, and other memorabilia of the Colonial and Victorian times? The answers lie in T.N. Pollio's new book, Voices from Early America on Sunbury Press Books. Speaking with Lawrence Knorr, Pollio discusses his work as a historian and author and his collection of authentic and true diaries and writings of American settlers. Their times were different, but like today, their emotions and perspectives on life mirror those of today. T.N. Pollio lives on the shore of Southern New England. He is the author of two books on ancient and medieval history, which are on the shelves of nearly 900 academic libraries on five continents. He has also published numerous articles and essays on art and historical subjects. Pollio is also a member of the Archeologic Institute of America and other historical forums.
Author, intuitive dreamer, and channeler Patti Fields returns to the Ars Metaphysica imprint with her new book, Freedom Now--Transform Life Experiences into Miraculous Moments. In her second release, Fields channels her spirit guide Neshea to offer transformative teachings for inner liberation and empowerment. Insights on relationships, expanded consciousness, and divine purpose are explored, which provide the reader a path to greater self-discovery. Speaking on the Sunbury Press Books Show, Fields talks of the formative experiences that led Fields to discover Neshea and share insights on universal questions, the answers of which can be applied to real-life issues. Fields is also the author of Dreaming Miracles--Spiritual Messages that Help and Heal. You can find out more on her website.
Author Robert John Andrews brings the 18th-century Susquehanna Valley to life in this Catamount Press novella, A Susquehanna Tale. This period of early American history is hard, where the rifle, tomahawk, and knife rule. It is a time of hope and loss, land-hungry settlers and the Iroquois; here, two men, frontier scout Alexander Tennant and pioneer Colonel William Montgomery discuss the stories of their lives and times. A Susquehanna Tale is discussed by Robert John Andrews and Sunbury Press Books founder Lawrence Knorr in this BookSpeak Network podcast. Retired after more than 40 years of pastoral work, including nearly three decades as head of the Grove Presbyterian Church in Danville, Pennsylvania, Andrews is a popular newspaper columnist, community and church leader, and public speaker on historical and spiritual topics. His first book, Nathaniel's Call won the First Book Award from the Presbyterian Writer's Guild, the first print-on-demand book so honored. Danville remains Andrews' home, and he says he's learned to cherish this region's rich history and love the tale of its river.
Horror author Stephen Paul Sayers comes to Hellbender Books with a new tale of suspense in The Carousel Man. Haunted by nightmares and visions, a desperate man returns to their source: a childhood carousel ride. There, he uncovers a shocking truth—and a long-forgotten promise that he is condemned to fulfill. Sayers is the author of the bestselling Caretakers horror trilogy, A Taker of Morrows, The Soul Dweller, and The Immortal Force. He appears on the Sunbury Press Show to discuss his love of old horror movies (watched with his ill-behaved dog, Ollie), how they influenced his writing, and his work as a college professor. He makes his home in Columbia, Missouri, and Plymouth, Massachusetts. You can find out more about him at his website.
"We are vessels...and sometimes we have to empty them." For years, Jhana has traveled the country as a National Public Radio reporter, looking for the stories of interesting people to tell. Now she has returned to her hometown of Sorel, to empty her vessel and tell listeners her own tale. As she navigates a hometown that has changed but still retains much of what it once was, Jhana reunites and remembers to see if one can go home again, in How the Story Ends. The seventh book by Tory Gates, How the Story Ends finds the author returning to commercial fiction. His works on Brown Posey Press include the Sweet Dreams Series, a young adult/time travel series with an emphasis on music. He is also the author of the award-winning A Moment in the Sun, Live from the Cafe, and the self-published Parasite Girls, which can be found on Amazon and Draft2Digital. For nearly 40 years, Tory has worked in broadcast radio, and is currently an anchor for NBC News Radio, but also provides news content for stations across Central Pennsylvania. He is also the host of "The Brown Posey Press Show" here on the BookSpeak Network. On this episode of The Sunbury Press Books Show, Tory discusses his career, his Vermont upbringing, and what inspires and drives his writing. You can find more on his website. A native of Cambridge, Vermont, Tory graduated from Saint Joseph's College of Maine. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with his cat, Kao. He can be found anywhere that good coffee is served.
Elbridge Corvallis finds himself in an unenviable position. About to start his professional hockey career, "Elby" is called home to Lowland, Pennsylvania, due to his mother's death. A car accident then keeps him home, and Elby has to somehow heal, and figure out how to get out of a gritty, dying steel town. Elby must also contend with his father's slide into madness, a pervy landlord, a revenge-minded physical therapist, and also the "Duke of Ash Avenue," a mysterious character who wants to secede and return the town to British rule. The darkly humorous situation and the strange characters that surround him leave Elby to consider his own place in the world, and whether Lowland really has anything for him? Garrett Stack brings his first novel, "The Duke of Ash Avenue" to the Catamount Press and the Sunbury Press Book Show. A poet and author of short fiction, Stack's work has appeared in several literary magazines. "Yeoman's Work," a collection of his poetry came out in 2020 on Bottom Dog Press. He holds degrees from Indiana University, the University of San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University. You can find out more about Garrett on his website.
