The poster for Prima Facie, a one-woman play by Suzie Miller, shows two faces of the actress Jodie Comer. In one she is placid and wearing a barrister’s wig; in the other she’s screaming. A copy of the poster is folded up in the playbill handed to theatergoers. On its back are statistics detailing the […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/06/10/she-said-she-said-prima-facie/
For over three decades Joan Acocella has written about dance and literature for The New York Review of Books. In a two-part piece published in our May 25 and June 8 issues, she reviews Mr. B., Jennifer Homans’s biography of George Balanchine—the most significant to date, tackling “the life, the death, the art, the mother.” Balanchine “occasionally said that dancers were […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/06/10/dancing-queen-joan-acocella/
Secrets are a kind of currency. They can be hoarded, but if kept for too long they lose their value. Like all currencies, they must, sooner or later, be used in a transaction—sold to the highest bidder or bartered as a favor for which another favor will be returned. To see the full scale of […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/06/10/the-ultimate-deal/
An End to Arguing: 101 Valuable Lessons for All Relationships shares with readers the skills they need to build healthy relationships and avoid destructive conflicts. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My husband Charlie and I came from families where painful arguments were commonplace. Our parents argued with each other and there were hostilities with extended family members. We KNEW there was a BETTER WAY and committed ourselves to discovering ways of handling differences that enhanced our marriage, family life, therapy clients, and other relationships with people who are important to us. We got some really good help and I feel a sense of responsibility to pass it on to others.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It really is possible to end arguing. We just need to be sensitive to where the line is between having a passionate, intense discussion, and going over the line to attempt to coerce the other person to seeing things our way. I was also determined to inspire my readers to practice mindfulness, to take breaks when they are triggered, to pause and reflect, and to enhance all of their relationships by being patient, generous, empathetic and compassionate.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
There is so much to learn about effective communication which enhances close relationships. There really isn’t anything better that we can be spending our time doing than learning how to have great relationships because that’s where our greatest happiness and well-being resides.
What is one thing readers take away from your book?
Our readers understand how powerful they are to impact their relationships with others when they have differences.
The differences that we have from others can be a source of learning, growth and enrichment.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
An End to Arguing doesn’t just provide a way of preventing differences from turning into painful conflict; it gives the reader an insight into what qualities are inherent in argument-free relationships. The way of getting there may be simpler than you think!
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/10/it-really-is-possible-to-end-arguing/
George Mason’s America is a compelling look at the vision that George Mason had for America and how, had his vision been followed, where would we be today? Why was this an important book for you to write?
The ideological conflict in America between natural rights conservatives and left-wing groups is irreconcilable. The origins of the conflict begin in 1787 when Madison and 38 delegates to the Philadelphia convention overthrew the Articles of Confederation. I wanted to describe that the principles of liberty, in 1776, would have been a better pathway for ordinary common American citizens.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I began writing this book at the same time that I was writing America’s Final Revolution, in 2021. The more I read about George Mason, the more I thought that Mason deserved his own book. I finished this book in March of 2023.
Author Links: Twitter | Website
“Let us at once take friendly leave of each other.”
In her book, George Mason: Constitutionalist, Helen Hill describes the debate during the 1787 convention in terms of sectionalism, meaning that the northern states did not want to form a centralized union with the southern slaveocracy.
Hill writes,
“The sense of sectionalism became so strong that some of the members saw no solution but to organize two confederacies…on July 13 Morris stated, “Instead of attempting to blend incompatible things, let us at once take friendly leave of each other.”…on July 23 Pinckney “reminded the Convention that if the Constitution should fail to insert some security to the Southern States against an emancipation of slaves and taxes on exports, he should be bound by duty to his State to vote against their report,”
Both Morris and Pinckney were correct in their opinion that the two alien cultures should never have been rammed together under a centralized, all-powerful government.
Likewise, today two alien cultures do not co-exist in peace, and do not share common cultural or philosophical principles on the mission of the national government.
We argue that the differences are irreconcilable, and cannot be remedied by amendments or modifications to Madison’s document.
We agree with Delegate Morris that the time has come for the conservative states to take friendly leave of the Democrat Marxist states.
We argue that there is only one pathway back to freedom, and taking that path means starting over, with a new constitution, at the point in history when Mason and Jefferson wrote their respective documents, in 1776.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/10/laurie-thomas-vass-author-interview/
The Raindrop follows the journey of a tiny little raindrop who wants only to bring others joy. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this story lies entirely on the shoulders of my seven year old son Jonathan, and my five year old daughter Brooke. On a foggy morning while driving them to school, they both asked me numerous questions about fog, rain, and clouds. It was during that Q&A session when I felt that God placed an idea on the inside of me. While it is hard to explain, in short, I felt highly encouraged to somehow put this discussion into an inspiring story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life and society as a whole, has a way of wanting to place limitations on us. At times, these limitations try to give us reasons why we may or may not see a dream happen. If we are not careful, we all can allow these limitation to take root not just in our thoughts, but also in our hearts. It is for that very reason, I wanted children to have a story that encourages them to keep pursuing their dreams no matter how big they are.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Ayan Mansoori?
