Success In the Press

Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.

Tinsey Clover by Chelsea Flagg

From the author: Tinsey Clover is smart. She’s brave. Also, she can’t carry a tune to save her life. Oh yeah, plus she's an elf the size of a chipmunk. When her bizarre magical power grows in and makes her feel like a total outsider in her own village, Tinsey sneaks into the forbidden forest on a journey to find someone more like her. From trolls to dragons, what she discovers along the way challenges everything, and everyone, she thought she knew.

Our take: This charming children’s fantasy story has a powerful and skillfully-delivered lesson about self-acceptance and empathy. With a spirited protagonist and imaginative descriptions, this book is especially recommended for reading aloud for middle-grade readers or younger.

From a reader: “This well-developed, thoughtful, and charming tale features a lead who learns to embrace her individuality while navigating a world that discourages it. A beautiful, age-appropriate message! Initially isolated by her community, Tinsey comes to discover that there’s both beauty and strength in inclusivity, acceptance, and kindness. Chelsea Flagg has artfully built a world woven with subtle messages of determination, courage, curiosity, and wisdom.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Ditch the Bitch Stigma: Embrace Your Inner Badass by Kali Williams

From the author: Whether you’ve already embraced your inner badass but could use an extra nudge to keep standing tall, or you’re just starting to search for your confidence, Ditch the Bitch Stigma is for women who’ve had enough, who are done with always catering to others, putting ourselves second, and sacrificing our own needs and desires.

Our take: This motivational self-help book is filled with advice as bold as its’ title on a number of practical topics, such as interpersonal effectiveness in the workplace, problem solving skills, and building a support network.

From a reader: “This book offers a frank, no-BS blueprint for anyone who's ever felt intimidated based on their gender by those in positions of greater power, and hesitated to assert themselves for fear of coming off as something undesirable.”

Amazon | Goodreads

The Oys and Joys by Marcia Feldt

From the author: Every woman buries secrets. Even from herself. Lizzie, Grace, Sassie and Ruby. Four friends who laugh together, cry together and keep each other together through life’s Oys & Joys. A charming tale about the power of steel-laced friendships and the challenges time harbors.

Our take: This comedy follows four friends, both in present time and in flashbacks, allowing a wealth of character development that anchors the story even as the plot zips from one secret to another, some silly and some very serious. With four distinctive character voices, this novel will likely appeal to fans of Sex & the City and Desperate Housewives.

From a reader: “With well described personalities that are unique to each character, Feldt has done a great job of capturing what middle age is like for women, full of heartache, challenges and big decisions. The characters' alternate between the past and present, with plenty of secrets to go around, and forge ahead in life, because there really is no other option. Highly recommend for an entertaining, light read.”

Amazon | Goodreads

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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories! Check back soon for more. If you are a former Yellow Bird client and would like us to consider featuring your published work, email info@yellowbirdeditors.com.

Success In the Press

Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.

To Squeeze A Prairie Dog by Scott Semegran

From the author: This is the story of J. D. Wiswall, a sincere young man from a small town, who joins a state government agency in a data entry department comprised of quirky clerks. Quickly endearing himself to the diverse group in Unit 3, J. D. learns his coworkers have a pact to share the $10,000 prize if they win a cost-savings program for a suggestion that could save the government money, in turn helping them rise above their own personal struggles. 

Our take: This award-winning literary novel ties together data entry clerks, one blustering governor, and an intrepid reporter in a story of friendship and intrigue. With the relationships and struggles of the protagonist and his new co-workers forming the heart of the novel, this satire has bite, but an ultimately optimistic message about forming connections and the changes those connections are capable of bringing.

From a reader: “If Semegran has one overriding talent, it’s in his ability to take the most seemingly ordinary bunch of characters and show us that their lives are, in fact, extraordinary. That the author is able to take the interplay of those lives and craft it into sucan entertaining novel is a credit to his mastery as a storyteller.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Time Next (The Time Zero Trilogy Book 2) by Carolyn Cohagan

From the author: Mina's adventure continues in this sequel to the award-winning Time Zero. In book one, Mina and her friends narrowly escaped fundamentalist-ruled Manhattan. Now, they've been taken in by the Unbound, a modern community that wants to shelter and care for them. Mina, however, becomes increasingly nervous as she and her friends are forced apart, and she's asked to alter her clothing, behavior, and even her faith. As she struggles to hold onto her identity, she also grapples with her secrets, even as the Unbound endeavor to discover each and every one.