Arcane Assassin: Path of Annihilation is the first of the Raven Naelo series, now available on the Hellbender Books imprint of Sunbury Press. The daughter of an elven king and human mother, Raven is a would-be rogue seeking to follow her father's path and become a realm guardian. After proving her worth against a gang of half-orcs, her father sends Raven to a training camp, where she meets fellow travelers, mages, nymphs, and archers. Their training is tested as they step into the world of advanced magic, but Raven finds her own power and danger at every turn. As the world plunges into war, Raven must fight to save her homeland from destruction, and the possibility that living and dead will never find peace. AnneMarie Knorr-Fischer is co-author of what promises to be an exciting quest, that she and her wife Rachel have set Raven upon. She discusses with host Lawrence Knorr how a love of Dungeons & Dragons and the discovery of old gaming documents and maps inspired Raven and the newly-released start of an exciting and captivating series. The authors live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
R. Kane Maurer brings his love of fantasy and adventure tales to a trilogy of his own design, The Forbidden Powers. After agreeing to explore a local cave, Jonny is thrust into another world of magic, trolls, dragons, and legendary heroes only read about. Jonny quickly finds this is all too real and must learn to not only save himself but to defend the world he knows from a sinister force who seeks the power of a god. "The Cup in the Shadows" is the first of Maurer's three-volume set, available through the Hellbender Books imprint of Sunbury Press. Inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and others, Maurer has brought his original storytelling to the printed word, and discusses the trilogy with host Lawrence Knorr. R. Kane Maurer lives with his family in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The Deceived Ones is a tale of displacement, a stranger in a strange land, music, and a tale most familiar to fans of a certain bard. In her debut novel, Judith Krummeck brings real places, war, music, and identity to life. Vira is a talented, but introverted Ukrainian woman who is forced to flee her homeland as Russia invades. She lands in Baltimore with help from the Uniting for Ukraine program, carrying the clothes on her back and her viola da gamba. An assault and the loss of her passport drive Vira to assume the identity of her twin brother Sevastyan, who fights to avoid conscription and follow Vira to the US. Meanwhile, Orson is commissioned to write an opera for the Twelfth Night Festival, but cannot compose; his muse, the equally brilliant soprano Isabella refuses to sing again, for him or anyone else. Vira's musical talents come Orson's way, as she tries to remake herself and navigate a path to a new life. Based on Twelfth Night, Judith Krummeck discusses The Deceived Ones on the Brown Posey Press Show. A native of South Africa, Krummeck is an essayist, author, and playwright. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore. She is the author of "Beyond the Baobab," an autobiographical series of essays, and "Old New Worlds," a work of historical non-fiction. Her writings have appeared in The Rumpus, Baltimore Fishbowl, and Past Ten. Judith is also the evening drive presenter on classical music radio station WBJC in Baltimore, where she lives with her husband. You can find more about Judith on her website.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were the doormat of the National League for much of the 1950s but began to turn things around late in the decade. Through changes in the front office and management, the Bucs had their first winning season in a decade in 1958 but slipped to fourth place the following year. 1960: When the Pittsburgh Pirates Had Them All the Way is the story of that magical run, from spring training to a wild World Series against the New York Yankees. Wayne Stewart brings his love of baseball, plus extensive research and player interviews to the table in this comprehensive look at a unique team that won 95 games and then took the Yankees the distance. Shortstop Dick Groat earned the NL MVP Award, 20-game winner Vernon Law took Cy Young honors, and an outfielder named Roberto Clemente hit .314 with a then career-high 16 home runs. Players such as Harvey "The Kitten" Haddix, Roy Face, Hal Smith, and Bill Mazeroski made their respective marks; the latter was mostly a defensive specialist who hit the series-clinching homer. A native of Pittsburgh, Wayne Stewart grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania. The town produced several athletes who made it in the pros, including Stan Musial and Ken Griffey, Senior, and Junior (Stewart in fact was a high school teammate of the elder Griffey). Stewart is the author of a string of books on baseball, football and basketball, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in professional sports. "A must-read for every baseball fan." -- Vernon Law
Massachusetts was one of the states on the front line when it came to the Abolitionist Movement, but it also served as an early hub for the slave trade in New England. In his new book on Local History Press, Slavery and Abolitionism on Cape Cod, Dr. Michael Pregot looks into how both the pro and anti-slavery factions took hold. To understand the shift away from slavery, Dr. Pregot looks into the forces that caused this change, including the political and religious persuasions, economic factors, and social movements of the time. A resident of Brewster, Massachusetts, Michael Pregot's interest in the stories of the Cape and Islands led to his research into the sea captains who acquired wealth, fame, and prominence as they sailed the world, as chronicled in his first Local History release, Sea Captains of Cape Cod.
