< Back Digipalooza Delivers: A Premier Event for Librarians in the Digital Age August 14, 2025 at 8:53:11 PM Digipalooza , OverDrive's bi-annual user conference, truly delivered on its promise—and then some. Hundreds of key librarians recently converged for three days of insightful presentations, meaningful engagement, and, dare I say, fun! The event kicked off at the OverDrive campus, where Steve Potash, CEO, and the incredible OverDrive staff ensured a flawless experience from start to finish. Attendees enjoyed delicious, catered breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, keeping them energized throughout the conference. A highlight for many was the exhibit hall, where a number of great publishers including HarperCollins , Random House Childrens , Sourcebooks showcased Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) as well as top titles. Librarians flocked to these displays at each and every break, eager to discover new content for their patrons; as well as the software vendors who promised more effective and useful solutions. The conference also benefited from key sponsorships, which helped elevate the overall experience. Beyond the rich educational content, Digipalooza excelled in its networking opportunities. The truly amazing and well-orchestrated execution of pairing librarians enriched the experience, fostering connections and collaboration among peers from across the country. A particular highlight for many attendees was the unforgettable party at the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, sponsored by Blackstone , where librarians could unwind, enjoy dinner, dessert, drinks, and live music while exploring the legendary museum. The main attraction of this exceptional event was the lineup of interesting and keynote speakers, found here: https://www.digipalooza.com/program/ . Attendees gained valuable insights from industry experts, authors, and the OverDrive team. Sessions covered a wide range of critical topics, including innovative strategies to connect with underserved audiences, maximizing digital resources, how AI can revolutionize library services, and insights into the future of the streaming video industry. Solid presentations by public librarians showcased practical strategies and proven success stories from the field, offering actionable takeaways. Whether you're a standalone library, operate with reciprocal agreements, or are part of a larger consortium, librarians with purchasing power will greatly benefit from the diverse programming at Digipalooza. This is a must-attend event if you want to learn how to optimize your digital collection budget, meet other librarians willing to share and collaborate, and explore innovative ways to engage your community. While we enjoyed the transformative experience of Digipalooza in 2025, and look forward to its next return in 2027, the impact of this conference on the future of digital library services will undoubtedly resonate for years to come. Reported by Printed Word Reviews Share this article Copy link LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest

Printed Word Reviews (PWR) is a literary platform and community that amplifies independent voices through paid book reviews, author interviews, and industry promotion, headed by publisher Ted Olczak. It provides services like the "FALCON Review" to increase book visibility among industry professionals and publishes the quarterly magazine, BookCAMP. PRINTED WORD REVIEWS Your Publishing Community STANDARDS Outstanding Quality Publishing is incredibly rewarding, and we're here to help you every step of the way. Discover essential tools and connections: Our comprehensive resource directory features publishing guides, editors, designers, and marketing experts. Absolutely no charge to sign-up and sign-in to gain access to our database. Gain industry insights: BookCAMP for expert advice from marketing to distribution, and Printed Word Reviews for in-depth book reviews and author interviews. Join our vibrant literary community: Explore our resources and subscribe to our magazines. Share your book, your review, your publishing experience here and let's celebrate the power of books together. Subscribe for updates Join Thanks for subscribing!