Our take: Called ‘exciting’ and ‘thought-provoking’ by The Things They Carried author Tim O’Brien, this sequel to a previous novel is a YA dystopia with elements of The Handmaid’s Tale. Forced to flee a patriarchal society and a forced marriage in the first novel, the protagonist faces a new system of oppression in what was thought to be a place of refuge. Taking a mature look at some dark topics, this compelling thriller is an impressive addition to the genre.

From a reader: “It’s rare that a sequel lives up to its predecessor, but this one did, and then some. I zipped through it in two days. Yet again, Carolyn Cohagan has created a new world out of whole cloth, one every bit as vivid, credible, and terrifying as the one Mina left behind. I ended every chapter breathless, and wondered time and time again how the characters would get out of their impossible situation.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Bombshell (What Doesn’t Kill You #9) by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

From the author: Ava dreams of building a better life for her daughter through her island pop songs. Her new temp job leads to a once-in-a-lifetime shot at a record deal, but before she can pack her bags for New York, she discovers a dead body outside her office building. Horrified, Ava recognizes the murdered sex worker as her childhood friend. [...] Before Ava can move on to a bright future in music, she must confront the truth behind her dark past to catch the murderer or she'll be next on his kill list.

Our take: The first book in a new trilogy within an ongoing series, this timely romantic thriller from a long-time Yellow Bird client is packed with conflicts and drama, from the protagonist’s hunt for a killer to financial corruption to childhood trauma. However, the funny and likeable main character keeps it from being too heavy of a read. Set in the Virgin Islands, you can’t ask for much more from a beach read than what this book delivers.

From a reader: “You will love this action-packed adventure with a spirited lead character who will have you rooting for her in no time. Funny, smart, self-deprecating, she's a complicated character with lots going for her but plenty of trouble holding her back. [...] The murder of an old friend is only one of the plot twists that keep this story moving in interesting, suspenseful, and unexpected directions.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories! Check back soon for more. If you are a former Yellow Bird client and would like us to consider featuring your published work, email info@yellowbirdeditors.com.

Success In The Press

Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.

Shut It Down: Stories from a Fierce, Loving Resistance by Lisa Fithian

From the publisher: Described by Mother Jones as “the nation’s best-known protest consultant,” [Lisa] Fithian has supported countless movements including the Battle of Seattle in 1999, rebuilding and defending communities following Hurricane Katrina, Occupy Wall Street, and the uprisings at Standing Rock and in Ferguson. For anyone who wants to become more active in resistance or is just feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, Shut It Down offers strategies and actions you can take right now to promote justice and incite change in your own community.

Our take: Described by prominent author Naomi Klein as ‘warm and wise’, this thorough guide to community organization and activism also contains personal stories from the history of many activist movements, including Occupy Wall Street and Standing Rock. These behind-the-scenes looks serve not only to explore ideas of resistance, but also serve as examples for many of the strategies the book presents. Richer than a straight-forward guidebook, this book should be a fascinating read for those both inside and outside the activist community.

From a reader: “As a guide to using the tools of nonviolence in social movements, one could hardly do better than to pick up Lisa Fithian’s new book, Shut It Down. This book includes guides to planning campaigns and to staging all variety of actions in great detail, from how to plaster posters everywhere to how to relate to the police. This is a powerful resource because of the rules it lays out but also because of the examples it includes. The book is as much a personal memoir as a theory of social change, but the latter is its mission throughout.”

Amazon | Goodreads

Sunborn Rising: Beneath the Fall by Aaron Safronoff

From the publisher: Cerulean.A distant world of Great Trees floating on an ocean surrounding a star.The flotilla forests cycle light and water through their boughs into their lush canopies. But the once vibrant treescape has grown dark, slowly, subtly over many generations. The civilization of creatures living among the boughs believe the darkness is normal. That is, until one willful young girl named Barra discovers the hidden journal of her late father.Poring over her father’s writing, Barra learns of a mysterious plague, a creeping vine choking the flow of light and water into the canopy. [...]Together with her two best friends, [...] Barra will explore every bark, wood, and leaf of the Great Forest to relight her world and complete her father’s story, even if it leads her beneath the Fall.                                                  

Our take: This YA fantasy epic comes with 40 pages of illustrations! Centering on a dying planet, once replete with greenery, and the young hero who must decipher cryptic clues from a past generation to save her world. This story will likely appeal to fans of Veronica Roth’s Divergent series.