Ayan is wonderful and very easy to work with. With the addition of the new story coming out soon, he will have illustrated 4 of my 5 books. The art collaboration process begins with me finalizing the books design and layout. Once that is complete, I begin making a list on each illustration. In short, these lists are giving Ayan a few basic parameters to work with. An example of these parameters would be something along the lines of which characters are to be included in the illustration, and what the background should look like. The rest is completely up to Ayan. I truly want him to unleash his creativity to the fullest. I don’t know how he does it, but Ayan works his magic and somehow gives life to my ideas. Ayan then sends me a simple black and white sketch of each illustration for review. Once any adjustments are made, he’ll then send me another sketch to review. After that, it’s all about adding the color and making the pages come alive.
What is the next story that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am in the final editing steps of the third book in my “Oliver the Oyster” series. The new story is titled, “Oliver the Oyster and the Lost Lab.” If you are familiar with my book series, Oliver the oyster and his friends come across a lost Labrador puppy named Mac. The group of friends then go on a fun-filled adventure through their town of Wellfleet to help Mac reunite with his family. For a teaser, have you ever seen a dog and a crab go into a restaurant’s kitchen only to have it engulfed in a flurry of powdered sugar? If not, I hope you will give this story a read when it is set to release in the fall of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/10/an-inspiring-story/
Deciphering Autism is an authoritative and exhaustive exploration of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Why was this an important book for you to write?
As a parent of two autistic adults and a clinical practitioner I have been able to view autism from two perspectives for a very long time. At times suppositions and research conclusions on the nature of autism didn’t line up for me – largely because not enough is known about how the normal brain works to describe the nature of autism. My late wife and I home schooled our two autistic children and on her passing she challenged me to write a book combining science and experience in a way that explains the “what” and “why” of this disorder.
What research did you undertake to write this book?
I researched the book from every angle; including neurobiology, psychology, cognition, emotional development and language development to put the pieces of this syndrome together in a meaningful way. The references in the book are numerous and might be a bit tedious for the typical reader but I wanted to leave no stone un-turned.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
There are several things I wanted to convey in this book that I consider of paramount importance, One is that the diagnostic picture of autism has become blurred, leaving the more severely afflicted with no voice, Secondly, there is a hidden intelligence within autism that leads to some rather brilliant sensory adaptations – even though they appear odd to others. Third, the mind is regulated by more than neurons and the autistic mind lacks sufficient regulation due to a deficiency in rhythmic, coordinated neural activity in the brain that might one day be remediated through non-invasive technological methods
What is a common misconception you feel people have about Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Finally, a common misperception of autistic people is that they lack a capacity for social interest and bonding. I argue that this is due to non-fluid perceptions rather than detachment and that by employing the right methods bonding, love and attachment become real possibilities for autistic individuals.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/10/the-nature-of-autism/
Copper Waters follows an antiquities appraiser looking to escape her complicated relationship, who gets mixed up in a double murder investigation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Because New Zealand is noted for the huge number of sheep that reside there, I wrote a murder mystery surrounding a particular flock belonging to Annalisse’s friend. I raise Dorset sheep, so why not write what’s familiar? As I began the outline on 3 x 5 cards prior to writing the story on my computer, I realized an earlier murder was necessary in order for the sheep station family members to be seamlessly considered as prime suspects. Copper Waters weaves two murders and several possible culprits including the station’s Corriedale stud ram named, Dax. Can a sheep be tried and convicted of murder? The reader will have to pick up a copy of Copper Waters to find out!
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?
All of my books, including the children’s books, are worked out via an outline so it’s easier to manage the number of subplots. If I free write, I have a tendency to go off in too many different directions causing confusion for the reader, which is never a good thing. Each chapter is laid out on a card and the book is totally finished in basic format prior to beginning the novel document. I know the general direction of each chapter by the time I begin Chapter One.
The outline method was a happy accident after writing the fourth draft of Stolen Obsession, book one, in the Annalisse series. A strong developmental editor pointed out my many wandering sideline scenarios within the plot. She suggested turning each subplot into series installments. The original Annalisse standalone book I had created turned into a multi-book series at that point.
My writing is completely planned out ahead of time, although red herrings and foreshadowed events are added and do surprise me, occasionally. I’m know for twists and turns in each of the books and an ending that may surprise readers, like that in Copper Waters.
Are you a fan of the Cozy Mystery genre? What books do you think most influenced your work?
I prefer cozy mysteries because they aren’t as graphic and allow a more simplistic way of uncovering the villain(s). To understand how to write an ongoing series in the mystery genre, I read Cleo Coyle books and the Louise Penny Chief Inspector Gamache series. Both authors have a different approach and style, but they enable me to learn how to incorporate previous installments in a current book. The trick I struggle with most is how much information from previous books is too much information for new readers who might pick up a later Annalisse series novel. Not all readers begin with the first book in a series. As an example, Copper Waters advance reader copy was adjusted after its release with less information based on reader recommendations.
Do you have plans for a fifth book in the Annalisse Series? If so, when can your fans expect it out?
There will be a fifth book in the Annalisse series, and a new murder closer to home. Readers will find main characters, Anna and Alec at his Brookehaven estate in upstate New York as they are pulled into his horseracing sideline business more heavily. However, the next series book release for Annalisse is off in the future until my new one-book mystery is released, possibly in spring of 2024.
Before book five, I’m currently taking a fun break while drafting a standalone mystery unrelated to the Annalisse series. Completely new characters in entirely new circumstances!
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | GoodReads | Instagram
Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.
Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.
But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.
Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.
The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.
As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/10/an-earlier-murder-was-necessary/