Book review of Essence Merging by Colleen Quinn . ISBN: 978-1837949625 < Back Essence Merging Colleen Quinn Spirituality, Self-Help, Wellness, Memoir, transformation, self-discovery Vanguard Press Share this review: Copy link Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest After illness and a lifetime of buried trauma, a psychologist embarks on a radical path of breathwork, mystical retreats, and soul-deep love to heal herself and learn how to live fully open to the divine. In a world that often demands professional detachment and emotional armor, Colleen Quinn’s “Essence Merging” serves as a gentle, yet firm, invitation to tear down the walls. Part memoir and part spiritual guidebook, Quinn’s narrative is an intimate exploration of what happens when a seasoned psychologist steps out of the clinical chair and into the vulnerable light of her own spiritual awakening. What makes “Essence Merging” particularly compelling is Quinn's honesty regarding “incongruence.” Even with professional success and a deep understanding of the human mind, she identifies a lingering gap between her external life and her internal soul. This honesty bridges the gap between the author and the reader, establishing Quinn as a relatable fellow traveler. The memoir shifts gears during a period of physical crisis. The shared pneumonia of Quinn and her husband, Joe, serves as the “dark night of the soul.” It is here that Quinn recounts a near-death experience, a turning point that transforms her life from a pursuit of professional duty into a commitment to love and presence. Quinn emphasizes that love is the pursuit worth creating, and not something found. The book’s spiritual "how-to" finds its pulse in Quinn’s transformative retreat to Costa Rica. Under the mentorship of a shaman, Quinn navigates three core pillars of transcendence: Breathwork: mastering the breath as a living bridge between the physical vessel and the divine; Energy Attunement: developing the sensitivity to read and harmonize with the body’s subtle vibrations; Radical Surrender: relinquishing the ego’s grip to fully inhabit the “vitality of life.” These chapters provide sensory depth, moving from vivid, ethereal visions to the profound communal bonds that define the experience. Ultimately, they serve as the book’s central thesis: the seamless merging of one’s individual essence with the vast, driving energy of the universe. Prevalent themes are vulnerability, integrity, resilience, and healing. Quinn encourages one to see “weakness” as the ultimate gateway to intimacy; to align one’s professional life with their spiritual truth; how illness and “survivor's guilt” can be composted into growth; and breathwork as tangible tools for spiritual integration. “Essence Merging” is for anyone feeling the “nagging incongruence” of modern life. Her transition from a PhD-holding psychologist to a spiritually liberated seeker proves that it is never too late to redefine one's purpose. This book is for seekers of personal growth, those recovering from professional burnout, or anyone curious about the intersection of psychology and shamanic healing. Previous Next

< Back Major Publishing Houses Sue Book Piracy Site WeLib June 16, 2026 at 5:29:09 PM A group of major publishers filed a lawsuit against “endless library” and alleged piracy website WeLib on Tuesday, claiming that the site engaged in rampant copyright infringement and allowed artificial intelligence developers to illegally use its content to train large language models. The group comprises 13 members of the Association of American Publishers, including the “Big Five” publishing houses: Penguin Random House , Macmillan , Simon & Schuster , Hachette Book Group , and HarperCollins . Other members include academic publishers Cengage , McGraw Hill , and Wiley . “Publishers bring this action to stop the mass distribution by Defendants [WeLib] of millions of legally protected literary works owned by Publishers that were unlawfully copied from physical and digital books and journals,” the lawsuit states. “Publishers’ action is now especially critical in light of reports that major large language model developers used illegal sites like WeLib as illicit sources of training data.” WeLib is an online repository of books, journal articles, and other materials comprising at least 141 million documents, according to its website. The plaintiffs’ investigators searched WeLib’s database for the name of each publishing house and found hundreds of thousands of search results. For example, a search for “Penguin Random House” yielded 639,586 results available for download; another search for “McGraw Hill” yielded 137,138 results. The investigators were also able to download full copies of 130 specific works owned by the publishers from the website. “The scale of WeLib’s infringement is stunning,” the publishers wrote. WeLib did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This lawsuit comes on the heels of another legal challenge last month, when the same 13 publishers won a lawsuit against piracy website Anna’s Archive for the same allegations as in this case. Anna’s Archive was ordered to be shut down. Publishers have also recently filed a class action lawsuit against Meta for “willful copyright infringement” to develop its Llama AI models . Printed Word Reviews / Reported by Jules Roscoe Share this article Copy link LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest

Learn more about Shane Svorec < Back Shane Svorec Shane Svorec author signing at ALA, Table 1652, on Saturday, June 28th, at 9:30am From a little acorn tossed about to a budding sapling that becomes a strong oak tree, the strength and determination nature models for us are likened in this story to all those who have ever faced a fear of the unknown, uncertainty about new places, or nervousness over making new friends. Acorn Adventures is a heartwarming tale and a beautiful testament to the resilience of nature while drawing a parallel to children of all ages. This story gives every “new kid in class” the comfort of knowing that new places can bring friendly faces, that feelings of not belonging won’t last forever, and reassurance that change isn’t always bad. It beckons the hearts of those who feel different or don’t fit in and reminds them that everyone has a place and a space to be who they are meant to be. Change can be scary, but our will to overcome obstacles and grow is a superpower we all possess. With love and persistence, like the little acorn, we all find where we belong and have a story of how we got there. Shane Svorec has an author signing scheduled at ALA, Table 1652, on Saturday, June 28th, at 9:30 AM. Svorec will be signing her duel 2025 Independent Press award-winning book “Acorn Adventures”, claiming both the Childrens’ Inspirational/Motivational and Nature categories. Shane has made it her mission to advocate for those without a voice. She is highly involved in her community, an active church member, a staunch public servant, a former Board of Education President, a mental health and crisis intervention worker, a perpetual peacemaker, and a kindness spreader. Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

< Back California's Literary Stars Shine at AWP Los Angeles July 27, 2025 at 9:50:39 AM Award-winning authors from the Independent Press and NYC Big Book Awards signed books at an event hosted by Printed Word Reviews at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference in Los Angeles witnessed a vibrant celebration of California's literary talent, thanks to Printed Word Reviews' multi-author signings event on Saturday, March 29th. Aisle 500 at the Los Angeles Convention Center buzzed with excitement as attendees mingled with award-winning authors, discovering the diverse voices shaping contemporary literature. The day kicked off with Tim Turner and Moisey Gorbaty, whose collaborative work, "The Reluctant Conductor," a powerful, emotionally reverberant debut novel that captures the hardship, oppression, and hope of a Jewish merchant’s life before, during and after World War II in the USSR was on full display with both authors Turner and Gorbaty making themselves available. Gary E Smith, author of the Warren Steelgrave series, followed, with many people engaging in conversations with Smith as he shared his perspective on his multi award-winning fiction series. The afternoon brought a surge of young adult enthusiasm with Michele Kwasniewski, author of "The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart" series, connecting with many new writers that will be another source of her fanbase. Kwasniewski, from the entertainment business, completed this clean teen / young adult trilogy, and is set to release her new title in the Chick-Lit genre. The day ended with T.V. Holiday, author of the "Legend of the Iron Warrior" series, concluded the signing event, enthralling a number of attendees with his tales of fantasy. Attendees not only had the opportunity to meet and interact with these accomplished authors, but also to have their books signed and delve into the creative processes behind their works. The event fostered a sense of community, connecting writers and readers in a shared appreciation for storytelling. Adding to the excitement, Printed Word Reviews' giveaway drew people to the aisle, with lucky attendees winning prizes, including Spotify and Starbucks gift cards, magazine subscriptions, and BookCAMP day passes. The atmosphere underscored Printed Word Reviews' commitment to promoting literary talent and fostering a thriving literary community. The event at AWP Los Angeles highlighted the power of author interaction and the importance of platforms like Printed Word Reviews in showcasing the diverse voices of California's literary landscape. Attendees left inspired, with signed books and newfound connections, solidifying the event's lasting impact on the conference. Printed Word Reviews plans to be at the 2026 AWP conference in Baltimore, MD next March. In the meantime, please feel free to visit and buy these special authors’ books. Tim Turner & Moisey Gorbaty, authors of “The Reluctant Conductor”, https://www.printedwordreviews.com/authors/turner-gorbaty Gary E Smith, Warren Steelgrave series, https://www.printedwordreviews.com/authors/gary-e-smith Michele Kwasniewski, YA series: The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart, https://www.printedwordreviews.com/authors/michele-kwasniewski T.V. Holiday, Legend of the Iron Warrior series, https://www.printedwordreviews.com/authors/t.v.-holiday Reported by Printed Word Reviews Share this article Copy link LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest

Book review of Brightness the Bird Girl by Annie Wood . ISBN: < Back Take me back to https://www.childrensbookwormaward.com/ Brightness the Bird Girl Annie Wood Picture Book-All Ages Mio Press Share this review: Copy link Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest In a whimsical world where the Sun and the Sea nurture her, a peculiar bird girl named Brightness, who feels out of place among both birds and humans, embarks on a journey of self-discovery to embrace her unique identity and the joy within her. A Gentle Tide of Self-Discovery: "Brightness," a whimsical and poetic tale, gently washes over readers with its lyrical prose and evocative illustrations. This story, set against the serene backdrop of a nurturing beach, delves into the heart of self-discovery and belonging, making it a perfect read for young minds and anyone seeking a moment of introspective calm. The narrative introduces us to Brightness, a unique protagonist with the face and beak of a bird, lovingly raised by the Sun and the Sea. Her world is one where nature and introspection intertwine, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Brightness, however, grapples with a profound sense of otherness. She feels neither fully bird nor fully human, a conflict beautifully symbolized by a single blue feather she treasures. This feather, a relic of her fledgling days, represents her longing for connection to the bird world, a world she can't fully inhabit due to her lack of wings. The book excels in its exploration of identity and purpose. Brightness's internal struggle is palpable, her restless mind filled with questions about her place in the world. The narrative takes a significant turn when she shifts her focus from what she lacks to what she possesses. This moment of self-discovery, where she creates a list of her abilities, is a powerful reminder of the joy and fulfillment that comes from appreciating one's strengths. This pivot, beautifully executed, allows Brightness to see the beauty around her and, more importantly, within herself. A pivotal moment arrives when the Sea reveals the true meaning behind Brightness's name: she was named for who she already is, not for any potential she might possess. This poignant revelation reinforces the book's central theme of intrinsic value, a message that resonates deeply. The resolution is both heartwarming and satisfying. Brightness embraces her unique identity, finding peace and happiness in her own skin. The story concludes with a hopeful image of Brightness smiling at the world, a symbol of her acceptance and contentment. This ending powerfully underscores the book's message of self-acceptance and the importance of recognizing one's inherent worth. "Brightness" is more than just a children's book; it's a beautifully crafted narrative that invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery. With its rich, imaginative storytelling and profound themes, it offers a meaningful and engaging experience, leaving a lasting impression of hope and acceptance. This is a book that will undoubtedly spark meaningful conversations and inspire readers of all ages to find the "brightness" within themselves. Previous Next

Book review of Me & Lavender by Melody C. Peugh, Illustrated by Eve Farb . ISBN: < Back Take me back to https://www.childrensbookwormaward.com/ Me & Lavender Melody C. Peugh, Illustrated by Eve Farb friendship, imagination, playfulness, adventure Flashlight Press Share this review: Copy link Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest When a playful elephant named Lavender drops into Ella's room, their fun quickly turns into a messy adventure that threatens to ruin Mommy's afternoon tea party. "Me & Lavender" is an enchanting children's book that blends whimsy, imagination, and heartwarming lessons, making it an ideal read for young audiences aged 4-8. Written with a playful and imaginative flair, this delightful tale, set within the cozy confines of a young girl's home and garden over a single eventful day, is sure to captivate with its charming narrative and vibrant illustrations. At the heart of the story is Ella, a spirited young protagonist, and her unique companion, Lavender, a playful elephant whose hue is an intriguing blend of purple and gray. Their friendship forms the central pillar of this narrative, showcasing a bond that is both imaginative and deeply resonant. The plot of "Me & Lavender" unfolds with a rhythm. Ella's day takes an unexpected turn with Lavender's arrival, leading them into a series of joyous escapades. The initial conflict arises from Ella's mother's impending afternoon tea party and Ella's desire to remain tidy. However, Lavender's infectious enthusiasm proves irresistible, drawing Ella into increasingly messy and exciting games, culminating in a wonderfully chaotic mud-pie creation. The tension between the desire for fun and the need for responsibility is beautifully explored as they race against time to clean up before the tea party. The book escalates their antics with charming abandon. From pancake breakfasts to vacuuming adventures and hide-and-seek in the garden, Ella and Lavender's day is packed with spirited activities. Swinging high, tricycle rides, and a playful water fight with the garden hose all highlight Lavender's vivacious spirit and Ella's growing embrace of his playful influence. This section skillfully builds suspense as their messiness reaches its peak, leaving readers eager to discover the