From a reader: “Aaron Safronoff’s unique vision of an alien world formed from a ring of trees growing around the sun that sits at the world’s center and teeming with a myriad of intelligent (and often somewhat cuddly) life forms all springs into gloriously vivid life within the pages of this masterfully presented novel. This is as much due to the numerous illustrations spread throughout the book as it is to Safronoff’s meticulous world-building and excellent writing skills.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions: Book 2: Wizardry Goes Wild by Sunayna Prasad

From the author: After months of living a normal life, thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy faces magic again. Only this time, though, she is cursed with it, thanks to an old depressed skeleton named Errol. Alyssa's time with her godfather, Alex, will never be the same again, as she can perform sorcery, but never control it. [...]she can only get rid of her powers if she can boost her confidence levels and improve her bravery. [..] Will she be able to get rid of her unwanted wizardry? 

Our take: This YA fantasy is the second book in a series about a young girl with magical powers she doesn’t want and constantly struggles to control, allowing the story to explore issues of isolation and self-acceptance. With a cast of characters supporting her journey, this book can teach great lessons to its target audience about self-acceptance and self-direction.

From a reader: “The story was fascinating, especially this unique world where technology and magic exist side by side. Alyssa is a normal girl who is cursed by uncontrollable magical mishaps that completely turn her life upside down. I loved the characters, especially Alyssa's three best friends who stuck by her no matter what. Alex, Alyssa's guardian, was wonderful and very understanding of his goddaughter's inability to contain or master her powers. The book taught teens a great lesson about bravery and self-confidence, not to mention trusting in yourself.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author's site

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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories! Check back soon for more. If you are a former Yellow Bird client and would like us to consider featuring your published work, email info@yellowbirdeditors.com.

Success in the Press

Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.

Sydney Shag & THE SIRENS: Heavy on the Vodka and a Little Bit Dirty (A Novel) by Cyndi Gryte

From the author: This is rock bottom. Sydney Shag is sure of it. Fresh on the heels of her high school boyfriend’s wedding [...] she receives an ominous letter from her ambitious eleven-year-old self causing her head to spin. [...]Cue the Sirens—Sydney's fabulous drink-slinging friends. Sassy, full of moxie, and always up for another round, they help her realize that living up to her childhood dreams means facing some of her biggest fears. 

Our take: This fun comic novel with a fiery and impressive protagonist and a cast of colorful friends and family will appeal to fans of Nora Ephron films! Full of unexpected adventures, a vibrant setting, and tender moments of sisterhood, it’s a perfect light-hearted vacation read.

From a reader: “This book was super fun, and the tone of voice was absolutely adorable. I could just imagine my best girl friends getting into all this trouble, LOL. It was a fun read, I highly recommend it. Binged through the whole thing, perfect for a beach weekend read!”

Amazon | Goodreads

The Vines We Planted by Joanell Serra

From the publisher: In the heart of the California wine country, secrets seem to grow on the vines that Uriel Macon’s family have tended for generations. Uriel, the winery’s young widower, steers clear of complicated relationships. He prefers the lonely comfort of his vineyard and his horses, until he is reminded of his love affair with Amanda Scanlon; a relationship that ended when she abruptly left the country years ago under a cloud of mystery.

Our take: This sweeping family epic was a finalist for the Best Book Awards in multicultural fiction! Set in the author’s hometown of Sonoma, the setting is vividly drawn. The wide cast of vibrant characters are tied together by a story full of secrets, from addiction to divorce. This novel will appeal to fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels series.

From a Readers’ Favorite reviewer: “The Vines We Planted..the story of a family facing struggles and their individual crises. . . delicately and expertly woven together in a family saga set in California around Uriel's family vineyards...The reader is kept turning the pages to the end as the intricate family history is revealed through the plot. Great characters, well developed and believable, and lovely descriptions which transport the reader to the Californian countryside. ... Very visual writing and descriptions take the reader into the protagonists' world... the plot is credible and surprising at the same time ... it all blends together well and combines to make an exciting and believable novel. Five Stars!”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Girl Squad by Kim Hoover

From the publisher: A lazy small town summer in 1970s Texas turns treacherous when Cal Long’s mother goes missing. Cal and her best friend Rachel, along with sophisticated new friend Jane, use every trick in their teenage arsenal to get to the bottom of the mystery. Along the way, Cal is drawn to Jane in ways she’s never felt before while Rachel struggles to understand her best friend’s new attraction. From Amarillo to Palo Duro Canyon to Ft. Worth and back, the girls puzzle through the connections surrounding the mystery of Cal’s mother’s disappearance. 