Justin Moore, the protagonist of Dennis Clausen's works, The Accountant's Apprentice and The Return of the Fifth Horseman is back with Apocalypse in Our Time. In Justin's time as the director of a homeless shelter, he's seen an awful lot. The latest residents of the shelter include Young Angelina, an artistic savant with an obsession with Shakespeare's plays and the paintings of Michaelangelo. When Justin later picks up a nameless, catatonic man from a bus depot, he wonders if the long-lost A.C. has indeed returned. Or is he an otherworldly figure whose mission is to convince Earth's inhabitants to destroy themselves? Dennis Clausen is a native of Minnesota and draws on his home state to inspire his numerous works. He is the author of books that include Prairie Son, My Christmas Attic, The Search for Judd McCarthy, and The Sins of Rachel Sims. A professor of American Literature and Creative Writing at the University of San Diego for over 40 years, Clausen has also written the instructional Storytelling as Art & Craftsmanship: Practical Strategies for Screenwriters and Creative Writers. Find out more at his website.
Altoona, Pennsylvania, 1966. Nineteen-year-old Frank Davis stands on the edge of adulthood in a tumultuous time of American history, brought to life in Fred J. Lauver's new novel, Heart in the Jungle - Mountain City. Frank's middle-class neighborhood has streets named after poets, in contrast to the reality of the city's industrial lands, the remains of the coal and railroad industries. Amid this, Frank dreams of rock stardom with his band, while living a somewhat-sheltered life that hearkens back to a decade before. The Vietnam War hangs heavy over the nation, and while patriotism remains strong, the feeling pervades many that this is a war we should not be fighting. Frank enlists in the Air Force, only to find he's been drafted, by the seemingly standard practice of the local board. Efforts of wealthier families, determined to keep their sons from this war resort to extreme measures and Frank is caught up in it. All the while, Frank tries to find love. His lifelong friend Jeannette Wiley is gone, the allure of Sarah Meade, the girl everyone wants, and the courtship of Brandi Jo Pulinni, guided by her Italian-American family's ever-changing perceptions. A native of Altoona, Fred is the author of works including Aziza, the Caves of Mars, and Olympus. His short stories have appeared in anthologies such as The Darkened Doorstep, and Bitter Sweet. He co-authored The Pennsylvania Trail of History cookbook and was assistant editor of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine. Find out more about Fred here.
A small-town murder in rural Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is examined by author Taj Magruder in his Milford House Press debut, In the Day of Trouble. On March 17, 1934, a woman named Susan Mummey was shot and killed by a known assailant. Her murder was due to her being known as the Witch of Ringtown Valley, which Magruder covers in detail for the first time. For years Mummey was rumored to practice magic from her isolated farm home, and her battles with family, neighbors, and the law were known. When detectives extracted a confession from her assailant, the revelations that followed not only shocked the county, but far beyond. As quickly as the excitement and interest in Mummey's murder and what she was alleged to have done grew, it faded away. Magruder's research into the historical record, press reports, and insights from survivors of those involved has resulted in a fascinating look at a strange time in American history. Magruder examines Mummey's life, and her connections to "powwow," the Pennsylvania Dutch form of mysticism, faith healing, and spirituality. He also looks into how Mummey came to be misunderstood, the mental disturbance of her killer, which may make the reader examine their own selves. A Baltimore native, Taj Magruder has worked in state and local government. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in political science, he lives in the Greater Philadephia area with his cats, Benji and Roxie.
Rita Wilson's debut novel, When the Only Light is the Moon tells the tale of four women, each with their own story, and a chance encounter in a foreign land that changes everything. Demi is a Greek-American banquet manager who is still recovering from a breakup. She joins her mother, aunt, and cousin for a trip to Greece. The plan for a relaxing holiday does not begin well as their rental car breaks down. Rescue by a villager and her grandson Stavros leads to an unexpected romance, with Charles, a British author who offers humor and sage advice. Demi must consider her feelings for Stavros, and with Charles' advice in mind, all four women face their issues in this work on the Milford House imprint. Rita Wilson is an award-winning artist, writer, and educator. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including the literary magazines Rune and Riverspeak, Voices from the Attic, and The 100 Lives Anthology. Her first book, Greek Lessons is a biography and memoir, and her many trips to Greece have informed the new novel she speaks of with host Lawrence Knorr. Wilson has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Carlow University in Pittsburgh. A retired teacher, Wilson has held creative writing workshops in the US and Europe. She is also a Western Pennsylvania Writing Project fellow, a Non-Fiction Editor for the Northern Appalachia Review, and a Director of the Writing Conference of Northern Appalachia (WCONA). She lives near Pittsburgh.