outcome of the impending tea party. The resolution is heartwarming. With the tea party looming, Ella and Lavender scramble to erase all traces of their muddy adventures. Their frantic efforts to bathe and tidy up, including Lavender's comical use of the washing machine, are a testament to their teamwork. They succeed just in the nick of time, allowing the tea party to proceed smoothly, much to the delight of the charming guests who are captivated by Ella and Lavender. This climax underscores the book's core theme: the possibility of balancing joyful, playful moments with essential responsibilities. The book concludes with a tender scene of Ella and Lavender in their pajamas, dreaming of future escapades, leaving readers with a profound sense of joy and anticipation for more whimsical adventures. "Me & Lavender" explores several key themes. The bond of friendship between Ella and Lavender is central, celebrating companionship and acceptance. The book also revels in the pure joy of pretending, inviting young readers to embrace their own imaginative play. Most importantly, it subtly teaches the valuable lesson of balancing fun with responsibility, demonstrating that one doesn't have to sacrifice one for the other. Set entirely within a contemporary home and garden over the course of a single day, the familiar setting provides a comforting backdrop for the extraordinary adventures that unfold. This grounding in reality allows the imaginative elements to truly shine. In conclusion, "Me & Lavender" is an imaginative children's book. Its charming narrative, endearing characters, and valuable themes make it a must-read for young readers. It offers a heartwarming exploration of friendship and the joy of pretending, ensuring that children will be left with a sense of wonder, joy, and a keen anticipation for Ella and Lavender's next whimsical escapade. Previous Next

< Back A $50 Million Private Firewall: Inside Philanthropy’s Historic Gamble to Save American Literature June 6, 2026 at 5:43:28 AM Literature has a math problem. Despite anchoring the cultural imagination, shaping national discourse, and producing the very stories that feed Hollywood and Broadway, creative writing is the single most under-resourced artistic discipline in the United States. According to comprehensive data pulled from Candid, https://candid.org/ , private foundations inject roughly $5 billion into arts and culture grants annually. Literature’s share of that massive pie? Just 1.9%. Faced with this chronic financial starvation, and compounding federal budget cuts squeezing the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a powerhouse coalition of seven private philanthropies has decided to bypass Washington entirely. Led by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the coalition has officially deployed the opening salvo of a historic, five-year, $50 million rainy-day endowment known as the Literary Arts Fund. The fund announced its inaugural rollout: $7.7 million in completely unrestricted, general operating grants distributed to 40 nonprofit publishers, literary centers, and writing workshops spanning 19 states. You can read more about it here: https://literaryartsfund.org/announcing-the-inaugural-grant-recipients-of-the-literary-arts-fund/ . Managed by Jen Benka, the seasoned veteran who previously helmed the Academy of American Poets, the fund's strategy focuses heavily on immediate organizational survival. Because the grants are "unrestricted," recipients aren't tethered to launching flashy new projects; they can use the money to pay rent, cover soaring paper and printing costs, stabilize staff salaries, and directly cut checks to writers. While headline-grabbing titans like the National Book Foundation (presenters of the National Book Awards), Graywolf Press, and Copper Canyon Press pulled in top-tier grants maxing out at $500,000, the true pulse of the initiative lies in its grassroots triage. More than half of the 40 inaugural grantees operate with shoestring annual budgets under $1,000,000. For hyper-local organizations receiving grants on the lower end of the $40,000 to $500,000 spectrum, for example, the North Carolina Writers’ Network or the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, the funding represents an unprecedented lifeline. To understand why major philanthropies are suddenly panicking to save these 40 small-to-midsize entities, one only has to look at their collective footprint over the past year alone: 10,000+ adult creative writers supported across fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. 5,909 authors formally presented at public events and community readings. 2,141 writers actively published in indie books and literary journals. 590 writers hosted at safe-haven creative residencies and retreats. 