Our take: This YA mystery mixes a crime drama with a coming-of-age story about a young girl discovering her sexuality in the challenging environment of 70s rural Texas. The atmosphere is patiently built from the beginning of the story. As the protagonist searches for her mother, her views of herself and the world are challenged as the novel tackles issues of race and class as well as LGBT issues. 

From a reader: “This is a delightful window into girlhood in the 1970s and a sweeping look at the perspectives shaping young rural lesbians growing up in a world completely against the whole idea. The first half is especially idyllic but the second half picks up quickly as events unfold surrounding Cal and the seemingly uncontrollable forces around her mother and the small Texas community in which both women live. Anyone trying to familiarize themselves with female agency and girl power should absolutely read Girl Squad!”

Amazon | Goodreads

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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories! Check back soon for more. If you are a former Yellow Bird client and would like us to consider featuring your published work, email info@yellowbirdeditors.com.

Success in the Press

Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.

Spoken: A Novel by Melanie Weiss

From the publisher: Roman becomes part of a diverse group of characters who challenge his rather privileged view of the world. Through Spoken Word, Roman recognizes the hole in his own life he needs to fill and discovers his voice. Spoken Word leads Roman on a journey of new friendships, first love, and finding the dad he never knew. 

Our take: This contemporary coming-of-age novel won a bronze medal at the 2019 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest! Examining current social issues as well as the timeless theme of growing up, this YA book weaves its relationships through with elements of Spoken Word poetry, giving it a truly unique tone and voice.

From a Readers’ Favorite reviewer: “The language is fresh and the theme of Spoken is an interesting addition to YA fiction. While a story of self-discovery, Spoken lends itself to a different curricular option for teachers, a world of possibilities to young readers, and a special inspiration to biological parents. I really enjoyed Spoken and look forward to future storytelling from Melanie Weiss.”

From a reader: “All of this felt very natural and real, which I really appreciated.

This book has a lot of strong themes about coming of age and working through your issues. The look at spoken word poetry is not only a unique choice for the story but also comes at the heart of working through some tough issues.”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Beautiful Evil Winter (Fifty Shades of Mystery, Moxie and Suspense Book 1) by Kelly K. Lavender

From the author: After the USSR collapses, a time reminiscent of the unforgiving gun-slinging days of the frontier west, mild-mannered Ethan and fiery Sophia board a plane bound for Russia. They hope to prevail with their homespun plan to secure their son's safe passage to America. What can go wrong? Maybe, an innocent ill-fated encounter with the Mafia[...]

Our take: This novel, partly inspired by the author’s real experience, is both a thriller and a gripping family drama as the protagonist fights endless obstacles to adopting her son and bringing him home from post-Soviet Russia. Full of surprise twists, this story starts and doesn’t let up.

From a reader: “I’ve always felt my imagination was pretty strong, but the author certainly has me beat. This isn't a book for those who want to read a sweet predictable Lifetime story about adoption. The tightly woven plot and unforgettable characters were incredible. The fact that it's based on a true story fascinated me even more. Go read this book!”

Amazon | Goodreads | Author site

Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life (and How You Can, Too) by Elizabeth Benton

From the author: It sucks to acknowledge that you are what's keeping you from the life you want. [...]You feel stuck--limited by your past, overwhelmed by your future--in a purgatory of your own behavior. After decades of feeling trapped by this mindset, Elizabeth Benton shifted her whole life by proving her own stories wrong. In this book, Elizabeth will help you live a new story, in which you can, you will, and you already have everything you need to make it happen.

Our take: This highly-rated self-help book tackles issues of weight, self-esteem, and motivation with a straight-forward attitude while maintaining a positive and affirmative outlook. With thought-provoking insights and advice on achieving goals, this book can help readers gain new tools for facing adversity. 

From a reader: “In a nutshell, the book is about accountability, taking control, and acting in a way that not only honors our goals but moves us closer to them. We are the authors of our story, and we alone have the ability to change it. [...] I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to accomplish a meaningful change in their lives, health, career, or family related etc. Well-written, insightful, and useful.”

Amazon | Goodreads

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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories!