Tag: Black Chateau

Horror Writers Association announces sixth annual Summer Scares reading list

The Summer Scares reading list includes titles selected by a panel of authors and library workers. Photo: Black Château.

In celebration of National Library Lover’s Day, the Horror Writers Association (HWA), in partnership with United for Libraries, Book Riot, Booklist, and NoveList®, a division of EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO), is delighted to announce the sixth annual Summer Scares reading list, which includes titles selected by a panel of authors and library workers and is designed to promote Horror as a great reading option for all ages, during any time of the year. This year, Summer Scares welcomes author Clay McLeod Chapman as the 2024 spokesperson. (Black Château, 2024)

“Our bookshelves are getting haunted this summer! Every last one of the books selected for this year’s Summer Scares is a beautiful little nightmare just waiting for the right reader to come along and crack it open. The outright honor of amassing this awesome roster of authors cannot be overstated. I love each and every last one of these books and I can’t wait to shout about how terrifying they are all summer long.” – Clay McLeod Chapman

Each year, three titles are selected in each of three categories: Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade.

For 2024 those selected titles are:

Adult Selections:
Jackal by Erin E. Adams (Bantam, 2022)
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (Berkley, 2022)
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno (MCD x FSG Originals, 2021)

Young Adult Selections:
All These Bodies by Kendare Blake (Quill Tree Books, 2021)
Dead Flip by Sara Farizan (Algonquin Young Readers, 2022)
#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil (Freeform, 2018)

Middle Grade Selections:
Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray, 2021)
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015)
My Aunt Is A Monster by Reimena Yee (Random House Graphic, 2022)

Photo: Black Château

The goal of Summer Scares is to introduce Horror titles to school and public library workers in order to help them start conversations with readers that will extend beyond the books from each list and promote reading for years to come.

In addition to the annual list of recommended titles, the Summer Scares Programming Guide, created each year by the Springfield-Greene County (MO) Library–and free for libraries anywhere to access, is back with the tools libraries need to connect with their patrons.

“The 2024 guide is packed with ideas that library workers can use to engage their communities with these great titles, whether they’re putting up book displays, hosting author events, or planning an entire Summer Scares program series,” states Konrad Stump, co-creator of the programming guide. The guide will be available beginning March 1, 2024 on the Summer Scares Resource page.

Along with the guide, the Summer Scares committee will work with both the recommended list authors and Horror authors from all over the country to provide free programming to libraries. 

Booklist is helping to kick off Summer Scares 2024 in March with a series of three, free webinars with this year’s featured authors in conversation with the committee members: 

  • Monday, March 11, 2024, at 4pm Eastern, featuring our Middle Grade authors and moderated by Sarah Hunter 
  • Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 2pm Eastern, featuring our Young Adult authors and moderated by Yaika Sabat 
  • Monday March 25, 2024, at 2pm Eastern, featuring our Adult authors and moderated by Clay McLeod Chapman 

Each webinar lasts one hour. Anyone may register to participate for free. Recordings will be available for on-demand viewing after the live events.

All are welcome to join the Summer Scares committee and featured authors at the HWA’s Librarians’ Day, taking place in person on May 31, 2024, in San Diego as part of StokerConⓇ.  

The BookFest Spring 2022 salutes industry icon Irwin Zucker

The BookFest returns for a 5th biannual online bookish adventure April 2 and 3 with the inaugural BookFest Awards. Photo: The BookFest, used with permission.

The BookFest® returns for its 5th biannual virtual event on April 2 and 3, 2022, with the inaugural BookFest Awards. Industry icon Irwin Zucker, founder of the Book Publicists of SoCal and president of Promotion in Motion Public Relations, will receive the first Honorary Achievement Award on April 3. All winners of The BookFest Awards Spring 2022 will also be announced then. (The BookFest, 2022)

The executive BookFest Awards judging committee includes Elaine Ash, Celeste S. Duckworth, Flo Selfman, and Elliott Wolf. The BookFest Awards honors outstanding books published within the last five years, extending it from three years. Due to lockdowns and social distancing, Desireé Duffy, founder of The BookFest, felt it was important to highlight books that may not have seen the recognition deserved.

“The BookFest Awards honors outstanding literary achievement. Saluting writers and connecting them with readers is the mission of The BookFest. We welcome submissions and look forward to honoring many deserving books and authors this spring. Plus, we are beyond thrilled to cast a spotlight on someone who is a friend and mentor of mine, and an inspiration to the entire industry, Mr. Irwin Zucker.” – Desireé Duffy

Award winners and those receiving honorable mentions will receive a downloadable certificate, awards graphic, and recognition on The BookFest website. Third, second, first, and top winners will receive special recognition through Books That Make You media placements, social media, the radio and podcast show, and public relations. Optional awards certificates and trophies are also available for purchase to winners and honorable mentions.

Books submitted to The BookFest Awards are evaluated with a three-round judging system: first by an expert vetting team to ensure submitted work meets necessary criteria, then by The BookFest associate judging committee, and then final determinations are made by the executive BookFest Awards judging committee.

As is tradition, day one of The BookFest is geared toward readers and features Live Author Chats and programming to spark the imagination of everyone who loves to read. Day two focuses on writers and features the “Brave New Writer,” and the “Critiki-Bar” interactive live panels. Panel discussions, Conversations, the highly anticipated Big Bundle of Books Giveaway, and many other favorites will also happen at The BookFest Spring 2022.

The Pitching Room is a space on The BookFest website for writers to submit their manuscript pitches to potentially be matched with literary agents and publishing decision-makers. In addition to possibly securing an agent or book deal through the Pitching Room, authors may also request to be considered for “Critiki-Bar” or “Brave New Writer” at The BookFest Adventure.

Attendees can browse “Virtual Booths,” which are pages for BookFest sponsors, like a physical booth one might find at a festival. There is also a “Books Page” highlighting books from participants. The BookFest organizers encourage attendees to browse books and support the authors and sponsors who help bring this free-to-attend event to attendees around the globe.

The complete programming list and speakers will be available on the website. They will also be officially announced in a future press release and through email notifications to BookFest subscribers. The BookFest is produced by Black Château Enterprises and presented by Bookstagrammers, a platform dedicated to book influencers, and by Books That Make You, a bookish brand for bibliophiles.

The live stream will be available at TheBookFest.com on the day of the event. It will also stream through the Books That Make You Channel on YouTube and Facebook Page. Hashtags include #TheBookFest and #TheBookFestSpring2022 and social media for Black Château and Books That Make You will help spread the word.

The BookFest is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read, and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 at a time when lockdown forced many live events to be cancelled. A free event, the biannual event happens in the spring and fall, and streams panel discussions, conversations, and live interactive sessions. As an award winner, The BookFest has recognitions from the Webby Awards with a nomination in 2021, a gold award from the Muse Creative Awards in 2020, and a silver award from the w3 Awards in 2020. The BookFest features an array of literary speakers, experts, and authors, which has included: Mitch Albom; Kevin J. Anderson; Mark Coker; Robert G. Diforio; Cheryl Willis Hudson; Wade Hudson; Sarah Kendzior; Jonathan Maberry; Lisa Morton; James Rollins; Connie Schultz; Michael Shermer; Mark K. Shriver; Danny Trejo; Helene Wecker; Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, and many others. The BookFest is presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises.

 

 

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The BookFest Spring 2022

Biannual The BookFest returns in October

The BookFest’s fall 2021 event will feature conversations, panel discussions, live interactive events, and more. Photo: The BookFest, used with permission.

The BookFest is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 at a time when lockdown forced many live events to be cancelled. Free to attend, the biannual event takes place in the spring and fall and streams panel discussions, conversations, and live interactive sessions. As an award-winner, The BookFest has recognitions from the Webby Awards with a nomination in 2021, a gold award from the Muse Creative Awards in 2020, and a silver award from the w3 Awards in 2020. The BookFest features an array of literary speakers, experts, and authors, which has included: Mitch Albom; Kevin J. Anderson; Mark Coker; Robert G. Diforio; Cheryl Willis Hudson; Wade Hudson; Sarah Kendzior; Jonathan Maberry; Lisa Morton; James Rollins; Connie Schultz; Michael Shermer; Danny Trejo and many others. The BookFest is presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises. (The BookFest, 2021)

The BookFest® returns for its fourth biannual virtual event with the Fall 2021 edition. As the leader in online book festivals, it will be held on Saturday October 23 and Sunday 24. Free to attend, the programming will engage with those who love to read on Saturday and then lean over to those who love to write on Sunday. Attendees can look forward to four conversations, several panel discussions, and live interactive events. The BookFest is presented by Bookstagrammers, a platform dedicated to book influencers, and by Books That Make You, a bookish brand for bibliophiles. It is produced by Black Château Enterprises.

The BookFest Conversations are intimate discussions with writers and literary leaders. These talks cover the topics of our times as well as provide insights and inspiration to bibliophiles everywhere.

The BookFest Fall 2021 Conversations include:

Lisa Morton – six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, Morton’s work has been translated into nearly a dozen languages. She has appeared in numerous documentaries and podcasts. Lisa Morton is also the immediate past president of the Horror Writers Association.

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein – assistant professor of physics, a core faculty member in women’s studies at the University of New Hampshire, and author of “The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred.”

Mark K. Shriver – New York Times bestselling author, president of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C. and former Maryland state legislator. Shriver’s latest children’s book is titled “10 Hidden Heroes: A Counting Book with a Message.”

Helene Wecker – New York Times bestselling author. Her first novel “The Golem and the Jinni” was awarded the Mythopoeic Award for Adult Literature, the VCU Cabell Award for First Novel, and the Harold U. Ribalow Prize, and was nominated for a Nebula Award and a World Fantasy Award. The Hidden Palace is the recently released follow-up novel.

The BookFest Fall 2021 Keynote Speaker is Lori H. Schwartz. Also known as “The Tech Cat,” Schwartz will speak about the convergence of technology and storytelling to kick off The BookFest Adventure. Poet Debbie Monteggia also joins the opening of the event with a poetry reading. Panel discussions, Live Author Chats and new interactive pitching sessions include an array of authors and experts. The full program will continue to grow and will be announced prior to the event.

“We’re proud to present the fourth BookFest. With continuing uncertainty about social distancing and the need for connection among booklovers, I am proud of how The BookFest Adventure is positioned to bring the reading and writing communities together.” – Desireé Duffy, The BookFest founder

Fan-favorites, the Big Bundle of Books Giveaway presented by Books That Make You, the free Virtual Gift Bag for all attendees, and the Live Author Chats, which will be hosted by Scott Ryan and Anastasia Washington, also return. People are encouraged to register for email updates on the website to stay informed, and to join The BookFest Adventure Facebook Group.

Attendees can browse “Virtual Booths,” which are pages for BookFest sponsors, like a physical booth one might find at a festival. There is also a “Books Page” highlighting books from participants. The BookFest organizers encourage attendees to browse books and support the authors and partners who help bring this free-to-attend event to attendees around the globe.

Other supporters of The BookFest in 2021 include:

Authors, Large and Small; Authors Porch; Black Château Enterprises; Book Publicists of Southern California; Books That Make You; Boss Girl Raye; C. S. Lewis Publicity; D.E.B. Method; Get Published Radio; Little Lion; Horror Writers Association; Independent Writers of Southern California; Just Us Books; MyStar95.com; Napox Photography; OwlCrate; RISE Brewing Company; Say it Loud Readers & Writers; Smashwords; The Skeptics Society; TVGuestpert Publishing; WannaBe Press; the Women’s National Book Association in Los Angeles; Veritkal Life Magazine and the Writers and Publishers Network (WPN).

The event’s hub will be the The BookFest website where visitors can find the live streams on the day of the event. It will stream through the Books That Make You Channel on YouTube and Facebook Page. Event hashtags include #TheBookFest and #TheBookFestFall2021 and social media for Black Château and Books That Make You will help spread the word.

 

2021-10-23T14:14:00

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The BookFest Fall 2021

The Beach-Bound Book Bash is back

The Beach-Bound Book Bash is set for Saturday, June 12, 2021. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Beach-Bound Book Bash, the annual literary tea and author reading, is back. The event will happen virtually on Saturday June 12, from 3p.m. to 4:30p.m. PT / 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. ET. Presented by Books That Make You and Black Château Enterprises, The Beach-Bound Book Bash is an opportunity for booklovers to discover their next favorite author and new reads for the summer. The event features live book readings presented virtually to booklovers around the world, as well as prizes, networking, and lots of bookish fun. (Black Château, 2021)

The Beach Bound Book Bash 2021 is hosted by LaFern Cusack, host of The Experience on 710-AM ESPN Radio Los Angeles, and by Desireé Duffy, founder of Black Château Enterprises, The BookFest®, and Books That Make You.

Attendees can enter the huge Beach-Bound Book Bash Giveaway featuring a whole sack of books and summer goodies including a Kate Spade Tote, a Gathre vegan leather mat, a beach towel, floppy hat, and sunglasses—valued at $300. Winner announced at the end of the event.

To take part in the Beach-Bound Book Bash, get updates, and connect with other passionate readers, join the Beach-Bound Book Bash Facebook Group. The Beach-Bound Book Bash 2021 will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Use hashtags #BBBB ad #BBBB2021.

The line-up of readers include:

T.L. Bequette, a criminal defense attorney in Oakland, California, turned writer. “Good Lookin’” is his debut novel and weaves his expertise from the courtroom into the pages of a thrilling mystery.

George Galdorisi, a career naval aviator and a multiple award-winning and The New York Times bestselling author. He wrote fifteen books, including the acclaimed Rick Holden thriller series.

Leah Guy, aka the Modern Sage, a new thought leader and expert in emotional healing and personal development. She has written three books, the latest being ”Overcoming Toxic Emotions, A Practical Guide to Building Better Relationships with Yourself and Others.”

Gerald Everett Jones, multiple award-winning author of literary fiction and mystery novels. Compared to literary giants such as Roth and Vonnegut, he releases his latest book, “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner,” on June 29, 2021.

Seven Joseph, an attorney, negotiator, speaker, and award-winning author of “The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris” and “The Crankatsuris Method: A Grownup Guide to Effective Crankiness.”

Debbie Monteggia, an interior designer turned writer on mission to inspire other people through her poems. “Tears of Change” is her debut poetry book.

Gabrielle Alexa Noel, a bisexual creator, columnist, software developer, and author of “How To Live With The Internet And Not Let It Run Your Life.” Her content is sex-positive and positively highlights marginalized communities.

Scott Ryan, an author, publisher, and television historian who captures the truth of what really happened. His latest book, “Moonlighting: An Oral History” is the never-before-told inside story behind the making of the pioneering TV series.

Edgar Scott, an economist-turned computer scientist and author of the near-future dystopian science fiction, ”418: I Am a Teapot.”

Flo Selfman, an in-demand copyeditor-proofreader for award-winning books, a contributing author to Media Magnetism and Office for One. She is currently working on a memoir.

Laila Tarraf, a senior human resource executive and the author of “Strong Like Water: How I Found the Courage to Lead with Love in Business and in Life,” a book that offers insights and inspiration for finding a natural balance and leading as a whole person.

Laura Tohe, a poet, writer, librettist, scholar of Indigenous American Literature, and Navajo Nation Poet Laureate. Her work was published in multiple languages and includes ”Code Talker Stories,” an oral history book with the remaining Navajo Code Talkers.

Sara Winokur, a geneticist and researcher turned author. Her award-winning mystery novel, “Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders,” dives deep into the culture, history, and gorgeous landscapes of the Land of Fire and Ice.

Black Château is an award-winning marketing and public relations agency located in Southern California. It specializes in promoting authors, books, small press, personality brands, and creative individuals from around the world with a full-spectrum of services. The company’s motto is: We believe in storytellers. Black Château’s sister company, Books That Make You, is a multi-media brand that promotes books through its website, radio show/podcast, and magazine features.

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The Beach-Bound Book Bash 2021

Upcoming new book: ‘Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner’ by Gerald Everett Jones

Gerald Everett Jones’ new novel will be released on June 29, 2021. Photo: amazon

Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, Women’s National Book Association, and Film Independent (FIND), as well as a board member of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton, F.D. Reeve, and Jerzy Kosinski. “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner,” his new book, is about a lonely widower from Los Angeles who buys a tour package to East Africa on the promise of hookups and parties. What he finds instead are new reasons to live. It will be released on Tuesday June 29, 2021 and is available for preorder now in trade paperback and e-book formats from booksellers worldwide, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Books, and Rakuten Kobo. (Black Château, 2021)

LaPuerta Books and Media announces the release of “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner,” the eleventh novel by award-winning author Gerald Everett Jones. This is literary fiction with geopolitical overtones, reminiscent of “The Heart of the Matter” by Graham Greene and “The Constant Gardener” by John le Carré.

Locals tease main character Harry with the surname “Harambee,” the Kenyan national motto meaning something like, One for All. He is not sure whether that means he is being played. Slick Italian tour operator Aldo Barbieri convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a sleepy resort town on the white sands of the Indian Ocean, Harry does not find the promised excitement with local ladies. Instead, he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat without costing him a shilling. Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional?

LaPuerta Books and Media is the small-press imprint of La Puerta Productions, Santa Monica, CA. The LaPuerta imprint and its logo, an open door, symbolize unlimited access to knowledge, opportunity, innovation, fascination, and delight. In its support for authors and thought leaders, the publisher’s mission is to help influential voices achieve worldwide platforms.

2021-06-29T10:20:00

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Release of ‘Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner’ by Gerald Everett Jones

The BookFest Spring 2021 set for April

The BookFest 2021 will be on April 17 and April 18 with virtual events for writers and readers. Photo: google

The BookFest®, an award-winning educational and entertainment platform for booklovers, announces the schedule for the 3rd biannual online bookish adventure.  This April 17 and 18, 2021 the event will feature panel discussions, conversations, and live author chats with writers, literacy professionals and experts. Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords; prolific The New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry; Patrick M. Oliver founder of Say it Loud!; and skeptic, author and thinker, Michael Shermer, are doing conversations during the two-day online event. These intimate one-on-one talks give attendees the opportunity to learn more about everyone, and to take a deep dive into the topics discussed. (Black Château, 2021)

Delivering the opening keynote for The BookFest Spring 2021 is author of the #1 Amazon bestseller “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing,” Bert Sarkkinen. As the founder of Arrow Timber, Sarkkinen takes attendees on a journey to find long-term happiness. Panel discussions include an array of writers, literary professionals and experts discussing the books we read, relevant topics of our times, the art and craft of writing, and more. Speakers include Elaine Ash; Dr. Janet Bond Brill, Nancy J. Hite, Steven Joseph; Kathleen Kaiser; Dr. Raye Mitchell, Deborah M. Pratt, James Rollins; Scott Ryan; Katharine Sands, Edgar Scott, and many more.

Free to attend, The BookFest delivers vital conversations, entertainment, and educational programming for the reading and writing community. See the schedule here. The Saturday, April 17 live stream programming is dedicated to readers while the Sunday, April 18 programming is geared toward writers. People are encouraged to register for email updates online to stay informed and to receive exclusive offers like The BookFest Virtual Gift Bag. It will be emailed after The BookFest to all who subscribed to the email list and will include digital downloads and offers presented by many of The BookFest partners.

Throughout The BookFest, there will be special segments to enjoy between panels, including: Little Lion presents health, wellness, and mini creative activity sessions for attendees to watch and participate in and Todd Debreceni, author of “Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen,” who does special effects makeup to create a famous literary character, to be revealed at The BookFest.

A fan-favorite, the Big Bundle of Books Giveaway, presented by Books That Make You, returns with a picnic basket theme. Owlcrate once again offers a prize for booklovers. Other bookish goodies are also up for grabs. Attendees can browse “Virtual Booths,” which are pages for BookFest partners. There is also a “Books Page” showcasing books from participants. The BookFest organizers encourage booklovers to browse books and support the authors and partners who help bring this free-to-attend event to attendees around the globe.

The BookFest® is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read, and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 and quickly became the leader in online book festivals. Free to attend, the biannual event happens in the spring and fall, and streams panel discussions, conversations, and festivities for readers and writers. As an award-winner, The BookFest® is presented by Black Château and Books That Make You and is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy, who is the founder of all three.

2021-04-17T11:05:00

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The BookFest 2021