9,000,000+ collective readers reached nationwide, both in-person and online. "Art does not find its way forward in a search for commercial success," noted Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Percival Everett in a statement supporting the launch. "Without nonprofit publishers, American letters would have stalled long ago." Everett himself spent decades being championed by Graywolf Press before breaking through to mainstream commercial success with his recent novel James . The Literary Arts Fund operates as a fiscally sponsored project under the National Center for Civic Innovation. The initial $50 million bedrock was pooled together via a massive collaborative effort between Mellon and six other founding organizations: The Ford Foundation The Hawthornden Foundation The Lannan Foundation The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation The Poetry Foundation An anonymous private benefactor Crucially, each foundation made a one-time gift to the pool on top of their existing, independent annual grant budgets, signaling a collective agreement that the literary infrastructure was approaching a breaking point. The $7.7 million general operating wave is only the beginning of a tightly sequenced timeline designed to inject the remaining $42.3 million into the ecosystem by 2031. With the first phase finalized, the fund is immediately pivoting its attention to an entirely different type of support: Innovation Project Grants . This next tier will offer single-payment funding for one-time, collaborative initiatives aimed at solving macro-level field challenges, like supply chain bottlenecks for indie presses or digital archiving gaps. The application lifecycle for organizations tracking the fund will move rapidly through the remainder of the year: June 8, 2026: Full guidelines drop and the application window officially opens via Submittable. June 18, 2026: A free, public information webinar will guide prospective applicants through the process. August 17, 2026: The hard deadline for all innovation project applications. December 2026: A peer-review panel composed of working writers completes vetting, and the winter wave of recipients is announced. January 2027: The fund begins its second annual open-call cycle. To qualify for the upcoming rounds, organizations must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits (or fiscally sponsored entities) that have moved past the "pilot phase," requiring at least three years of operating history, continuous executive leadership for at least 12 months, and a minimum baseline budget of $50,000. "Writers give voice to the human condition, helping us better understand ourselves and each other," Executive Director Jen Benka stated. "As these organizations and publishers face a lack of funding, we encourage leaders who value literature to join us." Reported by Printed Word Reviews Share this article Copy link LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest

< Back Banned Books Week Marks 20 Years September 28, 2026 at 7:20:28 AM This year, the American Library Association celebrates Banned Books Week 's 20th anniversary during its 150th anniversary. The week will be October 4–10, 2026, with the chosen theme of "Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read." Authors throughout the US take advantage of different events such as book fairs, book clubs, and book events, highlighting the different banned books that we no longer see on our shelves today. The creators behind the theme and the commemorative week say banned books should not be forgotten nor erased from history, as we know history will always repeat itself. Before a book officially becomes banned, it starts off as a challenged book, in which the ALA compiles a list of the most challenged books every year to raise awareness and keep those informed of what might soon be out of stores. Just last year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom ( OIF ) tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second-highest ever documented by ALA. Of that, 39% represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color. The ALA's ongoing campaigns unite against book bans to empower readers to stand up for the books they enjoyed reading, and reporting censorship can help those authors and categories avoid being overly targeted. Book banning may seem like one of the many trends of the 20th century, but it dates back to 1637 in the US and 259 BC worldwide. Book banning recently picked up steam during a time of conservatism and conservative values. The practice has persisted throughout the years, but each year, literary authors, fans, and book lovers unite to host a Banned Books Week. This makes sense, as pressure groups, government officials, and decision-makers initiated 92% of all book challenges, up from 72% in 2024. Less than 3% of challenges originated from individual parents. The story behind the theme is the protection of speech and the protection of creative writing and stories that represent what we see in the time we live in now; banned books are the origin story of somebody's reading journey, and for others, some lesbian books hold a special place. The "Let Books Be" poster was created by Hyesu Lee , one of three illustrations from award-winning artists Hyesu Lee, Love is Wise, and Mikey Burton that embrace joy and creativity as acts of resilience. The week will have online events each day, soon to be announced on the ALA pages. Printed Word Reviews / Reported by Mali Ayala Share this article Copy link LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest

Learn more about Death of a Blue Jay < Back Death of a Blue Jay "Death of a Blue Jay" Recognized by Independent Press Award: A Journey Forged in Faith and Discovery Nicholas D'Souza's "Death of a Blue Jay" has been named a 2025 Distinguished Favorite in the Religion: Fiction category by the Independent Press Award, marking a significant milestone in a writing journey born from personal revelation and unwavering faith. D'Souza's path to authorship was not a traditional one, but rather a calling discovered amidst the challenges of post-collegiate life. After years of competitive swimming, D'Souza found himself searching for purpose. A friend's suggestion to write for personal therapy sparked a creative exploration, leading to articles aimed at supporting those navigating mental illness. Though initial submissions were met with rejection, the act of writing itself became a transformative experience. A period of unemployment, coupled with a renewed engagement with reading and a deepening of his Catholic faith, proved pivotal. A cryptic text, containing a quote from his own past writing, affirmed his calling. This moment, along with a series of other "signs," convinced him that his path was divinely ordained. D'Souza's writing is deeply influenced by his faith and the example set by his devout friends. He also draws inspiration from J.K. Rowling, whose ability to craft the intricate world of Harry Potter, despite personal hardship, resonates with him. He expresses profound gratitude to God for guiding his journey and to his friends for their unwavering support. "Instead of bringing light to the darkness, bring the darkness to the light," D'Souza summarizes his writing philosophy, reflecting his commitment to exploring difficult themes with honesty and compassion. "Death of a Blue Jay" stands as a testament to D'Souza's unique journey, a narrative born from personal exploration and guided by unwavering faith. He is thrilled to be recognized as a 2025 Distinguished Favorite, a validation of his dedication to sharing stories that resonate with truth and authenticity. Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Book review of Richard: The Dragon's Curse by Michael W Hickman . ISBN: 979-8985477788 < Back Richard: The Dragon's Curse Michael W Hickman Dragons, Fantasy RedFoxOnHigh Share this review: Copy link Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) WhatsApp Pinterest In a battle for survival across dimensions, a king must confront ancient dragons and treacherous allies to protect his family and reclaim his throne in the Milky Way. “Richard: The Dragon's Curse” is the third installment in Michael W. Hickman's epic Richard series, a sweeping science fiction fantasy that blends high-stakes galactic politics with personal heroism and interdimensional adventure. The narrative centers on King Richard, the young, rightful heir to a galaxy-spanning kingdom, who faces a twin crisis: a political betrayal from within and an ancient, cosmic threat from beyond. The core conflict begins with the menacing golden-scaled dragon emperor, Askook, anticipating the dragons' catastrophic return to the Milky Way, while Richard is betrayed by the industrial magnate Antonius and targeted by the humanoid fox assassin, Raider. The story follows Richard's evolution from a reluctant ruler to a determined leader as he fights to save his kingdom and protect his family—especially his pregnant wife, Amber—from annihilation. The political machinations start with Richard's betrayal by Antonius, who drugs him with the intent to hand him over to the villainous Senator Spartacus. This early deception necessitates a clever tactic: Richard's protector, AAL, rescues the true king, while Richard's double, Henry, takes his place to ensure Antonius's capture. This dual existence and the struggle to protect his family and kingdom grounds Richard's arc in personal determination. The middle of the book escalates the tension. An assassination attempt on Amber during Richard's coronation tragically highlights the animosity between human and non-human races within the kingdom—a theme that adds depth to the political backdrop. The discovery that the crucial dragon ring, required for sealing the interdimensional rift, is missing ratchets up the existential dread. As the dragons' breakthrough approaches, Richard orders an evacuation and, in a moment of heroism and sacrifice, remains on the planet Krel with Olympus and AAL to confront the great nemesis. Their subsequent journey through the rift, where they encounter dragons seeking peace, offers a twist, moving the conflict beyond a simple good versus evil paradigm. Richard's resourceful escape and return to his wife merges the cosmic stakes with the deeply personal. The resolution provides an open-ended conclusion. Richard and Andreas find a new planet for the peaceful dragons and thereby gain their powerful loyalty. Richard confronts the ongoing political challenges posed by Spartacus, asserting his authority with a powerful call for unity. The book concludes with Richard and Amber navigating the complexities of their new lives as parents and rulers, preparing for Richard's official ascension. The final note is one of determined hope, as Richard stands ready to protect his family and kingdom from any future threat. “Richard: The Dragon's Curse” is a blend of science fiction and fantasy, offering an imagined universe filled with political intrigue, and epic, action-packed battles. Hickman crafts a universe where mythological creatures and advanced technology coexist, giving the series its unique, engaging flavor. With its themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the enduring struggle for power, it is a thought-provoking continuation of the series. Previous Next