Brian George has drawn on his experiences (both in and out of body) for his poetry and essays. A collection of the latter form his book, Masks of Origin: Regression in the Service of Omnipotence, on Untimely Books. Stories, examinations of faith and spirituality, philosophy, and visual works show a unique take on our world. George discusses the pushing of boundaries, including time and space, and how our experiences, though perhaps negative or even traumatic, may well open doors to discovery. As part of his appearance on The Brown Posey Press Show, George reads selections of his works, drawing the listener (as it has the reader) into a deeper look at the author, and perhaps ourselves. Brian George grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a Massachusetts College of Art graduate and is an exhibitor and educator. George has published works of poetry and essays (with more to come) and is editor of the Metapsychosis Journal. He lives in Boston.
The Young Frontiersman Series follows Barnabus Locke as he lives through a formative period in America. The son of a fur trader, Locke's odyssey from the Revolutionary Period through the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The volumes of his adventures, "Fidelity," "Allegiance," and "Alliance" are now joined by the latest in the series, "Identity." All come from the pen of Matthew Blaine and available through Milford House Press. Inspired by the works of Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, Louis L'Amour, and John Steinbeck, Blaine tells of his varied life: a steelworker, factory floor assembler, carpenter, and cab driver, he also managed trade shows across the East Coast. His interests included primitive archery, hiking, and canoeing. During the pandemic, Blaine wrote two self-published memoirs of his life. All of this spurred him to create Barnabus Locke, and live history through times of change in the colonies, the Spanish/French conflict over the Louisiana Territory, and the Ohio Country, which has its roots in Western Pennsylvania. Retired, Matthew Blaine lives in rural Pennsylvania. When not writing, he works in a shop in the woods, practicing the skills required for leather working, shaping and fletching primitive arrows and marrying old ax heads with newly fashioned handles.
The Holly Garner and Stephanie Miller team return to the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss their new series of children's books, designed to help kids navigate difficult times. Best known for the engaging books "Letters to Leo" and "More Letters to Leo," they return with the Emotional Monster series on Speckled Egg Press. The first two of these, "Why is Frustrated so Frustrated?" and "Why is Sad so Sad?" are designed in words and pictures to help young people become aware of these emotions and how to deal with them. The pairing of Garner and Miller is natural, as they both work at the Grace B. Luhrs Elementary School in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Holly Garner has been an educator for over 30 years, the principal of Luhrs, a teacher and reading specialist. Stephanie Miller has more than 25 years of experience, teaches third grade at Luhrs, and has brought her artistic skills to the team. Another new release is Stuck! A hilarious tale of a hockey goalie stuck in his net, this tale teaches the value of teamwork.
The fourth and final volume of the Anthems of al-Andalus series, John D. Cressler takes the reader to Spain and tells the tale of forbidden love during a bloody war that heralds the end of a golden age. As much a tale of fiction, it is also one of history, which most never learn about in the west. Most of modern Spain was under Muslim control from 711 to 1492 C.E. This time was one of deep influence in world events, including the rediscovery, translation and dissemination of the lost works of science, medicine, and philosophy of the ancient Greeks. The Umayyads were great lovers of books and learning, and the 10th and 11th centuries was a period of religious and spiritual acceptance, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities embraced one another. The three traditions sparked a cultural revolution. This discussion with host Lawrence Knorr provides insight into centuries past, and how faiths lived and grew together and inspired immense change, now seemingly lost. John D. Cressler is the Schlumberger Chair Professor in Electronics at Georgia Tech. His debut novel, "Emeralds of the Alhambra," was released by Sunbury Press in 2013, followed by "Shadows in the Shining City," and "Fortune's Lament." He is also the author of non-fiction works that include "Silicon-Germanium Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors," "Silicon Earth," and "Extreme Environment Electronics." You can find out more about him at his website.
Murial Robertson is a rebellious woman of the late 19th century but has to keep a fair amount of that under wraps. Attached to the security detail of her Senator father, Murial longs to break from his grip, yet must also protect him. When her father is threatened by an unknown stalker known as "The Serpent," it is up to Murial to discover his identity. Aided by her cousin Walter and a lawman named Jack, Murial begins an odyssey of intrigue, action and self-discovery in the novella "The Serpent's Star." Author and artist Sarah Ickes has brought Murial to life, spurred by her interest in art, history, westerns, Steampunk and suspense. She discusses these and future works on the Brown Posey Press Show. A graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College, Ickes can be found at area events, on social media and at her website. Sarah lives in Newville, Pennsylvania.